CONTENTS

4 | NEW YEAR FOR TREES, NEW LIFE FOR JEWISH LIFE D’var Malchus / Sichos in English 8 | THE KING DOESN’T NEED YOUR TATTERED U.S.A PILLOW 744 Eastern Parkway Moshiach / Rabbi Chaim Ashkenazi Brooklyn, NY 11213-3409 Tel: (718) 778-8000 Fax: (718) 778-0800 12 | THE BABA SALI: RABBI YISROEL [email protected] www.beismoshiach.org ABUCHATZEIRA ERETZ HA’KODESH Feature / Rabbi Sholom Ber Volpe 72915 s"cj rpf 102 /s/, (03) 9607-290 :iupky 20 | CHASSIDIC ARTIST (CONT.) (03) 9607-289 :xep

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SICHOS IN ENGLISH

SHABBOS PARSHAS B’SHALACH; of land, including the potential to of our health. Fruit, in contrast, is CHAMISHA-ASAR B’SHVAT, 5750 produce fruit, are reflected in the not required for these reasons and is 1. Chamisha Asar B’Shvat is Rosh Jewish people. In particular, they eaten primarily for the pleasure it HaShana of the Trees. The share a special connection to the brings. chosen land, Eretz Yisroel, and the connection between this holiday and b) The growth potential exhibited our service is evident from the seven species of fruit for which Eretz Yisroel is praised in the Torah. by trees far exceeds that of grain. phrase “for a man is like the trees of Although there is an abundant the field.” Our Sages explain that a Each of the seven species is increase in quantity, the harvested fruit tree is a metaphor for Torah employed as a metaphor for the grain is of the same nature as the sages, and by extension, the Jewish Jewish people. The Jews are called kernels that were originally planted. people, since “all your sons are “the first of His grain” (referring to The seed of a fruit tree, however, is students of the L-rd.” From a certain wheat and barley). Psalms describes of an entirely different nature than dimension — the aspect of man that the Jews as “a vine brought forth the fruit that is later harvested. is comparable to a fruit-bearing tree from Egypt” (grapes). Similarly, we — the Rosh HaShana of the Trees find the metaphors of figs: “the first Similarly, regarding our service of adds a level of fulfillment above that fruit of the fig tree in its season;” G-d, the metaphor of fruit trees associated with Rosh HaShana, the pomegranates: “your shoots are an alludes to a service that is not day of man’s creation. orchard of pomegranates;” olives: limited to the basic necessities but “The L-rd called your name, ‘a green one that generates pleasure. It It is written, “He (G-d) placed reveals the potential for growth. Not the world within your hearts,” i.e., olive tree, fair, with goodly fruit;’” and a date palm: “Your stature is like only a quantitative increase, but a everything that exists in the world leap to a higher level, a new also exists within a Jew’s heart. a palm tree,” and “the righteous will flourish like a palm tree.” framework of reference. Chamisha Indeed, it would be more Asar B’Shvat, Rosh HaShana of the appropriate to reverse the order of Since Chamisha Asar B’Shvat is Trees, generates new energy to carry the statement and say that because the Rosh HaShana of the Trees, it out this service, and also to carry something exists within a Jew’s generates new life energy for the out the service described by the heart, a parallel is brought into service of the Jewish people, who are metaphor of grain. being within the world at large. likened to trees. There is an added dimension to Thus, we can use a metaphor of In comparing grain and fruit, we the above services this year, when land to refer to the Jewish people, as find two fundamental differences: Chamisha Asar B’Shvat falls on the verse states, “You shall be a Shabbos. Shabbos is also connected desired land.” All the characteristics a) Grain is the staple of our diet with the service of pleasure, sharing and is necessary for the maintenance

4 BEIS MOSHIACH - 14 Shvat 5764 an intrinsic bond with the service The metaphor of implanting or is intended to elevate and refine the alluded to by fruit. “sowing” the Jewish people into exile animal soul. Although this service is relevant on a personal level, represents a descent, ultimately, it The weekly Torah portion, relating to how the soul descends elevates even the G-dly soul itself by Parshas B’Shalach, also contributes into the world to elevate the body, lifting it to a higher rung of Divine to this theme. B’Shalach describes the animal soul, and its portion in service. the Jewish people’s exodus from the world at large, making a Egypt. Our Sages associated two of dwelling for G-d in the lower To explain: The animals were the verses quoted above (which use worlds. Through our fulfillment of created before man. In our own the fruits of Eretz Yisroel as mitzvos (also described by the lives, we are required to feed our metaphors for the Jewish people, metaphor of sowing), we draw down animals before we eat. This pattern namely, “a vine brought forth from the revelation of G-dliness into the is reflected in our spiritual makeup. Egypt” and “your shoots are an world. The G-dly soul is “the second soul in orchard of pomegranates”) with the Israel.” Before the G-dly soul is fully exodus. 2. As mentioned, this revelation manifested in the body, the animal of G-dliness is brought about by the soul has already established its hold. The concept of planting and Jewish people’s Divine service. harvesting is connected with the Accordingly, each of the seven Furthermore, for most Jewish concepts of exile and redemption, as species for which Eretz Yisroel is people, the primary service is the the Alter Rebbe relates in Torah Ohr: praised, i.e., the produce which the refinement of the animal soul. The “We find the expression ‘sowing’ Alter Rebbe writes, “the attribute of used in regard to the Jewish people the beinoni is the attribute of all in the Egyptian exile, as it is written, men.” A beinoni’s service involves ‘I will sow it for Me in the land.’ Our refining the animal soul, which Sages declared, ‘A person sows a kur G-d sowed the Jewish “originates in the forces of evil, to reap a harvest of several kurrim...’ invests itself in his flesh and blood, It is written, ‘Israel is sanctified unto people, his produce, and has not been transformed into the L-rd, the first of His grain.’ The good.” emphasis here is on ‘His grain,’ the so that his glory fact that the Jewish people are G-d’s would be revealed in The reason that the G-dly soul is produce... Just as a person sows forced to descend and invest itself in grain for the additional amount that an increased manner. the animal soul, which is material in will grow, so too, since G-d wanted nature, is associated with that the revelation of G-dliness in the metaphor of sowing seeds. The world to be increased...He sowed animal soul is compared to the Israel, His produce, so that His glory earth. Nevertheless, since its source Torah regards as praiseworthy, serves is above that of the G-dly soul, it has would be revealed in an increased as a metaphor for different aspects of manner. Thus, there will be a great the potential to produce growth. Its the service of the Jewish people. The refinement can bring one to greater revelation of G-dliness on this lowly first two species, wheat and barley, plane, just as in the higher spiritual heights than the service of the G-dly are species of grain. Our Sages soul alone. worlds...as will be revealed in the explain that wheat is food for human Messianic age. The Jewish people are beings, whereas barley is primarily This explanation, however, raises the ones who cause this great used for animal fodder. Thus, these a question: If the essential service is revelation...” two species refer to the service of the refinement of the animal soul, The Alter Rebbe continues, the why is wheat mentioned before employing both the metaphors of G-dly soul and the service of the barley in the verse praising Eretz grain and a vine to describe the animal soul, respectively. Yisroel? It would seem that barley should be granted precedence. activities of the Jewish people. The Hebrew word for man, Similarly, the Midrash uses the “adam,” is related to the word To explain: It is impossible to metaphors of sowing grain and “adama” (I resemble), as in, “I begin working on the animal soul planting trees and vines to describe resemble the One above.” This is a alone. To refine the animal soul, it is G-d’s sending the Jewish people into fitting description of the G-dly soul. first necessary to reveal the light of exile in Egypt. Barley, “food for the animal (soul),” the G-dly soul. When sowing seeds, the growth potential is latent in the

Issue Number 449 - BEIS MOSHIACH 5 earth; but unless a seed is sown, that to proceed to barley, the refinement with the refinement of the spiritual potential will never be expressed. of the animal soul. It is through “the descent caused by this sin. Similarly, because the animal soul is barley harvest,” however, that even material in nature, the G-dly soul the G-dly soul can be lifted to a c) Pomegranates: Pomegranates must invest itself within it to bring higher rung. refer to the fulfillment of mitzvos, as out the power of its source. our Sages commented, “Even the 3. As mentioned above, not only empty ones among you are as full of This concept is reflected in our the grains but also the five fruits for mitzvos as a pomegranate is of daily service. According to the which Eretz Yisroel are praised are seeds.” Doing mitzvos involves Jewish calendar, a day begins at metaphors for the service of the material objects, emphasizing the night. The recitation of the Shma is Jewish people. Furthermore, this elevation of this lower plane of the first mitzva to be fulfilled each service is also connected with the existence. day. In the Shma we proclaim, “And refinement of the animal soul: you shall love the L-rd, your G-d,” There are two dimensions as to the service of the G-dly soul. Only a) Grapes: Wine is described as how pomegranate seeds compare to thereafter does the verse continue, “bringing joy to man and G-d.” The the service of refining the material “with all your heart,” interpreted by name for G-d used here, “Elokim,” world through performing mitzvos. our Sages to mean “with both your refers to the aspect of G-dliness that Whereas grape seeds can be seen hearts,” i.e., with the animal soul, as limits and conceals revelation in through their skin, pomegranate well. Only after the G-dly soul seeds are hidden. This reflects how expresses it’s love for G-d is it the mitzvos are invested and hidden possible to refine the animal soul It is impossible to in the material aspects of our and transform it so that it too existence. Also, each pomegranate expresses love for G-d. begin working on the seed is associated with a separate portion of the fruit. This relates to Similarly, each morning, when a animal soul alone. To the concept that every Jew, even “the person arises as “a new creation,” he empty ones,” are “filled with begins his day with the declaration refine the animal mitzvos,” i.e., they are beings of “Modeh Ani,” the acknowledgement soul, it is first substance. of the G-dly soul. And only afterwards he begins the service of necessary to reveal d) Olives: “An olive releases its working to refine the animal soul. oil only when it is pressed.” This the light of the G-dly alludes to the service of self This pattern is alluded to in the nullification, which is on a higher verse, “Draw me out, we will run soul. level than subduing the animal soul after You.” “Draw me out” is in the process of refinement. singular, referring to the service of e) Dates: Our Sages state that a arousing the G-dly soul. “We will order to allow the creation of a run after you” is plural, referring to date palm produces fruit after limited world. Thus, wine “brings seventy years. Seventy refers to the the combined activity of the G-dly joy to...Elokim,” ensuring that the soul and the animal soul. First, the completion of the task of refining forces of concealment will not our seven emotional attributes, the G-dly soul is aroused. Then, it prevent the revelation of G-d’s inner invests itself in the animal soul and essential aspect of our service at qualities on this plane. Implied in present. The period of seventy years motivates it to the love of G-d. This, this service is the refinement of the in turn, brings out a greater love in also implies that much effort and animal soul to the extent that it will energy is invested in this service. the G-dly soul, to the extent that it no longer conceal G-dliness. is motivated to “run.” Nevertheless, just as the effort b) Figs: According to certain required surpasses that required for Now we can understand why opinions, the Tree of Knowledge was other fruit, so too, the sweetness of wheat precedes barley in the verse a fig tree. All opinions agree that the fruit is much greater. cited above. The first efforts in after the sin, Adam and Chava were The Baal Shem Tov interpreted harvesting the produce of the Jewish able to correct a portion of the people must be directed to wheat, the verse, “You shall be a desired shame caused by their sin by land,” explaining that the Jewish arousing love for G-d within the wearing clothes made from fig G-dly soul. Only then is it possible people are like choice land in which leaves. Thus, eating figs is associated are buried treasures of jewels and

6 BEIS MOSHIACH - 14 Shvat 5764 pearls. In addition to the produce of the trees,” using the plural form. the land provides (grain, necessary May these efforts This distinction, however, alludes to to maintain one’s existence, and the fact that each tree serves as the fruit, which brings pleasure) the lead to the period of source for others.] land provides treasures, giving a person much greater pleasure than ultimate growth, the May these efforts lead to the fruit. This refers to the revelation of period of ultimate growth, the the inner dimension of the Torah, Messianic age, when Messianic age, when all our service which, in his well-known parable, all our service carried carried out in exile will blossom. the Alter Rebbe described as the The connection of the concept of most precious jewel in the king’s out in exile will growth to the Messianic era is crown. The Alter Rebbe explained emphasized by the fact that that the jewel must be pulverized blossom. Tzemach, one of Moshiach’s names, and mixed with water to form an means “growth.” Similarly, in the elixir to be poured upon the mouth Messianic prophecy, “a scepter shall has already been completed in of the king’s bedridden son in the arise in Israel,” the word for abundance, in a manner of pleasure. hope that one drop will enter his “scepter,” shevet, also means “branch.” Similarly, the prophet mouth and save his life. From this Thus, from the above, we can declares, “A shoot shall come forth explanation, we see two dimensions derive several directives to be from the stem of Yishai, and a to the revelation of the inner applied in our behavior. The Rosh branch shall grow forth out of his dimension of the Torah. One HaShana of the Trees should inspire roots.” dimension is the need to save the each person to increase those aspects life of the King’s son, i.e., to preserve of his service related to pleasure and The above relates to this week’s the Jewish people in the darkness of growth, the two concepts we learn Torah portion, Parshas B’Shalach, exile. And on a deeper level, the from trees, as explained above. which describes the final stages of revelation of the quality of pleasure the exodus from Egypt. It is also Also, included in the concept of in Torah is a preparation for the related to the Messianic redemption, growth are the activities a person revelation of the inner dimension of as it is written, “As in the days of undertakes to influence others, the Torah in the Messianic age. your exodus from Egypt, I will show beginning with the members of his you wonders.” Our Sages alluded to Shabbos completes and fulfills family and those living around him. this connection, associating the song the days of the previous week. This Thus, he becomes like “a fruit tree, sang by Moshe at the Sea of Reeds year, Chamisha Asar B’Shvat falls on yielding fruit after its kind whose with the ultimate song of the Shabbos that contributes seed is within it.” fulfillment to the fortieth anniversary redemption to be sung at the coming of Yud Shvat. As explained in the [Indeed, the latter concept sheds of Moshiach. May we experience the previous farbrengens, the service of light on the following problem: The final redemption, and all journey to the seven Nesiim (who parallel the Mishna describes Chamisha Asar Eretz Yisroel, where we will “eat of its seven fruits for which Eretz Yisroel B’Shvat as “Rosh HaShana for a tree,” fruit and be satiated with its was blessed) in spreading the yet, in most texts, we find the goodness.” May it be in the wellsprings of Chassidus outward, holiday described as “Rosh HaShana immediate future.

