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contents
TOUCHING THE CORE 4 D’var Malchus | Sichos In English
MOSHIACH: IT’S GOTTA BE PERSONAL 6 Thought | Rabbi Zvi Homnick
MESHUGE, MESHUGE BUT YOU’VE GOT 10 TO HAVE SECHEL! Moshiach & Geula | Rabbi Chaim Ahkenazi a”h
‘DUBRAWSKI CAN BE RELIED UPON’ 14 Obituary | Avrohom Rainitz
WAS THAT AN EARTHQUAKE 24 USA OR A TRAIN? 744 Eastern Parkway Moshiach & Science | Dr. Aryeh Gotfryd, PhD Brooklyn, NY 11213-3409 Tel: (718) 778-8000 Fax: (718) 778-0800 I FEEL THE REBBE’S HANDS [email protected] 28 Feature | Nosson Avrohom www.beismoshiach.org EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: M.M. Hendel ENGLISH EDITOR: RISHON L’TZIYON: RABBI MORDECHAI Boruch Merkur HEBREW EDITOR: 36 ELIYAHU ZT”L Rabbi Sholom Yaakov Chazan Feature | Shneur Zalman Levin [email protected]
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d’var malchus
Our Sages relate [5] that when a Jewish man is cohabitating with a non-Jewish woman, “the zealous TOUCHING have [the right [6] to] strike him.” Nevertheless, “although this is the law, a ruling is not delivered.” If a person were to ask a Jewish court if he should kill a person THE CORE who commits such an act, the court should not instruct him to do so. Thus not only did Pinchas risk Sichos In English his life, he did so even when there was no obligation. If he had let the situation pass, This is zealousness: putting one’s own nobody would have criticized him. On the contrary, he had to take welfare - both spiritual and material - the initiative himself, and he aroused criticism by taking the on the side, and making an unbounded step he did. commitment to carry out G-d’s will. Our Sages state [7] that he acted against the sages’ desires, and that had not G-d praised him CAN PRIESTHOOD definition of priesthood. as quoted above, they would have BE A REWARD? Since Pinchas was not a priest placed him under a ban of beforehand, how could his ostracism. [8] This week’s Torah reading conduct, however virtuous, earn What motivated Pinchas? begins: [1] “Pinchas, the son of him that distinction? He wanted to “turn [G-d’s] Elazar... turned My wrath away wrath away from the children of from the children of Israel by UNBOUNDED SERVICE Israel.” zealously taking up My cause He understood what had to be among them.... Therefore,... I EVOKES AN done to accomplish this goal, and have granted him a covenant of UNBOUNDED RESPONSE was willing to undertake any risks peace. He and his descendants will The resolution of this question involved. possess an eternal covenant of revolves on the understanding of This is zealousness: putting priesthood, because he zealously the trait for which the Torah one’s own welfare - both spiritual acted on behalf of his G-d.” praises Pinchas: zealousness. [9] and material - on the side, and The question arises: Pinchas’ Why does the Torah describe making an unbounded deed, the execution of Zimri as Pinchas with this term? commitment to carry out G-d’s described in the conclusion of last Firstly, Pinchas risked his life. will. week’s Torah reading, [2] involved Although Zimri was supported And when a person makes a self-sacrifice and courage. by his entire tribe, and they could genuine commitment of this Certainly, it is worthy of praise have easily killed Pinchas, [4] nature, the inner G-dly spark and reward. Nevertheless, it is Pinchas did not consider the which every on e of us possesses is problematic that Pinchas was danger he faced at all. given expression. granted “a covenant of eternal What concerned him was the Similarly, such an approach priesthood,” as a reward. spiritual danger facing the Jewish evokes an unbounded response For priesthood cannot be people and he was willing to from G-d. attained through man’s endeavors; sacrifice his life to eliminate the For when man goes beyond his it is not at all dependent on our hazard confronting them. natural limits in his Divine spiritual accomplishments. There was, moreover, a deeper service, G-d grants him rewards As Rashi comments, [3] just as dimension to Pinchas’ that are not confined within the one cannot change morning into commitment. limits of nature. For this reason, evening, one cannot alter the
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Pinchas could be granted the TAKING INITIATIVE NOTES: status of a priest. These two thrusts - 1. Numbers 25:11-13. zealousness and peace - are of 2. Numbers 25:1-9. TEMPERING fundamental relevance at present. 3. In his commentary to Numbers Many of our people live ZEALOUSNESS WITH 16:5. LOVE estranged from their Jewish roots, and our national future depends 4. Indeed, our Sages (Sanhedrin Our Sages identified Pinchas on zealous commitment to 82b) relate that it was only because six miracles occurred that they did with Eliyahu. [10] maintaining our heritage. not kill him. Eliyahu’s Divine service was For it is the inner conviction that also characterized by zealousness, stems from the spark of G-dliness 5. Sanhedrin 82a. as it is written: [11] “I have been we all possess which will make an 6. I.e., he is not obligated to do so, very zealous for the sake of G-d, impression on others. he is merely given license to do so. the L-rd of Hosts.” Intellectual arguments cannot Therefore, the Shulchan Aruch does When making this statement, penetrate to the core of another not mention an obligation for a however, Eliyahu contrasted his person’s heart. zealous person to strike a man who own conduct with that of the The heart opens to the heart, engages in intimate relations with a gentile woman, it merely mentions Jewish people at large whom he and it is zealous commitment, as criticized for “forsaking [G-d’s] (Even HaEzer 16:2) that one has tempered by warmth and loving such a right. covenant.” outreach, which will spur others to G-d refused to accept these discover the Jewish spark within 7. Jerusalem Talmud, Sanhedrin 9:7. words of criticism. their own being. [16] 8. Sanhedrin 82a. He appointed Eliyahu as “the There is a further dimension to angel of the covenant” [12] and 9. In this light, we find numerous Pinchas’ zealousness. stories of tzaddikim who were willing charged him with attending the Pinchas was not the leader of to sacrifice their portion in the World circumcisions of the Jewish people the Jewish people. to Come for the benefit of another for all time to come, so that he Moshe, Elazar, and the elders Jew. would attest to their faithful occupied higher positions of 10. Targum Yonason, Exodus 6:18; adherence to G-d’s covenant. [13] authority. Yalkut Shimoni, vol. I, sec. 671; G-d taught Eliyahu that his When, however, the need Zohar II, 190b. zealousness must be tempered arose, Pinchas did not wait for the 11. I Kings 19:10. with ahavas Yisroel, love for every leaders’ guidance, he took the member of our people, and that he initiative himself. 12. Malachi 3:1; Pirkei d’Rabbi Eliezer end of ch. 29. must endeavor to seek out our The same applies with regard people’s virtues. to every individual today, for every 13. Yalkut Shimoni, vol. I, sec. 71. These traits became such an one of us has a unique 14. Malachi 3:24. integral part of Eliyahu’s personal contribution which he himself can mission that when the prophet 15. Mishneh Torah, Hilchos make. Melachim 12:2. Malachi describes Eliyahu’s return With the confidence that comes to announce the coming of the from the truth of one’s inner 16. Figuratively speaking, a parallel Redemption, he states [14] that conviction, we must all take the can be drawn to the story of Pinchas. The widespread assimilation of the Eliyahu will “turn the hearts of the initiative and spread good and fathers to the children, and the present age can be compared to the peace. plague which killed thousands of the hearts of the children to the These efforts will hasten the fathers.” Jewish people. Pinchas’ zealousness coming of the time when Eliyahu - which stopped the plague can, as And when the Rambam identified with Pinchas - will above, be considered an analogy to describes [15] Eliyahu’s mission, come. And then, “the voice of the the heartfelt dedication to our Jewish he states that “he will come solely herald will announce good heritage which will turn this tide. to establish peace.” tidings,” [17] the coming of 17. Cf. Siddur T’hillas Hashem, p. To emphasize this direction from Moshiach, and the redemption of 334. the outset, G-d tells Pinchas that in our people and all mankind. reward for his zealousness, he is Adapted from Likkutei Sichos, Vol. II, p. being given “a covenant of peace.” 344ff, 609ff; Vol. IV, p. 1070ff; Vol. XVIII, p.
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thought MOSHIACH: IT S GOTTA BE PERSONAL
By Rabbi Zvi Homnick
profound way, is a conversation that As much as the exile and all its negative I had with a certain learned implications have to be felt and individual during a period when I was unsure as to which way I would experienced as a truly personal matter, go. We were discussing the divergence of views between the part of the dynamic of a personal Alter Rebbe and the Gaon of Vilna as to whether the Lurianic concept relationship with G-d is realizing that of tzimtzum (the divine contraction that created the “void” within which as bad as it can possibly get, it is all an the worlds could be created) applies expression of His Infinite Love for me. to the Divine Essence or the Infinite Light, as well as whether it is a literal removal or simply a PERSONAL AWAKENING One of the important realizations conceptual one. One of the issues that I experienced along the way was that came up was that there are The fact that my personal those who attempt to argue that journey on the path of Chassidus the idea that those who view Judaism and the world exclusively there is no real disagreement has been a long and convoluted one, between the two, as well as those unmarked by a single earth through the lens of the revealed Torah tend to reach conclusions that that claim that the view of the Vilna shattering epiphany (although dotted Gaon is misrepresented by with many eye opening realizations), are in direct opposition to the ideas expressed in the mystical dimension Chassidim as it doesn’t jibe with means that it comes along with what is written by Reb Chaim of certain advantages and of Torah, especially as explicated in the teachings of Chassidus. This Volozhin in Nefesh HaChaim, and disadvantages. One of the they refuse to consider the possibility disadvantages is that if pressed by applies not only to individual issues within the vast range of Jewish that the student disagreed with his curious folks to recount how I found venerated teacher on such a seminal my way, I don’t have anything beliefs and practices, but to foundational all-encompassing issues matter. particularly exciting to share. On the This fellow felt very strongly that other hand, a key advantage is the as well. Even more fascinating to me was the discovery that those in the these attempts to paper over the fact that I had to process and work view of the Vilna Gaon, namely that through a great many ideas along non-Chassidic world that progress to the study of the esoteric, delving into G-d Himself literally withdrew his with massive amounts of Essence to allow for the existence of information, as well as trying to the mystical teachings of Kabbala, also tend to interpret those teachings the worlds, and as such He is not resolve and/or rethink many issues, present within the existence of those which the born and bred and those in the context of their preexisting superficial outlooks. worlds and it is only His Providence struck by spiritual lightning might that is present, is nothing more than never have the need or opportunity A prime example of this, which helped to open my eyes in a craven defensiveness in the face of to address. the Chassidic onslaught. He didn’t
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even have a problem with the idea meditation, and I could not hope to (G-d’s) face” and His generally that Reb Chaim Volozhin seemed to formulate even for myself how I negative disposition towards the differ on this point and took the knew it to be so, but it was as clear world, and that being the case one position that G-d’s Essence is in fact as day to me that “I want nothing should keep a low profile and avoid present in all of existence, since he more than You Yourself” is the danger at all costs, because you may comes to the same conclusion as the ultimate expression of the innermost just get zapped, G-d forbid. The Vilna Gaon in direct opposition of yearnings of mine and every other extent to which mourning over the the Chassidic view as far as the main Jewish soul. Beyond that, I couldn’t destruction of the Temple(s) and the issue. fathom how he could get so exile of the Sh’china is a personal L That conclusion being that we as passionate and excited in defending matter is only insofar as it is a created beings are incapable of a worldview that banishes G-d from measure of one’s individual level of having a direct relationship with G-d the world and from the personal piety. Only someone who is on an Himself as He is not accessible to us consciousness of any Jew that makes exalted spiritual level (such as the on any level, and any attempt to do the effort to seek closeness with late great Chofetz Chaim) can truly so is not only folly but can lead to Him. claim to be so pained over these apostasy. We can only relate to Him I am aware that the Rebbe once tragic events that he feels compelled through His wisdom and His expressed the idea that for us the to pray incessantly for and even commandments as revealed to us in way that we know that the Alter demand the coming of Moshiach. the Torah, which address us as Rebbe’s view is correct is because we From its very inception, the entirely separate beings because that know that he received these Chassidic movement challenged is the way He wants it to be. We teachings from the Mezritcher those attitudes as resulting from a cannot apprehend Him or His reality Maggid in the name of the Baal frighteningly superficial and we can never become “one with Shem Tov, who in turn received understanding of the dynamic Him,” and any suggestion otherwise them from Achiya HaShiloni the between G-d and His firstborn son – is dangerous to the individual and prophet, who was also present at the i.e. each and every Jew throughout ultimately undermines the core Exodus from Egypt and the Giving history. The Baal Shem Tov explains principles of Torah. of the Torah. However, for me, it the verse in T’hillim (69:19 – also I remember standing and was almost the reverse. Once I incorporated into the Lecha Dodi listening to him expound on how realized that these teachings are the liturgy) “my soul’s redemption Chassidus promotes the idea that the truth, it was an easy jump to accept draws close” to mean that one ultimate goal is to connect to and be the fact that they came to us by way cannot begin to pray for the general one with G-d Himself and to of a biblical era prophet who showed salvation of redemption from exile experience the reality that nothing up in a cave in Europe in the until he feels the weight of and prays else exists except for Him. He even eighteenth century to impart those for salvation from his own personal cited the saying of the Alter Rebbe teachings to the holy Baal Shem Tov. exile. Although G-d interacts with quoted by the Tzemach Tzedek in the Jews as a nation, it is ultimately Derech Mitzvosecha, “I don’t want PERSONAL EXILE a personal matter between Himself your Gan Eden; I don’t want your and each and every Jew. One of the areas of difference Olam HaBa; I want nothing more Viewing our current situation that can be seen in light of the than You Yourself,” as being the only in terms of a national or global divergent approaches to relating to antithesis of the Gaon’s worldview. I issue means that it has nothing to do G-d is how to relate to exile and was very impressed by his clarity on with me personally. The fact that I redemption, particularly at this time the issues, but what really shocked can’t fulfill two thirds of the Torah’s of the year, during the three weeks me was my own reaction. I commandments under the current beginning with the 17th of Tammuz remember thinking how to me it was world conditions is just one of those and ending on the 9th day of Av. obvious that the Chassidic approach things that fall under the category of The traditional understanding, based was the truth, which left me with the “what can you do?” One can even on the revealed Torah, is that these shocking realization, “Uh oh, I guess conclude that accepting the status are purely collective and impersonal that means I have to accept quo is itself an act of great piety, phenomena aimed at and affecting Chassidus as the truth and I have acceding unquestioningly to the the entire Jewish people as a whole. been living a lie.” divine decree as painful as it may be. Additionally, the tragedies that This realization was not based on However, as soon as you examine all transpired in the past at this time of rational or textual proofs, nor was it of the above in terms of a personal the year reflect a “concealment of the result of much study and relationship with G-d Himself, that
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approach begins to emerge as a grotesque pietistic parody. If G-d decided that I can’t do the mitzvos; that I can’t see Him; that I can’t bring the sacrifices; that I Mesivta of West New York can’t experience true revelation; that I can’t devote myself completely to His service; all that plus any and all manifestations of exile reflect an intensely personal issue between my soul which is a literal part of Him (the real me) and G-d Himself. Registration As much as the exile and all its negative implications have to be felt and experienced as a truly Open personal matter, part of the dynamic of a personal relationship with G-d is realizing that as bad as it can For the upcoming yeshiva year in the possibly get, it is all an expression of His Infinite Love for me. It is all just a way to get me to wake up my innermost soul spark, which as the Baal Shem Tov Mesivta explains is the Moshiach that exists within each individual. And even in the deepest darkness and Of West New York, NJ suffering, He is closer than ever, as the Maggid of Mezritch explains the verse in Eicha (1:3) “All her • Great quiet location pursuers caught up to her between the (narrow) • Short distance from Crown Heights boundaries” to refer to the Sh’china, namely that every • Beautifully renovated dormitory and zal Jew who pursues a closer connection with G-d during • Chinuch infused with Chasdishkeit and Hiskashrus the “three weeks” will be successful as G-d makes • Extra emphasis on Inyonei Moshiach Himself much more accessible at this time. • Staff with extensive experience in education
PERSONAL REDEMPTION Mashpia: Rabbi Yisroel Greenberg So much can be written to develop this uniquely Renowned for his warm and loving Chassidic approach Chassidic idea further, demonstrating without question how all the traditional sources actually express these Menahel: Rabbi Menachem M. Scharf ideas even though they did not become known until Experienced and beloved mentor of young Tmimim more recently, but that remains beyond the scope of a brief article. However, what must be made clear is that these teachings are not simply meant as inspirational Catering for ages 13 -15 homiletic exercises, but reflect the correct and proper understanding and approach to foundational ideas and principles in Judaism. Exile is by definition a very For registration personal event and the same holds true for and additional information: Redemption. So much so that the Rebbe cites repeatedly the Alter Rebbe in the name of Chazal that “if even one Tzaddik were to do a complete 917-803-1707 repentance, then the (ultimate) Redemption would [email protected] come.” Yes, it takes work and effort to make it personal Rabbi Menachem M. Scharf and to really feel every aspect of exile in a personal way so that one truly cries out “ad mosai,” and completely rejects even the most comfortably appointed exile because “I want nothing more than You Yourself,” and especially to feel that it is up to me to make a difference. However, as Chassidim, the one thing that make it that much more personal is the tremendous desire to see the Rebbe “the king in his glory” when “these days will be transformed to joy and happiness” with the coming of Moshiach, immediately, NOW!
