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INSPIRING CHANGE 4 D’var Malchus
SHLUCHOS ON THE FRONT LINES IN 6 INDIA Shlichus | C. Yankelowitz
WINNING OVER THE OPPOSITION 12 Thought | Rabbi Zvi Homnick
CHASSIDISHE CHINUCH IN SOVIET 16 RUSSIA [CONT.] Memoirs of Rabbi Hillel Zaltzman | Avrohom Rainitz
YOU NEVER KNOW 22 Shlichus | Rabbi Yaakov Shmuelevitz USA 744 Eastern Parkway Brooklyn, NY 11213-3409 Tel: (718) 778-8000 Fax: (718) 778-0800 MOSHIACH: WHAT WE BELIEVE [CONT.] [email protected] 26 Moshiach & Geula | Rabbi Gershon Avtzon www.beismoshiach.org EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: M.M. Hendel ENGLISH EDITOR: THE REBBE’S MAN IN AMERICA Boruch Merkur Memoirs | Rabbi Shneur Zalman Chanin HEBREW EDITOR: 28 Rabbi Sholom Yaakov Chazan [email protected]
NETANYAHU IS MORE DANGEROUS 34 Beis Moshiach (USPS 012-542) ISSN 1082- THAN OLMERT AND RABIN! 0272 is published weekly, except Jewish Shleimus HaAretz | Shai Gefen holidays (only once in April and October) for $160.00 in Crown Heights, Brooklyn and in all other places for $180.00 per year (45 DISILLUSIONMENT issues), by Beis Moshiach, 744 Eastern 36 Shleimus HaAretz | Sholom Ber Crombie Parkway, Brooklyn, NY 11213-3409. Periodicals postage paid at Brooklyn, NY and additional offices. Postmaster: send address changes to Beis Moshiach 744 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn, NY 11213-3409. Copyright 2009 by Beis Moshiach, Inc. Beis Moshiach is not responsible for the content of the advertisements. 723b_Beis Moshiach 21/12/2009 3:37 AM Page 4
d’var malchus
FROM INSIDE OUT The spiral touched off by INSPIRING Yehudah’s approaching Yosef had ramifications on a larger scale. [11] The Zohar [12] understands their union as symbolic of the physical world drawing close to the spiritual CHANGE world. To explain: A similar motif applies with regard to the world at large. Sichos In English In essence, the world is at one with G-d. KINETIC will lead to another in a self- This is the meaning of the phrase In his Siddur, the Alter Rebbe reinforcing pattern that will motivate “G-d is one” in the Shema [13] - not writes: [1] a person to actually do things in merely that there is one G-d, but that “It is proper to say before prayer: expression of his love for his all existence is at one with Him. [14] `I hereby accept upon myself the fellowmen and stir his fellowmen to Nevertheless, the oneness that fulfillment of the positive reciprocate in kind. pervades creation is not openly commandment, [2] `Love your By making a statement of revealed. fellowman as yourself’.’” purpose, we open up a channel to On the contrary, the world Showing love for one’s fellowman express our inner feelings of love [5] appears to exist for itself, a collection prepares a person to intensify his with the intent that they will continue of separate, discrete entities. relationship with G-d, the heart of to flow, becoming manifest in Expressing the inner oneness that our service of prayer. productive activity on behalf of exists between people serves as a For a genuine and unrestrained others. catalyst to establish oneness in the commitment to all people requires world at large, allowing the material true selflessness, [3] and this is the BONDING POWER world to serve as a medium for the expression of spiritual truth. approach which should characterize The expression of a similar This pattern was reflected in the our relationship with G-d. paradigm apply with regard to this conduct of Yaakov and his sons in Why, however, is a verbal week’s Torah reading, Vayigash. Egypt. declaration required? Vayigash means: “And he Although settling in Egypt Why isn’t the emphasis placed on approached;” Yehudah approached involved a descent into exile and contemplating the concept, rather Yosef. [6] Egypt was a morally depraved land, than making a statement? But Yehudah’s approach was [15] Yaakov and his sons established In resolution, it can be explained intended to establish more than a model of spiritually oriented that on an essential level, oneness physical closeness. Rashi explains [7] existence. [16] exists among our entire people. that Yehudah told Yosef: “May my Pharaoh granted them the finest “They are all complementary, and words enter your ears,” i.e., he portion of the land of Egypt, [17] not they share one Father. Because of this desired to initiate communication withholding any resources from common root in the One G-d, all between them. them, promising “the best of Egypt Israel are called `brothers’ in the full And Yehudah’s deed had will be yours.” [18] sense of the word.” [3] tremendous repercussions. [8] Yaakov and his sons made All too often, however, that As the narrative continues, “Yosef maximum use of this opportunity. oneness remains on the level of could no longer restrain himself.” [9] Indeed, our Rabbis explain [19] potential and is not manifest in a After years of separation, the that these were the best years of person’s relations with his fellowmen. brothers embraced, kissed each Yaakov’s life. By making a statement, a person other, and spoke freely. [10] Throughout his life, he activates this potential, and brings it Yaakov’s sons returned to him endeavored to express spiritual values into expression within the context of with the message that Yosef is alive within the day-to-day realities of our material world. [4] and Yaakov descended to Egypt to ordinary living. The importance of this statement join him, establishing oneness and And in Egypt, he was given the exceeds by far its few measured unity between all Jews. words. potential to bring this ideal to For the objective is that one deed consummate fruition. 723b_Beis Moshiach 21/12/2009 3:37 AM Page 5
Although Yaakov realized the full HaKavanos). Nevertheless, attention is drawn to the UNCOVERING IDENTITY Alter Rebbe’s inclusion of it in his Siddur because The relevance of the above potential of what he could achieve in this indicates its universal relevance, that it is concepts is not confined to periods Egypt, he was reluctant to descend applicable for everyone who opens a Siddur to pray. 2. Leviticus 19:18. when G-dliness is openly apparent. there. For prosperity in exile - even 3. See Tanya, ch. 32. Quite the contrary, the narrative 4. See Sanhedrin 65a which states that speech is begins in the ultimate of prosperity that is used to create a considered a deed. As Tanya (op. cit.) explains from concealment. model of spiritually oriented the perspective of the soul, oneness prevails among existence - is not the goal for a Jew’s the entire Jewish people. Separation comes as a Yehudah did not know that he was result of the people’s bodies. As such, it is deed - speaking to Yosef. life. which relates more closely to the material plane than thought - that is necessary to erase it. He thought he was addressing the A Jew’s true life is in Eretz Yisrael, and Eretz Yisrael as it will exist in a 5. This is relevant every day, for every day, we Egyptian viceroy, and he had to plead should strive to advance to a higher level and open for Binyamin’s freedom after he had perfect state in the Era of the up new vistas in our love and care for our fellowmen. been discovered in a very Redemption. This is the promise Yaakov 6. Genesis 44:18. compromising situation. 7. Rashi’s commentary to the above verse. received from G-d, that his Despite the weakness of his 8. This concept explains why Vayigash is the name position, Yehudah advanced in the descendants would be redeemed of this Torah reading. For the establishment of unity from Egypt and that they would live - within Yaakov’s family and in the world at large - direction of oneness, [20] and his is the fundamental theme which characterizes all the approach led to the revelation that in in Eretz Yisrael together with events mentioned in the Torah reading. truth the Egyptian ruler was Yosef. Mashiach. [23] 9. Genesis 45:1. Similarly, in the present days, Why then did Yaakov descend to 10. Ibid.: 15. Egypt? 11. In this light, we can understand the renown although the Jews need the assistance adage of the Alter Rebbe (Igros Kodesh of the of non-Jewish authorities for their Because he appreciated that the Previous Rebbe, Vol. III, p. 413ff): security and well-being, they must Redemption would be brought about A chassidic farbrengen can generate greater by the divine service of man. blessings than the Angel Michael. For the positive realize that there is a subtle, inner influence triggered by the brotherly gathering of dynamic at work. The establishment of a spiritually people at a farbrengen has manifold ramifications. It is not an Egyptian who charts oriented society amidst material 12. Vol. I, p. 205b. our destiny. prosperity provides man with a 13. Deuteronomy 4:4. 14. See Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chayim 61:6 and “The hearts of kings and [their] foretaste of the Redemption, and experiencing this foretaste prepares commentaries. officers are in the hands of G-d.” 15. See Rashi’s commentary to Leviticus 18:3. the world for the time when the [21] 16. The primacy of spiritual values in Yaakov’s G-d - and not the non-Jewish promise of redemption will become conception of life in Egypt is reflected in his fully manifest. “sending Yehudah to show the way” (Genesis powers - controls the fate of our 46:28), “to open a yeshivah” (Rashi). Yaakov’s life in Egypt was people as a whole and each individual 17. Genesis 47:11 and commentaries. in particular. dedicated to this purpose. 18. Genesis 45:20. Our conduct and choice of The theme of redemption is 19. Baal HaTurim, commenting on the beginning of underscored by the Haftorah which Parshas Vayechi. See HaYom Yom, entry for the priorities should be structured 18th of Teves. speaks about the ultimate union [24] accordingly. 20. Also significant is the inner meaning of the There is no need to accept the of Yosef and Yehudah: [25] “I will phrase Vayigash eilav Yehudah, that “Yehudah” - take the children of Israel from every individual Jew - “approaches him,” draws standards of the world at large. close to G-d through prayer. See Sefer Moreover, by emulating among the nations... and bring them HaMaamarim 5629, p. 13. It is the relationship with to their own land. I will make the one G-d established through prayer that brings success Yehudah’s example and striving to all one’s different activities. nation in the land.... No longer will toward oneness and unity within the 21. Midrash Mishlei, commenting on Proverbs 21:1. they be two nations, no longer context of our present situation, we 22. Genesis 46:3-4. can initiate a sequence which will lead divided into two kingdoms.” 23. Note Torah Or (beginning of Parshas Shmos) And it promises [26] “And my which interprets the repetition in G-d’s promise vkg to the open expression of the G-dly od lkgt as reflecting two states of ascent: a) the nature of our existence. servant David will be their prince redemption from Egypt, and the ultimate forever,” for it is in the Era of the Redemption to be led by Mashiach. Redemption that Yehudah’s selfless 24. There is also a direct connection between the EGYPT IS NOT THE END theme of Redemption and the concept of unity thrust towards unity will receive the emphasized by Vayigash. OF THE JOURNEY prominence it justly deserves. May For the exile came about because of the sin of In the midst of his journey to this take place in the immediate unwarranted hatred (Yoma 9b, Gittin 55b). Enhancing communication and unity will erase the Egypt, Yaakov had a vision in which future. cause for the exile, and then the exile itself will also G-d reassured him, [22] “Do not fear Adapted from Sefer HaSichos 5750, p. 212ff, cease. See Timeless Patterns In Time (Kehot, N.Y., Sefer HaSichos 5751, p. 206ff 5753), Vol. I, p. 137ff. to descend to Egypt,” and promised 25. Ezekiel 37:21-22. “I will descend to Egypt with you and Notes: 1. Siddur Tehillas HaShem, p. 12. This practice has 26. Ibid.:25. I will surely have you ascend.” its source in the teachings of the AriZal (Shaar 723b_Beis Moshiach 21/12/2009 3:37 AM Page 6
shlichus SHLUCHOS ON THE FRONT LINES IN INDIA
The Chabad House of Pushkar under heavy security. By C. Yankelowitz phone at the Chabad house rang A year after the massacre in Bombay, I but Gabi did not answer. They called his cell phone with no luck. spoke with the “women of valor,” the We arrived at a completely erroneous conclusion that all was shluchos to the Far East, about their well and we did not have to worry. shlichus, especially in light of recent We were convinced that it was life as usual at the Chabad house. threats. I spoke with Zelda Goldstein of The following hours were the hardest and longest I ever Pushkar, Rivka Hila Winderbaum of experienced. After receiving the awful news we had to light candles Kasol and Libby Gromach of Hampi. and bring in the Shabbos with simcha. We recalled the Rebbe’s Rosh Chodesh Kislev; Beis extract the items that are relevant to answer after other tragedies and Chabad; India; Shluchim of the the frum world in general and derived strength from them. What Rebbe: The ideal day in the ideal Chabad Chassidim in particular. So happened changed us all and place and ideal people – the best in that Wednesday night, when I spurred us on to do even more to world, time, and soul conjoined. found out about an attack in bring Moshiach. Who could have dreamt what would Bombay, I told my superiors about We returned to our usual happen on the eve of this holy day, it so they could contact the shliach routine. Every so often we heard in this holy place, to Chabad and hear the Lubavitch angle, to about a baby that was born that was Chassidim – shluchim of the Rebbe. ascertain that he and his family named Gavriel Noach or Rivka. We simply cannot understand it. were safe, to hear about the Occasionally we heard about a new In the course of my work in the miracles, and to chalk it up to yet mosad named for them and electronic media and as someone another miracle that happened everybody was happy to hear about who speaks foreign languages, I thanks to shlichus. the progress of little Moishe keep abreast of the news and I found the phone number. The Holtzberg, the survivor of the carnage.
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sent to each of them afterwards so they can read it and absorb what was said. After briefly getting to know the shluchos, I put forth my questions. Each responded in her own individual style. One answered questions in detail; another told an amazing personal story; the third sent her responses via the keyboard.
