contents

FROM ABOVE TO BELOW TO ABOVE 3 D’var Malchus

SPREADING THE WELLSPRINGS IN 6 MIRON Lag B’Omer | Shneur Zalman Berger

THIS IS ONLY A TEST... 15 Moshiach Geula | Zalman Hertzel

RABBI HASKELEVICH PUBLICIZING 18 THE GEULA Feature | Avrohom Ber USA WHY THEY CALL THEM T’MIMIM….. 744 Eastern Parkway Mivtzaim | Natan Katz Brooklyn, NY 11213-3409 23 Tel: (718) 778-8000 Fax: (718) 778-0800 [email protected] www.beismoshiach.org THE BOY WHO SENT ELIYAHU TO 26 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: RASHBI M.M. Hendel Insight | Rabbi Yosef Karasik ENGLISH EDITOR: Boruch Merkur SHLUCHIM AS PEACEMAKERS [email protected] Shlichus | Rabbi Yaakov Shmuelevitz HEBREW EDITOR: 31 Rabbi Sholom Yaakov Chazan [email protected]

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important lesson in our Divine service of preparing the world for Moshiach. There is an obvious connection FROM ABOVE between the beginning of VaYikra as a whole and its conclusion in the portion of B’Chukosai. Both speak of sacrifices. Of course, there’s an immediate, superficial TO BELOW connection, since with the coming of Moshiach and the rebuilding of the Temple, we will again be able to offer sacrifices. However, there is a deeper lesson, one that tells us TO ABOVE how to get there. VaYikra begins with the instruction, “A person, when he Translated and adapted by Dovid Yisroel Ber Kaufmann will bring from you a sacrifice to G-d.” The book concludes with The last Torah portion of VaYikra, like the laws of two sacrifices, the first-born animal and tithing of the first, speaks of sacrifices. Here, the animals. These two offerings, discussed discussion centers on the first-born last, illustrate general concepts indicated at the beginning of animal, which represents an arousal VaYikra. It is well-known that from Above, and the tithing of the tenth sacrifices epitomize and symbolize the nature of man’s Divine service. animal, which represents an arousal There are two types of Divine service, illustrated by these two from below. Both are a necessary part of offerings. One is a response to an arousal from Above. Recognition the process of transforming the world, of holiness compels us to act according to the Divine Will. This preparing it for the times of Moshiach. is the service of the first-born, automatically sanctified from the The inner connection between sections of the moment of birth. Its holiness comes with it, so to Torah can teach us much about our own connection speak, given from Above. No human action makes it with Redemption. This is logical, since the ultimate holy. purpose and fulfillment of Torah is Moshiach. The The other type of service is an arousal from Jewish people alone were given the Torah and it is below. Man takes the initiative to fulfill G-d’s our Divine mission to bring Moshiach, the era of commands, bringing G-dliness into the world. This is Redemption when the whole world will be filled with the service of tithing animals. The dedication, and knowledge of G-dliness. Indeed, the very question thus holiness, of the tenth animal depends completely this raises, why our mitzvos are necessary to bring on human action. Moshiach, is addressed in the structure of VaYikra. The very beginning of VaYikra alludes to these There is a well-known principle that the “end is two types of service. VaYikra begins, “Adam, when he linked to the beginning, and the beginning is will sacrifice from you.” In Jewish mysticism, the attached to the end.” The portion of B’Chukosai is form of man reflects the structure of the spiritual the last portion of VaYikra, or Leviticus as it’s called worlds. “Adam” thus refers not just to a person, but in English. Thus, we should find a special connection to the Supernal Man or Adam HaElyon. This human- between the end and the beginning both of the structured spirituality is the first and highest portion and of the book of VaYikra as a whole. As manifestation of G-dliness, forming and influencing with every aspect of Torah, this connection reveals an

4 18 Iyar 5768 BEIS MOSHIACH every aspect of creation. holiness and thus be elevated. Both our awareness Thus, “Adam, when he will sacrifice from you,” and our daily activities become more spiritually indicates that Adam HaElyon, the highest level of oriented, more attuned to the G-dliness innate to the G-dliness within creation, arouses a person to world. This is an obvious prelude to the times of sacrifice, or draw closer, to G-d. This parallels the Moshiach, when such awareness will be fully sacrifice of the first-born animal: the holiness is manifest. already there, forcing us to recognize its presence. The second type of spiritual service, that of That recognition arouses a desire to be elevated, to tithing the animals, represents man’s own efforts to become closer to G-dliness. elevate himself, an arousal from below. In this way Next the Torah states, “From the animal you will we take the initiative to refine our natures, to bring your sacrifices.” This corresponds to tithing transform the animal within us into a vehicle for animals. Here, man’s actions – his counting – holiness. Through our mitzvos, we make the world a determines the holiness of the animal. He must dwelling place for G-d. sacrifice – labor and struggle – to bring his inner The beginning of the Torah portion reflects this animal, the animal nature, closer to G-dliness. It dichotomy. It begins as follows: “If in My statutes requires effort and exertion to refine and sensitize you will walk, and My commandments you will our desires and inclinations, thus elevating ourselves. keep.” Statutes (Chukim) are Divinely ordained At a deeper level, the sacrifice of the first-born mitzvos, without an apparent reason. Walking refers to man’s first spiritual attribute. This attribute, indicates continual motion – an unlimited movement. Chochma or Wisdom, differs from all others. All Such a Divine service has infinite potential. Being other spiritual attributes develop within man; as motivated to fulfill the Torah’s commands from such, one must work to reveal them. Chochma, Above arouses a desire to be elevated. Nevertheless, coming from above, is an inheritance to every Jew. this “walking,” this unlimited arousal, is missing The first spiritual attribute does not depend on our something. actions, but expresses the essence of the soul, its Whatever elevation occurs as a result has no innate connection with G-dliness. Therefore, it is the permanence. Even the greatest self-sacrifice, aroused source of a Jew’s self-sacrifice, his willingness to from Above, does not permanently transform the dedicate his entire being to sanctifying G-d’s Name individual. For the rest of the soul-powers to be and making the world a dwelling place for G-dliness. affected, the person must act. The Divine soul comes Since self-sacrifice is innate, a Jew’s essence, his into the body so that man here below, with his animal holiness is manifest throughout history. Similarly, soul, becomes a vehicle for G-dliness. Thus, there the first born remains sanctified even now. must be as well an arousal from below, the service of The sacrifice of the tenth, on the other hand, refers “My commandments you will keep.” By using one’s to the other spiritual attributes. These ten soul-powers own soul-powers – the tenth, the animal, to perform depend on man’s activity. They require effort to be the mitzvos, one becomes a vessel for keeping and fully developed and expressed. Thus, changing maintaining the unlimited revelation of G-dliness. conditions affect our ability to express or develop This revelation until now has been apparent only them completely. When the Temple stood, and G- occasionally and temporarily. Yet the ideal is for this dliness was openly revealed, the ten soul-powers could arousal from Above – the first-born, Chochma, “If in be fully activated. The offering of the tenth animal My statutes you will walk” – to be visible openly to represents complete dedication of the ten soul- one and all. powers. Now, in the time of exile, when G-dliness is That state arrives with Moshiach, brought on by concealed, the ten soul-powers are likewise limited in the arousal from below – the tithing of animals, the their expression. Hence, the tenth animal cannot be ten soul-powers, “and My commandments you will made holy. We will not have that ability again until the keep.” It is our actions, performing the mitzvos in times of Moshiach. response to a recognition of G-dliness, that This helps us understand the connection between transforms the world, gives G-dliness itself a the beginning of the Torah portion and the end. From permanent home here in the physical realm. the beginning of VaYikra we learn that the sacrifice This explains why the coming of Moshiach of the first born animal, which is always holy and depends on each and every one of us, our personal always in force, indicates an arousal from Above. The activity and Divine service. presence of holiness – such as the birth of a first- (Based on 17:332-339) born animal – forces us to recognize the presence of

BEIS MOSHIACH Issue 648 5 lag b’omer SPREADING THE WELLSPRINGS IN MIRON

By Shneur Zalman Berger

the wellsprings. An overview of ’s work on Lag “R’ Yisroel Leibov a”h and R’ B’Omer in Miron, work that began 56 Leib Cohen a”h, both of the hanhala of Tzach, worked to years ago and received many horaos arrange the special trip. A number of cars went from in a from the Rebbe. convoy to Miron, where they set up a loudspeaker on the roof of the The tens of thousands of people and Chassidus in particular. The Tziyun. Their speeches were heard who make the pilgrimage to Miron Rebbe regularly asked for reports by the crowd who had gathered on Lag B’Omer know that the of the work they did there. there. Likewise, Lubavitchers are there in force. In 1957, the Rebbe paid for were played, contributing to the Even before all the organizations some of the expenses, as he wrote joyous atmosphere. and stands that are there now, to Tzach in Yerushalayim: “A 14-year-old Yemenite bachur Chabad Chassidim saw the From this is also understood made quite an impression when he potential in this holy place and in the reply to your question reviewed a maamer Chassidus this auspicious occasion. regarding Lag B’Omer, that it is clearly and articulately. On the way Chabad’s outreach in Miron obvious that those who are to Miron and back, we stopped in began back in 1952. It was one of capable have to arrange several places and there too, people the first activities to spread the transportation to Miron, and bli spoke and inspired the crowd to wellsprings organized by Tzach in neider I will participate to a mitzva observance.” Eretz Yisroel. It was mostly about certain extent in the expenses That year, a booklet printed just promoting the study of p’nimius that it entails. (Igros Kodesh, vol. for the outreach in Miron was ha’Torah, which was revealed by 13, p. 50) distributed. It had a diary entry Rashbi, but they also took from the Rebbe Rayatz and a letter advantage of the opportunity and THE BEGINNING from the Rebbe MH”M. The reached out to all types of hanhala of Tzach reported R’ Leib Zalmanov, member of who visited Miron. afterwards to the Rebbe about their the hanhala of Tzach in those days, Dozens of married men and work and received a response, tells us about outreach in 1952: T’mimim went to Miron every year which included instructions for the “In those days, Tzach began in order to be mekarev Jews. The future: developing various activities to Rebbe closely followed the I was very happy about what spread the wellsprings, as the preparations made for this trip and you wrote regarding your good Rebbe instructed us. We decided to urged them to spread the work on Lag B’Omer. A pity – as travel to Miron on Lag B’Omer and wellsprings of Judaism in general you wrote – that on your return to do whatever we could to spread

6 18 Iyar 5768 BEIS MOSHIACH trip, there was no opportunity to and made their way there in a were sung by a group of singers of tarry in the places that you passed convoy of buses and cars which Anash. through. It is a well known bore signs: ‘ Tomchei “Afterwards, one of the custom of the Chassidim in the T’mimim Lubavitch Lud,’ ‘Tzeirei talmidim of Tomchei T’mimim Lud time of the Mitteler Rebbe, as Agudas Chabad in Eretz Yisroel,’ reviewed a maamer. related by the Rebbe, my father- Tzeirei Chabad Yerushalayim,’ etc. “After Shacharis, the broadcasts in-law, that he instructed them to “That year Lag B’Omer fell out from the loudspeaker began again. stop in all the places they passed on Motzaei Shabbos and many of R’ Zushe Wilyamowsky spoke to through on the way to their Anash went to Tzfas Erev Shabbos. the large crowd that had gathered homes from Lubavitch and to This Shabbos was used to the there and listened to what he said review Chassidus. (Igros Kodesh fullest by Anash for Chassidishe about strengthening Torah and vol. 6, p. 132). , where they reviewed Judaism in our times. When he Chassidus in several shuls in the finished, Avrohom Lisson, CONVOY OF BUSES city. Before Kabbalas Shabbos, R’ addressed the crowd. AND CARS Nochum Shmaryahu Sossonkin “In the afternoon the convoy reviewed a maamer in the Chabad went to Tzfas and Teveria. Upon The following year, the Rebbe’s shul, which was packed, and the their arrival in Teveria, they visited instruction was carried out. Lag next day, talmidim of the the holy sites. Then they convened B’Omer fell out on Motzaei reviewed in a number of in the center of the city, where a Shabbos and the large convoy shuls. In the morning, inspirational large crowd gathered, and after a spent Shabbos in Tzfas, and then words were said by the older brief speech they all danced for a proceeded from there to Miron. On students of our yeshiva. long time. the way back from Miron, they “The city of Tzfas was greatly “The convoy left Teveria in the stopped in Teveria, where the impacted by the presence of the late evening on its way back to Tel travelers spent a long time carrying Chabad Chassidim who came to Aviv. We received positive feedback out outreach activities. This spend Shabbos in their city. On from various groups.” outreach was described in Bita’on Motzaei Shabbos, after Maariv, In reaction to a report of Chabad (Elul 5713): they left Tzfas for Miron. Upon activities that year, the Rebbe wrote “This is the second year that their arrival there, they visited the to the hanhala of Tzach: Anash and T’mimim have gone to holy places and then put a It is surprising that on Lag Miron in large loudspeaker on the roof of the B’Omer in Miron they bring numbers Tziyun (gravesite) and one of the many children for their first T’mimim, R’ Yitzchok Gansburg, haircut and you do not mention spoke about spreading the anything about using this teachings of the Baal opportunity to have an influence Shem Tov. After his on chinuch by giving out booklets passionate speech, or Alef-Beis with your address on Chabad niggunim the other side, and some

