ON THE FRONT LINES THE FOUNDING OF

Reb Mendel A Heavenly Futerfas $4.99 A LEGEND IN HIS LIFETIME PURIM 5713 ADAR 5777 ISSUE 54 (131) DerherContents ADAR 5777 ISSUE 54 (131) No Way to Hide 04 DVAR MALCHUS Heavenly Affairs 06 YOMAN - PURIM 5713 Follow the Seder 14 KSAV YAD KODESH Our Part 15 27 ADAR Reb Mendel Futerfas 16 A LEGEND IN HIS LIFETIME Days of Meaning 28 ADAR The Atom Bomb THE WORLD REVISITED Cover Photo Credits: 30 Lag B'omer 5743, JEM 235096 28 Kislev 5743, Yossi Melamed via JEM 130334 It’s Not About Me - Bitul 34 DARKEI HACHASSIDUS

DerherEditorial

“Every country has an army tasked primarily with protecting A major theme often addressed by the to the soldiers its citizens and the homeland. But from time to time the of Tzivos Hashem was the fact that even a “small” child soldiers are given a ‘special mission’ to fortify the land can affect and change the entire world for good. (See sichas and strengthen its standing, according to the needs of a Purim Katan 5741, et. al.) The one who actually carries out particular point in time. the work is of little significance; what matters most is that he comes with the infinite power of the Creator, manifest in “Hashem’s army as well is tasked with a general mission: Torah and mitzvos. studying Torah and meticulously observing mitzvos. But certain times call for focus on additional ‘special missions.’ Recent discoveries demonstrate that one need not be a nuclear scientist to affect change in the entire world, the “The ‘special mission’ of our time is, like you [the children] Rebbe explains. Merely pressing the right button can quite have just proclaimed: ‘We want Moshiach now!’ This is the literally transform the whole world. The stature of the person primary focus of our generation, especially in recent years, pressing the button is of little consequence. and more specifically this year: to bring Moshiach now, teikef umiyad!” (Sicha to Tzivos Hashem, first light of Chanukah This is just one of the many lessons the Rebbe teaches us 5741). from the development of atomic weaponry—read more about it in this month’s “World Revisited” column. This is how the Rebbe laid out the goal when founding Tzivos Hashem. And in ensuing years, the mission grew all In this issue you’ll also read the story of the Rebbe founding the more urgent. Tzivos Hashem 36 years ago, and much more. ב"ה

On the Front Lines 38 THE FOUNDING OF TZIVOS HASHEM Moshiach Will Come 54 Only When... MOSHIACH U’GEULAH

Who will be the Tenth? 56 A CHASSIDISHER MAISE A Snowy Feel 58 A STORY 16 Megillah Reading 60 MOMENTS 63 Derher Letters 38

A Chassidisher Derher Magazine is a publication geared toward Bochurim, published and copyrighted by Vaad Talmidei Hatmimim Haolomi. All articles in this publication are original content by the staff of A Chassidisher Derher. Wishing all our readers a freilichen Purim; may Vaad Talmidei Advisory Committee Special Thanks to we merit the fulfillment of the possuk in the Hatmimim Rabbi Mendel Alperowitz Rabbi Chaim Shaul Brook Rabbi Tzvi Altein Rabbi Dovid Olidort Rabbi Mendel Gourarie —ליהודים היתה אורה ושמחה וששון ויקר Megillah Director for the Jews there was light and joy, gladness Design Rabbi Shmuel Lubecki Rabbi Yossi Kamman and prestige. Rabbi Mendy Weg Rabbi Michoel Seligson Editor in Chief Photo Credits Rabbi Elkanah Shmotkin Rabbi Mendel Jacobs As Purim falls out on a Sunday this year, the Jewish Educational Media Printed by Editors Vaad Hanochos Blahak The Print House Rebbe points out that we will quote this possuk Rabbi Eliezer Zalmanov Rabbi Pinny Lew in havdalah on Purim night, with the additional Rabbi Moshe Zaklikovsky !so let it be with us—כן תהי' לנו line of Reproduction of any portion of this Magazine is not permissible without express permission from the copyright holders, unless for the use of brief quotations in reviews and similar venues. The Editors Submit your questions and comments: Call: (970) 680 3370 | Email: [email protected] עש"ק פ' יתרו, יום ההילולא כ"ב שבט, ה'תשע"ז To subscribe, order a copy, or access back issues visit us at www.Derher.org נא לשמור על קדושת הגליון.

A Chassidisher Derher is honored to feature unique and historic photos from Jewish Educational Media’s Living Archive photo collection. The Living Archive is a project to preserve, and provide access to the video, audio, and photographic recordings of the Rebbe. These photos are copyright by JEM and are available at TheLivingArchive.org NO WAY TO HIDE Dramatic story during the Frierdiker Rebbe’s imprisonment even misnagdim listen!” and without teaches a lesson in anti-semitism giving them a chance to retort, he went on to tell the following tale: “My great-grandfather, the One Purim the Frierdiker Rebbe the first time that I enter a room and Tzemach Tzedek, was once asked a related that when reading the Megillah people don’t stand up for me!” question by a maskil-apikores—an he is reminded of the following story: Shocked by the ‘brazen outburst,’ ‘enlightened atheist.’ When he was arrested and taken to the interrogators shouted, “Have you “…The maskil asked the Tzemach the Shpalerka prison in the summer any idea where you are?” Tzedek, ‘Why is it that when the he made a point to The Frierdiker Rebbe replied “I Megillah tells of Mordechai’s ,(תרפ"ז) of 5687 demonstrate vigor and stamina, no certainly know where I am; I find message to Hasach to notify Esther matter the price. myself in a place that is exempt from of Haman’s nefarious decree, the Jews) is spelled with) ”ביהודיים“ The Frierdiker Rebbe was brought having a mezuzah. Much like a horse’s word to the interrogation room, where four stable which is also exempt from the two yuds, whereas in a later possuk interrogators were waiting for him: obligation of mezuzah!” of the Megillah, describing the Jews’ And—ליהודים היתה אורה“ ,Two of them were not Jewish, and the Then the interrogators asked the deliverance others were Nachmanson and Lulev, Frierdiker Rebbe for his name and for the Jews there was light,” the word ’?is spelled with one yud יהודים the same two Jews that had initially other basic information, but before come to arrest him. Although only two allowing them to continue with the “The Tzemach Tzedek replied: ‘The of the interrogators were Jewish, the list of questions, the Frierdiker Rebbe two yuds correspond to the yetzer tov Frierdiker Rebbe intentionally spoke interrupted them and said, “I would and the yetzer hara, both of whom only in Yiddish. like to tell you a story…” contain “eser ”—the ten As he entered the room, without The infuriated interrogators qualities of the soul. Haman’s decree even giving the interrogators a screamed, “Just answer the questions was not directed specifically against chance to speak, the Frierdiker Rebbe we ask you, no more!” The Frierdiker those Jews who feared Hashem and declared in wonderment, “This is Rebbe replied, “When I tell a story followed their yetzer tov; he sought

ADAR 5777 4 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER לזכות הרה"ת ר' שלום מרדכי הלוי בן רבקה שיחי' רובאשקין שיזכה לגאולה שלימה ולטוב הנראה והנגלה בקרוב ממש נדפס ע"י הרה"ת ר' ארי' יצחק הכהן בן חי' גולדא וזוגתו מרת ראשא רוזא בת שטערנא שרה ומשפחתם שיחיו PHOTO: JEM/THE LIVING ARCHIVE / 104489 PHOTO:

also to destroy those who followed This tale serves as a refutation Jews were singled out for persecution. their yetzer hara.’ for those Jews who believe that by To the contrary, the fact that the Jew “The maskil then asked: ‘Why is it concealing their Jewish identity and attempts to hide his identity is all the that in a later possuk, “And the Jews in behaving like gentiles they will spare more cause for Esav to hate him. Shushan gathered,” we once again find themselves of anti-semitism and Why indeed do the nations have a spelling of two yuds?’ all that goes along with it. After all, baseless hatred for the Jewish people? “The Tzemach Tzedek replied: these Jews act and look just like their It is because the Jewish people are ‘This is because the Jews in Shushan, non-Jewish neighbors so why would essentially apart from the other being in the center of all the events, anyone be inclined to discriminate? nations. Hashem has made it known perceived and were profoundly The word “baYehudim” is therefore to the world that he has chosen b’nei influenced by both the danger and spelled with two yuds to teach us that Yisrael to be His people, and no one the miracle of Purim, so much so that Haman’s decree to eradicate the Jews could ever deny it. even non-observant Jews returned did not differentiate between those The nations know that the Jews are to Hashem.’ The Tzemach Tzedek Jews who practiced their Judaism different, and they therefore despise concluded: ‘The same is true of you; openly and those Jews who tried the Jews. Even when one thinks that when you will suffer greatly, then you, to assimilate and blend in with the he has left the fold of Judaism for too, will change greatly.’ non-Jewish crowd. Both the Jews who generations, it is as Torah tells us, “So it was; shortly thereafter the followed their yetzer tov (the first yud) “Even though he has sinned, he is a maskil fell ill for three months, after as well as the Jews who followed their Je w.” which he was completely transformed yetzer hara (the second yud) were This is the lesson to be learned to a new man, and he became a yarei persecuted equally. from Purim: Never should a Jew be Shamayim.” This is because “Esav hates Yaakov.” ashamed of his Judaism and attempt to The Frierdiker Rebbe concluded Even when the Jew attempts to conceal conceal it, for it’ll always be noticeable his story by telling his interrogators, his Jewish identity, and is convinced even before seeing his passport or “The same will happen with you, for that he succeeded in deceiving his even his face… So just let it shine. Let when you will experience suffering, gentile neighbors, his actions don’t go the nekudas hayahadus, the innermost you will then be transformed and you unnoticed by the “Eisavs” of the world. point of the neshama be ablaze and will witness the great revealed miracles As we’ve seen in the most recent active, having effect on all our actions that will take place!” events [of the Holocaust], even the throughout the year. offspring of generations of assimilated (Based on sichas Purim 5720)

ADAR 5777 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER 5 לזכות הרה"ת ר' שאול אליעזר וזוגתו מרת ציפה שרה מנוחה לעבן מיט'ן רבי'ן ומשפחתם מנחם מענדל, שושנה מרים, ישראל, שמואל, ושניאור זלמן שיחיו וורטהיימר PURIM 5713, JEM 286621 PURIM 5713,

Heavenly Affairs PURIM 5713

urim 5713 was the third annual Purim This account is based off the diaries of Reb Yoel Pfarbrengen with the Rebbe, taking place just Kahn, Reb Sholom Feldman and others, and the over two years after the Rebbe’s acceptance of the hanacha of this farbrengen in Toras Menachem. nesius. The Purim farbrengen throughout the years PRACTICE OVER THEORY was known for its many unique giluyim and this one was no different. It is especially remembered for The Rebbe came down to the chatzer [the the story of “Hoora” with the events surrounding driveway area next to 770, formally known as the it, and it being the first time the Rebbe said two shalash, today the western part of the large shul at at a farbrengen. 770] at 9:00 p.m. for the Purim farbrengen. First, the Rebbe asked whether at least 10 people had washed, and then he washed himself. Shortly after

ADAR 5777 6 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER he entered, the hachanah niggun to the maamar was sung, and the Rebbe said a maamar on the possuk in the Megillah “Vayehi omein.” Following the maamar, the Rebbe explained the advantage of the mesiras nefesh of Yidden in the Purim story over that of matan Torah. The Rebbe then went on to talk about the importance of practical deeds. At the end of the sicha, the Rebbe said: “As we discussed about the advantage of practice over abstract, this is especially true regarding joy and saying l’chaim. Everyone should take advantage of ”.to d ay (אריינכאפן) this opportunity The Rebbe encouraged everyone to say l’chaim and even poured the mashke himself for many people. The Rebbe then asked that the bochurim should sing a joyful niggun and “display your abilities” not just in singing but in joy. During the niggun, one of the senior Chassidim approached the Rebbe and mentioned that since Purim is an auspicious time for the downfall of Yidden’s enemies, and many Yidden behind the Iron Curtain are suffering greatly right now, he requests a bracha for their salvation.

ANNUAL APPEAL The Rebbe then explained the importance of the annual magbis: JEM 103333 “The Rebbe Rashab would collect money during three times a year: Simchas THE REBBE LISTENS TO THE MEGILLAH READING ON PURIM MORNING, 5713. Torah, Yud-Tes Kislev and Purim. Simchas Torah was for Tomchei Temimim, Purim for a special fund of which the monies raised lesson from it regarding the effect Jewish mothers would be used for causes at the Rebbe Rashab’s have, especially in matters of education. discretion (mosdos, grants to individuals, etc.) The Rebbe concluded the sicha saying: and Yud-Tes Kislev was for both funds. Being “The Frierdiker Rebbe writes that even that these projects still exist and the money is today there are the schemes of Haman, the needed more than ever, everyone gathered here Amalek of each generation. should take part. “The protection from this is through “When taking part in a cause, especially Jewish women educating their children al one that the Rebbe Rashab determined as an taharas hakodesh, without compromising on auspicious opportunity, it brings extra brachos standards and without making calculations and success, and one can come to the Rebbe about the child finding a job when he grows Rashab and request that he draw down all up, by ensuring that the child learns the local the brachos into the world, clearly and visibly language and graduates from college (or at good.” the very least, high school). The mother needs to be aware that Hashem is going to provide THE AMALEK OF TODAY everything needed in gashmiyus; she must Following this, the Rebbe spoke about the provide the ruchniyusdike needs of the child. central role of Esther in the nes of Purim and the “During the gezeirah of Purim, the children didn’t learn Persian, nor were they taught how

ADAR 5777 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER 7 PURIM 5713, JEM 286626 PURIM 5713,

to work politically to abolish the decree; they all around them. They must ensure that the weren’t even told the weight of the problem. children grow up to follow the way of Torah Mordechai simply told them, “Young Jewish and mitzvos, and this will draw down success children, you must learn Torah!” He then and salvation to the children, their homes, and taught them hilchos kemitzah [the handful the homes of all Yidden.” taken from a korban minchah]—not even practical halachos that they needed for day-to- “SAY L’CHAIM” day life, like , etc. The assembled sang and danced for a while, after “Today too, especially in America, Yiddishe which the Rebbe announced: mothers must know that they shouldn’t worry “Purim requires singing and dancing, about gashmiyusdike tachlis of their children, but singing and dancing is not enough. In to be—לבסומי בפוריא' afraid that they will grow up as ‘batlanim’ with addition there is a no chance in life, and an embarrassment to intoxicated on Purim.” “There are those who are yotze the mitzvah by going to sleep—they drink minimal “During the gezeirah of amounts of wine and then immediately go to Purim, the children didn’t sleep. This extra wine helps them sleep better. learn Persian, nor were they “Chassidim though have the seder that we taught how to work politically say l’chaim, thus quieting the nefesh habehamis, to abolish the decree; they and waking up the nefesh ha’elokis, bringing it weren’t even told the weight to the state where it cannot distinguish between .ברוך מרדכי and ארור המן of the problem. Mordechai “In America, it is customary to bid by simply told them, “Young raising one’s hand. Therefore, those who want Jewish children, you must to take part in simcha, raise your right hands. learn Torah!” Those who want to be yotze through sleep, raise

ADAR 5777 8 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER your left hands. This isn’t a joke—in Shulchan it’s better that the Yidden are able to connect to Aruch it says one can be yotze with sleep.” Hashem themselves. [Similarly, although seemingly During the niggunim, the Rebbe turned to a the Russian Chassidim’s inability to correspond is a number of people and told them to say l’chaim. disadvantage, it also means that they have a unique ”Say l’chaim on a full cup, just as in the Beis ability to speak to Hashem directly.] Hamikdash, containers had to be full in order to The Rebbe then asked that “Ani Ma’amin” be sanctify their contents,” the Rebbe said to one man. sung. The Rebbe blessed one individual who had When a bochur asked for a bracha because he traveled from Chicago that he should become a was drafted to the army, the Rebbe replied that gevir, and when that happens, he should give half when he returns he will no doubt join a chassidishe his wealth to Kupas Rabbeinu (the fund from which farbrengen. the Rebbeim would give monies to various causes; see sicha quoted above). Chassidim though have the Reb Pinchas Levitin was told to say l’chaim seder that we say l’chaim, “k’minhag pariz” (according to the “Paris” thus quieting the nefesh standards). habehamis, and waking up Reb Yechezkel Brod said l’chaim on behalf of the Chassidim in Russia. He reported that in the nefesh ha’elokis, bringing the last letter from Russia, they wrote that all it to the state where it cannot ארור המן correspondence should stop. The Rebbe responded distinguish between .ברוך מרדכי by quoting the story of when Yidden were sent into and galus Bavel, Hashem offered the novi Yirmeyah that the Yidden can either be connected to Him through Yirmeyah (and Yirmeyah will go with LEARN CHASSIDUS AND BRING MOSHIACH them into galus) or to have a direct connection The Rebbe spoke to one individual, encouraging with Hashem themselves. The novi replied that him to learn Chassidus. The man replied that he

ADAR 5777 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER 9 ADAR 5777 10 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER VAAD HANOCHOSVAAD B’LAHAK

THE REBBE’S HAGAHOS ON ONE OF THE SICHOS, PURIM 5713.

has no knack in it, nor does he see the gain to be HOO-RAH had from Chassidus. The Rebbe explained using the At around 4:00 a.m., the Rebbe’s face grew very example of a train: The passenger doesn’t necessarily solemn, and he told the following story: understand all of the underlying mechanics that “After the revolution that ousted the Czar cause the train to move. Nevertheless, when he of Russia, the Rebbe Rashab instructed the needs to travel, he gets on the train. Regardless of Chassidim to partake in the government whether he understands or not, it brings him to his elections. Following his Rebbe’s heed, one destination. Similarly, Chassidus raises a person up of the Chassidim, though fully immersed from the lowest depths to the greatest heights, even in Torah with no interest in world news nor if he doesn’t immediately know how. knowledge of the political situation around In the sichos that followed, the Rebbe went on to him, went to the polling station to cast his vote. explain the importance of learning Chassidus, and Obviously, as before doing any other action why it is so necessary today: mandated by the Rebbe, he first went to the “When Hashem tells a person (through mikveh and put on his gartel. After following Here, I am showing you his friends’ instructions on the procedure of‘ ,תשי"ג so-and-so), in my great beauty and giving you the secret- voting, the Chossid saw that nearby there was of-secrets, the king’s crown (i.e. Chassidus),’ a group of people excitedly cheering “Hoo- there can be no greater rebellion against Him rah!” Assuming this was part of the process, than not paying attention to the revelations of he joined them in their cheers, “Hoo-rah! he—הוא-רע“ Chassidus.” Hoo-rah! Hoo-rah!” (In Hebrew After the sicha, the Rebbe said to sing the niggun is bad…”) “Kol Baya’ar.”

