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THE 11-DAY JOURNEY THAT LASTED 40 YEARS 4 D’VAR MALCHUS / SICHOS IN ENGLISH

OF COURSE MALCHUS HAS A COMPLETE PARTZUF! 9 WITH GINSBERG

“FINALLY THE TITLE ‘BEIT REFUA’ WILL BE 12 ACCEPTED” FEATURE

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© Copyright 2003 by Beis Moshiach, Inc D’var Malchus

THE 11-DAY JOURNEY THAT LASTED 40 YEARS SICHOS IN ENGLISH

THE 11TH OF SHVAT AND SHABBOS Shabbos shares a unique B’Shalach which is read in the PARSHAS B’SHALLACH & 13TH DAY OF connection to song as reflected in the morning service and Yisro, which is SHVAT, 5752[195] psalm that begins, “A psalm, a song read in the afternoon service. 1. There are several significant for the Shabbos day.” In Chassidic There is a connection between dimensions to the fact that this year, thought, it is explained that song is a these two readings. Parshas , the day of the medium through which one can B’Shalach marks the completion of the Rayatz’s yahrtzeit, was commemorated ascend to higher spiritual levels. For redemption from Egypt which is on a Wednesday. Among them: that reason, the elevation of the connected with the giving of the Torah worlds to a higher spiritual level on a. Wednesday is the day on described in Parshas Yisro as it is Shabbos comes about through song. which the luminaries were suspended written, “When you take the people In particular, this potential is granted in the heavens; out of the Land of Egypt, you will on Shabbos Shira, and from Shabbos serve Me on this mountain.” b. Wednesday begins the Shira, the potential is drawn down to Conversely, Parshas Yisro is connected preparations for the coming Shabbos the other Shabbasos of the year. Thus, with the splitting of the Red Sea (on which the service associated with it is understood that Shabbos Shira described in Parshas B’Shalach, for it the previous week, and in this also allows a unique potential for the was the news of the splitting of the sea instance, the service associated with elevation of the service of Yud Shvat. that motivated Yisro to come to visit the Rebbe Rayatz’s yahrtzeit, is This Shabbos s also significant Moshe. elevated to a higher level). This is because it generates blessing for the reflected in the recitation of the verses Both Torah portions also share a day of Chamisha-Asar B’Shvat. There from Lechu Neranena (the beginning connection to the Era of the are two important dimensions to the of the Kabbalas Shabbos service) in Redemption. The song sung by the latter date: It is the New Year of the the Psalm of the Day of Wednesday. Jewish people after the crossing of the Trees and it is also the fifteenth of the Red Sea contains several references to The latter concept is particularly month, the day on which the moon the Era of the Redemption. For appropriate this Shabbos, for it is shines in its fullness, i.e., the service example, the verse “the Sanctuary of Shabbos Shira (the Shabbos of Song), of this month is expressed in a G-d established by Your hands,” the Shabbos on which the Torah complete manner. Connecting points which refers to the Third Beis reading contains the song sung by the to all of the above concepts can be HaMikdash which will be constructed Jewish people after the crossing of the found in the two Torah portions at that time, and the concluding verse, Red Sea. associated with the present Shabbos:

195. Translator’s Note: Because of the thematic the eleventh of Shvat, these talks were combined fashion. connection between the Rebbe’s sichos on and prepared for printing as a single entity. Shabbos and those of the preceding Thursday, Hence, they have also been translated in this

4 BEIS MOSHIACH 7 Shvat 5763 “And G-d will reign forever and ever.” By not choosing to lead the by The above was accomplished Similarly, the oath taken by G-d this path, G-d did not intend to through the forty-two[198] journeys against Amalek recorded at the remove this influence from the Jews. of the Jewish people through the conclusion of Parshas B’Shalach will Instead, His intent was that this desert. Part and parcel of the intent in be in force until Amalek is wiped out transcendent influence be drawn this journey was to elevate the sparks in the Era of the Redemption. down and made part of their inner of G-dliness enclothed in the material The giving of the Torah described being. This was accomplished through entities with which the Jews used in Parshas Yisro is also associated with during this journey. These sparks had the ultimate revelation of “the new fallen to low levels, the negative [dimensions of the] Torah which will dimension of the number eleven.[199] emerge from Me,” in the Era of the By causing the Nevertheless, through the efforts of Redemption.[196] the Jewish people, these negative journey to last forty dimensions can be nullified, and the The connection between all of positive power of these transcendent these concepts can be understood years, the potentials revealed. Indeed, this better through the analysis of the service draws down increased energy opening verse of the Torah reading, transcendent quality into the service of G-d within the “And G-d did not choose the way of context of the world’s limitations, the Philistines although it was close.” associated with eleven which are alluded to in the Ten (In practice, all the subsequent events Commandments. are connected with this choice. Since was drawn down G-d led the people southward, it was Were G-d to have led the Jews to necessary for the sea to split, there, through the service of Eretz Yisroel on the eleven day they encountered Amalek, and it was the Jewish people in journey, this transcendent quality because of these miracles that Yisro would have been revealed from above, visited them.) but would not have permeated the elevating the material Jewish people as they exist within The Midrash explains that “the frame of reference in their own context. By causing the way of the Philistines” was an eleven journey to last forty years, the day journey and draws a connection which we live, thus transcendent quality associated with to the verse “an eleven day journey eleven was drawn down through the from Chorev.” Instead of taking this making it an integral service of the Jewish people in short journey, they traveled through elevating the material frame of the desert for forty years. part of our existence. reference in which we live, thus The Midrash also relates that making it an integral part of our eleven has positive significance, existence. referring to “the distinct the forty year journey through the Based on the above, we can commandment,... the first of the ten, ‘I desert which endowed them with “a appreciate how the events mentioned am G-d, your L-rd.’ “ In Kabbalistic knowing heart, eyes that see, and ears in the Torah portions of B’Shalach and terminology, eleven refers to the level that hear.” For it was the Yisro serve as a preparation for the of “one, but not in a numerical sense,” internalization of this transcendent ultimate revelation of the Torah in the i.e., G-d’s essence which is above the potential which prepared them for the Era of the Redemption. The Torah to ten S’firos. entry into Eretz Yisroel.[197] be revealed in the Era of the

196. Herein we can also see a connection to 197. This also relates to the opening phrase of from the Haftora, bifroa praos b’Yisroel. This Yisro. In connection with that name, our Sages our Torah portion, “And it came to pass when indicates how the transcendent influence of comment: “Why was he called Yisro (which has Pharaoh sent forth the people.” The Pharaoh is conveyed b’Yisroel, within the Jewish a connection with the word yesser which means transcendent potential mentioned above relates people. “increase”)? Because an extra passage was to the conception of Pharaoh in the sphere of 198. As evident from the Kabbalistic added to the Torah because of him, the passage holiness, “the source for the revelation of all explanations of the prayer, Ana B’Koach, the beginning “And you shall see.” The true concept lights.” number 42 is associated with the process of of increase will be seen in the Era of the The internalization of this potential within the ascent, elevating the material context in which Redemption. Similarly, in that age, Moshiach Jewish people is reflected in one of the verses we live. will teach through the medium of sight.

Issue Number 398 BEIS MOSHIACH 5 Redemption was also conveyed in the including not only the lands of the people (the feminine dimension, as revelation at Mount Sinai.[200] seven Canaanite nations, but also the explained by the commentaries to Shir Nevertheless, the concepts to be lands of the Keini, K’nizi, and HaShirim) to ascend to a higher revealed at that time have remained Kadmoni. Furthermore, Eretz Yisroel spiritual level and to elevate their hidden to the point that they are will spread out through the entire environment. In contrast, the song of described as “the new [dimensions of world, revealing how the world is the Era of the Redemption will be a the] Torah that will emerge from Me,” G-d’s dwelling. song of revelation from above[202] i.e., a new entity never appreciated There is a connection between the (the masculine dimension). before.[201] above and Shabbos Shira, “the The above is particularly relevant This concept relates to the contrast Shabbos of Song.” As mentioned to the month of Shvat, for Shvat is the between the numbers ten and eleven above, song is a medium of ascent and eleventh month of the year (when mentioned above. The giving of the also a medium for revelation. In this counting from Nissan, the month of Torah was associated with the Ten context, we can develop the ideas redemption).[203] There is a special Commandments and thus reflects how emphasis on the above on the tenth the Torah enclothes itself within the and the eleventh days of the month. limits of worldly existence. For this The tenth of Shvat is the yahrtzeit of reason, the giving of the Torah is Eretz Yisroel will the Rebbe Rayatz, the day on which associated with Nigleh, the revealed “all the deeds, teaching, and service dimensions of Torah law which spread out through which he performed throughout his provide us with guidelines for our life” are elevated to a higher conduct within this world. the entire world, level.[204] The positive potential Conversely, the revelation of “the new generated on this day is particularly [dimensions of the] Torah that will revealing how the emphasized this year when Yud Shvat emerge from Me” is associated with world is G-d’s falls on a Wednesday, the day the the number eleven, the transcendent luminaries were suspended in the dimension mentioned above. dwelling. heavens, i.e., a day associated with In this context, the wanderings of revelation. the Jewish people throughout the The elevated state reached is centuries can be compared to the reflected on the eleventh day when the journeys through the desert, for the explained by our Sages that there were quality of transcendent revelation is purpose of those wanderings was the nine songs sung by the Jewish people expressed by the monthly cycle and by elevation of the sparks of G-dliness as a whole and in the Era of the the daily cycle. All the more unique is contained within the nations in which Redemption, we will sing the tenth the commemoration of these dates in song, “a new song.” they lived. Ultimately, this service will the present year, for this is the 42nd lead to the fulfillment of the prophecy Our Sages continue that the anniversary of the Rebbe Rayatz’s “I will cause the spirit of impurity to previous songs are referred to as shira, yahrtzeit, indicating that “the journey depart from the land,” and this will be the feminine form of the word song, through the desert” to elevate the reflected in the wiping out of Amalek. while the “new song” of the Era of the Jewish people and the environment in At that time, we will merit to take Redemption is referred as shir, the which they live has been completed possession of Eretz Yisroel in its masculine form. All the previous and we, the last generation of exile fullness as a land of ten nations, songs refer to the efforts of the Jewish and the first generation of the

199. This is alluded to in the statement in the light. As a result of this process, light is will characterize the future Redemption. From verse from D’varim that the eleven day journey increased. the eleventh month, we proceed to the twelfth was “by way of Mount Seir.” 202. Nevertheless, in this song, there will also be month, the month of Adar, the month of the 200. Similarly, we find the expression “Every the potential for the lower realm to be included redemption of Purim. And then, “joining new concept developed by an experienced Sage in this revelation. (In this context, we see a redemption to redemption,” we proceed to was given to Moshe on Mount Sinai.” connection to Shir HaShirim, the song which Nissan, “the month in which the Jews were 201. This relates to Yisro whose name means, as reveals the unity, love, and oneness shared by G- redeemed from Egypt and the month in which mentioned above, “increase” and who converted d and the Jewish people.) they will be redeemed in the future.” to Judaism. Conversion reflects the ultimate 203. As mentioned above, eleven is associated 204. This also brings the entire generation to a concept of transformation from darkness to with the concept of transcendent revelation that higher spiritual plane, for “the body follows the head.”

6 BEIS MOSHIACH 7 Shvat 5763 Redemption, are prepared to enter produce for which Eretz Yisroel is Each Jew has a treasure store of Eretz Yisroel. praised, wheat, barley, grapes, figs, spiritual potentials that enables him to And soon we will merit the singing pomegranates, olive (oil), and dates bring out services representative of of the “new song,” the song of (honey). This is relevant to every Jew, these seven services. This also redemption, a song of unity and for every Jew is “a cherished land” includes the revelation of the secrets oneness. Indeed, a foretaste of the which can give forth the seven species of Torah, the service associated with happiness and joy which will of produce, i.e., seven different modes dates, as alluded to in the verse “milk accompany that song can be of service of G-d. and honey are under your tongue.” experienced at present. The It is proper to mention the And it is through these efforts that we confidence that the Redemption is an importance of holding on will merit that “a shoot will emerge immediate reality should produce joy Chamisha-Asar B’Shvat in every place. from the stem of Yishai,” the coming and happiness.[205] At these farbrengens, it should be of Moshiach who will take us to Eretz Yisroel together with the entire Jewish 2. This Shabbos also conveys emphasized how every Jew is “a cherished land,” and possesses within people. And then we will merit the blessing upon the day of Chamisha- ultimate fulfillment of the giving of Asar B’Shvat, “the New Year of the himself the potential to express a mode of service appropriate to each of the Torah, the revelation of the “the Trees,” a day which shares a new [dimensions of the] Torah that connection with the seven species of the seven types of produce for which Eretz Yisroel is praised. will emerge from Me.”

205. This should also be reflected in our Indeed, it is related that the Alter Rebbe would prayers, for prayer is also referred to as song. pray amidst song.

