B”H. 6 Kislev 5775 • 28 November 2014 • Number 950 • Price: $6.00 • Part 2 of 2 The international weekly heralding the coming of Moshiach zalmen
AT THE FEAST OF THE LEVIASON D’VAR MALCHUS
UNCONVENTIONAL PRAYERS PARSHA THOUGHT “The single thing that is lacking is that a Jew should properly open up his eyes and see that MOSHIACH AND everything is already prepared for the redemption! There is CHINUCH already the ‘set table.’ There is BY RABBI the Leviasan, the Shor HaBar, GERSHON AVTZON and the Yayin HaMeshumar, and Jews are already sitting around the table…together with Moshiach Tzidkeinu.” (Shabbos Parshas VaYeitzei 5752)
B”H. 6 Kislev 5775 28 November 2014 • Number 950 Price: $6.00 • Part 2 of 2 LONG LIVE THE REBBE MELECH HA’MOSHIACH FOREVER AND EVER!
950_bm_eng.indd 02-03 25/11/2014 14:09:03 CONTENTS giving a gift to each student, imminent.” with stunning colorful pictures which an artist had drawn I asked permission to speak. I The next one was Sholomke, to depict a Geula world that then stood up and said with a the shy one of the class. would soon become our daily smile, “I think I have still not Surprisingly, he spoke with reality. introduced myself … My name confidence. “I remember the is Berele and I often write of my “Wow! It’s stunning!” and mystery of the invitations experiences for my classmates Moishy whistled his amazement. which is what established the and for all those who read Beis We all joined him. After we connection with your print Moshiach. shop. The message conveyed had calmed down a bit, Sholom “I especially remember the with that mystery was so hushed us and said, “Do you time I dreamed of a stroll in special and on the mark that know who wrote the words Shushan at the time that the I realized that we cannot get etched in the glass? These are Purim story was taking place. used to galus. Since then, I words that the Rebbe Melech When I entered the home of began talking and learning HaMoshiach wrote in one of 26 a boy in Shushan I was very more about Geula, and the galus his letters. The Rebbe said surprised to see that everything reality has become unacceptable about himself that even before looked ordinary and the boy, to me.” he went to yeshiva, he was FEATURED ARTICLES WEEKLY COLUMNS preoccupied with the future Mordechai was his name, After everyone finished Geula. We need to learn from helped me to understand that introducing himself and we THE MAN AND 3 D’var Malchus the Rebbe, especially when it it is the time that I live in, in reminisced about the Moshiach- 4 is an explicit instruction in which we are all living now, THE REVOLUTION 11 Moshiach & Geula related adventures we had had, the D’var Malchus of parshiyos which is the most special of all.” HE WROUGHT Sholom announced, “Now we Tazria-Metzora and Balak.” Shneur Zalman Berger 16 Parsha Thought will give out the special gift!” After Sholom finished 31 Crossroads We all stareded at tthehe boboxx 12 SHLIACH TO ACADEMIA which had beenen oopenedpened by Dr. Aryeh (Arnie) Gotfryd’s 34 Tzivos Hashem Sholom. He tookok ooutut ththee firrstst gift and waved iitt so we cocoulduld 20 SMALL EFFORTS all see it. Sholomom was hoholdinglding BRING BIG RESULTS ON a spectacular glglassass stanstandd SHLICHUS on which werere etchedetched thethe Rabbi Yaakov Shmuelevitz a”h following words:: “From the dayday 4 I went to cheider,ider, and eveevenn THE MANY CHABAD before, the pictureture of the finnalal 24 forming GATEWAYS TO HEAVEN Redemption startedtarted forming the Redemption Shneur Chaviv in my mind - the Redemption Beis Moshiach (USPS 012-542) ISSN 1082-0272 of the Jews ffromrom ththeireir lalastst THE POGROMS OF 5775 is published weekly, except Jewish holidays (only exile, a Redemptionmption in such once in April and October) for $160.00 in Crown a way that tthroughhrough it wiwillll 31 Sholom Ber Crombie Heights. USA $180.00. All other places for $195.00 be understood the sufferingssufferings per year (45 issues), by Beis Moshiach, 744 Eastern decrees Parkway, Brooklyn, NY 11213-3409. Periodicals of exile, the decrees postage paid at Brooklyn, NY and additional and the destructionuction offices. Postmaster: send address changes to ... And all will be inin Beis Moshiach 744 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn, NY a way that withith a 11213-3409. Copyright 2014 by Beis Moshiach, Inc. complete heart andand ding Beis Moshiach is not responsible for the content full understanding and Kashruth of the advertisements. it will be said on that day, ‘Thanknk 12 you G-d foror chastising me.’”” These special EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: ENGLISH EDITOR: Tel: (718) 778-8000 words were Fax: (718) 778-0800 M.M. Hendel Boruch Merkur 744 Eastern Parkway [email protected] decorated [email protected] HEBREW EDITOR: Brooklyn, NY 11213-3409 www.beismoshiach.org Rabbi S.Y. Chazan [email protected]
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950_bm_eng.indd 04-05 25/11/2014 14:09:07 D’VAR MALCHUS AT THE FEAST OF THE LEVIASON
From Chapter Seven of Rabbi Shloma Majeski’s Likkutei Mekoros (Underlined text is the compiler’s emphasis.)
Translated by Boruch Merkur
of your life” and “the Days of 13. The lesson and that the complete redemption is Moshiach (as Jews experienced instruction from the above is forthcoming]. throughout all the generations readily understood, especially in How much more [is this prior to this generation). Rather, our generation, our times: promise of the Torah binding the “all the days of your life,” the We have frequently and soon to be fulfilled] after life of every Jew – his physical mentioned what my revered having amassed “our deeds life as a soul in a body – surely father in-law, the Rebbe, leader and our service throughout includes “the Days of Moshiach” of our generation, said – that all the generations,” including (as well) without interruption, in addition to the fact that “all that of Rebbi Elazar ben Azaria for the redemption comes predicted dates [for the end in his time, and Rambam instantaneously, in this very of exile] have passed,” Jews in his time, and all the instant and in this very place have already done t’shuva and righteous Jews throughout all (even in the state of nighttime, everything has been completed, generations. Indeed, we have “entering into Mitzrayim”). including “polishing the also accumulated, in recent The redemption will unfold buttons.” All that remains is for generations, all the avoda of in a manner whereby the final G-d Alm-ghty to open the eyes our Rebbes, our N’siim, who moment of exile and the final of the Jewish people in order for descend from the dynasty of point of exile become the first them to see how the true and King Dovid from the tribe of moment and first point of complete redemption is already Yehuda, including the avoda of redemption. here and we are now sitting at my revered father in-law, the And every Jew goes directly the table set for the feast of the Rebbe, throughout the course of from “the days of your life,” in Leviason and the Shor HaBar, his seventy years of life in this these times and in this place, etc., etc. world (5640-5710). without any interruption at Thousands of years ago How much more so and all, G-d forbid (even if one the Jewish people descended kal v’chomer in our generation, is, for example, already more to Mitzrayim, as the verse in our time, after everything than seventy years old), in says, “These are the names has already been completed (as the ultimate way possible, of the Jewish people entering above), we have the full promise “Reuven and Shimon settled [in Mitzrayim.” Yet they openly of the Torah that there will Mitzrayim]; Reuven and Shimon experienced “geulas Yisroel – certainly be “‘(Remember the went out [from there],” in the the redemption of the Jewish day of your exodus from Egypt) continuation of “all the days of people.” Throughout all time all the days of your life’ – [“all your life” in the Messianic Era, thereafter, Jews, amidst their the days of your life”] coming to and the eternal life that will be state of exile, have been charged include the Days of Moshiach, then. with the avoda of drawing down the Messianic Era.” (From the address of Shabbos the redemption [and we have Simply speaking, there must Parshas Shmos, 21 Teives, 5752; the full promise of the Torah not be an interruption, G-d Seifer HaSichos 5752, pg. 256-257) forbid, between “all the days
Issue 950 • � 3
950_bm_eng.indd 3 2014-11-24 11:25:38 PM OBITUARY
THE MAN AND THE REVOLUTION HE WROUGHT
“R’ Mulle” was how R’ Shmuel Azimov, the Rebbe’s shliach to France, was known. He was mekarev thousands to Judaism, the Rebbe and Chassidus. Sadly, he passed away on 13 Cheshvan.
By Shneur Zalman Berger
4 � • 6 Kislev 5775
950_bm_eng.indd 4 2014-11-24 11:25:39 PM hose who saw the pictures of the airport in Paris, where hundreds of Chabad Chassidim waited in line to purchaseT tickets for flights to Eretz Yisroel so they could attend the continuation of R’ Mulle’s funeral, got a glimpse of the tremendous love his mekuravim have for him. The t’shuva revolution that R’ Shmuel and his wife Basya Azimov wrought is incomparable in the world of shlichus worldwide. France is home to the largest concentration of Jews in Europe. It developed as such over a number of years in which hundreds of thousands of Jews emigrated from various North African countries. This dynamic shliach was devoted wholeheartedly to the Rebbe and carried out his shlichus to the fullest extent, without compromises and without cutting corners. Troops of baalei t’shuva. Entire k’hillos. Men, women, and children. Literally. He transformed the lives of hundreds and even thousands who live today as G-d fearing Jews. A large percentage of them are Chabad Chassidim, shluchim, roshei yeshivos and mashpiim. In this article we will focus on the uniqueness of the huge revolution that R’ Azimov wrought among thousands of Jews through shiurim and true hiskashrus to the Rebbe as well as through group trips for Tishrei.
