1 CROWN HEIGHTS Newspaper ~December 5 2008 כאן צוה ה’ את הברכה

פרשת ויצא | ח' כסלו - , תשס”ט | בס”ד weekly vOL. Ii | NO6 December 5, 2008 | KISLEV 8, 5769 “The entire house of , will weep about the fire that G-d has (caused to) burn”

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FIRST ANNIVERSARY

The Mitteler Hachossid Horav Reb Histalkus Uriel Zimmer Page 16 Beis Din of Crown Heights 390A Kingston Avenue, , NY Tel- 718~604~8000 Fax: 718~771~6000 A. Osdoba: ❖ Monday to Thursday 10:30AM - 11:30AM at 390A Kingston Ave. ☎Tel. 718-604-8000 ext.37 or 718-604-0770 Sunday-Thursday 9:30 PM-11:00PM ~Friday 2:30PM-4:30 PM ☎Tel. (718) - 771-8737 Rabbi Y. Heller is available daily 10:30 to 11:30am ~ 2:00pm to 3:00pm at 788 Eastern Parkway # 210 718~604~8827 ❖ & after 8:00pm 718~756~4632 Rabbi Y. Schwei, 4:00pm to 9:00pm ❖ 718~604~8000 ext 36 Rabbi Y. Raitport is available by appointment. ☎ 718~604~8000 ext 39 ☎ Rabbi Y. Zirkind: 718~604~8000 ext 39 Erev Shabbos Motzoei Shabbos Rabbi S. Segal: ☎ 718~604~8000 ext 39 ❖ Sun ~Thu 5:30pm -9:00pm or ☎718 -360-7110 Rabbi Bluming is available Sunday - Thursday, 3 -4:00pm at 472 Malebone St. ☎ 718 - 778-1679 Rabbi Y. Osdoba ☎718~604~8000 ext 38 ❖ Sun~Thu: 10:0am -11:30am ~ Fri 10:am - 1:00 pm or 4:11 5:14 ☎ 718 -604-0770 Gut Shabbos Rabbi S. Chirik: ☎ 718~604~8000 ext 38 ❖ Sun~Thu: 5:00pm to 9:00pm 2 CROWN HEIGHTS Newspaper ~December 5 2008

The Vaad Hakohol

REBBE'S STORY A Yechidus with the Rebbe again as soon as she had gone. "I have another question. May I ask “When one tells a story about his Rebbe and a long waiting list. Except that view therefore began the moment I the Rebbe another question?" he connects to the deeds of the Rebbe” here the secretary does not ask you entered the Rebbe’s court and met "Of course," she is told. "At any (Sichos 1941 pg. 68) what you intend to discuss with his disciples. time and about anything you may his boss. That is a matter between This is a very heartfelt and powerful The young men who crowded the wish." you and the Rebbe himself. Here, description by a Knesset member premises, studying the , can Her face lights up with happiness. even if you may sometimes have to that came to the Rebbe in 1964. She hardly be referred to as students wait for days on end, anybody and "Poor woman," says the man to me recorded everything that took place or disciples. Although they were everybody is eventually admitted. after she has left. "All her life she's in 770; the bochurim, the Rebbe’s sitting in front of an open book they And the reception hours are not in been going to psychiatrists, and they secretaries, and her actual Yechidus. did not look like people learning daytime, but at night -- all the night didn't help her at all. How could they Introduced by www.inspiringaenera- something they did not know before. through. The day is for learning, the help her if all they have is knowledge tion.com They seemed more like people in a night for talking. and no faith? They don't love her; “I have been in the company of wise laboratory who are experimenting they love only their books. How can men, men of great learning and “At 11 o’clock at night?” I repeated, with the spirit and its manifestations one help without love?" I became intelligence, men who were superior when told by Rabbi Hodakov, the just as others experiment with mat- curious about this young man. artists. But sitting opposite a true Rebbe’s secretary, that this was the ter: combining and decomposing, believer is quite a different matter. time of my appointment, for I was designing and synthesizing. And He was about twenty-five, and it After having met a wise man you sure that I had not heard right. all this is accompanied by their transpired that he had only recently remain the same as before -- you “Tomorrow, at 11 p.m.,” came the melodious humming. Much has returned from a trip to Australia have become neither less of a fool nor laconic reply over the line connect- been written about the Chassidic undertaken on the Rebbe's behalf. more of a sage. The education of the ing me with the Rebbe’s court in melodies, and much more will still What am I doing here? What do you man of learning hardly rubs off on Brooklyn. be written about them. For they are mean? I have a wife and a family but you, nor does the artist endow you “And why not in the daytime?” When tunes which have no end and no one day the Rebbe told me to go on a with any of his talents or inspiration. I posed this question to one of the beginning. They seem to perpetu- trip and I asked no questions about Not so with a believer. After having Rebbe’s followers, he looked at me as ate the song which you sing so that where and why. Nobody questions met him you are no longer the same. if I had come from the moon. someone else may continue it after the Rebbe. His every word is an Though you may not have accepted “During the day the Rebbe studies,” you. Hearing that tune, it occurred order. He doesn't say things that his faith, you have nevertheless been came the answer, in a tone that left to me that the Ten Commandments, might have remained unsaid or could embraced by it. For the true believer no room for further questions. the foundation of mankind, could have been said otherwise. So I took believes in you as well. never have been written and spoken my family and went. What did I do And indeed I found myself wonder- according to a Chassidic melody. But in Australia? Whatever I was told. The Rebbe, the spiritual leader of ing whether this was not as it should it also occurred to me that mankind There are people being sent round the Worldwide Movement, be; whether at night the heavens may not have been able to comply the world to distribute food and is both wise and learned, but above and the hearts of men might not be with this severe code had it not been money among the , but what the all he is a man of faith. And if faith more open, more disposed to listen; for this softening melody. Jews really need is spiritual food, a be the art of truth, he is also an artist at night when the barriers are down bit of love, of Yidishkeit. TheR ebbe's whose creation is the army of believ- and man is closer to the truth. Those who were not leaning over orders were for me to go and give ers that he commands, the army of their books were standing about and Perhaps the very fact that my them love, to encourage them, to the Jewish faith, of the G-d of Israel talking among themselves. Perhaps thoughts were turning this way was bring a little Jewishness into their and the people of Israel. they were talking about everyday already due to the incipient effect of souls. There is social assistance and things, but the expression on their What about the belief in the Land the secret drug that begins to work there is First Aid for physical ail- faces was enough to indicate that of Israel? on you, whether you want it or not, ments, but we are concerned with they were like frontline soldiers To ask the Rebbe this question I first long before you actually meet the First Aid for spiritual ills. Of course exchanging a few whispered words had to to him. Jewish legend says Rebbe; possibly from the moment we are concerned with people's before going into action. The com- nothíng about how exactly the angels that you decide you want to see him. physical well-being, too. Have you mander might have been invisible, were received in audience by the However rationalistic you may be, all heard about the 'Maccabees' who but his presence made itself felt L-rd, but had it wanted to it might your skeptical questions cause one organized the defense of the Brook- through and through. No orders well have taken its inspiration from to blush with shame. Consequently, lyn Jews during the riots? The man were being issued, but they might the manner in which I managed to I duly turned up at 11 p.m.. who organized them, Rabbi Shraga, be at any moment; and everybody be received by the Rebbe. is one of ours.... It was a great honor was ready to listen and obey. The Rebbe’s Court for me to have been sent on a mission First of all, as with every ordinary I don’t remember a single preface in by the Rebbe but I am only one of mortal, there is of course, the sec- The Rebbe's Peace Corps any book I have read that I did not many hundreds and thousands. We retary with fixed reception hours I, too, was waiting, for my orders to skip. But from the long preliminaries have a whole army here, our Peace go in to the Rebbe. The time was a I had to go through until I actually Corps. This is our headquarters. quarter past eleven, half past eleven met the Rebbe, I learned that there From here the Rebbe dispatches ... when will it be my turn to be called are some preambles one cannot do his soldiers to the various fronts. in? I was just about to ask one of the without for the simple reason that Wherever there is a single Jew there 392 Kingston Avenue young men in the court office when they already constitute the begin- is a front for us to fight on, with the Brooklyn, NY 11225 a well-dressed young woman came [email protected] ning of the story. What the Rebbe Holy Scriptures in our hands and in, with a patter of high heels, her has to say may be important, but still the love of Israel in our hearts. These Published & edited weekly by the Vaad Hakohol blonde hair streaming out beneath more important, perhaps also for the are our weapons. If there is some of Crown Heights. her kerchief. Before I could see her Rebbe himself and the Chassidic lore Jewish corner in the world that is , Rosh Hakohol face I could hear her half-choking of the Chabad school, is to whom, inaccessible by car, we go there on Dr. Tzvi (Harvey) Lang, Chairman voice: "Have you got an answer yet?" Rabbi Plotkin, Secretary when and where he said what he did. donkeys. There is nothing that can Instead of answering her the young Layout: SimplyUnique ([email protected]) The atmosphere around him is no stop us. All we have in mind is that man she had addressed went over All material in this paper has been copyrighted. It less relevant than what he actually the Rebbe's orders should be carried is the exclusive property of this newspaper, unless to a pile of letters, pulled out the says. The “how” may matter no less out to the full, that we should be able otherwise attributed., and cannot be reproduced one she had written, and told her without the consent of the publisher. and perhaps even more than the to come back and report to him: ' that the Rebbe's answer was right in Composition responsibility: This newspaper will not “what.” The Rebbe starts off where Mission accomplished.'" there. The woman snatched it away, be liable for errors appearing in advertising, beyond his court begins. His parlor begins the cost of the space occupied by the error. Advertiser opened it and read it on the spot. For But the Peace Corps, as I am at the porch. His followers are no assumes responsibility for errors in telephone orders. a moment her eyes froze over. There informed by the office manager, is All advertisement designed and prepared by the CH less part of his personality than, as might have been tears as well of joy only one of the many ramifications Community Newspaper are the property of the the Chassidim believe, all human newspaper and cannot be reproduced without the or of sorrow, who can tell? Leaving of the Lubavitcher Court. consent of the publisher beings form part of G-d. My inter- without a goodbye, she was back To Be Continued December 5, 2008 ~ crOWN heights Newspaper 3

The Rebbe's Sicha Parshas Vayeitzei

Yaakov and His Posterity deficiency, as explained in the works the only reason they were forced to in Eretz Yisrael to journey to Lavan’s of our Sages and in the teachings of leave this world is the sin of Adam, home in Charan. As he began his Published and copyright © by Sichos Chassidus, beginning with the Baal the first man. journey, “he encountered the place.” In English Shem Tov. Nonetheless, Reuven Afterwards, the relates that he Similarly, Yaakov possessed “the Yaakov is described as “the chosen received Yaakov’s entire spiritual arrived at Lavan’s home, where he beauty of Adam,” i.e., he also included one of the Patriarchs.” Among the heritage -- indeed, to a greater degree worked for 20 years, married, and within him the souls of all subse- unique characteristics by which than his brothers, as it says: “greater raised his family. And the parshah quent generations. As such, all his Yaakov can be distinguished from in position and in power.” Even in his concludes by describing his return positive achievements affected his the other Patriarchs is the poster- decline, he is described as “Yaakov’s to Eretz Yisrael, at which time he was descendants as well -- for “a positive ity which he left. “From Avraham firstborn.” “met by angels of G-d.” attribute is more powerful than the descended Yishmael, and from (This is a position of status, as attribute of retribution.” As mentioned above, all these events Yitzchak descended Esav;” i.e., their reflected in our Sages interpreta- are relevant and serve as directives holiness did not encompass all of Empowering His Descendants tion of the command:”Honor your for every Jew. The mission of every their children. father and mother.” The Hebrew The stories in the Torah are not Jew is to leave Eretz Yisrael, and “the In particular, the Hebrew phrase statement employs the word es which merely chronicles of history, but tents of Shem and Ever,” i.e., the translated as “descended,” mimen our Sages interpret as “including rather lessons in our Divine service. environment of Torah scholarship, yatza, literally means “he went out the elder brother,” i.e., the honor This is particularly true with regard to for the intent of study is “to bring from him,” i.e., Yishmael and Esav due one’s elder brother is an exten- “the deeds of the Patriarchs,” which to deed.” This involves “going to withdrew their connection to Avra- sion of the honor due one’s father. serve as “a sign for their descendants.” Charan,” a place associated with ham and Yitzchak. With regard to R. Chayim Vital explains that the From the above explanations, it is the arousal of G-d’s anger, i.e., it is Yaakov, by contrast, it is stated: “his primary dimension of the father’s apparent that all the events which the necessary to go to the very hub of posterity was perfect”; the holiness of spirit is invested in his eldest son. Torah describes in the life of Yaakov the world. There one will encounter Yaakov our Patriarch encompassed Thus by honoring the eldest son, one contain even greater significance, for Lavan the Aramite, and one’s service all his descendants. is honoring the father.) their ripples are felt in the souls of will involve elevating the sparks of the entire Jewish people; they were holiness which he possesses. It is in It is true that with regard to Reuven, The uniqueness ofY aakov’s posterity all included in his soul. such an environment that a Jew must it is said, “He profaned his father’s enables us to comprehend the state- establish “perfect progeny.” couch.” Our Sages, however, state ment of the Talmud: “The beauty of The Torah’s narratives concern- that this does not mean he commit- Yaakov is comparable to the beauty of ing Yaakov serve as pointers and If a person follows this course of ted a sin. “Whoever says Reuven Adam, the first man.”W ithin Adam empowerment for the souls of his action, the “journey to Charan” sinned is surely speaking in error.” were included all the souls of the sub- descendants as they are revealed in will not involve a genuine descent. Reuven was defending his mother’s sequent generations. Therefore every this physical world. Indeed, the direc- Instead, “the man [will have] prodi- honor. one of his deeds affected mankind tives derived from these narratives gious success” in both material and in its entirety. As such, the spiritual have a greater relevance than those spiritual matters. And ultimately, as But the very fact that the Torah decline he suffered through the sin derived from the narratives concern- one returns to Eretz Yisrael, he will relates this incident in a manner of the Tree of Knowledge brought ing Avraham or Yitzchak. be “met by the angels of G-d.” which can be interpreted to mean about a decline in all subsequent that Reuven sinned indicates that A Mission and its Fruits The Zohar contrasts Yaakov’s depar- generations. For this reason, there with regard to his high spiritual ture for Charan with his departure are righteous men who died “because In Parshas Vayeitzei, the Torah plane, his action surely reflected a for Eretz Yisrael, and explains: Before of the counsel of the serpent,” i.e., relates that Yaakov left Beer Sheva Continued on page 9 Mazal Tov!

