B”H

THEWEEKLY MAGAZINE SHUL SPONSORED BY MR. & MRS. MARTIN (OBM) AND ETHEL SIROTKIN & DR. & MRS. SHMUEL AND EVELYN KATZ

SHABBOS PARSHAS BEHAR - BECHUKOSAI IYAR 21 -IYAR 22 MAY 15 - 16 CANDLE LIGHTING: 7:42 PM SHABBOS ENDS: 8:38 PM

YOM YERUSHALAYIM FRIDAY, IYAR 28 - MAY 22

The Shul - Lubavitch - An institution of The Lubavitcher , Menachem M. Schneerson (May his merit shield us) Over Thirty five Years of Serving the Communities of Bal Harbour, Bay Harbor Islands, Indian Creek and Surfside 9540 Collins Avenue, Surfside, Fl 33154 Tel: 305.868.1411 Fax: 305.861.2426 www.TheShul.org Email: [email protected] www.theshulpreschool.org www.cyscollege.org THE SHUL WEEKLY MAGAZINE EVERYTHING YOU NEED FOR EVERY DAY OF THE WEEK

NACHAS AT A GLANCE CONTENTS THE SHUL CHILD ENRICHMENT CENTER CELEBRATED LAG BA’OMER IN STYLE. EACH CLASS MADE BEAUTIFUL, DELICOUS LAG BA’OMER CRAFT’S THROUGH Weekly Message: 3 Thoughts on the Parsha - Rabbi Sholom D. Lipskar ZOOM AND THEN THE SCHOOL CELEBRATED A GRAND LAG BAOMER PARADE WITH A VIDEO FEATURING THE STUDENTS AND MUSICAL ENTERTAINMENT Celebrating Shabbos: 4 - 5 Schedules, classes, articles & more... Everything you need for an “Over the Top” Shabbos experience Community Happenings: 6 -7 Sharing with your Shul Family A Time to Pray: 8 Check out all the davening schedules and locations throughout the week Daily Study: 9 A complete guide to all classes and courses ofered at The Shul Inspiration, Insights & Ideas: 10 - 21 Bringing lessons to LIFE

French Connection 22 Reflexions sur la Paracha Latin Link 23 Reflexion Semanal In a Woman’s World 24 Issues of relevance to the Jewish woman

Networking 25 Efective Advertising

Numbers To Know 26 Contacts at The Shul Get The Picture 27 - 28 EVEN WITH SOCIAL DISTANCING WE TOOK LAG BA’OMER TO THE The full scoop on all the great events STREETS OF 33154 WITH AN THE TOP LAG BA’OMER CAR PARADE. around town

QUOTABLE QUOTE

Against your will you are formed, against your will you are born, against your will you live, against your will you die...

– Ethics of the Fathers 4:22 THOUGHTS ON THE PARSHA FROM RABBI SHABBOS PARSHAS BEHAR - BECHUKOSAI

his tandem Torah reliance, individual capacity, perseverance and even good portion Behar/ fortune/luck, removing G-d from the equation of our living Bechukosai that patterns . Tconcludes the third book of the Torah Vayikrah/ Even under those circumstances, Almighty G-d promises Leviticus has an interesting that He will never forsake us and will always be there in the compilation of polarized background, waiting for us to recognize His Omnipotence, concepts. Omnipresence and His great unyielding love and caring for us. With our slightest motion of returning to Him, He will A great part of the portion come back with the enormous blessings that He has in store discusses laws pertaining for each and every one of us. to our successful agronomic condition, relating to the Maimonides rules that “faith” is not one of the 613 Mitzvot/ fact that landowners and farmers can only work the land precepts as it is part of our DNA. We are hardwired for our six years and in the seventh year the land has to rest and dynamic, essential relationship with Hashem. It is only that its produce is available to the general public. At that time, our limited rationality, circumstances and social conditioning every person has equal access to all the produce or grains in that affects our behavior sometimes pushes that faith into a the field which would also be available to domesticated and concealed state of being. even not domesticated animals. This Torah portion tells us that we must activate our faith, Every 50 years there is a two year period of complete dormant bring it to the forefront and recognize its reality and potency. activity for the land as far as farmers are concerned - the Our prayers, good deeds, kindness, caring for others, Torah 49th year which is the seventh year of the seven-year cycle, study, Shabbas observance and any positive act can activate and the 50th year which is the Jubilee year of the 50 year that faith. cycle. Landowners acquiesce their personal authoritative ownership of their own produce and products, recognizing The Torah concludes this week’s reading with the words, “Be that the land actually belongs to Almighty G-d Himself. Strong, Be Strong and We Will Be Strengthened”. Have faith, believe, recognize G-d‘s presence and strength and He will It is at that time that the produce of the 48th year needs to shower us with the most extraordinary blessings that we be adequate for four years until the harvest of the 51st year. can imagine as we will soon see the massive, immense, That could invoke serious questions of sustainability. What extraordinary light that will come forth after the darkness will we eat and how can we expect to live properly when that we have experienced. our agronomic/economic system is shut down and not productive for almost a three-year period? The Torah states Have a wonderful Shabbos and a great week. clearly that G-d Almighty says, “I will send my blessings that the Land will yield more than enough for all that period of time.”

It is a faith in Hashem that is practical and affects our very material lifestyles.

The end of the double portion talks about the most horrific consequences that will come to mankind as a result of Rabbi S. Lipskar leaving the path of holiness and G-dliness, rejecting Divine providence and Divine intervention and depending on self-

3 CELEBRATING SHABBOS EVERYTHING YOU NEED FOR AN “OVER THE TOP” SHABBOS EXPERIENCE Eruv Information We would like to emphasize that every Erev Shabbos, individuals should call the Eruv Hotline to make sure SHABBOS SCHEDULE that the Eruv is operational. The number to call is Candle lighting 7:42 p.m. 305- 866-ERUV (3788). The Eruv message is recorded approximately two Pirkei Avos Chapter 5 After Mincha hours prior to candle lighting. Surfside: The Eruv in Surfside now includes the walking paths along the beach. Pushing strollers and carrying is permitted Shabbos Ends 8:38 p.m. on the paths, but not beyond the path or onto the beach. Count The Omer - Day 38 Bal Harbour: The Eruv in Bal Harbour included the inner (western) walking path only. The pier at Haulover Cut is not included.

Next Week: Shabbos Parshas Bamidbar To pay your annual dues visit: www. Candle Lighting 7:45 p.m. miamibeacheruv.com Mincha 7:45 p.m.

PARSHA IN PICTURES Test your Parsha knowledge. Can you tell the story of the parsha using the pictures below

4 DAILY STUDY A COMPLETE GUIDE TO ALL CLASSES AND COURSES OFFERED AT THE SHUL HTTPS://ZOOM.US/ 6457054016

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To our beloved Soldiers in the Israeli Defense HALACHIC TIMES Forces, courageously protecting and defending BASED ON TIMES FOR MAY 20 Eretz Yisroel. We pray for you and all of the soldiers safety and well being daily.

Alot Hashachar / Dawn 5:11 am Menachem Mendel ben Chaya Leah Earliest Talit & Tefllin 5:46 am Daniella Malka bat Natanya Netz Hachamah / Sunrise 6:32 am Menachem Mendel ben Aurit Eden Chana bat Karine Cecile (Earliest Amidah) Benyamin Aharon ben Jeniya Gila Rut Latest Shema 9:52 am Zman Tfllah 11:00 am Chatzot / Midday 1:17 pm Earliest Mincha 1:52 pm Plag HaMincha 6:41 pm Shekiah / Sunset 8:02 pm (Preferable latest time for Mincha) Tzeit Hakochavim / Nightfall 8:28 pm (Earliest preferable Ma’ariv)

Times taken from www.chabad.org Please note that during the week times may Vary by a minute or two.