JUMPING INTO THE SEA OF SHLICHUS R’ Shmuel Azimov was born in Russia. His father was R’ Chaim
Photos by: Baruch Ezagui Hillel Azimov. When he was a baby, his family joined the groups of Chassidim who escaped across the border via Lvov. After a period of wandering and suffering, the family settled in Paris, France where his father began running a
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950_bm_eng.indd 5 2014-11-24 11:25:40 PM Obituary
THE FRENCH REVOLUTION Excerpts from the eulogy that was written by one of the authentic Chassidic life in Lubavitch and he would the European shluchim who lived in Paris in his youth transform them into Chassidim. The difficult work where he knew R’ Mulle: was done thousands of miles away from Beis Chayeinu, 1) The following scene is etched in my brain: The door by door, neighborhood by neighborhood. Kiruv Rebbe standing on the raised platform in 770, looking with love and Jewish pride. Another Tanya shiur at the screen opposite him on which was displayed and another shiur in Chassidus. Another mikva the simultaneous broadcast from five continents in this neighborhood and another yeshiva in that – “Chanuka Live.” It was another revolutionary neighborhood. But the “final blow” in the work of chiddush in which modern technology was harnessed kiruv was bringing them to the Rebbe. for holy purposes. On the screen it said “France” and Whoever was in 770 knew that these groups were emotion rises to the fore. Unlike the other locations clamorous. The warm feeling that flowed in their where dozens or hundreds gathered, in Paris there veins was felt in the atmosphere and sometimes also were thousands. by those in their immediate vicinity. They made every A mass of people surrounded the tall menorah effort not to miss a second of the hakafos, of the placed at the foot of the symbol of progress and March, or of the t’kios. Their fervor, even though freedom in France, the Eiffel Tower. R’ Mulle went most of them did not understand a word of what was up on a huge lift, going higher and higher, and when said at the farbrengens, did not weaken for a second. he reached the top of the menorah with the mayor of A firestorm of holiness and genuine hiskashrus burned Paris (City of Lights) he burst into singing “HaAderes within them. V’Ha’Emuna,” trembling with emotion. He knew that It was an opportunity for the Chassidim and other the Rebbe was watching him. The song spread and shluchim to get a glimpse into the power of R’ Mulle thousands joined in the victory march signifying the who invested everything he had to create Chassidim in heritage of the Alter Rebbe who overcame Napoleon. the form and image of the finest sons of Lubavitch. This “Didan Natzach,” the song which reverberated For the special and rare treatment that this group on the boulevard at the foot of the Eiffel Tower which publicly received from the Rebbe, on every occasion, runs toward the Élysée Palace intersecting the corner see the diaries from Beis Chayeinu from those years. of the Louvre museum, was for us children the acme of 3) Despite his great and impressive success, despite “is’hafcha” in France, from the mundane to the holy. the fact that he built an empire of mosdos and Chabad Then the Rebbe waved his hand forcefully. On houses, R’ Mulle conducted himself most simply. his face was a heavenly joy. He was clearly pleased He drove an old beat-up car and would not hear of with the flourishing that came after the “plowing and changing it for something more respectable. He lived sowing,” as Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka once put it on simply and modestly in a small apartment, very far a rare occasion when she spoke about those years in from the standard of minimal “prosperity.” which she and the Rebbe lived in Paris. R’ Mulle went to the main office of Beth Loubavitch 2) All those who “lived” the good years in Beis every day where he maintained the simplicity and Chayeinu remember the “group,” a synonym for modesty even as magnificent Chabad houses were “k’vutza,” that R’ Mulle would bring with him each built with donations from wealthy donors, when all it year to the Rebbe. A group which grew from year to would have taken would have been a nod of his head to year. get them to go all out to build him a beautiful office in He would collect precious Jewish souls dressed in the main headquarters of his mosdos in Paris. bodies and clothes that looked light years away from
Lubavitch school. Over a span of started reaching out to Jewish Judaism was abysmal. The thirty years, he taught hundreds students in Paris. average Jew chose to keep his of students. In 5724, he arranged shiurim distance from Judaism in order to R’ Mulle grew up in France of for Jewish students attending fit in socially, in academia, and in those days and he later attended various universities in Paris. At business. Most of them preferred Yeshivas Tomchei T’mimim in that time, Paris was a symbol to show up occasionally at shul Brunoy. Even as a bachur, he of modernity and the state of and some even put on t’fillin, but
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950_bm_eng.indd 6 2014-11-24 11:25:41 PM that was all. R’ Mulle, as a young students, businessmen, civil response to the French group bachur, began with working with servants and ordinary Jews who was unusual. He asked his them and did all he could to get began taking step after step secretary, R’ Chadakov to see them on the path of Torah. toward a religious life. With to proper accommodations for With the encouragement and time, the number of people giving all the members of the group. blessing of the Rebbe, he began the shiurim increased, with some During farbrengens, the Rebbe to ramp up the work among of them students of his who were turned his attention again and French Jews with the goal of now in a position to influence again to the group, told them spreading Judaism and Chassidus others. to say l’chaim together and to in Paris in particular, and France Over the years, the circle sing “HaAderes V’Ha’Emuna” overall. of mekuravim expanded and to the tune of La Marseillaise, He went to Beis Chayeinu became hundreds and thousands, the French national anthem, and and had yechidus in the course but the students in the first displayed many other kiruvim. of which the Rebbe encouraged circles recount with love and One of the outstanding him to continue his work with admiration how he cared for activists in Beth Loubavitch is the youth: “To study with the them like a father and mother. Chaim Nissenbaum. He has young men you started with, Up until a few years prior, they Nigleh and Chassidus and yiras had attended university while Shamayim.” The yechidus ended knowing next to nothing about and Mulle backed out in order their Judaism, and they had to respectfully leave the room. become Lubavitcher Chassidim. Then the Rebbe said a heavenly R’ Mulle, a warm and inspired statement: “You will have great Chassid, knew how to inspire success and the meaning of the French Jews. He farbrenged great success is success that is with them and had long soul inestimable.” discussions with them. These words injected him R’ Mulle knew that the with a particular strength so that “final blow” would be with indeed, over the years, Mulle their hiskashrus to the Rebbe. attained incredible success. In 5731 he arranged the first After a few years of outreach group of more than ten young men who went with him to the Mulle Azimov, first on the right, in a Gemara on a small scale, he married shiur given by R’ Yosef Goldberg in Brunoy Basya, the daughter of R’ Rebbe for Tishrei. The Rebbe’s Bentzion Shemtov, in 5728. After a short time he returned with his wife to Paris with an explicit order from the Rebbe to work among the Jews of Paris.
ON THE WAY TO LUBAVITCH When he returned to Paris, he began a new initiative through shiurim that he gave. He established shiurim in numerous places around Paris which were meant for students or academics who wanted to understand each subject in a rational fashion. He taught them Nigleh and Chassidus and these shiurim began a huge revolution among R’ Mulle (center) on Purim
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950_bm_eng.indd 7 2014-11-24 11:25:41 PM Obituary
MY RAV MULLE
By R’ Yehuda Koskas, Elad
I took the first steps toward Torah and and his personal touch. Over the years, he mitzvos for my bar mitzva. We lived in a continued to be a melamed. He taught alef- suburb of Paris. There was no Chabad house beis to little children and did the hachnoso and my parents asked the rav of the local shul l’cheder for all the boys. For years, he to prepare me for my bar mitzva. continued working as a teacher in a Sunday Learning with the rav of the shul had a School in Montmartre which his father, great effect on me. From my bar mitzvah R’ Chaim Hillel, ran. At the same time, on I began observing Torah and mitzvos everything was on his shoulders. He would gradually and under the guidance of the rav take loans in order to be able to help people whose name was R’ Maman. and to expand the mosdos. It wasn’t easy. I finished elementary school as a religious He was involved in every detail and ran it boy, and continued at ORT, a famous Jewish high all himself. Obviously, he was always very busy. He school in Paris. At ORT I was surprised to meet a large did not answer telephones and people would wait for group of boys my age who were making their first steps hours to be able to talk to him, when he left the room, toward Torah and mitzvos too. I asked them which in the local, before shiurim, afterward, but the moment rav they belonged to and they told me enthusiastically he was with you, he was solely with you. He would about a young Ashkenazi rabbi from Paris by the name take a real interest, always tried to help, and always of Mulle who was attracting masses of young people. gave you the feeling that he had all the time for you. They did not have to do much convincing since I very quickly joined the work at the local, as a their enthusiasm simply swept up everyone around volunteer, of course; Mulle made us all into soldiers of them. The next Sunday, I joined them for a shiur at the Rebbe. We were from the first workers at the Beth the local [premises in French, the nickname for the Loubavitch and did everything that had to be done. Chabad house] and after that, the concept “Rav Mulle” We worked and he gave orders. Then he appointed became a significant part of my life. people in charge of every sphere who continued to operate this big machine. The local was a huge baalei t’shuva machine like a massive vacuum which sucked in whoever passed by. The R’ Mulle that I knew was a public figure in the The enthusiasm, the joy, the d’veikus, and mainly the full sense of the word. He had no private life. People truth, the truth of R’ Mulle which swept up everything would call him in the middle of the night, and on that came in its path. The shiurim, the farbrengens, Shabbos, dozens of guests would “land” by him as a those were the most special farbrengens of my life. matter of course. They would go to the shul on Rue We would sing niggunim over and over, R’ Mulle kept de Rosiers 17, the shul where the Rebbe davened when the focus and there was nothing at the farbrengen he lived in Paris. This is where R’ Mulle regularly that veered from the point. Not jokes, not personal farbrenged on Shabbos. They would simply go home, “attacks.” He would say l’chaim but never lost along with him. He did not have a large home and control. It was not a Melaveh Malka of storytelling. every so often he would ask me whether I could take It all revolved around the message which he wanted some guests home with me because he did not have to convey, and the messages were sharp, simple and room for all of them. very radical. With R’ Mulle’s truth there was no Even after we left Paris and made aliya, R’ Mulle room for compromise. The Rebbe is life, Lubavitch continued to be in touch, inquiring about every detail, is truth, and spreading Judaism and Chassidus is the the chinuch of children was important to him. When derech. He instilled this in us again and again until it they got older and reached the age of shidduchim, it penetrated our bloodstream. We left those farbrengens was already after his first stroke and he did not feel with a tremendous desire to conquer the world. Every well and yet he still made inquiries and tried to help. farbrengen was a constructive farbrengen. Every This was despite the many years that had passed since farbrengen engendered something. Another campaign, we left Paris. some more baalei t’shuva. My R’ Mulle was first and foremost a shliach of the What grabbed me about R’ Mulle was his simplicity Rebbe, a mashpia, a father, and a big brother, the man who had the greatest impact on my life.