Adapted from Shmais.com Elimelech Evers (Amersfoort, Holland) Monsey, NY Lighthouse Point, FL to Chayale Halberstam (C H) Shaul & Rosie Perlstein - C H Mendy & Chana D. Solomon Engagements Noach Hurwitz (Crown Heights) Shmuel & Nava Steinberg – - Short Hills, NJ Yossi Bialo (Cleveland, OH) to to Dina Elberg (Crown Heights) Des Plaines, IL Tzali & Rochel Sztillerman Elisheva Polonsky (Cleveland, OH) Levi Itkin (Scranton, PA) to Sruly & Devorah Leah Salek - C H - Aliso Viejo, CA Yehoshua Meir Green (Cape Town, S A) to Mushki Morozow (Crown Heights) Dovber & Devorah Leah Thaler - Births – Girls Hanna Yudelman (Cape Town, S A) Chaim Dovid Jenkelowitz (C H/Postville) Alpharetta, GA Avremel Hershkovich (Des Plaines, IL) to Rivky Wachtel (Toronto, Ontario) Levi & Rivky Wilhelm - C H Mendy & Shternie Deitch – to Rivka Muller (London, UK) Meilach Kaplan (Montreal, Canada) Yacov & Devora Young - C H Chandler, AZ Mendy Holtzberg (Crown Heights) to to Estea Katzman (Staten Island, NY) Sender & Chumi Engel – Births – Girls Sheiny Goldberger (Crown Heights) Berel Matusof (C H) to Chava Tzivia Long Beach, CA Avrumi Steinmetz (Boro Park) to Teitelbaum (Crown Heights) Liran & Brucha Dray - C H Yehuda & Batsheva Glick - C H Rochel Sirota (Morristown, NJ) Zalman Moshe & Frumie Drizin Yossi & Rachely Gallor - Births – Boys Levi Slonim (S. Paulo, Brazil) to – Flatbush, NY Melbourne, Australia Chana Rabinowicz (S. Paulo, Brazil) Adam & Miriam Brooker - C H Mendy & Gila Eber - Crown Heights Shmuel & Shayna Kessler - Chaim Yehudah Friedman (Montreal, CA) Yaakov & Dina Brody – Chicago, IL Elazar & Brina Gonzalez Cleveland, OH to Rivky Kesselman (Johannesburg, S A) Yishaya & Sara Benjaminson – - Cincinnati, OH Sruly & Miriam Lerner - C H Glenview, IL Mordechai & Leah Kustiner - C H Benzi & Rashi Marcus - Weddings Yisroel & Sima Leah Duato - C H Nochum & Shulamit Mendelsohn Redondo Beach, CA Dovid Babinet (Los Angeles, CA) to Shmuly & Toby Lewis - Sparta, NJ - Crown Heights Shmulik & Shterna Zheleznyak - C H Yaakova Crafton (Los Angeles, CA) Pinchus & Chaya Morozow - Yomin & Leah Postelnik -

READ THE CROWN HEIGHTS COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER @ CROWNHEIGHTS.INFO 4 CROWN HEIGHTS Newspaper ~December 5 2008 Our Heroes

Hachossid Horav Reb Uriel Zimmer

1920 - 9th of Kislev 5722/1961 married they lived in the Shaarei Chassidim, rejoiced when he met who worked at the U.N., including Chesed neighborhood of . this new group of chassidim and the Russian ambassador. By Rabbi Michoel Seligson Mrs. Zimmer was a generous and participated in their Horav Hachossid Reb Uriel Zimmer and the shiurim of Chassidus. Working for the Rebbe was born in 1920 to Reb Avrohom When he returned to Israel, he His talents were also mobilized for and Mrs. Gitel Zimmer in Vienna published his impressions of the Rebbe’s holy work. For many chassidei Chabad in a number of years, he was included in the Rebbe’s Reb Uriel’s Commitment to religious publications. In many of secretariat. Rabbi Leibel Groner Yiddishkeit his articles he would use the name recalled, “He had a talent in writ- His sister, Mrs. Ruth Prochi recalled: “A. Gitel” as a pen name. ing, speaking and understanding. “In 1934 our family immigrated to He was a linguist and was familiar His relationship with Chabad Israel and settled in Haifa. Our father with 15 languages, as well as being chassidim gave him the encour- was offered a position to market farm a discrete individual. These were agement to connect to chassidus products in Ramat Hasharon and the qualities that were necessary Chabad. On a regular basis he therefore we relocated to Tel-Aviv. to work in the secretariat, where he began participating in shiurim This is where the turn began in the worked as a translator of the Rebbe’s and farbrengens and in time life of the young Uriel. While study- correspondence.” learned how to say L’chaim on ing at the gymnasium in Herzelia, vodka. Reb Uriel loved Cha- Rabbi Tuvia Blau of Jerusalem he learned Chaim Nachman Bialik’s bad nigunim that touched the recalled. “The Rebbe wrote annual poem “Hamasmid”. This poem was strings of the Nshama. In 1949, messages to the Jewish nation for about a bochur who studied through his connections, Reb the forthcoming Rosh Hashana and day and night. Uriel was basically Uriel assisted with the establish- Pesach holidays. The letters would a curious person and he began ment of . be translated by Reb Uriel who researching what it meant to be a a talented person who assisted her transmitted them toR eb Tuvia Blau yeshiva bochur. He visited a yeshiva In later years, he served as the sec- husband in his work. to be published in Israeli newspapers in Tel-Aviv and he was touched to retary of the board that distributed and in centers of Anash. the core of his Nshama. He then Editor of the Jerusalem German reparations to Jewish vic- began visiting different Newspaper tims of the Nazi persecution and Rabbi Groner continued. “He spoke and shuls, and interested himself concentration camps in WWII. with great excitement. His opinions His sister discussed his work. “I in the fulfillment of Mitzvos, and were extreme. He considered him- remember it as vividly as if it just Reb Uriel Connects to the Rebbe over the course of time he became a self a Chabad chossid but his opin- happened. This was in 1948 during full-fledged religious person.” After the histalkus of the Previ- ions were the same as the Neturei the battle to take Jerusalem. Uriel ous Rebbe in 1950, Reb Uriel was Karta. Since he didn’t live in Crown “His central problem was the gym- was the editor of the newspaper hesitant to connect to the Rebbe Heights, he would stay with us over nasium, which was a dignified place. “Hakol” and felt a because of different false rumors Shabbos in order to participate in Suddenly Uriel , one of their stu- responsibility to publish, though that he heard. It was many years the Rebbe’s Farbrengens.” dents, began wearing a yarmulke and there was a battle raging. This was after his marriage and he did not yet peos. Despite the harassment and The Rebbe wrote his responses the only newspaper that was pub- have any children. He and his wife embarrassing comments that Uriel in Hebrew and Reb Uriel would lished during the fighting. There was came to for treatment. received from both students and translate the letters into the various no electricity and the entire layout On one occasion, he visited with the teachers, he stubbornly maintained languages in which the original of the paper was done manually. Rebbe in Yechidus and asked many his religious tradition. Uriel stood letters to the Rebbe were written. He would return home with a black questions regarding Chabad. The out in an obvious manner. When On one occasion when Reb Uriel shirt. There was a limited amount of Rebbe responded to his questions the graduation picture was taken he translated a letter into Portuguese water at that time and therefore they during a Yechidus which lasted more was the only student with a yarmulke and then showed it to the Rebbe, the were unable to clean his shirts.” than four hours. After theY echidus and peos.” Rebbe made some corrections. For he wrote to a dear friend, “It is not At this time Reb Uriel’s father Reb Uriel this was a total surprise, “This new phase stirred up a commo- what we thought or figured. He has became closer to the lifestyle of since he assumed that the Rebbe did tion at home. I remember when our clear answers to all the topics that Torah and Mitzvos. not read Portuguese. mother angrily screamed at him to are on the agenda.” stop growing peos. Our parents were Although Reb Uriel conducted him- As a result of this Yechidus, he Multi Functional Tasks concerned with what our friends, self as a religious Yerushalmi with became very close to the Rebbe In the late 1950’s, Reb Uriel trans- relatives and neighbors would say, all its adherent stringent customs, and merited many Yechidusen and lated the in Yiddish, assisted but Uriel’s decision was final. At one he began attending Tanya shiurim numerous letters from the Rebbe. in preparing the Rebbe’s Sichos point, our mother threatened to cut and Chassidish Farbrengens in the Reb Uriel lived in Williamsburg, “Likutei Sichos” for publishing, off his peos while he was sleeping. I Lubavitch shul in Meah Sheorim, and when the Rebbe would far- wrote an essay about and do not know if she really meant it but Jerusalem. breng at the close of a Yom Tov, he Chassidus in Arabic, and an English for a long time he slept with a plastic would immediately travel to Crown booklet on Mezuza. He also partici- that covered his peos.” A Visit at the Refugee Camps Heights afterY om Tov to at least be pated in the publication of the vari- At the end of WWII, many Jews “After he completed his secular there during the latter part of the ous Yiddish and English Lubavitch remained in refugee camps through- studies, he went on to study at the . periodicals. In his last months, he out Europe, lonely thorns rescued university in Jerusalem where he was instructed by the Rebbe to write from a fire. Various organizations In one of his letters he wrote that the specialized in Asian studies and a book about tznius. came to their assistance and sent Rebbe had advised him to utilize languages. At the time he lived in agents to help them resettle. The his talent in writing and he told the Reb Tuvia Blau related that Reb Meah Sheorim, Jerusalem, where economic condition in Israel did not Rebbe, “I will do what the Rebbe Uriel, although older than him, he became closer to Yiddishkeit permit the dispatch of many such will instruct me”. would correspond with him and and to the ultra religious group, the envoys. Reb Uriel, who had a warm sent him his diaries in which he , and to its leader Reb and sensitive Jewish heart, traveled Reb Uriel’s Talents described the Farbrengens and Moshe Blau.” to Europe with his own money as Over the course of the next ten years, Yechidusen with the Rebbe. This At eighteen, he became engaged to a representative of Agudas Yisroel. from 1952 till 1962, with his heart relationship continued for six years. Miss Raizel Zeidel, who was then By Hashgacha Protis, he came to a and soul he was a committed chossid Reb Tuvia Blau learned then that this fourteen-years old and one of the refugee camp in Poking, Germany of the Rebbe. During these years he relationship had been initiated at the children who had come from Iran which had a large group of Chabad worked as a translator in the United personal directive of the Rebbe. to Israel. Their wedding was to chassidim. Reb Uriel, who was Nations. The many languages that take place in four years. After they already acquainted with Chabad he knew opened up doors to people Kiruvim from the Rebbe December 5, 2008 ~ crOWN heights Newspaper 5

