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A MORTAL SPEAKING G-D’S WORD 4 D’var Malchus | Sichos In English

MOSHIACH: BEYOND BROTHERLY 7 LOVE [CONT.] Thought | Rabbi Zvi Homnick

TRANSFORMING TEL AVIV FROM THE 10 INSIDE OUT Feature

I THINK I CAN 20 Moshiach & Science | Dr. Aryeh Gotfryd, PhD

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d’var malchus

There is a difference of opinion among our Sages whether the proximity (smichus) of two A MORTAL subjects in the Written Torah is significant or not. [7] One opinion maintains that it is, while the other explains that although when mortals structure SPEAKING their thoughts, order is important. “Since the Torah was, [by contrast,] granted by the Almighty, the order of precedence is not significant.” [8] G-DS WORD With regard to D’varim, however, all authorities agree to the significance of the sequence of subjects. Sichos In English “Moshe arranged it passage after passage for the sole purpose of allowing for extrapolation.” [8] Whenever a person studies Torah, Because D’varim was recited on Moshe’s initiative, the regardless of his spiritual level, he is comprehension of this book internalizing G-dly truth, making the requires that the rules of mortal wisdom must also be taken into infinite truth of the Torah part of his consideration. personal nature. ABOVE THE LIMITS OF CREATION THE UNIQUENESS OF - even one verse or one word - The explanation of the above THE BOOK OF D’VARIM does not emanate from G-d. If one concepts depend on the would say, ‘Moshe made these appreciation of the relationship This week’s Torah reading statements independently,’ he is between the Torah and our world. begins: [1] “These are the words denying the Torah.” Our Sages state: “The Torah that Moshe spoke to the entire And there is no single preceded the world.” [9] Jewish people.” commentary who posits that there Here, the concept of Noting the distinction between is a difference in this regard precedence is not chronological, this book and the previous four between the Book of D’varim and for time - like space - is a new which are all “the word of G-d,” the four preceding books. creation, relevant only after G-d our Sages explain [2] that Moshe Indeed, Moshe’s identification brought existence into being. recited the Book of D’varim “on with G-dliness was so great that Rather the intent is that the his own initiative.” when Moshe states, [5] “I will Torah is on a level of spiritual This does not, G-d forbid, grant the rain of your land in its truth which transcends our mean that the Book of D’varim is season,” he speaks in the first material framework of reference. merely a mortal invention. person although the pronoun “I” Although the Torah descends Our Rabbis [3] immediately clearly refers to G-d. [For] “The and invests itself in our world, clarify that Moshe delivered his Divine Presence spoke from his speaking of ordinary matters such words “inspired by the Holy mouth.” [6] as agricultural laws, codes for fair Spirit.” On the other hand, it is also business practice, and the proper Similarly, when the Rambam clear that the Book of D’varim structure for marriage and family defines the category of “those who also involves Moshe’s own relations, this is not the essence of deny the Torah,” [4] he includes: thinking process. the Torah. “a person who says that the Torah To give an example: The essence of the Torah is

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“G-d’s will and His wisdom,” as makes it possible for it to be necessary? united with Him in perfect unity. internalized by the recipients and Seemingly, enclothing the [10] grasped by them on their own Torah in human intellect does Since the Torah is level. nothing but lower the Torah’s fundamentally above our worldly To apply these concepts with spiritual content. What purpose is framework, for the Torah to invest regard to the Torah: served by G-d’s enclothing the itself in the world, it is necessary The first four books of the Torah in mortal thought? for it to pass through an Torah were transmitted by Moshe Nevertheless, precisely this is intermediary who shares a point of without his personal input at all. G-d’s intent in giving the Torah: connection to both the Torah’s He conveyed them to the Jewish that it permeate the realm of spiritual core and our mortal people as he received them, mortal thought and thus elevate character traits. without making any change. [13] man’s understanding. Moshe our teacher possessed With regard to the Book of Whenever a person studies these attributes. D’varim, by contrast, its source Torah, regardless of his spiritual On one hand, Moshe was “the Holy Spirit,” G-d’s level, he is internalizing G-dly represented the ultimate of word. truth, making the infinite truth of “bittul” - selfless dedication - to In this instance, however, G-d’s the Torah part of his personal G-d, a commitment which word became part and parcel of nature. transcended worldly thought. Moshe’s own thought. Were there to have remained Simultaneously, he represented Based on this explanation, we only four books in the Torah, it perfection in human qualities; his can explain why all authorities would have been impossible for intellect, his emotions, and even agree that it is possible to derive our powers of understanding to his physical strength and stature points of Torah law from the order unite completely with the Torah. [11] epitomized the complete of subjects in the Book of This was the goal accomplished expression of our human D’varim. by having the Book of D’varim potential. As such, he was able to With regard to the first four pass through the medium of receive the Torah and transmit it books of the Torah, although the Moshe’s intellect. And Moshe’s to others. [12] order is not accidental, it is review of the Torah in this book He was able to bring the structured by Divine wisdom, gives us the capacity to transcendent spiritual truth of the according to a pattern higher than understand the previous four Torah into a form which mortals of mortal thought. [14] books of the Torah in a similar could comprehend. As such, since the fashion. determination of Torah law is “not CONTRASTING in the heavens,” [15] but rather ELEVATING THE TORAH given over to mortal intellect, PATTERNS Enclothing the Torah in mortal there are opinions which maintain intellect does not merely grant In particular, Chassidic that the order of proximity in man the opportunity for thought describes two ways in those books cannot serve as a advancement, it also introduces a which an intermediary functions: source. higher quality to the Torah itself as A) derech maavir: the The Book of D’varim, by it were. intermediary functions merely as a contrast, was filtered through the For clothing the limitless funnel. He does not change or medium of Moshe’s intellect, and spirituality of the Torah in the modify the influence he receives; the order of its verses corresponds confines of mortal intellect he lowers it without causing it to to that of mortal thought. represents a fusion of opposites, a undergo any fundamental change. Therefore, the proximity of meeting of conflicting movements As such, even as the influence is subjects in this text can serve as a that is possible only through the brought to a lower plane, it basis for the derivation of points influence of G-d’s essence. [16] remains transcendent. of Torah law. B) derech hislabshus: the Because G-d’s essence intermediary translates the transcends both finiteness and concept into his own words and INTERNALIZED infinity, it can fuse the two his own understanding. This KNOWLEDGE together, and bring the spiritual changes the form of the concept’s The question arises, however, truth of the Torah into the grasp presentation, and in doing so, why is the Book of D’varim of mortal intellect.

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Rebbe Rashab and the Previous It is through the approach to the Torah Rebbe at their Bar-Mitzvah emphasized by the Book of D’varim - celebrations).

fusing the word of G-d with mortal 10. See Tanya, ch. 4. 11. See Shabbos 92a, Nedarim 38a. wisdom - that we will merit the age See also the Rambam’s Commentary to the Mishna (Sanhedrin 10:1), when - “the occupation of the entire which describes Moshe as “the most world will be solely to know G-d,” the perfect of all mankind.” 12. See Avos 1:1. Era of the Redemption. 13. See the eighth of the Rambam’s Thirteen Principles of Faith preparing to enter Eretz Yisroel (Commentary to the Mishna, ON THE BANKS Sanhedrin 10:1). OF THE JORDAN together with Moshiach. It is through the approach to the 14. See Sh’la 402b. Moshe recited the Book of Torah emphasized by the Book of 15. D’varim 30:12; c.f. B. Metzia D’varim as the Jews stood on the D’varim - fusing the word of G-d 59b. banks on the Jordan, preparing to with mortal wisdom [17] - that we enter Eretz Yisroel. 16. See Likkutei Sichos, Vol. VI, p. will merit the age when - “the 117-118 which explains that the The crossing of the Jordan was occupation of the entire world will number five reflects a connection to to be a spiritual as well as a be solely to know G-d,” [18] the G-d’s essence. It is D’varim, the fifth geographic transition. Era of the Redemption. book of the Torah, which expresses During their journeys through this dimension in the most Adapted from: Likkutei Sichos, Vol. IV, the desert, the Jews depended on p. 1087ff; Vol. XIX, p. 9ff comprehensive manner. the miraculous expression of 17. This also relates to the unique Divine favor: they ate manna, their NOTES: contribution of Chabad Chassidus. water came from the well of 1. D’varim 1:1. Chabad is an acronym for the Miriam, and the clouds of glory Hebrew words meaning “wisdom, preserved their garments. 2. Megilla 31b. understanding, and knowledge.” As After entering Eretz Yisroel, by 3. Tosafos, op. cit. implied by that name, the teachings contrast, the Jewish people were of Chabad endeavor to convey the 4. Mishneh Torah, Hilchos T’shuva deepest mystical truths of our Torah to live within the context of the 3:8. in a form that can be grasped by natural order, working the land 5. D’varim 11:13. mortal intellect. and eating the fruits of their labor. To make this transition 6. See Zohar III, p. 232a; Shmos As the Baal Shem Tov taught (see the Rabba 3:15. celebrated letter sent to his brother- possible, they required an 7. Brachos 21b, Yevamos 4a. in-law, Reb Gershon Kitover, approach to the Torah that would published in Ben Poras Yosef), when relate to man as he functions 8. Raaban (Rabbi Eleazar ben the wellsprings of these teachings within his worldly environment. Nassan), sec. 34. spread outward, Moshiach will come. And for this purpose, Moshe 9. Midrash T’hillim to 90:3, See the essay entitled “Bridging the taught them the Book of D’varim. B’Reishis Rabba 88:2. See also the Gap,” (Timeless Patterns in Time, Herein lies a connection to the explanation of this concept in the Vol. I, p. 101). present day, because we are also maamer Isa B’Midrash T’hillim, 5653 18. Rambam, Mishneh Torah, “on the banks of the Jordan” (the maamer recited by both the Hilchos Melachim 12:5.

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thought MOSHIACH: BEYOND BROTHERLY LOVE

By Rabbi Zvi Homnick

Chassidic group under constant Anybody that has learned Chassidus attack within the religious and attempted, to one degree or community, but it still rankled nonetheless when considering another, to implement what he/she their preaching about unlimited and unconditional love for all has learned, and has pursued a Jews. As mentioned previously, when connection with the Rebbe to some I began looking into Chassidus in a serious way, I purposely sought extent, should know from experience out the most extreme statements, and not just intellectually that it is ideas and beliefs, especially those which were not offered up for only through Chassidus and the public consumption. This was partially in order to get a sense Rebbe that one can have any degree going in as to just how far these ideas and beliefs go and to see if I of true Torah understanding, true thought I could ever embrace the whole package. I was not going to fear of G-d. * Part 2 of 2 let myself be “pulled in” only to discover later that I had bought [Continued from last issue] outside the unified camp and into a lot more than I had bargained for. In retrospect, this BROTHER AGAINST continued to raise generations that propagated the age old clichéd approach worked for me but those BROTHER characterizations of “Misnagdim,” involved in outreach on the One of the frequent criticisms “Oilemishe” and “Poilishe.” ground can tell you that this is not of Chabad in the post WWII era In fact, all evidence seemed to the way to go for the that I encountered while growing point to the idea that the average overwhelming majority of up was that they were the only Lubavitcher felt more at home (normal?) people. ones that had continued to cling to with a totally secular Jew than One of the works that I got my the antiquated practice of with those religious Jews that held hands on which contains many calumniation of those that hold opposing views, non-oppositional such statements and stories (248 differing and even opposing views. but worldly views, or adhered to of them to be precise) was written In a time when most religious an alternate Chassidic philosophy by an author who had compiled groups had set aside many of their or leader. Although I understood three volumes of Chassidic stories differences to join forces in even then that these accusations for publication and had also various political and organizational were a bit unfair considering that produced a small anonymous entities, only Chabad remained they were pretty much the only pamphlet of these 248 that were

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usage of Hebrew word which My train of thought continued along literally means ‘one who is dense’) these lines and by the time I got to the is a travesty and a disgrace.” To illustrate that point, he Rebbe I was so broken inside and follows up with the following historical account: “Of the ashamed of my very being that I could brothers, the famous Chassidim, R’ Moshe and R’ Zev Vilenker, the not look directly into the Rebbe’s face... Chassid R’ Moshe although he was a merchant and even had dealings with the Misnagdim, he would not too “sharp” for the public at large. those that are out of print on the engage them in debate. In general, A few years earlier, an anonymous Otzar HaChochma computer he would often say of them, group purportedly from Satmar program. When searching for the “Yingelach” (little boys). He made had published this pamphlet in B’Tzeil HaChochma, we no distinction whether it was a order to “expose” to the rest of the discovered that those man with a white beard or black, frum world how Lubavitchers conversations had been reprinted “a yingel with a beard.” His regard themselves and others, so it recently under the title Siach brother, the Chassid R’ Zev, was was relatively easy to get hold of. Sarfei Kodesh. The conversation more social, and he would say to What shocked me in my reading quoted in that article took place the Misnagdic merchants, “Never was not so much the content but with the current Gerrer Rebbe mind that you don’t know how to the fact that rather than shocking during a visit in 1977. There the learn, from where should you me, I felt that it spoke to me. It Rebbe cited the Ibn Ezra and not know; you are not a G-d-fearing seemed so authentic and the Ramban, who also posits that person, nu; but why are you also a passionate, and not at all it is impossible to achieve actual tipesh?” gratuitous and egocentric. parity in love for one’s fellow Standing there on the line, This in turn, created a personal Jew.] making last minute preparations dichotomy for me to contend with before coming to stand face to in addition to having to resolve the OH BROTHER face with the Rebbe, the man who obvious philosophical Okay, so I have managed to epitomizes the actual application contradiction between avoid citing a single example, of the concept of infinite and unconditional love for all Jews as while you are obviously sitting on unconditional love for each and brothers since we are all “children the edge of your seat waiting for every Jew, who truly sees all Jews of the living G-d,” and complete when this guy is finally going to as they are rooted in their source disdain for and negation of anyone put down something juicy. Well … of “One Father to all of them,” I and anything in opposition, the issue really came to a head for found myself feeling completely intentional or otherwise. As me as I was standing one Sunday thrown. To begin with, I was mentioned in part 1 of this article, on line to get a dollar from the surprised because I knew a lot of I was quite taken by the idea that Rebbe (late 1991 or early 1992). I the “sharper” material was often Chassidus had made it possible for was learning the talks of the Rebbe excluded from final publication, a person to attain the level of truly Rayatz in Sefer HaSichos 5703 but what really got to me was the loving his fellow as himself, so I and was reading the talk given on fact that as I read the words the needed to sort out for myself why the first Seder night of that year. scene came alive for me, the words I also connected so strongly with There the Rebbe Rayatz addresses hit home, and I felt to the very the always pointed and often the seriousness of the times as core of my being how a Chassid acerbic categorizations of those Jews were being murdered who is a tipesh is a travesty and a that did not accept the teachings wholesale on the other side of the disgrace, while his Misnaged of Chassidus as explicated in the ocean, how a Chassid needs to counterpart can’t help but being works and words of the Chabad view the terrible times on the eve such. leaders. of Redemption and internalize As the line inched forward, I [Note: After writing the what is expected of him and not be felt truly broken and began to previous article, my son pointed a fool, concluding with “A Chassid berate myself in an internal out to me that we own all who is a tipesh (common Yiddish dialogue (not verbatim), “Do you published Chabad works including really think it is enough to tell

