CONTENTS

4 | TO REVEAL THE SECRET OF THE END OF DAYS (CONT.) D’var Malchus / Likkutei Sichos, Vol. 10, pg. 167-172 U.S.A 6 | A DAILY DOSE OF MOSHIACH & GEULA: 15-21 744 Eastern Parkway Brooklyn, NY 11213-3409 TEIVES Tel: (718) 778-8000 Fax: (718) 778-0800 Moshiach / Rabbi Pinchas Maman [email protected] www.beismoshiach.org 8 | DISCOVERED! ERETZ HA’KODESH Memoirs / Rabbi Yaakov Shmuelevitz 72915 s cj rpf 102 /s/, (03) 9607-290 :iupky (03) 9607-289 :xep 12 | ‘REBBE, YOU MUST HELP!’ Miracle Stories / T. Yankelowitz EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: M.M. Hendel 15 | ‘AND THE LIVING SHOULD TAKE TO HEART’ ENGLISH EDITOR: Boruch Merkur Tragedy / Interview with Rabbi Yosef Hecht by Menachem Ziegelboim [email protected]

HEBREW EDITOR: 22 | THE G-DLY NAME WITH WHICH WE ARE Yaakov Chazan REDEEMED [email protected] Thought / Rabbi Yosef Karasik Beis Moshiach (USPS 012-542) ISSN 1082-0272 is published weekly, except 25 | GOAL SETTING YOSEF’S WAY Jewish holidays (only once in April and Insight / Rabbi Yaakov Lieder October) for $130.00 in Crown Heights, $140.00 in the USA & 30 | WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN NETUREI Canada, all others for $150.00 per year (45 issues), by Beis Moshiach, 744 KARTA AND OLMERT? Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn, NY 11213- Shleimus HaAretz / Shai Gefen 3409. Periodicals postage paid at Brooklyn, NY and additional offices. 34 | THE SHLICHUS THAT BEGAN ON A BOAT ON Postmaster: send address changes to Beis Moshiach 744 Eastern Parkway, THE RIVER Brooklyn, NY 11213-3409. Shlichus / Chani Nussbaum Beis Moshiach is not responsible for the 38 | THE LEGENDARY RAV (CONT.) content of the advertisements. Chassid / Shmuel Alexander © Copyright 2007 by Beis Moshiach, Inc D’VAR MALCHUS TO REVEAL THE SECRET OF THE END OF DAYS LIKKUTEI SICHOS, VOL. 10, PG. 167-172 TRANSLATED BY BORUCH MERKUR

4. We still must understand the specific wording of To that end, Yaakov told [Eisav], “I have…a donkey” – the saying of our Sages, “the Divine Presence withdrew “donkey” refers to the Messianic King (B’Reishis Rabba from him.” 75:6. See Likkutei Sichos Vol. 1, pg. 70 ff).] The intent here is surely to provide a reason why Thus, Yaakov said, “gather and I shall tell you,” Yaakov did not reveal the keitz ha’yamin (the time when meaning, when you will have gathered and united, “I “the end of days” would occur). How does the Divine shall tell (and I will reveal to) you...the end of days,” Presence withdrawing provide a reason for this? At first when the end of days will occur. glance, the phrase should have read, “it (the keitz) was “But the Divine Presence (Sh’china) withdrew from concealed from him” [FN 15: as in B’Reishis Rabba Ch. him (as he was at that moment, wanting to reveal to his 98, beg.], or the like. Also, it must children the end of days). Here the be understood how immediately word for “Divine Presence,” thereafter [after “the Divine All that withdrew “Sh’china,” refers to the potential to Presence withdrew from him”], be present (to dwell, l’hash’chin) in Yaakov told them [his children] from Yaakov was the this matter – the revelation of the many prophetic statements, keitz – below (which is the meaning indicating that the Divine Presence capacity l’hash’chin of the term “Sh’china,” “that it dwells did in fact rest upon him. and invests [itself within]” [Tanya The matter is explained as (to be present or Ch. 41]). follows: dwell within) and to That is to say that the Presence of “Yaakov wished to reveal to his G-d, may He be blessed (the children (i.e., knowing [their channel the revelation revelation of the Light of the blessed relative merits]) the end of days,” Infinite One), rested upon Yaakov for according to his observations of the keitz (below). himself even after [“the Sh’china (seeing them as they “stood in his withdrew”], for indeed Yaakov told world,” from his perspective), them words of prophecy, as Yaakov considered them (upon having assumed a state mentioned above. In fact, the keitz itself was not even of being “gathered,” a certain milestone in being concealed from him. [FN 19: The latter is underscored prepared) worthy of him revealing to them the keitz. in light of [Rashi’s] diversion from the wording of the [FN 16: From the fact that Yaakov considered even Midrash B’Reishis Rabba Ch. 98, beg. – the end of days Eisav to have been refined (Torah Ohr, VaYishlach, “was concealed from him” – as will be discussed]. beg.), permitting the possibility that there should be the Rather, the “Sh’china” (the concept of revelation below) Redemption, how much more so [does this logic apply withdrew from the aspect of the keitz [i.e., there was no here with regard to his children gathered before him]. longer the potential for this secret to be revealed in the

4 BEIS MOSHIACH - 15 Teives 5767 world]. with Sanhedrin 11a]). This explains the precise wording of the Gemara, [The reason for this emphasis on the withdrawal of “the Sh’china withdrew from him” (and not, “the keitz the Sh’china from Yaakov is that] the very fact that his was concealed from him”), for all that withdrew from children were not worthy of the revelation of the keitz Yaakov was the capacity l’hash’chin (to be present or caused a descent also in Yaakov. Precedence for this dwell within) and to channel the revelation of the keitz concept [of vicarious descent] is found with regard to (below). Moshe Rabbeinu, to whom the Holy One Blessed Be He 5. Nevertheless, our Sages emphasize in their said, “Go, descend (from your greatness); I have wording, “the Sh’china withdrew from him [from bestowed upon you greatness only for the sake of the Yaakov]” (notwithstanding the fact that the stated Jewish people [who had sinned with the Golden Calf]” withdrawal of the Sh’china is a concept that seemingly [Brachos 32a; commentary of Rashi Parshas Ki Sisa applies strictly to the leaders of the Tribes [Yaakov’s 32:7]. Since they are not worthy, this causes a descent sons]. Thus, it should have said, “but his children were also in Moshe. not worthy of this,” or the like [FN 20: in accordance [To be continued be”H]

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Issue Number 584 - BEIS MOSHIACH 5 MOSHIACH A DAILY DOSE OF MOSHIACH & GEULA: 15-21 TEIVES Selected daily pearls of wisdom from the Rebbe MH”M on Moshiach and the Redemption.

COLLECTED AND ARRANGED BY RABBI PINCHAS MAMAN, SHLIACH, RISHON L’TZION, ERETZ YISROEL TRANSLATED BY MICHOEL LEIB DOBRY

15 TEIVES: ALL THE DAYS bring Moshiach, but even the essence Shor HaBar, and the Yayin OF YOUR LIFE TO BRING of his vitality (“your life”) is to bring HaMeshumar, to the point that even THE DAYS OF MOSHIACH – the days of Moshiach. after the meal, he remains hungry for (Shabbos Parshas Toldos 5752) the Seuda of the Leviyasan, the Shor EVERY SINGLE MOMENT HaBar, and the Yayin HaMeshumar. “All the days of your life to bring 16 TEIVES: ALL THE DAYS (Shabbos Parshas VaYeira and Chayei Sara 5752) the days of Moshiach” (Mishna OF YOUR LIFE TO BRING Brachos 1:5) THE DAYS OF MOSHIACH – 17 TEIVES: MOVING THE The main point of the life of DO ALL THAT IS SHULS TO ERETZ YISROEL every Jew and the Jewish People in DEPENDENT UPON YOU IN THE FUTURE TO COME general throughout all the “In the future, the shuls and batei generations: “All the days of your life All matters of avoda (in all the days of your life, and every day itself medrash will be established in Eretz to bring the days of Moshiach,” with Yisroel” (Megilla 29a) an additional emphasis on our and every detail and hour of the day) It can thus be said that they will generation and our times. must be instilled with bringing the days of Moshiach. Not just “to be moved together with the land and “All the days of your life” means at increase” (as is written in numerous ground underneath them. every moment that a person lives, day places) – that he (the shliach) stands Accordingly, this answers the and night, awake and asleep, as even and waits for Moshiach to come, and question: How is it possible to then he lives through breathing air then he takes part and has pleasure uproot a shul and beit medrash from (“Let every soul praise G-d,” “on every from it, etc. – but “to bring,” doing its place without any condition? breath that a person breathes, etc.”), all that depends upon him to bring (Seifer HaSichos 5749, Vol. 1, p. 98) which must be at every moment (as the days of Moshiach. opposed to eating and drinking). …and since this is so, it is 18 TEIVES: PUBLICIZING Furthermore, “all the days of your understood that all matters and all THE INSTRUCTION OF life to bring the days of Moshiach” activities are instilled with the means that one’s vitality (at every “MACH DA ERETZ YISROEL” subject of Moshiach and the UNTIL THE COMING OF moment) is in bringing the days of Redemption, including even one’s Moshiach, i.e., not only when he eating and drinking – that he longs MOSHIACH TZIDKEINU thinks, speaks, and does activities to for the Seuda of the Leviyasan, the As we stand literally right before

6 BEIS MOSHIACH - 8 Teives 5767 the Redemption – each and every Torah, in the Gemara and the rulings), we precipitate and hasten Jew must accustom himself to the Midrashim – including in particular the time of the days of Moshiach, as Redemption and place himself in a the inner teachings of Torah, starting based on the the sayings of our state and feeling of Redemption by with the Zohar, and more Sages, of blessed memory (VaYikra transforming his personal day into a particularly in the teachings of Rabba 7:3), “All these exiles are not “day of (personal) redemption,” and chassidus from our Rebbeim, concluded except in the merit of the turning his own personal place into especially the teachings (maamarim Mishnayos” (halachos), when the “Eretz Yisroel” through doing his and Likkutei Sichos) of the leader of quality of halachos that are never avoda at that moment and at that the generation, which are a nullified will be revealed. place in the fullest sense – in semblance and preparation to the (Kuntres on “Halachos of the Oral Torah that shall thought, speech, and action. study of the teachings of Moshiach, never be nullified” 5752) …and in relation to actual deed, “a new Torah shall come forth from me.” 21 TEIVES: LEARNING THE they should make certain to SUBJECT OF MOSHIACH – publicize in every location that this Furthermore, the increase in is the instruction of “Mach Da Eretz Torah study on the subject of NOT JUST AS A SEGULA Yisroel,” and to continue publicizing Moshiach and the Redemption In relation to the special increase the instruction in the days that (“Malchus Sheb’Tiferes”) is “the direct in Torah study on the subjects of follow until Moshiach Tzidkeinu will path” to bring about the revelation Redemption and Moshiach, (the come, and continue then in Eretz and coming of Moshiach and the learning must be) not (only) as a Yisroel in its simplest sense, in Redemption in actual deed. “segula” to hasten and bring closer addition to the future Eretz Yisroel, (Shabbos Parshas Tazria-Metzora 5751) the coming of Moshiach and the which will spread forth to all the Redemption, but (also and) primarily lands. 20 TEIVES – THE RAMBAM’S in order to begin “living” with (Shabbos Parshas Pinchas 5751) YAHRZEIT: LEARNING Moshiach and the Redemption, RAMBAM HASTENS THE “living with the times” of the days of 19 TEIVES: THE DIRECT TIME OF THE DAYS OF Moshiach by filling and instilling the PATH TO THE REDEMPTION intellect with understanding and MOSHIACH – STUDYING THE SUBJECT comprehension of Moshiach and the OF MOSHIACH AND GEULA In the days of Moshiach, the full Redemption in the Torah. And from measure of the halachos of the Oral the intellect, it will also spread forth “Tiferes” is a matter of Torah Torah, which will never be nullified, and instill the feeling within the study, and “Malchus Sh’b’Tiferes” is shall be revealed (as the Chumash). heart, to the point of actually the study of Torah on matters This is the main subject of the conducting one’s thought, speech, pertaining to Melech HaMoshiach Rambam, who collects all the and action in a manner befitting this and the Redemption, which have halachos of the Oral Torah (Mishneh unique time, standing on the verge of been ellcudiated in numerous places. Torah, as a continuation of the study the Redemption, indicating with the In the Written Torah (and in of Chumash). finger that “Here comes (Melech particular, “in the words of the Accordingly, it can be said that by HaMoshiach).” Prophets…as all the s’farim are filled learning Rambam (a seifer of halachic (Shabbos Parshas Balak 5751) with this matter”) and the Oral

Issue Number 583 - BEIS MOSHIACH 7 MEMOIRS

THETHE UNDERGROUNDUNDERGROUND DISCOVERED! BY YAAKOV SHMUELEVITZ, SHLIACH IN BEIT SHAAN

these classes at Litvishe yeshivos, half I remember sitting and learning Chovas an hour before Maariv everybody HaTalmidim and crying as I quietly sang to learns on their own in a volume of Musar recommended by the myself, again and again, thousands of times, mashgiach). I remember learning Chovas HaTalmidim (which is the popular Toronto Pirchei song called considered a Musar work but was written by the Piacetzner Rebbe) and “Horeini Hashem” – show me Hashem, Your crying. way, and lead me on the straight path, ai ai ai I quietly sang to myself, again and again, thousands of times, the … Please Hashem, I don’t know where to go. popular Toronto Pirchei song called, “Horeini Hashem” – show me Help me, show me the path. I think I found the Hashem, Your way, and lead me on the straight path, ai ai ai, please path but everybody here around me says it’s Hashem, I don’t know where to go. Help me, show me the way. I think I wrong. * Chapter 4 found the path but everybody here around me says it’s wrong. Looking back 25 years, I path of Chassidus. However, back Nevertheless, I feel 100% that it’s sometimes long for those days. I then it wasn’t at all easy. right. Who is right? Master of the universe…lead me on the right path. remember them as happy times in I remember what I did for many which I went with complete faith on long months, evening after evening Long months…evening after the new path I had discovered, the at the Musar class (yes, they have evening…I cried and pleaded, “Show