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moshiach & geula MESHUGE, MESHUGE BUT YOU VE GOT TO HAVE SEICHEL!
By Rabbi Chaim Ashkenazi a”h
This confusion between actions The first of all our requests in the done with daas and actions done Shmone Esrei is for chochma, bina and without daas can be seen in all areas of life, whether in man’s behavior daas. But then we’re told to be “crazy” with other people or in his conduct between himself and Hashem. This about Moshiach. Being “crazy about would include going on mivtzaim and publicizing the Besuras Moshiach” does not contradict behaving HaGeula. Some people have seichel but with daas because even the irrational lack daas. They can have marvelous devotion to publicizing Moshiach, needs ideas about how to publicize things but they don’t check to see how the to be done with seichel! * Part 2 of an people on the receiving end will react. They are disconnected and article prepared by Rabbi Chaim they forget that the main thing about publicizing is for the message Ashkenazi a”h for Beis Moshiach prior to be well-received. If the information doesn’t get through and to his tragic and untimely passing and just passes them by, or if it makes given to us by his family. people think that the ones who did the advertising are beyond the pale, they missed the point. As I wrote in the previous article, lacks the component of daas. If a The meaning of the words the difference between good and person lacks the ‘big picture’ he “b’ofen ha’miskabel tzu yederen bad, between the long range view does not progress in his avodas l’fi sichlo v’havanaso” is that the and the short range view, between Hashem and he ends up hurting one explaining about Moshiach has focusing on others and self- others. We must be careful to avoid the responsibility of reaching his absorption – all have to do with this because it’s the Evil Inclination audience according to their intellect bonding and connecting to the in disguise. It shows a lack of and understanding. He needs to fulfillment of mitzvos, with daas. connection to Hashem and even if it think about the most suitable way of A minor is exempt from mitzvos seems that he has attained spiritual presenting it and if his audience (or because he sees only one side of the goals in the short run, he is liable to the majority thereof) is not coin. This one-dimensional view lose out in the long run. receptive, then he did not achieve
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his goal. In order to do this it’s but when he heard that from the necessary to “get down” and find Rebbe, he took it off). the words and style to suit those on A story was publicized a number the receiving end, because otherwise of years ago about an Israeli bachur whatever he has to say about the named Yossi Ehrentrau who was on Rebbe and Moshiach will be K’vutza in 5749 and he would go rejected. on mivtzaim. At a certain elegant The story is told about a large office building in Manhattan the crowd in a Russian town that was Jewish boss would refuse to see him. waiting with their chickens for the Weeks and months went by and he shochet on the night of Kaparos. still hadn’t managed to put t’fillin The shochet had fallen asleep, and on with him even once. when he woke up and saw how late Then one night, Yossi had a it was, he hastened to the dream of the Rebbe. The Rebbe said slaughterhouse. to him in Yiddish, “Wear a tie and it In order to get there more will help you in hafatzas quickly he jumped over a fence. A ha’maayanos.” policeman who saw him thought he The next time he went on was a thief and took him to jail. In mivtzaim he was accosted by a There will always be an the meantime, the people were peddler who urged him to buy a tie. exception, someone who doesn’t waiting and waiting and when it got Yossi wasn’t interested and didn’t like what you do, but spreading the very late they began to look for the have much money on him so he message regardless should be the shochet and discovered that he had refused. The peddler pursued him last case scenario – first seek a been arrested. and then Yossi recalled his dream so more appropriate way to convey the The heads of the community with the two dollars he had on him information. tried to explain to the police he bought a tie. The same is true, for example, commander that this was a very holy Yossi asked the man why he had regarding the appearance and dress night and this man was very holy bothered to chase him to buy a tie of a Chassid. We have our way of and the knife he carried was for and was taken aback to hear that he dressing but it’s important to take holy purposes as well. had dreamt of a great rabbi who note of where you will be seen. If The police commander asked: “A told him, “Always try to help Jews. you are going to do mivtzaim in a holy man on a holy night with a When you see a good Jew who place where a distinguished holy knife? So why did he act like a doesn’t have a tie, try to convince appearance matters, make sure you thief?” him to buy a tie from you.” are clean and presentable. If you are This story illustrates the point Yossi went to the office building doing mivtzaim in the Shuk or train that we can have lofty intentions and was pleasantly surprised when station, then it’s possible that if you and desires, but if the way we try to the man agreed to put on t’fillin. look too dressed up it will give a attain them isn’t holy, it’s not When the man saw the Rebbe’s haughty impression. acceptable. picture on a card that had the Shma When R’ Kaplan a”h went to So the publicizing of the coming and brachos on it, he exclaimed that Eretz Yisroel on shlichus, the Rebbe of Moshiach and his identity needs it was this rabbi who had come to told him that he should make an to be done with daas. Publicity in him in a dream. He had complained effort to wear a tie and to speak in B’nei Brak and Yerushalayim is to the Rebbe that the young man English when he went to unlike publicity in Tel Aviv or who came to his office was shabbily government offices because this publicity in Boro Park, or publicity dressed, and the Rebbe asked him impresses them. Then again, the in India or the Ukraine. whether, if the bachur came wearing Rebbe once addressed the hanhala It’s not, heaven forbid, that a tie, he would agree to put on in 770 at a farbrengen and said that publicity is something negative; the t’fillin. To this, the man agreed, and instead of being involved in the point is simply that the way in the wheels were set into motion... needs of the talmidim they were which you publicize the information busy with ties. I remember that after needs to suit the audience in order this sicha, R’ Mentlick a”h removed “CRAZY ABOUT for it to be accepted. At least his tie. (R’ Mentlick certainly wasn’t MOSHIACH” attempt to make it palatable to most one to be preoccupied with his tie of the people in that place. One might be wondering about
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This tells us that a person who is The meaning of the words “b’ofen normal in all respects can be ha’miskabel tzu yederen l’fi sichlo “crazy” when it comes to Moshiach. First things first – he must be v’havanaso” is that the one explaining normal, i.e. he davens, learns, does mitzvos, and his appearance is that about Moshiach has the responsibility of of a Chabad Chassid with a beard, peios, hat over a Chassidishe reaching his audience according to haircut, and appropriate clothes. Once he ensures that his inside and their intellect and understanding. outside are appropriate for a Chassid, then he can be a “Chassid everything that was said thus far – the Rebbe?” shoteh” and go out and publicize after all, avodas Hashem according He said that it was suggested that “hinei, hinei Moshiach ba.” to Chassidus is “above reason” so that he move to a bigger town so he When people see a serious person how does that fit with the asked the Rebbe whether he should like this say strange things, they will requirement that we use daas? do so. The Rebbe told him that in listen because they will assume he The Rebbe said about himself, “I the bigger town there would be has something worthwhile to say. am crazy about Moshiach.” In other many meshugaim and he won’t have This is what the Rebbe said on words, the Rebbe expects of himself any standing there, while in Shabbos Parshas Tzav, 5745: and his chassidim that we be crazy Lubavitch, true there were fewer “An absolutely normal person, about Moshiach and do things that residents but there were no other dressed as a normal person and are beyond reason and logic. And meshugaim and so it would be a speaking like a normal person etc. yet, it says in the Rebuke, “and you pity to leave. suddenly begins to cry out will be crazy,” that taking action The Chassidim asked: “How did ‘Moshiach Now!’ … It is specifically without using your daas is one of you know to ask the Rebbe before this behavior which will arouse the the curses. Is being meshuga making a move?” other person’s p’nimius because the positive or negative then? He responded: “Meshuga, truth of the matter is that his soul The answer is, if a person meshuga but you’ve got to have also cries out ‘Moshiach Now!’ …” generally rational but is crazy about seichel!” But if he isn’t a Chassid inside one particular thing, he is Being crazy about Moshiach and out and only does foolish completely normal. If he is crazy in does not contradict the behavior of things, then he will remain with the everything or in many areas then “chonen daas” because even in the title “shoteh” because even if he has this is a curse. So we have to ask utter devotion to publicizing about seichel he does not have daas. He is Hashem for daas and conduct Moshiach you need seichel. The not connected to the meshaleiach ourselves with daas and even the “craziness” can be applied to this and to the spirit of the mission, but one thing we are crazy about has one area and in all other areas you does what he feels like doing. to be done with daas. have to be normal. Although he is involved in things They tell about someone who The Gemara relates that when that need to be publicized he can, lived in Lubavitch who was crazy. Shlomo HaMelech returned to G-d forbid, cause a chilul sheim This meshugene wanted to move to Yerushalayim after he was chased Lubavitch. S another town but since he was a away from his kingdom by We can gain some insight into Chassid he decided to ask the Rebbe Ashmedai, king of the demons, craziness about Moshiach from the first. Apparently, due to his nobody recognized him and nobody Rebbe, who said about himself that reputation as a crackpot they did helped him return to his kingdom. he is crazy about Moshiach. The not let him in for a yechidus, so he He maintained that he was King Rebbe was obsessed with this one found an original way of meeting Shlomo but they all just laughed at thing, i.e. he had no respite but was with the Rebbe. The Rebbe him. When this went on for a while, completely focused on the subject of Maharash would go for a daily ride the wise men said that a meshugene Moshiach. Every subject and every in his carriage and one day the doesn’t stick to just one thing and if person the Rebbe met, he connected meshugene jumped into the Rebbe’s he seems to be crazy only in this to the topic of Moshiach. Whenever carriage to speak to him. one area there must be something to anybody turned to the Rebbe he Afterwards, the Chassidim it, and they went to the palace and went down into that person’s world questioned him: “What did you ask discovered the truth. and connected the Geula to it.