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yourself that you only relate to the that – theories. Only through redemptive process has already disdain for and the excoriation of learning Chassidus and through begun almost two decades ago, the the Misnagdim described in this connecting to the Rebbe might you only way we can navigate and find story insofar as it regards their have the merit and good fortune to our way to the final goal and external personae but not as actual experience the answer in such an destination is by following the people, actual Jews who you are intense gut-churning way, as you road map laid out by the Rebbe in obligated to love even if they were are hit by the realization that to the most recent talks where the completely wicked, and how much truly love and to truly stand up for Rebbe addressed these topics more so if they are observant and what you know to be true both directly. It is not enough to just even learned? Yes, the Rebbe can require that you put your own ego learn the words; they must be relate such a story, and the aside. internalized and implemented, brothers Vilenker were most likely since we all know that otherwise on the level that they could BEYOND BROTHERS one falls into the category of “a balance the fulfillment of chapter Chassid who is a tipesh is a As we approach Tisha B’Av, 30 of Tanya to come up with travesty and a disgrace.” which in its current incarnation is concrete reasons why you should In the sicha of Matos-Massei a day of mourning and fasting that see every Jew as really and truly 5751, the Rebbe explains that we will (hopefully this year) be being a better person than you, have already completed the transformed into a “day of joy and along with chapter 32 of Tanya to process of rectifying the sin of happiness,” we can’t help but love every Jew from the “baseless hatred” that is necessary consider the words of the Sages perspective of your soul and his for the Redemption and building that the Second Temple was being part of the same divine of the Third Temple, and it is now destroyed due to the sin of entity, even as they responded the the time to experience the love of “baseless hatred,” and that the way they did. But what about you? a fellow Jew that is a foretaste of reason our exile has dragged on Maybe the enjoyment you get from the Redemption. The Rebbe for so long is “since their sin was a “sharp vort” or a clever putdown explains that this love transcends not revealed, their end-date was is a result of your own negative even the love of brothers from the not revealed.” As Chassidus character traits, and not because same father that can be sensed by explains, this is because a sin that your soul recognizes the truth of elevating the soul over the body, occurs internally within a person’s Chassidus and can’t tolerate but derives from the yechida level emotional world, and thus is by anything that stands in opposition, of the soul at which point all souls definition not subject to outside intentional or otherwise?” are one, in a manner that defies scrutiny, requires a much more My train of thought continued individuation. We are not just difficult and far more protracted along these lines and by the time I brothers, we are one. Even when process to discern and to rectify. got to the Rebbe I was so broken you are being oppositional, I have However, anybody that has inside and ashamed of my very no need to debate you or even learned Chassidus and attempted, being that I could not look directly point out that you are being a to one degree or another, to into the Rebbe’s face. In fact, tipesh (and between you and me, implement what he/she has immediately after receiving the you are), because by loving you on learned, and has pursued a dollar and blessing, I went off into that level it arouses your own connection with the Rebbe to a corner to be by myself, because I yechida which knows and shares some extent, should know from couldn’t deal with looking any the same truth. experience (in the kishkes) and person in the face. At first, the However, after all is said and not just intellectually (in the kup) whole experience just seemed done, the bottom line is that we that it is only through Chassidus altogether unpleasant (my kishkes have already completed the task of and the Rebbe that one can have were still churning), but I quickly rectifying the sin/s that led to the any degree of true Torah came to an amazing realization. destruction, and therefore there is understanding, true fear of G-d, All the theoretical answers in no good reason that we should and most of all not be a tipesh the world as to how to balance have to wait even one moment when it comes to sensing the true unconditional love for a fellow Jew longer to witness its descent from nature, capacities and mission, of with a “take no prisoners” Heaven, “and in fire You will build one’s own Jewish soul and that of approach in standing up for what it in the future,” immediately, every other Jew. you believe in the very depths of NOW! So, in these times, in which the your soul, are nothing more than

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feature

the selection of pastimes that the big city has to offer. It’s no TRANSFORMING wonder that Tel Aviv’s slogan is: “The city that never stops.” Located in the TEL AVIV FROM city’s center is the Ben-Yehuda pedestrian mall, the street which is known as one of THE INSIDE OUT the bastions of style and leisure, an area bustling Translated By Michoel Leib Dobry with celebrities and other artists. It is situated near Some call it a yeshiva, others a Chabad the seashore and is a central location for cafes, restaurants, House, or even a shul. Really it’s a barbershops, and swarms of young people who want to factory – for baalei t’shuva. “Bayit experience a little of this world. When you reach 93 Ben- Chadash L’Midrash” is a beacon of Yehuda Street, the atmosphere chassidus and Yiddishkait illuminating completely changes. In a large display window, proudly stands a the entire Land of Israel. Yechiel Sofer giant mezuzah more than six feet high next to a pair of t’fillin of interviews several of its baalei t’shuva similar dimensions. Alongside them is a mannequin, comparable who lead chassidic lives in every way. to what we all see in display windows, only this one is dressed Some are even on shlichus. This is the in a hat and suit. In the center of story of an organization dedicated to the the display is a large viewing screen that constantly shows a Rebbe shlita from its very foundations. short film entitled “What Does the Redemption Mean to You?” Different? Without a doubt. Eretz Yisroel are already used to THE CITY There are those who call this every gimmick or any unusual THAT NEVER STOPS place a yeshiva, others call it a publicity stunt. “Two types of people have Chabad House, some call it a The city is home to vivacious learned not to be affected by synagogue, while others claim coffee houses, lively art galleries, anything – Tel Avivians and that it represents a factory for prestigious stores and boutiques Chabadnikim,” says Dado baalei t’shuva. In any event, its on every corner, and roads filled (David) Albachari, one of those official name is Bayit Chadash with noisy motor scooters roaring who works at Bayit Chadash L’Midrash and it is undoubtedly a down the streets in order to get L’Midrash in Tel Aviv. Indeed, it beacon illuminating the light of to the next source of recreation. seems that those who visit the chassidus and Yiddishkait to the Throngs of people roam the area pulsating streets of this great outside, an “outside” further than with but one objective in mind: metropolitan city in the heart of any other throughout the Land of more and more enjoyment from Israel.

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At the entrance, there is a recent chassidic musical of peace,” while another, a rather bulletin board covered with production, “Adventure in Town.” philosophical and thoughtful type, pictures and newspaper clippings, The facility is run with great replied, “Look, the Redemption is all of which deal with the success by Rabbi David Aziza, me, the Redemption is you – the activities of Bayit Chadash who has been working on the Redemption is expressed in a L’Midrash. One picture shows the shlichus of the Rebbe, Melech different way for everyone.” actor Yehuda Levy putting on HaMoshiach, shlita, for close to The screen also showed t’fillin, another is of entertainer two decades already, starting in various media stars, such as the Eli Yatzpan completing a minyan, Netanya and Tel Mond, and now actor Zevulun Moshiashvili and more with famous singers in Tel Aviv for the past twelve (known as Shashi, after one of and leading media figures who years. the characters he portrayed) or appear on television every day. the sports announcer and The place unquestionably draws a WHAT DOES television personality Eli Israeli, lot of attention from all sectors of REDEMPTION MEAN who replied with one word – the Israeli population. Rebbe. The informational material TO YOU? It’s no wonder that when I that attracts outsiders and brings I stop again for a moment in walk in the street, people call out them into the circle of friends front of the screen mentioned at to me, “Moshiach, come here,” or and supporters is most unique. the start of this article. The film “Yechi HaMelech, what’s new?” These are intellectuals, free- being shown was produced by the These and other concepts have thinking professionals who are highly talented R’ Dado long turned into forms of among the highest on the Albachari. Armed with a expression among passers-by on socioeconomic ladder. Some of professional video camera, he the Tel Aviv streets – and for them proved to be very hard nuts turned unexpectedly to people in good reason. to crack, before they started the street and asked them, “What “All Bayit Chadash L’Midrash doing t’shuva. One such example does the Redemption mean to activities,” affirms a staff is Dado Albachari, mentioned at you?” member, “are in the spirit of the the start of this article, an actor The answers were numerous proclamation on the huge sign and stage manager by profession, and varied, at least as many as hanging in the center of the whose name is surely known to the number of people Dado synagogue – ‘the only thing that some of our readers from his approached. One said, “A world remains [is] to greet Moshiach

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services focus on the many Torah Aviv photographers. For example, classes on the subject of in a competition held in Hungary, Moshiach and the Redemption where forty-nine pictures were and the holding of regular chosen to represent Tel Aviv in farbrengens. honor of its centennial, Bayit One of the more special Chadash L’Midrash stars in three attractions among the Torah of them, highlighted by the classes is the weekly “D’var appearance of Shai Shuruk – on Malchus’ shiur, which draws roller blades, of course. many participants, including Shai also met his wife through those who usually don’t come to the program of Bayit Chadash the other classes. L’Midrash activities. Looking for The publicity angle is carried t’fillin customers, he walked into out by numerous flags, stickers, the real estate offices where she and signs throughout the area. All was working and told her about available talents and past the Tanya class. She came for the experience are utilized. Bayit shiur, and some time afterwards, Chadash L’Midrash staff, some of at Rabbi Aziza’s advice, she Spreading the announcement of whom specialize in their work on traveled to Tzfas to study in the the Redemption on roller blades the stage – acting, directing, etc. Machon Alte Institute. A year – put out special theater later, they got married and now productions, usually for the they live in Tel Aviv with their two holiday seasons. These children. dramatizations are presented with Shai Shuruk relates, “I met great success before Tel Aviv Rabbi Aziza just as I was at a schools, including those that point of crisis between secular life generally oppose anything with and Jewish life. I learned in a the slightest smell of Yiddishkait. Litvishe yeshiva, but my lifestyle The performances place an remained secular. Rabbi David emphasis on the imminent was the only rabbi I knew who Redemption, a message that has managed to help me make the been properly accepted even crucial choice between these two among usually hostile audiences. worlds. “Before starting my process of CHASSIDUS ON t’shuva, I was an actor who ROLLER BLADES appeared in numerous commercials, and everywhere I One of the more prominent went, I came with my roller An original idea to arouse public personalities on location, not to blades. I ate with them, I traveled awareness of the custom of Kaparos mention in the entire vicinity, is with them, and I acted with them. the tall Chassid regularly seen on In short, I lived and breathed Tzidkeinu.’” A quick look around roller blades. His name is Shai roller blades. I would go places justifies what he says. It’s Shuruk. with them every day, listening to impossible to find an Shai “caught the bug” at Bayit music with my earphones, informational brochure, a Chadash L’Midrash, and was satisfied with my life. booklet, or a sticker that has no quickly transformed into an “When I started getting closer mention of the Complete integral part of the scene. Today, to Judaism and joined a Litvishe Redemption and the identity of he is the activities director. The yeshiva, the mashgiach asked me the Rebbe shlita as Melech sight of Shai skating through Tel if I would come to my wedding HaMoshiach. Aviv on roller blades, waving a on roller blades as well… He said The activities on the subject of huge Moshiach flag in his hands, that Judaism and roller blades Moshiach are divided into two is a familiar one to those who don’t go together. I took them categories: publicity and regularly visit the area. Shai has off. information. Informational long been a favorite among Tel “One day, after I had already

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begun to get into chassidus and coming to the Chabad House, I was hurrying to the mikveh and set out on my roller blades so I wouldn’t be late. Rabbi Aziza was pleased by the fact that I was using the roller blades for holy purposes, and he encouraged me to keep it up, even when I began wearing a hat and jacket regularly. “Going out on roller blades wearing a hat and jacket elicited a lot of reactions in the street. People couldn’t remain indifferent to such a display and they gave me much encouragement, even coming up to me to ask Listening with great interest to Rabbi Aziza’s Torah class questions. Then I thought to myself: ‘Why not publicize He was faced with a dilemma – should Moshiach this way?’ “Tel Avivians have seen it all,” he listen to what the Rebbe said, or sign Shai explains. “It’s not easy to show them something new, and on a plea bargain that would give him a you surely can’t ‘pull one over’ on them. The average Tel Avivian lighter sentence, if he was convicted. is looking for the real thing, and therefore, he’s only ready to FROM A LIFE OF WILD After completing his military accept it from someone he knows, RECKLESSNESS TO THE service, he went on a trip to loves, and appreciates. When we STUDY OF CHASSIDUS Europe, where he went around speak with a Jew on an equal with some Israeli friends, riding level, like a brother or a friend, Rabbi David Aziza’s story on big motorcycles all over the he lets himself go and is prepared begins, of all places, with the continent. Their income came to hear everything. Today, even ultra-Orthodox education he from selling pictures from door- Tel Aviv is talking about the received in the Kiryat Sanz to-door. The journey ended in Redemption. That’s the whole community of Netanya, the city England, and Rabbi Aziza parted secret.” where he was born and raised from his friend, who went to The credit for this success with his family. His parents sent open his own business. When he goes to Rabbi David Aziza, who him to an ultra-Orthodox school arrived back in Eretz Yisroel, he came to Tel Aviv twelve years ago, because they wanted to give him returned to Netanya and started and who since has brought about a traditional value-based working as a diamond polisher. It a revolution. education. However, he was was there that his baal t’shuva “The problem today,” Rabbi heavily influenced by the secular story began. Aziza enlightens us, “is that lifestyle that prevailed in their “That night,” Rabbi Aziza people don’t concentrate on one home, which stood in stark recalled, “a few of the guys went thing. They jump from one contradiction to the education he out for a little recreation. One of experience to the next, from one was receiving in school. them was about to get married, stimulant to the next. It’s difficult Afterwards, he moved on to and this was sufficient reason for to get someone to sit down for a study in Bar-Ilan University, a little wild recklessness, biking class, but once we succeed in where the cold rationalism he on the cliffs of Netanya along the getting him to focus on the letters encountered there drove him seashore. The motorcyclist with of chassidus, even for just a few completely away from religion. whom I was riding was going a minutes, that’s it – he’s “The whole thing simply didn’t bit too fast, and he lost control of redeemed.” seem to ring true,” he says.

