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CONFRONTING PHARAOH 4 D’var Malchus

FOR THE LOVE OF ...MOSHIACH 6 Thought | Zvi Homnick

UNITING CHASSIDIM IN AMERICA 10 Feature | Shneur Zalman Berger

A SUPER-ACTIVE SHLIACH 18 Feature | Nosson Avrohom

SCIENTISM IN A SCHOOL? 26 Moshiach & Science | Dr. Aryeh Gotfryd USA 744 , NY 11213-3409 Tel: (718) 778-8000 Fax: (718) 778-0800 MIRACLES ON SHLICHUS [email protected] 28 Shlichus | Rabbi Yaakov Shmuelevitz www.beismoshiach.org EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: M.M. Hendel ENGLISH EDITOR: ‘MAY G-D GRANT YOU LIFE!’ Boruch Merkur Shlichus | Shneur Zalman Berger HEBREW EDITOR: 32 Rabbi Sholom Yaakov Chazan [email protected]

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d’var malchus CONFRONTING PHARAOH

Sichos In English

A TWOFOLD CHALLENGE It is not bad; but it cannot see details of every situation as it is. “[G-d] placed the world within beyond itself. There is, however, a second, more [man’s] heart.” [1] The second soul is “an actual part general goal for our efforts - to The mission of mankind - to of G-d,” and its fulfillment comes nurture selflessness. transform the world into a dwelling through service, encouraging the For worldly existence encourages for G-d - mirrors the challenges every expression of this G-dly nature and of self-concern, and man’s task is to individual confronts in developing the the G-dliness invested in the world at break through these barriers and G-dly nature of his own character large. reveal the inner truth. and personality. The conflict between these souls The words “break through” are For every person is an entire reflects the challenge which man intentionally used. world in microcosm. [2] faces: to break through his self- For with regard to self-concern - There are two dimensions to our concern and to reveal his G-dly core. to borrow a Talmudic phrase [5] - personal task of self-refinement: When this is accomplished, the “its destruction is its purification.” Firstly, to use the qualities which first task mentioned above, making Our desires can be redirected we have been granted for a positive positive use of the potentials and from undesirable motives to a purpose. opportunities we are granted, can be positive orientation, but the For example, instead of self- achieved with far greater ease. fundamental approach of selfishness oriented material desire, our potential which characterizes worldly existence to love should be expressed in love for WITHIN THE must be broken. G-d, and selfless love for our fellow MACROCOSM There is no redeeming quality in mere self-concern. man. [3] These same thrusts are reflected And our potential for achievement in our endeavors within the world at should be directed to making large. WHAT THE PLAGUES contributions that are lasting in One of mankind’s tasks is to use ACCOMPLISHED nature, rather than those of mere all the elements of world for a Egypt, Mitzrayim in Hebrew, temporal value. positive purpose. serves as an analogy for material Similarly, each of our attributes Every element of being contains existence as a whole. [6] should be dedicated toward good, sparks of G-dliness which are As such, both motifs mentioned and indeed, toward the most concealed by the material nature of above are reflected in the story of the comprehensive good possible. our existence. Exodus. But there is a challenge which is By using these objects for a The miracles G-d wrought in more fundamental. spiritual purpose, e.g., eating a meal Egypt had two purposes: Every person should ask with the intent of using the energy A) that Pharaoh should release the him/her/self: What am I living for? generated from the food to serve G- Jews, and that when they depart, they Is my goal self-gratification, or d, we tap the G-dly energy invested in would “ask every man of his friend, am I living for a higher purpose? these worldly entities, and give it and every women from her neighbor, Chassidus explains [4] that we expression. golden and silver articles.” [7] have two souls, one an animal soul, This goal must be applied in a In this way, they would “drain that like an animal is concerned with very particular way, relating to the Egypt of her wealth.” [8] its own needs and drives.

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This reflects the Jews’ effort to This dimension is reflected in the And thus the refers to the refine the sparks of holiness that were name of this week’s reading, House of Pharaoh as: [18] “the place concealed within Egypt, allowing Bo. where all lights are revealed in an these resources of good to find The most common meaning of Bo unrestrained manner.” positive expression. is “come,” but it also means “enter,” Carrying this concept further, the B) “So that you will be able to tell or “penetrate.” [15] Exodus shares a direct connection to your children and grandchildren how Moshe is commanded to the ultimate Redemption. I have made sport from Egypt, penetrate to Pharaoh’s core and Indeed, had the Jews merited, performing miraculous signs there.” negate his strength. immediately after leaving Egypt, they [9] As the Zohar states, [16] G-d would have entered Eretz Yisroel in Pharaoh is identified with the caused him to enter room after room, the ultimate Redemption. [19] And stubborn boasts, “I do not know G- penetrating to the very heart of the entire period from the exodus d,” [10] and “the river is mine and I Pharaoh’s palace. until the Redemption is referred to as have fashioned it,” [11] denying G- “the days of your exodus from d’s influence in our world and COME WITH ME Egypt.” [20] replacing it with self-orientation. For nullifying the selfishness of The command to confront The fundamental purpose of the Pharaoh and breaking through the Pharaoh and negate his influence is plagues was to negate this approach, limitations of Egypt began - and given to Moshe, because the task of to manifest G-dliness openly so that begins for every individual when he negating selfishness is a fundamental all could see, and in doing so, to relives the Exodus in a personal sense dimension of man’s service. break the pride of Pharaoh and his - a self-reinforcing dynamic that Man was given the mission of nation. ultimately will take us beyond all making this world a dwelling for G-d, G-d persisted in this endeavor limitations, leading to the and this is possible only when until Pharaoh’s pride was crushed, Redemption; may it take place in the selfishness is nullified. For haughty and he came in his nightclothes to immediate future. self-interest prevents the Divine Moshe, entreating G-d’s mercy. [12] Adapted from : Vol. XXI, p. 48- Presence from being manifest. [17] Personally, Pharaoh would have 49; Vol. XXXI, p. 32-33; Sichos Shabbos Parshas Bo, And yet, this nullification of self 5733, 5751 been prepared to release the Jews cannot be accomplished by man on after several of the plagues. Notes: his own; this is only within G-d’s He was, nevertheless, held back 1. Ecclesiastes 3:11. power. and the plagues continued, because 2. Midrash Tanchuma, P’kudei, sec. 3. For this reason, Moshe shrunk at G-d hardened his heart. [13] 3. See Avos 5:16. G-d’s command; he realized that the Why was this necessary? 4. , chs. 1 and 2. challenge was greater than him. That Had Pharaoh released the Jews 5. Keilim 2:1. is why G-d told him, “Come to earlier, he and his nation would not Pharaoh,” i.e., come with Me, and 6. See the previous essay entitled have been thoroughly humbled. “Seeing and Believing.” not “Go to Pharaoh.” G-d would The refinement of the sparks of confront Pharaoh together with 7. Exodus 11:2. G-dliness concealed within the Egypt Moshe. 8. Ibid. 11:36. would have been accomplished, but Moshe was not shirking 9. Ibid. 10:2. the power which opposed G-d would responsibility. He was willing to go, 10. Ibid. 5:2. have remained intact. but not with his own power. 11. Ezekiel 29:3. The plagues were continued until By hesitating, he invited G-d’s 12. Exodus 12:30-32. “Egypt [knew] that I am G-d,” [14] assistance, emphasizing that he and the self-oriented approach which 13. Ibid. 10:1. would be acting only as an agent, and their leader personified was 14. Exodus 7:5. the power to nullify Pharaoh’s pride shattered. 15. Therefore one of the Hebrew terms would be G-d’s. for marital relations is bia. REACHING TO THE CORE 16. Zohar, Vol. II, 34a. THE DYNAMIC 17. See Sota 5a. Just as the nullification of OF REDEMPTION 18. Zohar, Vol. I, 210a. Pharaoh had to be absolute, in a Penetrating through and 19. See Sifri, commenting on personal sense, the negation of the Deuteronomy 1:2. approach of selfishness must be nullifying the self-oriented dimension 20. Micha 7:15, note the explanation in complete, encompassing every aspect of Pharaoh makes possible the revelation of a positive dimension. Likkutei Torah, Massei, p. 88c ff; Seifer of our being. HaMaamarim 5708, p. 159ff.

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easiest targets for ridicule. On the flip side, when trying to acquire a FOR THE LOVE OF comprehensive “big picture” view of a wide ranging ideological construct, it is essential to see not only the central tenets but the “edges” of the picture as well. ...MOSHIACH Simply put, you don’t fully understand and appreciate any idea or belief until you can see just how far it goes. By Rabbi Zvi Homnick In retrospect, my perhaps perverse perseverance in pursuing the putatively peripheral but altogether revealing “inside” material, stood me in good stead over the long haul. If I could decipher, process, and ultimately accept the ideas that to an “outsider” seemed the most untenable, even crazy, then nothing could shake my conviction. If on the other hand, I found that “these people” have some nice, even compelling, ideas and beliefs, but the applications of those ideas and beliefs are a little too “out there” for me, I would know to respect and love them as G-d-fearing and well meaning Jews while keeping a certain distance. (That is pretty much what happened when I managed to dig up the inside, not for public consumption, teachings and beliefs of the Breslover Chassidim. I enjoy the teachings, have a special warm and fuzzy place in my heart for the adherents, but I realized that for me this wasn’t “it.”) In fact, over the years, I have seen numerous people drawn to the teachings of Chabad Chassidus and greatly inspired, but when confronted with some of the conclusions and implications of the belief system that seemed far away from the “mainstream,” they balked. open mind was my fascination with CAN YOU So, in my personal odyssey, instead extreme statements and beliefs. As IMAGINE LOVE? of looking just for the inspirational an opponent of a given philosophy One of the personal quirks that I and uplifting insights that Chassidus and worldview, it is useful to held on to as I entered the could provide, I actively sought out unearth the most far-out and transitional period of seriously the “sharp” and seemingly extreme formulations of that belief investigating Chassidus with an outrageous aphorisms and axioms, system, since those provide the

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and spent a lot of time trying to make some sense of it, and if figure out what each was based on somehow I managed to actually One of the things I and if it rang true. relate to the underlying premise, had missed out on I imagine that I was also then I would be well along on my influenced by an earlier fascination way – or else, out the door as fast growing up was the with the Kotzker Chassidim, whose as my feet could take me. guiding principle was that if a thing Since I, like Shlomo HaMelech, old-fashioned no was worth doing then it was worth had no Rebbe nor had I experienced doing “all the way,” and conversely, the world of Chassidic fellowship, holds barred if you’re not prepared to go “all the clearly I would be at the same way” then you are probably just disadvantage. However, what I of wasting your time. (Obviously, the needed to figure out was if this was yesteryear, where converse doesn’t apply to the something I even wanted to strive obligations facing every Jew as laid for and become a part of or not, Chassidim felt free out in the Code of Jewish Law.) and the only tools at my disposal In that spirit, when I would be my mind and imagination. to point out encountered the following quote In the previously alluded to Song of from a sicha of the Rebbe Rayatz Songs, Shlomo HaMelech writes, shortcomings and citing Reb Aizik of Homil (13 “Because love is as powerful as Tammuz, 5691, Eng. Likkutei death.” Sadly, in the real world, areas requiring Dibburim vol. 5 p. 115-133), I many people go through life, and improvement to knew I hit the jackpot: even married life, without “Shlomo HaMelech was a man experiencing anything near as their fellow of amazing wisdom as it is written, intense as the biblical analogy in ‘And G-d gave Shlomo wisdom,’ question, although they likely have Chassidim, in a and ‘Wisdom and knowledge are enough familiarity with the subject granted to you.’ Now what could be matter to at least be able to conjure spirit of love and greater, loftier and better than up such an intense passion in their wisdom, particularly the very imaginations. mutual concern... essence of wisdom? Nevertheless, Could I even imagine that kind he didn’t have a Rebbe. If he had of love for a saintly old Rabbi, a the leadership was passed along to had a Rebbe to go to, then not only man I would never have the the Rebbe, Chassidim have dubbed would his wisdom have been loftier, opportunity of having a this day the “Rosh HaShana of he would also have had Chassidic conversation with, or building any Hiskashrus” (lit. attachment, companions and been present at kind of personal relationship with bonding – Chassidic term of Chassidic farbrengens. And then, all outside of his teachings and public devotion to the Rebbe). In that his powerful images of ‘lover’ and appearances? spirit, I tried to convey to these ‘beloved,’ he would have drawn youngsters the basis of the feelings from Chassidim and their Rebbe.” DO YOU KNOW that a Chassid feels towards his Rebbe, particularly, love and This was about as extreme and WHAT LOVE IS? outrageous as you could get. (In devotion. In the middle of our th fact, when the Rebbe referred to this On the 10 of Shvat in the informal talk, a fellow in his quote during a sicha on Simchas winter of 1997, I was attending the twenties approached our table and Torah 5716/1955, he only alluded main in 770 when I was displaying all the signs of to it without repeating the whole approached by a group of young intoxication (real or feigned) began statement and he explained, “The teenage bachurim, who asked me to to berate me. I can’t recall his Rebbe [Rayatz] said it in Riga, and come and farbreng with them. Since diatribe verbatim, but the following from there it made its way to the group included a number of is a fairly close approximation: and . The tumult boys who might otherwise be “Homnick, you’re an idiot. You this engendered was huge. Basically, involved in less constructive don’t know anything. You get up things got really lively and I am activities, I agreed. We went upstairs and talk about love for the Rebbe, afraid to repeat it in order to not to the “second room” off of the but you don’t know the first thing create another tumult.”) If I could small zal, and began to farbreng. about it. I’m only telling you this wrap my brain around this gem and Since is the day of the because I love you and I really feel passing of the Rebbe Rayatz, when

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regarding a Jewish G-dly soul that Going to the Rebbe enables the person we can talk about love that to experience whole new dimensions of “transcends” self, since its self- driven desire is to stop being only a love for his fellow Chassidim, and from “part of G-d, Above, literally,” and return to being indistinct from the there to all Jews. “whole.” Although the animal soul of a sorry for you. You have no idea confusion in secular society, Jew is inherently self-centered, and what it’s like to grow up with the particularly in matters of the heart, as such is only capable of loving Rebbe, following him around and is no surprise. Sadly, within the that which it perceives as related to watching his every move. Do you Jewish world, and even the or advantageous to self, unlike the know what it is to be a little kid who Chassidic world whose credo is soul of the gentile, it has the instead of going out to play, runs to based on the three loves - of G-d, potential for reeducation by the G- 770 to catch another glimpse of the Torah and one’s fellow Jews - clarity dly soul to actually appreciate and Rebbe? To stand outside in the cold is hard to come by. The Alter Rebbe be attracted to G-d and G-dliness. of winter or the heat of summer for with Chabad Chassidus provides us This is what is meant by loving G-d hours, hoping to see the Rebbe with a road map as well as a with both sides of the heart and leaving his house or 770? You think vocabulary with which to develop, both inclinations. It is to this end you can just show up, and since train, and guide our emotions. that Shlomo HaMelech uses you’re a smart guy you can get up The first foundational fact one imagery that the animal soul can and become a big-shot in Lubavitch, needs to know about love is: all love relate to and be inspired to love G-d but you don’t begin to know what is self-love. Since the very emotion with a fiery passion. The problem is you’re talking about.” of love is entirely an expression of that after the passage of thousands This was the gist of it, although self, “I love,” and there is no such of years, as the world and the Jew there was much repetition and the thing as love without an “I” doing have slipped into progressively occasional invective (not suitable for the loving, what and who I love is deeper levels of Divine concealment, a family publication), plus assorted also only a reflection of self. “I love” analogies don’t work anymore. In insults. The boys offered to toss him myself, what is a part of me, an fact, there are those who have taken out on his head, but I adjured them extension of me, something or those very songs of unrequited love not to. I explained to them that one someone that benefits and/or and used them in ways that are of the things I had missed out on complements me. There is no such contrary to their true purpose. growing up was the old-fashioned thing as selfless love, because if the In order to reveal the capacity no holds barred farbrengens of self is not involved there is no love. for love of G-d that exists within the yesteryear, where Chassidim felt That is why the asserts that animal soul of a Jew, Chassidus free to point out shortcomings and gentiles are incapable of altruism, came and revealed the innermost areas requiring improvement to because even the most profound powers of the G-dly soul, but it also their fellow Chassidim, in a spirit of expressions of love and kindness are provided a tangible locus for that love and mutual concern. Although no more than expressions of self. love, since the animal soul has a this individual’s claim that he was You can’t love or feel kindly much easier time relating to what it telling me all of this out of love was disposed to someone or something can see on a physical level. The dubious at best, clearly Divine unless there is some benefit for you. companionship of Chassidim when Providence was at work and I What makes a Jew different is one travels to the Rebbe is the needed to hear these things. After that the Jew has more than one self; training grounds in which the all, how does one go from having a the animal soul that is his conscious animal soul learns to take that first hard time even imagining a certain self, and the G-dly soul, which is his step in transcending self, by kind of love to actually experiencing true inner self. And since the G-dly learning to love others truly “like that love? soul perceives that its “self” is yourself,” because we all originate nothing more than an expression of from the same source, and the THE FACTS OF LOVE G-d, the nature of that “self” is that Rebbe is the physical manifestation it wants to return to its source and of the “Divine Source” where the There is a great deal of become consumed there so that it souls of all the Jewish people are confusion in the world when it no longer experiences “self” as still “One” (see Tanya ch. 2, ch. comes to love. That there is separate from G-d. It is only 32). Going to the Rebbe enables the

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person to experience whole new personalized emotional experience, However, Chassidus has always dimensions of love for his fellow and made it accessible through a been about taking the person Chassidim, and from there to all tangible real-life experiential beyond what he can imagine Jews, and sharing the experience of medium. through analogies and descriptions, seeing the Rebbe with other and bringing the Divine reality Chassidim intensifies the love for LOVING MOSHIACH down into the tangible reality. Just the Rebbe. All of this is so that it is as Chassidim throughout the Some Chassidim struggle with no longer the G-dly soul alone generations had to understand that the concern that this heady and experiencing self-transcendent love this experience was in order to intense love relationship they of G-d, but the animal soul is make love of G-d more attainable, experienced in the presence of the elevated to the level that it feels and similarly, we need to know that Rebbe over the years will change experiences such love as well. what we had (even those who grew when Moshiach comes. When the What Reb Aizik was observing up with the Rebbe...) was so that we leader is a king rather than just a was not that the Chassid/Rebbe transcend “self” and selfish desires. Rebbe, and he is also the king of the relationship offers a better analogy If you really love G-d and you really whole world, clearly that bespeaks a than that chosen by Shlomo love the Torah, and you really love different type of relationship. There HaMelech (which is probably what your fellow Jews, and you acquired are many who, if they were honest the “tummelers” were “fartummelt” all this through love of the Rebbe with themselves, would admit that about). He was observing that this and love for your fellow Chassidim, they prefer going back to the way relationship took what previously then you need to channel all that things were. That is because they could only be related to by way of love into bringing about the can’t “imagine” reaching even analogies, which by definition are revelation of Moshiach, greater heights of love for G-d and difficult to translate into a immediately, NOW! His “anointed one.” LIVE SHIURIM 0NLINE Anywhere, Anytime ! INYONEI GEULA j,ww, & MOSHIACH unahj dtukv gbhbh RAMBAM rncwwo SHIURIM IN LIKUTEI ckeuyh ahgurho SICHOS KODESH eusa ahju,

hjh tsubhbu nurbu urcbu nkl vnahj kguko ugs kguko vnahj nkl urcbu nurbu tsubhbu hjh

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feature UNITING CHASSIDIM IN AMERICA

By Shneur Zalman Berger Agudas HaT’mimim in the was started at the initiative of the Rebbe Rayatz. It united Lubavitcher Chassidim who had learned in in Lubavitch, strengthened and Chassidus, and helped the Rebbe Rayatz and Chabad mosdos in the US.

