1 CROWN HEIGHTS Newspaper ~November 14, 2008 כאן צוה ה’ את הברכה CommunityNewspaper

פרשת וירא | טז' חשון , תשס”ט | weekly vOL. Ii | NO 3 November 14, 2008 | cheshvan 16, 5769 CHOF CHESHVAN Rebbetzin Rivkah's Dream: “It was the night of Yud Kislev. My mother, Reb- betzin Sara, appeared to me, together with my grandfather, the Mitteler , his face glowing with purity. My mother said, ‘Rivkah, you and your husband [the Maharash] should write a Sefer Torah.’ The Mitteler Rebbe added joyfully, ‘You will have a good son, and don’t overlook my name!’ My mother continued, ‘Rivkah, listen to what my father is telling you!’ With my dear mother’s words echoing in my ears, I awoke." Page 3

jEWISH HEROES OF OLD nEW FEATURE MATISYAHU PAGE 6

A WORK OF ART'S FIRST STEPS...

PAGE 10 Rabbi Zvi Hirsh Gansbourg

Beis Din of Crown Heights 390A Kingston Avenue, Brooklyn, NY Tel- 718~604~8000 Fax: 718~771~6000 Rabbi A. Osdoba: ❖ Monday to Thursday 10:30AM - 11:30AM at 390A Kingston Ave. ☎Tel. 718-604-8000 ext.37 or 718-604-0770 Sunday-Thursday 9:30 PM-11:00PM ~Friday 2:30PM-4:30 PM ☎Tel. (718) - 771-8737 Rabbi Y. Heller is available daily 10:30 to 11:30am ~ 2:00pm to 3:00pm at 788 Eastern Parkway # 210 718~604~8827 ❖ & after 8:00pm 718~756~4632 Rabbi Y. Schwei, 4:00pm to 9:00pm ❖ 718~604~8000 ext 36 Rabbi Y. Raitport is available by appointment. ☎ 718~604~8000 ext 39 ☎ Rabbi Y. Zirkind: 718~604~8000 ext 39 Erev Shabbos Motzoei Shabbos Rabbi S. Segal: ☎ 718~604~8000 ext 39 ❖ Sun ~Thu 5:30pm -9:00pm or ☎718 -360-7110 Rabbi Bluming is available Sunday - Thursday, 3 -4:00pm at 472 Malebone St. ☎ 718 - 778-1679 Rabbi Y. Osdoba ☎718~604~8000 ext 38 ❖ Sun~Thu: 10:0am -11:30am ~ Fri 10:am - 1:00 pm or 4:21 5:21 ☎ 718 -604-0770 Gut Shabbos Rabbi S. Chirik: ☎ 718~604~8000 ext 38 ❖ Sun~Thu: 5:00pm to 9:00pm 2 CROWN HEIGHTS Newspaper ~November 14, 2008