8 BEIS MOSHIACH - 8 Teives 5767 me Hashem, Your way…” and my t’fillin strap around my arm with primarily on their own perfection.) Hashem listened and helped, but of circles turning outward when a few My father, who is also a Torah course I had to do the work myself. months earlier he had taught me to scholar as well as a maven and wind them with circles turning someone experienced in chinuch, MY FATHER CAUGHT ME inward. RED-HANDED had a talk with me and asked me (There are those who say that this why I was tying on the t’fillin that One day my father found out that is quite apt since Chabad’s goal is to way. With downcast eyes and I was veering off his path and was influence others, the outside, trembling voice I told him this is seeking a new path. How did he find spreading the wellsprings outward, Chabad custom. out? Simply by seeing how I wound while other religious Jews focus It was like a bomb went off! Minhag Chabad?! What are you, a Chabadnik?! I stammered that yes, I was. What?! Since when? Why? Thanks to whom? Are we and our ancestors not religious enough? Etc., etc. I had nothing to say in response. After he recovered somewhat, my father told me to write a letter to the Lubavitcher Rebbe, “your Rebbe,” and tell him that my father opposed the new path because of various reasons, “and we’ll see what he tells you.” Fortunately, I didn’t receive a written answer from the Rebbe to this letter, but the passage of time Talmidim of Itri yeshiva carrying wood for the Lag B’Omer bonfire helped and maybe the Rebbe prayed and blessed me and my father too, because baruch Hashem, our entire family is Lubavitch. As someone put it (and the pun works better in Hebrew), I fulfilled the mitzva of “Kabeid/Chabad your father and your mother.” At the time though, it wasn’t so easy. One day my father saw that I had gotten a letter from a friend in 770 and on the envelope it said, “From Beis Chayeinu – 770.” My father asked me, “What does that mean, ‘Beis Chayeinu-770’?” I told him that this was where the Lubavitcher Rebbe lived in New York. My father was nonplussed and he went over to the bookcase, took a Siddur and opened it to the brachos of the Haftora. “See what it says here? ‘Have Rabbi Klonimus Kupchik Rabbi Shmuelevitz today mercy on Tziyon for it is Beis

Issue Number 584 - BEIS MOSHIACH 9 Chayeinu.’ What are you doing, and all, but back then it wasn’t easy, taking some building in the Diaspora and that’s an understatement. I wanted and calling it Beis Chayeinu?!” to give my parents only nachas, yet I I didn’t answer since I had to be yearned to continue on the derech respectful, but the following Chabad. It wasn’t easy maintaining a Shabbos, at the table, when it was balance between these two desires. my turn to say a d’var Torah, I I continued to plead, “Show me related the well-known story (see Hashem, your way” while learning HaTamim 2, p. 126, and Kuntres Beis Musar. As the months and years went Rabbeinu Sh’B’Bavel, footnote 74) by, the tears changed from tears of about a Chassid of the Baal Shem Tov pleading to tears of joy and bitachon who wanted to go to Eretz Yisroel. and thanks. He heard a heavenly voice say, “The Till this day I allow myself to Luchos are in Mezhibozh.” occasionally sing the song “Horeini” Nu, when my father heard this (even though it’s generally preferable was a Baal Shem Tov story, he was to sing only Chabad niggunim) and I ready to accept that 770 can be relive the thirst and the elevation called Beis Chayeinu. A certificate of excellence that Yaakov that I had when I chose the path of Shmuelevitz received when he finished Telling this episode today is nice Chassidus. By the way, years later we his studies at Yeshivas Itri got permission to learn Tanya and Chassidus during the Musar class! GER – CHABAD SUDDEN SURPRISE In our yeshiva underground there was a bachur who also had a IN AN OLD HOUSE connection with Ger and the Gerrer Rebbe, R’ Simcha Bunim known as the It was my last year in yeshiva Lev Simcha. He occasionally went to the Rebbe’s tish and he grew long peios ketana (what we call mesivta), shiur and arranged them under his yarmulke. He also seriously looked into Gimmel. I had to decide which Gerrer teachings and customs. yeshiva I would be going to the That bachur was very close to me. One day he went past the Gerrer following year. This wasn’t easy Rebbe as he distributed apples. The bachur dared to ask for an apple “for either and there wasn’t one clear Yaakov Shmuelevitz” and the Rebbe gave him. answer. Today we can all be smart and say, “What’s the question? Go to The bachur gave me the apple but I didn’t appreciate the significance. I a Chabad yeshiva!” remembered that this bachur had received a letter from the Rebbe on the occasion of his bar mitzva and I offered him a deal: I would give him the But back then we were children apple from the Gerrer Rebbe if he would give me the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s facing off against our parents, against letter. the educational system! People had no problem saying that Chabad is He agreed and it was a deal that suited each of us. However, I ended up heretical and avoda zara! giving him the apple and the letter in the end because I didn’t want to take advantage of his good nature. I remember one week in which we went to several yeshivos to see This bachur was drawn to study Tanya. One day he went to the Gerrer where to enroll. We went to a certain Rebbe and asked him: In my yeshiva (Itri) there is a group of Chabad yeshiva and “spoke in learning” with bachurim who learn Tanya and they suggest that I learn Tanya too. Shall I? the rosh yeshiva. Suddenly, he asked The Admur answered: Tanya is a holy work. Yes learn it. me where I planned on going and I A few weeks later the bachur felt that he was drawn to Chabad. He went said I was thinking of going to Kfar back to the Gerrer Rebbe and asked: I am wondering whether I should be a Chabad. He nearly fainted. What?! Chabad Chassid, what should I do? To Chabad?! What will become of you? An am ha’aretz! Come here and The Admur answered: First be a Chassid and then you will see which I’ll learn with you b’chavrusa and kind. you’ll become a gadol b’Torah! Today he is an ardent Lubavitcher Chassid and a loyal shliach of the We went for a few days to a Rebbe in a big city in Eretz Yisroel. yeshiva in Chadera. We learned

10 BEIS MOSHIACH - 15 Teives 5767 LETTER FROM THE REBBE My vacillation over which yeshiva to go to continued on and on but in truth, there was really no choice. All members of the underground decided to go to Yeshivas Tomchei T’mimim in Kfar Chabad. The hesitation was only about how to obtain our parents’ permission and when could we tell everyone where we were going. I wrote to the Rebbe and asked a number of questions with the main question being where to learn the following year. The Rebbe responded and regarding yeshivos the Rebbe wrote: the need to learn Chassidus in our times is brought at length in the Kuntres Eitz Chayim and elsewhere. A problem arose in that the Rebbe used an abbreviation which I understood to stand for “and elsewhere,” meaning other s’farim, and that the Rebbe was saying I had to learn in Kfar Chabad. My father maintained that the abbreviation stood for “any location,” that I could learn The Rebbe’s letter to Yaakov Shmuelevitz about the need to learn Chassidus Chassidus anywhere and not just in Kfar Chabad. during the day and in the evening we Chabadnik, but I’ll never forget the This debate (which reached toured around Chadera. Suddenly, amazing shiur we had that evening. senior figures in Chabad) didn’t end we saw light in some old house. We He explained to all of us what a until baruch Hashem I also went in and discovered that it was a Rebbe is, what the difference is transferred to Kfar Chabad. The shul, the Chabad shul in Chadera. A between a rav and talmid versus impact was direct and significant: my man was sitting there, the shliach Rebbe and Chassid. He spoke so well father and mother switched to Rabbi Klonimus Kupchik. that all the Litvishe bachurim T’hillas Hashem and went to the Litvishe bachurim had landed in conceded that he was right and that Rebbe. My brother is a shliach in a Chabad house. The shliach served only in Chassidus is there a true soul Ohr Akiva and all of us wait for the some refreshments and we began to connection between Chassid and imminent hisgalus of the Rebbe talk. I didn’t tell him I was a Rebbe. MH”M.

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Issue Number 584 - BEIS MOSHIACH 11 MIRACLE STORIES ‘REBBE, YOU MUST HELP!’ Two miracle stories related at Chassidishe farbrengens AS HEARD BY T. YANKELOWITZ

I was especially sad to hear I am asking the Rebbe to save Aunt Zissel from recently that her health wasn’t good. the cruel fate of having her leg amputated. Aunt Zissel is well into her 90’s and is surrounded, baruch Hashem, by I didn’t ask. I demanded. I said: Rebbe, you many descendents who treat her well, but she had an infection in her must help! blood that turned into gangrene in her foot. A farbrengen is the time to hear when a certain rosh yeshiva in B’nei She was taken to the hospital personal stories, miracles, and Brak began fanning the flames of where she was treated with the best wonders that have taken place in controversy, our family underwent medicine. They gave the medicine our day. At a farbrengen I attended, upheavals, and the opposition and time to work and sent her home. as one story followed another, mockery reared their heads. We “Within a few days,” said the Shimon could be heard clearing his kept doing what we were doing, doctors, “your condition will throat. He’s usually a listener and with heads held high, as it says in stabilize and your foot will heal.” not one of the talkers. He looked halacha, “do not be ashamed before Time passed and she wasn’t excited and he had something to those who mock.” getting better. She was hospitalized say. This is the story he told: Of all my close relatives there is again and treated with different You may not all know this, but one person who stands out. You medication. Once again, her body my family is from the US. We made never hear her say one disrespectful did not respond to the treatment. aliya five decades ago but the entire word about the Rebbe or Chabad Her body was weakened by all the family did not come with us. Nor and in fact, she never said a bad antibiotics but there was no choice, did the entire family discover word about any Jew, no matter his they had to save her leg. Lubavitch, as we did. religious perspective or conduct. After various attempts with Although most of the family is She loves everyone and receives different medications, the doctors what is called oilemishe, the majority everyone graciously. called the family members and gave are not misnagdim. They are just That’s my Aunt Zissel, who lives their verdict. We did all we could good, frum Jews who are not up to her name (which means but the treatment was ineffective. looking for anything new or for any “sweet”). Although she experienced Not only that, her condition got changes n their avodas Hashem. bitterness in her life, it doesn’t show worse. The gangrene in her foot has Most importantly, they do not mock on her face and she always smiles. begun to spread and the entire leg is Lubavitcher Chassidim. She has had unbearable times in her affected. This is extremely serious and can endanger her entire body. This was all true in the past, life with endless trials but she We are sad to say that we must ask when we began our journey to always accepts what Hashem sends your permission to amputate her Chabad Chassidus. In later years, her. leg.

12 BEIS MOSHIACH - 15 Teives 5767 The family was shocked. Their making the decision and We heard this news on a Friday. mother-grandmother was nearly 100 unexpectedly, he asked the family to Despite the urgency, apparently a and she had to undergo this trauma? consult with a rav – a posek! “I woman approaching 100 is still not There was no other choice? Our cannot take the responsibility to top of the list of priorities. The modern medicine had nothing to make this decision. None of the operation was scheduled for Sunday. offer aside from amputation?! choices are good and I don’t want to I was devastated by this news. I The family consulted with other make this decision.” couldn’t digest the fact that such a doctors and went to the head of the My cousins, spoke to a rav, I special woman, with such refined department. There, they heard a don’t know who. He said they could middos, who had always accepted somewhat different perspective. The not think about what might be; they her trials with love, would have to head doctor was afraid about the had to judge the situation as it was undergo such a horrible thing. I operation being done on a woman then. If her condition required an couldn’t make peace with it. This her age, with a weak body…who amputation so that the gangrene did just couldn’t be! knows what the amputation would not spread, then the p’sak says to do So why didn’t I write to the cause? On the other hand, to leave that and not to consider what the Rebbe? Because I didn’t feel I could her this way, they couldn’t do that results of the operation might be. write the whole story, I didn’t want either. It was dangerous. The We, the family in Eretz Yisroel, to give it a “hold” in the physical gangrene was spreading. Not to followed the developments with reality. As a beloved nephew of Aunt operate was a death warrant for sure bated breath. Every day we got a Zissel who saw her live through but the actual operation could lead report and every day the report was most of her life from up close, I to the same result. less positive and encouraging than could only say, she doesn’t deserve The doctor truly did not know the day before, until the rav said to this! To lose her leg at her age? She what to do. He needed help in amputate. proved her ability to endure tests

