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contents

THE PRECIOUS JEW 4 D’var Malchus | Sichos In ENlgish

CROSSING THE RIVER TO THE 6 PROMISED LAND Thought | Rabbi Zvi Homnick

FINDING TRUE ENLIGHTENMENT 10 Profile | Nosson Avrohom

WITH THE POWER OF FAITH 18 Story | Nosson Avrohom

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d’var malchus THE PRECIOUS JEW

Sichos In English

WITHIN THE MANY - ONE back to our forefathers, Avraham, individual close to G-d. [10] Even a brief look at the different Yitzchak, and Yaakov, and our members of our people reveals a wide Matriarches Sarah, Rivka, Rachel, LOVING OUTREACH and Leah. range of heterogeneity, for there is The above concepts are not Every Jew in the present hardly a country or a setting in which merely abstract truths; they are of generation is a representative of the Jews do not live. fundamental relevance with regard to entire collective of our people as they The scope of this picture becomes the manner with which we relate to have existed throughout the course of even broader when the history of our our fellow Jews, even those whose history. As such, G-d cherishes every people and all their different conduct (at present) is estranged Jew as a father holds dear an only wanderings are taken into from our Torah heritage. [11] son. [4] consideration. First and foremost, we must The Jews have featured appreciate who the other person truly prominently in almost every major CLOSENESS WITH G-D is. When speaking to a Jew, we must civilization throughout the world, and The unique love which G-d shows be aware that we are speaking to a in doing so, they have adapted the Jewish people is reflected in the person whose soul is “an actual part themselves to the contexts of these beginning of our Torah reading which of G-d.” different environments. states: [5] “And He [6] called to There is no need to focus on the It is not merely the settings in Moshe, and G-d spoke to him.” negative dimensions of the other which our people live that are Before G-d spoke to Moshe, He person’s conduct. different, the nature of the individuals called to him, showing him a unique Instead, one should highlight his themselves vary greatly. measure of endearment. [7] inner potential, making the other Our Sages comment [1] that just G-d did not call Moshe to impart person conscious of the G-dly spark as the faces of no two people are information; on the contrary, He within his own being. alike, so too, their thought processes called to him to express the We must emulate the example differ. fundamental bond of love He shares provided for us by our Torah reading, This variety does not, however, with our people. (For although it was showing our fellow man a special obscure the fundamental point of Moshe alone who was called, this call degree of closeness, and inviting him oneness that permeates every was addressed to him, not as an to involve himself in activities that member of our people, in every individual, but as the leader of our encourage the expression of his G-dly country, and in every age. people.) [8] core. Every Jew - man, woman, and The inner G-dly nature which we We should pursue this approach child - has a soul that is “an actual possess is not a passive potential. with confidence, for it speaks to the part of G-d,” [2] and this On the contrary, it seeks to very essence of our fellow man. fundamental G-dly quality permeates express itself. “No Jew can - or desires to - every dimension of his being, even his This is reflected by the subject of separate himself from G-d.” body. the Torah reading, the sacrificial When he is invited to affirm his Of this people, G-d says, [3] “I offerings. Jewish heritage with warmth and created this nation for Myself, they The Hebrew word for sacrifice, openness, he will respond, will recite My praise.” korban, shares a common root with proceeding at his own pace to “come Every Jew is a heir to the entire the word karov, meaning “close.” close to G-d.” spiritual heritage of our people. The sacrifices bring the Jews’ Since he is part of the nation There is a golden chain extending spiritual potential to the surface, [9] “created for Myself,” it is inevitable through the generations, reaching bringing our people and each that he will ultimately “relate My

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praise,” follow the path of the Torah working of G-d’s hand within our 4. The Baal Shem Tov as quoted in and its mitzvos and by doing so bring world. [14] Kesser Shem Tov, Hosafos 133. praise to G-d’s name. 5. Leviticus 1:1. THE ULTIMATE PRAISE 6. When mentioning the call to Moshe, SEEK THE SILVER The G-dly potential present in the Torah does not refer to any of the LINING every Jew and within our people as a different names of G-d. For every name represents a limitation, a reflection of There is a natural tendency to be whole will not remain dormant. And only one aspect of His Being, while the impatient, to urge a person to reach its blossoming will lead to the age call to Moshe expressed the connection the ultimate goal - the complete when the G-dliness latent in the to G-d’s essence, a level which observance of the Torah and its world at large will become manifest, transcends any and all names. mitzvos - as soon as possible, and the Era of the Redemption. 7. Rashi, op. cit. perhaps to criticize him, if he delays At that time, the Jewish people will “relate [G-d’s] praise” in a complete 8. For “it is only for the sake of Israel making progress. that I have given you greatness” manner, showing their gratitude for This is an improper approach. (Brachos 32b, Rashi, Exodus 32:7). When Yeshayahu the prophet the miracles He performs on their behalf. [15] 9. The connection between the made harsh statements about the sacrifices and the essential G-dly Herein we see a connection to the Jewish people, although they were nature of the Jewish soul is reflected by justified, G-d rebuked him severely. month of Nissan, the month during the verse (Leviticus 1:2): “When a [12] which Parshas VaYikra in most years. man... brings a sacrifice.” Why does Instead, we must endeavor to Our Sages associate Nissan with the Torah use the word man, adam in appreciate - and always accentuate - miracles of a wondrous nature. [16] Hebrew? Because adam is related to the positive quality which every And Nissan is “the month of the word adama, “I resemble,” and member of our people possesses. For redemption,” [17] “the month in thus refers to the verse (Isaiah 14:14), “I will resemble the One above;” i.e., indeed, independent of any Divine which the Jews were redeemed, and the month in which they will be man is representative of G-d, as it were service which a Jew performs, the (Sheloh, Parshas VaYeishev). very fact of his existence is an redeemed in the future.” [18] expression of G-d’s praise. At that time, the entire Jewish Man’s potential to draw close to G-d stems from the fact that G-dliness lies In the present generation, every people - men, women, and children - at the core of his own being. Jew regardless of his identification will proceed to our Holy Land and with his Judaism is a living miracle “relate [G-d’s] praise” in the Beis 10. Seifer HaBahir, sec. 46. who expresses the praise of G-d. HaMikdash. May this take place in 11. This concept is also alluded to by Despite the fact that the Jews are the immediate future. our Torah reading, for its latter “one lamb among seventy wolves” Adapted from Likkutei Sichos, Vol. VII, sections describe the sacrifice of sin pg. 24-26; Vol. XVII, ps. 12-15; [13] and have faced the most severe offerings and guilt offerings, sacrifices Seifer HaSichos 5750, Vol. I, p. 327ff brought to atone for undesirable forms of persecution, they have conduct. endured throughout the course of Notes: history, while nations far greater and 12. See Isaiah 6:5-7. 1. Sanhedrin 38a. more powerful have disappeared. 13. Cf. Midrash Tanchuma, Parshas This clearly shows that G-d has 2. Tanya, ch. 2. The expression “a part Toldos, sec. 5. of G-d” is taken from Job 31:2. The invested a dimension of eternality 14. Moreover, by and large, the non- Alter Rebbe adds the word “actual,” for within the Jews. Their continued observant Jews today are not two reasons: existence, as a nation and as responsible for their lack of practice. individuals, openly expresses Divine a. to emphasize that our souls They are like “children captured by the Providence. are truly a part of G-d as it were and gentiles,” who were never given an not merely a ray of His light; In particular, this applies in the opportunity to learn about their Jewish heritage in a complete manner. present era, barely a generation after b. to underscore that even as the the awesome Holocaust which souls “actual,” enclothed in the 15. See the commentary of the Radak material world, they remain “a part of threatened to utterly annihilate our to Isaiah 43:21. G-d,” for the word “mamash” 16. Brachos 57a. people. translated as “actual,” also means The fact that our people were able “material.” 17. Shmos Rabba 15:11. to endure that terrible era and give 3. Isaiah 43:21; the beginning of the 18. Rosh HaShana 11a. birth to a new generation (regardless Haftora for Parshas VaYikra. of their spiritual level) reveals the

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thought

PROMISE LOST Amongst the numerous circles CROSSING of friends and acquaintances that I picked up along the way during my yeshiva years, there was a loosely knit informal network of “wild geniuses.” Unlike the THE RIVER secular categorizations of “nerds” or “geeks,” these guys tended to be extremely gifted intellectually as well as larger than life characters socially. The social TO THE environment that they developed around themselves was a fascinating mix of egalitarianism and elitism. Generally, they took great pleasure in deflating the self PROMISED -importance of the academic elites in their respective yeshivas, while being generous with their time and friendship towards those who had little to offer in terms of LAND intellectual stimulation. Well- meaning fools and idiots would be tolerated and even befriended if they weren’t too annoying, but the By Rabbi Zvi Homnick pretentious fool or idiot was informed in no uncertain terms that he was not welcome. In the first week of the month of Nissan, Within that group, there were a number of fellows who would there are numerous historic days of speak wistfully of the Chassidic days of yore, when in places like significance. To list a few; Rosh Mezritch and Liozna, Lublin and Kotzk, and yes, even the Chodesh Nissan, the day of the Lubavitch of the Rebbe Rashab, dedication of the Mishkan in the desert; simple Chassidim sat shoulder to shoulder with the great minds of 2 Nissan, the yahrtzait of the Rebbe the movement. In that egalitarian environment of brotherly love, Rashab; and 6 Nissan, the day the Jews those great minds were given the tools and guidance to grow and miraculously crossed the Jordan River take their place as leaders, even as they worked to assimilate the into the Holy Land. What these three tenets of Chassidic love for even events have in common is that each the simplest Jew. Contrariwise, in today’s world they felt as if they represents a major step forward in the didn’t really belong anywhere, since the modern yeshiva world fulfillment of the Divine Plan, while represented the old world Lithuanian elitism based on also being associated with a qualitative scholarship real or imagined, and spiritual decline... the modern Chassidic world had

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become about building large list a few; Rosh Chodesh Nissan, his receiving the second set of institutions and had lost any real the day of the dedication of the Luchos (usually translated as appeal for the truly gifted. Mishkan in the desert; 2 Nissan, Tablets). That being the case, the I remember in particular one the yahrtzait of the Rebbe Rashab; people were no longer on the level such conversation, when a friend and 6 Nissan, the day the Jews of experiencing the full revelation suggested that in fact Lubavitch miraculously crossed the Jordan present in the Mishkan, so in represented the greatest River into the Holy Land. What effect, although it brought the disappointment. In a relatively these three events have in common Divine Presence to all the people, short period of time, it had gone is that each represents a major all the time, its qualitative impact from an educational system that step forward in the fulfillment of was significantly reduced. accepted only the best and the the Divine Plan, while also being *** brightest, enlisting the rank and associated with a qualitative The same seems to hold true file of the movement to help spiritual decline. regarding the 2nd of Nissan and support that system, and creating Although there are differing the passing of the Rebbe Rashab. a social environment where both opinions as to when the original The Rebbe explains the groups felt that they were part of commandment to build a Mishkan significance of this event (see the same family, to an open door took place, Rashi in Chumash Likkutei Sichos vol. 27 p. 24-28) educational system that threw follows the view that it was after in the context of the Rebbe together any and all comers, thus the sin of the Golden Calf and its Rashab’s pronouncement prior to lowering the level for all. In the purpose was to house Hashem’s his passing, “I am going to push for quantity, quality had presence amongst the Jewish Heaven, and the writings I leave been sacrificed to the point that it People as a sign of, and as a result for you.” The Rebbe says that the was no longer even appreciated by of, His forgiveness. However, that definitive contribution of the most. forgiveness extended only so far. Rebbe Rashab in the realm of Later, when I raised this issue The removal of the “spiritual filth” Chassidic teachings is the with Lubavitchers whom I remaining from the sin of the Tree “bringing down” of the teachings encountered over the years, at of Knowledge at the giving of the of Chassidus in such a way that, different stages in my personal Torah was reversed. Once it and creating a yeshiva where, they evolution, I heard many returned, the people again became could be studied “like a sugya in explanations for why this had to desensitized to G-dliness, and Nigleh” (like a topic in Jewish be so, whether due to the spiritual illness and death once again law). descent of the generation or the became an integral part of the Legal analysis requires one to needs of the time for broader human experience. Additionally, delve into the underlying educational opportunities. they were commanded to remove reasoning of the law, primarily by Whatever the reason given, my the “crowns” they received at means of contrast or comparison, sense was that even within Mount Sinai, which signify the which is driven by questioning and Lubavitch there was a clear ability to perceive and relate to finding seeming contradictions acknowledgment of a major transcendent G-dly revelation. and inconsistencies. However, in downward shift, with some seeing These tremendous qualitative the study of the concealed portion it as a tragic byproduct of exile declines remained in place even of the Torah, there are strong and others as another painful but after the fire descended unto the warnings against raising and necessary step toward redemption. altar on Rosh Chodesh Nissan, considering challenging questions So, even before I ever seriously indicating forgiveness. and contradictions, since it deals considered Chabad Chassidus as a Even according to Ramban, with the absolute truth of G-d and way of life in contemporary times, who holds the view that the His reality. What the Rebbe I felt a sense of mourning for the command to build the Mishkan Rashab accomplished was that one glory days when the world held preceded the giving of the Torah, could apply legal type analysis to such promise and opportunity for since its purpose was to contain the mysteries of the Divine the spiritual seeker. and house that very revelation without compromising his absolute even after the event was long over, PROMISE SACRIFICED faith and acceptance of the the actual building and absolute truth. This allows one to In the first week of the month inauguration took place after the gain a better and more concrete of Nissan, there are numerous sin of the Golden Calf and understanding of ideas and topics historic days of significance. To Moshe’s pleas for forgiveness and