The work of Tzach of Tzfas in Miron

BEIS MOSHIACH Issue 648 7 statements that pertain to the impressive when the children rode and all, we rely on the Jewish parents too. (Igros Kodesh vol. 7, on their father’s shoulders to the custom to give children haircuts p. 274). traditional dances that take place in Miron on Lag B’Omer, as is This instruction was followed there, as they waved the Alef-Beis brought in a number of places. the next year. The letters of the charts.” Obviously, not all who are Alef-Beis were printed on attractive having their hair cut were born charts. They were given to parents HAIRCUT IN MIRON on this precise day, yet they along with candies and honey to associate this inyan with an It is a Jewish custom to give a smear on the letters, as is auspicious day. This can be three-year-old boy his first haircut customary when children are first explained based on what is in Miron. The Rebbe wrote about learning the letters. The brought in the writings of the this in Iyar 5714 (and on other amazement of the visitors to Miron Arizal and the Pri Eitz Chaim, occasions): is described in Bita’on Chabad etc., about the connection of As to your informing me that (Tamuz 5714): cutting the hair with the days of on 3 Iyar your son Yitzchok will “A nice new thing which Tzach S’fira, from which we see that turn three, may it be Hashem’s obviously, there is a hiddur of a haircut on Lag B’Omer … Therefore, it seems to me that the haircut should be done on Lag B’Omer and may it be in a good and successful time. (Igros Kodesh vol. 9, p. 58)

A TIME TO DO FOR HASHEM Even the bachurim learning in yeshivos went up to Miron on Lag B’Omer and participated in the activities there. The administrations of the yeshivos were not quick to give their approval. Should they allow the T’mimim to join the trip to Miron? It was also customary to have long farbrengens in yeshiva on Lag B’Omer. Mobile Mitzva Tank in Miron In a letter from the year 1956 to R’ Shlomo Chaim Kesselman, in Tomchei T’mimim in did this year was to print charts will that you and your wife raise Lud, the Rebbe wrote: with the Alef-Beis as a gift for the him to Torah, chuppa, and good Regarding the question about little children who are brought for deeds in good health and peace of traveling to Miron on Lag their first haircut at Miron at the spirit and body … B’Omer, since this was the gravesite of Rashbi. Each child who P.S. Regarding what you wrote practice in previous years, it comes for a haircut is given an about doing the haircut, I have should not be cancelled … On the Alef-Beis chart and a bag of candy. already written my opinion about other hand, it is not necessary “This project made an this – that even though according that the entire yeshiva go, and all [halacha] enormous impression on the crowd to Toras HaNigleh it is the teachers and roshei yeshiva, [to delay giving a child of celebrants in general and on the permissible etc. It is surprising that you write his first haircut after his third parents of the children in that they will miss out on an birthday if it falls out during s’fira] particular, who appreciatively noted entire week of learning for in the nice custom that Tzach sought and more so based on what is such matters it’s not the quantity to uphold. It was enormously explained in Shaarei T’shuva to that is primary but the quality. Orach Chaim, siman 531, still (Igros Kodesh, vol. 11, p. 61)

8 18 Iyar 5768 BEIS MOSHIACH A year later, R’ Shmuel Elozor who is the mechutan of Rashbi if me sit with them and sat me in an Halperin, menachel ruchni of not Chabad? To my dismay, I saw honored place. Yeshivas Toras Emes in groups from various circles who “After they served the food, they Yerushalayim (today, the rav of the came from all over the country, but began to sing Shabbos z’miros. Beis Yisroel neighborhood and no Lubavitchers. I was sad about When the Chassidim sang ‘Mei’ein director of the society of this for I knew that I would have to Olam HaBa’ with great fervor, I descendents of the Alter Rebbe) remain in Miron for Shabbos as it whispered to the Chassid next to encouraged his students to go to was too late to return to me that just as we are singing this Miron. He himself went with a Yerushalayim. song here below, the angels up group of students and he wrote “Having no choice, I decided to Above are singing ‘Mei’ein Olam about this to the Rebbe. The Rebbe join the t’fillos and meals of the HaZeh.’ He was surprised by this responded: Stoliner Chassidim. When I sat and asked me to explain my Obviously they did the right down next to them to daven with surprising statement. I did not thing in allowing the talmidim to them, they all got up and moved want to respond since I had said travel to Miron on the special day away. When the davening was over that I would not talk. of Lag B’Omer, for a number of reasons, and it is also for such situations that it says, “It is the time to do for Hashem, etc.” (Igros Kodesh, vol. 15, p. 172) That year, Lag B’Omer fell out on a Sunday and a few groups of T’mimim left for Miron before Shabbos. A group headed by R’ Halperin, spent Shabbos in Rosh Pina, where they farbrenged with the locals at night and on Shabbos too. Another group spent Shabbos in Tzfas. On Motzaei Shabbos, when the T’mimim went to Miron from Rosh Pina, they were happy to meet R’ Nachum Shmaryahu Sossonkin, one of the distinguished rabbanim and mashpiim in Yerushalayim. He had arrived in Miron Erev Shabbos because he knew that groups of Mobile Mitzva Tank in Miron T’mimim were spending Shabbos in Miron, but to his dismay, he didn’t see any Lubavitchers there. and they sat down to the meal, I “He told his friends about what He didn’t know that they were sat at their table and once again, I said and they all decided that I spending Shabbos in nearby they got up and moved. had to explain it, but I insisted that yishuvim in order to spread the “Then I realized that they knew I had resolved only to listen. After wellsprings on their way to Miron. me from Yerushalayim as a a lot of pressure from them, I R’ Shmuel Elozor Halperin Lubavitcher mashpia and they were agreed to explain and what I said related: afraid that I would talk Chassidus was: “When we came from Rosh Chabad to them and they would be “Every morning, we say in Pina we met R’ Sossonkin, who influenced by this. I went over to Boruch Sh’Amar, ‘Merciful Father excitedly told us how wonderful them and said, ‘I understand how … praised and glorified.’ ‘Praised’ Shabbos was. ‘On Friday, when I you feel and so I decided that I – these are the praises of the arrived in Miron, I expected to won’t say a word this Shabbos. I angels, but since they are meet our fellow Lubavitchers who only want to hear what you have to inherently good and don’t do came to Miron for Shabbos, for say.’ When they heard this, they let spiritual avoda, Hashem is only

BEIS MOSHIACH Issue 648 9 new. Most of the people who went instructed, we distributed Alef-Beis “My dear Shmuel, to Miron in those days were charts with honey and candies. traditional Jews or nonobservant During the course of the day, you should know and so they decided to put t’fillin speakers addressed the crowd. The on with them. outreach was multiplied ten times that if I had Pairs of T’mimim circulated over when our friends from Lud among the crowd with t’fillin and joined us.” insisted on put t’fillin on with more than 1000 In the 70’s a sort of Lag speaking people. It was an amazing sight to B’Omer parade began to be see lots of men standing in line, organized in Miron (back then, Chassidus from the waiting to put on t’fillin. Many of parades took place only near 770). them promised to put t’fillin on The parades were different than outset, they would every day, and this was ten years they are today. Groups of before Mivtza T’fillin was Lubavitchers from Tzfas stood at have chased me announced. the bottom of the mountain and R’ Yosef Hartman, a talmid in distributed signs that had the away. Sometimes Yeshivas Tomchei T’mimim Lud at words: Mezuza, T’fillin, Tz’daka, you have to know the time, tells about their trip: etc., written on them, to people “By way of preparing us for the going up. The celebrants carried when to be quiet trip to Miron, R’ Shlomo Chaim the signs up and near the Tziyun Kesselman would farbreng with us were Lubavitchers who took the and then you can the night of Lag B’Omer and signs from them. The signs were explain that before going to holy returned to the Lubavitchers at the farbreng all sites we had to go to the mikva, bottom and the process was make good resolutions, etc. In the repeated. night.” morning we left on buses that looked like trucks and had long praised. In order for Hashem to be benches inside. During the long DROPPING glorified, the prayers of the Jewish trip some T’mimim reviewed ANNOUNCEMENTS people are needed, for they are Chassidus for the rest of the FROM A PLANE? constantly involved in spiritual passengers and the rest of the time Rabbi Yisroel Leibov, director avoda and only they can praise we sang Chassidishe niggunim. of Tzach, suggested that for Lag Hashem in a manner that He will The T’mimim arrived in Miron in B’Omer 1967 they throw be glorified. That is why I said that the afternoon. announcements from a plane or the angels are singing ‘Mei’ein “In 1960 I went with the ‘lead from a car. He also suggested Olam HaZeh,’ because they envy battalion,’ a group of T’mimim and that the announcements have us for our avoda p’nimis. Anash who left in the evening, Erev advertising which would cover “After the Chassidim got a taste Lag B’Omer, in order to start their expenses, but the Rebbe said of Chassidus, they wanted to know working in Miron at night. We left no: more and more. I continued to in R’ Yisroel Kook’s van. He was In response to your letters: A farbreng all night. the yeshiva’s driver. R’ Berel plane on Lag B’Omer in Miron “My dear Shmuel, you should Karasik joined us. He was in – out of the question. So too know that if I had insisted on charge of the sound system that we with throwing announcements, speaking Chassidus from the brought to Miron for those who even from cars. And don’t outset, they would have chased me would be speaking. First we include advertising in the away. Sometimes you have to know traveled to Petach Tikva where we announcements (and the like) when to be quiet and then you can picked up Rabbi Dovid Chanzin for this day. farbreng all night.” a”h and then we went on to Miron. This instruction was given “When we got there, we specifically for this day, Lag MIVTZA T’FILLIN 1957 arranged stands and loudspeakers. B’Omer, but on other occasions, When it was time for Shacharis we The numerous T’mimim who the Rebbe approved of throwing immediately began putting t’fillin went to Miron, as the Rebbe announcements from a plane, on with people. As the Rebbe wanted, came up with something such as on Purim.

10 18 Iyar 5768 BEIS MOSHIACH R’ Zushe Wilyamowsky rejoicing in Miron Giving a 3 year old a haircut in Miron

LIVE BROADCAST apparently the Rebbe’s initiative. That year, Lag B’Omer was on a IN MIRON Usually, the Rebbe went out to Tuesday. The Rebbe did not say he the parade only when Lag B’Omer would participate but some guessed In 1976 people in Miron were fell out on a Sunday, when there that he would, especially when the surprised to hear the Rebbe’s voice, was a large crowd of participants. word leaked out that the Rebbe had live from the parade. This was

Marking the Rebbe’s 75th birthday in Miron

BEIS MOSHIACH Issue 648 11 asked that a telephone hookup to Writing to the Rebbe in Miron Miron be arranged. The following is an excerpt thousands of people heard the from a diary of a Tamim that was Rebbe. written that year: In the ensuing years, the “All week we were busy with the tradition continued and those who parade, and baruch Hashem, it went to Miron were able to hear looks like it will be very successful. the Rebbe at the parade. Since We don’t know for sure but the there is no telephone at the Rebbe will probably address the Tziyun, the broadcast went children, especially when we found through the home of Rabbi Stern, out that he asked for a hookup in the rav of Miron. His telephone Miron near the Tziyun of Rashbi.” was connected to the amplifier The Rebbe did indeed attend near the Tziyun so the crowd the parade and his speech was could hear it. broadcast live to the Tziyun of Rashbi in Miron. Hundreds of