connected Chassidus in the Neturei Karta by naming a shul, a street, Rechov t o S a t m a r . shul which would be accepted by the Ariel and a neighborhood, Shichun The Satmar Neturei Karta. A shiur was started Ariel after him. Bais HaKneset Rebbe did with Rabbi Avrohom Hersh Cohen, Chabad in the shechuna of Agudas not always as the maggid shiur. Yisroel was built in his name with the a g r e e i n Rebbe’s personal involvement. In addition to the missions to other policy with circles of Chassidim that the Rebbe After his ptira, Rabbi Wineberg Lubavitch, sent Reb Uriel, he was also dispatched reflected on Reb Uriel. “Reb Uriel but there by the Rebbe on various shlichusen, was a Chossid, a gaon and a talented were excep- some of which are known and some person who fought with vigor. When tions. In which remain secret. Some related one met him in person however, one of his to the United Nations, and some his image was one of modesty and conversa- were personal contacts with great humility.” tions with Torah personalities. An example of the Satmar “How symbolic was the day of his a mission is when the Rebbe sent Rebbe, the ptira! Reb Uriel was nifter on the Reb Uriel to verify the curriculum S a t m a r c o m - ninth of Kislev, the hilulo of the of the Yeshivas Hamekubolim. To Horav Zimmer with his UN Collegues plimented Mitteler Rebbe and the eve of his this date, it is not known what was Lubavitch. redemption. People who stood at From Reb Uriel’s letters we learn the background of his mission to “When I need to send a shochet to this bedside at his last moments the special kiruvim that he merited this yeshiva. a distant city, I hope and wait to see recalled that he was singing the from the Rebbe. Reb Uriel recalled him return with his Yiddishkeit On the list of the Reb Uriel’s shli- Mitteler Rebbe’s nigun and then two experiences. In 1956, at the and chassidus intact, but when chusen for the Rebbe, was his mem- mentioned that it was the date of farbrengen on the last day of Pesach, the Lubavitcher Rebbe sends his bership in the delegation which the Mitteler Rebbe’s histalkus and the Rebbe instructed Reb Uriel to shluchim to the most distant areas, visited the White House in support the eve of his redemption”. say L’chaim on a full cup. First for not only do they remain G-d fearing of chinuch. On another occasion, himself and then for the newspaper “Here in 770 on that Shabbos morn- and complete, but they also add he traveled to a distant city in the “Der Yid” of which Reb Uriel was ing, the Rebbe instructed that chassi- more baalei tshuva to Torah and United States to inspire the Jewish an editor. dim should sing the nigun Hoaderes Mitzvos.’” residents to Yiddishkeit. Vhoemuna.” In Tishrei 5717, prior to the Shabbos Reb Uriel’s relationship with Cha- Breishis Farbrengen, Rabbi Hodakov Reb Uriel‘s Mesiras Nefesh Reb Tuvia Blau recalled that in bad did not sit well with some of approached Reb Uriel. He informed In late 1961 Reb Uriel was already Reb Uriel’s last hours, many times his acquaintances. They would ask him that when the Rebbe heard ill with the disease and was confined the call, in which is hidden the true him why the Rebbe who was against the Gan Israel campers singing to a wheelchair. One day he received chassidus, came from his mouth, the Zionist ideology, did not take the Jerusalem version of Hoaderes the news that his father had suffered “Rebbe! Rebbe!” a public stand against Zionism. At Vhoemuna - tzu vemen tzu vemen a massive stroke and the doctors were a Yud Tes Kislev Farbrengen, the Yehi Zichro Boruch! in Hebrew, English, and other lan- not hopeful. Reb Uriel expressed his Rebbe instructed many chassidim guages, he was delighted. TheR ebbe wish to travel to Israel to visit with May Reb Uriel, a legendary Chossid, to say L’chaim. Then he turned to asked if it was possible for Reb Uriel his father one last time. After seeing who as a young boy totally commit- Reb Uriel and said, “Horav Uriel is who was multilingual, to sing this his father, his family assumed that ted himself to Torah and Mitzvos probably now thinking, why I don’t nigun with the children in different he would be returning to the United on his own despite the opposition speak about the topic which he holds languages at the Farbrengen. States. But Reb Uriel surprisingly of those around him, who consis- that I need to speak about. Let him informed them that he was on tently grew and accelerated in the Reb Uriel wrote, “You can imagine say L’chaim and rinse this down.” the Rebbe’s mission and would be standards of Torah and Mitzvos, how uncomfortable it was for me to “When I reached the Rebbe he told stopping in Australia and Europe, who utilized his knowledge and make kuntzen, perform tricks, in the me, ‘I wanted to speak about it, but visiting different communities. multi-lingual talent to guide people presence of thousands of people and they don’t allow me.’ He then blessed to Torah and Mitzvos, and merited the Rebbe Shlita. I had no choice, I me with unusual brochos.” “You are traveling on a shlichus in to translate the Rebbe’s letters and had been commanded. I know how a wheelchair?!” The family could In 1956, Reb Uriel visited Israel. In teachings to people worldwide, in much you are interested in details. not comprehend this. But Reb Uriel response to Reb Tuvia Blau’s letter to addition to being dispatched by I can tell you from memory the remained firm despite all opposition. the Rebbe that there was a potential the Rebbe on various missions, and languages that we sang in; Hebrew, Together with his wife he traveled to for Reb Uriel to spread chassidus who with modesty and sensitivity English, French, Russian, German, Australia and Holland. The trip was there, the Rebbe wrote “It is my hope captured the hearts of many Jews; Spanish, Portuguese, Czech, Polish, msiras nefesh for him. that there be no need for someone inspire us to commit ourselves to Arabic, Turkish, Italian, Dutch and else to urge him to do so. During his With the assistance of the Chabad grow and improve, as well as guiding Hungarian.” visit, everyone should utilize all the representatives in Holland, his mis- others by utilizing all our talents, and Reb Tuvia Blau characterized Reb potentials to spread chassidus not sion brought about a great awakening fulfilling the missions which we were Uriel. “He was a colorful and tal- only in Jerusalem but everywhere in many Jews. On his last Shabbos given by the Rebbe, and thereby ented individual. Primarily, he was and in all circles.” on this world, Reb Uriel Farbrenged enhance the entire world and thus very knowledgeable. He was a bril- many hours with his audience. Not bring the ultimate redemption TheR ebbe instructed Mrs. Zimmer, liant person combined with a very in vain is it inscribed on his matzeva, We should speedily witness “The to establish contact with Nshei Cha- wonderful and sensitive personality. “He involved himself in spreading ones who dwell in the dust will bad branches in Israel and through He was literary in many languages, chassidus with mesiras nefesh.” awaken and rejoice” with Horav them, establish chassidus shiurim as well as being a great Torah scholar. Hachossid Reb Uriel Zimmer among in other circles. On his way back home to United In his articles he would include t h e m . States, he stopped in London where numerous quotes from our sages. At that time, a sharp letter was pub- he was nifter on Friday, the 9th of He edited the newspaper for Agudas lished in Jerusalem against the study Kislev 5722 at the age of 42. His Yisroel but his opinions were as of chassidus Chabad. TheR ebbe sent resting place is in Enfield, London. extreme as Satmar chassidim.” Reb Uriel to meet with the leader of the Neturei Karta, Horav Amram Reb Uriel left no children but left a The Rebbe’s Shluchim Blau, with a successful outcome. The great legacy. TheR ebbe designated In 1949, Reb Uriel was editing the Rebbe wanted to implement chas- a person to recite kaddish for Reb newspaper “Hakol” and began a sidus in a practical sense and begin Uriel and many children were named campaign against Zionism. In the a new Tanya shiur. When Reb Uriel after him. late 1940’s, Reb Uriel needed to relo- returned from Israel and entered His Jerusalem friends who greatly cate to the United States and began into Yechidus with the Rebbe, the revered him, eternalized his memory writing for the religious newspapers Rebbe told him to that he wanted a 6 CROWN HEIGHTS Newspaper ~December 5 2008 Parshas Hashavua Vedibarta Bam ~ Vayeitzei ”.are the “And Lavan gathered all the people younger daughter before the older ”ט“ to "א" .into three sections (are the of the place and made a feast.” (29:26 "צ" to "י" .By Rabbi Moshe Bogomilsky singular nu-merals tens, and " " to “ ” are the hundreds. (29:22) QUESTION: Why did Lavan have ת ק "ויקח מאבני In the singular section the first and ”?QUESTION: When a person plans a to stress “our city המקום וישם last letters can be paired to equal wedding, he first pre-pares the meal מראשתיו וישכב ten, i.e., 10 = + . The second and ANSWER: Wanting to poke fun at .and afterwards the guests arrive א ט במקום ההוא" second to the last letters, = + Yaakov, Lavan told him, “In our city Why did Lavan first invite the people ב ח “He took of the 10 etc. The only letter that remains the people are very honest. We do not and afterwards prepare the meal? ,In the do anything unethical. In your city ."ה" stones of the place, alone with¬out a pair is and he placed them around (under) tens section, the first and last can be ANSWER: Yaakov worked for a you were really the younger and your period of seven years before Lavan brother Eisav was your senior. You י + ,.his head, and lay down in that place paired together to equal 100, i.e The second and second to permitted him to marry his daugh- made a crooked deal, and sud¬denly .צ = to sleep.” (28:11) 100 the last, 100 = + etc., The only ter. Lavan enjoyed free labor and you became the older one and your כ פ QUESTION: Why did Yaakov rest letter which remains alone without decided to switch Leah for Rachel, brother the younger one. However, his head on a stone? so that Yaakov would work another in our city such things are frowned ."נ" a pair is the ANSWER: The Gemara B( ava seven years for nothing. When the upon. Rachel is the younger and will The prophet says of the Jewish Kamma 30a) says: “He who wants first seven-year period was coming remain the younger, and she cannot people, “seh pezurah Yisrael” — to be a chassid should observe the to an end, Lavan began planning a marry before her older sister.” “Israel is a scattered sheep” (Jer- )בית הלוי( laws of nezikin — damages” (being wedding. He called together all the emiah 50:17). Presently, we are in careful not to hurt anyone or damage people of the city and told them the "ותהר לאה ותלד בן ותקרא שמו ראובן galut — exile — eagerly awaiting the property). Rava says that he should following: “You all remember very כי אמרה כי ראה ה' בעניי" coming of Mashiach who will gather follow the teachings of Avot (Book well the diffi¬culty our city had with us together and end the galut. The of Ethics), and others say that he water before Yaakov came. There was “Leah conceived and bore a son. She pasuk is hinting that as long as we should be observant in the laws of only one well, and all the shepherds called his name Reuven, saying, ‘G d are in the category of " " — separate (had to gather together to un¬cover saw my affliction.’ ” (29:32 הן -berachot (recognizing the suprem enti¬ties,not united together — the acy of Hashem and thanking Him it. Luckily, since Yaakov has arrived, galut will continue, G d forbid, and QUESTION: According to the for everything). The word “even” our city has been blessed, and we Mashiach will not come to gather Gemara (Berachot 7b), the word .stone” — is an acronym now have a greater supply of water“ — (אבן) Hashem’s sheep. Reuven is composed of two words אבות,) (ר' נפתלי מראפשיץ זצ"ל) ”for “avot, berachot, nezikin Yaakov is planning to marry my — “re’u bein” — “see my son.” Leah“ .(ברכות, נזיקין ,daughter and leave the city, so we called him Reuven because she said "ויאמר לבן טוב תתי אתה לך מתתי may all have to suffer again. If you “See the dif¬ference between my son אתה לאיש אחר" As Yaakov was preparing to enter the “outside world,” his first resolution agree to cooperate with me, I have and the son of my father-in-law. Eisav, was to be a chassid. The placing of “And Lavan Said: ‘It is better that a plan which will keep him here for the son of my father-in-law, sold his the placing of these three stones as I give her to you than that I should another seven years. I will fool him bechorah (birthright) to Yaakov and the guidepost for his “head,” was, give her to another man.’ ” (29:19) and give him Leah instead of Rachel. afterwards hated him and complained as though to say, that his thoughts I know he wants Rachel very much, that he was fooled. Though my son QUESTION: Why was Lavan so would always be directed to exceling so he will stay here for seven more will not sell the bechorah, Yosef will eager for Yaakov to marry Rachel? in these three matters. years, and our town will be blessed be considered the bechor (firstborn) ANSWER: Lavan knew that Yaakov through him.” Every¬one approved of Yaakov and will get an extra share. The three stones united to empha- was a great tzaddik. He also knew the plan. Nevertheless, my son will not express size that each approach is equally that his daughter Rachel was a great any resentment” (Rashi). important and that through these Lavan then told them that in order tzaddeikit. three things one can make the for him to be sure that nobody would Why does the Gemara give this rea- world a “beit Elokim” — a “house Lavan was sure that if Yaakov would reveal the secret, everyone would son, when in fact Leah her¬self gave of G d.” marry another woman, and Rachel have to go home and bring their a different reason for the name? would marry another man, Yaakov valuables as a guarantee. Lavan took )ארץ החיים על תהלים נ' - פרדס יוסף שמות ANSWER: Yaakov was very angry would make his wife a tzaddeikit and these valu¬ables to the storekeepers ע' רט"ז( Rachel would make her husband in exchange for all the food needed when he realized that Lavan had a tzaddik. If this were to happen, to make a lavish wedding. Conse- fooled him and had given him Leah It may also be said that “berachot” Lavan would have to contend with quently, after first gathering together instead of Rachel. After he finally — recognizing the supremacy of four tzad¬dikim. Therefore, he all the people, he was able to make a married Rachel, he wanted to divorce Hashem and thanking Him for would rather that Yaakov marry beautiful meal with¬out spending a Leah. Hashem stopped him by mak- everything — is an allusion to Rachel so that there would only be penny of his own. ing Rachel barren while Leah bore the relationship between man and two tzaddikim. children (29:30). When the wedding was over, the ,When Leah gave birth to her first child )ר' בונים מפשיסחא זצ"ל( Hashem ( ). Being careful .people came to claim their valuables בין אדם למקום not to hurt or injure a fellow man, she named him Reu¬ven because of Lavan sent them to the storekeepers. “nezikin,” represents inter-human the reason the Gemara mentions. The storekeepers told them that they To be In mispar katan (“single numerals” However, she did not want to reveal .(בין אדם לחברו) relationships could get back their valuables if they exemplary, one must conduct him- — see p. 4), the word " " adds up this reason to Yaakov because then would pay for the food which was תתי self within these two realms, in to 9, and the word " " adds up to he would know that Rachel would given to Lavan in exchange. As they מתתי accordance with the guidelines and 13. The name of Lavan’s daughter eventually have a child, and divorce wanted their possessions, reluctantly teachings conveyed by “avot” — our Leah ( ) adds up to 9, and Ra-chel her. Therefore, when she was asked .they paid all of Lavan’s bills לאה adds up to 13. why she called the boy Reuven, she (רחל) .ancestors It is, therefore, very befitting that he answered, “Because G d saw my Lavan was shrewd and had a sharp "ויאמר הן עוד היום גדול לא עת האסף became known as “Lavan Ha’Arami” affliction.” tongue, while Yaakov was a naive המקנה" — “Lavan the Aramean” (with a pun yeshivah bachur. Desirous to get the It is interesting to note that in the case “Lo, it is still the middle of the day, on “HaRamai” — “the Swindler”). most free labor out of his nephew, of all the other chil¬dren the reason it is not yet time for the cattle to be Not only did he fool his son-in-law, Lavan cleverly said to him: “Tov for the name is given first and then gathered together.” (29:7) Yaakov, but he also cheated the titi otah lach” — “In my opinion, the name is mentioned. Only with entire city where he lived. Reuven is it written, “She gave birth )שער בת רבים( Titi (Leah) is better for you than ( )הן ”QUESTION: The word “hein — “lo” — seems superfluous.W ould Mititi (Rachel) because Otah le’ish and called him Reuven because she said... ,” which indicates that this was "ויאמר לבן לא יעשה כן במקומינו לתת it not be sufficient to say, “it is still acheir — She I would prefer to give not the real reason for the name — it הצעירה לפני הבכירה" (עיטורי תורה) ”.the middle of the day”? to another man .was only what she told people "ויאסף לבן את כל אנשי המקום ויעש )פני יהושע-קול אליהו( ANSWER: In the alef-beit there “Lavan said it is against the rules of our city to give in mar¬riage the משתה" are 22 letters, which are divided December 5, 2008 ~ crOWN heights Newspaper 7 The family of chabad mourns