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950_bm_eng.indd 8 2014-11-24 11:25:41 PM worked as legal counsel for the French Labor office for many years. Many years ago, he described his journey through R’ Mulle: “I was born in Paris and had no connection to Judaism whatsoever. I was known in high school as someone who took a great interest in the esoteric, anything relating to philosophy and mysticism. Two students who had already become close with R’ Mulle, decided to draw me toward him. They told me that once a week there was a class on Jewish mysticism in Paris and since I was Jewish and loved mysticism, it was tailor-made for me. “When I got there, I found R’ Mulle teaching a three year old from the Chabad community in France myself in the midst of a deep shiur in Chassidus that lasted two hours. Concepts like Atzilus and s’firos that were heard again and again during the shiur sated my desire for the esoteric in the most fascinating way. But what particularly attracted me was his personality. I thought he was a man of truth in a way that I had never previously encountered, and this truth captivated me. “I continued going every Sunday but my progress toward religion was slow and hesitant. The first summer vacation I was not willing to go to yeshiva in Brunoy as many other students R’ Mulle (center) with the Rebbe’s army of shluchim in Paris did for two months. I went for just one week because Gemara What grabbed me about R’ Mulle was his study did not appeal to me. I wanted to learn Chassidus.” simplicity and his personal touch. Over the He slowly moved forward years, he continued to be a melamed. He taught alef- and began accepting the yoke of beis to little children and did the hachnoso l’cheder for Torah and Chassidic practices: “With R’ Mulle’s guidance, all the boys. At the same time, everything was on his we [students who were shoulders. He would take loans in order to be able to niskarev] conducted ourselves like bachurim from Tomchei help people and to expand the mosdos. It wasn’t easy. T’mimim. We had shiurim in He was involved in every detail and ran it all himself. Nigleh and Chassidus every day.
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950_bm_eng.indd 9 2014-11-24 11:25:42 PM Obituary
“The tremendous hiskashrus to the Rebbe that he demanded above all else and before all else from everyone he was mekarev, led to his great success. He demanded of everyone to do precisely what he himself did, which was to be mashpia, to give shiurim, to organize groups, in short: to be a loyal soldier of the Rebbe 24 hours a day. He established here, as a matter of course, that in Tishrei everyone had to be by the Rebbe, that every Shabbos Mevarchim there had to be a raffle so that someone from the chevra would travel and represent them all, and the following Shabbos tell them everything he saw and heard at the Rebbe’s farbrengen.”
THOUSANDS take an interest in Judaism and Chassidus? R’ Mulle was often AT THE FUNERAL asked these questions. This is In recent years, R’ Azimov the answer he gave the journalist, suffered from various serious R’ Yehuda Tzeitlin: health problems but he continued “It’s very simple. It’s because many of his activities. It was a the Rebbe was here in Paris moving sight to see him giving and he plowed and planted and shiurim, farbrenging with we just have to harvest. If the hundreds of his talmidim and Rebbe wants it, it’s possible. continuing his work, despite We cannot forget one thing – his compromised health. The when the Rebbe sent us and we doctors thought this wasn’t good began spreading the wellsprings, for his health but they did not speaking and doing, we were understand that this was his true practically the only organization. life, i.e. carrying out the Rebbe’s Everyone immediately saw and shlichus. recognized Chabad because On 12 Cheshvan his condition we were the only ones around. took a turn for the worse and he There is also the advantage here was hospitalized. His students in that the Jews can be found and Chassidim around the world We used every free moment for everywhere, so it is much easier prayed for him but to their great learning.” to get to them and work with sorrow, R’ Mulle passed away at He went to the Rebbe them. Over the years, other the relatively young age of 69. eventually and became one of the groups began copying us but Thousands attended his Chabad askanim in Paris. there is no doubt that all of funeral which began in France Judaism in Paris is only because and continued in Eretz Yisroel. SECRET TO SUCCESS of the Rebbe’s ko’ach.” He was buried next to his wife Chaim Nissenbaum also on the Mt of Olives in the section What was the secret to R’ tried to ascertain the secret to R’ where ziknei ha’chassidim are Mulle’s success? How did he Mulle’s success: buried including his mashpia, R’ manage to convince Jews to Nissan Nemanov.
10 � • 6 Kislev 5775
950_bm_eng.indd 10 2014-11-24 11:25:42 PM MOSHIACH & GEULA MOSHIACH AND CHINUCH
PART 3
By Rabbi Gershon Avtzon
Dear Reader sh’yichyeh, Yomim Tovim of Pesach and Dealing with the youth is not In our previous article, Shavuos. On Pesach, when always easy. The Yeshiva system we discussed how Emuna in the children ask, “Why are we – and daily schedule – can often Moshiach is a sine qua non for celebrating?” we don’t just be long and grueling. It can even Chinuch in our times. In this answer that we are celebrating be restricting at times. With the article I would like to address a the release of our grandparents advance of social technology, second pre-requisite for chinuch from Mitzrayim, rather we make the youth today are more aware in this generation: Our children it very personal, “If the Holy – and have such easy access – and Talmidim must know that One, blessed be He, had not to the enticements and instant the Rebbe is accessible today and taken our fathers out of Egypt, pleasures of the outside world. that we can communicate and then we, our children and our Many of them have friends – or receive guidance and Brachos family – that seem to be “enjoying from him even in 5775. life” and free of limitation and To explain: In the hearts of restriction. If our youth feel many boys (I say boys, because “forsaken”, it is a losing battle. those are who I deal with daily), We must keep encouraging there is a feeling that they were them with the message that they “forsaken” by the Rebbe (ch”v) have not been forsaken and – or they are trying to connect the Rebbe is their Rebbe. We to “The Rebbe of their father” – must tell them stories that took and therefore they find it difficult place specifically after Gimmel to commit themselves completely Tammuz. We must encourage to the Rebbe. In order to deal them to write to the Rebbe and with this issue, there needs to experience for themselves a be constant reinforcement that direct answer or guidance from the Rebbe is still accessible children’s children would have the Rebbe. It will change their and leading us. We can all turn remained enslaved to Pharaoh perspective and attitude and directly to him and receive in Egypt.” strengthen their commitment. Brachos and guidance, The same is true about When they ask, “If I do not To elaborate: In order for celebrating the giving of the see the Rebbe, I cannot connect,” people to commit themselves, the Torah on Shavuos. We do not I tell them the famous “cell- cause needs to be “theirs.” It is tell our children that the reason phone story”: A young boy gets a not enough that they appreciate we celebrate is because our new cell phone from his parents the cause that their fathers grandparents received the Torah. for a present. The next day he and grandfathers dedicated We tell them that their Neshama goes to visit his grandfather and themselves to, it needs to be their was by Har Sinai and they shows him the new phone. cause. themselves received the Torah. The elder gentleman is used to Hence, it is their Yom Tov. We see this clearly on the Continued on page 15
Issue 950 • � 11
950_bm_eng.indd 11 2014-11-24 11:25:43 PM MOSHIACH & SCIENCE SHLIACH TO ACADEMIA
Dr. Aryeh (Arnie) Gotfryd’s award-winning course, Faith and Science, was for many years the most popular course offered at New College in the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Arts and Sciences. Hundreds of Jews and non-Jews learned about Sheva Mitzvos, Yesh Me’ayin, even Shoftim Nun-Alef – and loved it. Part 2 of a series.
Beis M: How did a Chassid the area the Rebbe always guided I was terribly resentful that of the Rebbe come to teach at a me to pursue – the synergy of secular academia had robbed secular university? What were Faith and Science – and I felt that me personally, and an entire you doing there? I could make the greatest impact generation, indeed many AG: Good question. I was on the University of Toronto generations, of permission to already in graduate school when Campus. I got a green light from believe. From my studies of Torah I first encountered Chabad my mashpia and off I went! and Science I knew this to be in 1981, and despite wanting Beis M: This was obviously completely unfair – that in fact, to quit and go to yeshiva, the not your typical campus shlichus it is entirely legitimate from a Rebbe wanted me to stay and – What were you trying to scientific perspective to believe in finish. I left academia as soon accomplish? G-d, the soul, the significance of as I completed my doctorate, AG: My goal was simply this human life, and the authenticity worked and raised a family, and – to bring down the Ivory Tower of the Tradition from Sinai. I’m proud to say I’ve followed the from inside. Like a Trojan Horse, I set about to prove it. Rebbe’s directives and did not I wanted to smuggle bona fide Beis M: This is a tall order! send any of my kids to college. faith into the secular curriculum How does one ‘frummie’ take on When Gimmel Tamuz 5754 with complete academic integrity a whole secular establishment? came along, I, like all of us, and thereby oppose and even Did you have a plan? suddenly realized that Chaf-Ches defy the culture (more accurately AG: I knew I had to edge my Nisan was for real – that bringing ‘cult’) of atheism that had way in, starting small but with Moshiach was going to be up to overtaken it. room to grow. I never guessed us. I knew I had to re-focus on