THE SOLUTION Chassidishe atmosphere in his TO INSPIRE THEM TO LONELINESS environment but all felt this wasn’t AND DRAW THEM TO enough. They mainly missed Chabad Chassidim in the United THE LIGHT farbrengens, learning Chassidus States eighty years ago felt alone. together and Chassidishe soul talks, The Rebbe Rayatz wrote to They lived scattered about the the things which distinguished the Rabbi Eliyahu Yochil Simpson, a country in various cities. Chassidim of past generations. Lubavitcher rav in , about Many of them had learned in Rabbi described this new Aguda in a letter dated 6 Tomchei Tmimim in Lubavitch in how the Rebbe Rayatz understood , 5686/1925. He wrote that their youth, and sorely missed the the feelings of his Chassidim in Divine Providence had caused brotherly love and Chassidishe America and instructed them to Chassidim who had learned in warmth they had absorbed, which form Agudas HaT’mimim. Its goal Lubavitch to go to America in order was hard to find elsewhere. Life in was to unite the alumni of Tomchei to inspire Chassidim and mekuravim America was light years away from Tmimim Lubavitch who lived all in that country who never saw the the Chassidishe life they had lived in over the United States. This Rebbeim: . Some of them had been organization was preceded by the I have asked twice and three appointed rabbanim of k’hillos, but Agudos Tmimim that was formed in times that the talmidim, rabbanim, there was no Lubavitcher k’hilla. Russia and . shochtim the balabatim correspond Each one tried to instill a with one another, to inspire each

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The Rebbe Rayatz (center) with Chassidim in the United States

other with a proper arousal. With the same feeling and pleasure that Life in America was light years away they merited to enjoy from the light from the Chassidishe life they had lived which is good, when they stood in the holy chamber of [the Rebbe in Russia. Each one tried to instill a Rashab], who toiled and worked exceedingly hard to endow them Chassidishe atmosphere in his with bountiful good and the dew of resurrection through numerous environment but all felt this wasn’t sayings [which are] holy of holies; so that they would shine forth like enough. stars in the sky in all their beings, holy Rebbeim. Even for the elders, mitzva to fulfill the great mission for good and blessing. may they live long, it is many years to inspire them and draw them to You dear students … upon that they have not been in the the light which is good. whom Hashgacha Elyona decreed chambers of holiness, and the Then the Rebbe calls upon the that you go to a distant land, a young ones never saw anything. Tmimim to unite: place where they did not see the Therefore, upon you and only upon Unite, our dear talmidim, unite. light of tzaddikim, our fathers the you, devolves the obligation and Awaken, awaken and rise up and

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illuminate with the light shiurim, founding chadarim which is good and the merit and yeshivos, helping to unite of our fathers, the holy Chabad Chassidim within Rebbeim, should cast a tent Agudas Chassidei Chabad, upon you and the members disseminating Chassidic of your households, on those writings, obtaining communal who learn and support, on positions for Tmimim and them, their households and concerning themselves about children, and all they have the welfare of their fellow should be blessed with Tmimim in . unlimited blessings from They were told that the spirit to flesh. Aguda needed a director and a The founding meeting of few months later a special the Aguda (association) took committee was voted in. Rabbi place at Rabbi Simpson’s Eliyahu Simpson was elected house on Motzaei Shabbos, president of the Aguda, his Parshas Shmini, the eve of 27 brother Gershon the treasurer, Nissan, and was attended by and R’ Jacobson the secretary. about ten Lubavitcher In addition to this letter, Chassidim who had learned in the Rebbe Rayatz wrote a Tomchei Tmimim in detailed program for Agudas Lubavitch. The following are The minutes of the founding of the Aguda HaT’mimim. Under the the minutes of the meeting: heading “Secret Dissertation,” “The purpose of the Aguda “Eliyahu Simpson, Gershon the Rebbe detailed the goals of is for all the Tmimim in the United Simpson, Alter Beilin, Yisroel the association, including some that States to unite in one bond, heart Jacobson, Zev Wolf Koznitz, Avner were not included in the public and soul, physically and spiritually, Shifrin, Yosef Nelson, Yitzchok letters. to arouse the spark of love and spirit Schneiderman, Gershon Chanoch The first goal included to keep that they had when they were Hecharin .” in touch, to hold meetings and together in Lubavitch.” In addition to the men listed shiurim, to found chadarim and a A book was chosen to record the here, other members joined the in the spirit of Tomchei minutes of the Aguda. At the Aguda. Altogether there were dozens Tmimim. beginning there was a paper on of Lubavitcher Chassidim who were The second goal was to include which they signed their agreement of active members. the following activities: to be in the founding of the Agudas touch with their brethren in other HaT’mimim, which read as follows: TO UNITE THE TMIMIM countries in order to know their “Boruch Hashem, Motzaei material and spiritual state, to find Shabbos kodesh Parshas Shmini, After the founding meeting, the out where a rav, maggid , 5686, New York. members of the Aguda reported to , shochet, and teachers were We the undersigned have gathered the Rebbe Rayatz. Rabbi Simpson, needed, to inform their fellow together for a meeting of Tmimim at the interim head of the Aguda, Tmimim who could obtain the the home of Rabbi Simpson and we received a response. The Rebbe means to come to America how to have decided with a resolute decision wrote that the main goal of the gain entry, and to help these to unite together in one association, Aguda was to unite the Tmimim and Chassidim with jobs and activities. heart and soul, and to meet once a in order to begin functioning it was The principal priority of the month, bli neder, at the home of one necessary to take a number of steps. Aguda was to unite all of Anash of the Tmimim, to learn Chassidus First and foremost, they must wherever they were located in order and to farbreng. It is the obligation formulate a list of the members and to bolster those who learned Torah of each member to involve himself in their addresses and occupations, and and kept mitzvos. In the special all matters of commitment to the what communal work they were program it emphasized that it wasn’t association materially and spiritually, suited for. enough to participate financially but bli neder, and also to involve himself The letter specified the jobs that it was an obligation to participate in in the welfare of our mosdos and the the members should undertake: shiurim. welfare of the Rebbe shlita, bli neder. Reviewing Chassidus publicly, That same day, the Rebbe Rayatz

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wrote to Rabbi Jacobson, as well, and the Rebbe told him, too, that they needed to work on behalf of those in other countries who wanted to emigrate to America: And also to try and bring to your country some of the Tmimim, whom I think are needed for the good of the matter that they have begun, R’ Shmuel Levitin in Nevel and R’ Mordechai Zev Gutnick in Tel Aviv, and may Hashem help you materially and spiritually.

CHADARIM Even before the Rebbe wrote these two letters, on 20 Iyar, the Rabbi Yisroel Jacobson, Rabbi Eliyahu Yochil Simpson, Aguda held its second meeting secretary of Agudas HaT’mimim director of Agudas HaT’mimim where it was suggested that a yeshiva in the spirit of Tomchei try to raise money for the Rebbe and the spiritual and material questions Tmimim be opened. Rabbi Avrohom his activities. Many of them that have arisen during our lives here Eliyahu Axelrod of committed to raising $50 (remember in America, especially how to realize broached the idea and it was that the value of money was quite the goal of the Rebbe [Rashab], discussed at the meeting. Some were different in those days!) under whose holy wings we took in favor while others said it wasn’t Indeed, the members of the shelter, and the goal of the Rebbe feasible at that time. After clarifying Agudas HaT’mimim worked hard to shlita [the Rebbe Rayatz] who is matters, R’ Simpson suggested a raise funds that were sent to the constantly at his post to show us the compromise: Rebbe Rayatz. The Rebbe responded proper path. We just need to gather At the present time (until it with his blessings. our strength and to carry out what he becomes possible to consider a In the years to come, large shows us, and the first thing to do is yeshiva) we should make an effort amounts of money were raised by to meet. regarding the chadarim. Each person members of the Aguda for maamud A month later they held a in his location should get good boys (support for the Rebbe’s household). meeting whose official purpose was who will learn with a G-d fearing to strengthen the activities of the and effective melamed, at least in the ALLEVIATING Aguda. The meeting took place on hours after they finish [public] LONELINESS 27 Iyar, 1927, with the participation school, and this way it will be of the hanhala of the association, the possible, as time goes on, to think The meetings of the Agudas Simpson brothers and R’ Jacobson. about a yeshiva, for if there are no HaT’mimim were the focal point of The members of the Aguda from kids (young goats) there will be no the lives of the Tmimim, especially New York were: R’ Yitzchok older goats. The chadarim will also for those who lived far away and did Schneidman, R’ Zalman Novik, R’ start with alef-beis, as is customary. not often get to meet their friends. Yosef Nelson, R’ Avner Shifrin, R’ In the meetings that followed, the Rabbi Sholom Scheiderman of Benzion Sokolik, the bachur Zev participants concluded that it was Philadelphia sent a letter to the Koznitz, Chazan Shmuel Kanteroff, not possible, at that point, to start a Agudas HaT’mimim on 25 Nissan, and the bachur Chaim Shimon Chabad yeshiva in America. 1927, in which he said he wanted to Kanteroff. The next topic at that meeting hold a meeting of the Tmimim in The members of the Aguda from was the Rebbe’s financial state. order to carry out the goals that the other areas were: R’ Shmuel Dov Because of his extensive work in the Rebbe Rashab and Rebbe Rayatz Ganeles from Far Rockaway, R’ and Poland, he had had set forth: Sholom Schneiderman of incurred great debts and the coffers Who, more than you, knows the Philadelphia, R’ Axelrod from of Beis Rebbi were empty. It was value that is so important for us to Baltimore, R’ Leib Horowitz from decided that all the Tmimim would come to a meeting in order to resolve Boston, and R’ Avrohom Popack

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from Wilkes-Barre. R’ Menachem Simpson of the precise location of Mendel Lokshin, menahel of Agudas the s’farim: The church of the Chassidei Chabad, also attended the Christians near the museum that is meeting, in order to coordinate the now named for Lenin. activities of Aguch and Agudas Later in the letter, the Rebbe told HaT’mimim. R’ Simpson about various activities They spoke about the Aguda’s he should undertake in order to activities. A discussion ensued, in redeem the s’farim: to refer to the the course of which it was suggested Aguda that already looked into the that they hold a gathering once a matter, to speak to heads of various year to farbreng, in addition to the communities, to coordinate with R’ annual meeting of the Aguda. Menachem Mendel Lokshin, who However, they concluded that it served as distinguished director of wasn’t practical to invite all the Aguch at that time, and other things. Tmimim once a year for a general Two months later, at the end of gathering and another time to Adar I, the Rebbe wrote a long and farbreng, so they decided to invite Title page of Likkutei Torah printed detailed letter to R’ Simpson, part of everyone once a year for two days, with money from the Aguda which was about the s’farim: with one day devoted to a meeting Regarding the s’farim, based on and the other day dedicated to upheavals at the time he put most of the last bit of information I farbrenging. the s’farim in storage in , received, the largest museum in In the years to come, meetings intending to retrieve them after the Moscow, which used to be called and farbrengens were held that war. Romyanitzovski Museum and is raised the morale of the Chassidim However, at the end of the war, now the Lenin Museum, took the and strengthened and connected the Rebbe Rashab passed away. His s’farim and put them in bookcases them, as R’ Jacobson wrote: son, the Rebbe Rayatz, inquired and made a catalog. Now they say The impact of the Aguda was about the s’farim and about that their Judaic department is the apparent both in the raising of the retrieving them from storage, but the most extensive. morale of all the members and communists had risen to power and It is not known what the strengthening their connection with had confiscated the warehouse and organization “Beis Rebbi” their past in Tomchei Tmimim. It its contents. The s’farim were taken accomplished, but it did not manage also strengthened the work of Agudas from there and put in a public to redeem the s’farim. Except for Chabad, for the good of the mosdos library in Moscow. Over the years, twelve s’farim out of thousands, like yeshiva Tomchei Tmimim in the Rebbe Rayatz attempted through which were returned to the Rebbe, Poland, maamad, and general different channels to get back the the library is still in captivity. matters of the movement of Agudas s’farim. The Agudas HaT’mimim Chabad… All of this helped alleviate had a secret role in these efforts, OBTAINING VISAS our loneliness somewhat, in the only part of which is revealed in the Shortly after the formation of atmosphere of America. Rebbe Rayatz’s letters. In the summer of 1926, R’ Agudas HaT’mimim, discussions were held about carrying out the TO RELEASE THE Simpson and R’ Jacobson started an organization called “Beis Rebbi,” Rebbe’s instruction regarding “ LIBRARY” whose goal was to retrieve the bringing Tmimim to the United The vast collection of s’farim s’farim. When the Rebbe Rayatz was States. More instructions from the belonging to the Rebbeim had been informed of this, he wrote to them: Rebbe had been sent on this issue. languishing in the Lenin Library for An elevated feeling such as this They planned to first work on decades. The Rebbe Rayatz and the gives honor and praise to those helping two people: R’ Shmuel Rebbe MH”M made great efforts to who participate in it. (Igros Kodesh Levitin, who was running the remove it from Russia. Admur HaRayatz, vol. 1, p. 297). Chabad Beis Midrash l’Rabbanim in How did the “Schneersohn The Rebbe even instructed them Nevel, and R’ Yisroel Noach Library” end up in Moscow? to consult with legal experts and HaKatan (Chatzkovitz), a During World War I, the Rebbe with those who had connections Lubavitcher rav in Lithuania. Rashab left Lubavitch and ultimately high up. In a letter dated 21 Teves, Their efforts were successful and settled in Rostov. Because of the 5687, the Rebbe Rayatz informs R’ they were able to obtain visas for R’

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Chatzkovitz and his family, but he HaT’mimim were called to a coming of the Rebbe is essential in explained that he had no money to meeting and each one committed to order to achieve the desired result, buy tickets for the ship. At their next raising money. Funds started special attention must be given that it meeting, the Aguda decided that coming in but it wasn’t enough. A be so. And therefore much effort and they would try to work on the matter few months went by, but the hanhala work are necessary, whether in with Aguch. of the Aguda were unsuccessful in publicizing his coming, unifying All further attempts on R’ raising the rest of the amount. Anash prior to his arrival, and Chatzkovitz’s behalf were On 24 Teves, 5687, a festive spiritual activities to whatever extent unsuccessful, and sadly, he and his meal was held at the home of R’ possible until he comes. family remained in Lithuania where Jacobson in honor of the Yom Hilula When he comes, all should be they perished some years later in the of the Alter Rebbe. During the meal, ready vessels to receive his light and Holocaust. which was attended by a number of influence, and since all this requires The members of the Aguda also his congregants and acquaintances, a great deal of time, it was decided tried sending financial help to the R’ Jacobson spoke about the Alter to begin working on this immediately. mashpia, R’ Alter Simchavitz who Rebbe and his important work, That visit did not materialize but lived in Eretz Yisroel. He suffered Likkutei Torah, and about the he did come some two years later, at from a severe illness which printing in Poland. the end of 5689. The Rebbe stayed necessitated that he travel for Those present, under the spell of nearly a year and it was largely due treatment to Austria, but he did not the farbrengen, contributed to the efforts of the members of have the money to pay for the generously. That evening, several Agudas HaT’mimim that his trip to expenses. hundreds of dollars were raised. America was so successful. This money was duly sent to Warsaw At the beginning of the visit, for PRINTING AND and the printing got underway. The Rosh HaShana 5690/1929, about DISSEMINATING s’farim were printed by the Rom thirty members of the Aguda went to printing house in Vilna and was the the Rebbe for yechidus. A LIKKUTEI TORAH sixth edition. About a thousand farbrengen was held for all members Chabad Chassidim in Warsaw copies, in two volumes, were printed of the Aguda and R’ Popack was the planned to reprint Likkutei Torah in this edition, and about half of main speaker. He also taught them a and they asked Lubavitcher them were disseminated and sold in niggun that he had heard from the Chassidim in America for financial the United States. mashpia in Lubavitch, R’ Shilem help - $1000, a huge sum in those Kuratin. days. The members of Agudas I FEEL THEIR Because of the efforts the Aguda HaT’mimim raised significant DESIRE TO MEET invested in the visit, the other work money for the printing. of Agudas HaT’mimim was put off. It all began with a letter written When the Rebbe Rayatz left the Even after the visit the work wasn’t by Chabad Chassidim in Warsaw to Soviet Union in Tishrei, 5688/1927, resumed for reasons that are not Agudas Chassidei Chabad in the US. R’ Simpson wrote to the Rebbe how clear. It only started up again in the This letter ended up in the hands of greatly Anash wanted to see him. summer of 1932. R’ Jacobson, who was a member of The Rebbe responded: A sign of renewed activity was the hanhala of Aguch. They had Your desire to meet, I feel the meeting held at R’ Simpson’s written that there weren’t enough strongly… and that is my entire house on 23 Iyar, 5692/1932. copies of Likkutei Torah in Poland goal - to unite completely with Invitations had been sent to 25 and even in the main Anash and the Tmimim so that we Tmimim; fifteen of them attended. Tomchei Tmimim the quantity of can fulfill the holy obligation Nevertheless, the work of the Aguda s’farim did not serve the number of assigned to us, all of us as one, by did not continue as it once had and talmidim in the yeshiva. In order to order of the Rebbe [Rashab], to the final mention of it in writing is reprint it, they needed $1000. illuminate the darkness of the land from the year 5694, when a special R’ Jacobson responded that it with the light of Torah. farbrengen was held by Agudas was no simple matter to raise such a Upon receiving this letter, HaT’mimim with the famous R’ large sum of money, to which the Agudas HaT’mimim held a meeting Itche der Masmid (Horowitz). Chassidim in Warsaw replied that and bringing the Rebbe Rayatz to Sources: Likkutei Torah Vilna edition 5688, they could manage to reprint it with America headed the agenda. Their Igros Admur HaRayatz, Zichron Livnei Yisroel, Toldos Chabad b’Artzos ha’Bris, Chassid Neeman, $600, too. decision was written in the minutes: B’Kerem Chabad, Sifriyas Lubavitch The members of Agudas It was decided that since the

BEIS MOSHIACH Issue 727 15 727_B_Beis Moshiach 18/01/2010 8:20 AM Page 16 MOSHIACH:moshiach & geula WHAT WE BELIEVE.

Rabbi Gershon Avtzon Rosh Yeshiva in

PART 9 OF 20. the fact that] that Rabbi Akiva, one and the truth is that at the time he As the saying goes, “75% of of the greatest Sages of the Mishna, was - that Bar Kochva was on a known facts are either not known or was one of the supporters of King higher level than he later proved to not facts.” This is especially true Ben Koziva, and would describe him be. They would not be mistaken in regarding belief in Moshiach and as the King Moshiach. He and all the requirements and obligations of Geula, where there are many the Sages of his generation Moshiach. If the performance of preconceived notions and questions considered him to be the King miracles was a necessity, they would that remain unasked – and Moshiach until he was killed because have asked him. unanswered. of [his] sins. Once he was killed, Why is Moshiach not obligated In our previous articles, we they realized that he was not [the to - though he can, if he wants to - discussed the actions that Moshiach Moshiach]. The Sages did not ask perform miracles? must do to prove to Klal Yisroel that him for any signs or wonders.” We explained in a previous article he is in fact the promised redeemer. One may ask: The fact is that that a job-description is based on the Rambam writes that Moshiach must Bar-Kochva was not Moshiach. job. Regarding the era of Moshiach, build the Beis HaMikdash and bring Maybe they should, in fact, have the Rambam writes (Hilchos all the Jews back to Eretz Yisroel. asked him to perform miracles? Had Melachim Chapter 12, “One should You, our dear reader, may be they done so, they would have not think that when Moshiach thinking: known in advance that he was not comes, the nature of the world will Moshiach. Why, then, is this a proof change. The world will run its WHY DOES THE RAMBAM NOT of anything? natural course. The difference will MENTION THAT MOSHIACH WILL The answer is simple: The be that kingship will be returned to PERFORM MIRACLES? Chachamim knew - at the end - that the House of Dovid HaMelech. In truth, the Rambam himself Bar Kochva was not Moshiach from Those P’sukim which seem to imply addresses this issue. He writes the the fact that he was killed by the otherwise – such as “The wolf shall following (Hilchos Melachim, Romans for his sins (see Likkutei lie with the lamb (Yeshaya 11:6)” - chapter 11): “One should not Sichos, volume 27, page 199, should not be taken literally. They entertain the notion that the King footnote 69* for a fascinating are all analogies for what the world Moshiach must work miracles and explanation that reconciles the many will like in that era.” wonders, bring about new different opinions on the matter). Being that the era of Moshiach - phenomena within the world, The showing of miracles - or lack of at least at the beginning - will not be resurrect the dead, or perform other it - was not part of the equation. an overtly miraculous one, the similar deeds. This is [definitely] not The Chachamim could be performance of miracles is not one true. [A proof can be brought from “mistaken” in the character of a of the necessary qualifications for person. They could have thought - Moshiach.