Rabbi Gavriel and Rivkah Holtzberg By Joshua Runyan and Motti Seligson at the ,” Rosenberg According to security services, the Nov 28, 2008 11:00 AM told . Chabad House was a pre-selected target. Reprinted from Chabad.org Friends described her as always having a positive outlook and a kind A team of 15 Chabad-Lubavitch Rabbi Gavriel and Rivkah Holtzberg, word for everyone. representatives in California, New the beloved directors of Chabad- York, Washington, Israel, Lubavitch of , were killed Two years ago, the Holtzbergs raised and worked the phones during one of the worst terrorist funds to purchase the current loca- throughout the crisis, spending attacks to strike India in recent tion of the Rohr Chabad Center, long, sleepless nights awaiting any memory. a five-story building in Mumbai’s morsel of information and working market area known as Jewish communities around the to confirm at-times conflicting Narimon House. A trained ritual world reacted with shock to the reports from the field. Hundreds of circumciser and slaughterer, the loss of the couple, who were killed thousands of Jews around the world rabbi also conducted weddings for Thursday at their Chabad House prayed for the Holtzbergs, saying local Jewish couples in addition to during an apparent standoff between Psalms in their merit. teaching Torah classes and visiting Indian military forces and terrorists. with tourists. The local police inM umbai and the Also killed at the Chabad House highest reaches of the Indian gov- were kosher supervisors Rabbi His last known phone call was to enactments redacted in the second ernment got involved, but military Leibish Teitelbaum of New York the Israeli Consulate Wednesday century C.E. assault teams first concentrated and American-Israeli Bentzion night to report that gunmen were their efforts on the Taj Mahal and Chroman. Citing confirmation He studied at yeshivas in New York in his house. In the middle of the Oberoi hotels, where hundreds of from Israel’s Foreign Ministry, the and , and as a rabbinical conversation, the line went dead. foreign tourists were either holed English Web site of Yediot Achronot student served communities in The Holtzbergs joined the more up or being held hostage. When they reported the identity of a fifth victim and China under the Sum- than 195 people who were killed finally entered the Chabad House as Israeli woman Yocheved Orpaz. mer Rabbinical Visitation Program in the Wednesday night through on Friday, they found that the worst At least one other hostage was run by Merkos L’Inyonei Chinuch, Friday attacks, which saw at least 10 had occured. reportedly killed. the educational arm of Chabad- suspected Islamic terrorists come Lubavitch. Rivkah Holtzberg’s parents, Rabbi Through the heroic actions of his ashore in Mumbai near the Gateway Shimon and Yehudit Rosenberg, nanny, the Holtzberg’s toddler son, His 28-year-old wife, born Rivkah of India monument. The terrorists, arrived in Mumbai early Friday Moshe, managed to escape many Rosenberg, is a native of , carrying assault rifles and grenades, morning to bring their now-orphaned hours before Indian commandos Israel. Chayki Rosenberg described quickly fanned out to a central train grandson home to family. stormed their building, known as her sister as dedicated to helping station, the Chabad House and other the , in the popular Jews. tourist locations, including several To contribute to a fund established touristy neighborhood of Colaba. popular hotels. to aid relief efforts inM umbai, go to She “gives lots of classes for women The reported www.ChabadIndia.org. that the boy - whose birthday was Saturday - was unharmed, but was wearing blood-soaked pants. Chabad House’s Table Famous for its Hospitality “Gabi and Rivky Holtzberg made the By Tamar Runyan Volover Chasidic dynasty, and man. We were sitting with Gabi ultimate sacrifice,” saidR abbi Moshe Bentzion Chroman, an Israeli from and Rivky, and we talked about the Nov 30, 2008 Kotlarsky, vice chairman of Merkos the town of ; Yocheved Rebbe’s ideas. After this, we left a L’Inyonei Chinuch, the educational Reprinted from Chabad.org Orpaz, an Israeli woman who was little money for the Chabad House arm of Chabad-Lubavitch. “As emis- visiting India with her daughter for the dinner and went down for a Less than an hour before sus- saries to Mumbai, Gabi and Rivky and grandchildren; and a Jewish smoke. pected Islamic terrorists stormed gave up the comforts of the West in woman from Mexico who was about the Chabad-Lubavitch center in “We came back up to say goodbye,” order to spread Jewish pride in a cor- to immigrate to Israel. They all Mumbai, India, its directors were continued Weisner, who stayed in ner of the world that was a frequent discussing matters of faith with a the guest house stop for throngs of Israeli tourists. visiting Israeli backpacker. operated by the Their Chabad House was popular Holtzbergs. “He among the local community, as well Moshe Weisner, 22, was one of the said he would see as with visiting businesspeople. last people to see Rabbi Gavriel and us in the morning Rivkah Holtzberg alive, having left “For five years, they ran a to bless us before the Chabad House – also known and Torah classes, and helped people we left.” as the Nariman House – about 20 dealing with drug addiction and minutes before gunmen entered Such outgoing poverty,” continued the statement. the Colaba neighborhood building. hospitality was “Their selfless love will live on with He came to the Chabad House for the norm for all the people they touched. We will dinner, a familiar experience for the Holtzbergs, continue the work they started.” the thousands of Jewish tourists attested Marc The Holtzbergs arrived inM umbai in and businesspeople who annually Schwalb, a Belgian 2003 to serve the small local Jewish traveled to Mumbai during the businessman who community, visiting businesspeople Holtzbergs’ years there. After- frequently found and the throngs of tourists, many of wards, he had a discussion with himself in the them Israeli, who annually travel to about G-d and Indian financial the seaside city. Jewish leadership, during which the center of Mumbai. perished in the attack, part of the rabbi showed him a video about the Whenever he was in town, Schwalb Gavriel Holtzberg, 29, was born one of the worst terrorist incidents Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Sch- would go to the Chabad House, as in Israel and moved to the Crown to strike India. neerson, of righteous memory. he did the night before the attacks Heights section of Brooklyn, N.Y., “Gabi was a very patient man, not and the Shabbat before that. with his parents, when he was nine. There were “maybe 12 people” like a lot of people I spoke with about A prodigious student, Holtzberg was left in the building when he and “I prayed with Rabbi Gavriel on G-d,” said Weisner, who is trekking a two-time champion in a competi- a friend exited, including kosher Friday night and Shabbat morning at across Asia after completing his tion of memorizing the , a supervisors Rabbi Leibish Teit- the Knesset Eliyahu synagogue, the mandatory service in the Israel compendium of rabbinical laws and elbaum, a U.S. born scion of the Defense Force. “He was a very good Continued on page 10 8 CROWN HEIGHTS Newspaper ~December 5 2008

The Mitteler Rebbe

The second Rebbe of Chabad against the government. How else the accused would then be brought they broke up the two-day journey and for what other purpose would to the Senate in Petersburg for into three. In honor of the Mitteler Rebbe’s he be able to raise such an enormous questioning. Since the Mitteler Rebbe had been redemption on the Tenth of Kislev sum right after the devastation of But if no problems were found, the allowed to make his own itinerary, (5587/1826) the war? matter would be dropped and the he stopped in every city through By Rabbi Sholom D. Avtzon As additional proof, he also sent Mitteler Rebbe would be declared which he was passing to say a maa- An excerpt from the about to be copies of the numerous letters the free of all suspicion. mar for the chassidim who came to published book, THE MITTELER Mitteler Rebbe wrote to his chas- greet him. So on the Thursday after Sukkos REBBE A BIOGRAPHY, by Rabbi sidim over the course of the previous (5587-1826), the Governor-General When the unofficial government Sholom D. Avtzon. This 400 page twelve years encouraging them to decided that he would summon escorts saw the tremendous respect book is listed at $22.00 and can be send money to Eretz Yisroel. the Mitteler Rebbe to Vitebsk and everyone gave him, they were genu- preordered at [email protected]. Eretz Yisroel, at that time, was under personally question him about these inely impressed and also began If anyone is interested in partial the control of the OttomanE mpire, allegations. showing their respect. They noticed sponsoring of the publishing, it and the Ottoman Empire was then that even the non-Jews came with would greatly be appreciated. Learning of this, a delegation of at war with Russia. Lipman’s letter their greeting of bread and salt — a chassidim and some influential claimed that this “proof” demon- customary sign of respect in those His Arrest and Liberation gentiles petitioned the Governor strated that the MittelerR ebbe was days. In the eight months after his father’s not to arrest the Rebbe as a common supporting the enemy for all those histalkus until he settled in Lubavitch criminal. Instead, they proposed The accusers became furious. They years. Of course, they purposely (in the summer of 5573-1813), that a few important government now slandered the Rebbe even more. hid the truth: that all the money the chassidim gave the Mitteler Rebbe officials come to the Rebbe and Evidently, they claimed, the Rebbe Mitteler Rebbe collected for Eretz a large sum of money to help him request that he come to Vitebsk for had bribed all these non-Jews to Yisroel was to help support the poor personally build new houses for Beis questioning. make this grand show of respect. chassidim living there. HaRav and a beis hamidrash. As Perhaps he also had them lie to the In addition, in recognition of his everything he owned was destroyed Under normal circumstances, this initial investigation about the Mit- father’s great efforts to help Russia in their flight from Napoleon, he had accusation of treason would have teler Rebbe’s conduct and character defeat Napoleon, the delegation also to start anew. been taken extremely seriously, and as well, and that is why it came out proposed that the Rebbe be allowed stern measures would have been in his favor. The Mitteler Rebbe wrote to the to make his own itinerary. This way, taken immediately. chossid Reb Pinchas Reizes that he, even though there would always be After hearing their claims, the together with another chossid, Reb However, the government ques- an unofficial government escort, it Governor-General ordered that Shlomo Freides, should divide the tioned the truthfulness of this accu- would look to all as if the Rebbe was all the Mitteler Rebbe’s privileges money equitably among the entire sation. After all, since the Alter going on his own, especially since be revoked. As soon as the Rebbe Beis HaRav, and that every one Rebbe was of great assistance to the the chassidim would be allowed to neared Vitebsk, he was arrested of the Alter Rebbe’s descendants Russian government during the war accompany him in their own wagons and treated like a common prisoner. should receive something, depend- with Napoleon, wouldn’t it be highly or on foot. Once in Vitebsk, he would be taken ing on their need. unlikely that his son would join a to a house and placed under house And so, on Motzoei Shabbos, the rebellion immediately afterwards? arrest. Twelve years later, in 5585 (1825), government officials came and offi- And if the Czar had given the Mit- Reb Pinchas passed away suddenly cially “asked” the Rebbe to come to In addition to one of his sons, only teler Rebbe the title of “Honored while he was in Lubavitch. Since Vitebsk. They added that the travel three other chassidim were allowed Citizen for All Generations,” granted he had never been blessed with arrangements would certainly be to accompany him on the last leg of him tracts of land in Cherson, and children, his relatives inherited his such that they would not affect his the journey to Vitebsk and stay with given him help in other matters, possessions. health. him until the investigation was over. would it make sense that he would Anyone else attempting to join his The relative who inherited this let- continue to send money to the As soon as the officials left, cries of small entourage would be severely ter was opposed to chassidim and enemy all these years? distress were heard from the Rebbe’s punished. So the hundreds of chas- Chassidism and showed it to one of household, and many of the chas- Pondering these questions, the sidim who traveled with him this far the Mitteler Rebbe’s cousins. This sidim fainted. government strongly suspected that would now have to turn back. cousin, whose family name was Lip- the accusations were not completely The Mitteler Rebbe, however, man, had a personal grudge against Meanwhile, thousands of chassidim true. As such, they decided not to remained completely serene. He the Mitteler Rebbe. were unaware of this sudden change. arrest DovBer Schneuri (as the kept to his regular schedule of receiv- Informing the Mitteler Rebbe that Mitteler Rebbe was then officially ing people he had this letter, this Lipman threat- known) on mere accusations and for yechidus ened to show it to the authorities if a lack of facts, especially since his on Motzoei the Mitteler Rebbe would not give father was twice found innocent of Shabbos him some money. similar charges brought against him and writing by his opponents. Chassidus. Knowing that he was innocent of Early Sunday any wrongdoing, the MittelerR ebbe Nevertheless, even if such serious morning, refused to be intimidated and would accusations were extremely ques- he called in not give in to this extortion. tionable, they could not simply be his nephew ignored. So they quietly began a pre- Upset at their failure to intimidate and son-in- liminary investigation, which, when and blackmail the Mitteler Rebbe, law HaRav initially concluded, downplayed the Lipman, together with Reb Pinchas’s Menachem whole incident entirely. relative, proceeded to carry out Mendel, the their threat. They falsely translated Based on the results of this investiga- Tzemach the letter to mean that the Mitteler tion, the government decided not to Tzedek, and spoke to him for two They traveled from all the surround- Rebbe received the enormous sum arrest the MittelerR ebbe and bring hours. ing cities hoping to hear the Rebbe of over 135,000 rubles from his him to Petersburg for questioning as say a maamar there just as he did in At eleven o’clock in the morning, chassidim in the three-month period they had done with his father. Rather, the other cities. accompanied by hundreds of chas- after the war. the local Governor-General, Gover- sidim in wagons and on foot, he With the Rebbe’s whereabouts nor Chavonsky, would continue the In his accompanying letter to the began the journey by carriage. Due unknown, one can only imagine the investigation in the regional capital government officials, Lipman to the inclement weather and the nervousness and fears of the chas- of Vitebsk. claimed this was clear and unre- Rebbe’s health considerations, the sidim as each additional hour passed. futable evidence that the Mitteler If the investigation showed there doctor instructed that the Rebbe The rumors that began circulating Rebbe was organizing a rebellion was some truth to these accusations, not travel the entire day. Instead, only heightened the tension. December 5, 2008 ~ crOWN heights Newspaper 9