Issue Number 398 BEIS MOSHIACH 7 Farbrengen with Rabbi Ginsberg

OF COURSE MALCHUS HAS A COMPLETE PARTZUF! BY RABBI LEVI YITZCHOK GINSBERG, , TOMCHEI T’MIMIM – LUBAVITCH, KFAR

Reb Mendel Futerfas, o.b.m., used immersed in their studies, Reb Nissan bachurim, Reb Mendel Futerfas to tell the following story of his youth: snuck out through a backdoor and ran included, noticed his absence. The famous chassid and mashpia, to the home of Reb Shmuel Levitin, Following his lead, they too closed Reb Itche der Masmid (may G-d their s’farim, left the zal and raced to avenge his blood), was one shliach join the farbrengen. who knew how to “sow ruchnius and Of course, the bachurim could not reap gashmius” during his fundraising exactly enter Reb Shmuel Levitin’s travels. It was said of Reb Itche that he Over and over Reb house; they remained outside, hiding prayed all day long, and at night Itche kept repeating behind the doors and windows, and farbrenged until dawn. peeked in. But it didn’t matter – the One time Reb Itche arrived in the same words: most important thing was to hear what Nevel and immediately sat down to was being said. farbreng, as was his usual custom upon “Malchus hot doch Indeed, what they overheard was arrival in a new city. In those days the Reb Itche directing his remarks mashgiach of chassidus at Yeshivas oychet a gantze primarily to Reb , Tomchei T’mimim-Nevel was the partzuf.” Another their mashgiach. Over and over Reb mashpia, Rabbi Nissan Nemanov. Reb Itche kept repeating the same words: Nissan took his job seriously, and chassid who was “Malchus hot doch oychet a gantze announced that no student would be partzuf” (the s’fira of malchus also has a allowed to interrupt his seider of present, Reb Zalman “complete configuration”). Another learning in order to attend Reb Itche’s chassid who was present, Reb Zalman farbrengen. Moshe, kept nodding Moshe, kept nodding his head in Reb Nissan Nemanov, however, his head in agreement. “Yes, yes. Of course, of was also a chassid, and very much course!” wanted to hear Reb Itche. Back and agreement. “Yes, yes. Now, Reb Nissan Nemanov was forth he paced in the study hall, the renowned far and wide for his inner turmoil and conflicting Of course, of course!” outstanding quality of kabbalas ol, the emotions he was feeling visible on his acceptance of the yoke of Heaven. face. In the end, Reb Nissan could not Before taking any action he would control himself; his strong desire to always try to demonstrate iskafia: hear Reb Itche won out over his where Reb Itche’s farbrengen was being Rather than doing what he really obedience to rules and regulations. held. wanted, Reb Nissan would always Making sure the bachurim were well As soon as he had left, several choose the path he found less

Issue Number 398 BEIS MOSHIACH 9 personally desirable. His learning and * * * acceded. (At first the Rebbe refused to his davening were similarly infused Yud Shevat, the day on which the accept the nesius out of hand, citing with kabbalas ol. Hour after hour he Rebbe MH”M officially accepted the various reasons: “lack of strength,” he would sit and commit chapters of nesius, is the day of “binyan had “not yet received the command,” and chassidic to ha’malchus” (the establishment or “the very idea is completely out of the memory. In fact, Reb Nissan always building of sovereignty): Just as we question,” etc.) Nevertheless, the said that a chassid measures the “rebuild” G-d’s sovereignty over the chassidim would not give up. distance between two locations by the world anew each Rosh HaShana, so Today the situation is the same, number of chapters he can recite by too do we “establish” the Rebbe but the sovereignty in question is the heart during the journey... When Reb Melech HaMoshiach’s sovereignty and sovereignty of Moshiach and his Nissan prayed, each word was uttered accept his kingship upon us on Yud hisgalus before the eyes of all mankind. as if he were a soldier standing before Shevat, the Rosh HaShana of Again, we will not give up until our his supreme commander. It was said objective is attained – especially after that the Rebbe Rayatz had once called the Rebbe’s repeated acceptance and Reb Nissan “a zisser soldat” (a sweet encouragement of our crowning him soldier). with the proclamation of “Yechi Yes, Reb Nissan was a tough As far as malchus is HaMelech” during a period of over a character, demanding the same concerned, the Rebbe year. kabbalas ol and obedience from others Chassidus explains the proper he demanded from himself. A person emphasized, “thought “order” or progression by which had to work hard at being a good Jew, sovereignty is “established,” which we without asking questions or taking is irrelevant!” What learn from the example of Rosh personal preferences into is important is that HaShana: At the end of the old year, consideration. People said that G-d doesn’t want to rule for another whenever Reb Nissan began to take we verbally accept his year; the very idea of His accepting the pleasure in his learning, he would role is “completely out of the close the seifer immediately. If he was sovereignty upon us – question.” G-d doesn’t need to rule learning nigleh, he would switch to over the world. On the contrary, it chassidus, and vice versa. The main with joy, with represents a very great descent in point was never to allow the neshama relation to His true nature, for G-d is to experience too much enjoyment. certainty, and with obviously higher than the created This character profile explains the absolute faith in the world, and has no desire to lower reason Reb Itche was directing his Himself. comments to Reb Nissan. Yes, Reb Rebbe’s promise of Nonetheless, G-d created the Itche was saying, kabbalas ol is the world in such a way that we limited foundation and basis upon which the imminent and finite human beings are able to entirety of our avoda must rest, but Redemption. arouse in Him the desire to rule and dry and lifeless kabbalas ol is not our convince Him to accept the job He goal. A person’s intellect and emotions doesn’t want, as it were! How? By must be ignited in his service of G-d; a blowing the shofar and verbally certain amount of enthusiasm and joy Hiskashrus. accepting His kingship. Furthermore, is required to serve Him properly. on Rosh HaShana our absolute Even the s’fira of malchus, Reb Itche “These days are remembered and nullification before G-d is expressed explained, the entire essence of which relived.” As explained in the seifer primarily by speech: in our prayers, in is pure kabbalas ol and bittul (self- Yemei B’Reishis and other places, the our recitation of Psalms, and in our nullification), contains within it the Rebbe’s acceptance of the nesius on repeated entreaties to “rule over the characteristics of the other nine s’firos Yud Shevat 5711 came about through entire world in Your glory!” (the meaning of the word “partzuf,” an “arousal from below.” As narrated i.e., a s’fira containing other s’firos). there in greater detail, the chassidim THOUGHT “DOESN’T Even the most absolute bittul and had to repeatedly beg, implore and COUNT” kabbalas ol must be tempered with beseech the Rebbe with various “writs vitality, sweetness and enthusiasm, of hiskashrus” and “determinations of In the holy sicha of Rosh HaShana Reb Itche was telling him... fact” until the Rebbe eventually 5738, the Rebbe MH”M stated (free

10 BEIS MOSHIACH 7 Shvat 5763 translation): like...” Similarly, just as on Rosh HaShana “The blowing of the shofar is an The same principle holds true for “thought is irrelevant” (note: I myself actual deed; the recitation of the coronation of Melech would never dare to use such a phrase; ‘Malchiyos,’ a matter of speech. For HaMoshiach, whose role is to reveal I’m only quoting the Rebbe Melech when it comes to the concept of G-d’s sovereignty over all Creation. HaMoshiach!), so too, when it comes coronation, thought is irrelevant. The Likewise, the progression of his to the coronation of Moshiach, the main thing is that the bittul be hisgalus is the same as on Rosh “main thing is that our bittul be expressed precisely in speech, by HaShana, beginning with an “arousal expressed precisely in speech, by proclaiming ‘Yechi HaMelech’ and the from below.” proclaiming ‘Yechi HaMelech’ and the like...” Surely the Rebbe’s words provide an answer to those chassidim who wrap themselves in a “zeidene zupitze” (as the Alter Rebbe stated about Esau and his “silken kapote”), who voice their protests against “empty slogans,” demanding “p’nimius” and “sincerity.” As far as malchus is concerned, the Rebbe emphasized, “thought is irrelevant!” What is important is that we verbally accept his sovereignty upon us – with joy, with certainty, and with absolute faith in the Rebbe’s promise of imminent Redemption. At the same time, of course, “malchus hot doch oychet a gantze partzuf.” As essential as our verbal acceptance of the Rebbe’s malchus is, a verbal declaration is not enough, especially for chassidim of Chabad – chochma, bina, and daas. We are obligated to strive to understand the significance of the declaration of “Yechi” to the best of our ability, and imbue all aspects of our lives with the content of its message. Moreover, our proclamation of “Yechi” must express our absolute bittul, “ba’kol, mi’kol kol,” coupled with our individual resolutions for good and renewed determination and resolve to fulfill the Rebbe’s directives. Yechi Adoneinu Moreinu V’Rabbeinu Melech HaMoshiach L’olam Va’ed!

Issue Number 398 BEIS MOSHIACH 11 FFeeaattuurree

In the process of investigating for this article, we discovered that the name change at Clalit Health Services was directly connected to the Rebbe MH”M’s “FINALLY THE request, according to Clalit representative, Mr. Adi Shavit. It is possible to see the overall TITLE ‘BEIT REFUA’ changes that have begun on this issue in the Yellow Pages, where it can be proven that most hospitals today are WILL BE called “medical centers,” and even mental hospitals, r”l, are now called ACCEPTED” “medical centers for mental health.” TRANSLATED BY MICHOEL LEIB DOBRY Perhaps we can understand from this how important the task of changing names is, as it eventually brought an So the Rebbe MH”M wrote twenty-four years ago to the essential change in our understanding staff of the hospital. In recent years, the of an entire concept. The Rebbe MH”M demanded on administrations of the various hospitals and health funds in dozens of occasions to change the Eretz Yisroel have begun changing their names to “medical names of hospitals from “beit cholim” to “beit refua” or “beit rofim.” For example, center,” “beit rofim,” “health services,” as a direct result of in a letter sent to Professor Mordechai the request and demand of the leader of the generation. Shani, who at the time was the director of Sheba Hospital in Tel HaShomer, the Shai Gefen takes a look at the changes that have occurred Rebbe writes, “I certainly remember his in the last few years on this issue, as a preparation for the meeting, when he visited here with his colleagues. I hope that he also imminent Redemption, when there will no longer be remembers my suggestion that instead sickness or sick people. of using the expression ‘beit cholim,’ they will call it a ‘beit refua.’ “And even if at first glance, this is Chassidus teaches us the importance or “beit rofim.” merely a difference in semantics, a verbal expression has. The language Until a number of years ago, the nevertheless, the change is also we use clearly has an impact on our Rebbe’s request appeared to be largely intended to bring encouragement. thoughts and feelings. And it doesn’t ignored and unlikely to be heeded Furthermore, the main point is that this stop there – when we consider the (similar to his request to change the is most fitting and true for such a place, saying of our Rebbeim, “tracht gut vet medical association symbol of a the goal and purpose of which is to zain gut” (think good and it will be serpent). When a Lubavitcher chassid bring healing, to the point of complete good), our choice of words can actually would mention the Rebbe’s opinion on recovery. Why should it be called by an have tangible consequences. this matter, he felt like he was up inappropriate term?” With that in mind, it shouldn’t come against the “impenetrable fortress of th as too much of a surprise to learn that modern culture.” In recent years, In a letter from the 27 of Sivan, our Rebbe, the leader of the generation, however, we are witness to a 5739, to the “kitchen employees” of who cares for every Jew, out of surprisingly positive phenomenon: the Ashkelon Hospital, the Rebbe writes, compassion for the feelings of hospitals are changing their names. “As has been mentioned on numerous hospitalized patients, requested from Almost all the hospitals in Eretz Yisroel occasions, I am not comfortable at all the appropriate authorities that the in the last decade have become “medical with the title ‘beit cholim,’ since the main (Hebrew) terms “beit cholim” (sick centers,” even on their main signs, and purpose, goal, and intention of such a house) and “kupat cholim” (sick fund) be the two largest kupot cholim in Eretz place is to serve as a house of healing changed in accordance with their true Yisroel, Clalit, and Maccabi, have through doctors whose job is to heal. purpose: “beit refua” (place of healing) become “health services.” And my hope is that finally the title ‘beit refua’ will be accepted, instead of the