5 COMMUNITY HAPPENINGS SHARING WITH YOUR SHUL FAMILY

BIRTHDAYS YAHRTZEITS 22 Iyar Ms. Moshe Steve Bouhadana 22 Iyar Aron Yehudah ben Chaim obm 22 Iyar Mr. Yosef Yitzchak Gheblikian Great-Grandfather of Mr. Abraham Gewirtz 23 Iyar Mr. Aharon Maimon 23 Iyar Pinchas obm 23 Iyar Mr. Ben Philipson Father of Mr. Avrom Chaim Zelmanovitch 23 Iyar Rabbi Moshe Schneider 23 Iyar Rifah obm 23 Iyar Mr. Jordan Wachtel Mother of Mr. Avrom Chaim Zelmanovitch 24 Iyar Ms. Selena Snow Cappell 24 Iyar Ms. Morri Cohen 23 Iyar Belina bas Yosef Ha Levy obm 24 Iyar Mr. Jonathan Egozi Mother of Mrs. Sarita Coifman 24 Iyar Ms. Renee Grossman 23 Iyar Moshe Benalloul bar Masouda obm 24 Iyar Mr. Shlomo Peretz Father of Mrs. Carene Ohayon 24 Iyar Mrs. Malkie Tevardovitz 23 Iyar Tzvi Hersh Leib ben Eliezer Halevi obm 26 Iyar Mr. David De Vitton Father of Mr. Jerrod M. Levine 26 Iyar Mr. Yosef Yitzchak Levy 24 Iyar Aidele bas Zvi Hersch obm 26 Iyar Mr. Stephen Sugar Mother of Mrs. Violeta Chocron 27 Iyar Mr. Stephen Cohen 25 Iyar Moshe Aharon ben Chaim Ha Levi obm 27 Iyar Mr. Saul Spitz Grandfather of Mr. Berel Golomb 27 Iyar Mr. Sasha David Zuckerman 25 Iyar Esther bas Izah obm 28 Iyar Mrs. Sandy Goldfarb Mother of Mrs. Yafa Raviv 28 Iyar Mr. Nosson Levinsky 26 Iyar Zeev ben Emanuel obm 28 Iyar Mr. Neil Mark Schuster 28 Iyar Mr. Michael Weinstock Father of Mr. David Shear 28 Iyar Mr. David Eyal Woldenberg 26 Iyar Shmuel obm Father of Dr. Bernard Baumel 27 Iyar Yehuda Leib ben Shmuel obm KID’S BIRTHDAYS Father of Mr. Mordechai Turgel 22 Iyar Menachem Mendel Duchman 27 Iyar Michael ben Zalman obm 22 Iyar Yehosua Shalom Segal Uncle of Mr. Michael Werner 23 Iyar Rafael Benchimol 28 Iyar Shmuel ben Avraham obm 24 Iyar Raizel Mushka Goldfarb Father of Dr. Robert B. Mondshine 24 Iyar Riva Rappaport 25 Iyar Shmuel Drimmer 28 Iyar Chaya Klara bas Binyamin Yosef obm 25 Iyar David Bentzion Salzhauer Aunt of Mr. Harold Tripp 27 Iyar Samuel Laoui 27 Iyar Samuel Sragowicz

MAZAL TOV CONDOLENCES Mazal Tov to Mr. & Mrs. Zalmy and Morah Chaya Wolf on the Our heartfelt condolences go out to Mr. Shlaime Mochkin birth of a son. May they raise him to Torah, Chupah and on the passing of his beloved sister Raizel Zucker obm. May Ma’asim Tovim and have much nachas from him. her dear soul be bound with The Eternal Bond of Life and may the family be comforted among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.

Mr. Philip Roth

6 COMMUNITY HAPPENINGS SHARING WITH YOUR SHUL FAMILY IYAR LIGHT & POWER THANKS TO OUR DONORS We sincerely thank the following members and supporters of The Shul Light & Power and Wine for Kiddush & Havdalah for donations received between 05/05/20 and 05/11/20 for the month of Iyar is Kindly Sponsored by We apologize for any errors or omissions that we may have made. Mr. & Mrs. Koby Assaraf Mr. Menajem Perez Mr. & Mrs. Isaie Bouhadana Mr. & Mrs. Eliott Rimon Mr. & Mrs. Laszlo Brett Mr. & Mrs. Edward Rosengarten Mr. & Mrs. Yanky and Odelia Weiss Mr. & Mrs. Gabriel Eilemberg Mr. & Dr. Elchonon Shagalov in honor of their children Mr. & Mrs. Leon Franco Mr. & Mrs. Bentzy Shemtov Naomi, Mayer and Eli Mr. Arturo Garcia Mr. & Mrs. Yossi Sokol and in honor of Yankie’s Birthday Mr. & Mrs. Aaron Gewirtz Mr. & Mrs. Eric Stein Mr. & Mrs. Manuel Jaimovich Mr. & Mrs. Jeffrey Wolf Mr. & Mrs. Paul Jaimovich Mr. & Mrs. Adam Ziefer “Those who establish Synagogues for prayer and those who come there to Ms. Judith Kaplan pray, those who provide lights for illumination, wine and grape juice for kiddush Mr. & Mrs. Jack Osman and havdalah, food for the wayfarers and charity for the needy, and all those COMMUNITY NOTICE BOARD who occupy themselves faithfully with communal affairs - may The Holy One, blessed be He, give them their reward, remove them from all sicknesses, heal Dearest Community Family, their entire body, pardon all their sins, and send blessing and success to all While our ofces are currently closed, the Shul Shluchim their endeavors, together with all their brethren; and let us say Amen.” and Staf are always here for you. We are frequently checking emails and remain available by phone, if there is anything we can do to assist you.

Please feel free to call The Shul at (305) 868-1411 ext. 311 (calls are being forwarded to home numbers) or send an email to [email protected] and we will be happy to assist you or relay your messages to Rabbi and Rebbetzin REFUAH SHLEIMAH Lipskar, or relevant department. For regular updates, If you have a health update on anyone listed please contact The Shul. We would like to please check our website keep the listing current and remove names of people who have recovered. www.TheShul.org. MEN WOMEN Yehonatan HaLevi ben Malka Esther Yocheved bas Raizel Whatever the need, we will make every efort to assist you Eliezer ben Sarah Bracha where possible. Aharon ben Beylah Shima Leah bas Gittel In the meantime, please take the recommendations of the Meyer Eliezer ben Sarah Sarah Libke bas Baile health authorities very seriously. The best way to stop the Menachem Mendel ben Sara Chana Bayla bas Masha spread is to stay home and avoid exposing yourself and Yehoshua ben Tamara Rina Chaya Miriam bas Leah others to contagion as much as possible, especially those Isaac Gilbert ben Nelly Esther Bracha who are at greater risk. Bentzion ben Nomi Rachel Genya Baila bas Gisela Margalite Sonia Simcha bat Sultana You can socialize online by joining one of our daily classes Eber Avraham ben Fruma Tzipora Pnina bas Slava - the full schedule is under the Education menu. If you Esther Feige bas Krandel would like to join, please download the Zoom app from Shlomo Yaakov ben Chaya Tziporah Pnina bas Slava the Apple App Store or Android. Once downloaded on Sarah Rochel Chaya Miriam Yehudit bat your phone or computer, you can join the class by using Chaim Zelig Ben Eidel Chava this link: Ari ben Na’ama Clara bat Corina https://zoom.us/j/6457054016 Tzvi Yitzchak ben Chaya Rivka bat Shoshana With very best wishes, Chaim Tzvi Hirsch ben Guttel Miriam bat Risha Raizel

The Shul Shluchim and Staf 7 DAILY WISDOM Inspiring insights on the Torah

Shabbos, 22 Iyar

Protection from Harm [G-d instructed Moses to tell the Jewish people,] “If [the tithed animal’s owner] does substitute it, then both it and its replacement will be holy.” Leviticus 27:33 Sanctifying an animal is a good thing. Why, then, should the Torah forbid the owner to substitute another animal for the original, tithed one, if by doing so both animals become sanctified?

When someone tithed his animals, he was lifted out of his mundane world and drawn into the holy process of having to take the animal to Jerusalem and eat it there with his family. This gave him the opportunity to renew his religious inspiration at the holy Temple. The Torah wants the owner to take advantage of this opportunity and see it through – not to focus on some other, unconsecrated animal.

Normally, we should follow this advice, as well: If we are involved in some holy pursuit, we should stay focused on it. We should not sacrifice our spiritual momentum for some material diversion.

However, when other people are in spiritual danger, we must overlook this prohibition in order to reach out to them. In such cases, the Torah assures us that G-d will protect us. Both we and those whom we elevate to holiness will indeed remain holy.

Sunday, 23 Iyar Monday, 24 Iyar Love and Family Health and Healing [G-d told Moses,] “Take a census of all the congregation of the [The tally] of the tribe of Reuben . . . all who Israelites by families. Numbers 1:2 were fit to serve in the army. Numbers 1:20 The Torah records only the total number of men, and not the All the sick and crippled were healed when number of families, in each tribe. Nevertheless, G-d had the the Torah was given; thanks to the protective families counted, in order to stress the centrality of the family in Clouds of Glory, the Jews remained healthy Judaism. throughout their journey, despite the adverse conditions of the desert. Our individual and national goals are certainly important, but the Torah also demands of us the selflessness necessary to forge the We see from this that the Jewish people – by family unit. A husband and wife are two separate people, with virtue of their connection to G-d expressed their own natures, desires, and even missions in life; yet each must through studying the Torah and fulfilling its work for and work with the other, completing and complementing commandments – were not bound by the laws each other and merging into one harmonious, loving unit. of nature. Furthermore, their ability to override nature was self-evident, expressed not only The strife and breakdown of communication from which the world in spiritual concerns, but in physical health and suffers stem from selfishness. In contrast, the Torah commands well-being as well. us to love our neighbors as ourselves. The primary setting in which this commandment is fulfilled is that of our families. Inasmuch as This holds true today as it did when the Torah loving our fellow Jew is an expression of our love of G-d, loving our was given on Mount Sinai. To the extent that fellow Jew enhances our love of G-d. Love of G-d, in turn, brings we live our lives according to the dictates of the us to love His Torah and study it – not merely out of our obligation Torah, we too will be blessed with spiritual and to do so, but out of love. This threefold love of our fellow Jew, of physical health, despite any obstacles posed by G-d, and of the Torah ripples outward from the family setting and the laws of nature. affects the entire world for the better. 8 Wednesday, 26 Iyar Tuesday, 25 Iyar Spiritual Aspirations Guarding our Inner Sanctuary [G-d told Moses,] “Bring forth the tribe of Levi and [G d told Moses, “The Israelites] must present them before Aaron the priest, that they may camp around the Tent of Meeting [i.e., the serve him.” Numbers 3:6