ADAR 5777 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER 11 As the Rebbe described the This was the first time in the Rebbe’s nesius that he Chossid’s actions, there was a said two maamarim in one farbrengen, and it took big smile on his face, holding everyone by great surprise. After the maamar, the Rebbe said they should both hands together in a sing the “Shalosh Tenu’os,” then “Daled Bavos” and triangle position mimicking “Nye Zuritzi Chloptzi.” the cheer. The Rebbe ended the farbrengen with a short sicha and a bracha to the assembled: As the Rebbe described the Chossid’s actions, “Hashem should grant each of us, our there was a big smile on his face, holding both families, and all Yidden, the zechus to reach the hands together in a triangle position mimicking level where the concept of galus has no place, the cheer. The Rebbe then turned to his right side and we will automatically have the true and and said over the whole story, then to his left and final geulah, speedily in our days!” repeated it a third time, each time using the hand The Rebbe led the bentching with a cup of motions of the cheers. wine, and instructed Rabbi Hodakov to say “Ve’al Realizing that something deeper than what Hanisim” aloud. After bentching, the Rebbe meets the eye was going on, everyone at the gave out kos shel bracha, and at the end of the farbrengen stood up and shouted “Hoo-rah! Hoo- distribution, the Rebbe asked Rabbi Hodakov to rah! Hoo-rah!” (See sidebar.) submit to him a summary of the sichos. Then, the Rebbe’s face once again took on a The farbrengen ended at around 5:00 a.m. Just serious look as he leaned on his arm for a few before leaving, the Rebbe wished everyone “Gut seconds, and then immediately started saying a yom tov. We shall meet again at the next chassidishe maamar starting with the words “Al Kein Kar’u.” farbrengen, as soon as possible.” PURIM 5713, JEM 286620 PURIM 5713,

ADAR 5777 12 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER FROM 770 TO THE SOVIET UNION Two months before this farbrengen, on a blustery (state-sponsored) pogroms would break out Thursday evening (21 Teves 5713) the Rebbe throughout Russia, much as they had in the time of published a new maamar of the Frierdiker Rebbe, the Czars. Hashem Doesn’t On 16 Adar, two days after the eventful Purim— אין הקב"ה בא בטרוניא עם בריותיו titled Act Overbearingly with His Creations, which was farbrengen, the Soviet radio station of Moscow had a Although in the early years of his dramatic announcement: Two days earlier Stalin had .(תרפ"ה) said in 5685 nesius the Rebbe frequently published the Frierdiker become ill and fallen into a coma. The next day the Rebbe’s maamarim, they were generally for special truth was announced—Stalin was dead. occasions and chassidishe yomim tovim. This time it Yidden throughout Russia breathed a huge sigh of was remarkable in being unremarkable—an apparently relief. With Stalin’s death, the scheme was dead too. regular day without any specific reason. The maamar The Rebbe never explained what exactly was the discusses the greatness of mesiras nefesh, and that if meaning of the story he told at the farbrengen, nor the we, in galus, are given such a challenge that means we reason for the hand motions, cheers and additional have the energy to withstand the pressure. maamarim, however, Chassidim speculated that the At the farbrengen on the following Shabbos, 23 Rebbe’s actions and the events taking place in Russia at Teves, the Rebbe extolled the sacrifice of the Yidden the time were surely connected. living in Stalinist Russia for the great effort they Thirty eight years later, in 5751, when this expend on keeping mitzvos, despite the dangers to maamar of “Al Kein Kar’u” was edited by the Rebbe livelihood and life itself. and prepared for publication, the editors added, as A few days later, on Tuesday, 26 Teves, the always, an introduction to the maamar. As with the Russian government officially announced that it maamarim themselves, this was reviewed and edited as had “uncovered” a plot by a cell of terrorist-doctors, the Rebbe saw fit to publish. who planned to poison several key members of the In this introduction, they wrote: "לקראת ימי הפורים הבאים עלינו לטובה, הננו מוציאים לאור Communist Party. Most of the group were, they את המאמר דיבור המתחיל 'על כן קראו לימים האלה פורים', claimed, part of the Jewish International Bourgeois שאמר כ"ק אדמו"ר שליט"א בהתוועדות פורים תשי"ג, המאמר organisation, known as the “Joint,” with some השני שנאמר בהתוועדות דפורים בשנה ההיא, שאמירתו הייתה assistance from British Intelligence. The investigation קשורה, כנראה, עם המאורעות שאירעו בתקופה ההיא עד למפלתו still in process. Of the nine people accused of being של המושל דמדינה ההיא שהיה צורר ישראל, כפי שהבינו בשעתו .involved, six were Jewish מהסיפור שסיפר כ"ק אדמו"ר שליט"א - כהקדמה ובסמיכות Thus, the infamous Doctors’ Plot—a modern-day לאמירת מאמר זה - ע"ד הוראת כ"ק אדמו"ר )מהורש"ב( נ"ע blood libel—was launched. Throughout the USSR, and בתקופת המהפיכה לאחרי מפלתו של הקיסר". ,especially in educational, military and medical groups people were warned to beware of “enemies of the “As Purim approaches, we publish the maamar State.” Those more involved in politics, as well as other beginning “Al Kein Kar’u Layamim Ho’aleh Purim,” doctors who personally knew the “terrorists,” realized which the Rebbe said at the farbrengen of Purim that this was all a fabrication, one of Stalin’s political 5713—the second maamar said at the Purim machinations. farbrengen that year. It was said, apparently, in The masses believed all the lies they were fed by the connection with the events that happened at that media, and many Yidden were fired from their jobs by time [leading up] to the downfall of the leader of That their Russian managers. This knee-jerk reaction was Country, an enemy of Yidden, as was understood especially apparent in the scientific, higher education, then from the story the Rebbe told as an introduction and obviously, medical, fields. Anti-semitism was to this maamar, regarding the Rebbe Rashab’s rampant on the streets as in workplaces. Yidden in instructions at the time of the downfall of the Czar.” many places were afraid to even be seen in public. The Rebbe approved this introduction, thus It was fairly obvious that they would be found acknowledging the speculations of Chassidim at the guilty and put to death, and it seemed likely that time.

ADAR 5777 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER 13 לזכות Ksav Yad מרת רחל שתחי' בת הרב יצחק אלחנן הלוי הי"ד לוין לרגל יום הולדתה ביום כ"ד אדר נדפס ע"י בנה הרה"ת ר' יוסף יצחק הלוי וזוגתו מרת דינה ומשפחתם שיחיו לוין

Follow the Seder At the farbrengen of Simchas Torah 5726, the Rebbe instructed that every person must have a set time to study Mikra, , Gemara, Halacha, , Chassidus, , and so on (see Toras Menachem vol. 45 p. 150). The following response was written to a bochur in this regard:

עיקר דיבור הנ"ל הי' לאלו - שאין The main focus of those words [spoken at the farbrengen] was towards להם עוד סדר ע"פ תורה בהנ"ל - those who do not yet have a systematic method of study in all these subjects משא"כ תלמידי ישיבה שלכל לראש according to Torah. This excludestalmidei yeshiva, who are primarily צ"ל הלימוד ע"פ סדרי הישיבה expected to study according to the seder in yeshiva. Only in their own time -ורק בהזמן שמחוץ לסדרים שייך is the abovementioned study applicable; and even then, it is not applicable הנ"ל, וג"ז לא לכאו"א. וצ"ל בזה ע"פ .to everyone. One must seek counsel from his in this matter התייעצות והוראת המשפיע. (Igros Kodesh vol. 24 p. 7)

TISHREIADAR 5777 5776 14 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER OUR PART Studying the Rebbe’s Torah

This month, on Chof-Zayin Adar, Chassidim are reminded of Just as our three forefathers differed in their styles the devastating occurrence that took place 25 years ago, on and their work, similarly, we find differences between the Chof-Zayin Adar I 5752, after which we no longer had the Rabbeim; some of them emphasized an avodah of simcha, zechus to hear the Rebbe’s holy words as he related to us dvar while others focused on the other two schools of avodah. Hashem. Regarding the [Frierdiker] Rebbe, we find that his A few weeks earlier, a week before Yud Shevat 5752, the avodah was specifically in a manner of simcha. Rebbe said a heartfelt sicha, in which he addressed this very His joy is all the more marvelous, keeping in mind that issue, speaking about the Frierdiker Rebbe. he suffered from physical ailments, and some of those ailments impacted his spiritual matters as well. The Rebbe called on Chassidim to study the Frierdiker Rebbe’s The story was told many times, that his doctor Torah in a manner that would “compensate” (so-to-speak) for protested: the lack that the Frierdiker Rebbe’s physical ailment imposed. How could it be? Much like Moshe Rabbeinu, whose brother Aharon was tasked He is the one who speaks of spreading Yiddishkeit with being his interpreter: and Torah; it is therefore self-understood that first and foremost, he needs to have the capacities to be active in spreading Torah and Yiddishkeit far and wide. This includes having full control over his power of speech; not only should he have capabilities similar to others, he should even have abilities beyond the average person as well. Nevertheless, we find the exact opposite: his physical ailments impacted his power of speech, including the capability to deliver maamarim; he was prevented from doing those things that he seemingly should have been capable of. We find a similar claim regarding Moshe Rabbeinu: When he was told to speak to Pharaoh and lead the Yidden out of Egypt, he said, “Please send whom You would send,” explaining that “I am of closed lips; how will Pharaoh listen to me,” when even the Yidden themselves don’t “listen to me.” The complaint is very similar to the issue of the [Frierdiker] Rebbe, with his speech impediment, which blocked him from saying maamarim, etc. And we find that it is a valid complaint! For as soon as Moshe voiced the issue, Hashem answered him and told him that “your brother Aharon will be your interpreter;” he will fill in as Moshe’s mouth. A Jew has to take a lesson from everything, and the lesson here is as follows: Everyone should take upon themselves to study from his teachings, in order to substitute for what he was unable to accomplish, for he was not given an ‘Aharon’ to be his interpreter, and the main thing is, that is should be done happily, in the spirit of the [Frierdiker] Rebbe.

ADAR 5777 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER 15 לזכות החתן הרה״ת ר׳ אריה לייב שיחי׳ לבנר והכלה המהוללה מרת אריאלה ליבא שתחי׳ סיגלשטיין לרגל חתונתם ביום י׳ אדר ה׳תשע״ז נתרם ע״י הוריהם ר׳ מנחם שלום וזוגתו מרת שושנה יפה סיגלשטיין RebReb MendelMendel

FuterfasFuterfasaa livingliving legendlegend

“Accomplished and energetic, among the foremost mekusharim to our Rebbeim, who goes in their ways, in the holy path.” This is just one of the incredible things the Rebbe said about the renowned Chossid, Reb Mendel Futerfas. Already early on in his lifetime, Reb Mendel became a legend. For his tireless work on behalf of the Chassidim in Russia, for his zestful personality, full of energy and life, and for his boundless dedication to the Rebbe and darkei hachassidus. Vastly different than many other elder Chassidim, Reb Mendel didn’t learn in the golden days of Tomchei Temimim; yet his colorful life story, as a bochur, businessman, mashpia or inmate, is an inspiration to anyone who comes its way.

ADAR 5777 16 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER 3 TISHREI 5746, LEVI FREIDIN VIA JEM 216589 3 TISHREI 5746,

ADAR 5777 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER 17 Early Years Reb Mendel was known to ‘come down Reb Mendel Futerfas was born in 5667, in Pleshenitz, near Minsk, White hard’ on people that would try to slip Russia. His father passed away before away from a farbrengen, even if they were his birth; at the bris, he was named going with good intentions. after his own father. The young orphan was brought up to the ideals of a bochur in Tomchei continued. Reb Mendel joined the up in the home of his grandmother Temimim. yeshiva in Yekatrinoslav, but this time Rochel Leah, who was a well-known The distinct style of Reb Zalman not as a student, but as a mashpia, at Chassidishe matriarch. Rochel Moshe was characteristic of Reb the age of twenty three. He spent a Leah was also a childhood friend of Mendel as well. Always lively and short while there, but once again the Rebbetzin Shterna Sarah, the wife vivacious, Reb Mendel always had a Communists caught up with them, of the Rebbe Rashab, and whenever passion for a Chassidisher farbrengen. and after a short period of time in she visited Lubavitch, she stayed at Reb Mendel was known to ‘come Odessa, Reb Mendel returned home the Rebbe Rashab’s home. When she down hard’ on people that would try to Kharkov where he began to receive visited in 5675, she brought along to slip away from a farbrengen, even marriage offers. eight year old Mendel, and the young if they were going with the excuse of Somehow, he managed to send child merited to be received for learning or davening. a query to the Frierdiker Rebbe in yechidus, where the Rebbe Rashab Reb Mendel would often extol Poland, and he received instructions blessed him to be “an ehrlicher Yid, a on the virtues of a Chassidishe to look into one specific offer, from the pious Jew, with long life.” [Years later, farbrengen. He would relate that once shtetl Karalevitz. as Reb Mendel languished in Siberian a relative attended a Reb Mendel traveled to that family’s labor camps, his firm belief in the farbrengen of the Rebbe Rashab, and, home, and on Shabbos afternoon a Rebbe Rashab’s bracha gave him the in the height of his inspiration, asked kiddush was held. Reb Mendel didn’t strength to carry on.] the Rebbe Rashab for a tikkun. restrain himself from farbrenging This visit became a yearly custom; The Rebbe Rashab told him, that with the Chassidim gathered in the the last time Reb Mendel merited to whenever the Chassidim in his town home, and late Motzei Shabbos, he see the Rebbe Rashab was when he gather for a farbrengen, he should found himself lying under the table. was thirteen years old, over Tishrei make sure that he is present. That From his low perch, he overheard 5680, half a year before the Rebbe would be his tikkun. the prospective father-in-law tell Rashab’s histalkus. The yeshiva in Nevel was his wife, “It is clear that this is a real A few months later, Reb Mendel discovered, and the wanderings Chassidisher bochur—look how he left home to learn in the underground yeshiva in Kremenchug; when the secret operation was exposed, his wanderings began, spending time in the yeshivos of Kharkov, Vitebsk, In the Merit of a Farbrengen and Nevel. During his years in Reb Berkeh Chein related that he once came to visit Reb Mendel yeshiva, Reb Mendel studied with a when his young son Sholom Ber had fallen deathly ill. The parents were number of legendary mashpi’im; Reb extremely anxious; a few of their children had already passed on, and they Yechezkel (“Chatche”) Feigin and were desperately hoping for a miracle. Reb Itche der Masmid among others. Arriving at Reb Mendel’s home, the doctor turned to him and asked However, his closest relationship was him to leave, saying that “the child has only a short time to live.” Reb with the mashpia Reb Zalman Moshe Berkeh went outside, and walked behind a window, when he heard Reb Hayitzchaki. A deep bond developed Mendel davening to the Aibershter. between the two; Reb Mendel never A shiver went down Reb Berkeh’s spine. Reb Mendel was saying, missed a shiur or a farbrengen, and “Ribono Shel Olam, have mercy on my child. Not in the merit of my Torah Reb Zalman Moshe took special learning; it has not been adequate. Nor because of my davening; it hasn’t notice and care for his talmid, raising been as it should have. Spare my son in the merit that I have never left in him—in his unique manner—to live the midst of a Chassidishe farbrengen…”