12 BEIS MOSHIACH 7 Shvat 5763 title customarily used now.” questions in great detail. As things At Sunday dollars distribution on developed, the Rebbe even provided a the 24th of Menachem Av, 5748, when The Rebbe MH”M great deal of helpful advice and Knesset Member and NRP Chairman says in one of his assistance that bore fruit later on, and Professor Avner Chai Shaki approached continues to do so to this very day. The the Rebbe and said that his newborn sichos that the task of Rebbe gave a check for $180, saying, ‘In grandson is in the hospital and needs a Lubavitch, they don’t give letters of bracha, the Rebbe responded, “I am not physicians in the time recommendation for the strengthening accustomed to call such an institution of institutions, but they do give money.’ by the name ‘beit cholim,’ for this is of Moshiach will be to When he gave the check, he requested incorrect. The truth is that this is a ‘beit that the institution not be called ‘beit rofim.’ The sick person contracted his declare that sick cholim’ but ‘beit refua.’ In the end, we illness at home, so why does he go to people are healthy. called it ‘merkaz refui’ (medical center).” this place? Because there are doctors The Mayanei HaYeshua Hospital in there. So it is better and more B’nei Brak, established by Dr. Moshe meritorious to call it a ‘beit rofim.’ The Rothschild, is also called “Beit Refua,” main thing is that there will be a to heal.” on account of the Rebbe’s personal successful and speedy recovery.” Two hospitals in Eretz Yisroel have request. Dr. Rothschild told once that Also in an edited sicha from Yud-Tes been called “battei refua” for a number when he had a yechidus with the Rebbe, Kislev, 5747, about the care for birthing of years, due to the explicit request of the Rebbe gave him a blank check as a mothers in the hospital, the Rebbe the Rebbe MH”M. The first is the contribution. “I asked for how much to rejected the title ‘beit cholim’: “As has Laniado Medical Center in Kiryat Sanz, make the check out, and he responded, been mentioned on numerous Netanya, which was established by the ‘As much as you want.’ The Rebbe even occasions, it is inappropriate to use the Klauzenberger Rebbe, of blessed recommended that I call the hospital a term ‘beit cholim.’ ‘Beit refua’ (or ‘beit memory. Rabbi Binyamin Williger has ‘beit refua,’ and not a ‘beit cholim,’ a place rofim’) [should instead be used], told in the past why the medical center whose purpose is to heal and not to particularly since this is in accordance was so named. “The Rebbe took an perpetuate the illness, since this with the goal of the institution, a place interest in every aspect of Laniado institution is named from Torah of healing through doctors, whose job is Hospital, and needless to say, he sources.” answered all the Klauzenberger Rebbe’s Mr. Adi Shavit, a resident of

Issue Number 398 BEIS MOSHIACH 13 Maccabi Health Services Health Center for Children of

Givatayim, friend and supporter of the name from Germany and established it Where does the name “hospital” local Chabad shliach, Rabbi Yosef here. derive from? Yitzchak Bekerman, is one of those who Comparable institutions in the “Hospital” comes from the word researched the subject of the name beit United States are called HMOs (“health “hospitality.” The intention is not the refua and subsequently pushed for maintenance organizations”). The hospitalized patient, rather the family Kupat Cholim Clalit’s name change to Americans go after the health aspect in members who come to provide him aid Clalit Health Services. Mr. Shavit is a order to present the positive side of the and support, and would receive member of the Israeli Historical matter. In Hungary and the Czech accommodations. Association of Medicine and Science Republic, hospitals are also In practice, what is the correct and is employed by Clalit Health rehabilitation centers. Naturally, this is a definition? Services. Among his many occupations, matter of linguistics, each country with There is no question that the correct he is involved with issues connected its mentality and its language. definition is, as the Lubavitcher Rebbe with the Hebrew language. When did you start with the subject of “beit refua”? A TRUE STORY… At the time, I was connected to the A Lubavitcher told me that he once participated in a most prestigious Israeli Historical Association of conference with dozens of respected academics in a variety of professions, Medicine and Science. I began a including authors and intellectuals. It is important to note that the vast research study on this subject: how the majority of them were on the “opposing” side of Jewish lifestyle. world calls its hospitals and by what names. During my research, I made a At a certain point, this chassid was asked to speak in response to the number of interesting discoveries. The specific topic brought up at the lecture. During his speech, he mentioned names of hospitals can be broken down incidentally the concept of “beit refua.” The subject of the lecture was not into three categories. The concept of connected to hospitals at all, but when he made mention of them in his “beit refua” (house of healing), as is used words, he simply used the term “beit refua” in reference. by the Chinese, for example, represents Two hours later, at the conclusion of the conference, when everyone got a place which heals sick people. In the up to go home, the head lecturer suddenly approached the lectern to say a United States, where the word “hospital” few words. Mentioning the chassid by name, he said, “Among the things he is used more prevalently, there is a mentioned was ‘beit refua.’ I must say that I was most positively impressed greater emphasis on rest and recovery. by this. Only a person with a truly sensitive soul could speak in such a The third category calls the institution noble fashion…” after the sick, as is done primarily in This chassid then concluded his story: “Naturally, I immediately Europe. The name “kupat cholim” (sick approached this speaker and told him that this is not my idea, rather I fund), for example, used for many years adopted it as a chassid who listens to the words of his teacher, the in Eretz Yisroel, came from Germany. Lubavitcher Rebbe MH”M.” Those who came to Eretz Yisroel and built the modern state brought this Menachem Ziegelboim

14 BEIS MOSHIACH 7 Shvat 5763 says, a “beit refua,” since the whole These names always rubbed me the through this, we bring a greater sense of purpose behind the name is that a wrong way and I understood that there awareness of the problems and person comes to this place to become was a need to change them. However, symptoms that cause different illnesses healed and healthy. I am happy to say the issue was sharpened ever more and the need to guard against them.” that the world is starting to recognize when Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Bekerman of As in all matters, the Rebbe sees the the need to change its approach and call Givatayim told me what the Rebbe had main purpose, and therefore, he wanted these institutions in terms of healing. to say on the matter. His words are and requested that a hospital be called a Regrettably, this process is very slow, uniquely straight-forward and accurate, “beit refua.” but it is absolutely going in the right not just from their spiritual point of The name “beit refua” is penetrating direction. view, but because they speak to the very more and more. For example, Maccabi How do you see these changes? truth of the matter, since people come Health Services recently opened a “beit In the last decade, many changes to such a place in order to be healed. rofim” where doctors receive patients. In have been instituted on the issue in Still, however, the state officially calls it Eretz Yisroel, there are numerous Eretz Yisroel. Hospitals now prefer to a “beit cholim,” though hospital and centers called by this name. The most call themselves “medical centers.” health fund administrations understand recent one opened at 10 Dubanov Street Almost every hospital now calls itself by that the names must be changed. This is in . this name. the reason why we have seen such great Rabbi Eliezer Mizrachi, who served change in this area during the last decade. Yet, it is important to emphasize The Rebbe gave a that these concepts are being confused, and the public is still inclined to use The Rebbe gave him a check for $180, terms that have been rooted here for many years. I hope that with the blank check as a saying, “In Lubavitch, passage of time this too will change. contribution. “I asked they don’t give letters In your opinion, how is it possible to bring these names changes among for how much to of recommendation the official establishment as well? This depends upon the academics of make the check out, for the strengthening the Hebrew language. They must receive more appeals on this issue. and he responded, ‘As of institutions, but Today, it is much easier, since more and more medical institutions are shifting much as you want.’” they do give money.” their lexicon in terms of health. As a result, there is a much greater chance that these academics will accept the recommendation. As has been said as Deputy Minister of Health and did Five years ago, Maccabi changed its previously, even from the technical much work to repair and improve the name to Maccabi Health Services. As a aspect of the Hebrew language, the health system from a halachic point of result, Clalit followed suit and changed name “beit refua” is more appropriate. view and establish greater standards of its name from Kupat Cholim Clalit to * * * modesty in psychiatric hospitals, was Clalit Health Services. I was a member In a conversation that Beis Moshiach privileged to receive numerous answers of the committee that decided upon the conducted with Maccabi spokesman and expressions of encouragement from name change, and what tipped the Mrs. Sara Grinbard, she said that the the Rebbe MH”M on these issues. He scales in favor were the various new name changes are a part of a general also pushed hard on the idea of calling services that would be provided to worldwide outlook on changing the hospitals “battei refua”: “During my healthy people. Clalit was also most name and emphasizing that these places tenure [5750-5752), it was very interested in removing the image of the are designed for healing, with the difficult. Today, we see that there is health fund’s connection with the ultimate goal from the very outset of widespread recognition of the need to Histadrut Labor Union. preventing medical problems. “We change the name. Dr. Rothschild was How did you come across the place an emphasis today upon various the first to call his hospital by the name problematic nature of the names beit workshops and services with the ‘beit refua,’ and this was due to a request cholim and kupat cholim? purpose of preventing illness, and the Rebbe made to him during

Issue Number 398 BEIS MOSHIACH 15 Schneider Children’s Medical Center of Israel Beis Refua Mayanei HaYeshua yechidus.” administration, it expresses the change connected to his health and the health “In general, we see something most in attitude and approach on a much of his family.” wondrous,” Rabbi Mizrachi continued. broader level. “Clalit Health Services When even the health fund “There are many things that the Rebbe bears the flag of working to encourage directors understand the change and spoke about for years that were not its clients to adopt a healthy lifestyle. In proceed in accordance with the Rebbe’s accepted. Now, specifically during the the framework of this strategic change, instructions, we see how the world itself most recent period, they are being Kupat Cholim Clalit has changed its is a vessel for the days of Moshiach. accepted and are becoming acceptable name to Clalit Health Services and Who among us would ever have to everyone. So it is with t’shuva and works in a wide spectrum of activities to believed a decade ago that the health mivtzaim, among other things.” educate and provide the general public funds and hospitals would absolve The Rebbe MH”M says in one of his with the necessary tools for a healthy themselves of their negative image and sichos that the task of physicians in the way of life.” change their name? time of Moshiach will be to declare that Words of a similar nature were It stands to reason that even in the sick people are healthy. Accordingly, written by Maccabi’s director-general in lower realms we feel that which the even hospitals will adopt such a the health fund’s official newsletter Rebbe requested for decades, and framework. As part of the taste of the (“Maccabiton,” Winter 1997): “This past according to what he wrote to the days of Moshiach, their names from the year was a year of change for ‘Maccabi “kitchen employees” of Ashkelon Exile will vanish from the horizon, and Health Services’ – change with a vision. Hospital, “finally the title ‘beit refua’ will thus, hospitals and health funds will This year, we defined the path we will be accepted, instead of the title themselves change their names to those take for the coming years with a central customarily used now...” which express an aspect of health. emphasis on the client in all those areas One of the more amazing changes that have begun in recent years – and almost no one has even noticed – is the I SIMPLY DON’T GO BY WHAT THEY CALL “BEIT CHOLIM” new approach in outlook by the health A letter from the Rebbe in which he encourages the use of the name of funds in relation to the services they “Beis Refua” (Igros Kodesh, Vol. 21, p. 259): offer to the general public. No more B”H, , 5720 “sick people”; from now on, it’s “those Brooklyn, NY to be healed.” Even the hospitals have Shalom u’vracha! switched their names to “battei refua” and “medical centers.” Some of the I have received notification in its proper time regarding the state of his health funds have already changed their health and that he entered the beit refua (I simply don’t go by what they call names and their symbols – from “Kupat “beit cholim,” also because it is not logical, since people go there to be Cholim” to “Sherutei Briut” (Health healed, and our Sages, of blessed memory, have said that a person must Services). never speak in impure language), and I was happy to receive notification In an informational booklet afterwards of the successful medical treatment and that he has already produced by the Clalit Health Services returned home.

16 BEIS MOSHIACH 7 Shvat 5763 Farbrengen with Rabbi Bolton

WE SHOULD’VE REJOICED BEFORE THE SPLITTING OF THE SEA BY RABBI TUVIA BOLTON, MASHPIA IN OHR TMIMIM OF

Once, in the early days of the Suddenly the young man shouted, Heights and requested from the Rebbe MH”M’s leadership, a young “MY TEETH!” secretary permission to thank the man entered the Rebbe’s office and “What?” said the officer. “Your Rebbe face to face. begged for a blessing that he be teeth is it now? Why did you wait till “If every one got in to say thank exempt from military service (this was now? Go to the dentist, he’ll see you it would take twice as much of the in the days of the Korean war). He was through your tricks in a second! You’ll Rebbe’s time. Just write a note of careful to explain to the Rebbe that he be back here soon and I’ll see to it that thanks and we’ll take it in at the first didn’t believe in Rebbes and especially you end up sitting in jail for this opportunity.” in Chabad, but he had no choice nonsense!” because he tried everything else to no When the note was brought before avail and now he was desperate. Our hero was soon standing before the Rebbe he looked up at the the dentist shaking like a fish out of secretary who brought it and smiled. The Rebbe looked at him and water. “My father-in-law [the Rebbe Rayatz] asked, “Have you ever had trouble was always careful to do miracles that with your teeth?” “Ah ha!” exclaimed the dentist as he closed his office door leaving them could be explained in natural terms so “No” the young man answered, “I alone. “Goldberg, eh? A Jew!” he that the one who was saved would have papers proving that I’ve had hissed through his teeth. “I know you come on his own to realize the troubles with almost everything else, Jews. You’ll want free dental care and goodness of Hashem. but not my teeth. In fact, I’ve never you’ll always say you can’t work or do But I saw that this young man was even had a filling!” anything because of your teeth! The so close-minded that he would never “Good,” the Rebbe continued. U.S. army doesn’t need parasites like connect it to G-d unless I did a miracle “Tomorrow tell them that you have you. You are disqualified!” that was impossible to explain troubles with your teeth.” The dentist, in a fury, grabbed his naturally.” “But… but,” stammered the poor ‘Unfit’ stamp and brought it * * * confused fellow, but he realized that it thundering down on Goldberg’s draft Similarly today, in the days of was too late; the Rebbe was finished papers. “Now GET OUT!” Moshiach, G-d will do miracles for the talking to him. “Oy! A MIRACLE!” Goldberg Jews that will be impossible to explain The next day he found himself whispered to himself as he was as natural phenomena (something like standing in the cold, ominous draft walking as rapidly as possible toward the 39 Scud-missile direct hits that, center before a uniformed officer, the exit without looking like some just as the Rebbe predicted, didn’t who, after mechanically reading our weird dervish. injure anyone). hero’s papers, reached for his rubber He took the first cab he could to An example of such miracles is stamp to seal the young man’s fate. the Rebbe’s headquarters in Crown found in this week’s Torah reading,