INDIA’S “GEULA’DIK” AID I began with shlucha Zelda Goldstein, who is in Pushkar. We know that the Chabad houses in India have become security priorities to the government. What do you make of this? We are clearly living in a time where we can see signs of the security. Geula. We have to thank the Indians who are doing Hashem’s *** north and south. The tourist season will. The first Shabbos that they set Far away, among billions of in the north ends with the cold up security here was Shabbos people, live a handful of period that sets in after Simchas B’Reishis, and in that week’s D’var Lubavitcher families, shluchim of Torah. The shluchim target Israeli Malchus the Rebbe speaks about the Rebbe. They were friends of the tourists who visit the country, so at the nations of the world helping the Holtzbergs, fellow shluchim in this time, the shluchim leave to Jews. Hashem wants to bestow His India. regroup and to fundraise for the kindness on the Jews and He They did not leave the battlefield following season, which begins chooses to do so through the after the bloodbath. On the before Pesach. In the center and the nations and therefore, we ought to contrary, they expanded their south of the country, the tourist thank them! activities and are more ready for the season is during the relatively It really makes no sense. The hisgalus of the Rebbe than ever pleasant winter months. Some of Indians came to us, of their own before. In that impossible country the Chabad houses are open all initiative, and took full called India, their challenges are year, and now they are under tight responsibility for providing us real, especially in light of the security. security. By the same token, they warnings about possible attacks on There is a special feeling of could simply have asked us to leave Chabad houses. Once upon a time achdus among the shluchim and in order to save themselves the we may have dismissed the especially the shluchos. The bother and expense. Or worse, they warnings as nonsense but now we distances between them are could just ignore and abandon us. know how real the danger is. immense – 25-40 hours by train That’s what many nations did when With the first yahrtzait of the between one place and the next. the Jews in their midst were in shluchim and the other four Jews And so, aside from their annual get- danger of pogroms. So the way the who were in the Chabad house, I together, they meet once every Indians are handling it is an spoke with some of the shluchos to month or two online with Skype. expression of the Geula state India and heard about an For two to three hours they already operating in the world. extraordinary shlichus that converse and give chizuk to one What has changed? continues to flourish. another, discussing common Shlichus in India is always India is divided into two parts, interests, challenges and changing. A lack of stability is experiences. The transcript is then something that characterizes life
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galus. Hashem wants to bestow His kindness How are your children on the Jews and He chooses to do so handling the situation? At first, the children were very through the nations and therefore, we interested in the sandbags and they carefully checked out all the ought to thank them!... It really makes weapons and ammunition. Even our little one, Moshiach, took some no sense. The Indians came to us, of pieces of Lego and used them as a gun. I took the interest in weapons their own initiative, and took full as an opportunity to remind the responsibility for providing us security. children about a sicha that we learned on Sukkos where the Rebbe describes the unique weapons of a here on shlichus, and this is what on the couch, and feel warm and Jewish child. The lulav is the rifle, makes it so hard. Our family homey. Sometimes the house is the grenade is the esrog, the arava underwent many upheavals in the more full and sometimes less. The and hadasim are swords. We spoke past month and a half since we ongoing work includes shiurim in about Jewish weapons being came here to begin the seasonal Chassidus, supper every night, different than the weapons of activities. On the day we arrived, mivtza t’fillin every day, and mivtza everyone else, and how it has the policemen, commanders, and Neshek on Fridays. In the amazing ability to protect us while officials of varying ranks came to upcoming tourist cycle we will offer not entailing any bloodshed. see us in order to check out the chavrusos to learn about Judaism A few days ago, a girl from Chabad house and set up security. and kosher food during the day. Israel came here. She’s an assistant It is said that all beginnings are Last year, after the tragedy in teacher. She was afraid to leave hard and in India, each year is a Bombay, we wanted to intensify our here and she wrote to the Rebbe new beginning and therefore the outreach so we founded a Midrasha about what to do. The letter she hardships this time around are for women, which we called “Beis opened to said that in the time of double because we got caught up in Rivka” for Rivka Holtzberg a”h. I Purim, there was a decree on the the chaos as soon as we came. remember how I shuddered that last Jewish people and what did A new beginning means getting Friday of the Shiva. A few minutes Mordechai do? He gathered the used to things, acclimating, making before Shabbos began I rushed to children and prayed and learned connections with new tourists, print a flyer about the new with them. It was this z’chus of the building up shiurim, and providing Midrasha because I wanted it to children that saved the Jewish a new routine for the children. Even begin during the Shiva. I put the people, not just spiritually but simple everyday life here is never flyer into a volume of Igros Kodesh physically. I also asked for a bracha consistent. Today the worker ran and in my heart I asked the Rebbe from the Rebbe last Shabbos and away, tomorrow there are hours to give us a clear answer that would the Rebbe wrote the same thing, when the electricity won’t work, give us a good feeling. that it is the Jewish children who yesterday the water was shut. In the I opened the volume and the have the power to bring salvation to middle of the night there was a Rebbe’s letter was addressed to “the the Jewish people. motorcycle accident and we had to committee to establish a youth What is your relationship like run to the hospital. Meanwhile, you village ‘Beis Rivka’ for girls.” The with the people around you? have to start living in the house Rebbe gave his blessing and urged The big advantage with the after months of not being there, go the opening of the mosad! Since Indians over other nationalities is and milk cows and make cheese, set then, boruch Hashem, the Midrasha that for many years they were cut new boundaries for the children has been active. Rivky is surely off from the West and did not live and mainly do the shlichus for making noise Up There about it … near a concentration of Jews, so which we came. Many girls have learned in the most of them have never heard of What does your shlichus Midrasha, some of whom have Jews or about anti-Semitism. Most consist of? become Chassidos of the Rebbe. of them are patient, decent people The Chabad house is a home. A Now we are re-opening the who seek quiet. place where there is kosher food, Midrasha for the second year and The senior commander of the where you can drink a coffee, relax hope that this is the last time in area came here to talk to my
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husband about security. He came just as my husband was in the middle of Shma. I felt uncomfortable that he would have to wait and I said it would be at least 15-20 minutes until my husband finished praying. The commander went out of his way to make me feel comfortable and to let me know that he was utterly respectful of my husband’s prayer and he would wait as long as necessary. Are you getting the usual number of visitors or are people avoiding the Chabad house? At first, many tourists were asked by their worried parents in Indian security men in the Chabad House in Pushkar Israel not to visit Chabad houses. Some people were scared off by the Even simple everyday life here is never heavy security. But as time went on the Chabad house is running as consistent. Today the worker ran away, usual. Who is responsible for your tomorrow there are hours when the security? electricity won’t work, yesterday the The most senior people in India’s security forces are dealing water was shut. with it. A commando unit came here, the best in the Registan region, in order to check out the A SHLUCHA WHO IS between Jews and non-Jews. The area and to establish security A PRODUCT OF INDIA avoda zara all around, the courses held in the temples, the holidays guidelines. The Indian landlord Rivka Hila Winderbaum of with their atrocious ceremonies – who rents us the building said that Kasol has an amazing personal they turned me off and I continued our Chabad house is getting the story which she shared with us: to search for spiritual meaning. same security as the governor of I come from an irreligious A guy that I knew visited the Registan (which is the size of home. It wasn’t even traditional. Chabad house of Shimi Goldstein Japan). But I grew up with faith in G-d that and he sent me an email Of course we know that I got from my mother. She taught recommending that I visit Pushkar Hashem is the one who protects us me to speak to G-d and to turn to and take the course on Kabbala and and like I said, He is helping us Him for everything and He Chassidus. I went and enjoyed it, through the Indian government. protected me wherever I went. but it did not lead me to make any The police wanted to place a Ten years ago I had finished my practical changes. When this fellow security unit in one of our rooms army duty and I did what everybody returned to Israel he went to learn but we refused since we didn’t want does – travel the world. Among in the Chabad yeshiva in Ramat to have a more stressful feeling than your many destinations, of course Aviv, and he convinced me to there already is. Instead, the Indian you don’t miss India. I was there register at Machon Alte. police requisitioned the building for three months and the amazing From my very first week at the opposite the Chabad house which, thing is that even though I wasn’t Machon, I felt at home. I dressed not coincidentally, is a place of religious, I felt an aversion to properly straightaway and just avoda zara. In other words, everything I saw. I realized that this drank it all in. I was there for a Hashem is sending His kindness is not my place. It was in that low, year and a half and learned very and protection in a way that klipa impure place that I felt inspired, seriously. serves holiness. Is that not Geula? that I began to notice the difference One of the goals of the Machon,
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supply. One half of the year I work, On a regular Shabbos we host up to 200 host, teach, supervise the kosher guests and on holidays, 500. All this is restaurant and mikva and live in a very primitive place. Nevertheless, for free, with the tourists accepting the we are considered a pampered Chabad house because we have meals as a matter of course. After all, another couple there, R’ Yoel Caplan and his wife Shternie. He that’s why we came, to give. shechts chickens. We also have milk, two liters a day. On a regular after you’ve learned sufficiently, is leaving for Kasol my husband took Shabbos we host up to 200 guests to help you settle down. I reached care of donations and food and we and on holidays, 500. All this is for the stage where I was ready to get left for the old airport in Lud with free, with the tourists accepting the married and I wondered whether two T’mimim, a Torah scroll, and meals as a matter of course. After that bachur, who had become a 400 kilograms of food for us and all, that’s why we came, to give. Chabad Chassid, might be my the mekuravim for the next half a This year it was extremely hard. match. I wrote to the Rebbe and the year. Every year, during the Three answer I opened to said: My parents, who helped us, Weeks, something happens with a Regarding the bachur you escorted us to the airport, but my tourist. This year we had a guy know for several years face to face father did not have the courage to named Amichai Steinmetz who and you don’t know about be with us at the check-in when brought shoes for us. Then he whether to make a shidduch with 400 kilograms went on the scale. disappeared and the search team, him, stop any connection with him The guy standing in front of us on including his father, stayed with us. for a period of time and Hashem line paid $200 for overweight It was a terrible feeling. There was will let you know whether he is luggage. It was our turn and we also a lot of work to do, taking care your intended zivug. Blessings for needed a big miracle, the first in of them all and turning our home good news. our life on shlichus. My mother was into an emergency rescue camp. We I dropped the idea, as per the very nervous but the Rebbe helped still have not heard any good news Rebbe’s instructions, and after “a us and the clerk let us go with all and we pray for a miracle, that he period of time” the suggestion came our stuff without saying a thing. be found alive and well. up again by my mashpia, and that is Each city and area of India has Along with the sad stories we how I came to meet Danny unique attractions which draw in experience open miracles. One of Winderbaum. We spoke about the tourists. The tourists can be them was publicized in the news shlichus and thought of a number classified accordingly: intellectuals when Nurit Fuchs fell 180 meters of ideas, from nearby Sheinken to go to Dramsala, people go to and was miraculously saved. This Laos in the Far East. We decided to Rishikesh for the ashrams, Pushkar year she came back to the Chabad get married. We wrote to the Rebbe for the shopping and to Kasol in house in order to make a Seudas and the answer was “mazal tov, order to sample the produce which Hodaa. mazal tov.” grows freely in the Pravati valley. I am busy with endless work for During our first year of Welcome to Kasol! We found a half a year and the other half a year marriage we went to the festivals guest house, rented it, and put up a I live in Nachalat Har Chabad, a together with the Kadelberg family. picture of the Rebbe and a flag. wonderful Chassidishe place, We lived in Kiryat Malachi and we In our first year I was so busy surrounded by loving family and cooked for 500 people in our that I didn’t have a chance to feel friends and everything spiritually homes. It was a shlichus that was that it was hard. Tourists in the area and materially good. It’s like a kaf something like India and a taste of needed kosher food, a Shabbos ha’kela (slingshot) when I am our future shlichus. atmosphere, support… There are thrown from one reality to its polar Then my husband found a place about 600 Israelis in the area at any opposite. It is always hard for me to in India without a Chabad house, given time during the season. return to Kasol. The comforts of the city Kasol in the Pravati valley. Every year, from Pesach until Israel beckon. Yet the Rebbe writes India?! I had felt so out of place after Simchas Torah we are in to me to return to shlichus and the and disgusted in India, but the Kasol, and the other half a year we work is really amazing. When I am shlichus began taking shape and I prepare for the next season, getting in Kasol I throw myself into the knew it was meant to be. Before donations and organizing our food work devotedly and boruch
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Hashem, we see results. I give classes to women and run a Midrashiya for women and girls. We have some girls learning in Machon Alte. What changed me completely, as a result of which we as a couple were personally blessed, was – surprisingly – the massacre in Bombay. I felt that it happened to me personally, that Rivky and I were one. I suddenly realized that this world doesn’t matter at all. Everything I had learned in Chassidus became clear to me. When gashmius plays no role, my personal desires become trivial. There is one important, significant Children of the shluchim in India thing in the world and that is to fulfill the Rebbe’s ratzon as a simple There were serious warnings but while soldier. We have an enormous mission to bring the Geula; how involved with all the work you don’t feel can I think about myself? Another change for the better afraid. On Rosh HaShana we had occurred after the attack and my decision to view my shlichus with a twenty-two Indian security men, k’vius b’nefesh. We are married six Israelis from elite units who years and like every other couple, we waited anxiously for children. volunteered, and security from Israel. We did all the Rebbe’s horaos and did our hishtadlus. After the attack I said to Bombay and then I got scared. We left on shlichus half a year Hashem, “If you want me to have Parents of tourists exerted pressure, after we got married, last Adar, children, there will be children; and with lots of emails going back and with the Bombay tragedy fresh in if not, not.” It was only after I forth. On Rosh HaShana we had our minds. There was a lot of accepted that my job is to be part of twenty-two Indian security men, pressure from our families and the force to bring the Geula and Israelis from elite units who friends (Lubavitchers too) not to that this is the whole point and I volunteered, and security from go. was liberated of anything else, that Israel. We put up an enormous We have been in India for the we got the good news. In addition, Indian tent and were afraid that past seven months and we recently we saw outstanding success in our people wouldn’t come because of attended the Kinus HaShluchim in work. the warnings, but it was very Crown Heights to get kochos from Tishrei concludes the half year successful. the meshaleiach. We arrived in of shlichus and most of the tourists On Simchas Torah we were at Hampi in southern India to open a leave by Rosh HaShana. This year, headquarters in 770 to get renewed new Chabad house! In light of the 400 people come to the t’fillos and kochos from the Rebbe to do the warnings, many people ask us – meals, which is a huge number for job: to prepare the world to greet are you still planning on going? the end of the season. There were Moshiach. From our perspective there is serious warnings but while involved nothing to discuss. The Rebbe with all the work you don’t feel FROM SHLICHUS wrote that a Chabad house must afraid. The security ministry sent a TO SHLICHUS open at the earliest opportunity. man to provide instructions, along He is the boss. with a security detail. We saw some Libby Gromach, a new shlucha film clips of what happened in on the Indian scene, said:
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thought
Although that would seem to lend whole new meaning to the term counter-intuitive, it was just what I WINNING needed to hear, at a time when I was at a crossroads in my life. Allow me to explain: There was a particular teaching of the Baal Shem Tov that I had OVER THE encountered (in non-Chabad sources) that really resonated with me, and ultimately came to serve as a guiding light in navigating many spiritual quandaries. The OPPOSITION Baal Shem Tov addressed the universal question of how to discern what is true from what is false, and particularly when it By Rabbi Zvi Homnick comes to a Tzaddik, a great spiritual leader whose righteousness is called into in this world,” and yet was very LEARNING question by those who oppose him, firm in his beliefs that the FROM THE OPPOSITION how to know if he is actually a approach and philosophy of One of the most difficult issues righteous person or not. Drawing Chabad Chassidus was “not for that I have ever grappled with is upon the teachings of the Sages us” and should even be vigorously how to distinguish the truth when regarding the many criticisms that opposed. (Today, he is a confronting something over which the people of his generation Mashgiach in a major Lithuanian many great men, certainly greater directed at Moshe Rabbeinu, he style American yeshiva). As to the than myself, disagree so concludes that whereas truth is names Chassidim and Misnagdim, passionately. Growing up, I tended consistent throughout, when he argued that most of the to go along with the prevailing falsehood attacks truth it will use Chassidic world had stopped using attitudes, beliefs and even arguments that are exaggerated, the term Misnagdim and instead antipathy that I absorbed from my self-contradictory, or even outright referred to non-Chassidim as non/anti-Chassidic elitist lies. “Litvaks,” often acknowledging the environment, as well as developing That is why we find that Moshe positive qualities of that world and my own ideas and insights in was criticized for practicing its leaders. Only Lubavitchers still support of such an attitude. celibacy following the revelation at use the nomenclature of a bygone However, even at an early age, I Sinai and “they suspected him of era because “they have a found disquieting the idea that adultery (Sanhedrin 110a),” which persecution complex.” They draw those I saw myself as opposed to illustrates both the contradictory personal validation from and feed were called Chassidim, meaning nature of the attacks as well as the off of opposition, real or imagined, “pious ones,” and those in enormity of the lie used to and some are even willing to do opposition were called Misnagdim, besmirch his piousness. “Moshe is outrageous things to fan the flames meaning “opponents.” I, for one, true and his Torah is true, and we of that opposition. certainly did not wish to identify as are liars.” That is the proclamation Fortuitously, his seemingly an opponent of piety. that Korach and his cohorts are cogent and reasoned arguments In the second year after I condemned to repeat throughout actually helped me solidify my then married, I had a conversation with time for the crime of opposing burgeoning conviction that I an older fellow whose intellect and Moshe and claiming that his needed to invest more of my time incisive insight I admired, on this judgment was colored by self and energy into the study of very topic. This person was interest when in fact, as the most Chassidus, not simply as a means someone who enjoyed learning humble man who ever walked upon of broadening my spiritual Chassidus, and in his words, “I the earth, that would be horizons, but because that is where can’t imagine any greater pleasure antithetical to his very being. I could find the absolute truth. Spiritually, explains the Baal Shem
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Tov, it is specifically from those who attack and oppose the truth I found disquieting the idea that those I that we can learn to identify the saw myself as opposed to were called truth. Although engaging in activities Chassidim, meaning “pious ones,” and that arouse the ire and fuel the animus of those who oppose those in opposition were called Chassidus and Chassidim is highly inappropriate, as the Alter Rebbe Misnagdim, meaning “opponents.” I, for writes that “they are to subdue their spirit and heart before every one, certainly did not wish to identify as man according to the attribute of an opponent of piety. ‘truth unto Yaakov,’” the existence of the opposition serves an important purpose in proclaiming the Talmud rules that if 10 Teves the obvious question that arises that “Moshe is true and his Torah were to fall on a Shabbos, unlike when reading this verse. How can is true.” all other fast days including Tisha Dovid HaMelech say that “He After years of hearing (and B’Av, we would be required to fast. redeemed my soul in peace,” and stupidly parroting) conflicting and (According to our prearranged then go on to say that he was often outrageous claims aimed at calendar it never falls on a redeemed “from those who did Chassidim and Chassidus in Shabbos, as opposed to when they battle against me?” If he was general, and Chabad and the still sanctified the new month forced to go to war, then even if he Lubavitcher Rebbe in particular, I based on visual sightings of the was victorious and was was forced to confront the fact new moon). The Avudraham (Laws “redeemed” it could hardly be that I had to choose not merely of Fast Days, cited in Beis Yosef described as “in peace.” between being a “Litvak” or a OC:503) explains that this severity The explanation that is given is “Chassid,” but between being is due to the fact that the events of that all forms of opposition to someone who would embrace the this day represent the beginning of holiness exist only to fortify and truth wherever it is to be found or the process of destruction of the strengthen the forces of holiness. someone who would just go along First Temple and all the When a person is confronted with with the crowd. subsequent exiles and a challenge, it forces him to dig persecutions, as well as the deeper within himself to draw on destruction of the Second Temple. deeper reserves of strength to FEEDING OFF What could possibly be positive overcome the obstacle or enemy. THE OPPOSITION about that? Spiritually, it provides the stimulus The prophet Yechezkel The Chassidic movement in to arouse loftier and more describes the events that transpired general and the Chabad movement powerful levels of the soul capable on the tenth day of the month of in particular were born and forged of overwhelming and obliterating Teves, at which time in the smelting pot of intense any and all opposition, whether Nevuchadnetzar, King of Bavel opposition. The Alter Rebbe, internal or external. When a (ancient Babylon) laid siege to the founder of Chabad, was thrown person overcomes a spiritual holy city of Yerushalayim. In into jail and faced a possible death enemy through the inner faculties describing this he says (24:2), sentence for alleged acts of of the soul (nefesh, ruach, and “Samach melech Bavel al treason. Ultimately, he was neshama), such as in the normal Yerushalayim.” The Rebbe points vindicated and set free on the 19th everyday struggle that a person has out that the word “samach” is an of Kislev. In a letter describing with his own animal soul or Evil uncommon expression to describe these events he writes, “And when Inclination during prayer and the act of laying siege, and is I was reading in T’hillim (Psalms) throughout the day, it is not really particularly odd in that it generally the verse, ‘He redeemed my soul in a redemption since he will have to is used in a positive sense to mean peace,’ I went out in peace…” In fight all over again the next day. It to fortify or provide support. The many maamarim on this verse, may be a victory of war, but it use of a word with positive starting with the Mitteler Rebbe certainly can’t be described as connotations in this context is even (Shaarei T’shuva, Shaar “redeemed in peace.” more surprising considering that HaT’filla), the Rebbeim addressed However, when a person
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siege is meant to fortify and The true purpose of the siege which support us in the fulfillment of our began on 10 Teves, which foreshadowed mission in exile, and that the destruction is actually the impetus all the calamities that followed, was for a greater rebuilding. Similarly, the opposition to Chassidus is and is to “fortify” and “support” the meant to enable us to reach deep down inside and reveal the highest Jews in fulfilling their divine mission. levels of the soul. “And when I was reading in encounters a greater test which Holy Temple was to be a source of T’hillim the verse, ‘He redeemed forces him to dig deeper and he Divine light with which the Jews my soul in peace,’ I went out in arouses the unlimited power of could illuminate the entire world. peace…” ratzon (will) within his soul (the And yet, even while the two level of chaya), then the “enemy” temples stood, the Jews continued KISS THE OPPOSITION is completely overwhelmed to the to engage in sinful or divisive point that he can no longer put up behavior, in opposition to the GOODBYE a fight, and is subservient to the Divine Oneness. The only purpose Although opposition to holiness will of the soul. This clearly for the destruction and the exile of exists only to reveal greater levels qualifies as “redeemed,” but can’t the Jews is so that they would be of holiness, it manifests externally truly be described as being “in forced to reveal progressively in a negative way. However, the peace,” since the opposition, deeper and higher soul powers to Rebbe explains (sicha VaYechi/10 though completely neutralized, has confront ever more difficult Teves, 5751) that as we get closer only been subdued in the face of challenges, which will ultimately to the Ultimate Redemption, when an overwhelming force. If that bring them and the world to a state we will experience true peace force were to be removed the of being “redeemed” and “in without any opposition, that after enemy would be back looking for a peace.” Thus, the true purpose of all the suffering and purification fight. the siege which began on 10 Teves, that we have endured, the positive The ultimate spiritual which foreshadowed all the becomes more revealed and the redemption “in peace” is when in calamities that followed, was and is external negativity fades. In fact, the face of a life and death to “fortify” and “support” the Jews over the next year or so challenge, the fifth and highest in fulfilling their divine mission. (5751/5752) following that talk, level of the soul that is “completely A key step in this process is the the Rebbe went on to say on one with G-d” (the level of revelation of Chassidus, the numerous occasions and in yechida) comes to the fore. At that deepest secrets of the Torah that numerous ways, that the nations of level of holiness, no opposing force are described as the yechida within the world, as well as the physicality can even exist. There is complete Torah, the part of Torah that is one of the world, have already been redemption and total peace. with G-d in a revealed way, “refined,” and as such can pose no Although Chassidus explains how through the Nasi of each real opposition. Even if on the each individual can attain these generation who is the yechida of surface there appears to be any levels through his own efforts in the entirety of the Jewish People. opposition from those quarters, by prayer, only the perfect Tzaddik This in turn empowers each standing firm and giving it no can experience this state on a individual to reveal his own weight the opposition will not only consistent basis. That is, until the yechida, and ultimately bring the dissipate but will turn around to coming of Moshiach, when “I will world to a state of true peace, actually assist the forces of remove the spirit of impurity from when the knowledge of G-d will holiness. The same holds true for the earth.” Moshiach, who is the cover the earth as water covers the any internal opposition from the general yechida of the entire sea. body and animal soul (see at Jewish People, will reveal the All of this is fueled by the length sicha VaYigash 5752). yechida within each and every Jew, opposition of “those who did battle We are now at the point when and thereby elevate the entire against me.” At the very beginning we are no longer supposed to be world to that level of oneness with of the process of destruction, the struggling with the last superficial G-d and evil will cease to exist. prophet emphasizes that the remnants of opposition, even for The primary function of the opposition which manifested as a the purpose of deriving the
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benefits that come from this Metzora 5751) that the power to HaMoshiach) emphasizes the truth struggle, but negating it remove any and all obstacles and of the matter, that the world completely. This is accomplished to ultimately reveal that everything (Galus/exile) can’t be in from the top down by exists only to serve holiness comes opposition to the Geula, since the overwhelming it completely, or from Moshiach himself in his role entire existence of the world from the bottom up by actually as king. As the Sages say regarding depends on the matter of Geula. working with the opposition to win a king, that if he proclaims that he As it says in the Gemara (Talmud, it over, as in the words of Mishlei, will uproot a mountain, he will not Sanhedrin 98:2), ‘the world was “When Hashem favors the ways of back down until he has done so. not created except for Moshiach.’ a man, even his enemies will make This symbolizes the power of the Therefore, the ‘opposition’ of the peace with him.” The first example king to uproot any and all world (Galus) to the Geula is of this is alluded to in the verse, opposition. The ability to nothing more than an external “He redeemed my soul in peace,” transform the opposition comes matter, and its negation is through as the Sages say (Yerushalmi Sota from the fact that, as Chassidus revealing the true essence of the 1:8) that those fighting against explains, the very life and existence world – Malchus.” Dovid on the side of Avshalom of the kingdom and all his subjects May we all succeed in prayed that Dovid be victorious. are dependent on the king, so transforming our own inner The ability to do this is not only there can be no real “opponent” to opposition and any external due to the era we live in and its something or someone that his opposition, real or imagined, by immediate proximity to the time whole existence depends on. revealing the true purpose of all when evil and suffering will be “And similarly, as pertains to existence: the True and Complete removed from the world. The the Geula (Redemption) - the idea Redemption, NOW! Rebbe explains (sicha Tazria- of Malchus/kingship (Melech EEsstthheerr’’ss PPaarrttyy GGrriillll 463 Albany Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11213 718-735-4343 CATERING ON OR OFF THE PREMISES CORPORATE ACCOUNTS WELCOME. SHLUCHIM; SPECIAL RATES FOR SAVE MONEY SHABBATONS & PARTIES COME SEE TODAY!! OUR BRAND NEW SUSHI BAR Get a FREE analysis on your credit Card Processing! OPEN FOR IN HOUSE DINING Call Today 888-468-3256 x 2770 TAKE OUT & CATERING Better rates guaranteed – If we can’t save you money we will pay you $100 For a limited time – get your CC Terminal or software set up absolutely FREE UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF THE It’s a matter of ONE minute and ONE fax. BEIS DIN CROWN HEIGHTS
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memoirs
belt and the students were deathly afraid of him. I heard that R’ Zushe did his work for the sake of Heaven and CHASSIDISHE did not even take remuneration. Furthermore, in those days of famine he would prepare bread and butter for the boys every morning. Of course, there wasn’t much; you CHINUCH IN could barely see the little bit of butter in the crannies of the bread. I remember that once, my sister Sarah took me to school and since I had to go to the doctor SOVIET RUSSIA afterwards she sat next to me on the bench until the time for my appointment. I was five years old and we were learning alef-beis and Prepared for publication by Avrohom Rainitz the nekudos. R’ Zushe asked me how to pronounce the letter lamed The war on Jewish chinuch was waged with the segol vowel. Although I knew the answer, I was afraid to on two fronts: “turn away from evil” say it aloud in case I was mistaken. My sister wanted to whisper the and “do good.” The former was answer to me because she heard that he hit the boys if they didn’t accomplished by avoiding, where know something, but she was afraid lest R’ Zushe notice her possible, registering children in whispering and hit her. That’s how communist schools or, when this was afraid we were. I heard that one time a child was sick with a case of not an option, fighting so that they did nerves and R’ Zushe went to visit him. When the child was told that not go on Shabbos and Yom Tov. The R’ Zushe had come to visit him, his whole body trembled and they latter front, of course, meant providing did not allow R’ Zushe to approach him. them with a proper chinuch. * The Although he was so strict he following installment is about the war was a good teacher. He taught his students to daven with a tune, and on both these fronts as related by Rabbi with every letter getting its particular emphasis. Years later, Hillel Zaltzman. * Part 2 after I led the davening one day, R’ Chaim Zalman Kozliner came over CHINUCH FOR the way of Torah and mitzvos. and said, “From the way you read A PROPER T’FILLA My first melamed, whom I the words, I can tell that you must learned with in 5704/1944, was R’ have learned to read and daven by As I mentioned earlier, even Zushe Paz (who was known by all R’ Zushe der shamash.” before they had to deal with as R’ Zushe der shamash). He was For a few months I learned by a communist schools, my parents a short man with a long beard and Litvishe Jew (whose name I forget) put in great efforts, at great he was tough. He didn’t use a who taught us the parsha with personal danger, to give us a strap to hit us, as melamdim of the Targum Unkelus every Erev traditional, Chassidishe chinuch, to previous generation would do, but Shabbos. I learned by R’ Berel teach us Torah and to train us in he would punish students with his Gurevich for a few months and for
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The author of this series near the gate of the Mishulovin house. In the cellar they learned with R’ Bentcha Maraz from left to right: R’ Berel Zaltzman, R’ Yisroel Greenberg, R’ Hillel Zaltzman and a local Jew.