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turned around by that shlichus in “I sat and learned Tanya with them – a Ayin HaT’cheiles. “At the time, I few lines over a period of six months. All was part-owner of a seaside pub,” he recalls. “A friend introduced of them are now Torah observant, four me to Rabbi Aziza, and we started learning together a little. of them came out of prison as Over a period of three months, we learned the first three chapters Chabadnikim, and one even became a of Tanya. While the ground we covered was small in quantity, it shliach.” deeply penetrated my soul. “After three months, I realized the motorcycle and overturned. Yitzchak. During this period of that this was it, I was going all We both rolled in the direction of time, he learned in various the way. I left my partnership in the cliff, as I was suddenly yeshivos, while he also dealt in the pub. I stayed several times at thrown under a passing vehicle.” large sums of money via stocks Rabbi Aziza’s home, where he ran Miraculously, a doctor was and securities. his activities with great self- driving after them and realized Then, it all fell through. sacrifice. what was happening even before Within a few very unsuccessful “Rabbi Aziza has an amazing the crash occurred. He quickly hours and due to a sharp drop in ability to connect with everyone, applied first-aid and saved their stock value, R’ David lost all of even on the lowest possible levels. lives. For several long months, his money, and he was forced to For example, I remember a story Rabbi Aziza lay in the hospital, get a menial job with the about a person whom Rabbi Aziza connected to iron supports and furniture delivery company where escorted to jail until his trial. The other medical devices. Since there his father was employed. In the Rebbe wrote to this person that was a concern that he might lose merit of this work, he established he should go all the way. He was consciousness again, a sizable his first connection with Chabad faced with a dilemma – should he portion of the painful treatments through Rabbi Amir Kahana, listen to what the Rebbe said, or were performed without today the material director for the sign on a plea bargain that would anesthetics. Chabad yeshiva in Ramat Aviv. give him a lighter sentence, if he Rabbi Aziza that on one Rabbi Kahana had to move to a was convicted. occasion when the doctor had to different office, and he used the “Rabbi Aziza trusted and drill into his leg – without opportunity to give a class in supported him, with all the anesthetics – he screamed from Tanya to the young moving man. responsibility connected with it, the agonizing pain. However, his Rabbi Aziza’s connection grew that he would come to the right father, who was there with him, and intensified, and by the time decision. The man eventually remained calm and said, “At least he got married, he was already a decided to follow the Rebbe’s from now on, you’ll start to sit chassidic avreich connected to the advice, and in a simply like a mentch.” “Until then, I Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach, with miraculous fashion, all the didn’t sit for a moment in one all his heart and soul. When he important documents required for place,” Rabbi Aziza said with a went to the Rebbe, he met Rabbi the case of the prosecution just smile. Rami Antian, of blessed memory, disappeared. As a result, he was who left a deep impression upon cleared of all charges.” BREAKTHROUGH him. After his wedding, Rabbi Ami Turiel then gave the Aziza returned to Netanya to names of many fine people who After a year of lengthy and learn for smicha, while he worked had been connected to the Rebbe, complicated rehabilitation, during spreading the wellsprings of thanks to Rabbi Aziza. “There’s which Rabbi Aziza had ample chassidus among numerous no ‘pareve’ with him,” says Ami. time to think about life and its young people in the synagogue in “He won’t give up until you’re meaning, he started getting closer the Ayin HaT’cheiles wearing a kapote, but he shares to a life of Torah and mitzvos. At neighborhood. his values with calm and grace. first, he did this in non-Chabad Ami Turiel, today a Chabad He leads you to come to your circles, such as those connected Chassid in every respect, is one of own conclusion that this is the with Rabbi Uri Zohar and Amnon the people whose lives were truth and it exists within you.

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“The personal connection, both before and after the wedding, the detailed guidance at every step – even when it required a tremendous amount of effort, long hours of outreach activities, and personal compromises – thanks to all this, I and many others are connected today to the Rebbe shlita.”

NO EATING CANDY HERE! “After I got married and learned in kollel,” recalls Rabbi Aziza, “Rabbi Nechemia Schmerling, the Rebbe’s shliach joyous dancing in the synagogue after davening in Kfar Yona, came to me with a proposal to do outreach activities “It turned out that he had a private at the Tel Mond prison. At first, I decided to try to put together a bank in Los Angeles… We traveled group of prisoners for transfer to the rehabilitative wing, where it together to the hotel, and he paid for the would be much easier to have an effect upon them. This hall, the catering, everything. So it rehabilitative wing was halfway towards resuming a normal life. happens every time, as we see with our “I arrived there carrying a pair own eyes how the Rebbe arranges for it of t’fillin and a sack of candies. The first person I saw there was a all.” serious criminal, sitting and staring at the wall. I approached him and said, ‘Shalom, have you Chabadnikim, and one even already in Tel Aviv, I saw him made the bracha ‘Sh’Hakol’ yet?’ became a shliach. walking along the and I gave him a candy. His “There was one who had been street.’Furlough?’ I asked him. response was firm: ‘We don’t eat incarcerated for a very long ‘No,’ he said. ‘I was released.’ candy here!’ period of time. One day, I saw Today, he is the head of a Torah “From that greeting, this him reading some holy text, albeit observant family.” criminal made a long journey, non-Chabad. ‘No problem,’ I told and he eventually joined a group him. ‘You can read this and THE FIFTH SON become religious. But do you of twenty prisoners who learned And so he arrived in Tel Aviv. want to be rehabilitated and get with me on a regular basis. “At first, the forces of klipa out of here? Only Tanya!’ This “We’re talking about twenty seemed to go wild a bit,” said took place during the month of young men who had been in and Rabbi Aziza with a sigh, as he Nissan, and together we wrote a out of prison since age fifteen, recalls the difficulties he faced at letter to the Rebbe via Igros having a completely materialistic the outset. “Unlike today, there Kodesh. The Rebbe’s reply dealt perspective and particularly low was no organized community at with the concept of the future levels of literacy and focus; I sat the time. The place was one big Redemption in the month of and learned Tanya with them – a state of disorder, filled with Nissan. ‘That’s it,’ I said to him. few lines over a period of six young people at the farbrengens. ‘Now you’re waiting for the months. All of them are now We erected three large menorahs miracle to happen.’ Torah observant, four of them for Chanuka without permits or “Some time later, after I was came out of prison as coordination. In fact, the

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municipal authorities sent From then on, everything We’re talking about one of the inspectors, but it was too late. We continued to progress. “Ten years more expensive parts of Tel Aviv. had already woken up the city ago, there wasn’t a single Torah Rent and living expenses demand with a boom.” class in the Ben-Yehuda a sizable amount of capital, not to On thirteen separate occasions pedestrian mall. Today, half of the mention the outlay for special (!), unidentified individuals bulletin boards are filled with events and projects just getting damaged Rabbi Aziza’s car, once notices about shiurim and other started. In order to compete with even smashing the rear window activities.” the lively big city, Bayit Chadash with a brick. They knocked down After about five years, the L’Midrash would also have to his t’fillin stands, lodged Chabad House moved to the large provide the cash for an complaints with the municipality, synagogue at 126 Ben-Yehuda appropriate up-to-date venue. and more. Street. But this place also quickly Nonetheless Rabbi Aziza chose “But we had already placed a filled up and became too small to to make certain that the money stake on the premises,” said hold the growing activities. came from within the community, Rabbi Aziza. “Since then, Miraculously, Rabbi Aziza and not from fund-raising trips everything has changed. The Tel succeeded in obtaining a part of out of the country. Aviv Municipality is very the building at 93 Ben-Yehuda “For example, every year we supportive now, and we work in Street (by the way, the building organize a large communal Seder cooperation with them on a was donated by a Litvishe for the first night of Pesach. One number of projects.” family!). The Chabad House year, I thought that I would do “In the beginning, it was at 22 received the name Bayit Chadash something a bit smaller in scale, Dizengoff Street,” recalls Yuval L’Midrash, and it operates there and I asked the Rebbe. When I Barnes, today the Rebbe shlita’s to this day. opened the Igros Kodesh, the shliach at the Mimaal Mamash The Azizas’ home on reply was: ‘The King’s glory is in Center in Tel Aviv. “I began my Frankfurt Street also served for a multitude of people’. I process of t’shuva in 5759, and I many years as a Chabad House. immediately headed for the already understood from the very Friends and supporters recall Marina Hotel… start that I was going in the nostalgically the room where the “The owners asked me about direction of Chabad. I realized bachurim slept, the roof where the debts from previous years, that all the miracles and wonders many unforgettable farbrengens and somehow I was able to happening to me were due to the were held, and dining room which convince them to accept post- Rebbe, and I knew that the Rebbe hosted countless people for the dated checks to pay for all the wanted me. But in the final Shabbos meals each week. expenses. Thus, I found myself analysis, the atmosphere in some Just two years ago, in response leaning on my shtender in the of the Chabad Houses that I to a letter that Rabbi Aziza yeshiva, thinking about how I visited was not so suitable for me, received from the Rebbe, he and would obtain the money against and I was having difficulty his wife moved to Kfar Chabad. the checks I had just laid out. connecting with them. Yet, the activities continue to “This was the week before “When I met Rabbi Aziza in grow with even greater intensity. Pesach, and I had written two the Dizengoff Chabad House, it A Chabad couple comes every checks, one dated in two days, provided the missing link. week to spend Shabbos on the the other dated Erev Pesach, for a Merging the soul, the teachings premises, and Rabbi Aziza goes total of eighteen thousand shekels of chassidus, and chassidic out each day to spread the – covering just the hall. I still had warmth proved to be the winning wellsprings of chassidus to more to come up with funds for the combination. The place simply and more Jewish souls. catering and other expenses. Just worked like a magnet. Around then, a Jew came in, apparently this same time, by Divine MONEY? THE REBBE after some jogging, and asked if Providence, I met an old army TAKES CARE OF US! he could put on t’fillin. Naturally, friend of mine in a clothing store, while he was there, I invited him and I suggested that he come to And from where did the to participate in a Tanya class. the Chabad House as well. This budget come for all these The next day, he came back and young man was R’ Alon Dvir, activities? Rabbi Aziza was not asked me, ‘What would you like who today serves as a shliach in worried about this little detail. to do now?’ Ramat Aviv.” The Rebbe would take care of it. “He didn’t appear to be a

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particularly wealthy person, but I told him of my aspirations, that I want to build a large yeshiva, and the way to attract the students was by making this public seider. It turned out that he had a private bank in Los Angeles… We traveled together to the hotel, and he paid for the hall, the catering, everything. So it happens every time, as we see with our own eyes how the Rebbe arranges for it all.”