18 BEIS MOSHIACH 7 Shvat 5763 B’Shalach. The Midrash (Mechilta what Moshe says is through simcha, office on wings of joy. He ran to the Shmos 14:13) says that just before i.e., joy in the certainty that you are store, bought whiskey and cakes, and Moshe Rabbeinu split the sea, the Jews doing G-d’s will. ran to the inviting everyone were standing on the shores of the How can we come to attain this to come to his home to celebrate. The raging sea, with the entire Egyptian simcha? The Torah tells us this, as well. Rebbe said that Hashem would help! army closing in to slaughter them and In this week’s Torah section we find a The whole night they sang, no where to run. wonderful passage (14:31-15:1) “And danced, and spoke words of Torah, So they did what Jews always do Israel saw what G-d did to Egypt… and and sure enough, the next morning when they are uncertain, they made they believed in G-d and in Moshe, the child was sitting up and playing in political parties. One group wanted to His servant. Then Moshe and the his bed, completely healthy! A return to Egypt (Peace now), one Jewish people sang this song…” miracle! wanted to fight, one wanted to pray, One of the great chassidic The chassid ran back to the Rebbe and the fourth wanted to drown explanations of this passage is that the with a big donation and even bigger themselves. only time a Jew can really sing and be gratitude. The Rebbe explains that all of them “What’s this?” asked the Rebbe. “I were wrong, even those who wanted cured your son? I just said ‘G-d will to pray, because they acted only help’ because you gave me all those x- according to their natures and did not The chassid flew out rays and things that I don’t believe that the solution would come of the Rebbe’s office understand. Your happiness was what from Moshe Rabbeinu. cured your son.” And in fact, the answer was soon on wings of joy. He And, of course, his happiness came to come (14:15): “Why cry out to Me? because he had a Rebbe. Tell the Jews to go!” In other words, ran to the store, don’t mind the sea, just do what you But if you think about it, the above were taken out of Egypt for. Go bought whiskey and passage really doesn’t make much forward to receive the Torah, Hashem sense. Why does the Torah have to tell will take care of the obstacles. And cakes, and ran to the us that they believed in Moshe and when they followed orders, the sea synagogue inviting began singing after he took them split, and like Goldberg, the people across the sea? That isn’t much of an increased their faith in Moshe and everyone to come to accomplishment. Didn’t they believe Hashem. in him before he split the sea? In fact, his home to celebrate. wasn’t it the belief in Moshe that took Just as the Jews at Yam Suf went them across the Yam Suf? straight to receive the Torah, similarly we must not get sidetracked. Our The Rebbe said that What the Torah is really telling us mission, according to the Moshe of Hashem would help! here is that G-d expected a greater our generation, the Rebbe MH”M, is to level of faith before the splitting of the do good, to spread the light of Torah sea. He was disappointed with the and mitzvos (including the seven Jews for singing only after they saw the miracle. Jews are expected to have Noachide commandments) to the happy is after he believes in G-d and more complete and joyous faith; they world. Moshe. should have rejoiced before he split the There are those, just like back Once, a distraught father came to sea, when he told them to stop crying then, who want to follow their own the Gerer Rebbe and begged for a and start moving. natures. They would rather make blessing for his dying baby son. He This is especially a lesson for our peace (i.e., not change the world but showed the Rebbe the x-rays and the generation. When the Rebbe said join it), fight (spend all their energy prognoses of the professors, and before the Six Day War that it would battling injustices and evils), pray stared at the Rebbe’s face for a sign of end in just days, or that the gates of (and abstain from giving a helping encouragement. The Rebbe handed Communist Russia would open, or hand), or drown themselves (in the him back all the papers and negatives, that the Scud missiles in the Persian sea of Torah and ignore the world). looked at him encouragingly and said, Gulf War would kill no one, it calmed But this is not the way to bring “G-d will help.” Moshiach and heal the world. The way thousands of troubled souls. The to avoid these mistakes and to stick to The chassid flew out of the Rebbe’s Rebbe is always right.

Issue Number 398 BEIS MOSHIACH 19 The Rebbe’s message for us today or their swimming pools, or have is: Get ready for Redemption, them kill each other (like they did Moshiach is here! This should bring us Jews are expected to before the plague of the first-born). great happiness, even before we see Why did He have to stage this whole the miracles with our eyes. It should have more complete production? give us a renewed vigor in doing good and joyous faith; they The Rebbe answers that this was deeds and preparing the world for the just another step to prepare B’nei imminent Redemption, even though it should have rejoiced Yisroel for the receiving of the Torah. seems at times that we are standing When the sea split, all the waters split, before impassable obstacles. before he split the even the “upper waters,” i.e. the There is a Midrash that says that sea, when he told heavens, so that there was nothing to the Jewish people really did not cross “conceal” the Creator. In fact, every the Yam Suf (Red Sea) per se, rather, them to stop crying Jew, even the simplest maidservant, they took a U-turn in the middle and saw visions greater than those of the came out on the same side they and start moving. prophet Yechezkel, because G-d was entered, just several miles down. giving them a preview of what to (Everyone has heard the joke expect six weeks later on Mount Sinai. about the little boy who hands in a Sea is split, the Jews already crossed, In our generation we have the blank piece of paper for his year’s art and the Egyptians haven’t yet writings of the Rebbeim, which is project and explains it to his art arrived!”) called Toras HaMoshiach, the teachings teacher: “It’s called ‘Crossing the Red The real reason that they took this of Moshiach. These books, like the Sea’!” sea-splitting trip was to drown the splitting of the sea, provide a preview (“But it’s Blank! There is nothing Egyptians. of what to expect in the Days of Moshiach, when the world will be there!” exclaimed the incredulous art Of course, this is very weird. If filled with the feeling and the teacher. G-d wanted to kill the Egyptians He knowledge of the oneness of G-d like could have killed them in their sleep, “Well,” explained the child. “The the ocean is filled with water.

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20 BEIS MOSHIACH 7 Shvat 5763 PPeerrssppeeccttiivvee

next link in the chain of the Avos). Already at that time, one could see the practical ramifications of that choice for Yaakov and his sons, in his lifetime THE CHASSIDIC as well as afterwards. This meant fleeing from Eisav, countless VERSION OF “ATA adventures at Uncle Lavan’s house, which was followed by a fearsome meeting with Eisav (as Chazal say, B’CHARTANU” Yaakov said, with a tinge of irony, to Eisav: Look at how the brachos were RABBI YEHOSHUA DUBRAWSKY fulfilled...). (ARTICLE ORIGINALLY WRITTEN IN YIDDISH.) Then the nations of the world stand in amazement at what happened A few months ago, an obscene article, spewing hatred next to the “chosen people.” Poor towards chassidei Chabad, Toras Chabad, and the Nasi Eisav immediately received a homeland for himself and his Chabad, was printed in the frum world. * The despicable children, Har Seir, and then he got the attack of those who focus their energies on loathing “fat of the land” with the land of Edom, and all this without Galus! The anything chassidic, stands in stark contrast to the chassidic children of Amon and Moav didn’t mesirus nefesh for all Jews. * The well-known chassidic need to lift a finger either, and they got spacious lands to call their own. writer, Rabbi Yehoshua Dubrawsky, presents the other side But what happened when the of the story. Let people judge for themselves. chosen ones, the B’nei Yisroel, were supposed to get their portion, that One who would conclude that the How could a gentile understand tiny land that Hashem had promised article you are about to read has a the complex emotion within a Jew’s Avrohom? The story is rather lengthy. somewhat “racist” edge, would be heart when he says “ata b’chartanu” on First they had to endure the agonies of right. But what can I do? There are Yom Tov? For along with the pride and a long exile as slaves in Egypt. Quite a things that are correct and true that joy in the words “ata b’chartanu,” come few lost their lives and never lived to appear like racism. Look at how the the demands and expectations see liberation. Then there was a forty- world just can’t tolerate the Jewish expressed in the words that follow, year sojourn in a large, fearsome idea of “ata b’chartanu” (You [G-d] “v’kidashtanu b’mitzvosecha, desert. When they finally got to the chose us). Yet the same world, v’keiravtanu malkeinu laavodosecha” Promised Land, not too much time amongst themselves, can’t deny the (and You sanctified us with your elapsed before they experienced Galus truth of that phrase, despite their mitzvos, and drew us close, our King, once again. noisy protests against it to your service). This is the essence of After the Babylonian exiles (unfortunately, some Jews join in the being chosen, and when thinking returned, another brief period of time gentile chorus). about these words, a Jew feels that he elapsed and there was exile once This is because the world simply has yet to pay off a debt. again, and boy, what an exile! What a can’t understand or recognize the fact Goyim always had other spectacles, long, difficult, terrible exile! that the awareness embodied within full of dust and scratches of anti- And the goy-Eisav scratches his the Jewish “ata b’chartanu,” has Semitism, through which they saw head and asks, “One minute here! Is nothing to do with nationalism as the what they wanted to see in the “ata this really the nation that declares, ‘ata world knows it. It’s not the boasting b’chartanu.” This was true way back at b’chartanu’?” And before he received which accompanies “national pride,” the beginning of the G-dly choice, an answer to his first question, he is and one cannot detect even a smidgen when Yaakov Avinu “cleverly” bothered by something equally odd. of the emotion of “sisu b’nei meioi” obtained the “brachos ata b’chartanu” Those nations that did well for (rejoice, my innards; i.e., smugness) as (and the first Jew-hater, Eisav, finally themselves, Edom, Amon, and Moav, a result. had to concede that Yaakov was the have no survivors, yet Israel of all

Issue Number 398 BEIS MOSHIACH 21 nations, downtrodden, persecuted as to their lot; they are also among the brandish such justifications – can Israel who experienced evil decrees, great artists, musicians, and inventors cover over this animalistic hatred. death, and rivers of blood, still exists! – yet according to others, it’s just the Now I’d like to go back to the Thus Jews feel the inner intent of opposite. So it continues to grow, the beginning, to the idea that, without a “ata b’chartanu.” The world views this list of opposites and contradictions, doubt, will be considered racist, phenomenon mystically, as an insinuations and double-talk, and it arrogant, and who knows what else, invisible thread which connects wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say but absolutely correct, in my humble Heaven and Am Yisroel, and is the that the list is as long as the Galus. opinion. secret to the existence of His people. Enough said about the “lesser evil” Just as a Jew stands out in his A Jew’s existence arouses an in the gentile’s world, in which Judaism among the goyim, so too, a absolute wonderment and confusion traditional anti-Semitism cloaks itself Chabad chassid stands out in his among the nations. This is not the in a variety of reasons, and perceives chassidus among Jews (nu, of course kind of “ethnocentrism” manufactured its relationship with Jews as objective. “l’havdil elef alfei havdalos”). This is by Eisav. It’s an unusual phenomenon, Somewhere within, the principle based on the old Lubavitcher and like it or not, Heavenly stated by Chazal as brought in Rashi understanding of the words, “Ashreinu, “chosenness” is the only explanation prevails, “halacha hi b’yadua sh’Eisav ma tov chelkeinu etc.” (Fortunate are for it. sonei l’Yaakov” (it’s a known halacha we, and how good is our portion). Truthfully, how can we expect that Eisav hates Yaakov). It’s a halacha! “Ashreinu, ma tov chelkeinu” – goyim to grasp the Jewish uniqueness, In every generation, Eisav hates “fortunate are we” that we are Jews which is really frightening in its Yaakov the Jew (even under the best of and not goyim; circumstances, in America, which has illogic. The Jewish people began its “u’ma naim goraleinu” – “how history with someone who was thrown practically no public sanctioned anti- Semitism, the main reason is not a pleasant is our lot” that we are into a furnace for his faith. Since that chassidim and not misnagdim; time, thousands more years of lack of anti-Semitic sentiment but suffering are endured until the peak is wondrous, G-dly chesed). “u’ma yafa yerushaseinu” – “and reached (or the nadir, if you wish) However, as Rashi later how beautiful is our inheritance” that with the murder of six million Jews, emphasizes, even Eisav has his we are chassidim of ... (did you manage simply because they were Jews! moments when positive feelings to complete the sentence?) This gentile confusion is magnified towards Yaakov are aroused. So too Similar to the relationship of the many times over, and finds itself with the goy, at certain times, his anti- “less evil” goyim towards the Jews – a struggling with inherent Semitism is dormant. It is replaced relationship which is confused and inconsistencies at the point when it with confusion and doubt, which full of contradictions – is, l’havdil, the comes to translating their view of the express a relationship that is relationship between the “less evil” of “Jewish Problem” into practical terms seemingly objective and even pseudo- certain groups of Jews towards and daily interactions. The selfsame sympathetic. chassidei Chabad (here the phrase “less perceived contradiction – in which the But in days of darkness, when evil” is a borrowed term – because “ata b’chartanu” is the purpose of the hatred destroys the normal way of deep down, every Jew is utterly good): world and the entire Creation, yet the things, those goyim who delude they admire them and dismiss them; world rejects so completely the very themselves that they have never felt see amazing qualities and seek out and ‘crown of Creation,’ and seeks to hatred, who say it’s only “a position of find their faults; they portray them as annihilate it – causes the Jew to be objective criticism” that they have both wealthy and beggars; as portrayed in the world in two ways: against Jews and Judaism, goyim like contemplative people and wild men, the world is jealous of the Jews, yet it these we refer to as “a halbe tzara” envying them and being revolted by dismisses them; it praises Jews’ (Yiddish; literally, “half of a problem”). them. All of it together. wisdom and makes them into dust The great tragedy lies in those *** and ashes; Jews are the most devoted “Eisavs” who fulfill the halacha of Let’s put aside, for a moment, how people as well as the most rebellious hating Yaakov b’hiddur (punctiliously), much Lubavitchers have invested – (all this is as the gentile views us); with a hatred that utterly consumes bodily, spiritually, or monetarily – in Jews are the first and true believers them. Pathological individuals like order to help Jews around the world; and also the initiators of heretical Haman and Hitler (yimach shmam) not just spiritually, but also simply ideas; they are the richest and the exist in every generation, and no materially. How many people owe poorest; revolutionaries and apathetic excuse or reason – even if they their physical lives to Lubavitch and