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holiness, in “bringing G-d down” The statement that “the writings I leave to ever lower levels of existence, so that they too are part of the to you,” is an indication that the Rebbe “dwelling for G-d,” requires that with his “going to Heaven” on the 2nd those who carry out the work be themselves “lower” and that even of Nissan would be empowering each they must sacrifice their spiritual ambitions and gifts for the greater and every Jew to gain greater access to good. That would seem to bolster the view that in the final and understanding of an entire generation of exile, and especially the final moments of that dimension of Torah that had been generation, we must focus on previously beyond their reach. action and reaching out to as many as we can at the calculated cost of personal spiritual growth that are inherently abstruse and quality was being intentionally and quality. abstract, thus also making it more sacrificed for the need to reach accessible to a wider audience. and save as many people as The statement that “the possible. PROMISED LAND writings I leave to you,” is an *** “And they shall build for Me a sanctum and I will dwell within indication that the Rebbe with his When Yehoshua led the people nd them.” The Sages explain the “going to Heaven” on the 2 of into the Promised Land on the 6th wording of the Divine instruction Nissan would be empowering each of Nissan, this was a great historic to build a Mishkan and a Mikdash and every Jew to gain greater leap forward, as they were to mean that “I will dwell within access to and understanding of an ostensibly coming to achieve the each and every one of them.” The entire dimension of Torah that had final purpose for which the world purpose of constructing a physical been previously beyond their was created. Their mission was to “home” for G-d is not simply to reach. transform a physical plot of earth provide Him a place where He can This is a great step forward into a holy place where the Divine reveal His presence within a lowly and yet appeared to come along Presence would be revealed to the finite world, but its ultimate with a huge qualitative spiritual entire world. This entailed leaving purpose is that He wishes to be drop. At that time, the the purely spiritual environment of revealed and present within the Communists were consolidating Torah study and meditation within heart and mind of each and every their power and beginning their the “clouds of glory” in the desert, Jew. This would seem to indicate push to stamp out religion. The and becoming involved with that He is not looking so much for yeshiva, which had begun mundane earthly activities. These a house as for a home. fracturing during WWI and the included wars, home renovations The same holds true regarding ensuing Bolshevik revolution, and becoming immersed in the the ultimate design and purpose of became completely splintered with labor intensive fields of agriculture creation, “HaKadosh Baruch Hu small groups studying in different and animal husbandry. Here desired a dwelling in the lower places. The Rebbe Rayatz again, we seem to see a calculated realms.” His desire to make His announced that the main call of sacrifice of spiritual quality for the dwelling, which is explained in the hour was to fortify Jewish sake of expanding the reach and Chassidus to mean the place Education in the face of such realm of holiness. As the Sages where He can be His true self religious persecution, and many summed it up, “the face of Moshe uncloaked, in this lowly world, is young students were sent out to (shone) like the face of the sun, ultimately for the purpose of teach little children the most basic and the face of Yehoshua (shone) dwelling within each and every tenets and skills for Jewish living like the face of the moon.” and learning. Any idea of limiting Jew. Since it is our mission to *** enrollment, at any level, to the provide and construct this gifted and/or the extraordinary All of the above would seem to dwelling, we need to construct the was jettisoned. It would seem that indicate that this is the way that it dwelling in the world and we need as a matter of policy, spiritual is meant to be. Every advance in to construct the dwelling within [Continued on pg. 42]

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Kupas Rabbeinu rchbu eup, Lubavitch vnahj nkl tsnu"r f"e bahtu, ,j,

(718) 756-3337 ^ P.O.B. 288 Brooklyn, New York 11225 ^ (718) 467-2500 B”H 16th of Adar, 5770 MO’OS CHITTIM To All Anash and Temimim wha' Sholom U'vrocho! Excerpt of a Sicho Kedoisho, which speaks for itself The Jews will be redeemed solely through tzedokah... In particular, this applies with regards to the matter relevant at present, maos chittim, tzedakah given for Pesach that includes all of the needs of the holiday. Our involvement with this must be in a manner of ratzo and shov, i.e., one should not wait for the tzedakah collector, but instead, rush to give him maos chittim on his own initiative (ratzo). Moreover, even after he has already given maos chittim, he should go and give a second time (shov).... For one who has been blessed should increase his gifts according to the blessing he has been given. And who ever increases will be given additional reward. Indeed, there is no limit to this additional reward. From the sichos Shabbos Parshas Vayakhel-pikudei, 5750 It is well known that "Kupas Rabbeinu" endeavors to continue implementing all of the holy projects and activities which the Rebbe has established. Amongst these activities is the Rebbe's practice to extend financial aid to those families in need of their various Pesach necessities. Accordingly, we are at this time urging and requesting each and every Anash member and Tomim uhjha to contribute generously to "Kupas Rabbeinu," in order to enable the administration to provide for these families and thus afford them with the opportunity to celebrate Pesach with contentment and joy. Regarding this Mitzvah it is stated: "Whoever increases (in giving) is praiseworthy." Unfortunately, the amount of families in need of this financial assistance is more than generally assumed. As such, the more generous your contribution to "Kupas Rabbeinu," the greater the number of families receiving assistance will be. And since, with regard to all Mitzvahs we are instructed to act with Simcha and zest, it is all the more pertinent with regard to the aforementioned, as it is of paramount importance that the funds be received and distributed as soon as possible. In the merit of Tzedakah which hastens the Geula, may we merit the true Geula Shlaimah, with the revelation of Melech HaMashiach - The Rebbe Nasi Doreinu, immediately, Mamash.

Chag HaPesach Kosher V'Sameach, Vaad Kupas Rabbeinu

P.S. 1) The traditional "Magvis Yud Shevat, Purim" can also be sent at this time, as well as all other Magvios. 2) All funds should be sent to the following address only; Donations are tax deductible KUPAS RABBEINU, P.O. Box 288, BROOKLYN, N.Y. 11225 In Eretz haKodesh: KEREN KUPAS ADMU"R, P.O. Box 1247, KIRYAT MALACHI – ISRAEL 735_B_Beis Moshiach 15/03/2010 9:42 AM Page 10

profile FINDING TRUE ENLIGHTENMENT

By Nosson Avrohom

Now, after half a year of learning He was an Israeli kid who sought soul in yeshivas Daas in Rechovot he is food and went on a long journey that learning in a baal t’shuva yeshiva in Eilat. started with art and continued with “I was born and lived in the place where the yeshiva I am ashrams in Thailand, India and the learning in now is located. At that time, it was sand dunes.” forests of Sri Lanka. He reached the *** He grew up in the Tzofit level of monk and always wore an neighborhood of Eilat. His parents, orange robe until he met the Rebbe’s who were miners in the nearby copper mine in Timna, lived in one shluchim and was amazed to discover of two large buildings that were built for the employees. that many ideas he had studied in “For many years, copper was our world until large deposits of copper Buddhist sources had their origin in were discovered in Chile and broke the market. Even then, the Israeli Judaism. That is when he was faced government continued employing with a very difficult decision… hundreds of workers despite the losses because this operation supported most of the residents of For ten years, Yosef Aryeh Klein found the ultimate recipe for the city. They closed at the wandered the forests of Sri Lanka happiness. beginning of the eighties when and visited far-flung ashrams, The first one to expose him to tourism began to flourish and many dressed as a Buddhist priest. His Chassidus was the shliach in Sri new positions became available.” head was bald and he wore the Lanka, Rabbi Menachem Mendel The Klein family was irreligious. orange robe of a monk. For years he Crombie. That led to his visiting the Both parents were from Eastern climbed the rungs of spiritual shluchim in Rishikesh and Europe and Jewish tradition was mastery until public figures and high Dharamsala and he eventually more of a symbol to them than a government officials, including the exchanged his robe for normative way of life; more about values and president of Sri Lanka, would bow dress and then for Chassidic garb. It morality than anything that obligated before him and consult him for wasn’t easy for him to discard all the them. advice. By day he wrote insights and remnants of idol worship that clung “My father escaped by the skin guidance for a good life, meditated, to him but with great siyata of his teeth in 1938 from and taught new monks, while at d’Shmaya and understanding of Czechoslovakia which the Nazis night he slept in crevices and caves Chassidus he found the authentic conquered even before the outbreak in the forest. He thought he had inner joy of Judaism. of World War II. He was together

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with many other Jewish youth who “As a child, I tried investigating, seeking went to Budapest and formed a secret youth movement that worked a true identity, a reason for our life on throughout the war years on forging papers for Jews who were able to earth, but I didn’t know where to look. hide their identities and save themselves from the Nazis. Judaism was the last place I went to “The few times that my father agreed to tell me about that period look because I saw it as a system of he said that he would go to the local rules and intimidation that was passed police to lodge a complaint about a stolen item and he would remember along from generation to generation details about the policeman and use it to form a false identity. without logical underpinnings.” “In 1944 that entire group made aliya and later started the Liberal Egyptians. “As a child, I tried investigating, party which later merged into the “I grew up in a home that was seeking a true identity, a reason for Likud. My parents were among the very patriotic towards the Jewish our life on earth, but I didn’t know pioneers of kibbutz Nitzanim but my nation and Jewish identity but where to look. Judaism was the last father, who was a big individualist, without any real content. We never place I went to look because I saw it quickly left the kibbutz and at the opened a Jewish book. Aside from as a system of rules and intimidation end of the fifties we moved to Eilat. Pesach and Chanuka, we kept no that was passed along from My father was happy with his other mitzvos. We didn’t even generation to generation without decision to leave the kibbutz because observe Yom Kippur. And yet, we logical underpinnings.” not long afterward it fell to the had Jewish pride. Yosef was a gifted student. In

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For nine years I lived in the forest in the to times or limitations. I felt I was on the top of the world and southeast of Sri Lanka. Many monks important artists wanted to get to know me. convene in this area, in the middle of “But as had happened previously, it was this big success that led me to the forest, for in the center are the continue searching. I felt that I had reached the end and there was remnants of a large ashram where, nowhere to continue. After a period according to Buddhist tradition, more of time, I felt a detachment from those friends and teachers. This than 12,000 monks lived. In the thick of detachment just got stronger. I knew that when this crowd, which was the magnificent jungle there were caves constantly talking about inner truth and how art stood for depth, folded where I would sleep every night. their artwork and left the studio they went to the most shocking places of fourth grade his teachers consented “I would sit for hours with a falsehood and physicality. to his no longer doing homework. paintbrush. I did mostly modern art “After I left art, I was in a state What he heard in class was enough but not that exclusively. Till today, I of great confusion. I felt I could no for him to receive the highest mark. can draw portraits that are longer continue that way.” “I was unwilling to go with the remarkably accurate. Near the city One day, he discovered a big flow and I looked for something of Marseilles is a famous art center in Tel Aviv for the study of beyond. Nobody was able to still the university and I registered there. I yoga. Friends recommended this hunger I felt. That which many was also involved in the local Jewish particular center and said it others push aside, I sought to community and was very impressed provided inner happiness, so he confront and deal with. by the high positions many of them decided to sign up. “When I became of draft age, I had in society.” “Many of the leaders of this was turned off by it all. While my After a year of intensive study, he international organization are Jews. I friends were excited and enlisted in returned to Israel and the feeling of was a member for years. I began to elite units, and some became pilots, emptiness returned to haunt him. feel that I had found the truth and I was preoccupied with a search for “What didn’t I do to quiet that that peace and serenity were truth.” feeling? Nothing helped. I didn’t entering my life. There was a long He felt he could not agree to a know that t’shuva entails working on period when I lived there and set of laws on blind faith, without your middos, spiritual avoda. I was became a master. Not surprisingly, explanation. immersed deep in the world of art. I when time went by the uplifting “One day, when I returned home call those years ‘the lost years,’ years feeling dissipated and once again, I on vacation after a long stint in the that didn’t get me anywhere and found myself searching.” infantry, the bus, which had veered were wasted on material things. I He decided to travel far away because of a camel, collided with a lived in Tel Aviv and went to an art since life in Israel had become car full of German tourists and school in Ramat HaSharon. It’s a narrow for him and intolerable. killed them all. I got off the bus to very exclusive place that teaches Yosef’s parents had died within a try and extricate those who were artists to be art teachers. I was very short span of time at the end of trapped. The terrible scene was successful there too. One of the 5754 and his plan was to leave the reason for the rescue workers to teachers, a well-known artist by the continent for India. send me to the hospital too and this name of Rafi Lavie, a Leftist, “Long before that I had wanted was the impetus that led the military announced to the class about one of to go to India but my parents stood authorities to grant me an my drawings that he had never seen in my way. They constantly pushed exemption from the army. I was artwork on such a high level. me to live the life my friends and thrilled and a short while later I flew Consequently, many of the students relatives were living and I found it to France.” and staff were sure I would become very difficult to describe to them Yosef’s passion was art. He used a teacher that year but I lived a very what was going on inside of me. painting to still his inner hunger. wild life without any commitments When I landed in India I traveled to

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Rishikesh where I found a famous after a night’s travel we arrived at felt, for the umpteenth time, that yoga master and I stayed with him the ashram in the heart of the this was not yet my final destination. for two years. jungle. The atmosphere was magical I continued my search in Sri Lanka. “When my visa in India expired I and all was peaceful. In the morning Friends recommended a place where went to Thailand hoping to renew it we ate natural foods and the rest of I met a famous monk, a nice person, there, but on the main street of the day we practiced asceticism. who delivered lectures on fascinating Bangkok I met a Buddhist monk. “The monks lectured us about ideas about how to look at life. I He was a very nice guy and he how to work on our character traits made a commitment to be a monk. seemed to have great life wisdom and I felt it spoke to me. I decided Unfortunately, I did not know along with tremendous simplicity. I to take another step towards anything about Judaism at that time. was very hopeful that I had finally Buddhism. I shaved my head and Although, while in India an Israeli found what my soul sought. He put on an orange robe. In Thailand tourist had given me a Tanach to understood that I was in the midst it is very easy to be a monk. There is read, I tried hard to understand and of a search and he invited me to the a tradition that goes back many connect to it but was unsuccessful.” ashram where he lived in the jungle, years in which young people become The decision to be a monk was a night’s journey from Bangkok. At monks for a period of time before made in 5760. The center agreed to that time I was already considered a going to university. There is a law accept him and he went through the top teacher of yoga. that someone who wants to be a ceremony that transformed him “I was sure I would never go candidate for certain political offices from an ordinary person into a back to Israel. As far as I was has to have a period of monasticism monk. concerned, I had left it forever. I felt in his resume`. In the morning, all “The center received a license to I had to find myself within the of us monks would go to a nearby appoint monks and I was their first numerous paths that the Far East village and the people there gave us one. I shaved my head and wore the offered. In Israel I did not feel food. I spent three months there. orange robe. I wandered around, not connected to anything. Anyway, “At the end of the three months I working ,and was given food by