nearly a year I learned by R’ Avrohom Yosef Enchatin, a talmid He once heard that a Bucharian boy and secretary of the Chafetz tried to commit suicide because he Chaim. Those were relatively short periods but with my childhood wasn’t accepted into university. R’ sense of time they seemed like a long while. Bentcha sighed, “Ah, if my life was so cheap to me I would found chadarim WHEN THE ELDER CHASSIDIM PLAYED and yeshivos! The only reason why I SOCCER don’t do it is because I fear for my life.” The years between 1946 and 1949 were the best years that I remember of my childhood. I younger group he also taught topics and we children knew that learned with a group of friends: another group of older boys. when he was talking to them we Michoel Mishulovin, Yaakov We learned in an apartment would have plenty of time to Lerner, Mottel Goldschmidt, that was rented specifically for our review our learning. Binyamin Malachovsky and others, classes, in an enclosed courtyard His chinuch approach was to by the melamed R’ Benzion Maroz where only the Mishulovin family avoid hitting his students. If (known as Bentcha Maroz). When lived. It was a relatively secure someone did something wrong, he we meet today and talk about place to have an underground put him in the corner. On rare those old bittersweet days, we yeshiva. R’ Bentcha loved R’ Dovid occasions, when a child did acknowledge that the fact that we Mishulovin and his younger something seriously wrong, he remained frum Jews is, to a great brother Eli (I will write about their would punish him severely and extent, to his credit. role in Chassidic Samarkand in even take our hand and hit it on R’ Bentcha, more than being a another chapter). He had pet the table. melamed, was a mechanech. He names for them and he greatly R’ Bentcha had us review the had learned in Lubavitch and he enjoyed talking to them. Gemara and know it well. One tried with all his might to instill us When he finished teaching us time, when he heard how we were with a Chassidishe chayus and he and he had us reviewing the new reviewing the Gemara, he stopped educated us to mesirus nefesh. He material, he would talk to them us and said, “You don’t understand considered himself to be a with obvious enjoyment. He spoke p’shat!” pedagogue and in addition to our to them at length about various We reviewed it again but he
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strange sight. R’ Eli Paritcher (R’ SKATING IN LINE Eliyahu Levin, the chozer of the As I wrote in the body of the article, R’ Bentcha Maroz also Rebbe Rashab), Yerachmiel der taught an older group of boys. My brother Berel was in that class. alter (R’ Yerachmiel Chadash) and One time, before his bar mitzva, my brother wanted skates. My Boruch the shochet (R’ Boruch mother said it wasn’t appropriate for a bachur who learned Torah to Duchman) were playing soccer. skate on the snow like the goyim in the street, but Berel wanted Boruch the shochet kicked the ball them. Finally, my mother said, “we’ll wait for R’ Bentcha. When he and Yerachmiel ran to catch it but comes to teach you, we’ll ask him. If he agrees, then I’ll buy them.” the ball hit Eli Paritcher in the My brother knew that R’ Bentcha would oppose the idea and he head.” was embarrassed for my mother to ask him. One day, when R’ We couldn’t help laughing and Bentcha came, my mother asked him his opinion about it. R’ he said to us, “Why are you Bentcha wrinkled his forehead and in a serious manner, as was his laughing? Just a few minutes ago I way, he said, “Berele wants skates? Why don’t you buy them? It’s saw you playing just like that. definitely a good idea to buy them.” What’s the difference between My brother looked on in surprise and delight and then R’ elder Chassidim and you? You are Bentcha went on, “Of course you should buy skates, but on one also bachurim who sit and learn condition. If R’ Boruch the shochet and R’ Eliyahu Paritcher, Torah and if it’s not appropriate followed by Yerachmiel der alter, skate in front of him, why for them, it’s not appropriate for shouldn’t Berele skate fourth in line?” you either!”
CHINUCH ENGRAVED insisted, “You don’t understand army, R’ Lazer cut the tendons in FOREVER p’shat.” When he saw that we his middle fingers and then bent didn’t understand what he meant, them and tied them down for some If you lived in the Soviet Union he said, “Gemara has to be learned time until they remained bent. in those days you never thought with a niggun and from the niggun When he went to the draft board you would get out of there. I can tell that you don’t they exempted him because he Consequently, everybody thought understand p’shat.” wouldn’t be able to shoot a rifle. in terms of how to live a normal He once said to me, “I want With this story and the tremendous life in those difficult you to go home and explain the admiration with which he told it, circumstances. Since, in order to Gemara that you learned to your he instilled in us the idea that it support yourself, you had to be mother. If she tells you that she was better to be maimed for life educated in the Soviet system, understands it, then I will know than to be in a situation where you some people sent their children to that you understand it too!” could not observe Torah and school from the outset so they Mesirus nefesh for Torah and mitzvos in the Russian army. would be prepared. mitzvos was an inseparable part of He was gifted with a (My father never worried about his personality. He was very particularly sharp ability to parnasa. He would always repeat acerbic and from his sharp describe things and he used this the Chazal, “The one who provides comments you could see what he for educational purposes. One life will provide sustenance.”) “lived” with. He once heard that a time, when he came into the yard One day, one of our friends Bucharian boy tried to commit we were in the middle of a lively came to cheder and boasted that suicide because he wasn’t accepted soccer game. We were children his mother had registered him for into university. R’ Bentcha sighed, aged eight to ten and we didn’t school and he would grow up to be “Ah, if my life was so cheap to me notice that R’ Bentcha had arrived. an educated person. “What will I would found chadarim and When he saw how we played so become of you?” he asked us yeshivos! The only reason why I enthusiastically he cut the game derisively. don’t do it is because I fear for my short. When we had sat down to R’ Bentcha walked in just in life.” learn he said that before we time to hear this and was very Occasionally he would talk learned he wanted to tell us upset. We were learning Chumash about R’ Lazer Tchitcherski, who something interesting. Having D’varim at the time and were up to led him to the chuppa. In order to captured our attention, he told us: the verse, “Go after Hashem your be exempted from the Russian “On my way here I saw a G-d and fear Him and keep His mitzvos and listen to His voice and
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R’ Yerachmiel Chadash R’ Eliyahu Levin R’ Boruch Duchman (Yerachmiel der Alter) (R’ Eli Paritsher) (Boruch der Shochet)
worship Him and cleave to Him.” expressions about the school). You That was his method of R’ Bentcha turned to the boy understand the p’shat, eh? Nu, education and these things who had boasted about going to repeat after me.” remained etched in our souls public school and told him to After that kind of chinuch that forever. explain the verse. The boy boy understood that he should not explained the simple meaning but have boasted about being AN ESCAPED PRISONER R’ Bentcha made an angry face registered in the school. AND A SOLDIER WITH A and told him to repeat the verse A similar story happened to me. and say the correct meaning. He R’ Bentcha also taught us Tanach, DRAWN WEAPON went back and explained the verse how to lain, and writing. He, Our yeshiva was opposite the but R’ Bentcha wasn’t satisfied himself, had a very nice gate in the yard and R’ Bentcha with his explanation and told him handwriting. One time, during the would always sit near the window to say it a third time. writing lesson, my friend opposite the gate and glance at it This time you could hear a Mordechai Goldschmidt forgot his periodically. Whenever he saw a clearly angry tone in his voice and ink and I didn’t want to give him stranger enter he motioned to us his right hand was extended in any of mine. R’ Bentcha noticed to flee. It once happened that I front of the boy as he pointed this but didn’t say anything. After didn’t make it or was unable to firmly at the Chumash. a while he asked me, “Hilka, did run outside before the stranger We shrank in our places in fear, you say Modeh Ani today?” I said entered. R’ Bentcha opened the not understanding what R’ Bentcha I had. door a little bit and I quickly hid wanted. After all, the boy was R’ Bentcha asked me to explain behind the door. Those few translating the pasuk correctly. We the Modeh Ani and I did so to the minutes that I stood behind the all sat and trembled and R’ best of my ability. R’ Bentcha door seemed like days to me until Bentcha said loudly, “What is the stopped me and said R’ Bentcha got rid of him. meaning of the verse? I will tell disapprovingly, “That’s not what it A frightening thing once you the meaning.” Then with a means,” and he went on to explain happened, and it was a miracle niggun and tremendous chayus, as it. “Modeh means that when a that no one was hurt. The was his way, he said, “‘Go after friend asks for ink that you give it government built a large building Hashem your G-d’ – only go after to him. Ani means that when you near our yard. The construction Hashem your G-d; ‘and fear Him’ friend asks you for a pen, that you workers were convicts who were – and don’t go to the communist give him a pen.” And he went on serving prison terms. So that the school; ‘and worship Him’ – and to explain the rest of the words in prisoners would not escape, they despise the communist school (and that way. He concluded, “Now you put up a barbed wire fence all he used a slew of deprecatory know the meaning of Modeh Ani?” around the construction site and
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more frightened and ran faster, not I SAW A REAL TZADDIK IN LUBAVITCH realizing that this was endangering R’ Bentcha Maroz once related that when he learned in me even more. Lubavitch, when he was about thirteen, a fourteen year old bachur The soldier fired a number of with long peios showed up in yeshiva. He did not talk to boys his warning shots into the air while I age. The young boys tried to be friendly but when he remained quickened my pace even further, silent, they began teasing him as boys do. until I managed to turn a corner Seeing that he couldn’t get rid of them otherwise, he said, “If and hide until the soldier had you promise to stop bothering me, I will tell you a story about your passed. Rebbe that you never heard.” Of course they agreed, because they Afterwards, they explained to greatly desired to hear what he had to say about the Rebbe Rashab, me what a terrible mistake I had and the story they had never heard. made when I began to run, and “I am a Slonimer Chassid,” he began. “Last year, my Rebbe went that it was by a miracle that the to visit many tzaddikim in different lands and when he returned he shots hadn’t hit me and that I held a tish and said Torah. Suddenly he stopped and said, ‘I traveled remained alive. the world to see tzaddikim, Rebbeim and gutte Yidden, but I only saw a real tzaddik in Lubavitch. He sits with two golden chains and HOW TO KEEP A SECRET a golden watch but he is full of humility and modesty on a level After some unpleasant things beyond what any human being can possibly reach.’ happened to us when strangers “He said more Torah and then stopped and said with devotion, from various government agencies ‘How fortunate are the eyes that saw the eyes of a real tzaddik.’ (one time from the tax department, “Then he repeated again, ‘How fortunate are the eyes that saw one time someone appointed over the eyes of a real tzaddik.’ the district, and another time “Then the food was served and after the Rebbe tasted all of it the someone in charge of checking the Chassidim began to grab shirayim. I, as a close talmid, sat near him house logs) entered the yard, R’ and I grabbed too. Then he turned to me and said, ‘This is not an Bentcha thought of a better place avoda for you. Go to Lubavitch.’ for us to learn during the summer “And so I came.” - the cellar of the house we learned in. It was a neglected cellar where ‘What’s the commotion about? One horses and donkeys used to be kept and it was full of manure, hundred years ago none of you were garbage and dust. But it had many advantages for us. First, nobody here and in another hundred years none would suspect that a person was down in the dark cellar. Second, of you will be here, so what’s the point of the cellar had two windows, which this koch and chayus of matters of this served our purposes perfectly. The first was opposite the gate of the world?’ yard and enough light came in from there to enable us to read, four watchtowers were placed lest we arouse the suspicion of the and through this window we could around the yard. police and put ourselves in danger. see any strangers who entered the One day, one of the prisoners I was nine years old and tall for yard. disappeared. Chaos ensued. The my age. I went out to the yard The second window faced the police began combing the area, slowly, but when I walked out of parallel street, and this was a great their guns drawn, and of course the gate and saw a soldier with a advantage because if it was the first places they looked were rifle walking after me, I was necessary to flee we could easily the neighboring yards. terrified and began to run. The go out to the other thoroughfare. When R’ Bentcha saw the soldier, seeing a young person It happened more than once that commotion he instructed us to go fleeing, must have thought I was we used the second window to out into the yard immediately, but the runaway prisoner. He shouted escape. We scratched our hands on to walk slowly and not to dare run at me to stop but I became even the nails and metal in the window