Issue Number 584 - BEIS MOSHIACH 13 with simcha dozens of times. What One of my brothers is a mohel in name for the father. The Chassid did she need this for? Kfar Chabad. He is often invited to didn’t know what to tell the man I couldn’t concentrate on make brissin in various places. One but he had no choice as he was preparing for Shabbos. The jobs I time, he was called to do a bris in merely the shliach to convey the usually do around the house were the Tunisian community in Tel Aviv. answer the Rebbe had sent. done somewhat haphazardly that The rav of the community, Rav The Chassid told the man what week. My head was far away, in the Charari, invited my brother and the the Rebbe had written and US. baal ha’bris to say l’chaim after the expressed his surprise that the After my wife and daughters lit bris. The rav took this opportunity Rebbe used a different name for his candles, before leaving with the to get acquainted with my brother father. Did his father have another boys for shul, I stood before a big and to ask him where he was from. name? picture of the Rebbe in the living When he said he was from Kfar No. The man insisted that the room. I said to the Rebbe, no, it was Chabad, the rav told the following name he had given was the correct actually more of a demand: although story: name. He decided he had to find I know that it’s nearly impossible, In our community there was a out why the Rebbe had used a even the top doctor is afraid of the man about thirty years old who was different name and the only person two options, I am asking the Rebbe paralyzed and had to use a who could tell him was his mother, to save Aunt Zissel from the cruel wheelchair. This situation had been a kibbutznik who still lived on a fate of having her leg amputated. going on for ten years and then one kibbutz. I didn’t ask. I demanded. I said: day he met a Chabad Chassid who He told his mother the whole Rebbe, you must help! story, about his meeting with the Time passed tensely with an Chabadnik, writing the letter to the attempt to do things in her merit. His mother’s reaction Rebbe, receiving two answers with a Late Sunday night the phone rang. different name for his father than he It was my brother who had news. I was: How did the had written. Could she explain this felt my heart beat quickly. Please to him? don’t tell me bad news; I can’t take Rebbe know what His mother’s reaction was: How it. took place decades did the Rebbe know what took place “Listen, you won’t believe this! decades ago? They prepared Aunt Zissel for the ago? She told her son that she had operation. Everybody was outside, been married to an army officer who knowing that either way, the had fallen in the line of duty and it situation wasn’t good and not suggested that he write to the Rebbe was his name that the Rebbe had knowing what the results would be. about his health. The man asked the cited in his letter. There was no As the doctor said, none of the Lubavitcher to write for him and sitting Shiva at the kibbutz and she options were good. Before operating gave him the relevant information. married before the three months the they checked her leg, which had For some reason, he mentioned his halacha requires a widow to wait. been called dead and was inflicted father’s name in his letter too. Until that day her second husband with gangrene that was spreading, After some time, an answer was considered his father but the one more time. arrived at the home of the Chassid. truth was that the officer whose “And you know what? They The Rebbe advised him to write a name the Rebbe mentioned was his discovered that there is a working seifer Torah and in the merit of this biological father! vein throughout the leg! The leg he would be healed. The Rebbe This is the story my brother came to life! Except for some toes referred to the handicapped man by heard from Rav Charari, the rav of where there was still gangrene, name and included his father’s name the Tunisian community. which they amputated, they did not but it wasn’t the same name that the * * * have to operate!” man had told the Chassid to write. Those farbrenging burst into * * * Was this a mistake? Couldn’t be! song, the niggun with which we will Another story that I heard at a The Chassid wrote to the Rebbe go to greet Melech HaMoshiach: farbrengen was told by Yom Tov again, just to be sure, and once Yechi Adoneinu Moreinu V’Rabbeinu Gindi: again the Rebbe used a different Melech HaMoshiach L’olam Va’ed!

14 BEIS MOSHIACH - 15 Teives 5767 TRAGEDY ‘AND THE LIVING SHOULD TAKE TO HEART’ INTERVIEW BY MENACHEM ZIEGELBOIM

It was specifically during the joyous days of Chanuka that such an awesome tragedy took place, with the deaths of three young T’mimim out on mivtzaim to bring the joy and light of the holiday to other Jews. At this time, we can only follow the Torah directive, “And Aharon was silent.” And yet, together with the tears and mourning, we also must continue our shlichus. * A special discussion with Rabbi Yosef Hecht, the Rabbi of Eilat, where the T’mimim involved in the accident were operating in their work to bring light and joy to the world.

The terrible tragedy of the deaths and that faith, which have the power ourselves and push on in carrying of the three budding T’mimim, to bear the torment and suffering, out the holy work of the Rebbe, but occurred while they were on their whereas attempts at explaining and we need to know how to cope and to way to mivtzaim in the army buses finding reasons, only lead to compartmentalize between the pain in and around Eilat, under the heartache and confusion. of the present and encouragement auspices of the Beis Chabad Eilat. At the same time, beyond trying for the future. Such a tragedy is extremely difficult to understand the whys and It would seem that the ideal to cope with and the best course is wherefores, we need to hear a clear person to speak with is Rabbi Yosef to follow the words of the Torah, message, the call of the hour, as to Hecht, the rav of Eilat, the city from “And Aharon was silent,” a silence how do we respond to the events where the T’mimim were operating which bespeaks the acceptance of and how do we proceed. This is a from as they went forth to bring joy Divine judgment with pure and time that we need to strengthen and light to the world and to the simple faith. It is only that silence

Issue Number 584 - BEIS MOSHIACH 15 hearts of the soldiers. Rabbi Hecht are many tourist attractions which graciously agreed to provide us with operate throughout the day and I have no doubt that his point of view, but first we asked night, and the boys make sure to him to tell about Mivtza Chanuka in reach every one of these tourist if each of us makes Eilat this year. hotspots. The various teams of Chanuka mivtzaim in Eilat have bachurim who come here all work his own personal and been somewhat famous for years… double shifts. During the day, they visit army bases, and at night, they individual reckoning, That is true. Mivtza Chanuka focus more on the civilian this will bring positive holds a central place in Israeli life, population. During Chanuka, the and especially in Beis Chabad Eilat, city is generally filled with Jewish change to the run by Rabbi Menachem Klein. We tourists, and no effort is spared to deal with the army bases, which are try to pull them into the spirit of the community at large. spread out at great distances, going holiday and offer them the chance to from Eilat north and northwest of do the mitzvos of the day. This will give nachas the city, along the borders with Egypt and Jordan. It is a long and All of this is in addition to Eilat to the Rebbe and we wide line of bases and it sometimes being a regular city like every other requires travel of two hours each Israeli city, which has stores and will merit to receive way. shopping centers, plazas and private homes. The Chabad House reaches the blessings in the Beis Chabad Eilat will not every single place on its mission overlook any of the bases, no matter from the Rebbe and brings the form of open and what the distance. In order to reach atmosphere of Chanuka to those all the camps, we have been getting places. Baruch Hashem, we have had revealed good. over the years an infusion of great success each year, and so too manpower in the persons of this year. impression on a very large scale. bachurim from Chabad yeshivos all across the country, so as to reach The work has a profound impact, It was these activities that led to each encampment throughout the not only in the local sense, but the the terrible tragedy over Chanuka… days of Chanuka. Among the ripples spread throughout the world. This year, as in every year, many bachurim there is a high demand to Throughout the year, we always hear bachurim came from yeshivos participate in mivtzaim in Eilat and regards from shluchim around the around the country. To our great the outlying areas, and it has the world who heard from Jews in their distress, the van carrying one of the reputation of being an experience as communities that they were in Eilat teams to one of the bases turned well as intensive work. during Chanuka and participated in over and three of the boys were the menora lightings and festivities. killed. Eilat is also a tourist city. There Clearly, it makes a deep and lasting

At the scene of the accident HaTamim Levi Hendel days before the accident, on his way to Mivtza Chanuka

16 BEIS MOSHIACH - 15 Teives 5767 help. Some of the injured were hospitalized locally, so people could at least do something to help them, to sit at their bedsides and offer encouragement and whatever possible assistance. However, there is no such option when it comes to those who have passed on, there is only the feeling of helplessness. And Aharon was silent? I think that the two stories do have similarities. In Parshas Shmini it tells of the death of the two sons of Aharon, during the inauguration (chanuka) of the Mishkan, on the eighth day of the Miluim. Those Kohanim who served in the Mishkan were shluchim of Hashem and of the Jewish people. They were holy emissaries doing their shlichus in the Mishkan. The joy of the Jewish people during those days was at its peak, and the presence of the Sh’china was fully revealed. When such an event transpires, the first question is how could such a thing happen? Why? The Torah responds to these questions with the statement, “And Aharon was silent.” Aharon HaKohen, the bereaved father, accepted the decree of Heaven with silence. The correlations are obvious. Specifically during the joyous days of Chanuka, a time of light and life, such an awesome tragedy occurs Rabbi Yosef Hecht – Chief Rabbi of Eilat with three T’mimim doing the shlichus of the Rebbe to illuminate The shock shook up the entire the bachurim in the mikva and then and bring happiness to others. We Chabad community throughout Eretz at Shacharis, afterwards as they have no other option except to fulfill Yisroel and the world. How did it prepare a quick breakfast and are the directive of the Torah, “And affect the local community in Eilat? getting ready to pull out, you wish Aharon was silent.” Naturally, the bachurim that them success – to hear a few hours later that three of them are not When one contemplates the come here for Chanuka sleep in the tragedy in biblical times, another Chabad House, eat at the homes of coming back is a tremendous blow that is extremely difficult to digest. I point becomes apparent. There was local families or in the Chabad an explicit instruction from Hashem House. People see them in shul don’t know if it is even possible to digest such a thing. The feeling of that all the survivors involved in the during Shacharis and Maariv, and so holy work of drawing down the they begin to develop a personal the locals is that it is all so unbearable. Sh’china, must continue their holy connection with the boys. The local activities without interruption. This Anash always get to know the Everybody wants to know what was at the same time that “The entire bachurim who come. When you see they can do and how they can be of house of Israel should bewail the

Issue Number 584 - BEIS MOSHIACH 17 conflagration that Hashem wrought.” much, your lives,” must do find out what was holding them up The Kohanim-Shluchim could not as everything in our power to warn and and that is when the accident a result of the calamity, as painful as be extremely careful to avoid putting became known. In fact, the soldiers it was, interrupt for a moment their ourselves in danger. were the first to arrive at the site. shlichus. We must continue! I would like to use this forum to The next day, the division Perhaps at times it is difficult to call upon all rabbanim to cry out commander gathered all of the attain such a level, but if the Torah unceasingly about the importance of soldiers, approximately two demands this of us, it is an caution when on the road. It doesn’t thousand strong, and spoke to them indication that we have the requisite matter if the driver is a bachur, about the terrible accident and strength, and we should operate young married man, or even an older tragedy. In his remarks, he noted according to what is written in person; all are obligated to exercise that throughout his tenure in the Tanya, “crying is implanted in my great care when driving, both area, Chabad did not miss one heart on this side, and joy is regarding speed and paying attention holiday without visiting and bringing implanted in my heart on this side.” to the road. We must emphasize this joy to the soldiers. One of the Together with the mourning of “the repeatedly, including the importance participants at this delayed gathering entire house of Israel,” there is also of wearing seat belts. This is not only was Rabbi Neimark, the father of one the command to carry on the a civil obligation, but an absolute of the injured boys, who reported shlichus. Torah requirement. Chanuka is the inyan of light, as In the past, the Rebbe addressed the Rebbe explains in numerous a number of such incidents. Do you sichos, as well as the inyan of recall any specific instance? chinuch. There is nothing like the On Erev Lag B’Omer 5740/1980, Rebbe’s Mivtza Chanuka to be there was a tragedy in Chevron mechanech the Jewish people to love where a local yeshiva bachur was of Torah, love of Hashem and love of killed by terrorists, and the entire mitzvos. This mivtza also implants community was in deep mourning. joy into the hearts of Jews. We must The shluchim asked the Rebbe if continue our holy mission and pray they should continue their plans for that we never have to deal with such the parade as usual. The answer was a situation again. in the affirmative, and as the Rebbe I have said on a number of later expressed during the occasions, when interviewed farbrengen, the halacha is that “you following the accident, that if we move aside the dead before the could ask the bachurim themselves if bride,” and thus the activities should Yonason Bitton age 17 they would want us to have go on. So too, in our situation, we weakened our efforts in Mivtza could not allow the terrible tragedy Chanuka, they would certainly to undermine our work. On the that the event was both very negate such a reaction. contrary, we need to strengthen emotional and uplifting. Many have raised the question as ourselves and others all the more. What sign is Heaven trying to to how such a thing could possibly After the horrific car accident in send us in light of all these occur while they were “emissaries of Sivan 5734/1974 in which five of tragedies? a mitzva,” as there is a Torah rule Anash in Eretz Yisroel died, the All the years, the Rebbe taught us that “emissaries of mitzva are not Rebbe wrote a letter for the the words of the Rambam in the harmed?” “Shloshim,” in which he emphasized beginning of his Laws of Taanis, who As we said, this is a time of “And the need to increase in mivtzaim that writes: “And this is one of the ways Aharon was silent.” This is not a serve as a “protection and salvation.” of repentance – that at a time when a time for questions and clarifications The group of bachurim involved misfortune comes and they cry out as to the workings of Heaven, but it in the accident was on its way to an and sound the shofar, all should is a time to accept the judgment of important army base. The soldiers know that it is because of their Heaven. Beyond that, we as believing had gathered in anticipation of the wicked deeds that evil has befallen Jews committed to the Torah dictate, arrival of the bachurim, and when them, as it is written, “Your sins have “And you should preserve, very they did not arrive, they called to brought this upon you.” And this is