Tabernacle].”When you lend money . . . The Levites were singled out from among the rest of Numbers 2:2 the Jewish people to act as G-d’s personal servants. The people’s encampment on all four sides of the Nevertheless, the medieval Jewish sage Rabbi Moses Tabernacle symbolized how they protected the holy Maimonides points out that anyone who wishes to dedicate himself to the service of G-d can do so. He or she edifice and the Torah that resided in its innermost thereby becomes a “spiritual Levite” – and even a “spiritual sanctum. Certainly, the Torah does not need our priest,” or even a “spiritual high priest!” – regardless of his protection – on the contrary, the Torah and its actual tribal lineage. commandments protect us. However, G-d chose to entrust us with the noble mission of protecting the Friday, 28 Iyar Torah. Know Him in All Your Ways Similarly, we must guard our personal, inner sanctuary [G-d told Moses,] “Take the Levites in place of – within our hearts and within our homes – from all all the Israelite firstborn.” Numbers 3:45 four sides: from cool spiritual indifference on the cold north; from hot, lustful passions on the warm south; The other tribes were counted only from age twenty – from self-gratification over brilliant accomplishments the age at which they were old enough to serve in the on the morning east; and from dark despair on the army. The Levites’ task, however, was to protect the evening west. Tabernacle, and any increase in their population – even of newborn infants – helped them in this task. Therefore, they were counted virtually from birth.

We can all join the legions of the Levites in a spiritual Thursday, 27 Iyar sense, by nurturing our intrinsic connection to G-d. This connection is not affected by any variations in time, age, Avoiding Contention or environment. It therefore enables us to “know Him in Camping in front of the Tabernacle . . . were all your ways,” down to the simplest aspects of life that a Moses, Aaron, and [Aaron’s] sons. Numbers mature adult shares with the smallest child. 3:38

The tribes of Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun became great Torah scholars by virtue of having camped near Moses and Aaron. In contrast, the tribe of Reuben camped on the same side of the Tabernacle as the Levite clan to which Moses’ cousin Korach belonged. They were therefore caught up in Korach’s mutiny against Moses, as the Torah will recount later.

This teaches us that the way to avoid being dragged into a dispute is by studying the Torah and living according to its teachings, and the way to connect to G-d through studying the Torah is by distancing oneself from any form of contention.

9 PARSHA MESSAGES PARSHAS BEHAR - BECHUKOSAI THE POWER OF WHAT By Lazer Gurkow armers in the Land of Israel are instructed by the Torah to work their Of course, the Jew also intuitively land for six years and to let it lie fallow senses that murder is wrong. But Fon the seventh. But when all the fields in a to a Jew, there is more to it than country are permitted to lie fallow for an mere intuition. If G-d ordained this entire year, does the nation not face a very prohibition as a divine commandment, real risk of famine? then it must be immoral for reasons beyond human intuition. In the following verses, the Torah addresses this concern: Beyond the Human Mind Why does a Jew believe that divine If you say: “What will I eat in the seventh commandments are beyond human year? . . .” I will command My blessing upon intuition? the sixth year, and it will yield produce for a three-year period. The mitzvot are generally divided into two categories: a) ethical When the Torah offers an answer, it usually commandments that are easily leaves us to deduce the question for understood, such as the prohibition ourselves. In this case, the Torah chooses of theft; b) inexplicable decrees that to articulate the question. Is there anything defy human comprehension, such as unique about this particular question? the of the red heifer. Societal or Divine Morality such as the prohibition of murder are The ethical commandments and beyond our cognitive or intuitive grasp. Society at large lives by a moral code. the inexplicable decrees enjoy Governments legislate laws against immoral a symbiotic relationship, each Two Questions, One Word acts such as murder and theft, and encourage affecting the way we view the This is the meaning of the question ethical behavior such as charity and modesty. other. The ethical commandments asked by the wise son (as told in the If you ask why murder is forbidden, the curt demonstrate that it is possible to Passover haggadah): “What (mah) are response would probably be, “Because gain a semblance of understanding of the . . . decrees and laws that G-d our taking the life of another is just plain wrong.” G-d’s commandments. The decrees L-rd has commanded you?” The wise If you persist and ask, “But why is it wrong?” demonstrate that in the final analysis, son understands that even the easily the answer may very well be, “Because it is!” G-d’s wisdom exceeds ours. understood “laws” have dimensions that If you further ask what makes it so, you can defy human comprehension, and so he If we were only given the decrees, asks to understand the true meaning of expect to hear something like “If you don’t then our lack of understanding would sense it intuitively, then there is no point in all the mitzvah categories, not only the have alienated us from the mitzvot. decrees, but the laws too. trying to explain it to you.” We would be unable to internalize This would indeed be the correct answer. the commandments, and thus be We now return to the question posed in Murder is wrong because society intuitively prevented from developing an affinity our original verse: “If you shall say: What senses the immoral nature of this act. Thus, and enthusiasm for them. (mah) shall we eat in the seventh year?” The only other questions that the Torah Al Gore, former vice president of the United On the other hand, if we were only States, commented that “democratic laws introduces in this manner are those of the given the ethical commandments, four sons of the haggadah. It is therefore derive their moral authority from the national we would have assumed that all consent of the people.” possible to assume that this question is divinity is within the grasp of human also asked by one of the four sons. Which Somehow, a Jew knows that moral authority comprehension. Naturally, this of the four sons asks this question? is more profound than the mere consent of would have caused us to dismiss all a nation. theistic notions that are beyond our This question is cited in the Torah only understanding. after all the laws of the Shemittah year If you ask a Jew why murder is wrong, are first outlined. We thus deduce that the answer is, “It’s one of the Ten The inexplicable decrees teach this question is asked by the wise son, Commandments!” If you persist and ask the Jew to view even the easily who has studied the entire subject and why it is one of the Ten Commandments, the understood mitzvot through the who is left with but one question. answer is, “Do you expect to research and prism of divine wisdom, recognizing understand the divine?” that even ethical commandments The wise son’s questions are quoted 10 twice in the Torah: “What is the meaning?” and “What shall we eat?” Though the BITACHON questions seem unrelated, there is one By Jay Litvin word that connects them. The Hebrew word mah, “what.” friend of mine and I were talking about bitachon (trust in G-d) and illness, the kind of illness where doctors kindly provide cure rates and survival The Meaning of What statistics. The Jewish people are accustomed to A this word. We are forever asking: What He said that bitachon exists at an entirely different level than statistics. In other is the reason? What is the meaning? Like words, it’s not that one trusts that he or she will be among the percentage that the wise son, we ask this question of all commandments and all occurrences, survives, but at the level of bitachon there is no such thing as survival. The even those we supposedly understand. concept doesn’t exist. Neither is there a cure rate, where one trusts that he or We realize that in the final analysis, our she will be among those cured, while others, G-d forbid, will not. comprehension doesn’t capture the divine thought process. According to my friend, we’re simply talking apples and oranges. Two different species. When we speak of bitachon and statistics, we’re worlds apart. What is not only a question; it is also an answer. Because in the end, the question I thought about this for a long time. I couldn’t get it. Hard as I tried. must be allowed to stand unanswered. We ask G-d for His true reason or meaning, but we don’t claim entitlement But then a flash occurred — the kind that lets me know that there’s one thought to His answer. We plumb the heavenly worth pursuing amongst the dribble that rambles through my head, one thought secrets to the extent that the human that will nag me to distraction until I bring it to completion. mind permits, but the rest is humbly left to G-d. Bear with me, as we complete this thought together. The word what thus demonstrates Bitachon is life. And where there is life, there is no survival. The two can’t exist profound humility. We ask it not in quarrel, but in acceptance. We ask it not at the same time. Because where there is life, there is no future nor past. There in arrogance, but in submission. We ask it is only life — that which is in front of you at any given moment, accepted in full not in confusion, but in serene faith. and without judgment.

The words “What shall we eat in the Bitachon is G-d, because G-d is life and where G-d is there is nothing else. Not seventh year” are not a question as even survival. Where G-d is there is nothing to survive; there is only that to be much as they are a statement. We don’t with. know what the Sabbatical year will bring, but we are also not concerned about a famine. We humbly and confidently place Nothing exists outside of G-d; thus nothing exists outside of life. There is no way our trust in G-d. to separate any of life’s experiences into Life and Not Life. All of life’s experiences are life. My life. Your life. Life. We can now understand why the Torah uses the words “if you say” rather than We have the choice to pretend that we can make this separation. And when we “if you ask.” This is not a question as do, we enter into the world of statistics and cure rates. We do this ourselves. much as it is a statement of fact. We We take an elevator and push the “down” button. The elevator follows your don’t know what we will eat, but we trust command. It has no will. You relinquished your bitachon. The elevator does what that we will eat. (It is interesting to note that the haggadah also uses the same you want. expression: “The wise son, what does he say?” rather than “what does he ask?”) But if you choose not to press that “down” button, there is only life. There is no health and disease. There are just states of being. There is no length of life. The Torah assures us that G-d will not There is just being alive. If you are alive in this moment, what do you care about remain indebted to us if we approach this the next? mitzvah with the humility prescribed by the word mah, “what.” “He will command And if you do, you are clinging. You are grasping, trying to hold onto what is not his blessing upon the sixth year, and it will yield enough produce for all three years.” yours. You are stealing; you have become a thief who wants more than what has been given you. You are alive now? Isn’t that enough?