THE SUEZ CAMPAIGN ON LAG B’OMER In the period preceding the Yom Kippur War, the bonfire was lit in Kfar Chabad, we left for the Rebbe undertook a number of spiritual Nachalat Har Chabad, where we picked up more activities that were meant to be the “cure before people and continued towards the Suez Canal. the blow.” One of the unusual activities that was “It was early in the morning when we arrived done with IDF soldiers took place on the Lag there. We went to the command center of the B’Omer that preceded the war. Canal and met with the deputy commander, an The Rebbe wrote a “general officer with the rank of Colonel. letter” for Lag B’Omer that was We told him that we had come highly unusual. On Erev Lag “‘Don’t tell on the Rebbe’s order to visit the B’Omer, an urgent order came soldiers stationed the length of from the Rebbe: visit the Israeli anyone that you the Canal. soldiers on the borders “the “He looked none too happy length of the Suez Canal and were there. I see and said he would gladly let us the length of the Jordan,” and do so but the night before an give them the “general letter.” that the Egyptian cell had infiltrated a Many Chassidim rushed to stronghold on the banks of the fulfill this instruction. Anash commander in Canal. The cell had managed to went from Tzfas to bases in the charge of the take down the flags at the north; from Yerushalayim to entrance to the camp and it was bases in the Jordan Valley; from area is the only by a miracle that our Kfar Chabad and Nachalat Har soldiers had managed to chase Chabad to the Egyptian border. Lubavitcher them off. Because of this The mashpia, R’ Avrohom incident, they were in a high Meizlich of Kfar Chabad went Rebbe and not state of alert and he could not to the Egyptian border and he allow us into the area. He reported: me…’ he said warned us that it was very “Thousands of copies of the with a smile.” dangerous. Rebbe’s letter were printed. “We tried to convince him Women from the Kfar quickly and explained that we weren’t baked cakes for the soldiers and a large quantity out for adventure and that we all had large of mashke was bought for this mivtza. The cake families and our children waited at home for us, and mashke were loaded into cars and right after but since this was the Rebbe’s order, we had to

12 18 Iyar 5768 BEIS MOSHIACH Talmidim of the yeshiva in Tzfas helping people write to the Rebbe

THE TZFASIM AND THE MOBILE TANKS 1977 is when the talmidim of the newly founded yeshiva in Tzfas began to do outreach in Miron. As they lived in nearby Tzfas, they could get to Miron early and begin well in advance. They put t’fillin on with people, gave out reading material, and sold works of Chassidus and Talks and Tales for children at subsidized prices. That year, the Chabad Mobile Tanks also

carry it out. we began our return trip in the open army vehicle. “He thought for a moment and then put his A strong wind began to blow which covered us hand on his stripes and said, ‘These stripes have, with sand. The trip was slow and we only arrived on more than one occasion, issued orders to go to back at headquarters in the evening. battle, and they did not all return alive. But to “After a quick shower and Mincha, we were send civilians to the Canal? If something called to the deputy commander. ‘I received happened, I would not be able to sleep at night.’ reports that you visited the outposts near the “Each of us tried to convince him of the Canal even though I forbade you from doing this. importance of our visit to the soldiers but he In any case, kol ha’kavod to you. You insisted on remained firm. We left his office and decided that carrying out a positive activity.’ Since he was in a we had to do what the Rebbe wanted, no matter good mood, he moved aside a green curtain that what. We went to the quartermasters and told covered the wall behind him. On the wall was a them that we were going to the Canal. Without map of the Suez Canal and it was marked with all asking us to explain, they gave us helmets and the IDF positions. body armor. When we left the quartermaster we “He explained a little about what was going on saw a convoy of vehicles and I told my friends and when he showed us the last outpost that was that it might be heading towards the Canal. In the furthest from headquarters, we told him that it fact, it was. was ‘Motzav Tempo.’ He was stunned. ‘How did “We distributed the Rebbe’s letter at you know the name of this secret outpost?’ We strongholds and positions the length of the Canal, told him that we were there. as well as cake and mashke. We went from one “‘Don’t tell anyone that you were there. I see position to the next and the soldiers were that the commander in charge of the area is the surprised and happy to see that Chabad Chassidim Lubavitcher Rebbe and not me…’ he said with a had come to visit, even as they were on high alert. smile. “At one outpost, one of the soldiers said that “We left for the long trip back home. On the he knew we would come. ‘On Kol Yisroel they way, we met a bus driver and we suggested that reported that Chabad Chassidim were distributing he make a l’chaim. He said l’chaim and asked, letters of the Rebbe to IDF soldiers.’ We gave him ‘Why aren’t you in Miron?’ We told him about a letter and when he began to read it he was our mission to the soldiers. ‘Ah, I heard about that disappointed. ‘It says here, “To B’nei and B’nos on Kol Yisroel. They said that there were Yisroel,” and not to the soldiers!’ We told him, hundreds of thousands of people in Miron, but I ‘The soldiers are the Rebbe’s children.’ am sure Rashbi was with you.’” “After we finished our work at the last outpost,

BEIS MOSHIACH Issue 648 13 began working in Miron. The tanks didn’t have the money we needed. were stationed on the incline “When the bachurim went to the leading up the mountain and place Erev Lag B’Omer in order to attracted many people. set up the stand, the police asked Since then, the talmidim of the them to leave, saying that all the yeshiva in Tzfas, along with the permitted stands were concentrated Chabad Mobile Mitzva Tanks do in one area. Having no choice, we amazing work on Lag B’Omer in folded the equipment we had Miron. Over the years, their work already opened and went to the has greatly expanded. In recent main area where, to our amazement, years, they have put up huge video we got a central location, fifteen screens that show the Rebbe Selling books in Miron meters with no charge!” nonstop for 48 hours. There are During Lag B’Omer, the Igros Kodesh stands where bachurim worked intensively. Some hundreds of people write to the of them stood near the Igros Rebbe and ask for his brachos as Kodesh stand. Others distributed the T’mimim help them out. material about Moshiach and In 5762, for the first time, an Geula, and some went from one enormous picture of the Rebbe was parade to another and helped out. hung up so that everybody who A t’fillin stand opened the morning visits Miron sees it clearly. A of Lag B’Omer and the T’mimim picture is worth a thousand words, put t’fillin on hundreds of people. so they say, and when it’s a picture The bachurim’s work was apparent of the Rebbe, who can measure its to the thousands of celebrants. You impact? Menachem Mendel Rabbi Dovid Nachshon, director could not go to Miron and miss of Chabad Mobile Mitzva Tanks, Ezagui, one of the heads of Igud them. and his staff in Miron Talmidei HaYeshivos, said this Hundreds of people went over about it: aribber. A few bachurim went to to the Igros Kodesh stand and after “At first it looked as though Miron with a cherry picker and a brief explanation about writing to everything was going smoothly. We under the watchful eyes of the the Rebbe, people wrote their had been given an informal okay by police the huge sign was hung and requests. There were many the heads of the police to set up a nobody said a word.” amazing stories. stand and to put up a huge picture Another miracle occurred with Since 1980, when the Rebbe of the Rebbe, but three days before the Igros Kodesh and t’fillin stand. said to have Lag B’Omer parades Lag B’Omer difficulties arose. Two Boruch Sholom Gruzman tells us all over the country, many days before Lag B’Omer we still did about it: Lubavitchers devote their time on not have the permits. We wrote to “During the Pesach break, we Lag B’Omer and the days the Rebbe and in the answer we arranged with someone in Miron to preceding it to organizing a parade. opened to, the Rebbe promised that rent a private, five meter area, for a The go-getters among them make things would work out and at the nice fee, so we could set up our time to go the Tziyun as well as to last minute it would change for the stand there. At the same time, we help out with a parade in honor of good. worked on raising the money, but a the Yom Hilula of the G-dly Tanna, “We decided to go l’chat’chilla day before Lag B’Omer we still Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai.

14 18 Iyar 5768 BEIS MOSHIACH moshiach & geula

chapter)? In my humble opinion, it is most difficult for people of our stature to give a clear and sharp answer that THIS IS ONLY will reconcile this apparent “contradiction.” As a means of illustrating how far this contradiction can “reach,” we will bring here two seemingly A TEST... contrasting examples of what the Rebbe said in reference to the previous Rebbe. By Rabbi Zalman Hertzel Regarding the saying of Kaddish, Translated By Michoel Leib Dobry the Rebbe said (Hisvaaduyos 5710, pg. 16): We still need an explanation Beis Moshiach Magazine is pleased to and clarification of the fact that present the next installment from the according to Torah, we have to say Kaddish now, etc. seifer Shlita by Rabbi Zalman Hertzel, This means that in practical terms, despite the fact that it is not discussing the faith of Lubavitcher understood, we have to say Kaddish. chassidim in the seventh generation. Yet, with regard to inheritance, the Rebbe said (sicha, the 15th of SICHOS IN brought chassidim to follow as well? Tammuz 5745): “OPPOSING” STYLES Isn’t all this included in the concept No rav and no lawyer – no one of “since it came out from the can alter the simple and clear fact However, the above raises a mouth of Rabbi Kahana” (and “the that there simply cannot be a “tremendous question”: actions of the son of Amram” and concept of inheritance whatsoever The Rebbe spoke on numerous “the words of the son of Amram,” ch”v ch”v, since he is still living, occasions about the histalkus of the as mentioned in the previous and there is no relevance to previous Rebbe and his yahrtzait on speaking about inheritance when . The Rebbe himself he is alive. (NOTE: See also at printed s’farim and pamphlets, length on this subject in Beis headed with the titles “of righteous Moshiach, Issue #285.) and holy memory,” “his soul rests in What is the difference between the hidden treasures of Heaven,” the two? If we say Kaddish, there is and “may his merit protect us,” in a concept of inheritance, and if reference to the previous Rebbe. In inheritance is irrelevant, because the general, we see a clear and explicit Rebbe is actually alive, then why do approach stemming from the we say Kaddish? Rebbe’s sichos that the previous And who among us knows the Rebbe had undergone a departure secret of G-d? (NOTE: We see here of his soul from his body. again a case of the Rebbe’s conduct, Therefore, how does all this fit in “Rebbe’she zachn,” i.e., that which with what is written above at great pertains only to him, similar to his length? How can we simply close rejection of the words “from the our eyes and ignore all the holy source of mercy” in the pidyon sichos that establish the fact that nefesh, even though he used them there was a histalkus? Can we himself, as mentioned in the disregard the Rebbe’s customary previous chapter.) mode of conduct of the day of the previous Rebbe’s yahrtzait, which he

BEIS MOSHIACH Issue 648 15 Certain chassidim BOTH ARE TRUE! tzaddik reveals himself with a new Nevertheless, it remains clear task for a new generation, etc., as learn from this without the slightest doubt that the pasuk states, “The sun rises both cases are true – since it came and the sun sets.” that the Rebbe out from the mouth of he who is Why do we define such a true and whose teachings are true! situation as a test, expressing that spoke then in his We derive from this that it the matter is not real and is stands to reason that there can be apparent only to our physical eyes, prophetic vision a situation classified as histalkus, etc. Furthermore, the reality then about our and therefore, we have to say was that the previous Rebbe passed Kaddish, etc. Nevertheless, at the away and there came the situation today, a very same time, it would be proper generation of the Rebbe shlita, the to use the title “Shlita” regarding seventh generation. What trial do situation of hiding that person. Furthermore, as we we see here? have seen explicitly in sichos, the Certain chassidim learn from and concealment Rebbe not only justifies this this (and from other sources) that approach or accepts it as a fait the Rebbe spoke then in his in which the accompli stemming from a prophetic vision about our leader of the chassidic feeling, he encourages situation today, a situation of this conduct with all his strength hiding and concealment in which generation, who and fortitude! the leader of the generation, who Getting to the heart of the has yet to complete his mission has yet to matter, there are many chassidim (that he proclaimed upon who detect a clear hint – even accepting the leadership), hides complete his more than a hint – in the Rebbe’s and conceals himself, and then sichos from the period immediately literally returns immediately to mission, hides and after the previous Rebbe’s passing complete and fulfill the indwelling conceals himself, in connection with our present-day of the Sh’china in this physical situation. There are those who world with the True and Complete and then literally prove from the Rebbe’s words that Redemption. This interim situation this is all merely a test. As the is most definitely a trial. returns Rebbe said in a sicha from (By the way, this sicha was one Shabbos Parshas Truma 5710 of the sichos that constituted a immediately to (Hisvaaduyos 5710, ibid.): source for the halachic ruling complete and The event that occurred, etc., issued by the rabbinical authorities is merely before our flesh eyes who gathered in Beis Chayeinu – fulfill the and is nothing more than a test 770 for the holiday of Shavuos (one of the trials of the birth 5755 that all references and terms indwelling of the pangs of Moshiach that must of histalkus should be omitted take place prior to the arrival of from the title page of Likkutei Sh’china in this the Righteous Redeemer), the Sichos.) entire concept of which is to hide Even if we don’t accept this physical world and conceal the truth. explanation, it is clear that writing This doesn’t seem so clear: the title “Shlita” is something with the True and Why does the Rebbe categorize the extremely positive from the Complete passing of the previous Rebbe as a Rebbe’s point of view. Writing trial? What trial? When a tzaddik “Shlita” is not the figment of the Redemption. This completes his avoda, his time imagination of some lunatic r”l; it comes to rise to the heavens. On is an integral part of the Torah of interim situation the contrary, this is a tremendous Truth of Moshe Rabbeinu, and spiritual elevation for him and for anyone who ch”v fights against it is most definitely his students, etc. At the time of the is fighting directly against the path a trial. passing of a tzaddik, another that the Rebbe outlined for us.