18 BEIS MOSHIACH - 15 Teives 5767 what will cause them to remove the pertains to all of Anash. action, namely the mivtzaim of the misfortune from upon themselves. This was not an isolated tragedy. Rebbe. I would like to share with the However, if they will not cry out and We are all aware of recent tragedies readers the fact that here in Eilat, we not sound the shofar, but they will that have hit Lubavitch around the founded a weekly class in Likkutei say that this thing is part of the country and the world. This has Sichos that will be ongoing for the natural order that occurred and this affected all Anash communities, and next year as a merit for the departed misfortune is just a happenstance, even the three boys who were killed souls of the bachurim. this is the pathway of cruelty and originated from different We also took on a resolution to causes them to stick with their communities throughout the country. expand Mivtza Chinuch, since when wicked deeds, and will add in the As such, each person must make his we see that we have lost three such misfortune and other troubles…” own accounting as to what he as a wonderful boys, we must do Many times, the Rebbe Chassid sees is not in order and everything in our power to add more emphasized that every occurrence, what the Rebbe wants of him as a students in the institutions of the and certainly such a harsh one, Chassid to correct and improve, Rebbe. We plan on boosting the demands of us that we contemplate without waiting for the other person enrollment in the preschools and it and draw the appropriate lessons. to correct his behavior first. elementary school, and also to bring There is nothing that falls in the I am positive that the Rebbe’s more bachurim to learn in the local yeshiva. Similarly, there is the need to increase in practical deeds in each place according to what is appropriate. In such instances, there are many who rush to point out a particular weakness and to suggest that we need to strengthen such-and-such an area. Who could know for certain what is expected of us to improve? In Tammuz 5747/1987, a bachur from Crown Heights was seriously injured in a traffic accident. At the next farbrengen, the Rebbe spoke about the need to make a soul- reckoning regarding the internal Moshe Golan age 17 Levi Hendel age 13 conflicts, which sadly were raging within the Crown Heights category of happenstance. This is a community at the time. The Rebbe blessings are being poured down added that recently there had been a concrete foundation of Jewish faith upon us without limit, but in general and Chassidus in number of signs from Above sometimes we merit to see this indicating dissatisfaction, such as the particular, as explained in the sichos immediately, and occasionally we of the Rebbe. finding of a flaw in a Seifer Torah as don’t see it with our physical eyes well as the terrible weather at that To know exactly what is wanted and the blessings are concealed. I time (windstorms, lightning, heavy of us from Above – that is an entirely have no doubt that if each of us rains). When those signals went different matter. We are not makes his own personal and unheeded – then there was that prophets, nor the sons of prophets. individual reckoning, this will bring occurrence. Each person has to make an positive change to the community at individual accounting, according to large. This will give nachas to the Clearly, we can’t always compare his situation, as to how he can Rebbe and we will merit to receive one circumstance to another, and yet strengthen himself. Perhaps this is the blessings in the form of open and at the same time, it is obvious that even more important than a public revealed good. any increase in Ahavas Yisroel will only bring benefit and blessing. communal reckoning of the entire When discussing the idea of a community. We need to start with a However, I reiterate that it is difficult reckoning, we must see to it that it is to know why the recent tragedy took personal soul-accounting, and this also translated as an increase in

Issue Number 584 - BEIS MOSHIACH 19 place. We can’t forget what the Rebbe said in the sicha of Naso 5734/1974, “There are matters that as much as one searches, he cannot find and cannot understand why such things occurred.” In conclusion? Many times, we heard from the Rebbe regarding soldiers who died while protecting the Jewish people in Eretz Yisroel that the verse, “Gather unto Me, My Chassidim who establish My covenant upon the sacrifice” applies to them. When a Jew is killed protecting another Jew, then it is considered that he has entered into a covenant with Hashem by his death. About such people it says in Chazal, “No creature can Rabbi Eliyahu Neimark in an event held after the accident, in the merit of the victims stand in their proximity.” Similarly, these T’mimim set out side argued that Chabad was not power to reveal the Divine Unity in on the shlichus of the Rebbe to do active, etc, the Rebbe treated this as the darkest and most distant places. mivtzaim, which protect the Jewish if it were a claim that came from This too is connected with the people in Eretz Yisroel, as these are Above and he instructed that they Chanuka lights, as explained in the spiritual defensive weapons. Any publish the Chanuka albums to show Chassidus – that the cruse of oil act of providing a Jew the the entire world just how active sealed with the seal of the Kohen opportunity to do a mitzva, to Chabad is. Certainly, each shliach Gadol that the Greeks did not participate in the joy and has his own albums of a wide range desecrate alludes to the “yechida of atmosphere of a mitzva, causes of mivtzaim activities, such as Mivtza the soul,” which the Greeks could added protection and security for T’fillin, Neshek, etc., and we could not desecrate as it always remains the Jewish people. surely put together many albums pure, and has power to illuminate all It can certainly be said regarding depicting Chabad activities. Despite the soul-powers with the light of those T’mimim who departed this all that, the Rebbe chose to include “yechida.” physical plane while carrying out pictures of Chanuka mivtzaim Perhaps this can explain the their mission as emissaries of the (actually, it was that time of the year, special regard the Rebbe showed for Rebbe in protecting their fellow but everything is by Divine Mivtza Chanuka. It is this that the Jews, “No creature can stand in their Providence). T’mimim were involved in, in the proximity.” I have no doubt that Mivtza Chanuka shows how last days and hours of their young their place is in those lofty and Chabad illuminates the “outside,” lives, to illuminate the world with elevated worlds. just as the Chanuka lights, “the the light of “yechida,” which leads to It is worth mentioning the special mitzva is to place it at the doorway the revelation of the general regard that the Rebbe had for Mivtza of his house outside,” and “yechida,” i.e., Moshiach. Every time Chanuka. The Rebbe established all specifically in the darkest times like we ignite the Chanuka lights ten mivtzaim and each one is very the Chanuka lights, when the mitzva anywhere in the world, we reveal the precious and dear. However, it seems is “from when the sun sets.” It is “yechida” in the soul of each to me that Mivtza Chanuka was held there that Chabad goes to spread individual Jew and illuminate the in special regard, in the spirit of light and warmth and to reveal the darkest places in the world. This, in what the Rambam writes, “The Divine Unity. turn, causes the Rebbe – Moshiach, mitzva of Chanuka lights is a very What is the source of our power? the “yechida” of the entire Jewish dear mitzva.” The power of “yechida.” As we know, people – to be revealed immediately in all his glory. In 1986, when during the court Chabad Chassidus is the “yechida” of case involving the s’farim the other Torah, and therefore, it has the

20 BEIS MOSHIACH - 15 Teives 5767 THOUGHT THE G-DLY NAME WITH WHICH WE ARE REDEEMED BY RABBI YOSEF KARASIK, DISTRICT RAV BEIT CHEFER, EMEK CHEFER

Certainly not! The most Why was Moshe concerned about the Jewish important thing is to get out! His people asking him, “What is His name?” How heart is full of joy over the wonderful news of his impending release and would knowing Hashem’s name increase their who will be taking him out is not that significant. belief in Moshe? Moshe knew several of So why did Moshe think that the Jewish people, who were subjugated Hashem’s names, why did he ask Hashem His to the wicked Egyptians, would want name? * A fascinating look at the parsha from to know the name of the Redeemer? If it was because Moshe feared that the perspective of Chazal, Kabbala, and they did not believe in Hashem and His redemption, how would Chabad Chassidus. knowledge of His name help? Whoever believed in Hashem didn’t THE TIME FOR GEULA generation. need to know the name; whoever did not believe, would not be helped by HAS COME Chazal are surprised by Moshe’s a name! In Parshas Shmos it tells of an question. Why did Moshe think the Furthermore, Moshe knew some enormous G-dly revelation that Jewish people would ask for the of Hashem’s names (he certainly Moshe experienced at the burning name of the One Who wants to save knew the names revealed to the Avos, bush. Hashem said to him: I have them from servitude? They were mentioned in the book of B’Reishis). seen the suffering of the Jewish suffering in Egypt, so what difference Why then did he ask what Hashem’s people in Egypt and have heard their did it make what Hashem’s name is? name is? cries and so you should go to them The main thing is to be redeemed! and say that the time of their This would be like a prisoner in (Some answer this question by redemption has arrived. solitary confinement who is beaten saying that Moshe was straight and truthful, “he was very punctilious in Moshe asked Hashem: When I and humiliated and forced to do hard conveying Hashem’s message in all come to the Jewish people on Your labor day and night until he cannot his missions and prophecies,” and he mission, they will ask me for Your take it any longer. Suddenly he is didn’t add a single word to them. name. What should I tell them? told that they are coming to remove him from the dungeon and set him Therefore, since in this prophecy Hashem said: I-WILL-BE-WHAT- free. Would his first question be: there was no mention of Hashem’s I-WILL-BE is My name forever, my Who is coming to take me out? Does holy name, Moshe did not want to remembrance from generation to knowing who it is matter? say His name on his own, since it

22 BEIS MOSHIACH - 15 Teives 5767 wasn’t part of the prophecy.) Hashem’s many powers, for as Chazal put it, “I am called according to My deeds.” A name is a channel for HASHEM’S HOLY NAMES abundance and since a human being has one ko’ach, he Some people think that a name is external and of has only one name, but Hashem has infinite deeds and marginal importance, saying: what difference does it abilities and so He has infinite names. make, the main thing is the thing itself and not its name. Each of the Avos called Hashem by a specific name They are mistaken, however, for it is explained in (Avrohom – HaGadol, Yitzchok – HaGibbor, and Yaakov – Kabbala that names are highly significant. A name is the HaNora). This is on account of the particular G-dly “spiritual code of life.” When you call someone by their power that each one accessed: name, you open up and draw down for them from the source of G-dly blessing and abundance. Avrohom, whose spiritual powers were from the midda of chesed, called Hashem a name of chesed That is why when praying for someone who is ill, we (gadol); Yitzchok whose spiritual powers were from mention his name and when someone faints we call his g’vura, called Hashem a name of g’vura (gibbor); and name, because a name arouses and strengthens a person’s Yaakov whose spiritual powers were from the midda of life-force. emes and rachamim, called Hashem by this trait (nora). There is enormous power especially in the names of Of the many names of Hashem there are seven special Hashem, which are holy and extremely lofty. That is why, names (that may not be erased) and they are: generally, in many prophecies Hashem’s name is mentioned (and in all prophecies to the Avos, Hashem’s 1) Y K V K – the attribute of mercy. The Essential name is mentioned). Name. 2) A D O-N A I – master and ruler. 3) E-L There is a halacha – when He suspends about the holiness of judgment for man’s sins. Hashem’s names in 4) E L O-H A. 5) E L O- Shulchan Aruch Yoreh H I M 6) S H A-D A I. Dei’a. When you write a 7) T Z E V A O S – seifer Torah, t’fillin, and when He judges the mezuza, if an error was nations of the world and made in the writing, it those who hate Israel, can usually be erased with might. and fixed, aside from Hashem’s names, “which In the Gemara, the are not to be erased,” name I-WILL-BE (EHE- even if this means the YEH) is enumerated as entire item is pasul. one of the seven holy names (that are not erased), but the Rambam and This is surprising, for if a word within a Shulchan Aruch say it is not listed among the holy names commandment of a mitzva (Shabbos, Yom Kippur, the that are not erased. This seems to indicate that it is not as Ten Commandments, etc) can be erased and fixed, why holy as the other names, but Chassidus explains the shouldn’t Hashem’s name be able to be erased and opposite – that this name is higher, in certain aspects, corrected? than the other names. The halacha says that this is so because even though all the mitzvos are G-dly commandments, Hashem’s name THE NAME I-WILL-BE is Hashem Himself, and this cannot be erased! When a The simple meaning of the name I-WILL-BE is that Jew davens or reads in the Torah and he mentions Hashem will be and can be found everywhere, at all Hashem’s name, he opens a channel of G-dly abundance times, in all circumstances. (The Rambam in his Guide for and brings blessing down upon himself. (Mentioning any the Perplexed writes that this name describes the Essence G-dly name opens a specific channel that pertains to that of His being and existence that is not dependent on holy name, as will be explained further.) anything, for He is “necessary existence” not possible existence.) THE NUMBER OF HIS NAMES This name is unique and wondrous and it accompanies and protects the Jewish people in all Hashem has many names. Some say there are 70 and situations – whether they were on a high spiritual level, others say there are many more. This stems from when the Beis HaMikdash stood, or whether they are in

Issue Number 584 - BEIS MOSHIACH 23 exile and the Mikdash is destroyed – HaMoshiach is the removal of the the meaning of “what is His name” is for the name I-WILL-BE is constant veil of the material world that with which G-dly energy will He and forever. obscures Hashem’s presence in redeem the Jewish people from This name is not one of the everything in the world and in Egypt? Would the energy of geula be names that cannot be erased because nature. When Moshiach comes, mixed with the power of judgment, it has a special quality they don’t people will see the reality of the permitting the geula to be have. Namely, it is bound up and name of I-WILL-BE – that Hashem is interrupted, for which reason dwells within the Jewish people not omnipresent. another galus could follow? Or, only in our holy times but also when This is the inner meaning of the would it be with a name of chesed we leave the bounds of holiness and verse of Shma. The simple meaning and rachamim and then the geula descend into exile. Even there, the is our proclamation that there is no would be complete with no galus to name I-WILL-BE accompanies and other G-d in the world. Yet, do we follow? protects us. need to proclaim, morning and Hashem answered Moshe that the evening, that there are no other geula would be with the name I- THE NAME OF THE gods? Do the children of the holy WILL-BE, which is Hashem’s name in REDEMPTION OF THE tribes need to announce to their all situations, and if we had merited WORLD IN THE DAYS OF father Yaakov that they do not it, Moshe would have taken us into MOSHIACH believe in idols?! Eretz Yisroel with the power of this holy name and there would have This name is also the name of the Rather, the Alter Rebbe explains, been no further galus. Due to the Geula of the Jewish people, because there is nothing else in existence, not sins of the generation, Moshe died the main idea of Geula is that above nor below, that is not part of and did not merit to bring the nation Hashem’s omnipresence will be the Creator. “Hashem is one” means into the land for the final Geula. revealed to all: that all is G-dliness and there is nothing outside of that. However, the Geula in our day, Although with the coming of through Moshiach Tzidkeinu, will be Moshiach many amazing things will The avoda of a Jew in the world complete with no galus to follow. take place – as the Rambam writes, is to reveal this G-dly truth in the With the power of the name I-WILL- Moshiach will bring salvation to the world. This will be fully revealed BE, we will merit a Geula in which world, delicacies will be plentiful, with the revelation of the G-dly Hashem, in His Glory and Essence, the sick will be healed, the entire name I-WILL-BE with our Geula in will be revealed to all, “and all flesh world will study Torah and know Yemos HaMoshiach. will see together that the mouth of G-d – all this does not express the This is what Moshe meant with Hashem has spoken.” essence of what Yemos HaMoshiach his question. The question was not: is about. (sources: commentaries on Shmos 3:14, Likkutei who is the redeemer – Hashem or Sichos 26 p. 10, Seifer HaErechim Chabad Vol. 1 The central achievement of Yemos other gods? Heaven forbid. Rather, I-WILL-BE)