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There are many examples of this. Moshiach comes, because at that publicizing the coming of Moshiach When a newspaper reporter passed time they would be able to work in to oneself – by learning inyanei by the Rebbe for “dollars,” the the field of preventive medicine as Moshiach and Geula, to one’s Rebbe told her to leave space in the opposed to healing. There are household – in a warm family upcoming paper to announce that numerous other instances in which environment, and to the outside – to Moshiach arrived. When rabbanim the Rebbe spoke with people about each according to his level and his met with him, he spoke to them Moshiach and connected it to the interests. about the topic of Geula in various world in which those people lived. May we soon see the fulfillment s’farim or he told them to pasken In other words, the Rebbe took of the promise, “for they will all that Moshiach must come. When the topic he was preoccupied with – know me” “so that all the nations of doctors met with the Rebbe, he told his obsession with Moshiach – and the earth will know.” them that they need not worry that brought it down to each person in a they won’t have parnasa when personal way. That is our mandate,
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BEIS MOSHIACH Issue 747 13 747_B_Beis Moshiach 28/06/2010 8:35 AM Page 14
obituary
expressed by his gifted pen. He had depth of thought as well as a wealth of Chassidic feeling. His childhood memories, which DUBRAWSKI were published in the Algemeiner Journal, opened a window to R’ Heishke’s inner world. Thanks to his phenomenal memory he was able to bring to life the Chassidic CAN BE town where he was born and paint a picture for his readers of his grandfather, his father, and Chassidishe melamdim. He brought tears to our eyes with his RELIED UPON description of the terrible tragedies which befell him during the starvation years in Samarkand when he lost his father and two By Avrohom Rainitz sisters. It was there, in that cruel unfeeling world, that his Thursday, Erev Rosh Chodesh Sivan, goodhearted, sensitive soul was developed, along with the the 29th of Iyar, the Chassidic writer Chassidic cleverness and sharpness which he derived from his Rabbi Yehoshua Dubrawski a”h passed Chassidic teachers. away at the age of 82. * In recent years *** R’ Heishke was born in Shvat, he wrote articles for Beis Moshiach 5688/1928, in Krolevets, which is located in northern Ukraine near magazine in which he extolled the Konotop. Krolevets was a Jewish town suffused with Chabad flavor, virtues of the T’mimim in our a small town where the Jews were generation and powerfully expressed all religious. Some of them were Torah scholars while others were the belief of Chassidim in the Rebbe “T’hillim Jews.” The common denominator among them was Melech HaMoshiach. Chabad Chassidus. The nusach ha’t’filla in the shuls was Nusach R’ Dubrawski had a tremendous to the Rebbe for editing and he Ari and they all kept Chabad gift for writing, which placed him gave the Rebbe much nachas with customs. Not surprisingly, in the forefront of Jewish writers of his writing. Krolevets was known as a Chassidishe town. the past generation with a place of *** honor in Jewish newspapers in the But by the time R’ Heishke was The Chassidic writer R’ born, Krolevets was a different United States. In a rich, literary Yehoshua (Heishke) Dubrawski Yiddish which few could emulate, town entirely. The communists a”h was able to do what few can rose to power about ten years and in a unique style of the do. He possessed the unique ability previous generation, he conveyed before he was born and put an end to express in words the deep to the yeshiva and forbade shiurim authentic Chassidic messages and feelings of the heart. He was a rare when necessary, he defended the and the teaching of Judaism. The combination of intellectualism and shuls were closed. R’ Heishke was honor of Chassidus and the emotion, humility and Lubavitcher Rebbeim firmly and proudly. He able to daven and absorb the strength, seriousness and humor. Chassidic experience in the “old” was one of the editors of “Likkutei An entire world of opposites was Sichos” before they were submitted shul, the only one that remained
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open, but when he was seven, the wicked ones closed this last shul on the Yom Tov of Shavuos. His father’s father, Rabbi Menachem Mendel, the rav of the town, was a descendent of a family of Chassidim from the time of the Tzemach Tzedek and he learned b’chavrusa with the Mekubal Rabbi Levi Yitzchok Schneersohn, the Rebbe’s father. His grandfather was saved from the bitter lot of most rabbanim in Russia, who were arrested by the government and sent to Siberia, and he continued leading the Chabad Chassidim in his town while keeping a low profile.
CHILDHOOD MEMORIES His father, R’ Eliezer Lipa was very strict. He zealously protected his children’s chinuch and did not allow foreign ideas to enter his home. He hired a Chassidishe melamed to teach his son secretly and along with the teachings of Chassidus, also instilled the “ways of Chassidus” in his children. In R’ Heishke’s memoirs he describes his father’s mesirus nefesh to immerse: “In our town there was no mikva and in the summer some Chassidim would immerse in the river. One year, before the Yomim Nora’im, when it was already very cold, my grandfather immersed in the river and my father wanted to My father waited until noon, when do the same. My father had a heart condition and the doctor said it nobody else was at home, and then he would be extremely dangerous for him to immerse in such cold. told me to come with him. I was scared, “My father didn’t say a word and my mother realized that he but I didn’t have the courage to argue or planned to do so anyway. I heard to refuse... her plead with him not to go to the river. He kept quiet and my “That day, my father did not go he told me to come with him. My mother understood that he would and the atmosphere at home heart told me that he wanted to go despite her protests. She calmed down. The next day the immerse in the river. I was scared, discussed this with my grandfather weather was a bit warmer. My but I didn’t have the courage to and my grandfather told my father father waited until noon, when argue or to refuse. So I firmly that he could not do this. nobody else was at home, and then accompanied my father to the
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eleven year old sister Tzivia died. As a Chassid and a man with a broad Young Heishke and his mother intellect and refined soul, he was were the only ones to remain alive. The starvation that claimed his pained by the crass style and harsh family took its toll on him, too, and he contacted a stomach expressions that appeared in the article. ailment in which his intestines stopped functioning. It was in this That same night he sat down to respond weakened state, still in mourning for his father, that he fell ill with in a “war of Torah.” typhus. In this extremely hard period, the Chassid R’ Michoel river. Chassidim participated in the Teitelbaum appeared and asked “On the way my father stopped modest farbrengen that took place that Heishke join the yeshivas and checked his pulse. Then he in their poor home. In the Russian Tomchei T’mimim he wanted to checked my pulse and checked his cold of the month of Shvat, the start. His mother pointed at the own again. Why? Till this day I Chassidim crowded in, and after dark corner of the room where he don’t know. When we got to the he reviewed the maamer, they took lay on a sort of bed which was river I was completely out of sorts. some mashke and wished some more like boards on bricks. He lay My teeth were chattering. My heartfelt brachos to the bar mitzva there helplessly, unable to father probably noticed this and he boy. summon the strength even to told me to stand ‘over there,’ far Years later, R’ Heishke did not stand up. from the river. remember the brachos but one Michoel reassured his mother “At this point I couldn’t restrain thing he could not forget was that if he joined the yeshiva this myself and as far as I remember I something his father told him. “On would be the best segula for him to began shouting, ‘Father, Father, the first day that you become bar recover, and in the quickest don’t go!’ mitzva you should say: may possible way. His mother said “My father put his finger on his Hashem make the Rebbe well and “amen” with faith and hope, and lips to indicate I should be quiet we should soon meet with the Heishke became one of the first and went to a hidden area on the Rebbe!” These words were talmidim of Tomchei T’mimim in shore, where he quickly undressed. engraved in R’ Heishke’s memory Samarkand. I could hear the swishing of the and flowed in his blood all his life. Due to his condition, the water as he immersed. I felt learning took place at first in the completely desolate and I ran to R’ HEISHKE’S miserable hovel they lived in. The where he immersed, near the river. SUFFERING IN starving, broken orphan Zelig “My father quickly shook off Katzman regularly came to his the water from his body, got SAMARKAND house. He later became one of the dressed and said, ‘Nu, boruch When the war broke out and outstanding talmidim in Hashem.’ I don’t know why but I German planes began bombing scholarship and Chassidishkait. was overcome with emotion and I Moscow, the Dubrawski family The two of them sat on the hugged him and buried my face fled from the front to Central Asia. makeshift bed and shared one torn in his chest. That was one of the Like many Lubavitcher Chassidim, Gemara. All his life, R’ Heishke few times that my father wrapped they arrived in Samarkand. The believed that it was in the merit of me in a hug, patted my head, and refugees flooding the city had to his learning in Tomchei T’mimim said over and over, ‘Nu, nu, contend with starvation and that his life was saved. boruch Hashem, s’iz gut, s’iz epidemics. They tried avoiding the Despite all the hardships he gut.’ Angel of Death who stalked the learned diligently and acquired a When he was 12 they moved to city. great proficiency in Nigleh and the Darchova quarter, a suburb of On 11 Kislev, 5702, his father Chassidus. He had vast knowledge Moscow, because of his father’s died from starvation and heart in many areas and was considered illness. That is where his bar disease. On Erev Yom Kippur, knowledgeable in worldly wisdom mitzva took place. It was obviously 5703/1942, his thirteen year old as well. nothing like the bar mitzva sister Menucha also died and a few celebrations of today. A minyan of months later, on 10 Kislev, his
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PRESENTING THE POSITION OF LUBAVITCH IN TORAH JOURNALS After the war, Heishke and his mother went, with most of Anash, to the border city of Lemberg, where a group of Chassidim worked devotedly to arrange the greatest smuggling operation in the history of Anash in Soviet Russia. They arrived in Paris and Heishke resumed his studies in the foundling yeshiva in Brunoy. In Paris he married Asnah (Asya) the daughter of R’ Alexander Sender Menkin. He emigrated to the United States in 1951 and lived in Detroit for a year and then moved to Crown Heights. Since he had been married for several years without having children, his grandfather, R’ Mendel asked the Rebbe for a bracha. He received a bracha from the Rebbe that was worded as a promise and a short while later they had children. In New York, R’ Heishke worked for Shulsinger Brothers, the famous printing and publishing establishment, known for the numerous s’farim they produced as well as the quality of the publishing and binding. Although his official job was technical in nature, unofficially he would offer editorial comments on the s’farim that he saw. The owners soon realized what an asset he was and many authors asked to have R’ R’ Yehoshua Dubrawski (sitting, first row center on the bottom) in his Heishke review their work and hometown of Krolevets. Above him sits his father R’ Lipa. offer his observations before it went to print. Rabbi Chaim Dov organizations in the United States within the same issue so there Chavel, editor of the publication were printed by them. This is how wouldn’t be a situation in which an called HaDarom (published by the R’ Heishke got to have his say article against Lubavitch would be RCA), once wrote referring to R’ regarding the contents of these printed without an immediate Heishke as, “my friend the Torah journals before they were rebuttal. publisher, Rabbi Yehoshua published. When he saw an article Since these were important Dubrawski.” that was critical of Chabad Torah journals that were written by The Shulsinger Brothers did Chassidus, he tried to delay the the cream of the crop of Judaism not only rule the s’farim market. printing until the offensive article in America, he did not rely on Most of the Torah journals that was eliminated or he countered it himself and usually reported to the were published by Jewish
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To r a h . ” “Sometimes, he would sit with R’ Yoel Although responses to articles Kahn for seven or eight hours and not are usually printed in the next issue and not in the same one move until they were satisfied that they where the article appears, because of R’ Heishke’s standing and his had plumbed the depths of the Rebbe’s good connections, R’ Chavel agreed to print his response in the words.” same issue as R’ Karlinsky’s article. Rebbe about the content of articles letter and comments in issue 41. Since R’ Heishke did not want and what he thought the response For issue 42, the editor to rely on his himself in this should be. The Rebbe often edited received a long article on the topic matter, he decided to give it over his articles and there were even of the prayer of the Kohen Gadol to some of the outstanding times that the Rebbe wrote almost by Rabbi Chaim Karlinsky, who bachurim in 770 who worked the entire response himself, though was the editor of the Torah journal assiduously on the Rebbe’s it was published afterwards under Ohr HaMizrach for a period of teachings, for them to clarify the a pen name. several years. In his article, he inyan and write something. For Over the years, R’ Heishke attacked what R’ Chavel wrote and some reason there was a delay and developed strong ties with used extremely sharp language a few days passed without any rabbanim and authors as well as against the Rebbe’s comments. progress. with the editors of various Torah At the end of the long pilpul he After a few days, he decided to journals. He often used these wrote, “I think that in everything I give the galleys (proof-reading connections for the good of have written here I have proven copy) of R’ Karlinsky’s article to Chabad. R’ Chavel, the editor of that the prayer of the Kohen Gadol the Rebbe’s secretaries. R’ Groner HaDarom, was one of the people on Yom Kippur was not a formula gave the galleys to the Rebbe and with whom he had a good recited year after year. The Kohen the Rebbe said there should be a relationship, and that is the Gadol would say a prayer in his response to R’ Karlinsky. When R’ background to the following own words each year, taking into Groner asked who should respond, incident. consideration the situation and the Rebbe said: “Dubrawski should In the winter of 5735, Rabbi events of that time … So it is clear respond.” R’ Groner told the Chadakov, the Rebbe’s secretary, that all the statements of the sages Rebbe that R’ Heishke had already called R’ Heishke to his office and on this subject were not intended started writing but he hadn’t told him that the Rebbe asked him to give us the precise wording of finished. to get all the previous editions of the prayer of the Kohen Gadol but The next morning, the Rebbe HaDarom. merely the nature of the requests sent out the galleys with R’ R’ Dubraskwi contacted R’ included in the prayer.” Therefore, Karlinsky’s article with notes in Chavel and told him the Rebbe’s he concluded, there is no reason to the margins. The Rebbe also request. R’ Chavel quickly gave ask questions or discuss the included a large card on which he him a large stack with all the wording of the prayer as it is wrote additional comments. The issues that had been published up printed in the Rambam, since it Rebbe asked that it be given to R’ until that time, including the was only meant as an example. Heishke for him to prepare it for freshly-printed issue 40. This issue R’ Heishke’s excellent ties with publication and he also asked the contained a fascinating article by R’ Chavel stood by him this time, secretary to find out whether the R’ Chavel on the topic of the avoda too, and even before the booklet response R’ Heishke was writing of Yom Kippur, with some of the was printed the editor gave him R’ had any points that the Rebbe had article devoted to the prayer of the Karlinsky’s article so he could not covered. Kohen Gadol in the Holy of Holies write a response. As a Chassid and R’ Heishke was very ambivalent as it appears in the Rambam. a man with a broad intellect and about submitting his ideas to the Shortly thereafter, the Rebbe refined soul, he was pained by the Rebbe – of what value were they wrote a letter thanking R’ Chavel crass style and harsh expressions once the Rebbe had already written and as a nice gesture he included that appeared in R’ Karlinsky’s a response? – but since the Rebbe some comments which the article. article. That same night he sat had asked, he told the Rebbe one R’ Chavel printed the Rebbe’s down to respond in a “war of point, that from the wording in the