Why are you not so exquisitely present in this moment that there is nothing left within you with which you can think about the next? What is lacking in this moment that has you worried about the future? If G-d is everything, with nothing lacking, perfect in all ways, creating the universe anew at each moment, why 11 are you squandering the gift of what you have? If you cannot know this, if What about Moshe’s bar mitzvah? you cannot live this truth... then you Chani’s wedding? The bank and the lack bitachon. Dont bother pushing dentist appointment? the “down” button. You’re on your way already. All exist within this moment. Each concern is part of the tapestry. It Do you divide your life into pleasure all happens in a flash, in a weaving and pain? Whether it meets your similar to the miraculous functioning expectations or not? Whether it is of your body where billions of good or bad by some definition you simultaneous events occur outside have artificially arrived at? Whether of your awareness yet impact upon the face that G-d presents to you is your being. one you like or not? When you are present, completely Have you created categories of cruelty present in each moment, you are and kindness, judged them and put also present with the future that them in columns called Life/Not Life; is contained in that moment. It is a G-d/Not G-d? Does not it all come subtle distinction. There is the future from the same source? which is not real — your artificial interaction; being as fully present to it projections of what will or should be; as I can be. For love would cause me to Or do you look to things like fair and and there is a future that is contained be the same whether this was the first not fair? Do you feel you deserve more in the reality of each moment. or last of many moments or the only or less? Are you stunned into disbelief moment there ever was. that this could be happening to YOU? When I spend time with my child, for As if others somehow deserve it example, I attempt to be completely And, in truth, if I was acting without more? Or are stronger and can better with her in each moment. Totally that awareness, pretending that the bear the burden? present to her mood, thought, future was under my control, that each facial expression, breathing, vocal moment could not always be the last, Or are you hero or victim? The hero intonation, the problem she is that tomorrow is not unknown, then I convinced the disease can never touch presenting, the joke she is telling, would be acting with dishonesty, and him and thus never cries nor feels the the tears of her disappointment, the such dishonesty and illusion could fear, the panic, the regrets that are frustration of failed expression, the allow me to be angry more quickly than also part and parcel of his condition? fear of failure or dread of the night. I should, or forget to tell my daughter The victim certain that he will be I am present to her, as best I can be, how much I love her every chance among the worst of the statistics, and and as much as I can I am focused on I get, for I might think that there are so never encounters his bravery nor this moment with an open heart and more chances than exist. For, in truth, feels the transcendent power of rising attentive mind. And yet, as much as the only chance that exists is now. above and banishing death from his I am in the now, I am aware of the consciousness, if only for a moment? consequences of my actions and There is always time for love. And words, my expressions, the look in that, I have come to see, is bitachon. It Neither have bitachon. For both my eye. I have lived too long not to is not only life. It is love of life. Love of contemplate the future, both consider know that each act creates its mark, life in every form that exists. In every their fate, both shun the moment in and that mark is now imbedded taste and sensation. It is an immense, disillusion and fear, both deny the on the soul of the other, and the exquisite appreciation and acceptance fullness of themselves and thus the indentation is engraved and now for every face of G-d that He grants fullness of the moment that G-d has part of the being — my daughter — us to see. It is standing wide-eyed proffered. to whom I am speaking and being and innocent willing to discover the with. I am aware of these things and revelations of G-dliness, everywhere But what of the future? Do we live in may later reflect on the effect of and always and with thankfulness. a world where there is only today? these engravings as they mold her Only this moment with no thought of character and responses. With bitachon, there is no time left what it will bring? Do we cast our fate to contemplate survival. There is no upon the winds without care, without But in the present I am simply reason to. concern for consequences, with no acting with awareness and concern, plans? bringing the all of who I am into this 12 4 POWERFUL INSIGHTS FROM THE REBBE ON PARSHAS BEHAR - BECHUKOSAI

The Era of Shabbos Parshat Behar begins by describing the mitzvah of the Sabbatical year. Just as every week, we rest on the seventh day, in the land of Israel, every seventh year, the land is left to lie fallow. This pattern is also reflected in the pattern of history as a whole. There are to be seven millennia in the history of man. The seventh, like the Shabbos and like the Sabbatical year, will be an era of peace and understanding. It is a mitzvah to accept the Shabbos early; we are Self Evaluation commanded to add from the mundane to the holy and commence our observance of the holy day before Rabbi Hillel of Paritch was one of the many scholars to join the sunset. Similarly, we must cease working the land before Chabad Chassidic movement. As a young man, Rabbi Hillel had the Sabbatical year begins. This also applies with regard heard of Rabbi Schneur Zalman of , and sought to meet to the seventh millennium. That era will be inaugurated him. But the opportunity seemed to forever elude him. Finally, before its chronological time. he managed to locate Rabbi Schneur Zalman’s lodgings before This points to the importance of our present age. In terms the rebbe was due to arrive. Rabbi Hillel crept into Rabbi Schneur of the total scheme of history, it’s late Friday afternoon; Zalman’s appointed room and hid under the bed, determined to we are already in the final quarter of the millennium. It is make the acquaintance of the great rebbe. short moments before Shabbos, as it were. No wonder In anticipation of the encounter, Rabbi Hillel had prepared a the world is beginning to look a little Shabbosdik. question on tractate Erachin, or “Appraisals,” to ask the rebbe. Let’s take an honest look at our world: We are in the midst From his hiding place, Rabbi Hillel heard the rebbe enter the of an information revolution. Resources of knowledge room. But before he could make a move, he heard Rabbi Schneur that have been gathered for centuries are now only a Zalman exclaim: “If a young man has a question regarding few strokes of a keyboard away from any person with a ‘Appraisals,’ he had must first evaluate himself!” pc. Instant communication from one end of the earth to another has transformed our world into a global village. The tractate of “Appraisals” discusses the laws presented in We are producing enough food to feed all of mankind; chapter 27 of Leviticus: if a person pledges to give to the Temple, it’s only political strife that is preventing hunger from but instead of citing a sum he says, “I promise to give the value being eliminated. The search for spirituality has become of this individual,” we are to follow a fixed rate table set by the so much a part of our lives that chroniclers of the major Torah, in which each age and gender group is assigned a certain trends leading to the millennium place it among the top “value.” 5. But why employ a flat rate which lumps together so many Today, when a person speaks about redemption, his diverse individuals? Should not an accomplished scholar be words resound with the power possessed by an idea considered more valuable than a simple laborer? The Torah whose time has come. We can precipitate the coming of states that we all stand equally before G-d, “from your heads, Mashiach by anticipating the spiritual awareness that he the leaders of your tribes, your elders . . . to your woodchoppers will introduce. By living in the spirit of the Redemption, and water-carriers.” But can a person truly view his fellow as we make that Redemption a reality not only in our lives, his equal when he is so obviously superior to him in talent and but also within the world at large. achievement? This is the meaning of Rabbi Schneur Zalman’s remark to Rabbi Hillel: If you have a question regarding “Appraisals,” if you find it difficult to relate to the Torah’s evaluation of human worth, you had best take a long, hard look at yourself. An honest examination of your own character and behavior will show how much you can learn from every man, how much there is for you to emulate in those who are supposedly “inferior” to yourself.

13 Era of Redemption

This Torah reading contains the verse: “I will remove beasts of prey from the land.” The commentaries interpret this as a reference to the era of Mashiach, because in the present gestalt, there have been and always will be beasts of prey.

Among the concepts derived from this verse: There is a difference of opinion among our Sages if there will be outright miracles in the era of Mashiach or not. The Rabbis who maintain that there will be such miracles use this verse as a Engraving vs Writing proof text to prove their assertion, for the removal of beasts of prey is certainly a miracle that Parshat Bechukotai opens: Im bechukosai teileichu, “If you transcends the limits of nature. Others, however, proceed in My statutes.” maintain that the verse is merely an analogy: the The Rabbis interpret this verse to be referring to the beasts of prey represent the gentile nations that study of Torah. This, however, presents a difficulty prey on the Jewish people. The intent is that in because of the term Bechukotai. The root of that term, the era of Mashiach, they will dwell peacefully chok, refers to mitzvot whose motivating principle with the Jews. transcends understanding. Torah study, however, involves comprehension and understanding, giving man the opportunity to intellectually grasp and identify with G-d’s The conception which understands this as a truth. prophecy of miracles is a subject of expanded discussion. What exactly will that miracle be? There is, however, another way of interpreting the term One view maintains that the beasts of prey will Bechukotai, seeing it as related to the word chakikah, cease to exist. Another maintains that the beasts meaning “engraving.” According to this understanding, of prey will continue to exit, but their predatory the implication of referring to Torah study with the word Bechukotai is that we must labor in the study of Torah until nature will cease, as the verse states: “The lion the words are engraved within us. will lie down with the lamb.” This represents the ultimate perfection of the era of Mashiach: that The advantage of engraving over writing is not merely that the undesirable entities will be transformed into engraved letters are united with the surface unto which good, not merely banished from existence. they are carved, for this is also true with regard to written letters. Although letters written on parchment are not part of the parchment itself, they become one with the parchment.