16 18 Iyar 5768 BEIS MOSHIACH THE SIMPLE MATTER embarrassed about it, similar to that memory,” “may his merit protect us,” AND THE INNOVATIVE chassid who put aside his and the like. Similarly, he did not do MATTER embarrassment and said the truth, so when he mentioned them at a what conclusions are we supposed , despite what is brought For the purpose of greater clarity to draw from the Rebbe’s words? in Shulchan Aruch under such and illustration, we ask the However you interpret the circumstances! No need to question: What is the simple matter concept of histalkus, as far as you elaborate.) and what is the innovation? are concerned, the Rebbe must be It is thereby understood that When we write the term “of “Shlita,” even if we were to say that anyone who wages war against this righteous memory” about a tzaddik there was a histalkus in its simplest mode of conduct, even for reasons who has passed away, is there any sense. of “holiness,” is literally warring innovation here? No, it is a This matter also explains the fact against the Rebbe’s approach. longstanding, well-known, and that the Rebbe never encouraged the Furthermore, in a manner of accepted custom. chassidim to write titles such as “of “greater is the attribute of good,” When we write the term “Shlita” righteous and holy memory,” “his anyone who encourages this about someone who has passed soul rests in the hidden treasures of approach has adopted the method away, is this an innovation? Heaven,” and “may his merit by which the Rebbe has guided us, Absolutely – no doubt about it! protect us”! The Rebbe merely and walks in the path that Melech Now, when we see that the instructed to use them in the HaMoshiach has laid for us. Rebbe does both, what is the unique preface to his holy s’farim (even However, everything that has matter that should naturally attract though the Rebbe himself (in his been said so far is in reference to our attention? Here too, the answer correspondence and his sichos) did the leader of the sixth generation. is clear. not write such titles all the time). But in the case of the seventh When we see how the Rebbe (NOTE: We have found many such generation, not only is this mode of constantly engages in “battle” instances, e.g., in reference to his conduct, as described above, against accepting the concept of parents in the text on their legitimate and positive, it is simply histalkus, when we see how the tombstones and the preface to his not appropriate to act in any other Rebbe stubbornly declares “Shlita,” father’s s’farim, where the Rebbe did fashion, as we will bring in the next “zahl gezunt zain,” “that’s the truth” not write “of righteous and holy and final chapter. and that we should stop being

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BEIS MOSHIACH Issue 648 17 feature

“Two weeks later, a friend of that activist had yechidus. He was also a Zionist. When he came out, he said that the Rebbe told RABBI him that if his friend had remained in Russia and reminded ten Jews of their being Jewish, he would have accomplished something. ‘What is he doing in HASKELEVICH Eretz Yisroel? A generation will pass and they won’t know who is a Jew,’ said the Rebbe in sorrow. “From the time I heard the Rebbe say that, my goal was to PUBLICIZING return to Russia and work with my fellow Jews.”

MILLIONS OF PEOPLE THE GEULA LISTENED TO “SICHAT HA’RAV” By Avrohom Ber Rabbi Berel Haskelevich was born in Russia in 1947. He left the country in 1965 with his Russian born Rabbi Berel Haskelevich parents and settled in the United States. He married in 1973. He left Mother Russia at the age of 18 but was sure that one day he would go back to Russia, yet years wanted to return there in order to passed without being able to do so. The country was sealed. A few spread Judaism and Chassidus. When people went there and smuggled in Jewish items but they were the Iron Curtain lifted, he returned and foreigners who were visiting. traveled from city to city and did just Then one day, an opportunity presented itself. It was when he that. Before Pesach he returned from a was asked to give a Russian language weekly radio broadcast five-month lecture series in the CIS. He on Radio Liberty, a broadcast that could be heard throughout shares his experiences with us. the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe. The following incident took Russian, overheard what was R’ Haskelevich was happy to place in 1972. A Zionist activist being said. To his surprise, he accept and he did the radio show who worked on behalf of Soviet heard the Rebbe say, “If I was for years. His program was called Jewry had yechidus with the able to, I would send back all Sichat HaRav and he had 18-22 Rebbe. The Rebbe spoke to him those who left.” million listeners! about the danger in making “I heard the Rebbe say it. The “Till this day, I meet people demonstrations on behalf of Jews Rebbe was speaking sadly about who tell me that their path to in Russia. how the influence of religious Judaism began by listening At a certain point, the Rebbe Jews was waning because they regularly to these radio could be heard clearly from were leaving Russia. I felt as programs.” behind the door and Berel though the Rebbe was speaking to Haskelevich, who speaks fluent me!

18 18 Iyar 5768 BEIS MOSHIACH TRAVELING FROM others. nothing about Judaism and what CITY TO CITY When you arrive, how do you a Rebbe is? start talking about Chassidus “I told them that it was 40 In 1993, after the Soviet and Moshiach when Jews know years since I first met the Union was dismantled, R’ Haskelevich began visiting Russia. He has since visited there numerous times, yet he still yearned to settle there. In 2005 he began to seriously consider returning to live in the CIS. When he asked the Rebbe through the Igros Kodesh, he opened to an answer which told about the Alter Rebbe’s father, who went from town to town and this was his greatness. “I understood that I was supposed to travel from city to city and farbreng and publicize the Besuras HaGeula wherever I went.” R’ Haskelevich went to Paris and from there he continued to Vienna, to his hometown of Chernovitz, and then to Kiev. It took him several weeks to get to Moscow. “In Moscow I was warmly welcomed and I was made a terrific offer, to be an official peripatetic shliach, traveling from to city to city, lecturing, farbrenging, giving shiurim in Chassidus, recruiting boys to Yeshivas Tomchei T’mimim and girls to Machon Chaya Mushka in Moscow.” Since then, R’ Haskelevich has traveled a lot to the CIS. “Just this winter I was there from Kislev until Pesach and taught Judaism, Chassidus, and the Besuras HaGeula.” Where did you go? It’s hard for me to remember all the places I went to. I was in: Grodna, Minsk, Petersburg, Vladivostok, Niezni-Novgorod, Chavrovsk, Perm, Tolyatti, Ulyanovsk, Kazan, Samara, Novosibirsk, Veliki Novgorod, Mohilev, and small towns such as Kaminetz-Uralsk and many

BEIS MOSHIACH Issue 648 19 surprise in the scientific community and fit nicely with what it says in Tanach and contradict scientific estimations about the origin of the universe. When you show them these discoveries, it makes a big impression and it enabled me to explain to them that even those things that we still don’t understand, will be scientifically proven in the future. “From that point I move on to how in our generation we have merited to have a spiritual leader like Shlomo in his time. He knows all wisdoms yet makes no compromises to bend even the Rabbi Berel Haskelevich farbrenging with young Jews in Perm smallest detail of Torah before modern science.” Lubavitcher Rebbe (on 7 Adar) about how in the 600th year of Are there questions about the and from that point on, I spent all the 6th millennium the windows Rebbe and our belief in him? my time in his presence, and I of heaven will open and the “Of course. That was my main wanted to share what I learned. wellsprings of the deep will burst goal in traveling there, and it That is how I begin and I go on forth. In other words, there are naturally generated many to farbreng with them, as time two things happening, from above questions on the part of the allows and to the extent that and below. audiences.” people understand. “The Zohar is talking about a How do you explain the “Obviously, we don’t know time in which there will be Rebbe’s work in the world to what a Rebbe is but as we can enormous developments in the Jews who barely know what understand it, the bottom line can field of science. Today, anybody Judaism is about? be expressed in one word: can go to libraries and read what “I spoke about Bar Kochba Moshiach. All his qualities, his he needs to know in science whom they all know as a warrior wisdom in all areas, his books. The same is true for who fought the Romans in order leadership, his righteousness and Chassidus. Nowadays, anybody to liberate the Jews, and the the righteousness of his emissaries can learn as much as Chassidus as Sages, at least at first, thought he and the amazing work he does, all he wants. I explain that the recent was Moshiach. However, unlike are in order to extricate the scientific developments not only Bar Kochba, in whose battles Jewish people from galus so that do not contradict Torah, they hundreds of thousands of people no Jew remains behind. support it. were killed, the Rebbe fights and “In Nizhni-Novgorod, where “For example, Professor Karl wins without sacrifices! there are many intellectual Jews, Skorecki of the Technion in “For example, the Rebbe’s they asked me: How does Chaifa, was able to demonstrate shluchim lit a public menora in traditional Judaism fit with the that all Kohanim have the same Pittsburgh. Some lawyers said it modern world with its origin. The article was printed in was against the Constitution. The developments in science and Nature, a prestigious publication Supreme Court ruled that if there society? in the world of academia. Every is a symbol of the Christian “I have to build a bridge article that is printed in it is holiday on government property, a between my message, the message carefully reviewed. This discovery menora can be there too! of Moshiach, and their world so I sent shock waves throughout the “Public menoras began in the can provide them with a satisfying scientific community. US and spread to the entire answer to the question that arises “I refer to several important world, to the point that in 1991 from their worldview. I tell them research studies that were there was a public menora lighting the Zohar that the Rebbe quoted publicized recently that aroused

20 18 Iyar 5768 BEIS MOSHIACH in the Kremlin that was broadcast simple, to the Russians is a KIRUV live to 770. What happened on dream. I remember that when I Over the years, R’ Haskelevich the last day of Chanuka of that was in Moscow in 1993 and I has brought many Jews to a life of year? The Soviet Union dissolved went on Shabbos from Marina Torah and mitzvos. And over the without a bullet being shot, Roscha to the Bolshoi Brunia years he has met with thousands whereas the Revolution of 1917 Synagogue, Rabbi Yitzchok of young people and has spoken entailed millions of deaths! Kogan’s shul, which was quite a to them and been mekarev them. “The Messianic freedom of long walk, I walked in the streets He brought many of them to foreign rule is something we see with my tallis on. I wanted Jews Yeshivas Tomchei T’mimim in in Russia today as the government to see me and drop their fears. Moscow. makes sure that Jews can pray in After all, a Jew can walk in the What have people thought of shul. Prime Minister Putin, then street with a tallis! their sons going to yeshiva? the president, was in a town and “Rabbi Kogan told me that he “It’s not easy. I tell them that didn’t see a shul. He said publicly, got a phone call from the Interior these days, in the era of Geula, on television, ‘How is it that there Ministry. The secretary wanted to the most sought after position is is a mosque, a church here, and arrange an appointment at his rabbanus! We need to raise up the no shul?’ convenience. (Just 20 years ago, it spirits of the Jewish people “When Rabbi Lazar thanked would be unheard of for the through our spiritual leaders, Putin, Putin didn’t see any reason secretary of the Interior Ministry rabbanim who have graduated to be thanked. ‘I believe in this,’ to ask for an appointment with a from yeshivos. A doctor can be a said the Russian president. rav at his convenience!) When he non-Jew, but not a rav! “I heard that a certain shliach showed up for the appointment, it had a problem getting a school turned out that she wanted “To one of the boys who asked me building. Just at that time, he was information about Jewish holidays about his financial future, I told received by Putin among a so that ‘the Jewish police officers him about shluchim who are delegation of shluchim. All Putin would be able to celebrate their honorably supported and who run wanted to know was the name of holidays as their religion multi-million dollar projects. A the mayor of that city. The next requires.’ rav is a leader of his community. day, the shliach’s phone rang and “For Russian Jews, these He is a dayan, a legal expert, a it was the mayor. ‘The building stories suffice. They understand psychologist and a family for the school is yours,’ he said. the cataclysmic change and how therapist. The rav is everything!” “You have to understand that the world has progressed towards What are people’s reactions what to us looks natural and the era of Geula.” to your lectures about Moshiach? “Someone said to me that he doesn’t understand why I talk about Moshiach. In his opinion, you have to learn the entire Torah until the end of the Rambam, the halachos of Moshiach. I told him that in my opinion, we have to begin with inyanei Moshiach! This is because Moshiach is about knowledge of Hashem, which is the foundation, and also because the first thing Moshe Rabbeinu told the Jewish people in Egypt was, ‘the time for your redemption has arrived.’ “We have to tell Jews: Get out of galus. We need to accustom them to doing mitzvos, like Rabbi Haskelevich speaking to members of t’fillin, lighting Shabbos candles, the Jewish community of Veliki-Novgorod