ADAR 5777 18 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER A Russian Thug and a Rod “It was Yud-Tes Kislev 5702,” Reb Mendel related. “A thick snowfall covered the city. I was walking down the street when I suddenly noticed a gang of thugs armed with rods and bars, beating my good friend Yankel Gansberg, who had no means of protection and no path to escape. “Being young and strong, I ran over and wrested a bar from one of the beasts. With my new weapon I knocked down one assailant, then another, and in the ensuing RABBI PINNY LEW RABBI REB MENDEL JOINS THE MITZVAH MOBILE ON A MIVTZOIM RUN ON THE STREETS OF LONDON. chaos Reb Yankel managed to escape, and I ran and hid in a large pile of snow. was ready to farbreng no matter the keep one ruble for himself, and every “The gang searched for circumstance; we need to do whatever last penny was delivered to support me high and low; they were it takes to make sure he ‘closes’ the Tomchei Temimim. intent on paying me back for shidduch with us.” my ‘insolence.’ But Boruch In the summer of 5693, the Hashem; I managed to save Reb wedding took place, and a new chapter That night, Reb Yankel’s life…” in Reb Mendel’s life began. Mendel tossed With Heart, Soul, and turned; “the and Wallet bochurim are Different colors The state of the yeshivos was dire; A few years passed and new the cost of upkeeping the clandestine starving for bread, dangers arose. In the beginning operation along with supporting the and I’m burying gold of 5700, the Nazis invaded Russia, families of those Chassidim who had and streams of refugees fled east, been incarcerated was prohibitive, coins?” into the depths of Russia’s Asian and the organizers saw in Reb Mendel territories. Thousands of Yidden the confidence, ingenuity, and Once, a partner convinced him to reached Samarkand, among them perseverance that it would take to do put away a few gold coins just in case many Lubavitcher Chassidim. When the job. He was chosen to be one of circumstances would take a turn for Reb Mendel arrived there, he once those responsible to procure the much the worse, and Reb Mendel acquiesced again saw a dire need; this time for needed funds. and buried a few coins in his yard. chadarim for young children. Together The yeshiva bochur now became That night, Reb Mendel tossed and with Reb Yonah Kahn (“Poltaver”), a businessman. A perceptive person turned. “The bochurim are starving for he set up a network of chadarim and by nature, Reb Mendel was very bread, and I’m burying gold coins?” yeshivos which withstood the strains successful in his business dealings, He dug up the money, passed it on of wartime and lasted until 5705, when and brought in vast amounts of profit. to the appropriate individual, and only a new project called to Reb Mendel. Although very large sums of money then returned to sleep for what was The war had ended and the Soviet passed through his hands, he did not left of the night. and Polish governments reached an

ADAR 5777 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER 19 agreement; all of the refugees who threw himself into the new project but Reb Mendel would not hear of it. had fled Poland into Russian territory wholeheartedly. He placed his wife and children on a would be permitted to return to The project was extremely risky; train, but declared that he would not their homeland, provided that they being caught meant facing accusations leave until the last Chossid would find can present proof of their Polish of counter-revolutionary activities— his way out of the country. citizenship. one of the worst offences in the Soviet Ultimately, the operation was Chassidim saw this as a golden Union, carrying a sentence of capital brought to a close; the various opportunity to escape the accursed punishment. passageways were blocked, passports land. Immediately, a committee was Nevertheless, Reb Mendel didn’t were no longer procurable, and then set up to organize and direct a wide slow down; for a long time, he worked the arrests began. One after another, spread operation of forgery. False tirelessly in the border city of Lvov Chassidim involved in the operation Polish passports were needed, and to facilitate the exit of thousands of were picked up by the NKVD, and vast amounts of money were required Chassidim posing as Polish citizens. Reb Mendel understood that his in order to fund this undercover When the operation began to days as a free man were numbered. campaign. Here again, Reb Mendel drag on, some of the organizers used Pulling together a few last passports, was one of the leaders, and he passports to save themselves, joining he boarded a train together with a few the ‘eshalons’ (trains) leaving Russia, more Chassidim, and anticipated the move over the border. Alas, it was not to be. Armed guards burst into the cabin, and Lessons from the Czar’s Soldiers dragged the Chassidim to a starkly Years later, in his farbrengens with bochurim, Reb Mendel would different destination. expound on the different types of mesiras nefesh that a person could Hauled into prison cells, a bitter attain. period of interrogations began. Reb The highest level, he said, we can learn from a story of the Czar’s Mendel’s interrogations, accompanied soldiers. by its fair share of torture, lasted The Czar once needed to cross a river and no bridge was in sight. for three full months. Throughout Without thinking twice, the soldiers began to jump into the water, the entire period, Reb Mendel held creating a human bridge upon which the Czar passed his cool, and never revealed any Reb Mendel noted that the real mesiras nefesh was from the first incriminating evidence that would soldiers, those who reached the bottom of the river. They would not even harm other Chassidim. In the spirit of merit that the Czar step on them; their names would not be remembered, his trademark gaon Yaakov, he refused and they would not be commended for their sacrifice. That is true mesiras to acknowledge the authority of his nefesh. interrogators, and spoke only when Another lesson which Reb Mendel would learn from the Czar’s he deemed appropriate. He held fast soldiers, was about ahavas Yisrael. to his story: He told the interrogators Part of the troop of the famed and feared Cossacks, were their that everything he did was so that fearsome horses. For a horse to be accepted into the Cossacks’ ranks, it he would be able to see the Rebbe; would be taken for a swim through a raging river. Surviving the swim was he cannot live without the Rebbe. not enough. The horses that would, upon reaching the shore, turn around Had the Rebbe been in Russia and and swim back to help other flailing horses, they would be taken into the he would be outside, he would have Cossacks’ ranks. invested the same efforts to enter From among many lessons Reb Mendel would take from this story, Russia as well. one was a favorite. When a Jew reaches a certain level in avodas Hashem, This explanation didn’t appeal to his mission is then to turn around, search for someone who is flailing in the NKVD. On Erev Lag Baomer 5707, the river, and assist him to reach that level as well. Reb Mendel was sentenced to eight Reb Mendel used to quip that the reason that the modern day seder years of hard labor in Siberia; he was hayeshiva is shorter than the seder customary in Lubavitch, is so that slated for ‘reeducation.’ bochurim could spend the extra three hours to do hafatzas hamaayanos Reb Mendel related: within the walls of the yeshiva. “During the three months of the interrogations, my mind was very

ADAR 5777 20 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER Reb Mendel once related a conversation which he held with himself. A barrel of fish had arrived in the camp at a moment when his legs were bloated of hunger and he felt that he would not be able to hold out much longer. He inspected the barrel, and happily discovered that the fish were kosher. He was about to help himself to a portion, when he noticed that DELIVERING A SHIUR FOR THE BOCHURIM IN KFAR . the lining of the barrel was shiny; it seemed that it may have been smeared unsettled. On the day that I received Kashrus was another aspect which with non-kosher oil… my sentence, I was brought back to my demanded self-sacrifice, and unlike Here began a pilpul: on one hand, cell, and I was finally able to evaluate Shabbos, it tested Reb Mendel on a the fish are kosher, so why should my situation with a settled mind. I constant basis. There were moments he worry about the oil. On the other remembered that the Frierdiker Rebbe when he felt that he would expire of hand, oil is a davar hamaamid, had once said that all those who are hunger, but never did he allow treifos which affects the kashrus of all the situated in Russia and in prison, when to enter his mouth. contents of a pot, and the fish might they will think about him, he will think about them. “I stood in the corner of the cell, “I stood in the corner of the cell, closed my closed my eyes, and imagined that I eyes, and imagined that I was standing in was standing in yechidus before the Yechidus before the Frierdiker Rebbe...” Frierdiker Rebbe, or at least sending him a letter describing my plight. “Years later I found out, that on that same day, the Frierdiker Rebbe sent a telegram to my family in London, which said that “the pan was received.” Siberia Arriving in Siberia, Reb Mendel was resolute; Shabbos would be held sacred, come what may. Once again, he didn’t try excuses and tricks; he outspokenly declared to the camp commander that on Shabbos, he does not work. The response he received was resolute as well; the commander was not about to accept this threat to his authority, and made it very clear that there will be no such behavior in his domain. But Reb Mendel proved that he would be unyielding; he told the commander that he could kill him, but Shabbos he does not desecrate. Astonishingly, his demand was fulfilled, and he was not required to THE REBBE’S LETTER TO REB MENDEL AND HIS WIFE UPON THE OCCASION OF THEIR SON’S MARRIAGE. HE IS ADDRESSED AS “FROM THE FOREMOST OF MEKUSHARIM TO OUR RABBEIM” AND A HOST OF OTHER work on the holy day… TITLES.

ADAR 5777 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER 21 therefore be treif. On the other hand, these ideals entirely. Not so Reb with the Rebbe, the Rebbe asked him it was a question of pikuach nefesh— Mendel; whenever he noticed an when he had found out about the all other considerations should be opportunity, he did not allow it to pass histalkus, and he related the story. The rendered naught. by him. Rebbe then asked him what words Then he remembered the vort of For some time, Reb Mendel also the interrogator used to tell him the the Alter Rebbe (stated when he was managed to put on tefillin every day. news; Reb Mendel replied that he is incarcerated in Petersburg): it is better He had smuggled in a small pair, incapable of verbalizing such coarse to remain clean of treifos, even at the and each day on the way to work, his language…] price of one’s olam habah. With that gentile comrades would surround him A few years later, Reb Mendel thought in mind, he decided that he and protect him from the guard’s view. received a beacon of light from his would not touch the unclean fish. This custom came to an end when it new Rebbe. The maamar “Lo S’hiye “But then my yetzer hara came with was forty degrees below zero, and the Mishakela 5712” was smuggled to him a taaneh: you Mendel, are a chitzon, strap of the tefillin froze and snapped. by Chassidim in Russia; the surprise of not a pnimi; to fulfill the ideals of the a maamar Chassidus brought him new Alter Rebbe, one must be a pnimi… A New Rebbe life and hope for better days. “But that taaneh ruined the chances From time to time, Reb Mendel of the yetzer hara. I realized, that here would be interrogated by his jailers, Chernovitz I have a chance to use out even my often to check up on their reeducation After eight long years, Reb Mendel chitzon side to fulfill the directive of project. One time, the interrogator was released from prison and allowed the Alter Rebbe…” had a new piece of information which to return home. With no family in Confined and oppressed, it was knew would dampen the spirits of the country, Reb Mendel settled in impossible to keep most of the his determined prisoner. He told him Chernovitz, where he lived close to mitzvos, let alone Chassidic customs. that his Rebbe had passed on, and his friend Reb Moshe Vishedsky. On In fact, the nature of being in such added that his son-in-law had become his way to Chernovitz, he stopped off a state can cause one to forget about the Rebbe. [During his first yechidus in Moscow for a few days. Reb Moshe EREV ROSH HASHANAH 5749, LEVI FREIDIN via JEM 223477 5749, HASHANAH EREV ROSH

ADAR 5777 22 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER Katzanelenboigen related that he met Kozliner for a few hours of Gemara Rebbe had read his thoughts and Reb Mendel in Moscow, and to his learning, and then he would head sent him an uplifting message in his surprise, Reb Mendel had asked him home together with Reb Moshe hardest moments.” to raise money for him. Reb Moshe Vishedsky’s son Michel, a young Reb Mendel lived in Chernovitz for was surprised to hear such a request bochur at the time. They would eat four years and he missed his family from a person like Reb Mendel, but lunch and learn together for two terribly. But more than anything else, soon enough he understood. He raised hours, and then Reb Mendel would he wanted to travel to the Rebbe. a considerable sum, and when Reb spend a few hours focusing on his Since the day he had heard from his Mendel received it, he said, work for the community, after which interrogators that there was a new “Nu, Boruch Hashem now we he would return to his home and Rebbe, he wanted to go see him, and will be able to open a Cheder in spend another two hours learning when the Rebbe sent him his first Chernovitz…” with Michel, and then a hour and a Rosh Hashanah greeting, signed A few days after he arrived in half with another Chossid, and then “Dyedushka” (Grandfather) in Russian, Chernovitz, he also began planning he would recite krias shema and gather his wish grew into intense yearning. a mehudardiker mikveh, which was strength for another day. He tried to obtain an exit permit to missing in the city at the time. Resting Reb Michel Vishedsky relates: leave the country, but after a few failed after a lengthy prison sentence was “I once found Reb Mendel in a attempts, he wrote to the Rebbe, and evidently not on his mind. spirited mood. I asked him what with the Rebbe’s approval, he moved In his new setting, Reb Mendel the occasion was, and he told me as to Samarkand. settled into his new schedule. Each follows. morning he would daven with the “He had dreamt a dream from Samarkand earliest minyan in town, not before he which he concluded that his end was In this distant Asian city, one of finished reciting the entire Tehillim. near. Understandably, he had been the last underground yeshivos in the Then, at eight o’clock in the feeling down with that in mind, when Soviet Union remained active. Reb morning, he would show up at the suddenly, somehow, a letter from the Mendel arrived right after Reb Berkeh Vishedsky home, where he would Rebbe had arrived. Chein had left Samarkand, and he learn with Reb Moshe for “In the letter, the Rebbe asked how took his place as the ‘senior mashpia’ two hours. They would cover only a Jew can despair, especially when he of the Chassidim in the city. a few lines each day, as they would has a bracha from the Rebbe for long Rabbi Hillel Zaltzman relates, constantly be referencing other life, and especially when they will see that when they first experienced a maamarim. each other very soon. farbrengen with Reb Mendel, they Then Reb Mendel would continue “Reb Mendel told me that he hadn’t were very surprised. to the house of Reb Chaim Zalman dared to write to the Rebbe, but the “We were all accustomed to Reb Berkeh Chein’s style, who would always urge us to improve in our commitment to Chassidus through hisbonenus in davening, and being meticulous in everything we see, hear and say. Every farbrengen with Reb Berkeh was intense and left us introspective, even embittered, reminded as we were how much we still had to work on ourselves. “Reb Mendel’s farbrengen, by contrast, was full of Chassidic sayings, tales and allegories, each with its own lesson. His farbrengens were full of joy and enthusiasm. It took us a while to get used to Reb Mendel’s style and LEVI FREIDIN via JEM 287938 to learn that all of his witticisms and REB MENDEL ADDRESSES THE ANNUAL YUD-TES KISLEV FARBRENGEN 5734 IN , WITH FORMER PRESIDENT ZALMAN SHAZAR IN ATTENDANCE.

ADAR 5777 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER 23 and helping Yidden wherever they may be. He Doesn’t Make Cheshbonos! He began traveling from shul During the farbrengen of Yud Shevat 5722, the Rebbe said: to shul throughout London and “There is a Jew sitting in Russia, and for a number of years, his family the surrounding cities, organizing has been in the free world, but he is left there alone. He has a full beard, shiurei Chassidus for young and old. and if he wishes, he could sit a whole day by himself and learn. He also began fundraising for the “This would also be in accordance with Shulchan Aruch. Being active Yidden whom he had left behind; in spreading Yiddishkeit is fraught with danger… before leaving, he promised them that “He can also decide to pray to Hashem that the good people win. he would do everything within his “But he didn’t choose any of those choices. He decided to be active. In power to help them, and he didn’t let what is he active? In building mikvaos... them down. He traveled extensively, “His wife is not with him, and he will have no personal benefit from bringing with him the story of the a woman’s mikveh. He simply knows that if he is in a location without a plight of the Jews behind the Iron mikveh, it is surely b’hashgacha pratis, and whether he will benefit or not, Curtain. he must do his part in bringing Moshiach one step closer. Reb Mendel would go about his “Doing this work is at the risk of his life. It means collecting funds— travels in the manner of the shadars something that brings publicity. Then he needs to publicize that there is a of the Rabbeim; arriving in a city, he mikveh; otherwise of what use is it? would immediately look into what the “Nevertheless he does not think about any cheshbonos. He knows one city was missing, and would conduct thing only; that he must move forward, and bring the world one step fabrengens and shiurim with the locals. closer to Moshiach.” These farbrengens themselves were the magnet which drew potential donors to him, and encouraged them to help stories were replete with Chassidus With the help of a few activists in him in his cause. and avodas Hashem.” London, the right strings were pulled, Every time Reb Mendel would find Meanwhile, Reb Mendel returned and Reb Mendel arrived in New York himself in the company of Yidden who to his efforts to obtain an exit visa, and for Yud-Tes Kislev. The wish of fifteen were not yet observant, he would use this time, other activists, and even the years had finally been fulfilled. the opportunity to do mivtzoim. His Rebbe himself were involved. The sight of Reb Mendel standing english was practically non-existent, An activist in England heard in Gan Eden Hatachton awaiting and his usual suggestion was, “I Jew, that the British Prime Minister his first yechidus with the Rebbe was you Jew; I tefillin, you tefillin.” But was traveling to Russia to meet the itself a learning experience. Mothers the language barrier notwithstanding, Premier, Nikita Khrushchev. With pointed out to their children, saying, the Jew would usually be cajoled into the Rebbe’s permission, the Prime “Look how a Chossid prepares himself cooperating. “Words that come from Minister was requested to intervene before going into the Rebbe.” the heart, enter the heart.” on Reb Mendel’s behalf, on the basis During that first yechidus, the Even as an elderly man in Eretz of family-reunification. The official Rebbe asked Reb Mendel in detail Yisrael when he suffered from severe policy of the Soviet Union was that about his life in Russia. The Rebbe also foot issues and walking was very they permitted family-reunification, so instructed him regarding his new life, difficult for him, Reb Mendel made the Premier wasn’t able to refuse, and and focused specifically on arranging herculean efforts to go on mivtzoim. in the beginning of Cheshvan 5724, brissin for Russian Jews (this was When people would ask him why he Reb Mendel received his visa. something that remained close to Reb went to such lengths, he would tell One month later, Reb Mendel’s Mendel for the rest of his life). them that it is for two reasons: plane touched down in England, Life in the free world “First of all, by doing the Rebbe’s where he was reunited with his mivtzoim, one connects with the Settling in England, Reb Mendel family after so many years of painful Rebbe himself; how can I forgo this went into the textile business. But this separation. But there was no time to opportunity? Second of all, in Siberia was secondary to his primary focus— rest. He immediately applied for a visa I missed many days of tefillin. Now I spreading Yiddishkeit and Chassidus, to the United States so that he would have to make them up.” be able to come to the Rebbe.