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Rambam in his commentary on Mishnayos it is clear that the wording of the prayer was standard. In the meantime, R’ Heishke prepared to print the Rebbe’s comments and then he sent the typewritten response to the Rebbe for editing. The Rebbe added R’ Heishke’s observation. In the meantime, R’ Chavel had already submitted the entire issue for publication and the issue was about to be printed … Thanks to his excellent connections with the Shulsinger brothers, they worked nonstop for a full day to find a place to put in the response. They had to open asked him to write a response. at that time was Rabbi Shtzefanski, and take apart all the plates, This time he did not delay and who was also on good terms with because R’ Heishke did not want immediately began to work on it. R’ Heishke. He had seen R’ R’ Karlinsky’s article to go in Since the previous article was Heishke’s responses to R’ without a response. This would word for word the Rebbe’s writing, Karlinsky’s earlier articles, so he enable anybody who read it to R’ Heishke submitted R’ decided to give the third article to immediately read an article that Karlinsky’s second article and his R’ Heishke and offer him an took apart all his questions on the response to the Rebbe in the hopes opportunity to respond in the same Rebbe. that this time too, the Rebbe would issue … R’ Chavel refused to print the offer his own version. R’ Karlinsky’s article was full of response under a pseudonym But this time the Rebbe said angry expressions against R’ (because he was afraid of R’ that he didn’t have time for it Heishke’s responses, the first of Karlinsky’s ire and R’ Karlinsky before Yom Tov and if R’ Heishke which was actually the Rebbe’s was a good friend of his) and he wanted him to edit and write there response, and R’ Heishke’s said it had to be printed under the was no knowing how long he rejoinder followed the same vein. author’s full name. However, the would have to wait. If it was His article was very sharply Rebbe hadn’t written his notes to needed immediately then he should worded and he asked that it be be published under his own name, consult with knowledgeable people printed following R’ Karlinsky’s but only as suggestions for R’ and decide. article. Heishke’s article, so R’ Heishke R’ Dubrawski decided to submit However, when he submitted couldn’t even tell the editor, R’ his answer “as is” and it was his response to the Rebbe, as he Chavel, about the Rebbe’s published in issue 44 along with R’ had done the previous times, the connection to the submission. Karlinsky’s second article (this Rebbe told him that it was too So in issue 42 of HaDarom, the time it was really R’ Dubrawski’s sharp and it should not be printed rebuttal is under the name “Rabbi response). so as not to offend and arouse Yehoshua Dubrawski.” Today the That was the end of the Torah hatred on the part of R’ Karlinsky. truth can be revealed. It is time debate in HaDarom, as R’ That was the end of the that it was printed under the Karlinsky, annoyed that R’ exchange, with the Rebbe teaching rightful name, because on the Dubrawski’s responses had been us not only how to learn the whole it was written by the Rebbe printed in the same issue as his Rambam but also a lesson in himself. articles, debunking all his derech eretz. When issue 42 was printed, R’ arguments, decided to move the Karlinsky prepared a long article in debate to the periodical, Ohr response to “Rabbi Dubrawski,” I NEVER SAW SUCH HaMizrach, which he had edited in A HANACHA and with even stronger expressions the past. of ridicule. Once again, the editor The editor of Ohr HaMizrach Along with his work at gave the article to R’ Heishke and
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pass. However, the fact that the R’ Heishke portrayed for his readers the Rebbe made the offer shows how middle road which a Chassid ought to great was the Rebbe’s esteem of him. travel in the modern era – not to run away from progress but not to immerse STRONG DEFENSE FOR KAVOD LUBAVITCH oneself in it, either. While working for Di Yiddishe Heim, R’ Heishke wrote thought pieces as well as fascinating Shulsinger Brothers, R’ Heishke editing them. One of the editors, memoirs. In his rich language he used his scholarly and literary who wanted to defend himself to enabled American readers to talents in the service of the Rebbe, the Rebbe, wrote that due to visualize the difficulties of the and was part of the editorial staff technical reasons, R’ Heishke was terrible war years in Samarkand for Likkutei Sichos. Officially, he unable to edit the language of the and thrill with the achievements of was considered the stylistic editor latter sichos and that is why they the Chassidim who turned the of the sichos that were written in were not as good as usual. The Gehinom of Samarkand into a Yiddish, a language he was fluent Rebbe responded sharply: “If I spiritual Gan Eden. in, but as in his other “technical” knew that Dubrawski was not With his sense of humor, R’ work, R’ Heishke demonstrated a editing the sichos for several Dubrawski described American life deep understanding of the topics weeks, I would have stopped and mocked the “worldly in the sichos. He often sat for editing them back then.” assumptions” that dictate life in hours with the official chozrim and R’ Heishke was also the editor the western world. In various editors in order to internalize every of the Yiddish section of the articles he dissected some nuance of the Rebbe’s questions Lubavitcher publication Di American “mishugasin” like the and answers in the sichos. Yiddishe Heim. Generally, any annual pilgrimage to “the country” His children remember the official publication of Chabad with or the lavish weddings with the hours he spent editing the sichos: the Kehot stamp on it would be tremendous outlays of money on “Sometimes, he would sit with edited by the Rebbe. Di Yiddishe flowers and pictures. R’ Heishke R’ Yoel Kahn for seven or eight Heim was an exception because portrayed for his readers the hours and not move until they the Rebbe said it was unnecessary middle road which a Chassid ought were satisfied that they had for him to edit it since “you can to travel in the modern era – not plumbed the depths of the Rebbe’s rely on Dubrawski.” to run away from progress but not words.” R’ Heishke wrote the hanachos to immerse oneself in it, either. He spent hours in his work area (written record unedited by the His rich articles garnered him a in the children’s room. Since he Rebbe) of the Rebbe’s sichos for reputation and placed him among worked at the publishing house this publication himself. The Rebbe the best Jewish writers in our time. during the day, he had to edit the once said about this, “Such a good The Yiddish papers were willing to sichos in the evening, once his hanacha, I’ve never seen before.” pay him a lot for his articles. Even children came home from school. At the end of the fifties, R’ The Forward – a secular, socialist- They would come in and out and Chadakov suggested that he start democratic paper – agreed to he ignored the noise as he delved working for Merkos L’Inyonei forego its principles to have R’ into a different world, the world of Chinuch since the Rebbe wanted Heishke join their ranks and gave the Rebbe’s Torah. him to prepare his letters (as is him a platform to publicize ideas The Rebbe gave his personal known, the Rebbe would dictate on the parsha. Needless to say, all approbation of R’ Heishke’s some of his letters to the the ideas were taken from the writing, and once said, “When secretaries, who would write them Rebbe’s sichos, enabling R’ Dubrawski makes something, it’s up and then give them to the Heishke to publicize the Rebbe’s worth printing.” Rebbe for him check before they teachings among all sorts of One year the Rebbe expressed were mailed). Due to technical people. his dissatisfaction with the editing reasons, mainly because of his R’ Heishke took advantage of of Likkutei Sichos and he work in editing Likkutei Sichos, the great esteem in which he was announced that he would stop the appointment never came to held by the Yiddish language
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R’ Yehoshua and his sons
publishers when he wanted to publicize articles against those who And then, when a mass of Chassidim tried to attack the Rebbeim or the pushed from every side to stretch out belief of Chassidim. He was a gentle soul and an intellectual, an their hands without any calculations – introvert, who could keep quiet if personally attacked, but when at that awesome moment of hisgalus, articles appeared that attacked the honor of Lubavitch, he went the Rebbe pleaded and shouted with a against his nature and strongly defended the Rebbeim and roar from the heart, ‘Think about Chassidim. another Yid! Think about another Yid! At the beginning of the nineties, a wave of hatred broke against Think…’ Chabad and the Rebbeim, generated by certain parties in g’dolei Yisroel and said the article Moshiach (issue #445) – after B’nei Brak, with their main should not attack the Vilna Gaon incorporating the Rebbe’s complaint being that Chabad is a so as not to revive the old comments. messianic cult. R’ Heishke couldn’t machlokes. In a separate note the On another occasion, also after tolerate this and he wrote a lengthy Rebbe wrote: His intentions are a nasty article was printed in a piece against those who mocked. good but if you don’t avoid the B’nei Brak newspaper, R’ Heishke Due to the sensitivity of the issue abovementioned, what will be the wrote an article contrasting those he submitted the article to the results? who fly the flag of hate to the Rebbe for his approval. In light of the Rebbe’s answer, natural mesirus nefesh of Chabad The Rebbe made some R’ Heishke opted not to publish Chassidim. “It is very hard to observations, many of which the article. It was only 14 years break the wall of blind hatred and diminished the negative aspects of later, when hateful articles were to get it into the narrow Litvishe the article and emphasized the published once again, that he head that a Lubavitcher child, a positive. The Rebbe also wanted to submitted his article to Beis Lubavitcher bachur – a Tamim, delete sharp expressions against
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soul find its way to hasten the “The biggest question of all is, how is it moment when we would merit to that an entire ‘side’ cannot see (or bask in the light of life? With stubbornness on the one hand, and makes itself not see) the good with added momentum on the other – that is how you proceeded intentions, the positive direction and then with complete fanaticism. “If so, where does your current goals, that the other side has?” attitude towards your fellow Chassid come from? He, by the and all the more so an adult feelings of sorrow, R’ Heishke same measure and for precisely the Lubavitcher Chassid, has more wrote: same reason, and with precisely yiras Shamayim, wholehearted “Without deciding between the that inner agitation and inspiration emuna and love for Hashem in the two views and without pointing at (which is perhaps greater than heel of his foot than that of all the those who are guilty for the yours) and with the same firmness popular ‘g’dolim’ in B’nei Brak.” terrible split, there is only the and good intentions – he also powerful desire to ask and ask searched (along with all the others EXTOLLING THE YOUTH again: on his ‘side’) for the way to realize “All of us, who were united in a his yearning to strengthen Just as he couldn’t tolerate the movement of ‘I am to my beloved hiskashrus and implement the attacks of Misnagdim against and my beloved is to me,’ at Rebbe’s ratzon! So why does his M Lubavitch, so too – and perhaps countless long farbrengens on way look so different than what even more so – he could not stand Yomim Tovim, Shabbasos etc.; we you decided? It’s very simple. By the controversy within Lubavitch W who stood ‘together as one in the Jews, and by Chassidim, there are e about the belief of Chassidim in d light’ … seeing and being seen differences in soul powers, in the Rebbe Melech HaMoshiach T opposite the holy countenance of views, and especially in middos U and his eternal life. the Loyal Shepherd; (chesed, g’vura etc.). Why don’t p With the same fiery Chassidic e “We who remember (on our people consider this obvious idea? M truth with which he admired the own or someone told us) the “The biggest question of all is, i elder Chassidim of the previous s Rebbe standing in the doorway of how is it that an entire ‘side’ generation, R’ Heishke was full of 770 after the famous Purim cannot see (or makes itself not admiration for the young farbrengen and announcing, see) the good intentions, the Chassidim who do not see or hear ‘whoever extends his hand is positive direction and goals, that the Rebbe but nevertheless are full given.’ And then, when a mass of the other side has? of yearning to hear every detail Chassidim pushed from every side “On the other hand, when you about the Rebbe. to stretch out their hands without wake up and see how the others “The most amazing thing,” said any calculations – at that awesome really mean well, the entire premise R’ Heishke, “is that these are not moment of hisgalus, the Rebbe changes and the gate opens to the the nostalgic longings of an orphan pleaded and shouted with a roar palace of achdus. You suddenly but the yearnings of tense from the heart, ‘Think about realize how the right eye and the heightened anticipation, like that another Yid! Think about another left eye are looking at the same of children who know their father Yid! Think…’ thing. is ‘ut ut’ there.” “Master of the universe: Where “I have not come here to decide Despite his tremendous did our thinking of another whether to walk ‘right’ or ‘left’ or admiration for the T’mimim who Chassid disappear to? Where did maybe in the ‘middle.’ Even do not make do with longing for that bond and relationship with without such a decision, one must the past but channel their feelings our brothers, our bones and flesh, oppose with the utmost harshness into action to disseminate the go? the small-minded labels that each Besuras HaGeula, R’ Heishke “Have we lost even the basic side attaches to the other, starting understood those Chassidim who ability to analyze and understand with the ‘k’fira’ here and the think otherwise and was pained by what happened? Let’s look – you, ‘messianism’ there; and imagine the machlokes over the differing a Chabad Chassid, the moment the where the debate will lead if those beliefs. curtain blocked your ability to see are the opening positions of each In an article replete with the Rebbe, how did your stormy side...”