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24 BEIS MOSHIACH - 8 Teives 5767 INSIGHT GOAL SETTING YOSEF’S WAY BY RABBI YAAKOV LIEDER DEAN SYDNEY SEMINARY, SYDNEY AUSTRALIA

Pharaoh’s reaction shows that Yosef had a vision. He wanted to be in a only by having a clear plan of how position where he could make a difference to to achieve your goal will you actually achieve it in the shortest the world. He wanted this so strongly and possible time and in the best thought about it so much that he even had two possible way. RULE 7: HELP OTHERS dreams about it. * We have to live with ACHIEVE THEIR GOALS AND Moshiach now, because only by living with this THEY WILL HELP YOU ACHIEVE YOURS. reality will we give ourselves over completely All Yosef had been asked by to the task of actualizing it in this physical Pharaoh was to interpret his dreams. His interpretation was that world. * Part 2 of 2 there would be seven years of abundance of food, followed immediately by seven years of [Continued from last week] advice. He felt that another very famine. He had not been asked to important step was necessary, and RULE 6: WORK YOUR PLAN provide a solution as to how to deal that was to have a precise plan of with the seven years of famine. It The Mishna tells us: “Who is a action. Thus, without being asked, was indeed only when Yosef helped wise man? One who sees the when he had finished interpreting Pharaoh achieve his goal of dealing outcome of his actions before he the dream, he did not stop there, with the famine that Pharaoh takes action.” In other words a but continued to advise Pharaoh in reciprocated by helping Yosef fulfil smart person has a vision and a great detail as to the quality of good his goal of becoming a king and plan of action. He or she assesses leadership and what measures were ruler, precisely as Yosef had the consequences of his/her actions necessary for that goal to be dreamed 13 years earlier. well in advance, before ever attained. engaging in action. The smart person draws up a precise plan of Pharaoh was more impressed RULE NO 8: DON’T the actions necessary to achieve with Yosef’s precise plan than with ABANDON YOUR GOAL: goals, and then the wise person gets his interpretation of the dreams. He EVEN WHEN THE GOING down to work. therefore decided right there and GETS TOUGH. then to appoint Yosef as second to In other words: “They plan their the king with instructions to all his When an airplane takes off, let’s work and then work their plan.” people that they must obey Yosef’s say from Sydney to Los Angles, the pilots are given a flight plan, which Yosef knew he would be guilty commands. The message if you have at the time of takeoff appears to be of an injustice by merely interpreting a good plan, and if you implement the best and the quickest way to get the dream and giving general it well, you will turn a dream into a reality. to Los Angeles. However, at the

Issue Number 584 - BEIS MOSHIACH 25 same time, experienced pilots know promoted Yosef to take charge of it’s a mitzva and a very acceptable that throughout their flight they are his household. Thus, in thing to humiliate someone just likely to encounter some contemporary language, in a short because they don’t think the way I unexpected turbulence. When they time he had climbed the corporate think. Where the truth of the encounter the turbulence, the pilot ladder and become the general matter is that the end does not does not grab the loud speaker and manager. It is the kind of job you justify resorting to incorrect means announce: “Ladies and Gentleman don’t usually get in a short time although it may be tempting at the we are sorry the plan is not unless your father is the president time to bend principles to achieve working. We are quitting the trip to of the company! my goals. But the important point Los Angelis and returning to is that it is only by being firm in Sydney.” The pilot is determined If you allow yourself to feel a our value system that we are and certain that he will land this victim, or if you are having protected against Zeidana zupitzea’s plane in Los Angeles. Radically thoughts of abandoning your goals ideas and seductions. abandoning his course is not an because you plans did not work out option, neither is continuing with the way you wanted them to, The good news is that the original plan. The sole option is remember the saying “winners don’t thousands of years before your to make sensible, intelligent and quit, and quitters don’t win.” time, people have been there and done it. The Torah tells us their rational adjustments to the original RULE NO 9: STICK TO YOUR plan. These might include trying story so we can learn from previous different altitudes by means of MORALS AND BELIEFS AT experiences. Yosef was put to the ascent or descent, or maybe opting ALL COSTS. ultimate test with Potifar’s wife. She even argued using Zeidana to make a detour and land at a We all face, at times, situations zupitzea’s approach, saying to different airport until the storm has where our belief system seems to Yosef, “I can see in my stars (i.e. passed. collide with our goals. Then the my spiritual advice) that we are question we have to ask ourselves But the most important factor is destined to have children together loud and clear is: which one is the determination to continue (Sota 48).” There was, indeed, more important at this given time. through rain, hail, or shine. The some truth to it but with a twist. For example, if my friend and I are essential point is “the show must go (Some years later, Yosef married her going for the same job, and only on.” daughter.) “Nobody will ever find one of us will get it, would I say out,” she said. “All your goals will something bad about my friend When Yosef was put in the pit be scattered if you don’t do what I which will enable me to reach my by his brothers, his goal of being a want.” She put enormous pressure goal. Would I tell a small lie in my king was illusionary; when he was on Yosef so that he should break business transaction so that I can sold as a slave and later imprisoned, his G-dly principles, offering him a win that deal which will help me with all the incriminating evidence better life and the fulfilment of his achieve my financial goal? Would I stacked up against him, he could goals. This tempting conversation skip my Chitas today because I am have despaired. I can imagine if it did not occur only once, but took too busy organizing an event? were me I would have said, “Forget place on an ongoing basis day after it. Give up. You’re not cut out for Such dilemmas are part of day- day. Yosef, however, stuck firmly to success. Being successful is only for to-day life. The Yetzer HaRa may his morals and beliefs even though an elite group. Just stop dreaming. appear sometimes – as the Rebbe he risked losing his life’s ambition. At least then you won’t be calls it – with a Zeidana zupitzea (a disappointed.” I could also start silk coat). This means that he is RULE 10 HAVE A POSITIVE feeling like a victim, and cry out, trying to get us to use the wrong ROLE MODEL “Why me?” and continue my lament means to achieve the right end. His with, “Life isn’t fair!” There is even an opinion in the philosophy in this case appears to Gemara that on that day when None of these thoughts appears be acceptable or even very nobody was home a thought to have been in Yosef’s mind. As Chassidish. He may even argue that occurred to Yosef (although for a soon as he became a slave, he gave it is a mitzva to be dishonest in very short time) to succumb to that position his best shot. Within a order that you can earn more temptation and do the wrong thing. short time he was recognized by his money and thereby be able to give But two things happened that made master as a man of determination more tz’daka. Another example is Yosef refuse the temptation. One is and commitment. Soon he had the case where one may think that that he said to her, “If I do this, I

26 BEIS MOSHIACH - 8 Teives 5767 will be sinning against G-d, and him.” going.” Being imprisoned in an although nobody may ever find out Egyptian jail in our days is no and it may bring me closer to my So the question is: how was able holiday. How much more so in goals, my spiritual principles are to have strength? The answer is those days! Yosef had every right to everlasting and totally override any “Raa diykno shel aviv” (He saw his feel a victim and give up. He could other goal. The goal of staying true father’s image) and he heard his have adopted the attitude: Life is to my G-d has a veto power over voice say: “If you go ahead and do not being fair to me; I am destined everything else. Another source of this you are cutting yourself away to suffer. My goals will never be strength: “Where did Yosef get such from me and your name will be attained. All the evidence before removed from the Choshen, where me shows that not only am I not all your brothers’ names will be.” getting closer to my goals, I am In other words, it was his powerful going in the opposite direction – As soon as he became hiskashrus (connection) to the from being a slave, I have now Tzaddik HaDor, the Rebbe of his become a prisoner. How did it generation, that helped him at this happen? Because I refused to do a slave, he gave that critical point of his life. position his best shot. the wrong thing!’ The question we have to ask Furthermore, while in jail, Within a short time ourselves when facing a dilemma Potifar’s wife persisted in spreading is: what does the Rebbe want me to bad rumours about him. She he was recognized by do now? Will he be proud of my wanted him to stay in jail as long decision? Is this decision in as possible so that her daughter his master as a man accordance with the Rebbe’s would be old enough to marry him teachings? We, who are not as (as she eventually did). But Yosef of determination and spiritually attuned as Yosef, have to decided that if the Hashgacha Pratis commitment. Soon he consult a rav or a mashpia to had brought him to this place, it double-check if what we are doing must be for a reason. There must had promoted Yosef or not doing is according to the be a shlichus for him to do there, will of Hashem, as communicated and this would eventually take him to take charge of his to us by our Nasi HaDor, the to his goal. He took the same Rebbe. approach as the Rebbe Rayatz did household. Thus, in In the short term, Yosef’s when he was in prison, which was, contemporary decision to refuse doing the wrong “You have control over my body, thing got him into trouble. He was but I will not give you control over language, in a short jailed for 12 years, a very high my spirit. I am the only one who price to pay for staying true to your can choose who controls it!” time he had climbed principles. But ultimately only Yosef decided there and then to the corporate ladder because he refused to compromise give it the best shot possible and he his principles, bringing about his threw himself into the task of and become the incarceration, did he eventually seeing what he could do to make come to fulfil his ultimate goal of the life of other prisoners better. general manager. being ruler. This would not have He stopped focusing on what he been achieved had he placed his himself needed and started focusing goals ahead of his Godly and on what he was needed for. And so spiritual values. when the Butler and the Baker strength from? After all, he was RULE NO 11: WHEN THE came to prison, and he was given only 17 or 18 when he was the job of looking after them, he forcefully evicted from the GOING GETS TOUGH, did an outstanding job. As a result chassidishe environment of Yaakov’s DON’T CONSIDER of his dedication, it was indeed the house where he was brought up. YOURSELF VICTIM, TAKE last suffering he experienced before His Rebbe Yaakov was not MORE EFFECTIVE ACTION. his dreams, goals, and aspirations physically close to him; he could were fulfilled. not hear him farbreng, nor could As a wise man once said, “When he hope to receive dollars from the going gets tough, the tough get

Issue Number 584 - BEIS MOSHIACH 27 RULE NO 12: BE FULLY each part is an essential one, as it FOCUSED ON THE JOB AT “You have control leads to the next. You could not HAND skip any of these steps. Yosef had a over my body, but I difficult journey, starting with the Yosef decided to put his dream and a plan, but throughout personal needs aside and he became will not give you he continued, always remaining fully focussed on the job. Since focused on the job, never stopping excellence stands out, he was with control over my when there were obstacles. He kept in no time recognized by the the vision and the dream alive, Minister of the Prison as someone spirit. I am the only always in the forefront of his mind. different from the average prisoner. And when the going got tough, he Clearly this man wanted to make a one who can choose asked for help and inspiration from difference wherever he was and by who controls it!” his Rebbe. And while he waited, he whatever means he could. Because continued to be fully dedicated and of this dedication, it was only focused on the mission ahead. natural that when the two famous Yosef said the following words, prisoners, the Baker and the Butler, You and I are not like Yosef, and which eventually changed the life of came to jail, Yosef was the best we do not have his strength of the Butler and the Baker as well as candidate to look after them. He character, but neither are we likely his own life and indeed the life of did this job as he had done every to end up in an Egyptian jail. The the entire world. Those words were, other job before, with total Rebbe often quotes the Gemara, “Why do you have a sad face dedication, giving it his fullest which says, “According to the camel today?” To which they responded by attention. is the load” or “Hashem does not relating their dreams. Yosef give us a test which we cannot One morning, Yosef entered explained their dreams to them and overcome.” We are all in possession their cell and noticed that they were because of the insight and vision of of the power and the tools not themselves. Something was his interpretation he was necessary to fulfil our dreams. And bothering them. You have to be recommended to Pharaoh as an this is the reason Hashem has sent totally without regard for your own interpreter of dreams. It was this us to this world. We were given all misery and totally in tune with the that eventually led to his becoming the gifts and tools and the power to other person’s situation to notice second to the king of Egypt. carry them out. Although at times when there is something wrong. All of this was only possible those gifts and opportunities may (And, let’s remember that they were because he was fully focused on the come wrapped up in problems, not there on a holiday. Not looking job at hand. He was fully focused once we unwrap them we will find well in an Egyptian prison is not an on the present and not on the past the gifts. This is the z’chus of being unusual thing only one with a or even the future. in the Dor HaShvii, which will heightened sensitivity for the bring to realization what Jews have feelings of others would be aware, When we review these twelve yearned for, for thousands of years: and once aware, act.) steps, we realize how each one is a the revelation of Moshiach now! part of a long chain of events, and Y.S. MOVING