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“A year before I learned about There was a famous teacher from the Hashem, the army announced that it United States who came on a visit to Sri had discovered a boat on the coast that belonged to Tamil rebels. They Lanka and identified herself to me as a said that during the day we could walk about freely but at night, since Jew. She told me that in her estimation, the army was laying in ambush to catch them, we civilians were asked a quarter of Buddhist believers are to stay indoors. This upset me since I would sleep in caves in the jungle Jewish… The vast majority of teachers and now I had to use a normal bed of Vipassana yoga, a mind based in the ashram. There was one thing I refused to give in on and that was meditation without spirituality mixed the meditation I did morning and evening. in, are Jews. In Massachusetts there’s “Although there was a serious warning, I went out in the evening the biggest center in the world and all to a certain hill where I meditated. When nothing happened to me, I the teachers are Jews who have written went out again in the morning to the many books on the subject. same spot. It was four a.m. and it was pitch black outside. The shrieks of animals could be heard and they sincere gentiles who were educated estimation, a quarter of Buddhist made me walk quicker. I suddenly to worship monks, including the believers are Jewish. When I looked heard a voice calling me. I turned president of Sri Lanka who bowed into this for myself, I saw that this around and didn’t see anyone and to me in awe when he came to the wasn’t way off. The vast majority of continued walking. A few seconds area and we met. teachers of Vipassana yoga which is later I heard shots, and shrapnel “After some trips within the a mind based meditation without from bullets that whistled around me country, I began my career as a spirituality mixed in, are Jews. In fell in my immediate area. I broke monk of the forest. For nine years I Massachusetts there’s the biggest into a run and returned to the lived in the forest in the southeast of center in the world and all the ashram in a fright. Sri Lanka. Many monks convene in teachers are Jews who have written “I was terrified that they were this area, in the middle of the forest, many books on the subject. terrorists who would enter the for in the center are the remnants of “For hours a day I would study, building but the hours passed and a large ashram where, according to read books and develop ideas of my the next day I found out that the Buddhist tradition, more than own. The new president of Sri ones who had shot at me were 12,000 monks lived. In the thick of Lanka, Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa, soldiers who had laid an ambush. the magnificent jungle there were gave much honor to monks and They were very scared that they had caves where I would sleep every connected an Internet line for us in shot at a monk but I calmed them night. During the day I would divide the jungle so we could put our ideas down and said I forgave them. my time between three monks who online and get more people, from “Two weeks later, when I went to worked in the area. For most of the around the world, involved. At a the capitol in order to arrange my hours of the day, the monks would certain point I became the visa, the big monk of the city invited discuss different aspects of Buddhist spokesman of the monks on local me to see him. It was first then that philosophy. television stations. I gave many I found out that I had been “The more I delved into the lectures and felt that I had achieved miraculously saved. The soldiers, books of the masters that taught the ultimate. The feeling of who were armed with Kalashnikov Buddhism, the more I realized what emptiness went away and strangely rifles, wanted to kill me but one rifle a share Jews have in this. There was enough, that is when I began my didn’t shoot and another rifle a famous teacher from the United t’shuva.” stopped after a few bullets, a rarity States who came on a visit to Sri In order to understand how far for this kind of gun.” Lanka and identified herself to me he got in the world of Buddhism, The story appeared in all the as a Jew. She told me that in her Yosef relates: papers of the country and all praised

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the monks who had the spiritual power to stop bullets. “I knew that I didn’t have any powers and when I began doing t’shuva a few months later, I connected this with other things that happened to me and realized that Hashem was protecting me. Throughout that period of time, I wasn’t careful and I didn’t take care of myself. Today I know that I could have just as easily been hurt but the Divine Providence that brought me to the light also protected me from elephants in the forest and other dangers.” Today, Yosef sums up his t’shuva process as miraculous. He was at life’s summit and many people sought him out. He himself didn’t feel compelled to seek something else but his neshama apparently thought otherwise for it led him back to his roots. “I visited the capitol of Sri Lanka in order to renew my visa and to get approbations from senior monks and I passed the time in a small ashram. One of the people in charge was the president, who was very friendly Crombie and he was amenable to manager of a large textile factory with the monks and had given us the idea. When I showed up to pick whose partner was an Israeli from a whatever we needed, declared war up the money from him, he wasn’t kibbutz in the north of Israel. When on the Tamil rebels. As a result, he willing to let me go too fast and we he saw that I was also Israeli he was willing to sell the country to sat down to talk. He spoke introduced us and a friendship whoever would agree to give him the Chassidus and I was amazed. It was developed. One day we made up weapons and military technology. familiar to me! Whatever I had that he would get all his Israeli That Israeli, before leaving Sri researched for years he was saying friends together so I could give them Lanka, told me that in the capitol and even adding and developing the a lecture on the wisdom of there was a Chabad house which is concepts! Buddhism.” run by a young fellow named Mendy “It was the first time that I was But that morning Yosef was sick Crombie. He gave me the address confronted with the idea that and could not attend the gathering. and the phone number. I put it in Judaism was not what I thought it Today, he says how happy he was my bag and didn’t think I would go was. It was not at all superficial. We that he got sick because otherwise, visit anytime soon but it happened spoke for hours about those he could have easily drawn more quicker than I thought. concepts. He called them maamarim innocent Jews into klipa. “Relatives called me from Israel and sichos and I called them by “That Israeli and other Israelis and said that they were on a trip to Buddhist names. To his credit, he left the country after it became an India and they wanted to see me did not pressure me even though I ally of Iran and China and their after nearly a decade. I told them my was shocked by the revelation. He position in favor of Moslems grew situation and said I didn’t have let me digest things. Although I stronger. In the capitol they began money for the flight. They agreed to insisted on not wearing a kippa or putting up pictures of Iranian send me the money but wondered washing my hands, he didn’t get religious and government leaders. how to do so. I remembered the upset. Before I left for India he “I also began to feel Chabad house and gave them the invited me again for the weekend uncomfortable there. The same address. Of course I asked Rabbi and we spoke a great deal. I saw a

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returned. When I saw that it was “After Rosh HaShana the most famous locked, I decided to return to the Buddhist monk in the world, the Dalai city via the village. It was a longer route but my feet took me that way. Lama came. Of course I went to hear “How flabbergasted I was to meet Rabbi Uri Tzipori on the way. him and he explained how it’s possible He was on shlichus in Rishikesh at the time. He shook my hand and to be religious and still be a Buddhist. with a big smile he invited me to his Chabad house and promised that we When I left, I consoled myself that even would start learning together. He if I got involved in Judaism, I could still has a restaurant there and he hosted me happily for a long time. Every continue being a Buddhist. Day by day I morning we would sit together and study Tanya. He has an amazing became more attracted to Judaism. I ability to explain it and I drank in what he said. I was still not weaned tried with all my might to stop the of Buddhism and like in Sri Lanka with R’ Crombie, he would explain process but it was stronger than me.” Chassidic ideas to me and I would compare them to Buddhist Jewish Shabbos for the first time.” stop the process but it was stronger concepts.” Before he left the Chabad house than me.” After a while, Yosef felt he for Dharamsala, R’ Crombie asked At the same time, Yosef began needed time to digest things. He felt him to give the shliach there, R’ seeing the falseness in Buddhism both confused and happy that he Dror Moshe Shaul regards. which he had not seen in the had discovered the truth. He asked “When I got there I first made previous ten years. R’ Tzipori to let him stay at the the rounds of the ashrams and then “I entered a Buddhist ashram in Chabad house in Dharamsala even I decided to go to the Chabad house Dharamsala where my roommate though there was nobody there. R’ on the Jewish New Year. It wasn’t was a monk who was greatly Tzipori gave him permission on an easy step to take to show up in admired for the long period of condition that he would not bring in my get-up and to walk in where all isolation and asceticism he any avoda zara. the young Israeli tourists were, but I practiced. But when I lived with him “I started putting t’fillin on every truly desired to do it and to my I saw, to my amazement, that he day and felt great about it. Then I surprise I immediately felt a very was a corrupt individual with bad added shmiras Shabbos. Every day I strong connection.” character. It seems that from would go up to where R’ Tzipori After the meal on Rosh Heaven, when it was decided that I was and he would learn Gemara and HaShana, which was seasoned with would be extricated from darkness, Chassidus with me. explanations of Chassidic ideas and the pieces of the puzzle would fall “After a week I sat down to think concepts, something in Yosef’s into place one by one. One day, I about where this was going. It was worldview moved. He began to borrowed a book on Kabbala from clear to me that if I continued, the “get” that Judaism is an amazing someone and read it avidly through road to doing complete t’shuva was thing. the night.” short and accessible. Time after time “After Rosh HaShana the most In the morning, after very little I tried to halt the process, to think famous Buddhist monk in the world, sleep, he decided to go to the about it and ask questions, but it the Dalai Lama came. Of course I Chabad house in order to look more was stronger than me. Till today, I went to hear him and he explained deeply into what he had learned. sometimes sit in yeshiva and think how it’s possible to be religious and “It wasn’t the tourist season and about how I got here and I don’t still be a Buddhist. When I left, I I was sorry to see the Chabad house have a clear answer. A Higher Force consoled myself that even if I got was closed. The next day, I decided stronger than me drew me out of involved in Judaism, I could still to go back there. I really wanted to klipa into Chassidus.” continue being a Buddhist. Day by expand my knowledge of Jewish When Yosef speaks about the day I became more attracted to mysticism and although the day process, he refers in particular to the Judaism. I tried with all my might to before it had been closed, I moment he removed his monk’s

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garb which he wore for ten years and exchanged it for ordinary clothing. “It was very hard but I did it. From that moment on, I realized that I was actually saying goodbye to that world. Klipa did not give up easily but the power of the Rebbe and his shluchim were stronger. After a long period in which I studied Chassidus, I wanted to return to Eretz Yisroel and go to yeshiva. Not long before that, Eretz Yisroel was the last place I wanted to go, never mind to learn in a yeshiva! But things developed in a way that I felt I had no control over them. “I had a big problem leaving India because I had been there longer than I had been allowed to stay and in India it’s a very serious crime for which you are jailed. I told R’ Tzipori and he referred me to a local policeman and we asked him for help. While he looked into the matter, we sat and said T’hillim. I didn’t quite believe that things could work out because the law is clear and unequivocal and whoever travels The Chabad house in Sri Lanka in India knows all the sad stories about tourists in jail for long periods of time. learning in yeshivas Tomchei “When you delve into it, you “The policeman agreed to help T’mimim in Eilat which is run by understand that the central point of us. He showed me a sub-clause in Rabbi Erez Bendetovitz. it all is the Rebbe.” the law that allowed me, for certain “After learning Chassidus, I can When he realized how highly the reasons, to remain and I studied it definitely describe all those years I Rebbe regarded shlichus as opposed and went to the airport. The severe spent as a monk as lost years, to staying in your own Dalet amos, looking official pointed out that I wasted years. If I had known he returned to his blog where he had overstayed my visa and was Chabad Chassidus before, I would used to post his insights and advice about to call for the police when I not have felt the need to go there. that were derived from Buddhist explained that there is this sub- The tremendous integration in ideas. Now he posts maamarei clause that had made it permissible Chassidus of emotion and intellect, Chassidus. for me to stay. He refused to believe the dealing with the reality which is “Among all those readers are me until I showed it to him in the life, and the fact that it contains plenty of Jews and I translate law book and he was appeased and such amazing tools is just incredible. maamarim that I learn in my own amazed. Even he did not know For the first time, I feel connected to words in order to bring them the about it. From India I went straight myself. light to be found in Chassidus. My to yeshivas Daas in Rechovot where Connecting to the Rebbe was only conclusion from the story of my Chassidus won me over and filled difficult at first. He preferred life is how we must bring Chassidus my heart.” learning the teachings of the Alter everywhere, to every Jew. It really *** Rebbe and Mitteler Rebbe but then saves lives.” Presently, Yosef Aryeh Klein is things changed.

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story

repaired, and renamed ‘Menachem Begin Road’, but then it was just a dark mound of dirt. My husband WITH THE started walking along this path, when he was suddenly struck by a car driven by an East Jerusalem Arab. The force of the blow was so intense that it sent him flying to the POWER OF side of the road, where he was further seriously injured by a huge rock that had been deliberately laid there. When a few hours had passed FAITH without his returning or calling home, I began to worry about his welfare. My concern increased sevenfold when I called his mother, By Nosson Avrohom and I discovered that he had never Translated By Michoel Leib Dobry reached her house. Countless thoughts began to race through my mind. This all took place at the start The doctors at three different hospitals of the first intifada, when the Arabs were doing whatever they wanted, didn’t give him more than a few days to with no one to stop them. I feared for the worst, figuring that he had live. Yet we clung to our faith… been kidnapped and was being hidden somewhere. My husband was All the events that occurred interviewed him yourself and asked a very serious and decent person, during those days come back to him all the details surrounding this and I knew that he would never do Mrs. Ora Chasan of Ramot as she story,” she pointed out with regret. anything to worry me. retells her fascinating story. “During those years after he had “The more time that passed, the The biggest doctors at Hadassah returned to full strength, we even deeper my concern grew. Back then, Ein-Kerem Hospital in Yerushalayim had the privilege of flying to New there were no mobile phones or and the Loewenstein Hospital & York and visiting 770 to thank the such, and so the first thing I did Rehabilitation Center in Raanana Rebbe for the tremendous miracle immediately before calling the police didn’t give her husband more than a that had taken place in the merit of and notifying them of his few days or even hours to live, after his holy blessing.” Ora continues to disappearance was to contact all the he had been struck and critically maintain close contact with Chabad hospitals in Yerushalayim and ask if injured by an Arab driver from East where she lives, davening regularly my husband Victor, or someone Jerusalem. The bracha and dollar in the Chabad shul and participating resembling him, had been brought that he received from the Rebbe, in the various Chabad activities there in the last few hours. No one Melech HaMoshiach, filled his throughout the year. had any information, and I found family with hope and faith, which “This whole story began twenty- myself ‘nudging’ Magen David eventually produced positive results. one years ago. We established our Adom every few minutes to ask them Her husband’s recovery from the residence near the home of my if they had transported my husband injury amazed the doctors, who were mother-in-law in the Ramot to the hospital. I had a gnawing forced to admit that this constituted neighborhood of Yerushalayim. On feeling that something had a rare occurrence in the medical that wild and bitter Motzaei happened. world. Her husband, Mr. Victor Shabbos, my husband went out “When I realized that no one Chasan a”h, lived happily for along an unpaved dirt road to my knew anything about his another twenty-one years, until he mother-in-law’s house to say whereabouts, I was overwhelmed by succumbed to infection. goodbye, since we were about to tremendous fear over his fate. I “If it hadn’t been for that leave town for a while. Today, this ordered a taxi and decided to make infection, you could have street has already been paved, my way to the nearest hospital – Mt.