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Issue Number 449 - BEIS MOSHIACH 7 MOSHIACH THE KING DOESN'T NEED YOUR TATTERED PILLOW

BY RABBI CHAIM ASHKENAZI, MASHPIA, YESHIVAS TOMCHEI T'MIMIM, LOD TRANSLATED BY MICHOEL LEIB DOBRY

Prior to Chaf-Zayin Adar Rishon 5752, it was there is a king!” This is the central point of our easy to be a Lubavitcher and to believe that the avoda in this world: to know that there is a king, to know that there is Rebbe is Melech HaMoshiach, as all the a Master of the universe! revelations had proved this. Everyone saw the And if someone should ask: Does this require special avoda? Anyone Rebbe shlita in all his glory, leading the whole who is truthful to himself knows that world, and they would always ask at every step there is a Master of the universe! The simple answer to this is: True, of their lives, “What does the Lubavitcher everyone can say that there is a king, but not everyone really knows that Rebbe say?” and the Rebbe would tell them there is a king, and not everyone knows what a king is. There is the what to do in connection with all that was famous story about when the Alter happening in the world. This was not a Rebbe returned from the Mezritcher Maggid, and his father-in-law, who question of faith or knowledge, but a saying was known for his opposition to chassidus, asked him, “What did you based on the fact that everything would always learn there?” The Alter Rebbe responded, “I learned that there is a work out logically in the end. Master of the universe!” His father-in- law immediately called one of the There is a story about the dirty and tattered pillow, they maidservants, and asked her, “Is there Mezritcher Maggid, who once sent confiscated the pillow. “I don’t is a Master of the universe?” to which one of his students to a certain tavern understand the king,” the drunkard she replied, “Of course there is!” He to learn something there about avodas told his friend. “Doesn’t he have any then turned to the Alter Rebbe and Hashem. The student traveled to this pillows? And even if he doesn’t, what said, “Nu, even the maidservant says tavern, and heard how a drunken good will a dirty and tattered one like that there is a Master of the universe. gentile was telling his friend that the that do him?” You don’t have to travel to Mezritch royal tax collectors came to his house “Of course, the king doesn’t need for that!” The Alter Rebbe answered for the debt he owed. Since he had your pillow,” his friend responded. him, “She says, I know!” nothing in his house except for a “But the king wants you to know that The meaning of the Alter Rebbe’s

8 BEIS MOSHIACH - 14 Shvat 5764 words will be understood after we soldiers’ wages, he takes it only to days, the host realized that his guest delve a bit into the previous story. show who’s the boss. This example is was none other than the Saadia Gaon. Why did the Maggid send the chassid an illustration of the king in his He entered the Saadia Gaon’s room, to that tavern? Couldn’t he have sent purest form. The wealthy man who fell upon the floor in tears, and him to some normal taxpayer who pays his taxes says that there is a begged forgiveness. The Saadia Gaon also understands that there is a king king, but the poor drunk knows it! didn’t understand what had to whom we have to pay taxes? At happened, so the wealthy man told first glance, it would seem that IN GREATER DEPTH him, “Only now did I realize that you someone who pays more taxes has a As is known, knowledge of the are the great master, etc. If only I had far greater sense of knowledge of the king’s existence is attained at varying known this before!” king’s existence! degrees of profundity. If this applies “You gave me all the good that However, the truth is that if the with a flesh and blood king, then all you possess,” the Saadia Gaon said. whole purpose was to emphasize the the more so with the Creator, the “If so, what difference would it have existence of a king whose sovereignty Infinite King of all kings. Each day in made if you had known who I was? as a powerful ruler is expressed our avodas Hashem, we can reveal What more could you possibly have through tax collection, then whoever done?” pays more taxes has a greater “If I had known before who you recognition of the king’s metzius. In When the king takes were,” the wealthy host replied, “I our case, however, we’re talking would have done it with greater about an entirely different type of a tattered pillow, devotion and enthusiasm!” king. then he perceives in a Some time later, the Saadia Gaon It is known that when the Czar said, “It was then that I learned a was executed, chassidim said that it revealed fashion that [new] method in avodas Hashem. will no longer be possible to Every day, I rise higher through Torah understand the chassidic example of the king is the baal and mitzvos, and I recognize the what a king is. Yet, wouldn’t it seem Creator today more than yesterday. that there were other kings and rulers ha’bayis. The king Therefore, the avoda of yesterday is even after the Czar’s death? The doesn’t need the considered of no value, and for this explanation is that the sovereignty of we must ask forgiveness!” the Czar was unique, since he did not rule over the people with brute force pillow to pay his This also explains the expression (as did Saddam Hussein, yemach soldiers’ wages, he in Tanya, “All of his days in t’shuva,” shmo), rather, the people recognized thus, all the avoda in this world is that he was the country’s true leader, takes it only to show called in chassidus “the avoda of and thus, everything belonged to t’shuva.” This is not due to the him. who’s the boss. committing of transgressions, ch”v, which certainly requires immediate Thus, the Maggid sent the chassid t’shuva. This refers to t’shuva, from the specifically to that inn. When a etymological root “to return,” “and wealthy person pays several thousand newer and deeper knowledge of this the spirit will return to G-d Who rubles in taxes, he doesn’t feel that metzius. gave it.” From what have we the king runs the country. He feel a There is a story about the Saadia distanced ourselves that we need to sense of partnership in the country’s Gaon, who accepted a period of exile return? From the knowledge of the expenses, since after all, he does upon himself, and would go from fact that there is a king. benefit from the police, army, and all town to town with poor people, thus If we only say that there is a king, the other services that the king concealing his identity. Once he came provides. Just as he pays for the it is similar to the thief who kisses to a certain city, where a wealthy the mezuza before leaving his house upkeep on his own home, so too with man, who welcomed all of his guests the whole country. But when the king to make a robbery. He also says that with great warmth, hosted him. The there is a king, yet “he calls to G-d takes a tattered pillow, then he Saadia Gaon was also received with perceives in a revealed fashion that for success in his thefts.” He does not much hospitality and friendliness, see this as a contradiction, since he the king is the baal ha’bayis. The king despite the fact that his host was doesn’t need the pillow to pay his says the metzius of G-d. However, the unaware of who he was. After a few metzius of easy money accessible

Issue Number 449 - BEIS MOSHIACH 9 through stealing – he knows. WHEN THE GOING GETS possibilities (similar to those who As explained in chassidus, one of TOUGH... promise before buying their lottery ticket that if they win, they’ll give 50%, the reasons for the soul’s descent Therefore, the soul descends to this even 90%, to charity). The rebbe asked into this world is in order to know lowly world, with all its hindrances him, “And if you had just one chicken, G-dliness. Before its descent into and concealments at every step of the would you give half of it to G-d?” this world, back in Gan Eden, the way, not only to attain the knowledge soul enjoyed the radiance of the of the mehus of G-d’s radiance No response. Sh’china, and in connection with this afterwards in Gan Eden, but also the What did this mean? It turns out minute illumination, the soul’s knowledge of His very nature with the that this was all he possessed – one metzius was recognizable. In other coming of Moshiach. chicken. This was an expression of his words, it says that there is G-dliness, Just as in the parable of the drunk true metzius, therefore, to give half of but it knows itself. and the pillow, so too, we find in real this to G-d – that’s a different story. To illustrate the nature of this life: When a Jew has no disturbances Even if the wealthy taxpayer gives knowledge, mashpiim at farbrengens in his avodas Hashem, standing at the more than a million dollars every year, would bring the following parable: level of someone who is spiritually this doesn’t show him that there is a Once in a certain village, there lived wealthy with everything coming easily king. However, when that other poor an uneducated and illiterate Jew who for him, his metzius appears in a most soul gives up his tattered pillow (be it retained a melamed in his home to revealed sense. This is his usual nature; willingly or by force) – this really teach his children, and also to read he has no need for avodas Hashem. It’s teaches him that there is a king. him his mail when it arrived. Once a letter arrived from the villager’s This is the whole purpose behind family, informing him that his father, all the trials we confront in the world. r”l, had passed away. The melamed His rebbe asked him, They place the Jew in a situation where read this, and as he continued, he he feels under pressure – problems suddenly saw the man lying on the “And if you had just with parnasa, health, ch”v, etc., and all floor in a dead faint. Naturally, he he wants is to be left in peace. Just was immediately revived, and when one chicken, would then, someone comes to him and says, the melamed asked him what “Put on t’fillin. Come to a Torah class. happened, the villager said, “You read you give half of it to Go on mivtzaim. Help someone.” Such that my father had passed away.” a request comes hard for him right G-d?” now. He would rather involve himself “I don’t understand,” the melamed in more pressing and important said. “I was the one who was reading. matters. At this moment, his entire You only heard it from me second- world is a tattered pillow. hand, yet you fainted, and I didn’t.” a pleasure for him to fulfill Torah and mitzvos, thus, their fulfillment is no He might think to himself: Ribbono “But it’s my father, not yours,” the proof that he knows that there is a Shel Olam, I’m under such pressure. villager replied. king. However, when he stands at a I’m so confused, troubled, and tired. This illustrates why we say spiritually poor level, with the avodas What do You stand to benefit from my “knows” or “says.” In Gan Eden, the Hashem coming with considerable putting on t’fillin, davening, going to a soul is illuminated by the radiance of difficulty and the mitzvos are fulfilled shiur, or helping others? What good is the Sh’china in a manner of “knowing only with great effort on his part, then it all if I’m so stressed? It would be far the metzius.” This is similar to the we see that he recognizes the existence better if You went to someone who has melamed reading the letter bearing of G-d. If despite all the hardships, he all his material needs and plenty of free sad news. He only has knowledge of fulfills Torah and mitzvos, this proves time on his hands. It’s no problem for the metzius, even though he knew that he knows there is a king! him to stop what he’s doing and carry this first in a more direct fashion, out Your Will. There is a story about someone whereas, the villager experienced who went to his rebbe in request of a The answer to this is that G-d knowledge of the mehus (essential bracha for parnasa. The Jew said that if doesn’t need this – you do. You need to nature). Even though he heard the G-d will give him this many forests, know that there is a king. The Alter bad tidings on a second-hand basis, he’ll give G-d half. And if G-d will give Rebbe writes in Likkutei Torah on the this fact has no relevance in him this many houses, he’ll give G-d pasuk, “For G-d tests...to know,” that connection with knowledge of the half, and so it went in a variety of the intention is not that G-d should mehus.

10 BEIS MOSHIACH - 14 Shvat 5764 know, but that man should know. will be removed and we will say, thus, we have a clear expression of Such a moment brings expression “Aha!” how they knew there is a king. to the pasuk “You shall surely place a It is also explained in chassidus Otherwise, there is no logical reason king upon you.” When a Jew does what is written in Megillas Ester, “The why they stood with such self-sacrifice G-d’s will with feeling even under Jews fulfilled and accepted.” Our Sages against all rational odds. such circumstances, this represents say that at Mattan Torah they only ESPECIALLY NOW! the fulfillment of His desire for “a accepted, but during the time of dwelling place for Him in the lower Haman they fulfilled. The Rebbe Similarly, we find in the seventh realms.” In this manner, he scratches Rayatz asks: How can we understand generation. Prior to Chaf-Zayin Adar away at the layer of “I” that this? At the time of Mattan Torah there Rishon 5752, it was easy to be a interferes with his knowledge of the were such great revelations, whereas in Lubavitcher and to believe that the king’s existence. Another layer and the time of Haman it was at the level of Rebbe is Melech HaMoshiach, as all another layer throughout his life – the revelations had proved this. until the days of Moshiach, when we Everyone saw the Rebbe shlita in all will all know that there is a king, as his glory, leading the whole world, is written, “and all flesh will see,” “It was then that I and they would always ask at every “and the earth will be filled with the learned a [new] step of their lives, “What does the knowledge,” “for all will know Me.” Lubavitcher Rebbe say?” and the Rebbe would tell them what to do in The avoda of today is on the level method in avodas connection with all that was of saying in relation to how things will Hashem. Every day, I happening in the world. This was not be at the coming of Moshiach, when a question of faith or knowledge – just “all will know.” This also explains why rise higher through a saying based on the fact that our entire approach towards G-d is everything would always work out called “betrothal,” whereas, when Torah and mitzvos, logically in the end. Moshiach comes, it is called “marriage.” Before a betrothal, there is and I recognize the The faith in the Rebbe MH”M no relevance to a woman saying that during those years did not come from she has a husband, even though it had Creator today more knowledge instilled within one’s soul, been proclaimed in heaven forty days but from pure logic. As is known, logic prior to conception. However, after than yesterday. lives on a seesaw – sometimes up, betrothal, while she can already say sometimes down, depending upon a that she has a husband, we see that it Therefore, the avoda person’s changing mood, due to the isn’t until after marriage that she of yesterday is number of hours he slept, the meal he knows and feels that she has a ate, how many people annoyed him husband. considered of no that day and why, and many other factors that cause someone to decide It is told that chassidim asked the rationally as he does. Tzemach Tzedek what difference does value, and for this we it make if we learn chassidus today or must ask forgiveness!” But today, after Chaf-Zayin Adar not, if we will all learn chassidus Rishon and Gimmel Tammuz, when it anyway when Moshiach comes? The is impossible to understand all this logically, and in fact, everything seems Tzemach Tzedek responded that the “I will surely hide [My face],” a to appear as a tattered pillow, this is difference is the “Aha!” This can be doubled and redoubled state of the opportunity to give to the king, to compared to someone who hears concealment. The explanation is that at give the Rebbe what he invested in us voices behind a wall and doesn’t know the time of Mattan Torah, due to all the all these years from the moment he exactly what is happening there. great revelations, it was comparable to accepted the leadership, feeding us one Afterwards, when the partition is the wealthy man. Why shouldn’t he single message: On to the Redemption! opened, he says, “Aha! That’s what I pay his taxes to the king? It’s worth it He has already told us who the heard!” for him to do so. However, in the time Redeemer is and that he is here with of Haman, there was nothing, and the All of our knowledge, after all the us. avoda, is still only the knowledge that Jewish people were considered as the there are things on the other side of a skin of an onion. Nevertheless, they Let’s greet him now in the truest wall, and at any moment, the partition remained steadfast in their faith, and sense!