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950_bm_eng.indd 12 2014-11-24 11:25:43 PM old boys club. They’d never fund a Jewish course offering.” “With all due respect Dr. Gotfryd, you don’t know everything. I’m familiar with how these people work and you’d be surprised. You have nothing to lose.” So, apply I did. I drafted the curriculum in some detail and sent it off to the Templeton Foundation with a cover letter on my regular personal stationery – my letterhead included “Moshiach is on his way. Let’s get ready with acts of goodness and kindness.” The Templeton Foundation’s response was something I never expected. They said, in effect, Dr. Gotfryd, you claim that science is evolving toward Torah principles but you only cite secular sources – without rabbinic sources your claims are weak. Please include rabbinic sources to complement the scientific ones and you will be eligible for funding. Wow! I had thought I was stretching the secular establishment as far as possible with what I was doing already – how far it would get. The next step was to add two Here the non-Jews themselves My first step was to reach out undergraduate students to the are pushing me for explicit Torah to my old thesis advisor – a non- mix. They took the seminar as an content or else they won’t back it. “independent study,” a kind of Jew – but a fairly open-minded It was one thing for the extra credit which I managed and fellow. He wasn’t in the slightest Templeton Foundation to support my professor friend supervised. religious but he had no problem a faith-forward course offering I saw this as a stepping stone helping me out with networking. – it was quite something else to getting the course eventually I asked him to contact all the for the University of Toronto’s listed in the official calendar, but Jewish professors and grad Faculty of Arts and Sciences to I still had absolutely no idea how students he could and I’d deliver accept it in their curriculum. But to make it happen. a sample seminar about the there was a solution here too: Interplay of Science and Faith. After a while, one of the The grant included $5,000 for It was an instant hit! Soon we non-Jewish professors, a the University to list the course. had a half-dozen regulars and chatzi-galach, chatzi-physicist Between the prestige of an quite a few drop-ins for each suggested that I should apply for international award and the cash seminar. It wasn’t long until half a Templeton Foundation Grant boost, the University approved of the attendees were non-Jews. since they support curriculum the course quickly and easily. initiatives that relate faith and It seemed everyone was ready Beis M: How do you put science. to open up that silent side of the rabbinic sources in a university scientist – the part that realizes I told him, “Come on, I know course for the general public? that there is some Higher Unity. about these guys. It’s a Christian What sources did you include
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950_bm_eng.indd 13 2014-11-24 11:25:44 PM Moshiach & Science
and why? They have questions but nobody you deal with that? AG: I added a lot of content is providing answers. Then there AG: It’s all a matter of from a variety of Lubavitcher and are the science people who look presentation. At the very other frum scientists, and there deeply into nature and keep first class of each semester, I were several primary sources too: running up against wonders and addressed this issue head on. I The Rambam’s Hilchos Yesodei miracles. They too have no tools told them: HaTorah on what is G-d and what to deal with the more profound “You don’t have to believe a is prophecy; The Alter Rebbe’s aspects of what they do. I used to thing I teach in this course. You Shaar HaYichud V’HaEmuna be one of those. can believe exactly like me and on yesh me’ayin, and the Rebbe The course was held in New fail – or have completely opposite Melech HaMoshiach’s sicha College which had mainly small beliefs and get an “A” – it’s all of Shoftim Nun-Alef about the to medium sized classrooms for about how well you understand Rebbe’s prophecy. niche courses. The largest hall the material on tests and how These are things the Rebbe in New College had 100 seats well you research and argue your says that every non-Jew must and that’s how many students case in your essays. know so I included it, in addition attended this Faith and Science “All the examples from the to the Sheva Mitzvos B’nai Noach course, year after year. It was faith perspective come from which they had to memorize for the most popular course in the Judaism. Other traditions may be the exam. college. relevant to science but I can only teach you what I know about and I really didn’t discuss Creation at all. What I did that’s Judaism. If you don’t like do was present the whole gamut of bona fide that, you’re in the wrong place.” Invariably 3 to 5 students scientific challenges to Darwin’s Theory of Evolution. would leave and not come back, The experience was designed to lead the listener to but the next week there were another 3 to 5 to take their place. the inexorable conclusion that only a bonehead could The strategy worked. believe in Darwin after understanding the arguments Beis M: I understand you expressed things in a diplomatic and counterarguments. way, but people must have understood where you are coming from – that you are making a case for G-d and the On average there were about I put together a 400-page Torah and the Rebbe. Were you 15 Jews and about 85 non-Jews. textbook with all this science ever accused of proselytizing? and holy material combined and The Jewish students included AG: Only once, and the for the cover I had a collage of unaffiliated, atheist, agnostic, funniest part was, of course, that various monochrome science- Reform, Conservative, Modern the accusation came from a Jew. type images plus one color Orthodox, Yeshivish, and And it was the non-Jews who picture – of the Rebbe. No one Chabad. The non-Jews, l’havdil, helped resolve the issue. had a problem with it. were just as eclectic. Every race, The subject that week was Beis M: What kind of person religion, spiritual trend, and Darwin: Myths and Facts. I chooses a course on Faith and philosophical outlook you could really didn’t discuss Creation at Science? Isn’t it a very ‘niche’ possibly imagine was present, all. What I did do was present market? And if so, why was it so and then some. the whole gamut of bona fide popular? Beis M: Chabad demands emes and emes is only one – the scientific challenges to Darwin’s AG: Before I took the first Theory of Evolution. The step into this shlichus, I had a views of Torah and Chassidus. If you tell them like it is, you will experience was designed to lead feeling that this topic would be a the listener to the inexorable big draw for a wide public. First be branded a demagogue and kicked off of the faculty. If you conclusion that only a bonehead are the religious and spiritual could believe in Darwin after people that want to see how accommodate diverse beliefs, you are sacrificing the emes. How do understanding the arguments science meshes with their views. and counterarguments.
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950_bm_eng.indd 14 2014-11-24 11:25:44 PM At the end of the lecture assumptions wrong? Is the logic “Naw, I’m not going to daven a I invited responses – “Any fallacious? What exactly is your whole Shacharis.” questions?” argument?” I asked him where he’s from. I had barely gotten the words “Hey man, where’s your “Toronto.” out of my mouth when a very respect? The guy’s a professor – “Where’d you go to school?” Jewish looking young man pretty he used to teach Evolution in the “Hebrew Academy.” much leaps out of his seat and Zoology Department. What do launches into a harangue: you know?” “You live at home?” “I don’t understand. Are you The poor fellow was in shock. “No, downtown.” going to just sit there and let him He didn’t know which way to “On your own?” get away with this? Listen to him turn. His assailants looked like a “No, I share with a friend.” – he’s not teaching Evolution, committee of the United Nations “A guy or a girl?” he’s preaching Creationism. – an Asian, a Black, an Indian, “A girl.” Look at him! With his skullcap and a White. He sat back down, and his beard. This is a University dumbfounded. “Is she Jewish?” not a synagogue. Why are you all Now I could play ‘Good Cop.’ “No.” taking this lying down? If what “I’d like to hear more about Finally, the mystery is solved. he says is true, why aren’t the what you’ve got to say. Maybe we This young man wasn’t fighting other professors saying so?” can talk about this in my office.” for truth. He was fighting for his girlfriend! Because if Darwin was I waited for him to run out of He took me up on the right, the Torah was wrong, and steam, or at least to take a breath, invitation and sure enough, if the Torah is wrong, the gentile but before I could get a word in it turned out he was Jewish. I girlfriend is okay. But if Darwin edgewise, our friend was dealing offered him to put on T’fillin and is wrong, then the Torah is right with some backlash of his own, he reluctantly agreed. I placed and then his lifestyle is wrong. heaped on him by four of his them on him and started the Too painful to bear… so let’s peers. bracha. fight on the Darwin front. “Why are you so emotional? “That’s alright, Rabbi. I can I don’t know what became Why so much polemic? If you do that myself,” and straight of this young man, but I’m sure have a rational argument, table away he zips through the bracha, there would have been no way for it?” swiftly wraps the t’fillin just right, me to get him to put on t’fillin if “Are the science sources he and starts reciting the Shma by not for the counter-reaction of quoted nonexistent? Have you heart. “V’ahavta… V’Haya im his non-Jewish classmates. looked any of them up?” shamo’a… Va’yomer…” I rush “Is the math wrong? Are the to get him a siddur, but he says,
Continued from page 11 small cell-phone and dials a is our job to tell our children that number. He puts the phone to we live in a wireless era. The cell having a phone with wires that is the ear of his father and tells him phone is the biggest proof. All we connected to the wall and that the to listen for a moment. When he need to do is “dial the Rebbe’s connection is visible. He laughs hears a live voice on the other number” – encourage them to at his grandson and tells him line he exclaims “I don’t know write to the Rebbe – and you will that it is impossible that the little how it works, but it is definitely hear them exclaim, “I don’t know gadget is a phone. They get into a phone!” exactly how it works, but I know an argument that seems to be Before Gimmel Tammuz our that the Rebbe Lives!” “going nowhere” as each person connection to the Rebbe was is living in their own world. through visible and tangible Rabbi Avtzon is the Rosh Yeshiva In middle of the disagreement “wires,” i.e. dollars, t’fillos, of Yeshivas Lubavitch Cincinnati and a the father walks in and observes farbrengens, lekach etc. Today the well sought after speaker and lecturer. the scene. He asks them both Recordings of his in-depth shiurim connection is not visible and our on Inyanei Geula u’Moshiach can be to calm down and to be quiet children wonder if there is still a accessed at http://www.ylcrecording. for a moment. He takes the way to connect to the Rebbe. It com.