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28 BEIS MOSHIACH - 15 Teives 5767 SHLEIMUS HA’ARETZ WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN NETUREI KARTA AND OLMERT? BY SHAI GEFEN

LOWER AND LOWER Sderot and Ashkelon, with two rational thought). Sometimes you can think and ninth-graders being seriously The only solution is to switch to hope that we can’t go any lower, but injured in Sderot. One of the boys, an approach that is l’maala m’taam then we see that there’s no limit to 14-year-old Adir Basad, was in very v’daas (above the limitations of how low we can sink. PM Olmert critical condition throughout the rational thought), to disseminate the met with Abu Mazen, bearing night; after a series of operations, d’var Hashem zu halacha nonstop tidings of the decision to unfreeze his condition stabilized in the early and to protest nonstop. This itself 100 million dollars to fund morning and he is no longer in will weaken and abolish the terrible terrorism and the removal of danger of his life. The second boy, decrees hovering over us. Matan Cohen, suffered moderate roadblocks designed to deter WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE terrorists. The Israeli media, which wounds. Terrorists also succeeded in serves our enemies, have turned scoring a direct hit on a strategic BETWEEN NETUREI KARTA Abu Mazen into a suffering martyr, facility in the southern coastal city AND OLMERT of Ashkelon. claiming he is the only one we can The delegation calling itself make an agreement with and Remember, there is a ceasefire, Neturei Karta, people who look like everything will be fine. This is how though what that means when fifty chareidi Jews, met with the Olmert tries to keep his government missiles have landed in Israel, I president of Iran and attended the alive. don’t know. Even the Defense International Conference to Review The Americans are pressuring Minister, who has become a national the Global Vision of the Holocaust Israel over the Roadmap and joke, understands that the ceasefire in Tehran, a controversial whoever dreamed that the story of is being interpreted as weakness. conference that has attracted a the Disengagement came to an end Terrorism is rewarded time and number of high-profile Holocaust- again. after the blows we have received deniers. Neturei Karta’s was mistaken. Evil has no bounds. So while the prime minister is representative upheld the reality of Olmert knows good and well that moving the process along in which the Holocaust during his speech to the money will be used in the he will release terrorists, he is also the assembly, although he went on attempt to murder more Jews in having security forces throw dozens to say, “Zionists have given much order to increase pressure on Israel. of Jews out of their homes without higher figures for how many people Olmert knows that releasing Arab benefit of a trial. were killed.” They praised Iranian prisoners will lead to increased This Kafkaesque situation is president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, attacks, as we’ve seen on previous definitely not rational. If in the past who has called for the destruction occasions. The money Olmert the other side had some points with of the Israeli state, and expressed decided to transfer to Abu Mazen is some possible validity to them, by solidarity with the Iranian position money dripping with Jewish blood. now we see that decisions are made of anti-Zionism. While Olmert practices restraint, not on the basis of logic but l’matta Naturally, this aroused a storm of the Kassam missiles keep falling on m’taam v’daas (below the level of protest on the part of Jews around

30 BEIS MOSHIACH - 15 Teives 5767 the world. We don’t know what who are presently sitting in the damage the Neturei Karta caused to security cabinet know good and well Israel’s security if any; what we do that transferring millions of dollars know is that they caused a to Abu Mazen means they are tremendous chilul Hashem. Yet allocating money towards terrorism. Olmert’s meeting with the president This is not a prophecy but the of the P.A. is far more serious and reality as we all know it. will definitely lead to terrible If rabbis think the Neturei Karta tragedies, may Hashem protect us. ought to be excommunicated, The thesis of Abu Mazen’s Olmert and his government should Remember, there is a doctoral dissertation was The Secret be “removed from this world,” as we Connection between the Nazis and the say, “when You remove the wicked ceasefire, though what Leaders of the Zionist Movement in government from the earth” with which he wrote: the coming of Moshiach. that means when fifty “It seems that the interest of the IT’S OUR FAULT missiles have landed Zionist movement, however, is to The media noted that it’s one inflate this figure [of Holocaust in Israel, I don’t year since Ariel Sharon fell ill. We deaths] so that their gains will be all know what has happened since greater. This led them to emphasize know. Even the then with all the systems having this figure [six million] in order to broken down. The war in Lebanon, gain the solidarity of international Defense Minister, who danger in the south, the Moslem public opinion with Zionism. Many world, the Axis of Evil of Tehran- has become a national scholars have debated the figure of Damascus that came to life, and the six million and reached stunning deterioration of the police-military- joke, understands that conclusions – fixing the number of legal sectors. Jewish victims at only a few the ceasefire is being hundred thousand.” The Rebbe always taught us that when there’s a question, you have to interpreted as So why is Olmert’s meeting see how Torah relates to it. In the considered Israel’s “hope for peace”? selling of Yosef, the Torah says that weakness. Terrorism Why is this meeting any more the brothers went down to Egypt legitimate than Neturei Karta’s is rewarded time and and when various calamities meeting, particularly when Olmert’s occurred they said to one another, meeting leads directly to again. “we are at fault because of our endangering the Jewish people while brother, we saw his distress when the Neturei Karta damage is only he pleaded with us and we didn’t news in the papers and TV screens. proclamatory? listen, therefore this tzara has come Today, a year and a half later, Olmert and his ministers are upon us.” with a new reality in the Middle deliberately ignoring all the red The Disengagement was a sellout East, we ought to be honest with lights that are flashing warning of our brothers. The criminal Sharon ourselves and make a spiritual signals. They are allowing those who family did terrible things to accounting about why this tzara seek to perpetuate the Nazi legacy thousands of Jews. Recent statistics came upon us, “he pleaded with us to continue to implement the Final show that the number of illnesses and we didn’t listen.” We all Solution knowing the consequences among Gush Katif expellees has remember the lines people used, in advance. We all saw the results of doubled, not to mention the including those among us, “What do the concessions made to date, and livelihoods and dignity they were we have to do with them?” “So let therefore, continuing along this robbed of, as well as serious them leave, it’s not our business.” same route is a betrayal of our problems with shalom bayis and Rabbanim who were fearful of people. mental health. We saw their distress government reaction stood aloof as Collaborating with those and most people stood quietly off to though the expulsion of their fellow murderers is in the category of a the side and preferred following the Jews and the destruction of Jewish crime against humanity. All those settlements and shuls had nothing

Issue Number 584 - BEIS MOSHIACH 31 to do with them. village…and within a short time a reason, the president of the US left deal will be made, “a prisoner the capitol for a period of time in 21 YEARS AGO, THE REBBE exchange,” in which he will be the hopes that they [the Israelis] SPOKE ABOUT RELEASING released along with hundreds of would use the time to finish the job. PRISONERS terrorists like him, for 3-5 Jews, as Nevertheless, the need to humble The media publicized Chabad they did in the past. All this has themselves before the goy and to rabbi, Rabbi Gedalia Akselrod’s p’sak become a regular occurrence. find favor in his eyes is to the point halacha against releasing prisoners, In the sicha of Parshas Mikeitz that even when everybody realizes even for the return of kidnapped 5744 the Rebbe spoke sadly about that even the goy agrees and is soldier Gilad Shalit. Rabbi Akselrod how not completing what should interested, they are afraid to do it! wrote, “There are rumors that they are have been finished led to the release As a result, it reaches the point about to release 1000 terrorists and of thousands of terrorists: that they have to release thousands murderers in exchange for soldier It was said several times that the of terrorists and enable them to Gilad Shalit, may he be released soon. US was interested in the operation return to their places in an We must go out and clarify d’var being concluded fully. For this organized way and to continue, Hashem zu halacha brought in the Mishna in tractate Gittin 45a, ‘You do not redeem captives for more than their monetary value for the stability of the world. “Therefore we must arouse all poskim to order the religious parties in no uncertain terms to forcefully oppose this insane step which was done already in the past and lead to a great churban. The earlier release of a thousand terrorists in exchange for two captives led to the establishment of the Intifada and the murder of thousands of Jews. “Since the leaders are lost in the land, we must shine a light for them with the d’var Hashem zu halacha, and warn against the great disaster this step can lead to, no less than the expulsion from Gush Katif, and that the terrorists will see it as another victory and more terminal weakness, and we will save them from the sin of do not stand by your brother’s blood.” As always, in the Rebbe’s sichos we find an answer for everything. Exactly 21 years ago on Zos Chanuka 5746, the Rebbe spoke at length about this approach and called these wholesale prisoner releases, “regular occurrences.” No terrorist fears the punishment of sitting in Israeli jail, on the contrary, he will have all his needs provided for: food and shelter, which is not the case in his An IDF robot lighting the menora

32 BEIS MOSHIACH - 8 Teives 5767 Heaven forbid, in all their activities! each of them being “an entire This is not about the arguments Today, a year and a world,” but those who decided to and discussions that took place in half later, with a new release hundreds of terrorists did Eretz Yisroel as to whether the not find out under which conditions thousands of terrorists should have reality in the Middle an exchange is permissible and been released for six Jews – that is when it is forbidden, even from a not what I am talking about now, East, we ought to be security point of view – it’s well- but about that which led to this known that some terrorists that situation – “the beginning was honest with ourselves were exchanged were caught doing through neglect and the end was terrorist acts. forced!” The feeling is that they and make a spiritual * * * need to cave in immediately in the accounting about We just fasted on the tenth of face of any pressure, the absolute Teives regarding which the verse opposite of Jewish pride! The root why this tzara came says, “the king of Bavel besieged of the problem is the feeling of Yerushalayim.” We see how all the inferiority before the goy and the upon us. nations today are besieging need to capitulate to him and find Yerushalayim and how Israel is a top favor in his eyes. because if they catch them they will item of news. As the Rebbe In the sicha of Parshas VaYeishev have to deal with them. They will promised, “the besieging of the king 5748 the Rebbe spoke about this have the problem of “what will the of Bavel” – the word “besiege” topic again and said: goyim say,” and they want to appear having the same root as “help” – to the world as “men of peace.” The security situation in Eretz will end up being the nations Yisroel is deteriorating at an Even when they caught terrorists helping the Jewish people. alarming rate so that there are and put them in jail, after a while What we need to do is places where Jews are in danger of they exchanged hundreds of them strengthen the three “shleimus” of their lives. They kill Jews while for a few Jews. From a halachic the nation, the land, and the Torah those in charge don’t do enough to perspective, this might be possible and may these days immediately be catch the terrorists, apparently for, after all, the captives are Jews, transformed into days of joy.

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Issue Number 584 - BEIS MOSHIACH 33 SHLICHUS THE SHLICHUS THAT BEGAN ON A BOAT ON THE RIVER BY CHANI NUSSBAUM

refinement are about. She and her They asked the Rebbe for a bracha to go out on family have made the Slovakian desert bloom, which means it is now shlichus and the Rebbe took their request to the a place where Jews are proud to be Ohel but it was Chaf-Zayin Adar… It was only Jews. There is a preschool and a flourishing Chabad house and much many weeks later that they received the more. Back then, in the early days Rebbe’s consent and blessing. * When they which were so hard, they didn’t arrived in Slovakia with three little children, think about their living an hour and a half away from Vienna. When they their apartment wasn’t ready and they lived for arrived in Slovakia it seemed to them that everything was far away but weeks in a floating hotel. They felt out of place their devotion to their work helped them overcome the difficulties. and scared because of the terrible history that “We arrived in Bratislava thirteen the Jewish people experienced in Slovakia due years ago, right after Czechoslovakia was divided. The communists were to the Nazis and Communists. * Today no longer officially in charge but the communist spirit still pervaded the Judaism is thriving, thanks to Mrs. Chanie atmosphere. Things still ran as they did under the communists. For Myers and her husband, who are shluchim in example, there were many things unavailable in the stores, the banks Bratislava, Slovakia. did not even print personal checks, and those who spoke disparagingly I met Chanie for the first time on now.” about the government immediately the Shabbos after 3 Tamuz 5754, Chanie told us, “You know what I lost their jobs. This was despite the twelve and a half years ago. All told her? I said, I understand you but fact that it was a democracy at that shluchos had gathered for Shabbos think, would the Rebbe want us to point. (husbands had gone to New York). stop everything now? I will respect “At first, when I gave shiurim to As though it was today I remember whatever you decide.” women, there were no reactions. that she told me that one of the Their faces remained impassive even counselors who was supposed to Chanie’s words made a deep though they were hearing new ideas. work in their day camp had called impression on me and taught me One time, when I couldn’t take it and said, “I don’t think I can come what mesirus nefesh for shlichus and

34 BEIS MOSHIACH - 8 Teives 5767 anymore, I said, ‘I’m an American and I’m used to affirmatively. We didn’t realize at the time what a z’chus reactions when I speak…’ this was, because we weren’t apprised about what was “They said, ‘You have to understand us. For so many going on. A short time later we realized that we had years we kept our thoughts and feelings to ourselves. If received a bracha to be able to handle all the obstacles only we could change that in an instant.’” that arose in this amazing shlichus. Today I know that only because of that bracha did we manage to prevail and Before hearing about the difficult beginning as continue to prevail. opposed to the enormous difference in their shlichus today, I asked Chanie how she and her husband had “At first it was very hard. I remember that I cried a come to Bratislava. lot. We arrived with three small children with the oldest three years old and the youngest a few months old. “After we were married my husband learned in Kollel Before we arrived we were told that our apartment would in England. We really wanted to go out on shlichus and be ready but when we arrived we saw it wasn’t ready at when we wrote to the Rebbe about an offer of shlichus in all. In the meantime they put us in a hotel on a boat! Slovakia, the Rebbe took the note with him to the Ohel. That was Chaf-Zayin Adar. We called Rabbi Groner and “Yes, we spent weeks on a boat and I was very fearful asked him what to do. that I would wake up one morning and find ourselves in Hungary, because that river reaches Hungary. I lost six “We were told to wait and as disciplined children, we kilos (over 13 pounds)! My baby became sick and had waited, because when father is high temperature. When I went to the local hospital the sick you can’t ask questions. doctors told me that she had a fever because of her More time passed and when it diaper! They had never seen anything like it. That’s what became possible, the secretary Slovakia was like then. read the note to the Rebbe. We had asked two questions, “My husband went to see whether the apartment was whether to look into shlichus ready. When he came back I asked him, ‘Nu?’ here and whether it paid to “He said it still wasn’t ready. I asked him, ‘What does make a trip. it look like now?’ He said it had no tiles or painted walls “The Rebbe answered yes yet! and nodded his head “In tears I said, ‘That’s it, I want to go home.’