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*** a gemach named for his uncle, R’ children.” In his private life, R’ Heishke Zalman Shimon Dworkin. With Indeed, R’ Heishke merited to seemed to have remained in his money from this fund he would see his sons and daughters go on hometown of Krolevets, living a help families in Crown Heights as shlichus to France, Canada, Brazil, modest Chassidic life without well as members of the kollel, Texas, California, and Staten standing out in any way and especially before Pesach. Island. He is survived by his wife, keeping a distance from any R’ Heishke felt endless love and Asna Devorah and his children: honors, real or imaginary. He admiration for the shluchim of the Sara Gurevitch – Lyon, France; really hated kavod. Rebbe. Although he himself Yosef Yitzchok (Fitche) – Curitiba, In addition to his literary fulfilled an important shlichus and Brazil; Lipa – Vancouver, Canada; endeavors he was also active in the did much to spread Toras Menachem Mendel – Dallas, Rebbe’s mivtzaim and was a HaChassidus, he was envious of Texas; Mira Labkowski – Los member of the hanhala of Tzeirei the “simple” shluchim who left Angeles, CA; Chana Katzman – Agudas Chabad of New York and a home and went off to distant parts. Staten Island. His daughter, Zlata member of the hanhala of Chamah. He educated his children in this Geisinsky a”h, of Bethesda, His tz’daka and chesed were spirit and would say to them: “If I Maryland, tragically just passed exemplary and for many years ran did not merit to go on shlichus, I away at the age of 49, after the pin my hopes on you, my Shloshim of her father. Make a “Mivtzah Kashrus” in your own computer! Introducing JNET-The world wide web without the world wide worryTM While The Internet can be a helpful tool for business, experts that will solve your problems fast. education and personal use it can also be a potentially Most important, you can now get the JNET Advantage for dangerous one. only a bit more than non-filtered on line providers. That's why J Net was created. If you're ready for the world wide web without the world wide Using exclusive multi-tiered intelligent filtration, the J Net worry, you're ready for JNet. portal is probably the most effective consumer resource for DIAL UP DSL Unlimited Access 24 Tech Support eliminating material not conducive to our needs. 4 Profiles per More than virtually foolproof, J .NET is also easy - both to Account Web Mail install and use. Plus its available in both dialup and high Call us toll free at 1-866-866-JNET (5638) speed DSL and backed by highly trained customer service (mention code “770” for special ANASH Rate) LIVE SHIURIM 0NLINE cwwv Anywhere, Anytime ! CHITAS j,ww, INYONEI GEULA unahj dtukv gbhbh & MOSHIACH rncwwo RAMBAM ckeuyh ahgurho SHIURIM IN LIKUTEI eusa ahju, SICHOS KODESH
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moshiach & science
Here is where the problems start, or so it seems. Your claim essentially is that if science is valid WAS THAT AN to run our hospitals and cell phones, then it should hold sway on all our beliefs about nature and history. When scientific views conflict with Torah, our religious EARTHQUAKE dogma must adapt, even capitulate if need be (so the argument goes). Truth is what counts, wherever that leads us. I think if we analyze this one OR A TRAIN? issue carefully, the rest of the details will fall into place, including your problem with over a million species from around the Dr. Aryeh Gotfryd world suddenly converging on Noah’s ark, surviving a year on the boat, and then fanning out over Pre-observant college students and the planet back to their natural habitats without any sign of the young adults philosophize on line about whole thing having happened, except a rainbow. Torah and science. Maybe the To begin, first you are quite arguments aren’t new, but the correct in characterizing the Jew as both faithful and rational. The participants are and they deserve Torah has both principles of faith and principles of rational analysis. answers. Dr. Gotfryd gives it a shot. We approach scripture with the heart, talmud with the mind. Reconciling solar and lunar cycles Often human nature is such that sciences and cultures as well as for the Jewish calendar is a precept when one is given a simple proof, your own logical analyses. of the faith, but to do it requires it is difficult to accept because of Your discussion revolves around advanced knowledge of its very simplicity. one central issue: that the believing mathematics and astronomy. --The Rebbe, Mind Over Matter, Jew accepts as fact all kinds of Jews take pride in study. About p.9. miraculous and supernatural 25% of Nobel Prize winning stories just because they are Dear Greg, Vadim and Levi, scientists are Jewish, which is recorded in the Torah, yet Thanks for including me in about 100 times more than their categorically rejects any number of your virtual debate about Science proportion in the world by alternative histories or refutations and Torah. Your thread is about as population. Are such scholars any no matter how rational, long and rich in words as Jewish less likely to believe? On the documented, or widely held they history is in years since Avraham contrary, Nobel Prize winners do may be. Avinu, upwards of 3800, and I not have faith despite their secular That itself would be easier to read it with interest. knowledge, they actually believe in swallow if the believing Jew would Clearly you, like most of our G-d more because of it. For come straight out and say “I brethren throughout the ages, are example, see the well-referenced believe and that’s all,” or “Torah is all intelligent, educated and collection of scientist quotes by right and science is wrong,” but it thoughtful people. You raise psychologist Tihomir Dimitrov seems that the believing Jew wants dozens of points and counterpoints entitled “50 Nobel Laureates and to have his cake and eat it too. He invoking references to many facts Other Great Scientists Who wants to embrace faith and reason, and opinions from a diversity of Believe in G-d” To r a h and science. (www.nobelist.tripod.com). Who
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could argue with the likes of nature is nothing more than a seismological websites. Einstein, Planck, Schrödinger and continuous string of miracles. It’s Once I saw such a diversity of Heisenberg, or Newton, Galileo, just that we get so used to reports from so many places in Faraday and Maxwell? watching nature go by that we Quebec, Ontario, New York, New One key to understanding this neglect its supernatural character. Jersey and Connecticut, I was is to carefully define the notion of Empowered with a modern satisfied that indeed I had truth. When we say something is scientific outlook, we can return to experienced a 5.0 quake today. We true we generally mean that it is the question of Biblical miracles felt it, it was detected by not subject to change depending with a new perspective. Since independent means, and was on time, place or context. As such nature itself is miraculous, why be widely reported in diverse media. it is an absolute. However, the disturbed by the possibility of Nobody is going to come to me truths of science are not like that. outcomes that are neither rational tomorrow to say it didn’t happen. Ever since Heisenberg, we have nor materialistic? And since there And if they did, I would not believe come to understand that all is some “conscious and indivisible them, nor would anyone else. science is conditional, tentative, wholeness” behind all this, who But what about my kids? And and uncertain. If there is some way says that such a Being would not their kids? How about in 3,000 to determine capital-T Truth, choose to communicate with man? years? (Of course Moshiach will clearly it is not through science. On the contrary, why would such a come by then but still...) Will my The same science of the Being create nature in such a way hundredth generation descendants quantum that gave scientists a that man could infer His existence necessarily believe in the newfound humility, also leads us to if He did not want such a earthquake of June 23, 2010? It acknowledge that the ultimate relationship? depends. If there will be evidence ground of reality is some But, you may contend, the fact from diverse sources describing the indivisible wholeness beyond space that divine communication is same event in pretty much the and time which is conscious and possible does not mean that it same way, even though none of from which all physical phenomena actually happened. With so many those sources are first hand, I emerge at every moment via alternative religions and traditions, would probably believe it. Just like vacuum fluctuations (in chassidus why believe in the Torah, I believe that there was a famous this is called continuous creation specifically? This question, too, British scientist named Isaac ex nihilo). So rather than an can be approached scientifically. Newton even though no one I omniscient and omnipotent creator But let me start with a little story. know ever met him. being foreign to rational science, it As I was sitting at the computer On the other hand, if one or is actually integral to it. In today, composing this response, I even twelve of my friends said they layman’s terms we can really talk started to feel my chair swaying felt something like an earthquake about science discovering G-d. back and forth. I listened to what and recorded it for posterity, but But there is more to it than was going on outside and heard a the rest of my friends felt nothing that. Physics also negates the train in the distance. My house is of the sort, no news stations traditional notion of matter being not far from the tracks and I’ve reported it, and the seismologists made up of separate physical often felt the house sway a bit did not register it, in such a case, I particles bouncing around like so when trains pass. But this seemed may not only have difficulty many billiard balls on some giant more intense than usual. Maybe it believing it myself, I would also cosmic pool table. Particles of was a big train? Maybe a small have trouble convincing any matter are now seen as condensed earthquake? I didn’t know. rational, evidence-based society energy waves shaped by our I came downstairs and asked that such a thing happened. Over consciousness and downloaded my wife if she had felt anything time, some people would defend from some higher consciousness. strange. “You felt it too? What do the tradition, but others would With the demise of material you think it was?” We checked a deny it based on their records. realism, science and nature have local news website, but nothing The analogue is probably become re-enchanted. Now every about an earthquake. A short while obvious to you by now. event, each phenomenon is seen as later, a newsflash popped up. Then The giving of the Torah at a miracle. I heard about it on the radio. Then Mount Sinai was not a revelation This is comparable to what our Google started coughing up news to one person or even to a small sages teach, for example the reports and twitter feeds. Then I group. It was a public event with Chacham Tzvi who says that got confirmation from government the participation of 603,550 adult
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they got there and how they How can eminently sensible people dispersed afterwards are small accept the possibility that the stories in change. We live in a miraculous world anyway, so why not this the Bible actually happened as miracle as well? And if you wonder about miracles still, consider the described? basic building block of your “natural” world, the atom - its male Israelites excluding women, testimony to the Sinai experience. enigmatic orbits of unknowable children, seniors, Levites and The next generation had it too and bits of energy with gargantuan converts, probably some three the next. In fact, we’ve never been proportions of empty space, yet million people in all, who all heard without it. The copying is always presenting itself as hard, opaque G-d speak to them directly without letter-perfect. Even the oral and static. any intermediary. tradition is exact - the “fruit of a Gentlemen, we are not Wiccans That public was very diverse beautiful tree” is always an etrog or Raelians here, we are children and included a lot of independent and the “reminder between your of Abraham. Most of the world’s thinkers. They argued with Moses eyes” is always a leather cube with inhabitants pride themselves on about bread, meat, water, aliya, four rolled parchments of Torah being his spiritual heir, but what of marriage, the priesthood, you passages inside. us Jews? We aren’t a cult. We are name it, they fought about it. But At what point in our history an empirically validated, one thing nobody argued about - could someone come along and philosophically sound, ethically the divine origin of the Torah. And make something up like this and, grounded and socially cohesive that’s because they were all there. more importantly, “sell it” to a nation and culture with a faith Who were they going to fool? whole nation so that they would all endorsed by the greatest minds of People who experienced it suddenly believe that this was their all time. Lets relax and enjoy who themselves? They all knew they left family heritage? Would we are, and try just one more Egypt without a Torah. They came argumentative Jews like you and mitzvah to bring Moshiach now! into Israel with one. It had to me have no dissention on this Dr. Aryeh (Arnie) Gotfryd, PhD is a come from somewhere. What kind point whatsoever? chassid, environmental scientist, author of alternative story could they So now that the balance of and educator living near Toronto, make up and who would believe it evidence and reason leans toward Canada. To contact, read more or to anyways? the Torah being of divine origin book him for a talk, visit Even after they settled the Land while alternative hypotheses are www.arniegotfryd.com or call 416-858- of Israel, they all had but one unrealistic, the details of how 9868. Torah text and that text was many animals in the ark and how
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feature
there weren’t, and I decided to do something about it.” This is R’ Bar Yosef’s lifework I FEEL THE but that’s only part of my interest in interviewing him. R’ Bar Yosef had a strong connection with Chabad even as a young man. He had yechidus with the Rebbe REBBE S Rayatz twice at the beginning of 5710. It was with the Rebbe’s blessing and encouragement that he later started his organization. Despite his advanced age he HANDS remembers the events of his life clearly, as well as their impact on his feelings at the time.
By Nosson Avrohom GENUINE AHAVAS YISRAEL IN THE FOREST Rabbanim and teachers in Eretz Yisroel WITH THE PARTISANS During World War II he was are familiar with Machon Mordechai. with his family in the ghetto of Pressburg, Czechoslovakia. He was For over thirty years, children have had 14 years old and he remembers enjoyable workbooks thanks to the those terrible times: “I was raised in a frum home. Machon. Nosson Avrohom met with the When the war broke out, the Germans confined us to a ghetto, founder, Rabbi Sholom Bar Yosef and where Jewish life went on as usual. My father decided to smuggle us heard about life in Eretz Yisroel after out of the ghetto to a faraway village on the border. He sensed the Holocaust, yechiduyos with the that it was just a matter of time Rebbe Rayatz and encouragement from before the Nazis would kill us all. We fled to Hungary and eventually the Rebbe MH”M. Presented in the days we saw that my father’s decision saved our lives. following Yud-Beis Tammuz. “On Yom Kippur 5704/1943, huge numbers of German forces I met Rabbi Sholom Mordechai schools in Eretz Yisroel and encircled the ghetto and brought Bar Yosef in his family’s vacation elsewhere use his workbooks. everybody to the trains which home. He visits his modest R’ Bar Yosef is a tremendous transported them to the gas apartment in Tzfas several times a Torah scholar who cares deeply chambers and crematoria. My year in order to concentrate on his about chinuch, and this has father constantly said that the learning and to work on producing motivated him to invest great Germans would not be able to new educational material. His efforts and money into educational utterly destroy the Jews of the city organization, Machon Mordechai, materials. where the Chasam Sofer lived, was started nearly forty years ago “For many years I was a teacher taught Torah, and wrote his and is a wonderful resource for for many different subjects. I saw chiddushei Torah. teachers who want an easy and that in subjects like English and “Partisan groups formed to clear way of teaching their math there were plenty of fight the Germans. Although there students. All sorts of religious workbooks but for limudei kodesh were many Jewish partisans, they were led primarily by gentiles
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whose hatred for Jews sometimes superseded their hatred for the Germans who conquered their country. I joined one of these partisan groups. We hid in the thick forests and lived in dwellings in the Tatra Mountains. We climbed trees that were twenty stories high and from the treetops we kept an eye on the movements of the Germans. “The partisans caused heavy losses to the Germans, both in killing their men and in stealing their food. The Germans deployed to try to trap us. To protect ourselves, so the dogs wouldn’t smell the scent of our shoes, we smeared them with tar. For months we lived in the trees. We had iron loops that were tied to stout ropes. Every few hours we would throw the rope to a nearby tree and when the loop caught, we moved to the next tree. “In this manner we traveled many kilometers into the thick of the forest. We avoided walking on the ground so as not to leave tracks and we got food at night “I remember one unfortunate also learned how great is the from the villages, which we Jewish partisan whom they wanted hatred of Eisav for Yaakov and supplemented with fruits from the to get rid of. One day he was how the chesed that gentiles do is trees. I remember a scary episode assigned the job of standing watch really only for themselves.” when the Germans caught up with with a rifle, which was more us. The dogs found partisans precious than gold to us. The cold hiding in a bunker. Some of them THE WARMTH OF THE and exhaustion overcame him and were killed while others fled. We, REBBE RAYATZ’S HAND he fell asleep. One of the partisan who were up in the trees, were leaders, a wicked man, discovered When the war was over, Bar saved. The Germans pruned a lot him asleep and stole his rifle. The Yosef joined the yeshiva of Rabbi of branches and it was miraculous law of the partisans was that his Michoel Ber Weissmandl, who that they did not discover us. punishment was death, since started a yeshiva for Holocaust “We were young boys, lean falling asleep on the job survivors. Rabbi Weissmandl is from hunger and thirst, and we endangered us all. They ignored known as the author of Min could easily leap from tree to tree. his pleading and told another Jew HaMeitzar (translated as The Even when we were on the ground, to kill him. Unheeded Cry in English) in which our tarred shoes kept the Germans “I will never forget how the Jew he describes his many attempts to off our trail. I have a burning ordered to kill him said, ‘I will not save Hungarian Jewry. The hatred not only for the Germans, take the life of a Jew. If you want, yeshiva, located in the mountains but also for our equally anti- kill me!’ It was a tremendous of upstate New York, was called Semitic gentile leaders. They used lesson for me, a young boy, about Nitra and it combined Torah study us because they needed us in order Jewish brotherly love. He was not with work. to survive and fight but the religious at all, but he refused to “We were a group of bachurim, moment they were able to kill a pull the trigger on a fellow Jew. I survivors. Rabbi Weissmandl was Jew, they did so readily.