22 BEIS MOSHIACH 7 Shvat 5763 its work? We will put aside for a fabricated by ignorant people and by blind hatred to get into the narrow moment the painful question of how it those who sought to stir up trouble. mind of the Litvak. A Lubavitcher is possible that Lubavitch has become I didn’t read the hate-filled article child, a bachur – a Tamim, and such an outcast in the eyes of such a in the Yated which attacked Chabad certainly an adult Lubavitcher chassid large section of the Jewish world, and and its nasi in the most despicable – contains more yiras Shamayim, even the chassidic world. A question, manner. I didn’t read it, and I won’t emuna shleima, and ahavas Hashem in by the way, which is equally relevant read it! But as I heard, it was an his heel than all the popular “g’dolim” in relationship to “am levadad yishkon” amalgam of missionary poison, in B’nei Brak. (a nation that dwells alone) – did we depraved and psychopathic zeal, and a * * * mention that this is a shocking hatred so deep and absolute that it comparison? I’d like to point out a number of reminds us of what Bilam the Wicked facts whose veracity G-d knows and However, here too the “olam gadol” said, “If I only I had a sword in has been witness to, and they are just (the macrocosm) is reflected in the hand...” a drop in the bucket. One is a “olam katan” (microcosm) – the The old misnagdic hatred was description of a Lubavitcher child, the Lubavitcher “ata b’chartanu” is not in aroused, the likes of which (in both second is about a bachur, and the third the category of “sisu b’nei meioi,” and it the distant and recent past) was ready is about a typical Lubavitcher young doesn’t even have a remote connection and willing to beat a chassid until he man. to feelings of arrogance and died. With “religious fervor,” in whose haughtiness towards others. I knew him personally. He was a fellow student in the Chabad yeshiva This “ata b’chartanu” was expressed in Russia, and he was about 13-14 in the fate of Chabad chassidim, who years old when this happened. He ate remained as nearly the only warriors How can we expect a fleishike meal, and when only a few on behalf of Torah and Yiddishkeit in hours had gone by, he forgot and had Soviet Russia, and till this day, as goyim to grasp the something dairy. He hadn’t eaten emissaries of Torah and Yiddishkeit to much, just a couple of bites, when he the furthest reaches of the world. To Jewish uniqueness, remembered that six hours hadn’t yet Lubavitchers, this is a fact of life, as gone by since he had eaten meat. He Polish Jews say, “k’maaseh.” And which is really was beside himself with anguish, to forevermore they shall continue to go frightening in its the point that he tried by all means in the traditional chassidic way, a path possible to vomit what he ate. paved by our Rebbeim and led by our guide, nasi doreinu. illogic. This was a boy, mamash a child, and it was during the years of Yet there is a certain group whose starvation and war, and it was no relationship and feelings towards simple task to get the stomach to part chassidei Chabad is similar in a horrific name Jews were mounted on the pyre, the mercenaries of the Yated are ready with the food it had ingested. I won’t way (l’havdil?) to the hatred of the get into the ways and means he worst enemies of the Jewish people. to set aflame anybody who identifies as a Lubavitcher (thank G-d, only with devised to get rid of the unwanted Just as the latter has no logical basis, food sitting in his stomach, but he was so too, the hatred of this group is not their tongues and pens, having no other recourse...). Even the Christian crowned with such success that he based on reason. It doesn’t have even a was finally rid of not only the bit of shred of a basis of “minhag avoseihem world expresses their shame today about their past behavior, especially dairy he had eaten, but the entire meat bi’yedeihem” (a custom of their meal he had eaten previously. fathers), when it’s been over a hundred after the Holocaust. years already that the gedolei Why do we expect differently from A great stone rolled off his heart, Lithuania – the gaonim of Volozhin anti-Semites in Europe and from Arab but a little rock still remained which and Brisk – distanced themselves from terror groups? Why should they he tried to remove during Mincha with the unfortunate cherem restrain their hatred for Jews when tears. That didn’t still his conscience, (excommunication) which was put on those in B’nei Brak and their so he went over to the mashpia to ask the chassidim. Their deep friendship sympathizers refuse to relinquish their for a tikkun for his sin. I can testify that with the chassidic g’dolim, proved how hatred of Jews and their enmity for the the boy wasn’t one of the ‘frumaks’; he far removed they were from the crude nasi Yisroel. was a “with it” kid and a chevraman. forms of opposition which was It is very hard to break the wall of The second story is about a bachur

Issue Number 398 BEIS MOSHIACH 23 who certainly did not consider himself our eyes but we were transfixed by the that. a yerei Shamayim or a great chassid. He heartfelt davening which melted the And whoever experienced pangs of was already out of yeshiva and went to hearts of the listeners. starvation can appreciate what work in order to sustain himself, but The chassid finally finished awesome discipline it took to forego the NKVD thought he was a yerei davening and his wife put the Shabbos this food for such a reason. Shamayim, and so they arrested him. meal on the table: a few pieces of Can anybody point out a single Sitting in jail meant sitting. His lepioshke (a type of Uzbeki baked misnagdic who expressed parents sent him a package of matzos good), and a plate of grated beets with such a deep feeling of yiras Shamayim, for Pesach, but in true Russian fried onion. This was the fish and the hiddur mitzva, and strong faith in G-d humanitarian fashion, the package chulent and the meat and the compote and Moshe, His servant? was given to him after Pesach. all together. Then I noticed: And by the way, all the “heroes” of With inhuman efforts, the bachur these stories live today in Brooklyn, managed to obtain some sugar cubes and nobody accompanies them to shul and a few eggs with which he made with parades and dancing ... because the s’darim and which he ate for the Let’s put aside, for a in the world of Lubavitch, mesirus rest of the holiday. You can just nefesh like this is common currency imagine what a superhuman battle it moment, how much and if we really wanted to write their was, day after day, hour after hour. But life stories, we’d need a number of this is only the introduction. Lubavitchers have thick volumes to do so. Since the Russian police was invested – bodily, If the scribes of the Yated would be extremely concerned about freed, for a moment, from the chains outstanding sanitary conditions, even spiritually, or of their hatred, they’d understand why for prisoners, the water in jail for one’s such heroic mesirus nefesh never led personal use was stored in a large monetarily – in order those chassidim to a misnagdic feeling barrel which contained only boiled to help Jews around of “sisu b’nei meioi.” This is because water. Each prisoner took water from they felt with all their hearts and souls the barrel with his own cup. That the world; not just that it wasn’t because of their own bachur knew that all the prisoners put powers and their personal acts, but their chometz’dike cups into the barrel, spiritually, but also because of the nasi and his G-dly and there was no other available kochos which were invested within water, so he didn’t drink a drop of simply materially. them. water throughout Pesach! He told this to me in passing, without even a hint How many people It wouldn’t hurt them to remember that he had thereby done something that the members of the cursed especially heroic. owe their physical Yevsektzia were far more masterful in their mockery of Chabad. Even their The following story is about a lives to Lubavitch and so-called “objective” claims (which distinguished chassid, an oved, who included the recycled trash bin of davened for hours on end and did a its work? opposition to “Messianism”) had a far cheshbon ha’nefesh during the bedtime more serious bent than the product Shma that took hours. It was at the supervised by the “spiritual end of the war, in depleted and committee” in B’nei Brak – but time starving Samarkand. Little me and A piece of onion peel was on the has shown, as they say in Russia, that another bachur learned in his salad. His wife removed it and he he who laughs last, laughs longest. apartment. We, the students, didn’t noticed. I saw him scratch his Just as Hashem helped, and all the suffer from hunger because he made wrinkled forehead and I immediately Yevsektzia ideology is buried in the sure we had bread, but he himself realized why he did so. He was afraid annals of history, the day is not far off suffered tremendously. that she had transgressed the when Jews will finally be rid of the prohibition of borer (selecting). He It was Shabbos and we davened hatred and envy of the enemies of made Kiddush on a piece of roll and Shacharis and Musaf, ate the skimpy chassidus in our generation. meal, and were sitting and learning. remained lost in thought. When she He was still in the middle of davening. stood up to pass him the beets, he said (From an article that appeared in the Algemeiner Journal.) The letters in the s’farim danced before to her: No, today, only you will eat

24 BEIS MOSHIACH 7 Shvat 5763 PPrrooffiillee

THE CHASSID AND THE CHOZER BY SHAI GEFEN TRANSLATED BY MICHOEL LEIB DOBRY

conversation, I felt that this simple man HaChassid R. Yitzchak Gershon Borovik was lives and breathes Lubavitch. He told a privileged to learn in Lubavitch and even was a great deal about his father and his connection with Lubavitch. So I chozer of the maamarim of the Rebbe Rashab and decided that after Shavuos, I will meet his son, the Rebbe Rayatz. His son, R. Zalman, with him for the purpose of getting more details from him in order to emigrated to Eretz HaKodesh and settled in Givat preserve the character of another chassid Shmuel, where he retold his memories of his who was connected in heart and soul to our Rebbeim. father. His stories reveal a mere glance at the After Shavuos, I went to R. Zalman’s personage and character of his father, who was a home to hear further details about his father, R. Yitzchak Gershon. Jew with true self-sacrifice and an outstanding “My father,” R. Zalman retold, “was chassid of our Rebbeim. Presented in honor of born in 5643 (1883) in the Ukrainian city of Korma. The house was extremely Yud Shvat, the yahrtzeit of the Rebbe Rayatz. impoverished, but also very observant, and his mother educated him along this Until a few years ago, R. Zalman a chozer of chassidus of the Rebbe path. The poverty in the house was so Borovik, of blessed memory, lived in Rashab and the Rebbe Rayatz. great that there were days that went by Givat Shmuel. He was a Jew who filled R. Zalman passed away a number of with nothing to eat. But despite all this, to the depths of his soul with years ago. However, throughout the my father said that an atmosphere of Lubavitch. He absorbed all this in the years that he lived in Givat Shmuel, he simcha constantly reigned in the house. home of his father, who was a student remained in close contact with the local We never complained at home about in Lubavitch and a chassid of the Rebbe , run by Rabbi Shabtai the situation.” Rashab and the Rebbe Rayatz. R. Fisher. Rabbi Mordechai Friedman was “The house itself was not a Zalman was accustomed to sing the the one who succeeded in extracting Lubavitcher home. But after my father’s Niggun Rostov, which was always sung these details from R. Zalman about his bar mitzva, my grandmother said that before the maamer. He didn’t remember father and even brought him a she wanted very much that her son many details about his father, R. photograph of his father and his family. should learn in yeshiva. So she sent him Yitzchak Gershon. However, those R. Mordechai Friedman: On one to Lubavitch, where the yeshiva had things that he did remember and retold occasion that I made a public Torah been founded a short while earlier by have preserved the cherished memory reading on Shavuos, I met R. Zalman the Rebbe Rashab, nishmaso Eden.” of someone who was a chassid and even Borovik. From the very start of our The young Yitzchak Gershon