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until we bled, but we children were cooled off a bit when it came to R’ Bentcha was a friend of R’ very satisfied with the new place mitzva observance. He referred Boruch Duchman and R’ Eliyahu and the special atmosphere. him to as a basiak (a sheigitz). Paritcher. To us boys it looked Before we began learning in the R’ Bentcha, in his sharp and somewhat odd because R’ Boruch cellar, R’ Bentcha hired someone passionate way, immediately and R’ Eliyahu were older to clean it up and he warned us responded, “What do you want Chassidim while R’ Bentcha not to approach him or ask him from him? When eight million seemed more elegant, nattily any questions while the man was soldiers stand facing him with dressed with a tie, boots and present. In the midst of the drawn rifles and don’t allow him to walking stick and an erect posture. cleanup operation I forgot his put on t’fillin, and he puts them on We didn’t know that they were warning and I went over and asked regardless, isn’t he a tzaddik?” friends and had learned together in him in a whisper, “Rebbi, we’ll When R’ Bentcha wanted to Lubavitch. learn here?” R’ Bentche was very describe how great a distance we One time, during a farbrengen, angry at me and he yelled at me to need to keep from excitement over R’ Bentcha spoke about R’ Eliyahu leave. matters in Olam HaZeh, he would Paritcher and as was his wont, he I realized immediately that I say, “I was in Moscow, in Red spoke with chayus and emphasis, had made a mistake. Not only had Square, and thousands of people “You see him as a short man but I spoken to him about the purpose were rushing here and there. I you should know that he was the of the cellar, I had referred to him asked them, ‘What’s the second chozer of the Rebbe as “Rebbi,” when a stranger was commotion about? One hundred Rashab after R’ Shilem! When a about. R’ Bentche decided to years ago none of you were here maamer was reviewed, R’ Shilem ensure that I would not repeat this and in another hundred years none would walk around while R’ mistake. When we began to learn, of you will be here, so what’s the Eliyahu would stand quietly in his he slapped me and said, “I warned point of this koch and chayus of place and listen. Can you picture you not to mention our learning matters of this world?’” this – Shabbos morning after and he shouted: ‘Rebbi, we’ll learn After a few glasses of l’chaim mikva, the Lubavitcher Rebbe here? Rebbi, we’ll play here? he loved to sing a Russian lullaby, would come to shul and R’ Eliyahu Rebbi, we’ll eat here?’ …” That how a Jewish mother tells her son would jump on the table and was enough for me and from then to remain a Jew in every review the maamer for the Rebbe! on I knew how to keep a secret. circumstance in life and even when Did you hear what the Rebbe great sorrows will come upon him, Rashab said about his balding? ONE JEW AGAINST to remain a loyal Jew. He would That his hair fell out as a result of EIGHT MILLION sing it with gusto as he knocked Chassidishe thoughts before on the table with his finger. davening!” SOLDIERS (When my brother Berel sang This is how R’ Bentcha In addition to the learning we this niggun for the Rebbe, the constantly instilled in us the did, we absorbed a Chassidishe Rebbe did not encourage the Chassidishe chayus that he was chinuch during his farbrengens. singing. Berel understood this to graced with, as well as the proper Once, during a farbrengen with mean that the Rebbe did not want Chassidishe outlook on life. Anash, someone spoke sharply to encourage a song about tzaros about another Chassid who had that would come upon a person.) Raskin's Consistently “if it grows we have it” Superior Fruit and Produce Emporium WHOLESALE & RETAIL Michal & Aaron Raskin We Deliver 335 Kingston Ave. Brooklyn NY 11213 * Tel: (718) 756-3888 756-2221 * Fax: 756-2440
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shlichus
thing? People gave up their lives not to deny their Jewish identity and you said you weren’t Jewish just in order to catch a train? I YOU NEVER regretted what I had said and resolved that the next time I would encounter something to do with Judaism, I would identify with it and be a part of it. KNOW “‘I returned home to North Carolina and the first thing I saw in the mailbox was the flyer about the class in honor of the 15th of By Rabbi Yaakov Shmuelevitz Shevat. Of course I called you and Shliach, Beit Shaan I came.’ “The professor continued to come to other shiurim. He also The Rebbe explains in the D’var advertised a shiur-farbrengen in came to daven on weekdays and Malchus for Parshas Truma that honor of 15 Shevat. We printed Shabbos and he became very close the Torah starts the list of flyers and distributed them all over with us at the Chabad house. It donations to the Mishkan with town. About half an hour before was all thanks to two bachurim gold to teach us that every Jew is the start of the shiur, someone who were unsuccessful at getting gold inside. Even a Jew who called us and introduced himself as him to put on t’fillin. Thanks to outwardly seems to be estranged a Jewish professor at the local their being there and asking him if from Judaism is really pure gold. university. He asked whether he he was Jewish, his entire family You don’t have to convince the could attend the shiur and of became close to Judaism and the shluchim that every Jew is gold. course we said he was welcome. Rebbe.” Every shliach sees, usually more He came a little late and he sat at Wait, that’s not the end of the than once, how a Jew who looks the end of the table and listened story. very far from anything holy reveals throughout the class. the gold within him thanks to a “At the end of the shiur I asked few words of kiruv and love. him how he had heard about the THANKS TO THE Sometimes, this very Jew becomes class. The professor’s answer was BACHURIM WHO WERE the greatest supporter of the amazing and teaches a terrific UNSUCCESSFUL – PART 2 Chabad house and is responsible lesson in life and about mivtzaim. One day the professor showed for spreading light throughout the This is what he said: up with a question for R’ Groner. city. “‘A week ago I was traveling in He had been offered a good We lift a little finger and the New York. I was in Manhattan on position at a university in Texas. Rebbe bestows the kochos and Fifth Avenue and I rushed to the They wanted him to head the brachos so that we see how every subway in order to go to Brooklyn faculty for genetics there. This was Jew is gold. to visit my in-laws. Two a significant promotion for him but Lubavitcher boys approached me there was one problem: in Texas with t’fillin and asked me whether THANKS TO THE there was no shul, no mikva, and I was Jewish. Since I was in a big BACHURIM WHO WERE no religious community. How rush I figured that if I said I am could he leave everything he had in UNSUCCESSFUL Jewish, they would try to convince North Carolina? Rabbi Yossi Groner, shliach to me to put on t’fillin and I could R’ Groner said it was a North Carolina, related the miss my train. So I told them I question for the Rebbe. They sent following story at a farbrengen that wasn’t Jewish and ran into the the question to the Rebbe and the took place at yishuv B’nei Ayash as station. answer was that when a Jew is part of a round of farbrengens that “‘The moment I sat down on made an offer which entails were held in honor of Yud Shevat: the train the doors closed. I began advancement and influence, he “About thirty years ago, shortly to relax when I suddenly caught should take it. after going on shlichus, we myself. How could you do such a The professor moved to Texas,
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though not before asking Merkos L’Inyonei Chinuch to send a shliach there. The shliach duly arrived and was supported generously by this professor. The shliach started a shul near the university, offers shiurim, and today has a growing k’hilla of Jewish students and local people. It’s all thanks to the two bachurim who were unsuccessful on mivtzaim.
BECAUSE OF A KIDDUSH AND SOME RUGELACH I heard another amazing story, this one from Rabbi Yehoshua Adot, shliach in Binyamina: “We met Alex (a fictitious Rabbi Yossi Groner farbrenging in B’nei Ayash name), a Russian immigrant, when he was eight. His parents wanted to give him a bris mila. We helped How could you do such a thing? People them out and parted ways. We met him again when he became bar gave up their lives not to deny their mitzva. We helped with the Jewish identity and you said you weren’t preparations and the aliya and then we once again parted ways. Jewish just in order to catch a train? “A few years ago we wanted to do outreach with kids and so, at Chabad yeshiva in Ramat Aviv, to arrange as many Hakhel the Chabad house, every Friday continued in the yeshiva in Tzfas, gatherings as possible. Alex night after the davening we had and did very well. He was a very noticed that there was no Hakhel kiddush for the young crowd. gifted bachur who learned dozens for the beggars in 770 and so he “One Friday I went to a park of maamarim and chapters of invited them all to a meeting and near the Chabad house in order to Tanya by heart and he helped a lot told them that at a certain time invite kids who were hanging out in hafatza in Binyamina. He went every day there would be a short there to davening and kiddush. on K’vutza and when that year was shiur, at the end of which each of Among the kids I noticed Alex. He finished, the hanhala in 770 asked them would receive $2. This shiur was nearly 18 but he still him to stay on as a shliach for the is still ongoing. remembered me and was happy to bachurim coming on K’vutza the Another one of Alex’s projects join us. He loved the idea, the following year. Alex agreed and takes place in 770 during the davening, the rugelach, the singing continued to pleasantly surprise all lunch break. Whoever is interested and the simcha. He began coming the rabbanim, T’mimim, and in learning three chapters of regularly, and not only for t’fillos.” Anash with his unique and creative Rambam at this time, gets a meal Alex made progress quickly. ways of increasing Torah study and without having to bother going to Even before finishing high school Ahavas Yisroel within 770. the dining room. Some say that the he submitted a research paper on Alex successfully raised money meal in 770 is no less tasty than the topic of answers from the from people in Crown Heights and the meal in the dining room. Rebbe in the Igros Kodesh. Thanks was able, with this money, to The final project, which some to him, the entire staff of teachers organize some wonderful projects say is the biggest of all, is a shiur learned about connecting to the that had never even been dreamed in inyanei Moshiach and Geula Rebbe and Alex received the of in all the previous years of which takes place in 770, along highest mark. K’vutza. with delicious refreshments, which Alex learned briefly in the In a Hakhel year, Chassidim try attracts a nice crowd of T’mimim.
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children (note their Chassidic names): Yosef Yitzchok, Nechama Dina, Avremi, Menucha Rochel, and Chana. The first time I met Moshe, things were somewhat different. “Moshe was familiar with Chabad in Russia but when he came to Eretz Yisroel his main interest was to find a place to work and support his family. He was young, so I convinced him to learn in yeshiva and he went to learn in the Chabad yeshiva in Tzfas. “After a few months, his financial situation deteriorated and he caved in to his mother’s pressure and left yeshiva. He began working in the forests of Dimona for the Jewish National Fund but he kept up his connection with Chabad. “On Simchas Torah we were all farbrenging together. The mashke and brachos of l’chaim elevated the atmosphere and at a certain point I blessed Moshe that he wouldn’t have to work in the forest anymore and he could return to yeshiva. “The day after Simchas Torah, in the middle of work, a large rock rolled on to Moshe’s fingers. He needed extended medical treatment and he was told he could not return to work for many months. National insurance paid his full salary and he was able to sit A Jew putting on t’fillin in jail peacefully in yeshiva and learn Torah. The months turned into years and Moshe continued to When he woke up in the morning he grow in Torah and Chassidus. He discovered that the house was locked. established a Chassidishe home in Dimona.” His mother had taken his clothes so he OUT THE WINDOW could not return to yeshiva. IN PAJAMAS FROM THE FORESTS who did not seem to have a Mordechai, another example OF DIMONA TO THE “Chassidic future” but, with the from Dimona, went through a harder time. Mordechai came from YESHIVA IN TZFAS help of some miracles from the Rebbe, look altogether different a family that was opposed to a Rabbi Yisroel Gliss, shliach in now: religious life but the Jewish Dimona, relates two stories out of “Nearly everyone in Dimona neshama did its thing. At first he many that he knows, about Jews knows Moshe, as well as his five learned in a religious high school
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but after one encounter with Rabbi the Beit Shaan valley and made an also minyanim at the kibbutz, Gliss he switched to the Chabad enormous change in the man and sometimes on weekdays and yeshiva in Tzfas. His mother the kibbutz. R’ Ro’i Tor, shliach to sometimes on Shabbos, and the opposed this significant change the kibbutzim in the valley, relates entire kibbutz is becoming more and she confronted R’ Gliss but he what happened: aware of mitzva observance. explained that it was really for the “One day, a member of the good of her son, as it says, “a kibbutz asked me whether I could IN JAIL THEY person should always learn Torah help him get a pair of t’fillin. I ARE GOLD TOO in the place his heart desires.” went on the Shluchim Forum and One day, Mordechai went home posted his request. Within a day a The shliach responsible for for a visit and went to sleep. When shliach contacted me and told me distributing the t’fillin in Israel he woke up in the morning he about the project in which t’fillin goes on to relate: discovered that the house was were given to soldiers and people “I found out that a close friend locked. His mother had taken his from kibbutzim. The next day I of mine was going to jail. This is a clothes so he could not return to had the t’fillin and the man from person with an important job in yeshiva. Mordechai simply went the kibbutz began using them the security field, but due to family out the window in his pajamas, every day.” issues where Torah law (and the went to the store and bought some Only later did R’ Tor find out law of the land) rules that ‘you clothes, and returned to Tzfas. what an impact this gift made on force him until he says I want to,’ Mordechai continued learning the man and the entire kibbutz. he was sent to jail. and kept in touch with the Chabad For a long time he had wanted to “There he met another friend house, and he established a fine put on t’fillin but he had no idea who told him that he really wanted Chassidishe home. where to get them. A few times he to put on t’fillin but didn’t have started saving up money to buy a any.” pair, but each time another urgent The shliach in Eretz Yisroel T’FILLIN WERE ONLY contacted R’ Gurewitz in Lyons, THE BEGINNING need for the money came up and the t’fillin were not bought. One who asked how many pairs he I have written before about the day, he decided this was it - he needed. The shliach said one pair, shliach, Rabbi Shmuel Gurewitz of contacted R’ Tor and got the but fifteen pairs arrived. An Lyon, France, who enlisted some t’fillin. impressive ceremony took place in donors and bought hundreds of The t’fillin strengthened the the jail, attended by donors and pairs of t’fillin which he distributed man’s connection to Judaism and recipients, rabbanim and shluchim to soldiers and people from he began hosting a shiur in his and people in the prison. More and kibbutzim who committed to using house for his friends on the more people committed to putting them daily. kibbutz. He invites the people and on t’fillin daily, thus demonstrating One of these pairs of t’fillin got R’ Tor gives the shiur. There are that even among the criminals, to a member of kibbutz Beit Alfa in every Jew is gold. Make a “Mivtzah Kashrus” in your own computer! Introducing JNET-The world wide web without the world wide worryTM While The Internet can be a helpful tool for business, experts that will solve your problems fast. education and personal use it can also be a potentially Most important, you can now get the JNET Advantage for dangerous one. only a bit more than non-filtered on line providers. That's why J Net was created. If you're ready for the world wide web without the world wide Using exclusive multi-tiered intelligent filtration, the J Net worry, you're ready for JNet. portal is probably the most effective consumer resource for DIAL UP DSL Unlimited Access 24 Tech Support eliminating material not conducive to our needs. 4 Profiles per Account Web Mail More than virtually foolproof, J .NET is also easy - both to Call us toll free at 1-866-866-JNET (5638) install and use. Plus its available in both dialup and high (mention code “770” for special ANASH Rate) speed DSL and backed by highly trained customer service
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moshiach & geula MOSHIACH: WHAT WE BELIEVE.