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PART 10 OF 20 miraculous. This second era is a spiritually. They are persecuted and But this leaves us with a big result of the first era. expelled from land to land. Even question: Miracles are an expression of during times of peace, it is hard to Rambam himself writes that infinite G-dliness in this world. For focus. Besides the ignorance of every Jew must believe in T’chiyas one to merit such a revelation, he Judaism found in over 85% of world HaMeisim - the resurrection of the must be deserving of it. The bigger Jewry - by most, at no fault of their dead - in the times of Moshiach. Is the miracle, the worthier one must own - we are exposed and vulnerable that not a miracle? How can the be to earn it. This is true for both to the temptation and struggles of Rambam write that there will be no personal and general miracles and the reality of this physical world. miracles in the era of Moshiach? salvation. This will change in the first era To clarify the question: One of the greatest miracles in of Yemos HaMoshiach. At that point In his commentary on Mishnayos the history of our people was the - when we will be ruled by Melech (Meseches Sanhedrin, Perek exodus from Egypt after 210 years HaMoshiach - the oppression will Chelek), Rambam enumerates the of bitter slavery. Before Hashem cease. The truth of the Torah will be 13 principles of Jewish faith. The redeemed the Jewish people, he revealed to all. There will no longer 13th principle is to believe in the made sure that - as a whole - they be a struggle to be involved in Torah. resurrection of the dead. In the were worthy. As the Midrash writes All Jewish people will realize that times of Moshiach, all the Jewish (see Rashi’s commentary on Parsha Torah is their birthright, and will people that have passed away will Bo 12:6) that Hashem gave the turn their full attention to the service return body and soul to this physical Jewish people two Mitzvos, so that of Hashem. world and be rewarded for the they should become worthy of At that point, we will be worthy Mitzvos that they had done during salvation (Bris Mila and Korban of many great revelations of infinite their life-time. Pesach). G-dliness, not limited to the regular [For sources in the Torah for The resurrection of every Jewish natural order. At that point the belief in the resurrection, see Talmud person that has passed away entails second era will begin, and the Sanhedrin 90b and further.] an unparalleled miracle. To merit resurrection of the dead will occur. I am sure that everyone that, the entire Jewish people must Will all the Jewish people - understands that the resurrection of be totally involved in Torah and be including sinners - be resurrected? a human being is a miracle. inspired by its message. This we will explain IY”H in our According to nature, once a person This is not possible during the next article. passes away, his body decomposes time of exile. In exile, the Jewish Rabbi Avtzon’s audio shiurim are and there is no chance of life. The people are oppressed physically and available at www.ylcrecording.com cycle of man started from the earth, as Adam was created by Hashem from dust, and man eventually has to return to the earth. If so, how can Rambam say that there will be no miracles in the era of Moshiach? The answer in short (see Likkutei Sichos Vol. 27, pages 206-208): Yemos HaMoshiach refers to two eras. In the first, the natural order is maintained, while the second is

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BEIS MOSHIACH Issue 727 17 727_B_Beis Moshiach 18/01/2010 8:20 AM Page 18

feature A SUPER- ACTIVE SHLIACH

By Nosson Avrohom Translated By Michoel Leib Dobry Whether it’s printing the Tanya in Lebanon under PLO fire, representing Chabad on the Tzfas City Council, or the situations he encounters in his roles as a member of the Education Committee of Agudas Chassidei Chabad and the director-general of Beis Chana Institutions in Tzfas, Rabbi Shlomo Raskin has plenty to share.* Part 3 of 3.

[Continued from last week] – the path of our Rebbeim, the path king. Outside the office of Rabbi illuminated by the sichos, Having followed Rabbi Raskin Shlomo Raskin, director-general of , letters, and instructions from his childhood behind the iron Beis Chana Institutions in Tzfas, the of the Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach. curtain to the founding of Beis frigid winds penetrate both coat and The walls of the short hallway are Chana, we conclude our interview sweater simultaneously. Inside the decorated with attractive artwork with his more recent activities. In building, the cold seemed to prepared by several classes that addition to his administration of Beis disappear, vanishing as if it was completed their studies in the Chana Institutions, Rabbi Raskin never there. You can feel the deep school. It’s amazing to see how has been a part of the administration inner warmth in the halls and much each class, in its own way, of Matteh Moshiach since its passageways, the welcoming found the means to express their establishment, and is also a member atmosphere warming you far more appreciation to the institution and its of Agudas Chassidei Chabad in than the most new-fangled heaters. administrators who built their Eretz HaKodesh. But it was his role This is a most successful vehicle for chassidic character, masterfully as an ordinary member of Anash in educating hundreds of students designing them to be young women Tzfas that earned him the privilege – along the path of the House of G-d counted among the legion of the and bragging rights – of printing the

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to make use of this tremendous opportunity to fulfill the Rebbe’s directive and set out to print the Tanya on Lebanese soil. He succeeded in encouraging everyone to take part in the project, and we immediately organized two groups of avreichim who accepted the task of printing the Tanya just as soon as it would be logistically possible. There was a feeling of great energy in the air. “Today it is a relatively simple matter to pick up the phone and deploy someone ready, willing and able to print the Tanya, but back then we had to look for a local Tzfas printer who would be willing to take his heavy machinery, roll it onto a vehicle, and join us for the trip into Lebanon. After a brief search, we managed to find such a person and we set out on our journey. I was in the second group to enter the region. “My crew consisted of Rabbi Avraham HaLevi Goldberg, a”h, Rabbi Yehuda Leib HaLevi Popack, and myself. We eventually got the nickname “The RPG Crew”, an acronym for Raskin, Popack, and Goldberg. At the first entry into the zone, we spent the whole night in Rabbi Raskin (right) at last year’s dedication the area of the ‘Good Fence’ near ceremony for Beis Chana’s new building the border until we received permission from Defense Forces authorities to move forward Tanya in Lebanon, under constant broke out, the residents of Tzfas and with our private vehicle. We were PLO fire. the surrounding area lived in eventually granted permission, and constant fear. The terrorists would we joined a caravan of several dozen PRINTING THE TANYA send a rain of Katyusha rockets on IDF supply trucks. We placed ourselves in the middle of the UNDER FIRE the city whenever they desired. I remember canceling a teachers’ caravan, and it started to move at Operation Peace for the Galilee - meeting because of the rocket fire.” the speed expected from heavy or, as it’s commonly known, “the “After several long years of vehicles. It wasn’t long before we First Lebanon War” - caught the constant provocation by PLO had become completely exhausted by Chabad community of Tzfas during terrorists, the government of Israel the slow movement. a process of growth and decided to go to war. IDF forces “After only a few kilometers, the development. The community living mobilized as far as Beirut. “My road began to fill with gaping craters among the historic lanes of the Old deputy in the Beis Chana and potholes. Suddenly, forty City was expanding, while the center administration was Rabbi Avraham kilometers an hour (25 mph) of chassidic life in Tzfas revolved HaLevi Goldberg, a”h, a vigorous became too fast a clip. We were around the bustling nearby Tzemach and active chassid. He urged Anash traveling in a low private vehicle, Tzedek Synagogue. “Before the war and every hole in the ground or

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hours without sleep, we finally dozed Today it is a relatively simple matter to off. pick up the phone and deploy someone “Someone from our group paid one of the local residents in order to ready, willing and able to print the make a call to the Rebbe’s secretariat in New York. When he returned, he Tanya, but back then we had to look for informed us that he had received instructions from the Rebbe not to a local Tzfas printer who would be leave the area until we bound at least a portion of the s’farim in Beirut willing to take his heavy machinery, roll itself. it onto a vehicle, and join us for the trip “This was a complete surprise for us. None of us were bookbinders, into Lebanon. and we didn’t even know how to fold the huge sheet, upon which sharp motion would shake the whole bypassing a refugee camp swarming dozens of Tanya pages were printed. car. More and more army trucks with terrorists that would prove Then, something totally out of this started passing us, until we found dangerous to its forces. We traveled world happened: From out of ourselves traveling alone in the total along this route and entered a nowhere, Rabbi Yehoshua Segal, darkness, driving through the middle Lebanese village, asking the local who was a bachur at the time, of Lebanon as if we were local residents if this was part of Beirut. appeared on the scene. He had residents on a peaceful day. If that They said yes, and we quickly recently begun working with Rabbi wasn’t enough, after another few started printed the Tanya right there Manny Wolf at the Kehos bookstore kilometers, our vehicle began to in the village. in , and he knew the sputter, and to our horror, we “Continued inquiries eventually craft of folding and binding s’farim. discovered that we had a flat tire. determined that the village was a When we told him about the Rebbe’s “Alone in hostile territory, we suburb of Beirut, but still not the request, he took several sheets and nervously emerged from the car and actual city. We then received folded and arranged them until he tried to change the tire as quickly as instructions from the Rebbe to print had created a finished Tanya before we could. There was no light, and the seifer also in Beirut itself, where our disbelieving eyes. Out of all the the only sound was the howling of we knew there were Jews still living. teams of chassidim on Lebanese soil, jackals somewhere nearby. Our We continued on our way until we including the Chabad Mobile imaginations went into overdrive, came to the furthermost point that Centers and others, the one trained conjuring up a terrorist behind every the IDF had reached. Beyond that in the publishing trade suddenly tree in the orchards surrounding us. point there were no soldiers – just a came our way!” Finally, after much praying, we large demilitarized zone where the managed to fix the tire and continue terrorists were situated and had set AN EMOTIONAL on our way. It was only at sunrise up outposts. The IDF had MEETING WITH THE that we arrived in the city of Tzur, established itself in a kind of large located at the foot of Lebanon’s parking lot, and we positioned JEWS OF LEBANON coast, and met up with the first ourselves there to make our fourth As the following night group and Kaplan and Tanya printing within twenty-four approached, the chassidim returned Ceitlin. hours. We were now certain that we with their heavy burden of four “The printing press from Tzfas were in Beirut. printings. Back in Tzfas, they made was with them, and they were at the “Night had fallen in the contact again with the Rebbe’s final stages of the Tanya printing meantime, and we toiled at the secretariat, and the Rebbe issued a and just about ready to move on. We printing press well into the night in directive to place a thick binding on proceeded together with them to order to finish the print job. Every at least a portion of the s’farim and Tzidon, where we also printed the few minutes, the quiet was broken to return to Lebanon in order to Tanya, and from there we moved on by a volley of rocket fire, then learn from these s’farim with the towards the outskirts of Beirut. The another, and another. We didn’t local Jewish population. army had paved the road at the know who was firing or where they “There was one middle-aged Jew, entrance to the city, thereby were aiming. After several long the manager of the Lebanon ‘Yellow Pages’, who discovered us in Beirut

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and gave us his phone number and address and offered to assist us in any way he could. He also asked if we could help him and his son obtain exit visas to the United States, because he wanted to live the remainder of his life in the West. “Rabbi Shmuel Fromer from Haifa helped us that night with the bookbinding job. He knew a professional from the Gulf of Haifa area who promised us that several s’farim from each printing job would be ready the following morning, and he would have the rest bound later. The RPG Crew. From right to left: Rabbi Shlomo Raskin, Rabbi Yehuda Leib In the meantime, we contacted the HaLevi Popack, Rabbi Avraham HaLevi a”h Goldberg Jewish businessman in Beirut, told him about the Rebbe’s instructions, and asked if he could gather some of his Jewish acquaintances so we could set a time to meet together and learn Tanya with them. We didn’t know if any Jews lived in Tzur or Tzidon, and since these were cities were crawling with numerous PLO terrorists, we decided to make our way straight for Beirut. “The following day, Rabbis Kaplan, Goldberg, and Popack got into my car and we traveled to the Gulf of Haifa, where we picked up the Tanyas from the bookbinder and then passed by Kiryat Shmuel to pick up Rabbi Fromer as well. We already knew how to get to Beirut, Cutting the ribbon at the building dedication. From left to right: rav of the more or less, and how the military Chabad community of Tzfas – Rabbi Mordechai Bistritzky, Tzfas municipality operations were progressing. Not director-general Mr. Motti Cohen, Rabbi Shlomo Raskin stopping to obtain official permission, we proceeded straight choice and stopped on the side of parking area promised to call a into Lebanese territory. As we the road to check what the trouble mechanic, the army operated at its crossed over the border, we joined was. Fortunately, it happened near well-known slow pace, and every up with a small caravan of jeeps also an IDF parking station and we passing moment was extremely heading for Beirut. The road was moved the car into the lot. A soldier valuable to us. Realizing that we still filled with craters and potholes, on the premises checked the car and were wasting too much time waiting, and the huge clouds of dust created told us that the oil tank had been we decided to leave the car where it by the advancing jeeps made it damaged, resulting in a massive oil was and travel to Beirut with the extremely difficult to see where we leak that made it impossible to army vehicles heading for the area. were going. continue our journey until it was We eventually reached the meeting “After traveling for several repaired. We thought about the Jew place, but as could be expected, the kilometers deep into Lebanese in Beirut, who had surely already group had long dispersed. We were territory, I felt the car sustain a hard gathered his Jewish friends and very saddened by the lost blow underneath, triggering the light acquaintances and was waiting for opportunity, but called the Jewish on the oil gauge. That was all we us. businessman, apologized for the needed right then. But we had no “While the soldiers in the delay, and agreed that we would

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turned our attention to the next The Rebbe spoke with great intensity hurdle: getting our car fixed. The about the failure of Israeli policymakers Jewish businessman suggested that we go to a garage located in Beirut’s to allow the army to complete their Christian section. We needed a tow truck to bring the car there, and we operation and defeat the enemy, once hired a local individual who was employed by the garage. When he and for all. The Rebbe added that arrived, we discovered that he was a ‘Palestinian’. We got into his vehicle, people tell how far the army is from and there were some scary moments Beirut, and that it’s not simple to go in when, instead of following the bypass road that the IDF had paved, there. He then picked up the Tanya that he traveled through a dangerous refugee camp. We had to show that we had printed and said, ‘This seifer we were not afraid, despite what we knew would happen if he decided to was printed in Beirut.’ stop there and let his friends know that he had some Jews with him.” meet him the following morning at were afraid to show their faces, and Throughout that period, there the same location. it was specifically the women who were other Chabad activities that “In the meantime, we learned were more courageous, as has took place with the soldiers and the that there was a regiment of always been the case among the local Jewish community, such as the paratroopers at the nearby American Jewish People. None of them spoke famous mikva construction and College building, and we decided to the , but the renovation, which was carried out spend the night with them. They atmosphere was one of tremendous with the Rebbe’s bracha. “That greeted us warmly, though the spiritual elation. We told them that Shabbos, the Rebbe spoke with great hundreds of soldiers and officers we were meeting with them as intensity about the failure of Israeli were occupied mainly with messengers of the Lubavitcher policymakers to allow the army to grumbling over the diplomats who Rebbe, who is the faithful shepherd complete their operation and defeat were not instructing the army to of the Jewish People, concerned for the enemy, once and for all. The continue the fighting against the all Jews everywhere. Rebbe added that people tell how far terrorists and achieve victory. “We distributed the Tanyas the army is from Beirut, and that it’s Naturally, in light of the Rebbe’s printed in Beirut to each of the not simple to go in there. He then sichos on the matter, we totally participants, and gave Rabbi Fromer picked up the Tanya that we had agreed with them. Rabbi Fromer, a the honor of teaching them Chapter printed and said, ‘This seifer was former member of an elite IDF 32. He began to lecture on the printed in Beirut.’ When we heard commando unit, quickly entered into Tanya, despite the fact that no one about this, we were filled with a conversation with the soldiers, understood a single word that he emotion. The Rebbe had taken the lasting well into the night and said. As he started to read the words Tanya we printed and raised it for all developing into a marvelous of the Tanya, the sound of crying to see.” farbrengen. I thought to myself that and emotional sobbing could be the whole reason for the car trouble heard from those present, and it CHABAD COMMUNITY was in order to get together with quickly affected us as well. I felt for these soldiers… the first time what we learned in REPRESENTATIVE IN “The next morning, we returned chassidus about the essence of the CITY HALL to the location we set for our Jewish soul. Their ‘pintele Yid’ A year later, in 5743, the Chabad meeting with the local Jews, a small flashed and illuminated with great askanim in Tzfas felt that the building that was under IDF control. force. Even if they didn’t understand municipal government may not be We were met by the Jewish the content, their souls understood taking them seriously enough and businessman and his son, who lifted every word. This was a powerful was causing problems for them and his shirt to show that he wore tzitzis, Jewish experience that has remained the development of the institutions. and a number of women and engraved in my memory. “Rabbi Kaplan wrote about this to children. It turned out that the men “Our mission accomplished, we the Rebbe and suggested that in his

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Public figures, shluchim, and rabbanim at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Beis Chana campus, also celebrating the tenth anniversary of the renewal of the Chabad community in Tzfas

opinion, if Chabad would have a been decided that Chabad would truly marvelous community we have. municipal representative, it would field an independent slate of Most of the complaints that came then be possible to deal with matters candidates for the upcoming my way dealt with spiritual matters, more effectively. At the time, there municipal elections. such as the drawings of non-kosher were not yet as many Chabad “The Rebbe nodded his head in a animals that the municipality placed families as there are today, and he sign of approval, and the campaign on the electricity cabinets in the proposed that we run on a joint was underway. In the elections held streets.” ticket, where it would be agreed that in Cheshvan 5754, Chabad won a After serving for twelve and a- we receive a seat on the City seat on the City Council and I half years on the Tzfas City Council Council. The Rebbe replied, ‘Act in became the municipal representative (5754-5766), Rabbi Raskin is in a accordance with the advice of the of the community and its position to advise Chabad local askanim.’ Thus, the ‘Institution institutions. My work now became representatives throughout the Directors’ Committee’ was created even more intensive. I divided my country that they should not be and this advisory body renders many responsibilities, which enabled me to embarrassed and should publicly decisions on behalf of the spend ample time working both as express their identity. “Even if the community to this very day. school administrator and city other chareidi representatives “Rabbi Kaplan was elected twice councilman. I made certain to be remove their hats, I keep mine on.” to the Tzfas City Council on a joint present at every visit by a municipal list of candidates – once with the government official. These were the THE ESSENCE OF WORK National Religious Party, and then early days after the Oslo Accords IN EDUCATION with Agudat Yisroel. When he later and their accompanying territorial asked me to accept the position, I concessions, and I utilized each such Despite the number of roles was reluctant. I already had plenty of opportunity to mention the words of Rabbi Raskin fills, he remains well- work with the Beis Chana the Rebbe about our unassailable liked and modest. He operates out development project, which was then right to Eretz Yisroel and the danger of a sense of genuine love and at its height. But when the rav of the of giving away land.” concern towards his fellow Jew, and local Chabad community, Rabbi Levi One of Rabbi Raskin’s municipal a primary understanding of the Bistritzky, of blessed memory, achievements was the street leading continuing generation, as he works placed the task upon me, I couldn’t to the Kiryat Chabad complex being to shape their education. refuse him. This was in 5753, and re-named after the Rebbe. In A few years ago, a former my consent was on the condition general, he is most proud of the student was arrested by the police, that the Rebbe sanction the community he has represented. “I and when she was brought before a appointment, especially since it had have come to understand what a judge, the state attorney asked the court to order her incarceration until