THE LIGHTS OF TOHU IN THE VESSELS OF TIKKUN In Bayit Chadash L’Midrash, Rabbi Zalman Landa gives over a class in the beis midrash they constantly are searching for Shacharis and a Tanya shiur. In new ideas and gimmicks for the afternoon, they study Gemara activities in spreading the in pairs, and then participate in a wellsprings of chassidus, and the chassidus shiur given by Rabbi more unusual, original, and Aziza. different the idea – the better. A wide range of people come Between Rosh Hashanah and for the study and class schedule – Yom Kippur, one of the actual baalei t’shuva and potential volunteers goes out dressed as a ones, businessmen and tourists, chicken, and suggests to Jewish average citizens and stars of the passers-by that they fulfill the entertainment world, side by side. custom of Kaparos. During The atmosphere on the Chanuka, the attraction was a premises is very relaxed. Each large dreidel moving along the bachur progresses according to streets of Tel Aviv. Spontaneous his own pace, but, as one of the farbrengens are periodically held The top-notch Bayit Chadash mekuravim put it, “like a video in the middle of the street with L’Midrash website game, from level to level, the pleasure-seekers who are dragged program becomes more impossible to do more, another into the light of chassidus. complex...” Rabbi Aziza doesn’t idea comes along that sets However, the place’s main let the participants merely study another record to this intensive emphasis is specifically upon the the material superficially. array of activities. study of Torah. The rest, they After Mincha, at five in the Naturally, all the activities are believe, will come on its own. afternoon, the Tmimim break off carried out in coordination with Rabbi Shai Shuruk relates that into groups. Some go out to give the advice of mashpiim. Foremost after three or four shiurim, you classes at nearby places of among them was Rabbi Chaim can see within each person, even business, while others stay to Ashkenazi, of blessed memory, someone totally distant from Torah greet newcomers. From nine who invested considerable time observance, the war starting to o’clock starts a marathon of and effort in giving over classes awaken against his nature. Torah classes given by Rabbi and farbrengens, and his wife, Another sicha, another maamer, Aziza with his unique talents. Rebbetzin Bruria, who teaches and the Jewish spark begins to jell, The activities would be classes to women on the to the point that it already expected to follow a set and premises. Rabbi Zalman Landa becomes hard to hold it back. limited course program, but they visits the facility regularly, The yeshiva studies start in the only seem to grow from day to making farbrengens on Thursday morning as in any regular yeshiva day. Every time that it seems evenings well into the night. – chassidus seider followed by

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T’fillin Campaign activities Chanuka on a Tel Aviv street Rabbi Aziza and Rabbi Boaz Segal farbrenging on Chaf-Ches Sivan

A NEW HOME learn, those will be the results.” learned a significant number of Rabbi Aziza places a special “Learning Torah,” Rabbi Aziza exercises, there’s one technique emphasis on finding a shidduch explains, “reveals the true desire that he studied with particular for those who have reached an hidden within everyone, and as a care. In face-to-face combat, he advanced stage in their process of result, people who would uses a karate chop at the right t’shuva. His amazing level of otherwise be aimlessly cycling moment, ending the battle in one success in this area has brought through casual relationships have instant. together no less than eighty now established proper Jewish This is the style of Rabbi couples, who found their homes.” Aziza. He has one karate chop respective matches through the By the way, one of the more called the first chapter of Tanya, institution. The tremendous effort distinctive activities at Bayit with which he has created dozens that Rabbi Aziza has invested in Chadash L’Midrash is done of chassidim. Yuval, who himself the marriages among people specifically with those close to runs a Chabad House, says that associated with his educational Yiddishkait, and not those who in his estimation, no less than activities constitutes a most are still far from their roots. This fifty people have emerged from important aspect of the outreach refers to providing a warm home this place as full-fledged work he carries out. Only after to young people from Anash chassidim in every sense of the the wedding, when the young families who have left the word, right down to the kapote. couple begins its new life standard learning programs, “I don’t know if I have ten together, does Rabbi Aziza feel young people in whom no one such people, or even five. Many that they have finally made their believes any longer. Many such people love the Rebbe and many way along the king’s highway. young men have managed to have come close to Chabad. But In response to this extensive resume regular study programs actually to turn into a chassid? phenomenon, Israel’s Channel on a full-time basis. With a lot of Just a few.” But he One broadcast a television report personal contact, faith, and trust, underestimates. In one breath, he on the shidduch project, entitled they return to the path of their lists dozens of people who “A Match On Wheels.” The story forefathers. established their connection to gave a particularly wide range of the Rebbe in the merit of Bayit publicity to the facility and its A KARATE CHOP Chadash L’Midrash, and are Chabad chassidim today. programs, and brought a wave of The fruits of Rabbi Aziza’s Shai Agiv, a graphic designer appeals from young people labors have already borne fruits and website builder, tell us about looking for a suitable match. The of their own. Yuval Barnes tell us how he came to Bayit Chadash reaction was swift. “We are not about a friend, who is trained in L’Midrash. matchmakers. But if you sit and karate fighting. While he has

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“I was doing my exercises out Shlomo Ochayon, a puppet our studies at ten o’clock at in the Ramat Gan National Park, theater operator, married with night. I especially remember the when suddenly I saw a group of three children, also tells us his Thursday night farbrengens on ultra-Orthodox Jews with sweat own story about how he returned the roof, when we would sit until pants and jackets, looking for a to his Jewish roots. late at night and the whole street couple more players. I agreed to “After seven years working as joined with us.” join the game, and I even stayed a security officer with Israeli Shai Shuruk sums up: “I once to daven Mincha. Afterwards, as embassies overseas, I returned to saw some graffiti in New York they were getting ready to make a Eretz Yisroel and started dealing with the words: ‘Make me feel barbecue, they were already with real estate in Tel Aviv. I uncomfortable so I can deal with urging me to stay for a came to Bayit Chadash L’Midrash my fears.’ I think that sentence farbrengen, and they told me at the suggestion of a friend. represents the method of our about the Torah classes on Ben- Rabbi Aziza took my phone activities at Bayit Chadash Yehuda. number and stubbornly made L’Midrash. “The first class created a certain to call me and get me to “Something new, something change in my life. It simply hit promise to come to more classes. people are not used to the right note. Studying Tanya I slowly started coming on my encountering, is what awakens a gave me the answers I had always own and before long, I was there person to change his nature,” he been looking for, but which I had to stay. proceeds to explain. “Therefore, failed to find through the “A few months after I came the chassidic principle of the conventional methods I had there, the yeshiva opened. At the ‘talking bird’ is so strong in the always known. To this day, when beginning, I was the only student, activities here. When we go I tell people about the teachings and I slept on a mattress in the against the nature of the world, of chassidus, I do so with a synagogue. Afterwards, more when we succeed in doing things twinkle in my eye. students came, and Rabbi Aziza in contrast to what people usually “Since then, I have managed rented an apartment for us. A encounter and recognize, this to travel to 770 and spent Tishrei year later, I moved to the yeshiva stimulates something within them last year with the Rebbe. The visit in Tzfas.” and encourages them to get left a powerful impression on me Shlomo Ochayon continued to closer to Torah and mitzvos.” that will never be forgotten, and recall his time learning in the That’s Bayit Chadash it exposed me to a level of Bayit Chadash L’Midrash yeshiva L’Midrash in a nutshell – a house warmth and devotion that I had with great nostalgia. “We would dedicated to the Rebbe shlita never known before. Today, thank start the day at six in the from its very foundations. G-d, I am engaged, preparing to morning, when we went to the Our thanks to R’ David (Dado) build my own chassidic home. By mikveh. Rabbi Aziza’s wife would Albachari, for his tremendous assistance the way, my future wife also cook lunch for us. She worked in preparing this article. learned in Bayit Chadash together with her husband with L’Midrash…” great dedication. We only finished

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BEIS MOSHIACH Issue 749 19 749_B_Beis Moshiach 12/07/2010 8:59 AM Page 20

moshiach & science

only patterns of touch sensation registered on the tongue, blind people can actually detect the size, shape and motion of remote I THINK I CAN objects in their environment, much as if they were seeing them with their eyes. We can learn a lot from this By Aryeh Gotfryd, PhD story. First, where there is a will there is a way, even when physical From the recognition of how painful kilometers of this, he obstacles and expert opinion stand the soul rules the body (the stood, then started to walk, to feed in opposition. Also, look at the microcosm), it is only a small himself, to type, to work in the loyalty and commitment of a son step to recognizing how G-d garden, and to speak. Finally after to his father. How exemplary. rules the universe (the a year of home therapy, Pedro Witness the humility and tenacity macrocosm). went back to work which he did of the father to get down on the --The Rebbe, Mind Over Matter, for another seven years until he floor and crawl around for months, p. 311. got a heart attack at the age of not knowing if this will ever lead 72… while mountain climbing! Paul Bach-y-Rita did not learn to anything more. Be inspired by Paul’s loss was also his gain, about the brain’s ability to rewire the wondrous nature of what is for the autopsy revealed something itself from science and medicine. probably the most complex and remarkable. Paul realized that his True, he was a famous doctor and dynamic entity in the cosmos, the father had recovered near-normal biomedical engineer, but his human brain. It is the seat of the functioning despite the fact that extraordinary insights and soul as well as the intellect, an 97% of his brain stem had been innovative cures had no basis in organ for meditating on the soul’s destroyed by the stroke. Something the neuroscience of the 60’s when existence and implementing its clicked in Paul’s brain too. He his work first started to shake up will, while seeming to be nothing realized clearly that the only way the old mechanistic model of the more than a highly organized gray this could have happened was if his brain. blob of chemically enhanced bio- father’s brain had somehow Nor did he learn about it from electric spaghetti. undergone a massive kabbala or chassidic philosophy, And finally, see what one single reorganization. although theoretically he could scientist can achieve. He can stand The conclusion seemed obvious have because those sources had alone and press forward to prove but alas, what was incontrovertible long been teaching principles of his goal, even if the whole fact to Paul was mere idle neuroeducation by then, as we establishment of his peers negates speculation in the eyes of the discussed in last week’s newsletter. or even mocks his views, for he scientific establishment. They had Where he did learn about knows that in the end the truth been too long indoctrinated in the neuroplasticity was from his father, must prevail. fixed map, fixed function view of Pedro. This man had unfortunately All these lessons are especially the brain to be influenced by some suffered a massive debilitating relevant in our times, known in small exceptional facts. No one stroke that left him half-paralyzed Kabbala as “The Footsteps of took notice. and speechless. After the standard Moshiach.” It is our will to But with his newfound faith in course of rehab leading to minimal actualize the redemption and that the brain’s ability to change, Bach- recovery, all medical opinion was itself will hasten it and make it y-Rita set out to use against any further progress, but happen tangibly. There are neuroplasticity to help people. He Paul’s elder brother George did not definitely forces in opposition but set out to train the visual cortex to give up. with determination, humility and process touch signals from the George decided to train his tenacity we will do whatever it back or the tongue instead of light father in small, progressive takes, even if it looks odd to others signals from the eye, and it increments, as one would a child. in the interim. We only can take worked! Bach-y-Rita’s BrainPort He got his father to crawl, first small steps but it is specifically technology allows people with leaning against a wall, then those small steps that are most vertigo to stand and walk for the unsupported. After countless transformational. Just as Pedro first time without falling. Using needed specifically small steps to

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make a spectacular recovery, so with such limitless possibility that humanity, about which leading too we need all our little mitzvos however messed up the situation scientists and theologians alike are to add together and tip the scales, may get, we cannot despair coming to a common consent, bringing the Days of Moshiach to because just as with the human namely that we do in fact live in an fruition. brain, we have only scratched the unprecedented era of unity There is an allegorical lesson as surface of what is possible to emerging. well. The Jewish people are blessed achieve. So hang in there. Moshiach is with a spiritual leader, the Rebbe, And finally, there is the coming NOW! whose title is an acronym of “Rosh commitment to truth. Even if the Dr. Aryeh (Arnie) Gotfryd, PhD is a B’nei Yisroel,” meaning Head of whole world including all the chassid, environmental scientist, author the Children of Israel. This reflects experts were to say no, it’s not and educator living near Toronto, his role as our collective possible, the truth will ultimately Canada. To contact, read more or to consciousness. Like a dynamic and prevail. And if this can happen in book him for a talk, visit responsive central processor, he science, how much more so is it so www.arniegotfryd.com or call 416-858- serves as an unsung inner power regarding the ultimate future of 9868

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BEIS MOSHIACH Issue 749 21 749_B_Beis Moshiach 12/07/2010 8:59 AM Page 22

feature PASSIONATE PROLIFIC PEDAGOGIC PENMAN

By Shneur Zalman Berger

succinctly. Then he explained. “I Chassidishe writer, R’ Naftali Tzvi sat with the heroes of the book and they told me the terrible Gottlieb, has authored over fifty books. things they experienced, often We spoke to him about his books, his bursting into tears as they recounted it. Afterwards, when I writing, and various episodes behind sat down to write, I listened to the recordings I made and I got the scenes. caught up in it as well. You would have seen me writing and crying. There were few educational these Chassidim could be moser There is no question that the books for children when I was a nefesh for Torah, despite the emotions the author experiences as kid. One of the books that I loved, danger, then surely I could learn he writes are transmitted to the which I know by heart till this day, the way I should. reader.” is the terrific Yahadus HaD’mama When I related this to R’ *** (translated as In the Shadow of the Gottlieb, he nodded and said, Rabbi Naftali Tzvi Gottlieb was Kremlin – Artscroll) which “After the book was published, born in Battei Ungarin in describes the Chassidim in Russia many people contacted me and Yerushalayim. His father, R’ under the communist boot who, said the book did not allow them Chaim Yosef, was a Chassid of despite the persecution, were to sleep at night. Stories of the Rabbi Aharon Roth zt”l. moser nefesh for Torah and mesirus nefesh of Chabad He learned in the local yeshiva mitzvos. Chassidim in the Soviet Union and after he was bar mitzva he I frequently found myself certainly do inspire an uncommon attended yeshivas Toras Emes in drying my tears as I read the sense of inner strength and glory.” Yerushalayim, which was run by heartrending descriptions of what How does a writer reach the Rabbi Moshe Leib Shapiro and the the Chassidim went through. I reader on such a deep emotional mashpia Rabbi Moshe Yehuda remember going to yeshiva in the level? Reichman. He was soon a morning with the resolution that I “If you cry as you write, then Lubavitcher. would learn properly that day. If the readers will cry too,” he said His literary talents were noticed