Issue 950 • � 15
950_bm_eng.indd 15 2014-11-24 11:25:44 PM PARSHA THOUGHT UNCONVENTIONAL PRAYERS FOR UNCONVENTIONAL RESULTS
By Rabbi Heschel Greenberg
RACHEL’S PLEA to righteous behavior. bear children? Where does it say The question however that one may only pray for his The Matriarch Leah bears remains, why does the Torah have own needs? four children for which she to link her request for children expresses profound gratitude. to her envy of her sister’s good Her sister and co-wife Rachel CRAVING CHILDREN deeds? Even if her sister had is chagrined because she is To answer these questions not been blessed with children, childless. The Torah describes we must begin by considering Rachel would still have desired her feelings and actions thus: a statement made by our children of her own! Rachel saw that she had Sages (Talmud, Yevamos 64a) Second, why did the otherwise not borne children to Jacob, so explaining why the Matriarchs righteous and compassionate Rachel became envious of her were initially unable to bear Jacob lash out at his wife with sister. She said to Jacob, “Give children: “G-d desires the undisguised anger? True, the me children – otherwise I am prayers of the righteous.” Midrash states that G-d took dead.” Ordinarily, righteous people do him to task for this, but, can we not ask G-d for anything material Jacob’s anger flared up at understand what motivated him, Rachel, and he said, “am I because they are happy with one whom the Sages described as whatever blessings G-d bestows instead of G-d who has withheld “G-d’s chariot,” meaning that he from you fruit of the womb?” upon them. They are happy and had totally subordinated his will grateful just to be alive and serve Several questions have been to the will of G-d. What G-dly G-d. They crave nothing more, raised about this brief exchange justification could there have with one notable exception— between Jacob and his beloved been for his anger? even the most ascetic and self- wife Rachel: Third, Rashi explains that denying saint wants children. First, how could the Jacob’s anger was motivated by One may suggest three supremely righteous Rachel be his belief that he could not pray reasons for this phenomenon: envious of her sister? for her because he already had First, the righteous person Rashi explains that she was children. Ramban is puzzled by wants to give of self and nurture envious of Leah’s good deeds, this explanation. Why couldn’t others. They cannot imagine a ascribing her co-wife’s fecundity Jacob pray that his wife should life which deprives them of the
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950_bm_eng.indd 16 2014-11-24 11:25:44 PM ability to share their blessings. The answer is that he certainly And since there is no parallel to did but he understood that it was the love and nurturing given to her prayer that G-d craved and one’s own child, the righteous would ultimately bring about the crave parenthood. Just listen desired result. to Rachel, who stated, “Give me children, otherwise I am dead.” SHATTERING BARRIERS To Rachel, life without a child was not life in the true sense of A question still remains: the word. Why was Jacob so harsh to Second, a righteous person Rachel? devotes his or her life to bringing The answer can perhaps be G-dly energy into the physical found in a story told of the Rebbe world. The most dramatic Rashab. A young man came manifestation of G-dly presence to him with a serious spiritual happens with the introduction problem but the Rebbe told of another Divine soul into the him that he could not help him. world. This is particularly so understanding Rachel’s demand The man was devastated, left when the new soul will be raised of her husband to give her the room, sat down and wept to serve G-d and carry the children. bitterly. The Rebbe Rashab’s parents’ legacy into the future. Rachel obviously had already older brother, Rabbi Zalman Not being able to continue prayed for children but to no Aharon, asked the man why he contributing to the world through avail. Rachel did some soul- was crying. The man replied that one’s heirs is especially painful searching and concluded that she the Rebbe had refused to help for the righteous. They feel that was less righteous than her sister him. Upon hearing this, Rabbi it would diminish G-d’s presence Leah. She began to fear that her Zalman Aharon “reprimanded” in the world. desire for children was not based his younger brother and Third, the Talmud (Yevamos on idealistic and spiritual reasons demanded to know why he didn’t 62a) states that Moshiach’s but on personal gain instead. help the man. The Rebbe Rashab coming depends on having Perceiving a shortcoming in agreed to change his mind and all G-dly souls descend into her prayers, she turned to her proceeded to guide the sufferer this world. The birth of every husband to pray for her. and relieve him of his problem. child brings the world closer Jacob responded that since The question was asked, why to Redemption, when G-d’s she was the barren one, G-d did the Rebbe Rashab cause this glory will fill the world. To the craved her prayer and wanted her man so much pain when he did, righteous, having children is to be more persistent. Obviously, in fact, end up helping him? viewed as bringing the world one Jacob would and probably did The Rebbe answered that step closer to Redemption. pray for her. But G-d primarily the Rebbe Rashab realized that For these and other spiritual wanted to hear her prayer. this person had a major spiritual reasons a tzaddik craves for This explains the linkage barrier and was not ready to be nothing more than for children. between her envy of Leah’s helped. His only recourse was And it is the only physical thing righteousness and her own desire to try and break through the for which a tzaddik will pray. for children. She pled with her young man’s shell by telling Thus, by denying the Matriarch husband to pray for her as she him that he was beyond help. Rachel the ability to bear children considered that her prayers had When the young man realized G-d guaranteed that His delight failed on account of her lack that his situation was helpless, in the prayers of the Righteous of righteousness. If she had he was humbled to the core and would be served. believed that she were sufficiently the obstacle and resistance to righteous, she would have the Rebbe Rashab’s counsel was WHY WAS RACHEL’S continued praying. broken down. It was not until then that he could be receptive to PRAYER UNANSWERED? This analysis also answers Ramban’s question about why the Rebbe’s guidance. We can now approach Jacob couldn’t pray for Rachel. Many of our prayers are
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950_bm_eng.indd 17 2014-11-24 11:25:44 PM Parsha Thought
The most dramatic manifestation of G-dly prayers were certainly sincere presence happens with the introduction of and altruistic. But for the unconventional soul of Joseph, another Divine soul into the world. This is particularly so with its unparalleled spiritual prowess, to emerge she had when the new soul will be raised to serve G-d and carry to break through additional the parents’ legacy into the future. obstacles. Jacob sensed this and therefore displayed his “anger” to break the final barrier to her waiting for an answer and there such a strong stumbling block to ability to conceive Joseph. are many blessings waiting her prayers. to be bestowed upon us. The The answer lies in the nature NO MORE SUFFERING! problem is that we may not be of the desired result. Rachel’s Our Sages (Talmud, ready to receive those answers child was no ordinary child even Sanhedrin 98b) have foretold or blessings. We each carry with in comparison to the other sons that before the Messianic Age, us impediments that encrust and of Jacob. Her first son, Joseph, the Jewish people will go through envelop us. In these extreme would carry the legacy of the the “birth pangs of Moshiach.” cases, hearing harsh words of Patriarchs to future generations. To bring on the unconventional reprimand by an authority figure Whatever spiritual energy and power of Moshiach, who will may be our last hope for receiving light Jacob and his forebears transform the “outsiders” into the blessings and having our had introduced into the world “insiders,” we have had to endure prayers heard. depended on Joseph to transmit unprecedented travail. We must This may be the reason Jacob it. Moreover, Joseph, and only have certainly filled and even got angry at Rachel, despite Joseph, had the power to take exceeded our quota of suffering his personification of the trait the lofty ideals of the Patriarchs by now. To hasten and prepare of compassion. His anger was and apply them even to the most for the Yoseph-unconventional aimed at shattering what he materialistic and depraved society increases of G-dly light of the thought might be the obstacle of Egypt. final Redemption, we do not need to having her prayers answered. When Joseph was born, more suffering and pain. Instead, Jacob’s anger was a form of Rachel named him Joseph saying: let the suffering of the past impel “emotional surgery” to remove “May G-d add (Yoseph) another us to cry out to G-d, “Ad Masai, the impediment to her prayers for son for me.” The Tzemach How much longer!” even as we children. Tzedek translates this in a novel pave the way for Moshiach’s way: “May G-d add [so that] the efforts at transforming UNCONVENTIONAL other should be a son for me.” “outsiders” into “insiders.” PRAYERS Joseph was able to take even Let us prepare ourselves, our an “other,” an “outsider,” and families, our communities and We must still try to understand transform him into an “insider.” the rest of society to welcome why G-d had not answered her It required a powerful and Moshiach by recognizing our/ prayers. It is hard to imagine that dynamic prayer for Rachel to their insider status as G-d’s her desire for children was selfish bring this powerful and dynamic children, who joyously serve G-d or materialistic and that she, soul into the world. Her earlier with love! holiest of women, would possess
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By Rabbi Yaakov Shmuelevitz a”h Former shliach to Beit Shaan
he Rebbe quotes the own. Hashem shows us that it obeying the Rebbe’s wishes. This Midrash which says that is only with the Rebbe’s kochos, is what happened: Moshe was unable to put and not thanks to our talents, On his first year on shlichus, up the tall heavy beams that we succeed in doing the during Elul R’ Shemtov and his ofT the Mishkan until Hashem told work. wife planned on traveling to be him to put his hand to it. Then the with family in Crown Heights and Mishkan stood up on its own. The IN MONTEVIDEO THE spending Rosh HaShana with Rebbe connects this with the future CHABAD HOUSE “WENT the Rebbe. R’ Shemtov asked Mikdash which, according to the the Rebbe whether he should go Midrash and Rashi, will descend UP ON ITS OWN” to the Rebbe for Rosh HaShana from Heaven fully made. Montevideo is the capitol and received no response. From The lesson in man’s avoda of Uruguay where R’ Eliezer this he understood that the Rebbe is that, on the one hand, every Shemtov is a shliach for over wanted him to remain where he Jew needs to make efforts in thirty years. R’ Shemtov has been was. observing mitzvos. On the other very successful and has a large Mrs. Shemtov went to Crown hand, ultimately only Hashem building in the center of the city, Heights, as she was soon to give gives strength to Moshe to raise which contains a spacious shul, a birth, and her husband remained up the Mishkan, thus causing the mikva, a preschool, offices, etc. in Montevideo. Mrs. Shemtov Sh’china to dwell in the mitzvos R’ Shemtov had occasion passed by the Rebbe for a dollar that we do. to visit the Chabad Yeshiva in and the Rebbe asked her where The same is true with the Argentina and during the visit her husband was. She said avoda of shlichus. We shluchim he told Anash and the T’mimim he understood that the Rebbe do what we can to carry out our that he had been able to put up wanted him to remain in Uruguay mission, but we feel and see that the Chabad House building in and he stayed there. The Rebbe the Mishkan stands up on its an incredible way, thanks to fully smiled and looked pleased and
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950_bm_eng.indd 20 2014-11-24 11:25:45 PM R’ Sagi Har Shefer putting up a mezuza in the school
gave her another dollar and homesickness and loneliness. walk to the second shul. There said, “This is for your husband. R’ Shemtov wasn’t sure too, he introduced himself and He should have success in all whether to spend Yom Tov in told about his shlichus in the matters.” Montevideo or Punta del Este. country. The truth is he didn’t want to be After the davening, an old MONTEVIDEO AND in either place and so he decided man went over to him and wanted PUNTA DEL ESTE to go wherever the wheels of his to hear more details about the car took him. In the end, without shliach and the shlichus. Where R’ Shemtov prepared for any compelling reason, he found do you live? What do you do? two days of Rosh HaShana himself on the highway to Punta What else do you want to do? on shlichus in Uruguay. The del Este. He stayed in a hotel Do you have a building? Are you Jewish community in Uruguay and went to the local shul. interested in a building? is concentrated primarily in two Before and after the davening R’ Shemtov answered all his large cities, the capitol and Punta he met with all the members of questions and then the man told del Este, about an hour and a half the community. They were all him that he had business dealings away. happy to hear about the young in a number of cities in Uruguay That Rosh HaShana, R’ shliach operating in their country and the following week he would Shemtov was not in the best on shlichus from the Lubavitcher be in Montevideo. He wanted of spirits. He so badly wanted Rebbe. In the morning, he to meet the shliach again and to be with the Rebbe for the wasn’t sure whether to go to the perhaps he would be able to help davening, t’kios, Maftir, and the same shul as the night before out. farbrengen, and there he was in or to walk an hour and a half The following week the two South America. There wasn’t to a different shul. He finally of them met. The man showed even a Chabad shul (yet). He decided, again, without any clear R’ Shemtov a large building in was overcome by feelings of reason or much enthusiasm, to the center of the city and said
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950_bm_eng.indd 21 2014-11-24 11:25:45 PM Stories
he could use the building for his of “putting up the Mishkan” for BROCHURES ABOUT outreach activities because, at things happened of their own A NEIGHBORING the moment, he did not need the accord, “standing up on their SHLIACH’S EVENT building. R’ Shemtov was thrilled own.” to have use of the building. “R’ Ilan Agiv, a Lubavitcher Some work was done to make A CHABAD HOUSE THAT Chassid from Nachalat Har it suitable and since then, the EXPANDED ON ITS OWN Chabad, is a product of Givat building has been R’ Shemtov’s Shmuel,” says R’ Fisher. “At headquarters. The Chabad House in Givat the beginning of our shlichus Shmuel was previously located in Givat Shmuel, we hadn’t yet in a small, crowded building. THE SELF-MADE done many events or ‘Evenings R’ Shabtai Fisher, the shliach, with Chabad,’ so when we heard BAAL T’SHUVA decided it was time to expand, that in nearby Ohr Yehuda they A Lubavitcher had to be but this was delayed due to the were preparing a fascinating hospitalized for a few days for usual problem, lack of money. ‘Evening with Chabad,’ we took a an operation. He took his t’fillin One day, R’ Fisher noticed few hundred brochures about the and at every opportunity he a couple who came into the evening and put them in people’s offered them to others. Among Chabad House to see whether it mailboxes in Givat Shmuel. those who put on t’fillin was a was suitable for the aliya of their “Out of the hundreds of man from Netanya whose wife son at his bar mitzva. He heard brochures we distributed, just had had an operation. The the mother say, “No way! It’s one fellow attended the program, man was very moved by putting not suitable.” R’ Fisher decided Ilan Agiv. I did not yet know him on the t’fillin and afterward he he must expand the place and personally, but that evening in said to the Chassid, “From now renovate it. Ohr Yehuda was the catalyst for a on, I want you to be my rabbi. He shared his plans with his major change in his life. Whatever you tell me, I will do congregants and they all agreed “During the evening, R’ and every day I will come to you that they had to expand and Chaim Sasson delivered a great to put on t’fillin.” even promised to help to the talk and Ilan heard about the Throughout the best of their ability. Donations imminent Geula. R’ Sasson hospitalization, the man came to were made but the amount explained that the Rebbe is put on t’fillin. On Shabbos, he was nowhere near the 200,000 Moshiach and we already need accompanied the Chassid to the shekels needed for the expansion. to accept his rule and listen to shul in the hospital. He joined R’ Fisher tried urging the his instructions. Ilan returned him for the other t’fillos, for the congregants and mekuravim to to Givat Shmuel convinced and third Shabbos meal, Maariv, get more donations, but things excited. Before that evening, he and so on. When the Chassid moved very slowly, if at all. sufficed with a tiny kippa and returned to his room for Havdala, Then one of the congregants he wore shorts. Afterward, he the man was standing there and told him that he had decided bought two pairs of t’fillin, a hat he heard Havdala, maybe for the to commit to covering all the and a suit. He joined shiurim, first time in his life. expenses needed to expand the the davening and mivtzaim, The man then gave his own Chabad house. The man even went to yeshiva and started his t’fillin to be checked and they encouraged R’ Fisher not to own Chassidic home in Kiryat were found to have no parshiyos! skimp and to do everything first Malachi. His five sweet children He bought new t’fillin, mezuzos, class. attend the Rebbe’s mosdos in and began regularly attending Within a few days the Nachala.” shul. Now and then, he called his renovation work had gotten into The most amazing part of the personal rabbi and reported his high gear and everything was story we heard from Ilan himself: progress in mitzva observance. done in the most beautiful way. “In the summer of 5754 I Unfortunately, the man’s wife The main sanctuary had been saw many broadcasts about the died and the Chassid continued doubled in size and there was a Lubavitcher Rebbe. They spoke to help the man and his family spacious area for farbrengens, about his passing, but I saw a during the Shiva. kiddushim, and shiurim and Rebbe and his leadership. At that This too is in the category there are often aliyos L’Torah for time, I had no connection with families in Givat Shmuel.