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Scopus – and look for him. “When I reached the emergency room, I was startled to find my husband there, dirty and confused. He told me about the accident and the cab driver who, by Divine Providence, had passed by the scene, noticed him, and brought him to the hospital. The busy doctors had checked him and decided to release him to go home. All his complaints that he felt tremendous pains in his neck and spine were not taken seriously. On the contrary, the doctors scoffed at him, thinking that he was merely exaggerating in order to collect on an insurance claim. “When he stated categorically Loewenstein Hospital & Rehabilitation Center in Raanana that he found it difficult to move his limbs, the medical staff suggested that he should do physiotherapy several times a week, and everything would return back to normal… “We went back home together, and he began to writhe in pain. With every passing hour, another part of his body ceased to function. The intense pains were primarily in his neck, but they soon spread everywhere. I was beside myself with fear and confusion. I prayed with all my heart that things would eventually stabilize, but they didn’t. By Sunday, his entire body was paralyzed. “I made an appointment with a Hadassah Ein-Kerem Hospital in Yerushalayim specialist for him, but it was like putting cupping glasses on a cadaver. When we saw that the The surgeons labored for several hours situation was only getting worse, we quickly brought him to Hadassah to put the vertebrae back in place. The Ein-Kerem Hospital, where he was operation itself was apparently headed examined by a team of sullen doctors. After a comprehensive for a successful conclusion, when series of tests, they explained to me that all the vertebrae in his spine had suddenly other complications set in. In slipped out of place, and he needed an operation to save his life. As a the midst of everything, his stomach boy he had suffered from a spinal infection and undergone a burst. complicated operation that eventually repaired the damage. state of disrepair, and he needed flying him overseas for the Now, however, the accident had another operation with the utmost operation, but time was not on our apparently returned the previous urgency. side. Every passing day brought “We thought about possibly another decline in his medical

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intensive care unit until he recovered The Rebbe had blessed him, and with G- sufficiently for the doctors to d’s help, Divine salvation would come in consider his transfer to a nursing home. But I would not consider this the blink of an eye. I felt that the only option whatsoever. A nursing home? For what? The Rebbe had blessed suitable place to move him was the him, and with G-d’s help, Divine salvation would come in the blink of Loewenstein Center. ‘He needs an eye. I felt that the only suitable place to move him was the rehabilitation, not a nursemaid...’ Loewenstein Center. ‘He needs rehabilitation, not a nursemaid,’ I condition. I signed the authorization that he was in need of a great told the doctor in charge of his to allow the doctors to bring him deliverance. The Rebbe blessed him hospital ward in Hadassah Ein- into the operating room. During the with a ‘complete recovery’ and gave Kerem. I asked him to do everything hours-long operation, my lips did my nephew a dollar, which he sent possible to get my husband for not cease saying T’hillim. The to me via express courier. We rehab, and declared that if he surgeons labored for several hours to redeemed the dollar as is customary, doesn’t survive, it would be my put the vertebrae back in place. The and I placed it under my husband’s responsibility. operation itself was apparently pillow. The dollar arrived on “He saw my tremendous faith headed for a successful conclusion, Tuesday, but not only didn’t the and gave his consent. When my when suddenly other complications serious downturn in his condition husband arrived at the Loewenstein set in. In the midst of everything, his stop, it intensified. For their part, the Center, I overheard a conversation stomach burst. doctors left no room for optimism. between the rehabilitation center “During the operation, the “On Wednesday, I approached director and a doctor from doctors had given him at least one of the doctors and asked that Hadassah Ein-Kerem. The former seventy units of blood to keep him they stop telling us bad news. If it’s asked, ‘If you think that he’s only alive. At one point they came out been decreed that my husband leave going to live for another four days and stated quite clearly and this world, we’ll find that out anyway, why did you send him to unequivocally that they had done eventually, but until then, they us?’ The latter simply shrugged his everything possible but, in light of should let us continue praying and shoulders. Except for me, holding the situation, it did not appear that asking G-d for a miracle that will steadfastly to my faith in the Creator he would survive the coming days or save his life. and the Rebbe’s bracha, everyone perhaps hours. Periodically, another “From that day on, the good was quite pessimistic. doctor would come out of the news started coming in. The doctors “Four days later, the director of operating room and give us more asked for permission to operate on the Loewenstein Center, an elderly bad news – his kidneys had stopped his stomach to ‘put things back in Jew, paid a visit to my husband’s functioning, problems with his heart order there’. As they left the room. When he saw the and liver, etc. His body’s vital operating room, they already improvement in his condition, he systems began to collapse one after sounded more optimistic: the said if he has held out up until now, another, and I already foresaw the bleeding had stopped, one kidney he will eventually be rehabilitated worst. had begun to function again, and a and can resume living a full and “My nephew from New York was few hours later, the other kidney healthy life. His deputy, Dr. Katz, deeply pained by the situation, and also started working. We felt that the who today serves as the hospital’s he suggested going to the Rebbe’s bracha had begun to director, didn’t think he had a Lubavitcher Rebbe. penetrate and was producing results. chance. In fact, my husband “The Rebbe’s reputation as a “However, despite all the good remained there for nine months miracle worker had been publicized news, my husband still looked while his condition continually throughout Eretz Yisroel and the dreadful. His body was swollen, and improved. It was by no means easy, world at-large, and it was known to the doctors clearly thought that he and it required a lot of patience and me as well. It was Sunday, and my couldn’t possibly survive under such nerves of steel. However, we nephew indeed came to the Rebbe’s circumstances, despite all their believed in the Rebbe’s bracha and beis midrash and placed his uncle’s efforts to stabilize his condition. He even though things went slowly, he fate before the Rebbe, emphasizing remained for several days in the was soon able to stand on his own

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feet, completely healthy in body and it revealed the tremendous strength * spirit. within him, to the point that he was Mrs. Ora Chasan becomes quite “When he was released, he got eventually able to stand, and later he emotional as she tells her spine- around in a wheelchair. He still could even move around with a tingling story with such authentic didn’t know if he would be able to walker. I was simply overjoyed. description. move freely, and every shift of his “With every passing day, we saw “About a year later, we had to go body was quite painful for him. additional improvements, literally to the Loewenstein Center for a Nevertheless, despite all the like a newborn infant learning to use check-up. We were met by the new difficulties, I decided that I would another part of his body. Within a director, Dr. Katz. He was the big take him home. The doctor who relatively short period of time, he no skeptic, and here I came together heard about my plans said to me, longer needed assistance and could with my husband, who made the ‘Madam, that would be a pity. Take move around on his own power. I effort to stand up and greet the him to a special institution. You always thought about how the doctor, even giving him a firm can’t nurse him at home all by doctors at Hadassah Ein-Kerem and handshake as further silent yourself.’ Who was even thinking the Loewenstein Rehabilitation testimony to the power of faith. He about nursing him? My whole plan Center didn’t give him more than remembered us, yet couldn’t believe was based on the belief that he four days to live. We clung to our his eyes. ‘I just want you to know,’ would return to a normal life. faith, and we felt in a most literal he said, ‘that in all the medical “At first, the neighbors would way how “a tzaddik decrees and G-d books I have read, people in such a help me move him around in a fulfills”. There were many moments condition do not survive for more wheelchair, but that didn’t last long. of trial, but in the end, the good than a few days. Your faith came to He had faith no less than ours, and prevailed.” your aid!’” EEsstthheerr’’ss PPaarrttyy GGrriillll 463 Albany Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11213 718-735-4343 CATERING ON OR OFF THE PREMISES CORPORATE ACCOUNTS WELCOME. SHLUCHIM; SPECIAL RATES FOR SAVE MONEY SHABBATONS & PARTIES COME SEE TODAY!! OUR BRAND NEW SUSHI BAR Get a FREE analysis on your credit Card Processing! OPEN FOR IN HOUSE DINING Call Today 888-468-3256 x 2770 TAKE OUT & CATERING Better rates guaranteed – If we can’t save you money we will pay you $100 For a limited time – get your CC Terminal or software set up absolutely FREE UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF THE It’s a matter of ONE minute and ONE fax. BEIS DIN CROWN HEIGHTS

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BEIS MOSHIACH Issue 735 21 735_B_Beis Moshiach 15/03/2010 9:42 AM Page 22

chinuch EDUCATING OUR CHILDREN TO LOVE HASHEM

By Rabbi Levi Goldstein A teacher in Oholei Menachem

thing in the world?” In Part 1, we explored the novel idea Naturally, they answered: “THE that the Rebbe introduced, namely that TORAH!” I continued: “Then, I have a these days it is possible to teach question for you. If I offered to give you a million dollars, and then I said children to love Hashem, Torah and that if you accept the million dollars, then, as a reward, I will give you a Yidden, l’sheim Shamayim and not for penny, what would you answer me?” They all began laughing. I asked reward or punishment. There we spoke them what’s so funny. They said, “If in detail about loving Hashem. Here we we’re getting a million dollars, what is a penny worth to us?!” expand on teaching the love of Torah. * I continued: “How about if instead of a penny, I would offer to Part 2 of a series. give you a piece of dust, what would you say then?” As mentioned earlier, speaking united with Hashem! They laughed even louder. frequently about Hashem keeps Him I also taught them the Niggun I then concluded: “We know that in the forefront of the children’s that my father, Yosaif ben Chaya the Torah “Iz di beste s’choireh,” so, minds, and gives them the awareness Malka, shlita, used to sing with us how would you like to get a lollipop that Hashem is really involved with when we were very young, while as a reward for learning a pasuk everything they do. For example, driving us to Yeshiva. The words: Chumash?” when we learn Chumash, I Kinder, kinder lernt Torah, “It’s not worth it!” they all called emphasize very often that the Torah Torah iz di beste s’choireh out. is Hashem’s most precious treasure, (“Children, children study Torah, “So, then, what would be the and how privileged we are to be able for Torah is the best best reward?” to learn it. merchandise”)1 After a moment of thought, they From time to time, I touch upon After saturating the Kinderlach all called out: “More Torah!” the concept from Perek 5 of Tanya with many stories and lessons that From that moment on, I never that when we learn Torah, we are bring out the above points, I finally again needed to give any tickets, doing the best thing in the whole dropped “the bomb.” points, prizes or anything ever again world. We actually become one and “Kinderlach! What’s the best for learning or davening.

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In fact, if I were to say: “Listen, Kinderlach! Whoever will learn the “If I offered to give you a million Chumash well, will get a prize from dollars, and then I said that if you me,” their response would be: “No thanks, Rebbi, we don’t need prizes accept the million dollars, then, as a for learning. The best prize is to learn another pasuk Chumash. We reward, I will give you a penny, what learn Torah because we love the To r a h . ” would you answer me?” * but could not succeed in getting him deal”. He whispered to me, with a How did this happen? Not by a “on board.” Shmuly happened to be BIG smile, “Rebbi, only one pasuk!” miracle. going through some emotional To which I responded “Sure!” It happened simply because I was struggles, and simply refused to For the first time in many weeks, finally determined to follow the participate in almost anything that Shmuly opened his Chumash, asked Rebbe’s Horaa. the class was doing. me for the place, and got ready to I must add that I didn’t I moved his seat very close to my begin. After finishing the first pasuk, completely discontinue my practice desk, spoke to him a lot and gave I made sure he saw me writing down of distributing treats or prizes. The him extra attention, but nothing the number 100 on his chart. He change was merely that these were seemed to make any difference. I was all smiles! no longer given as a result or in knew that we first had to get him on As I got ready to shift my connection with their learning, but board, to become part of the class, attention to the rest of the class and rather spontaneously. From time to and only then could we go to the begin the next pasuk, I turned to time I would treat them to a snack 2 next step. Shmuly and with my eyes wide open or prize. His parents suggested that I and a BIG, BIG smile, I raised two It even happened (more than promise him some tangible reward. fingers with an inquisitive look, as if once), that I would offer a treat only Maybe that would work. This to say, “Shmuly, do you want to go to have them respond, “Rebbi, better attempt, too, led nowhere. for TWO HUNDRED points?” He not now. Because we have just We finally came up with a smiled back and nodded, “YES!” finished learning Chumash and we solution that Shmuly liked. He You can guess what happened don’t want it to be connected to our would bring home a report each after the second pasuk. Yes, he learning Chumash!” week which showed how many wanted more and more. From that I must say, that the kinderlach points he’d earned for good behavior day on, he would beg me took to it with tremendous and class participation. If he had (sometimes even during recess time) enthusiasm, much more than I had earned the required amount of to learn more p’sukim. This anticipated. If I ever mistakenly (or points, he would get to go out with continued throughout the year, B”H. “purposely”) tried to bribe them – his Mommy on a special trip. For You are surely wondering they would adamantly refuse. each Pasuk that he said together whether Shmuly, like the rest of the Indeed, now it was my turn to get with the class, he would get 100 class, is learning Torah and davening used to the idea of running the show points (It impresses them because it just for Hashem’s sake. The answer without bribes! sounds like a lot more than 1 out of is YES! True, it is sometimes a bit more 6 points). At a certain point, Shmuly was challenging from my part, but it is All he had to do was to learn only offered a prize by the principal for worth it to train the children to do one pasuk a day. At the end of the good behavior and participation in the right thing for the right reason - week, he would have earned 600 class. He responded, “No thanks. I L’sheim Shamayim! points – the amount he needed to don’t want any prizes.” * earn the trip with Mommy. Now, you may ask: Does this The following morning, as PLEASANTLY SHOCKED! method always work, with all entered the class, he handed me a Every single child, without children? Well, ideally, of course, it chart to be filled out as he gains his exception, is “ready” for this kind of would. But, I must admit that there points. As we began learning chinuch. The following series of was one exception in my class. One Chumash, I looked at Shmuly and events demonstrates the impact of boy, let’s call him Shmuly, did not discreetly showed him the chart, this method. take to it. I tried again and again, thereby reminding him of “our