Instead, the advantage of engraving is that the letters are not an independent entity. Their existence cannot be separated from the object onto which they have been engraved; the two form one integral whole.

This is the lesson the term Bechukotai communicates with regard to the study of Torah. The intent is not merely that a Jew who studies the Torah should be united with the subject matter. Instead, the phrase teaches that a person must engrave the Torah he studies within his very being. Studying in a manner resembling writing — in which two separate entities come together — is not sufficient. Instead, one must study in a manner that resembles engraving; the student ceases to see himself as an independent entity, rather, his entire existence is the Torah.

14 LAWS OF INTEREST YOM YERUSHALAYIM THE SHOFAR AND THE WALL By: Rabbi Moshe Segal

Editor’s note: The Holy Temple in but “A Jewish custom is Torah”! I approached Jerusalem was twice destroyed — Rabbi Yitzchak Horenstein, who served as by the Romans in the year 69 CE, the Rabbi of our “congregation,” and said to and by the Babylonians on the same him: “Give me a shofar.” date in 423 BCE. One wall remains “What for?” standing as a living symbol of the Jewish people’s ownership over “I’ll blow.” the land of Israel and the city of Jerusalem — the Kotel HaMaaravi “What are you talking about? Don’t you see or “Western Wall.” the police?” “I’ll blow.” hat follows is an excerpt (translated from the Hebrew) from The Rabbi abruptly turned away from the memoir of Rabbi Moshe Segal me, but not before he cast a glance at the W(1904-1985), a Lubavitcher Chassid who prayer stand at the left end of the alley. I was active in the struggle to free the Holy understood: the shofar was in the stand. Land from British rule. When the hour of the blowing approached, I walked over to the stand and leaned In those years, the area in front of the against it. Kotel did not look as it does today. Only a narrow alley separated the Kotel and the I opened the drawer and slipped the shofar Arab houses on its other side. The British into my shirt. I had the shofar, but what if Government forbade us to place an Ark, they saw me before I had a chance to blow tables or benches in the alley; even a small it? I was still unmarried at the time, and stool could not be brought to the Kotel. following the Ashkenazic custom, did not The British also instituted the following wear a tallit. I turned to person praying at ordinances, designed to humble the Jews at my side, and asked him for his tallit. My the holiest place of their faith: it is forbidden request must have seemed strange to him, break my fast. At midnight, the policeman to pray out loud, lest one upset the Arab but the Jews are a kind people, especially at received an order to release me, and he let residents; it is forbidden to read from the the holiest moments of the holiest day, and me out without a word. Torah (those praying at the Kotel had to he handed me his tallit without a word. go to one of the synagogues in the Jewish I then learned that when the chief rabbi quarter to conduct the Torah reading); it I wrapped myself in the tallit. At that of the Holy Land, Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak is forbidden to sound the shofar on Rosh moment, I felt that I had created my own Kook, heard of my arrest, he immediately Hashanah and Yom Kippur. The British private domain. All around me, a foreign contacted the secretary of High Government placed policemen at the Kotel government prevails, ruling over the people Commissioner of Palestine, and asked that I to enforce these rules. of Israel even on their holiest day and at be released. When his request was refused, their holiest place, and we are not free to he stated that he would not break his fast On Yom Kippur of that year [1930] I was serve our G-d; but under this tallit is another until I was freed. The High Commissioner praying at the Kotel. During the brief domain. Here I am under no dominion save resisted for many hours, but finally, out of intermission between the musaf and that of my Father in Heaven; here I shall do respect for the Rabbi, he had no choice but minchah prayers, I overheard people as He commands me, and no force on earth to set me free. whispering to each other: “Where will we will stop me. go to hear the shofar? It’ll be impossible to For the next eighteen years, until the blow here. There are as many policemen as When the closing verses of the neillah prayer Arab conquest of the Old City in 1948, the people praying...” The Police Commander — “Hear O Israel,” “Blessed be the name” shofar was sounded at the Kotel every Yom himself was there, to make sure that the and “The L-rd is G-d” — were proclaimed, I Kippur. The British well understood the Jews will not, G-d forbid, sound the single took the shofar and blew a long, resounding significance of this blast; they knew that blast that closes the fast. blast. Everything happened very quickly. it will ultimately demolish their reign over Many hands grabbed me. I removed the our land as the walls of Jericho crumbled I listened to these whisperings, and thought tallit from over my head, and before me before the shofar of Joshua, and they did to myself: Can we possibly forgo the stood the Police Commander, who ordered everything in their power to prevent it. But sounding of the shofar that accompanies my arrest. every Yom Kippur, the shofar was sounded our proclamation of the sovereignty of G-d? by men who know they would be arrested Can we possibly forgo the sounding of the I was taken to the kishla, the prison in for their part in staking our claim on the shofar, which symbolizes the redemption the Old City, and an Arab policeman was holiest of our possessions. of Israel? True, the sounding of the shofar appointed to watch over me. Many hours at the close of Yom Kippur is only a custom, passed; I was given no food or water to 15 PIRKEI AVOS CHAPTER 5 5:1 DESIRE AND DIVINITY

hen the world was created, The proof of this is that there is be a tzadik - and consequently it is desire came into being. another world destined for the not just to reward him. Likewise, He ultimate future - a world that will be has known beforehand that the man WFrom the teachings of the Baal Shem entirely a Shabbat, a holy setting of will be wicked; then he deserves no Tov blessed rest, in which the tzadikim punishment - since he has not the will sit crowned with their diadems ability to change His knowledge. “By ten pronouncements the world (Berachot 17a); “And the L-rd alone was created.” (Avot 5:1) shall be exalted on that day” (Isaiah This is not so, however. For although 2:11). The spiritual level of that G-d had foreknowledge, it is His wish There is the question that all the world will certainly be greater than nevertheless that people should early sages raised: Why did the the level of the world that exists at improve their behavior. It was for this Almighty not create the world before present; and a good activity like that reason that He gave us the entire that particular time - since activity is certainly better than its absence. Torah and the mitzvot - to do His will. is always better than its absence? Then why hasn’t the Almighty created Hence, you see, His wish opposes the And why did the will of G-d change it long before it was actually brought divine foreknowledge that precedes from no desire to a desire [for the into being? His thought. Therefore a man is able world] specifically at the time of the to be drawn after the will of G-d - Creation, and not before? Surely G-d The only truth is that everything must and not after the prescient divine is not given to changes of heart, in come precisely at its right and proper knowledge. This is because the wish keeping with the verse “I the L-rd do time. Just as it is the way of the can outweigh the foreknowledge, not change”. (Malachi 3:6) Shabbat to come specifically after six since G-d has no desire for that weekdays, so it was with the creation knowledge and that way of action. The answer is that G-d is utterly unlike of the world: Although G-d knew The knowledge was not to His liking, a mortal worker of flesh and blood. that the activity (of Creation) would by His wish. In the case of a mortal worker, the be better than its absence, His will wisdom he has now he did not have nevertheless opposed His knowledge. Then if a man wills, he can change his before. His wisdom has to be acquired, For through the infinite past, just actions in accord with G-d’s desire. He and is capable of being deficient. To as there was His knowledge that need not lower himself and descend give an example: because he needs this activity would be good, so was to the level of His knowledge, because a place to live, when he acquires the there very much His will not to carry the foreknowledge of evil was created wisdom to build himself a house, then out this activity at once, before the as a test and trial for the tzadikim. As he builds himself a house. proper time would come. Hence He we read in Scripture, “the L-rd your ignored His knowledge and followed G-d is testing you” (Deut. 13:4) - for As for G-d, though, His wisdom is His will…So Scripture says, “He has this world is a world of trial and test, organically, inherently His; it is not made everything fine in its season” since the spirit was sent [from the acquired; and it cannot be deficient. (Ecclesiastes 3:11) - including the heavenly realm] to undergo testing Consequently, when His will produced world. This is a profound esoteric in this world: If a person commits the desire to create the world, this principle, which the learned man of a sin, he thus goes along with the desire was not something new that intellect should comprehend. divine foreknowledge. If he does not arose with Him at the time of the commit a sin, he thus goes along with Creation. Rather, just as He was in Now, this itself gives us the the divine desire and commandment, eternal pre-existence, so was this will explanation in regard to divine which stand in opposition to His eternally pre-existent. From infinitely foreknowledge and the free will that foreknowledge. In allusion to this, far in the past it was His desire to yet remains for a man. It might seem Scripture says, “…an offering by fire, a create the world at the particular time hard to understand how there can pleasing aroma to the L-rd” (Lev. 1:9 that He did bring it into being, and not be any reward for a righteous, pious as Rashi explains, it means) that “it is before. Therefore, when the world man, and punishment for the wicked. a spiritual satisfaction to Me (says the was created, it was actually, literally, After all, G-d knows everything - “and Almighty) that I spoke, and My wish at the right and proper time - as it there is knowledge in the supreme was done.” had been His ever-pre-existing will to Divine One” (Psalms 73:11). He has create it specifically then. Hence there beheld and foreseen to the end of Understand this well. was absolutely no change whatever all generations; hence He has known of His will. beforehand that this man will be a tzadik; so the man must inevitably 16 STORIES WITH SOUL