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950_bm_eng.indd 22 2014-11-24 11:25:45 PM Chabad and these broadcasts come from all over Nes Tziyona of Lubavitcher children each aroused my curiosity. I was and the rest of the Shfela (Judean morning to school in another interested in getting to know Foothills) region. These day city, we should have our own Chabad from up close. Just care centers were started at the school. at that time I came across initiative of one Lubavitcher “The family made inquiries, advertising about an ‘Evening family in Nes Tziyona. made a list of potential children, with Chabad’ in Ohr Yehuda. I “It was the Schneersohn got a teacher, and the school went and after that everything family. When their oldest child opened. At first there were six changed; for the better, of was a few months old, they very boys. By its third year there were course. much wanted him to be in a nearly fifty boys. “When I returned to Givat Chassidishe atmosphere. The “That is also how new Shmuel, I told a friend about parents found out how to start shiurim begin ‘on their own.’ R’ the amazing things I heard in a day care center, looked into Menachem Feldman coordinates Chabad of Ohr Yehuda. My finding a building, how to get the array of shiurim and now and friend surprised me when he babysitters, cooks, furniture, then people call and ask for more said we have Chabad here in permits, etc. They brought all the and more shiurim. Givat Shmuel, as every Friday he information to me and what was “R’ Feldman receives the saw a vehicle with a megaphone left for me to do was to approve requests and he usually goes to driving around and announcing the founding of the daycare the places himself. He checks out when Shabbos begins. It was center and to run it until today. what is needed, the level that is R’ Shabtai Fisher’s car. So we “The daycare center started wanted and the right topic, and found our very own shliach and with one six month old infant. there you have it, another shiur.” R’ Fisher guided me faithfully. Today, there are Thanks to him, I’ve reached four classes on where I am today.” two floors of the beautiful building, CHABAD MOSDOS THAT which houses the “STAND UP ON THEIR infrastructure of Chabad’s day care OWN” ONE centers in Nes AFTER THE OTHER Tziyona. R’ Sagi Har Shefer, shliach in “Our elementary Nes Tziyona, told me about some school was also of his mosdos that “stood up on started ‘on its own,’ their own” with the help of Anash as it were, thanks and mekuravim. All R’ Sagi to the involvement had to do was agree, encourage, and devotion of a provide funding, and take the Lubavitcher family. reins of the mosad that dropped It was the Shacham into his lap like a ripe fruit. family who “Let’s take, for example, maintained, rightly the daycare centers the Chabad so, that instead of House runs. Nearly 100 babies sending dozens
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THE MANY CHABAD GATEWAYS TO HEAVEN 24 � • 6 Kislev 5775
950_bm_eng.indd 24 2014-11-24 11:25:47 PM A Chabad shul, a Chabad minyan – what does that mean to you? When speaking about a Chassidic shul we can assume that you will see and hear the same things in most of them. It makes no difference whether the shul is in Arad, Ashdod or B’nei Brak. However, the shlichus phenomenon has transformed the concept of a “Chabad shul” or Chabad minyan into something with far broader significance, ranging from the shul of those who live in the old yishuv in the heart of Mea Sh’arim market to a minyan of tattooed backpackers in the Himalayas. The astonishing thing is that what they have in common is greater than what sets them apart. Both groups daven from the same Siddur and they probably sing the same songs and are moved by the same piyutim. This simple fact which perhaps people take for granted is amazing to me and reflects the Judaism revolution wrought by the Rebbe in the past generation. Before Rosh HaShana we decided to check this out and visit a variety of Chabad houses. We spoke with gabbaim and with those in charge, and heard from them what makes their shul unique, what they have to deal with, about their successes and moving moments.
What do kibbutzniks at a kibbutz clubhouse, residents of Mea Sh’arim in the Baal HaTanya shul, and Israeli tourists in a decorated hall on the beach in Mexico have in common? All of them daven in a Chabad minyan, from the same Siddur, and sing mostly the same tunes. * We spoke with gabbaim, rabbanim and shluchim who run shuls of Chabad minyanim and heard about what unites them and what sets them apart, and about the special styles of their Chabad shuls. * How do you disperse 1500 people on Motzaei Yom Kippur without causing injuries on the way out? * Why was a Satmar Chassid jealous of the prayer of the Israeli backpacker? * Where is it forbidden to have a minyan on the second day of Rosh HaShana? * Where does the rabbi give a cooking workshop in order to attract people to a shiur before the holidays?