BEIS MOSHIACH Issue 648 21 shliach asked me to put t’fillin on. the lectures and see for “I have to build a I did so, and then I told him to themselves.” say ‘Yechi’ in Russian. The Did they come? bridge between my shliach, not a ‘Meshichist,’ just “Not only did they come, but sat there quietly. they sent the local television to message, the “One of the shluchim asked me interview me. In the middle of the how I tell bachurim who know lecture, someone asked why Bush message of nothing, who barely know that opposed Lukashenka and I their grandmother was Jewish, answered that the fact that I am Moshiach, and that they have to learn in order to an American citizen does not their world so I become rabbanim. I answered mean I have to agree with him: On the contrary, by telling everything the president says and can provide them them that they can be rabbanim, I does. Furthermore, I said, Belarus lift their spirits and give them is not a country known for its with a satisfying hope so that their attitude is material wealth, as Saudi Arabia completely different. is. But what it is famous for is its answer to the “In general, the shluchim gave spirituality. It is known as the positive feedback, which you can birthplace of Toras Chassidus question that see in the advertising for the Chabad Lubavitch. arises from their lectures on their Internet sites.” “The next day, the head of the Have you had any problems k’hilla told me that the community worldview.” with the various governments? as well as the KGB enjoyed my “When I was supposed to go lectures very much, especially this to Belorussia, the KGB there specific response. mezuza. Then we can move on to inquired as to whether I was “I hope that this lecture tour I more complicated subjects like Bush’s emissary and why was he was privileged to make is another intermarriage. opposed to Lukashenka, the positive action to hasten the “One of the shluchim told me president of Belarus. They said I Geula. What I can definitely say is that he didn’t think you could was giving religious lectures, that when you spread the Rebbe’s speak about Moshiach in a way which were illegal there. Besuras HaGeula as the Rebbe that would appeal to people. “I explained to them that I was wants, you can publicize it to There was a Jew, a relative of the merely giving lectures on Jewish everyone.” head of state, with whom the history and that they could attend

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22 18 Iyar 5768 BEIS MOSHIACH mivtzaim

put them on and I helped him and he said (a heartfelt) “thank you.” And so it went that every week when I finished mivtzaim, I went to WHY THEY the store of that person and talked about Moshiach and also about the importance of t’fillin. In one of the times I talked with him, he said to me that all his life he has pursued CALL THEM nothing but “money” and he doesn’t even have the time for Ahavat Yisroel with friends. I opened the with him to Igeret T’shuva and I started to learn with him and baruch TํMIMIMึ.. Hashem from day to day he gets stronger in his emuna in Hashem and in the Rebbe. An inspiring story of a young bachur’s * * * Because of the success at early experiences with mivtzaim as told Checkpost, I wrote to the Rebbe about a Mivtza Purim that I wanted to Natan Katz by Shalom Dovber Bar to do and the Rebbe wrote back ‘Bracha v’hatzlacha (blessing and Zohar, a Tamim in Shiur Aleph at success). I also wrote to the Rebbe that I’d need help from a lot of Tomchei T’mimim – Krayot bachurim and Anash to help with the mivtzaim, dancing, reading the Every Friday, I went on mivtzaim to put t’fillin on the week before, I’m Megillot and giving out Mishloach at the Checkpost in Haifa. In the going to go to him with all of my Manos – and in the end of the letter first week it was very hard, but heart…” I wrote that I wanted to make a slowly, slowly in the first week, I put When I got to the store, I came minyan for Mincha at the Checkpost t’fillin on two people, baruch to him with a happy face and I asked (a very busy commercial center in Hashem — a week later, with five him how he was doing, etc., and — Haifa). people, and every week after that I do you want to put on t’fillin?! When I opened the Igros Kodesh tried to increase the number. Again he declined. the Rebbe answered me: “In One Friday, I went to a store and I almost felt as if there was connection with the Beit Knesset asked the person who sells there if nothing more I could do, but I said that you want to open, I’m giving he wanted to put on t’fillin and he in my heart: at least I will do you a bracha hatzlacha...” And in the said “No.” mivtzaim for those who came to buy end of the letter the Rebbe explained Every Erev , before we in his store! how I could be successful by doing go out on the mivtzaim of the Rebbe Then I saw someone in the store more in the area of spreading the MH”M, we learn a sicha so that we and I asked him if he wanted to put wellsprings. will have Torah words to share. That on t’fillin, but he too declined. Then At first, I didn’t get the particular week we learned that the I asked another person, and he said, connection between “spreading the Rebbe says that if a Jew doesn’t “for sure!” When the one who said wellsprings” more and the success of want to put on t’fillin it’s because “no” saw his friend put on t’fillin, he starting the Mincha minyan. And as you don’t approach him with all also did so. Then, seeing the others it was Purim time and I was very your heart, but if you approach him put on t’fillin, the vendor also busy with making Purim plans, I put with all your heart he will surely followed suit. the thought out of my mind. agree. When he was done and he took After Purim finished – with a big In the same week, the bachur off the t’fillin, he said to me, “from hatzlacha – I remembered what the thought, “When I go to the same the age of Bar Mitzva I didn’t put on Rebbe said about adding to store where the vendor didn’t want t’fillin.” He didn’t remember how to spreading the wellsprings, so I made

BEIS MOSHIACH Issue 648 23 wanted to go, that I would stay until Rebbe and explained to him that I All this was on I worked with one more person. didn’t understand the connection and now I knew what the Rebbe account of the That same Friday, when I was going meant by further spreading the to a store, I looked at my watch and wellsprings outward. ‘nes’ of the Rebbe. saw that I needed to return to the Baruch Hashem, after a little yeshiva, but before I went I time, we opened a minyan in his So if someone remembered that I needed to put store. In the beginning it was hard to doesn’t know what t’fillin on one more person because get a minyan, but after a little time, a of the hachlata... minyan came every day. the connection is I went back and saw a vendor All this was on account of the sitting outside his store and I asked ‘nes’ of the Rebbe. So if someone from what the him if he wanted to put on t’fillin doesn’t know what the connection is and he happily agreed. from what the Rebbe says to do, do Rebbe says to do, He brought me inside his store it with Kabbalas Ol! and said, before he put on the And to this day, people from the do it with T’fillin, that he had a question. He minyan have also taken upon Kabbalas Ol! didn’t have tzitzit or a kippa (yet) he themselves to put on t’fillin and go told me that for a long time he had to hitvade’ut and Bezrat Hashem we wanted to start a minyan for will be successful to daven with the a commitment that when I finished Mincha, but he didn’t know how… Rebbe MH”M in the Third Beis my mivtzaim every Friday and I told him about the letter to the HaMikdash, speedily.

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24 18 Iyar 5768 BEIS MOSHIACH insight

pick sabras. Early in the morning, before the sun beats down, is the best time to pick sabras because you won’t get THE BOY pricked. Later on, as it gets hotter, the thorns harden and then your hands get full of them and it’s hard to pick the sabras.” I said, you’ve taught me a WHO SENT wonderful lesson about preparing for Moshiach’s coming, so I benefited in giving you a ride. The lesson is that in order to overcome the thorns of this ELIYAHU TO prickly galus, we have to get up early before the sun, the Evil Inclination, beats strongly and sharpens its thorns. When the heat of galus is burning strongly, RASHBI the thorns are hard. That is our test, to hurry and bring the Geula before the big fire of galus By Rabbi Yosef Karasik, Rav Bat Chefer-Emek Chefer consumes us.

Rashbi was in a cave for 13 years and it OUR SPIRITUAL was only a note sent to him by a child TREASURES In recent years, Kabbala has that caused him to cry. * Is there any become extremely popular among the masses, among religious Jews connection between the “Kabbala and not-yet-religious Jews, and even non-Jews. Kabbala Centers” and the teachings of Rashbi? * institutes and courses abound. What secret did Eliyahu HaNavi reveal Unfortunately, many of them have nothing to do with actual to Rashbi in the cave and how is it Kabbala, but are courses on psychology. They have good connected to Geula? lecturers who know how to keep their audiences spellbound. The shluchim, on the other hand, try On the way to Tel Aviv from we just need to pray for to save Jews from these phony my home in Bat Chefer, I gave a Moshiach.” courses. lift to someone who was hitching On the way, we saw a boy So the first thing we have to a ride and we got into a selling the thorny cactus type know is that we have the richest, conversation. I told him that I fruit native to Israel known as deepest treasures of pure Truth. was going to Tel Aviv in order to sabras. The hitchhiker said, “You Toras Chabad is the clearest speak to a gathering of Jews who probably never picked sabras…” explanation of the teachings of were going to learn about Yemos I said, “I actually did. At the Kabbala, but we have to fill HaMoshiach and the era of entrance to Kfar Chabad, where I ourselves with these treasures. Geula. I asked him, “What do grew up, there were sabras and It’s a holy obligation on every you have to say about we would get a lot of thorns in Lubavitcher, especially those who Moshiach?” our hands.” spread the wellsprings, to study He answered, “I’m a simple The man laughed and said, as much Chassidus as possible, to Jew. The country is burning and “I’ll tell you the secret of how to delve into deep maamarim, such

26 18 Iyar 5768 BEIS MOSHIACH as Hemshech 5666 and Hemshech Moshiach. does not know how much his 5672, the Rebbe’s maamarim, etc. Similarly with Kabbala – why neshama yearns for the teachings This way we will have the tools is the world taking an interest in of Moshiach. This is because he we need to counter the modern this subject? Why is mysticism is not spiritually refined and he disseminators of “Kabbala.” “in”? Because there is an thinks it’s a modern, cultural We have to conquer the entire abundance of material thing, but he is unaware that the world, including the animal soul possessions and the emptiness in real reason that he is attracted to of the world, and not only the it makes people seek something it is because his soul wants G-dly soul. We have the ability more spiritual. The Rebbe p’nimius ha’Torah. to present shiurim that counter teaches us that the reason is We are to blame if we don’t all the “Kabbalists” out there, actually because people thirst for provide him with Chassidus and but we have to know our stuff. the teachings of Moshiach, the take advantage of his interest and It doesn’t come from sitting with teachings of Kabbala and direct it to the Truth. our feet up and arms crossed, Chassidus. Today’s generation thirsts for but from delving into Chassidus So let’s take advantage of this Kabbala, for something that day and night. tremendous interest and give speaks directly to the soul. That We need to study the sichos them the teachings of Moshiach! is Chassidus, p’nimius ha’Torah, and maamarim of the Rebbe. We This is one of the major signs whose source is the holy Zohar. have treasures, especially in of Yemos HaMoshiach, when a Today people want a taste of the recent years, when Likkutei nonobservant Jew hears that there Future because that is where their Sichos was translated into other is a lecture on Kabbala and he soul is drawn. The Rebbe says languages. We can take the attends. Why does he attend? that our job is to disseminate sichos, study them in depth, and What attracts him to Kabbala? p’nimius ha’Torah to the world on enrich our knowledge, The answer is that he himself the basis of “…when your endeavoring to understand what is the p’shat and what does Kabbala add, and how it is explained in the teachings of Chassidus. The Rebbe teaches us that every phenomenon in the world is connected to us, the Jewish people. Every phenomenon that takes place in our generation is connected to Geula. Even a disgusting trend (not to mention that it might fall into the category of idol worship), like discussing Kabbala with people and in places that are completely unsuitable, and using unacceptable approaches, is a sign of Geula. The Rambam explains that even false ideologies, like Christianity and Islam, have a share in preparing the world for Geula and the belief in the coming of Moshiach. Those religions taught their masses about the concept of a Messiah but they talk about a false Messiah, a false prophet, and we speak about holiness and the True