Issue Number 449 - BEIS MOSHIACH 11 FEATURE THE BABA SALI: RABBI YISROEL ABUCHATZEIRA

BY RABBI SHOLOM BER VOLPE TRANSLATED BY ALEXANDER ZUSHE KOHN

“From his shoulders up – tzaddikim. We present here the matters. He would spend eighteen taller than any of the people” first in a series of columns hours a day in seclusion studying the (Samuel I, 9:2) is how one aimed at bringing this revealed and kabbalistic dimensions of Torah. In this manner, he grew might attempt to describe the awareness to the English- ever more brilliant and righteous, Rebbe. Ironically, the fact that speaking public. It is our belief and became one of “the holy ones on the Rebbe soars above all that for many people, the earth.” Even as a child, the Baba others sometimes leads people understanding the extent of Sali performed miracles and his to think that many Torah the Rebbe’s influence over prayers were known to bring salvation. leaders of our generation do leaders of non-Lubavitch When he was a young man, the not appreciate the Rebbe’s circles is key to their Baba Sali’s father passed away. greatness. Nothing could be acceptance of the Rebbe’s Subsequently, the Baba Sali became further from the truth! In fact, leadership. May we merit the the rosh yeshiva in Tafilalat. In the it is hard to find a Torah Redemption immediately – year 5681 (1930-31), he visited the leader of our times who does Now! Holy Land for a year and stayed in the Old City of Yerushalayim, not have some type of a direct Baba Sali was the crown of Torah lingering in the shadows of its wise connection with the Rebbe, and holiness of North African Jewry men at Yeshivat Ben Porat Yosef. The and who does not stand in awe and a great miracle worker. Born on great scholars and tzaddikim of of him. Rosh HaShana of the year 5650 Yerushalayim were overjoyed at his (1889-90), in Taflilat, Morocco, he arrival, extolling his greatness, and HaGaon HaChassid Rabbi was the son of the gaon and the sincerity with which he served Sholom Ber Volpe, author of kabbalist, Rabbi Massud G-d. During his stay in Eretz Yisroel, numerous s’farim on nigleh and Abuchatziera (who was the son of he visited Tzfas and became close to the holy gaon and miracle worker, p’nimius ha’Torah, has the Saba Kadisha1, the renowned author of many s’farim on nigleh and kabbalist Rabbi Shlomo Alefandri of compiled an encyclopedic nistar – including Petuchei Chotam sainted memory. work that brings to the public and Machsof HaLavan – Rabbi Yaakov awareness some of the very Abuchatzeira, interred in Damanhûr, Upon his return to Morocco, the warm relationships that the Egypt). Baba Sali succeeded his brother (who was killed al Kiddush Hashem) as As a child, the Baba Sali practiced Rebbe has with many leading leader and spiritual mentor of the fasting and self-mortification, and in scholars, roshei yeshiva, and community. For many years, he general, was removed from worldly

12 BEIS MOSHIACH - 14 Shvat 5764 served as head of the rabbinical court CONNECTED TO THE BAAL morning, after they finished of Arpod and its environs; eventually, SHEM TOV AND THE ALTER studying, prayer services would be he moved to Risani. In the year 5711 REBBE arranged for the tzaddik and he (1950-51) he moved to Eretz Yisroel, would pray the morning services and where he settled in the holy city of The Baba Sali was deeply go rest. The day before Yom Kippur, Yerushalayim. In 5714 (1953-54), he connected to the Baal Shem Tov and the tzaddik requested that a shochet returned to Morocco to uplift and his disciples – particularly the Alter be brought to slaughter his kaparos. strengthen the Jews there. From time Rebbe, author of the Tanya and Rabbi Chadad brought him Rabbi to time, he would reside with the Shulchan Aruch. Yoel Adleman o.b.m. After the Moroccan communities of France. In During the years 5714-5724 kaparos were slaughtered, Rabbi 5724 (1963-64), he moved to Israel (1953-1964), there were times when Chadad asked Baba Sali what he for good, settling in Yavneh and then the Baba Sali took up residence in thought of the shochet. Baba Sali Ashkelon. In 5730 (1969-70), he France. Since he liked to serve G-d replied, “Even Moshe Rabbeinu can established his residence in Netivot. in seclusion during the period eat from what he slaughters.” Baba Sali’s mind was constantly leading up to the high holidays, he Afterwards, Baba Sali told him about focused on G-d, and all his actions would sometimes spend the month a shochet who would wet his knife reflected his anticipation of of Elul in Yeshivat Tomchei T’mimim with the tears that rolled down his Moshiach’s coming. He even had a face during his recital of the Shma special set of clothes interwoven with before going to bed; the shochet golden threads with which to would use this moisture to examine welcome the Redeemer at the “Who are you to and smoothen his knife. appointed time. Since the anniversary of a The Baba’s Sali’s holy name spread judge between these tzaddik’s passing is an auspicious throughout Israel and the world, and giants? I know who time in Heaven, many people have thousands of people flocked to his the custom of omitting the Tachnun home to receive his holy blessing. the Baal Shem Tov is! prayer on such a day. The Baba Sali, The tzaddik would pray for those in however, did not follow this practice need of children, for those in need of Now, get up and – with one exception: 24 Teives, the healing, for those in need of food anniversary of the Alter Rebbe’s and clothing. Indeed, the Baba Sali’s leave – I don’t want passing. holy prayers brought salvation in all The gaon and chassid, Rabbi areas of life, and his miracles to see you by my Machluf Aminadav Krispin, rav of completely transcended the natural side!” Kiryat Bialik, who married the Baba order. Sali’s granddaughter (we will speak The Baba Sali continued to study more at length about him in the chapter on his father-in-law, Rabbi Torah and serve G-d with self- Lubavitch of Brunoy, in order to Meir Abuchetzeira, of sainted sacrifice even during his last days on avoid being disrupted by the many memory), told me an incredible story earth, when he was sick, weak, and people seeking his blessing. There, about the tzaddik that he himself had in great pain. he was given two rooms in which to witnessed. In his own words: study and pray, and he would learn On the 4th day of Shvat 5744 the Alter Rebbe’s Likkutei Torah every (January 8, 1984), (less than a year “I KNOW WHO THE BAAL night from midnight to dawn. after the passing of his saintly son, SHEM TOV IS!” The great gaon Rabbi Yehoshua Rabbi Meir o.b.m.), the Baba Sali “In 5740 (1979-80), I was Chadad, a rav in Milan, told me that departed this world at the ripe old fortunate enough to have a private during Elul of 5716 (August- age of ninety-four. Jews throughout audience with the Rebbe. The Rebbe September 1956) he was fortunate the world mourned the loss of this asked me to tell him something enough to be the Baba Sali’s chavrusa great tzaddik, who would say that he about the Baba Sali, and I related the had accepted suffering upon himself for the study of Likkutei Torah. He following story:2 in atonement for the Jewish people. recalls that every day toward

1 Hebrew, Holy Grandfather — i.e., 2 What follows are Rabbi Krispin’s own elderly tzaddik. words.

Issue Number 449 - BEIS MOSHIACH 13 “When the tzaddik arrived in You brought me someone who “In honor of your ascent to our Eretz Yisroel in 5724 (1963-64), he speaks against the Baal Shem Tov!’ holy land, may it be rebuilt and stayed by his son-in-law (who was Then he added, ‘You will see – if established through our righteous also his brother’s son), Rabbi tomorrow this kollel remains in Moshiach speedily in our time. May Avrohom Abuchatzeira o.b.m., in the Yavneh, I am not the Baba Sali.’ I left your arrival be blessed before G-d. city of Yavneh. There was a kollel in the room and repeated the Baba Sali’s ‘The steps of man are established by this city, and the rosh ha’kollel was a words to Rabbi Avrohom. Rabbi G-d.’ Since G-d has granted you the great gaon who traced his lineage Avrohom began to cry, and he said, privilege of ascending to our holy directly to the Vilna Gaon. This rosh ‘What are we going to do without the land – may it be rebuilt and ha’kollel asked me to arrange an kollel?’ established – surely the Supernal audience for him with the Baba Sali. “I replied, ‘The Baba Sali knows providence has placed upon you a I entered the tzaddik’s room and told what he’s doing.’ special mission [to fulfill] upon the him that the rosh ha’kollel requested holy land. That is, to breathe an an audience with him. When the rosh “Neither the tzaddik nor I told invigorating spirit into our Sephardic ha’kollel entered, the tzaddik treated anyone about what had transpired. brothers, and to be an influence on him with great respect, and asked Nevertheless, the very next morning, them in all matters pertaining to the that mezonos and whisky be brought the council head of Yavneh contacted strengthening of Torah and mitzvos, in order to say ‘l’chaim.’ the rosh ha’kollel, and said, ‘I have and especially, that they keep a been informed by the Interior “I don’t know how they ended up careful eye on all their children – Ministry, who has informed me that both sons and daughters – without speaking about the Baal Shem Tov they are eliminating the funding for 3 exception, that they not fall into the and the Gra, but in the midst of the kollel.’ wrong education networks, G-d their conversation the rosh ha’kollel “From that day on, the kollel was forbid, but rather, receive an remarked dismissively: ‘The Baal no longer in Yavneh! education of Torah and mitzvos, awe Shem Tov cannot be compared at all of G-d, and the tradition of our holy “Not long after this episode, the to the Vilna Gaon when it comes to forefathers, in educational tzaddik asked his son-in-law, Rabbi nigleh.’ Upon hearing these words, institutions that are conducted in a Avrohom, to pack up his things, and the Baba Sali became very upset and spirit of holiness. In the merit of he moved to Ashkelon. said, ‘Who are you to judge between your work to carry out this mission these giants? I know who the Baal “This was the story I told the with self-sacrifice, may G-d grant Shem Tov is! Now, get up and leave Rebbe during my private audience you a long, good, and pleasant life, – I don’t want to see you by my with him. The Rebbe listened in the spirit of the verse, ‘they will side!’ intently, and when I was done, he still be fruitful in old age, vigorous “When the rosh ha’kollel left the spread his holy hands apart, and said and fresh,’ and may you succeed in room, I, who had remained with passionately, ‘Indeed! How can you your mighty work to make ‘the Torah them throughout the entire keep stories like this to yourself?!’” great and glorious,’ and may you conversation, followed him out, have abundant success in your deeply embarrassment at having SAVE THE MOROCCAN personal spiritual and physical caused the whole thing by arranging CHILDREN IN ISRAEL FROM matters.” the meeting. I said to him, ‘How DETRIMENTAL EDUCATION. KING AND LEADER OF OUR could you enter the lion’s den like The tzaddik’s connection to the that and speak in such a manner?!’ Rebbe was quite amazing. In a letter SEPHARDIC BROTHERS “I was embarrassed to go back to dated 26 Teives 5712 (January 24, A biography of the Baba Sali the Baba Sali, and went instead to 1952),4 the Rebbe wishes the Baba entitled Sidna Baba Sali relates that my uncle, Rabbi Avrohom, the rabbi Sali well upon his arrival in Eretz the Baba Sali began seeking the of the entire area. While I was with Yisroel. Addressing the tzaddik as the Rebbe’s advice as early as 5712, Rabbi Avrohom, I was informed that “pillar of Torah, holy lamp, one of when he was considering leaving the Baba Sali wanted to see me. I the ‘lofty ones,’ a large, golden crown Eretz Yisroel, where he had moved entered the tzaddik’s room, and he from the head and beyond,” the to from Morocco only a year earlier: said to me, ‘What did you do to me? Rebbe writes as follows: “His entire purpose in ascending

3 HaGaon Rav Eliyahu, the Vilna Gaon. 4 Igros Kodesh, letter # 1, 370.

14 BEIS MOSHIACH - 14 Shvat 5764 that this would greatly enhance his efforts to hasten the Messianic Redemption. This also explains why the Rebbe’s opinion about his moving to the U.S. was so important to him. The Rebbe goes on to write him a long letter full of Kabbalistic teachings, and advises him to remain in the Holy Land, because he is a king, as in the Talmudic teaching, “Who are the kings? – the rabbis [are the kings]!” The Rebbe explains to the Baba Sali that he is “a comprehensive man and a leader of Israel, whom tens of thousands of Jews listen to... The honorable Gaon has been given the great and awesome merit of using the talents The Baba Sali with his son-in-law, Rabbi Yashar Edrei that G-d has graced you with and the royal treasures that have been to the Holy Land was in order to Sali dated 9 Nissan 5712 (April 4, passed on to you, generation by study Torah and serve G-d without 1952),6 the Rebbe writes: generation, from your holy disturbance. However, because of ancestors, to lead the holy the poor spiritual conditions in the “I was pleased to receive your communities who follow you into land of Israel at the time, he was original important letter, as well as war against the evil inclination, the considering leaving the holy for the your letter of Adar. Let me state 7 8 here my opinion in response to husks and the Other Side, to mundane, and perhaps, moving to fight the war of G-d, and to the United States... where one can your question...concerning the fact that you moved to the Holy Land in publicize G-dliness in all of your devote oneself to the study of Torah surroundings.” and the worship of G-d without too order to immerse yourself in the much trouble. ... In a long letter, study of Torah and the worship of In a letter dated 13 Nissan 5713 comprising teachings from the G-d, but are now considering (March 29, 1953)9 the Rebbe tells Talmud, kabbala, and chassidus, the moving to the United States.” the Baba Sali that he is happy to Rebbe explains to the tzaddik that Parenthetically, Rabbi Benzion hear that the tzaddik does not Heaven had appointed him to be ‘a Grossman, who was a regular visitor harbor any resentment toward him comprehensive5 man and a leader at the Baba Sali’s home, told me for advising him (in the of Israel,’ whom tens of thousands that many years ago he heard from abovementioned letter) to “devote of Jews listen to and whom Heaven those who were close to the tzaddik your powers to work for the public had given extraordinary abilities [to an explanation of why the tzaddik [welfare] rather than dwell in function in this capacity]. It would wanted to move to the United solitude. Indeed, it is written in Rav thus be appropriate, the Rebbe States in 5712, when there were Sherira Gaon’s Letter that when Rav suggests, for him to remain in the hardly any religious Jews there and, came to Bavel he did not establish land of Israel, where he would be in in particular, no organized his residence in a place of Torah, close proximity to our Sephardic Sephardic communities. They said but rather, specifically in a place brothers, who thirst for the word of in the Baba Sali’s name that his that was barren of Torah, where he G-d.” main reason for wanting to do this dedicated himself to closing the was in order to live in close breaches in Torah observance.” Similarly, in a letter to the Baba proximity to the Rebbe, for he felt

5 “Ish klali” — i.e., one whose soul spiritual guide. 8 Sitra Achra, the realm of evil and encompasses the souls of many 6 Igros Kodesh, letter # 1,499 impurity. others, and who serves as their 7 Klipos, or forces of impurity. 9 Igros Kodesh, letter # 2,083.

Issue Number 449 - BEIS MOSHIACH 15 WARM RELATIONSHIP had accomplished there in all the being held at the initiation of, and in cities and towns, he sent the Rebbe 15 On the 21st of Tammuz 5712 the presence of, the Gerrer Rebbe an enthusiastic thank you letter. zatzal. The telegram stated as (July 14, 1952)10 the Rebbe wrote The Baba Sali related that when follows: the following to the administrators of he was in Morocco, the Rebbe used the Oholei Yosef Yitzchok “I take the opportunity of this to send him the s’farim of the educational network in Eretz Yisroel: great, exalted, and holy occasion to Lubavitcher Rebbeim, and he would join the holy cry of all those of “I have been informed that the send the Rebbe the s’farim of his wholesome faith of our people Israel, Rav Abuchatzeira issued a grandfather Rabbi Yaakov in all places, which calls for the [supportive] letter about you. I’m Abuchatzeira zatzal.13 deplorable law, the terrible decree of surprised that you did not notify me When he returned to Eretz Yisroel “Who is a Jew” to be rectified. Let about this before. Please send a copy this law in our Holy Land finally be of the letter.” in 5724, he maintained a warm connection with the Rebbe and his rectified, and let only halachic In a letter to the same educational emissaries. When the T’fillin conversions be recognized, with the network dated 9 Elul 5713 (August Campaign was launched, he came term “halacha” included in the Law 30, 1952) the Rebbe writes:11 out in support of it, together with of Return.” “Surly you will remain in contact Rabbis Ezra Etya zatzal and Rafael In 5741 (1980-81), the Baba Sali with the rav and gaon, the rav and Baruch Tolidano zatzal. He also issued a letter of blessing to all those chassid, etc., etc., our teacher the rav issued a call in support of the participating in the Rebbe’s “Letter in Rabbi Yisroel Abuchatzeira... The Shabbat Candles Campaign, in which a Torah Scroll Campaign” by warm relationship will surely benefit girls over the age of three are purchasing letters in the special both parties.” encouraged to light Shabbat candles. Torah scrolls for children. In the When he was told that a certain tzaddik’s own words: Similarly, in a letter dated 9 rabbi came out in opposition to this “We are all awaiting and Nissan 5712 (April 4,1952)12 the campaign, he said, “What is a wingless anticipating the complete Rebbe writes to the chassid Rabbi fly in comparison to the great eagle of Redemption at the hand of our Eliezer Karasik o.b.m., one of the the heavens?”14 righteous Moshiach. Toward this end, esteemed elder Chabad rabbanim in we must band together and cause all Eretz Yisroel: SUPPORTING THE REBBE’S the Jewish people to band together. “Enclosed please find a copy of ACTIVITIES The holy Admur shlita of Lubavitch my letter to the rav and tzaddik, etc., Fighting at the Rebbe’s side to has recently turned his attention to our teacher the rav Rabbi Yisroel correct the “Who is a Jew?” problem, banding together all the Jewish Abuchatzeira shlita. If it’s not too the Baba Sali signed the proclamation children through the writing of a much trouble, I would request that issued by g’dolei Yisroel in support of special Torah scroll for the Jewish you go with another two people to the struggle against the Vienna children, who are the Army of visit him at his home, and tell him conversions, and in support of Hashem. It is a great merit for each that at my request you are paying inserting the words “halachic and every Jewish child to purchase a him an honorary visit.” conversion” into the Law of Return. letter in this Torah scroll, and I send The Baba Sali always supported my personal blessing to every boy On the 24th of Teives 5743 all the Rebbe’s activities. When he and girl who will be written into the (January 19, 1982) the tzaddik sent a went back to Morocco in 5714, and Torah scroll of the Army of Hashem, telegram to a gathering that was he saw what the Rebbe’s emissaries and surely we will all merit the