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hand, and said, “Yudi, this is for From that moment on, I never again davening so nicely. Please don’t tell needed to give any tickets, points, prizes anyone about the wafer.” Smilingly, he took the wafer, hid or anything ever again for learning or it under his shirt and slowly walked to his seat. davening… How did this happen? Not “You see,” I thought to myself, “not necessarily are all boys able to by a miracle. It happened simply operate on that high lofty level, of davening only for Hashem.” because I was finally determined to But I was proven otherwise. follow the Rebbe’s Horaa. About 10-15 minutes later, Yudi walked over to me and quietly, returned the wafer, saying. “No Yanky told me that he finished you Torah-secrets on condition that thanks, Rebbi, I don’t want the the entire T’hillim on Shabbos you tell him about the good things wafer for davening.” Pleasantly Mevarchim. He added that when his you’ve done (giving your own surprised, I hugged him in front of uncle offered him a prize saying so money for pidyon shvuyim and the class and told the class what had much T’hillim, he answered, “No refusing a prize for saying T’hillim), just happened. “I gave Yudi a wafer thanks, I don’t want a prize. I said will you tell him?” They both for davening nicely, and he returned the T’hillim for Shabbos Mevarchim answered, “No”. it to me, because he davened only and not for a reward.” Not long afterwards, we had a for Hashem!” That day, I taught the children Hachnasa L’cheider. After the class Another boy spontaneously about the importance of Pidyon sang “Kinder kinder lernt torah, turned to me and said with a radiant Shvuyim, adding that they can help torah iz di beste s’choireh,” the zeide face, “Rebbi, just imagine what a a Yid get out of jail by bringing of the child asked the class if they tumult is happening in Shamayim some money, and put “Pidyon want doughnuts for learning Torah NOW!” Shvuyim money” on the homework so well. Naturally, they loudly and sheet. The following day several boys proudly answered “NO!” brought in money. One of them, “How about Pizza?” asked the GEULA’DIKE CHINUCH Yossi, brought $30 with a note from zeide. Again, they refused, except for At the farbrengen of Simchas his mother, saying that it was all Yudi, who was going through a Torah, 5752, the Rebbe quoted the from his own money! difficult time and seeking a lot of interpretation3 of our Chachamim I was so impressed. I told the negative attention, who brazenly on the words: “Al Tig’u Vim’shichoy class the story about the Tzfater Yid screamed out, “Yes! I want Pizza!” I (Do not touch My ‘Moshiach’ - and Eliyahu HaNavi, how Eliyahu was naturally very upset, but chose anointed ones)”4 as referring to HaNavi asked him what special to ignore it, so as not to “reward” school-children, and explained that thing he did on the day of his Bar negative behavior. But made a the Chinuch of children must go so Mitzva, for which he has deserved mental note in my mind, that far as to permeate and infuse them that Eliyahu HaNavi should visit perhaps this child does need physical with the concept of Moshiach, to the him. Eliyahu told him that he will rewards. extent that when one looks at these reveal to him the secrets of the One morning, I “caught him” children, what does he see? – Torah only if he tells him about it. saying a few words of davening Moshiach!” The Yid refused, saying, “Whatever along with the class. I commented, How do we actualize this I did was only for Hashem.” “Wow! Yudi is davening sooooo seemingly lofty concept? This caused a great tumult in nicely. Keep it up, Yudi.” Naturally, The answer was already given to Shamayim, and it was decided that he began davening even better, and us by the Rebbe, in the this Yid’s neshama will come down did well for a good portion of the abovementioned Sicha of Parshas again to illuminate the world with t’filla, which was quite unusual for VaYeira, that nowadays we are able Torah-secrets. That was the Baal him. to teach and train our children to Shem Tov! After davening, I called him serve Hashem purely l’sheim I concluded by asking Yankel and quietly to my desk, and - referring Shamayim, doing what’s right only Yossi, “If Eliyahu HaNavi comes to back to my mental note – I slipped a because it is right, and not for the you and says that he will reveal to chocolate coated wafer into his sake of reward.

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This sort of chinuch is indeed Geula’dik, for in the time of “I gave Yudi a wafer for davening Geula, we will all be serving nicely, and he returned it to me, because Hashem in this manner – solely for the sake of Hashem, with no he davened only for Hashem!” Another ulterior motives. boy spontaneously turned to me and THE TRUE GOAL: said with a radiant face, “Rebbi, just THE CORRIDOR OR THE PALACE? imagine what a tumult is happening in There is another advantage to Shamayim NOW!” training a child in this way: Let us imagine a corridor that leads to a beautiful palace. that the “Palace” is the Torah. such a “boring thing” is by Everyone understands that the The Rebbe places only one promising him a prize. corridor is only a means by which condition, however, for this to Remember, words that leave the one can reach the main goal – the succeed: that the teacher must heart enter the heart. palace. When we tell a child that if speak from his heart. The teacher [To be continued be”H] he learns a pasuk Chumash or himself must feel that Torah Iz davens nicely he will get a lollipop takeh Di Beste S’choireh,” That NOTES: or a bicycle, we are giving him a learning Torah, davening to 1. T.T.T.O. “Yankel Yankel” – Avraham message, loud and clear, that the Hashem and doing Mitzvos in Fried pasuk Chumash is only the general, is a privilege and not a 2. This, too, is in accordance with “Corridor”, whereas the prize is burden, chas v’shalom. the Rebbe’s shita. See Likkutei sichos the goal – the “Palace”… A mother once admitted to me vol. 37, page 79, Parshas B’Chukosai, On the other hand, by that she would bribe her son to the Rebbe explains how the physical engraving into the heart of the daven by promising him prizes, reward we get from Hashem for Torah child Ahavas Hashem, and that because she herself found davening and mitzvos is no contradiction to serving Hashem Lishma. “Torah Iz Di Beste S’choireh” to be boring and a burden. She (Torah is the best merchandise), projected her negative view about 3. Shabbos 119b this will become his reality. He will davening onto her child, assuming 4. Divrei HaYamim-I 16:22. remember for the rest of his life that the only way to get him to do

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BEIS MOSHIACH Issue 735 25 735_B_Beis Moshiach 15/03/2010 9:42 AM Page 26

moshiach & science BLACK EYES AND BLUE WATER

By Dr. Aryeh Gotfryd, PhD

limiting. How do we get past our A neuroscience discovery about pupil inherent biases? How do we dilation matches age-old wisdom from liberate ourselves from our own human nature? our daily prayers. Along the way we To preface, here’s a relevant anecdote (which some of you may relive the Exodus and get ready for the remember from 2 ½ years ago). One Shabbos morning, years redemption coming. ago, my wife and I were chatting in our room about a little Watch out. Your poker face the hormone noradrenalin which comment I’d heard the night may be more revealing than you seems to help us finalize before from a friend. “Everything know. A neuroscientist at the decisions we are leaning towards is a test”, he’d said. Simple but University of Melbourne in anyway. The pupil dilation true, the words rang so real. Australia has shown that when response results from that surge While sharing my thoughts with people make decisions, their in noradrenalin. Leah, one of our children, then pupils dilate, a subtle cue that In general, the connection all of two years old, burst into could be used to predict a between the heart’s desires and our room, grabbed my Shabbos person’s intentions, or wide-eyed gawking is not all that hat (which was my only hat, the communicate with people with new. The third paragraph of the one I was about to wear to locked-in syndrome. Shma prayer includes, “And do not synagogue that morning) and Researchers asked volunteers follow after your heart and after dashed out the door and down to pick one of five random digits your eyes by which you go the hall. I took off after him to that displayed on a monitor one astray.”[2] The Verse seems to find he was already in the after another for 2 seconds each, mirror the thrust of the research - bathroom furiously plunging the and to press a button indicating that the heart, i.e., our inner intent, toilet with it. their choice after the final guides not only our judgments but Shocked, I quickly surmised number vanished. An eye scanner our perceptions as well. what was bothering him. My wife, revealed that volunteers’ pupils Our Sages say, “The for the first time, had bought were at their widest during the 2 perception of the eye is those sanitizing tablets that go in seconds that corresponded to contingent on the understanding a holder inside the toilet tank and their eventual number choice. of the heart.”[3] In other words, turn the water bright blue. Our Carter’s team found that they we do not see things as they are - clever, darling kid had decided could predict with considerable we see things as we are, that the blue water was evil and accuracy which of the five depending on our heart’s bias. desperately wanted to make it go numbers people would choose, As interesting as it is, the away. Zipping through his based only on when their pupils whole emotional-hormonal- inventory of mental images stored dilated.[1] perceptual link seems very in his two-year-old brain, he This reaction is mediated by mechanistic, defining and self- could find nothing better than

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Tatty’s Shabbos hat to do the G-d.” Why do we need to know 10.3389/fnhum.2010.00018 dirty work. I gently told him, about this geographical fact? It’s [2] Numbers 15:37-41 “No, no, no, that’s Tatty’s really not about geography. Egypt [3] Tosafos on the Talmud, Avoda Shabbos hat. Feh.” - in Hebrew, Mitzrayim, - Zara 28b I pulled the hapless garment symbolizes meitzarim - from its ignominious dunk, set it limitations. The way to transcend *** aside to dry or die or whatever, our limitations is for the mind to READERS WRITE and proceeded to explain to him acknowledge G-dliness and with that the water is blue for a that perspective, to influence the Arnie, reason, that it wasn’t bad, that heart to appreciate G-dly things. This is in response to your article, Mommy did it to clean the water, That in turn will open our eyes The Biological Shabbos Clock. Some and showed him the tablet inside a little wider to recognize signs of time ago I posited that Shabbat was the tank. redemption in the world, like the one of the most influential elements I came back to Leah laughing, new research in the sciences that is in life. At its most basic, it created a told her the story, and added: attuned to the truths of the Torah. workable time frame (a month is too “Do you realize what just You see what you want to see, and long and fluctuates too much). It is the engine behind economics since happened here? Normally I’d go by focusing on goodness, kindness one has only six days in which to ballistic, yelling and screaming, and Moshiach NOW, that’s exactly amass enough wealth to afford the maybe punishing the poor kid. what we will see! Amen. Shabbat meal and the mandatory Here I’m calm and happy. And non-working day. Historically, Dr. Aryeh (Arnie) Gotfryd, PhD is a what made the difference? Shabbat is what influenced the chassid, environmental scientist, Preparing my head with the pagans in proximity to Jews to author and educator living near emulate the Jews and their family thought that ‘everything is a test.’ Toronto, Canada. To contact, read lives. This was especially true in the That thought saved the day for more or to book him for a talk, days of the Temples when there were me and for him. contact him at 416-858-9868 or “semi-Jews”, somewhat equivalent of Returning to our question of [email protected]. Noachides. Once again, the genius of how to transcend our limitations Do you have any unpublished letters Torah and the wisdom of Judaism and improve: If our perception from the Rebbe on the subjects of becomes apparent which is why I say follows our inner intent, and our Science, Technology or Medicine? Dr. that the Jewish people is the reactions follow our perceptions, Gotfryd is offering cash for the paradigm of civilization and then if we want to improve, we privilege of publishing them. “normalcy” in a world that has need to work from the outside in demonstrated so much savagery in and from the inside out, as NOTES: the names of other religions. follows. [1] Frontiers in Human Marshall Shapiro That Verse about not following Neuroscience, DOI: Vineland, Ontario your heart and eyes is immediately preceded by “They shall be to you as tzitzis, and you shall look upon them and remember all the commandments of the L-rd and fulfill them.” In other words, by looking at the tzitzis as a symbol, we will internalize their meaning as a reminder of Hashem’s commandments. That in turn will motivate fulfilling them. By having a mitzvah frame of mind, we will have mitzvah perceptions and mitzvah reactions too. Later words of that paragraph are instructive too: “I am the L- rd your G-d who brought you out of the land of Egypt to be your