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able to get visas for us for the me very much. He said that he had United States and we traveled by recently sent ten Chassidishe ship to New York. I learned in families there and instructed them Nitra and then switched to to start a yeshivas Tomchei yeshivas Shearis HaPleita, which T’mimim. He dismissed my was founded by the Tzanz- concerns and said I would be fine Klausenberger Rebbe, Rabbi with them. He spoke Yekusiel Halberstam. The yeshiva enthusiastically about the new was in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, yeshiva and said I should be one of and I preferred to be in a large the first students to learn there. Jewish community, not far-off in “I didn’t readily agree. How the mountains. could I leave a place of Torah? “The Klausenberger Rebbe There might be a yeshiva there, married the sister of our rosh even a good one, but in New York yeshiva, and we attended the I had an excellent place to learn so wedding. I watched the Admur and what did I need this adventure for? was very taken by him. So I went Then the Rebbe explained for over to his yeshiva. Today, nobody can half an hour what his ‘ani maamin’ describe those early days in which is. He laid forth his plan, which very few managed to hold on. was before the coming of Many Jews shaved their beards and The Unheeded Cry by Rabbi Weissmandl Moshiach there had to be Judaism became swept up in the liberal life in every corner of the world. of the land of opportunity. Great wait in the nearby room until I “The Rebbe explained to me Rebbes held tishen on Shabbos, would be called to see the Rebbe. that just like in the time of the and the participants parked their If the secretary looks like that, I second Beis Mikdash, the Jewish cars nearby. Today, when you look thought to myself, who knows people spread out all the way to at religious Jewish life it’s Yemos what the Rebbe himself will look Bavel, now too Jews need to spread HaMoshiach!” like? out all over the world and prepare Bar Yosef always had a soft spot “When it was my turn to enter it for Geula so that all the goyim in his heart for Chabad; when I the Rebbe Rayatz’s room, I entered will know about Hashem. How will asked him why, he said that even trembling. The Rebbe looked at me they know? By our being all over before he saw the Chabad Rebbes and his gaze caused my hands to the world! The Rebbe spoke about or learned Chassidus, he had heard alternately shake and go numb Jews as an am segula and how all that Chabad is different than all from great fear and trepidation. over the world, even in distant Chassiduyos. In all the other Even in the pictures of him, you places, yeshivos and talmudei Chassidic groups he found can see the Rebbe’s penetrating Torah had to be founded to refine provincialism and a ghetto eyes; you can’t run from them. The the earth and air of that place and mentality, while in Chabad he Rebbe sat in a wheelchair, to bring it to a state where they heard about concern for all Klal welcomed me graciously and began would be ready to welcome Yisroel and not just for a small to speak. The secretary stood Moshiach. group of Chassidim. He wanted to unobtrusively in a corner. It was “As I stood there facing the know the teachings of Chabad and very hard to understand the Rebbe Rebbe, my thoughts went blank this is why he went to visit the but I made a great effort and and I felt greatly afraid. The Rebbe Rebbe Rayatz. He had yechidus understood a lot. was sitting in a wheelchair in with the Rebbe Rayatz twice, and “My first question was about obvious suffering, but when he describes the experience: my father and the rest of my spoke he was completely overcome “When I got to 770 I was met family. They were in Australia and with passion, his hands moved here outside by a noble looking man wanted me to join them, but I and there and you could see that with a holy face. I thought he was didn’t want to go since there was he was experiencing everything he the Rebbe and I was amazed that Yiddishkait in New York, yeshivos was saying. In the Rebbe’s room I the Rebbe himself had come out to and k’hillos. Australia was barren felt in a more rarefied greet me. Based on my reaction, of Judaism and how could I leave a environment, the most exalted the Rebbe’s secretary realized what place of Torah? atmosphere I had ever experienced. I thought and gently asked me to “The Rebbe’s answer surprised When I left, I realized how
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hypnotized I was by every word he said. I managed to say one sentence at the end of the yechidus, ‘I am convinced and I will do as the Rebbe advises.’ “Before leaving I held out my hands to the Rebbe for him to bless me. The Rebbe took one of my hands and placed it on the other hand and he put his two hands on mine, with one above and one below. The Rebbe apparently felt that my hands were cold and he blessed me that his hands should warm mine. “When I left the yechidus the secretary exclaimed: “Do you know what sort of bracha you received?” “The truth is that until today I feel the Rebbe’s bracha. This bracha saved me many times. I went through many tests and hardships and through it all, I feel the Rebbe’s hands. His hands warm me and accompany me. felt that in my neshama I was very how to count. “In the other yechidus with the close to the Rebbe. “I was the first religious Jew to Rebbe I asked for a bracha for my “The greatest difficulty was that travel during s’fira between these learning. I told the Rebbe that I I felt that my support had been two countries. Let’s say I left on a didn’t know whether I understood lost. It was only in the z’chus of Tuesday; in Australia, that day is the Gemara and Tosafos well. The his brachos and encouragement Wednesday. This poses a Rebbe blessed me that Hashem that I was going to Australia, and complicated halachic problem. should help me so I could learn now what would I do? I thought “I also asked what to do about without interference and to learn that the Rebbe would guide me Shabbos. During the trip, should I To r a h lishma. Today I see how the before the trip and when I would follow the calendar in America or Rebbe’s bracha was fulfilled, for be there. My desire to travel, which in Australia? At all the ports the not only was I able to learn for wasn’t high to begin with, ship stopped in, I was not allowed myself but in heading this institute dissipated. When I attended the to debark and until I got to we have published dozens of funeral on Sunday I felt Australia I kept the date of the s’farim and teachers’ guides. In the tremendous pain and was in a state United States. During the trip meantime, I continued learning in of confusion.” there were some frightening storms Tzanz and got ready to travel to which I miraculously survived. I my parents in Australia. credit the Rebbe’s bracha as it was “The two yechiduyos were at THE SHLICHUS TO AUSTRALIA only because of this bracha that I the end of 5709 and the beginning was traveling. of 5710. At that time the only way Sholom ended up getting a “In Melbourne I found the to travel to Australia was by ship. ticket for the ship that left New Lubavitcher shluchim and became Getting a ticket and money for the York to Australia. Before he left he especially friendly with the trip took a long time and in the asked many halachic questions to Serebryanskis who had come from interim the Rebbe Rayatz was the Tzanzer Rebbe and other Russia. They had such Jewish nistalek. I was in yeshiva when rabbanim because he was traveling strength and Chassidishe someone told me the sad news. I during s’fira over the International enthusiasm, something not of this was in shock and great pain. I felt Dateline and he needed to know world! It was As though there as though my father had died. I
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hadn’t been a Holocaust; as Chassidishe yeshivos, like Chovos talmidim found other places to go though they hadn’t been HaLevavos (Duties of the Heart) to; they had parents and homes to persecuted. They were role models and Mesilas Yesharim (Path of the go to, but I had come from of strong faith. As the Rebbe Just), and one fine day they Australia and so I remained to Rayatz had told me in yechidus, disappeared. When I made learn with a chavrusa, alone in the that year a Chabad yeshiva opened inquiries I found out that the yeshiva without food and without in Shepparton, a town near mashgiach had taken them. When I minimal living standards. There Melbourne. I quickly became asked him about it, he said, ‘By us were many bottles in yeshiva which friends with the other talmidim and there is just Chassidus and there is I sold and with the money I found a common language. All enough to learn; you’ll find received I would buy food. But I were Chabad Chassidim who had everything in Chassidus.’ Indeed, ran out of bottles and there were emigrated from the Soviet Union. for two years I learned in the long days in which I did not eat. “The menahel of the yeshiva yeshiva and wasn’t sated. Each day The situation in Yerushalayim in was R’ Moshe Feiglin, a Chassid, a I learned new concepts and ideas.” general was hard and it was much very wealthy importer of oranges harder for me. One time, when I who fled the Turks. The yeshiva THE BEARD IS THE left the mikva I fainted from was in a cottage which he had paid INYAN OF THE 13 hunger. Those were hard times. for and he paid the salaries and for “The situation then wasn’t what various other necessities. R’ Abba TIKKUNIM it is today in which there is a Pliskin was the mashgiach. He was When two years had gone by he yeshiva in nearly every city in Eretz a Chassidishe Yid, short but full of began working in construction of Yisroel. There were no Chabad both power and charisma. I cottages that were going up in the yeshivos and the Litvishe yeshivos remember how we would learn area but the difficulty in finding a did not accept me. I finally got up Tanya and maamarim in the suitable shidduch led him to travel and went to the home of the morning. Back then there weren’t to Eretz Yisroel. There he sought Chazon Ish. Surely he would many sifrei Chassidus and even to enter one of the yeshivos. recommend me to some yeshiva. what was available wasn’t easy to “When I arrived in Eretz He suggested that I go to yeshivas obtain. Yisroel I wanted to attend the Slonim which was in Ramat Gan. “They were very particular Litvishe yeshiva in Chevron, that When I told him about the p’sak of when it came to farbrengens. On was well known as a good yeshiva, the rabbanim in the United States every Chassidishe date we sat and but when I went to their office they about the Dateline, he told me he farbrenged with R’ Abba. The would not accept me because of disagreed. He did not acknowledge talmidim would take mashke, my beard. So I went to Toras the dates established by non-Jews something unfamiliar to me from Emes. and he gave me a pamphlet that he the places I came from, and the “I greatly enjoyed the Chabad published. niggun which was repeated the yeshiva even though it was a bit “A very interesting conversation entire farbrengen was ‘Nye different than the one I was ensued. His pamphlet, which was Zhuritse Chloptchi.” We spoke a familiar with from Australia. The called ‘18 Hours,’ explains that the lot about the Rebbe and rosh yeshiva was R’ Moshe Aryeh calculation follows Israel. He Chassidishe ways and each day I Leib Shapiro, a tremendous Torah suggested that when I returned to blessed the moment that I acceded scholar and genius. The mashgiach Australia that I do as he wrote. to the Rebbe’s request. All the was R’ Cohen and I will never The Chazon Ish recommended me talmidim acted simply, without forget his Birkas Kohanim. He said and I was accepted in Slonim looking down on one another, as I the bracha with such fervor in a where, for the first time, I began saw in other yeshivos. On the thunderous voice that split all the trimming my beard. contrary, I saw lots of warmth and heavens. “Though I was glad to be in a love. “The Satan mixed in and led yeshiva, I still wanted very much to “The bittul towards the Rebbe the menahel to disagree with the be accepted in a Litvishe yeshiva was astounding; the feeling that Rebbe, who expressed his and that is why I trimmed my other than the Rebbe there is displeasure with the man and the beard (I also hoped that this would nothing. I remember that on the yeshiva closed. I remember it as help me with shidduchim). Their first day I came to yeshiva I though it was today, the anger at yeshivos had excellent reputations brought with me the Musar s’farim that menahel for daring to disagree but they only accepted Chassidim that are learned in other with the Rebbe. The other from other Chassidic groups and
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not Chabad. How do I know? Because talmidim who had beards and peios were accepted but those who sported a beard without the long peios characteristic of other Chassidic groups were advertising that they were Chabad and they weren’t accepted. I was confused about what to do and I wrote to the Rebbe mentioning, among other things, about trimming my beard. “The Rebbe’s answer was the first I received. It is dated 19 Iyar, 5713/1953, and it is signed by the Rebbe: In response to your letter of 11 Iyar in which you write that you want to learn in a Chabad yeshiva in Eretz Yisroel (you do not specify in your letter whether you mean yeshivas Tomchei T’mimim in Lud or yeshivas Toras Emes in Yerushalayim) but what prevents you is that one of the conditions of the yeshiva is that you can’t shave your beard The Rebbe Rayatz looked at me and his and since you intend on returning to … and there it is not gaze caused my hands to alternately customary to grow a beard, you ask for leniency in this, i.e. to shake and go numb from great fear and cancel this condition since it is trepidation. Even in the pictures of him, hard for you and nearly impossible. you can see the Rebbe’s penetrating Your question is surprising to me because surely you know the eyes; you can’t run from them. seriousness of chilul Hashem and “tearing down a fence” even if before those who mock. land which has Hashem’s eyes the matter on your part is not Without copying here what it upon it from the beginning of the that serious. Imagine the says in p’nimius ha’Torah and year until the end of the year. situation in which you enter a the holy Zohar and other s’farim And he wants to add to the study yeshiva where they all have that the hairs of the beard are an of Nigleh of Torah that of beards and you will be the only inyan of the 13 Tikkunei Dikna p’nimius ha’Torah – the inyan of one to “tear down the fence” and and how they draw down success Torah in general being the not have a beard. Furthermore, in Torah study and the fulfillment wisdom and will of Hashem, and this is a yeshiva whose inyan is of mitzvos, all concede that the p’nimius ha’Torah are the secrets also the study of p’nimius beard is a part of one’s G-dly of Torah which in previous days ha’Torah and guidance in love of image. If he removes the beard, were not revealed except to Hashem and fear of Him, which even according to those who special people, but for various are dependent first and foremost allow it if it is done in certain reasons in our generations it has on what is written at the ways, nevertheless he won’t have been revealed and publicized to beginning of the Tur Orach this G-dly image. Behold a young quite a few Jews. But with all this Chaim and also brought in the man who merited that Divine one cannot forget the truth, that Rema there, not to be ashamed Providence brought him to the this is the inner will and wisdom