10 Igros Kodesh, letter # 1,721. explained in the teachings of Kabbala person who has no love and awe of 11 Igros Kodesh, letter # 7,978. and Chassidism that the right wing G-d, and whose Mitzvahs, therefore, 12 Igros Kodesh, letter # 1,500. represent love for G-d, and the left do not fly up to “stand in the wing awe of G-d. When an act is presence of G-d.” On the other, the 13 Hebrew abbreviation for “of sainted performed with love and awe of G-d, “great eagle of the heavens” memory.” the wings elevate the act to “stand in symbolizes the tzaddik whose 14 The Sages tell us that even the idle the presence of G-d.” The larger the mitzvos soar above all others. talk of tzaddikim contains wings, the higher the act soars. A 15 Rabbi Simcha Bunim Alter, the “Lev instruction. Perhaps the Baba Sali “wingless fly” thus symbolizes a Simcha.” was alluding to the following: It is

16 BEIS MOSHIACH - 14 Shvat 5764 immediate coming of the Messianic teachings of chassidus and are the Baba Sali from his son-in-law the king, may he arrive and redeem us attached to the Light of the Seven gaon, Rabbi Yashar Edrei: and lead us upright to our holy land. Days – i.e., the holy Baal Shem Tov 1. “During the seven days of “The servant of G-d who may his merit protect us – in the mourning for the passing of his son anticipates imminent redemption, analytical and in-depth manner of the tzaddik, Rebbe Meir zatzal, the Yisroel Abuchatziera.” Chabad, which has its holy roots in Baba Sali received a letter of the G-dly tanna, our teacher, the Baal In the beginning of Menachem Av consolation from the Rebbe. Upon HaTanya V’HaShulchan Aruch16 and 5747 (July-August 1986) the Baba receiving it, he stood up and, his successors, up to and including Sali issued a warning letter (together weeping, he said, ‘Who am I, and the miracle of our generation, the with Rabbi Yitzchok Kaduri) against what am I, that the Admur of gaon and holiness of Israel, our holy those who had harmed the chassidim Lubavitch should think of me and master, the Admur of Lubavitch learning Tanya in Williamsburg. send me a letter of consolation?’” shlita.” “All of this [was done to them] 2. “The Baba Sali was once I heard a number of stories about because they disseminate the brought a piece of honey cake that

16 Lit., “Master of the Tanya and the of Liadi, the founder and first Rebbe successor) Rabbi Schneur Zalman Code of Jewish Law.” Tanya is the of Chabad-Lubavitch. At the request also authored his own code of Jewish seminal work of Chabad Chassidism, of his mentor, Rabbi Dovber of law. authored by Rabbi Schneur Zalman Mezritch (the Baal Shem Tov’s

Issue Number 449 - BEIS MOSHIACH 17 the Lubavitcher Rebbe had sent him. see the Baba Sali in Netivot. He here.’ Upon receiving it, he rejoiced as asked me to get him a blessing from “Since this was my first private though he had just found a treasure. the Rebbe for a particular matter. audience with the Rebbe, and I was He immediately called for me and When I had my private audience not yet a chassid, I said, ‘But I don’t the rest of the family, and with with the Rebbe, I gave the Rebbe a like it here in the U.S. Every day I profound joy, he gave us each a piece slip of paper with the tzaddik’s pray that I should finally be able to of the cake, and told us that it was a request. The Rebbe said: ‘Rabbi go back to Eretz Yisroel.’ great merit and a wondrous segula to Yisroel Abuchatzeira?! He is a “Patiently, the Rebbe said, ‘How eat from the cake that the Rebbe had BaalShemsker Yid!’17 Then the Rebbe many years have you been praying sent.” showered blessings upon him for the for this? Ten years? Nu! I have been matter he had requested. 3. Once, a certain rabbi visiting praying for this for seventy years the Baba Sali was looking at an “A few weeks later, on Motzaei already.’ album with pictures of the Rebbe, Simchas Torah, when I joined the “What’s interesting is that during and he asked the tzaddik what he thousands of rabbanim, chassidim, the very same period my parents thought of the fact that Lubavitcher and good Jews receiving ‘kos shel went in to the Baba Sali, and asked chassidim say the Rebbe is Moshiach. bracha’ from the Rebbe, the Rebbe for a blessing that I should merit to The Baba Sali smiled and, with a asked me: ‘How is Rav Abuchatzeira? come to Eretz Yisroel very soon. The mixture of enthusiasm and awe, he I heard a rumor that he came down Baba Sali answered with these words: said, “Ishtahil kilshi” (an Arabic with a severe cold on Erev Yom ‘Meir needs to remain in America expression meaning: everything is Kippur.’ appropriate for him, he is deserving with the Lubavitcher Rebbe.’” “I said: ‘His rebbetzin told me over of all things). * * * the phone that he feels better now.’ 4. Some young men who had The chassid Rabbi Moshe Edrey “The Rebbe then blessed him spoken against chassidism once came (the brother of the Baba Sali’s son-in- with a swift recovery and with long to visit the tzaddik, but he refused law, Rabbi Yashar) relates the life in his capacity [as a great them entry, saying, “Whoever 18 spiritual leader]. The Rebbe also gave following: “I merited to be among opposes the teachings of the Baal those who were very close to the Shem Tov pushes away Moshiach.” me a small bottle of mashkeh to give the Baba Sali for a [swift] recovery. Baba Sali zatzal. There were times * * * When I returned to Eretz Yisroel, I when I visited him twice a day... The gaon and tzaddik Rabbi Yosef immediately went to the Baba Sali Once, on my way back from a live Deitch o.b.m., liked to tell the and gave him the bottle. The Baba broadcast19 of the Rebbe’s following story: “I once participated Sali was overjoyed, and called for farbrengen20 (in a settlement called in one of the tzaddik’s seudos, and I wine, fish, and meat to be brought Brush, near Netivot), I made my repeated a Torah thought from the immediately for a seudas mitzva. At usual stop at the tzaddik’s home. I Lubavitcher Rebbe. When I the seuda, the tzaddik spoke with entered his room and sat down on mentioned the Rebbe’s name, the great awe about the Rebbe’s the bed opposite the tzaddik. The tzaddik lifted his hand and said, ‘His holiness.” tzaddik had nodded off, and so, I will be a gathering of nations’” * * * waited quietly for him to open his (B’Reishis 49:10; this verse speaks of eyes... When he saw me he asked, Rabbi Meir Abuchatzeira of Moshiach). ‘What are you doing here?’ Brooklyn (who is very involved in * * * bringing Jews back to their roots) “I replied, ‘I came to say Tikkun The chassid Rabbi Moshe Deitch related the following story: “In 5730 Chatzos with the tzaddik.’ (Yosef Deitch’s son) tells the I had a private audience with the “The Baba Sali looked amused. following story: “With the approach Rebbe. I asked the Rebbe for a He poured me a l’chaim and, as of Rosh HaShana 5740, I traveled to blessing to move to Eretz Yisroel, and always, I reviewed for him some of the Rebbe. Before leaving, I went to the Rebbe said, ‘No. Your place is

17 Yiddish, “A Baal Shem Tov style Jew”: 18 See Rosh B’nei Yisroel and HaTzaddik night in Israel. This is a Chassidic expression for a HaBaba Sali. 20 Chassidic inspirational gathering, at Jew who works miracles or otherwise 19 When the Rebbe held his farbrengens which the Rebbe delivers a talk or a transcends the natural order. in New York, it was usually late at series of talks on Torah issues.

18 BEIS MOSHIACH - 14 Shvat 5764 the things the Rebbe said at the * * * get there, give the Rebbe my regards farbrengen. I heard the following from Rabbi and tell him that I pray for him three “Afterwards, I asked him: ‘When Chaviv Biton of Kfar Chabad: “In time a day.’ will the Lubavitcher Rebbe shlita 5741, my wife Miriam and I traveled “When I got there, I gave over come to the Holy Land?’ to the Rebbe to receive a blessing for this message to the Rebbe’s secretary, “The Baba Sali’s face grew serious, children. Before leaving, we went to and within a short while the Rebbe and with great feeling, he said: see the Baba Sali and request his returned regards to the Baba Sali. ‘Moshe Rabbeinu did not enter the blessing. When he heard that we When I went back to Eretz Yisroel, land of Israel because he was like the were going to the Rebbe he asked me and I gave the tzaddik the Rebbe’s face of the sun, whereas the land of to give the Rebbe his personal regards, his face radiated with joy Israel is [only] like the moon. If regards. Then he said enthusiastically and pleasure. On a later occasion, Moshe would have entered the Land, (in Arabic): ‘He is the greatest of us!’” when we were sitting at Melaveh the Land would have become * * * Malka, the tzaddik motioned for me to come closer to him, and he embarrassed. Therefore, only The gaon and tzaddik Rabbi Yoram Yehoshua, who is like the face of the whispered in my ear: ‘Moshiach is Abargyl of Netivot related the near, near, near – very near.’” moon, entered the Land. In the following: “Whenever the name of future, however, when the light of the Admur of Lubavitch would be Upon the Baba Sali’s passing, the the moon will equal the light of the mentioned in the presence of the Rebbe sent his family a letter of sun, the land of Israel will become Baba Sali, he would say: ‘He is the condolence: like the face of the sun. That’s when complete Israel. He is the perfection “The Abuchatzeira family. I am Moshe Rabbeinu will enter the Land. of everything. As for us, if we could was very grieved upon hearing of the Enough said.’”21 only merit to learn at least one virtue passing of the rav and tzaddik, the * * * from him.’” vassik and chassid, the G-d-fearing * * * man, the nice one and pleasant one, The chassid Rabbi Yosef Ma’atuf the great one and son of great ones, relates the following story: “I once My friend Rabbi Yaakov crowned with virtues and lofty participated in a rabbinic feast that Weintraub, head of Kollel Beis Yisroel attributes, famous in Torah and awe took place in the home of the Baba (named after the Baba Sali) in [of Heaven], who sat in judgment, Sali. Each of the rabbanim present Netivot, wrote me the following: and whose net was spread, etc., our told a story of a tzaddik. One of the “Before traveling to see the Rebbe teacher the rav, Rabbi Yisroel participants began telling a story in 5741, I went in to the Baba Sali to Abuchatzeira, peace unto him. May about the Rebbe. At the mention of receive his blessing for the trip. As G-d comfort you among the other the Rebbe’s name, the Baba Sali soon as he heard that I was on my mourners of Zion and Yerushalayim. immediately stood up on his feet in way to the Rebbe, he rose to his full From here on, may only goodness honor of the Rebbe (despite his height, grasped my hand in his two and benevolence find you, always, all weakness and frail health at the holy hands and said, ‘As soon as you the days.” time).”

21 V’dai La’meivin.

Issue Number 449 - BEIS MOSHIACH 19 PROFILE CHASSIDIC ARTIST

BY MENACHEM ZIEGELBOIM Chassidic artist, Zalman Kleinman, who is known for his moving pictures that depict chassidic life, was nearly lost to Yiddishkeit. * What follows is a profile of an artist, his difficult life, and his artistic work. * Based on the memoirs of his sister, Mrs. Rochel Zamir of Tel Aviv. * Part 2 of 2.

(Continued from last week.) Zalman distanced himself from them.” After a long and exhausting trip, anything associated with religion, Rabbi Sossonkin took on the role the three of them returned to until one day Rabbi Sossonkin told of mechanech and said that the Samarkand in Uzbekistan, to Itta’s him, “Whether you want to believe children had to get used to their in-laws, Rabbi Nachum Shemaryahu in G-d and Torah or not, you should new home before anything else; they and Malka Sossonkin. Although the know what it’s about.” Zalman, who were not to be pressured about trip was over, reacquainting the loved to read, accepted the religious matters. The adults needed children with Yiddishkeit was quite a challenge. He enrolled in the to be patient and the children would challenge. When their aunt, Itta, underground talmud Torah run by eventually adapt. So when it came tried to convince Zalman to wear a Rabbi Gurevitz, who was an Yom Kippur and the entire family yarmulke or to say a bracha, he excellent teacher and had a rapport went to daven, Zalman stayed home adamantly refused on account of the with the children. Zalman relearned alone. At night, when the fast was anti-religious, communist education the Alef-Beis, how to read, stories over, Rabbi Sossonkin asked Zalman he had received for four years. from the Torah, and writing. if he enjoyed music, and said that Seeing the two arguing, Rabbi The goyishe teacher who had there were people who did not Sossonkin told his daughter-in-law, adopted Zalman, however, didn’t daven but went to the davening in “Itta, you did what you had to d; give up on him. She continued to order to hear the niggunim. That was you rescued the children from the send Zalman letters telling how all he said. goyim. Now, allow me to educate much she missed him and worried