Rabbi Myers

Issue Number 584 - BEIS MOSHIACH 35 “I’ll never forget my husband’s to illustrate the awakening here is “It began with our first project. answer. He said, ‘Which home do that most of the children born now We opened a day camp during you want to go back to? Do you have are given Jewish names. summer vacation. I remember it as another home aside from the place Circumcisions and bar mitzvas are though it was today. We started with that the Rebbe sent us to?’ more and more common. I won’t only four children. I didn’t know the “That was enough for me. That’s forget the first chuppa my husband Slovakian language yet, so I wrote when I decided that I was accepting made here nine years ago. They had everything in English and had a local this shlichus with love and simcha to take the canopy for the chuppa girl translate it all. Because of the and I stuck to this decision. I began from the museum which showed camp, one of the participants began looking at the place and the shlichus how deeply asleep the Jews here to come regularly on Shabbos to shul in a positive light and baruch were. and today she lives in London and Hashem, it helped.” “When we made a bar mitzva her son learns in a yeshiva in Eretz Yisroel. How did your change in here, the boy said a speech in the perspective impact on your life and course of which he announced that “Another girl from camp helps me the nature of your shlichus? he was committing to putting on now in running the preschool, and t’fillin every day, and baruch she davens with the children in “People here are warm and they Hashem, he stuck to it. If that wasn’t Hebrew. That day camp that started want to help one another. When I enough, he also wanted a bris, so for with four children has fifty children, invite guests for Shabbos they always the first time in many years in which is amazing for Bratislava. offer to help as they would in their Slovakia, there was a bar mitzva and “Aside from that, we also have a own homes. I got used to the Czech bris on one day. And if that wasn’t mentality and I have local friends thriving preschool with a Sunday enough, the boy convinced two School. I run the preschool with the and we see the results of our work. friends who also began putting on Despite the painful fact that there is help of girls from New York and I t’fillin every day and they are also will take this opportunity to thank a 95% intermarriage rate here, we strengthening their religious began to see a Jewish awakening.” them because without their help the observance.” school wouldn’t flourish. This * * * How did the Jewish revolution in preschool is the foundation for the According to Chanie, the Slovakia begin? Jewish education of the next awakening began thanks to the preschool that she and her husband started. The children are mekarev BRATISLAVA their parents. Known also as Pressburg, Bratislava has a special place in Jewish “When I see children today history. Jews have been connected to this city for more than 800 years. wearing a yarmulke and tzitzis, there Since the 1700s it has been an important center for organized Jewish is no greater nachas for the Rebbe. life. Hebrew and Yiddish book printing thrived – always a mark of a You have to remember that people community’s importance. In the 100 years between 1830 and 1930, here suffered from the terrors of both about 340 Jewish books appeared, as well as Hebrew and Yiddish communism and the Holocaust. For newspapers and magazines. many years Jews tried to hide their In 1940, nearly 15,000 Jews lived in Bratislava, about 12 percent of identity or sadly, they didn’t even the general population. Davening was held in three shuls and in 14 know they were Jewish because of Chassidic shtiblach. Of the 90,000 Jews in pre-War Slovakia, only the terrible fear. 15,000 survived. By 1969, the population had declined to 1,500. Today, “Today, Slovakian Jews are proud 720 Jews are registered in the Jewish community. of their Judaism. There’s a woman A 1998 article in the Jewish News Weekly reported that Rabbi Myers here whose husband is not Jewish was physically assaulted twice on the street by teenage skinheads. and she wants a mezuza on her door Despite such events, said the article, “The Chabad rabbi remains and a kosher kitchen. More and determined to walk freely through the Slovakian capital of Bratislava as more Jews come to the Chabad an identifiable Jew – with a full beard, fedora hat and visible tzitzit.” house’s programs, to shiurim, etc. We are careful about accepting only “The more I do that, the safer I feel,” Myers said during a recent visit “halachic Jews.” to the United States. “I try to make my presence known – I try to make people understand that they have to get used to me.” “The most outstanding example

36 BEIS MOSHIACH - 15 Teives 5767 generation.” proper nutrition or topics like that she had in mind because music was * * * but in far loftier matters. It was hard cultural. She wanted to present the to believe that these women were Jewish religion and she thought we Chanie surprises me when she sitting in a place that had fit the bill. says, “We have a N’shei Chabad experienced the Holocaust and organization here.” When I expressed “I figured that if this non-Jewish communism which had stamped out woman understood that there was a my incredulity, she said, “Yes, here in anything associated with religion.” Slovakia, not in Yerushalayim or New big difference between culture and York. We have at least three yearly The following story will illustrate religion, I could not turn her down. I gatherings which are attended by that Am Yisroel Chai and how the said I would try to prepare a nice nearly one hundred women from all Rebbe guides us every step of the presentation with the children of our over the country. There are women way: preschool in which they would who travel an entire night by train in “At the beginning of the summer appear in costume. They would sing order to attend! a senior official from the Jewish songs in Hebrew that they learned in school. “At one of the Lag B’Omer gatherings I suggested that we get “The day of the presentation together once a month. I thought “At first, when I gave arrived. It was held in the main plaza they would say no but they loved the of the city. Each child was given a idea. Even those who have to travel shiurim to women, shirt on which it said, ‘Organization all night by train to come began of Slovakian Jewry.’ I prayed that we offering ideas for programs. there were no didn’t make a chilul Hashem because all those who performed before us “I asked them, ‘What name reactions. Their faces had performed professional music should we pick for our organization?’ and these were just little children Their spontaneous response was: remained impassive who were going to represent What do you mean? We want to be Judaism. called N’shei Chabad! even though they “I believed that miracles would “I was so touched I burst into were hearing new take place and the sweet children tears. You have to remember that wouldn’t disappoint anyone. I was these women don’t yet keep Shabbos ideas. One time, nervous enough and it didn’t help and tznius, yet they want to be called when I couldn’t take when a mother of one of the children N’shei Chabad. whispered to me, ‘Chanie, I hope “When I asked them what they it anymore, I said, we’re not embarrassed.’ are interested in, in order to choose a “It was our turn. The group theme for upcoming events, one of ‘I’m an American and before us was about to finish and we them said that she wants to know were told to get ready to stand in what is most important to daven I’m used to reactions front of the stage and get the when you don’t have time to daven when I speak…’ children ready. My heart beat fast the entire thing. Another woman when there were only two minutes wanted to know whether she could left before our turn to perform. get a translation of the davening into Slovakian, pocket-sized, so she could municipality called me with a “Then, while we were on stage, I take it to work every day. Another request. They were making a festival noticed two Jews wearing yarmulkes. woman was interested in kashrus. for minorities in a few weeks and It seemed unreal. Religious Jews She said she wanted to start since she had heard that my husband touring now?! This was Friday immersing her utensils and she was the rabbi here, she wondered afternoon. I quickly went over to wanted to know how to do it – what whether I could send representatives them and introduced myself as the needs to be immersed and what not, to the festival to represent the Jewish wife of the local rabbi and I invited and what blessing do you say. people. them for Shabbos. They thanked me Another woman wanted to learn how “I was very tired when she called but said that they planned on to sing songs from the Siddur. and so I tried to get out of it. I returning to Vienna before Shabbos. I suggested that she have Jewish got up my courage and told them “I was moved by the fact that about the performance and asked they weren’t interested in make-up or musicians come, or something like that, but she said that wasn’t what them whether they could join us

Issue Number 584 - BEIS MOSHIACH 37 because it would be a big help. It Judaism. Today, we see more and summer but year-round. The Chasam would give more confidence to the more Jewish pride and openness to Sofer is buried in Pressburg and on children and would make a big absorb new information. Even if they his yahrtzait, which is two days after kiddush Hashem. aren’t religious just like us, it’s Simchas Torah, many Jews visit his “They were happy to oblige and important to them to have things like gravesite as they do year round.” within a few minutes they had a mezuza and Shabbos candles, and How do the tourists manage with rounded up the entire group that was interest in kashrus is growing. kashrus. Is there a kosher restaurant touring with them. I looked around “It began with a few courageous in the city and in general, how do me on the stage and saw fifty Jews, people who started keeping certain you manage with kashrus? all types: religious, chareidim, not- mitzvos, like t’fillin, and they drew “The kosher restaurant in town is yet-religious. They seemed to have many others to follow them. The my house. There was a kosher fallen from heaven and I looked at awakening to Judaism here is like an restaurant here for a short time but them thinking I was dreaming. avalanche with no logical the owner thought that if he sold “Before I could digest it all, they explanation, just the ko’ach of the treif he would earn more. What had gotten a piano from an earlier meshaleiach. happened was, once he sold treif he performer to play on and all I had to “The anti-Semitism that we sustained great losses until he had to do was ask them to play songs the experienced and suffered from in our close. Jewish tourists who want to children knew. They turned to the eat kosher food have to come to me. children and asked, ‘Are you ready?’ We import everything from nearby and the children proudly and “I was so touched I Vienna and when my husband goes excitedly shouted, ‘Yes!’ The children burst into tears. You to New York he brings back what he felt so very important! can. You learn to live like this. “The performance began and I have to remember “My children got used to having stood near the stage to direct the guests every Shabbos. If it happens, children when necessary. At one that these women rarely, that there are no guests, point, someone motioned to me to don’t yet keep they’re disappointed as though turn around and look at the children. (smiling) I sit here relaxing with one I turned and saw them smiling and Shabbos and tznius, child…” to the rhythm of the music they were What about chinuch for your holding hands and dancing, and not yet they want to be children? only them but a third of the people in the plaza were dancing. called N’shei “I have ten children and before we opened the preschool, we sent “The mother who expressed her Chabad.” the children, when they turned three, nervousness to me earlier came over to Vienna every day. Everybody in to me and burst into tears and said, first years here has begun to Vienna knew about the three-year- ‘Chanie, G-d always performs diminish. Judaism is something far old girls who crossed the border miracles for you. From now on I will more open now. My husband appears every day, leaving with their begin to believe more…’ on radio and television occasionally passports and returning at six in the “It was truly miraculous and an and informs the Jewish audience evening, traveling an hour and a half experience I won’t soon forget. At the about mitzvos. Judaism is no longer each way. It wasn’t easy. end of the performance everyone was something underground and secret. “Today, baruch Hashem, we have photographed and the group of People see what Judaism is and what the Lauder preschool which has Jewish tourists disappeared as they an authentic Jew is.” twelve children so our children go to had come, like in stories of Eliyahu The famous city of Pressburg, the Vienna starting from age 6. HaNavi.” city of the Chasam Sofer, is “Sending my daughter off to * * * synonymous with Bratislava, and I seminary in Toronto, Canada was “In recent years, the Jewish asked Chanie whether Pressburg has difficult. I cried for two nights. I pray mentality has changed. When we tourists in addition to the locals. and ask Hashem that in the z’chus of came here we saw that Jews were Chanie answered: shlichus we will experience much fearful to display their Judaism “Many Jewish tourists come to siyata d’Shmaya and nachas with our and/or lacked any knowledge of their Pressburg and not only in the children’s Chassidishe chinuch.”