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the conclusion of the trial. “When values, a firm connection to the By then, we already have to find we heard about this,” Rabbi Raskin Rebbe, and a vitality pertaining to methods and approaches on how to recalled, “we understood that the the subject of Moshiach and the get them to enjoy learning Gemara. charges against her were totally Redemption. “A bachur who hates to learn unfounded, and we quickly tried to “But let me tell you how Gemara and wastes his time doing provide her with assistance. Once a someone on the side looks at our nothing very quickly finds himself student, always a student. We style of education. This happened looking for other things to give him retained an experienced and trained about two years ago, when the a sense of satisfaction, until he private attorney for her, and Rabbi regional inspector from the Ministry eventually departs from his study Yosef Chitrik, Rabbi Ze’ev Crombie, of Education came to meet with our program. Even in the first year of and I appeared personally before the staff. The first thing he asked was yeshiva k’tana, instructors must take court. During the discussion, the this very question. After each staff care that their classes are not only attorney asked me to stand, and he member naturally responded with academically prepared, but that all of began to ask me questions. the familiar and correct replies, the the students are involved and ‘What is your occupation?’ school’s social worker, who is not understand the learning material. ‘Director of an institution for affiliated with Chabad, stood up and Furthermore, if they notice a student girls,’ I replied. said that as someone ‘on the side’, who is having certain difficulties, ‘How many girls are in this she can state categorically that the they must involve the parents and institution?’ he asked. most important motto is ‘the Rebbe’. suggest that they pay an avreich or ‘About five hundred.’ ‘What does that mean, ‘the Rebbe’?’ another bachur to help their son ‘Are you responsible for their the inspector queried. The social progress in his studies and begin to education and welfare?’ he inquired, worker proceeded to explain: ‘Every love what he’s learning – otherwise, and I replied in the affirmative. activity done within the walls of this they’ll find him sitting idly at home, “The attorney then asked me, school is instilled with the concept of and that would be a sin. ‘Could you take care of one more?’ I the Rebbe, i.e., how does the Rebbe “With regard to girls, the work is said that I would be delighted, and perceive it, how this fits with the much easier because there are more would even give her lodging in my Rebbe’s teachings, would the Rebbe ways to get them to remain in a home. It was only then that I be pleased, etc.’ Her words moved learning framework that will enable understood where the attorney was all of us, for she had accurately them to demonstrate their heading. The girl was released to described the very essence of our qualifications. Based on my stay in my house until her eventual institution.” experience in the field, I can state acquittal. After the trial ended, the that a student who comes from a student told me that she was PUTTING ONE’S HEART tension-filled home lacking mutual touched by the sight of the three of AND SOUL INTO support from her parents and a us standing on the side, crying. proper example to follow, comes to When I left the court, the answers I EDUCATION school and lets out all her built-up gave before the judge kept echoing In recent years, numerous frustration. Then, when she loudly in my ears: institution lectures, conferences, and panel subsequently returns home, she director, and not just any institution discussions have been held on the already possesses the courage to but one with hundreds of students, painful subject of school dropouts. externalize what has accumulated and I am responsible for their The most essential part of this within her. These are essentially the education and welfare, adding that important work is done by the dynamics. this is also the shlichus of the Rebbe. Education Committee of Agudas “Since the student does not have It was then that the full extent of my Chassidei Chabad, and Rabbi Raskin the courage to stand before her responsibilities hit home.” serves as one of its members. We parents and tell them the truth to When asked what principle wondered whether he could their faces, it all comes out at guides him in his approach to enlighten us with some magic school, and afterwards when she has education, Rabbi Raskin responds formula for solving or limiting this Shabbos off, it streams into the with a smile, “I am asked this painful problem? home as well. The only way to question often by government He divides his answer between defuse the situation is through real officials and welfare department boys and girls: “The work with and productive cooperation between representatives. I could say plainly bachurim is more difficult and the parents and the school staff, and honestly that our form of complex, and the problem usually provided that there is a genuine education is based upon chassidic starts to emerge in yeshiva k’tana. desire to help her. The fact is that

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sometimes you can have a staff that something that doesn’t disappear wants nothing more than peace and with the passage of time. In fact, her quiet without any unnecessary daring venture cost her dearly, and drama, prepared simply to send her she was eventually dismissed from home. However, if the staff is the job with the newspaper…” interested in improving the situation and the parents give their backing, ANASH LEADERSHIP IN this is a major step towards bringing THE HANDS OF AGUDAS success.” Our discussion with Rabbi CHASSIDEI CHABAD Raskin illustrates that work in Towards the end of the interview, education is no easy job and is not we asked Rabbi Raskin about his suitable for everyone. It is a major membership on the Vaad Agudas challenge that must include the spirit Chassidei Chabad and how he of shlichus and dedication. How, perceives his role in this organization then, has Rabbi Raskin succeeded in in the present era. registering such a high percentage of “The Rebbe defined the role of success at Beis Chana? the organization, and this has not “I want to answer this question changed: ‘The authority, conduct, honestly. It is no secret that each and affairs of Anash in Eretz year, Beis Chana also accepts Rabbi Raskin receiving a kuntres from HaKodesh are in the hands of students who are not suitable for its the Rebbe at one of the International Agudas Chassidei Chabad in Eretz Shluchim Conferences program. This is a certain HaKodesh, headed by (Vaad) percentage that we know about and graduate from the early years, who Rabbanei Anash, who are the judges are prepared to accommodate. It is unfortunately had departed from the and halachic authorities in the our hope that through the efforts of path of Torah. I went over to her to strength of Torah’. the school’s staff and the positive seek her advice on what to do. As I “In practical terms, what comes influence of the other students, they was speaking to her, I realized that out from this general instruction is will change for the better. she doesn’t have some insignificant for the Vaad to work on behalf of all “Our social worker told me that position – she is in charge of the material and spiritual concerns the level of success in our school is sending the newspaper to print. She of Anash, with one of the objectives above and beyond anything she has concurred with her employer that it being to make certain that the large seen elsewhere, and realizing that would be no simple matter to institutions will not swallow up the the Rebbe is truly the one who runs remove the offensive article, as that smaller ones, enabling them to the institution, all these successes day was the deadline and there was develop, even grow, and bring honor stand in his merit. no replacement article to put in that to Chabad-Lubavitch. “Here’s a story that proves the column. I explained to her how point. Once about fifteen years ago, much displeasure this article would INVOLVED I happened to hear that one of the cause to the Rebbe, and left. AND WELL-ROOTED local Tzfas newspapers was planning “I returned from the newspaper’s This profile was concluded in the to print an extremely offensive offices in a very dejected state, as all campus dining hall. Just before the article on the Chabad community of my efforts had apparently gone to students came in to eat lunch, Rabbi here. I was well acquainted with the waste. The next day, however, I saw Raskin asked the principal to editor, and I went to his office and that my words had not fallen on deaf accompany him as he prepared the tried to speak to his heart. ears. I have kept a copy of that upcoming renovations to the dining Regrettably, he considered the article week’s issue of the paper, which was hall entrance and the hand washing so sensational that he would never published without the article – in its station. That’s Rabbi Shlomo Raskin dream of removing it. place is a blank square. My words - involved in every detail, large and “I left deeply disappointed, had apparently penetrated her heart, small. He doesn’t settle for meetings knowing that this article would and she boldly decided to remove in an ivory tower or reclining on a cause the very opposite of k’vod the article, to the great displeasure leather couch in his office. I met a Lubavitch. But I would not give up. I of the editors and reporters. It turns successful askan who shows knew that one of the newspaper’s out that Chabad education is employees was a Beis Chana tremendous appreciation towards his

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moshiach & science

stars; *The earth spins on its axis which explains day and night and SCIENTISM the motion of the stars; *Modern observations on earth and in space confirm all this; *Scientists all over the world agree on all this. IN A CHABAD [Note: If you are not like Rabbi _____, you may be saying to yourself, ‘Hey! That is science.’ ‘That’s what they should be taught,’ and even ‘Well, really all SCHOOL? Lubavitchers should have to learn this stuff. After all we live in a real world.’ Hold that thought, send me an email and iy”H I’ll link you to By Aryeh Gotfryd, PhD resources that will explain scientifically why all the above- Yud Shvat is about hiskashrus that your girl’s school is Chabad so I mentioned pseudo-scientific claims and nesius. But how loyal are we to assume the Rebbe’s standards are to above are not really in the realm of the Rebbe’s values when it comes to be reflected there, and also that you science at all, but rather of how we educate our youth? Here is won’t be offended if I tell it ‘like it scientism, the unverifiable an issue that is relevant to many of is.’ speculations that constitute the us, whether we have children who Liberally sprinkled throughout mythology that many of today’s study science in school, mekuravim your child’s text, from beginning to scientists espouse as true.] who need answers, or just want to end, are heretical notions and even Back to the text, what are the know. idolatrous narratives presented as implications for the Jewish and science curriculum. specifically Chabad student. First, Dear Dr. Gotfryd, Specifically difficult is the one there is frequent discussion of Greek Thank you for agreeing to review third of the text which is squarely and Roman idolatrous figures and my daughter’s high school textbook focused on astronomy (nature and narratives when discussing and to evaluate its suitability for use motion of heavenly bodies) and constellations. Students will have to in a Chabad school. As we cosmology (origin and history of the study this information which discussed, I am mainly concerned universe). This unit of the book involves transgressing two about the way they treat the age of requires mastery of a large, diverse commandments: both the the world, the solar system, the big and detailed body of persuasive facts mentioning and study of idolatry. bang and evolution. and arguments that would lead the Even the book’s first words are Rabbi _____ average unbiased and rational about a famous Xian holiday and the person to conclude as follows: special story of an island named Dear Rabbi _____. *The universe was created 14 after it. I’ve reviewed the book and here billion years ago; However, this is a small problem are my abbreviated findings and *The universe originated in a Big compared to the numbered points thoughts. Bang event; listed above. Idolatry is blatantly silly By preface, every school type has *The universe has evolved over and therefore will not be taken its standards and outlook, be it a billions of years to form stars and seriously by the students. Heresy can public school, a community school planets including the sun and the be insidious. The Alter Rebbe in like a Hebrew academy, a modern earth; Tanya says that the ‘wisdom of the orthodox, or a charedi school. My *The earth is not unique, but nations’ contaminates the intellect of comments are more pointed and there are hundreds of planets like it the soul while slander and baseless categorical then they would be if I orbiting distant stars; hatred ‘merely’ contaminate the were asked to comment on these *The earth orbits the sun just like emotional qualities so they aren’t as other cases because you emphasize those distant planets orbit their bad. Here are some implications of

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the scientific ‘principles’ listed rabbinic authority. daughters and to tell them “Do above. That leaves us with ‘pick and well,” “Study hard,” “Do your a) The Big Bang implies that choose’ Judaism, just like Reform science homework” so they can creation was a onetime event and Conservative. master and internalize heretical followed by predictable natural g) To say, yes but the Big Bang concepts which they in turn will pass outcomes that do not make room for matches up with Genesis is simply on to their children raises the any divine intervention whatsoever. not true. For example, the trees were question of why send kids to a (=azav es ha’aretz) created on Tuesday and the sun on Jewish school in the first place? b) Cosmology and astronomy Wednesday. That is absolutely teach that only material forces exist. laughable to any Big Bang CONCLUSION. Nature’s laws are viewed as fixed evolutionist. You have a few options: and unchanging since then, so h) These apologetic views 1. Do nothing - Keep the books, everything can run by itself and backfire. Students don’t need teach the material, don’t worry there is no need for a god of any equivocators teaching them nor do about it. Probably some kids will not sort (ein Eloka). The implication is they need hypocrites - they need be hurt too badly. The problem is that even if there is a god, who educators. The Rebbe was vehement that many will. needs him? He doesn’t do anything. against apologetics, and even faulted 2. Get rid of the books - It’s a c) Accepting a 14 billion year old the Rambam on this. The Frierdiker nice simple solution to the above but world casts doubt on a 6000 year Rebbe too was absolutely strident what about the science curriculum? old world. One of the most common and passionate on this point in his The parents and the Board of outcomes of accepting this view is famous 1923 letter to the Rabbis of Education are expecting the material the belief that the Torah is not literal Germany, saying it was causing to be covered. but only literary at the beginning of spiritual holocaust (long before the 3. Edit out the offensive parts - B’Reishis when it says the world was physical one took place, lo aleinu). sounds somewhat reasonable but it made in six days. The Rebbe i) The Lubavitcher Rebbe is sends a bad message to the kids declares that this completely reputed to have said, “You can because it looks like (a) we believe undermines the basis of Shabbos explain to an American everything, in defacing books (b) we don’t have observance (ki b’sheises yamim...). but you can’t tell him anything.” what to answer, and (c) it focuses d) The Shabbos of Creation, the This is very relevant. There once their attention on the forbidden stuff six millennia, are important for the was a time when it was enough for a and increases their curiosity. At a idea of a seventh millennium (yom parent or teacher to say about some seider that’s nice, but here, there’s sh’kulo Shabbos...). In this way, idea, “We don’t believe in that.” no . those scientific views challenge faith Those days are gone. Everything is 4. Get a good science text that in Moshiach. questioned nowadays. teaches the facts but in a kosher way e) These evolutionary views as Young people, especially high - But does such a textbook even well as the sun-centered outlooks school students, pick up their facts exist? picture man as insignificant in the and opinions from their peers and 5. Teach the textbook with big picture. We are only an increasingly from mass media. They critical commentary. Perhaps the insignificant speck in an insignificant are very impressionable and the best solution, but in that case an galaxy. That’s great for the true opinions they form in high school expert in Torah, science and humility we must feel but it flies will largely stick with them for the education will have to do the against the idea of the individual rest of their lives (until Moshiach following: changing the world. This science comes at which time we and they a. Writing a companion would have us believe, contrary to will say... Oops!). curriculum Torah, that we are insignificant and The secular world view is very b. Preparing companion lessons our divine service is insignificant. clear about its rejection of basic c. Providing companion readings f) We have a Hilchos Yesodei Torah facts and perspectives and d. Bringing in guest speakers or HaTorah that all this science nowhere is this more apparent than a/v media contradicts in many places. in science. It’s hard enough to e. Train teachers in these Learning, reviewing, being tested on, promote kosher and pure faith when matters and taking in pride in mastery of all the enemy is ‘out there’ somewhere I trust this helps, these science views shows that there but to invite doubts (safek = AG is something of higher priority in Amalek) into our schools and into our Jewish and Chassidic minds than the minds and hearts of our

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shlichus

writing the ticket but because of Yemos HaMoshiach he would reduce the fine to just 100 shekels. MIRACLES Of course, there’s another lesson to be learned: Living with Moshiach means taking the officer’s advice and not driving ON SHLICHUS unsafely or illegally in the future! THE REBBE’S WORDS WERE PRECISE By Rabbi Yaakov Shmuelevitz A mekurav of the Chabad Shliach, Beit Shaan house in Ohr Yehuda went to the Rebbe for Chanuka, 5752. He POLICEMEN IN YEMOS HaMoshiach. The policeman stood on line for “dollars” and HA’MOSHIACH agreed on condition that the rabbi when it was his turn he told the would pray for him and for the Like most of us, Rabbi Rebbe that his wife had had eleven other policeman in the patrol car. Menachem Mendel Friedman, miscarriages and he asked for a A similar thing happened when shliach in Ohr Yehuda, has been bracha for healthy children. The R’ Friedman was stopped by a stopped by policemen from time to Rebbe gave him a special look and policeman on account of the time for some infraction that said loudly, “Zara chaya number of children in the back would usually result in a traffic v’kayama” (healthy and viable seat. The policeman told him he ticket. On each occasion, he took children). The man held out his was fining him 300 shekels. the opportunity to spread hand to shake the Rebbe’s hand. R’ Friedman quoted what the Chassidus by explaining to the The secretary tried to move him Rebbe said the role of policemen officer what the Rebbe said about along but the man firmly held the will be in Yemos HaMoshiach and policemen in Yemos HaMoshiach. Rebbe’s hand and asked for a son. the policeman agreed to act as in And on each occasion, the tickets The Rebbe looked at him and said the era of Geula, without fines. He were substituted with brachos. loudly, “a son.” only asked that R’ Friedman use For instance, one time he was The man returned to Ohr the amount of the fine to buy nosh particularly harried as it was a few Yehuda and gaily announced to for the kids. hours before his flight to New everybody in shul that, “In another The children, who had heard York and he was driving without nine months I will have a son! The what the policeman said, made lights, without a seatbelt and Rebbe promised!” sure that he quickly do as holding his cell phone. A sharp A month later, the man promised. eyed policeman pulled him over announced that it would be in Several of R’ Friedman’s and asked for his license. another eight months. The time of mekuravim noted his success, and R’ Friedman explained to him the birth was getting closer and when they too have been pulled the difference between “shoftim then…the woman gave birth to a over for unwittingly or unwisely and shotrim” (judges and girl. A stormy discussion ensued erring on the traffic rules, they policemen) and “shoftim and among the people in shul as to took the opportunity to emulate yoatzim” (judges and advisors) whether the birth was or wasn’t in his approach. The cook of the and suggested that the policeman the z’chus of the Rebbe. After all, yeshiva in Ohr Yehuda was driving act as they will in Yemos the Rebbe had promised a son and a little too quickly and a HaMoshiach and only give him he had a daughter. policeman stopped him and said it good advice without a fine. R’ A year later, the man’s wife was “a red highway” with a double Friedman promised that he would gave birth to a son, and people fine of 1500 shekels. The cook soon be installing a hands free realized that it was precisely as the explained to the policeman his role speaker in the car and it would be Rebbe had said. First the Rebbe in Yemos HaMoshiach. thanks to the advice of the gave a bracha for children and he The policeman apologized, policeman, just like in Yemos had a daughter. Then the Rebbe saying he had already begun gave him a bracha for a son and

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An aerial view of Moshav Nahalel

he had a son. school), yeshiva g’dola (beis discovered that we had been R’ Friedman repeats this story midrash), preschools, shul, and overcharged. The company gave at farbrengens with mekuravim dozens of mekuravim and baalei the a check for and emphasizes that we can derive t’shuva. A real k’hilla. As recently 13,000 shekels, which was a great a lot of chizuk and emuna from it. as ten or fifteen years ago, nobody help in our financial struggle. The Rebbe promised us that the would have believed that within Geula is imminent yet it seems to such a short time a thriving k’hilla BEIS CHABAD NAHALEL us that Geula is delayed and that would develop. R’ Friedman – WHO WOULD HAVE the Rebbe was incorrect. However, stressed the central role played by just as it was only after the son Rabbi Sholom Ber Hendel, the BELIEVED? was born, a year later, that rosh yeshiva and the energetic It is not only in the success of everybody saw how the Rebbe’s spirit behind the development of their activities that shluchim words had been precise, we will all the mosdos. experience miracles. Finding a see that the Geula, too, will “A few years ago we had a very suitable location for shlichus happen precisely as the Rebbe difficult time financially,” related needs just as much Divine prophesied. R’ Friedman. “I was very assistance, and can be no less pressured by debts and needed wondrous. Moshav Nahalel in the A CHECK FROM help. I wrote to the Rebbe and put Jezreel Valley is not exactly a religious moshav. Most of the THE REBBE my letter in a volume of Igros Kodesh. In the answer that I people there are from irreligious R’ Friedman mentions before opened to, the Rebbe wrote that kibbutzim but when Rabbi Dovid (and after) every story that the he was going to participate in the Katorza went to live there on biggest miracle they see in Ohr activities with a check. shlichus, he was very well Yehuda is the incredible expansion We didn’t have to wait long. A received. Everybody knows him of the Chabad mosdos there. It few days later a representative and many people attend the looks almost like Kfar Chabad from the electric company came programs that he and his wife hold with a yeshiva k’tana (high and checked the meter and at the yishuv.