26 BEIS MOSHIACH 7 Shvat 5763 traveled to Lubavitch and excelled in in Leningrad visiting the Rebbe Rayatz. duties as a baal koreh. his studies in nigleh and chassidus. He When the Rebbe saw him, he called, ‘R. Such recollections from his son, R. was among those who publicly Yitzchak, come over here.’ When he Zalman, after several decades, were a reviewed the maamarim of the Rebbe came, the Rebbe Rayatz asked him, ‘Do vivid illustration of how much his Rashab, and even transcribed them. His you learn chassidus?’ His father nodded father’s inner avoda affected him, to the son, R. Zalman, retold that his father his head. ‘Do you have k’savim?’ the point that they were emblazoned in his would stand close to the Rebbe Rashab Rebbe continued to ask his father, and memory in spite of the lengthy passage in order to properly hear and take in he again responded affirmatively. The of time and the suffering his family every word. This arrangement Rebbe asked R. Yitzchak Gershon to endured. “My father,” R. Zalman continued until his wedding in 5667 send him the transcripts of his father’s remembered, “would arrive in shul on (1907). maamarim. Shabbos morning before everyone else. After his father’s wedding, he lived R. Zalman did not know if his father He would start learning chassidus from with his father-in-law, HaRav Binyamin actually sent the k’savim, however, what out of the maamarim he transcribed Chernin of Amtzog. During this period, he does remember with certainty is that (and even from those he heard from the R. Yitzchak Gershon continued to sit T’mimim would come to the house and Rebbe Rayatz). Only after all of the and edit maamarim and nigleh. copy from the k’savim and record worshippers had completed their After the passing of the Rebbe hanachos. R. Zalman recalls his father prayers would he begin his own Rashab in 5680, R. Yitzchak Gershon sitting and learning with the utmost preparations for Shacharis, which traveled to the Rebbe Rayatz in diligence and perseverance, even during concluded at a late hour. My father’s Leningrad to ask his advice on what he the most difficult times. Chabad d’veikus was most unique and should do for parnasa. These were very R. Zalman also remembers well how influenced everyone around him.” dark times. Fear reigned in the streets. the g’vir, R. Shmerel Gurary, of blessed “The farbrengens on auspicious The Communists did not allow people memory, would arrive at their home in Chabad days were held in our home. to be involved in religious pursuits. connection with the k’savim, at the My father’s words were heard most Chassidim were being sent to prison command of the Rebbe Rayatz. attentively, and an atmosphere of pure every day. Everything was done in With the passage of time, R. arousal reigned. He would strengthen hiding. Yitzchak Gershon received his his fellow Jews and give them hope, At this time, the Rebbe Rayatz sent certification as a rav and a shochet. even during those very hard times. In R. Yitzchak Gershon to the town of In 5690, when the Rebbe Rayatz the eyes of the local Jewish community, Prolky, where they were in need of a was living in Riga, R. Yitzchak Gershon my father’s word was final. His talks shochet. The family lived there until traveled to Svodlavsky, near frigid were as cold water to a tired and thirsty 5692 (1932). R. Yitzchak Gershon Siberia, due to the harsh financial soul. Throughout all his long travels, he learned continuously from the conditions that prevailed in the Ukraine was connected in heart and soul to transcripts he recorded when he was at the time, to serve as a rav and a Lubavitch. Wherever he was, he made with the Rebbe Rashab. R. Zalman shochet. Every Shabbos, he would give certain to bring the spirit of the chassidic recalled once about when his father was over maamarim, in addition to his teachings of the Rebbe Rashab and the Rebbe Rayatz.” In summation, relates Givat Shmuel Chabad House Director Rabbi Shabtai Fisher: “R. Zalman would always tell us about his father’s self-sacrifice. R. Yitzchak Gershon never missed an opportunity to immerse himself in a mikva. During the winters, he would cut a hole in the icy river and go in. The thought never crossed his mind not to go to the mikva. So it was in every situation and under any condition. It was all too clear that this self-sacrifice had a tremendous effect upon his son.” May the memory of such chassidim serve us as a candle for the coming generations. (From L to R:) R. Yitzchak Gershon Borovik, his son Zalman, his father-in-law, HaRav Binyamin Chernin of Amtzog

Issue Number 398 BEIS 27 Moshiach & Geula THE SEVENTH WHICH BRINGS COMPLETE SIMCHA BY RABBI NAFTALI ESTULIN SHLIACH, LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA TRANSLATED BY MICHOEL LEIB DOBRY

and for the sake of change, we are The Rebbe placed into our hands a precious talking about a maamer from the Rebbe treasure that the whole world needs – the Rayatz, leader of the sixth generation. announcement of the Redemption. Yet, we are not Recently, I had an opportunity to learn from Kuntres Drushei Chasuna, doing enough in order to spread the word further. which the Rebbe MH”M distributed on If only from the point of view of ahavas Yisroel, the 14th of Kislev, 5752, and which I we must neither rest nor sit still until every Jew was privileged to receive directly from his holy hand, when I passed before knows “Here comes Moshiach!” and that no one him together with a group of some fifty will be left behind in exile – without exceptions. supporters from Los Angeles. Among the chasuna maamarim that Everyone must act, and as the Rebbe writes in the the Rebbe Rayatz said at the time of the from the 23rd of Teives: “This one wedding of the Rebbe MH”M to the Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka, of blessed through his writing, and this one through his memory, the most famous one begins speech, and this one through his wealth.” with the words “Lecha Dodi,” which was said at the kabbalas panim. TO REACH THE During the days of preparation for However, the maamer that was said at this great and holy day, we all learn the the wedding itself begins with the CULMINATION THROUGH words “Asher Bara,” in which the SIMCHA first maamer of the Rebbe MH”M, in which he outlines the path of the Rebbe Rayatz opens with an Yud and Yud-Alef Shvat marks the seventh generation on the way towards explanation of the seventh bracha start of the fifty-third year since the bringing the Redemption: to bring the recited under the chuppa. official acceptance of the leadership Sh’china down primarily to this “The seventh fulfills everything, and the saying of the maamer “Basi physical world, and to transform the and from the seventh, everything is L’Gani,” the fifty-third year since the shtus of impurity to shtus of holiness, blessed,” the Rebbe Rayatz quotes from declaration regarding the task of the through service and self-nullification the Zohar about the last of the Sheva seventh generation: to bring the above and beyond reason and Brachos, and explains that the seventh Sh’china back to the garden, to the knowledge. bracha includes ten aspects of simcha. point that the Sh’china can say, “I have However, there is another maamer Since the seventh includes within it all come to my garden, my dwelling connected to the seventh generation, the ten utterances, and each of the place.” Divine attributes possesses its own

28 BEIS MOSHIACH 7 Shvat 5763 level of simcha, therefore, the seventh himself and affect the nations of the I told him that if we do what the includes ten aspects of simcha. world, how can we not be happy? It is Rebbe wants, and publicize the The seventh generation began on clear that the Rebbe’s words live and announcement of the Redemption, we Yud Shvat, 5710, however, it took root exist, and certainly when the Rebbe will bring true – and much greater – th says that the world is ready for the joy. “Think about it for a minute – on the 14 of Teives, 5689, the day of Redemption, it continues to be so to what is their message? We love G-d, the wedding of the Rebbe and the this very day. There is no question that and He loves us. But he still leaves us Rebbetzin, about which the Rebbe the world today is even more ready for in exile… If you would come to these stated that this was the day that the Redemption. people with the Rebbe’s message of established the bond between me and We must publicize this joyous ‘Here comes Moshiach!’ their joy you, between the leader of the seventh would be even more genuine and generation and the people of the announcement to the entire generation. complete and would even bring them seventh generation. to increase in Torah and mitzvos, in In that maamer which started the order to prepare for the coming of path towards the seventh generation, Moshiach.” the Rebbe Rayatz defined the aspect of And the truth of the matter is that the seventh: the culmination of all the It is clear that the we are not doing enough. The Rebbe Divine attributes and utterances, and Rebbe’s words live placed into our hands a precious all through simcha. treasure that the whole world needs – This is the avoda of the seventh and exist, and the announcement of the Redemption. generation: to reach the culmination of Yet, we are not doing enough in order it all on all levels, and particularly in certainly when the to spread the word further. If only the three aspects of shleimus – shleimus from the point of view of ahavas ha’am, shleimus ha’Torah, and shleimus Rebbe says that the Yisroel, we must neither rest nor sit still ha’Aretz, and all through simcha. world is ready for the until every Jew knows “Here comes And this avoda falls upon all of us, Moshiach!” and that no one will be left the members of the seventh Redemption, it behind in exile. generation. We must, therefore, There are no exceptions on this increase and strengthen everything continues to be so to issue. Everyone must act, and as the connected with the Rebbe MH”M, and this very day. There Rebbe writes in the HaYom Yom from make certain that it will be done to the the 23rd of Teives: “This one through fullest extent – with simcha. is no question that the his writing, and this one through his TO BE HAPPY AND MAKE speech, and this one through his world today is even wealth.” Every shliach with pen and ink OTHERS HAPPY must write to the residents of his city There are those who have difficulty more ready for the about the Rebbe’s announcement of in doing their job with simcha, the Redemption, and to publicize it in especially when faced with the overall Redemption. the local newspapers. Every shliach situation in the world in general, and with the gift of oratory should turn to in Eretz HaKodesh in particular. his local radio and television stations Rationally, even according to the and ask to publicize the common sense of holiness, they’re Recently, I met with a close friend announcement. And those who can’t right. But our job is to rise above all who had just returned from Eretz write or speak should pay someone to logical considerations, even common HaKodesh, and during his visit, he had do so. The main thing is that the sense of holiness, and to work with the opportunity to observe the announcement of the Redemption bittul and kabbalas ol above and beyond activities of Breslov chassidim. “You should reach all the people. Today, the reason and knowledge. And then, we have no idea what joy they bring to people need it more than ever! can be b’simcha! people,” he told me most excitedly. “They sing, ‘HaKodesh Baruch Hu, THE BIRTH HAS BEGUN – When we learn the Rebbe’s sichos, Anachnu Ohavim Ot’cha’ and carry in which he establishes that the time of ENOUGH PATIENCE! away anyone within their reach with the Redemption has already begun and In general, work must be done fervent joy. Perhaps you should adopt Moshiach has even started to reveal patiently. But when it comes to the same approach,” he concluded.

Issue Number 398 BEIS MOSHIACH 29 Moshiach, there is no patience and How can we sit patiently when the there must be no patience. I remember Why are there whole nation is suffering? We have at that I once heard something in the our disposal the medicine to speed up name of HaRav Yosef Weinberg, who shluchim who still the birth! described the Rebbe’s longing for the don’t publicize openly Redemption. “Think to yourselves CHASSIDIM ASK TO DWELL what would happen if Eliyahu HaNavi the Rebbe’s IN TRANQUILITY… came now and declared that Moshiach There are chassidim who want to sit will be revealed tomorrow morning at announcement of the calmly. They are trying to make the six o’clock. The whole world would be link with easy activities that everyone in ecstasy. The chassidim would start Redemption? Why are likes and avoid the fulfillment of the drinking mashkeh, while the misnagdim main shlichus to prepare the world to would run to do t’shuva. The common there chassidim who greet Moshiach. denominator would likely be that think that not But G-d does not let tzaddikim everyone would be awaiting his dwell in tranquility, and certainly not coming at six o’clock in the morning fulfilling the Rebbe’s Lubavitchers. Beyond all logical with extreme excitement and explanations, He brings these calm and anticipation. But there would be one instructions is a tranquil chassidim into a whirlpool of Jew, different from all the others, who events, the start of which we are will stand and scream ‘Ad Masai?! Can formula to preserve currently experiencing in California, it be that G-d’s children will be forced and no one knows how and when it to wait until six o’clock in the the honor of will all end. morning?’ This is the Rebbe!” Lubavitch? In such a situation, we must stop The Rebbe wants that we too will for a moment and make a personal be impatient on this matter. And if that longer than expected. And if there is a accounting. Why haven’t we done was the case throughout the years, all need to induce the birth, any normal what the Rebbe has demanded of us? the more so we must be impatient now. person would neither rest nor sit still Why are there rabbanim who still The exile and the Redemption are until the necessary equipment was haven’t signed the p’sak din that the compared to conception and birth. brought. Rebbe MH”M must reveal himself? Thus, if by this comparison the time of We are now at the time of the birth Why are there shluchim who still don’t the Redemption has arrived, then of the Jewish people with the true and publicize openly the Rebbe’s according to the allegory, the birth has complete Redemption. The procedure announcement of the Redemption? begun. At such a time, no one has any has already taken more than a decade, Why are there chassidim who think that patience. No one wants to hear from and it’s not finished yet. In the not fulfilling the Rebbe’s instructions is the doctor that the birth has begun, meantime, it’s painful. Very painful! a formula to preserve the honor of however, one must patiently gather his Every one of us can induce the birth, Lubavitch? strength, as the procedure may take every one of us can spare the agony. Maybe now finally all the shluchim will unite to fulfill the Rebbe’s instructions, particularly the one from HECHT’S the Shluchim Conference of 5752: to HECHT’S prepare themselves and their surroundings to greet Moshiach TRATRAVELVEL Tzidkeinu. And when they do this out a sense of joy, they will certainly reach 1503 Union Street the ultimate completion, the Brooklyn N.Y.11213 completion of the Rebbe’s centennial birthday celebrations, which includes S. HECHT & Y.HECHT the completion of ten times ten, the highest sense of completion, with the (718) 773-1193 or 963-1072 revelation of the Rebbe MH”M in the FAX (718) 963-3440 true and complete Redemption, mamash, NOW!