By Rabbi Gershon Avtzon
As the saying goes, “75% of known facts words in the Torah. If one believes that the Torah was authored by a are either not known or not facts.” This human, is it shocking that there are extra letters or words? is especially true regarding belief in With this understanding of the 13 principles, we must wonder: Moshiach and Geula, where there are Why is the belief in Moshiach one many preconceived notions and of them? Can’t I be considered an orthodox Jew by Keeping Kosher questions that remain unasked – and and Shabbos, and just not believe in Moshiach?! unanswered. [The Chasam Sofer (Shalas U’T’shuvos on Yora Deia, letter PART 3 OF 20 commandments, they are the 356) writes that in believing in Moshiach is not in itself a In the previous pillars of Judaism. For example: Principle number principle. It is just that article we discussed the since Moshiach is written about in importance of believing one is the belief in Hashem. This is pretty obvious: One cannot claim the Torah, if one denies Moshiach, in Moshiach. We finished our he is denying part of the Torah! discussion with a question: to be a believing Jew if he does not believe in Hashem. However, the accepted opinions WHY IS THE BELIEF IN MOSHIACH ONE [To put things in perspective: are that the belief OF THE THIRTEEN PRINCIPLES OF THE According to many of the in Moshiach itself is indeed a JEWISH FAITH? commentaries, there is no Mitzva principle. For all Mitzvos are to believe in Hashem! How can written in the Torah, and To clarify the question: There according to the above, they are 613 commandments, yet there one ask “what are the commandments?” if he does not should all be included.] are only 13 principles. Clearly, The Lubavitcher Rebbe gives a then, not every commandment is a believe in a Commander?] Another of the principles is that fascinating explanation (Hadran principle. Two of the most basic on Rambam, 5746, chapter 10). In Mitzvos are putting on T’fillin (for the Torah was authored by Hashem and transcribed by Moshe order to understand it, we must men) and keeping Shabbos. Yet, first explain a basic Chassidic idea: neither of them are part of the 13 Rabbeinu. This is also understood. Most of the laws of the Torah are When we cover our eyes and say in principles. This shows us that the Shma that Hashem is ONE, we are principles are more than just basic extrapolated from extra letters or
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saying not only that there is no other creator, but that there is no Everything in Judaism is judged by the other entity but Hashem. The “bottom line” - practical action. This entire world - even though it appears to be independent - is even includes Mitzvos which are really G-dly. In the time of exile, this truth is hidden. It seems that centered around the emotions of the the world is an independent entity, and that keeping Torah and heart. Mitzvos is a struggle. When Moshiach comes, the includes spreading the word of of Moshiach - the last two truth of creation will be revealed. Hashem to those that don’t know chapters of Hilchos Melachim? The world will be seen as a place him (i.e. Mivtzoim). For if you The answer (in short): created solely to do Hashem’s will. really loved something or someone, The Rambam - who is a Chazal tell us that in the messianic you would “share the love” with codifier of Jewish law - is teaching era, if one would want to desecrate others. us a law! The law is, that when one the Shabbos by picking a fruit off Thus, there is a practical hears about Moshiach - even as the tree, the tree will “shout” at application to every Mitzvah, even a side topic - it must evoke in him him to stop. to those which are inherently the feeling to pray for Moshiach. If one does not believe emotional. The Rebbe explains the When must one pray? When he in Moshiach, then he does not above concept in Likkutei Sichos feels that he is missing one of his believe that Hashem’s true will and (Volume 28, Parshas Chukas, page needs (see Hilchos T’filla of the unity will become manifest and 135) based on a few seemingly Rambam). When one feels so believes, instead, that the world extra words in the Rambam. strongly about Moshiach that will remain “independent” of The Rambam writes (Hilchos hearing it mentioned invokes a Hashem’s oneness. It is obvious Para Aduma end of Perek need to pray for Moshiach, then that such a person is lacking in his Gimmel): “Moshe Rabbeinu was you know that he is truly basic belief in Judaism. commanded to sacrifice the Para anticipating Moshiach’s arrival. Aduma (Red Heifer). During the [One may ask: If the above is course of history, the Jewish the law, why doesn’t Rambam PART 4 OF 20 people sacrificed nine Paros write a prayer for Moshiach every The Rambam (Hilchos Adumos. The Tenth will be time he mentions it in his books? Melachim chapter 11) writes: sacrificed by King Moshiach, may The answer is simple: Rambam “One who does not believe he be speedily revealed, AMEN!” is a codifier of Jewish law, so he in Moshiach or does not anticipate There are two very obvious teaches you the law once and his arrival denies the [whole] questions: expects YOU to pray Torah..” We will now explain the 1) What is a prayer doing in for Moshiach.] difference between believing middle of a book of laws? Even after the above, we still in Moshiach and anticipating his 2)If the Rambam wants to pray have to explain: Why do I have to arrival. for Moshiach - for whatever anticipate a human Moshiach and WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN reason - would it not be more not just a messianic era? We will BELIEVING AND ANTICIPATING IN fitting to place the prayer in the IY”H explain that in our next PRACTICAL TERMS? section where Rambam explains article. the laws pertaining to the times Everything in Judaism is judged by the “bottom line” - practical action. This even includes Mitzvos which are centered on the emotions of the heart. For example: There is a Mitzvah to love Hashem. The Rambam explains in Seifer HaMitzvos (Mitzvah Ahavas Hashem) that this commandment
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memoirs THE REBBE S MAN IN AMERICA
By Rabbi Shneur Zalman Chanin
publicized yet and he was willing to A bundle of letters that I received from give them to me to examine. the archives of R’ Yisroel Jacobson a”h The bundle consisted of letters, telegrams and notes, most of which to help me prepare my father’s memoir, were not directly connected with my father’s story but could definitely opened up to me the fascinating life of shed light on that period and the connection between the Chassidim this Chassidic askan who did so much in Russia, the refugee Chassidim in Europe, and the Rebbe in New York. on the shlichus of the Rebbe Rayatz and These letters present a picture of the the Rebbe MH”M. Rebbe’s far-ranging smuggling network out of Russia and huge rescue operation to free countries, As I wrote the reminiscences of a chapter to the work of R’ Yisroel consisting of only a handful of my father I tried to present them as I Jacobson. He was the shliach of the people, and the conditions under remembered them, but the final Rebbe Rayatz and one of the key which it operated. I found the chapters were missing many details figures in the history of the escape material fascinating and couldn’t about the period during which they from Russia, the wandering in believe I had access to such a fled Russia. Either he chose not to Europe and the emigration of treasure. relate them or he himself was simply Chabad Chassidim from Eastern I spent the following weeks not aware of them. Europe to the free world, to France, reading the letters and arranging In order to maintain the accuracy Eretz Yisroel, the United States, them in chronological order, of the events and to give the reader a Canada, and Australia. deciphering the handwriting, clear picture I inquired of relatives For the purposes of the article I figuring out the codes, translating and friends, interviewed people, and asked the grandson of R’ Yisroel and coming up with possible read memoirs, Igros Kodesh and Jacobson, my dear friend, R’ Yaakov explanations that would help make history books. Despite my research Leibel Altein, whether there were sense of things. efforts it still seemed to me that any pages from his grandfather I decided to make an exception much was missing. about that period that hadn’t been here and instead of writing about my Now, as the chapters about my printed but might help me add to father, to devote some chapters to father, R’ Chaikel Chanin a”h, what I heard from my father. After a the treasure that I found. This first concerning the period of the flight few days, R’ Leibel told me that he chapter is about R’ Yisroel and from Russia come to a conclusion, I had found a bundle of letters from highlights of his life. It is based on thought it would be proper to devote his grandfather that had not been
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my father’s recollections, on the book Zikaron Livnei Yisroel and on the letters that I found in the archive.
THE REBBE APPOINTS A SPECIAL SHLIACH FOR MATTERS CONCERNING THE REFUGEES On 18 Tammuz, 1946, the Rebbe Rayatz sent two letters. One was a general letter to the Jewish leadership in Europe and the other letter was to the Chassid, R’ Shneur Zalman Schneerson in Paris. In both letters the Rebbe lets them know that R’ Jacobson was traveling on shlichus to visit the refugees in the DP camps in Germany and Italy to find out how they were doing materially and spiritually, to see what aid they needed, and to see how the educational and religious mosdos of Western Europe were faring. The letters are printed in the Igros Kodesh of the Rebbe Rayatz, vol. 9, p 148-9. The Rebbe Rayatz
THE SPIRIT OF LIFE scene and to be in daily contact with his emissary encouraged them IN AMERICA him. tremendously. R’ Jacobson did not allow any The anticipation to see the What was R’ Jacobson’s job? obstacles to stop him and he filled shliach and the inspired atmosphere Immediately after the Chassidim his mission loyally. He met with that preceded his visit so affected the received the green light from the Anash in the DP camps throughout children that they were sure that Rebbe to attempt to escape from Europe, obtained visas for when he showed up he would take Russia despite the danger, they did Lubavitchers, formed political them immediately on “eagle’s wings” what they had to do and fled. connections with emigration offices to America, where they would see Nobody took the time to consider and Jewish organizations, improved the Rebbe within minutes. The what their next move would be once conditions in the camps, supplied adults knew that the shliach would they got to the other side of the kosher food, and more. instruct them what to do next. border. None of them were aware of My father said that when the first You may recall that a group of what World War II had wrought in group of Chassidim who had fled Chassidim did not want to leave the Europe and they had no idea that Russia, including himself, found out stable where they were staying Jewish refugees were flooding the that the Rebbe had sent a special because they were waiting for R’ continent, seeking a place to rest shliach to meet with them and guide Jacobson to come. When he came, their weary bones. them, they were thrilled and each of them wanted to shake his They took a few belongings and indescribably anxious to meet him. hand or at least be in his presence so left, relying completely on the Rebbe. They were weary from their travels they could sense a bit of the holiness The Rebbe, who had taken and had had more than their fill of that he brought with him from the responsibility, envisioned all the the adventures of the previous Rebbe. hardships that awaited them on their weeks. The fact that someone cared R’ Jacobson did not take them on road to freedom and sent R’ Yisroel about them and was sending them eagle’s wings, but he definitely gave Jacobson to direct things on the
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them hope and clear helped change Judaism in the instructions and he was a big US. He was at the Rebbe’s help to the groups of refugees side when the Rebbe Rayatz who were at a crossroads. He founded yeshivas Tomchei continued to provide help in T’mimim – 770 and Beis the years to come, long after Rivka. Then he built yeshivas his shlichus officially ended, Tomchei T’mimim in Newark until they were settled. (which is presently located in One time, as I spoke with Morristown) and yeshivas my father, I voiced the Hadar Ha’Torah, the first following question. Without yeshiva in the world for baalei getting into spiritual inyanim t’shuva, followed by all the and the fact that the Rebbe out-of-town yeshivos in the sees what we don’t see, why US and yeshivas Tomchei did he pick R’ Jacobson to T’mimim in Montreal. travel to Europe on this I don’t think there is a perilous, difficult and mosad that R’ Jacobson was responsible mission? What not involved with founding or was so special about him that running, at least until a was different than other shliach was sent there to askanim or Chassidim? continue running the mosad. To my father it was clear. “Do you know who R’ YISROEL Jacobson was? I can tell you ZHURAVITZER one thing. R’ Yisroel was absolutely mekushar to the NEVER GOES TO Rebbe. When the Rebbe SLEEP assigned a job to him, he knew he R’ Chatshe Feigin’s letter to R’ Yisroel Jacobson R’ Yisroel Jacobson was born on could rely on him and consider the 3 Kislev, 5656/1895, in the city of matter done. It’s not just that R’ a pile of letters to R’ Jacobson’s Zhuravitz. At the age of ten he went Yisroel was known as a diligent address. When R’ Chatshe expressed to learn in yeshivas Tomchei askan; it’s that the phrases ‘I can’t’ surprise, wondering why he should T’mimim in Lubavitch. or ‘impossible’ were not in his be the one to get the letters, the When my father, R’ Chaikel, dictionary. Rebbe answered, “Yisroel? He is the went to Lubavitch in 5676/1916, R’ “R’ Yisroel,” added my father, spirit of life in America.” Yisroel was among the older “was like fire. He never rested on his This proved to be ruach bachurim there, but that did not laurels and didn’t lose a minute in ha’kodesh on the Rebbe’s part, for hold them back from developing a doing something for the sake of the by the time that the letters arrived at close relationship. The custom in Rebbe or his Chassidim. Wherever R’ Jacobson’s address, R’ Lokshin Lubavitch was that the talmidim of Lubavitch was, there was R’ had been killed in a car accident. the moi’er (lit. wall, i.e. those who Jacobson and where R’ Jacobson This was obviously a miracle but learned in the elementary school was, that’s where Lubavitch was.” what I want to stress with this story within the wall in the courtyard of R’ Jacobson told my father a very is the greatness of R’ Jacobson. If the yeshiva, as opposed to the interesting miracle story which, by the Rebbe said about him that “he is talmidim of the zal who learned on the way, shows how highly the the spirit of life in America,” then their own within the yeshiva Rebbe Rayatz thought of him. that summed up what he was about. building) would go to the big zal of Generally, when the Rebbe sent Among the letters that I found in the yeshiva every Shabbos. Each letters from Poland to Aguch or to the archive was a letter from R’ young talmid sat and watched one of the T’mimim in the US, he would Chatshe to R’ Jacobson in which he the older talmidim and learned from send them to Rabbi Mendel Aryeh tells him this story. him how to daven. Leib Lokshin, who was the menahel Indeed, R’ Jacobson was the My father chose R’ Yisroel. He and director of Aguch in the US. spirit of life in the founding of sat for hours and listened to him One time, the Rebbe asked his Chabad mosdos in America and he daven. My father told me, “He secretary, R’ Chatshe Feigin, to send
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davened very geshmak.” After meditating for some time, he would daven at length and with d’veikus, all of which made a tremendous impression on my young father. R’ Yisroel was like a big brother to my father and was a role model of what was demanded of a real Tamim. A strong bond developed of mashpia and mushpa. “I remember,” said my father, “that in Lubavitch they would say that R’ Yisroel Zhuravitzer (as they called him then for the city he came from) never lay down to sleep. He would put his head down and that’s where he slept. I saw him do this when he was a mashpia in 770 and Rabbi Yechezkel (Chatshe) Feigin Rabbi Yisroel Jacobson even in his senior years he would fall career of communal service. reputation was famous as a asleep while sitting in his office. On Chanuka, 5682, R’ Yisroel uniquely Chassidishe town (as we opened the yeshiva in Homil with a know from the Rebbe Rayatz’s A YOUNG MAN single student. Three weeks later sichos), so I stopped there for a OPENING A YESHIVA there were some more talmidim and day. R’ Yisroel got married on the yeshiva ended up growing nicely. My cousin, Chaim Dovid Chanuka, 5680, at the end of the He hired R’ Chatshe Feigin, who Malkov (the son of my mother’s Civil War in Russia which preceded was much older than him, to be the brother, Meir Boruch Malkov), Lenin’s rise to power. About two rosh yeshiva and took responsibility lived not far from the Rebbe’s years later the political situation for paying his salary of three pud home and that is where I ate my became unbearable and the roads (Russian measurement) of flour a meals. I slept one time at R’ were quite dangerous. month, according to the monthly Shmuel Nimotin and one time at “On Simchas Torah 5682/1921,” flour rate. my cousin. wrote R’ Yisroel, “as we sat Twice a week, R’ Yisroel and *** farbrenging in the home of our Chanan Shagalov went to collect Erev Rosh HaShana, after friend, R’ Shmuel Biala, the money on the street, in stores, to Slichos and Shacharis, I entered watchmaker. We spoke about the support the yeshiva. the Rebbe’s apartment (Machavaia difficulty to send talmidim to R’ Jacobson wrote: 12) and saw that in the large hall Lubavitch since we knew that they I decided to travel to the Rebbe of the apartment which was a shul, were wandering from place to place, in Leningrad for Rosh HaShana, the benches were not yet ready for and discussed the idea of making a 5685. My financial state was dire Yom Tov. division of Tomchei T’mimim in and I had no money for a ticket. I The Chassid, R’ Eliyahu Chaim Homil. I sent a letter to the Rebbe borrowed from the amount that Altheus Hy”d, was one of the Rayatz on behalf of Anash, asking was raised for maamud as a result mekuravim and he generously for permission to open a yeshiva in of the travels of R’ Itche Masmid supported all matters pertaining to Homil …” and bought a ticket for Leningrad. Lubavitch. He was sitting in the The Rebbe responded, “I was My wife baked challos for me hall and I asked him in surprise, happy to read the letter of our and roasted two chickens so I had “R’ Eliyahu Chaim, it’s Erev Rosh talmidim, the dear T’mimim, about what to eat on my travels. HaShana and nothing is ready for the yeshiva that they founded in On the way I passed through the shul!” their camp, and with pleasure I Nevel, where my brother-in-law, R’ R’ Eliyahu Chaim answered hereby crown it with the name, Meir Simcha Chein (the husband parroting me, “Yisroel, it’s Erev Tomchei T’mimim of Lubavitch in of my wife’s sister, Elka, through a Rosh HaShana and nothing is Homil.” second marriage) lived. I wanted to ready for the shul.” Thus began R’ Yisroel Jacobson’s be in Nevel at least once, for its His words illuminated my eyes
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circumstances and a foreign language. However, if I would obtain papers for him to travel to Eretz Yisroel, he would go.