By Shneur Chaviv
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950_bm_eng.indd 25 2014-11-24 11:25:48 PM Feature HASHEM HU HA’ELOKIM IN A CLUBHOUSE
A CHABAD SHUL IN A SECULAR KIBBUTZ
R’ Yaakov Tzvi Ben Ari and R’ Dovber Chaviv
Chabad minyan at Kibbutz Misgav Am; sounds odd? Well, it’s not exactly a minyan Aof sirtuks, but it is a shul with a proper mechitza. The mechitza is somewhat decorative but is perfectly kosher. There are Nusach Ari Siddurim and the davening is authentic Chabad with some popular Jewish tunes here and there. הרב בן ארי בפעילות בקיבוצים מנין חב"ד בקיבוץ משגב עם This minyan joins many other minyanim like it, which take place on dozens of kibbutzim and moshavim around the easy challenge for all involved: the Torah, delivering a speech, country. They are under the for us, for the family, and for the t’kios, explaining, and of course, auspices of U’faratzta – Chabad kibbutz.” connecting with the locals. on kibbutzim – directed by R’ The one who is behind the “It requires a lot of mesirus Yaakov Tzvi Ben Ari. organizational and logistical nefesh on the part of the families, How do you organize a end of U’faratzta is my brother, especially on Rosh HaShana and minyan on a kibbutz? It’s not Dovber Chaviv. especially when it’s three days, that easy. How do you arrange for the like it was this year. You can’t cook there, so families need to “It’s actually very hard,” t’fillos of the Yomim Nora’im in prepare food for three days in says R’ Ben Ari. “We are in dozens of places? advance, which is no easy task. touch throughout the year with “In principle, the manpower We help out with money to buy hundreds of families on kibbutzim comes from dozens of food and we’ve prepared lists of throughout the country. We find Lubavitcher families, young equipment, instructions and tips that sometimes, some of them men, many young couples and from our years of experience. are more interested in Torah and bachurim who remained in Eretz This enables families who are mitzvos. It is families like these Yisroel and want to help out. All doing this shlichus to be properly who are usually the ones who of the work is done on a volunteer prepared.” help us organize a minyan. In basis, with the local family or a the best case scenario, there is a team sent to the kibbutz doing The result of the hard work concession in principle from the everything that needs to be done, and mesirus nefesh of the kibbutz. In most cases though starting with setting up a place U’faratzta chevra is dozens this will usually involve a far from to daven, chazanus, reading of minyanim on kibbutzim,
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950_bm_eng.indd 26 2014-11-24 11:25:48 PM including kibbutzim that are HaShana are a positive thing “When it’s hard, it gives considered tough from a religious to instill Jewish heritage and them the feeling that this is perspective. folklore. But one day is enough. an important shlichus. Every “There are kibbutzim that The kibbutz insisted on not new minyan that opens on a agree to have a minyan and those allowing a minyan on the second kibbutz provides us with great that are opposed,” says R’ Ben day of Rosh HaShana. In this satisfaction,” says R’ Chaviv. Ari. In the first case, the kibbutz case, it was a big mesirus nefesh “There is nothing in the world will even designate a hall, usually on the part of the volunteers who like the feeling of seeing a plaza the library, or a clubhouse, for had to daven all the t’fillos of the or clubhouse of a kibbutz filled the minyan. But the kibbutz second day on their own, without with men, women, and children will often make conditions. For a minyan, in order to enable and all of them calling out, example, at one kibbutz they the residents of the kibbutz to ‘Shma Yisroel Hashem Elokeinu decided that the blowing of the participate in the mitzva of shofar Hashem Echad. Hashem Hu shofar and the davening on Rosh and the t’fillos of the first day of HaElokim.’” Rosh HaShana.” WALLS SATURATED WITH CHASSIDIC HISTORY
A CHABAD SHUL IN MEA SH’ARIM
R’ Tzvi Chanun, gabbai of the Baal HaTanya shul in Mea Sh’arim
ne of my childhood memories is of Erev Yom Kippur in the Baal HaTanya shul in Mea Sh’arim.O Every Erev Yom Kippur, early in the morning, my father would take us to bring chickens to be shechted in the market of Mea Sh’arim. Then we would go to daven Shacharis in the Chabad Shul “Ohel Yitzchok,” which is known as the Baal HaTanya shul. Another time we would visit the old shul was when we went to visit the mashpia, R’ Moshe Weber, in his home in Battei Ungarin. After we received a loving and fatherly slap on the face from R’ Moshe, and after
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he tested us on what we learned the Rebbe on 11 Shevat 5711,” walk from neighborhoods all in yeshiva, we would continue says R’ Chanun. over northern Yerushalayim in to shul for Mincha or even just a Every corner, every arch, order to experience the unique short visit. every concavity and every corner flavor of this shul. We obviously As a child, I would stare of the shul is shrouded in the make the necessary preparations in wonder at the magnificent glory of yore, and contains within to accommodate the large drawings that decorated the it the story of Chabad settlement crowd that comes on the Yomim ceiling, letting my imagination in Eretz Yisroel; people like Tovim. These include spiritual soar on the eagle’s wings, R’ Zevin, R’ Zelig Slonim, R’ dignitaries alongside Lubavitch imagining battles between the Avrohom Hirsh HaKohen and R’ householders from Yerushalayim running deer, the bold leopard, Moshe Weber. They all left their and of course local residents. and the strong lion. mark on the ancient stone walls. “Today too, the shul is “The shul has been in R’ Tzvi spent a long time active every Shabbos and existence for over 100 years,” sharing his memories and the every weekday. Shiurim and the old gabbai told me. “In this history of the shul. We asked him farbrengens are held which place lived, farbrenged, received about his preparations for Rosh attract a lot of people from the hashpaa and in turn passed it HaShana and Yom Kippur. “The neighborhood, many of whom along, the great mashpiim of davening on the Yomim Nora’im are becoming more involved in earlier generations. Here is in Baal HaTanya is very special. Chassidus thanks to the shul.” where they held the coronation of There are many young men who FROM A CARAVAN TO A SIMCHA HALL
CHABAD SHUL FOR YOUTH
R’ Sholom Rosenberg
he Chabad community in Elad is large but young, consisting of over two hundred families, most ofT them young people with small children. This explains the large and excellent Chabad schools in the area. Although the k’hilla of Chabad is one of the oldest in the city, its shuls are still located in mobile structures. “We started out in a small
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950_bm_eng.indd 28 2014-11-24 11:25:48 PM caravan which was also a beautiful building. Right now, We divide the t’fillos and each of classroom in the Chabad the place just cannot contain the them does his part. School,” says R’ Sholom number of people who come on “Simchas Torah in Elad is Rosenberg, one of the gabbaim holidays, so we rent a big hall something special. The simcha in the Chabad shul ‘Derech that has hundreds of seats. We is overpowering and it is all in Mitzvosecha’ in Elad. We slowly bring over the aron kodesh, the a Chassidishe atmosphere of grew and moved somewhere else. bima and everything we need Ahavas Yisroel. We bought a bigger caravan and and that is where we hold the “In general,” R’ Rosenberg enlarged it more and more as the Rosh HaShana, Yom Kippur, adds, “farbrengens here are an k’hilla grew.” and Simchas Torah davening. integral part of community life. Indeed, the shul built with At least on holidays, people have Every Shabbos after the davening patches upon patches of metal a spacious, comfortable place to we have a farbrengen with sheeting corroborates what the daven.” our rav which is organized by gabbai says. The Chassidic Do you have new people on Sholom Mamu. That’s besides community, led by the rav, R’ holidays? the farbrengens every Thursday Shneur Zalman Yaroslavsky, “There are many people in night, on Shabbos Mevarchim has acquired a good reputation the city who feel close to Chabad. and on other special occasions. which has caused it to grow even They would want to come every The farbrengens contribute a lot more. Despite expansion upon Shabbos but the main problem is to solidifying the community, expansion, the shul is packed space. There is just no room in to creating a Chassidishe every Shabbos. the shul and they have to daven atmosphere, and to strengthening If that’s the way it is on elsewhere. It’s because we rent a darkei ha’chassidim. Shabbos, what about on Yomim hall for the Yomim Nora’im that “To take a recent example, Tovim? those people are able to join us.” there was great excitement in the “The truth is that lately, In Elad they do not import community about going to the with the help of the mayor, R’ baalei t’filla; all the t’fillos of the Rebbe for Tishrei. Some men Yisroel Porush, we received a Yomim Nora’im are led by local arranged a raffle among all the designated plot. We also received people. members of the community. The city permits and permits from “We have capable young men winner flew to the Rebbe as a the Interior Ministry to build a who are wonderful baalei t’filla. representative of us all.” THE MAGICAL ATMOSPHERE OF THE OLD CITY
THE TZEMACH TZEDEK SHUL
R’ Yeshaya Yuzevitz
ne of the special was founded in the time of the of Yerushalayim. It contains within Chabad shuls is the Tzemach Tzedek by the wealthy its walls long chapters of Chabad Tzemach Tzedek Sassoon family of Bombay, for the history, which are interwoven with Oshul. It is a shul that Chabad community in the Old City the history of the Jewish people and
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“We had plans to expand and we asked the Who comprises Tzemach Rebbe about choosing a nusach for the shul. Tzedek’s congregation? “First, there are the Chabad We had reasons this way and that way and we wanted Chassidim who live in the Rova. to know whether to pick Ashkenaz, Sefard, or Chabad. Then there are the many young men who come from nearby The Rebbe circled the word Sefard and wrote ‘b’ruach neighborhoods and even distant Chabad’ (in the spirit of Chabad).” ones, for they want the special atmosphere of Tzemach Tzedek. There are also guests who are staying in Yerushalayim.” The rav of the shul is R’ Adin Even Yisroel (Steinsaltz) who also walks a long way every Shabbos from his home to the shul. R’ Yuzevitz: “The shul is humming all year round. Every Shabbos the shul is full and so too on holidays. We graciously welcome guests as we do all year. The davening on Rosh HaShana and Yom Kippur in Tzemach Tzedek is special and many people come especially for the Yomim Nora’im to daven here.” This shul is located above the Cardo in the heart of the Jewish Quarter. It’s a prime tourist spot. Does the shul the history of the Jewish settlement invest any of its resources in in Yerushalayim. developing the tourism aspect? During the War of “There is no Chabad tourist Independence, this shul was who comes to Yerushalayim, in the center of the battle but it especially to the Old City, who was not damaged and remained will forgo a visit to Tzemach standing. After the Six Day War Tzedek. However, we do not and the liberation of the Jewish work to bring in tourists. For Quarter, Chabad Chassidim that there’s a Chabad house in returned and renovated the place the Cardo which is run by R’ as the Rebbe told them to do. Osdoba. He works with the The atmosphere in Tzemach hundreds and thousands of Tzedek is unique. The arching who runs Toras Emes mosdos tourists who visit the area every walls and the memorial wall in Yerushalayim. His son, R’ day. In the shul is a kollel which plaques, along with the Sifrei Shneur Zalman, is his able was founded by the Rebbe’s Torah of Jewish Children nestled assistant. instruction, and so the shul is a inside the Aron Kodesh all Despite his age, R’ Yuzevitz place of Torah study and t’filla. generate an atmosphere that you is gifted with unusual youthful It is not a tourist attraction, but cannot find in any other shul in energy. Every Shabbos he walks whoever comes is welcomed with the world. a long distance from his home a smile.” The one who runs the shul to Tzemach Tzedek where he (To be continued.) today is the mythological gabbai leads the davening as well as and askan, R’ Yeshaya Yuzevitz farbrengens.
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950_bm_eng.indd 30 2014-11-24 11:25:48 PM CROSSROADS THE POGROMS OF 5775
Last week made it crystal clear: Those who avoided doing something about the rampaging intifada in Yerushalayim, stubbornly classifying the situation as minor incidents of disorderly conduct, got a horrifying slaughter equal to the pogroms in Europe that remain emblazoned in Jewish memory. This time, however, the massacre didn’t take place in Warsaw or Berlin, rather in the Holy City of Yerushalayim, the capital city of Eretz Yisroel.