At nine in the evening, Dr. Heiben- Quoting a verse from Shlomo On Yud Kislev (5586-1825), a few The Rebbeim explain that the Mit- thal, the head of all the doctors HaMelech — “My son, you shall days after emerging victorious from teler Rebbe’s arrest was a result of in Vitebsk as well as the Rebbe’s fear Hashem and the king, and with the debate with his main accuser, the the accusations in heaven that he was personal doctor, calmed their fears. rebellious people do not mingle” MittelerR ebbe was informed by the teaching too much Chassidus. He informed a few chassidim that he — the MittelerR ebbe showed how Governor-General that he would be The question is, since the Alter had attended to theR ebbe upon the it is against the Torah to go against allowed to go home. Rebbe’s liberation exonerated him Rebbe’s arrival a few hours before. the government. “This means,” he “However,” the Governor said, from this accusation, how could his He also told them where the Rebbe explained, “that when one argues “you are not completely freed of son be accused of the same thing was being detained. against the government, it is as if he the charges. The investigation is not that the Heavenly Court had already is rebelling against the Creator.” Understandably, they immediately over. I will be sending my findings, declared permissible? prepared to set out for that address Using this as proof, he claimed that and my opinion, that while you are The answer is that the Mitteler but were informed of the edict that all the charges were false, as not one innocent of the charges your two Rebbe publicized Chassidus in much none of the chassidim were allowed of his accusers would claim that he accusers presented against you and more abundance than his father. Yes, to meet the Rebbe. Even when kosher would ever intentionally act against did not commit treason, my inves- Heavenly permission was given to food was brought to the house, the the Torah. tigation did reveal that you broke publicize Chassidus, but not on such one bringing it was not permitted some other laws.” He then explained that the reason he a large scale. to say a word. He would hand it to wanted the Governor to personally So the Mitteler Rebbe returned one of the Rebbe’s attendants, who The Alter Rebbe was allowed to judge his case was that Hashem’s home. With the threat of an ongo- would be under heavy guard. teach general concepts, but not to wisdom rests on governmental ing investigation hanging over his delve into them with so much detail. These strict decrees remained in officials. head, however, there was nothing TheM ittelerR ebbe went beyond the effect for two weeks. On the 17th of to celebrate. This is derived from the law that Alter Rebbe’s limits. Not only did he Cheshvon, some of these restrictions when one sees a king, he makes the Even months later, after the lower expound in depth on the concepts were removed. From then on, a min- blessing, “Blessed are You…who and then the higher district courts his father taught, he also revealed yan of twenty people was allowed in [takes] from His honor and bestows carefully reviewed the case and veri- many new ones that his father would the next room, with an opening at it onto a human being.” Since an fied theM ittelerR ebbe’s innocence, not have revealed. the top of the adjoining wall. This actual part of Hashem’s honor is the Governor refused to give in. way the Rebbe could daven with So once again, there was a Heavenly bestowed upon a king and his high He desperately wanted to “catch” a minyan, hear Kedushah, Krias accusation against the spreading officials, the higher the official, the Rebbe on something, even if HaTorah, etc. of Chassidus, but this time it was the greater assistance he is given something small. against the Mitteler Rebbe. In addition to this, twice a week, fifty from Above to judge honestly and On the 21st of Kislev, 5588 (1827), chassidim could be present when the correctly. His liberation, however, was a sign two years after he was first asked to Rebbe said a maamar. from the Heavenly Court that the He concluded the letter by stating come to Vitebsk for questioning, and accusation was invalid and he would These changes came about through that he would accept whatever seven months after the Governor be allowed to continue teaching Dr. Heibenthal, who inspired Princes decision the Governor made, adding sent his letter to the Senate explain- Chassidus without any limitations. Lubarmisky and Tzekret (who held that he was confident he would be ing why, in his opinion, at least the Subsequently, the accusations on the Mitteler Rebbe in the greatest exonerated. lower charges should not be dropped, earth were also decided in his favor, esteem) to speak to the Governor- the case against the MittelerR ebbe The Governor agreed to judge it and as soon as he was freed, he began General about the integrity of the finally came to its conclusion. The himself. After hearing from theM it- to say Chassidus, once again, in Rebbe. Dr. Heibenthal also explained Senate pronounced its decision teler Rebbe that the document had abundance. to the Governor that the anguish of that all charges of treason against been purposely mistranslated, the not being allowed to say Chassidus him were completely false and the TheR ebbe would point out to us in Governor had this verified through was having a detrimental effect on Mitteler Rebbe was innocent. farbrengens: If permission was given an independent translator. the Rebbe’s health. by the Heavenly Court, that means In spite of the good news, this The truth was, he had only received even this measure of Chassidus is not He informed the Governor that not brought no comfort to anyone 12,000 of the 35,000 rubles raised, considered “abundance” but a neces- allowing the Rebbe to say Chassidus because, as we will read in the next instead of 35,000 of the 135,000 sity. In simple terms, that means it is could be as serious as not allowing chapter, the Mitteler Rebbe had rubles, as stated in the falsified docu- incumbent on us to teach Chassidus other prisoners to eat. It was that been nistalek twelve days earlier on ments. Prompted by this revelation, in such a manner as well. important to his well being. Tes Kislev. the Governor decided to arrange a He added that if the Rebbe was not debate between the Rebbe and the Sicha Cont'd from page 3 every Jew. As long as he is “in Eretz guilty and something happened accuser. This way he could person- Yaakov went to Charan to work and Yisrael,” i.e., involved in matters of to him, the Czar would be terribly ally ascertain who was telling the raise his family, it is written: “he holiness, with his own concerns, he upset and perhaps quite angry to truth in the other accusations as encountered the place.” Although may be able to scale great heights, hear how such a loyal and patriotic well. he had studied much Torah in the but he can never attain the peaks citizen was being treated. This TheR ebbe came to the debate in his School of Ever, it was he who jour- to which he can ascend after his would be heightened by the fact majestic Shabbos clothing. His regal neyed to and sought out “the place,” “journey to Charan,” working with that the government’s own initial appearance impressed everyone i.e., the place where G-dliness was the world, drawing other Jews close investigation concluded that he was present and the Governor ordered revealed. Moreover, the revelation to their heritage, making them Jews, completely innocent. that a chair be brought for him, even came only in a dream. as it were. Hearing this from a non-Jewish pro- though the accused traditionally After completing his mission in And when a person “leaves Eretz fessor and head doctor of the entire stood throughout the proceedings. Charan, he was “met by angels of Yisrael” to go out and work in the city made a powerful impression As the debate progressed, the accuser G-d,” the angels -- and G-d Himself, world and with other Jews, he is on the Governor and caused him became confused and addressed the as it were -- sought him out. And this imbued with strength from above to to soften his decrees. He, more than Mitteler Rebbe with the respect- revelation did not come in a dream, carry out his mission. This is alluded anyone else, knew the truth. The ful title of “Rebbe.” Turning to but while he was awake. to by the phrase, “he encountered only reason the MittelerR ebbe was the Governor, the Mitteler Rebbe the place.” really under house arrest was for the (TheM idrash states that Yaakov was pointed out, “He calls me a liar and a Governor’s personal reasons. met by 600,000 angels or 1,200,000 Afterwards, when he has accom- rebel against the government, yet he angels. The Zohar, the inner dimen- plished his mission, through his A few weeks later, even though himself calls me ‘Rebbe’! Obviously, sion of the Torah, reveals the inner Divine service he will draw down a the Mitteler Rebbe knew that the he knows the truth.” dimension of this experience, and higher light -- for the “arousal from Governor himself was personally When the accuser remained silent, explains that it was G-d Himself who above” that follows an “arousal from involved in his arrest, he wrote him the Mitteler Rebbe’s innocence was revealed to him.) below” is superior -- and he is “met a letter requesting that the Governor became obvious to all. by the angels of G-d.” (Likutei Sichos himself judge the case. Similar concepts apply with regard to vol. 3 pg.787.) 10 CROWN HEIGHTS Newspaper ~December 5 2008