BEIS MOSHIACH Issue 648 27 t’fillin have to do with his health? even resurrect the dead, and they R’ Yehuda bar Ilai However, the Rebbe taught us were accustomed to hearing the that the physical and spiritual teachings of Rashbi. But Rashbi took it to heart worlds are connected. A person’s was in hiding. and said, “Woe to heart condition, for example, has He and his son Rabi Elozor to do with his mezuza. These were in the cave for 13 years and us on the absence ideas are alluded to in the Eliyahu HaNavi came and taught Gemara and Midrash but the them Torah. We don’t have of Bar Yochai, we Rebbe made it everyday reality. information about what precisely So too with Kabbala, we need took place during those 13 years lack him and to know that the attraction to it when Rashbi was absent from the has its roots in a spiritual beis midrash, how the chachamim nobody has longing. We can’t give merely managed without their Rebbe, but information external reasons for it. we have one amazing story. There is an enormous One day, one of the regarding his difference between True Kabbala chachamim (the Ramak says it and that which is taught in the was Rabbi Yehuda bar Ilai) said, whereabouts, and “Kabbala institutes.” Our goal is “I remember something that our to teach p’nimius ha’Torah in Rebbe once taught us.” It wasn’t even if someone order to believe in Moshiach, to written in hanachos and not in be mekarev Jews to Torah and reshimos either, just something did know, they mitzvos and to uplift people, that their Rebbe once taught would not be whereas their teachings corrode them. the soul. He said that Rashbi said that allowed to reveal So when we notice an ad for a the curses appear twice in the lecture on “Kabbala,” we can Torah to correspond to the first it.” have two reactions. On the one and second destructions of the hand, we can think that if there is Beis HaMikdash. In the curses wellsprings spread outward.” a thirst for Kabbala, this indicates that appear in Parshas The difference between that people are thirsting for the B’Chukosai, which corresponds to Chabad teachings and all the rest teachings of Moshiach. On the the first churban, the Torah also is that Chassidus doesn’t come to other hand, we have to castigate promises that Hashem will make the Torah fit the world but ourselves and ask why we didn’t remember his covenant with shows how the world fits with provide a lecture that would Yaakov, etc. But in the curses in Torah. If there is a clash between attract the same people and give Ki Savo, which correspond to the the world and Torah, that doesn’t them a taste of the teachings of second churban, there are no change the reality of Torah; our Moshiach. promises or assurances of perception of the world is wrong, consolation. One could be left not Torah. DRAMA IN thinking that there would not be a One of the basic concepts that THE BEIS MIDRASH Geula after the churban Bayis the Rebbe taught our generation Sheini. is the connection between the The following is an excerpt R’ Yehuda bar Ilai tried to spiritual and physical worlds. from the Zohar from Parshas Ki explain it, as did the chachamim, When people complained to the Savo. This excerpt deals with but to no avail. They were very Rebbe about health problems, for one of the most difficult eras for saddened by this. What about a example, the Rebbe told them to the Jewish people when the Rebbe Geula? The first Beis HaMikdash check their t’fillin or mezuza. of that time, Rashbi, was not was destroyed and seventy years But if a person had a heart present. Or to be more precise, later Ezra HaSofer came and attack, it’s because the blood he was not seen. built the second Beis HaMikdash. vessels that carry blood to the Rashbi hid in a cave after he But now it was 150 years after heart are blocked! If a person has fled from the Romans. The rest the churban of the second Beis high cholesterol or his blood of the chachamim were in the beis HaMikdash and there was no pressure is sky high, what do his midrash. They were incredibly salvation and no hope on the great men, each of whom could

28 18 Iyar 5768 BEIS MOSHIACH horizon. sent by the young boy Yosi, later where the Besuras HaGeula can R’ Yehuda bar Ilai took it to to become Rabi Yosi. be found in Ki Savo. Look it up heart and said, “Woe to us on the First, he cried about not being to see it at length. I will only absence of Bar Yochai, we lack with his colleagues in the beis bring a synopsis of what Eliyahu him and nobody has information midrash. Second, he was pained said. regarding his whereabouts, and about the worry over galus and Within every bad thing there is even if someone did know, they Geula. He cried “about those good. What seems to you to be a would not be allowed to reveal things that are not revealed to churban is actually good news. it.” them. What will future What seems like war to you His young son, R’ Yosi, took it generations do when they look at contains within it the Besuras hard. What would be with these verses?” It will be pitiful for HaGeula. If there is a sickness, Moshiach? When would the future generations who will say this is good because it reveals the Geula happen? When he saw that there is no Moshiach because in person’s strength to deal with his father was upset, he was upset Parshas Ki Savo it enumerates the illness. If there is poverty, this is too and he decided to do curses and there is no Besuras good because the rich can sustain something about it. HaGeula that follows it. the poor. Thus, Eliyahu He got up in the morning, At this point, the Zohar explained how all the verses in Ki probably ran to the mikva, and describes what took place in Savo are actually the Besuras then wrote down his question for Heaven. Hashem sent Eliyahu in HaGeula and you just need to Rashbi: Rashbi, you told my order to appease Rashbi. Eliyahu peel away the externals to reveal father that Parshas Ki Savo was occupied with Heavenly the good within, to learn contains the curses regarding the matters yet Hashem had him stop Chassidus and reveal the Besuras second Bayis, so when will what he was doing in order for HaGeula within everything. Moshiach come? him to go and console Rashbi. When Eliyahu finished Of course he didn’t know Eliyahu appeared to Rashbi revealing the Geula within the Rashbi’s address, so he went and explained it as follows: The curses, Rashbi wanted to send outside the beis midrash and first curses, which consist of 32 word back to his colleagues and waited. He saw a dove fly after a verses, correspond to the students. He sat towards evening flock of birds and he said, “Dove, pathways of Torah, the pathways and composed his response. The dove, it is proper and fitting for of Chochma. The second curses dove came and took it. you to go and do an errand for have 53 verses which correspond Yosi, the young boy who wrote me to Ben Yochai wherever he to the 53 parshiyos of the Torah. the note to Rashbi, waited all day is.” With the first galus and churban, for the dove to return. He was a The dove took the note and the Jewish people transgressed believer! The Ramak says in flew hundreds of kilometers and these 32 hidden pathways in amazement: This boy is the one brought it to Rashbi who was in secret, therefore their sin wasn’t who brought Eliyahu to Rashbi, the middle of Krias Shma at the as great and so their Geula was the one who brought the Besuras time and couldn’t accept the note foretold. With the second HaGeula to Rashbi! Just a child! from the dove. She left it for him churban, they transgressed the 53 When he saw the dove he said, on the corner of his garment. portions of the Torah in a “Dove, how faithful you are, of When Rashbi read the note, he revealed way, and so their sin was all birds of the heaven.” cried. This was the first time in greater and therefore, the End He took the note and ran to thirteen years that Rashbi cried! was hidden from them and does the beis midrash to the sages. He Thirteen years hidden away in a not appear in the parsha. could have opened the note out of cave, suffering terribly as the Before Eliyahu could reveal curiosity but he did not. Gemara describes, eating carobs the Besuras HaGeula, however, Although he had dared to send a (or dates) and with wounds all the Satan intervened and a storm note to Rashbi, he was modest over his body from the sand. It wind separated Eliyahu from enough not to read the response. was a miserable existence Rashbi. Rashbi burst into tears Who was he, after all? physically and spiritually, he was and fell asleep. Then Eliyahu He told the sages the story without his colleagues and could appeared once again in order to and they were dumbfounded. We not daven with a minyan, etc. Yet tell him about the Geula. have been waiting thirteen years what did he cry about? The note Rashbi learned from Eliyahu for our Rebbe and don’t see him,

BEIS MOSHIACH Issue 648 29 THE STORY AND Eliyahu came again and again Thus, Eliyahu THE PLAYERS in order to bring the Besuras HaGeula. Let’s look at the five explained how all We can learn a lot from this personalities who appear in this story, about the faith in the Geula the verses in Ki story. The talmidei chachamim that we all must have, about sat for thirteen years and did not longing to know when the Geula Savo are actually know what Rashbi said about will happen; about the longing of Moshiach until told the Besuras R’ Yehuda a little boy for Geula to the point them about the Besuras HaGeula that he does something in order of Rashbi regarding the two HaGeula and you to find out when it will be. We parshiyos of curses. R’ Yehuda can also learn from the longing of bar Ilai cried, believing Rashi’s just need to peel the talmidim-Chassidim to be teachings but not finding the with their Rebbe, for their Rebbe away the externals Geula in Ki Savo. He knew that to teach them Torah, and also, everything his Rebbe said was how much their Rebbe yearned to to reveal the good precise. be with his talmidim-Chassidim saw his tears and within, to learn His son so that all his suffering didn’t yearning for his Rebbe, and this cause him to cry but his yearning had an effect on him. He wanted Chassidus and for his talmidim did. And to know the end of galus and did especially after having informed a seemingly futile act but relied reveal the Besuras them about the end of the galus, on it bearing fruit. surely he wanted to be with them HaGeula within did not cry for thirteen Rashbi to see his Besuras HaGeula years. He cried for two things: brought to fruition. everything. being distant from his students We have the ability to bring and about future generations and the Rebbe’s Torah to the world. and as soon as you write a note, who would prepare them for We have to toil and delve into it you get a response!? Moshiach. Rashbi was upset for in order to merit to be the ones His father, R’ Yehuda cried some Kabbala institute would that bring the light of Moshiach and said, “Even though we don’t repeat what R’ Yehuda bar Ilai to the world. know where he is, wherever Ben said about the curses in Ki Savo (From a lecture at a Yom Iyun Yochai is, his colleagues are with with no mention of Geula, and in Inyanei Moshiach and Geula him and are inspired by and learn they would conclude that held by Matteh Moshiach in Eretz from him.” Moshiach is not coming. Yisroel)

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30 18 Iyar 5768 BEIS MOSHIACH shlichus SHLUCHIM AS PEACEMAKERS

By Rabbi Yaakov Shmuelevitz, Shliach, Beit Shaan The more Chassidic we are – the more HE DOESN’T ISSUE A GETT refined, with less ego, less focus on self There is a shliach, a rav of a community and a dayan in a beis – the more we will merit a happy home, din, who makes every effort not to a happy family and children engaged in take part in writing a gett; he has always managed to bring the couple Torah and mitzvos and shlichus. Don’t together again. One day, a very nervous man forget, with ahavas Yisroel we will came to the beis din and insisted on a gett then and there. All the rav’s bring the Geula. efforts to calm him down failed. The husband did not want to hear any Do you ever shout or curse?” The explanations, he wanted a gett! In the course of shlichus work, husband was taken aback and asked The rav was able to push him off shluchim often counsel couples who how I knew that. His wife chimed until the next day, albeit with have problems with shalom bayis. I in, telling me all his misdemeanors difficulty. The man agreed to leave am currently taking an in-depth in this area. the beis din but only after the rav course on the subject, which takes So how did I know? It’s very promised him that at eight the next place in Kfar Chabad. I will relate simple. The Baal Shem Tov taught morning, they would sit down and some examples of this type of work. us that if you see a fault in someone write a gett. The stories are a bit strange, some else, it’s a sign that you have that Indeed, the next morning at of the sort that “we don’t fault. Since a person doesn’t readily 7:55, the couple was waiting in the recommend you try at home.” For perceive his own faults, Hashem entrance to the beis din. The rav obvious reasons, I changed some reveals them to the person through brought them into his office, identifying information, but the his perception of someone else. (See prepared the parchment, the ink, the stories actually took place in Beit Likkutei Sichos vol. 10, p. 26) witnesses, and everything else. In the Shaan or with my fellow shluchim. I realized that if the husband saw meantime, he went over to one of this flaw in his wife, he had the same his young assistants, spoke to him THE BAAL SHEM TOV’S flaw, though perhaps in a subtler or privately and told him to come into his office in another ten minutes and MIRROR APPROACH overt form. If it angered him to this extent, this indicated that it was to act as though he was whispering A few years ago, I was asked to found within him in such a way that something to the rav for a few go to a certain home to intervene it caused him to be angry. I seconds. The rav warned him not to and mediate a big fight. The explained to them that they both be shocked when he yelled at him. husband had harsh things to say needed to improve their speech. The assistant didn’t know what about his wife with his main They agreed, and since then things was going to transpire but an order complaint being that she shouted have been smoother. is an order. He waited ten minutes and cursed at every opportunity. while the rav spoke to the couple, I asked him, “Tell me the truth.