ADAR 5777 24 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER “It took us a while began to suspect that the Rebbe New Post planned on appointing him to be the The next Yud-Beis Tammuz, Reb to get used to Reb mashpia in Kfar Chabad. Mendel was by the Rebbe once again, Mendel’s style and Meanwhile, Reb Mendel and his and this time the Rebbe spoke to to learn that all of wife traveled to the Holy Land, visited him clearly about his appointment. the various sites, and at the end of Reb Mendel protested; many years in his witticisms and Av, they returned to their home in business and fundraising had dulled stories were replete England. his capacity as a mashpia, he claimed; Sometime later, Reb Mendel’s how would he be able to counsel with Chassidus and family was struck by tragedy. bochurim? avodas Hashem.” Reb Mendel’s daughter and The Rebbe told him that the son-in-law and their family were Aibershter will help him, and he Each year, Reb Mendel would driving from a summer home when will find the right words at the right travel to the Rebbe for Tishrei. This they were involved in a terrible car moment. trip as well, was accompanied by accident. The windows burst and all The soldier that he was, Reb trips before and after to fundraise for of the passengers flew out. With open Mendel returned to London and various causes, as well as mivtzoim miracles, almost everyone survived immediately began preparing for throughout. safely, with one exception; Reb his move to Eretz Yisrael, where he When he would be in 770, a natural Mendel’s daughter perished on impact. arrived for the first zeman on Rosh place to find Reb Mendel was next Reb Mendel was no stranger Chodesh Elul. to the chozrim, at the conclusion of to hardship or tragedy. Two of his During his first farbrengens in every farbrengen. While the majority children had died as infants, and Kfar Chabad, Reb Mendel drew large of the crowd would leave 770 after the another two daughters had passed on crowds, and he demanded from them, farbrengen, Reb Mendel would always, in the war years in Samarkand. in his passionate and compelling without fail, take his place next to Another tragedy seemed to be too fashion, that come Tishrei, a Chossid Reb Yoel Kahan, who, together with difficult to bear. must be by the Rebbe. Hearing this a group of chozrim would repeat the Reb Mendel often said that he then theme again and again, his message Rebbe’s entire farbrengen. He would understood what the Rebbe had been had an immediate effect, and for that remain there until he was sure that he referring to, when he said that he Tishrei, a large group of Chassidim understood every single sicha clearly. should bet ois aleh gutteh zachen, and made there way to New York together perhaps that had helped his son-in-law with their new mashpia. One More Move and grandchildren survive, and that From that year on, Reb Mendel’s In 5731, the legendary mashpia of thought helped him carry on through schedule was as follows. After Tomchei Temimim in Kfar Chabad, such difficult times. beginning the zeman of Elul with Reb Shlomo Chaim Kesselman passed away. A short time later, Reb Efraim Wolf asked the Rebbe in yechidus who should be appointed in his place, and the Rebbe chose Reb Mendel Futerfas. A short time later, Reb Mendel was by the Rebbe for Yud-Beis Tammuz, and in yechidus the Rebbe instructed him to go to Eretz Yisrael, visit the mekomos hakedoshim, and oisbetin aleh gutteh zachen, ask for all good things, and that in a year’s time, they will talk about settling down permanently. During that same yechidus, the Rebbe spoke to him at length about the value of the bochurim in Tomchei Temimim,

extolling their virtues. Reb Mendel LEVI FREIDIN via JEM 204500 9 TISHREI 5737,

ADAR 5777 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER 25 Hearing this theme again and again, his message had an immediate effect.

of Communism there were many such individuals, and unfortunately, nothing has remained of them. One of the most recurring themes of the farbrengens would be the need for hiskashrus to the Rebbe; first of all through traveling to the Rebbe and going on mivtzoim, and just as LEVI FREIDIN via JEM, 141691 importantly, through learning the REB MENDEL IN CONVERSATION WITH REB ZALMAN GURARY IN 770, VOV TISHREI 5736. Rebbe’s Torah. Reb Mendel would relate that the bochurim, he would travel to His farbrengens were always when his own mashpia, Reb Zalman raise funds in Europe, and for Rosh packed; his engaging and exciting Moshe was a young man, the Rebbe Hashanah he would continue to New manner was an automatic magnet Rashab asked him why he had ceased York. After the Yomim Tovim, he which drew bochurim and yungeleit, attending the shiurim of Reb Shmuel would travel around the United States Chassidim and non-Chassidim. Gronem, the mashpia of his town. together with Reb Shmuel Dovid Everyone was sure that they would Reb Zalman Moshe replied Raichik, and after Yud-Tes Kislev in leave the farbrengen uplifted, excited, that “he doesn’t teach the Rebbe’s New York he would return to Eretz with new insight and depth in their maamarim”—Reb Shmuel would teach Yisrael for the remainder of the year. avodas Hashem. the maamarim that he had heard from One of Reb Mendel’s favorite The Mashpia his Rebbe, the Rebbe Maharash. A themes was talking about the need short time later, a message came from In his new position as mashpia, Reb to learn Chassidus and connect to Lubavitch; Reb Zalman Moshe’s seder Mendel energetically began to raise the Rebbe. When misnagdim would in Chassidus should not be disturbed. a generation of bochurim to be the complain that he is not deferential Reb Mendel’s farbrengens were Rebbe’s soldiers. In his farbrengens, he to their rabbanim, he was quick to famous for his witty anecdotes and demanded of the bochurim non-stop retort that his ideals were actually compelling stories about his life in to be totally devoted to the Rebbe’s quite factually based. He knew very Russia and in the Siberian gulag. activities, and to dedicate themselves well what happened to those who Always taking a lesson in avodas entirely to the Rebbe. study Torah, but fail to ‘hold on to the Rebbe’s kliamke’—with the advent

The Maggid’s chevraya Reb Mendel related what he had once heard from Reb Dovid Horodoker: Reb Dovid had asked, “Who is part of the ‘Maggid’s chevraya’? Someone who wakes up early on Shabbos morning, learns Chassidus for hours, davens b’arichus, eats just a little bit and then goes back to learn Chassidus? No! he is not part of the ‘Maggid’s chevraya.’” Reb Mendel said that for many years he wondered about the meaning of Reb Dovid’s statement. If such a person is not from the ‘Maggid’s chevraya,’ then who is? But then, a fellow Chossid in London explained it to him, Reb Mendel said. A Chossid who wakes up early on Shabbos morning and walks a long way to chazer the Rebbe’s sicha in a distant shul; then walks to the other end of the city to do the same in another shul—he is part of the ‘Maggid’s chevraya...’

ADAR 5777 26 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER בעיר גדולה בכל עניני העיר, והוא בדרך Hashem, some of his tales are told over Same here in our situation, Reb מלמעלה מדרך הטבע בזכות אבות העולם." by Jews from all walks of life. Mendel would tell them. The mere thought that the Rebbe didn’t leave his Warmth from the Czar “One single Chossid or talmid who flock, and continues leading them just devotes his heart, mind, and soul to After Gimmel Tammuz, many as before, should ‘warm their frozen strengthening Torah can accomplish Chassidim bemoaned the sorry state bones’ and reinforce their faith that wonders in a large city, in all that city’s to Reb Mendel; “What will be, how they will see the Rebbe very soon. affairs - in a manner that transcends can we go on”? As Tishrei approached, Reb Mendel the natural order, by the merit of Reb Mendel would remind them began preparing for his usual trip to the “Fathers of the World” [i.e. the of a story about a soldier in the Czar’s the Rebbe for Yom Tov. He stopped Rabbeim].” army; appointed to guard duty in off in London to visit his son Sholom A worthy tribute to a true Chossid the worst temperatures, the soldier Ber, and while there, he fell ill, and who sacrificed his life spreading nearly froze to death. After being the doctors ordered him to remain. Yiddishkeit and helping fellow Jews in nursed back to health, his comrades Over the following months his health the worst of times, continuing on in thought he would be commended for deteriorated, and on 4 Tammuz 5755, the free world as a staunch soldier of his faithful service. To their surprise, Reb Mendel passed away. the Rebbe. the commander ordered that he be The entry in for 4 (Much of the information in this flogged. The commander explained Tammuz reads: article is based on the sefer Reb Mendel” published by“ “חסיד אחד או תלמיד אחד כאשר נותן לבו that the mere thought that he was (Eshel—Kfar Chabad דעתו ונפשו על התורה וחיזוקה, פועל ישועות representing the Czar should have warmed him. JEM 304364 DEEP INTO A CHASSIDISHER FARBRENGEN IN THE SMALL ZAL OF 770, REB MENDEL AND REB EMBRACE.

ADAR 5777 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER 27 23 ADAR Passing of Rebbetzin Zelda Rochel EXPLORING SPECIAL DATES ON OUR CALENDAR The Rebbe’s grandmother, Rebbetzin Zelda Rochel, passed away on 23 Adar and was buried in Kiev. The year of her passing is unknown but is estimated to be Rebbetzin Zelda Rochel was the wife of Reb .(תרע"ב) 5672 Boruch Schneur and the mother of Horav Levi Yitzchok, the Rebbe’s father.

ADAR 9 א The Frierdiker Rebbe ב arrives in the US ג On 9 Adar II 5700, the 25 ADAR ד Frierdiker Rebbe disembarked from Birthday of Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka ה the ship after reaching the shores ו of the United States, completing his Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka was born on 25 Adar in Babinovitch, near Lubavitch. The Rebbe (תרס"א) flight from war-torn Europe to the 5661 ז country that now became the seat Rashab was away at the time, but he sent a special ח of Lubavitch headquarters. telegram to the Frierdiker Rebbe, asking that she should Throngs of Chassidim and be named Chaya Mushka after the Tzemach Tzedek’s ט .admirers, numbering in the Rebbetzin י thousands, came to greet the After being notified of the naming, the Rebbe Rashab יא Frierdiker Rebbe. Seeing the wrote to the Frierdiker Rebbe: “May Hashem grant ,Frierdiker Rebbe, they burst her a long life, with years that are good and pleasant יב ,into a call of “Shalom Aleichem!” physically and spiritually. She should be a pious woman יג Many of them made the bracha truly G-d-fearing, and may we all get much nachas and יד “Shehechiyanu” as well. Every enjoyment from her, physically and spiritually.” American Jewish organization In her youth, the Rebbetzin absorbed holiness and טו of note sent representatives to purity from the home of her grandfather, the Rebbe טז welcome the Frierdiker Rebbe. Rashab, and her father, the Frierdiker Rebbe, who was יז .Joining them was a delegate sent by especially fond of her יח the mayor of New York City. After {IN THE REBBE’S PRESENCE} a short reception on the pier, the The Rebbe would visit the every year on this יט Frierdiker Rebbe departed to the day, and in a leap year, the Rebbe visited the Ohel on the כ .Greystone Hotel, where he would 25th of both Adar I and Adar II כא reside during the initial period On Chof-Hei Adar 5748, about a month after the following his arrival. Rebbetzin’s histalkus, the Rebbe came back downstairs כב On that very day, the Frierdiker after shacharis in his home and delivered a sicha. In this כג Rebbe established Tomchei sicha, the Rebbe announced a new initiative and mivtza כד Temimim in the United States. in connection to, and in memory of the Rebbetzin: Over the years, the Rebbe spoke mivtza yom huledes—the birthday campaign. During כה about this day; the start of a new the sicha, the Rebbe said that on a birthday one should כו ,chapter in the Frierdiker Rebbe’s increase in acts of Torah, avodah, and gemilus chassadim כז nesius, and in the spreading of and hold a joyous farbrengen—“a party”—on their Yiddishkeit throughout the United birthdays, to thank Hashem. In the farbrengens that כח States (See Sefer Hasichos 5750 followed, the Rebbe elaborated on the new initiative (See כט vol. 1 p. 326). Sefer Hasichos 5748 vol. 2 p. 406).

ADAR 5777 28 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER לזכות יום הולדתם של ילדינו שי' בחודש אדר הת' מנחם מענדל בן שרה כ"ו אדר הת' מאיר בן שרה כ"א אדר-שני חיענא בת שרה כ"א אדר-שני

נדפס ע"י הוריהם שיחיו JEM 2703 JEM

THE FRIERDIKER REBBE IS ESCORTED OFF THE SHIP ONTO U.S. SOIL.

The Rebbe draws lessons from occurrences on dates in Jewish history:

8 ADAR “In essence this is what shlichus is all about. The shliach where he does not receive ,(מעבר לים) First Day of Yehoshua’s Leadership is sent far away The first day on which Yehoshua led the Jewish nation guidance on every aspect of his conduct. The shliach must as nosi was 8 Adar. Although Moshe Rabbeinu was nistalek be able to use his own intellect in order to be able to use on the preceding day, Shabbos, Zayin Adar, it was still the Rebbe’s general horaos as guidance for his every step. Shabbos of the pair”—Moshe was If he makes an effort, he will succeed in correctly acting in—שבת של דיוזגי“ called the nosi at the beginning of the day, and Yehoshua at its accordance with the position of nessi doreinu. end. “When one is first sent out on shlichus, nesi doreinu— Moshe is compared to the sun, while Yehoshua is the meshaleiach—provides him with general horaos, and compared to the moon; Yehoshua was a talmid and gives him a bracha for success, and the empowerment mekabel of Moshe. [to fulfill his shlichus]. When it comes to fulfilling the At a farbrengen the Rebbe elaborated on this, teaching a shlichus, however, for matters where he has not received powerful lesson in hiskashrus: the specific horaos, he must use his own intellect, based on “There are times when a person must use his own the general horaos that he did receive. intellect; his own reasoning. ‘Moshe’ has passed on, and “Hashem only asks of us to do things that are within now we are on our own. our capabilities, so it is clear that along with this directive “It’s not like it once was, when nesi doreinu would take we are given the power to fulfill it in the fullest sense. How, indeed, can one fulfill the shlichus while relying“ שרייט אים אריין אין) him by the hand and shout into his ear ?how he should conduct himself in every detail, and on oneself, without any specific horaos from nesi doreinu (אויער the person would just have to use his hands and feet to That is a good question. carry out his tasks. “The answer is that when there is effort, there will be “One might feel justified in saying: In days bygone, success, as Gemara Megillah tells us, if one says, ‘I have when he heard all of the specific horaos from nesi doreinu, tried but not found [success],’ do not believe him. he did his avoda properly. But now, he doesn’t hear “The fact that we say, “Do not believe him,” tells us that the voice of nesi doreinu! So he remains stationary, not even faith would not support such a thing. Logically, it is knowing what to do; as if the person is nothing without his clear that “I have tried and not found [success]” is untrue, Rebbe! and even when it comes to faith, where “A fool will believe “One might have expected that without the guidance of anything.” Still, one who says, “I have tried and not found his teacher, Yehoshua wouldn’t know what to do. The date [success]” is not believed.” of 8 Adar shows us that this was not the case; Yehoshua, (Shabbos Parshas Vayikra 5741. standing on his own feet, continued with his avoda in the Sichos Kodesh 5741 vol 2, pgs 636-641.) fullest sense, using his own intellect.

ADAR 5777 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER 29 The World Revisited THE ATOM BOMB

It was the summer of 5705 (1945), the final stages of WWII. On 27 Menachem QUALITY ABOVE Av (August 6) a US Air Force plane dropped the most lethal weapon known to QUANTITY humanity on the Japanese city Hiroshima. Three days later, a second atom bomb Following the devastation of the was dropped on Nagasaki. The devastation was gruesome and severe. 129,000 Holocaust, many frum yidden and people were killed by the blasts, and the resulting firestorms caused many more Chassidim ended up rebuilding their casualties. Days later, the Japanese accepted the terms of an unconditional lives in cities that had an extremely small surrender, bringing an end to the worst world war in human history. number of likeminded Yidden. Many felt isolated and helpless. At the Purim The American use of nuclear weapons to end the war revealed the top secret war farbrengen of 5711 (the first weekday of discovery that had been fought between the Germans and the Americans. farbrengen after 5711) the Scientists on both sides had been working tirelessly to develop the atom bomb. Rebbe proclaimed that these situations As the dust of war began to settle, nations that had fought side by side competed are a powerful mandate. with each other to develop their own nuclear arsenals. A new world order had been A common challenge to living set, one in which nuclear nations hold the true power. a Torah lifestyle is twofold. A) B’nei Yisrael are a minority within Since then global and domestic events revolved around nuclear power. Alliances humanity, and even within the Jewish and treaties were based on it. At times, the world teetered on the brink of World community the numbers of those that War III as a result of the nuclear standoff between the United States and the live according to Shulchan Aruch are Soviet Union. It has come to define the world we live in. quite low. Is it possible for our way of life to withstand the pressures of the Obviously, nuclear weapons pose a serious threat to society with potential majority? B) Even if we can preserve destruction of epic proportions; use of such capabilities should ideally be avoided what we have, how can it be expected at all costs. that we encourage others to join our ranks? In fact, the Rebbe pointed to the decision for nonproliferation of nuclear weapons On a more personal level, even a swords shall be beaten into—”וכתתו חרבותם לאתים“ as the fulfillment of thenevuah frum Yid dedicates the vast majority plowshares; a sign of Moshiach’s imminent arrival.1 of his time to mundane matters of Nevertheless, over the years the Rebbe pointed to the discovery of nuclear power eating, drinking, sleeping and making as a source of profound lessons in avodas Hashem. a living. The time invested in kedusha is a mere pittance in comparison. Is