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Those who were at the scene and saw A SHUL IN NAHALEL? In Nahalel there is an the demolished car said that nobody irreligious high school which is attended by the children from would emerge from it alive... Nahalel and kibbutzim in the area. Over the years R’ Dovid Katorza A few years ago, the rabbi and somewhat problematic, the rabbi asked the school administrators his family were injured in a car decided to attend anyway. It was for permission to open a small accident at the entrance to the an opportunity to say a few words shul in one of the buildings for yishuv. Those who were at the of Torah, to meet new people and t’fillos and shiurim, but the answer scene and saw the demolished car reconnect with the old and to do was a definite “no.” said that nobody would emerge his shlichus. Then, sixteen months ago, from it alive. However, boruch The day before the event, a there was a change. The family of Hashem, everybody survived, and phone call went out: “Come to the Sammy and George Rohr agreed recovered fully from their injuries. party with a bathing suit and good to donate a Torah to the shul in The doctors were amazed when R’ spirits!” Nahalel. In honor of the Torah, Katorza, as he waited for surgery R’ Katorza, though, had other the school’s hanhala agreed to set after the accident, asked that they plans. Instead of a bathing suit he aside a room for t’fillos and bring him his t’fillin and only after brought a pair of t’fillin, which he shiurim. They turned a computer he would put them on would he go offered to the party-goers. A fifty room into a shul. Boruch Hashem, in for the operation. year old man got up and asked to today the shul has regular The head of the medical team, put them on. He was very moved minyanim, shiurim and a kibbutznik who was a mekurav and he cried as he said Shma. farbrengens. R’ Katorza gives of Chabad in Beit Shaan, checked When he was finished he shiurim in Chumash and Rashi, to see whether the injured rabbi announced that it was the first and in Gemara for advanced was of sound mind and whether time he was putting on t’fillin. He students. The shul is next to the his broken bones and the had been educated in the spirit of dining room so he invites whoever machines to which he was HaShomer HaTzair (virulently passes by – and they all do! – to attached allowed him to put on anti-religious) and had not even come in. t’fillin. A brief conversation donned t’fillin at his bar mitzva. R’ Katorza’s influence is felt demonstrated that despite his R’ Katorza announced that this not only in the school but also pain, the rabbi’s mind was clear was not just a celebratory party throughout the moshav. Recently a and he put on t’fillin and said a but a bar mitzva celebration. woman from the moshav told his t’filla. The head of the medical Everybody applauded and the wife that every Shabbos, when she team was so moved by this that he rabbi said a few words and they sees the rabbi walking to shul took a picture on his cell phone of nearly forgot about going to the wrapped in a tallis, it reminds her the rabbi with all the machines pool. Later on the host told R’ of her grandfather who would go and the t’fillin on his head and Katorza that the man who had put to shul like that and it brings back arm. Later on he showed the on t’fillin was his brother-in-law all her Jewish memories. picture at a Yud Shvat farbrengen and he needed a bracha since he And this is in Nahalel. Who that took place at the kibbutz and was quite sick. R’ Katorza came would have believed it? this made a big kiddush Hashem. by his house and put up mezuzos and after a few weeks the illness INADVERTENT MIRACLE T’FILLIN INSTEAD OF had almost completely “A few years ago I traveled, as A BATHING SUIT disappeared. I do periodically, to raise money R’ Katorza concludes, “At first R’ Katorza was invited to a in ,” begins Rabbi I debated whether to go on a Benny Nachm, shliach in Shlomi festive party at the moshav, in Friday afternoon - and with a celebration of the completion of a near the Lebanon border. “I went bathing suit no less! - but when I to a man I know there, Boruch large real estate development went anyway it turned out that it project by one of the residents in Avitan, and asked him for a saved someone both spiritually donation for the Chabad house in Nahalel. Though the timing of the and physically. party - Friday at 2:00 pm - was Shlomi. Boruch gave a donation and he also asked me to speak to a

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friend of his. ‘Go to Shimon. He wouldn’t give me a penny, not had gotten nice donations from used to live in Shlomi and he can then and not by mail and that was Shimon and so he recommended help you.’ But I felt uncomfortable final. wholeheartedly that I go and see going to him. “I took Shimon’s address from him. “A year passed and I went to him but still found it hard to “I called Shimon and asked my friend in Los Angeles again. decide whether and when to go whether I could meet with him. This time he begged me, ‘Go to see him. ‘What’s the question? I know you Shimon.’ When he saw that I “On that visit to Los Angeles, I from Shlomi. Every year I see you didn’t want to, he ‘threatened,’ ‘If went to see my fellow shliach, speaking at my father’s memorial. you don’t go to Shimon, I won’t Amitai Yemini who runs a Chabad Come and I will help you.’ give you a donation either.’ The house for Israelis. We spoke about “I was welcomed with kisses, ways of Hashem are hidden and this and that, and then to my song and praise and since then he the wiles of the Evil Inclination are surprise, he said, ‘Why don’t you has been a big help to the Chabad sometimes mysterious too - I did go to Shimon? He is very wealthy house in Shlomi. He has been not go to Shimon. Boruch sent me and he used to live in Shlomi. instrumental in building the a donation a month later, by mail. Here’s his phone number. Call mikva, helping the needy and in “The third year, he promised him and go see him.’ building the shul named for his that if I didn’t go to Shimon he “R’ Yemini said that he himself father, Beis Avrohom.

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BEIS MOSHIACH Issue 727 31 727_B_Beis Moshiach 18/01/2010 8:21 AM Page 32

feature

THE CHASSIDIM WIN THE CROWD STOOD AROUND THE CARRIAGE OVER EVERYONE Eighty years ago, when the AND BURST OUT IN EXUBERANT SONG: Rebbe Rayatz made his historic visit to the United States, there were relatively few chassidim living there. Nevertheless, this handful of Lubavitchers managed to unite all MAY G-D the Jewish organizations to give the Rebbe an impressive welcome to America and work up thousands of Jews to a state of tremendous excitement over his arrival. In every GRANT YOU location the Rebbe visited during his tour, huge welcoming events and large meetings to strengthen Yiddishkait were organized, awakening people to the cause of the LIFE! Jews of the Soviet Union. The Jewish newspapers of that era frequently expressed a sense of By Shneur Zalman Berger amazement that just a few chassidim Translated By Michoel Leib Dobry managed to win over all of the local Jewish communities.

A tremendous level of enthusiasm VISIT TO BALTIMORE engulfed the Rebbe Rayatz’s visit to After the Rebbe Rayatz’s visit to Philadelphia, he proceeded to Baltimore and . Thousands of Baltimore, the largest city in the State of . The Rebbe people waited at the train stations in stayed in the city for three weeks, his anticipation of the Rebbe’s arrival, and schedule filled with general events before huge crowds, including many accompanied him to his place of rabbinical and other public figures. “The Rebbe will arrive on Hey lodging. The papers made a special effort Teves!” the joyful announcement to publicize news on the various welcome blared throughout Baltimore. The visit was eventually postponed for ceremonies, private audiences and one week, to the 12th of Teves, and chassidic discourses, and the Senators throughout that week, An aerial view and Congressmen who came to pay a call of the City of Baltimore. upon the leader of the generation. This article commemorates eighty years since the Rebbe Rayatz’s journey to strengthen Judaism in the United States and to promote activities on behalf of the Jews of the Soviet Union.

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advertisements were publicized in all the Jewish newspapers announcing the delay in the Rebbe’s arrival. These ads created a tremendous public response. In the announcements, the members of the Welcoming Committee called upon the city’s Jewish community to come and greet the Rebbe at the train station on the 12th of Teves at a quarter to two in the afternoon. The ad emphasized that the Rebbe Rayatz had suffered greatly in Russia and it was only after the intervention of prominent individuals overseas that he had managed to resettle in Riga, Latvia. On Friday, Asara B’Teives, just two days prior to his arrival, the “Morgen Journal” wrote that despite the small number of Lubavitcher chassidim living in the city, they succeeded in getting all the local Jewish communities involved in preparing a special welcome for the Rebbe Rayatz. The paper continued to report that on that day, Friday, a special conference would be held for the purpose of making these preparations, with the active participation of representatives from all the city’s Jewish organizations. The same issue included a Welcoming Committee announcement opening with these exciting words: “Important news for all Jews of Baltimore! Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn (the Lubavitcher) is coming to The Rebbe Rayatz and the mayor of Baltimore, as publicized in the local papers. The Rashag stands to the right. Baltimore.” The announcement also 727_B_Beis Moshiach 18/01/2010 8:21 AM Page 34

into the Rebbe’s house for yechidus The local police received the Rebbe with each day. Among those who came great honor and respect, and during the were Senator Millard Tydings, Senator Phillips Lee Goldsborough, three weeks that the Rebbe Rayatz Congressman Vincent L. Palmisano, and Congressman Linwood Leon stayed in Baltimore, the officers stood Clark. Announcements of the hours for receiving people didn’t help guard around the house as a sign of much. At the conclusion of the Rebbe’s visit, “Der Tag” newspaper deference to the city’s esteemed guest. reported that the house was filled every day from morning until late at included a call to welcome the Rebbe night with people who wanted to at the train station. receive the Rebbe’s bracha. The Special calls to participate in the reporter further wrote that among welcoming ceremony at the train the numerous visitors were many station were also made by the Vaad American youths from assimilated Rabbanim of Baltimore, Agudas families. The Rebbe accepted all of HaK’hillos, and the special them and succeeded in conference organizing the welcome. strengthening them in their From the train station, there would observance of Torah and mitzvos. be a special parade in which During the Baltimore visit, the everyone would travel together to Rebbe Rayatz was invited to a the Rebbe’s place of lodging. The special meeting with Mayor William paper then gave details of the route Frederick Broening, who presented the Rebbe would take. the Rebbe with a book on the city’s history. The meeting was reported in A LARGE CROWD FROM the media, and the Rebbe’s picture MORNING TO NIGHT Rabbi Avraham Eliyahu Axelrod appeared in the English language newspapers with the mayor and the The great day had come, the in the “Der Tag” and “Der Morgen Rashag standing at his side. A 12th of Teves. Journal” on the progress of the similar meeting was held with Thousands of people streamed to Rebbe Rayatz’s visit in the city. Governor Albert Ritchie of the “Mount Royal” train station, and The local police received the Maryland. the crowd thrilled at the sight of the Rebbe with great honor and respect, While he was still staying in the Rebbe descending from the train, and during the three weeks that the city, he traveled to New York for one accompanied by his official Rebbe Rayatz stayed in Baltimore, day and then later spent a few days delegation: His uncle Rabbi Moshe the officers stood guard around the in Washington, D.C., where he met Horenstein, his son-in-law Rabbi house as a sign of deference to the with Mr. Louis Brandeis, Associate , and his city’s esteemed guest. Justice of the United States Supreme secretaries, Rabbi Yechezkel Feigin The Rebbe Rayatz visited the Court, and asked him to head efforts and R’ Chaim Lieberman. four Chabad shuls, along with all the on behalf of Russian Jewry. The papers publicized the other synagogues there at the time, welcome and the scheduled two and said chassidus. Welcome week visit with banner headlines, THE “PRESIDENTS” celebrations were held in Baltimore making special mention of a planned hotels. On Shabbosim, the Rebbe WITH THE REBBE meeting with the Mayor of would say chassidus before the large In a special letter sent to his wife, Baltimore. They also made a point of crowd that gathered at his lodgings. the Rebbetzin Nechama Dina (first stating the exact address where the Every evening between six and publicized in the Beis Moshiach Rebbe would be staying: 2343 nine, the Rebbe would receive people Magazine, Issue #354), the Rebbe Eutaw Place. The vast publicity for yechidus. Those who wished to Rayatz described the intensive brought a huge crowd to the come at a different time had to activities among the younger Jewish location. In the days that followed, coordinate this with Rabbi Yechezkel community, which was primarily numerous news items were printed Feigin. Hundreds of people streamed divided into three organizations:

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“Young Israel” – whose Shortly before the Rebbe’s membership included both Torah departure from Baltimore, the observant and non-Torah observant presidents of the three organizations Jews; “Adas B’nei Yisroel” – came to the Rebbe to offer farewell membership similar to Young Israel, wishes on behalf of their respective but with a Mizrachi-style political memberships and the young platform; “Chevras Shomrei women’s group. They told the Rebbe Shabbos” – all members Torah- that they have the honor to inform observant, albeit clean-shaven. him that they will do whatever he Each organization had young asks. They will also update him on members of both genders and was the situation from time to time, and headed by a “president.” The local hope to receive his reply. The Baltimore chapter head of each of presidents noted that a considerable these organizations visited the Rebbe portion of the younger membership Rayatz several times, and on each was very positively influenced by the occasion, the Rebbe spoke with them visit, and they are waiting to see the for about half an hour. good results. “Give them something each time you speak and gather together, and THE LEADER IS also explain the different things that QUICKLY INFLUENCED should be run by the women – that they should strengthen the Jewish As opposed to Chabad chassidim edifice in America, and in certain and representatives of the three instances, build it,” the Rebbe aforementioned organizations, who instructed her. came to the Rebbe time and time At the time, the three groups again, there was one organization together had a joint membership of that proved to be a much harder nut between six to seven hundred to crack. With a membership of people. The Rebbe Rayatz spoke about three hundred strong, the with the presidents to arouse greater Rebbe called them “good Jews at action, declaring that if they were heart,” meaning that they didn’t properly organized, their fulfill Torah and mitzvos at all. membership ranks would be several A newspaper ad published prior to the Their leader, a Dr. Sendy, did Rebbe Rayatz’s visit: “Important news times larger. come to the Rebbe on several for all Jews of Baltimore! Rabbi Yosef occasions, but it took some time The Rebbe Rayatz’s influence Yitzchak Schneersohn (the until the organization’s full was not just upon the men, but upon Lubavitcher) is coming to Baltimore.” the leaders of the women’s administrative board agreed to organizations as well, despite the follow suit. In the end, they too fact that the Rebbe generally did not spiritual awakening, she and her arrived to show their respect, a receive women for yechidus. colleagues asked their male delegation of nine doctors and three In his letter to the Rebbetzin counterparts to give the Rebbe a attorneys who represented the entire (mentioned above), the Rebbe said message of special thanks and a organization. The Rebbe explained that during one of the meetings with request for advice on how to run to them that Jewish feeling is not the organization presidents, they told their organizations more effectively. enough – it must be translated into him that when the Rebbe spoke in The powerful influence among effective action. one of the shuls, a women’s the women leaders bore fruit. The The organization leader himself organization president heard his leadership called upon the was quickly influenced, and just ten explanation on how G-d instructed organizations’ membership to come days after the start of the Rebbe’s Moshe Rabbeinu to teach the and listen to the Rebbe Rayatz’s visit to the city, he began to feel and women with soft words, whereas he speeches when he visited the local conduct himself like one of the should teach the men more strictly. synagogues. The effect was so great chassidim. He went in to the Rebbe The words had a tremendous effect that sometimes the vaiber shul frequently, and took part in the on her, and she spoke with the (women’s section) was more full sichos and farbrengens with the women about it. As a result of this than the men’s section. chassidim who packed into the

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his letter: There was one organization that proved “When the time approached for to be a much harder nut to crack. With the three to get off the train, I spoke with them. They felt more than a membership of about three hundred fortunate to have had me as their guest, and we parted from one strong, the Rebbe called them “good another. They were really crying over why we had to part. They said Jews at heart,” meaning that they didn’t that now, with G-d’s help, they will see to it that the matter of the fulfill Torah and mitzvos at all. ‘maamad’ is arranged in a different manner, and G-d Alm-ghty will help Rebbe’s lodging. and for a blessing in physical and them.” Towards the end of the visit, Dr. spiritual matters. Yosef Yitzchak. th During the railroad journey, the Sendy came and blessed the Rebbe The 5 of Shvat, Taf-Resh-Tzaddik train made a stop at the station in on behalf of the organization’s (5690).” Philadelphia, where several membership. He added that his chassidim and other Chabad organization had decided to help the “THEY WERE supporters boarded in order to see yeshivos under the Rebbe’s REALLY CRYING” the Rebbe. Four of these people administration. continued the train journey for On the eve of the Rebbe’s Despite the official departure ceremony, many people returned the another forty-five minutes and departure, large notices appeared on eventually got much closer to bulletin boards throughout Baltimore next day to see the Rebbe off – for more than three hours! They came Lubavitch. It is poetic that the ‘city calling upon the city’s Jewish of brotherly love’ – Lubavitch made community to come to a “Tzeischem and left the Rebbe’s house, Jews of every age and from every sector, such an impact on the Jews of that L’Shalom” ceremony that would take other ‘city of brotherly love’ – place at the Yisroel Anshei Sephard including rabbanim and public officials. Philadelphia. Synagogue. The Rebbe arrived in New York The Jews of Baltimore flocked to 12:35 p.m. The Rebbe left the house surrounded by a large City at four in the afternoon, and his the farewell event in very large accommodations, which so far had numbers, which the Rebbe describes assembly and calls of “Go in peace” were heard from every direction. At been in a rented apartment, would in his letter with great emotion: now be in a hotel. “At the arranged time of the the train station, about seventy ‘Tzeischem L’Shalom,’ the street was people were waiting, and the depot * * * full… It was such a stirring event, administration allowed them to go Throughout the Rebbe’s stay in such a warm feeling that made a up to the train without tickets. The the city, the chassidim and other great impression. Non-Jews, l’havdil, Rebbe entered his carriage and the Chabad supporters were busy say that they had never seen assembled crowd burst into organizing events connected with the someone who had received such a exuberant and enthusiastic song: visit – speeches in synagogues, friendly send-off and such a “May G-d bless you and keep you… farbrengens, etc. After the Rebbe’s beautiful and gentle regard from ” The train pulled out, and everyone departure, the spiritual awakening such a variety of people.” called out, “Go in peace and with among the chassidim translating into Rabbi Avraham Eliyahu Axelrod, success. May G-d grant you life, as the study of chassidus and other one of Baltimore’s most prominent you have granted us.” spiritual growth. th Chabad chassidim, received a letter Besides the Rebbe’s official party On the 18 of Shvat, the of thanks from the Rebbe for all that had escorted him to Baltimore, Bobruisk Synagogue hosted a those who took part in the they were accompanied by Rabbi special evening, organized by welcoming events. Avraham Eliyahu Axelrod and two Agudas Chassidei Chabad, during Before leaving the city, the Rebbe gabbaim from local synagogues. An which a number of projects were gave out a picture and a note with hour into the journey, these three established that turned this the following message: “By the got off the train, as they had to organization into a far more active Grace of G-d. I hereby give them my return to Baltimore. The moment of one. These projects included Torah blessing that G-d Alm-ghty should the final departure was most classes at one of the Chabad shuls, fulfill their hearts’ requests for good moving, as the Rebbe described in each month in a different shul. The

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shul chosen to host the first class At this point, the reporter listed was the Tzemach Tzedek shul, the local neighborhoods from which where a Tanya class with Rabbi Jews came to the train station. He Axelrod already took place. then proceeded to describe what happened as the people waited with VISIT TO CHICAGO great anticipation for the train to arrive: With the Rebbe’s return to New “There was much pushing from York from Baltimore, he stayed in every side as people strove for the the city for about a week, and from privilege of being among the first to there he traveled to Chicago, , greet the Rebbe and receive his America’s “second city”, arriving on blessing. While there was still the 11th of Shvat. The visit lasted another half an hour until the train for three months, until Erev Rosh came, it was no longer possible to Chodesh Iyar. enter the terminal and join the Prior to the visit, a preliminary thousands who were already there. meeting was held, led by Rabbi Their Jewish soul told them that they Shmuel Eliyahu Elkin, the rav of the were about to meet one of the Anshei Lubavitch Shul (and one of greatest individuals in the Jewish the first students of Yeshivas People today. In addition, he was a Tomchei Tmimim in Lubavitch). The heroic figure who would sacrifice his meeting was conducted in the shul very life for the Torah and look itself. Special discussions were held death straight in the eye without about the welcome scheduled for the emotion, while not wasting a day of the Rebbe Rayatz’s arrival in moment in spreading Torah among the city. During the course of the the Jewish People… meeting, a special committee was “Right next to the train tracks, appointed to organize the welcome, on top of a truck designed to deliver headed by Chabad representative merchandise from the train Mr. Balatin, who spoke to everyone carriages, there stood a gray-haired with great enthusiasm about the Jew, already ninety years of age. tremendous work achieved by the Standing near him was a boy, Rebbe in the Soviet Union. apparently his great-grandson, and The welcome ceremonies were they were flanked by two middle- most impressive. The “Morgen aged Jews, probably his sons. He Journal” reported that about fifteen stood there with his eyes fixed in the thousand Jews were waiting at the direction from which the train was LaSalle Street train station, having due to arrive. A whole world of joy come to give honor to the Rebbe. engulfed his wrinkled face. He had The paper added that the Chicago suddenly become a young man police had done considerable work again. to prepare a path for the Rebbe “He then bent down and said among the thousands who had come with great excitement, ‘I want to see to greet him. the Rebbe, the grandson of my This most interesting report Rebbe. I still remember his appeared in the “Kroier” newspaper appearance well – the shining form from the 13th of Shvat: (top): The “Morgen Journal” reports of our master, our teacher, our “The terminal in the train station on the anticipated great welcome (bottom): Agudas Chassidei Chabad Rebbe, Rabbi Shmuel, of blessed was filled with Jews. Men and thanks the Jews of Baltimore on memory. Ah, what an appearance he women, young and old, local behalf of the Rebbe Rayatz for the had, and his look gave me strength. children, boys and girls – everyone warm welcome Where do you think I got my poured into the street and the flood longevity from? Every time I saw of people would not cease. The greet their prominent guest. They him, it gave me strength for another throngs came from every direction to came from all over the city.” ten years. I also knew his father –