20 BEIS MOSHIACH - 14 Shvat 5764 about him. She also sent him books. Rabbi approached the coast of Eretz Yisroel, it was Sossonkin gave Zalman the books after checking nighttime and we could see the lights of Chaifa. their contents, and threw out the letters. He The passengers began climbing up to the deck in explained that he didn’t want to cut Zalman off great excitement. Each one, in his language, from his past all at once. Since Zalman wasn’t began uttering words of thanks and excitement. given the letters, he didn’t Each person expressed his know his teacher’s address in feelings in his own way. We Leningrad, so he couldn’t crowded around our reply. Thus, the connection grandparents, and my between them eventually grandfather emotionally said, petered out. ‘This is Eretz Yisroel, the With Rabbi Sossonkin’s land of the Jewish people. wise and sensitive approach, Here, the policemen are Zalman developed an interest Jews, the drivers are Jews, in Yiddishkeit. A few months the signs are written in later, he celebrated his bar Hebrew...’ mitzva. All of Anash in “We were ecstatic when Samarkand participated. the boat put down its anchor. Zalman reviewed a maamer We burst into song, some chassidus, which left his with pioneer songs, others audience amazed by the child with chassidic niggunim, but who, just a few months we shared the joy. We had earlier, couldn’t remember come to our land.” the Alef-Beis and didn’t After a period of speak Yiddish. acclimation, Zalman went to In 5705 (1947), the learn in the Yeshiva Tomchei Sossonkin family and the Tmimim in Pardes, Lud. Kleinman children left Russia Their his natural talent for with the forged passports of Zalman answered drawing burst forth. His Polish citizens. After staying him in a friends say that they would in Lvov/Lemberg, they often find him sitting among boarded the train that took straightforward the trees of the orchard that them to Krakow in Poland. surrounded the yeshiva, From there they went to manner, “When you paintbrush in hand, involved Germany and then to the last come, you see the in his work. transit camp in Paris where From Lud he moved to they stayed for two and a official farbrengen. Kfar Chabad, where he half years. devoted himself to art. He Zalman met the (future) What you’re seeing in didn’t have a place to live, Rebbe MH”M, son-in-law of but he tried to conceal this the Rebbe Rayatz, and this picture is the from others. He slept on a participated in one of his bench in the shul, ate skimpy farbrengens (see picture). farbrengen that takes meals at the kiosk of Mrs. After their protracted stay place after you Gittele Friedman, a”h, and in France, the family was stored his things in the attic able to emigrate to Eretz leave.” of the kiosk. He worked a Yisroel on a small boat. Many day or two a week at various passengers were seasick, jobs in the field or orchards, including Mrs. Sossonkin and her adopted and painted the rest of the time. He lived hand granddaughter, Rochel. to mouth, but refused to accept help. His sister once offered to pay Gittele what her brother “We traveled for a week on stormy seas,” says owed her, but she refused to take the money Zalman’s sister Rochel Zamir. “As the boat

Issue Number 449 - BEIS MOSHIACH 21 saying, “Zalman told me explicitly that if I get money from someone, MEMORIES OF HOME he will stop eating here.” RUSSIAN CHILDREN IMAGINING THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF GEULA On one of his visits to the OF ELIYAHU HANAVI Sossonkins in Yerushalayim, the R’ Zalman’s sister, Rochel Zamir, recalls a memory of her parents: Rebbetzin wanted to give him Every Friday night, when my father, z”l, would daven at home and pocket money, but Zalman refused the Shabbos candles burned, my mother, z”l, played a game with us in to take it. So the Rebbetzin secretly which we imagined going to Eretz Yisroel. Her yearning and anticipation put ten liros in his coat pocket. This for our holy land were so strong that she successfully conveyed them to was a nice sum at that time. She was us. As we played, the shutters would be closed and the door locked in happy, knowing that the money order to hide the candles and the davening, and in order to prevent us would help feed him. How from going out and the neighbors’ children from coming in. disappointed she was a month later But the fire of love, the anticipation and yearning for Eretz Yisroel when she found the money under and her family could not be extinguished. She expressed it in our game, the velvet tablecloth. and gave us a love for Eretz Yisroel and the feeling of anticipation for When Rabbi Efraim Wolf, Salvation. principal of the yeshiva, heard about We children looked forward to Friday nights because we loved the how Zalman lived, he tried to help game. This is how it worked: each of us, my sister and brother, myself, him. He said that Zalman could live and my mother had a bundle. In the bundle were pillows, etc. Each of at the yeshiva and paint and nobody us held his and her bundle as he/she walked the length of the room and would bother him. When Rabbi sat down. My mother explained and announced; “Now we are on the Sossonkin discussed this with train traveling from Leningrad to Odessa!” Zalman, Zalman refused, saying, “Not only will I not be helping the We got off our chairs, walked the length of the room and sat down yeshiva, but I’ll be living off the on the couch. My mother said, “Now we are on the boat sailing from yeshiva!” Odessa on the Black Sea towards the Mediterranean Sea, and the ship will travel until Jaffa port.” We were so very happy. In our imagination, Zalman continued living this way we would live out the events in our game. When we would arrive in until one morning, when Rabbi Eretz Yisroel, my mother would describe the life there. Elimelech Perman, z”l, a widower and one of the ziknei Chabad, We were especially impressed by two details, that fruits are more noticed him. Rabbi Perman was an plentiful than potatoes and that before Moshiach comes, Eliyahu HaNavi early riser, and when he got to shul, will announce the coming of Moshiach from Har HaKarmel. he saw Zalman sleeping there, as usual, on a bench, with his hand as a pillow and his coat as a blanket. schools and showed them his In 5714 (1954), Zalman was He suggested that Zalman sleep on a portfolio of paintings. They all told drafted into the Israeli army, and folding bed in his apartment. At him that his work far surpassed the throughout his thirty months of first, Zalman refused, but Rabbi level of studies they offered. service, he didn’t eat from the army Perman urged him, and Zalman On that occasion, Shazar saw a kitchen. The first months were finally agreed. Some time later, painting of a chassidishe farbrengen, extremely difficult for him. He Zalman finally got his own room. which was full of life and feeling. didn’t eat in the mess hall and he Everybody knew that Zalman Shazar expressed his surprise over had nothing else to eat, so he was painted. Mr. Zalman Shazar, head of the fact that it depicted a farbrengen constantly hungry. They suggested the Jewish Agency, once came to the likes of which he wasn’t familiar that he go to the mess hall and visit Kfar Chabad. R’ Pinye Altheus, (Shazar regularly attended the Yud- choose something appropriate to who had been appointed over the Tes Kislev farbrengen in Kfar eat, but in his characteristic way he Kfar by the Rebbe, brought Mr. Chabad). Zalman answered him in a said, “Since I have a Lubavitcher Shazar to Zalman’s room and straightforward manner, “When you beard, I don’t want to enter the showed him his paintings. He was come, you see the official farbrengen. mess hall and cause others to very impressed, and on the spot, What you’re seeing in this picture is stumble. If they see me sitting there, gave him a scholarship to study art. the farbrengen that takes place after they’ll think that all the food is Zalman went to a number of art you leave.” kosher l’mehadrin.”

22 BEIS MOSHIACH - 14 Shvat 5764 During his basic training, his talent for art became famous. The chief rabbi of the army, Rabbi Goren, z”l, transferred him to the military chaplaincy and gave him the job of decorating shuls in various army camps and illustrating the weekly Machanayim. Since he wasn’t tied down to a particular base, he was paid and this solved his kashrus problem. At the end of his army service, Zalman asked the Rebbe for permission to travel to A farbrengen with the Rebbe MH”M (before he accepted the nesius) in Paris. the U.S. in order to The Rebbe is seated at the head of the table. R’ Zalman is at the left (circled). study art. The Rebbe answered: If you want to study art, the place to go is Paris. Zalman went to Paris and visited exhibits and museums. That is where he met his wife-to-be, Rosa Newhouse, who descended from a family of rabbanim and the Ba’CH. She is the only daughter in this chain. They married and then went to America. Throughout the years, the Kleinman home was open to guests, especially to baalei t’shuva. Guests who came to the Rebbe and were seeking their way in Yiddishkeit, found the Kleinman home inviting and their many questions answered. Zalman A self-portrait of Zalman Kleinman teaching his son the sugya of “an ox that gores a cow”

Issue Number 449 - BEIS MOSHIACH 23 spent many hours in conversation chassidic dancing. He also excelled Kfar. When he was in Crown with his guests, and many of them in scenic paintings, portraits, and Heights, he rendered houses owe him a debt of gratitude for his the illustration of books. R’ Zalman American-style, the snow, and even help in their becoming frum. also knew how to include themes of American cars that were double- Life for the Kleinman couple simcha and even chassidic humor in parked. wasn’t easy. Neither of them had his art, like the famous depiction of R’ Zalman’s art covers a wide parents and they had no support. At the chassidic kuleh (a heels over head array of themes, starting with his first, Zalman worked at odd jobs, somersault in full chassidic regalia, Bible scenes, such as Lot fleeing but he didn’t earn much. After their including a hat), or the meshuga, as from burning S’dom, the Covenant children were born, he began well as the drunk being carried Between the Pieces, the Splitting of earning, with great difficulty, also home by his fellow chassidim. the Sea of Reeds, Dovid HaMelech, from his illustrations of books. At R’ Zalman was skilled in Shimshon and Yiftach, up until the some point, he started working for capturing a desired setting and was Maggid lecturing in the marketplace the Algemeiner Journal as artistic inspired by his environment. When and the Holocaust. He also editor and caricaturist. He slowly he was in Kfar Chabad, his illustrated the Haggada. gained recognition as an artist. paintings reflected the chassidic life His works of art make a deep Eventually his exhibits were of the Kfar in those days, the old impression on those who see them. displayed at the Brooklyn Museum, Arab houses, the huts, and the They arouse a yearning for in Philadelphia, in Canada, etc. puddles and mud that filled the Yiddishkeit even within the hearts of But his main recognition came from the Jewish world, from chassidim. Zalman’s drawings were an amazing depiction of Jewish and chassidic life. When he gained recognition for his work, his financial situation improved but he continued his modest way of life as before. A large portion of the money he earned he gave to tz’daka, mostly as mattan b’seiser (anonymous giving). Zalman was a man of integrity, modest and retiring. He was a good man, straight, refined, and possessed of intellectual wealth in all areas of life. He quietly painted and devoted his free time to Torah study. He never sought praise nor students. When parents came to him and asked him to teach their children art, he would say, “If the child is drawn to art, on his own, it’s good to teach him. Otherwise, a child shouldn’t be pressured, because it’s very hard work that requires enormous soul powers.” Zalman’s artwork expresses his chassidic feelings. His painting are full of Jewish and chassidic subjects such as d’veikus in davening, farbrengens, the Yom Kippur davening, Kiddush Levana, and R’ Zalman Kleinman

24 BEIS MOSHIACH - 14 Shvat 5764 those who are still far from it. an artist, even when the drawing is extremely The Rebbe sent him the following letter realistic. regarding the impact of his paintings (Igros Obviously, if there are expenses associated Kodesh vol. 15, p. 395): with producing these drawings, they will be paid B”H, 9 Elul 5717 for from a special fund, including payment for your efforts, and I await your response with Brooklyn good news. The avreich Zalman sh’yichyeh It’s unnecessary to add that I don’t mean just Sholom U’bracha the houses and the like, but also and mainly drawings of life in the Kfar, from the most I just received an article from a newspaper spiritual to the most physical. entitled “Letter to the Diaspora” (in English from 8 Tammuz 5717) with drawings included that You certainly have shiurim in nigleh and made an impression on me, specifically because chassidus, in addition to the shiurim that are they are drawn as is, without “tricks” – not even taught publicly which you participate in. with artistic tricks. It would be fitting and even With blessings for a k’siva va’chasima tova and proper that you draw a complete album of Kfar good news in the above-mentioned. Chabad like this, not only as it is now but also the way it was when you first came there, so that * * * the album will show the development of the R’ Zalman passed away at a relatively young Kfar. There is also the additional benefit in age, having endured much suffering in his short portraying the Kfar as it is now, since the hope life. He is survived by chassidic children and is for it to soon develop even more. If this series grandchildren. His chassidic paintings live on, of pictures is successful, you should also think adorning thousands of homes, and depicting about producing them in a permanent way, chassidic life with an intensity of emotion and whether as an album, or individual lithographs. fervor. The main thing is, as said before, that the (Thanks to Mrs. Rochel Zamir, R’ Zalman’s pictures should portray the simplicity of realism, sister, for this article is based on her memoirs in and you shouldn’t be fazed if someone says that her book, Shlichus Chayai. Note: the drawings a photograph would suit this purpose just as throughout this article are R’ Zalman’s, and they well and a picture isn’t needed. The difference is are only partial views of larger paintings.) obvious between a photograph and a drawing by

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Issue Number 449 - BEIS MOSHIACH 25 MOSHIACH FAITH & INTELLECT: FROM CONFLICT TO CONVERGENCE

BY PROF. SHIMON SILMAN RYAL INSTITUTE ON MOSHIACH & THE SCIENCES, TOURO COLLEGE

successfully draw the circle of “Especially on the day of the hilula, they intellect around it. But Aristotle did the reverse. He started with the circle should strengthen their faith in G-d and in – human intellect. His subsequent Moshe, His servant, and in his extension, the attempt to identify the central point of origin did not succeed. Baal HaHilula...” Corresponding to this (Letter of Yud Shvat, 5715. Igros Kodesh, vol.10, p. 305) fundamental difference between the philosophy of Rambam and Aristotle, we find that there is a fundamental There are two searches for truth: influenced by the philosophy of difference between the philosophers one from above and one from below. Aristotle. More recently, the Tzemach themselves. The Tzemach Tzedek says The former is the search of the man of Tzedek, in his Seifer HaChakira, again that both Rambam and Aristotle faith, and the latter is the search of addressed these issues, unifying the worked on finding proofs of the the man of intellect. By definition discussions of the earlier Jewish existence of G-d. The difference these two approaches are opposites, philosophers with the concepts of between them was that whenever and historically the tension between kabbala and chassidus. Aristotle would find a proof for the them was the source of great conflict. The difference between the existence of G-d he would become Yet, the ultimate goal, which is approach of the man of intellect and more arrogant, because his newfound attained in the Era of Moshiach, is the the man of faith can be seen most proof made him a greater convergence and unification of these clearly from an analogy drawn by the philosopher. With Rambam it was the two searches. Rebbe Rashab, contrasting Rambam opposite. Every time he found a new In this paper we make some with Aristotle. Both Rambam and proof for the existence of G-d he general observations about faith and Aristotle were philosophers, but there would become more humble. His new intellect, the conflict between them was a fundamental difference between knowledge of G-d would inspire and the ultimate union between them. them. Rambam first fixed a central within him a deeper awe of G-d. This issue is in fact one of the point and then drew a circle around There is a sequel to the Aristotle oldest in Jewish philosophy. It was it. Aristotle first drew the circle and story. The Seider HaDoros, a book on addressed by Rav Saadia Gaon in his then groped to find the center. What the chronology of the world, relates Emunot V’Deot, Rabbi Yehuda HaLevi does this mean? Rambam set the that Aristotle himself came in contact in the Kuzari, and especially by belief in G-d as the foundation, the with Shimon HaTzaddik and was Rambam in Moreh Nevuchim, which central point of his philosophical greatly influenced by him. The was addressed to those who had been investigations. Thus he was able to influence of “the Shimoni” (as