ADAR 5777 30 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER לזכות החייל בצבאות ה' ישראל זאב שיחי' לרגל הולדתו ביום ט"ז חשון ה'תשע"ז נדפס ע"י הוריו הרה"ת ר' איסר וזוגתו מרת חי' מושקא ומשפחתם שיחיו ניו

it practical to believe that kedusha in a city or a community has the betachtoinim. The world’s superpowers should permeate his entire being? power and responsibility to transform are currently engaged in a historic The recent scientific breakthroughs the Yidden he is in contact with. struggle of epic proportions that can in atomic research provide the answer Not only to ensure that they do not result in global devastation. to this dilemma. Previously it was become weaker in their commitment To counterbalance this historically believed that quantity determines to Yiddishkeit, but also to bring them troubling reality, Hashem caused a quality and in order to effect major all closer to the light of Chassidus and transformational scientific discovery change one needed access to huge darkei haChassidus!2 to occur just prior to the onset of amounts of resources. Atomic research the Cold War. Nuclear weapons are revealed that even a single atom THE COUNTER-BALANCE designed in a way that one single contains astronomic amounts of TO THE COLD WAR person can press one button and cause quality—as long as its fullest potential The early 5740s saw an increase tremendous damage to millions of is utilized. in tensions between the US and the people thousands of miles away. The In order to tap into the awesome USSR. These years came to be known development of this technology caused energy of the atom, it needs to be as the Second Cold War. The two a paradigm shift in humanity. Whereas split. This represents the idea of nations engaged in an arms race that in the past it was believed that to effect bittul—breaking of the ego. The way to horrified many and created a reality of global change one would need access unleash your hidden power is through uncertainty in the world of international to large amounts of weaponry and exercising the power of mesirus diplomacy. On Yud Shevat 5746 the man-power, it is now clear that one nefesh (the ultimate self-nullification) Rebbe addressed this global state of single person can cause a revolution. inherent in every Yid. affairs and how it relates to the content If this is the case with regard to The success of Avraham Avinu of the maamar Bossi Legani. destruction, then it is surely the case .The primary theme of the hemshech regarding positivity אחד היה .clearly illustrates this point He was one single person is that this world is the beautiful This is a clear halacha in the—אברהם sharing the knowledge of Hashem to garden of Hashem; a place where the Rambam’s Mishneh Torah3: One is the entire world. Despite the immense Shechinah is meant to be revealed in its obligated to view himself and the world challenges he encountered, he infinite glory. However, the frightening as equally balanced. Doing one mitzvah conquered the entire world. state of affairs in today’s world make tips the scales and brings salvation to This is a clear lesson and mandate it difficult to comprehend how this the entire world. Whereas a Yid has for every Chossid. One single Chossid very same space can become a dira absolute emunah in the truth of this

ADAR 5777 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER 31 halacha—today this reality is proven THE POWER OF ACTION by scientific discovery and can be The idea of encouraging Yidden to appreciated even by the skeptics! do a single mitzvah regardless of their Notwithstanding the fact that current commitment to Yiddishkeit mighty nations are creating an was initially questioned by many. The environment of chaos—change following is a response to this skepticism. for the good is within One does not need to be a nuclear the capacity of every scientist to operate a nuclear bomb. individual!4 Following instructions and pressing the right buttons in the proper sequence has the power to change the world. This is a major cause for concern, were these weapons to fall into the hands of unbalanced people bent on causing destruction to the

ADAR 5777 32 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER world. This dynamic is definitely true • Where unwanted, it had to be with regard to ability of man to cause possible to ensure that the number good in the world. of atoms being affected should This is a fascinating illustration of continually decrease. the advantage of naaseh over nishma. • The outlay (both in energy and By matan Torah the standard was set money) that was invested in splitting for all of humanity. It all boils down the atom had to be smaller than the to action. Intellectual appreciation is return from the energy that would be secondary and unnecessary to get the freed as a result. This was because the job done.5 goal of all the research in this area was not for theoretical purposes, but rather LESSONS IN EDUCATION practical applications to improve the Mr. Julius Stulman was a prominent quality of life. The lesson is self- businessman, philanthropist and thinker. understood.7 During the 5700s he developed a strong Editor’s note: Although not clearly connection with the Rebbe and there was spelled out in the letter, we will present a fascinating correspondence between several lessons regarding education. them. In a letter dated 8 Tishrei 5709 the • The purpose of education Rebbe acknowledged with appreciation is that the student should his effusive praise for the work of Merkos be inspired to the point of L’Inyonei Chinuch (of which the Rebbe teaching others. was chairman) and responded to a • It is necessary to ensure that beautiful analogy he wrote about the the knowledge imparted to the atom bomb and the energy it released.6 student be used in the proper Among the main issues faced by direction. Furthermore, it is the scientists involved in attempting to important to take the proper split the atom—issues upon which steps ensuring that the student the success of the endeavor is able to counter negative was dependent—were influences in the future. (As the following: the Rebbe often spoke of • Chain “preventive medicine.”) reaction—that, • True education leads to in a desirable concrete and practical results context, that benefit society and the one should world. Compared to the effort be able to expended, the results will be so ensure that much greater. the first 1. See Sicha Shabbos parshas Mishpatim parts of the 5752; Sefer Hasichos 5752 p. 364 atom that are 2. Sicha Purim 5711; Toras Menachem vol. 2 split should p. 313. See also Igros Kodesh vol. 8 p. 168. explode several 3. Hilchos Teshuvah 3:4 other atoms, 4. Sicha Yud Shevat 5746; Hisvaaduyos 5746 which would vol. 2 p. 454 in turn explode a 5. Ibid. p. 458 greater number of 6. The translation of this letter is from “Mind atoms, etc. In other Over Matter” words, that the energy 7. Igros Kodesh vol. 3 p. 1 should continuously grow.

ADAR 5777 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER 33 דרכי החסידות

It’s Not About Me ביטול

אחד מהעילוים המפורסמים בעל כשרון גדול ועמקן נפלא בא לליאזנא ושקד בלימוד החסידות, ובגודל כשרונותיו רכש לו במשך זמן קצר ידיעה גדולה ורחבה בתורת החסידות. ביחידות הראשונה שנכנס לרבינו הזקן שאל: רבי מה חסר לי? ויענהו רבינו הזקן: אין חסר לך מאומה, כי ירא אלקים אתה ולמדן, רק צריך אתה להוציא את החמץ שהוא הישות וגסות הרוח, ולהכניס מצה שהוא ביטול... A brilliant and renowned scholar, exceptionally gifted and remarkably profound in his studies, came to Lyozna and threw himself into the study of Chassidus. With his powerful intellectual propensity he amassed—within a short time—a great and broad knowledge in Chassidus.

At his first yechidus with the Alter Rebbe, he asked: "Rebbe, what do I lack?" The Rebbe replied: "You lack nothing, for you are a yarei shamayim and a lamdan. You do need, however, to rid yourself of the chametz—which is awareness of self, and arrogance—and to bring in matzah, which is bittul… )היום יום כז תמוז(

ADAR 5777 34 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER לזכות החיילת בצבאות ה' חנה בת מושקא לרפואה שלימה וקרובה בכל אבריה וגידיה נדפס ע"י הרה"ת ר' יוסף יצחק וזוגתו מרת שטערנא שרה ומשפחתם שיחיו לו

There is No “I” he felt it. And at that moment, he really felt bottul One of the founding teachings of toras to Elokus. haChassidus is serving Hashem with bittul. Chassidus This story also teaches us that the world is ready to mean there to accept our message in spreading Elokus. Even ”אין עוד מלבדו“ translates the possuk is actually no true existence other than Hashem. back in Russia, when it was hard, a Chossid was able In order to properly serve Hashem, one must to clearly state that he is bottul to Hashem and have understand and feel this concept well. The Alter his words accepted by a police officer. Nowadays, when we live in the free world, our words will אין הקב”ה שורה אלא על דבר“ ,Rebbe writes in Tanya .Hashem’s presence will only rest certainly be well-received—”שבטל אצלו יתברך on something that is bottul to Him. (Sichos Yud-Tes Kislev 5698; Explaining the mitzvah of achdus Hashem, the Yud-Tes Kislev 5716; Shabbos Korach 5751) לא לומר אני, אלא לעשות“ :Tzemach Tzedek sums it up ”One should not say “I—”מאני אין, עס איז ניטא קיין איך Get to the Root ”אין“ into ”אני“ rather one should transform the ,(אני) (nothing); there is no “I.”1 Chassidus looks at the concept of “yeshus,” feeling oneself as an independent and important entity, as a serious problem that needs adequate treatment. “BITTUL GOES” Like any sickness, the best way to do away with it The Frierdiker Rebbe once related that a group is by getting to the root of the problem. of Chassidim were walking in the street and were In spiritual ailment as well: merely acting, asked by a Russian police officer, “Kta idyiot?” speaking, and thinking as if one is bottul will not take (“Who goes there?”) One of the Chassidim away the problem of feeling oneself as a metzius. The instantaneously responded, “Bittul idyiot!” (“Bittul way to do it is by contemplating and understanding goes!”) the greatness of Hashem, how He constantly creates The Rebbe repeated this story tens of times, everything, and drawing the conclusion that nothing each time emphasizing another nuance. else really exists. In doing so, a person will eventually These Chassidim were coming back from a begin to realize that he indeed is not a real metzius farbrengen where the subject of bittul to Elokus was and he’ll live everyday in that manner. discussed. The words had an effect on this particular The story is told about the Chossid Reb Chaim Chossid to the extent that he truly felt that he was Moshe Alperovich, who was once sitting at a bottul. So when the officer asked him who he was, farbrengen where the topic of discussion was he was afraid to tell a lie; he had to say the truth as avoiding “blitos”—i.e. doing holy things in a manner that stands out and brings yeshus. Some participants at the farbrengen suggested that a person needs to

ADAR 5777 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER 35 work on himself to do the right thing only because it’s “The conversation was as follows: the right thing to do; not because others will see what “This individual had complained to the Rebbe that he’s doing. every time he does something good, he feels caught Reb Chaim Moshe interrupted and said: “I think up in the personal gain he has from it. the way to deal with this is to set oneself a bit higher “The Rebbe replied with a mashal: A person is involved in a business deal that can potentially ”.(שטעלן זיך א ביסעלע העכער) Then he explained: bring in a million dollars. On the side, he’ll also gain A person might be concerned and avoid davening an additional ten cents. Obviously, the only thing be’arichus in the shul, for fear that others might see occupying his mind is the gain of one million dollars; him, so instead he davens at home. But he has not the dime in the story is irrelevant. actually taken care of the problem at all. The problem “The same is true in avodas Hashem. When of blitos is not the actual fact that others see him; a person learns Chassidus and understands the the problem is that the davener feels himself too true value of a mitzvah, how it connects the Yid much. He feels good about himself that he’s doing with Hashem—he will automatically think less of something so noble. If he’ll go home and hide, he’ll the personal gain or other ulterior motives. If one still feel the same way. understands what it means for a finite being to Why, for example, when someone puts on tefillin connect with the infinite Creator, everything else is he not concerned that people will see him? It’s becomes insignificant.”2 because he knows that he’s merely doing something Chassidim used a famous mashal to bring out this he has to do, something that everyone else also does, point very well: and there’s nothing extraordinarily noble about it. There was once an argument between the sun and If a person would realize that his davening is just the wind, which one is more powerful. The wind, something that needs to be done and stop thinking in attempt to display its strength, began blowing so much about himself, about the fact that he is so mercilessly hoping to make a man walking on the special for doing this, he won’t have the problem of street take off his coat. Feeling the cold wind, the man blitos. only tightened his coat and closed all the buttons. That’s why, Reb Chaim Moshe concluded, the The wind blew even harder, but the man kept on best way to deal with it is to set oneself a bit higher. tightening his coat as much as he could. Seeing the Instead of being engrossed in yourself, think about results, the wind finally submitted to defeat and the davening and about Whom you are davening to. waited to see what the sun could do. Forget about your own little pettiness. As soon as the sun began shining, the man slowly unbuttoned his coat. As the sun’s rays grew stronger, What’s the worth of a Dime? the man took off his coat completely. On this note, there is a story told by Reb Yoel The same could be said about ridding oneself of Kahn: yeshus: “In the earlier years of the Rebbe’s nesius, the Battling the feelings of yeshus and actively taking Rebbe used to walk home from 770 each night them on could embolden them and make them accompanied by Rabbi Hodakov. On nights when the stronger. But once a person is illuminated with the Rebbe received people for yechidus, Rabbi Hodakov light and warmth of Chassidus, and he truly begins waited in his office until the Rebbe was finished and to understand that everything in the world is of no then he would accompany the Rebbe home. real value—including his own existence—he will “One day, Rabbi Hodakov summoned me and automatically think less about himself and more said that last night while he walked home with the about what is expected of him. Rebbe, the Rebbe related a conversation he had with The Rebbe often quoted the words of the Rambam מי an individual in yechidus. Seeing this conversation as in hilchos mikva’os that one needs to toivel in the fully immerse in the purifying waters—הדעת הטהור ,an important lesson pertinent for the general public has the same טבילה the Rebbe wanted me to transcribe it and the Rebbe of Torah. Chassidus explains that When immersing in the .הביטל would edit it so others hear about it as well. letters as the word

ADAR 5777 36 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER mikveh, a person must be fully covered by the water. Reb Yoel Kahn relates that he once had a If even a small portion of his body is sticking out, his discussion with an elder Chossid who bemoaned immersion is invalid. The same applies to the study the fact that today’s Chassidim are not like those of of Chassidus: one needs to learn so much, both in previous generations. quantity and in quality (i.e. the learning should be “Do you recall such dedication to doing the in-depth) until his entire being is “covered” by the Rebbe’s will and fulfilling his shlichus in previous words of Chassidus. Automatically, the silly yeshus of generations, the likes of which we see today?” Reb his nefesh habehamis is done away with. Yoel asked. “Chassidus is all about revealing Hashem’s oneness in the world. Do you ever recall a time when so many people were ready to put their own comfort RETURN TO DUST on the side and dedicate their lives to fulfilling this ”?לתקן עולם במלכות שד-י—The Gemara says that before techiyas hameisim, mission the body of each and every person will have to turn The Chossid agreed with Reb Yoel that this phenomenon is unprecedented and added in his own עפר אתה“ into dust, fulfilling the words of the possuk you are made of dust and you shall personal story: The Frierdiker Rebbe had once asked—”ואל עפר תשוב return to dust. him to do a small shlichus, and the Chossid asked, Nevertheless, the Rebbe often stated that we “Rebbe, what will I gain from this?” Hearing his our response, the Frierdiker Rebbe changed the subject—נשמות בגופים will all merit the geulah now, as souls still within our bodies. and did not ask him about the shlichus anymore. The fact that each person must first return to “Today,” concluded the Chossid, “if our Rebbe would dust, the Rebbe explained, can be accomplished ask me to do a shlichus, I would be embarrassed to through the avodah of bittul, with which we are speak that way!” likened to dust. In other words: one generation ago, this man’s (Shabbos parshas Bo 5748) yeshus was so alert that he didn’t see anything wrong with questioning a shlichus given to him by the Frierdiker Rebbe. Nowadays, once the Rebbe What’s In it For Me? educated a generation on the importance of totally “You are needed to illuminate your environment submitting yourself to fulfilling Hashem’s Will, with Torah and avodah shebilev (davening). Parnassa his yeshus was somewhat subdued and his focus and what you need—that, Hashem must provide for would not have been on what his personal gain you. You do what you must, and Hashem will do would be. Though he still may not have completely what He must…” listened to the Rebbe, at least he realized and saw it This famous vort of the Alter Rebbe is quoted in embarrassing to say so explicitly. Hayom Yom (5 Tammuz) and perhaps serves as a But the proper approach would be, obviously, to basis for so much of what the Rebbe teaches us about let this bittul translate into action and actually listen our mission in the world. We are taught to think not to the Rebbe (not merely feeling the guilt of not about ourselves and what we need and want, but doing it). For that to happen, we need to study more about what is expected of us and what we are needed maamarim and sichos of the Rebbe; think about their for in this world. content, and let the words take effect on us. With that, we will truly dedicate ourselves to the אני )לא( נבראתי )אלא( לשמשThe Mishnah says I was (only) created to serve my Master shlichus happily and wholeheartedly, not allowing—את קוני (Hashem). We are here for one purpose, and one our yeshus to stand in the way.3 purpose only: to do what Hashem expects of us. 1. p. 62a There is no time to think and get caught up about 2. See Toras Menachem vol. 15 p. 203 ourselves. This is the true bittul that the Rebbe spoke 3. Many of the ideas in this article are based on B’Darkei about and taught us so many times, ingraining it in HaChassidim by Reb Yoel Kahn, pp. 150-155; 188-190 this generation.

ADAR 5777 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER 37 תשמ"א—פונה בקריאה לילדי/ילדות ישראל שלפני גיל בר/בת מצוה להתאגד ב”צבאות השם” )בסיסמת: “ווי וואנט משיח נאו”(...