30 BEIS MOSHIACH 7 Shvat 5763 Stories

Mind you, by nature they were excitable fellows. Their main point was: we never realized that the Lubavitcher Rebbe is THE such a kanai (fanatic), even more of a kanai than the Satmar Rebbe! What had happened to elicit this INTERNATIONAL outburst? It took some time before they calmed down and could tell me what DATELINE AND THE happened. At that time, the Shulsinger Brothers were pioneers, and for quite some time RED LINE they were the only ones, who published Jewish calendars. Their satisfied BY RABBI YEHOSHUA DUBRAWSKY customers were Jewish organizations, particularly those involved in The media recently marked the date when the nations of fundraising who used the calendars for the world approved the “Partition of Palestine,” which gave advertising. Lubavitch had ordered calendars. the Jewish people a state. This created a haven for Jews, Rabbi Chodakov, a”h, would carefully particularly after the horrors of the Holocaust, when Jews go over every single item under the Chabad name (Kehos, Merkas L’Inyanei were not welcome in most countries of the world. Yet many Chinuch, etc.). The Shulsinger Brothers saw this step as part of the Geula process, something the always wrote “Yom HaAtzmaut” (Israel’s Independence Day) for the date 5 Iyar. Rebbe absolutely negated. * We present two stories which When they brought the proofs for the the author heard firsthand, and which shed light on the Chabad calendar to R’ Chodakov, he noticed those two words near the date Rebbe’s perspective. for 5 Iyar and he erased them so vigorously that not a trace remained of This happened many decades ago. I occasion they really went all out in them. was working then for the Shulsinger order to do what the Rebbe wanted (for When the proofs were back at the Brothers famous printing and example, printing a book or pamphlet printer and they noticed this correction, publishing establishment. They had as quickly as possible. And remember, they went crazy. They were simply acquired a reputation for the large this was when printing was done with furious and they resolved that this quantity of s’farim they print, as well as molten lead, not with high speed would not be allowed. They set off for the quality of the printing and binding computerized machinery). Thanks to 770, went into R’ Chodakov’s miniscule – “good ink on good paper” – which their efforts, they had the privilege of office, and began shouting: How could had become the standard in the Jewish enjoying an especially warm he?! They screamed all the reasons why world. relationship with the Rebbe Rayatz, and noting Yom HaAtzmaut on the The two owners of the printing then as a natural extension of that, with calendars was a sacred principle for company, Michel and Shmuel the Rebbe. them. Shulsinger, had a great share in the However, they were “farbrente R’ Chodakov, in his usual dissemination of Toras chassidus Chabad tziyonim” (ardent Zionists), and as such, unflappable manner, heard them out – of the Rebbe Rayatz and the Rebbe they did not manage to absorb the and when they were done, he nasi doreinu – after the war. At that time, p’nimius of the closeness they enjoyed responded calmly though resolutely, Shulsinger Brothers invested over with the Rebbeim, which led to the saying that it was out of the question for $30,000 a year, an enormous amount at following incident. those words to appear on a Chabad that time, to print various s’farim One day when I arrived at the calendar. Without getting into a debate (chassidus, sifrei chinuch, pamphlets, printers, the brothers attacked me with with them, he let them know that if etc.). complaints and a hue and cry (as they would stand on their principle, The truth is that on more than one though I was guilty for something). Chabad’s order was cancelled.

32 BEIS MOSHIACH 7 Shvat 5763 The brothers realized they had fine, it wasn’t the beginning of the “Not only is it not the Is’chalta wasted their efforts in the wrong place, complete Geula, but it was still a day of d’Geula, not only is it not a yom tov and because he wouldn’t change his mind salvation and redemption for the Jewish a day of salvation for the Jewish people, (one of them said dismissively, people! Why should it be erased? etc. – but it delayed the Geula for [such “speaking to a Yekke like him is like Again, the Rebbe responded and such] a number of decades!” talking to the wall”), and they decided sharply: No! It was not a day of One of the brothers remembered a to go over his head. salvation and redemption for the Jewish certain number the Rebbe had said, In those years it was still relatively people! (there were some other phrases though he said it with reservations, “I easy to get an appointment with the which I don’t remember now). think...” while the other brother Rebbe, especially for those who had The brothers remained dissatisfied remembered a different number, and enjoyed such a close relationship. and even raised their voices (as they was also doubtful. It’s interesting that Within a short time they had an themselves told me), and tried to plead they didn’t remember the number appointment with the Rebbe. This is with the Rebbe that even if it wasn’t an precisely (maybe due to their emotional what the Shulsinger brothers told me actual yeshua for the Jewish people, it state at the time). that day: was at least a festive day, and it (And for me too, so many years First of all, how could Yom represented salvation for many Jews. later, it’s hard to pinpoint what they HaAtzmaut be erased from the I think the Rebbe also raised his said, but I think that the number was calendar? The day the state was voice. The talmidim in the yeshiva who forty-five years.) established was in the way of “is’chalta sat in the small zal, not far from the That was when the brothers finally d’Geula” (the beginning of Geula)! How yechidus room, said that they could hear understood how the Rebbe regarded could it be ignored?! the voices of the brothers the entire Zionism, with a “fanaticism that was The Rebbe responded sharply: time, but then suddenly they could hear greater than Satmar’s” – while at the “Is’chalta d’Geula”? Chas v’shalom! It was the Rebbe speaking loudly. This is what same time, how precious every Jew is to not the Is’chalta d’Geula! the Rebbe said which the brothers the Rebbe, even those who still believe The brothers began arguing: Nu, repeated to me: in Zionism.

Issue Number 398 BEIS MOSHIACH 33 * * * with all the power of his mighty the “fifth cup” Pesach night, which is Another fact, also from a reliable intellect, in order to pay R’ Kasher back known as “Eliyahu’s Cup.” According to source, which shows how strongly the for his cavalier treatment of him, and to many opinions, this cup is associated Rebbe opposed marking 5 Iyar as the make dust and ashes of his shita. He did with the future Geula, but according to Is’chalta d’Geula, took place later on. not refrain from using derogatory some g’dolim, this cup should be drunk, The gaon Rabbi Chaim expressions, which was rare – even for even nowadays. R’ Kasher concluded Zimmerman, a”h, one of the famous him. that since events in Eretz Yisroel iluyim of the previous generation, was When R’ Zimmerman printed his indicated that it was the Is’chalta a regular visitor of the Rebbe’s, book (which addressed his shita), he d’Geula, according to all opinions, the whether at farbrengens or private quickly brought a copy to the Rebbe (I fifth cup should be drunk. audiences, and he corresponded remember that he printed very few This so pained the Rebbe that he regularly with the Rebbe. He was copies). The Rebbe graciously accepted spoke about it with great bitterness, extremely impressed by the Rebbe’s the book, leafed through it, and said both with R’ Chaim Zimmerman as well geonus and lamdanus (genius and that R’ Zimmerman had written a work as with other people (as I heard). The scholarship). Not only was R’ that very few could understand (later Rebbe even went so far as to ask: Why Zimmerman not a chassid, he also was on R’ Zimmerman received a long letter hasn’t even one person come out blessed with an abundance of from the Rebbe with comments on strongly against this chiddush of the symptoms of being a “wild genius” and various topics in the book). “fifth cup”? he dismissed g’dolim with a wave of the When he left the yechidus, R’ (It should be noted that the hand, not showing favor to anyone. Zimmerman related that the Rebbe had “problem” here was because this was, in At that time, the International fact, a talmid chacham. If it would have Dateline was not yet determined been someone else, that would have halachically. This was a crucial issue been another story, but R’ Kasher was a since it affects the observance of When the proofs were gaon, and thousands of references to the Shabbos and the Yomim Tovim in Torah Shleima and the Mifanei’ach various places, as well as other halachic back at the printer Tzfunos can be found in the Rebbe’s issues. The g’dolei ha’Torah who and they noticed this s’farim. This explains the Rebbe’s great addressed this question arrived at pain, that such a warped idea could be different approaches to the issue, and correction, they went wrapped in a mantle of scholarship, books began to appear on the subject thus tripping up many.) which promoted different views (the crazy. I think that this story clearly Rebbe also got involved and expressed presents the Rebbe’s perspective about his opinion on a number of points, Is’chalta d’Geula, but you need some mostly in connection with s’firas intelligence and a wee bit of ha’omer for one who crosses the gently asked how he could have used understanding, to differentiate between Dateline). such a sharp tone against a certain one thing and another. Just as you need R’ Zimmerman published a Torah author (i.e., R’ Kasher). “It’s not the way to set up a clear line between the journal (by the name of HaKerem, I of a talmid chacham to use language like outright negation of Zionism on the one think), in which he publicized his views this against another talmid chacham,” hand and the tremendous mitzva of on the Dateline. Then he put out a thick said the Rebbe. “What then?” continued ahavas Yisroel and kiruv which you must book called Agan HaSohar on the the Rebbe with a smile. “That itself was show every Jew, even one who calls subject. the point, perhaps you really wanted to himself a Zionist – so too, it is The author of Torah Shleima, the prove that he’s not a talmid chacham.” forbidden to think that the Rebbe’s talk gaon, Rabbi Menachem Kasher, also And then the Rebbe suddenly about the imminent Redemption in wrote about the Dateline, in which he looked very serious. “You should have recent years has any connection disagreed with R’ Zimmerman – proved this by ripping apart his shita whatsoever to the Zionist idea of nothing terrible in itself – but he only about the ‘fifth cup.’” And the Rebbe Is’chalta d’Geula, something which dealt with R’ Zimmerman’s shita continued to speak bitterly about the actually delayed the Geula! On the indirectly, and he did not mention R’ “fifth cup.” contrary, the Rebbe told us that we have Zimmerman by name, thus invalidating Not that long before, R’ Kasher had already, thank G-d, passed the point of the shita in a most perfunctory way. published a booklet called Kos a postponed Geula and “the time for That was all he needed! R’ Chamishi, in which he brought different your redemption has arrived.” Zimmerman flung himself into battle opinions, sources, and customs about

34 BEIS MOSHIACH 7 Shvat 5763 Shleimus HaAretz BETTER THAT THE RIGHT DO IT WITH SENSITIVITY AND IN PAIN?! BY SHAI GEFEN

must make a true cheshbon ha’nefesh We chassidim cannot support those who publicly (accounting), to see to what degree what the Rebbe said so painfully on announce that they are in favor of giving away Motzaei Yud Shevat has an effect on us. land. A chassid of the Rebbe knows that merely How much, we as chassidim are instilled with the awareness of this topic of literal speaking about giving away land does not only danger to life, and not that we, chalila, endanger us, but constitutes a denial of Hashem back people who publicly declare that they support talks and giving away and His Torah! land, whether “plus” or “minus.” 11 YEARS SINCE THE Hashem and His Torah, cannot be a A chassid of the Rebbe must clearly understand that any talk of giving away FAMOUS SICHA partner with people who talk about “painful concessions,” in any manner, land, no matter in what form (including Yud Shevat 5763 marks eleven years shape, or form. Even when the talk is “kantonim,” as the Right are suggesting since the Rebbe’s talk with Moshe “only” about kantonim or “Autonomy today) – aside from it being literal Katzav, then minister of transportation, plus” – to us this is heresy in G-d and pikuach nefesh, is k’fira b’Hashem and now President of Israel. This sicha His Torah: u’b’Toraso, and k’fira in the holiness of actually contains the crux of the Rebbe’s Eretz Yisroel. Whoever doesn’t accept approach to topics relating to the Holy “Talk such as this will lead, in the this as an absolute certainty, must do a Land, and the terrible dangers that lie in end, to actually giving away sections of serious cheshbon ha’nefesh. Eretz Yisroel. So it turns out that talking talking about giving away land. We find In that same sicha, which was said in that some details have already about it is k’fira (denial) of Hashem and His Torah, and Eretz Yisroel and the the presence of thousands, the Rebbe materialized from that prophetic talk, spoke about the element of public chilul and we need to pray that other things holiness of Eretz Yisroel,” says the Rebbe. Hashem, for which there is no won’t materialize. The Rebbe told forgiveness and atonement. The Rebbe Katzav that an autonomy plan is “These talks about an autonomy said shocking things, that if, chalila, actually the first stage in the process of plan are the first step in giving away they give away land, it would be giving away Chevron, Yerushalayim, portions of Eretz Yisroel, and not just preferable that non-Jews did so, etc. small portions but large portions like because if a believing Jew takes part in We need to learn a lot of lessons Yehuda, Shomron, Aza, Chevron, this, he is desecrating Hashem’s name, from that sicha, but there’s one Yerushalayim, etc. It is a matter of literal r”l! danger to life!” important directive that must guide us Unfortunately, the conventional throughout: a Jew who believes in These are things for which we all wisdom of today is that it is preferable