Chabad House you’re always welcome.” What to Tell Children Continued from page 7 The Holtzbergs had “special souls,” By Rabbi Shea silent. Recognizing that this kid- Iraqi synagogue where he reads from he said. Anyone “who spends five Hecht dush Hashem was a decree from on the Torah,” said Schwalb, who was and a half years in Mumbai, and sits high, we accomplish little through By now the ques- staying at the Oberoi Hotel when there with self sacrifice with a child, understanding, but much through tion has been terrorists took over that building. knowing that G-d knows if there’s acceptance. asked millions of “On Friday, I went to the Shabbat going to be a minyan when you pray, times: “How?” Regarding the Holtzberg and Rosen- meal at the Chabad berg families, we must draw guid- House. Everyone How could a young family, shluchim, ance from another interpretation of was there. There was who gave so much of themselves to vayidom Aharon--Aharon silenced a professor from Los the Rebbe and Am Yisroel be taken Moshe. Words, no matter their good Angeles, another guy from us in such a terrible way? Did intentions, will never take away their from Kfar Chabad, Hashem cast aside the tefillos of mil- pain and loss. We should bear in Israel, a local Israeli, lions of Jews from every community mind that our greatest help to them two girls working from all corners of the Earth? is through our sympathy and sharing for the Joint Distri- In the words of Shlomo HaMelech, in their grief. bution Committee “there is nothing new under the – one from Chicago Regarding our children: When sun...” The questions that we ask now and one from New tragedy hits close to home, we need have been brought up in the past. As York.” not expose our young children to Jews, the only answers that we can every detail. We must bear in mind How the Holtzbergs look to with any certainty are held you have to have a special soul.” that a child may make inferences conducted the Shabbat proceedings within the Torah. and draw conclusions that we never at their dinner table is legendary After surviving his own ordeal – the The Torah tells us of how Nadav even dreamed of, even with all of our among the people who visited. businessman barricaded himself in and Avihu, the sons of the Aharon sensitivity and careful explanations. his room on the 19th floor of the Writing for JTA, Benjamin Holtz- the Gadol were consumed Generally, the more the issue can be Oberoi Hotel until Indian comman- man from Sydney, Australia, told instantly by a holy fire that “went obscured, the better. dos rescued him on Friday – Schwalb of the sea of humanity that came out from before G-d”. The Rebbe plans to make a festive meal to thank For our older children, who are bet- by the Chabad House when he was points out that the words “a fire G-d for his deliverance. ter prepared to deal with tragedy, there visiting. went out from before G-d” were we must point out the above lesson Known both for his scholarship and mentioned just four verses earlier to “They were wonderful people: warm, and others like it from the Torah an infectious smile, Rabbi Gavriel describe how the holy sacrifices were inviting and engaging,” said Holtz- and from our Rebbeim (many of us Holtzberg, center, had guests at his consumed--in this same holiness man. “Gabi would get visibly excited have forgotten that only a lifetime Shabbat table share a song, a word of and purity were Nadav and Avihu to have so many guests for Shabbat; ago, “the Rebbe’s shlichus” was Torah or an inspirational story. taken. you could tell it really made his week. often rewarded with imprisonment He would have a grin on his face “I still cry terribly,” he said. “I didn’t Moshe’s response to Aharon: “This is or death). By drawing these paral- almost the entire meal, including known that when I said goodbye to what G-d spoke of... I knew that this lels, it will bring the tragedy into a during his dvar Torah. Rav Gavriel that it would be forever. house would be sanctified through perspective they can understand and It’s terrible.” those close to Him, but I thought it be a source of consolation. “He was always so eager to create a would be you or me. Now I see that communal feeling that he insisted The last known contact occupants May G-d console the mourners, they are greater than both of us.” everyone go around the table and of the Chabad House had with the amongst all those who mourn Zion say a few words to the group, giving outside world was a frantic phone If we look at the lives of Gavriel and and Jerusalem, and may all of Am guests four options: either delivering call Gavriel Holtzberg placed to Rivkah Holtzberg, we will see two Yisrael merit the ultimate consola- a dvar Torah, relating an inspira- the security desk at the local Israeli young “Kohanim” whose entire pur- tion, to be reunited with the Rebbe tional story, declaring to take on Consulate. The line went dead in the pose as shluchim was to make this and all of his through the a or leading a song,” con- middle of the conversation. world into a dwelling place for G-d. Geulah Shleima. tinued Holtzman. “As most of the They were Lubavitcher Chassidim When word spread of the attack on Rabbi Hecht, is chairman of the board of the guests were Israeli backpackers and famous for their personal warmth the Chabad House, Weisner and his National Committee for the Furtherance of Jewish other passers-through, they might and hospitality. They were totally fellow travelers tried to reach the Education (NCFJE), continuing the tradition of have found this quite novel. For us commited to their shlichus, and the building, but were turned back by social services management and outreach that regulars, it was just Gabi’s shtick.” extent to which they accomplished police. He left Mumbai on Friday, began with his father, the Rabbi Jacob J. Hecht their shlichus was amazing. Bekrovai An Israeli visitor makes a blessing before the bodies were removed A’H. He is a Rabbi and activist in the Jewish Ekodesh--only through people such on the Four Species in the sukkah from the Chabad House by Israeli community, focusing on family crisis intervention, as these could G-d’s name have been set up outside the Mumbai, India, forensic teams. On Sunday, he spoke guiding and advising troubled youth and their sanctified. Chabad House during the holiday by phone from the beach destination families, marriage counseling, and drugs and cults of Sukkot. of Kochi near India’s southern tip. Because our questions can never counseling and consultations. He can be reached at truly be reconciled, the Torah tells [email protected]. “I’m still shocked,” said Weisner. “I’m Painful Recollections us Vayidom Aharon--Aharon was still carrying on, but I think about it Schwalb related that over the years, all the time. Me and my friend talk he got to know the Holtzbergs fairly about it all the time. well. They even gave him a tour of the building Tuesday night, urging him “Please G-d, we’ll see better days.” to stay with them dur- ing his next trip instead of a hotel. “I always tried to avoid Shabbat in Mumbai, but if you wanted to stay for Shabbat, you had where to go,” said Schwalb, a 66-year-old native of Antwerp. “It’s the same thing in Beijing and Bangkok: Wherever there’s a Chabad House, December 5, 2008 ~ crOWN heights Newspaper 11

“The entire house of Israel, will weep about the fire that G-d has (caused to) burn” Vayikra 10:6 12 CROWN HEIGHTS Newspaper ~December 5 2008 Kislev Yahrzeiten

This week we continue with theY ahrzeiten of people who lived in our shechuna. he accomplished a great deal in chi- Meir Shmaryohu, she was the wife of We are also including the Yahrzeiten of Shluchim. In mentioning them we nuch in spreading Yiddishkeit, and the esteemed Rav and chossid, Reb come to “v’Hachai yiten el Libo”. We learn from their lives, lessons that we can saved many lives in a spiritual sense. Meir Yehuda Blau. She was nifter in incorporate into our own. This column includes the Yahrzeiten from the 9th He would often travel to marry off 5743/1982. through 14th of Kislev. The respective resting places of the individuals noted poverty stricken brides. Reb Zalman 14th of Kislev in this column are near the holy , unless otherwise specified. was known for his great knowledge of Chassidishe stories and nigunim Mrs. Gisa Matlin Men sia. He raised his children in the ways which he shared with chassidim. The daughter of Horav HachossidR eb of Torah and Chassidus during a period 9th of Kislev At times, the Rebbe would Shimon, with self-sacrifice she raised of great poverty and involved himself direct him to teach chassidim her daughters in the ways of Torah Horav Hachossid Reb Uriel in bringing Yidden closer to the Rebbe. a nigun during the Rebbe’s and Mitzvos in Soviet Russia. In the Zimmer He was nifter in 5743/1982. Farbrengen. He was nifter United States, for over 20 years, The son of Reb Avrohom, he was a 12th of Kislev in 5748/1987. she educated students at Bais devoted chossid with his heart and Rivka with care and devotion soul to the Rebbe and wrote many Horav Hachossid Women and compiled for them a book articles about the Rebbe and in the Hatom im R eb 12th of Kislev Biurei Tefila. This was all perme- Rebbe’s name. A talented person, he Yosef Yitzchok ated with a special commitment knew 15 languages, and published Kazen M r s . C h a y a to the Rebbe. She was nifter in literature on Torah and Chassidus in (Katzeneloboigen) Shmukelrman 5754/1993. many languages including the Tanya The son of, may The daughter of Hacho- in Yiddish. He was nifter in the midst he live and be well ssid Reb Yisroel Ber, and Mrs. Chana Brocho Backer of his life in 5722/1961 at the age of 42. Horav Hachosid the wife of Hachossid Hato- mim The daughter of Mrs. Doba Brikman, His resting place is in Enfield, London Reb Shlomo Schneur Zal- Reb Chaim Yehuda, she was nifter in and the wife of Hachossid Reb Shmuel (see Our Heroes). man, he merited to be the Rebbe’s 5736/1975. Backer, she stood with self sacrifice shliach and initiated Chabad in Cyber- against all obstacles in Soviet Russia Horav Hachossid Hatomim Reb Mrs. Dina Dubrawsky (Vilenkin) space through which he spread Torah and merited to see her children and Sholom Aharon Halevi Levitin The daughter of Horav HachossidR eb and chassidus from the Rebbe’im. He grandchildren following the teachings The son of Horav Hachossid HaleviR eb Schneur Zalman, she was nifter in was nifter in the midst of his life in of Torah and Chassidus. She was nifter Pinchos, he was nifter in 1992. 5751/1990. 5759/1998. in 5759/1998. 11th of Kislev Mrs. Rosa Rivkin 13th of Kislev Mrs. Doba Brikman The daughter of Hachossid Reb Tzvi Horav Hachossid The daughter of Horav HachossidR eb Horav Hachossid Hirsh, she strove always to teach and Hatom im R eb Shmuel Menachem Mendel, her home Hatom im R eb help another, constantly had a shining Elchonon Yehuda was open to many people. When they Schneur Zalman and illuminated face. She would inspire Leib Raices lived in Albany, New York, she sup- Taubel her children to true avodas Hashem and The son of Horav ported her husband and stood at his The son of Hacho- to study Torah and perform Mitzvos. Hachossid Reb side in spreading chassidus, conducting ssid Reb Moshe She was nifter in 5763/2002. Shmuel Yitzchok, communal affairs, being mekarevY id- Chaim, he brought he studied in the 13th of Kislev den to Yiddishkeit, worked on projects many Yidden closer underground associated with family purity projects. to Torah and Mitz- Mrs. Chana Chai Hena Blau yeshiva of in Rus- She was nifter in 5761/2000. vos. During his shlichus in Morocco, The daughter of Horav HachossidR eb

Jewish History Personality Not merely for his great learning, but also for his great qualities of character Rabbi Shmuel Eliezer Edeles (MaHaRSHA) has Rabbi Samuel loved respected by (5315-5392; charitableness. When the brilliant and head of the Yeshivah there. There all. He was very modest, as can be seen 1555-5th of Kislev 1631) Rabbi Samuel was about thirty years he died on the 5th day of Kislev in the from the fact that he did not at first of age, the parents of his wife founded year 5392 (1631). disclose that he was the author of his Reprinted from Chabad.org a large Yeshivah and placed it under commentaries. His house was always As already mentioned, Rabbi Samuel Rabbi Samuel Eliezer Halevi Edeles was the deanship of their sonin-law. Rabbi open for the needy, and his door is said Edeles became especially famous for born in Posen about the middle of the Samuel conducted this Yeshivah for to have had the following inscription, his commentaries on the Talmud, both sixteenth century. He lived at a time twenty-four years, while his mother- taken from job: “No stranger shall stay on Halachah (the legal element of the when there were very great Talmud in-law supported the students out of overnight outside; my door is open for Talmud) and Hagadah (the Ethical scholars, and he took his place among her own money. every guest. part of the Talmud). The latter were the greatest. Even among such great The young Rabbi Samuel became published in 1627. Rabbi Samuel’s commentary has lights of the exponents of the Talmud recognized by the greatest Talmudists become so popular, that it is printed as Rabbi Joel Sirkes (the BaCH), Rabbi His commentaries reveal his unusual and of his time, and was given in all the standard editions of the Meir (MaHaRaM) of Lublin, Rabbi mental brilliance and extensive knowl- an honorable place in their councils and Talmud, and is regarded as a “must” Mordecai Jaffe (the “Levush”), and oth- edge of the whole Talmud. They are conventions. for all Talmud scholars. ers, Rabbi Samuel Edeles shone with a unique in method and approach which light of his own, for his commentary on In 1600 he published his first Hidushim are bent upon a straightforward attempt Rabbi Samuel Eliezerr ben Judah Edeles the Talmud was unique and brilliant. anonymously. His commentaries at to grasp he plain and logical meaning stands out as one of the greatest of out once became popular and were very of the text of the Talmud, without great, who has contributed immensely Rabbi Samuel Edeles (or Adel’s) is bet- favorably received. This greatly encour- indulging in hair-splitting juggling of to the spreading of the knowledge of ter known by the name of MaHaRSHA aged him, and he continued his com- various passages of he Talmud. the Talmud and the preservation of (Morenu Harav Shmuel Adel’s - Our mentaries, publishing the remaining our faith and traditions among our Teacher Rabbi Samuel Adel’s), and his In his treatment of the Agadah he part 11 years later. people. famous commentary on the Talmud addresses the need for full acceptance is so entitled-Hidushei MaHaRSHA In 1610 he received a call to become of the teachings of our Sages, and is The Baal Shem Tov said about the (Hidushei meaning “New Explanations the Rabbi of the important commu- opposed to those scholars who treated Maharsho “If people would only know by”). nity of Chelm, where he served for them as pure parables and ethical fairy- how great the Maharsha was, they four years. From there he was called tales. Even though some of the stories would lick the sand on his grave”. He began to show his brilliant scholar- to an even greater community, that of the Agadic part of the Talmud are ship at an early age, and was chosen as We should merit the fulfillment of of Lublin, where he also headed the beyond our comprehension, we must a son-in-law by another famous scholar the prophecy, “The ones who dwell in famous Yeshivah in that city. His next accept them in deep faith, “for their Rabbi Moshe Ashkenazi, author of the dust will awaken and sing in the post was in Tictin, and the remainder knowledge was greater -id deeper than Zichron Moshe. His mother-in-law upcoming redemption”. of his life he spent as Rabbi of Ostrog ours.” Edel was famed for her virtues and December 5, 2008 ~ crOWN heights Newspaper 13 Tznius: "America Is Nisht Andersh”