any years ago in a small village The young man had never heard of together to the young man’s home. a Jewish boy was orphaned. A such practices, but he was overjoyed When they entered a tantilizing fellow villager took pity on him to learn that he still had a chance. aroma greeted them, and they were Mand took him into his own home. The And so every day he would go into astounded to see the table set for a child attended the local but the woods, sit in a spot where the air lavish banquet. try as he might, he just couldn’t grasp was alive with biting gnats and flies, even the most rudimentary subjects. and there he would expose his skin to “What is this?” asked the Besht. the creatures until it bled and itched Finally, the boy’s guardian decided unbearably. The wife explained, “This is the last time to apprentice him to a tar-maker. No we will be able to fulfill the holy mitzva sooner did his master teach him some One day, as he sat on a tree stump with of entertaining guests, and I wanted to element of the work than he could flies buzzing all about him, a stranger perform the mitzva as beautifully as perform it faultlessly. After half a year approached and asked, “Why are you possible. In addition, we have reason his master said, “You don’t need me doing this?” to celebrate, for now you will be able any longer. You are competent enough to achieve your life’s ambition. But I to go into business for yourself.” The young man explained his great had one other consideration: There desire to learn Torah. “It is totally are many ways in which G-d is able to The boy, now a young man, opened unnecessary for you to do this. I will take away a person’s fortune. We have his own business in a neighboring make a deal with you. If you will give the privilege of giving away all in order village. He quickly established himself me all of your worldly possessions, I to ‘buy’ Torah learning. This is also a amongst the villagers, for both Jews promise you to teach you Torah.” great cause for celebration.” and non-Jews alike were drawn to his cheerful manner and absolute honesty. “Of course, I am willing, but I must After they had eaten, the Besht asked His business thrived and he married discuss it with my wife, for it affects the young man, “What have you the daughter of a local tradesman. He her as well. I will meet you tomorrow, decided?” The young man seemed was soon able to support not only his and I will tell you our final decision.” unsure but a look in the direction of his family, but to give charity generously wife, gave the young man the courage to the local and other needy The man returned home and related to make the decision. He took a pen causes in the town. He even had built the incident to his wife. “This is what and signed all of his worldly goods over a special guest house to feed and you have always wanted. Of course, to the Besht. In accordance with their maintained travellers at his expense. you should do it without delay,” agreement, the couple was permitted was her reply. But the man was still use of the house and its garden as well His only regret in life was his ignorance wary. After all, he had always been as flour to bake bread. And in return, of Torah. His father-in-law tried to a responsible person. He went to his the would-be scholar travelled with soothe him, assuring him that the father-in-law and asked his opinion. the Baal Shem Tov to a place of Torah, charity he provided to Torah scholars where his eyes were illuminated. was counted to him as if he himself “What! To sign away all your had studied, but to no avail. possessions to an utter stranger in True to his promise, the young man return for some foggy promise that eventually became a great scholar and One day in his guest house he noticed you will learn Torah! Your charity is a tzadik. Years later, the Baal Shem a certain visitor who was suffering equivalent to the learning of a great Tov was heard to say that which was from sores all over his body. “How did scholar!” uttered about Rabbi Akiva’s wife, this happened to you?” he inquired. Rachel, “Everything he has achieved The young man left in confusion. But belongs to her” -- to his selfless wife “I was proficient in learning Torah,” his wife told him: “It seems to me that who sacrificed everything for Torah. the man replied, “but the study of you aren’t sure of what you want. You the commentaries was very hard for always professed the strongest desire me. I decided to torment my body in to learn Torah, but now when you have order that G-d would help to open my the chance, you balk!” mind to my learning. With G-d’s help, I succeeded and reached my goal. With The following day the stranger, who His help these sores will also heal,” he was none other than the Baal Shem replied. Tov, came to the same spot in the forest, and the two men proceeded 17 MY ENCOUNTER WITH THE REBBE A LETTER FOR YOU By Rabbi Shmuel Greisman valuable than someone else’s.

The Rebbe also instructed that each child’s letter should not be chosen by anyone in the office, but by lottery. So that there would be random connection between the child and the letter. That letter is important, the Rebbe said, because it becomes a vehicle to bring down G-d’s blessings for that child.

The importance of this Children’s Torah Scroll was made even more clear when the Rebbe spoke at a following Lag B’Omer:

“We now live in a world rent with confusion n April 5, 1981 — the 11th day of instructions from the Rebbe. and turmoil, confronted by unpredicted the Hebrew month of Nissan — the situations and unprecedented turmoil,” Rebbe celebrated his 79th birthday All Jewish children under Bar/Bat Mitzvah he said. “Nowadays a lone, deranged or Owith a farbrengen at which he spoke about age would be eligible to buy a letter for the frustrated individual who has access to a Tzivos Hashem (“Army of G-d”), a children’s token price of one dollar (or the equivalent destructive button or trigger can upset an organization he had founded six months in their country’s currency). Adults could sign entire country and even catapult an entire prior. The mission of this organization, the up very young children, but if they were old world into an upheaval such as never Rebbe said, was to motivate children to do enough to fill out the registration form, the witnessed before in the history of mankind.” good deeds in order to hasten the coming Rebbe wanted them to do it themselves. of the Mashiach. But since this “Army of The Rebbe went on to say that to avert a G-d” was spread all over the world, the best The Rebbe even described a child as he fills catastrophe, “we must do something.” That way to bring all the children together — to out the form, rolling up his sleeves, sticking something is to take action to ensure that achieve true unity — was through Torah. his tongue out between his teeth as he there is peace and unity among Jews: “Which labors with his pencil to write his name. mitzvah can unite all Jews in an ongoing Therefore, the Rebbe suggested that a way?” the Rebbe asked, answering, “The special Torah scroll be written in which only It was important for each child’s donation mitzvah to write a Torah scroll … especially children would have the privilege of buying to be properly acknowledged, the Rebbe a Torah scroll written on behalf of innocent a letter. They would be united through this said, but he didn’t want a standard receipt children.” Torah scroll — the Children’s Torah Scroll. to go out. He wanted the children to receive a beautiful certificate, which featured in its The Rebbe urged that all chasidim get to Not only would this project unite the four corners drawings of holy sites in Israel work informing Jewish children the world children, it would bring about a special — specifically the Western Wall, Rachel’s over of this project and signing them up blessing for the Jewish people as a whole, at tomb, the Cave of the Patriarchs, and the for a letter in the Children’s Torah Scroll. a time when they needed it most. tomb of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai. Subsequently, the Rebbe explained that there were two days on the Hebrew The Rebbe specified that the writing of this Also, the Rebbe was very sensitive to the calendar which were specifically connected Torah scroll should begin immediately and feelings of children. “The custom in the to children — Lag B’Omer and Shavuot. that it should be done in Eretz Yisrael — the writing of a Torah scroll is that a person is Therefore, it was especially important to land which is constantly watched overby G-d told which letter he purchased in which sign up as many children as possible during — and particularly in Jerusalem, the city of particular verse… even so, let us not do that,” this time period. unity which, unlike the rest of the Holy Land, he directed. “Just tell the children which was never divided among the Twelve Tribes Torah portion their letter is in.” From the very beginning the Rebbe kept of Israel. Furthermore, it should be written careful count of how many letters had been in the historic Chabad synagogue, which is His explained that, although all the letters purchased. Every week, I received a call from located in the oldest part of Jerusalem and in a Torah scroll are equally holy — and if Rabbi Binyomin Klein, the Rebbe’s secretary named after the third Chabad Rebbe, the even one letter is missing, no matter which asking how many new registration forms Tzemach Tzedek. one, whether a letter in G-d’s name or in a had come in. I recall that, initially, the Rebbe word with a negative connotation, the Torah was not pleased. When I turned in the first Immediately thereafter, I was appointed cannot be used — we do not want any child tally, the Rebbe wanted to know why we to lead this campaign and received specific to feel that his or her letter is somehow less hadn’t accomplished more. “Dos iz mit dem 18 gantz’n shturem?! — This is all you have accomplished after all the commotion?!” RECENTLY IN THE NEWS Two days before the holiday of Shavuot, HATZALA-THON CELEBRATION DRAWS the Rebbe spoke at a farbrengen on Shabbat and repeated that there is a threat MILLIONS OF VIEWERS AND DOLLARS in the world that could bring chaos and destruction. Something had to be done quickly, he stressed, and he again pointed to the Children’s Torah Scroll as the means to avert the danger. “Not even one child should be overlooked,” he directed. On the eve of Shavuot — Sunday, June 7, 1981 — what the Rebbe was talking about became clear. That day the Israelis bombed the nuclear reactor in Iraq. Although the mission was fraught with tremendous danger, miraculously it succeeded in disabling the ability of Saddam Hussein — the Iraqi dictator — to wage a nuclear war.