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block the thousands waiting for the LONGING FOR A “YECHIDUS” Rebbe.” Pesach, 5690, in Chicago. After two months during which there was The stewards at the train station a never-ending stream of people coming for yechidus, the Rebbe told a pleaded with the crowd of thousands special story that brings testimony of a chassid’s great longing for to move away from the train and let yechidus: the Rebbe and his escorts “In the summer of 5659, when my father, the Rebbe [Rashab] was disembark, but this proved out in the country, he stayed at the home of a baal ha’bayis, a simple practically impossible. Everyone yet pious Torah observant Jew, who took care of all my father’s material wanted to see the Rebbe. Not long needs. afterwards, the Rebbe left the “During those days, there was a melamed named R’ Dovber, who carriage, standing a couple of steps was a chassid from the city of Beshenkovitch, and he decided to go to higher than the platform, and looked Lubavitch and hear chassidus. He left his work and trudged all the way out at the throngs of people. The to Lubavitch by foot. When he arrived, he was informed that my father, crowding was so great that the the Rebbe, was in the country, and he determinedly continued his trek. Rebbe’s entourage couldn’t get out When he arrived there, he was told that the Rebbe would not say of the carriage, and was left at the chassidus. Needless to say, he was very disappointed, as all of his door. Photographers took advantage efforts had been in order to hear a chassidic maamer from my father. of the opportunity to snap pictures “Sad and dejected, R’ Dovber walked until he met the of the Rebbe and the crowd from aforementioned baal ha’bayis. The latter spoke to his heart, every direction [if only such pictures encouraging him to put his faith in G-d, without knowing the reason could be found – Author]. It took for his sadness. some time before they managed to “On Shabbos, R’ Dovber was the guest of this baal ha’bayis, and the make a path through which the host tried during all of the Shabbos meals to get R’ Dovber to speak Rebbe’s party could pass, and the about what was bothering him in the hope that maybe he could help Rebbe finally left the carriage and him, but to no avail. Finally, during the Seudas Shlishis, R’ Dovber entered his car. broke down, and with tear-filled eyes, he said that he doesn’t lack a The Rebbe’s car set out as part thing – he just wants to hear a maamer from the Rebbe. He had of a long caravan, accompanied by worked so hard to get there, but in the end, he couldn’t fulfill his wish. hundred of buses filled with “Since the baal ha’bayis was almost like a family member to the thousands of people. On the way Rebbe, he immediately went in to the Rebbe, and said to him, ‘There’s from the train station to his place of a guest here who is deeply distressed that he can’t hear chassidus from lodging, many Jews stood at every the Rebbe. When I see a Jew immersed in sorrow whom I can help – I corner and waved to the Rebbe. The must help him! The Rebbe can help this Jew by saying chassidus.’ first accommodations were located “A short while later, my father, the Rebbe, announced that he would at 3639 Douglas Boulevard, in the say chassidus. After R’ Dovber heard the maamer, haht zain panim heart of the Jewish neighborhood. geloichtn [= his face shone] and he was positively elated. When the An especially large crowd baal ha’bayis saw this, he went to the Rebbe again and told him that the surrounded the location, waiting to maamer had caused great pleasure to R’ Dovber. He then asked the get a glimpse of the Rebbe, if only Rebbe if Gan Eden also possesses the type of joy and pleasure that R’ for a moment. The Rebbe got out of Dovber experienced after hearing the maamer. ‘Not necessarily,’ my the car, and the entire assembly father replied, ‘but just know, that for each time people say T’hillim in cried “Baruch Haba” in voices filled this world, they teach them in Gan Eden a new interpretation of Seifer with emotion. The dense throngs of T’hillim.’ people did not allow for making a “When he left the Rebbe, he began saying T’hillim with tremendous path for the Rebbe to pass, thus the fervor from that moment on.” Chicago police were forced to act quickly and secure a way for the Rebbe to reach the house. The our master, our teacher, and our boy, and with great enthusiasm, he Rebbe suddenly stopped, motioned Rebbe, Rabbi Sholom Dovber, of broke out in a dance like a young with his hand, immediately silencing blessed memory, and now I can chassid… Once again he had the crowd, and briefly thanked them make the blessing of received renewed strengths. for coming to welcome him. ‘SheHechiyanu’.” “The train arrives. The A few minutes later, the Rebbe “The old man sobbed like a small passengers get off, but their faces entered the house.

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THE ADMUR COMES Welcoming Committee. The meeting TO THE REBBE took place in the Anshei Knesses Yisroel shul, and it was filled and At the temporary lodging, the overflowing. The “Kroier” Rebbe received many Jews for newspaper noted that the crowding yechidus, among them rabbinical was especially great, and with no figures, public officials, Senators, alternative, many people simply and Congressmen. An unusually remained outside the synagogue. special guest was the Hornisteiple The Rebbe thanked the Rebbe, Rabbi Yehuda Leib Twersky, organizers and participants, and the a descendant of the Mitteler Rebbe, aforementioned newspaper quoted who was living in Chicago at the his address to the crowd: “You time. surely have heard about the Jews in Congressman Sabath was among Russia and about their life, and the many visitors, and the therefore, I will not add much. I will conversation between them lasted speak to your souls and to your for a long time. It mainly centered heart, and ask you not to relate to on the dozens of Jews, including them coldly, as each person knows rabbanim, who had been arrested in his obligation.” Minsk, and the Rebbe’s efforts In preparation for Beis Nissan, towards their release. the hilula of the Rebbe Rashab, a Besides the private audiences, the special kuntres was printed with two Rebbe was occupied with arranging maamarim in chassidus (“Ani gatherings for strengthening Y’shane” and “Simani K’Chosam”). Yiddishkait and chassidus, and The kuntreisim were distributed in arousing interest on behalf of Jews Newspaper headlines announce the both chassidic and non-chassidic in the Soviet Union. As in Baltimore, Rebbe Rayatz’s arrival: “The Lubavitcher Rebbe is coming.” synagogues, and the maamarim were the Rebbe visited the Chabad shuls studied in many of these shuls in and other synagogues in Chicago. A honor of the hilula. special visit was made to the local Tzemach Tzedek shul, and he said A special banquet was held on Talmud Torah. The Rebbe made chassidus there. the evening of Beis Nissan, and this farbrengens both on Shabbosim and “The following day, Sunday, was no simple achievement. On the on weekdays, and delivered chassidic there was a mass meeting in the one hand, it was the Rebbe Rashab’s maamarim. large beis midrash, where the yahrtzait, and on the other hand, this The mashpia, Rabbi Shlomo rabbanim spoke and eventually the was a fundraising “dinner”. Despite Zalman Havlin, was staying in the Rebbe shlita. the difficulty, the Rebbe spoke first United States at the time, and he “Yesterday, there was a great about his father, and afterwards wrote to his friend, Rabbi Yisroel celebration at the seuda or banquet about the sorry material state among Jacobson, describing the events that for Chabad of Chicago, with the the Jews of Russia and the sorry took place in Chicago: city’s rabbis in attendance. The spiritual state among the Jews of “On that Shabbos Kodesh [the Rebbe shlita spoke there, and I was America, who also need support. 1st of Adar], all of Anash gathered the musician, and the Rebbe About two hundred people together to spend Shabbos with the specifically asked me to play the participated in this special evening, Rebbe shlita. Both at night and the well-known niggun.” and about $5,000 were collected and following day, [the Rebbe] was with The mass gathering that Rabbi then transferred to the fund to help a known Anash member [named] Shlomo Zalman Havlin mentioned the rabbanim in Russia. Gilman, with all Anash around the in his letter was attended by about During the Pesach holiday, as is Rebbe shlita until the [Friday night] three thousand people, who came to known, our Rebbeim were extremely seuda, which lasted until eleven at see and hear chassidus from the stringent in everything connected night. Similarly, the following day, Rebbe Rayatz. The meeting was with preparing food, and since the the Rebbe shlita’s seuda was until organized by some of the more Rebbe was away from his home, he four [in the afternoon]. prominent organizations in Chicago: tried to limit his diet to matzos, “On Motzaei Shabbos, we The Rabbinical Offices, Agudas wine, and a few other basic food traveled with the Rebbe shlita to the HaK’hillos, together with the items.

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Lubavitcher chassidim in New count themselves among the ranks law, Rabbi Shemaryahu Gurary. A York baked the Rebbe’s matzos and of the chassidim should also learn sizable crowd, including well-known sent them to Chicago, while the wine Chumash with Rashi each day, as rabbanim, waited at the train station was prepared in Chicago with the divided according to the day of the to part from their distinguished utmost strictness. During the first week. The Rebbe then continued to guest, and the Rebbe blessed them days of the holiday, the Rebbe ate no speak words of spiritual awakening, all. When someone said to the Rebbe cooked food whatsoever, even and descended from the platform to that they will never forget the visit, refusing to drink a glass of tea. Each enthusiastic words of blessing from the Rebbe replied that “when I learn morning, the Rebbe drank a cup of all in attendance. and you learn, we will thereby hot water after it had cooled off, The Rebbe traveled from the remember one another.” boiled especially for him by his Chabad shul to his place of lodging, Through the photographer of the devoted secretary, Rabbi Yechezkel where he arrived at half past ten at “Kroier” newspaper, the Rebbe Feigin. night. Half an hour later, a asked to give his thanks to all those We learn about his limited menu delegation of twenty people arrived who had welcomed him, while his over the days that followed from a with a surprising message. The son-in-law, the Rashag, submitted letter written by the Rebbe himself to Rebbe wrote about it in his letter to an announcement to the press, the Rebbetzin: the Rebbetzin: thanking the Jews of Chicago, “During the three days of Chol “They told me openly that the Agudas HaRabbanim, and other HaMoed, R’ Yechezkel traveled on chassidim of Chicago and the organizations that took part in the Monday to be present personally for surrounding area had become welcome ceremonies and other the milking process, and boiled the organized, and they were asking that gatherings. milk himself. He cooked three hard- I give my approval to establish their At nine in the morning, the boiled eggs, and this was lunch – ‘permanent’ residence in America. Rebbe boarded the train, and twenty grated eggs with a little water on a Representatives of the misnagdishe Jews from Chicago traveled with him glass plate, one cup of milk, and communities had also joined them in for half an hour. Several with that it was over. In the evening, this. They also wanted to express the representatives of the Jewish one cup of milk, and as usual, thanks of Anash for the visit to newspapers and others accompanied ‘Shmura’ [matza] at every meal. Chicago, and the good impression the Rebbe to Detroit, the next stop Of course, our son-in-law [the that the visit made upon the on the Rebbe’s journey. Rashag] and uncle [Rabbi Moshe chassidim of Chicago – far more The fruits of this visit would be Horenstein] had complaints. How is than had been expected. They also known for decades with the this possible? It’s Yomtov! They said happily reported on the successful subsequent establishment of Torah that R’ Yechezkel would supervise, impact that the visit left in general classes in Chicago, which continued he would cook personally, and other among all Jewish sectors. for many years afterwards. Over the claims, but it was no use. In the end, “Their idea that I should move to passage of time, the Rebbe Rayatz it’s better than in Spalerke [during America was an indication of their even sent special correspondence to the imprisonment].” tremendous excitement, coming those who participated in the class. As mentioned earlier, the visit from people who were not expected * * * th concluded on Sunday, the 29 of to react in such a manner. They During the visit in Chicago, there Nissan. Prior to his departure, a spoke with great fervor.” was a break of a few days, when the “Tzeischem L’Shalom” ceremony The Rebbe gave a brief reply, and Rebbe went to stay in Milwaukee. was held in the Chabad shul with a they left, but that was far from the large assemblage of people end of the evening, as the Rebbe Sources: Igros Kodesh Admur HaRayatz, Seifer participating. The Rebbe said a accepted people in yechidus until HaSichos Admur HaRayatz 5688-5691, Toldos chassidic maamer, and the one a.m. By half past six the Chabad B’Artzos HaBris, HaMashpia, Beis Moshiach, Der Morgen Journal, Der Tag, Kroier Lithuanian rabbis, Rabbi Efraim following morning, the Rebbe’s Chicago, and more. Special thanks to the National Epstein and Rabbi Zaks, spoke minyan for Shacharis had already Library – Yerushalayim. before the congregation. started, and at the conclusion of Please e-mail any comments and The Rebbe then used the davening, a large throng of people remarks to the author at occasion to request that T’hillim began to stream into the house to [email protected]. should be recited in all of the say goodbye. (This translation is dedicated to R’ synagogues on a daily basis, as As the Rebbe’s visit to Chicago Yisroel Shlomo and Mrs. Chana Kroll of divided according to the day of the came to a close, he prepared to Baltimore, Maryland.) month. He added that all those who depart from the city with his son-in-

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story

Rebbetzin Sima Ashkenazi of Kfar Chabad, and sons Rabbi Sholom Dovber, rabbi of a shul in , and Rabbi Menachem, director WITH THE of the Chabad mosdos in Netanya, worked together to arrange appointments with top doctors. The alternative treatment that was their choice only made her REBBES condition worse and caused her much suffering. Even conventional doctors were unable to diagnose the source of the problem. As time passed and matters did not improve, BRACHOS, they realized that the situation was more serious than they had thought. After many tests, the doctor said there was definitely a serious problem with her spine but he WE MADE IT couldn’t pinpoint it since nothing was showing up on the MRI. Months went by and the couple was preparing to leave their home in By Shneur Zalman Berger Yerushalayim to spend Shabbos Shuva with their son R’ Menachem in Netanya, when Mrs. Wolpo fell and broke her right leg. That left her stuck in a wheelchair since her right leg was in a cast and there was no sensation in her left leg. Before Sukkos the family consulted with a famous doctor at Hadassah hospital. He asked how a previous exam was done and reacted angrily, “They didn’t do it right!” The test was done again and he informed the family of the sad news: “A large tumor is wrapped around the spine like a snake. It’s a very rare tumor and the likelihood of recovery is very slim.” “We were very worried,” confided Rebbetzin Sima Ashkenazi. “The doctors didn’t know whether it was malignant or a benign growth that could be surgically removed. But an operation near the spinal Rabbi Yitzchok Wolpo with Dr. Jacques Brotchi column is extremely risky and can adversely affect the other parts of It all began with a strange Wolpo of Yerushalayim began to use the body. A slightly wrong move can weakness in the left foot. This soon a cane. Eventually she found herself seal the fate of the patient. We spoke deteriorated into a lack of sensation dependent on a walker. Her husband to R’ Elimelech Firer for help in and difficulty walking, and before Rabbi Yitzchok a”h [ed. He passed finding a surgeon. R’ Firer is a long Mrs. Yaffa (Sheindel Mushka) away a month ago], daughter Belzer Chassid and an incredible

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person who volunteers his time and extraordinary medical expertise – WHAT BOTHERS MISNAGDIM? with no formal medical training – to Rabbi Sholom Dovber Wolpo relates: advise people on medical matters. Many b’nei Torah who are not Chassidic daven in Rabbi Pinson’s He is highly esteemed by the medical shul. I reviewed a maamer Chassidus there on Shabbos, and in the community. R’ Firer explained that course of my explanation, I said several times, “The Rebbe asks,” “The in this rare situation, although the Rebbe explains,” etc. Every time I mentioned the Rebbe, one of the surgery could be done in Israel, it people in shul yelled out “zatzal!” I didn’t react. was preferable to travel to Brussels, After the maamer he came over to me and angrily asked, “How do where the best doctor for this type of you mention the Rebbe without saying “zecher tzaddik l’v’racha?” operations lives. Dr. Jacques Brotchi “If you were saying something over from R’ Chaim Brisker would has treated several famous you say zatzal?” I countered. government figures including the He said, “That you wouldn’t say zatzal on R’ Chaim doesn’t matter king of Morocco. to me because there could be many reasons for that, but the fact that “When we brought up the idea of you don’t say it for the Rebbe is because you think the Rebbe is chai traveling abroad, my mother v’kayam, and that’s what upsets me.” absolutely refused. ‘I’m never I said coolly, “Tell me, is this Russia that you want to tell me what I particularly keen on flying and under can and cannot think?” Then I tried to explain it to him with sources the circumstances – in a wheelchair etc. and in pain - I’m much more afraid Before we parted I said to him, “Look at how the Rebbe conquers to fly.’ My father shared her the world. Before Gimmel Tammuz you spoke against Lubavitch and reservations, and was also anxious against the Nasi HaDor with tremendous opposition. Today, your battle about how we would manage in is focused only on wanting us to say that the Rebbe is a tzaddik and Belgium where we didn’t know that mentioning him is for a blessing!” anybody and didn’t speak the The very fact that this point that annoys the Misnagdim so much is language. It was also hard for him to indicative of its importance. We must deal with this. If the Rebbe in fact leave his shiurim in Gemara and is chai v’kayam, it may well be that the focus of our avoda today is halacha in the Shaarei Chesed specifically to promote this belief that the Rebbe is chai v’kayam. neighborhood, shiurim that began at five in the morning and ended late at night. Obviously, the more you “We didn’t know what to do but strengthen your mother’s trust in we had to make a decision on the Hashem, the Healer of all flesh spot. The doctor who examined her who does wonders, in that much warned, ‘You must operate greater measure and earlier, will immediately; if you don’t, the come the success. paralysis can spread to the rest of The Rebbe also referred to travel: the body.’” Regarding the suggestion of *** traveling to … etc. the solution is It was evening. In another few in your hands. What I mean is that minutes, R’ Yitzchok Wolpo would if you decide with the requisite be returning from Maariv and strength to spread traditional Benny Fischer, immediately calling Tel HaShomer Judaism there – and its ultimate director of Magen L’Choleh hospital to give his consent (or purpose and main aspect - refusal) for the operation. regarding taking practical action, of your mother will be mentioned Rebbetzin Ashkenazi decided to and without paying attention to the at the holy gravesite of the Rebbe, write to the Rebbe. She requested a difficulties which you encounter my father-in-law for the success of bracha and asked whether they when you want to act on behalf of the medical treatment. May it be should go to Belgium or remain in our Torah, the Torah of life and its that just as you wrote the request, Israel and do the operation there. mitzvos, then the idea is a proper you should write good news about The answer in the Igros Kodesh was and good one. (Igros Kodesh vol. this. amazing. The Rebbe wrote: 19, p. 309) Then the Rebbe gave advice At an auspicious time the name “That made it clear to us,” said about how to ensure success:

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how could he travel abroad with my PALESTINIANS IN BRUSSELS mother when she was in a If the Wolpo and Ashkenazi family thought that by leaving Eretz wheelchair and in terrible pain? Yisroel they could forget their security problems for a while, they were “It’s hard to describe my mistaken. A fifth of the residents of Brussels are Arabs! There is emotions as I wrote to the Rebbe practically a Palestinian state right there in the city. Unfortunately, the again. I put the letter into the same magnificent shul of Rabbi Azriel Chaiken (until he left for a position in volume and opened to page 416. the ) is in the heart of this Palestinian state. A few Jews keep This time too, the Rebbe’s answer the minyan going with mesirus nefesh. was amazingly precise: When the Wolpo brothers wanted to go to the mikva, they needed May the trip be in a good and an escort to accompany them through the neighborhood which the auspicious time in all its details Chabad Chassidim call “Jibaliyah.” and inner point - that through it “When you walk into the neighborhood you feel like you’re entering will be added in spreading Judaism Gaza,” says R’ Sholom Dovber Wolpo. “It’s the same faces, the same in general and spreading the buildings, the same sights. I have incredible respect for those few wellsprings outwards in particular. people, including some young Lubavitchers with Moshiach yarmulkes, And they should utilize the time who go to Rabbi Chaiken’s shul and the mikva in the basement, even spent here, in the terminology of on Shabbos when they have to walk a long way through this scary Chazal, “the way it should be neighborhood. They have had rocks thrown at them and were saved done” - with joy and goodness of miraculously. When we came to Brussels, they told us to be very careful heart. May we soon merit the of the Arabs and not to draw attention to ourselves. We saw them fulfillment of the promise of “with everywhere at the hospital. An Arab passed us in a hospital corridor and calm and tranquility,” that we all he made a victory sign and said in English, ‘Palestine will win.’ return with calm and tranquility to “One night, my sister went to a shiur and I stayed with my mother. our holy land with Moshiach My sister arrived at one in the morning and I wanted to leave the Tzidkeinu very soon. I await good hospital and go to the hotel but by the time I got downstairs they had news in all the above … closed the main doors. I had to walk through the large complex to “I called my parents and told another building where I could leave by a side door in the emergency them the Rebbe’s answer. When they room. heard that there was an explicit “My car was parked near the main entrance, but this door opened answer, they agreed to the trip and to a completely different area than I was familiar with. I saw a van with things moved into high gear.” two guys sitting in it but it was dark and I couldn’t see their faces. I The family had to contact Dr. asked them how to get to the main parking lot and they invited me to Brotchi and the hospital. Here Rabbi get inside and they would take me there. Benny Fischer, director of Magen “On the way I said I was from Israel and explained the reason for L’Choleh of Yerushalayim, got my being in Brussels. When they dropped me off I said, ‘In Israel we involved. He spoke with the doctor say ‘toda rabba’ - thank you.; They looked at me with hatred in their and the hospital and arranged for an eyes (there was light over there and I could see them clearly) and said, operation in three days. The next “And we say shokran (thanks in Arabic). We are Palestinians.” I got out hurdle was passports - they had of the van without saying another word and when I drove out of there I expired five years before. R’ Sholom thanked G-d that I emerged intact from the lion’s den. Dovber came to the rescue and within a few hours they had new passports. Rebbetzin Ashkenazi. “We had to maintained that the Rebbe directed That day they contacted the travel to Belgium and spread us to travel and spread Judaism. We Rebbe’s shliach in Brussels, Rabbi Judaism. all knew we had to decide quickly; Mendel Shmuel Pinson. R’ Pinson “I told my family about the the danger was great and each said he would take care of their stay answer and to my surprise, some passing day could be critical. in Brussels and they could relax. It supported me while others disagreed “The doctors at Tel HaShomer was Wednesday, 26 Cheshvan, and said that the Rebbe answered pressured us for an answer. My 5763/2003, when the Wolpo family that if we want to travel, then to go father said the trip to Belgium would went to Brussels. and spread the wellsprings but it be hard for him with the language, The family describes R’ Pinson wasn’t a direct answer to go. I accommodations, and expense, and “like an angel from heaven.” “He helped us constantly,” said R’