The Bird and the Essence A Needle in the Haystack By Mrs. M. Resnick But being somewhat shaken by the By Sarah Junik thought, I picked up the phone and “Ze Haya Tzipor Nafsha” – (literally I have had some conversations recently called my friend, Mrs. R. Kotlarsky to “the bird of her soul” but the real with young ladies who are "in the make sure I was not dreaming. And meaning is:‘close to her heart”), said parsha" and who wanted some advice, then after some review and memory Mrs.Yehudis Rosenberg, mother of or clarification from someone who is jolting, we both realized that indeed the holy Shlucha Rivky Holtzberg not as close to them and therefore can I wasn’t. The incredible Hashgocha z”l, about her martyred daughter’s give them a more objective view. here compels me to share the story connection to Tznius. “Ze Haya that made her stand out in my mind One common thread became clear. Etzla Meod BePashtut”- (For her it (please forgive the sketchiness as I am Universalistic expectations and inad- ize this, but I am not married!" was very simple-it was her essence), not certain of the details). equate communication. she added. The Rebbi cannot figure out the rel- Not long after being introduced and Sometimes our wires cross. Parents evance, so he tells the bocher: "Don't This was told to me by the exhausted exchanging the per- think they said one thing but their worry if you are not married now, one and emotionally drained Mrs.Esther functory pleasantries in kids hear another, boys mean one day you will get married and your wife Piekarski, herself a Shlucha of the the succah, Mrs. Rosen- thing and girls understand another, a will make you tons of kneidlach! Rebbe, on Tuesday, a few minutes after berg told me about her advises to act a certain way she returned home to Tel Aviv Eventually the mix up gets cleared off family: “My children are and the mushpa interprets in their from having and the soup can finally be served. As Shluchim in Ramat Aviv own way. spent the last extreme as this example is it points [a suburb of Tel Aviv] in 10 hours in Kfar Some of the results might be comic out how easy it is to talk at cross a very secular area, so secular Chabad and Yerusha- but some may cause misunderstand- purpose even when talking the same that the tenants refused to allow them layim attending the ing and harm if not cleared up. language. to put on a on their door. They Levaya of our precious even ripped it out when my children If something you hear, either whether This is even more important when Shluchim Rabbi Gavriel and insisted on installing one. This went making research or when out on a we realize that our expectations are Rivka Holtzberg Hy”d. on for several attempts to the point of shidduch date, or even later once one out of control. Our expectations are Mrs. Piekarski continued: “I ripping off the door post. So my children is engaged, is not clear, or sounds off, unrealistic and sometimes they are spoke to her a few hours ago [to succumbed. Then we suddenly lost our or even it may be something that takes outright wrong. Rivky’s mother] on Har Hazeisim, grandson" she said sadly. Menachem you aback, ask for clarification. Rabbi Frand points out that expec- holding her hand, I told her about the Mendel Ginsburg was only 10 years It is common for speakers to repeat tations diminish happiness. For intent [of Bnos Melech B’Yachad] to old when he was run over by a car while a question they have been asked, to example, Mrs Teldon tells a story in designate the International Mural riding his bike He was on his way home make sure they understood what the one of her speeches, that after the ‘Buttons’ project, designed by the from teaching a bochur query is. birth of a child when her husband gave famed , l’Ilui Nish- Tanya, after Maariv. [In fact this week her a gift she was expecting, maybe a mas Rivky. I explained that you were is Mendy's Yahrzeit ] Similarly we should train ourselves piece of jewelry or other such thing, planning to announce it at the N’shei to repeat the point back, so that we "One day during Shiva I could not and when she opened the package and Chabad Convention in Boulder, Colo- are sure we understood what we have stand it any longer," continued Mrs. found a bar of chocolate she was hard rado this Shabbos. I told her about the been told. A lot of aggravation may Rosenberg, "I took myself to the pressed to express any gratitude for buttons whose design theR ebbe had be avoided. Vaad Habayit [board] and with tears the offer. Granted that finding that approved 39 years ago for another in my eyes I told them, ‘You know It may happen that when out on a cholov yisroel chocolate was a feat in N’shei Convention and she was very a Mezuzah provides protection for shidduch date we hear a comment itself where she lived, but her expecta- pleased and said ‘Kol Hakavod.’ those within its portals and we fear that upsets us, because it upsets us tions had been dashed to pieces. “Then I joined her sisters who were that our grandson lacked that protec- we tend to ignore it. Maybe we did When, hearing a suggestion for a standing close to the busses next to tion. Please, I pleaded, won’t you let us not hear right, maybe that is not what shidduch or when going out, we have the Beis Hachaim,” continued Mrs. put up a Mezuza now?' This time they was meant, and because we don't want certain expectations. Piekarski (women do not generally go relented and the Mezuza went up,” she to "rock the boat" we do not discuss to burial area), "and one of them, my concluded humbly but gratefully. it. But later on, sometimes much Expectations of how our partner friend and neighbor Mrs. Nechamie later, we realized we should have should look, act, speak. Expectations What a special woman! I remember Ginsburg said about her sister Rivky pursued the conversation, it would of an instant rapport, an unmistakable sharing with my friend our hostess, ‘Hayita Tznua Bemaaseiha’ [she was have made things so much easier and bonding, which does not happen. her steadfastness, relentlessness and Tzniusdik in her deeds, actions]. In less hurtful. Then because our expectations have ability to achieve her end with Darchei fact all her sisters were reiterating been dashed we do not put the effort Shalom and Kidush Hashem. Communication. An essential com- how little she had ever talked about in to the shidduch date that we should, ponent in our lives. any of her acts of Chesed, Hachnosas Indeed what a woman! What a and we start thinking of the next Orchim, and her b’Simcha manner. mother! And what a daughter she A humorous story is told by Rabbi candidate without adequately giving All of which were only now surfacing must have had! Frand to illustrate this point. this one a chance. in abundant quantities via both oral Oy Hashem we know that you have A bocher from a Syrian background Sometimes we have expectations accounts and emails.” said “Bekrovai Akadesh”! is invited Friday night to his Rebbi's that we do not even verbalize to our As a matter of fact bothM rs. Piekarski house. He is not familiar with yid- parents or mashpiim. Where is the But we can be Mekadesh you so well and I were reminded of Rabbi Moshe dish. In his mind he understands communication? How can parents with our Mitzvos, B’Guf, right here Kotlarsky’s initial remarks about the "kneidelach" as "kinderlach". After the know what one expects if they are on earth. Shluchim in Mumbai, saying that they fish course the Rebbi asks him if he not told! would be the first to feel uncomfortable Ad Mosai? How much more before wishes for "kneidelach". The bocher This carries on into marriage. Some- about being so publicly talked about. You send us the final Yeshua? thinks it is a strange questions to ask times a wife expects (there is the word now but he answers: "Eventually." And suddenly as I was putting this Let us recommit to elevate our level again!) her husband to understand conversation down on paper it hit me. of commitment to Tznius just one So the Rebbi asks the bocher: "You what she wants without words. (Or I know Rivky’s parents! more notch in the Zchus of a Shlucha don't like "kneidlach?". To which the vice versa, the husband expects...) whose 'Zipor Nafsha’, her 'essence,' bocher, even more bewildered, hugs I suddenly remembered that I met the Parents, we have the wisdom of expe- was: "Tznius – the Essence of the the Rebbi's child sitting next to him Rosenbergs not so long ago, in fact just rience and the wisdom learnt from Jewish woman," (like the motto on and replies: "I love kneidlach". The recently, in Rabbi Kotlarsky’s succah our elders, believe in yourself, guide the buttons whose design the Rebbe Rebbi thinks that is a really strange where they were his guests. I had sat and instruct your children. approved) reactions, but still waiting for an next to Mrs.Rosenberg during the answer he says: "Nu, so do you want Communication is what takes us Yom Tov meal and she struck me as Your comments are welcome at: kneidlach?" To which the bocher above the other species. USE IT! such a special woman. [email protected] replies: "Rebbi I am not sure you real- 14 CROWN HEIGHTS Newspaper ~December 5 2008

A Rabbi’s Northern Adventure

From the Heights of Alaska to the Golan Heights Reprinted with special permission to speak about , about observ- peared in my mind. That old feeling Sure, I had dreamed of joining the by the author and Merkos L'Inyonei ing Shabbat, about the importance of wanderlust struck again. Enlisting Air Force as a kid, but my game plan Chinuch of taharat hamishpachah—the presented an opportunity to break was flexible. very things which make up real away from the usual, and meet new By Rabbi Yisrael Haber At the bar of some of my Yiddishkeit. challenges. childhood friends, they predicted The situation I found myself in What could I do? The community Miriam and I spent long hours what they were going to be when reminded me of the story told about leaders and I simply did not see eye weighing the pros and cons of a they grew up, and sure enough, their a rabbi and his congregation. It isn’t to eye. Thus Miriam and I began military career. The more we debated prophecies came to pass. My mazel a reflection on Dallas, nor Akiva to ponder what to do next with the matter, the more convinced I was always more of a mystery. Dallas, Academy, but something which can our lives. And as strange as it may became. True, it wasn’t the most Alaska, the Golan Heights.... With occur in any place where the passing seem, I decided to dedicate the next usual path for a yeshiva bachur from my luck, tomorrow, I could be on fancies of modern life confront age- chapter of my life to the institution Brooklyn, but, as my basketball the moon. old tradition. that has the most stringent chain coaching proved, I wasn’t the most After a few months at Akiva, when Long ago, a wandering rabbi who of authority possible—the United usual rabbi. things were going well, I thought traveled from village to village States military. I decided to become So off we went into the wild blue Dallas would be our home for years, delivering sermons came to a small a chaplain in the Air Force. At least yonder, flying high into the sky.W hy yet here I was at the induction and remote Jewish community there, I could help Jews in faraway not? Wasn’t Uncle Sam Jewish? center. not known for its scholarship or places without having to deal with piety. On one matter, however, the a Jewish Board of Directors. A few days before my medical exami- villagers were very strict. Every nation, I had received a phone call The truth is, the decision was not Shabbat they would all gather into Chapter 5 at home. The voice at the other end made on a moment’s notice. Serving the synagogue to pray. The traveling of the wire was terse and official. as a rabbi in the Air Force had been YOU’RE IN THE ARMY NOW rabbi approached the head of the “Mr. Haber, if you are still interested a youthful dream. My old yeshiva in In the spring of 1973, after eight community and asked to speak to in enlisting in the United States Brooklyn was located directly across months in Texas, I found myself the congregation after the Shabbat Military, you must report on Mon- the street from an army induction in downtown Dallas at 6:45 in the prayers. After all, Jews enjoy a good day morning, seven o’clock, at the center. morning. I had been downtown sermon. The community leader examination center. Thank you.” before, but never at this address. The agreed, but not wanting any sur- Outside the sign on the building read: United When I told Miriam about the call, prises, he asked the rabbi what topic door was States Army Induction Center, she became very emotional. After did he think to lecture about. a poster Medical Division. The rather worn our many discussions, she was of a lovely “I thought I would speak on the down building had been constructed ready to be the wife of an Air Force young cou- importance of keeping Shabbat,” before World War Two, but for me it chaplain in some remote part of the ple, he the rabbi answered. symbolized a new beginning and world. But at this point neither of us in his “Do me a favor,” the community new battlefields to conquer. knew what that involved. And I had Air leader said. “Don’t talk about the to first pass the examinations and Force I spoke to myself out loud to make Sabbath.” interviews. Who knew—maybe I blues, sure I wasn’t dreaming. Here I “Why not?” the rabbi asked in would turn out to be too Jewish for she with was, Yisrael Haber, from wonder. them too. After all, did the United Eastern Parkway, “In our community not everyone States Air Force need the headache Brooklyn, yeshiva keeps all of the laws of the Sabbath. of an Orthodox rabbi? bred, dressed in In fact, no one does. Right after tzitzit and kip- To begin my military career cor- prayers, everyone who has a business pah, waiting for rectly, I arrived fifteen minutes early, rushes to go to work. So why make the doors of the at 6:30, or rather, 06:30. I was the people feel bad?” Army Induction only one there. Perhaps I was the The rabbi reflected over the situation Center in Dallas only enlistee? Shortly, however, a and said, “Very well, I won’t speak to open so that line began to form behind me. Look- about the Sabbath. I will speak about I could enlist in ing at the faces of the volunteers, I the laws of keeping kosher.” the Air Force. Do I realized that with all of my 25 years, I “No, no!” the community leader really want to be here, was the oldest person present. Nor responded. “Certainly don’t speak I wondered? did I spot anyone who looked like a about that!” Talmudic scholar. Most of the group The reader will not be surprised “Why not?” the rabbi asked in was high -schoolers, either upcoming to learn that conflicting thoughts amazement. a cocktail in her graduates or drop-outs. Whites and raced through my mind during the “You must understand. Our commu- hand, surrounded by a background Blacks were mixed together. All of drive from my house to the center. nity tries to keep kosher, but when of palm trees. The caption read: them were unmistakably Texans. Was I crazy, or was this some sort kosher food is unavailable, and this Several wore ten-gallon hats. And “You Too Can Be in This Picture.” of important shlichut, some predes- occurs a lot, we make do with what there was one Jew—me. The next month, the same couple tined mission from Heaven? Was I we have.” would be sailing on a yacht, looking on my way to stimulating work, or Just as I made an inspection of The rabbi thoughtfully stroked at even happier: she looking admiringly merely running away from a life of them, they were eyeballing me. I his beard. “Then I will speak on the up to her husband—her hero—and compromise at the school? was wearing my kippah, and since laws of family purity.” again, “You Too Can Be in This it was a few weeks into the Omer The leader of the community spun One way or the other, I was certain Picture.” It looked like a pretty good period when shaving is forbidden, I his kippah around on his head. that some unknown adventure picture to be in, I used to think. sported a scruffy beard. In their eyes, “Gevalt!” he exclaimed. “This is the awaited me beyond the doors of I was surely an oddity. The army was last thing in the world that people Passing those posters as a teenager, the building. No one I knew had known to attract its share of weirdos, want to hear. Who even thinks about I longed to put on that same magical ever traveled this route before, so I and I was no exception. such things?!” Air Force uniform. If you are look- couldn’t ask anyone, “Hey, Yankel, “Then what do you want me to speak ing to reach Jews the world over, tell me, what is it like?” They were probably happy that I was about?” the rabbi asked in frustra- the United States Air Force can get standing at the front of the line. That As to what the future would bring, tion. “I’ll tell you,” the community you there. way, compared to me, they would I didn’t have fears. As the Psalmist leader answered. “Why don’t you seem normal. Now that the Akiva Academy Board says: The L-rd is my shepherd; I shall speak about...Yiddishkeit?” of Directors had K.O.’d my enthu- not want. Plus, I was never the type Like the rabbi of the story, I wanted siasm for Dallas, the posters reap- to know where life would find me. December 5, 2008 ~ crOWN heights Newspaper 15