When the news came out about the Israeli operation, everyone understood that the en million dollars was ambitious fifty percent to fifteen million dollars. Rebbe’s campaign for the Children’s Torah to say the least. With the economy Scroll was connected to this threat to the By 11:30PM on Tuesday, as Mordechai grinding to a halt, an ostentatious Shapiro danced on adrenaline alone on Jewish people and now that threat had been Tfundraiser was gutsy enough; a goal that thwarted. the stage, fourteen million dollars was steep was daunting. reached. When the stream was finally closed and the musicians released to their The Children’s Torah Scroll was set to be “We were hopeful for ten million to be homes, the count stood at $14,290,852. completed for the yahrzeit of the Rebbe’s honest,” said Shloime Greenwald of father on the 20th day of the Hebrewmonth United for Protection (UFP). “We knew “We are going to leave the page open until of Av. The Rebbe appointed Rabbi Zalman people would show up for . But we clear fifteen,” Greenwald concluded. Shimon Dworkin of Crown Heights as his ten was our ceiling, our most optimistic personal representative to write the final hope.” letter in the Torah on his behalf. And since A Logistical Nightmare a second Torah scroll would be needed for Davidi Crombie, who produced the It was a whirlwind two weeks for forty- more children to buy letters, Rabbi Dworkin concert, laughed. “When Shloime called seven Hatzalahs across the world. Jewish was also directed to write the first letter in me a week and a half ago and said he communities have grown accustomed that scroll as well. wanted to raise ten million dollars for to the diligence, professionalism, and Hatzalah, I said ‘Shloime, will all due expert care that Hatzalah provides. But People from all over came to Jerusalem for respect, this is impossible.’ But he said they have rarely been feted the way they the completion ceremony which took place we have to go lichatchila ariber [a quote were on Lag Baomer. The reason for at the Tzemach Tzedek synagogue. From from the 4th Rebbe of Chabad, meaning the spotlight is simple, explained Zalmy there everyone went down to the Western “when you reach an obstacle, leap over Cohen. it”]. So we went for it.” Wall, where a huge crowd filled the plaza to “After we completed the first Miracle capacity. Afterwards, we went back to the Sefer Torah that united over 300,000 But already on Monday evening, with synagogue for the celebration with singing Jews, we had significant excess funds. the Hatzalah-Thon campaign just a few and dancing. We immediately knew we would give hours young, Greenwald and his fellow it to Hatzalah. This got us thinking that founders of UFP, Zalmy Cohen and Berel And then the campaign for the second Torah we have to do something huge to bring Junik, knew that they were dealing with scroll began. attention to Hatzalah’s role in this something unprecedented. pandemic.” Thus far, six Children’s Torah Scrolls have been written. These six scrolls are housed in “I’m still trying to comprehend the scale The production was a logistical nightmare the Tzemach Tzedek synagogue where the of the achdus created here,” said Junik. and feat. “A Lag Baomer miracle,” seventh is now being written. In total, they “There were two million clicks across remarked Davidi Crombie. Crombie, a represent the participation of more than two the six platforms streaming the event. real estate businessman who dabbles in million children. Multiply that by family members and music production as a hobby, laid out the even adjusting for duplicate clicks and obstacles that he and his team of over Rabbi Shmuel Greisman, who serves as a you are easily in the territory of millions 150 had to hurdle. Chabad emissary in Jerusalem, Israel, has of viewers.” led the campaign of Children’s Torah Scrolls “There were three challenges. One, we Greenwald waited to see the progress (www.kidstorah.org) since 1981. He was had to maintain social distancing for over the evening. The next day he gave interviewed in February of 2015. every singer, musician, and crew member. the green light, increasing the goal by 19 We constructed fourteen stages across professionals, and crew to stay for five the sixteen regional divisions within the the hall, in order to maintain a station of more hours. It was surreal.” city of New York, Nassau County, and six feet for each person. For the Heroes the Catskills. Their backing, partnership, Hatzalah represents the best of and support was critical in getting all “Two: We had the goal of a 24-hour the Jewish world. Famous for their forty-seven participating Hatzalahs on concert. This has never been done before swiftness, they are selfless, industrious, board with UFP’s proposal. Isaac Stern, a in Jewish music. The Telethon by Chabad and discrete. The nature of their work member of Central Hatzalah’s executive of , for comparison, has about sometimes allows for them to fade board, shared feedback from the field. 8 hours of content. Industry experts told into the background of a community’s me a concert of this proportion would consciousness. Their sirens become part “I have been getting non-stop messages take six months of planning.” of the city din, they make calls in the from hundreds of Hatzalah volunteers who are saying this is the most incredible The third challenge? middle of the night, they are in and out in minutes. chizuk they have ever received. Seeing “We had a week and a half to pull it off,” this level of support and love has moved Crombie said. But over the past few months, Hatzalah them deeply.” has become impossible to forget. A Lag Baomer miracle indeed. But Junik Stern credits the three activists for has a more rational explanation. “We would be in bed at night and hear spearheading a, “Campaign that has “Nobody on this team treated this the sirens go by,” recalled Chony Milecki, united all the Hatzalahs in a way never as a job,” he wrote in a text sent out the event’s program director and a host. attempted before. The achdus this has Wednesday morning to the people “We davened for the victims from the brought Klal Yisroel is staggering.” involved in the Hatzalah-Thon. “We all safety of our home but couldn’t help but think of the Hatzala volunteers. What Out of the Darkness, Some Light had a mission; a drive and a motive that Twenty-four hours, 2,000,000 viewers, couldn’t be stopped by anything.” a tremendous risk they took. And it occurred to me. This is true love. This is and close to $15,000,000 later, the Ahavas Yisrael.” Coronavirus still looms large over the Crombie was reflective, “We did not world. sleep for a week and half. But Hatzalah “When planning this event we wanted volunteers do not sleep from the day to do something different,” Milecki But host Rabbi , a they sign up. Like many people, I have continued. “We weren’t interested in just member of the esteemed group of called Hatzalah in a time of need. This doing another fundraiser. It had to be transcribers of the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s was a once in a lifetime way of giving inspirational, spiritual, and engaging. And talks, feels that something has changed. back.” most of all an opportunity to grow. We “I think the Jewish people made a International Reaction recruited a talented team of writers and statement that achdus is not a mere ideal, As the concert got underway, Crombie’s editors and put together fifteen video it is real. The walls between communities phone was blowing up with messages. presentations, a hundred pages of script came down.” and guidance, a carefully curated musical “Radio stations in Israel wanted to stream repertoire, and over fifty performances. And where do we go from here? it live. We were getting calls from South We even began the second Miracle Sefer Africa, Australia, Europe. We realized this Torah live on stage.” “The challenge is to create a perpetual was much bigger than we anticipated.” impact. The world is ready for more. Legendary music artist Avraham Fried All of us have to use the energy and The Monday evening segment was had similar sentiments, “Chazal instruct momentum to bring down the walls of extended by an hour and a half. On us to stand in the presence of someone golus, once and for all.” Tuesday, it went from having a scheduled doing a mitzvah. I think I should stand finish at 7:00PM to eight, then nine, all whenever I see a Hatzalah member. They the way to midnight. are a living, walking mitzvah.” “We were asking over one hundred And the gratitude was heard. Central and fifty performers, production Hatzalah is the parent organization for 20 21 FRENCH CONNECTION REFLEXIONS SUR LA PARACHA Vivre avec la paracha Capitaliste ou communiste? mondes : les avantages d’un marché libre par Yossy Goldman et sans entraves permettant l’expression personnelle et la prospérité engendrée arl Marx en a peut-être été le par un travail dur, sans les inconvénients pionnier, mais beaucoup d’autres de la cupidité de la finance. Si la terre KJuifs furent également impliqués appartient à D.ieu, alors nous n’en avons dans la lutte pour le communisme, en pas la propriété exclusive. D.ieu nous particulier au tout début de la révolution accorde Ses bénédictions, mais, de toute russe. Personnellement, je ne pense évidence, le deal est que nous devons pas que nous ayons des excuses à les partager. Sans la loi de la Torah, le présenter pour cela. Ayant amèrement capitalisme échoue. L’ambition effrénée souffert sous des régimes oppresseurs et la soif d’argent et de pouvoir mènent successifs, bon nombre de ces militants à des monopoles et des conglomérats qui politiques pensaient vraiment que le ne laissent pas de place pour autrui et communisme serait mieux pour le peuple creusent le fossé entre les nantis et les de la corruption tsariste. Leur idéalisme démunis. L’année sabbatique est l’un des entretint l’espoir d’une vie meilleure et nombreux mécanismes qui permettent à d’un avenir plus équitable pour tous. notre capitalisme de demeurer cachère Sur le papier, le communisme était une la terre était travaillée, mais la septième et humain. bonne idée. Le fait qu’il échoua – et que année, elle reposait et restait en jachère. l’oppression des nouveaux dirigeants Le cycle agricole en Terre Sainte imposait Certaines personnes sont trop « business- surpassa celle de leurs prédécesseurs au propriétaire du terrain des règles et like ». Chez elles, tout est mesuré et exact. – reflète les personnalités impliquées des règlements stricts. Aucune plantation, Les affaires sont les affaires. Si elles autant que le système qu’elles promurent. aucun élagage, aucun travail agricole la vous ont invité pour le Chabbat, elles septième année, et tout ce qui poussait ne répèteront pas l’invitation jusqu’à ce Quel est le système économique du de soi-même était « sans propriétaire » que vous les ayez invitées à votre tour. judaïsme ? En existe-t-il un ? Je le et à la disposition de tous. Le propriétaire Si vous avez donné à leur fils 50 $ pour décrirais comme « un capitalisme avec pouvait en prendre, mais ses employés, sa Bar Mitsva, c’est exactement ce que le une conscience ». En prônant la libre ses amis et ses voisins le pouvaient aussi. vôtre recevra de leur part. Nous devrions entreprise, la Torah est clairement Dans sa propre terre, le propriétaire être plus doux que cela, plus souples, pas capitaliste. Mais c’est un capitalisme n’avait, la septième année, pas plus de si durs, si rigides et si « business-like conditionnel, et certainement un droits qu’un étranger. ». Soyez capitaliste, mais un capitaliste capitalisme compatissant. cachère. Ce qu’une personne « vaut » Ce n’est là qu’un des nombreux exemples financièrement devrait être sans rapport Winston Churchill a dit : « Le vice du « capitalisme avec une conscience » avec le respect que vous lui accordez. inhérent au capitalisme consiste en une du judaïsme. Celui-ci contient beaucoup Conservez les caractéristiques juives répartition inégale des richesses. Le d’autres obligations imposées par traditionnelles que sont la bonté, la vice inhérent au communisme consiste la loi en faveur des pauvres. Pas des compassion, la tsédaka et le ‘hessed : la en une égale répartition de la misère. » contributions facultatives, pas même générosité d’esprit, de cœur... et de poche. Le judaïsme a quant à lui introduit un des recommandations pieuses, mais système de marché ouvert dans lequel d’explicites cotisations obligatoires au Puissiez-vous gagner beaucoup d’argent le partage des bénédictions n’a pas été bénéfice des plus démunis. Les dîmes et encourager D.ieu à continuer à vous laissé au hasard et n’est pas demeuré un ainsi que l’obligation de laisser aux prodiguer Ses bénédictions en abondance vœu pieux, mais a été rendu obligatoire. pauvres les coins non moissonnés de en les partageant généreusement avec Notre paracha nous en donne un exemple son champ, le glanage, et les gerbes les autres. classique. oubliées font tous partie du système du capitalisme compatissant. La Chemita, l’année sabbatique, a pour objet de permettre à la terre de se Le judaïsme présente ainsi un système reposer et de se régénérer. Six ans durant, économique qui offre le meilleur des deux 22 LATIN LINK REFLEXION SEMANAL Parasha de la Semana Judíos por Elección ¿Son suicidas o simplemente entupidos? los Diez Mandamientos fue el momento ¿Los conversos son ciudadanos ¿Puede alguien cuerdo buscar que nos convertimos en un pueblo. En de segunda en el judaísmo? deliberadamente Tzores (Sufrimientos)? Shavuot dejamos de ser una familia Yossy Goldman El Midrash dice que alguien que toma (hijos de Abraham, Isaac, Iaacob, Sara, esta decisión en forma consciente, y Rivka, Rajel y Lea) para convertirnos en Los conversos son ciudadanos deliberadamente abraza la fe de los hijos un pueblo. Ese día todos nos convertimos de segunda en el judaísmo? ¿La de Abraham, sabiendo la impopularidad al Judaísmo. Todos nos hicimos judíos en ¿conversión a nuestra fe es algo y el rechazo que ellos sufren, es alguien Sinai. que aceptamos a regañadientes? que merece el amor de Di-s. Un judío por Lamentablemente, a lo largo de mi vida elección es un judío cien por cien. Entonces, todos los años leemos el escuché muchas frases derogatorias solemne reproche preparándonos para sobre este tema, irónicamente, de gente revivir este histórico evento en el que que no se considera observante, como: No obstante, queda por dilucidar un nos “convertimos”, y podemos de esta “La mona vestida de seda, mona queda” pasaje talmúdico complicado que dice forma ser parte del pacto con Di-s y más por el estilo, pero fuera de lo que “¡Los conversos son para Israel como la sincera y genuinamente, con reverencia algunos individuos puedan pensar ¿Qué plaga!” No es muy agradable la definición. y temor. piensa el Judaísmo? Una explicación simple puede ser que cuando un converso no es sincero y no Seamos todos, tanto aquellos que La respuesta simple es la vieja y clásica está dispuesto a vivir una vida judía nacieron como aquellos que se definición sobre quién es judío “Aquel plena (quizás se convirtió al judaísmo convirtieron, verdaderos judíos sinceros nacido de madre judía o convertido por motivos ajenos, como casarse con con nuestra fe, nuestra Tora y nuestra acorde a la Halajá (Ley judía)” Entonces, un judío) entonces su mal desempeño Tradición. Que podamos aceptar la Tora si la conversión fue hecha y supervisada en el cumplimiento de los preceptos nuevamente con el celo y la pasión de por un Beit Din (Tribunal Rabínico), el desmorona al judaísmo y tiene un efecto quien tomó esa decisión, la decisión de converso es tan judío como cualquier negativo en los otros judíos. ser judíos. judío de nacimiento. Aquellos que miran con desdén a los conversos Pero, existe otra interpretación de este deben recordar que muchos de nuestros texto. Algunos entiendes que decir que grandes Sabios fueron descendientes de los conversos son una plaga para Israel conversos, incluido el legendario Rabí se refiere a que los conversos dejan mal Akiva. parados a los judíos de nacimiento. ¿Por qué? Porque comúnmente los conversos Más todavía, el Midrash menciona que un son más aplicados en el compromiso con converso genuino es mas preciado a los la fe. Es posible ver que los conversos ojos de Di-s que un judío de nacimiento son más observantes y apasionados en ¿Por qué? Porque el que nació de madre el cumplimiento de las mitzvot que judía no tuvo elección. Si tu madre es aquellos que nacimos judíos. “Una plaga para Israel” se refiere entonces a que judía, tú eres judío, y listo. No puedes Clases y Eventos renegar de tus orígenes. Te guste o este entusiasmo y profundo compromiso Clases en Espanol no, es un hecho biológico y espiritual nos avergüenza al resto. Porcion Semanal que marca tu vida. Puedes tratar de Rabbi Shea Rubinstein convertirte a otra religión pero el Esta semana leemos la Tojaja – Lunes 8:45 pm - 9:45 pm judaísmo no reconoce estas alteraciones el reproche. Una serie de graves ( Women) artificiales. Un judío es judío, y queda advertencias al pueblo judío de no Mrs. Vivian Perez judío. Si naciste judío morirás judío. alejarse de los caminos de Di-s y una Martes 10:45 am - 12:00pm variedad de maldiciones si lo hacemos 198 Park Drive, Bal Harbour Village Jueves 11:00 - 12:00 – la Tojaja la leemos siempre poco antes Pero un converso no debía convertirse Call Vivian for details - 305.213.3202 al Judaísmo. Nadie lo forzó. Al contrario, de Shavuot, la fiesta de la entrega de la Tora. Ese momento en la montaña, Analisis de distintos temas basados en la Perasha aquellos que eligen el judaísmo están al Rabbi Shlomi Halsband tanto de lo que llamamos Antisemitismo. cuando todos estuvimos parados en Sinaí Miercoles 8:30 - 10:00 pm ¿Para que necesitan esto en sus vidas? frente a la gran Revelación, escuchando Domingo 8:30 - 10:00 pm 23 IN A WOMAN’S WORLD ISSUES OF RELEVANCE TO THE JEWISH WOMAN WEEKLY CLASSES Women’s Mikvah: Please call Mrs. Devorah Failer for an appointment: 305-866 1492 or PLEASE CHECK 305-323-2410 Please Note: Shabbos & Yom Tov visits must be Prepaid OUR VIRTUAL CLASS SCHEDULE