36 BEIS MOSHIACH 7 Shvat 5763 that the ones giving away the land to Sharon is under pressure. His own absolute control, and with insolent our murderers be Jews who announce sons are being implicated in some of arrogance, he continued talking about a that they are sensitive to the significance Likud’s corruption. Suddenly Sharon Palestinian state and “painful of what they’re doing. “Better that realizes that firing Minister Blumenthal concessions.” Now, as he feels the noose someone from the Right do it with didn’t manage to put a stop to the tightening around his neck, he is sensitivity and in pain, than someone downward decline. He, his family and concerned about policy issues. He on the Left,” they say. party, are in trouble. suddenly “forgot” painful concessions The Rebbe MH”M sees it differently. These topics are definitely not what and began attacking Mitzna for his He spoke most painfully (for those who Beis Moshiach deals with. We wouldn’t painful concessions! remember) about the fact that it is even mention it except for the absurdity When he forgets painful specifically a party that believes in the that while Palestinians were murdering concessions for Am Yisroel, it looks like shleimus of Eretz Yisroel that is doing Jews left and right, implanting live it’s really starting to hurt him! And it things like this. The Rebbe went even bombs among us, Omri Sharon was should be painful for him, for then, further and said that better that gentiles involved with buying votes in order to maybe he’ll understand the significance rule the Holy Land, the main thing save his father. of painful concessions of parts of Eretz being that Jews shouldn’t do the crime While Sharon was selling a plan for Yisroel and endangering the lives of themselves. a Palestinian state to the Americans, his millions of Jews. As the situation, b’derech ha’teva men were involved with putting Another thing, Hashem in His great (under natural circumstances), is criminal elements into government kindness, orchestrates events in a unbearable, and despite this, Jews get wondrous manner. Not that long ago, up and say they want to go ahead and the polls showed Sharon’s party as concede, we must publicize what the having forty seats, and he thought he Rebbe told Katzav, a sicha that the “Better that someone would easily make a coalition with Rebbe edited a number of times. And Labor, a coalition that would give up we must internalize the message: chas from the Right do it parts of Eretz Yisroel and Jewish values, v’shalom that any of us should have but now the number of mandates is anything to do with giving away land. with sensitivity and in shrinking. His power is diminishing, The more we protest, the more we pain, than someone and that’s good. exert our influence so that – with PARTNER IN CRIME Hashem’s help – not only won’t land on the Left,” they say. Two weeks ago, we wrote about that is now in our possession be given Rubinstein, the government’s legal away to goyim, r”l, but Hashem will advisor, who allowed Yossi Ginnosaur quickly fulfill His promise and return to to join the meeting at Camp David, and us the land of Keini, K’nizi, and positions. No, they weren’t thinking even gave false statements in court Kadmoni, teikef u’miyad mamash. about saving Am Yisroel. Their concern was how to rule, how to win the battle. while knowing that he had dark dealings with Arafat. “IT WILL BECOME CLEAR...” This is not the first time we’ve been The web of corruption in Likud is privy to politicians’ cynicism. They Now there are reports that expanding. The police keep on exposing barter with people’s lives, only in order Rubinstein not only knew what was additional ministers and deputy to continue ruling. They have no true going on, but he even suggested to ministers, Knesset members and people ideology, and they don’t care about Ginnosaur a way of circumventing the associated with corruption. Even P.M. human life, just about who’s in power. case in Supreme Court that was Sharon’s son is going to be investigated. Omri Sharon and others were busy with presented against him, in an attempt to Sharon’s being a shoo-in as next prime trying to revive his father’s political prevent his involvement in the Camp minister is no longer a given, due to the career. It’s important that everybody David agreements. They won’t put shocking revelations about what’s going know what really interests our leaders: Rubinstein on trial for treason, they on in the Likud. Sharon is circling the our security or buying power. won’t blame him for being a partner to wagons and he is trying to prevent Palestinian terror. He’ll emerge clean Until now, things went well for wholesale desertions from the Likud. He and pure and nothing will stick to him. Sharon. He moved up the elections to a is beginning to attack Mitzna for painful They’ll cast the blame at others. time that was convenient for him, and concessions that he wants to make for he felt that his enemies were falling by It’s very important to remember that the sake of “peace.” the wayside. He felt that he had Rubinstein is closely associated with

Issue Number 398 BEIS MOSHIACH 37 giving land away at the first Camp David Arafat, gives away land, and establishes interests. This was made most clear on Accords, when he was Moshe Dayan’s a state, the predatory wolf would be September 11th. right-hand man. Rubinstein is the man quiet, and then things would be The real question is when will we who was a partner with terrorists and resolved peacefully. understand that we need a strong Eretz supported the lies of Ginnosaur – and The U.S., for reasons of its own, Yisroel, not just because of the security we must not forget this! wanted Israel to give in to the Arabs in needs of the residents of Israel, but for Rubinstein tries to pin the label of order to quiet down Saudi Arabia and the good of the entire world. The world “terrorist” on good Jews like Marzel. He Arab countries. Thus, it hoped, is shaking only because terrorists fulfills Chazal’s dictum, “He who wants everything would be resolved peacefully. understand that terror works. to lie should distance his testimony.” The present situation has made it Today everybody knows that there’s Rubinstein is an expert at this. quite clear to the Americans and to a strong connection between the “A STRONG ERETZ YISROEL IS Israel too, that for the good of the world Hezbollah, El Qaeda, Hamas, and Al NEEDED FOR THE GOOD OF at large, it is preferable that Israel be Aksa. Knowledge about the connections strong. The U.S. understood the hard between these organizations and their THE ENTIRE WORLD” way that cooperating with the Arabs penetration into Yesha, is no longer The world is in turmoil. President doesn’t necessarily serve its best secret. Information that El Qaeda plans Bush announced the upcoming attack and the sand is running out. Now they’re talking about Syria and Iran as being part of the Axis of Evil. The free world is trying to defend itself from psychopaths and murderers who want to destroy the whole world. Now they’re saying that after attacking Iraq, the next goal is Syria. This didn’t happen in a vacuum. The same is true for the widespread anti-Semitism in Europe. When Eretz Yisroel is weak, the entire world feels it and responds accordingly. The terrorists feel the weakness of Am Yisroel in Eretz Yisroel, and make their plans accordingly. If you’re following what’s going on and are not blinded, you see the connection between the Oslo Accords and worldwide terror. These things, as surprising as they may sound, are not new to us. Back in Sivan 5750, the Rebbe told Ron Nachman, “Eretz Yisroel needs to be strong for the good of the entire world, so as not to allow Russia, Iran, etc., to spread, for they are against the U.S. no less than their opposition to Eretz Yisroel, and maybe even more so.” The more we think about what the Rebbe said, the more we understand how the Rebbe foresaw everything that is taking place in our times. The assumption of our politicians and those of the U.S. (during Clinton’s time) was that if Israel concedes to

38 BEIS MOSHIACH 7 Shvat 5763 massive attacks within Eretz Yisroel and house...” After the Rebbe spoke about in Jewish centers worldwide is known “All kochos and how much can be done to influence to Intelligence agents the world over. Jews in the strengthening of Yiddishkeit, It’s important that we internalize efforts must be the Rebbe went on to explain, this message of the Rebbe MH”M: for dedicated to “especially in the light of the situation the good of the entire world, Eretz lately, an amazing thing, but Yisroel must be strong, since everything ‘unofficial’ activity unfortunately it’s frightening: at the comes from there, from the essence of same time that the unofficial poll and the world. Perhaps then, in Sivan 5750, through which will referendum shows a great majority in it sounded strange, but today I don’t favor of Judaism, Torah, and mitzvos. think there’s anybody who doesn’t come true success: When it comes to an official vote, the understand it. situation is the opposite, r”l. drawing Jews closer Nevertheless, all kochos and efforts must THE POLLS AND THE be dedicated to ‘unofficial’ activity RELIGIOUS PARTIES to Yiddishkeit, and through which will come true success: drawing Jews closer to Yiddishkeit, and On the eve of the elections, the polls influencing them to influencing them to fulfill Torah and are the center of attention. The Rebbe mitzvos in daily life.” also spoke about polls and parties, but fulfill Torah and from a different, very unique angle. In a So maybe this is the call of the hour: sicha of Sukkos 5748, the Rebbe said, mitzvos in daily life.” to dedicate kochos and efforts to “Lately a poll (referendum) was taken in widespread efforts in hafatzas ha’Torah and Yiddishkeit. This way we’ll reap a Eretz Yisroel unofficially, on the topic of in G-d, and generally speaking, they try double profit, in that we’ll also increase belief in G-d, kashrus, etc., and it turned to bring only kosher food into the out that the majority of people believe the number of frum mandates.

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Issue Number 398 BEIS MOSHIACH 39 News COMMITTEE FOR GEULA AND MOSHIACH

In an effort to facilitate the the publication and distribution of a be learnt or read out at the end of revelation of the Rebbe as Moshiach it weekly pamphlet for shluchim davening in Shul. There will also be was decided at the recent Shluchim entitled, "Shavua shel Geula." The study courses for shluchim on Geula Conference in Nir Etzion, to expand pamphlet will contain ideas, a story, and Moshiach, the first of which is the "Committee of Shluchim for Geula and suggestions for activities related to scheduled during Adar. Our and Moshiach". The committee's the subjects of Moshiach and Geula. correspondent has been informed that members will be comprised of Another project is the monthly the committee is open to ideas and shluchim and a representative of the publication of a booklet called "Living suggestions, and it will work hard to Central Lubavitch Youth with Moshiach Every Day". It will be present them to the shluchim. Organization. Its activities will include divided into daily portions which can YUD SHEVAT TESTS COMPLETED

After three weeks of intensive percent will receive the seifer, around the world. The directors of learning, around 2,000 T'mimim from "Kabbalas HaMalchus," a journal from Atoh report that a special staff will yeshivos throughout the world took 5753, while anyone who scores 100 work very hard to make sure that the the final examination of this year's percent will enter a special lottery for results of the tests will be publicized special learning drive for Yud Shevat. a ticket to 770. The winner of the in the yeshivos within two days. The students who attained over 80 lottery will represent T'mimim from MIVTZAIM AT THE TOMB OF BABA SALI

On the Yahrtzeit of the Baba Sali, where they watched videos of the Malka, the shliach of the Northern which was on Tuesday night, 4th Rebbe Melech HaMoshiach that were Negev region. Shevat, several T'mimim from the screened continuously. Many of these Chabad yeshiva in Beersheba visitors also put on T'fillin and placed conducted mivtzaim next to his tomb letters to the Rebbe inside copies of in Netivot. The T'mimim arrived there the Igros Kodesh. They also received the day before, stationing a mitzvah material about the Rebbe and the tank nearby, along with a stand imminent Geula. Many people were decorated with large, impressive very happy to join in whenever there banners. Over the next two days, more was any dancing. These activities were than 15,000 Jews visited the stand done in conjunction with Rabbi Lior The Tomb of Baba Sali in Netivot

40 BEIS MOSHIACH 7 Shvat 5763 THE POWER OF A PICTURE OF THE REBBE

A resident of Rechovot walked into taken down, and since then I have the study hall of the "Daas" yeshiva been missing seeing the Rebbe in the last Wednesday and started searching mornings… That's why I came here. I the walls for something. When one of wanted to find out what happened to the bachurim asked if he could help the picture so that it could be put back him, the newcomer pointed upwards in its place." to the sixth floor of a building that The picture had indeed been taken stood 100 meters away. "I live there," down due to renovations in the explained the visitor. "When I wake yeshiva building. However the Tamim up every morning, I look out of my promised that he would do what he window at the yeshiva, and until could to have the picture restored to recently I could see the picture of the its original place. Sure enough, this Rebbe that hung on the wall facing my promise was kept and the picture was home. Whenever I saw that picture I returned. This shows that we never would wave to the Rebbe and wish know the power of the Rebbe's him a good day. But two weeks ago I picture… noticed that the picture had been

AUSTRALIAN ROSH YESHIVA VISITS B’NEI BRAK

On Wednesday the students of the Chabad yeshiva katana in B'nei Brak were privileged to host Rabbi Boruch Lesches, the rosh yeshiva of Tomchei T'mimim in Sydney. On his arrival in Israel, Rabbi Lesches asked to visit this growing and successful yeshiva. While he was there he delivered a shiur in the sichos kodesh of the Rebbe Melech HaMoshiach as a preparation for Yud Shevat. He then joined rosh yeshiva Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Kaplan for a special farbrengen with the T'mimim, where the yeshiva's success in bringing students from other institutions closer to Chabad Chassidus was a main topic of discussion.

Issue Number 398 BEIS MOSHIACH 41 MRS. RIVKA VOLOVIK, A”H

On Thursday Mrs. Rivka Volovik, a"h, of Nachlat Har where she remained until she got married. Chabad passed away at the age of 87. She was the widow of After the passing of her husband Mrs. Volovik went to live Rabbi Chaim Volovik, a"h. Mrs. Volovik was born in 1915. in an old age home, where she remained until the end of her She was the daughter of Rabbi Eliyahu Eber, known as life. She leaves behind two sons: Rabbi Eliyahu Volovik, the "Rebbe'le," who was one of the first students at the yeshiva in gabbai of the Shul in Nachlat har Chabad and Rabbi Yosef Zvi Lubavitch. The Rebbe Rashab appointed Rabbi Eber to be the Volovik, who lives in Crown Heights. Rabbi Eliyahu is sitting mashpia in the city of Nevel, and Mrs. Volovik lived there Shiva at home in Kiryat Malachi, while Rabbi Yosef Zvi is with her father until he passed away in 1927. She then went sitting Shiva at his home at 461 Empire Boulevard. to live with the family of the chassid, Rabbi Yisroel Conson,

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Issue Number 398 BEIS MOSHIACH 43