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you have to jump into the sea and When I was an English teacher the that is what Hashem wants. And I students respected me and showed an jumped. It didn’t take long before I was engaged to the daughter of interest, but when I transferred to Rabbi Meir Dovid Levenstein, the first Knesset member from the teaching Gemara I felt their disdain. Agudath Israel party. He was a man of integrity even though he of Hashem and of what worth is Sholom U’v’racha! signed the Israeli Declaration of there in those who mock those … Regarding your personal Independence. My grandchildren who have a beard because they matter, I think I already wrote to showed me a newspaper clipping want to be mehader in mitzvos you regarding the statement of they found in which he wrote that and have the image of G-d on Chazal to “go down a step and those who authored this their faces. marry a woman,” and apparently declaration did not really believe in Furthermore, many of them the words have not yet reached the ‘Rock of Israel.’” are considered talmidim of the you and as the explanation in Tzemach Tzedek who paskens Likkutei Torah in the beginning INSTITUTE FOR LOVE that it is a Torah prohibition (as of Shmini, reached - affected. In OF TORAH STUDY he explains in his responsa) and a humorous vein one can say that The educational institute it is unnecessary to go on at since they said that a zivug is as opened its doors 38 years ago. length about the severity hard as splitting the sea, how was There were times that the output according to the Gemara of the sea split – by one Jew was minimal and times when it was residing in the place of a rav and jumping in without excessive prodigious. At this point, the acting contrary to the rulings of calculations. He just knew that founders and staff can look with that rav, and Hashem should give this is what Hashem wants, and satisfaction on the dozens of books you success to go in the right that Moshe Rabbeinu had raised they’ve published. path and on the road that leads his staff. “In the period following the to Beis E-l and that you achieve As you requested, I will Holocaust it was hard to draw the this without too many tests. mention it at the holy gravesite of students’ interest to Jewish “The Rebbe’s answer shook me my father-in-law, the Rebbe, for subjects. Before I opened the up and I decided to remain in this matter, but you also know institute I asked the Rebbe for a Slonim and to ditch the desire to what Chazal say that for the bracha and received his strong trim my beard as well as dismiss opening like the entrance of a encouragement. The idea was to the idea of going to a Litvishe great hall you still need to make publish workbooks that would yeshiva. After a protracted stay in a hole like the opening of a explain things in an easy to Slonim I was very involved in needle. understand format. Where did I shidduchim but still hadn’t found With blessings for a happy get this idea from? For many years my wife yet. Months went by and I Purim ad d’lo yada and with wine I was a teacher in a number of was very frustrated. I had gone to specifically, for in our Torah schools that belonged to a wide Eretz Yisroel because I thought which is our life, that is the part range of Jewish groups. When I that here I would more easily find of Nistar and as is hinted at also was an English teacher the a shidduch but that hadn’t in what Chazal say that when students respected me and showed happened. I felt close to Lubavitch wine enters, the secrets come out an interest, but when I transferred and the first thing I did was write and as it is explained in the to teaching Gemara I felt their to the Rebbe.” Zohar and in Chassidus in a disdain. In a long and detailed letter he number of places. “The situation today is much told the Rebbe his problem and With blessings that you will better but back then the Torah was asked for help. Part of the answer relate good news in all the above a neglected subject and this that he received is printed in Igros at the earliest opportunity. bothered me. I saw that workbooks Kodesh vol. 8, p. 276: “The Rebbe’s words greatly were being produced in the United B”H encouraged me. I remember telling States and I brought that idea over 13 Adar II, 5714 my friends who asked me about it KKIINNGGSSTTOONN HHOOTTEELL to Eretz Yisroel.” Brooklyn that the Lubavitcher Rebbe says R’ Bar Yosef said that
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throughout the years, especially shlichus in Eretz Yisroel, which is fun of me. Where will you have when he was first starting his what I did. parnasa from? They thought work institute, he got many encouraging “From the moment I resolved was the purpose of life. But I answers from the Rebbe. The that I would invest my energy into withstood all that and went to secretaries conveyed the Rebbe’s it, the Machon flourished. Later on yeshiva to learn and build a Jewish responses. I heard that that k’hilla in Australia home. “One year, at the end of the was considered wishy-washy and “Anyone who knows what state 80’s I was visiting the United who knows how my children would Orthodox Jewry was in back then, States and went by the Rebbe for have turned out if I hadn’t listened after the war, knows that what we dollars. I asked for a bracha that to the Rebbe.” have today is an open miracle. I the Machon successfully carry out remember the Imrei Chaim of its objectives and the Rebbe gave UNCONDITIONAL Vizhnitz coming to Williamsburg -Cr me two dollars, one for me and YIRAS SHOMAYIM to hold tishen. Every year he would His one for the institute. come to live for half a year in the obi “I sent a copy of each book we To conclude the interview I US and the Chassidim who sat published to the Rebbe. I felt that brought R’ Bar Yosef back to the with him were mostly clean- ^ it was thanks to the Rebbe that this beginning and asked him where he shaven. That was the case with the ^ Machon was opened. There is no got the courage, after the other Chassidic groups too. parnasa to be made from this since Holocaust in which many of his friends perished and entire k’hillos teachers photocopy the workbooks THE EXECUTIVE ARM or keep them for years, which is were annihilated, to remain strong This interview took place Friday something that we encourage. in his emuna and to rebuild. afternoon. Shabbos was “In the beginning we did a lot “I will tell you my personal approaching and so I asked one of of things but not in as organized opinion. I cannot find fault with my last questions. As someone who and serious a way as we do it any of my friends who looked in saw both the Rebbe Rayatz and the today and I had some doubts about other places. The hester panim Rebbe MH”M, I wanted to know how to proceed. At that time I was (concealment of G-d) in the what he considered the difference also offered a position to serve as a Holocaust was terrifying. between them. rav in a community in Australia Tzaddikim were murdered al “The Rebbe Rayatz was an and I thought I would accept the Kiddush Hashem and the honor of architect. At a time when everyone offer. Torah was trampled. was licking the wounds of the “As with every weighty decision “But I see that those of my Holocaust, the Rebbe was in an I had to make, I consulted with the friends who before the war had offensive war. The current Rebbe Rebbe. I went to 770 and asked real yiras Shamayim and did not was the one who carried out all the whether I should accept the offer. compromise on details of mitzvos plans. All the plans the Rebbe The Rebbe gave me one dollar for are the ones who, after the war, Rayatz laid out for me in yechidus myself (to give to tz’daka) and rebuilt Yiddishkait. They had siyata about hafatza all over the world I another dollar for the shlichus in d’Shmaya (heavenly assistance), as see happening today under the Eretz Yisroel. The Rebbe didn’t say did I. At the end of the war when I Rebbe’s leadership.” no to Australia but did not refer to told my friends that I was going to it and he asked me to continue the learn in Nitra yeshiva they made
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feature RISHON L TZIYON RABBI MORDECHAI ELIYAHU ZT L
By Shneur Zalman Levin
(1910-1991) and the We were saddened to hear of the granddaughter of the sister of the passing of the Rishon L’Tziyon, the gaon Ben Ish Chai. From when he was very young, and mekubal Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu R’ Mordechai attached himself to the sages of Yerushalayim, at the age of 81. R’ Eliyahu was a close learning from the geonim Rabbi friend to Chabad and a tremendous Ezra Attia (1885-1970) and Rabbi admirer of the Rebbe MH”M. R’ Eliyahu met the Rebbe several times in yechidus, in the course of which the Rebbe encouraged him to pasken that Moshiach must come immediately. R’ Eliyahu led the way in the fight for shleimus ha’Aretz and forbade soldiers from participating in the destruction of Gush Katif, and he participated in many of the holy campaigns of the Rebbe. * In several speeches that he delivered, he revealed a little bit of his special relationship with the Rebbe. * Chabad Chassidim worldwide mourn his passing.
R’ Mordechai Eliyahu was born Bagdad upon the advice of the Ben in 1929 in the Old City of Ish Chai zt”l. R’ Mordechai Yerushalayim, to R’ Salman and Eliyahu was orphaned of his father his wife Mazal Eliyahu. His father, when he was 11. His mother was a rav and mekubal, came from the sister of Rabbi Yehuda Tzadka
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Tzadka Chutzin in yeshivas Porat Yerushalayim. thousands. He went from city to Yosef. From a young age he At the beginning of 5720, R’ city and even traveled abroad immersed himself in the tent of Eliyahu was ordained and certified many times, strengthening Torah Torah and learned Torah day and for dayanus by the Chief study and sanctifying the Name of night. Rabbinate. His appointment as Heaven amongst many Jews. During the War of dayan at the beis din in Beer R’ Eliyahu wrote dozens of Independence he joined a group of Sheva made him the youngest s’farim on halachic responsa, young men who helped defend the dayan in Eretz Yisroel. After about thought, explanations on the Jewish quarter by putting up four years he moved to the beis Siddur, sugiyos, and thousands of fortifications. din in Yerushalayim and after articles on an array of Torah R’ Eliyahu was very close with another three years he was topics. the elder mekubalim, Rabbi appointed dayan at the High People flocked to his home, Mordechai Sharabi and Rabbi Rabbinic Court in 5727. seeing him as the one who could Yisroel Abuchatzeira (Baba Sali). In Nissan 5743/1983, he was resolve their complicated halachic Upon instruction from Rabbi elected Sefardic chief rabbi of problems. He would welcome Yitzchok Nissim, R’ Eliyahu Eretz Yisroel. He held this them graciously. His lectures, worked on transferring the position for ten years, in the given with the warmth of Ahavas remains of the Chida from course of which he became known Yisroel, drew crowds of all ages. Livorno, Italy, to Eretz Yisroel. On as a gaon in all areas of Torah, His message was always to strive 20 Iyar, 1960, the Chida was Nigleh and Nistar. During this for more in Torah study, to do reburied on Har HaMenuchos in period he disseminated Torah to t’shuva and to prepare for Moshiach’s coming.
YECHIDUYOS WITH THE REBBE R’ Eliyahu had known many of the g’dolim of this generation and the previous one, and was renown in his own right for his genius and his greatness in halacha and kabbala, yet his admiration and bittul towards the Rebbe was like that of a Chassid. His emunas tzaddikim was so great that it aroused amazement and admiration. He visited the Rebbe several times. Some of their long conversations (those parts that were publicized) containing amazing discussions in halacha, kabbala and Chassidus, avodas Hashem, leadership, etc. were printed in B’Tzeil HaChochma and at the end of Seifer HaSichos, 5752. The Rebbe’s relationship with him was exceptional. You could see it in the Rebbe’s face as he watched R’ Eliyahu light the menorah on the satellite broadcast on Chanuka. And when R’ Eliyahu visited the Rebbe in Cheshvan,
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in the most wondrous and obvious “There are no individual worries for one way with the Rebbe shlita. group or another. He is a ‘universal “Despite the late hour the Rebbe was alert to a degree that is man’ in the deepest sense of the term. difficult to imagine. We saw how he is constantly immersed in the Whatever he does is done in a big way world of the spirit. The entire Torah – Shas and poskim, Agada and with general concern for Klal and Midrash and kabbala – everything is spread out before Yisroel throughout the world. Fortunate him in the clearest way. There is is the generation that the Rebbe leads.” no need to speak in terms of (my) great admiration and veneration, 5752, the Rebbe welcomed him interview with Kfar Chabad, he but it is clear that each visit forms with great honor and fondness, said, “We sat by him and saw that a greater closeness. and on a number of occasions ‘no secret is hidden from him’ “No less than the amazement expressed his great admiration of literally, in Shas and poskim, and over his incredible Torah wisdom him. in Nistar his understanding is is the feeling of k’dusha. When we R’ Eliyahu’s first visit to the very, very deep, mamash the sat near him we felt this time, too, Rebbe was on Rosh Chodesh ‘Master of the Zohar.’” as though we were sitting in the Kislev, 5744, when he had When he visited mosdos chamber of holiness, by someone yechidus together with his Lubavitch in Paris, he once again where k’dusha hovers and rests in colleague, Ashkenazi chief rabbi recalled his impressions of that its fullest intensity in his four Avrohom Shapiro zt”l. The visit. He spoke about the great cubits. When you sit near him you yechidus lasted two hours. They personality and holiness of the strongly sense the words of the raised issues in halacha, minhag Rebbe who is baki (proficient) in Gemara, “this is not a son of man and kabbala with a strong all parts of Torah and in (i.e. not an ordinary human emphasis on inyanei Geula based everything going on in Eretz being).” In addition, we saw his on Chazal, “The Torah that a Yisroel, and mainly about the great concern for the Jewish person learned in this world is Rebbe’s appearance being like that people. There are no individual hevel (worthless) compared to the of a veritable angel of G-d. worries for one group or another. Torah of Moshiach,” and about “Fortunate is the generation that He is a ‘universal man’ in the anticipating Moshiach in the merited a leader like this,” he told deepest sense of the term. manner of “for Your salvation we them, “and this z’chus will stand Whatever he does is done in a big hope all day.” They also spoke a by the talmidim who merited to way and with general concern for lot about the need to learn study under the Rebbe’s Klal Yisroel throughout the world. p’nimius ha’Torah in Ikvisa leadership.” Fortunate is the generation that d’Meshicha. The Rebbe even asked The two chief rabbis visited the the Rebbe leads.” the chief rabbis to publicize a Kol Rebbe again two years later, in One of his close assistants and Korei (public proclamation) about Adar, 5746. Following this visit, confidantes, Rabbi Tzuriel Bublil, the obligation to study p’nimius too, R’ Eliyahu said, “The last visit spoke in an interview he gave ha’Torah. to the Lubavitcher Rebbe took about some matters R’ Eliyahu was The Rebbe asked the pardon of place ‘between Geula and Geula’ – struggling with before he had those who were present and said between Purim and Pesach – and yechidus: he wished to speak to the most of the conversation had to do “When R’ Eliyahu returned rabbanim privately. The private with Geula. This is the second from New York he told me in open conversation took three quarters time that I am visiting the Rebbe. amazement about his meeting with of an hour, at the end of which the The time span was nearly two the Rebbe. For years he had Rebbe escorted the rabbanim to years between visits and I must say amassed questions in halacha and the door of Gan Eden HaTachton. enthusiastically that what Chazal Torah topics. He told me that his After his first visit, R’ Eliyahu say, ‘Torah scholars, the older they struggles with these questions expressed his amazement of the get the more settled their daas were ongoing until he went to the Rebbe on various occasions. In an becomes’ is something you can see Rebbe. He put forth his questions and the Rebbe instantly dealt with
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all the issues involved and explained them in a simple manner. I quote, ‘It looked as though just recently the Rebbe had been involved in the topic. He displayed complete mastery of the subjects in the most amazing way. The difficulties suddenly disappeared. The Rebbe’s genius was apparent and amazing.’ As for the Rebbe’s holiness, he had no words.”