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was published and he began names of their relatives who were writing articles that were published still in Russia. in Bitaon Chabad. After he To that extent? married he started a monthly The fear was enormous, and publication for children called for good reason. When one of the Shalhevet. The goal was to Chassidim, who had helped influence children to behave smuggle Anash out of Russia to according to Torah values. Back Poland, received a panicked phone then, publications for children call from the Rebbe’s secretary were not as popular as they are telling him to beware of the KGB today. Actually, there was nothing who were following him, he had like it for children at the time. been living in Crown Heights for What was your first book? decades. He left his home and hid “My first book was Zechor, Al for a long time. Tishkach (Remember, Don’t *** Forget), about the destruction of This is a loaded subject and R’ Hungarian Jewry, written in 1968. Gottlieb could write an entire book The book was welcomed by just on the stories surrounding this religious Jews since there was a book. He relates one story out of dearth of books about the many that shows how tremendous Holocaust written with religious the fear was: Jews in mind.” “I was once sitting in the home The book In the Shadow of the of one of the heroes of the book Kremlin was unique in its time. when he told me his life story. His The style and contents were when he was still a boy. When the son walked in and I noticed how original. The Iron Curtain had not bachurim wanted to send a duch he locked the door of the room yet come down and not much had to the Rebbe about the mivtzaim and closed the shutters. His father been written about Jews over they did and they wanted it to be told me in tears that his son “there.” Hardly any information written nicely, they would ask him suffered so much from the about what was going on there was to write it. When someone wanted persecution by the KGB that he known and the book was eagerly to write a flyer or letter, they still could not shake the fear and grabbed up. would ask Gottlieb for help. the nightmares. Even in the safety The idea to write a book was When he was 17 he heard of Israel he felt they were after born out of R’ Gottlieb’s reports from Chassidim who had him, and he habitually locked the friendship with R’ Henoch returned from Tishrei with the door and pulled the shutters Rappaport a”h. Over the years R’ Rebbe. In those days, very few closed, mainly when he put on Gottlieb heard many stories from people went, and those who t’fillin and davened.” him about the life of Chassidim in remained behind were interested in Weren’t there other people the Soviet Union and it occurred hearing every crumb of a story or who spread Yiddishkait in Russia to him to write a book as a hanhaga that they had seen and besides Lubavitchers? testament to the heroism of observed. Gottlieb was fascinated “Some people asked me why I Chabad Chassidim. He spent by the atmosphere and in his don’t have stories about Jews from hours with R’ Henoch and wrote mind’s eye he saw the stories as other groups who preserved down his stories, and that is how they occurred. He took out pen Judaism there, and so I did the book came to be written. and paper and sat down to write a research and found out that there Wasn’t it dangerous to description of being with the were hardly any, certainly not publicize these stories when the Rebbe. The editors of Bitaon those who organized yeshivos or Soviets were liable to take Chabad published it as a feature built shuls and mikvaos. revenge on relatives? article. Feedback was positive. “As I wrote the book, some Yes. Many Chassidim whom I “Anash who had been there told people thought that the KGB wanted to interview turned me me that it perfectly described what might come after me personally down for this reason. And those it was like.” because of it. I understood that the who agreed to be interviewed That was his first article that Rebbe wanted this book to be refrained from mentioning the

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nobody was familiar with the WHEN THE TIME IS RIGHT Rebbe’s ancestry. “I knew that the R’ Gottlieb has a chilling story about the writing of the book In Rebbe’s father wasn’t just another the Shadow of the Kremlin: rav in the Soviet Union.” He The idea to write the book, as I said, came when I heard stories thought of writing something but from R’ Henoch Rappaport. After he passed away, I went to console of course, he needed the Rebbe’s his brother, R’ Michel and asked him to tell me his story as his blessing. When he received no brother had done. R’ Michel refused but said that when he felt the response, he shelved the idea. time was right, he himself would write his life story. “I went to the Rebbe for the R’ Michel was at a farbrengen in Nachalat Har Chabad when he first time in Tishrei, 5735/1974. suddenly got up and went home. One of the people asked him why When I passed by the Rebbe for he was leaving in the middle of a farbrengen and R’ Michel said he kos shel bracha, the Rebbe turned had promised R’ Naftali Tzvi Gottlieb that he would write his to me and said, ‘You promised me memoirs the moment he felt the time was right, and so he was going a book about my father – where is home to write. it?’ I did not remember what the When he arrived home he sat until late into the night writing and Rebbe was referring to since so only then went to sleep. A few hours later he returned his soul to his many years had passed. Then I Maker! suddenly remembered and I said He ends his memoir with the following lines: that since I hadn’t received the “As a joke I always say that when I stand before the Heavenly Rebbe’s consent, I did not work on Court after 120, if they ask me what sort of Chassid I was when I it. did such-and-such, I will tell the angel to go to the offices of the “The Rebbe smiled broadly and KGB in Leningrad and look at File 213 from the year 1951. There it said, ‘What do you mean – do you says explicitly that I am a Chassid son of a Chassid, which is why I need consent for something like received the sentence of imprisonment.” this? The Ribbono shel Olam has to give you His haskama.’ Then the Rebbe said, ‘Now that you are here, work on collecting material I lay down for a nap and fell asleep. for the book.’ “I was flabbergasted. First, how Suddenly, in my sleep, I felt as though did the Rebbe recognize me? He had never met me before! Second, someone was pushing me and saying: I was very surprised that this idea Why are you sleeping? You left someone had surfaced again. “When I had calmed down a in the shul! bit, I began looking for people who knew the Rebbe’s father. I written and so when it was considers it his magnum opus. quickly discovered that very few published before Pesach 1984, I The book is a wonderful Chassidim knew him. One of the sent a copy to the Rebbe and a few biography of the Rebbe’s father, Chassidim who heard about the days later I received his positive Rabbi Levi Yitzchok Schneersohn. idea gave me Rebbetzin Chana response and bracha by express Today there is hardly a Chassid a”h’s diary. She had been in exile mail. These stories were also who doesn’t know the history of with her husband and she had publicized over the years in Kfar his life to some degree or another, written many stories about him. Chabad.” but when R’ Gottlieb began writing Starting with the diary and other *** only few people knew about him. testimonials I heard from people who knew him, I began collecting Many of R’ Gottlieb’s books The most amazing thing of all is information and putting a book have been bestsellers, even that the Rebbe followed every step together with the help of R’ Tuvia nowadays when so many books are of the writing of the book and Blau. being published. One of his more even helped R’ Gottlieb personally. “The Rebbe’s involvement with important books, at least to The idea for this book came up the book was extraordinary, and Lubavitchers, is the book Toldos at the end of the 60’s. One day, R’ for obvious reasons. He constantly Levi Yitzchok. R’ Gottlieb Gottlieb thought about how almost asked for updates. Whenever I

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finished writing a chapter I immediately sent it to the Rebbe for him to review. A few times, I got a phone call from R’ Chadakov a”h, who would dictate the Rebbe’s comments. I had no doubt that these suggestions came from the Rebbe, and this assumption was proven true when I saw a photocopy of the Rebbe’s handwritten notes which R’ Chadakov had read to me verbatim.” R’ Gottlieb understood how important this was to the Rebbe and in 5737 the book was published. The book consists almost entirely of firsthand Rabbi Naftali Tzvi Gottlieb with the Rebbe in the entrance to Gan Eden HaTachton testimony; the Rebbetzin’s diary, and from the Chassidim R’ Yaakov Yosef Raskin and his sons who stood by him in Alma Ata. The Rebbe was very satisfied and sometime later, when R’ Gottlieb visited the Rebbe, he was called to R’ Chadakov’s room that same day and was told that the Rebbe wants him to visit some Chassidim who knew his father, including Rabbi Yosef Nimotin, Rabbi Moshe Binyamin Kaplan and others. R’ Gottlieb wrote down their stories and submitted them to the Rebbe. The Rebbe edited it and the material was included in the next edition of the book. Over the years there were Rabbi Naftali Tzvi Gottlieb receiving part of Rabbi Levi Yitzchok’s file another three editions of the book. from the KGB. On the left: Rabbi Shmuel Kaminezki, shliach The final, which was published in three volumes, was written after “The Rebbe once gave me two dollars for the fall of the Iron Curtain. R’ Gottlieb was able to travel in the two books. I walked away and was footsteps of Rabbi Levi Yitzchok in Nikolayev, Yekatrinoslav called back and was given another two (Dnepropetrovsk today) and to his exile in Chili and Alma Ata, where dollars. The Rebbe said, ‘This is for he is buried. He even received future books.’ I consider this both a some of the KGB files on Rabbi Levi Yitzchok from the heads of bracha and a commission. Whenever I the KGB in Dnepropetrovsk, with information that shed new light on publish a book I feel it’s thanks to the his arrest. R’ Gottlieb has written, Rebbe’s bracha.”

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etc. and were written, as much as RABBI LEVI YITZCHOK’S CELL possible, using the original R’ Naftali Tzvi Gottlieb wrote many books about Chabad in the wording. There are eleven books in Soviet Union but he himself, a Yerushalmi, didn’t actually visit the this series in about fifteen editions! places he wrote about until after the fall of communism. The work that goes into these “There are places I visited where I felt moved when I thought – books is tremendous. “It requires a this is where that Chassid walked and here is where he was lot of patience. Each book takes a imprisoned. I went to many places but without a doubt, the trips I long time to complete.” made in the footsteps of the Rebbe’s father were the most moving. R’ Gottlieb related an amazing Although the s’farim had been published already, I went to story in connection with this, Dnepropetrovsk together with the local shliach, Rabbi Shmuel whose meaning still eludes him: Kaminezki, and he saw to it that we got Rabbi Levi Yitzchok’s file “When I wrote the first book in from the heads of the KGB. It was a chilling experience to visit the the series, the one on Rashbi, Lag cell where he had been, seeing the very place where he sat. B’Omer was approaching and the “On another trip I went to his place of exile in the village of book was still not finished. The Chili and Alma Ata. I wrote about this trip in an article for Beis publisher pressured me to Moshiach, Erev Rosh HaShana, 5760.” complete it as fast as I could so it could be sold before Lag B’Omer. “When I was up to the chapter which describes his passing, I was unhappy with what I had written. I rewrote it but still wasn’t satisfied with the way it came out. “A few days went by and one morning the publisher came to my house and said, ‘Finish it! I’m not budging until you finish the book. Otherwise, you will cause me to lose money!’ I thought that perhaps, for something so holy, I needed additional tahara. I decided to go to the mikva but since it was in the afternoon, all the mikvaos were locked. “After spending a lot of time searching the streets of Yerushalayim, I gave up and started walking home when I noticed a little shul and remembered that it had a mikva. I walked in and saw a young man on his way out. I begged him to wait for me and he finally agreed, A letter from the Rebbe urging R’ Gottlieb to finish the book about his father though he asked me to make it fast. When I came out of the compiled and edited over fifty nefesh for observing Torah and mikva I saw that he had left and books, an accomplishment not mitzvos, chesed, Ahavas Yisroel, locked me in the shul! matched by many writers. Not all and Jewish/Chassidic behavior. “Having no choice, I sat down his books are intended for Some of his most popular and wrote the conclusion of the religious audiences in particular; books are in the series called book right there in the shul. To my many of them are for the broader Adirei Torah. These books contain surprise, within less than an hour I public. The thing they all have in stories of Tanaim and Amoraim had completed the chapter. As common is chinuch. His stories that were taken from Talmud Bavli, soon as I finished it I heard the depict role models of mesirus Talmud Yerushalmi, Midrashim door open and the same man

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At the entrance to Chili. R’ Gottlieb in Red Square, Moscow From the right: Rabbi Moshe Dovid Cohen, Rabbi Yehuda Kubalkin, and careful to do this and I tried to dollars for two books. I walked Rabbi Naftali Tzvi Gottlieb write not what interests me as an away and was called back and was editor but what interests the given another two dollars. The walked in and apologized that he reader. Rebbe said, ‘This is for future had locked me in by mistake. ‘I lay “I also give the book to several books.’ I consider this both a down for a nap and fell asleep. people and ask for their feedback.” bracha and a commission. Suddenly, in my sleep, I felt as *** Whenever I publish a book I feel though someone was pushing me it’s thanks to the Rebbe’s bracha.” and saying: Why are you sleeping? “The Rebbe once gave me two You left someone in the shul! I immediately got up and ran to HIS FIFTIETH BOOK open the shul and here I am,’ he said shamefacedly. Every Chabad Chassid has a set of Igros Kodesh of the Rebbe “It was an episode I cannot MH”M, letters that were written over many years to thousands of forget.” people on a vast array of subjects. The letters are arranged by date and the problem is that in order to find an answer to a question you *** have to search through the indices. R’ Gottlieb’s success is not only For Yud-Alef Nissan, 5760, R’ Gottlieb published his 50th book, due to his talents as a writer but Atzaso Emuna, which solves the problem. thanks to the prodigious effort he “It bothered me to see how much effort the Rebbe had put into invests in writing his books. the letters but when you want to look something up or find an After he interviews someone, he answer to a question, it’s not easy. I decided it would be a nice puts the interview down in writing, thing to publish my 50th book in honor of 50 years of the Rebbe’s word for word. Then he corrects nesius in which I would arrange the letters according to topics. it, types it up, and goes over it “It was complicated work since I wanted to include only those another 4-5 times. “Between one letters which pertained to the general public. After a lot of work, amendment and the next I wait at two volumes were published with letters arranged according to least one night because I want to topics which were alphabetized according to the Alef-beis. These look at it with fresh eyes.” two volumes contain topics from Alef to Yud. The next two volumes How do you transform the cover Chaf-Tav and Shabbos and Yom Tov. In order to make it raw materials into a book that easier for the reader, there is a brief summary of each letter together people enjoy and are moved by? with the letter. “The Rebbe wrote about this a Feedback was extremely favorable. I hope that this provides me number of times, saying that an with the z’chus of helping thousands of people who want to know editor has to put himself in the what the Rebbe’s perspective is on many topics. reader’s shoes. I was always

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insight LONG SHABBOS DAYS

By Mendel Tzfasman Shluchim in certain countries have to contend with an extremely late onset of Shabbos. In some countries, nighttime is just one hour! * How do they host guests at the Shabbos meals? What about their children? When do they make Havdala? And how do the yeshivos in these countries contend with such a schedule?