26 BEIS MOSHIACH - 14 Shvat 5764 Aristotle called him) on Aristotle was mitzva. This is not just a matter of foundations and the pillar of all so great that he said he was ready to faith, however; the existence of G-d is wisdom is to know that there is a revise his entire philosophical system a fact that is within the realm of First Being and He brings all beings to be based on what he learned from knowledge. into existence. Everything that exists Shimon HaTzaddik. However, This faith which precedes in the heavens and the earth, and Aristotle felt that he was too old to knowledge is analogous to the whatever is included in them, exists start over. commitment to observe the mitzvos only from the truth of His existence...” Rambam continues to LEVELS OF INTERACTION which must precede the actual observance of the mitzvos – the elaborate on this throughout the first Chassidus is the wisdom that famous declaration of “Na’aseh four chapters of the book. brings unity to all knowledge and V’Nishma” (“We commit ourselves to Attaining knowledge of G-d, directs it to the Messianic knowledge do it, then we will understand it”) however, is a continuous process, and of G-d. Thus, in chassidus we find that the Jews made before receiving each individual can understand only faith and intellect discussed not as so much according to his capacity at opposing forces, but as two any given point in time. Here, faith complementary methods of attaining plays a role once again: What I have an awareness of G-d. In fact, the We need faith not been able to learn and comprehend Rebbe Melech HaMoshiach says that about G-d until now I know. That the barrier between faith and intellect only to pick up where which is beyond my grasp now, I was actually broken with the believe in. Later, as I learn more, redemption of the Previous Rebbe on intellect leaves off, things for which I had to rely on faith Yud-Beis Tammuz, 5687 (1927). The since we do not yet will be understood intellectually and miracles of that redemption were of will become part of my knowledge. the type where the supernatural and have an This is an ongoing process – an the natural – the infinite and the upward spiral – with an elegant finite – work together. So from then understanding of the interplay between faith and on there was no real barrier between knowledge. Today’s faith becomes faith and intellect. higher concepts, but tomorrow’s knowledge. A new Some of Melech HaMoshiach’s even in those areas horizon is then opened up and I discussions of this topic focus on begin to grasp higher things with my Rambam’s statements concerning faith where we already faith. Later, this too will become and knowledge. Most prominently, knowledge. Faith and intellect are Rambam begins his major work have knowledge and both faculties of the soul that are used Mishneh Torah by saying that “The in conjunction to attain truth. foundation of all foundations and the understanding, we At this level too there is an analog pillar of all wisdom is to know that still need to have to observance of the mitzvos. After our there is a First Being,” rather than by initial commitment, we apply the full saying “...to believe that there is a First faith. capacity of our intellect to understand Being.” Similarly, Rambam ends the mitzvos as much as possible. This Mishneh Torah by discussing how the is the in depth study of the Torah, world will be filled with the knowledge especially as it is developed in the of Hashem in the Era of Moshiach, the Torah. Talmud and chassidus. without mentioning faith. To explain Following this faith there is actually this, the Rebbe Melech HaMoshiach There is a third, more intimate a commandment to know G-d. It is identifies various levels in the connection between faith and one of the 613 mitzvos. This is not just relationship between faith and knowledge in which faith applies to a general knowledge as in the first intellect. knowledge itself. Since human level, but involves detailed knowledge intellect is finite and G-d is infinite Firstly, there is the basic faith about G-d – all the information about (in fact, G-d is even beyond the which is a prerequisite to the G-d that the human intellect can infinite), when one uses human observance of the mitzvos. To do a comprehend. It is this knowledge that intellect to try to understand G-d, he mitzva, which is a commandment, Rambam is describing at the is applying a finite tool to something one must first believe that there is a beginning of Mishneh Torah when he that is infinite (and beyond). Only Commander Who commanded the says, “The foundation of all

Issue Number 449 - BEIS MOSHIACH 27 faith has the capacity to grasp the only in physical pleasure, in what is Because of this tendency of the infinite. This contrast is expressed in down below. Therefore it needs to be intellectual soul to go higher and the following famous entry in Melech watched and confined, but a regular higher, it needs to be watched very HaMoshiach’s first book, the HaYom confinement – a fence – is adequate. carefully, because when it starts to Yom, which is a compilation of The bird, however, corresponds to the understand matters of G-dliness it chassidic sayings: intellectual soul. The intellectual soul will run into the error of thinking that “When Moshiach comes, we will see is the intermediary between the G-dly what it understands is the whole the advantage of faith and sincerity – soul and the animal soul. Its function story. It doesn’t realize that it only that everyone believes in G-d, His Torah, is to communicate and explain the understands a finite subset of the and mitzvos with pure faith. Regarding concepts of G-dliness known to G-dly infinite knowledge of G-d. Therefore learning – understanding – the greatest soul to the animal soul. The the intellectual soul needs a special understanding has a limit. But faith is a intellectual soul by its nature is not confinement – a roof over it – to tell feeling with no limit. Melech interested in the lower, animalistic it, “You are only finite, and what you HaMoshiach will give us the ability to things, but rather in high level see is only a finite view of something understand the advantage of sincerity – intellect. This is simply the nature of that is infinite, so your knowledge is heartfelt earnest service of G-d.” Faith is not a true and complete knowledge.” infinite but knowledge is finite. As an example of this, recall the arrogance of Aristotle in his Thus, when one attains an In the Era of intellectual achievement as contrasted understanding of something about with the humility of Rambam, as we G-d, as it were, he must not deceive Moshiach the natural mentioned above. himself and think that he has seen the entire picture. This is expressed order and the Thus, Melech HaMoshiach by a beautiful analogy in a maamer miraculous order explains in the maamer that even in that Melech HaMoshiach wrote for those matters where we have a very his father’s birthday, the 18th of combine to become clear understanding, it is not Nissan. In the maamer the Rebbe sufficient to rely on our intellect Melech HaMoshiach discusses the one world order. alone; we must have faith in those concept of a yard as it applies to the areas as well. The point of this third laws of Shabbos. There are two While this is logically level is that we need faith not only to kinds of yards designed to contain pick up where intellect leaves off, animals. One is a yard that has a impossible, it comes since we do not yet have an fence around it but no roof; the about as a result of understanding of the higher concepts other is a yard that has both a fence (as at the second level), but even in around it and a roof on top. The the revelation of those areas where we already have difference between them is a very knowledge and understanding, we practical one. The yard with the Atzmus. still need to have faith. fence around it alone is good enough And here the parallel to the to keep an animal in it, say a cow or observance of the mitzvos is that even a bull, but it is not good enough to human intellect: it always wants to those mitzvos which we can contain a bird. The bird will fly out. know something higher, and when it understand intellectually – such as To contain a bird the yard must have attains that it wants to go higher not to kill, not to steal, etc. – must be not only a fence but also a roof. again, like a bird that always strives to observed primarily with an attitude of It may seem paradoxical that a fly higher and higher. commitment to fulfill G-d’s super- rational will rather than merely with bird, which is such a flimsy and weak Thus, the Rambam, whose animal, needs such a strong the intention of doing what is towering intellect was universally rational. The mitzvos, which are the protection, while the bull, such a recognized as transcending that of the powerful animal, needs only four expressions of G-d’s will, are infinite scholars of his generation as well as in scope. What we understand of walls without a roof. In the maamer generations before him, was known as the Rebbe Melech HaMoshiach them is only a finite view of “The Great Eagle.” It was said of him, something infinite. Even when the explains that this has a parallel in the “From Moshe (Rabbeinu) to Moshe soul of a Jew. The animal corresponds mitzva makes perfect sense to us, it’s (the Rambam) there arose none like not the whole story. to the animal soul, which is interested Moshe (the Rambam).”

28 BEIS MOSHIACH - 14 Shvat 5764 THE ULTIMATE UNITY impossible, it comes about as a result prophecy of Yeshayahu] about the Era Based on all this, our original of the revelation of Atzmus. The same of Moshiach – that ‘faith will be the question becomes stronger. How is it thing happens with faith and intellect. belt of his body.’ Only at the end [of when Rambam talks about awareness All those concepts that are higher than the prophecy] does it mention of Hashem, he only mentions intellect and which we now have to knowledge – ‘The earth will be filled knowledge but he doesn’t mention rely on faith for, will be understood with the knowledge of Hashem.’” faith? It may be reasonable to omit within the definition and confines of The major issue in faith in our mention of the faith that precedes the human intellect. time is the faith in Moshiach, faith in observance of the mitzvos (Level 1) in The correct path for us to follow the Rebbe Melech HaMoshiach himself a book devoted to the laws of the lies in combining faith and intellect, and his statements concerning the observance of the mitzvos. But we have but faith must be the foundation. The presence of the Geula. The correct seen that faith goes hand in hand with father of Melech HaMoshiach, the path to follow is the same as in all knowledge at all levels. Shouldn’t this great Kabbalist Rabbi Levi Yitzchok matters of faith and understanding: faith be mentioned along with We must start with the the knowledge of G-d? foundation of faith in the The Rebbe Melech sichos of Melech HaMoshiach HaMoshiach answers this in which he stated that we are question. Faith transcends the in the Era of Moshiach and definitions and limitations of that the Geula is already here. the world. It is infinite, as we All we have to do is open are mentioned above. But this eyes and see it. Based on this very advantage is also its foundation we must develop a disadvantage. The goal of the new intellectual outlook – a mitzvos is to affect the world Geula-mentality – to look at as it exists and the Jew as he and analyze the world exists in this world. Intellect differently. Based on the faith and knowledge are part of the that everything that is definition and the nature of happening in the world and in the world, so they are the our personal lives is part of objects of the mitzva of the the unfolding of the Geula, we awareness of G-d. Faith come to understand the world forever remains the crown and ourselves differently. upon intellect and Indeed, there are the continuously influences it. major, obvious Geula events In the Era of Moshiach, that the Rebbe Melech however, faith and intellect HaMoshiach himself has become one. In general, the already discussed, such as the Era of Moshiach is revelation of Melech characterized by the HaMoshiach, the Jews leaving Russia peacefully to go to Eretz paradoxical combinations of opposites, Schneerson, discusses this issue in a made possible by the revelation of Yisroel, the “Swords Into Plowshares” letter he wrote to the Rebbe Melech transformation, etc. In this way we Atzmus, the essence of Hashem, which HaMoshiach and Rebbitzin Chaya is above and beyond all definition and truly live a Geula life and our Mushka. He says that the Etz HaChaim “knowledge is also life.” description. Relative to Atzmus all (Tree of Life) and Etz HaDa’as (Tree of opposites are equal. (Just as one Knowledge) refer to faith and intellect. References: would say that relative to a point in Faith is life, as the Prophet Habakuk 1) Hadran on the Rambam, 5746 and 5750. distant space, the top and the bottom says, ‘The tzaddik lives through his Toras Menachem, Hadranim al HaRambam, of a tall building here on earth are faith.’ “If faith precedes the pp. 99-117, 187-200. equal.) In the Era of Moshiach the knowledge,” Rabbi Levi Yitzchok 2) Seifer HaMaamarim Meluket vol. 5, pp. natural order and the miraculous writes, “then the knowledge is also 233-234, 325 order combine to become one world life... These two trees must be joined order. While this is logically 3) Likkutei Levi Yitzchok, Igros Kodesh, pp. together... This is what it says [in the 413-414

Issue Number 449 - BEIS MOSHIACH 29 BIRTHDAYMIRACLE STORY BRACHOS

BY SHNEUR ZALMAN BERGER

Time: Motzaei Shabbos Parshas Hospital in Tashkent. R’ Gurevitz Sunday morning she and her VaYeitzei, 12 Kislev 5764. Place: was in terrible shape and was daughter, Chaya Mushka, had The American Hospital in Tashkent, attached to numerous machines. He gotten brachos on his behalf. The Uzbekistan. was on oxygen throughout the day before, on 12 Kislev, they both A somber group of doctors stood flight. celebrated their birthdays. When around the bed of Rabbi Abba The plane landed at Ben Gurion Chaya Mushka heard of her Dovid Gurevitz, shliach and chief hospital on Monday, and R’ grandfather’s illness, she had rabbi of Uzbekistan and Middle Gurevitz was taken by ambulance to written to the Rebbe and asked for Asia, explaining to him that his a hospital in Tel HaShomer, where a bracha for her birthday and condition was very serious since his doctors were waiting for him. They another bracha that her grandfather intestines had gotten twisted. They had been informed by fax of his be well. She put the letter in a told him that this generally volume of Igros Kodesh (vol. 14, p. occurred when one was sick with 289), and when she read what the cancer. “Very few people at your age Rebbe had written, she saw an and in your condition make it,” answer to her request. The Rebbe they told him straightforwardly. said to give tz’daka and that this would hasten the refua: R’ Gurevitz was suffering terribly. He was getting morphine May it be Hashem’s will that he through his IV, but he was still in succeed, gradually progressing in pain. His wife, Malka, reported the the mitzva of tz’daka, going from news to their daughter, Bracha strength to strength – tz’daka in the Gansburg, in Eretz Yisroel. Her literal sense, materially... And as it’s daughter begged her to do all in her explained in Igeres HaKodesh in a power to fly her father to Eretz number of places this will hasten Yisroel or the U.S. as soon as the refua of ____ shlita, an actual possible. Medical know-how in refua below ten Uzbekistan, like in many nations of handbreadths...With blessings for the C.I.S., lags behind more good news in all the modern countries and they wouldn’t abovementioned. be able to treat R’ Gurevitz properly. Meanwhile, the daughter, Mrs. It was suggested that Gansburg, was beside herself, philanthropist Lev Leviev’s private especially since the doctors in Rabbi Abba Dovid Gurevitz plane be flown to Tashkent in order Uzbekistan had referred to the to fly R’ Gurevitz to Eretz Yisroel, dreaded illness. She also wrote to but the plane was in the U.S. and it the Rebbe and asked for a bracha, medical diagnosis and they knew and she also received an amazing would take too long for the plane to his condition was very serious. arrive in Uzbekistan. answer. In the beginning of the After thoroughly examining him, letter, the Rebbe writes that They finally decided to fly R’ the doctors thought it might be an someone who supports good mosdos Gurevitz out on a regular flight on intestinal blockage and they becomes a partner with Hashem: Sunday night, to Eretz Yisroel. decided to try various treatments in I was concerned upon reading He was taken on the plane on a the hopes that the intestines would your letter about your being stretcher, accompanied by his wife move back to their normal place. dissatisfied and feeling down, and a doctor who served as R’ Gurevitz’s daughter arrived at which greatly amazed me, because assistant director of the American the hospital and she said that on when you are charitable and

30 BEIS MOSHIACH - 14 Shvat 5764 support proper mosdos of Hashem and those around him! and the like, you become a partner The letter concludes: with Hashem, and what could bring more joy than connecting to I bless you with proper and Hashem? good health, materially and spiritually. I await good news. (vol. She understood that the letter 5 p. 165) related to her worrying and her father’s downheartedness over his The Rebbe’s answers encouraged serious condition. The Rebbe was the entire family, especially R’ telling them not to be depressed for Gurevitz. “After an explicit answer they were partners with Hashem in like that, I realized a miracle would His mosdos, and her father was the Rabbi Gurevitz recounting the miracle at a occur,” he told Beis Moshiach. shliach and the director of mosdos, Yud-Tes Kislev farbrengen in Kfar Chabad In the meantime, the doctors as well as a teacher in the Chabad continued working on him. They school. health. What is demanded of man is made two attempts to move his that he “cleaves to G-d, your G-d,” intestines but were unsuccessful. The Rebbe went on to write an i.e., Torah and mitzvos. You must explanation about health: Professor Rosen came to R’ focus on health and dispel worries. Gurevitz’s aid. He had been in My father-in-law, the Rebbe, May you merit great success not constant contact by phone with the once said that the sign that a person only in spiritual matters but also in doctors at Tel HaShomer, and he is healthy is that he doesn’t feel his material things, like business, etc. urged them to fix the problem limbs. When he begins feeling his I hope to hear good news from without operating. Even after the head or heart, it’s a sign that you and that you placed your two failed attempts, when the something is amiss... Obviously, health worries on the Master of the doctors were pessimistic, he one needs to be careful and listen world, and that you take upon encouraged them to try again. to doctors’ instructions, but he yourself worries for Torah and mustn’t become preoccupied by it. These were critical hours. R’ mitzvos for yourself and your Gurevitz was growing more and He must, rather, be confident that surroundings. Hashem Who runs the vast world more pale. His daughter kept will certainly take care of your The Rebbe had instructed him to reminding him of the Rebbe’s world, the world of Man, for the stop worrying about health, and to brachos and wished him a refua good. He will ensure that fulfill his shlichus of worrying about shleima. everything is fine with regard to the Torah and mitzvos of himself Finally, the third attempt was successful and the intestines moved back into place. Monday afternoon, the doctors said they were pleased 8946 W. Pico Blvd with what they saw, but they told R’ Los Angeles, CA 90035 Gurevitz to remain in the hospital www.avivrentacar.com another day for observation. The original guess about cancer Owner: was mistaken. The problem was Yoram Cohen only a severe intestinal blockage. 310 859-9660, 323 930-9660 At the farbrengen in 770 in Kfar Fax: 310 859-0116 Fleet includes: Chabad on Motzaei Shabbos Yud- Tes Kislev, R’ Gurevitz told his story ^ Subcompact to full size and our specialty "minivans". and celebrated his recovery with the ^ Centrally located in Los Angeles, Rebbe’s brachos. A week after ^ Close to Freeways, Hollywood and Beverly Hills landing in Eretz Yisroel in terrible ^ Service, Value, Convenience. shape, he flew back to his shlichus Get Shabbos for FREE in Tashkent in order to prepare his ubhcru ubrun ubbust hjh & FREE airport pick-up city for Chanuka and to greet sgu okugk jhanv lkn on weekly rentals Moshiach.