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Sholom Dovber. room, amazingly calm “R’ Pinson had people thanks to the Rebbe’s waiting for us at the brachos. At that same airport who took care of time, in many locations everything, including a around the world, special vehicle which grandchildren and great- could accommodate a grandchildren prayed at wheelchair. We were the graves of tzaddikim taken to an apartment and said T’hillim. Bli where lunch was waiting ayin ha’ra, Rabbi and for us on the table. The Mrs. Wolpo have next day, R’ Pinson went grandchildren on with us to the hospital shlichus throughout and stayed until the Israel and from Siberia to entire lengthy admittance Moscow, to procedure was arranged, Thailand. and even a private room. “The doctors said it His wife cooked delicious would take time for the food every day for the operation to begin entire family. Arriving because of last minute home at six o’clock from tests and preparations. a tiring day of work, she They estimated that the would cook for us and operation itself would then call us to come by first start in an hour,” Rabbi Wolpo with Dr. Jacques Brotchi and get it. We told her said Rebbetzin not to cook so much and Ashkenazi. “I used the time that we had food left over from the was still great danger that if the for mivtzaim. Even when on day before, but she said, ‘If you tumor grew, then any little damage mivtzaim back in Eretz Yisroel, I don’t come and get it, I’ll bring the done to the spine could cause found it hard to smile when my food myself.’ tremendous and irreversible harm to mother was suffering, and now it “On Thursday and Friday many the rest of the body. was much harder.” tests were done. The doctors were On Shabbos, Dr. Brotchi came While the operation was unsure about what to do and we for the first time to examine the underway, the family waited in Mrs. could see that they were worried patient. He said the operation would Wolpo’s room. They were all there, about how things would work out. be moved up from Monday to her husband, daughter and sons, This made our mother nervous. She Sunday. “Monday could be too reciting T’hillim intently for over five was no longer young - she was late!” He told the family that even hours. Then the doctor appeared approaching eighty. My sister though the operating rooms were and announced, “The operation is reassured and encouraged her, not in use on Sunday, he would over. It was much more complicated reminding her of the Rebbe’s answer open them himself and bring a than we originally thought. We will about trust in Hashem being the key special team. “I will do everything I only know how it went tomorrow to success.” can to save your mother.” morning and then we’ll be able to The entire family was 100% sure “On Shabbos I was alone at the assess the likelihood of her being that the Rebbe’s bracha would be hospital with my mother, faced with able to stand again.” fulfilled in its entirety and she would the responsibility of telling her about At seven in the evening, the recover fully. The worrisome part the truth of her condition,” said family was allowed to enter the ICU was the suffering she was going Rebbetzin Ashkenazi. “In the to see her. It was a scary sight. She through and what awaited her with afternoon I explained what the tests was hooked up to many machines, the operation and the recovery had shown. She was understandably breathing with a respirator, and in process afterwards. very agitated, and I read the Rebbe’s pain. Fifteen minutes later they were After candle lighting Friday night answer to her again and again.” told the visit was over. In the the results of the tests came back. On Sunday, at ten in the morning, the doctor came as Though the news that the tumor was morning, Mrs. Wolpo, accompanied promised and declared that the benign was very encouraging, there by her family, entered the operating operation was a success and he was

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sure she would recover. The tension BESURAS HA’GEULA immediately vanished and everybody AT THE HOSPITAL IN BRUSSELS shed a tear in thanks to Hashem. “We stayed on for another ten Upon their arrival in Brussels, Rebbetzin Ashkenazi and her two difficult days,” relates R’ Sholom brothers began to think about how to go about doing mivtzaim in a Dovber. “My mother suffered strange city. Rebbetzin Ashkenazi relates: tremendously and every move was “I took material in Hebrew and English along with me from Israel painful. Physiotherapists came to re- and Rabbi Pinson gave us material in French, the dominant language in teach her how to move her legs. It Belgium. Every day I would go to the different departments and ask the was very hard since they hadn’t yet nurses whether there were any Israelis or Jews there. At first they removed the cast from her fracture. looked at me suspiciously but as time went on I learned to preface by “Before we left the hospital my saying that I was from Israel and my mother was hospitalized there father gave Dr. Brotchi a silver cup. before I got to my point. The doctor, a warm hearted Jew, “Some avoided answering me but there were nurses who cooperated was very moved and said he would and I spoke with many Israelis and Jews. I had a common language make kiddush with it on Shabbos. with the Israelis. With the locals I tried to speak in English and if they May he continue in his work in did not understand, at least they got reading material. I spoke a lot saving people’s lives. about Judaism and mitzva observance and about the Rebbe. “The trip to Israel was a carefully “During our stay, R’ Pinson arranged some shiurim for us. I gave a executed operation. My mother was shiur to Israeli women who work or whose husbands work at the confined to a bed where she had to Foreign Ministry and Defense Ministry in Brussels. I told them about remain motionless throughout the my mother’s illness and the Rebbe’s answers and read the answer from flight. I can’t begin to describe our the Igros Kodesh. At the end of the shiur some of them came over to apprehensions and the problems we me and asked that I write to the Rebbe for them. We opened to on- faced but, with Hashem’s help, and target answers and brachos. thanks to the Rebbe’s brachos, we “My brothers Sholom Dovber and Menachem were busy too. made it.” Menachem stood at the main entrance to the hospital and looked Mrs. Wolpo went to a rehab carefully at whoever walked in. Many Jews who passed by and saw a center in Tel Aviv where she had religious looking Jew said hello and he spoke to them about mitzvos physiotherapy treatment for two and and gave out brochures. a half months. When the head “At a farbrengen in R’ Pinson’s shul he told the crowd that a doctor at the rehab center examined yeshivas Tomchei Tmimim should be started in Brussels. Menachem the medical records, Mrs. Wolpo also went to for a day and farbrenged with the talmidim in said to him that as far as she knew, . only one out of a thousand of these “My brother Sholom Dovber gave a shiur to the employees of the operations was successful. He Israeli embassy and other mekuravim, once for men and once for responded, “You are mistaken. In women. He also reviewed a maamer in R’ Pinson’s shul on the two your serious condition, maybe one Shabbasos that he was in Brussels and gave a shiur in Nigleh to the out of 100,000. You did the right b’nei Torah with the participation of Rabbi Azriel Chaiken, the rav of thing by having the operation done the city.” by Dr. Brotchi of Belgium.”

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chassid

explain things articulately. Radaz related: When I left the Rebbe I didn’t recognize myself. I I AM THE suddenly began speaking normally and it became obvious to me where this ability came from. When I returned home and reviewed the three maamarim that REBBES I heard from the Rebbe, everybody was flabbergasted and I said to them, “I am the Rebbe’s ‘golem.’ The Maharal of Prague created a golem out of dirt and the Rebbe GOLEM created a golem out of flesh.” When the Rebbe Rayatz relates this (Seifer HaSichos summer 5700 p. 32) he concludes: “We who remember R’ Dov Zev with The rav of Yekatrinislav before Rabbi his articulate speech have some Levi Yitzchok Schneersohn was Rabbi idea of the good reward of a Chassid who devotedly seeks the Dov Zev Kazavnikov, known as Radaz, welfare of others.” (A similar thing happened in or R’ Bere Volf, as the Chassidim 1957 with a Chassid who had speech problems and asked the referred to him. Rebbe for a bracha. The Rebbe told him – Igros Kodesh vol. 14, p. HIS CHILDHOOD them Siddur and to tell them 49 – In response to your letter in AND EDUCATION stories from the Gemara and which you write about your Midrash. manner of speech, surely you Radaz was born and raised in a Radaz did this for three or four know the story from the Rebbe, small settlement near Dubrainka years but it was very hard for him my father-in-law about R’ Zev (the Chernigov district). In this to speak and as time went on Dov Kazavnikov and therefore yishuv lived scholars and great speaking became more and more you should learn diligently in Chassidim who were proficient in difficult for him. When he was general and particularly in Divrei Nigleh and Chassidus. orphaned of his father he became Elokim Chayim, i.e. Toras His early Chassidic education seriously speech impaired. HaChassidus, and this will was provided by the Chassid, R’ However, he did not stop learning hasten your cure through the Yoel Zalman who was one of the and farbrenging with the simple success of medical treatment.) great Chassidic scholars of the people. yishuv. R’ Yoel Zalman implanted fine character traits in his talmid LEARNING WITH to always be concerned for others. THE REBBE’S GOLEM R’ By the time he was twelve years When he turned 17, Radaz In 5618/1857 the Tzemach old, Radaz had acquired quite a bit went to Lubavitch to the Tzemach Tzedek sent Radaz to Rabbi Hillel of knowledge of Shas and was Tzedek. In yechidus he told the of Paritch. Radaz stayed with R’ proficient in many midrashim of Rebbe about what he did with the Hillel for a long time as a yosheiv Chazal. simple people and that it was hard and received guidance from him in In this yishuv lived many simple for him since he was speech the study of Chassidus and the families who did not even know impaired. The Rebbe thought and ways of Chassidus. the simple meaning of words of then said: Continue what you have When he arrived, R’ Hillel prayer. Radaz was very bothered been doing with them; you should assigned him to two older men to by this and out of compassion for be a melamed. And the Rebbe explain to him the general ways of them he set aside time to teach blessed him with the ability to Chassidus, “oislernen dem

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Chassidish’n alef-beis” (to learn the Chassidishe alef-beis). They mainly told him stories of the Rebbeim and elder Chassidim. They repeated each story several times until he knew the details perfectly. Then they would ask him what area of rectifying middos, fear of heaven, and apprehending the Creator he could learn from the story. They would teach him to exert himself in this as in in-depth learning and then they told him what R’ Hillel said on the matter. (Igros Kodesh Admur Rayatz vol. 4, p. 51 and on)

HIS BRILLIANCE AND HUMILITY Radaz was known as an awesome genius in Nigleh and Chassidus and although he was physically short, his spiritual stature was extremely high. Despite his genius he was exceedingly modest and did not engage much in exegetical debate in Nigleh and would act very humbly (as the great Chassidic rabbanim did in those days). Occasionally, when his position compelled him to, he would display his tremendous powers and prodigious scholarship. Even then, he did so with his characteristic humility and lofty awe of heaven. that the listeners felt as though soul takes it. He spoke for a long they saw the scene themselves, time and those present did not HE SPOKE PEARLS especially when he told a story. He sense the passage of time.” Radaz was famous for his would describe the happening until The Rebbe Rayatz concludes: articulateness. His explanations in the entire scene was vivid in the “I saw it as if in a vision. He Chassidus were superb. He had an minds of the listeners and made a depicted the G-dly soul, the amazing capacity for description tremendous impression on them.” intellectual soul, and the animal and when he explained and In another place (Seifer soul like an adult explaining things described something, the listeners HaSichos 5701 p. 54) the Rebbe to a small child. felt as though they saw it with writes: their own eyes. “Radaz once farbrenged and A HOLY MAN, A The Rebbe Rayatz had this to explained what it means when a WONDER WORKER, AND say about his verbal abilities: Jew prays. He explained the idea of (Seifer HaSichos 5704 p. 83): “know before whom you stand” – BAAL TZ’DAKA “Radaz was outstanding in his how the G-dly soul understands Radaz was famous as a holy exquisite speech. Whatever he said, this and how the intellectual soul man and was known as a wonder even deep topics, he explained so understands it, and how the animal worker. Many legends were

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visited Charkov as shadar, R’ HOLY MAN Yechiel heard how he spoke about Radaz was known as a holy man. When more than twenty years Chassidim and Chassidus and was after his passing the government planned on destroying the cemetery, very inspired by this and his remains had to be transferred under the supervision of Rabbi Levi immediately went to Lubavitch Yitzchok. Those involved were astonished to discover that his body was (Seifer HaSichos 5705 p. 26). whole as though he had just been buried. R’ Boruch Shifrin related that in one of his many conversations with HIS HISKASHRUS R’ Levi Yitzchok in Alma Ata, he asked whether it was correct that R’ AND BITTUL TO Levi Yitzchok had participated in transferring the body of Radaz. R’ THE REBBE RASHAB Levi Yitzchok affirmed that he had been involved and that he himself had transferred the body to the new cemetery. The funeral took place After the passing of the Rebbe secretly in fear that the government would force them to transfer the Maharash, Radaz became body to the museum because of the rarity of its intactness. mekushar to his son, the Rebbe R’ Boruch related: When we spoke about this, it was a few days Rashab and he would go to before the passing of R’ Levi Yitzchok. I expressed wonder about a Lubavitch frequently. Radaz was Chassid reaching such a high level. R’ Levi Yitzchok explained that the completely battul to the Rebbe level of a Chassid is very high, especially a Chassid such as he was, and Rashab and the Rebbe Rayatz he praised him very highly. describes in one of his sichos In that conversation, R’ Levi Yitzchok spoke about the lofty spiritual (Likkutei Dibburim vol. 1 p. 105) level of “love in delights” and explained that the yira (fear) given from that in his childhood in Above is on a higher level than ahava (love) and he brought proof to 5647/1887, he saw the this from the Igeres HaKodesh of Tanya. tremendous submission and the Concluded R’ Boruch, how surprised I was when after some time I majestic awe of the senior saw that this inyan is brought in Tanya in the daily shiur as it is divided rabbanim and Chassidim like over a year, for the day of 20 Av (although R’ Levi Yitzchok had no Radaz (and others) towards his natural way of knowing that the Rebbe Rayatz had made such a father, the Rebbe Rashab, and this division that very year on the other side of the world), the day R’ Levi made a tremendous impression on Yitzchok passed away. him. In one of his letters (vol. 4 p. 247) the Rebbe Rashab calls him recounted about him as a holy CHASSID OF THE “my true beloved and friend.” The Rebbe Rashab related man who did miracles. He ate REBBE MAHARASH and slept little and davened at (Seifer HaSichos kayitz 5700 p. Radaz was one of the young length and with d’veikus until 32): Once, the Chassid Radaz Chassidim of the Tzemach Tzedek late in the day. For most of the came to me to farbreng. I asked and one of the distinguished rest of the day he would be him: What is a Chassid? Chassidim of the Rebbe Maharash. wrapped in tallis and t’fillin and He answered: A Chassid is The Rebbe Rayatz once said sit and learn Nigleh, Chassidus, someone who is devoted to seeking about Radaz (Seifer HaSichos and Kabbala. the welfare of others. That is the 5703 p. 104), after hearing him He had a compassionate heart education and guidance of the review a maamer of the Rebbe and every unfortunate person senior Chassidim, to implant in the Maharash with his articulate who came to him was responded children of the Chassidim the explanations, “Each word of my to, to the best of his ability. His feeling of seeking the welfare of grandfather’s maamarim was a house was always empty of life’s others, with devotion. For this wellspring of living waters to him.” necessities and the leaders of the devoted labor they receive the best In 5629/1869, Radaz was community had to give his reward. appointed the Rebbe Maharash’s monthly salary to his wife Radaz told how this happened shliach and shadar and he would because otherwise, by the time he to him, how by his being devoted review Chassidus in towns got home he was empty handed, to others he began to talk normally (Likkutei Dibburim vol. 4 p. having given all the money to the – And the Rebbe Rashab 752:2). The way the chazan R’ poor. concluded, “A Chassid is someone Yechiel Halperin came to who devotes himself to seeking the Lubavitch is that when Radaz welfare of others.”

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In 5661/1901, the Rebbe The following year they would “Awesome is the grief of my Rashab chose the rabbanim Radaz check to see how they had soul upon the taking from us of and R’ Dovid Tzvi Chein to judge progressed in their learning. our true beloved, our friend the and resolve the arguments that had Radaz attended the wedding of Radaz z”l., such that ‘in hiding arisen regarding some wills that the Rebbe Rayatz on 13 Elul does my soul weep’ over this had been entrusted to him. 5657/1897 in Lubavitch. At one of wonderful pearl that was lost from the sheva brachos he visited the us, may his soul be bound up in HIS VISITS TO chassan together with some of the the bond of [eternal] life.” LUBAVITCH senior and distinguished members After his passing the Rebbe of Anash. He told the Rebbe Rashab wrote to the community in When Radaz visited Lubavitch Rayatz what he remembered about Yekatrinislav that they should take and met with the great Chassid the sheva brachos of his father, the care of his wife and household and and maskil, R’ Chaim Ber Rebbe Rashab in Elul 5635/1875. give her a monthly stipend so she Vilensky, the two of them would The Rebbe Rayatz heard many could support herself and her sit together and talk about inyanei stories from Radaz and quotes family. He also instructed them to Chassidus and would relate stories. them often in his sichos and appoint a rav who would be suited In yeshivas Tomchei Tmimim in letters. to the true desire of Radaz and Lubavitch they would bring the this would be a fitting memorial great rabbanim and scholars every HIS FINAL DAYS for his good name. And he year to test the talmidim in Nigleh. suggested Rabbi Levi Yitzchok Radaz lived an exceptionally Among them were Radaz and Schneersohn, the Rebbe’s father, long life and until his final days he Radatz and others. They would to serve as his successor. In fact, davened at length and learned test the talmidim and write an after much effort, R’ Levi Yitzchok Torah. He passed away on 27 assessment of their learning and was chosen as the successor of Teves. The Rebbe Rashab wrote give them a program of learning. Radaz. about his passing:

[Continued from pg. 60] about many topics in Judaism. above the limitations of nature and Towards the end of the yechidus, accomplishes acts that are that they share. one of the students asked, “Is it true considered wondrous and that the Rebbe has supernatural supernatural. The question is to DOES THE REBBE HAVE powers?” what degree a person brings this SUPERNATURAL The Rebbe answered: “The truth ability – which exists in his potential is, every Jew has the potential to – to fruition.” POWERS? control nature because every Jew has The tzaddik fully actualizes the I’ll conclude with how the Rebbe a G-dly soul which is connected with G-dly connection with the Creator, himself explained the secret of the the infinite Creator Who is above and this hastens the true and power of the tzaddik ha’dor: nature. By fulfilling Torah and complete Geula, which is the job of A group of students had yechidus mitzvos, a person connects to the our generation. with the Rebbe and they asked him infinite Creator and is raised up

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profile THE ART OF CHASSIDUS

By Nosson Avrohom He loved drawing when he was a child growing up in Russia. Until his teens, he didn’t even know he was Jewish, but once he did, he took an interest in his roots. He discovered, to his surprise, that all the greatest artists were Jewish. He came to Chabad, became a Chassid and today he promotes his work in the artist quarter of Tzfas. He is a model of a Chassidic artist and is a source of inspiration to others.