For many of us, recent afternoon learning session. afternoons … Oy, it’s so long and Shabbasos have been very long, Balabatim also see an advantage the kids have played with all their with Shabbos not ending until to these long Shabbasos. They can games and toys, and have after 9:00. Some people revel in rest and daven, learn and farbreng, quarreled, made up and quarreled the summer Shabbasos. Tmimim take a walk and schmooze. On again. see it as an opportunity to have Friday they can do the shopping as Be that as it may, the extended time for mivtza t’fillin on well as rest before Shabbos and Shabbasos are starting to get Fridays and Mesibos Shabbos the leisurely go to the mikva. The shorter, once again. following day. For ovdim, those results are a nice Shabbos meal in bachurim who spend a long time which (some) people are rested FRIDAY NIGHT MEAL IN on their davening, these long after their afternoon nap. THE AFTERNOON Shabbasos are a bonanza. In one But there are those who have a day they can learn copious hard time at this time of the year, One thing is certain; the real amounts of Chassidus, daven at whether because of how late the difficulty in handling the long length, sit and farbreng, go on meal ends or a Motzaei Shabbos Shabbasos is not in Eretz Yisroel mivtzaim, and have plenty of time that does not allow time for or America but primarily in parts to return for the Shabbos anything. As for the long Shabbos of Russia and European countries

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Sunset at 1:00 a.m. in Petersburg

such as Belgium, France, England on the Shabbos experience. They morning. When do you make and Sweden, as well as those parts start Shabbos a few hours before Havdala? Whoever is awake at that of Canada or the US that are close the time designated on the hour makes it then, while the to the North Pole. calendar and they daven Maariv children hear Havdala in the For example, Yisroel D, an while it is still day. When they go morning where, alongside the Israeli tourist who just returned home after davening they make spices and candle, there are Corn from Belgium, told me that Kiddush precisely at the time that Flakes and milk. Shabbos recently began at 9:36. Shabbos officially comes in.” Rabbi Ben Tzion Lipsker, a “As an Israeli who is used to If we thought 9:30 is too late shliach in Petersburg, seems quite Shabbos beginning as the sun sets, for candle lighting, compared to satisfied with the long Shabbos: I was shocked to experience some other places it’s not bad at “I have a long day without walking to shul with the sun all. In Moscow they recently lit phone calls, without a computer, beating down on me followed by a Shabbos candles at 10:00 and in meetings or trips. Real rest. There Shabbos meal in broad daylight. Rostov, a few hours away from is time to learn and to make up for Europeans don’t want a Shabbos there but still in the same country, those things that often get pushed meal at midnight when the candle lighting was at 11 pm and off because there is no time. There children are asleep and losing out Shabbos was over at two in the is plenty of time to farbreng with

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during his second arrest in Our fast days end at 8-9 at night, while 5561.” in London, the fast ends at 10:30, in So these Chassidishe yungelait say, “That’s what the Alter Rebbe Moscow at 12 midnight, in Petersburg at said and did and that is what the Rebbe Rayatz did, not reciting 1:00, and in Alaska at 2:00. In the Maariv before sunset.” They are forced to make a choice between Yukon in western Canada, it’s 2:20. No forgoing a Shabbos meal with their children and the impact a Shabbos wonder they can’t wait for the fast days meal has on their Chassidishe to be transformed into days of rejoicing! chinuch – not to mention the guests and mekuravim who won’t be attending the meal – and mekuravim. Nobody is rushing the minyan for Maariv was so abiding by a Chassidic practice. anywhere. After Mincha we learn small despite the large k’hilla. Those who rely on the leniency and farbreng about practical Later on he realized that these point at an explicit halacha in applications from Pirkei Avos. Of people worked hard all week and Shulchan Aruch and speak of the course there is more time to play, got up early to daven Shacharis in importance of having the children talk and learn with the children, the minyan at shul, but if they at the Shabbos table. They also which there isn’t always time for davened Maariv there at ten at have a Chassidishe rationale – the during the week.” night they would go to sleep too need for mesirus nefesh to On Friday nights the Lipskers late, which would adversely affect sacrifice personal Chassidishe make an early Shabbos, as do the minyan for Shacharis. inyanim for the sake of another’s many of Anash in Petersburg and gashmius and for the sake of the rest of that part of the world. PRIORITIES chinuch. Kabbalas Shabbos is at plag AND CHOICES One thing is certain, despite the Mincha and the meal is enjoyed by long hours waiting for Maariv; it’s the children and guests. As always, whenever there are not boring in Chabad shtiblach … “We have to get up for Krias two Jews there are three opinions. By the way, the ladies of the Shma at one in the morning, since The same is true for this topic. house can tell you that no matter tzeis ha’kochavim is shortly before There are Chassidishe fellows who how long the Friday is, there will dawn.” are not willing to rely on the always be that last minute rush … In an overseas call, the Namdar leniency of making an early family, shluchim in Gothenburg, Shabbos and davening Maariv Sweden, told me about a trip they before sunset (even though the THE FAST IS OVER AT made to Italy for a Shabbos in the halacha allows for it on condition TWO IN THE MORNING! that Shma is said again at night). summer (that’s where their parents There are times when you just They say that as Chassidim we are from). A pleasant surprise can’t have your cake and eat it too, should not rely on this because: awaited them there. Shabbos and the Chassidishe mind tries to In the reshima of the Rebbe officially began at 8:30, unlike at come up with creative ideas. What Rayatz’s imprisonment, the Rebbe home, where Shabbos is brought in do you do in Chassidishe yeshivos tells about his first day in jail in at eight but officially begins at in Europe and Russia – make an Leningrad (today Petersburg) and eight minutes to 12:00 midnight! early Maariv? You just can’t do he describes Maariv, “… During “There’s no other way of doing that – these are Chassidishe the summer, when the time for it,” they explain. “If we don’t make bachurim. On the other hand, davening Maariv is not before an early Shabbos we will be eating having them daven Maariv at 12 is half of eleven (in other words, the meal alone, as everyone else not reasonable either – how will 10:30) we would daven Mincha at will be asleep. There would be no they get up on time in the six and Maariv at 11.” In the children or guests at the table.” morning? margin it says, “Early Chassidim A Chassidishe young man who The solution is ingeniously would say that this is what the moved on shlichus to Moscow simple. They don’t keep the same Alter Rebbe taught and practiced related that when he first arrived time as everyone else. They are on when he was in Petersburg there he did not understand why “yeshiva time” (like “camp time”)

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which is an hour earlier than the rest of the country. If that is not enough, then in the case of high schools where Maariv (before Shma and getting ready for bed) at 11 is too late, they are two hours earlier than the rest of the country! It’s not a perfect system because in the morning there is a problem with the time for Krias Shma, which is as early as seven o’clock. On ordinary days there is no problem with the early hour since the bachurim are in zal at that time, but on mornings following late night farbrengens, the staff knocks on doors in the dormitory and awakens them for Krias Shma. There’s another factor to contend with. The Rebbe Rashab in Kuntres Eitz Chayim says that Chassidus must be learned by day Brussels, Antwerp – white nights and by night, “because the night needs it.” So when the Chassidus nights,” when sunsets are late and problems, remember that the session ends at 9 at night and it is sunrises are early, there is a very concept of daylight savings time is still not nighttime, what do you short period of time between full relatively new and in days gone by, do? The bachurim get ready for night and dawn, which leaves very when the Shulchan Aruch or the bed and at 10:30 they convene little time for Krias Shma of Shulchan Aruch HaRav were once again for Maariv and Krias Maariv. written, there was no difference Shma, but then they go back to The main problem is with between the winter clock and their rooms for lights out, and S’firas HaOmer, a mitzvas asei. summer clock. there is no time remaining for the The Alter Rebbe, in the halachos Furthermore, we generally act study of Chassidus. Those who before S’firas HaOmer in the according to tradition regarding want to be super Chassidish Siddur, writes, “The time of the special halachos of certain locales, manage to squeeze in some beginning of the dawn from the but since there wasn’t a th learning of Likkutei Sichos 18 of Iyar and later in those continuous Jewish presence in between the chair and the bed. northern countries is at those lands, there is no clear What about the summer fast midnight; therefore they should tradition about how to relate to days? We eagerly await the end of not count after midnight except daylight savings and the like. the long 17 Tammuz and 9 Av without a bracha. And this time One thing is certain and that is, fasts. As we do, we can think for the dawning of the day those who breathe a sigh of relief about how our fast days end at 8-9 continues up to and including the when the time for candle lighting at night (depending on where you 17 of Tammuz, and therefore starts moving back are liable to live), while in London, the fast when it reaches midnight on the find themselves, in half a year, th ends at 10:30, in Moscow at 12 17 of Tammuz one is forbidden complaining about the short winter midnight, in Petersburg at 1:00, to eat.” Fridays when there is no time to and in Alaska not until 2:00 in the It’s not easy saying the Tikkun do anything with Shabbos morning! In the Yukon in western Leil Shavuos … It is started while beginning at 3:40 in the afternoon. Canada, it’s 2:20 am. No wonder still day and is concluded in about In those northern countries, they can’t wait for the fast days to two hours, which is already Shabbos begins shortly after two in be transformed into days of morning of the next day. the afternoon. So we are best off rejoicing! In order to understand the being content with what we have… In those countries with “white source of the issue and the

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shlichus EDUCATING THE ANOINTED

By Rabbi Yaakov Shmuelevitz, Shliach, Beit Shaan

worked in the field of education for In the sicha of Leil Simchas Torah, many years in the religious-Zionist 5752, the Rebbe talks about the sector, now sharing a deep connection with Chabad. importance of children, the “anointed Gideon Tamir, son of General Avrosha Tamir, was raised in a ones,” and the Rebbe wishes much military atmosphere in the Tzahala neighborhood of Tel Aviv, a success to educators and especially neighborhood in the city center built for senior officers in the army. shluchim in their role of teaching Torah “The first time I saw a religious and Chassidus, particularly in bringing person was when R’ Shloimke Maidanchek came to a Moshiach. In this week’s column commanders’ meeting in the neighborhood. I was a little boy and focuses on stories related to chinuch. I was very taken by his tremendous warmth. My father explained that ARVEI CHABAD THE NEW PRINCIPAL this man wasn’t a regular religious person but a Chabadnik from Kfar In Beit Shaan there is a general- The Ministry of Education hired Chabad who always came and religious school. Most of the a new principal for the middle helped people do mitzvos. My children in Beit Shaan attend it and grades in the general-religious parents told me that they, it has close to 1000 students. My school in Beit Shaan. Upon themselves, came from families of wife has been a teacher there for assuming the position, he invited Lubavitcher Chassidim and twenty-one years and her presence each teacher in for a personal talk. rabbanim in Russia. My grandfather has had a great Chassidic impact. When it was my wife’s turn he recalled that his father was an Nearly every month there is an immediately identified her as a ardent Chassid who put on evening for mothers and girls which Lubavitcher. Rabbeinu Tam t’fillin and wore hundreds attend. We invite “I am also a Chabadnik,” he them until midday. A Tanya was lecturers, hold raffles, and give out joyfully exclaimed. “I learned in the always on his table.” materials. These “Evenings with Chabad yeshiva in Tzfas by R’ Despite his Lubavitcher roots, Chabad” take place under the Wilschansky.” Gideon grew up irreligiously and it auspices of the school, which He reminisced and expressed his wasn’t until he was in his twenties happily pays most of the costs. After yearning to learn Chassidus, and that he became a baal t’shuva, each of these events we write it up requested that the local shliach give learned Torah in Tzfas and got for the local paper, which reflects the teachers a Tanya class. It was smicha. He was looking for a good well on the school. pretty surprising to hear a fellow in place to learn Gemara in Tzfas, a large knitted yarmulke, who where he resided, and someone

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recommended the Chabad yeshiva. He made the acquaintance of Rabbi YY Wilschansky and the mashpia R’ Moshe Orenstein, who had just started the yeshiva. He learned Gemara, halacha and Chassidus, attended farbrengens and even had a personal miracle through the Rebbe’s bracha.