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APPLE BUTTER RUGELACH 3. Remove dough from the refrigerator when ready to bake, cut into two even pieces. Roll each piece of dough into a 12”x4” rectangle. INGREDIENTS 4. Spoon ¼ cup apple butter onto each rectangle of 1 cup all-purpose four dough and spread evenly leaving a border of about ⅓” of 1 teaspoon cinnamon, divided bare dough around the perimeter. 1 tablespoon sugar, divided 5. Sprinkle the chopped nuts evenly over the apple butter Pinch of salt on each piece of dough. 4 ounces cream cheese 6. Roll the dough working with the long end and rolling ½ cup butter, softened towards you creating a 12” log. Place seam side down on ½ cup apple butter parchment paper and chill in the freezer for 15 minutes. 3 tablespoons chopped nuts, pecans or walnuts 7. Preheat oven to 350°F/175℃. 2 tablespoons milk 8. Remove dough from the freezer, cut into 1-inch pieces using a sharp knife and place seam side down on a PREPARATION parchment or Silpat lined baking sheet. 1. Sift the four, 1 tablespoon sugar, ½ teaspoon cinnamon and salt into a large bowl. 9. Brush each piece with milk then sprinkle evenly with remaining cinnamon and sugar. 2. Add cream cheese and butter and blend with a hand mixer until just combined. Shape into a ball with your 10. Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown around hands and place on a sheet of plastic wrap. Seal and the edges. Transfer to a wire rack to cool and store in an refrigerate for 2 hours up to overnight. airtight container.

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