THE REBBE ASKED R’ YISROEL: DO YOU KNOW HOW TO SPEAK TO THE TATTE? The next time he had a yechidus (23 Adar, 5685) R’ Yisroel asked the Rebbe again about emigration and emphasized that his intention was, when he would be in America, to try and arrange papers for Anash to get them out of Russia. The Rebbe said it was worthwhile beginning to prepare for this. Apparently, though, the Rebbe wanted to fully utilize the The encoded letter by R’ Yaakov (Moskolik) Zhuravitzer strengths of R’ Jacobson and he asked him in the meantime, until he and added ten years to my responsibility in the US. They arranged papers for America, to be maturity. I understood what he decided to give our resolutions to the mashpia in Homil. The Rebbe meant – who was I to be making the Rebbe Rayatz. would pay him forty rubles a month. demands? I should demand of I spoke with R’ Avrohom Pariz Then the Rebbe asked him to do myself! I assessed R’ Eliyahu (he had also spent Rosh HaShana a very special shlichus that could Chaim as a mature Chassid who with the Rebbe)I and asked him only be given to extraordinary was devoted to Beis Rabbeinu and whether he was ready to travel to people. The Rebbe asked him who guided those younger than the US. He told me he did not whether he would agree to be his him to be devoted and to feel want to go to America, even emissary and go to Rostov, to his responsible for Beis Rabbeinu. though his parents lived there. He father’s grave, for his yahrtzait on 2 R’ Yisroel wanted to follow his had been moser nefesh to remain Nissan. R’ Yisroel, as a soldier parents and he began to consider alone in Russia as a talmid in always ready to carry out his leaving Russia to settle in the United Tomchei T’mimim when his commander’s orders, was ready to States. He asked the Rebbe about parents went to America; how go. The Rebbe told him he would this in a yechidus before returning could he travel there now? I told give him money and asked him to home and was told that although he him that he should ask the Rebbe buy a train ticket in advance and to should eventually emigrate, the time but he insisted there was nothing come for another yechidus before he wasn’t right yet. to ask - he was not going to go to left so he could give him specific … After Rosh HaShana there America. instructions. was a meeting of T’mimim and a I asked the opinion of our Before the trip R’ Jacobson went majority decided that something friend R’ Elchonon Dov Morosov, back to the Rebbe. The Rebbe gave had to be done to get Chassidim and he said that some people were him a package of pidyonos and told out of the country. They would try surprised that I was getting ready him to place them in the Ohel of the to send one or two of us to to travel to the US, but he Rebbe Rashab. Then the Rebbe gave countries abroad and each should encouraged me, “Yisroel, go! This him a piece of paper on which he work to bring more talmidim to his is no place for us!” had written a pidyon nefesh and country and to help them move I asked him whether, if I sent asked him to read it at the Ohel. from Russia. him papers for the US, he would “But I should read it just one I was the only one at the go. He said that he thought it time,” wrote R’ Jacobson in his meeting who planned on traveling would be hard for someone his age memoir, “and only when I was at the to the United States and I was – he was already 47 – to settle in a Ohel and not before, and I shouldn’t given the aforementioned new country with unfamiliar
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copy it and shouldn’t show it to Soviet Russia. He relates: anyone, and shouldn’t give it to “On Motzaei Shabbos Shmini, anyone to copy nor come up with 1926, we held a meeting at the any leniencies in this matter. home of R’ Eliyahu Simpson, who “Before I left the yechidus, the lived at 116 West 137th Street in Rebbe asked me, ‘Yisroel, do you New York. There we founded the know how to speak to the Tatte?’ I Agudas HaT’mimim for the was taken aback and he said to me, T’mimim in the US. The impact of ‘You have to speak to my father like the Aguda was twofold – first, in in yechidus. You had yechidus with lifting the spirits of all the members, my father. Say - Rebbe, I am a strengthening the connection with shliach of your son (the Rebbe) and their past in Tomchei T’mimim, and the Rebbetzin. They made me a second, strengthening the work of shliach.’ Agudas Chabad, especially in “… Then he told me I should go support of Lubavitcher mosdos like to his mother, Rebbetzin Shterna yeshivas Tomchei T’mimim in Sarah a”h. She wanted to give me a Poland, and maamud pidyon and something for the house “We also worked on obtaining in Rostov (Brodsky 44), and he also immigration requests for T’mimim said I should ask her for her to bring them from Russia to the mother’s exact name (Chana or Rabbi Yaakov (Moskolik) Zhuravitzer US.” Chaya Chana). slowly. I don’t remember the details. “I was overwhelmed by the great SECRET LETTERS kiruv from the Rebbe and the words I just remember that it was the In 1927, about a year and a half he said. When the Rebbe said, ‘Nu, pidyon of a Rebbe, and at the end, after R’ Yisroel settled in America, you have to go,’ I replied that there the names of specific individuals the Rebbe Rayatz was arrested in were another forty minutes until the were mentioned.” Russia and the Rebbe’s secretary, R’ train left. The Rebbe told me that R’ Chatshe Feigin turned to R’ Yisroel Shmuel Abba Dolitzky had to still R’ YISROEL GETS for help. R’ Yisroel, despite being a come in for yechidus and he was INVOLVED IN ASKANUS “greener” in America, did his utmost also going on that train. I left in a IN AMERICA to obtain the release of the Rebbe state of indescribable joy that and to rescue him from the Soviet Hashem granted me the merit to be For the next three months, while Union. given this holy shlichus and such arranging his emigration papers, R’ R’ Chatshe, Hy”d, wrote a letter kiruv. Yisroel was the mashpia in Homil. It to R’ Yisroel when the Rebbe was in “On my trip with R’ Shmuel was Rosh Chodesh Av, 1925, when Kostrama. R’ Chatshe, who was the Abba I couldn’t restrain myself to he and his family arrived in Riga to menahel of yeshivos Tomchei conceal my feelings about the event get a visa for the US and on 19 T’mimim, told R’ Yisroel that the and the yechidus, although of course Kislev they left Latvia for Paris. On Rebbe was in jail and asked him to I couldn’t tell him everything. R’ the sixth day of Chanuka, they raise money to work for his release. Shmuel Abba’s face expressed his boarded a ship and arrived in the The letter was written in code admiration, as though to say, US on Tuesday, 5 Teives, where they because of the censor and looked, to ‘Fortunate are you that you merited were brought to Ellis Island. someone who was not in the know, this!’ A Chassidishe friendship R’ Yisroel arrived in the US with as an explanation about Lavan and bound us that night as we traveled $5 and there was definitely no more Yaakov. together.” than that in the bank when he Similarly, R’ Yaakov (Moskolik) R’ Yisroel continues to tell how passed away, even though plenty of Zhuravitzer, who served as the he went immediately to Rostov in money passed through his hands in secretary of the Rebbe Rayatz when order to carry out his mission and the interim - money he raised for he was in galus in Malachovka after how on 2 Nissan he went to the maamud, for the mosdos, and for he was released from jail, in 1927, gravesite and in a state of awe he individual Chassidim. sent a letter to R’ Jacobson in the fulfilled the Rebbe’s request. “I read By Nissan, he had already US enlisting his aid in helping the it [the pidyon nefesh] just one time managed to raise $1000 for the Rebbe leave Russia for Latvia. as the Rebbe instructed and read it Rebbe Rayatz, who was still in
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shleimus ha’aretz NETANYAHU IS MORE DANGEROUS THAN OLMERT AND RABIN!
Once again, a prime minister Gershon Masika explains the from the Right is selling us out. significance of the building freeze in What is the significance of the building freeze? Yehuda-Shomron, exposes Netanyahu’s No construction is permitted. Until now the State hasn’t put up deceit, expresses his hope that the any new land for contract bids and today it is prohibited to build even serious mistake over Gush Katif doesn’t on private property that has approval from the land office. No repeat itself, and advises what do to construction is being done now. about the freeze * An interview with the Before, only government land was frozen. The significance of this Shomron Regional Council Head, new freeze is the liquidation of the Jewish settlement in Yehuda- Gershon Masika, by Shai Gefen. Shomron. The prime minister says this is in the national interest. They are deceiving the public. Netanyahu ran for office with a certain platform and he was elected based on this but he is doing the opposite. The fact that there is a freeze before any negotiations with the Arabs indicates that we have no right to Eretz Yisroel. That is the only significance and therefore, Netanyahu’s decision is extremely serious. In addition, it is racist. If they did this anywhere else in the world, it would be called anti- Semitism and reminiscent of the British infamous White Paper. How did you feel when Gershon Masika tearing up the order about the building freeze suddenly, Netanyahu went from
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being all smiles to becoming our This is one of the worst decrees in recent years open enemy? In the history of the state we and it is perpetrated by a prime minister from have never had such draconian orders like these imposed so the Right, no less, who deceives and lies to the brutally and quickly. The way the decision was made and carried out public. We can’t take this quietly. The public is illegal. It was done without the right of a hearing and without the must take action until the decree is annulled. right of self defense. It was all done within a few days of the trying to sweeten the bitter pill are heads realize that it is no longer cabinet’s decision. misplaced. This is one of the worst possible to fight just with pretty Have you gone to court? decrees in recent years and it is words. The battle is over every part Yes. I hope that even the Leftist perpetrated by a prime minister of Eretz Yisroel. We are all in the court will understand that red lines from the Right, no less, who same boat. Netanyahu under were crossed here. It is a blatantly deceives and lies to the public. We pressure will cave in to Obama, illegal policy and all the council can’t take this quietly. The public which is why we need to roll up heads have publicly called for must take action until the decree is our sleeves and work hard to win. ignoring the order. annulled. Netanyahu struck at places that Many people see this decision But as you know - and many we least expected: yishuv Shaarei of Netanyahu as the beginning of people will tell you this - there is Tikva in Gush Etzyon, in places the end of the settlement in nonstop pressure from the that everybody considers protected Yehuda-Shomron. American president Obama, so by national consensus. What Bibi They say “lest they multiply” maybe you should demonstrate did was never done before, and the (as Pharaoh said) and ruach outside the White House. war today is for our homes. ha’kodesh says “kein yirbeh” (they We expect a Jewish leader to When they came to give you will multiply). We will continue to stand strong, even against pressure the order about the freeze you expand and build. We lived from Obama. In our meeting with tore it up in front of the IDF through Pharaoh and we will live Netanyahu this week we told him representatives. through this, too, with Hashem’s that this constitutes breaking his Because it’s an anti-Semitic help. promise to those who voted for order. We will not turn the other Since the fight over Gush him, not to mention the cruelty of cheek and bow our heads. I repeat: Katif and what happened as a the order. It’s like in the famous we have a tough battle ahead of us, result of that approach, many case of Shlomo HaMelech, where a battle we have not been used to people are very afraid that the the one who exhibits callousness in recent years. We must save battle won’t be fought as it towards the child is not the real Eretz Yisroel from our leaders who should be. mother, and in this case, it’s have chosen national suicide. It is clear to me that the era of Netanyahu. He caved in to What do you expect from the “We will win with love” is over. Obama’s demands and put a freeze public? According to reactions out there, it on the entire Yehuda-Shomron, I expect people to act like the seems that people have gotten the something we never had before. Chashmonaim, who were few in message that if they don’t fight We see the conflicts with number and went up against the now, their end will be like that of mayors being beaten and Hellenist government in Eretz Gush Katif. I really hope that the arrested. Does that tell us Yisroel, ready to fight and ready to Yesha council also learned its something about the future face the consequences. The settlers lesson. battle? today are the Chashmonaim of our Netanyahu insists this is a There will be a major battle generation. Mesirus nefesh for temporary freeze, or “temporary here. In order to implement this Torah and mitzvos and the mitzva suspension,” as he puts it. Do anti-Semitic decree they would to settle the land are required, and you buy it? have to enlist all IDF soldiers, and we will win, with Hashem’s help. Absolutely not. In the Middle that’s impossible. I believe that The settlers today are in the eye of East the rule is that there is they will continue building in the the storm and the call, “Who is for nothing more permanent than settlements despite the order, Hashem – come with me” is “temporary,” and all attempts at which means that the council apropos.