BORN BECAUSE OF THE REBBE’S BRACHA Gideon and his wife were married for two years without children. He consulted with R’ Wilschansky who advised him to send a letter to the Rebbe and ask Children boarding the bus on their way to a Chabad school for a bracha. A few weeks later, he complained that the Rebbe had not Heights where he was the principal. he can’t keep up with the chazan. replied. The rosh yeshiva firmly He didn’t just make do with Before I could answer, he told me said, “You’ll get an answer.” In swapping stories but asked me to that he already asked the Rebbe other words, he was assuring him attend the Torah seminars held for through the Igros Kodesh and that the request will be fulfilled even the teachers, to teach Tanya and opened to an answer that said he without a written response. explain Chassidic concepts in an should write chiddushei Torah on That night Gideon’s wife dreamt organized way. Shir HaShirim. There was also a that she saw the Rebbe rocking a response about continuing to daven cradle and with a big smile he A THIRTEEN YEAR OLD with kavana even if he is unable to calmed the baby girl. It was more WRITING CHIDDUSHIM keep up with the chazan for the entire t’filla. than a hint. For Chai Elul I got an invitation Within a few days, Mrs. Tamir He is a smart and modest boy. I to give a shiur to the seventh grade asked him whether he had sensed that the Rebbe’s bracha had in the yeshiva high school in Beit been fulfilled. A few months later something to say about Shir Shaan. The religious studies teacher HaShirim. He was surprised by the their first daughter was born. is a regular visitor to the Chabad The bond between the Tamir question and said that on every house and when he heard about the verse he has several ideas and family and the Rebbe grew stronger. concept of a Chai Elul farbrengen Their second daughter traveled to chiddushim! he asked me to farbreng with his I guided him in how to write and India two years ago. She bought a class. map and began her journey across told him to consult with a rav about I told some stories about the what he did. I explained the Chabad the country, but as soon as she Alter Rebbe, reviewed some arrived in Pushkar and discovered custom and how the Rebbeim Chassidic ideas and said goodbye. pasken about davening with a the Chabad house, she abandoned One student left the classroom her plans and remained there for congregation. I was happy and together with me and asked to talk moved that the problem of a boy in three months. Instead of touring to me privately. The boy and his India she toured among dozens of Beit Shaan was about how to spend family are all mekuravim of the a long time davening as well as s’farim, attended shiurim and Chabad house, mekusharim to the farbrengens and returned to Eretz davening with a minyan. “Do not Rebbe, and apparently they have touch my anointed ones.” Yisroel connected to the Rebbe and several volumes of Igros Kodesh in Chassidus. their house. Later, when I myself met The 13 year old boy told me he SPREADING THE WORD Gideon, he told me more and more had a problem. He goes to shul, A relative of mine is a mashgiach about his connection to Chabad. He starts to daven with everyone else, in a restaurant in Yerushalayim. He gave Tanya classes in the religious but because he tries to have kavana called me and excitedly related: pre-military academy in the Golan “A group of about twenty

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teachers and rabbanim had come in it was hard getting permission from placed when they arrived. Among to the restaurant. They were the the regional council for the Chabad activists at the time staff of the yeshiva high school in transportation and the school year were R’ Zushe Wilyamovsky a”h Beit Shaan. I overheard some of was fast approaching. The day (the Partisan) and R’ Gershon what they were discussing as part of before the opening of school all the Mendel Garelik. their orientation meeting for the required permits had still not been One day, a large group of new school year. There was a obtained. Tension in the house was immigrants from Yemen arrived in sudden silence and the rosh yeshiva, at a peak. The father was pressuring Lud. One family after another were Rabbi Binyamin Sofer, got up and them to send the children to the sent to the municipality each went said divrei Torah. I listened and my kibbutz school but the mother to the department of education to amazement grew from moment to insisting that they had to attend a reach an agreement as to which moment. He was reviewing, nearly religious school. She did all possible school to send their children. word for word, the D’var Malchus segulos – she wrote to the Rebbe, lit Representatives of the kibbutzim, for Parshas Shoftim! He explained a candle, read the prayer of the Mizrachi, Chinuch Atzmai and the the difference between shoftim and Sh’lah for children, and finally, at various government tracks were shotrim and between the shoftim the end of the final day of vacation, present, and these two young and yoatzim we will have in the permission was granted with all the Lubavitchers were there as well. future, and he spoke about the details worked out. Even the Each one tried to convince the obligation to listen to the prophet. transportation costs were fully immigrants to join them. He said that this was the covered. These two bachurim saw how Lubavitcher Rebbe’s sicha. The father took them on the first hard it was to communicate with “When he was finished, I went day of school. On the way there, the new immigrants and noted how over to him and asked whether he their son was flooded with worries powerful the opposition was, and knew the shliach in Beit Shaan. about the new school. The father, they came up with a creative idea. ‘What’s the question? I daven who didn’t want this school anyway, They knew that many of the regularly at the Chabad house, almost turned the car around … He Yemenite immigrants came from attend the farbrengens, and learn finally continued driving in the right Chaban in Yemen, so they shouted, the D’var Malchus with Rabbi Ro’i direction. “Tell them you want Chinuch Tor, the shliach to the kibbutzim Once school began, all were Chaban! Only Chaban!” near Beit Shaan!’” satisfied. The older son began The Yemenites heard them and Of course, Ro’i got a big yasher studying with R’ Noam for his bar were thrilled to find out that there ko’ach. mitzva. The father began calling was Chinuch Chaban in Eretz him up to ask him questions about Yisroel and when they were said, THE MOTHER INSISTED the month of Elul in order to be “Rak Chaban,” they were able to help his children do their understood to mean “Chabad.” Rabbi Noam Bar Tov, shliach at homework – why do we blow the This enabled them and their moshava Balforia near Afula, shofar, why do we say L’Dovid children and their children’s relates: Hashem? And the younger son has children to get a proper chinuch, in One of the families at the friends. Chabad. moshava decided to send their children to a religious school. Actually, it was the mother who was CHABAD – CHABAN, THE ROSH pushing for the religious school WHATEVER … YESHIVA’S KISS while the father leaned towards a Mesirus nefesh for a proper One day, a young man came to school at kibbutz Meizra. The chinuch has been around for visit the Chabad yeshiva in Chaifa. children, too, had differing thousands of years. What follows It was evening and he did not have opinions. The younger son are two stories from the period a place in the dormitory so he lay protested that he had friends at his when the State came into being and down on the floor in one of the former school and who knew there was the big aliya from Yemen rooms. This young man, from a whether he’d make friends at the and Russia. Chassidishe family, had not walked religious school. In those days mighty battles the straight and narrow but had left I started looking into which were waged over where the yeshiva and registered in a religious religious school would suit them hundreds and thousands of children pre-military academy. One of his and found several possibilities, but of the new immigrants would be friends in yeshiva had kept in touch

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with him and was learning in the a local McDonalds. To her tells him, “It’s all thanks to you. If Chaifa branch of the yeshiva in amazement, he took the sandwich you hadn’t grabbed me at the time Tzfas, and he had come to visit and began chanting the HaMotzi in the way you did, I wouldn’t be him. bracha the way he had been taught. the way I am today. Whatever I The rosh yeshiva, Rabbi MM She was mortified as all the other have today in Torah and Chassidus Wilschansky, walked into the room patrons fell silent and only her two is all to your credit.” and saw a young man with an odd year old’s clear voice could be heard yarmulke lying on the floor. He reciting the bracha. THE POWER OF asked the man who he was and When he was finished, all the NIGGUNIM where he came from. R’ customers answered “amen” and Wilschansky was excited to hear applauded the courageous little boy. R’ Lisson was asked to speak at that this was the son of an old That’s Chassidishe chinuch! the Kinus of teachers about the friend and he kissed the bachur and unique way in which he made sure he got a proper bed. He transformed his class. In an FROM THE WORLD OF educational project that takes an wished him well and a good night. SOCCER TO THE WORLD A few months went by and the entire year, he teaches his class 70 young man began having second OF CHASSIDUS niggunei Chabad, with some words thoughts about his choices. He Rabbi Shlomo Chaim Lisson is from the davening sung to the returned to yeshiva and began the Rebbe’s shliach in the Karmel tunes. learning again. neighborhood in western Chaifa. In His father, R’ Avrohom, an elder One day, he told the friend who the morning he teaches in the Chassid in Kfar Chabad, is the had kept in touch with him that the Chabad elementary school in originator of the concept. R’ thing that made the greatest impact Krayot. Avrohom uses niggunim when he on him, which convinced him to A few years ago he had a student davens for many hours a day, return to yeshiva and Chassidishe in his class whose sole interest was especially on Shabbos. Legend has ways, was the kiss the rosh yeshiva soccer. The child came to school it that one Shabbos morning his had given him. It moved him and only to play soccer during recess; wife offered him a cup of coffee gave him the feeling that he was not during class time, he rested from with milk and he said he was still cut off and that he was an the game and gathered his strength fleishig because by the time he had inseparable part of the family and of for the next recess. When he played, finished davening and sat down for Chassidus. he beat everyone; he played with all the Friday night meal, it was close his heart. This is why he needed a to two in the morning. The residents of Kfar Chabad A BRACHA IN good rest until the next game. In addition, he was an avid are familiar with R’ Lisson’s lengthy MCDONALDS follower of professional soccer in davening. Sometimes when guests Rabbi Wilschansky’s wife ran Israel and around the world. He come for Shabbos, their hosts take Chabad’s daycare center in Chaifa would wander the streets in order to them on a tour of the Kfar after the for a while. The center also watch the championship games on Friday night meal. The highlight is accepted children from irreligious restaurant televisions or at a kiosk always when they quietly enter the families. One of these babies and slowly but surely he went shul at 12 or 1 at night and see an remained in the center till age three downhill spiritually. old Chassid still sitting and and then was sent to an irreligious R’ Lisson tried to intervene, davening Kabbalas Shabbos or preschool and elementary school. taking him on as his project. He Maariv, singing Chassidishe One day, Mrs. Wilschansky met invited him to his house and niggunim. the mother of the boy. The mother lovingly convinced him that he was R’ Lisson, the son, teaches his told her that three years after the wasting his time and his best years. students 70 niggunim and then child had left the daycare center, he The child eventually dropped all the takes them on an outing to Kfar still asks her every day – when is nonsense and devoted himself to his Chabad, where they meet his father Moshiach coming? learning and Chassidishe behavior and hear him sing the special This boy, when he was two, and today he is a wonderful bachur niggunim. Some say this is the best surprised everybody with the in 770. Those who know him would trip of the year, and it leaves an Chassidishe chinuch he had never believe that this is the same indelible Chassidic impression on received at the center. His mother person. the young students. once took him to eat a sandwich in Whenever he meets R’ Lisson he

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chinuch

necessarily in learning (though that of course, is preferable) affords an opportunity to place emphasis on the CHINUCH IN direction of the discussion and to differentiate between what is important and what is trivial, giving the child the ability to think more deeply. So for example, if a child A WORLD OF repeats an idea that he learned about, you can ask him: “You learned the machlokes of Abaya and Rava about yi’ush shelo mi’daas – whether it is considered a valid yiush CHITZONIUS or not? Tell me, what should interest us – the halachic disagreement, the halacha and its ramifications, or in which city Abaya lived when he said By Rabbi Nechemia Schmerling this halacha or what color his beard or clothing were?” When a child tells about a book A shliach and educator addresses the he read or an incident he saw and he goes from point to point and doesn’t challenges we face today in providing a relate things in an organized way, you should stop him and ask him to chinuch that develops a child’s capacity go in order. for deep and organized thinking, as well These kind of conversations and the development of an organized as staying grounded in the world of approach to thinking and talking, will give the child the basic tools to Torah. express himself in a clear and topical fashion. One of the problems of our children. You don’t need to go far to find generation is superficiality. In an In the Litvishe yeshiva world learning tools to acquire the attempt to overcome the problem, there is a concept of “talking in necessary expertise, because every different approaches have been learning.” Beyond the mitzva of religious household has a taken. There are workbooks that “you shall teach your children” and Mishnayos, Gemara, and an array of color different portions of the topic internalizing the value of “and you s’farim from Tanach to halacha to in varying colors, or a sugya of shall delve in it [Torah] day and Chassidus. Gemara may be presented in the night,” the proper use of this You need to match the text to the form of a flow chart or simplified to medium improves the child’s ability child’s world in order to challenge an exaggerated and silly extent. All to conduct a conversation with a him to learn and make progress these approaches circumvent the beginning, middle and end. from question to answer etc., so he problem of superficiality and don’t Even in shiurim for adults, many will want to look into a Torah book provide real solutions to it. interesting but off-the-subject and find it a source of inspiration. It’s a fact that all the new questions are asked. Time and I have two suggestions. One is methods taught in teacher training again, the lecturer – who as a to teach those chapters and tractates programs do not begin to measure yeshiva graduate has acquired a that relate to the child’s world. It’s up to the level of scholastic derech in learning – has to respect true that the accepted practice from achievement that has been the the questioner while explaining that generations ago is to start learning benchmark of our ancient traditional the question has to be put aside for Gemara with “eilu metzios” but “kav approach to learning. And yet, we another time so as not to interrupt b’arba amos” is not part of the need to adapt that approach to the the flow of the lesson. child’s world and he immediately capacities and distractions of today’s Conversing with a child, not sees it as a burden. The other classic prakim are similar,

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“ha’socher es ha’umnam,” then this might be the price parents “ha’mafkid,” etc. They are all have to pay. That is besides the fascinating but they cannot be the positive results that books of gate through a child today passes adventure and suspense have in through to the world of Torah study. developing the child’s imagination However, if we start with and the ability to draw mental “ha’meini’ach es ha’kad” which is pictures - traits that are very about a person accidentally or welcome to a Chassid, along with purposely banging into another the enrichment of general person’s object in a public domain knowledge. and go from there to whether a We can utilize the reading of person is allowed to implement books to develop the abilities of the justice on his own with the variety of child by asking him to tell us what examples cited there, this is he read and discussing what is eminently suitable for a child. It’s a important and what is trivial. We chapter that discusses things that can slow his speech down with the happen every day in the classroom, request to emphasize certain points, in the schoolyard, everywhere. and hold an extended conversation This approach is not just relevant Rabbi Nechemia Schmerling to guide him in his reading and his to a teacher but to the parent too. ability to express himself verbally. In When a child presents a dilemma desire for more. This can be this way, we can indirectly give the that he’s facing, it’s a good idea to accomplished when the lesson was child good tools that will serve him show the child that the question enjoyable and not a nerve-wracking well when he reads sifrei kodesh and appears in s’farim. Knowing that the ordeal. when he learns. answer is there will motivate him to When we come to a statement of All the above relates to the child want to put in the effort to find out fact cited in the Gemara it’s enough who enriches his world with books what it is. for the teacher or parent to say the and is open to continued My second suggestion is to liven words, “let’s open a new file” a achievement in his studies. Of up the sugya not only with flow concept taken from the child’s course, we must make certain that charts and tables but with a story world. Or when you learn Tosfos, we were successful in the proper use from the child’s own world. For you can introduce the child to the of these tools, in helping him example, if the child knows that the “entrance to the building,” “the first overcome all the different hurdles. army is pursuing terrorists today, floor” – the question, “the second Our generation must contend you can start a class with, “Today we floor” – the answer, “the third floor” with superficiality and hurriedness of are an elite unit that is going out to – the refutation etc. All of this will life, and an over-involvement in search for a wanted man.” After make it easier for the child relate to materialism. Though the specific explaining the Gemara’s question, the words on the page and will characteristics of each generation ask, “Is what we are looking for to improve his attitude towards are unique, children who are looking be found in this question?” The learning Gemara. to leave it all behind have been “elite unit” continues and when they What about reading books for challenging, “What do I get out of discover that what they are looking enjoyment, especially the plethora this?” and “Who does this help?” for is not in the answer, they need to of Jewish books? since the time of the Gemara. The focus their attention on the next It’s hard to give a clear-cut teacher or parent’s instinctive question and so on. Of course one answer to that. If it’s possible to get reaction is to beg the child to “just must be careful not to push the the child to make great achievements cooperate” and to fall back on oft- metaphor too far. without this literature, that’s better. repeated arguments. Let’s not forget If you don’t want to connect the If the plentiful and positive material that the child has heard and seen child’s world to messages like these, which describes the lives of g’dolei this all before, and it is these things then find a short Chassidic story or Yisroel succeeds in serving as an that he is lashing out against. In saying that is connected with the attraction, it’s still a good idea to some cases there is even a certain material or enhances the serve as a filter and check out the enjoyment – conscious or explanation. The goal of the Gemara books’ content. But if it’s a way to unconscious – in being courted, or halacha shiur is for the child to get a child involved with learning, which drives him to reject and resist. leave with a good feeling and the Even attempts to connect, to some