BEIS MOSHIACH Issue 735 27 735_B_Beis Moshiach 15/03/2010 9:42 AM Page 28

memoirs

of crisis, R. Yisroel paved the way for all matters relating to Chabad chasidim and chasidus in America. RABBI The following chapter, published originally in the Hebrew edition of Beis Moshiach on Erev Succos, relates how R. Yisroel established the use of Calabrian esrogim in the JACOBSON United States. *** I have devoted this chapter to the description one of the many great accomplishments of Rabbi Yisroel THE ESROGIM Jacobson in America. Among the activities in which Rabbi Yisroel Jacobson was intensively involved was the supplying of Calabrian Yanover esrogim to DEALER American Jewry. Prior to his arrival in the United States, Calabrian esrogim were not to be found in the country and the lack thereof was not Written by Rabbi Schneur Zalman Chanin perceived to be a problem. Rabbi Translated by Menachem Har Zvi Jacobson introduced these esrogim to such a broad segment of American Jewry that he became the “king of When did the esrogim of Calabria, Italy esrogim.” It was well known amongst first arrive in the United States? Why average Jews and in the various kehillos of chasidim that Rabbi were these esrogim badly formed in the Jacobson was the primary dealer of quality Calabrian esrogim. Due to the early years and suddenly beautiful fact that Rabbi Jacobson was the sort of businessman who never had the esrogim began to arrive? How did the necessary funds to purchase the esrogim, the Rebbe Rayatz and the Rebbe Rayatz respond when he received Rebbe MH”M would loan him funds a beautiful esrog from Calabria in the on a yearly basis for the purchase of the esrogim. My father and my United States? A portrait of a Chasidic brothers-in-law (R. Aizik Schwei and R. Zelig Katzman) were very esrog dealer. meticulous with the mitzvah of pri eitz hadar1 VaYikra 23:40 – literally, INTRODUCTION: “beautiful fruit of the tree.” – esrog. They would spend hours trying to find the This chapter is the second in a series of chapters finest esrog. It was known that the Rebbe MH”M would chasid which will provide a sketch of the life of the , R. purchase his esrogim from Rabbi Jacobson. Rabbi Yisroel Jacobson. R. Yisroel, who immigrated to the Jacobson’s esrogim were unusually fine and very beautiful. United States in 1925, was known as the Rebbe’s man Consequently, the first place that one would go to choose in America. He was a key figure in the rescue efforts an esrog was to R. Yisroel Jacobson. during the Rebbe RaYatz’s imprisonment in 1927 and R. Yisroel would customarily prepare forty esrogim for bricha chasidim the great – escape of the from Eastern the Rebbe in the “lower Gan Eden,” as the antechamber Europe in 1946. The history of these events would not to the Rebbe’s yechidus room is called. The Rebbe would be complete without an account of R. Yisroel’s choose approximately twenty esrogim and he would return activities. In addition to his rescue efforts during times

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the remainder to R.Yisroel. The day before Sukkos, R. Yisroel’s room was like a beehive. Many chasidim, in their great love for the mitzvah, made a point to buy the esrogim that R. Yisroel had prepared for the Rebbe, and that the Rebbe’s holy eyes had examined. My father, in contrast, had a different perspective on the matter: he argued, “One does not use an esrog which the Rebbe put aside.” In other words, if the Rebbe saw an esrog and did not choose it, it apparently did not find favor in his eyes. How could he use an esrog which did not find favor in the eyes of the Rebbe? Generally, the three of us – my father, my brother-in- law HaGaon HaChasid R. Aizik Schwei and I - would go together. For me, these were hours of great pleasure. Aside from this being an opportunity to learn about the laws of hadar –the beauty of the esrog- and the four minim, I greatly enjoyed listening to my father and Rabbi Jacobson conversing and reminiscing about times of old. I remember that Rabbi Jacobson once described his trip to the Rebbe Rayatz in Poland and his yechidus on that occasion. He related that the Rebbe Rayatz spoke with The Rebbe selecting a lulav him at length regarding the Rebbe MHM’s character and of his superior qualities.2 An example of the Rebbe buy esrogim. I began by buying esrogim from Eretz Rayatz’s praise of the Rebbe MH”M can be found in a Yisroel for the members of the Shul in which I served letter to R. Yankel Katz of Chicago dated 20 Sivan 5706- as the Rav. When I desired to purchase a Calabrian 1946. “… with regard to your request that my son-in- esrog for myself, I was in for a big disappointment. law, HaRav HaGaon Rabbi Simpson told me that there are no Calabrian R. M.M. Shlita Schneerson, visit your community. esrogim in America, and if I wanted an esrog for Write your request directly to him. I do not know if you Sukkos, my only option was to purchase an esrog from will be successful because by nature he is very concealed. Eretz Yisroel. As it was very close to Sukkos, I had no In truth he is great in knowledge of Torah, niglah and choice. Even if I had contacted someone in Europe chasidus, with a wondrous bekius. With gratitude to requesting that they send an esrog from Calabria, the Hashem I have nachas from him. May Hashem give him esrog would not have arrived in time for Sukkos. You success both materially and spiritually…” Igros Kodesh of cannot imagine the anguish that I had, that as a the Rayatz, Volume 9, page 410. Chabad chasid, I would have to make a brocha on an When my father asked what precisely the Rebbe esrog which was not Italian Calabrian. For Rayatz said, R. Yisroel responded, “R. Chaikel, you’re no generations, chasidim have known that there is a fool. You understand that I cannot reveal that which I tradition to specifically use esrogim from Calabria, as heard because I must do as I was ordered.” I remember the Alter Rebbe said that this is for a “reason known to 3 an additional episode related by R. Yisroel. In the year him.” See Sefer Haminhagim Chabad, English 5675 – 1914, chasidim were unable to procure a edition page 140, footnote 541. Calabrian esrog for the Rebbe RaShab. He only had a At that moment, I promised myself and Rabbi non-hybrid esrog from Eretz Yisroel. R. Yisroel Simpson that for the following Sukkos (5768-1927), remembered how anguished the Rebbe was because of there would be, with G-d’s help, Calabrian esrogim in this. He related that because of his great anguish, the the United States, not just for me, but also for R. Rebbe became ill. His face swelled and he contracted a Eliyahu and others. Later that year, prior to the high fever. As a result of his illness, the Rebbe did not go summer, I wrote to R. Chache Fagen, then in Riga, to Shul during the first days of Sukkos. requesting that he send ten Calabrian esrogim. R On one occasion, R. Yisroel related how he became an Chache sent the esrogim a long time in advance of esrogim dealer. Sukkos. Rabbi Simpson, I, and four others from I arrived in the United States in the month of Teves anash used six of the esrogim and the other four went 5686-1925. In preparation for my first Sukkos un-purchased. In the year 5689-1928, I ordered (Tishrei 5687-1926), R. Eliyahu Simpson took me to twenty Calabrian esrogim. The truth of the matter is

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that in the early years, I would not receive beautiful particular about the perfection and external beauty of esrogim. However, over the years, when I began to the esrog, especially the beauty of the outer skin. A purchase esrogim from Mr. Kirah (the esrogim dealer large quantity of esrogim grow on each tree and many who sold esrogim to the Rebbe RaShab and Rebbe esrogim grow to be quite large, weighing up to four or Rayatz), I would receive unusually beautiful and fine five litra.4 One Talmudic litra is approximately esrogim. equivalent to one pound. In a letter written to R. Yisroel in the summer of 5688- To accommodate the weight of the esrogim, the 1928, Mr. Kirah discusses the sending of fifty esrogim for farmers lower the branches in order that they grow the price of $1.50 per esrog. When R. Yisroel became a outward – lengthwise (as opposed to upwards) and serious esrogim dealer and purchased two or three supports are built for each branch. Many esrogim can hundred esrogim, Mr. Kirah related to him that after the grow on one small branch. In addition, supports are First World War, when the Bolshevik regime ascended to constructed for an individual heavy esrog. The esrog is power, the large purchases of esrogim of the Chabad supported by a small wall built of small sticks lying chasidim in Russia ceased. However, when Mr. Kirah lengthwise (similar to the partition described in the realized that R. Yisroel began developing the market for Mishna (Eruvin 16b) which is constructed of cords Calabrian esrogim in the United States, paying a dollar (!) lying lengthwise, in order to permit carrying for the for each esrog, he began to personally travel to Calabria to members of a traveling caravan). These sticks are built choose fine esrogim for shipment to R. Yisroel. in a manner which encompasses three sides. In the archive of Rabbi Jacobson, there is a letter from Since the external beauty of the esrog is not of the administration of Yeshivas Tomchei Temimim in importance, the locals are not particular with this Warsaw – R. Schrage Faivel Zalmanov and R. Moishe matter. Therefore, the esrog is placed on the supports, Leib. Rotshtein, dated 7 Elul 5687–1927. “We have or at times, they place the esrog on a large thorn on the already fulfilled your request regarding the esrogim. Ten esrog tree. As a result of these farming practices, the esrogim will be sent to you directly from [Yanov] near Calabrian esrogim are not externally beautiful. Calabria. In the near future, we will notify you via telegram that the esrogim have been sent. The telegram Until this day, the farmers do not understand what we will obviously precede this letter. We do not yet know the do with the esrogim and why we are so particular with price, until we receive a detailed letter including the price the beauty of its skin. Now that I go to cut esrogim on of the postage.” my own, I see that it is difficult to find even one good esrog from amongst ten trees. At times, it is difficult to To return to R. Jacobson’s story – find one good esrog in an orchard of tens of trees. I work together with a team of four non-Jewish farmers After I began to personally travel to Italy (1955) and and after ten hours of work, we are able to gather only cut the esrogim, it became clear to me why the dozens of esrogim. Calabrian esrogim were not that beautiful, lacking shape and form, with unusually long stems. Mr. Kirah In the year 5690–1929, the Rebbe Rayatz visited the would not personally cut the esrogim, but rather United States. In his diary, R. Yisroel writes of his purchase them wholesale from the owners of the involvement in procuring the four minim-types for the orchards. He would write to the owner of an orchard, Rebbe. requesting a specific sum of esrogim from the region of Prior to his arrival in the United States, the Rebbe Calabria (in southern Italy, a most fertile region in Rayatz ordered ten esrogim and ten lulavim from Mr. southern Italy close to the Island of Sicily). Upon Kirah of Genoa Italy. (Both the Rebbe Rayatz and the receiving a letter from Mr. Kirah, the farmer would cut Rebbe RaShab purchased esrogim from Mr. Kirah and the requested number of esrogim off the trees while from Mr. Kirah’s father.) leaving them attached to their long stems. They were The Rebbe’s lulavim and esrogim were received at my then packed and shipped overseas. The esrogim which address, together with thirty esrogim for the purpose grow in Calabria are not planted for the purpose of the of selling. (There were ten esrogim per box, one box mitzvah of esrog, rather they are one of many species for the Rebbe and three for me, plus a package of of fruit which grow there in profusion. Tens of miles in lulavim.) that region are full of esrog orchards. All sorts of fruit grow in the region – pomegranates, figs, olives, etc. The neighborhood of Crown Heights where we had The locals do not use the esrogim as they are. They are rented an apartment for the Rebbe consisted of more prepared for consumption through frying or cooking, modern Jews and did not have a mikvah at that time. followed by salting. Consequently, the locals are not Those who needed a mikvah would come to use the

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mikvah on Christopher Street. Afterwards, they would come to my house and have a warm drink and Mention must be made of mezonos. Some chasidim who had stopped at my their great efforts. They home after a mikvah visit related to the Rebbe that I had exceptionally beautiful esrogim. My feelings were displayed the unique that if my esrogim were truly more beautiful than the Rebbe’s, then I would without question give my finest enthusiasm characteristic of esrog to the Rebbe. simple Jews, that every detail Between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, R. Chache Fagen called me and said that the Rebbe requested be just right. that I bring my most beautiful esrog. I brought an esrog which was truly beautiful in size, appearance and cleanliness. When the Rebbe saw my esrog, he said, was called. He arrived with the knife that he used for “This is not a galus-exile esrog! Where did you get the slaughtering of fowl. The Rebbe was concerned this?” I replied, “Mr. Kirah sent me three boxes, each and wondered how to properly hold the esrog during containing ten esrogim, plus an additional box for the the cutting so that the stem not be severed. R. Rebbe.” The Rebbe responded, “My esrogim are also Avraham requested the esrog; he placed the stem on beautiful, but they don’t compare to the beauty of the edge of the table and pressed the knife on the stem yours.” thereby cutting it properly. He similarly cut the lulav which was quite large, but very beautiful. The Rebbe motioned to R. Chache Fagen to leave, and asked me how much he needed to pay for the esrog. I My oldest daughter, Chaya Sara, was nine years old at replied that I request of the Rebbe the merit to recite the time. While still in Russia, she once experienced a the brocha on the esrog which I give to the Rebbe as a deep fright due to a fire. As a result, she developed a gift. I added, “Rebbe, it is ‘mishelachem – [your own] squint. I requested of the Rebbe to bring my daughter without doubt.’5 See Sukkah 29b. The Gemara states to him for a blessing. We entered on the first day of that an esrog requires ownership- “mishelachem” Chol HaMoed Sukkos during twilight. The Rebbe said [your own] for proper fulfillment of the mitzvah. to her, “Look at me in the eyes.” I was overwhelmed with emotion and said, “Look at the Rebbe in the The Rebbe responded “But you could have sold it to eyes!” The Rebbe said to me “She’s looking. She sees one of your baalei batim- Shul members. I replied, “I properly!”, and thank G-d, since then, she is fine. have enough for the baalei batim. There will be extra.” The Rebbe added, “You could have received a good I related to the members of my Shul that the Rebbe price for this esrog from a baal habais” – Shul needed a Sukkah. The brothers R. Tzvi Hirsh and R. member! I replied that I have very fine esrogim for the Hillel Dvorkin from Chechersk and R. Yosef Honkim baalei batim. volunteered. Since they were carpenters, they purchased the necessary materials and built two The Rebbe asked R. Chache Fagen to bring his hat and Sukkahs, a large Sukkah for the community and an he blessed me. Afterwards he asked if there are lulavim additional Sukkah on the roof of the first floor, that grow in America, because the lulavim which were accessible via a door on the second floor. received on his behalf in the beginning of Elul are no longer fresh. I responded that fine lulavim which grow Mention must be made of their great efforts. They in California and Arizona are available. The Rebbe displayed the unique enthusiasm characteristic of requested that I bring him a lulav which was “centered simple Jews, that every detail be just right. I remember (the spine precisely centered, not bent to the side), not how Yosef Honkim measured and built the Sukkah in a thin one, a straight one, without kneplach” a way that the Rebbe would not have to raise his foot too high when entering the Sukkah. R. Avraham (literally ’buttons’ – this refers to rounded tips. There Plotkin (the father –in-law of R.Nachum Chadash and are those who make a point of using these, however, R. Leib Garelick) also arrived to help with the 6 the Alter Rebbe is stringent in this matter). See the construction of the Sukkah. When told, “But you’re Alter Rebbe’s Shulchan Aruch Hilchos Lulav, 645:20. not a carpenter!”- he responded, “Then I will bring The Rebbe bought hadasim from R. Eliyahu Simpson. them whatever they need.” When they needed nails, he The Rebbe requested help in cutting the stem of his went and purchased nails, paying out of his own esrog because it was long and crooked. The shochet, pocket. He also purchased a large sack of fruit for all R. Avraham Gordon, who lived in the neighborhood, the workers. When asked regarding the contents of