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shleimus ha’aretz
show that he’s serious. He’s given another break to advance his dangerous plans and release DISILLUSIONMENT terrorists with blood on their hands and to start the process of uprooting Yehuda-Shomron. The call that doesn’t come to By Sholom Ber Crombie force him out gives him immunity from the Right and leaves him susceptible only to pressure from People are starting to wake up and the Left. As long as this is the situation it’s no wonder that he realize that something wicked is being acts as he does. The Yesha leadership hesitates prepared for us by people high up in the to say the words, “Netanyahu, go government. home.” They find it hard to lead the charge calling on the prime It’s finally happening. The I was invited to yishuv Alon minister to resign, but out there, camp on the Right has realized Shvut in Gush Etzyon and I people are saying it. that when you are being hit from overheard a conversation between The public is tired of all directions, you can’t just sit at two little schoolgirls. One asked discovering, time after time, that home. What did not happen after the other what a freeze is and the they can’t rely on the leaders of the “Palestinian State” speech at girl answered confidently, “It Likud, that “what we see from Bar Ilan and after the sharp means to start doing to us what here you can’t see from there,” zigzagging towards the Left, is they did in Gush Katif.” that each time they get into office, happening now. The Right is As awful as it was to hear that, everything changes. This is what is organizing a national protest, to it showed that we are heading in causing widespread animosity conquer the streets, to get out the right direction. If a little girl toward government regardless of there and decry the dangerous heard this from her elders, that the whether the prime minister is from policies of the Netanyahu freeze is no less than the first step Labor or Likud. government. towards destruction, this means Lately, this has been written It seems that something good the message is getting through. about in important forums on the has been happening in Yehuda- People realize that Netanyahu is Right and heard from influential Shomron since Bibi announced the breaking all his promises and that people who do not hesitate to say building freeze. The Yesha council we cannot sleep peacefully and rely that we need to get rid of Bibi woke up from its apathetic state on him to protect Eretz Yisroel. right away, without taking into and announced a mass protest in This situation is the fuel we need consideration the more Yerushalayim, and council heads to get us to start a war against the questionable alternatives. are united in opposing the new decrees and to stop him from government’s policies. The pickup racing forward like his THE REBBE WAS NOT in pace of existing construction in predecessors from the Likud: AFRAID OF TOPPLING A Yehuda-Shomron in the last few Begin, Sharon, and Olmert. GOVERNMENT OF THE weeks is a blessing in itself. In We need a public call for the RIGHT every corner they are pouring downfall of the prime minister - an concrete for another expansion almost insurmountable obstacle for As always, the first to envision and another house. People are the Right, who find it hard to the reality dozens of years ago was beginning to wake up. They are topple one of their own. The the Rebbe MH”M. When the getting out of their apathy and “leaders of the settlers” look at Rebbe called for Begin to resign, discovering that something evil is who can replace him, Livni and many people looked askance. Even being perpetrated behind our Barak, and then they drop the idea those leading the battle against the backs by people high up in the of ousting Netanyahu. They give withdrawal in Sinai from the Right government and we have to do him another chance and another did not dare to call for his something about it. opportunity to prove himself, to resignation. In documents that
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were publicized in recent years The Rebbe said that whoever could not withstand that record the meetings of the leadership of the resistance pressure had to resign and it was forbidden for him movement in Yamit, it was discovered that the possibility of to continue to serve as prime minister… Prime calling upon Begin to resign had been raised there but had been ministers have capitulated to the gentiles like rejected time and again, the disciplined bureaucrats who have no mind of their reasoning being that they could not ask him to resign when he own but do just as the boss in Washington tells them. continued to build settlements in Yesha and he supported the that since Yamit they have been led “This is not the first time that settlement movement. astray time after time, wavering in they are making this mistake, to But the Rebbe was firm about a way that has cost them dearly. favor the opinion of politicians it. He didn’t look at the terrifying This new sobriety needs to be over the opinion of military men alternative on the Left but clearly translated into action. As the who are expert in matters of stated the Torah’s view. The Rebbe Rebbe cried out repeatedly: Stay security. This mistake has repeated said that whoever could not home! If you can’t preserve the itself a number of times: the withstand pressure had to resign principles of security and shleimus signing of the unfortunate Camp and it was forbidden for him to am Yisroel, then resign, and if you David Accords, the Yom Kippur continue to serve as prime don’t then we have the obligation War, the Six Day War, and the minister. With Shamir, too, when to oust you for endangering our Sinai War. Each time, they favored he agreed to go to the summit in welfare. the view of the politicians even Madrid, the Rebbe said he would though this went counter to the fight to topple his government. WAKE-UP CALL view of the military, which they Today, many people look at the said explicitly was based on Netanyahu’s behavior in recent history and cry over why the Right reasons of security (and they also weeks – he said explicitly that the did not sober up then and topple said this with the Peace in Galilee building freeze is solely to satisfy those governments that brought campaign) that it [their approach] Obama - was not the first of its terrible tragedies upon us. How would lead to additional korbanos, kind in the history of Israel. did we not understand that when a heaven protect us! Unfortunately, we have had similar government in Israel advances “Because of political incidents in the past in which plans of destruction that it makes considerations we have korbanos prime ministers have capitulated to no difference which party or from the Jewish people (and each the gentiles like disciplined electorate it received its votes of them is an entire world) for no bureaucrats who have no mind of from? Those people are klapping purpose!” (Sicha 22 Sivan 5742) al cheit today when they see that their own but do just as the boss in *** what the government of the Right Washington tells them. The Rebbe managed to destroy, the Leftist spoke sorrowfully about this many Everybody knows that the governments did not even dare to times. freeze is a political machination to dream. Still, the call to topple In one sicha, the Rebbe said, keep the Labor party and its Likud is considered muktza “… Their fear of the gentiles is so Defense Minister in the machmas mi’us (off limits on great that they act in a way that government and to placate the account of abhorrence). even the goyim didn’t think of American goy, and this goes It is only the Rebbe’s message demanding of them. The real counter to the opinion of the that remained consistent reason for their fear of the goyim security experts. The truth is, this throughout. It was the Rebbe’s is the fear and abasement before can lead to a good thing, when voice that always said precisely the goyishkait within them, which people will ask for the downfall of what the Torah expects of us, is the animal soul. There is no this dangerous government and without taking politics and greater galus than when a person with Hashem’s help we will merit coalition concerns under is afraid because of the goyishkait the government of Melech consideration. It is only now that within him. The more his position HaMoshiach with the immediate those on the Right are suddenly and personal role is one of honor, hisgalus. awakening and beginning to grasp the deeper in galus he is.
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obituary THE BOSTONER REBBE Z L
The Bostoner Rebbe, Rabbi Levi Yitzchok Horowitz, passed away on Shabbos, 18 Kislev, at the age of 88. In 1944, upon becoming the first American-born Chassidic rebbe, he reached out to the large numbers of Jewish college students in Boston and invited them to his New England Chassidic Center. He was personally responsible for being mekarev many hundreds of students at Harvard University and MIT. After the Six Day War, the Bostoner Rebbe decided to make aliya. He had inherited land in Shuafat which his father had The Bostoner Rebbe (center) at a meeting of the Pikuach Nefesh organization purchased in 1929 and he wanted to build a Chassidic community everything associated with Eretz personally attended meetings of there. Permission to build was Yisroel and he believed that all rabbanim for shleimus ha’Aretz delayed and the Jerusalem Admurim and Rabbanim should and protested the terrible decisions municipality offered him an make their voices heard in made by the Israeli government alternate piece of property in Har opposition to any negotiations which endanger all Jewish lives, as Nof. He accepted this offer and in regarding giving away parts of he put it. He would mention that 5744/1984 his new beis midrash Eretz Yisroel. the shuls that Jews were forced to was completed. In recent years he was a abandon in Gush Katif today serve Even after he made aliya, he member of the “Congress as Hamas’ launching pads. divided his time between Boston HaRabbanim Pikuach Nefesh,” an The Bostoner Rebbe was not and Eretz Yisroel. He would spend organization that unifies hundreds afraid of publicly expressing his the winter in Boston in order to of rabbanim in Eretz Yisroel to criticism of frum Knesset members work with Jewish students and strongly oppose giving away land. who do not do enough to preserve return to Eretz Yisroel for the He was one of the main shleimus ha’Aretz and the security summer. spokesmen and he spoke sharply of its residents. He addressed this As his following in Eretz Yisroel on various occasions. After the topic on many occasions in his grew, an additional community Israeli government decided to final years and it was obvious that was established in Beitar in 1999 abandon Gush Katif, the Bostoner this caused him much personal for the next generation of Bostoner Rebbe signed a “Kol Korei” pain. He greatly encouraged the Chassidim. against the expulsion, along with rabbanim of Pikuach Nefesh who In 1989, the Bostoner Rebbe Rabbi Binyamin Yehoshua Zilber work to explain the halacha that was appointed as a member of the z”l, the Sadigora Rebbe, Chief forbids giving away land and he Moetzes G’dolei Ha’Torah of Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu and would say that their work is both Agudath Israel. Throughout the Rabbi Meir Mazuz. spiritual and physical hatzala for years he stood strong on Even when he had to use a the Jewish people. wheelchair, the Bostoner Rebbe
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obituary
moser nefesh to observe mitzvos to the greatest extent possible under the circumstances. RABBI MEIR They met a Jew who was not a prisoner but would come to the labor camp every day. They asked him to smuggle in a Machzor so they could copy it, and that is how YECHEZKEL they had a Machzor for the Yomim Nora’im. R’ Moshe Greenberg was the one who copied it. They managed to hide this Machzor from the guards and the entire JUNIK A H group davened from it. When R’ Moshe Greenberg left Russia he took the Machzor with him and he eventually gave it to the Rebbe in a The Chabad community was When he left prison, R’ Meir yechidus. The Rebbe kept it in his saddened to hear about the passing Junik, R’ Moshe Chaim room for a few years and then in of the Chassid, R’ Meir Yechezkel Dubrawsky, R’ Moshe Greenberg, 5752 he gave it to his library. Junik of Crown Heights. and R’ Yaakov Levkivker decided When R’ Meir’s parents heard R’ Meir was born 80 years ago to sneak across the border. They of his arrest, they sent a letter to on Shushan Purim, 1930, in made it across on a Friday and the Rebbe Rayatz asking for a Ferluki in the Ukraine to Naftali decided that in order not to bracha for him and his friends. and Golda Ita Junik, descendents desecrate the Shabbos, they would The Rebbe sent them a number of of Rabbi Levi Yitzchok of rest in one of the houses not far letters in which he expressed his Berditchev, Rabbi Pinchas of from the border. The man who had wishes for their release. Koretz, and Rabbi Menachem smuggled them across was a R’ Meir related that one time he Nachum of Chernobyl. His father double agent and he informed the saw the Rebbe Rayatz in a dream. was a shochet. border police about the group. The Rebbe blessed him that he and The family moved to Moscow They were soon caught and were his friends would leave the camp and when the war broke out they put in jail. alive and well. fled to Tashkent, where R’ Meir After a lengthy trial, over the After the passing of the Rebbe and his brothers became friendly course of which they were Rayatz, his father asked the Rebbe with Chabad Chassidim and subjected to harsh interrogations, for his bracha and the Rebbe sent attended the underground Chabad they were sentenced to 25 years in him letters of blessing. R’ Meir’s yeshiva there. prison. When R’ Moshe Chaim brother, R’ Berel a”h, regularly After the war, when hundreds Dubrawsky heard this, he began to asked the Rebbe for a bracha for of Lubavitcher Chassidim left laugh. The judge was taken aback his brother. On one occasion, the Russia via Lemberg, the Junik by this and repeated the sentence, Rebbe gave him a piece of matza family joined them. R’ Meir, who thinking he hadn’t realized its for his brother Meir and said he was supposed to travel with his severity. R’ Moshe Chaim, who should give it to him when he gets family, was asked at the last was an older man by then, told the out of Russia. moment to give his passport to judge that if the Russian court In 5713/1953, when the someone else and was promised sentenced him to 25 years in jail, miracle happened and Stalin that he would travel on the next that meant he would certainly live suddenly died, millions of political train. Unfortunately, the border for another 25 years and so he was prisoners were released. In 1955, was sealed and at the tender age of very happy about that. R’ Meir and his friends were freed. 17 he found himself alone in Lvov. They were sent to labor camps After his release, he traveled still in He was arrested for not having in Siberia. Despite the hard work his prison garb to the home of identity papers and sat in jail for a and harsh conditions, their Rabbi Aharon Chazan a”h near year where he suffered greatly Chassidishe chinuch and their Moscow. R’ Aharon immediately from the gentiles incarcerated with hiskashrus to the Rebbe Rayatz took him and bought him decent him. bolstered their spirits. They were clothing, and then suggested a
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shidduch for him with took place there on Sarah Notik, a Yomim Tovim, he would Chassidishe girl and the drink a lot of mashke daughter of R’ Shmuel. together with his friends, She, too, had been R’ Moshe Greenberg and caught and arrested in an R’ Mordechai Olidort. attempt to smuggle They would sing across the border yearningly about seeing together with her the Rebbe and R’ Meir parents. Her father died would cry about being in jail and she and her left alone in Russia out mother were released of his entire family and after a few years. When about the suffering he she was released she had undergone. went to Moscow, where He received she lived under a false permission to leave identity. R’ Aharon Russia before Pesach, Chazan arranged a job 1971, and by the Rebbe’s for her where she did not instruction he settled in have to desecrate the Montreal, near his Shabbos. parents who waited years Three months after he to see him. He received a was released from jail, R’ letter from the Rebbe Meir married Sarah which said, “I received Notik. word about their Not long afterwards, successful arrival with R’Aharon Chazan, who great joy.” His brother had a large family, received a large tractate of Bava Basra. When he Berel gave him the matza that the plot of land so he could build returned to New York, he wrote Rebbe had given for him. himself a house. R’ Aharon was about his trip in the Tog Morgan In Montreal he was offered a happy to allow R’ Meir to build a Journal and even wrote that under position as shochet but with home for himself in his yard. R’ difficult conditions in Russia he mesirus nefesh he turned it down, Meir built his home with his own had met a Lubavitcher child who saying that since he was unable to hands and lived there for a few knew an entire masechta. Of observe all the mitzvos properly years. course, he did not write the child’s while imprisoned, he did not think R’ Meir managed to find a job name so he and the family would he was fit to be a shochet in free that, though difficult, did not not get into trouble. countries where there were other cause him to desecrate the The journalist, Rabbi Gershon shochtim. He served as gabbai and Shabbos. He secretly learned Ber Jacobson met young Berel and shamash in the Chabad shul in sh’chita and served as a shochet when he returned to New York, he Montreal. for whoever wanted his services. wrote that under difficult In recent years he moved to He and his wife raised their conditions in Russia he had met a Crown Heights, to live near his children with a Chassidishe Lubavitcher child who knew an children. He was sick this past chinuch with mesirus nefesh. For a entire masechta. Of course, he did year and he passed away on 17 period of time he sent his son not write the child’s name so he Kislev. He is survived by his wife Berel to learn in an underground and the family would not get into Sarah, his daughter Chaya Tzirel yeshiva in Samarkand. trouble. the wife of R’ Shimon Druk, one When the journalist and R’ Meir Junik was a modest, of the shluchim in Detroit; his sons Chassid, Rabbi Gershon Ber unassuming person. He did not - Berel, Shmuel and Shimshon Jacobson traveled to Russia, he complain and he greeted everyone Aharon, and many grandchildren. met young Berel in the mikva of graciously. He was a regular He is also survived by his sisters the big shul in Moscow and was participant in the minyan that was Ettel Jurkowitz and Chana surprised to find that the child was held in R’ Aharon Chazan’s house. Morozov. knowledgeable in the entire At Chassidishe farbrengens that
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