BEIS MOSHIACH Issue 648 31 asking his name and her name and fight, even a minor one or a good with ahavas Yisroel we will bring the other details. Then he walked in and one.” Geula. whispered for a few seconds to the There is a well known anecdote rav. about a professional thief whose SHALOM BAYIS EVEN The rav got up in a fury and expertise was entering houses AFTER THE DIVORCE began to shout at him, “Aren’t you through the chimney. One day he ashamed? Is that how you talk? I decided to rob the rav of the city. He Rabbi Chaim Sholom Diskin, don’t believe it! Get out of here!” waited for the middle of the night, shliach and rav in Kiryat Ata, is The rav did such a good job of climbed up the roof, and eased known as a shliach who is involved feigning anger that the husband tried himself down through the chimney in shalom bayis and chinuch. Several to calm him down. into the rav’s living room. The only years ago, he heard about a nine- The rav said to the husband, hitch was that he hadn’t taken into year-old boy who learned in a “You are trying to calm me? This account that the rav would be Chabad school whose parents had whippersnapper just asked me to learning Torah there at that hour. divorced half a year earlier. The boy hurry up with the gett because he The rav looked up and what do went back and forth from his mother wants to marry your wife as soon as you know, there was a thief landing to his father and from his father to you divorce her!” in his living room. The rav asked his his mother. Wherever he went he As soon as the husband heard guest what he was doing in his home heard complaints about the other this, he paused and began to wonder at that hour and the thief thought parent. Naturally, this had a negative whether he really wanted a divorce. quickly and said he had come to ask effect on him and it reached the He finally said to the rav that he the rav a question. point where it adversely impacted on wanted to push off the divorce for “What is your question?” asked his everyday functioning. the meantime and think it over. the rav. Rav Diskin called the two parents Once the husband was unsure “How do I get out of here?” and explained to them what they about getting divorced, the rav was replied the thief. were doing to their child. He also able to talk to him. This time the The rav made it clear that in the hinted that the chances of either of husband was receptive and the future he should try not to get them starting new families were not couple ended up going home himself into unpleasant situations high and that it would be best for appeased and united. I hope that from which it would be difficult to the three of them if they considered they too are living happily ever after. extricate himself. So too with us, in remarriage to one another. Rav order not to need advice and help in Diskin was able to speak to their shalom bayis, it is preferable to live minds and hearts and he asked them DON’T ENTER PLACES to think about it. YOU DON’T KNOW HOW in peace from the outset. The more Chassidic we are – the A few days later the couple TO GET OUT OF more refined, with less ego, less returned and said they were The lesson to be learned from all focus on self – the more we will interested. Rav Diskin didn’t ask for the stories is as the Rebbe writes in merit a happy home, a happy family shadchanus but the remarriage took the Igros Kodesh (vol. 9, p. 100): “A and children engaged in Torah and place and the two are raising their precarious peace is better than a mitzvos and shlichus. Don’t forget, child together.

32 18 Iyar 5768 BEIS MOSHIACH feature

kollel “koleil ha’kol” (includes everything), as Rabbi Shneur Zalman Gafni once mentioned at a farbrengen held in the kollel. In THE REBBEํS other words, the study and participation in kollel pertain to all areas of life, and bring a blessing to everyone, including the community itself and the entire SHLICHUS city. In general, we are inclined to inquire more about the Rebbe’s shlichus conducted in some remote and distant outpost filled with great WITHIN THE miracles and wonders. However, the truth is that Rebbe’s miracles and wonders take place right under our noses, and the Rebbe’s will is expressed through a variety of COMMUNITY institutions, all with one common cause: working to bring the days of Moshiach in actual deed. Beis Interview By Michoel Leib Dobry Moshiach Magazine has decided to look into how such an institution Beis Moshiach spoke with Rabbi Yosef came into being and operates, and what the rosh ha’kollel has to deal Yitzchak Nesanel Gafni, head of the with in the framework of the local shlichus that the Rebbe shlita has Kollel Avreichim Moshe – Chabad, placed upon him. in the Holy City of Tzfas. * * * Rabbi Gafni, please tell us a little about how things were at In Tzfas’ Canaan neighborhood, to prepare shluchim knowledgeable the beginning. How did you start there lives a sizable portion of the in halacha. We therefore have the your shlichus as rosh kollel? city’s Chabad community, essential need for a study I arrived in Tzfas seven and a including primarily young families framework called a kollel. half years ago as a rabbinical headed by rabbinical students who On this basis, there was student after my wedding for the were only recently studying in full- established the Kollel Avreichim purpose of establishing a proper time in yeshivos. It is known that Ohel Moshe – Chabad, headed and Jewish home. Since then, my wife the Rebbe shlita MH”M said, “I operated by Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak and I have been blessed, thank G-d, have a desire that young men Nesanel Gafni. with two children sh”y, Menachem should learn Torah…,” and The kollel is located in the Mendel and Rivka Iris. I knew that similarly, there is the Rebbe’s well- middle of a residential I had to do something with my known instruction that the first neighborhood (Shikun Canaan) in extensive background in halacha, year or two after the wedding a local shul, the Shivas HaBanim having served previously as a should be devoted to , Synagogue, a site allocated for teacher in the kollel in Rechovot particularly halachos applicable in kollel activities by the shul’s and as a counselor and examiner in our daily lives. In addition, we have presiding rav, Rabbi Avraham the yeshiva, and I looked for a the Rebbe’s instruction that every Ochanuna (reserve colonel in the shlichus that would properly utilize young married man should obtain Israel Defense Forces and former my qualifications and express the rabbinical ordination (especially the chaplain of the IDF Northern will of the Rebbe. Laws of Shabbos and the Laws of Command). The opportunity came in the Issur and Hetter) and the necessity As alluded to in its name, a form of a proposal to handle the

34 18 Iyar 5768 BEIS MOSHIACH spiritual needs of the Ohel Moshe authorities), farbrengens, the necessary resources for kollel – Chabad Kollel in Tzfas, which organizing trips to holy gravesites activities, including the monthly had already been established for a throughout the Galilee region, stipends for our rabbinical few years prior to my arrival. I participation in informative students. asked the Rebbe in Igros Kodesh rabbinical conferences, and more. This was a bit of a shock for and received a very serious bracha. At a certain point, some three me, as my strong points are mainly I began my work on the overall years ago, the kollel director on in the more spiritual realm. But as spiritual administration of the material matters moved to a they say, the Rebbe “placed this kollel: establishing and maintaining different shlichus, and it was upon me” with his well-known the daily learning schedule, giving agreed that I would accept the expression of support: “The fact classes, conducting examinations responsibility of the institution’s that Divine Providence has placed for rabbinical ordination (in physical maintenance as well. I him in this role demonstrates that cooperation with local rabbinical soon began the task of acquiring he possesses the required strengths for this purpose, and he merely has to bring them from the potential to the actual…” Thus, I found myself administering the kollel’s spiritual responsibilities on the one hand, while obtaining its necessary material resources on the other. I have seen numerous miracles and assistance from the Rebbe these past three years, when funds literally came from totally unexpected sources, sometimes at the very last minute. However, I can’t say that this has all been easy, as surely any shliach can identify with and understand what I’m talking about. Give us a little something on the content: What do they learn in kollel? Who are the young men who study there? There are about fifteen young men learning in a full-day study framework (from morning until evening with an afternoon break). The schedule begins with an in- depth class in Shulchan Aruch, the Laws of Shabbos – Tur, Beis Yosef, all the commentaries, and of course, the Alter Rebbe. Experience has shown that learning the subject in this manner causes the halacha to be acquired by the student in the best possible way, becoming an actual part of him. As a result, the study is on a very high level and enables the students to be prepared for examinations for rabbinical ordination by local chief , and even for testing by the Heichal

Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Nesanel Gafni BEIS MOSHIACH Issue 648 35 As alluded to in its name, a kollel “koleil ha’kol” (includes everything), as Rabbi Shneur Zalman Gafni once mentioned at a farbrengen held in the kollel. In other words, the study and participation in kollel pertain to all areas of life, and bring a blessing to everyone, including the community itself and the entire city.

Shlomo Institute in Yerushalayim evening in Tanya with the well- Does the kollel also operate on for those who wish. In addition, known mashpia, Rabbi Moshe a social/community level? one of our students is currently Mordechai Ehrenstein. Absolutely. The kollel also learning the Laws of Marriage. Our kollel students are mainly serves as a community center and Study of the Laws of Shabbos young newly married men who source of support. For example, the continues in the afternoon, learn for a variety of needs, e.g., kollel holds a Gemara class each together with those laws pertaining knowing the basics for running a weeknight led by one of the to a specific time, e.g., Hilchos home according to Torah, rabbinical students, designed for Yom tov, Pesach, S’firas HaOmer, preparing for rabbinical ordination, baalei battim who don’t have the etc., followed by study in going out on shlichus, acquiring time available to learn during the chassidus, which is presently professional training as a day and want to set aside regular concentrating on the Mitteler practicing rabbi, and more. Many time for Torah study. Similarly, the Rebbe’s seifer Shaarei Ora. of our kollel graduates serve today kollel makes farbrengens open to Similarly, the kollel conducts a as successful shluchim in Eretz the general public with prominent weekly class each Thursday Yisroel and throughout the world. mashpiim for auspicious days on

36 18 Iyar 5768 BEIS MOSHIACH the Chabad calendar. Other general Rabbi Ochanuna says that just and resources for all this? activities conducted by the kollel as people learn professions such as Indeed, this is no easy task. We include monthly trips each Erev how to be a ritual slaughterer, a have a lot of ideas and also a desire Rosh Chodesh to the gravesites of scribe, etc., they also must learn to accept more students and tzaddikim buried in the Galilee how to build a strong connection expand the kollel, and all this region, where kollel and with their spouses and children, requires money. There are community members participate in and also how to educate their contributors who can easily be prayers of the personal needs of offspring properly. This can called upon to support our the kollel’s friends and supporters. potentially serve as a form of institution, with the knowledge and In addition, as a result of the preventive medicine before existing understanding of the great natural and prevailing need to offer problems get completely out of importance attached to Torah support and guidance to new hand, resulting in a most study, domestic harmony, and the families undergoing personal and undesirable situation for all brachos that come to those who financial hardships, I have obtained concerned. In my opinion, merging support it (besides the prayers personal and regular assistance for the counseling center with the offered at the gravesites of these young people. Together with kollel program is most essential tzaddikim for our donors). Yet, Rabbi Yaakov Ochanuna, I have initiated the establishment of a center for marriage counseling within the kollel framework to provide necessary services on this matter for kollel members and the community at-large. A center for marriage counseling? That sounds revolutionary! Please tell us a little about it. That’s exactly what it is! A center for marriage counseling. This is something so essential in Chabad today, particularly in a community that has many young couples. Rabbi Ochanuna has been involved in the field of education for nearly thirty years, during which he has acquired a great deal of experience and has noticed problems in the education of Rabbi Shneur Zalman Gafni of Kfar Chabad farbrengens at the kollel children stemming from problems in their family’s life. Rabbi and vital, as some of our students there are also contributors who are Ochanuna is certified in handling already participate in the education less connected to our programs domestic problems among married workshops that Rabbi Ochanuna and prefer to invest their money couples, and he came with the idea conducts at the kollel to give them elsewhere. of combining this counseling the tools they need to deal with I can safely say that obtaining center within the kollel schedule. educational matters at home. This these resources is neither easy nor This center will provide counseling is also an excellent way to get kollel simple. However, I can say that the services and treatment for singles wives involved and to provide an Rebbe helps because he knows how and couples, educational overall answer for a chassidic home serious I and our kollel students workshops for parents (The in both the realm of Torah and the truly are, and the help comes in the Hadarim Method), workshops on realm of education and form of open miracles. For helping couples bond with one interpersonal relations. example, a woman wrote to the another, locating problems in That really sounds wonderful, Rebbe via Igros Kodesh that she children’s education and more. but where do you get the strength was looking to provide financial

BEIS MOSHIACH Issue 648 37 the gravesites of tzaddikim buried community, the greater and more I am not in in Tzfas and the surrounding area, glorious G-d’s Name is made. I am or through professional fundraisers not in competition with anyone; competition with who want to help by taking an I’m simply fulfilling the Rebbe’s active role in Eretz Yisroel and out. will and expressing myself in the anyone; I’m simply The Rebbe somehow always field that best suits my nature, and gives me the necessary strength with G-d’s help, Torah institutions fulfilling the and connects me with the right and those who support them will Rebbe’s will and people to assist in the kollel’s increase in number. In my opinion, material and spiritual growth and support for Torah study must have expressing myself maintenance, and with G-d’s help, top priority, as chassidus teaches he shall continue to do so in the that the study of Torah sustains the in the field that future. world – the small world (man) and Don’t you seem to be lacking the world at-large. best suits my the aspect of shlichus outside the How do you think an community? institution of the Rebbe should be nature, and with I thought about that once, but run? G-d’s help, Torah the truth is that we really don’t I believe that the Rebbe lack anything. The Rebbe wants represents the concept of the lights institutions and each person to produce results to of Tohu in the vessels of Tikkun, the best of his ability in his and how everything must be for the those who support respective place and to contribute coming of Moshiach Tzidkeinu. In towards the overall objective of this light, I believe that an them will increase Chabad, and in my specific case, institution of the Rebbe must be that is exactly what I am doing highly professional and dynamic on in number. now. My kollel creates shluchim the one hand, and with the ability who afterwards may leave the to have great influence in both support to a Chabad learning community to go out on shlichus, quality and quantity on the other – institution in Tzfas. She came to and it is most important to me that all instilled with the light of me with a request that our students they are given the necessary Moshiach. should learn Mishnayos for her foundation on a halachic and a What exactly do I mean? For success in a variety of matters, and personal level. example, I think that in our kollel, made a sizable monetary There is a well-known principle where the learning must be at the contribution – one of many such that the closer you are, the more most fundamental and deepest level occurrences. difficult it is to have an influence. possible, every student representing However, in the final analysis, it It is far easier to influence the Rebbe and Chabad can is by no means an easy task to supporters, as opposed to the demonstrate his knowledge in work simultaneously on two fields members of your own community halacha, showing how Chabad is – material and spiritual or your own household. Thus, not just all slogans with external administration – and I need help. from the point of view of running meaning, as perceived by many We recently established a non- an organization specifically within people who make such claims profit organization, enabling us to the community, I am faced with a against it. A Lubavitcher young accept contributions via standing great and even more serious man must possess the tools bank orders and receive funding challenge than someone who goes necessary to represent the Rebbe from more official sources, and this out on shlichus. I see the problems honorably anywhere in the world has proven most helpful. Similarly, that confront many of our young before any type of group. On the I am always open to suggestions on men from up close, particularly in one hand, he must be instilled with how to obtain further material the role of their personal mashpia. awareness of halacha and Shulchan assistance, whether through As the pasuk states, “He shall make Aruch, while on the other hand, he contributors interested in Torah the Torah great and glorious,” i.e., must be able to convey that he is a study on behalf of their family the more possibilities and chassid, involved in the coming of members or for their personal opportunities that exist for Torah the Moshiach, filled with Ahavas success, mentioning their names at study, even within the same Yisroel, and spreading the Rebbe’s