By Sholom Ber Crombie Translated by Michoel Leib Dobry
1. running over people waiting for Berlin, rather in the Holy City the light rail transport was to of Yerushalayim, the capital city Immediately after Israel’s place more concrete barriers – of Eretz Yisroel. Essentially, minister for internal security what can we expect to happen we can say that these wanton learned of last week’s horrific when Jews davening Shacharis acts of violence are a direct and terrorist attack in a synagogue in a synagogue in the heart of unwavering continuation of the in Yerushalayim’s Har Nof Yerushalayim are murdered in pogroms of 1929 – a raging neighborhood, it would seem cold blood? massacre long remembered in the that he should have declared a Last week made it crystal annals of the Jewish settlement new policy of placing reinforced clear: Those who avoided doing movement in the Holy Land. concrete barricades at the something about the rampaging These are Arabs with the same entrance to every shul or perhaps intifada in Yerushalayim, hatred and lust for murder – forbidding Jews from going to stubbornly classifying the nothing has changed. The only shul altogether. If the conclusion situation as minor incidents reason that the pogroms of 1929 drawn from last summer’s of disorderly conduct, got a haven’t continued to this day was kidnapping and murder of the horrifying slaughter equal to the the Arabs’ fear and apprehension. three teenage hitchhikers in pogroms in Europe that remain When we were strong, they Gush Etzion was that the boys emblazoned in Jewish memory. were terrified and frightened to were to blame for what occurred, This time, however, the massacre continue their murderous riots. and if the response to a terrorist didn’t take place in Warsaw or As soon as the threat of Jewish
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reprisals was lifted, they went city, in a neighborhood where already been saturated with back to their rampage. From even Secretary of State John Jewish blood. Just two weeks their viewpoint, this was merely Kerry couldn’t accuse the local ago, a young Jewish woman was a resumption of the previous residents of harassing the Arabs. stabbed to death at a hitchhiking bloodshed against the Jews. They once explained to stop in Gush Etzion and a This slaughter has put an us that Arabs murdered Jews Jewish soldier was murdered in end to all the rosy stories of because of the “occupation” in Tel Aviv. All this occurred two those envisioning the dawn of a Yehuda and Shomron, because weeks after a Jewish girl and “new Middle East.” They have they irritated the Arabs by infant child were run over by told us over the years that if building in inappropriate places an Arab terrorist in the heart we would just give the Arabs throughout Yerushalayim, or of Yerushalayim. What has to economic prosperity and proper because of Jewish settlements in happen before the government of employment, if we would just give the city’s eastern sector. Anyone Israel finally wakes up? Do they them blue identity cards and full who was looking to rationalize really think that after decades equal rights under the law, they the murder of Jews found it of riots and murder, the Arabs would become loyal citizens and at every opportunity. Not this will learn on their own that it’s cast aside the weapons of hatred. time – all the excuses have run forbidden to commit murder The bloodthirsty terrorists who out. Even the frightful terrorist and they must abandon the use burst into the synagogue in attacks that took place in the of terror? Hasn’t it already been Har Nof were the “icing on heart of Tel Aviv always seemed made quite clear that weakness the cake” for the dreamers on to bring out the self-justification and submission paves the way to the political left. Here are Arab of the peace camp. They claimed the next act of carnage? What’s most absurd is that we What has to happen before the government of have a prime minister and defense minister from the so-called right- Israel finally wakes up? Do they really think that of-center party, and a minister after decades of riots and murder the Arabs will learn on of internal security from an even more right-wing party. Yet, their own that it’s forbidden to commit murder and they they pursue a left-wing agenda, must abandon the use of terror? Hasn’t it already been perhaps even extreme left-wing. There’s no real response to the made quite clear that weakness and submission paves abandonment of Jewish blood, the way to the next act of carnage? no response to terrorist attacks, and no security in the streets of Yerushalayim. The intifada is running wild, and they’re busy chasing after settlers spraying workers with blue identity cards that the terrorists came from “price tag” graffiti, as if this was from the Israel Ministry of the Yehuda and Shomron, and the only form of terrorism that Interior making a living in a therefore, they acted in protest justified a response. Jewish neighborhood. They were of the “oppression” there. The Even the economics minister full-fledged Israeli citizens who recent slaughter has revealed and Cabinet member who were granted everything that once again that such excuses represents the most “right-wing” a citizen is entitled to receive are meaningless; this was simply elements within the government in an enlightened country. murder for the sake of murder. of Israel has been more occupied However, the stipends from the This massacre has exploded in with his next political campaign National Insurance Institute the face of those still clinging than taking effective action. failed to convince them to refrain to their hallucinatory dream of It won’t matter how many from murdering Jews. On the peace. government ministers declare contrary, they took advantage of again and again the standard the freedom of movement that 2. formula of “destroying terrorists’ enabled them to walk freely along homes”; this method is simply the streets of Yerushalayim and In recent weeks, the writing a cruel joke. They come to the murder Jews in the heart of the wasn’t on the wall, as it had terrorist’s home, after the family
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950_bm_eng.indd 32 2014-11-24 11:25:49 PM The funeral of Rabbi Moshe Twersky of Boston, one of the victims of the Har Nof massacre
receives a warning to vacate nearly eighty Arabs were killed, Tzidkeinu and then “nation shall the premises and remove their thereby restoring tranquility and not lift up a sword against nation, possessions. They set off some the power of deterrence to the neither shall they learn war any dynamite that might knock down area. more.” a wall of two, and then they let The people of Eretz Yisroel the family come back to the house 3. are now waiting for us to give and live there again. What about the word. The heart bleeds as expelling them into Gaza? How As always in such situations, we all stand shocked by this about arresting their parents? here too we must act with ghastly act of murder. The Maybe they should exact some vengeance: the vengeance of atmosphere of gloom engulfing real revenge that would frighten light, an increase of good in the the Jewish People in general and potential terrorists? world in response to the doubled the residents of Yerushalayim in There were times when even and redoubled atmosphere of particular cannot continue. The the Israeli left realized that the darkness. It’s impossible to Rebbe taught us that in these murder of Jews cannot pass ignore such acts of murder, times, we must be a source of quietly and demands vengeance. especially when we have this spiritual encouragement and After an Arab terrorist attack in responsibility placed upon our awakening. On the one hand, we the Haifa refineries, resulting in doorstep. During the week must awaken the Jewish spirit and the murder of thirty-nine Jews when the International Shluchim underscore the Divine promise (may G-d avenge their blood), Conference reaches its climax, we that Eretz Yisroel is the safest the Haganah command sent out have an obligation to avenge the place in the world, as “the eyes six divisions totaling 120 fighters spilled blood of Your servants, of Hashem, your G-d, are upon for a retaliatory response in the as we offer our most sincere it from the beginning of the year Arab villages of Balad al-Sheikh prayer for the fulfillment of “And to the end of the year.” On the and Havasa, where most of the Hashem, your G-d, shall wipe the other hand, we must encourage Arabs who participated in the tears off every face.” Now is the the Jewish People to increase slaughter lived. The operational time to encourage, strengthen, their fulfillment of mitzvos and command ordered its forces and arouse the Jewish People. We other good deeds as a means of “to kill the maximum number must bring the announcement hastening the Redemption and of adult men, destroy furniture, of the Redemption and the kindling more light, the light of etc.” (while refraining from Redeemer to every Jew, with a Torah, in memory of the victims killing women and children). genuine demand to prepare the of this slaughter. During this act of retribution, whole world to greet Moshiach
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950_bm_eng.indd 33 2014-11-24 11:25:49 PM TZIVOS HASHEM THE MYSTERY OF THE GIFTS SOLVED! – By D Chaim
was a Kiddush Levana for the The message that old Sholom something. I am one of the soldiers in Tzivos Hashem. The conveyed on his visit was so regular readers of Beis Moshiach reason had to do with my plan clear that we all felt a renewed magazine. I often can’t wait to surprise Berele with l’chaim desire to be involved with and my fingers flip the pages and mezonos for his birthday the only remaining shlichus, to the end where there is the Tzivos which took place the very “kabbalas p’nei ha’Rebbi section for the soldiers in next day. He, of course, did Moshiach Tzidkeinu.” How did Hashem. Since mysteries not understand why I had not we decide to do this? Wait and from my print shop have been included him and we almost you’ll see. printed, I have become an avid reader of that column. quarreled over it, but when the “And now,” announced old intention is good, in the end it want “Now I know that your Sholom dramatically, “I all works out.” to bring in a special box in adventures were written up Next to Shmuely sat which are special gifts that I and thrilled soldiers in Tzivos Hashem for the last long Shloimy. He remained sitting will give each of the students.” he while. So I would like each of and after stating his name Everyone’s eyes turned you to stand up and introduce said, “Berele reminded me of toward the door. Micha, one of was yourself. This way, I will know the museum mystery. I the workers at the print shop, you not only from the stories. looking for my friend, and whom you surely remember For the sake of the readers, let Yossi’s father told me that his from the “Invitations Mystery,” us start from the table on the son said that they ‘had gone walked in. Micha was holding right, in order.” to live.’ I did not understand a small, closed box that was that and in the end, when The one who sits at the table wrapped in blue velvet. The I somehow got to the space on the right in the first row is mystery of what Sholom would museum, I met them there and Shmuely. I looked at him when give us was still not solved and together we concluded that he began speaking and noticed everyone was extremely eager just like astronauts who get Sholom that he was blushing a bit. for the moment that used to using special apparatus Shmuely said, “My name is would open the box. to prepare for outer space, Shmuely and I am Berele’s good But old Sholom was we need to start working friend. We have solved many apparently not in a hurry. on learning about Moshiach mysteries together although the He smoothed his suspenders and Geula so we can live the last one, I arranged myself; it and said, “I want to tell you new Geula reality which is
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950_bm_eng.indd 34 2014-11-24 11:25:50 PM giving a gift to each student, imminent.” with stunning colorful pictures which an artist had drawn I asked permission to speak. I The next one was Sholomke, to depict a Geula world that then stood up and said with a the shy one of the class. would soon become our daily smile, “I think I have still not Surprisingly, he spoke with reality. introduced myself … My name confidence. “I remember the is Berele and I often write of my “Wow! It’s stunning!” and mystery of the invitations experiences for my classmates Moishy whistled his amazement. which is what established the and for all those who read Beis We all joined him. After we connection with your print Moshiach. shop. The message conveyed had calmed down a bit, Sholom “I especially remember the with that mystery was so hushed us and said, “Do you time I dreamed of a stroll in special and on the mark that know who wrote the words Shushan at the time that the I realized that we cannot get etched in the glass? These are Purim story was taking place. used to galus. Since then, I words that the Rebbe Melech When I entered the home of began talking and learning HaMoshiach wrote in one of a boy in Shushan I was very more about Geula, and the galus his letters. The Rebbe said surprised to see that everything reality has become unacceptable about himself that even before looked ordinary and the boy, to me.” he went to yeshiva, he was preoccupied with the future Mordechai was his name, After everyone finished Geula. We need to learn from helped me to understand that introducing himself and we the Rebbe, especially when it it is the time that I live in, in reminisced about the Moshiach- is an explicit instruction in which we are all living now, related adventures we had had, the D’var Malchus of parshiyos which is the most special of all.” Sholom announced, “Now we Tazria-Metzora and Balak.” will give out the special gift!” After Sholom finished We all stared at the box which had been opened by Sholom. He took out the first gift and waved it so we could all see it. Sholom was holding a spectacular glass stand on which were etched the following words: “From the day I went to cheider, and even before, the picture of the final Redemption started forming in my mind – the Redemption of the Jews from their last exile, a Redemption in such a way that through it will be understood the sufferings of exile, the decrees and the destruction ... And all will be in a way that with a complete heart and full understanding it will be said on that day, ‘Thank you G-d for chastising me.’” These special words were decorated
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