It is peaceful and serene in the playing a clarinet. A pair of children gates of Russia opened, I read alleyways of the Old City of Tzfas. ran over from a nearby courtyard somewhere that Tzfas is where Even a resident of Tzfas who has and stood there waving their hands kabbalists and artists live so we lived there for years will still rhythmically as if in a rehearsed chose to come here.” experience a wonderful sense of performance. For the musical R’ Kaspinov was born to a inspiration and mystery. In this performance alone it was worth the Jewish family in Moscow at a time section of the city live the artists walk, I thought. Then I met a Jew when the word Jewish was a who offer their wares in a in Chassidic garb who was learning dangerous one in the Soviet Union. cobblestoned alleyway. The narrow the daily portion of Rambam next “In my childhood, I heard my alleyways have an atmosphere of a to the display of his paintings grandmother talking with my aunt bygone era and the winding streets available for sale. and my mother a few times in a reveal surprises to whoever visits The Chassid’s name is language that I did not know. It them. Menachem Mendel Kaspinov. I was only when I grew older that I After half a year of living in engaged him in conversation and realized it was Yiddish. Until I was Tzfas I decided to tour the oldest within a few minutes realized that 14 I did not know that I was section of the city. I headed he wasn’t just another artist but a Jewish. There was one thing that towards the Artist’s Colony. A Chassid whose inspiration is drawn they were particular about at home melody piqued my senses and as I from his deep study of Chassidus. and that was to eat matza on turned a corner I saw a musician “Twenty years ago, when the

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heritage once the communist hegemony collapsed. Newspapers became more informative and I learned that in other countries there was flourishing Jewish life. There were news items about the power of Jews in the United States and how there was Judaism in Russia, too, and even in Moscow. “At a certain point, my parents realized there was nothing to fear and they told me that I was Jewish and everything they had heard from their parents about Eretz Yisroel and Torah and mitzvos. They even apologized for hiding my Jewishness from me and said they did it because they were worried and wanted to protect me. They told me about the persecution they experienced in their childhood and since they didn’t want this to be my lot, they chose to hide my Jewish identity from me. “At this time, I developed my artistic talent. Since kindergarten I had demonstrated an impressive ability to draw. My father was a pilot for the Soviet airline and planes and flying were frequent topics of conversation in our home, so most of my drawings were about this. At the recommendation of my preschool teacher, my parents sent me to art courses where I excelled. I was sent to an art school where I Pesach. The matza was bought highest classes at school I found a also studied theater, and through the official community book categorized as “Jewish” called throughout, I always sought offices and we ate it along with Sholom Aleichem. excellence. bread. Nobody explained to me the “This book was old and moldy “When I finished school I went significance of matza. I thought it and it discusses some religious to a special institute for the was an ancient Russian tradition to ideas. I found out about Sukkos theatrical arts where I successfully eat a flour and water cracker that and other holidays in Tishrei, but completed a course in theatrical did not rise. what were they about? I wanted to scenery production. It’s interesting “At a certain point I began to know, to understand and gain more that with all my success in art, my realize that I belonged to the Jewish information, but I had no idea how desire to find out about my Judaism people. I tried with all my might to to go about it. I thought perhaps only grew. Art was my entire world. understand what this meant, in Judaism was a kind of religion or I would take part in student what way I was different than nation that no longer existed. I was exhibitions and each time, I noticed others because I was Jewish; what very curious. Every time the word that Jewish artists achieved the were the customs or traditions of “Jew” or “Judaism” was mentioned greatest success and were the most Jews, but I did not know where to in the newspaper, I would read the talented. A light flashed in my get this information. My parents item again and again. mind. could not help me. In one of the “I learned more about my “Each time I met a Jew I

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She was the librarian and was PRAYERS FOR A CHILD IN 770 already deeply involved in Jewish For seven years the Kaspinovs did not have children and they were life. After learning at the Chabad very concerned. shul Marina Roscha for two years, “In 5757, my wife decided we had to travel to the Rebbe, to be in she helped me better understand 770 and ask for a bracha. Before we bought tickets we each wrote to the roots of the Jewish people and the Rebbe separately, through the Igros Kodesh. Our initial idea was strengthened my desire to deepen to go for Chanuka, especially since there was an organized group of roots of my own. After half a year women from Tzfas who were going. My wife opened to a letter about we decided to marry. She made the miracle of Chanuka. three conditions: Shabbos “The answer I opened to, though, was about a Yud Shvat observance, for me to undergo a farbrengen and the Rebbe wrote ‘surely you will see fit to participate bris, and kashrus. We got married in that farbrengen.’ on 27 Elul, 5750/1990. “In light of these answers, we decided that she would go for “It was hard for me to keep the Chanuka with the group, and I would go for Yud Shvat. My wife conditions at first, until I returned to Eretz Yisroel and I left the same day. understood more about them.” “One year later, on 28 Teves, 5758, my wife gave birth to our son. Four months after their “We figured out at the bris, which took place on 6 Shvat, that my marriage the young couple decided wife had been in 770 on the date of his birth the year before, and I to make aliya. They were interested had been there on the date of his bris. We saw this as the acceptance in the holy city of Tzfas. R’ of our prayers. Kaspinov attended the shiurim of R’ “We had decided to name him Levi Yitzchok. We thought it was a Dovid Notik at Ascent regularly, nice name and we considered it a z’chus to name him for the Rebbe’s and acquired a hiskashrus to the father. At the bris we found out that that day was the yahrtzait of Rebbe. Rebbetzin Chana, the Rebbe’s mother.” “Many of my paintings are of the alleyways of Tzfas. I was very taken by this city, by its hills and I would take part in student exhibitions the breathtaking scenery. I began to express my wonder in my art. I and each time, I noticed that Jewish spent many months painting the scenery and alleyways in oils.” artists achieved the greatest success and Before we got to talking about the paintings that he has for sale, were the most talented. A light flashed including many that are obviously Chassidic in nature (one of in my mind. traveling to the Rebbe caught my eye) I asked him to describe his connected with him and we became auspices of Chabad. style. friends; it was amazing. Out of “That year, I completed my “A style expresses the inner hundreds of people I could pick out studies at university and worked as meaning that the painter wants to the Jew in the crowd and connect an interior designer at a museum reveal and express. The artist will with him. I realized that the fact that operated under one of the call that scene to mind in a strong that the Jewish artists were always country’s big banks. Opposite the way, but they also have an leaders in the field must be a result museum was a movie theater that additional aspect to bring out. On of the depth of Judaism and not had an unused basement which they the one hand it’s not a copy of a simply a coincidence. I checked out gave to R’ Lokatchky and his picture; on the other hand, it’s not other artistic fields and saw that people. They built a Jewish library solely a product of creativity. It Jews led the way there too. and turned the place into a Jewish combines reality with imagination.” “I developed a serious center. I visited there to expand my R’ Kaspinov gets his inspiration connection with Judaism in 5747 Jewish knowledge. I spent hours for his paintings from Chassidus, when Lubavitcher Chassidim, upon hours sitting and avidly particularly from the maamarim headed by Rabbi Michoel reading books on history and and sichos of the Mitteler Rebbe Lokatchky, established a number of Jewish thought. and the Rebbe Rayatz. Jewish centers for youth under the “It was there that I met my wife. “In the past, before I was

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The Old City of Tzfas in a drawing by Menachem Mendel Kaspinov

religious, I thought that art is spirituality. It provided me with There is no Chassidus without great inner satisfaction and I did Chassidim and no Chassidim without not seek anything beyond it. I thought this was the real deal. Chassidus. You can’t be Chassidim Today, I know that painting is only a tool, one of the many instruments without being attached to the of expression that Hashem created. Judaism is real perfection. Torah wellsprings of Chassidus. A long beard and mitzvos are what express the truth and what I do is use the and certain kind of hat are not enough. abilities I was given to serve this goal.” all of them. I took pictures of they chose this painting and not In each of R’ Kaspinov’s Chassidim and studied them deeply other ones of scenery and sights in paintings, certainly in those for for a long time. Tzfas, they say that this painting sale, there is a lot of thought “After many days, a certain reminds them of their grandfather invested. picture became clear in my mind who kept Torah and mitzvos. “In every Lubavitcher home and I began drawing it. I decided to “There is another painting that I there are pictures of the Rebbeim draw a Chassid holding a book, in drew recently in which Chassidim and one day it occurred to me that line with what the Rebbe Rayatz are making their way to Lubavitch. we also need pictures of Chassidim, said: ‘There is no Chassidus There are many paintings that are role models, so we can look at them without Chassidim and no similar but when I drew this one, I and seek to emulate them. For a Chassidim without Chassidus.’ You had a certain goal in mind. I long time I thought about which can’t be Chassidim without being wanted to touch upon something Chassid I should draw – R’ Mendel attached to the wellsprings of essential in Toras HaChassidus – Futerfas? R’ Berke Chein? Chassidus. A long beard and certain hisbonenus (meditation). And so, Someone else? kind of hat are not enough. within the painting, above and “If I chose one of them, why “That painting was an instant below the picture, I included the him? I came up with the idea of success among the tourists in Mitteler Rebbe’s own writing from painting a Chassid who combines Tzfas. When I ask customers why Shaarei T’shuva where it talks

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Kaspinov engrossed in his painting, BE CAREFUL WITH ILLUSTRATIONS with brush and paints in hand. He “Don’t underestimate the power of art. You could have nice was removed from the chattering of children’s books with good Jewish content but the illustrations can be the many tourists walking by and dangerous. Parents and mechanchim don’t always consider how completely immersed in his work. I influential illustrations can be. In Russia of 100 years ago, a well- was amazed by his absolute known children’s author chose the world’s greatest paintings to concentration, and questioned him illustrate his books. When asked why he chose such expensive about it. paintings, he explained, ‘When the children grow up they will “Art is a deep expression of the remember the artwork as much as they remember what I wrote.’ soul. I can’t not paint. It’s a form of “Pay attention to what you bring into your homes!” expression of my thoughts and feelings. A painter doesn’t pay attention to what’s going on around him as he paints. Even if he is drawing background or the scenery around him, he puts his soul into it. I draw the same tree but put my soul into it.” In recent years, R’ Kaspinov has done a lot of research on the topic of art in Chassidus. He lectures in several places about the connections between the two. “By the Chabad Rebbeim we find a broad range of comments on art in general and painting in particular. These topics are discussed frequently, especially by the Mitteler Rebbe, the Rebbe Rashab and the Rebbe Rayatz. Painting is generally given as an example of the importance and impact of hisbonenus as a good way of strengthening one’s connection with Hashem. “The Mitteler Rebbe says that a Jew needs to disengage from this world and bond with Torah and mitzvos and find pleasure in them, just like an artist who sees the painting of another celebrated artist and takes pleasure in it. “We know the story that the Rebbe Rayatz tells about his father, the Rebbe Rashab, who visited an art exhibit and saw three special paintings, one of them of a battlefield. They saw another artist who was trying to copy this picture with his paintbrush but suddenly about the importance of Rebbe don’t waste their time; they fainted. He was so deeply hisbonenus. Instead of a sky and meditate.” unconscious that it was difficult to earth, I put in these quotes. At the makeshift gallery where rouse him, because he had been Chassidim on their way to the he sells his works, I found R’ immersed in the scene and had

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Left: A Chassid learning. Right: Chassidim traveling to the Rebbe.

experienced it intensely.” experience.” every answer I got only confused The letter of the Rebbe Rayatz R’ Kaspinov shares these me more. This is the first time that in which he relates this story was thoughts with tourists who choose I’m getting answers that satisfy me.’ selected by the Rebbe to be to stop near his paintings and get “The next day he came back and included in the publication into a conversation with him. asked for a lesson on Chassidus. At following the passing of the Rebbe During the interview, some of them the end of the shiur he decided to Rayatz, Hemshech 5711, from had their picture taken with him. learn art some other time - for now which R’ Kaspinov gathered its “A few weeks ago, a middle- he wanted all our lessons to be importance to the Rebbe. aged man asked whether he could about Chassidus. Perhaps all my R’ Kaspinov readily connects the study art with me. He said that he work in art and my being in the Old world of art to the Rebbe’s comes every week to Tzfas. I was City was only to light up his prophecy that the time for Geula happy to oblige and we studied art neshama, like in the story of R’ has arrived: together several times. Yosef the Wagon Driver.” “In the future, will “On , after a few *** be visual. We won’t only learn lessons in which I explained the At this point, R’ Kaspinov folded about G-dliness; we will see it. principles of art, I felt up his paintings and headed for the “Today, it is possible to see how uncomfortable because here we Canaan neighborhood of Tzfas. He this is beginning to happen. were, two Jews, sitting on a day like gives a shiur over the Internet Everything is becoming visual. this without saying a word of under the auspices of Lapid, an Those in marketing know that in Chassidus. I didn’t know how to organization which works with order to be successful, you have to get off the topic of art and on to Russian-speaking Jews all over the market your product in a visually the significance of Yud-Tes Kislev. world. appealing way. Everything that is Then Hashem gave me my opening. “There is a tremendous interest done today, is done in a way to At the end of our lesson, the man among immigrants from the CIS in attract your attention. The visual said he wanted to ask me some Torah and mitzvos. Regulars have world was never as powerful as it is questions about kabbala that had told me that they tried previously to today. been bothering him for a while. understand various concepts and “The same is true in k’dusha, “I saw that p’nimius ha’Torah were unsuccessful and these especially in art and design. There was something that spoke to him. shiurim have helped them. Many of are many artists who are drawing He shot questions at me and I tried them have become more committed Chassidic themes. In every sub- to answer them. After a long time to an observant way of life; may category of art there are artists he said, ‘For twenty years now I this be my reward.” whose work revolves around Jewish have been asking questions, and

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thought RECOGNIZING A TRUE LEADER

By Rabbi Yosef Karasik District Rav Bat Chefer – Emek Chefer What makes people admire a great man and consider him a “man of G-d?” Why did the Rebbe Rashab spend a fortune to buy a fancy walking stick for his son? * A fascinating look at the parsha from the perspective of Chazal, Kabbala and Chabad Chassidus.

In honor of Yud Shvat, the Yom repeating, “in the eyes of the excited are the ordinary people who Hilula of the Rebbe Rayatz, the servants of Pharaoh and in the eyes readily believe stories, (both factual column this week will examine the of the nation,” when they are already and fictitious). Intellectuals are Torah view of a leader. included in the previous phrase “the usually skeptical, and don’t believe All nations have respected land of Egypt?” so readily. It’s only after they leaders, but Jewish leaders are thoroughly check things out that special. Not only are they tzaddikim WHY ARE GREAT they acknowledge the person’s who are devoted to their flock, but PEOPLE ADMIRED? greatness. they have a deep soul connection However, when the admiration is with the people of their generation. The Meshech Chochma states for the individual’s tremendous Let us begin with the esteem the that there are two reasons to admire wisdom and outstanding middos, Egyptians had for Moshe Rabbeinu. a great person and to consider him a then the wise men are the first to The Torah says regarding the story man of G-d: 1) because of the recognize it and only afterwards of the Ten Plagues (11:3), “The man miracles that he does and 2) because does the man’s reputation become Moshe was very great in the land of of his tremendous wisdom, his known to the masses. Thus, the first Egypt, in the eyes of the servants of upright behavior and his elevated group is characterized by emotion Pharaoh and in the eyes of the middos. and excitement while the second nation.” Although admiration can be class is characterized by the intellect. The commentators ask: why does widespread, from the simplest Moshe Rabbeinu combined both this verse have that double phrase, in people to the wisest of men, there is advantages: 1) He performed the first part saying “and the man a difference in who is the first to miracles and wonders which earned Moshe was very great in the land of recognize a great man’s qualities: him the admiration of the masses, Egypt,” which ostensibly refers to When the admiration is a result but it was only after the further everybody in Egypt, and then of miracles, then the first to get miracles of the Ten Plagues that the

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rest of the nation also eventually took note. This is why the verse ends with words, “the man Moshe was great … in the eyes of the nation”; the masses were the last to recognize Moshe’s wisdom. Naturally, it wasn’t only the Egyptian nation and its wise men who esteemed Moshe but also the Jewish people. Let us look at a unique phenomenon: Sometimes, the people farthest from the person recognize his greatness before those who are closer to him. The Ramban says that while the Egyptians recognized Moshe’s greatness, there were Jews who found it hard to believe in Moshe and to listen to him (6:9 “and they didn’t listen to Moshe etc.”). This was partially a result of their anger at Moshe because of the worsening of their situation that ensued from his speaking to Pharaoh, as it says in the parsha that they complained to Moshe. However, in the end, after all the Painting by Yossi Rosenstein miracles and when the slavery was over, all the Jewish people believed Sometimes, the people farthest from the in Moshe. According to the Ramban, this is person recognize his qualities before what the verse means when it says, “and the man Moshe was very great those who are closer to him. While the in the land of Egypt, in the eyes of the servants of Pharaoh and in the Egyptians recognized Moshe’s greatness, eyes of the nation.” There are three stages in the public recognition of there were Jews who found it hard to Moshe: 1) “in the land of Egypt” – believe in Moshe and to listen to him. the Egyptian people 2) “the servants of Pharaoh” – his magicians and wise men 3) “in the eyes of the wise men of Egypt admitted that he man Moshe was very great in the nation” – the Jewish people. was a man of G-d. 2) His great land of Egypt” refers to the esteem wisdom, his outstanding middos, his of the ordinary people which humility, compassion and kindness resulted from the miracles of the GENTLE LEADERSHIP to others with mesirus nefesh, Plagues, while the magicians and As previously stated, the Jewish caused the wise men and magicians wise men still did not appreciate people had a hard time believing in to recognize his greatness and only Moshe. When he did more miracles, Moshe because of their suffering. To then did this spread to the masses, then even “the servants of Pharaoh,” encourage them to put their trust in who also came to revere Moshe’s the wise men and magicians, him, Hashem gave Moshe a special wisdom and middos. admired him. Once these people command: “and Hashem spoke to Now we can understand the intellectually appreciated his wisdom Moshe and Aharon and commanded double wording in the verse. “The and began to admire him for it, the them to the Jewish people.”

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spiritual connection between them is “The truth is, every Jew has the because they are one spiritual entity. potential to control nature... The The Alter Rebbe explains in Tanya (chapter 42): question is to what degree a person “Moshe Rabbeinu is one of the seven shepherds who cause vitality brings this ability – which exists in his and G-dliness to flow to the community of the souls of Israel, for potential – to fruition.” which reason they are called shepherds.” Just as Moshe provided According to the simple meaning of financially, the Rebbetzin asked why vitality for the members of his the verse, what was the command? he had spent so much on the gift. generation, so too “in every single It doesn’t say. Rashi explains – “He The Rebbe Rashab answered, “I generation, sparks of Moshe commanded them to lead them met an Admur and his son and when Rabbeinu come down and are vested gently and to tolerate them.” By I saw the difference between his son in the bodies and souls of the wise leading them patiently, the love that and our son, I was inspired to buy men of the generation, the eyes of they have for Moshe would surface. him a gift.” When the essential love the congregation,” as the Midrash At first, Yisroel “did not listen to was aroused for his son, there was cited in Tanya (chapter 1) says, Moshe,” because of “shortness of no room for calculations and he “Hashem saw the tzaddikim that spirit.” This “shortness of spirit” was bought the gift with great love. they were few and he planted them on the part of both the Jewish A stick symbolizes rule. Moshe in every generation.” The Tanya people, because of their lack of led the people with his stick, with explains (chapter 2) that they are patience due to the suffering, and which he performed signs and “heads of thousands of Israel whose Moshe, who spoke to them sternly wonders. There are two kinds of souls are the head and brain… and and rebuked them for their poor sticks, a stick that is used to strike the nourishing and life of the nefesh, spiritual state. people in a government of tyranny ruach and neshama of the ordinary Hashem commanded Moshe to and a stick of gentleness in a people is from the nefesh, ruach and “lead them gently,” to speak of their government of love and chesed. neshama of the tzaddikim and wise good qualities and to encourage When buying a silver handled men, the leaders of B’nei Yisroel of them with promises that Hashem stick, the Rebbe Rashab was giving their generation.” would help them. “Tell the Jewish his son the ability to lead the people The “Moshe” of every generation people that I am G-d … and I will with chesed and compassion and not is compared to a power station that take you out from beneath the with judgment and anger, since the produces electricity and sends it burdens of Egypt and I will rescue uniqueness of authentic Jewish along wires to every home. In order you from your labor and I will leaders is in their patience for their for the electric current to work and redeem you.” This aroused and people. the house to be lit up, you need to revealed their admiration and emuna turn on the switch. It’s similar for in their leader (from here we learn THE CHASSIDIC spirituality – Hashem created the spiritual-neshama force and placed it that in order to be mekarev Jews to APPROACH Hashem, we need to encourage within every Jew. In order for this them and not threaten them). The teachings of the Baal Shem force to illuminate and have an effect Tov and his disciples explain what a on the body, you have to locate the leader is and the connection between SILVER STICK right “switch” which gets those him and his people: spiritual forces to work. The Rebbe As related in Likkutei Sichos vol. The choice of a particular is the one who reveals the “switch” 4, p. 1326, the Rebbe Rashab and individual as the leader of his in every Jew. his wife Shterna Sara were once generation is no coincidence; it is The influence of a leader on his traveling from their home in directed from heaven. There is a people is not like the assistance one Lubavitch to another country and deep, inner connection between a person provides for another, that of the Rebbe bought his son (later to be leader and his people. They are a strong man for a weaker one, but the Rebbe Rayatz) a beautiful connected on a soul level. The like the help you give yourself. The walking stick with a silver handle. neshama of the leader is the aspect people are a spark of leader’s The gift was very expensive and of “head” and the neshamos of the neshama and he helps to perfect since they were struggling people are like the body, so the them through the inner soul-bond [Continued on pg. 51] 60 7 Shvat 5770 BEIS MOSHIACH