In 5741: the Rebbe calls on all Jewish boys and girls under the age of Bar/Bas Mitzvah to join together in “Tzivos Hashem,” with the motto “We want Moshiach Now.” (Introduction to Hayom Yom)

ON THE FRONT LINES THE FOUNDING OF TZIVOS HASHEM JEM 235096 5743, B’OMER LAG

ADAR 5777 38 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER לע"נ הרה"ח הרה"ת ר' אברהם יעקב ב"ר חיים מרדכי ע"ה נלב"ע כ"ה תשרי ה'תשנ"ו ולע"נ זוגתו האשה החשובה מרת פריידא ראצא בת הרב יחיאל אפרים פישל ע"ה נלב"ע ט"ז אדר-שני ה'תשע"ו נדפס ע"י בנם הרה"ת ר' משה מאיר שמואל וזוגתו רבקה לאה ומשפחתם שי' גלוכאווסקי

Special thanks to Rabbis Yerachmiel Benjaminson, Yosef Katzman, Mendel Kotlarsky, Yosef Lebenhartz, Naftoli Rot and Rapahel Tenenhaus, for their assistance with this article. ADAR 5777 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER 39 On Shabbos Mevorchim Iyar 5736, the Rebbe established mivtza chinuch—an international initiative focussed (primarily) on children’s education. Over the summer of 5736 and throughout the following year, Chassidim from all over the world threw themselves should be arranged over the following few weeks: into the mivtza, visiting hundreds of schools and before Rosh Hashanah, during Asseres Yemei Teshuva, homes and reaching tens of thousands of children. and during Chol Hamoed. The Rebbe requested that It was during this time that the Rebbe selected the they take place throughout the world, and specifically Twelve Pesukim and began holding periodical rallies at the Kossel, Mearas Hamachpela and Kever Rochel.1 for children. (For a comprehensive article on mivtza chinuch, see Derher 44 (121), Iyar 5776.) THESE RALLIES WERE A few years later, at a surprise farbrengen on Erev HELD IN 770 AS WELL, Rosh Chodesh Nissan 5740, the Rebbe announced a new mivtza for children, with a new emphasis: AND FOR THE FINAL The time had come for the fulfillment of “Veheishiv lev avos al banim—al yedei banim” (“The hearts of ONE, ON CHOL HAMOED fathers will be turned back [to Hashem] through SUKKOS 5741, THE their children”)—to reach the parents through their children’s encouragement. The Rebbe laid out a REBBE HIMSELF JOINED. program beginning with preparation for Pesach, only THAT IS WHERE OUR two weeks away. STORY BEGINS. It started with the famous “matzah ball contest,” reaching more than fifty-thousand children, and continued with Lag B’omer, with over twenty-thousand people participating in the largest Lag B’omer parade to date. It was before Shavuos that year that the Rebbe announced the initiative for every child to be in shul for asseres hadibros, and during the summer, rallies were frequently held. (To read about mivtza veheishiv lev avos at length, see Derher 20 (97), Sivan 5774.)

On Shabbos parshas Ki Savo, at the very end of 5740— right before the beginning of shnas hakhel, 5741—the

Rebbe requested that three rallies/hakhels of children via JEM 124858 MELAMED YOSSI

A FLYER ENCOURAGING CHILDREN TO JOIN THE PESACH CAMPAIGN BY TZIVOS HASHEM IN ERETZ YISROEL, CIRCA 5741.

ADAR 5777 40 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER BUILDING AN ARMY also applied in modern times, and continues. “Film photographers “The boys sat in the front of the among other things, he proposed the rushed forward dragging their heavy Hall, and the girls at the rear...Rabbi following: “It would be a good idea for equipment and long trailing wires. J. J. Hecht was in charge. A couple of those who can participate more often The Rebbe halted for a few moments, clowns were jumping and scampering in such gatherings, to form a ...unit, whilst he handed over money for about amongst the children. One of under the same name everywhere Tzedoka to various children. He them, with a white face (painted), a “Tzivos Hashem”—“G-d’s Army”, then marched forward towards the long red nose (false) and a big bushy to which every Jew already belongs platform to the tune of “Vesomachto”. beard (not false) approached me - he from childhood, all the better to The Rebbe set a terrific pace when wanted to borrow a Gartel (black belt) carry out the Divine order: “Fill the he arrived on the platform. (I ceased with which to daven Mincha. There earth and master it”—mastering all clapping my hands, much sooner than was also a band in attendance.” that is around him/her by filling the the Rebbe did). This is how Reb Zalmon Jaffe environment with true light, the light “[In general, during] children’s describes the first Tzivos Hashem rally of Torah and mitzvos, so that everyone services, Utzu Aitzo is sung, and in his yearly “My Encounter with the will see and know that the whole repeated many many times, with very Rebbe” pamphlet. world is G-d’s. much fervour and energy. In fact, At the beginning of the rally, Rabbi This marked the first time the from this time onwards until after Moshe Bogomilsky read a letter that Rebbe used the term Tzivos Hashem. Shabbos Beraishis, which this year the Rebbe had addressed to “All Jewish At that early stage, it may have seemed occurred on the day immediately children of pre-bar/bas mitzvah age,” to be just another hakhel-initiative, but following Simchas Torah, the Rebbe in honor of the rallies being held as we will later see, this was far from made a point of ensuring that the Utzu around the world. the case. Aitzo sentence was sung loudly and In it, the Rebbe elaborated on the “Then the Rebbe arrived amidst vigorously after every service. theme of hakhel, explaining that it great excitement,” Reb Zalmon

THE REBBE SAYS A SICHA TO THE CHILDREN DURING A TZIVOS HASHEM RALLY, 28 KISLEV 5743.

ADAR 5777 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER 41 “One man outclassed and surpassed everyone with his forceful clapping, dynamic energy, vigorous vitality and vibrant intensity. This was Our Revered and Beloved Rebbe, Shlita”

the yetzer hara and not-Yiddishkeit. Every child is a soldier—always on duty, alert to the new missions—with Hashem as his “commander in chief”. On a practical level, the Rebbe gave several instructions, including: • Every child should encourage as many children as possible to join Tzivos Hashem, in keeping with the mitzvah “Ve’ahavta lereacha kamocha.” • The booklet of the Twelve Pesukim (originally published in 5736) should be reprinted on special paper, before the next rally on Chanukah. In the back of the booklet, the children should write down the names of the children whom they had influenced to join2, and when they turn it in on Chanukah, they will receive prizes. LEVI FREIDIN via JEM, 207814 RECITATION OF THE 12 PESUKIM AT A TZIVOS HASHEM RALLY, 18 TISHREI 5743. • These instructions should be relayed to the children “The next item was the recital for about seven or eight minutes, the throughout the world, in all of the Twelve Torah sayings. J.J. Rebbe paused for a slight intermission languages, and the booklet commented that we had visitors and whilst Rabbi J.J. translated what the should be published in the guests from all over the world—just Rebbe had said, into English.” language of each country. like a mixed up United Nations. He During the sichos, the Rebbe After the sichos, the Rebbe gave the was therefore choosing representatives explained the significance of the madrichim copies of the letter from from different countries to recite these newfound Tzivos Hashem: every Yid, Chol Hamoed translated into English twelve verses. and especially every child, is in the to distribute to the children, together “The Rebbe then addressed the army of Hashem to fight the milchemes with coins—one dime for tzedakah children in Yiddish. After speaking Hashem [the war of Hashem] against and another one for personal use.

ADAR 5777 42 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER Mr. Jaffe concludes his description Each of the teachers took a sefer have a mental image of 770: the bima of the event: Torah, and the Rebbe took one as well was in the middle of the shul, and “The excitement was terrific. The [this was highly unusual as throughout around the bima there was an empty Rebbe had been concentrating his the years the Rebbe’s custom was space for the hakafos, with tables set efforts on the youngsters, the new to participate in only the first and up around it to hold off the crowd; recruits to Tzivos Hashem—G-d’s seventh hakafos]. The Rebbe instructed this was known as “the ches.” All along Army. Hundreds of these young boys that the niggun “Utzu Eitza” be sung; the way from the hakafos area to the had pushed and squeezed themselves with one hand he held the sefer Torah, Rebbe’s place, tables were set up to right to the front. When the Rebbe and with the other he encouraged leave a pathway for the Rebbe. entered and ascended to the platform the tremendous singing, dancing in As the children were passed to the they all sang lustily and heartily, the circle together with the immense middle, for the fifth hakafa as per the but they were really screaming and crowd of children. Rebbe’s instruction, the hakafos area screeching, clapping: hands and filled up entirely, packed with children, jumping. and more kept on pouring in. They “One man outclassed and The Rebbe asked were placed on the tables surrounding surpassed everyone with his forceful that the children the hakafos area, and when that filled clapping, dynamic energy, vigorous up, they were left behind the tables vitality and vibrant intensity. This should be honored among the crowd. was Our Revered and Beloved Rebbe, with this hakafa; The vaad hamesader tried making Shlita.” some sort of seder, but they were their teachers utterly unsuccessful. It was simply CELEBRATING WITH would go with them impossible. THE SOLDIERS and hold the sifrei Twenty minutes passed, and finally, Throughout the previous year, the Rebbe took the sefer Torah and during the mivtza of veheishiv lev avos, Torah. Pandemonium walked to the hakafos place. But upon in addition to directing his Chassidim erupted; nothing arriving at the entranceway into the and others to reach out to children, like this had ever ches, the Rebbe had to stop. The way the Rebbe himself had shown them in was completely packed with people, tremendous kiruvim. This came to happened before… with no room for anyone to move. a climax on Shemini Atzeres and in true 770 fashion, One of the mazkirim tried making Simchas Torah, a few days after the they were handed space, but he couldn’t. When he saw establishment of Tzivos Hashem. that, the Rebbe started making a seder During the hakafos of Shemini from person to himself, and personally told people to Atzeres, as the fifth hakafa was coming person over the clear out certain areas for the children. up, the Rebbe asked that the children heads of the crowd. Although it was still packed inside should be honored with this hakafa; the hakafos area, the Rebbe began their teachers would go with them and the hakafa, and started singing “Utzu hold the sifrei Torah. On his way back to the front, the Eitza.” The children all around him— Pandemonium erupted; nothing Rebbe said that the sefer Torah shel and the entire crowd—burst into song, like this had ever happened before. Moshiach should be brought “by a as the Rebbe held the sefer Torah with Hundreds of children from all corners strong person” up to the women’s one hand and encouraged the singing of the huge, packed room needed section so the girls could kiss it; the with the other. Every so often, he to get to the middle, to the place of hakafos would wait until it returned. lowered the sefer Torah to a child to hakafos, and, in true 770 fashion, they The following night, on Simchas allow him to kiss it. were handed from person to person Torah, there was another hakafa for The Rebbe danced in the circle, over the heads of the crowd. The ages children; only this time it was on a keeping close to the outer tables, ranged from toddlers to youngsters much larger scale, since all parents motioning every so often to the right before bar mitzva, but everyone in Crown Heights had made sure to children to let him pass. After the made it to the middle one way or bring their children. hakafa was over, the Rebbe again another. In order to get a picture of what instructed that the sefer Torah shel happened that night, it is necessary to Moshiach be sent upstairs. Upon

ADAR 5777 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER 43 returning his sefer Torah and sitting down, the Rebbe began “Vesamachta.” < WE WANT MOSHIACH NOW > He spoke briefly with some of the After the singing of Napoleon’s March and davening mincha with the children gathered around, giving a few Rebbe, Rabbi Hecht took the microphone and addressed the children: of them some wine for l’chaim, and “We want to tell the Rebbe the words of the new song we are singing even shook some of their hands “gut about Moshiach. So I’m just going to read them: ‘Am Yisroel, have no fear, yom tov.” Moshiach will be here this year. We want Moshiach now, we don’t want to At the end of the evening, close w ait .’” to 3:00 a.m., the Rebbe told Rabbi The Rebbe smiled broadly, revealing his immense nachas at the Avrohom Shemtov to lead the singing children’s’ initiative. of Aleinu “like in Gan Yisroel.” The As soon as Rabbi Hecht finished his introduction, the music began children sang “Utzu Eitza” and playing and the children raised their voices in song. Immediately, the “Chayalei Adonenu,” and chanted “We Rebbe’s face turned serious, as he began to clap slowly in encouragement. Want Moshiach Now,” with the Rebbe At each round in the niggun, the Rebbe’s clapping grew stronger and encouraging them all along. Before faster; within minutes, all the the children had risen from their seats, he left, the Rebbe waved both hands singing with all their heart, captivated by the Rebbe’s energetic clapping. to the crowd, wishing them “gut yom Later on, the Rebbe often started this song himself, and in sichos the tov!” three times. following months, he defended the lyrics from various complaints and EDUCATING THE ARMY even elaborated on the significance of certain words. (For more on this special song, see Derher 5 (62) Tishrei 5773, “We During kos shel bracha after Want Moshiach Now!”) Simchas Torah, the Rebbe gave Rabbi Yaakov Yehuda Hecht a bottle of mashke “for Tzivos Hashem.” When Rabbi Hecht asked what the mashke “Who is losing out from this? The children! was for, the Rebbe told him to arrange Because they didn’t have these booklets a big children’s rally for the following which would motivate them to get out Wednesday, as a conclusion of Tishrei. The Rebbe added that they should there and recruit more children for make sure to bring a band, and before Tzivos Hashem!” mincha to sing Napoleon’s March— “for that is the proper way to begin the there wasn’t a real concentrated effort, for Tzach immediately published the education of an army.” as befitting a mivtza of this magnitude. booklets of the Yud Beis Pesukim, and The Rebbe also sent a message A few weeks later, on Shabbos Parshas also began working on an emblem. to Rabbi Hecht asking that a special Toldos, the Rebbe spoke a very sharp However, in order for the project to niggun be prepared to serve as the sicha about the lack of activities, and run properly, someone needed to take Tzivos hashem anthem. bemoaned the fact that, in the five the project upon themselves. At this rally—the first official weeks that had passed, the Yud Beis A big meeting was called with Tzivos Hashem get together—the Pesukim booklets had not yet been the directors of the major mosdos of Rebbe continued elaborating on re-printed. Lubavitch: Tzach [Lubavitch Youth various themes of Tzivos Hashem, “Who is suffering from this? The Organization], NCFJE, Beis Rivka, and and spoke a sicha in Russian directed children! Because they didn’t have others, coordinated in conjunction to the Russian children present, also these booklets which would motivate with Rabbi Hodakov. About ten or addressing the state of the Yidden in them to get out there and recruit fifteen mosdos were represented. Russia. more children for Tzivos Hashem! The first order of business was to The children should make a ‘bund,’ appoint a director to manage the new A SLOW START THEN overthrow their generals, and do what mosad; Rabbi Yerachmiel Benjaminson A SPEEDY REVERSAL needs to be done!” was chosen. Following the Rebbe’s call, This sicha, unusual in its length Rabbi Benjaminson, together bochurim and yungeleit got involved and tone, came as a bombshell. That with Rabbi Sholom Ber Baumgarten, in various activities for children, but Motzei Shabbos, bochurim working Rabbi Yosef Katzman and a group

ADAR 5777 44 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER of dedicated bochurim and yungeleit involved, were given the ‘Tzach’ < INCLUDING GIRLS > building, located on Kingston and In the sichos, the Rebbe emphasized that girls have an equal part in President, to work from. Tzivos Hashem. During one of the rallies, one of the themes of the sicha They immediately began working was that it must be immediately visible that a child is part of Tzivos on a number of fronts: developing Hashem—a boy wears his tzitzis and a girl declares ‘Shema Yisrael!’ When the ranks of the army and a system of Rabbi Hecht was translating it into English, the Rebbe told him to add prizes, printing ID cards and badges, that a girl shows her Judaism by wearing modest clothing as befits her. and establishing the Moshiach Times For the front cover of the magazine for Chanukah, the artist Michel 3 magazine ; the Rebbe was involved at Schwartz sketched a row of boys holding hands on the top of the page, every stage of the process. and a row of girls on the bottom, with the words “Ahavas Yisroel.” The first mailing was scheduled Rabbi Benjaminson relates: for Chanukah—only a few weeks “A certain askan strenuously objected to having boys and girls on later—and they had prepared a the same cover. We argued that there was no choice: if only boys were package to send to all the children, featured on the cover, it would look like a boys’ magazine; and the same which included an ID card, a wallet, a was true vice versa. Twelve Pesukim booklet, and a letter “Finally, the askan proposed sending it to the Rebbe. Within ten or addressed to the children. fifteen minutes—which was how fast the Rebbe usually answered the During the previous mivtza of questions relating to Tzivos Hashem at the time—we had our answer. The veheishiv lev avos, and throughout Rebbe made one edit—instead of “Ahavas Yisroel” it should say “Ve’ahav ta the first couple of months of Tzivos l’reiacha kamocha”—and made a check mark. Hashem, many thousands of names “The issue was laid to rest, for now. For the Purim magazine, the had been gathered. artist drew a boy and girl dressed up in costumes, looking in different When it came time for the first directions. mailing, on Chanukah, it was all done “Again, we submitted it to the Rebbe. Ten minutes later it came back by hand. “For a week straight we with a check mark. didn’t sleep,” Rabbi Benjaminson says. “On Pesach, the front cover only had room for one child, and the “Labels had to be typed up by hand; artist drew a boy. But when we sent it to the Rebbe for approval, in a stark the magazines needed to be printed, departure from the previous times, no answer was forthcoming. One day collated, and stapled; then the labels passed, then another and another, and time was running out to get out had to be put on the magazines; and the magazine before Pesach. finally everything needed to be taken “I contacted Rabbi Groner for help, and explained the situation. He to the post office. On the last night, we said, ‘Let me see what I can do.’ Half an hour later, he called back and told .also a girl—גם נערה :had fifty volunteers working the entire me to come over to see the very short answer night to get it out.” At the rally that took place on Chanukah, the Rebbe benchted the children, saying, “Every private [regular soldier] should become an officer; every sergeant and officer should become a general; and every general should become a general with many stars, without limitations…” The staff of Tzivos Hashem developed the concept of ranks and gave it in for approval, and the Rebbe edited it as well. The Rebbe showed immense interest in the ranks, and many times asked children what their ranks were. 28 KISLEV 5743, YOSSI MELAMED via JEM 130336 MELAMED YOSSI 28 KISLEV 5743,

ADAR 5777 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER 45 The Rebbe benchted the children, saying, “Every private [regular soldier] should become an officer; every sergeant and officer should become a general; and every general should become a general with many stars, without limitations”

The Rebbe had also said that the soldiers who excelled should receive prizes, so the staff of Tzivos Hashem began sending out gifts to every child who went up in rank. As the operation grew, they eventually began sending out tens of thousands of prizes a month, specially manufactured in China for this purpose. Throughout the following year, the Rebbe’s involvement with children continued in an unprecedented

THE REBBE RETURNS A SALUTE TO A SOLDIER IN TZIVOS HASHEM. < A RAISE > “One time,” Rabbi fashion, including additional personal INTERNATIONAL Benjaminson relates, “I interactions and many rallies and FORCE received a phone call at twelve sichos. Since the Rebbe announced the o’clock at night from Rabbi Children began gathering near the establishment of Tzivos Hashem, Groner. A child had just been Rebbe’s place during farbrengens, and Chabad in Eretz Yisroel had also in a car accident and was in he would shower them with special undergone a revolution. Rabbi Yosef terrible condition, and the attention, often asking them to begin Lebenhartz, who directed Tzivos Rebbe’s instructions were that “We Want Moshiach Now.” At one Hashem in Eretz Yisroel for many his rank in Tzivos Hashem of the Shabbos farbrengens during years, relates: should be raised, and that that period, a certain Chossid whose “Many rallies were held all over this would help him achieve a makom kavua was in that area tried Eretz Yisroel for Chanukah and other speedy recovery. kicking them out. The Rebbe said occasions, attended by thousands of “I immediately went into the to him, “They are Tzivos Hashem, children. Schools from all across the office, took out his index card, whereas you are a regular citizen. How spectrum participated in the Tzivos and moved him up in rank, and can you tell them what to do!?” Hashem programming, using the boruch Hashem, he recovered.” curriculums, etc. Thousands of Israeli

ADAR 5777 46 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER In order to help them achieve true unity, he was now proposing to write a sefer Torah solely for children, boys and girls, before bar and bas mitzva; every child getting their own letter. Mivtza ois b’sefer Torah became the focus of the second half of the year’s farbrengens, serving as the next step in the Rebbe’s activities for children. (For more on this mivtza, see Derher 39 (116) Teves 5776, “Letter by Letter, Unite the Children.”)