38 18 Iyar 5768 BEIS MOSHIACH vital messages to the world. He studies becomes an intrinsic part of point of Moshiach, motivated by must utilize his lofty abilities in an him, together with the ability to calmness, depth in learning nigleh acceptable manner, and in the ways give over a proper message to and chassidus, reaching the of pleasantness and the ways of others and to function in a family wellsprings and spreading them to peace, as the Rebbe wants. He environment. the outside world, with the must develop his ability to learn An institution of the Rebbe knowledge and understanding that intensely, to the point that what he must be infused with the central this is how we bring Moshiach and the Redemption. It is a true avoda to be a chassid, an avoda of one’s inner middos that are purified through intense Torah study, following the advice of mashpiim, walking in the path of the Rebbe – all in a manner of real shlichus. The Rebbe’s mosad provides these tools and produces true chassidim. Naturally, there is also the concept of kabbalas ol, adhering to a daily schedule of in- depth learning, examinations, etc., but all this must be instilled with the general outlook of the Rebbe’s objectives and of Chabad as a movement. Without true hiskashrus to the Rebbe, it is impossible to run one of his institutions, and in order to connect to the Rebbe in the truest Rabbi Gafni speaking to the kollel members during a trip sense, a chassid must go on the to one of the holy gravesites in the Galilee Rebbe’s shlichus and act according to the tools that G-d gave him and which the Rebbe showed him how to use. Do you have a special story in connection with the Rebbe and the Ohel Moshe Chabad kollel? I can think of many stories, as can most shluchim in their place of shlichus, but there’s one specific story that immediately comes to mind. On Simchas Torah 5730, my father [Rabbi Shneur Zalman Gafni, director of Yeshivas Ohr T’mimim – Kfar Chabad] was in 770 with the Rebbe. We’re talking about twenty-three years before the founding of the Kollel Avreichim Ohel Moshe – Chabad, and yet the Rebbe already prophesized about it! The story goes as follows: As is known, it is extremely crowded in 770 during Hakafos on the night of Simchas Torah. The first row Kollel members praying at one of the holy gravesites in the Galilee region

BEIS MOSHIACH Issue 648 39 (closest to the Rebbe’s bima and for the Hakafos) was generally reserved for very prominent people. My father never stood in this row, especially since everyone knew that it required a lot of strength to stand there. That year, my father was pushed forward and somehow found himself in the first row. The Rebbe came down for his hakafa holding Moshiach’s Seifer Torah, and when he passed by my father, he gave him a look, as if to say, “How did someone as scrawny as you get up here?” The Rebbe then smiled and said, “Zahl zain a simcha far der gantzer kollel! (there should be joy for the whole kollel)” At that moment, my father couldn’t hear what the Rebbe said, but the person behind him repeated the Rebbe’s words for him. My father had no idea what the Rebbe meant, as he was a rosh yeshiva. It was only when I assumed my current position as the head of Kollel Avreichim Ohel Moshe – Chabad that my father told me this story, saying that he now understood what the Rebbe was talking about. It’s also possible to connect this with the fact that the kollel was founded in memory of Rabbi Ochanuna’s father, Rabbi Moshe Ochanuna, A Tanya shiur with Rabbi Moshe Mordechai Ehrenstein who passed away on Chaf Zayin Adar Rishon 5752, during the month of simcha and on the well-known day of what occurred to the Rebbe. Thus, I am certain that the Rebbe knew about this kollel long before its founding and even then he gave it a bracha for simcha. The Rebbe is involved in the life of every Jew, in the lives of Anash, in the lives of his shluchim, and we see how the Rebbe is personally concerned that institutions should be established that fulfill the need for studying Torah and chassidus, and provide an answer and a blessing in all areas of a Jew’s life. The Rebbe replied to me on more than one occasion that he is sending me material assistance “…from my personal fund…” Therefore, we see that the Rebbe is involved personally in all of his institutions long before they are even founded. Do you have a vision or a message for the future? Indeed, I do. I would be most happy if the kollel would grow and meet all its objectives, i.e., providing the necessary tools for maintaining a chassidic household, both from a personal and a Torah aspect. Similarly, I would be happy to know that other Rabbi Avraham Ochanuna communities are emphasizing intense Torah study together with personal support in education and for must prepare institutions and the correct tools to new couples. Naturally, all this will lead, G-d willing, provide an answer in the days of Moshiach for the to our ultimate goal – the True and Complete growing need in Torah study. There is much work to Redemption through the revelation of Moshiach be done and we must have complete faith in G-d Alm- Tzidkeinu. With each passing day, the world ghty that He will give us the necessary spiritual and recognizes G-d’s sovereignty more and more, and we material resources for this purpose.

40 18 Iyar 5768 BEIS MOSHIACH story ๋REBBE, I DONํT WANT GENTILE GRANDCHILDREN!ํ

By Nosson Avrohom

Mrs. Esther Dizada is known in manner, but he explained what it reliving something that happened a the Persian community in Ashdod as was about and told me amazing few days ago: a woman who uses most of her stories that had happened through “I had the privilege of passing by money and time to help others, even the Igros Kodesh. the Rebbe more than once, and I people she doesn’t know. “We wrote and the letter we thank G-d for that. I twice It is not surprising then that opened to was about writing a Torah experienced his G-dly power in the when I called to hear about the scroll. I didn’t understand the course of a visit I made to New York miracle she experienced from the connection to us. Writing a Torah is in 5745. I’ll tell you what happened. Rebbe’s bracha in 5745, she asked very costly and by us, it is the Torah “My extended family, my me whether I knew anybody who scholars who write Torahs. brothers and uncle, emigrated from would be interested in contributing “After a long time when matters Iran to the United States. We were towards a poor kalla’s wedding. did not improve and the difficulties the only ones of our family who The founders of the Persian mounted, we wrote to the Rebbe went to Eretz Yisroel. One of my community’s shul in Ashdod know again, as our son advised. To our nephews was getting married that good and well who they have to surprise, the letter we opened to year and the family wanted me to thank. For several years, the was, once again, about writing a attend the wedding and knew that construction of the shul was delayed Torah scroll. I was stubborn again we didn’t have the money. They until Esther got involved. She raised that time and didn’t pursue it. It just called and offered to pay for our a large amount of money in order to didn’t seem right that a Torah tickets. pay for the building’s completion. should be written for me. According “At that time, one of my sons was When I asked her about this, she to my outlook and the way I was in Switzerland, where he sold books hides behind her modesty. taught, I am not on the level to have and pictures on the street. I asked She takes great pride, however, a Torah scroll; it’s a privilege for my relatives whether they could in the Torah scroll she arranged to those who study Torah. arrange the tickets so that I could be written, a seifer Torah designated “The third time we wrote and the stop over in Switzerland and see my to hastening the Geula. Rebbe’s answer was once again, son, whom I hadn’t seen in a long “When we bought the house in about writing a Torah scroll, I gave time. Ashdod a few years ago, we felt that in and decided to have one written. I “I looked forward anxiously to nothing was going right. Our son went to the United States to my seeing him, but when I finally Yitzchok, who had become a baal brothers, raised the money, and had arrived at his apartment I was t’shuva and a Chabad Chassid, it written in Tzfas. The procession devastated to discover that my dear advised us to write to the Rebbe passed the gravesite of Rashbi and son was living with a gentile woman. through the Igros Kodesh. Since I entered our shul.” I had never urged my children to live had seen the Rebbe, I found it When Mrs. Dizada tells her a religious life but living with a non- bizarre to write to him in such a story, you get the feeling that she is Jewish woman was out of the

BEIS MOSHIACH Issue 648 41 wasn’t due to the excitement at relieved. It’s hard to explain. The “The Rebbe did meeting them but to the pain over only one who was able to calm me my son. was the Rebbe, because when the not remove his “That was a Friday morning. My Rebbe gives a bracha, you feel brothers told me that I could stop confident that it will be fulfilled. gaze from me. worrying. According to them, there Even a simple Jew who never studied When I finished, was a big tzaddik in New York Torah could discern that he’s a man whose brachos were fulfilled, and of G-d.” he made a many were rescued upon receiving The next day, Esther’s son called his bracha. He was the Lubavitcher her. dismissive motion Rebbe, the leader of Chabad “After some small talk, he said Chassidim worldwide. that the day before, the day I had with his hand as “During that Shabbos, I heard seen the Rebbe, he parted from his many miracles stories from my girlfriend and he had decided to though to say relatives and others about the leave Switzerland and continue on to there was nothing Rebbe’s greatness. This gave me Germany. some hope. “I certainly hadn’t expected the to worry about...” “On Sunday I stood in line with Rebbe’s bracha to be fulfilled so thousands of people, all sorts of quickly but ‘a tzaddik decrees and question, as far as I was concerned. people, young and old, well-to-do Hashem fulfills,’ and there was no “That was one of the blackest and blue collar workers. I was delay. Today, after many years spent days of my life. When I gently spoke amazed. Just seeing the line was traveling the world, this son married with my son about it, his reaction enough to warm my heart. My a Jewish woman and he became a was that he didn’t know what I brothers instructed me to choose my baal t’shuva too. He lives in the wanted from him. Everything I said words since I would be rushed vicinity of Yerushalayim and has about preserving the spark of along. eight children. I have much nachas Judaism in Iran with self-sacrifice “After two hours of waiting, I from him. Another son from whom I and about the strong stand against was in front of the Rebbe. At first I have much nachas is Yitzchok. After assimilation for hundreds of years trembled; the Rebbe’s presence was a long stay in Australia, he met the didn’t impress him. He explained so overpowering. He looked Rebbe’s shliach and became a that that was in the past, but otherworldly and this frightened me, Lubavitcher himself. He is married nowadays, in free countries, there but I quickly remembered why I was and lives in Eilat.” was no problem since the world was there. I cried, ‘Rebbe, my son is Mrs. Dizana concluded with more open and free. about to marry a goya. What should another interesting experience she “Based on his reaction and I do?’ had with the Rebbe at “dollars” observing his relationship with her, I “I cannot describe to you how I before returning to Eretz Yisroel. greatly feared that he would marry felt as I stood there. It was “I decided to pass by the Rebbe her. My heart broke. something like a dear father from and get dollars for my three sons. “Throughout the flight from whom you can ask anything and not Having seen the power of the Switzerland to America, I sobbed. I have to hide anything. For a minute Rebbe’s bracha, I freed up the entire couldn’t hold back my tears. People and more I pleaded with the Rebbe day and thought I would go past the around me, as well as the airline and cried. I repeatedly said that I Rebbe time after time until I crew, were polite and tried to soothe didn’t want non-Jewish received three dollars. me, asking how they could help, but grandchildren. Just the thought of it “What actually happened was, I how could I explain to them that my made me shiver. told the Rebbe we were returning to son was bent on uprooting himself “The Rebbe did not remove his Eretz Yisroel and he gave me five from the Jewish people? gaze from me. When I finished, he dollars. I was stunned. The Rebbe “When I left the terminal in New made a dismissive motion with his had given me dollars for myself, my York, my relatives were there to hand as though to say there was husband, and my three sons without greet me. The sorrow that I tried to nothing to worry about. He repeated my having said how many people contain within me burst forth. It his bracha, ‘Blessing and success,’ were in my family. All I had said was took me a long time to calm down and gave me another dollar. that we were returning…” and explain to them that my crying “When I left the Rebbe I felt

42 18 Iyar 5768 BEIS MOSHIACH