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degree, to the new world of the rebel “What happened? I’m a bit different the adopting of obnoxious behavior through acceptance, or to fight his than the world of my parents and like ostentatious spitting and rebellion using the knowledge of the they think I’m crazy?” The parent or outbursts accompanied by world that he has become exposed teacher needs to describe the child’s threatening hand motions etc. Here, to, are not the way to bring him behavior and try to work out with too, it is appropriate to draw back to the world of Torah. the professional what is going on attention to the need for limits. You Some children are drawn to with the child and how to deal with can say, “My dear friend, if you materialism not out of any interest in it within the classroom or family. learned in the jungle of Uganda, rebellion, but simply resulting from A child whose rebellion is merely sitting on the dirt floor and writing chasing after materialistic desires. lashing out to protect his pursuit of on a wooden board, would this kind He is curious and there is the pleasure is like an ox barreling of behavior be tolerated? element of “stolen waters are sweet.” forward who enjoys goring whatever Fortunately, you are in this Personal example and patience, is in its path. The best thing to do is classroom because over there you together with careful observation to keep out of his way. A situation in would have an unpleasant encounter and waiting for the right opening, which he races forward only to with a whip and everybody would will definitely help. discover that there is nobody consider that the right way to treat a A moment of disappointment in obstructing his path somewhat porek ol (one who throws off the something that he found attractive weakens the intensity of his yoke) like you.” or previously satisfying is an rebelliousness. This takes the wind In many instances, at home and opportune time to conduct a serious out of his sails so that, having in school, we don’t identify when a and loving conversation. You can satisfied his curiosity and child is struggling with a problem. demonstrate to the child the experienced the disappointment of When we do know about it, we emptiness and poverty of the the big world, he will likely ease his don’t always offer the right response material world in contrast to the way back on track. Even if, to the child. Even if we make a worthwhile investment of the Torah tragically, he remains outside, at mistake, and sometimes mess up, world where there is refinement and least he won’t be carrying around a the right thing to do is always to satisfaction. The fact that the timing grudge over the way he was treated attempt to patch things up and not is exactly when the child is ready to by society. to give up. Either way, we have hear you, can be the impetus for a Nonetheless, there must still be accomplished something. If we are change for the better in the child’s some boundaries that can never be successful, we achieved the goal. behavior. crossed, such as blatant disrespect And if we are not successful, the The other type is the rebel. This or undermining the authority of the child will eventually identify with our rebellion may be his way of teacher and the very Torah itself. A efforts to approach him. And as legitimizing the world he has chosen, common example of this is how boys opposed to pleading, which tends to or may be a result of emotional like these often mistreat Torah texts intensify the negative behavior, our baggage, where his pursuit of as an act of protest and even go to constantly involvement with his pleasure serves as fuel to drive his the extreme of throwing them into a issues will cause the child to feel that already confused self-image. A far corner. When I see this we really care about him, and in the child in the throes of such a behavior, especially in public, I end it will help you achieve good rebellion is suspicious and always stop the lesson and describe results and at least won’t leave the withdrawn, and he won’t share his to the children the decrees against child feeling that he cried out for difficulties with anyone identified s’farim throughout history, the help and nobody responded. with the world that offended him burning of the Talmud in Paris in the In general, consistent effort does and from which he is estranged. He Middle Ages or the burning of away with the feeling that we treat won’t cooperate with his parents or s’farim by the Nazis, and top it off him lightly or don’t care, and our teachers, and will remain unmoved with the famous line, “Where they caring has the spiritual ability to by even the most famous mashpiim burn books, they will eventually burn make a difference as we say that it’s who may attempt to reach him. people,” emphasizing that this led to a chazaka that our efforts don’t go Here, it pays to speak to a the breaking of all human barriers. wasted and they have the ability to professional, preferably a religious Presenting things properly, even expand the vessels for Hashem’s person. Do not, however, make the without referring to the child who brachos for success in chinuch. mistake of taking the child to this threw the books, will usually be The above appeared in the magazine professional. This will only reinforce effective. “Chinuch B’Derech HaMelech” his rebelliousness as he will think, Another common phenomenon is

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moshiach & geula THE REBBE ENCOURAGED THE SINGING OF YECHI BEFORE MILLIONS OF VIEWERS

Rabbi Shmuel Menachem Mendel Butman Director of HaMatteh HaOlami to Bring Moshiach and director of Tzach

the decision to form this new When we produced the T-shirt that said organization. The Rebbe approved of ‘Moshiach is on his way’ and showed the the name and of the director. We spoke with R’ Butman, who Rebbe a sample while on line for told us about the work of the Matteh: ‘dollars,’ the Rebbe asked how many T- “We were encouraged continuously by the Rebbe for every shirts we made. We said 2000 and the single activity we did. The Rebbe responded with blessings to every Rebbe said he would take one and we single letter. When we gave the would still have 1999, and yasher Rebbe material that we produced, he said yasher ko’ach and said he ko’ach for the shirts. would take it with him to the Ohel. When we produced the T-shirt that On Yud Shevat, 5753/1993, The Among the participants were: R’ said ‘Moshiach is on his way’ and International Campaign to Bring Mottel Chein, R’ Shlomo Majeski, R’ showed the Rebbe a sample while on Moshiach arranged a live broadcast, Berel Lipsker, R’ Yoel Kahn, R’ line for ‘dollars,’ the Rebbe asked in front of millions of viewers, of Leibel Altein, R’ Pinye Korf, R’ Kuti how many T-shirts we made. We Kabbalas HaMalchus of the Rebbe Rapp, R’ Itche Springer, and R’ said 2000 and the Rebbe said he Melech HaMoshiach. * The Rebbe Yaakov Spritzer, as well as many would take one and we would still approved and encouraged this. others. have 1999 … and he added, ‘A It was about five days after the They decided to form a yasher ko’ach for the shirts.’” sicha of Chaf-Ches Nissan, on 3 worldwide Moshiach organization to Did you receive specific horaos? Iyar, 5751. R’ Moshe Slonim a”h promote activities in inyanei Yes. At the beginning of Adar, and R’ Dovid Nachshon, who were Moshiach. They called it “The 5752, we sent a report in to the very involved in inyanei Moshiach International Campaign (HaMatteh Rebbe about the activities that were and Geula, met in the office of the HaOlami) to Bring Moshiach” and done. The Rebbe responded to us Chabad Mobile Mitzva Tanks in Rabbi Shmuel Butman was picked to with a bracha and added, “Shira Crown Heights with about forty of run it. v’zimra sixty days.” When we Anash to come up with a plan “of Right after the meeting, R’ reported about certain difficulties the what to do and how to do it, to Nachshon reported to the Rebbe Rebbe repeated this horaa. actually bring Moshiach.” about who participated and about At first we did not understand

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the concept of “bittul b’shishim” in the deeper sense until the Rebbe explained it at length the next Shabbos, about how undesirable things could be nullified in sixty. We considered this a horaa that was given specifically to the Matteh HaOlami to Bring Moshiach and that is why, each year, singing and dancing are arranged in 770 for the month(s) of Adar. The biggest thing you did was the coronation you arranged for Yud Shevat, 5753, when the Rebbe encouraged the singing of Yechi that was broadcast live via satellite all over the world. When did this idea come up? It was the idea of several people, satellite that would be seen on (transmitted by the secretary, R’ including R’ Menachem Gerlitzky televisions viewed by millions of Leibel Groner) to making a who was so devoted to the people, which was our plan. satellite (hook-up) on Sunday, 9 organization. We examined the Finally, on 5 Shevat, the Badatz Shevat at 5:00 pm, we hereby wish Rebbe’s sichos of recent years and of Crown Heights, the Beis Din to make known that “there is came to the conclusion that it was Rabbanei Lubavitch HaKlali and the nothing to be said after the king time for the entire world to accept Beis Din Rabbanei Chabad in Eretz has spoken” (and therefore, the the Rebbe’s malchus, and we Yisroel put out a joint letter under letter in our name is cancelled). thought that Yud Shevat, the day the the heading, “Fearful Warning” Signatories in the name of the Rebbe accepted the nesius, was the which said: battei ha’dinim: Rabbi Yehuda right time. Let everyone around the “Since certain things were Kalman Marlow, R’ Yitzchok world see how the Rebbe came out publicized regarding the gathering Hendel, Rabbi Mordechai Shmuel to the public and encouraged the on Yud Shevat… that could lead to a Ashkenazi. singing of Yechi and take this chilul sheim Lubavitch, we have Due to the sweeping approbation opportunity to accept the Rebbe’s found it necessary to warn about not that we received, we had rabbanei malchus with the proclamation of doing television or radio for the Anash from all over the world sign Yechi. outside … the broadcast should be ads calling upon the public to gather Did you get the Rebbe’s just for Anash and not for the on Yud Shevat for a coronation and approval for this plan? outside because it is liable to ruin the proclamation of Yechi. In all Yes. We gave the Rebbe the plans more than to fix. The entire inyan is Lubavitch communities worldwide and asked for his approval and only only for Anash and not for the we arranged for people to be able to after receiving his approval and his outside.” see and join in the coronation in blessing did we get it underway. The next day, we showed the 770. Rumor has it that there were Rebbe the entire plan once again and Did people respond positively? rabbanim who opposed your plan the proclamation of the rabbanim And how! Until this day there and even publicized letters to this about participating in it. The Rebbe was never a worldwide broadcast effect … approved it and gave a bracha, and from 770 as there was that evening. There is a lot of confusion and R’ Leibel Groner publicized this in It started with ads from rabbanim in distortion about this. Rabbanim did writing, following which the Kfar Chabad magazine and after that not put out a letter that opposed the rabbanim issued a retraction of their it wasn’t necessary to advertise it Rebbe’s very own approval of the original letter. This is what they any further … Within a very short plan. What happened was as follows: wrote: time this was being spoken about in There were some askanim who Clarification all the Israeli media and from there maintained that the Rebbe’s approval In light of the Rebbe MH”M’s it went to all media worldwide. was meant solely for a broadcast in explicit agreement and bracha During the event itself, over Chabad centers and not for the

BEIS MOSHIACH Issue 749 41 749_B_Beis Moshiach 12/07/2010 8:59 AM Page 42

twenty journalists from the something unusual in that the biggest television networks in Rebbe focused his gaze on the world were present and each camera separately so that they broadcasted the event live. the Rebbe’s direct focus was a By Divine Providence, that part of each individual night was the Super Bowl, the broadcast. most-watched American This strengthened the television broadcast with an feeling we all had that the average of 106.5 million Rebbe was pleased and viewers. Nobody plans an interested in a global effort of event or family gathering on kabbalas ha’malchus. Super Bowl night. So millions What happened of people were anticipating the afterwards? game when there was a sudden Aside from the direct announcement that the start of impact of the satellite the game would be postponed broadcast in which everybody and in the meantime the proclaimed Yechi seven times, coronation of the Lubavitcher it was an impetus for massive Rebbe would be broadcast. activity because from then on, How did the Rebbe react the “secret” of the identity of at the time? Moshiach was out. The Rebbe came out for Merkaz and Tzeirei Aguch Maariv, knowing what was in Eretz Yisroel, for example, taking place. In addition, some produced explanatory material The advertisement of the rabbanim of the secretaries made sure to the Rebbe approved. The ad was on the topic of Moshiach for tell the Rebbe again about the event published in Kfar Chabad and the Yud-Alef Nissan, shortly afterwards, and the extent of the publicity and Israeli media picked it up. in which they referred to the p’sak the Rebbe was still willing to come din of rabbanim about the Rebbe out. vigorously encouraged the singing of being Moshiach and his positive Unlike most days, the Rebbe Yechi in front of the cameras regard for this inyan. On the side of stayed out on the open porch for broadcasting the event to millions of the page they included a form for about eight minutes and he viewers. People also noticed kabbalas ha’malchus. Raskin's Consistently “if it grows we have it” Superior Fruit and Produce Emporium WHOLESALE & RETAIL Michal & Aaron Raskin We Deliver 335 Kingston Ave. Brooklyn NY 11213 * Tel: (718) 756-3888 756-2221 * Fax: 756-2440

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42 5 Menachem Av 5770 BEIS MOSHIACH