38 BEIS MOSHIACH - 15 Teives 5767 CHASSID THE LEGENDARY RAV BY SHMUEL ALEXANDER

were many other askanim who Many legends are associated with the unique worked hard to aid the refugees, person, Rav Meir Ashkenazi a”h, who was the among them well-known rabbanim and Admurim, but all of them were rav of Shanghai for 25 years. * Shortly before adjuncts to the general director, Rabbi Meir Ashkenazi, who was Yud Shvat 5710, he came to 770 and after the utterly devoted to the holy work. passing of the Rebbe Rayatz he was one of When the need arose to organize a gathering for t’filla to include all those active in working on the kabbalas sectors of the community and all the k’hillos, the Amshinover Rebbe, ha’nesius by the Rebbe MH”M. * Part 2 himself one of the Shanghai refugees, suggested that R’ Ashkenazi organize CARING FOR THE communal work that R’ Meir it. This way, everybody, without exception, would participate. And REFUGEES Ashkenazi did. He was head of Vaad Hatzalah for the war refugees. With that’s what happened. All the stories mentioned earlier the help of his connections with all Every group of refugees that are an inseparable addition to the the communities, he was able to get arrived in Shanghai went to the rav. them all involved, including the He took care of all their needs until wealthy, who trusted him each one found his place, and they completely. There too got involved in helping the new

Issue Number 584 - BEIS MOSHIACH 39 refugees who followed them. Chassidishe shochet, both to the headquarters of a country that R’ Meir did not only provide Lubavitchers. was considered an enemy of China material needs. As someone who had It was obvious that R’ Meir was and just entering the place was attended Tomchei T’mimim, he was the man who would take care of all dangerous. We were beside ourselves very much aware that the body is of them and indeed, even before they and we turned to Rabbi Ashkenazi only a vessel for the light of the came, he arranged a building for for advice. neshama. The neshama also needs to them, the Beis Aharon shul, which he Rather than give advice, the rav be fed, soul food. R’ Meir took care got from the Sephardic community. himself went to the place in order to of people’s spiritual as well as That is where the new yeshiva would get the exit visas. He wore tachrichim material needs. be. The sound of Torah could be (burial shrouds) under his clothes Among the thousands of refugees heard in Shanghai the very day the and warned his family that if he did were modern Jews from Germany refugees arrived there. not return by evening, he would not who were reminded of their Jewish Even after the yeshiva was return and they should see to it that heritage only because the Nazis rose established and the talmidim were he had a Jewish burial. to power. They were ignorant of all set up in their new living quarters, R’ In order to appreciate what R’ things Jewish and R’ Meir taught Meir did not leave his post, but Meir did to save the Torah world, them Torah and how to fulfill along with his wife, they took care of and the ramifications of this till our mitzvos. He himself gave them the talmidim as though they were day, we would have to describe that shiurim and worried about their their own children. Rebbetzin terrible period. The elderly have the children’s chinuch with things like Ashkenazi was called the “mother of memories, but the younger Shabbos observance and family all the refugees.” Any bachur who generation is not familiar with it, but purity. He was mekarev thousands of didn’t feel well was put up in her this is not the place to go on about Jews to their Father in heaven. home. this at length. TOMCHEI T’MIMIM When a small possibility for We will suffice with what one of IN CHINA emigration to the US opened up, R’ the Litvishe roshei yeshivos said to Meir immediately got to work with Rabbi Ashkenazi’s grandson, “Your There are many chapters told his connections and with money to grandfather literally saved the olam about the refugees in Shanghai, and help the refugees move on. The ha’Torah.” one of the main ones concerns the extent of his genuine mesirus nefesh As someone who had attended yeshivos. Three groups came to is illustrated in the following story: Tomchei T’mimim, R’ Meir knew that Shanghai with the largest group Over a decade after the end of the the reestablishment of the Mirrer being Litvish, the second being war, when R’ Ashkenazi was no yeshiva, a Litvishe yeshiva, would Polish Chassidim, and the third longer alive, one of his grandsons not suffice. He immediately being the T’mimim. went to learn in the yeshiva in S. established a branch of Tomchei The first group arrived in 1941 Paulo, Brazil. He met someone who T’mimim and since they had no and it included hundreds of Mirrer asked him his name and then begged maggid shiur for Nigleh, he took that yeshiva bachurim with their rosh him to come and be his guest. At arduous role, despite his heavy yeshiva, Rabbi Chaim Shmuelevitz first the boy refused but the man involvement in communal work. and their mashgiach ruchni, Rabbi insisted and the man also began It wasn’t easy for R’ Meir to Yechezkel Levenstein. About 35 pestering the boy’s host. The talmid support Yeshivas Tomchei T’mimim. T’mimim came with this group. went to him for a meal. The Vaad Hatzalah that raised money R’ Meir knew about the arrival of During the meal the host treated in the US for the talmidim of the the T’mimim ahead of time from a him with the utmost respect, in a yeshivos in Shanghai was run by a letter that the Rebbe Rayatz had most unusual fashion. The grandson Litvishe rosh yeshiva who strongly written to him. He and his family was taken aback by all the honor he opposed Lubavitch. In the telegrams waited to greet these distinguished received and he couldn’t refrain from that he sent about the wiring of talmidim. The arrival of the T’mimim asking why he was being treated that money to Shanghai he would note: gave an entirely different flavor to way. except for Lubavitch. the city of Shanghai, for until then The man said: We were Litvishe Yet Rabbi Ashkenazi was seen as there were only two people with bachurim who were refugees in the right man to be treasurer of these beards, R’ Meir Ashkenazi the rav Shanghai. One day we managed to funds, despite his being a and R’ Chaim Plotkin the obtain visas. However, they were sent Lubavitcher Chassid. This shows

40 BEIS MOSHIACH - 15 Teives 5767 Rav Meir Ashkenazi sitting to the right of the Rebbe at a farbrengen on 24 Teives 5712 Left: Rav Ashkenazi making a siyum as per the Rebbe’s request

America. word, measured every step, how much avodas Hashem there was in TORAH AND DERECH ERETZ every weekday Shmoneh Esrei of his! It should be noted that despite R’ Whoever saw him daven felt the Meir’s preoccupation with communal k’dusha and was uplifted. A holy Jew work, he did not neglect his learning lives in Shanghai and his name is or his avodas ha’t’filla. When he Rabbi Meir Ashkenazi. learned it was like the learning of a how greatly trusted he was by all. talmid in Tomchei T’mimim who has HIS LAST YEARS nothing in his world but Torah and For over 25 years, Rabbi Even after the money sent to t’filla. Ashkenazi served as rav in Shanghai Shanghai was distributed, the until all the refugees moved on to T’mimim had nothing. While their Rabbi Simcha Elberg, a Shanghai free countries whether to Eretz fellow talmidim wore new clothes, refugee, who was later close with the Yisroel or the US. The old-time they didn’t even have clothes for Rebbe, described it thus in his book residents of Shanghai joined them Shabbos. Nevertheless, neither R’ Einei HaEida: and so the era of the Shanghai Meir nor the T’mimim would forego Rabbi Ashkenazi was in Shanghai community came to an end. R’ Meir the privilege of learning specifically for 23 years and throughout those had his sights set on New York. He within the four cubits of Tomchei years he was immersed in Torah, in wanted to meet the Rebbe and have T’mimim. R’ Meir took on the holiness and purity. Holy were his just a bit of nachas after all the years burden of the yeshiva along with his days and holy were his nights. He of travail he had endured. wife and when the talmidim were of gathered all the holy sparks of the marriageable age they married them place and absorbed them. He In 1949 R’ Meir arrived in New off. worked, before anything else, on York. His final days in New York were like Yaakov’s last days in Egypt. The yeshiva continued fixing himself. He always sought the He was able to bask in the light of functioning until the Rebbe Rayatz road to spiritual perfection, how to the Rebbe Rayatz and the Rebbe, was able to obtain money and be refined and sanctified. He became who extended to him great affection. affidavits and the T’mimim left for an oved Hashem. He weighed every

Issue Number 583 - BEIS MOSHIACH 41 Few are the Chassidim who merited your health: 1) don’t eat dairy they asked him to go home. such an unusual relationship as R’ products (butter, cheese, etc.) except R’ Ashkenazi refused and said Ashkenazi, yet he actualized the goal for actual milk, 2) don’t listen to that without the Rebbe’s approval he of Tomchei T’mimim to be an music, 3) don’t go to the gravesites wasn’t moving. His son-in-law went “illuminating candle” to preserve the of tzaddikim, and if you don’t listen, to the Rebbe and the Rebbe said it Jewish spark, and he did so with your situation will be worse. seemed the doctors wanted his bed, mesirus nefesh. After Yud Shvat 5710, R’ Meir which is why they were releasing In the notes of R’ Avrohom didn’t know what to do and he went him. He went back and said this to Weingarten he mentions that when R’ to the Rebbe and said he had the doctors who conceded that this Ashkenazi came to 770, the mashpia questions to ask. The Rebbe told him was true. R’ Shmuel Levitin had a yechidus to go to the Ohel. R’ Ashkenazi said R’ Meir received much respect with the Rebbe Rayatz and heard him that’s just what he wanted to ask and from the Rebbe. The Rebbe even say “lofty words about R’ Ashkenazi.” he told the story about the Belzer took an interest in his personal life. At that time, Rabbi JJ Hecht ran a Rebbe. When R’ Meir didn’t feel well, the large children’s rally and when he The Rebbe said: He told you that Rebbe suggested he take a vacation. asked the Rebbe who to invite to you aren’t his Chassid, so why didn’t When R’ Meir asked the Rebbe what address the children, the Rebbe told you ask him for the source of what to do there, the Rebbe opened a him to invite R’ Meir Ashkenazi. R’ he recommended? Since you drawer in his desk and took out the Hecht was surprised since R’ Meir accepted what he said, you should Rebbe Rayatz’s recounting of the did not know English and the do it. story of Shimon the Heretic and said: children wouldn’t understand him, R’ Meir said: If so, I need a Rebbe Take this and you’ll have something but the Rebbe said: It’s important to answer my questions. The Rebbe to read. That is how we have this that the children see a lichtike tzura put on his sirtuk and gartel and reshima. (a luminous countenance). accepted R’ Ashkenazi for yechidus. When R’ Meir sat Shiva for his LEADING THE CALL TO Not surprisingly, it was R’ Meir father in 5712 the Rebbe came to CROWN THE REBBE who read the general letter of console him and said: Just as all Hiskashrus of the Chassidim to the mitzvos need to be done with The Rebbe Rayatz passed away Rebbe on Yud Shvat 5711. He was simcha, this mitzva too. shortly after R’ Meir moved to New definitely a model of utter bittul to The Rebbe relied on him in a York. R’ Ashkenazi was the pioneer the new nasi, who worked with all unique fashion and placed him at the who led the movement to convince his strength to help firmly establish helm of mosdos. It is told that the the Rebbe to accept the nesius. He the Rebbe’s nesius and lay the Rebbe appointed him to supervise, was the head of the rabbanim who foundation for the expansion of his along with two other older were in 770 at that time and he institutions. Chassidim, one of the yeshivos in poured his energy into having the Eretz Yisroel. One time, the menahel Rebbe accept the nesius. An Later on, a certain wealthy man had a yechidus and he reported interesting story took place which told his grandson, Rabbi Mordechai about their many expenses. led to the Rebbe receiving him for Shmuel Ashkenazi, that in 5711 his yechidus already in Adar 5710: grandfather had taken him for The Rebbe stopped him and said yechidus to the Rebbe. When he left that R’ Ashkenazi reported While still in Shanghai the holy he was amazed by R’ Meir’s otherwise… The menahel said that R’ R’ Aharon of Belz zt”l visited his tremendous bittul, for R’ Meir was an Meir lied. The Rebbe said: When father, R’ Shneur Zalman who told old man with a white beard and the someone says that a rav lied, he the Admur about his son. The Belzer Rebbe was a young man. deserves that all his teeth should fall Rebbe asked that he [R’ Meir] visit out. When that man returned to him when he arrived in Eretz Yisroel. R’ Meir was mekushar to the Eretz Yisroel, not one tooth remained R’ Meir arrived in Eretz Yisroel in Rebbe heart and soul and didn’t in his mouth. 1947 and visited the Belzer Rebbe. make a move without the Rebbe’s approval and guidance. R’ Meir The Rebbe relied on R’ Meir’s At that time, R’ Ashkenazi looked became seriously ill and was p’sak halacha too, and asked him terrible. When the Belzer Rebbe saw hospitalized and the doctors checked questions in halacha. When the him, he said: You are not my Chassid him and said there was nothing they bachurim asked the Rebbe who and you don’t ask questions [of me], could do. There was no reason for should test them for smicha, the but I will suggest three things for him to remain in the hospital and Rebbe referred them to R’ Ashkenazi

42 BEIS MOSHIACH - 8 Teives 5767 respects to the deceased, the Rebbe said that as far as he knew R’ Meir, he would prefer to forego the commotion. The Rebbe went to console the family and spoke to them at length and davened Mincha there. At the next farbrengen, the Rebbe spoke about R’ Meir and said that up Above, the Rebbe Rayatz had done everything to bring him [R’ Meir] to him [the Rebbe Rayatz]. Something interesting took place shortly after he passed away. At the home of a woman in Queens, a grandson found an old and worn out book that he had gotten in Vladivostok from a man named Epstein, a descendent of R’ Isaac of Homil. The book was full of writing and stories of early Chassidim and the grandson took it to 770 to the Rebbe’s library. When R’ Yisroel Jacobson saw it, he immediately identified the book and said: Rabbi Ashkenazi once showed me an excerpt from it (and R’ Yisroel pointed it out) which says in the name of one of the Chassidim of the Tzemach Tzedek: We have a tradition that the last Rebbe before the coming of Moshiach Tzidkeinu The accounting book of Yeshivas Tomchei T’mimim in which Rav Meir Ashkenazi will be named Menachem Mendel. is listed as the menahel of the yeshiva * * *

who is a “genuine baal horaa.” involved in the funeral arrangements The material in this article about and said it should be done as early as R’ Meir Ashkenazi is only a sampling R’ Ashkenazi did not live much of information and stories, mesirus longer. The trials and tribulations he possible. When the family wanted to delay the funeral in order to enable nefesh and unlimited Ahavas Yisroel, endured weakened him, his with true hiskashrus to the Rebbeim. appearance became that of a very old the Litvishe g’dolei ha’rabbanim and the thousands of people who had (From a t’shura given at a wedding of his great- man, and he passed away in 1954 at grandson, Meir Wilschansky) the age of 63. The Rebbe was lived in Shanghai to pay their

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Issue Number 583 - BEIS MOSHIACH 43