Issue Number 449 - BEIS MOSHIACH 31 SHLEIMUS HA’ARETZ CHASED OUT OF EXILE?!

BY SHAI GEFEN

(Thursday, January 29, 2004, within the tighter the investigative noose Jewish people, depressed by the Oslo minutes of the prisoner exchange – around them became. Accords, were ready for the 400+ Arabs for one Jew and the bodies Sharon’s playing with the lives of consequences – the main thing being of 3 Jews – a suicide bomber blew his citizens because of investigations to eradicate terror. Instead, Sharon himself up on a bus meters away from and personal indictments is simply adopted a policy of restraint and told Sharon’s home in Rechavia, criminal. It should be a red light to us stories about how restraint is Yerushalayim, killing ten and injuring us all. We all know that the prime strength. With incredible chutzpa, he dozens, 10 critically. The Rebbe said minister is preoccupied with saving announced, two years ago, that he capitulating to our enemies leads to our his skin, which is why he is was ready to give them a state. Since deaths, r”l.) galloping down the political slope then, we’ve been inundated with from which there is no return. But blood and bodies blown to bits, INVESTIGATIONS AND while he and his sons engage in WITHDRAWALS maybe he’ll change his mind when he figures out that all those corruption. We’ve been noticing an investigations that landed on his Exactly twelve years ago, on Yud interesting correlation between the head are linked to the concessions he Shvat, when there was a government politics of our prime minister and makes, and the games he plays with in which Sharon served as a senior the criminal investigations that our land and our people. minister, the Rebbe warned P.M. accompany them. They think that if Shamir that if he continues with talks they take a step forward towards the How did it happen that someone who was a close friend and advisor about giving up land, he won’t Left and agree to concessions on succeed. Sharon would do well to strategic areas, this is what will save publicized tapes of personal conversations with him? It’s heed this warning that was conveyed them from the clutches of the through Moshe Katzav: prosecution. That’s what happened unprecedented. How much longer with Netanyahu. He thought that if will the prime minister ignore the “As to my opinion, you must see he moves towards the Left, and goes fact that there’s Somebody running to it that Shamir immediately cancels to Wye and makes the Chevron the show? Does the prime minister the decision and talks about Accords, he’d stay in power with not understand that a person who autonomy. I constantly fought for a recognition plus a seal of approval decided to gamble with the security government led by Shamir. Just as I from the Left. of millions of Jews will ultimately be did all I could to see to it that the forced to leave his position in government should be led by Shamir, That’s precisely what Sharon is ignominy? That’s what happened to if they continue this way about talks thinking – that only a policy of Menachem Begin, Yitzchok Shamir, like these, then I, Menachem unilateral withdrawal and fleeing will Rabin, Peres, Netanyahu, and Barak, Mendel, will be the first to fight, save him from indictment and as well as Defense Ministers Yitzchok with all my strength and powers, investigations. Senior journalists Mordechai and Puad Ben Eliezer. Has against Shamir, so that the report Sharon’s willingness to begin he still not learned the lesson?! government falls apart! taking “serious” steps, as they put it, thus preventing the Leftist If Ariel Sharon thinks that if they continue this way about talks investigators from interfering with destroying another outpost will gain like these, then I, Menachem Mendel, his politics. him prestige and that is how he’ll will be the first to fight, with all my manage to avoid or mitigate the strength and powers...so that the Incredibly, it’s working out just trouble he’s in, he’s seriously government falls apart! the opposite way. The government mistaken. leaders haven’t learned from what “Until now, only Shimon Peres happened to their predecessors: the Sharon got the world’s approval was against Shamir’s government, more they were willing to concede, to eradicate Palestinian terror. The but if Shamir continues in this

32 BEIS MOSHIACH - 14 Shvat 5764 direction about autonomy talks, then Two weeks ago, Yossi Ginosar, I too will be against the Shamir one of the Oslo architects, died. A government. If Shamir can’t take the man, who in the midst of the terrible pressure of the nations of the world, war, which is sucking our blood then he should openly announce that daily, made deals with the murderer he cannot face the pressure, and can Arafat, knowing that the money was no longer be prime minister!” going to finance terrorist acts against his fellow Jews. Until his last day, he PROTEST! made sure to present himself as a The Israeli government, under peacemaker, and to convey the image It seems surprising: orders from P.M. Sharon and the of one who has done his utmost on defense minister, had a shul in behalf of the State. This was done in Tapuach destroyed. The Tapuach collusion with the Israeli media. If Why should Pharaoh outpost had been approved by Israeli that was not enough, even though governments in the past, but as part they had incriminating documents on have to chase the of the plan to show the goyim that we him, the Legal Advisor decided to are carrying out the plan to destroy close the file against him. outposts, they chose to destroy a shul Jewish people out of It’s hard to believe what kind of and beat Jews. nation we are, when a person acted Sharon’s plan of destruction got openly against his people, Egypt when the Jews under way, but we didn’t see collaborated with the enemy, our anybody on the Right who had murderers, and made money on the were in exile in Egypt promised us that the minute they mangled and burnt bodies on buses destroy the first outpost they’ll leave that were blown up, and he was the government do anything. Shame praised for his work on behalf of his and did slave labor? on them! nation! In a normal country, a The shocking thing is that this quarter of the things Ginosar did Certainly they wanted same defense minister, who is would put him on trial for treason, directly responsible for the transfer but in Israel he’s made into a hero. of Jews, was received the next day We can learn from the Ginosar to leave the Egyptian with great honor at the national debacle what is really going on Kinus HaShluchim. There’s a lot behind the scenes with our “peace exile! more here than “because they were activists.” They’re not thinking of silent, they must agree.” It wasn’t what’s good for us. What interests only silence here, but an invitation! them is $$$, as was the case with the return various things to him. Including those things upon which In order that nobody should say, Geneva characters who made nice depends – in the natural order of G-d forbid, that bringing him (and money from the E.U. things – the security of the Jewish Netanyahu and Lieberman) to this HISTORY HAS SHOWN WE people, as they have been doing special occasion expressed any kind lately. They returned strategic land to of approval for what he did, we CANNOT MAKE Egypt, oil fields, etc., matters hereby loudly proclaim our protest CONCESSIONS! connected with actual danger to life, against the terrible things Mofaz did, On Shabbos Parshas Bo 5740, and in the end they delude which endangers the lives of millions exactly twenty years ago, the Rebbe themselves by thinking this expresses of Jews. As the Rebbe said, we need said an amazing sicha about giving Jewish pride, r”l! to protest and cry out against actions away land, a sicha that is most that endanger the Jews of Eretz appropriate nowadays. What follows Unfortunately, the Jewish people Yisroel. are some excerpts from that sicha: have been tested under all circumstances, and this experience From this we understand the BLOOD MONEY ought to give them knowledge as to opposite how absolutely out of the “They make light into darkness how to behave in any future tzara question it is to act in a conciliatory and darkness into light.” This (may it not happen). In fact, during fashion to the goy, to concede and perfectly fits our situation today. the Middle Ages – “a tzara shouldn’t

Issue Number 449 - BEIS MOSHIACH 33 happen again” – two approaches Why aren’t they willing to learn the goyim and goyishkeit are such that were tried, the approach of from past experience? Why do they they cannot free themselves of the capitulation and concessions to goyim continue with the same approach feelings of humility and lowliness in exchange for promises, and the that has already proven how much before the goy! They even think that approach of standing strong with danger it entails. And this is even this is good and that it expresses Jewish pride. after they’ve seen that this approach their Jewish pride, r”l. There were dozens of incidents in has caused hundreds of deaths (may In holiness, there is the concept a number of places in which the Hashem avenge their blood), and of “transforming darkness to light nations of the world turned to the even one Jewish soul is an entire and bitterness to sweetness.” That is, Jews and merrily promised them that world! not only something that was light no evil would befall them, not one Why aren’t they willing to learn and sweet to begin with, but greater hair of their head would be hurt, and from past experience? Why do they still – that the darkness itself is this on condition that they give up continue with the same approach that transformed into light, and the their weapons. This was, ostensibly, has already proven how much danger it bitterness itself is transformed into in order to demonstrate that they entails. And this is even after they’ve sweetness. don’t have any negative intentions seen that this approach has caused Since this is the case, the “other and to express their full faith in the hundreds of deaths (may Hashem side” maintains that it should also be promises and guarantees that the avenge their blood), and even one Jewish given something like that, so that nations of the world were giving soul is an entire world! there will be free choice. Thus, not them. For the sake of stubbornness of only is there a situation of darkness Practically speaking, in those not admitting to past mistakes – and bitterness, but more than that – instances where they gave in and namely, the approach of capitulation “they make darkness into light and gave up their weapons, relying on and concessions – must we endanger bitterness into sweetness,” they call a promises, not only were the promises the lives of the Jewish people? We situation of darkness light, and they not kept at all, by giving in they lost don’t find behavior like this among call the most bitter thing sweet! They all the weapons with which – in the the “corrupt of the nations”! Even the consider Galus something good! natural order of things – to protect nations themselves are shocked to We shouldn’t go on at length themselves. see Jews behave this way! They never about something painful and In those cases where they stood considered this possibility, that shocking, especially when in the end strong with Jewish pride, even when they’d give Egypt the most vital certainly, “He will pour over them a it didn’t end with victory, there were things for their security! And that spirit from Above,” and they will a number who managed to be saved. they’d do it amidst celebrations and repent. wishes of mazal tov. ... And in general, standing strong was May we soon merit true “revenge on the goyim,” not because There’s a lesson about this from transformation, the transformation of Jews are eager for revenge against the the story of the going out of Egypt: darkness into light and bitterness goyim, but in order that it help Jews regarding the exodus from Egypt it into sweetness, simply put – the who are somewhere else. For when says, “for with a strong hand he will negation of all undesirable things they see that we stand strong and send them out and with a strong and their transformation into bear weapons, it scares them from hand he’ll chase them from his land.” holiness. Then we will merit shleimus then on. It seems surprising: Why should ha’Am, along with shleimus ha’Torah As was said, these two Pharaoh have to chase the Jewish and shleimus ha’Aretz. approaches were tried in the past, people out of Egypt when the Jews were in exile in Egypt and did slave And simply that very soon we and not only once, but many times, will all go out of Galus. And together and in all instances the results were labor? Certainly they wanted to leave the Egyptian exile! we will come to our holy land, “a as I said. After this bitter experience land which ... always the eyes of they continue to pursue the But there were Jews who were Hashem, your G-d, are upon it, from approach of capitulation and sunk deep in galus and goyishkeit, the beginning of the year until the concessions, and as was said, they until they thought that galus is good. end of the year,” to Yerushalayim the returned oil fields and strategic areas That’s why Pharaoh had to chase holy city and the third Beis to Egypt, and this was in exchange them out of the galus of Egypt. HaMikdash, soon in our days, for promises. We now see what these So too with us: There are Jews mamash. promises are worth! whose feelings of inferiority towards

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The date of 14 Shvat marks the father. In 5685 (1925), his son the maamer had started, first yahrtzeit of a distinguished accompanied him for Shabbos appropriately, with the saying of our remnant of the previous generation Parshas VaYechi on a visit to the Sages: “Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi of chassidim. Rabbi Shmuel Dovid Rebbe Rayatz, in Leningrad. The said, ‘Come and see how great are Belinow was an outstanding example Rebbe, when he entered his shul to the humble-spirited [considered] of a devout chassid, noted for his recite a maamer to the assembled before G-d’”! high level of yiras Shamayim and Torah knowledge, who served EDUCATION IN THE Hashem with sincere devotion. UNDERGROUND YESHIVOS FAMILY BACKGROUND Shmuel Dovid received his early Torah education from his father in Born in Klimovitch, White Klimovitch. When he was 13, he Russia, on 18 Kislev, 5670 (1909), went to study in the underground he was a descendant of Rabbi Lubavitcher Yeshiva Tomchei Mordechai Posner, one of the Alter T’mimim. In these yeshivos he Rebbe’s three brothers. Years later, in studied for eleven years, from the 1972, he was privileged to be beginning of 5684 until the end of received in yechidus, private 5694 (1923-1934), most of the time audience, with our Rebbe MH”M, in Nevel. There he studied under the who noted: “Mir zainen doch renowned rosh yeshiva, Rabbi Yehuda mishpocha” – ”We are, after all, Eber, and learned chassidus from related!” well-known mashpiim such as Rabbi Rabbi Mordechai, a prodigious Yechezkel (“Chatcha”) Feigin, and gaon in his own right, served as Rav later, Rabbi Nissan Nemanow. For a of Orsha and helped prepare the while, the elderly chassid, Rabbi Meir Alter Rebbe’s Shulchan Aruch for Simcha Chein of Nevel, taught his publication. His son, Rabbi Moshe class chassidus. Later he studied in Dovber, was the father of Rabbi chassidim, asked where Rabbi the senior Beis HaMidrash Boruch Tzodok, whose son-in-law, Avrohom Osher was. The Rebbe was L’Rabbonim (Rabbinical Academy) in the first Rabbi Shmuel Dovid, was a told that he had gone to immerse Nevel, headed by Rabbi Shmuel chassid of the Tzemach Tzedek and a himself in the mikva (as chassidim Levitin. do, especially before coming into the great Torah scholar. One example of Before the Rebbe Rayatz left the Rebbe’s presence). Aware of Rabbi his scholarship: every night before Soviet Union in 5688 (1927), Avrohom Osher’s limp, which made his sleep, he used to review by heart Shmuel Dovid was privileged to have it take him longer to get there, the 18 chapters of Mishnayos yechidus with him three times. Rebbe waited until he arrived before (completing the entire Mishna During his years in Nevel, both starting the maamer! monthly). This Rabbi Shmuel faculty and students were sometimes Dovid’s son, Rabbi Avrohom Osher, Years later, when his son, Rabbi forced to flee to escape arrest. They was an outstanding chassid of exalted Shmuel Dovid was in yechidus, the started new underground yeshivos in spiritual level, known for his great Rebbe MH”M mentioned this story their new locations, until forced to humility. and asked what was the maamer’s flee again. In 5688-5689 (1927- Rabbi Avrohom Osher named his opening words. In view of Rabbi 1929), Shmuel Dovid was sent with own son Shmuel Dovid after his Avrohom Osher’s renowned humility, other students to start an