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the sack, he responded (jokingly) “They give me this Hierarchy and the recognized leaders of world orthodox as an addition to the nails.” Jewry, to get the kind of citrus fruit known as ‘Ethrog’, The following are two letters from the Rebbe Rayatz to which is needed for the ritual of our festival of Succoth R. Yisroel relating to the esrogim business. (Tabernacles), from Calabria — the peninsula in the southeast of Italy. Even during the last war, facilities were B”H, 25 Tammuz, 5703 granted to my saintly father to have a special emissary Brooklyn bring a number of those citrus fruits from Calabria to My beloved friend HaRav HaGaon, vatik v’chasid, a Stockholm and thence to Russia, so that my late father G-d fearing man, HaRav Morainu HaRav R. Yisroel, may and I and some of our Hierarchy members could perform he be well, the sacred precept of our religion in accordance with the Greetings and Blessings! custom of our ancestors. I herewith send a check for the sum of one hundred Now that Calabria is liberated, thank G-d, I would dollars as a loan for the esrogim business. I “attach” to deem it a great privilege to once again be able to observe this my blessing that G-d fulfill the blessing of my great- this sacred and cherished precept of my faith on Calabria- grandfather, the Zemach Zedek who blessed my grown ‘Ethrogs,’ and at the same time offer a special grandfather the Rebbe MaHarash that the funds prayer for the speedy and complete victory of the Allies disbursed for Gemilas Chasadim – loans, be successful, over fruit grown on liberated soil. both materially and spiritually. May it be G-d’s will that I therefore venture to ask you for the great favor of the esrogim sent from Eretz Yisroel be protected during cabling to the competent authorities in that particular their passage and received in the appropriate time. May district to send out per Air Mail some ten ‘Ethrogs’ grown their sale bring you good livelihood both materially and in Calabria, so that I may get them before our Succoth spiritually. Festival which takes place from October 2nd to October 10th. B”H, 7 Tishrei 5706 Needless to say that all expenses incurred in this Brooklyn connection will be gratefully reimbursed by me. My friend, vatik v’chasid, G-d fearing man, HaRav Thanking you in anticipation of your kind reply, Morainu R. Yisroel, may he be well. Very truly yours, Greetings and Blessings! R I S : nm Thank you for the notification regarding the esrogim. P.S. I understand that the botanical term for the Please choose for me five esrogim. (My son-in-law HaRav ‘Ethrog’ tree is “Citrus M. M. S. Shlita will choose them.) Medica” and for the fruit “Malum Medica” or With blessings to be sealed for a good year. “Malum Persica.”

The following is a letter sent by the Rebbe RaYatz to NOTES: the Department of war requesting aid in procuring a 1 VaYikra 23:40 – literally, “beautiful fruit of the tree.” Calabrian esrog. 2 An example of the Rebbe Rayatz’s praise of the Rebbe MH”M can be found in a letter to R. Yankel Katz of Chicago dated 20 By the Grace of G-d Sivan 5706-1946. “… with regard to your request that my son- Elul 27, 5704 in-law, HaRav HaGaon Sept. 15, 1944 R. M.M. Shlita Schneerson, visit your community. Write your Brooklyn, N. Y. request directly to him. I do not know if you will be successful The Department of War because by nature he is very concealed. In truth he is great in Washington, D. C. knowledge of Torah, niglah and chasidus, with a wondrous Dear Sirs! bekius. With gratitude to Hashem I have nachas from him. May Hashem give him success both materially and spiritually…” While realizing that the conduct of the war occupies Igros Kodesh of the Rayatz, Volume 9, page 410. your fullest attention, I trust that your Department may find it possible to 3 See Sefer Haminhagim Chabad, English edition page 140, extend to me the courtesy and favor of my request — a footnote 541. gesture which would be deeply appreciated not merely by 4 One Talmudic litra is approximately equivalent to one pound. myself, but also by the hundreds of thousands of 5 See Sukkah 29b. The Gemara states that an esrog requires American citizens whose spiritual leader I am privileged ownership- “mishelachem” [your own] for proper fulfillment of to be. the mitzvah. For several generations it has been the sacred custom 6 See the Alter Rebbe’s Shulchan Aruch Hilchos Lulav, 645:20. of my ancestors, who have been the heads of the Chabad

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shlichus DO SHLUCHIM REST ON SHABBOS?

By Rabbi Yaakov Shmuelevitz Shliach, Beit Shaan Stories about the power of the seventh day, Shabbos, in being mekarev Yidden.

The Rebbe explains that the of families who were initially THE POWER OF A number seven expresses the uncomfortable with the topic of SHABBOS MEAL perfection in Creation while the Geula. When I gave them Beis number ten goes even “beyond Moshiach their attitudes changed. Back to the number seven and Creation” which is achieved through Instead of questions in the style of the seventh day of the week, mitzvos that draw k’dusha down to the second son in the Hagada, I Shabbos. This week I have some the world. began getting questions in the style stories that occurred at Chabad I think that when you bring Beis of the chacham like “what is the houses on Shabbos. Moshiach magazine into your home source in the Rebbe’s sichos” or Rabbi Nechemia Shmerling, every week, it brings a k’dusha and “what is the source of the p’sak din shliach in Kfar Yona, related a story chayus from “beyond Creation” into that the Rebbe is b’chezkas about a young family who were his Creation. A Chassidishe house is the Moshiach,” questions that evinced a Shabbos guests. The father is the most perfect home in Creation and genuine desire to know. son of people who own a famous when you bring in a Chassidishe I’m writing this introduction in restaurant in the center of the publication it elevates the home into order to encourage all readers and country, not a Chassidishe an atmosphere of Geula that is subscribers to think about where else restaurant, to say the least. It is open “beyond Creation.” Everybody in the they can introduce Beis Moshiach so seven days a week and is not kosher. home gets to read ideas about Geula others can benefit and we can hasten The son recently got involved in the from different angles, sichos, stories, the Geula. I have already suggested Chabad house. R’ Shmerling invited diaries, news and farbrengens and it giving back issues to friends, him several times but kept on getting is all permeated with the anticipation mekuravim, waiting rooms of pushed off until that Shabbos when of Geula. dentists and that you recommend they finally showed up. I can say from my own that people subscribe. They walked into the shliach’s experience that I know of a number house nervously, looking around as

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I KNOW YOU! you.” R’ Shmerling: Naturally, after that, the mood at Some years ago, when I went to the table was upbeat and R’ the Kinus HaShluchim, I met the Shmerling farbrenged with them shliach from Mazkeret Batya, Aryeh until the wee hours of the night. Greenberg, on the plane. Next to R’ Greenberg sat two people he was A CONVERSATION bringing to the Rebbe. I got into a OVERHEARD friendly conversation with the two of Rabbi Shimshon Tal, shliach in them and our friendship continued Hod HaSharon, related the when we arrived in New York. The following: two of them had a problem with Last Shavuos the Chabad house their visas to the US and I helped had several minyanim for the Torah them until it was all arranged and reading of the Ten Commandments then we traveled together to 770. for all the children (and adults) who Since then, every year I meet these wanted to participate. One of the two friends who have an annual times, in the afternoon, some people tradition to join the shliach when he were sitting around the Chabad attends the Kinus HaShluchim. house waiting for a minyan so they One year, again on a flight to the could begin the Torah reading. Kinus, I met the two mekuravim Mrs. Tal supervised the children who also had the 18 year old in the yard. On a nearby bench sat nephew of one of them along. They two old men, Holocaust survivors. told me that he was recently Mrs. Tal overheard one of them orphaned of his father and they telling the other emotionally that he decided to give him a boost before remembered that in his hometown he was drafted and to take him to a there was a person who always powerful spiritual experience, gathered people for a minyan. spending a few days with the Rebbe. Since they were speaking I spoke to the fellow on the flight though to ensure that it wasn’t positively about davening with a and during the Kinus. dangerous to proceed. The father minyan, Mrs. Tal told her husband One Friday, two years later, the walked in first and he loudly that there were two men outside sun was setting and Shabbos spread exclaimed, “Wow! This is a really who could complete the minyan. R’ its wings over Kfar Yona and the nice house!” He continued looking Tal asked them whether they could nearby military base. The soldiers around and exclaimed, “Wow, you come up a few stairs in order to know that whoever remains at the have nice pictures.” He looked at the complete a minyan and hear the base on Shabbos can attend the set table and said, “Wow, such a Torah. The man who was recounting davening at Kfar Yona and after the nicely arranged table.” Every few his memories said he could not go davening each soldier is invited to minutes he found something else to up the stairs and his walker testified the home of one of Anash who compliment, the food, the to that, but his friend could go. In davens at the shul. atmosphere…and at the end of the the end, the more infirm one made When the davening was over, I meal he said that he came from a an effort and they both were part of invited some soldiers to join me for family that was very far from the minyan. the Shabbos meal. On the way, they religious observance. He had been The old man was very moved introduced themselves and began indoctrinated that religious Jews throughout the reading of the Torah. talking and then one of the soldiers lived primitively, ate only gefilte fish He was also an active participant realized that he knew me from the and maybe sat on the floor and ate when R’ Tal announced Yizkor. By Kinus. with their hands and feet. No the end of the davening, he “Ah, you’re Rabbi Shmerling? I’ll wonder he was apprehensive about announced that he liked the place never forget how pleasant you made accepting the invitation! and from then on he would attend my visit to 770. My uncles always Since that Shabbos the family the davening every Shabbos. talk about you. I’m so happy to be has drawn closer to Chabad, the The old man, walker and all, able to have a Shabbos meal with Rebbe, and Torah and mitzvos. does indeed show up every Shabbos.

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mekurav of the Chabad house in his “Don’t be concerned if your Shabbos city. He attends the davening and table is not run in military order. It’s shiurim and makes generous donations to their activities. A few okay if the children are a bit years ago he had an opportunity to import a large number of electrical mischievous. A more relaxed switches from Turkey so he could sell them in Israel at a large profit. atmosphere can be the thing to inspire Meir looked into it and found it a worthwhile venture. He went to mekuravim and give them the desire to Turkey, visited the factory, have a Shabbos table of their own.” considered the cost of marketing and almost signed on the deal but at the last minute he decided to return He slowly goes up the stairs of the with such a marvelous atmosphere.” to Israel and to ask the Rebbe about Chabad house and joins the Another woman from Dimona it. davening. He even invites his friends told the Gliss family: In a conversation with the to join him. “My home became religious shliach, it was made clear to Meir thanks to your Kabbalas Shabbos that even if the deal seemed terrific, SHABBATONS parties that I attended when I was a if the Rebbe would say “no,” it was no deal. He wrote to the Rebbe and AND THEIR IMPACT little girl. I still have the taste in my mouth of the treat that was given out put the letter into a volume of Igros Shluchim say that one of the there at the end of the gathering. I Kodesh. When they opened the most powerful things that motivate learned what Shabbos candles are, volume the answer was, “regarding people to do t’shuva is a Shabbos about going to shul, Kiddush, a the electrical lights, it would be meal at the Chabad house. Shlucha festive meal, and Birkas HaMazon. worthwhile to set up a Shabbos in Dimona, Mrs. Naava Gliss has When I got married, I told my clock in your house.” The man this to say: husband that that is how I want our understood immediately that the “Don’t be concerned if your home to look on Shabbos and Rebbe wanted him to commit to not Shabbos table is not run in military holidays.” opening or shutting lights on order. It’s okay if the children are a A final story from Dimona: Shabbos and he did so. bit mischievous. A more relaxed Tehilla was a girl from an anti- Armed with the Rebbe’s bracha atmosphere can be the thing to religious house who came every and his good resolution, he went inspire mekuravim and give them the week to the Kabbalas Shabbos back to Turkey to sign on the deal. desire to have a Shabbos table of wearing shorts and a sleeveless top. The appointment was for Sunday their own.” R’ Gliss and his wife didn’t know morning and he arrived in Turkey on At the Shabbos Kalla that the how opposed her parents were to a Friday, very close to Shabbos. Gliss family hosted for their these visits. Every Shabbos, she went “When I arrived at the hotel, it daughter, one of their guests was a home and told her parents, “When I was Shabbos already. I wanted to Lubavitcher woman whose husband grow up, I want to be a rabbanit just read but remembered that I could and she are considered Lubavitch in like Naava from Chabad.” not turn on the light. I opened the every respect for the past ten years. Today, Tehilla is a religious door and sat in the doorway so I This woman said that the first thing preschool teacher and most of the could read by the light of the that motivated her to get closer to songs about mitzvos and p’sukim hallway. The people who passed by Chabad was visiting the Gliss family that she teaches her students are thought I was odd but I didn’t care. for Shabbos meals. She remembered ones she learned at the Mesibos “After Shabbos, when I went to the first Shabbos that she spent with Shabbos at the Chabad house in sign the contract, they told me they them. Dimona. had decided to lower the purchase “Next to me sat a ten year old price by 15% which greatly girl (the kalla) and she spoke to me THANKS TO KEEPING increased my profits. I have no throughout the meal. Thanks to this doubt that this profit was a result of adorable little girl I felt at home and SHABBOS keeping Shabbos as the Rebbe told it led me to think how I could also Meir (a fictitious name) is a me to do.” have a Shabbos table in my home successful businessman and a

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feature LOST

He was grateful to the communist party for saving him… “Where will we go when we ORPHANS recover,” asked Sarah Shapiro, “since we don’t have parents?” A few hours later she passed away, leaving behind two little sisters in a Russian hospital where they lived RETURN TO alone for a long period of time. Due to illness, starvation and continuous travails they no longer remembered their family’s names and their Chassidic past. It didn’t seem LUBAVITCH possible that anyone would save them… Zalman refused to go to shul to daven on Yom Kippur. Communist By Shneur Zalman Berger education had brainwashed his young mind. He had forgotten that They were far from their parents, all he had ever learned Chumash with his father. R’ Shmaryahu Sossonkin alone, and far from the Chassidim. told his family not to pressure him and hoped from the bottom of his Memories faded and their vestiges of heart that Zalman would slowly Yiddishkait vanished into communism. return to his roots… These are three true vignettes, Countless children of Chassidishe terrible stories from the lives of six Lubavitcher orphans who lost their homes were uprooted during the siege of parents, relatives, communities and Chassidic way of life during World Leningrad. Some of them returned to War II. They were a few of the fortunate ones who returned to their their families and their roots but many families and communities. others did not. * Here is the story of six *** The Germans laid siege to children, out of hundreds, who returned Leningrad, the pride of Russia, from 16 Elul 5701/1941 to 22 Teives to Lubavitch: Zelig Altheus, Rivka and 5704/1944. This 900 day siege Mussia Shapiro, Feigel, Rochel and killed hundreds of thousands of people. Zalman Kleiman. On 28 Teives 5701/1941, the Council of Deputies of the Leningrad administration enlisted R’ Shmuel Betzalel tried his heart out with traditional Chabad tens of thousands of people to explaining to his nephew that he had niggunim, by now had forgotten not construct fortifications. A total of come to rescue him from the only the tunes, but his parents and 190 km of timber barricades, orphanage. But Zelig, who at the age origin as well. All he wanted was to 635 km of wire entanglements, of three or four knew how to pour remain in the Russian orphanage.