< CHEDER > TZIVOS HASHEM The children should make a “Cheder Tzivos Hashem” of their own personal rooms, a place where the Shechinah resides; in the words of the I will—ושכנתי בתוכם“ ,possuk dwell among them.” This should be apparent by posting a sign that reads “Cheder Tzivos Hashem,” so that immediately upon entering the room the child will see it and remember that he’s a member of Hashem’s army. So when the yetzer hara tries to argue, “Why must you be so THE REBBE RETURNS A SALUTE TO A SOLDIER IN TZIVOS HASHEM. diligent about learning Torah, you’re only a small child who religious and non-religious children headquarters, joining them in the cannot fully comprehend knew that they were part of an army, children’s army of Hashem. these concepts?” the child will lead by the great general—the Rebbe immediately retort: “What in New York.” UNITED difference does my level of In Eretz Yisroel, Tzivos Hashem THROUGH TORAH comprehension make? As soon also established the Chidon During the farbrengen of Yud-Alef as I was born and received my Hamitzvos, a competition where Nissan that year, the Rebbe announced Jewish name, I was instantly children studied the Rambam’s the mivtza ois b’sefer Torah. enlisted in Tzivos Hashem (for Sefer Hamitzvos and the finalists For the past few months, the Rebbe a boy, at the time of his bris, participated in an international event, said, he had constantly been speaking and for a girl even earlier)! from which the Rebbe derived much “with a shturem” about uniting all The main thing in the army nachas. Jewish children throughout the world is to follow orders; the level During the same time period, under a common banner—Tzivos of comprehension is of no shluchim across the globe went door Hashem, and a common goal—to consequence! to door, school to school recruiting spread Yiddishkeit in their homes, (Shabbos parshas thousands of children and sending their surroundings, and beyond. Mattos-Massei 5747) their names to Tzivos Hashem

ADAR 5777 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER 47 “...I thought long and hard about finding a way of inducing an American boy to get used to the idea of subordination to a higher authority, despite all the influence to the contrary.” WHY THE “ARMY”? For example, ‘spying missions,’ which Upon analyzation, Tzivos Hashem you mention in your letter as one of to. Moreover, for this method to be is a mivtza entirely unique to dor your objections, was categorically effective, it would be necessary that it hashvi’i. Almost every other mivtza excluded.” should be freely and readily accepted, that the Rebbe initiated was—on the But, the Rebbe writes, a question without coercion… surface—a simple mitzvah: put on remains: “Since the term ‘Tzivos ...“Thus, a ‘pilot’ Tzivos Hashem tefillin with someone; affix a mezuzah; Hashem’ would seem to some people was instituted. lt immediately proved light Shabbos candles. With Tzivos to smack of ‘militarism,’ what were the great success in getting the children Hashem, though, the Rebbe had overriding reasons that outweighed to do good things in keeping with designed an entire system of children’s such reservations, as you expressed in the motto v’ahavta l’reacha kamocha, programming, complete with your letter? Could not the same results coupled with love and obedience to emblems, ranks and uniforms. Why be achieved through other means or the ‘Commander-in-Chief’ of Tzivos was this all necessary? other methods? Hashem, namely Hashem Elokei In a letter to a rov from New York, “This brings us to the core of the HaTzeva’os. the Rebbe gave a fascinating overview problem. “The Tzivos Hashem campaign has of the deeper intent and strategy “As an educator, you know that a further reward, though not widely involved. children need motivation, but that applicable to Jewish children attending “...In [your letter],” the Rebbe is only one aspect of the problem. Hebrew schools...Children that might writes, “after kindly paying tribute to The most important aspect, in my be inclined to aggressiveness and the work of the Lubavitch movement, opinion, in this day and age, is the hence easy candidates for street gangs, you express your reservations about lack of kabbalas ol, not only of ol and the like, would have a positive the ‘Tzivos HaShem’ Campaign, on malchus Shamayim, but also general outlet by diverting their energy in the the grounds that it is based ‘on the submission to authority… right direction... glorification of the military and an “...Since, as mentioned, the root of “...Our experience with Tzivos aggrandizement of arms, wars and the problem is the lack of kabbalas ol, Hashem—wherever the ideas has battlefields.’” I thought long and hard about finding been implemented in the U.S.A. and After pointing out that Tzivos a way of inducing an American boy to Canada, Eretz Yisroel and in many Hashem is a title from the Torah, get used to the idea of subordination parts of the world—has completely and that although Torah does not to a higher authority, despite all the convinced us of its most successful glorify militarism or war, it also does influence to the contrary. positive results, with no negative side- not shy away from it, the Rebbe said “I came to the conclusion that effects whatever. I can only hope that that much caution had been used in there was no other way than trying it would be adopted in other sectors, this area. “Careful consideration was to effect a basic change in the boy’s outside of Lubavitch, in growing given to using a minimum of military nature, through a system of discipline numbers. trappings, and only such as would be and obedience to rules which he “I trust that the above lines consistent with the spirit of the Torah. can be induced to get accustomed will not only put to rest all your

ADAR 5777 48 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER apprehensions concerning Tzivos < “HAREINI MEKABEL” > Hashem, but will also place you in AND “ACH TZADDIKIM” the company of the many prominent At the Farbrengen of Yud Tes Kislev 5744, the Rebbe spoke about the educators and spiritual leaders who importance of Yidden including the Pessukim “Hareini Mekabel” and have enthusiastically acclaimed the “Ach Tzaddikim” in Davening. The day before the next scheduled rally— Tzivos Hashem operation as uniquely on Chanukah—the staff of Tzivos Hashem received a message from the successful in attaining its desirable Rebbe; at the rally the next day, the children should be given a sticker go a l.” with the Pessukim on them, a Tzivos Hashem emblem and an empty THE REBBE’S ARMY space to add their names and addresses. The far-reaching effects of Tzivos “Thirty years ago was nothing like today,” Rabbi Yosef Katzman says. Hashem can be felt throughout “To do such a thing was mind boggling. We were up the entire night the Jewish world until today. In printing, sticking, and cutting. We continued working through the addition to the actual program itself, morning, and when the rally began, we still hadn’t finished. I remember it brought an entirely new focus on running into the rally and giving the stickers to the ones in charge. children and their needs, with Tzivos Rabbi Benjaminson relates: “After the rally was over, Rabbi Groner Hashem pioneering many children’s called me over and told me that the Rebbe had said the following [in activities which today are taken for translation from Yiddish]: “When I asked them to make the stickers, granted, including the Jewish fairs and I imagined how it would look. I didn’t think that it would look so expositions. The Hachai publishing beautiful.” The Rebbe was very happy when he said this. house, and more, are also a result of Later on, it was discovered that the Rebbe had placed the sticker into this. his own siddur. LEVI FREIDIN via JEM 9782 THE REBBE ENCOURAGES THE SINGING AT A TZIVOS HASHEM RALLY, 18 TISHREI 5747.

ADAR 5777 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER 49 LEVI FREIDIN via JEM 206794

CHILDREN STAND NEARBY AS THE REBBE DAVENS AT THE AMUD, VOV TISHREI 5743.

But more than anything else, Although, as the Rebbe noted many even more importantly, the Rebbe the Rebbe personally built an army times, the content of the sichos to relayed an attitude: that a soldier does from the ground up, an army that children is equally applicable to adults, not give in to fear or peer pressure; educated hundreds of thousands— the style is like nothing else. The that with true effort, challenges can even millions—of children to fight Rebbe spoke to the children in their always be overcome; that every soldier Hashem’s war into adulthood, without language, from their world, describing has a responsibility to others. shirking from challenges. in detail their childish but very real Every child has the opportunity to The Rebbe continued talking about challenges, and encouraging them to join the army and participate in the Tzivos Hashem—and addressing overcome them. The Rebbe vividly programming, and to influence other rallies—throughout the years, and described the arguments of the yetzer children, whether frum or not, to join the amount of hours and energy he hara at these ages—whether jealousy, as well. invested in this cannot be estimated. selfishness, laziness, etc.—and Parents, too, have the opportunity provided strategies to prevail. Perhaps and obligation to sign up their

ADAR 5777 50 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER C. B. HALBERSTAM via JEM 101557 HALBERSTAM C. B. THE GENERALS OF TZIVOS HASHEM LEAD THE PROCESSION AT THE LAG B’OMER PARADE, 5750.

6. 20 Shevat 5741; Sichos Kodesh vol 2 p. 1. Sichos Kodesh 5740 vol 3 p. 994-995 327-328 2. In 5736, the Rebbe gave a similar horaah, 7. Yud Tes Kislev 5742, sicha 4 asking that the children fill in the names of the 8. Chol Hamoed Sukkos 5741; Sichos Kodesh children they influenced to study the pesukim vol. 1 p. 180 on an additional empty page (see above 9. Chanukah 5741; Sichos Kodesh 5741 vol 1 mentioned article). p. 629 3. This project was later given over to Rabbi 10. 28 Tishrei 5741; Sichos Kodesh 5741 vol 1 Dovid Pape. The Rebbe edited dozens of the p. 314 covers throughout the years, and showed tremendous interest in the magazine; this 11. Chanukah 5741; Sichos Kodesh 5741 vol 1 subject is too broad for this forum and will be p. 628 the subject of a future article iy”h. 12. Chanukah 5741; Sichos Kodesh 5741 vol 1 4. Chol Hamoed Sukkos 5741; Sichos Kodesh p. 630 vol. 1 p. 179 13. 15 B’Shevat 5741 Sichos Kodesh vol 2 p. 5. Ibid. 260 14. 20 Shevat 5741; Sichos Kodesh vol 2 p. 330 children, and to explain to them their special mission as soldiers, how the Rebbe invested so much time and effort in establishing this special program for them, addressing them on countless occasions. The children SIGN UP should be reminded that in addition to Tzivos Hashems’s critical importance in education (see above), every child that joins, and especially those that NOW! rise in the ranks, is participating in the www.TzivosHashem.org/kids/THSignUp.asp Rebbe’s program, and he surely derives much nachas.

ADAR 5777 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER 51 AT RALLIES OVER THE MONTHS FOLLOWING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF TZIVOS HASHEM, THE REBBE ELABORATED ON THE UNIQUE HIERARCHY AND SET-UP OF THE ARMY OF HASHEM.

A NEW LEXICON WAS INTRODUCED TO DESCRIBE THE WAR ON THE YETZER HARA:

• THE COMMANDER IN CHIEF: Hashem.

• THE BOOK OF ORDERS: the Torah.

• THE ORDER OF THE DAY: the lesson in Torah specifically for this time, often from the daily shiur Chumash.

• SPECIAL MISSION: a special shlichus or mitzvah.

• MILITARY PARADE: a rally for strengthening Torah and mitzvos and giving prizes to those who excelled. These should include elements of Torah, avodah, and gemilus chassadim, through reciting the Twelve Pesukim, davening a tefilla, and giving coins to tzedakah.

LAG B’OMER 5750, LEVI FREIDIN via JEM 241906

THE REBBE ALSO SET DOWN SEVERAL BASIC PRINCIPLES FOR EACH SOLDIER IN THE ARMY:

YAGAATA U’MATZASA: LOVE YOUR FELLOW AS YOURSELF: with proper effort every child encourage as many children will surely succeed in the war as possible to join. against the yetzer hara.

UTZU EITZA VESUFAR/ WE WANT MOSHIACH NOW:

MIPI OLELIM VEYONKIM: every child must be infused with the children are the ones who will the yearning for Moshiach. foil the evil designs of our enemies.

ADAR 5777 52 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER THE REBBE EXPLAINED THAT TZIVOS HASHEM MUST WAGE WAR LIKE A REGULAR ARMY, AND THAT, IN FACT, THE REASON THAT HASHEM MADE PHYSICAL ARMIES IN A SPECIFIC WAY WAS IN ORDER TO TEACH US HOW HASHEM’S ARMY MUST FUNCTION. AT THE SAME TIME, THE REBBE POINTED OUT SOME DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THEM.

1. One of the fundamental principles of an army means that, by now, the army is huge, still new is that it is very serious; it may be exciting, but children are needed to join the ranks of Tzivos it’s not a game. So too, the children in Tzivos Hashem, in order to complete the mission in the 9 Hashem must know that this army is no child’s quickest way possible. play. Hashem mobilized this army and depends The army provides all of its soldiers’ needs— on the soldiers to win His war.4 7. food, drink, clothing, and housing. So, too, when 2. Another military principle is that orders are the children fight the war against the yetzer hara, obeyed without question. When a child knows Hashem will provide them and their parents that there is an order from his Commander-in- with everything they need: health, happiness, Chief, Hashem, he must have kabbalas ol and strength, food and drink, and a bright home. follow it whether he understands the reasoning This will enable them to achieve victory even 10 or not.5 faster and better.

3. A soldier never forgets that he is on a mission. 8. Difference:In an army, as time passes and the A child must always remember that he is on challenges change, the weaponry and tactics a mission from Hashem, and he must utilize must be updated as well. In Tzivos Hashem, everything he does and everywhere he goes to however, Hashem gave us a type of weapon— further this objective.6 Torah and mitzvos—that is effective in every single situation, in all generations.11 4. If a person underwent true military training, it will be evident in everything he does—the way 9. Difference:One of the biggest differences: in they walk down the street, the way they eat, and the military, wars are won through fighting. even the way they sleep. So too, it must always be In Tzivos Hashem, we wage our wars with evident on the child that he is part of Hashem’s light, through illuminating ourselves and army. 7 our surroundings with the light of Torah and mitzvos.12 5. In the military, a soldier may never drop a mission, even if he’s ready to accept the 10. Difference: In an ordinary army, women are not punishment for doing so, because everything he included. However, this is a war commanded by does has an effect on the army as a whole, and Hashem, a milchemes mitzvah, in which women his decision will harm everyone. So too, a child and girls must participate, even a kallah from must know that his actions affect the Yidden as under her chupa. Furthermore, by matan Torah, a whole, and if he does something wrong, it may the women were put before the men. Therefore, bring danger to the entire Jewish nation.8 girls must realize their responsibility not only as soldiers on their own, but as the trailblazers for 6. In the effort of securing the homeland, the the boys.13 military often has specific missions and goals, and new soldiers are recruited to help complete 11. Difference:In the military, the Commander-in- them. The mission of this generation—the past Chief is far away from the ordinary soldier. But few years in particular—is to bring Moshiach. Hashem—our Commander-in-Chief—stands by Therefore, although all the Torah and mitzvos every single child as he fights the yetzer hara and that have been done throughout the past assists him, giving him the strength to conquer 14 generations have an everlasting effect, which the entire world.

ADAR 5777 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER 53 להביא לימות המשיח

For generations we have hoped, prayed, and yearned for the coming of Moshiach. The Gemara in Sanhedrin sets forth Moshiach various preconditions for the coming of Moshiach. What are we to make of all these conditions? Are they to be taken literally? How are these teachings meant to help us will come in our avodah to bring Moshiach? The Rebbe addressed this Gemara on various occasions, and explained the meaning of these enigmatic conditions. “אין בן דוד בא עד שיתבקש דג לחולה ולא ימצא” Only “[Moshiach] Ben-Dovid will not come until fish is sought out for an ill person, and yet none is found.”1 when... The Gemara states that Moshiach will come in a generation that is either entirely righteous, or entirely transgressors. The Jewish nation will either be on an exalted spiritual level, and thus be deserving Moshiach, or on a very low spiritual level, and thus at a point where there is no choice but for Moshiach to come. It thus follows that we can explain the precondition of “until there are no fish for the ill” to be referring to either one of these two situations. In an undeserving generation, the Jewish nation as a whole is on a very low spiritual level. The “sickly” person is one who has transgressed, and is therefore spiritually ill. In order to recover from his spiritual illness he must do teshuvah, which is why fish is being sought out for him. Why does he need a fish to do teshuvah? The transgression, which is the source of spiritual illness, is only possible when one has lost sight of the fact that Elokus is his true life source. A fish lives within—and is totally surrounded by—its life source, and is thus the spiritual representation of constant awareness of one’s source. When the sick person eats the fish, it brings this spiritual awareness to him, and helps him attain teshuvah. However, in this generation there is no fish to be found, meaning, there is no way to reach this level of bittul and connection to Elokus. This is an indication that the ,generation is indeed on the lowest possible spiritual level לע"נ .and there is no choice but for Moshiach to come הרה"ת ר' חיים ע"ה ניו These circumstances can also refer to a much more נלב"ע י"ב שבט ה'תשע"ו positive situation in a generation that is deserving of נדפס ע"י משפחתו בוקה ראטון, פלורידה Moshiach: The person who is ill is in truth on a very high spiritual level. He has attained the 49 shaarei (degrees of understanding G-dliness). His sickness is caused by his deep yearning for the 50th shaar (the deepest level of understanding).