36 BEIS MOSHIACH - 14 Shvat 5764 underground Yeshiva in Torah-observant refugees had a taxi to go to the station where, Yekatrinoslav (Dnipropetrovs’k), settled. In that difficult time of miraculously, for reasons unknown, where the Rebbe MH”M’s father, famine and epidemic, Rabbi Shmuel the train was still standing – as if it Rabbi Levi Yitzchok Schneerson, Dovid was known for his were waiting for him! served as rav. His companions there compassionate hospitality, not In 1947, the family settled in included Rabbi Mendel Futerfas and hesitating to bring home even guests Paris. At first Rabbi Shmuel Dovid Rabbi Nochum Labkowski, who with contagious diseases. During taught at the Lubavitcher Yeshiva both later became prominent those years, he used to organize there. That spring, he had the chassidim. weekly Melaveh Malka gatherings privilege of meeting our Rebbe At one point Shmuel Dovid every Motzaei Shabbos, at which MH”M, who came to Paris (before studied the profound series of Rabbi Yehuda Chitrik used to the start of his leadership) to greet maamerim known as “Samech-Vav” recount chassidic stories, and Rabbi his mother, Rebbetzin Chana, after (begun by the Rebbe Rashab in the Shmuel Dovid would conclude with she escaped from the USSR together year 5666) under the renowned a melody that came to be known by with the hundreds of other chassid, Rabbi Elchonon Dov his name, “Shmuel Dovid’s niggun.” chassidim. During the Rebbe’s stay Marozov, with whom he became very MESIRAS NEFESH FOR there, while making arrangements to close. Later he recalled how, when SHABBOS bring his mother to New York, he teaching certain points in the text, met and held farbrengens for the Reb Chonya recently arrived became so chassidim, and moved that he Rabbi Shmuel suddenly burst Dovid can be into tears. seen prominently in the pictures of REFUGE IN those special SAMARKAND events. In 5695 (1935), Rabbi EXPERT Shmuel Dovid SHOCHET married Rebbetzin Chava In 5711 (may she be (1951), Rabbi well). Her father, Shmuel Dovid Rabbi Yerachmiel learned the craft Goldshmid, son of sh’chita (ritual of Rabbi Yisroel slaughtering). Dov, was a recognized Rabbinic After the war, in 1946, most His certificate of authorization (K’sav authority, Rabbi of Vinograd, near Lubavitcher chassidim streamed to Kabbala), signed by the Uman. His father-in-law was the Lemberg (Lvov), where a possibility distinguished Rabbinic authorities, well-known gaon, Rabbi Mordechai existed to leave the USSR using Rabbi Mendel Dubravsky, Rabbi Barmashenko, “Reb Mottel the Polish passports. At the time, noted Nochum Shmaryahu Sossonkin Dayan” (Rabbinic judge) of Rabbis ruled that since it was so (“Batumer”), and Rabbi Zalman Zinigarodka, near Kiev. Her family dangerous for Torah-observant Jews Shimon Dworkin, noted that Rabbi were devoted chassidim of the to remain in the USSR, if an Shmuel Dovid was erudite in “T’vuos Tchernobiler and Rachmastrivker opportunity presented itself to leave Shor,” the standard compendium on Rebbes. the country, it was permitted to the laws of `, “in its every letter, in travel even on Shabbos. depth and in breadth” – a rare Soon after the wedding, the Nevertheless, when a group of compliment! young couple settled in his home chassidim succeeded in arranging town of Klimovitch. They moved to He became known for his tickets on a train leaving on expertise in sharpening the Moscow before World War II, and Shabbos, Rabbi Shmuel Dovid later they evacuated to Samarkand, slaughtering knife – the basic pre- refused to transgress the Shabbos. condition for valid sh’chita – and, where a large community of Immediately after Shabbos, he found Lubavitcher chassidim and other like chassidim of previous

Issue Number 449 - BEIS MOSHIACH 37 generations, prepared daily for that there be a regular minyan. Even in his final days in hospital, his sh’chita as a sacred pursuit. Such was Rabbi Shmuel Dovid was devotion to the Rebbe was so strong his expertise and reputation for strict extraordinarily charitable, giving that, despite his serious sickness, he care in the laws of sh’chita and the large sums unobtrusively. Regular became very excited when tapes of subsequent checking of the carcass, fundraisers once visited his home the Rebbe’s Sichos were played for that many prominent chassidim were while he was out, and his wife asked him. particular to eat meat only from his how much her husband usually Shortly before his passing, the sh’chita. He continued at this gave. The large sum they named doctors had to perform a medical profession until he retired in 5744 amazed her, but she knew them as procedure that might necessitate (1984) reliable, so she gave what they asked removing part of his beard. The TORAH, PRAYER AND – having learned yet another special family consulted with Rabbanim, CHARITY virtue of her remarkable husband. who ruled that it was permitted in such a case. Eventually, however, his Rabbi Shmuel Dovid was a DEDICATED TO THE TRUTH lifetime of yiras Shamayim stood him profound Torah scholar, who studied He had an amazing memory and in good stead, and his doctors found every subject fundamentally and in was a treasure trove of chassidic a way to perform the procedure depth. He used to study slowly, stories. He used to narrate them without removing his beard. saying the words aloud, even when with great precision, for he was During his last moments, his studying alone; to someone outside expert in chassidic history, including family were able to put t’fillin on it sounded as if he was giving a the history of his own family. For him and said with him Shma and lesson. His daily study schedule many years, at Melaveh Malka “Yechi.” After eight years of suffering, included Gemara, Mishnayos gatherings in Paris on Motzaei he returned his soul to his Creator (continuing the family tradition of Shabbos, together with the on 14 Shvat, 5763. his grandfather, after whom he was renowned chassid Rabbi Yisroel named), Halacha, and chassidus, and Noach Belinitsky, Rabbi Shmuel LOVING FAMILY he was unusually expert in Tanya, Dovid used to recount chassidic He is survived by his wife, Torah Or and Likkutei Torah. His stories, which were recognized as Rebbetzin Chava, and three main study time was very early in being highly reliable. generations of chassidim, many of the morning. Indeed, his longtime Rabbi Shmuel Dovid’s dedication whom are shluchim, rabbanim and neighbor, Rabbi Sholom Mendel to the truth was unwavering. It was Torah educators. His older son, Kalmanson, joked (at the Shiva) that the guiding principle of his life. Rabbi Mordechai, is the Segan Av he has never “forgiven” Rabbi Fearing no one, he always stood Beis Din of the Vaad Rabbanei Shmuel Dovid for awakening him so ready for self-sacrifice for every Lubavitch of France, and his early every morning with his loud detail of chassidic custom and younger son, Rabbi Yitzchok, is a Torah study during the 30 years that Halachic practice, refusing to prominent Rav in Milan, Italy. His they were neighbors! compromise one iota of the chassidic daughters are Baila Bronstein, a His prayers, too, whether on lifestyle that characterized his life. dedicated educator at Bais Chaya Shabbos and weekdays, morning, Mushka, Chana Marozov, who is afternoon or evening, were a delight FINAL YEARS very active in the Mitzva campaigns to behold. He enunciated the words During his last years, Rabbi of the Rebbe MH”M, and Fruma aloud, slowly and carefully as if Shmuel Dovid suffered from serious Belinow, a dedicated educator at the counting jewels, concentrating on medical problems and was often Lubavitcher Yeshiva of Crown their meaning, accompanied by a hospitalized. He accepted his Heights. Chabad melody, utterly withdrawn sufferings lovingly, and never Rabbi Shmuel Dovid Belinow’s from everything around him. Rabbi complained. His devoted wife passing leaves a void in his family Shmuel Dovid was also an ministered faithfully to his needs. In and the chassidic world. May he be outstanding baal koreh, who read the 5759 (1999), they moved to Crown an ardent advocate for his honored Torah publicly with meticulous Heights, New York, to be close to wife and family and the entire accuracy, which was particularly their daughters. Despite his Jewish people, and may his memory pleasant to hear. He resided in the worsening health, he was a source of be an inspiration to the younger Paris suburb of Aubervilliers, inspiration and encouragement to generation striving to emulate his investing great effort to maintain the his children and grandchildren, who shining example. Lubavitcher shul there, and ensuring spent much time taking care of him.

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NEWS SOON: A PEACE MISSION FOR THE SHEVA MITZVOS B’NEI NOACH

Matteh Sheva Mitzvos B’nei in Abu Gush signed two Noach, which is directed by Rabbi months ago. This is all by Boaz Kali, is busy preparing a peace way of preparing for the mission to spread awareness of the big event that is coming Sheva Mitzvos. There will be a up shortly. caravan of vehicles, decorated with “I am sure that when colorful signs explaining the Sheva their council leaders and Mitzvos, which will go to Arab dignitaries see these villages around the country. The signatures, they will agree plan is for them to stop for to add their own,” says ceremonies, which will include Rabbi Kali. chassidic singers who will sing in Arabic! At the end of each The recent signing in Sheik Mufak Tarif, head of the Druze sect in Eretz ceremony, local council leaders and Shafraam was done at the Yisroel, signs on the Sheva Mitzvos proclamation distinguished Arabs will sign on a home of Mr. Yassin Ursan, pronouncement promoting the the mayor. Dozens of fulfillment of the Sheva Mitzvos. people gathered in front of his house, among them Rabbi Kali said that in recent those with senior weeks that the Matteh had the head positions, and numerous of the council in Shafraam and the dignitaries, who greeted head of the Druze sect, sign a the rabbanim with great special proclamation about the respect. Sheva Mitzvos. This is the same proclamation that the council leader R’ Kali spoke about the

Mayor of Shafraam with the special proclamation

Sheva Mitzvos, whose goal is to foster peace and justice in the world. The mayor said that he was already trying to work on promoting justice and peace. He said, “The ancient synagogue in Shafraam was renovated by us, and we’ve appointed a special guard for it. We also renovated the grave of Rabbi Yehuda ben Bava which is within the municipality of Shafraam.” The mayor asked the rabbanim to bless him that he succeed in his job, as he was recently elected to his position. R’ Kali told him that Sheik Khamal Tarif, one of the Druze leaders, signs on the special proclamation

Issue Number 449 - BEIS MOSHIACH 41 he can write to the Rebbe MH”M translator. Sheik Khamal Tarif and a and ask for his bracha. The council “The peace mission prominent businessman from Kfar leader did so, in the name of the will explain how we Jolles, were also present. residents of Shafraam. Then he After R’ Kali explained about the signed the proclamation for the can live together in Sheva Mitzvos, the Sheik Mufak Sheva Mitzvos. He invited R’ Kali to Tarif suggested that they have a come and lecture at the schools and peace through the large ceremony for all the Druze youth sports centers about the leaders to sign on the proclamation. Sheva Mitzvos. fulfillment of the R’ Kali told him about the peace Another ceremony was held on Sheva Mitzvos.” mission that he’s working on. “The 20 Teives in the home of Sheik peace mission will explain how we Mufak Tarif, head of the Druze sect. can live together in peace through helping the Matteh Sheva Mitzvos His signature on the Sheva Mitzvos the fulfillment of the Sheva in explaining the Sheva Mitzvos to was thanks to Dr. Chavi Ashkenazi Mitzvos.” The sheiks signed the local Arab leaders and dignitaries. who has many contacts within the proclamation and R’ Kali gave them Arab sector in connection with her The modest ceremony in the a beautiful picture of the Rebbe work for the government. She was Sheik’s home was attended by Rabbi with the Sheva Mitzvos written in recently asked to get involved in Kali, Dr. Ashkenazi, and Mr. Arabic. Shlomo Chasun, who served as MEMORIAL FOR THE ELUL COUPLE

A tragedy took place a month ago in the Flatbush section of Brooklyn when an electrical fire broke out in the home of the Eluls. The young couple suffered from smoke inhalation and were taken to the hospital.

A week and a half after the fire, Rabbi Schwei speaking at the memorial gathering Mrs. Rochel Elul passed away. A week later, her husband Eliyahu passed away. Their six-month-old baby miraculously survived unharmed. Mrs. Elul a”h was the daughter Rebbe and the Deizher Rebbe, Rabbi Eliyahu Ben-Chaim, av of Rabbi Michoel Nimni, rav of the Rabbi Boruch Chori – Tunisian beis din in Queens, eulogized the Ner Menachem Chaim V’Chesed senior rabbi, Rabbi Yeshaya, the couple. He called for a shul in Crown Heights. He and his son and representative of the strengthening of the mitzva of sons are known for their work in Admur from Zidichov- family purity, which the Elul couple being mekarev Jews to Torah and Williamsburg. had encouraged others to keep. chassidus. The first speaker was Rabbi Rabbi Mordechai Gurary, rav of A Shloshim gathering was held Shaul Katzin, rav of the Shaarei the Chevras Shas shul in Crown in Crown Heights with 250 people Tziyon congregation, and chief Heights spoke next. He quoted the in attendance on Tuesday evening, rabbi of the Sephardic community Alter Rebbe on the pasuk, “You 14 Teives at the Ner Menachem in New York. Then a family friend, know the secrets of the world.” shul on Empire Boulevard. Rabbi Dovid Eloz made a siyum on There are secrets that are revealed Attendees included the Skolye the entire Mishnayos. to tzaddikim, and there are secrets

42 BEIS MOSHIACH - 14 Shvat 5764 that are revealed to Hashem alone. principal of Ohel Dovid in kedushas beis ha’knesses, and how “The reason that something so Flatbush, the school where Mrs. the couple always contributed terrible happened to us, is known Elul taught for some time, spoke towards good causes. Rabbi Amram only to Hashem.” about her great devotion to her Klein, son and representative of Rabbi Michoel Nimni, father of students. gaon Rabbi Menasheh Klein, av beis Mrs. Elul spoke very emotionally Rabbi Yaakov Nimni spoke din of Ungvar and rosh yeshivas about his chavrusa with his son-in- about his brother-in-law who was Beis She’arim, spoke about tznius. law a”h. Rabbi Refael Nussbaum, particularly careful about the Member of the Crown Heights beis din of Crown Heights, Rabbi Aharon Yaakov Schwei, told stories DR. ( ZVI ) HARVEY LANG and explanations from the Rebbe about consoling the bereaved. Chiropractor The final speaker was Rabbi 783 Montgomery Street Rachamim Nimni, brother of Mrs. Chiropractic Applied Kinesiology Elul. He spoke of his sister’s - Nutrition - hiskashrus to the Rebbe and how Infants - Children - Adults she and her husband said the daily Headache, Back & Neck Pain, etc. shiur in T’hillim and would often Learning Disability, T.M.J. (JAW), Dislexia, Chronic visit 770. Ear Aches, Scoliosis, Allergy, Neural Organization Good resolutions were made (718) 773-1121 By Appointment and may we be zocheh to the greatest consolation of all with the hisgalus of the Rebbe MH”M.

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Issue Number 449 - BEIS MOSHIACH 43