The Vaad Hakohol

REBBE'S STORY “When one tells a story about his Rebbe he connects to the deeds of the Rebbe” (Sichos 1941 pg. 68) The Rebbe and the Professor from Paris “When you return to Paris, please “Good evening, Rabbi Schneerson.” does the Rebbe get his understanding himself from there.” make a and relay to all Yosef sat down. of that specific person to answer him The Rebbe continued, “It is written in the participants the questions and correctly?” He described to the Rebbe his forays the Torah: VeAhavta LeReacha Kamo- answers that took place in your Yechi- into traditional Judaism and the numer- The Rebbe leaned forward. “In every cha – love every Jew as yourself. You dus [meeting].” ous encounters with observant Jews human being’s life, not everything must love every member of the nation The following is a uniqueY echidus that of every stripe. “I have visited many goes so smoothly. Life has its ups and of Israel with unconditional love.” took place between the Rebbe and a different Jewish communities,” he downs, and problems arise. So what He smiled. “I hope you consider me as Jew from France. Yosef, a Sorbonne explained, “and I have found that every does a healthy person do? He will go one who belongs to the Jewish nation. professor, was a baal teshuva, newly community has a particular mitzvah or to a friend or to different people who Therefore, I love every single Jew with exploring his heritage and bursting with custom on which they place a stronger he feels know what is best for him and the greatest love in the world. So when questions about and the Rebbe emphasis than on others. This had me want to see him improve. He will share a Jew asks me a question, knowing how himself. Special thanks to the Rebbe’s wondering: what mitzvah should I his problems with this friend or person, much I love and care for him, I know secretaries and to the editorial staff personally emphasize and take extra and then, based on the advice given what to answer him.” of the Avner Institute. To learn more measures to fulfill?” to him, he will, it is hoped, improve about the Rebbe Visit: www.inspirin- “You do not have to search and figure gageneration.org out which mitzvah CROWN HEIGHTS WOMEN ONEG SHABBOS Yosef waited out- is more important,” side the office, the Rebbe quickly Torah Study Group vaguely aware of answered. “Instead, the swirl of black- you must fulfill all the GRAND OPENING SESSION coated officials and mitzvoth without any yeshiva students exception.” When: 16th of Cheshvan 5769 Parshas Vayeirah around him. Rabbis Yosef nodded, then November 14th, 2008 8:30 p.m. and scholars were continued describing still a novelty in his travels through his new life – a life Where: Mrs. Fayge Wilschansky 789 Montgomery Jewish life. “In the he had chosen, or Street (Between Albany & Troy Avenues) many communities rather had chosen I have visited, I have him, after years of found that often one Speaker: Rabbi Yosef Y. Simpson fruitless wandering. community might be But this rabbi and Renowned Educator Principal - United Lubavitcher jealous of another.” scholar, leader of Yeshiva - Crown Street an entire people, At this point the not merely a synagogue or yeshiva, was Rebbe rose from his seat and gazed different; famous, in fact, with followers at the visitor with utmost seriousness. the world over. “There is nothing wrong with one community’s observation of another. Yosef was told numerous times how If the purpose is to emulate the other’s lucky he was to get to meet such a growth and development, and to apply personality face to face. He rehearsed and integrate the other’s benefits, it is to himself what to ask, repeating the a positive thing. But to regard another questions mentally, and wondered how community with jealousy is absolutely they might be interpreted. forbidden.” At last he was summoned in. He entered Yosef paused, absorbing the informa- the office nervously glancing at the tion. “I am accustomed to visiting heavy, wooded paneling lined with Lubavitcher homes, and in all of them I bookcases, but was put at ease by the have seen pictures of you on the wall. Is kindly visage peering at him from having a picture of the Rebbe on display behind the oaken desk. a Lubavitcher custom?” “If a large picture bothers you, then a Newspaper small one is fine,” the Rebbe replied. Community “But if even a small picture bothers you, then don’t bother putting up a 392 Kingston Avenue picture at all.” Brooklyn, NY 11225 [email protected] The modesty and diffidence impressed Yosef. Nevertheless, he sensed that the Published & edited weekly by the Vaad Hakohol of Crown Heights. Rebbe’s power went far beyond photos. “I have a feeling sometimes that the love Moshe Rubashkin, Rosh Hakohol Dr. Tzvi (Harvey) Lang, Chairman of your Chassidim towards you in Paris Rabbi Plotkin, Secretary is . . . a bit exaggerated?” Layout: SimplyUnique ([email protected]) The Rebbe shrugged. “So their love All material in this paper has been copyrighted. It is the exclusive property of this newspaper, unless towards me is a bit exaggerated. What otherwise attributed., and cannot be reproduced without the consent of the publisher. can I do? I myself love every single Jew. Perhaps that you might call Composition responsibility: This newspaper will not be liable for errors appearing in advertising, beyond exaggerated.” the cost of the space occupied by the error. Advertiser assumes responsibility for errors in telephone orders. “How does the Rebbe know how to All advertisement designed and prepared by the CH answer every Jew who asks him a Community Newspaper are the property of the newspaper and cannot be reproduced without the question? Some of these people the consent of the publisher Rebbe had never met before. Where November 14, 2008 ~ crOWN heights Newspaper 3

The Rebbe's Sicha Parshas Vayera

guests only “appeared to eat”(3) from A REAL the lavish repast Abraham served Chof Cheshvan them. Wh