PASKEN THAT MOSHIACH HAS TO COME In the yechidus with the chief Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu at a meeting of Chabad rabbanim in Iyar, 5746. From rabbis, the Rebbe said, “We have right to left: R’ Halperin, R’ Ashkenazi, chief rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu, R’ Slonim, and R’ Wilyamovsky. rabbanim here and it is possible to pasken as a beis din that Moshiach needs to come.” It was apparently an auspicious time. R’ Eliyahu accepted the idea enthusiastically and suggested that the Rebbe join the beis din. The Rebbe agreed but R’ Shapiro hesitated, and the Rebbe did not pursue the matter any further. About two months later, something happened that was a sort of continuation of that conversation, but once again it seemed an opportunity was missed. Rabbi Menachem Mendel Gluckowsky, rav of the Chabad k’hilla in Rechovot, told Beis Moshiach what happened: Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu signing the p’sak din that the Geula must come immediately “When I heard that the 4Rebbe1 said that the rabbanim have to was mikvaos. We visited a mikva the presence of both chief rabbis pasken that the time has come for in French Hill, where Rabbi so I tried to draw out the Kinus the Geula, I decided I had to do Michoel Halperin is a rav. In the with speeches in the hopes that R’ something. In Iyar, 5746, I41 afternoon, the rabbanim continued Eliyahu would show up. “After arranged for a Yom Iyun (day of the meeting in the Machon for waiting a long time R’ Shapiro got study) for Chabad rabbanim in Technology and Halacha, and for up and left. Just a minute or two Eretz Yisroel. This was part of a this part of the Kinus I invited the later R’ Eliyahu arrived. He series of Yemei Iyun for rabbanim chief rabbis to speak. I hoped to apologized for coming late and in accordance with the Rebbe’s use this opportunity to ask them said he was waiting for his driver, mandate that rabbanim have to to sign the p’sak din together with who had suddenly fallen asleep in supplement their knowledge in the other rabbanim. his car, and when they finally set areas where there are new “At 4:00 R’ Shapiro came but out, he lost his way, even though developments. R’ Eliyahu still had not arrived. I he drove that route many times a “The start of that Yom Iyun really wanted the signing to be in week! I considered this ‘an act of was in Yerushalayim and the topic
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rabbanim. Right afterwards, I sent a fax of the “I once went to a distant p’sak din to the Rebbe. The next location and was amazed by how his shliach is willing to remain morning I had to travel to the United there. I could not stay there for one moment! But he has an order States, but in the middle of the night from the Rebbe and that strengthens him. I was in Caracas, Rabbi Yaroslavsky received a call from Venezuela, and there, too, I was amazed by the shliach and by the the secretaries with an instruction from yeshiva and by everything he the Rebbe to add more signatures of does.” In one of his speeches, R’ rabbanim. Then came another phone Eliyahu disclosed a little bit of his special relationship with the call from the secretaries with additional Rebbe. He said that on several occasions they called him from the instructions about the p’sak din, office and said that the Rebbe wanted to talk to him. At that instructions that cannot be publicized time, this was something highly yet. unusual. One such phone conversation took place at a time [the] Satan.’ were accomplishing something in when in Israel it was already “Nevertheless, once R’ Eliyahu the world and this is something we nearly midnight and the Rebbe sat down I brought him the nusach actually heard from the Rebbe asked him in a humorous vein of the p’sak din and said that since later on.” whether he had said Tikkun the Rebbe asked that rabbanim Chatzos yet. “I cannot describe sign it, it would be a good idea if the feeling to have had such a AS A CHASSID great z’chus,” he said. he did so at this event. R’ Eliyahu BEFORE HIS REBBE read the p’sak din and said it was R’ Eliyahu said, “I had the a proper thing, added a few details As mentioned earlier, despite privilege of being close to the and then signed it and read it in his brilliance, toil in Torah and his Rebbe in a special way. I don’t front of the rabbanim. He knowledge, R’ Eliyahu was battul know why I merited this; perhaps emphasized that this p’sak din was to the Rebbe. He considered the it’s my ancestors’ merit that stands signed in Yerushalayim the Holy Rebbe the Teacher of all the Jewish by me. The relationship in general City. people who doesn’t only look out was unusual.” “Right afterwards, I sent a fax for himself but is concerned about of the p’sak din to the Rebbe. The all Jews everywhere. He sits in I WILL VISIT HIS next morning I had to travel to the New York but his net is cast HONOR IN HIS HOLY throughout the Jewish world. United States, but in the middle of CHAMBER the night Rabbi Yaroslavsky “I sensed in him a special holy received a call from the secretaries neshama, not an individual soul The highlight of all the with an instruction from the Rebbe but a comprehensive soul of Klal meetings was one which took to add more signatures of Yisroel. I don’t know any other place in Cheshvan, 5752, when R’ rabbanim. Then came another gadol in our generation who is Eliyahu visited 770. In the lengthy phone call from the secretaries concerned for Klal Yisroel and not conversation, Gemaras and with additional instructions about just a limited group. I once said Midrashim “flew” as did sifrei the p’sak din, instructions that jokingly – ‘what does a Jew from halacha and kabbala, sources in cannot be publicized yet. Russia who lives in Brooklyn have Nigleh and Nistar. “By now there are several to do with Jews in Morocco, in As on the earlier occasions, piskei din like this but that was the Casablanca?’ But it’s a fact. The Geula was a major subject. The first p’sak din and it was a very shluchim he sent there Rebbe spoke about the importance moving moment. We felt that we transformed Moroccan Jewry and of a p’sak din of rabbanim who educated a generation of pasken that Moshiach must come
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immediately. The Rebbe said, “The Geula is at the threshold and waiting for each one of us to open the door and drag it into the room.” Before they parted the Rebbe said, “Yehi ratzon that very soon we will have the Geula and then I will visit his honor [R’ Eliyahu] in his holy chamber in Eretz Yisroel.” R’ Eliyahu was overcome by emotion with this statement and he enthusiastically raised his hands upward and exclaimed, “Boruch haba! I will happily say, ‘Boruch haba b’sheim Hashem!’” The Rebbe escorted him to his car while encouraging the crowd which sang “Ki B’ Simcha Years later, Baba Sali appeared to his Seitzei’u.” After that visit to the Rebbe, R’ son in a dream, and asked him to give Eliyahu said at a gathering in honor of Kollel Chabad later that the clock in his room to R’ Mordechai week in New York, “What amazed Eliyahu, revealing that when the hands and moved me the most is that I saw the Rebbe not on an ordinary reached twelve Moshiach would come. day, but on a Sunday when he stood on his feet from morning till Baba Boruch did as he was told. When evening without rest, without a moment’s peace, and he received he received it, the hands of the clock thousands of people. Normally, some tiredness should be showed three o’clock. At the time he told apparent, but I was astounded and the story, the hands showed 11:45. enthralled by the clarity of his thought in an astonishing manner drush and sod at once. After I met called for special prayers for the that has no place in the natural the Rebbe I said to myself: This is Rebbe. On one occasion he said, order. not a human being but an angel of “The Rebbe is unique in his “Each time I raised a certain G-d. As for his work in spreading generation. Who knows what topic in Torah, he immediately Torah throughout the world, surely would be with us if we did not spoke about it as though he just there is no need to elaborate on have the Rebbe; a holy soul, a now finished learning that that. I have already related unique soul that Hashem planted masechta or that sugya and all was something that happened at my in this generation. There is clear to him. It’s mamash home which the Rebbe saw with nothing to compare to the Rebbe’s unbelievable how a person can be his ruach ha’kodesh from the far Ahavas Yisroel. How much he like this. I said this is not a human side of the world, about a couple prayed for Klal Yisroel, how much but a holy angel standing before that would come to me and thanks he prayed for individual Jews. us. to the Rebbe’s ruach ha’kodesh a Now we, too, must pray for his “I have met many g’dolim of tremendous disaster was averted.” refua and wellbeing. But not only this generation and some of them that; I suggest that each of us, and definitely impressed me with their *** even those who are not present, greatness, but the Rebbe is A few months after that visit, commit to performing b’hiddur another thing entirely! I have on 27 Adar, 5752, the Rebbe had one of the mitzvos that the Rebbe never seen such greatness in all a stroke. R’ Eliyahu took this to publicized.” parts of Torah, in p’shat, remez, heart and at every opportunity
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A CHAYUS IN showed 11:45. do all that you can.’ In one of my INYANEI GEULA R’ Eliyahu confirmed the story conversations with the Rebbe I and said, “I am careful not to asked him: ‘Did the Rebbe want to R’ Eliyahu had a special chayus touch it. I’m afraid. But I have it. I exempt himself from the task and in Geula and the coming of put the gold clock on bottom and put it on others?’ The Rebbe said: Moshiach, a topic that came up in the silver one on top, since silver ‘No, I will carry on.’ all his conversations with the represents mercy and gold “It is clear to us that the Rebbe Rebbe. R’ Eliyahu lived with this represents judgment. I want mercy is carrying on with greater force to subject with all his heart and soul to be over judgment. May Hashem bring Moshiach, but we must and would bring it up in his many help and the Geula come quickly.” continue and connect to the Rebbe talks and speeches. In one of his speeches he spoke and devotedly carry out his He would tell a special story movingly about anticipating the shlichus.” about Baba Sali’s clocks: Geula and praying for it to come “Baba Sali once called for me *** speedily. “The Rebbe agitates and said that he himself would see On Monday, 28 Sivan, R’ about the coming of Moshiach and Moshiach, but then some time Mordechai Eliyahu passed away the need to prepare for his later he told me he would not after two years of illness, in the coming. Ribbono shel olam, the merit this. He said: ‘There is a course of which he and his family Jewish people are waiting for great kitrug (accusation) against saw open miracles (he suffered a Geula; we’ve waited a long time. the Jewish people and I have to go heart attack two years ago and his We want to see Moshiach up in order to pray so the kitrug doctors were amazed that he went immediately. We’ve suffered, we will be annulled.’ And that’s what back to giving shiurim). His have endured the chevlei happened. Tzaddikim are greater funeral was attended by over Moshiach; we have Torah, boruch in their death than in their 100,000 people including Hashem, we have Chassidus …” lifetimes.” rabbanim, public figures, and On another occasion he spoke Years later, Baba Sali appeared Knesset members. All mourned the about how the Rebbe devoted his to his son, Baba Boruch of Netivot loss of this giant of a man who life to hastening the Geula: in a dream, and asked him to give disseminated Torah to thousands. “The pious and pure Rebbe, the clock in his room to R’ He loved the ordinary man on the holy faithful shepherd, ‘cast his life Mordechai Eliyahu. In the dream street and was beloved in return. aside,’ in order to bring the Geula. he revealed to his son that when He is survived by his wife and Surely he won’t weaken for a the hands reached twelve children: their oldest son, an moment. Surely he will carry out Moshiach would come. ordained rabbi and lawyer who his heart’s desire to immediately “Baba Boruch did as he was serves an important public bring the true and complete Geula. told and gave me the gold clock position in the Israeli government; We cannot weaken from our great from his father’s room. Some their second son Shmuel is the anticipation ‘every day, that he months later his father appeared chief Rabbi of Tzfas, and their [Moshiach] come.’ to him again in a dream and asked youngest son Yosef is a Rosh “We all remember the time in him to give me the silver clock, Kollel in Yerushalayim. Their which the Rebbe, the seventh too. The hands of the clock daughter teaches at a religious candle, and ‘all sevenths are showed three o’clock.” At the time girls’ school. beloved,’ told us: ‘I did what I he told the story, the hands could to bring Moshiach and now Raskin's Consistently “if it grows we have it” Superior Fruit and Produce Emporium WHOLESALE & RETAIL Michal & Aaron Raskin We Deliver 335 Kingston Ave. Brooklyn NY 11213 * Tel: (718) 756-3888 756-2221 * Fax: 756-2440
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