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700 km of anti-tank ditches, 5,000 earth-and-timber bunkers and 25,000 km of open trenches were excavated and constructed by civilians. German planes mercilessly bombed them. Houses went up in flames and emergency supply warehouses were destroyed. No evacuation plan had been made available in the chaos of the first winter of the war, and the city literally starved in complete isolation until November 20, 1941, when the ice road over Lake Ladoga became operational. The government realized it had to flee, and thousands of government officials packed up and ran. It was only afterwards that government ordered children to be war, brainwashing, or because their civilians were allowed to leave, via sent out of the city, stating it was parents were killed and the children trains that left one after the other. too dangerous for them. The real were no longer sought out. The Germans bombed the bridges so reason was so that the children Lubavitch lost many of her children. as to cut Leningrad off from the wouldn’t inhibit parents from The exceptions were those world. helping in the war effort. Lubavitcher families that fled It was only a matter of time The government filled trains with Leningrad on the last trains out. before starvation and contagious hundreds of thousands of children, They went mainly to Tashkent and diseases would ravage the city. who were brought deep into Russia Samarkand, where they underwent Laborers were apportioned 600 under the supervision of teachers other suffering no less difficult, but grams of bread a day; workers were and appointed counselors. This was at least the families were united. given 400 grams; children and those seemingly a noble act but the bitter who were supported were given only truth was that many thousands of 300 grams. Large quantities of “I LOVE THE REBBE” families were torn asunder. Chaos wheat, flour and sugar were One of those children was Rabbi and confusion reigned. Many destroyed in the bombings. The Chaim Zelig Altheus, a”h who was parents were killed in the war from electricity was cut off and during the born in Leningrad. His father was bombing, starvation or disease, and winter it was bitter cold and there Rabbi Menashe Altheus. R’ Chaim the children remained under the was nothing anyone could do about Zelig had a brother named Sholom supervision of “Mother Russia,” it. Dovber. raised in state orphanages that were Despite the massive siege, the When the Rebbe Rayatz went to built for this purpose. Germans were unable to conquer Leningrad, R’ Menashe was a ben The tragedy was great among the city thanks to the fortifications bayis (household regular) in the Chassidishe families as children were that the government had built with Rebbe’s house. He raised his torn from their parents. The the help of its citizens. children to love the Rebbe, as his separation was both physical and During this period, as tens of neighbor, R’ Isaac Karasik, later spiritual. Many Chassidishe children thousands of people were drafted to related: never returned to their roots, build the fortifications, the “I remember that when I once whether because of the ravages of

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entered R’ Menashe’s house at night. the besieged city. Zelig was put on insisted and the meeting finally took As he was putting the children to an armored train full of children that place. sleep, he recited the Shma with broke through front lines and Later on, R’ Shmuel Betzalel them. When they finished, he said traveled deep into Russia, where he related that at their first meeting, with them, ‘I love the Rebbe,’ and was put into a state orphanage. Zelig did not want to talk about then added, ‘I also love Mama and The peace and quiet, no longer what happened in Leningrad and Tatte.’” being subjected to 24 hours a day of about his family. The tragedy was R’ Menashe raised his children in shrieking shells and deafening too difficult to deal with and he the ways of Chassidus and if one explosions and having to crowd into preferred forgetting about it. R’ may say so - also in the ways of a corner while waiting for a mighty Shmuel tried explaining that he had Nikolayev, the city of Chassidishe bang, helped Zelig regain his sanity come to save his nephew but Zelig singers. By three or four years of somewhat. Occasionally, scenes of had forgotten his parents and his age, Chaim Zelig would sit on the the terrors of Leningrad and the origin and wanted to remain at the steps and hum to himself niggunei terrible sight of the deaths of his orphanage. gaaguim of Nikolayev, to the delight mother and brother came to his R’ Shmuel did not give up but of all who heard him. mind, but the routine of everyday life met with Zelig another few times. During the German blockade of dulled the sharpness of his Despite the enormous pain, he was Leningrad, R’ Menashe was forcibly memories. With time, calmness able to slowly restore the memory of inducted into the army. He took a replaced the fear. Zelig’s holy parents to him, and his quick course for medics and served But everything has its price. The life before the war. The child on one of the Soviet submarines. On mind of the youngster, who had just eventually put his trust in his uncle one of his first trips, he set out with been saved from the horrors of war, and agreed to go with him. The the submarine in the Baltic Sea. The was brainwashed by the staff of the administration did its best to thwart submarine left Leningrad for Estonia orphanage with the ideology of them but R’ Shmuel managed to which had already been captured by communism. They taught the smuggle Zelig out and adopted him the Germans. As the submarine children that their lives had been as his son. Zelig returned to the approached Tallinn, the capitol of saved thanks to Mother Russia and ways of Judaism and remembered Estonia, the submarine suffered a Father Stalin and that the how to daven, but he had forgotten concerted attack by German communist party would be the one Yiddish and spoke to the family in destroyers, and all crew members to destroy the Nazis and bring Russian. drowned, including R’ Menashe. It happiness to the world. Like Along with many other was Erev Sukkos. A few months everybody else, Zelig accepted what Lubavitchers, they smuggled across later, his wife died in the presence of those who cared for him told him. the border via Lvov and after much the children. A short while later, the He was educated in this fashion for wandering, ended up in Eretz brother, Sholom Dovber, died of three years. Yisroel where Zelig received hunger in the presence of Zelig. The living conditions in the handwritten letters from the Rebbe, Zelig remained the sole survivor orphanages during the war years written in Russian. of his family and he was utterly were horrendous, but, fortunately depressed. He did not want to live for Chaim Zelig and his friends, “AI, HOW I LONG any longer and he cried day and there was a river nearby, and when TO SEE THE REBBE” night, “I want to go to Mama in they felt hungry, they went fishing. heaven!” No less chilling is the story of the Shapiro sisters, Rivka and Mussia. His mother’s sister helped him by RESCUING ZELIG forcing him to swallow a bit of food Their father, Rabbi Avrohom At the end of the war, his uncle, every day while he constantly Yeshaya, learned in Tomchei R’ Shmuel Betzalel Altheus, found yearned for death. T’mimim in Lubavitch and was out that only young Zelig remained As time passed, the streets filled known as a tremendous oved until of his brother’s family, and that he with orphans who wandered about his final day. One of the elder was in an orphanage. He went aimlessly. Hunger reigned. The Chassidim told about his great immediately to the orphanage, parents of many of them had died or hiskashrus to the Rebbe Rayatz, “If introduced himself as Zelig’s father had been drafted, and the the Rebbe told him to walk through and asked to speak to him. The staff government decided to remove them a wall he would simply do so.” was afraid of a meeting between to safer areas. Zelig’s aunt thought it His daughter, Rivka Raskin, said them because he would take away would be to his advantage to leave that after the Rebbe Rayatz left their “catch,” but R’ Shmuel Betzalel Russia, “My father did not see him

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The Rebbe wrote to R’ Chaim Zelig in Russian Rabbi Chaim Zelig Altheus

again. Occasionally, my father would about it when she met him a few help her. Sarah asked Mussia to sit sit at home and learn and he would days later, since she died about two on her bed and talk to her but stop in the middle of learning and weeks after our father. Mussia said she didn’t have the sigh deeply, ‘Ai, how I long to see “We three little girls were left strength to sit. Sarah no longer the Rebbe ….’” alone: 12 year old Sarah, I was 11, reacted and a little while later she During the terrible siege of and Mussia was 9. We stayed in the was no longer with us.” Leningrad, starvation was rampant house for five days with our aunt Rivka spent another six months and felled tens of thousands. Under Fruma who came to take care of us.” with Mussia in the hospital. They these circumstances, R’ Shapiro The girls’ health deteriorated and were starving and shivered in the allowed his little children to eat from Chana Dubrawsky, their cousin, had cold. They heard the German planes the food parcels that the government them hospitalized. Rivka continues bombing nearby but that was distributed, but even then, he did not the story: nothing compared to their allow them to eat the meat and fats, “In the evening [of the day we tremendous longing for the family saying it was absolutely treif. He were hospitalized] Sarah suddenly members who had perished. At first, himself did not eat anything but felt worse and she asked me to take relatives visited them, but after a bread and water. He shriveled up her portion of bread. I knew she had while the visits ceased and Rivka was and his strength waned until he died no appetite but I pleaded with her to sure that all her relatives, the with much suffering, as his daughter muster her strength and eat; but she Chassidim and friends of her father, Rivka related: said she could no longer eat. I knew had been killed in the bombings or “It was Friday night, 23 Kislev that our mother had died shortly had died of starvation and cold. 5702. Together with my mother, after she said she could no longer The tragic truth was otherwise. brothers and sisters, I stood and eat, and I was afraid that the same Their cousin Tzivya Dvorkin went to cried at his bedside. I prayed and thing was happening here. the hospital and asked how the pleaded with G-d that He have “‘You must eat and save Shapiro sisters were. One of the mercy on us, but late that night my yourself,’ I begged her. She refused doctors, who had treated the brother father died at the young age of 57. and asked me in a sad and weak Yitzchok Yaakov and the sister “A few days later, my brother voice, ‘Where will we go after we Sarah, knew they had died. Thinking Yitzchok Yaakov was taken to the recover? We have no father or that she was referring to them, he hospital and a day later he also died. mother?’ sadly informed her that they had He was only 15. We sisters cried “I ate her portion of bread and died. Tzivya concluded that the two silently so that our mother, who was felt a bit stronger. Before my very girls had died and were buried in the in dire straits, would not hear and eyes I saw my sisters weakening. large mass grave that had been dug know about yet another tragedy. We The next morning I looked at Sarah in those terrible times. did not inform her of the death of and saw that she was fading. I was [Continued next week be”H] her son but she soon found out helpless and didn’t know how to

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[Continued from pg. 8] The Mishkan was not built by side” to do the physical work of ourselves. people still on the lofty spiritual conquering the land and building When it comes to measuring level they reached at the giving of a home for G-d. Conversely, one the quality of a “home,” one does the Torah. It was built by may not become so involved in not use the same standard of repentant sinners who had building the physical structure that measure as for a house. A home is experienced that huge spiritual he forgets that the real home is more about how comfortable and drop and were still prepared to “inside each and every one,” and welcome you feel there than about give anything so that G-d would remember that it is necessary to the size and design features, or dwell amongst them. Similarly, the fill your mind and heart with G-d the perks and amenities. In order advances made in bringing down a through the study of Chassidus to make a house for G-d inside a grasp and understanding of the and prayer. particular heart and mind, they finer points of Divinity as taught both have to be used to fulfill the in Chassidus to those of lower ULTIMATE PROMISE spiritual capacity and ability is mitzvos of the heart and mind to That is the message that the measured not by how spiritual the extent that the person is Rebbe gave us so many years ago those people become but how capable of. Yet, that is still far regarding the “final shlichus.” We much they are prepared to from being a place where G-d need to prepare the world and we sacrifice themselves for the higher “feels at home.” Since these are need to prepare ourselves by cause of building a home for G-d. the seat of the human studying the topics of Moshiach The Jews in the desert had consciousness they are also where and Geula in Torah, “especially in reached the highest levels of there is the strongest sense and the Torah (maamarim and insight and understanding of G-d awareness of self. And as Likkutei Sichos) of the leader of that a person can possibly attain. Chassidus explains, the sense of the generation.” This is not about They had experienced and self as an independent existence is sacrificing quality for quantity or witnessed the giving of the Torah, antithetical to G-d’s Oneness and for anything else. It is about and had spent forty years secluded “I and he cannot dwell together.” attaining the ultimate qualitative in a world of Torah study and In order to make G-d feel at achievement that the true spiritual Divine service. They were told, home inside you, as it were, you seeker can hope for. It is about however, that that was not good need to get the “me” part of you doing everything in our power to enough. They needed to cross the out of the way. This is bring about, during this month of “river,” which represents intellect accomplished by giving oneself Nissan, the “I will dwell within and understanding and is over entirely to G-d, including them” of the True and Complete therefore limited, and enter into sacrificing one’s spiritual goals Redemption, immediately, NOW! and ambitions in order to fulfill the physical land, which is the the Divine Will. And since the place where G-d’s infinite Essence Positive comments and constructive ultimate goal of all spiritual will ultimately be revealed. criticism welcome: [email protected] seeking is to become a home for Whatever spiritual heights a [Corrections for last weeks’ article: 1) G-d and to become one with G-d, person might achieve through It is Chapter 3, not 4, of Shaar the true quality of that home and building a relationship with G-d HaYichud V’Ha’Emuna that ends that oneness is built more during “based on reason and knowledge,” with the question; 2) “Chabad demands p’nimius” is attributed by times of spiritual darkness and he must eventually cross his “river” and put his own the Rebbe Rayatz to the Alter Rebbe; sacrifice than during times of 3) The talk took place in 5696, not understanding and seeking “on the spiritual bounty. 5692.]

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