ADAR 5777 54 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER However in order to attain this be obvious that any government whose situation, in which the poverty is so level of understanding, he needs to mandate doesn’t stem from Hashem’s great that there is no choice but for reach a much deeper level of bittul. rulership, is considered heresy Moshiach to come. Fish must be sought out in order to This corresponds to the situation The Rebbe explains that this is in heal him. in which the Jewish nation is indeed fact referring to a positive situation in Why does he need the fish? on an exalted spiritual level and the which the Jewish nation is fulfilling As we mentioned, the fish is a generation is deserving of Moshiach.4 mitzvos (specifically tzedakah) joyfully and on a very lofty level, and is thus “אין בן דוד בא אלא בהיסח הדעת” spiritual representation of awareness and bittul to one’s source. “[Moshiach] Ben-Dovid will come deserving of Moshiach’s arrival. The meaning of the Gemara—“fish only when we divert our minds from There is the mitzvah of tzedakah cannot be found”—is that the level of it [Moshiach]”5 according to halacha with various bittul of the fish is not deep enough for Are we really supposed to stop requirements, and then there are our sick person. He has reached as far thinking about Moshiach? We are told extra measures of generosity that go as a creation possibly can. that we must await his coming every beyond the letter of the law. No one A generation where the Jewish day; how then can we be expected to would imagine that one is required to nation is on such an exalted spiritual divert our minds from Moshiach? give tzedakah until one has no more level that they are ill because of Every Jew wants Moshiach to come. money. their longing for divine revelation, Every Jew yearns for Moshiach in What the Gemara is describing is deserving that Moshiach should order to experience true redemption. here is one who gives tzedakah until 2 come. When one is in a very tough situation, there isn’t a penny left in his own be it physically or spiritually, he pocket. He goes above and beyond “אין בן דוד בא עד שתתהפך כל המלכות feels an acute desire and need for logic in his performance of this למינות” “[Moshiach] Ben-Dovid will not come redemption, both for himself and for important mitzvah. until all the nations have turned to the entire Jewish nation. This approach of giving tzedakah, heresy”3 When the Gemara tells us that although not required, will warrant The Gemara bases this teaching on for Moshiach to come we must the coming of Moshiach even if we are 8 a halacha regarding tzaraas: if tzaraas divert our minds from it, the term as of yet undeserving. is limited to one area [i.e. some of the “hesech hadaas” is used—literally While at face value these conditions nations of the world are heretics] then meaning “removal of daas.” The word seem to be describing very negative it is a sign of impurity. However, if daas means “knowledge,” and also situations that will precede the coming the tzaraas spreads to the entire body means connection. Daas thus refers of Moshiach, the Rebbe shows us that [i.e. all the nations of the world have specifically to knowledge as it relates they can also be describing positive turned to heresy], it is no longer a sign to the person who knows it. Daas is situations as well. of impurity, and the person is pure. knowledge as it pertains to “me.” May we be zoche to the coming of This condition can be interpreted in The Gemara is telling us that we Moshiach with the fulfillment of these one of two ways, corresponding to the need to want and yearn for Moshiach, conditions in the most positive way, aforementioned two possibilities with but we need to want it for the right b’mheira b’yameinu mammosh! regard to the situation of the Yidden in reasons. Our desire for Moshiach’s 1. Sanhedrin 98a the generation before Moshiach. coming should not be from a place 2. Adapted from Reshimos choveres 11 (for 1. All the nations of the world are of daas—for reasons that relate to a more in depth look at this Reshima see “No heretics, thus the situation is so grave ourselves. Rather, we should want fish for the ill,” Derher Cheshvan 5777). that there is no choice but to bring Moshiach because we desire the 3. Sanhedrin 97a Moshiach. fulfillment of Hashem’s Will for a dira 4. Adapted from Lekutei Sichos vol. 32 Tazria This corresponds to the situation b’tachtonim. (1) 5. Sanhedrin 97a. in which the Jewish nation is entirely Adapted from the sicha of Shabbos parshas .6 “אין בן דוד בא אלא . . עד שתכלה פרוטה מן undeserving and thus there is no Eikev, 20 Av 5713 הכיס” choice but for Moshiach must come. “[Moshiach] Ben-Dovid will not come 7. Sanhedrin 97a 2. The world has become refined 7 until there isn’t a penny in the wallet” 8. Adapted from the sicha of Yud Shevat 5725 to such a degree that the truth of the At first glance this Gemara seems Torah is clear to all. Therefore it will to be describing a very negative

ADAR 5777 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER 55 א חסידישע מעשה

Who will be the tenth?

With an excited smile Still sitting in the wagon, , as was his painted across his face, he ordered the driver to custom to daven mincha as Asher1 ran outside to greet keep driving right into the close as possible to midday the holy Baal Shem Tov. entrance-room of the house. on Erev Shabbos. “Finally,” he said to himself, As the servant reached the The Baal Shem Tov “there may be hope for me!” doorway, he realized that then proclaimed, “I knew Asher had long prayed the door frame was quite there would be a minyan.” for salvation; not a financial short and the wagon would This statement stirred up one but one that runs at the not fit through, so he pulled a small commotion as core of every human. He the reigns and the horses everyone began whispering had been married for many came to a complete stop. and murmuring. Looking years now and had still The Baal Shem Tov around the room they all not been blessed with an immediately asked him, noticed that indeed they offspring; he was childless. “Why did you stop?” were short; there were only LOOKING The Baal Shem Tov asked Without any further nine men which means they AROUND THE Asher if it would be okay if deliberations, the servant were missing just one. he stayed over in his home guided the horses through At that point, a wild ROOM THEY for Shabbos. the doorway and lo and thought entered Asher’s ALL NOTICED “Possible? I humbly behold the entire lintel and mind and he spoke up. THAT INDEED request that you do.” building raised up allowing “Across the river there is a “Will you have a them to go on smoothly. small village where there is THEY WERE minyan?” asked the Baal This incredible miracle a Jew who has been sick for SHORT; THERE Shem Tov. was visible to all and to ten years. He is completely WERE ONLY After a quick count they Asher this was yet another handicapped and cannot realized that they were only indication that a miracle move his hands and feet. NINE MEN nine men, and so Asher was on its way, “I will His tongue has no strength WHICH MEANS replied that he wasn’t sure, surely be helped,” he said to and his food is poured THEY WERE but the Baal Shem Tov said himself once again. directly down his throat. confidently, “There will be a As midday arrived, the Could this possibly be the MISSING JUST minyan!” handful of men gathered person the Baal Shem Tov ONE. to daven mincha with the has in mind?”

ADAR 5777 56 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER COULD THIS POSSIBLY BE THE PERSON THE BAAL SHEM TOV HAS IN MIND?

The Baal Shem Tov told ten years was now walking will soon grow old and not the tzaddik’s bracha to him to go and fetch the on his own two feet. With be able to have a family. fruition.3 sickly man and he gave the minyan now complete, What will my purpose be?” (Shivchei HaBaal his walking stick to assist. they were able to daven The Baal Shem Tov then Shem Tov) A short while later, Asher mincha, while everyone told him the words he so 1. The name doesn’t appear in returned empty handed. pondered over the two desperately wanted to hear, the original and was added here The man didn’t move or incredible miracles they had “You will have children!” for the sake of clarity. 2 budge. just witnessed. He lived day by day 2. The man lived on in good The Baal Shem Tov These incidents didn’t waiting for these words to health for another ten years. then removed his hat from pass over Asher and he felt be fulfilled. People went back to the scene of his head and handed it to that this was a momentous He didn’t merit having the doorway that lifted up and they said that even twenty years Asher. “Take my hat and put occasion to ask the tzaddik children with his first wife, later, it never went back to its it on his head,” he said, “and for his own personal bracha. and when he turned sixty original position. It remained in give him my stick as well.” When they sat down to eat, years old she tragically its miraculous, elevated lopsided Sure enough, a few he said to the Baal Shem passed away. But Asher position from then on. minutes passed by, and what Tov, “I am already a middle remarried and ultimately 3. The person who related the story concludes that he isn’t sure an incredible sight it was; a aged man and have still not had two children with if they had one set of twins or the man who was bedridden for merited to have children, I his second wife, bringing two children were born separately.

ADAR 5777 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER 57 Story

לזכות השלוחה הצעירה חנה שתחי' לרגל הגיעה לגיל יב שנה היא עונת בת מצוה ביום ח' שבט תשע"ז יה"ר שתגדלה להיות ראוי' לשם בת חב"ד כברכתו ורצונו של כ"ק אדמו"ר זי"ע ולנחת רוחו נדפס ע"י הוריה הרה"ת ר' אברהם יהודה הלוי וזוגתו מרת דבורה לאה שיחיו סאסקינד נוביי, מישיגין A Snowy Feel AS TOLD BY RABBI YITZI STEINER (MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA)

When my wife and I got married a few years ago, it was clear to us that we would be going out on shlichus. While we had nothing immediate waiting for us, we began searching and asking around about different places and different options. One of the places we looked into was University of Minnesota, which had a sizable Jewish population. That fact was a bit surprising to me. If there were so many Jews on campus, why hadn’t any shliach moved there yet, I wondered. I did a bit of research; It seemed that this campus had never merited a shliach for a number of reasons, including the terribly cold winters

ADAR 5777 58 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER that are visited upon Minnesota each year. Not too many people have been willing to move to such a harsh climate. I was far from convinced that this was a perfect idea for me and my family. In addition to the bitter cold, the Jewish population, while significant, was still not large compared to some other schools that had shluchim, and I wasn’t sure if the campus would be able to sustain a full time shliach. How would I support the mosad? What if we weren’t successful? Many doubts and questions nagged at me. However, looking at our options, this campus definitely seemed to be the best choice. With hopeful hearts we decided to take it on, all the while thinking about the many issues and problems that can come up over there. With all the excitement, I couldn’t stop dwelling on my doubt about the choice. We went to the Ohel to tell the Rebbe about our decision, and to ask the Rebbe for his permission and brachos to become his shluchim. On our way back to Crown Heights, I received an email from Chabad on Campus. A student from the University of Minnesota had emailed them, asking them to send a shliach to his campus. That message immediately uplifted my spirits, and we proceeded with the move. Like all new endeavors, “all beginnings are harsh;” it took a few years for our activities to have a strong foundation, but I knew the whole time that with the Rebbe’s bracha, we would be successful, and Boruch Hashem, we have been witness to tremendous growth; countless Jewish students have found a home away from home, and who knows how far the effect will reach.

YOUR STORY Share your story with A Chassidisher Derher by emailing [email protected].

ADAR 5777 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER 59 Moments

לזכות הרה״ת ר' יוסף יצחק וזוגתו מרת נחמה ומשפחתם שיחיו הארליג

MEGILLAH READING Purim 5729

One of the few times throughout the year when one could see the Rebbe wearing his tallis and tefillin was Purim morning, as the Rebbe wouldn’t ordinarily daven shacharis publicly on weekdays until years later. Something unique about these pictures is that this year (5729) the Megillah that the Rebbe used at night is not the same as the one he used for the day reading. Until then the Rebbe used an old worn-out Megillah, stored in a black carton case. But that year, Reb Getzel Rubashkin gave the Rebbe, as a gift, a new beautifully written Megillah with an exquisite silver case.1 The Rebbe didn’t use the newly gifted Megillah at night, because he wanted to pay for the gift, and didn’t want to use it until the money reached Reb Getzel. This was the Megillah that the Rebbe used from that point on.

1. See No Simple Gift Derher Magazine 29 (106), Adar 5775 for the complete recount of Reb Getzel’s gift.

ADAR 5777 60 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER JEM 287363

ADAR 5777 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER 61 JEM 287335 JEM 287329

ADAR 5777 62 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER DerherLetters A forum for readers to send their feedback, add to, or ask any questions about articles. Submit your letter to [email protected]. Submissions may be slightly modified by our editorial staff before publishing.

“As though I was there” 52 (129)], you quoted from the Rebbe in 5748 about how to use the sefarim Dear Editors, until they’re worn out. There is also a Each year, Hei Teves takes on new and sicha from Yud-Tes Kislev 5733 (sicha 8), deeper meaning. The story opens up. The where the Rebbe explains that the beauty implications become more real. of one’s home is having sefarim, however the sefarim themselves should be torn But nothing has made it as real as reading from frequent use. The Rebbe mentioned the interview in the Hei Teves Derher this several times throughout the years as supplement, “A Challenging Time, An indicated in the article. Eternal Victory.” It’s no longer a series of events. Not just history. It’s now almost as 2. Regarding the article about Crown though I was there as the Rebbe opened Heights [“Crown Heights” Derher 50 up his neshama, chaya, yechida and let it (127)] - pour out to the Chassidim. My Zaide R’ Dovid Zanvil Schultz a”h That is something I had not understood came from a prominent Gerer family. before—that kiruv and that kesher amitz. After surviving the Holocaust he lived in And that’s the ikar. the East New York section of Brooklyn.

Tzvi Freeman As the neighborhood began to deteriorate Los Angeles, California he wanted to move to Boro Park as many of his friends had. His father-in-law (my elter zaide Hachossid R’ Aaron Moshe ” Bobriosky) suggested that he ask the Move to Crown Heights Rebbe before moving. The Rebbe told Dear Editors, my zaide that it is for his and his family’s benefit to move to Crown Heights. My Thank you for your wonderful zaide was disappointed to say the least, publication. Our family sits around the and his friends were bewildered as his table every Shabbos afternoon between decision to move to Crown Heights at mincha and maariv and we take turns a time that everyone was leaving. My reading aloud portions from the monthly zaide would tell them, “Vos zol ich ton der Derher. Rebbe hut geheisen...” (What can I do? The 1. Regarding your fascinating article on Rebbe instructed me as such!) sefarim [“Redefining the Home” Derher

ADAR 5777 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER 63 Ultimately, after my parents moved to from England two weeks earlier, on 16 Worcester on shlichus they had a place Cheshvan. A draft of this letter with to stay in Crown Heights. And as I spent the Rebbe’s handwritten corrections my years as a bochur learning in Crown was printed in the Horvitz-Borenstein Heights, it was at my grandparents’ home teshura. in Crown Heights that I stayed, and my siblings have lived there as well. Ad The Rebbe writes: “Here I wish to refer hayom our family continues to reap the to one point in your latest letter, where benefits of the Rebbe’s incredible vision, you wrote about the difference between ruach hakodesh and ahavas Yisroel. the Six Day War and the so-called Yom Kippur War, in that G-d’s miracles were Laibel Blotner more obvious in the Six Day War, etc. Mesa, Arizona ” Maginot and Bar Lev Defense Lines Dear Editors, The column “The World Revisited” of the Teves Derher discussed the Rebbe’s sichos regarding the Maginot and Bar Lev defense lines [“Battle of France” Derher 52 (129)].

On Shabbos Parshas Toldos 5734 (which fell out 29 Cheshvan) the Rebbe provided the response to those who “are asking, why we haven’t seen miracles in the Yom Kippur War like we saw during the Six Day War.” The Rebbe explained the great miracle that, after breaching the Bar Lev Line, the Egyptians stopped, despite the fact that there was nothing holding them back from chas v’shalom proceeding to Tel Aviv and Yerushalayim.

As it turns out, it seems the Rebbe is actually discussing a correspondence he had with a Jew

ADAR 5777 64 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER “As a matter of fact, there were ample Rebbe erased the word “leave” and wrote miracles, and quite obvious ones… The instead “encircle the.” The exclamation greatest miracle was that the Egyptians point at the end of the sentence “The stopped their invasion for no good greatest miracle... east of the canal” was reason only a few miles east of the Canal! also added by the Rebbe, instead of the The obvious military strategy would regular period. have been to encircle the few fortified positions in the rear, and with the huge The Rebbe also added a line in his holy army of 100,000 men armed to the teeth, handwriting, on the side of the word to march forward in Sinai, where at that “obvious”: point in time there was no organized “Brought full victory to the Germans over defense of any military consequence. This France in a few days.” is something that cannot be explained in the natural order of things, except It seems that the Rebbe added this line as it is written, ‘The dread of the Jews for the mazkir to elaborate on in the fell upon them,’ in the face of their second draft of the letter. This is the same intelligence reports about the complete example that the Rebbe used in the sicha unpreparedness of the Jews in Eretz two weeks later as mentioned in the Yisroel at that time. article.

“There are also scores of reported Reading the original sicha, you can find miracles in various sectors of both fronts additional common points between this [presumably referring to Egypt and Syria letter and the part of the sicha that wasn’t -L.S.], which need not be recounted here.” printed in the Derher.

On the draft prepared by the mazkir, Levi Shemtov the letter stated “The obvious military Lubavitch strategy would have been to leave a Hamerkozis - NY few fortified positions in the rear.” The

ADAR 5777 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER 65