Financial Interest

Beat the Recession With This Ancient Secret By John Rosevear something like, "I can't bear to sell." can use a notebook or a software They don't want to realize -- in both The Secret Key to December 1, 2008 application like Quicken. Either senses of that term -- their loss. Wealth way, stick with it for a month. For Have you been living large in recent Likewise, it's hard to realize -- that By John Rosevear many people, this will be a stunning, years? Maybe a little too large? word again -- major cuts in one's eye-opening experience. June 28, 2007 If so, don't beat yourself up too badly. personal spending until there's a Intelligence assessment. Just the You have lots and lots of company. catastrophe that makes the situation Are you sitting down? I'm about to act of keeping the log will help You weren't the only one buying desperate -- a layoff or a foreclosure reveal the great secret of wealth, you become conscious of your those giant houses or buying lavish threat, for instance. As long as the closely guarded hidden method spending habits, and you'll probably baubles from Tiffany (NYSE: TIF), we view these cuts as losses, our used by the greatest wealth builders find yourself spending less. Start or riding a new high-end Harley- subconscious brains will fight them of all time. This is the one true path asking yourself if you really needed Davidson (NYSE: HOG) while -- and trying to beat one's lizard- to riches, the age-old mystic secret that green couch, or if it was just a making "low monthly payments." brain back with willpower and grim passed down through the most momentary spending impulse trig- determination doesn't work for most successful families of all time and Pick up any newspaper right now, gered by something else. As you ask in the long run, as millions of dieters shared in whispers with the most and there's a good chance you'll yourself these questions, you'll start will tell you. fortunate among us. find a story about the challenges getting a grip on your impulse spend- your fellow consumers are suffering To make lasting changes in our Are you ready? Here it is: ing. But remember that it's still OK right now. spending patterns, we'll need to go to splurge -- as long as you can really Spend less than you earn. another route. afford it without adding to debt or Even if your lifestyle hasn't seemed I know, you've heard it before. It's the impinging on other goals, and as so ostentatiously opulent, family The ancient secret and how it can core message of countless personal long as the purchase seems genuinely expenses might be stressing you help now finance worthwhile out right now. Maybe you splurged I've said before that the "secret key texts, start- to you. without thinking about it a few too to wealth" is to spend less than you ing w ith many times. Debt exter- earn. This works for giant corpora- the classic mination. Maybe you tapped your home equity tions -- how do you think that Berk- The Rich- Once you or carried a credit card balance to shire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK-A) est Man In have your make things a little easier for your (NYSE: BRK-B) came to be sitting Babylon. impulse family, and you're now facing some on an enormous cash hoard and in Some of the spending hefty bills. a position to pounce on the best wealthiest under con- opportunities when the economic people in Or maybe you were doing fine, but trol, you'll crisis hit? -- as well as it works for America that bonus you were counting on was have some individuals. call that eliminated, or your spouse got laid extra cash. book a key off, or you're just looking to batten And it works for individuals making S t a r t b y t o t h e i r down the hatches and beef up your a little money as well as it works for using it to success. emergency fund. those making a whole lot of money. pay off those credit cards and any As it turns out, it's a pretty simple Putting it into action isn't hard -- I other high interest debt. Need help Whatever your situation, odds are book. If you haven't read it, here's the outlined a plan here, but it's pretty getting started? Look here. you're facing a grim fact: You've essence: invest 10% of what you earn, simple: Learn where your money is got to cut back. And cutting back make wise spending choices with the Strategic reallocation. Once you've really going, come up with a realistic is hard. remainder, avoid excessive debt, and nuked the high-interest debt, it's time plan for spending that leaves you you'll eventually be wealthy, even if to start investing. Are you contribut- Why your brain fights your budget with something extra every month, your earnings seem modest at the ing enough to your 401(k) to collect and use that extra to pay down There are all sorts of reasons why it's beginning. It seems obvious, doesn't all of your employer's match? If so, revolving debt -- and once you're hard to curtail spending. Some are it? Even if you earn a million dollars set up an IRA. Already contributing debt-free, start saving it. obvious, of course. But many aren't a year, you're not going to become the maximum to your IRA? Max -- and many stem from ways in which Those who succeed with the "secret wealthy unless you're investing some out that 401(k), or consider setting our brains are wired to look at the key" do so because they look at it as of that -- spending less than you earn. up a regular brokerage account. financial world. a fun project with a worthwhile goal It's just common sense. Whatever you do, you want at least -- not an awful austerity plan requir- a few months' salary put away in a As researchers in behavioral finance Yet the savings rate in the U.S. is ing misery and brutal self-discipline. "rainy day" fund. That fund doesn't -- the study of how and why people lower than it has been in decades. They succeed because of their mind- have to be a bank account, but it make decisions about money -- will Clearly this sense is not as common set -- and it's that mind-set that is the should be invested in something tell you, a handful of basic tenden- as it should be. What to do? key to beating the recession. that isn't too volatile -- at least until cies deep in our brains drive a lot of your base of non-retirement savings what seems like irrational financial Avoiding the "B" word The big take away is big enough to get through a market behavior. Those same countless personal If you approach cuts in your spend- storm while still leaving you enough finance texts will tell you to start For instance: Research has estab- ing as something awful that's being to cover several months' worth of by making a budget. Personally, I lished that people feel as much as forced on you by the economy, expenses. hate the word "budget." It's up there twice the pain after the loss of a given you'll struggle. If you approach it with "frugal" and "self-deprivation," Advanced intelligence. It's not amount of money as they feel plea- as something deeper, as a choice to carrying a flavor of pinched, slightly enough just to invest. You need to sure from gaining the same amount. build real wealth rather than just the shabby, totally demotivating un-fun- be smart about your investments. As a result, losses have a much bigger appearance of wealth, your chances ness. We're going to need to stay For most of us, that means buying influence on people's preferences and of success go up exponentially. motivated in order to get wealthy. stocks. TheR ichest Man in Babylon decisions than equivalent gains. This We here at the Fool have been say- So instead of a budget, let's have tells us to seek the counsel of the is why people hold stocks that have ing for weeks that in crisis, there is a plan. Better yet, a secret plan. A wise, but I suggest you seek the gone way down, hoping that they'll opportunity. That applies to your Secret Wealth-Building Plan, for counsel of the Foolish instead. If "come back" even if the company's own financial situation just as it secret wealth-building agents! Here you're new to picking stocks, or don't fundamentals have deteriorated applies to beaten-up stocks. If you are the elements of our plan: have the time or inclination to do the sharply. There are folks out there need to make changes now, look at necessary research, might I suggest who bought NutriSystem (Nasdaq: Self-surveillance. Watch your spend- that need as an opportunity to start that you try the Motley Fool Stock NTRI) at $60 or Crocs (Nasdaq: ing for a month. Sit down every night yourself on a road to wealth. You may Advisor service? CROX) at $40 and are still holding and try to record every dollar you find that you start sleeping better on, despite seeing 80%-95% losses. spent over the course of the day. You And remember, it's a secret! than you have in years. If you ask them why, most will say Shhhh! 16 CROWN HEIGHTS Newspaper ~December 5 2008

Shleimus Haaretz

Extracts from Correspondence Between the Rebbe and (former) of the United King- dom Immanuel Jakobovits Regarding the Halachic Position of the Areas Liberated after the Six-Day and Yom Kippur Wars. Published and copyright © by Sichos present situation” is true, of course. basis of testimony before his eyes”; if political and economic factors in English I already addressed that point in but the public is entitled to know will be ignored, it would lead to my previous letter, though I did not precisely on what arguments and pikuach nefesh later on, does not CHIEF RABBI JAKOBOVITS RAISED wish to overemphasize it, for obvious reasons he arrived at his decision, affect the immediate decision in A NUMBER OF OBJECTIONS WHICH reasons. I pointed out that the other and this is something one is entitled relation to the return of territories. ARE SET OUT IN ITALICS BELOW to know even All the more so since it is certain AND WERE ANSWERED BY THE if the psak-din that returning further territories REBBE SHLITA AS FOLLOWS: concerns one will immediately weaken security, The only subject matter under dis- penny, not to and would be an irreversible act, cussion — at any rate, from my mention the whereas the political and economic treatment of it — is the purely pikuach nef- climate is unpredictable. So are, by Halachic subject of pikuach nefesh esh of three and large, the other arguments that as it affects the question of returning million Jews, “territorial concessions under certain any part of the liberated areas. Be and if there has conditions might reduce the threat it also remembered that we are not been an error of war, or enhance Israel’s ability to dealing with an academic question, of facts, a judge defend itself,” etc. These are highly but one of actuality and urgency, should readily speculative conjectures, and I am since definite action has been taken retract. certain that no military commander in regard to some areas (in Sinai), would bet on such chances. I repeat, The Rabbis and as regards other (Yehudah, the Halacha is clear — and it is, after who declared Shomron, Golan, etc.) commitments all, the viewpoint of Halacha that is that territories have been made, and some of them at the heart of the debate. may be sur- would have probably been surren- Rabbis based their evaluation of the rendered “for peace” based their Surely, any G-d fearing Jew, let dered long ago, but for the fact that present situation on misinformation opinion, among other things, on alone a Rabbi, must affirm that the the other side refused to take them, presented to them together with the the information supplied to them ultimate security of Jews in the demanding more. question. I cited one glaring example (not by military experts) that ter- Land of Israel lies neither in armies Since the subject matter, as noted, is of misinformation in that the Rabbis ritorial concessions would advance nor in borders but in our spiritual purely Halachic, namely the ques- were told that the Government had the cause of peace with the Arabs. worthiness through “the study of tion of pikuach nefesh, the sanctity ample oil reserves to last for months. Hence, they argued that the prin- Torah and the practice of mitzvos”, of the territories is irrelevant; so is Another item of misinformation ciple of pikuach nefesh that is at the and that this must be our over-riding irrelevant one’s political affiliation was that the situation in Eretz Yis- root of the “straw and chaff’ rule is and most urgent aim as well as the or philosophy, or one’s personal rael was described to them as not not relevant to the situation at hand, principal teaching of all Rabbis, attitude to the Government, and being comparable with the situation but to the contrary. as confirmed by the whole of our the like. A Rabbi has to rule on the that the Talmud in Eruvin speaks sources and our history. Actually, it is clear from the said matter purely from the objective of, where the enemy is actually Halachah that the deciding factor Of course, every G-d fearing Jew viewpoint of the Halachah, without besieging the Jews, and there is the is not what the enemy demands or must affirm that the security of Jews allowing any other considerations danger of further penetration. This promises, but whether it is a case of anywhere in the world, particularly or opinions, however strongly he is obviously a misrepresentation, for tiftach ha’aretz lifneihem — opening in the Holy Land, lies with the may feel about them, to change, everybody knows that the Golan, the land before the enemy; in other study of the Torah and the practice G-d forbid or to cloud his Halachic Shomron and Yehudah are the very words, giving them an opportunity of mitzvos. But, when it comes to judgment. borders with Syria and Jordan, to breach the defenses. Whether or a question of pikuach-nefesh, as which are under strong influence THERE ARE RABBIS WHO HAVE not the return of territories would indeed in any situation, be it a matter of the PLO, etc. These avowed REACHED THE SAME CONCLUSION indeed be such a case is, of course, of health or livelihood, G-d Himself enemies are not only besieging Eretz REGARDING THE TERRITORIES for the military experts to decide, ordained that in addition to the strict Yisrael, but have actually carried out PRECISELY BECAUSE OF THE SANC- and not for politicians. observance of Torah and mitzvos bloody attacks, and openly declared TITY OF ERETZ YISRAEL. and absolute trust in Him, a Jew is their determined intention to take The fate of Israel and the lives of required to do what is necessary in I have stated repeatedly that my everything back by force. A further its Jews depend just as much on the natural order of things. This, too, unequivocal stand against returning “distinction” between the existing factors beyond the competence is part of the teachings of Rabbis. any part of Yehudah and Shomron, situation and that of the Talmud on of military experts. For instance, etc. is the same as on returning the which the opinion of those Rabbis Jewish lives could be endangered Sinai oil wells, and any part of Sinai. was partially formulated, was, that by sanctions or economic collapse Even those Rabbis who “reached the in the case of the circumstances leading to starvation; or by same conclusion on the territories mentioned in the Talmud the enemy Arabs becoming a majority, precisely because of the sanctity of came to take “straw and chaff” by retaining over a million Eretz Yisrael” will admit that there that belonged to Jews, whereas in Arabs within Israel multiply- is no question of sanctity involved in the present situation, the enemy is ing at twice the Jewish rate; regard to Sinai and Sinai oil, but it demanding the return of territories or by a dramatic decline is only a question of pikuach nefesh, that had been taken from them. This in the Jewish population plain and simple. argument, too, has been published, through mass-emigration, and not anonymously. itself caused by political Everyone agrees that “Pikuach- and economic factors as Nefesh supersedes Shabbos” as well Of course, I am not debating with well as the despair on the as any other consideration. For this those that believe that the Arabs prospect of peace. Hence teaching we do not require the “straw have a legitimate Torah claim for the the opinion of political and and chaff’ rule. The argument among return of territories that “belong to other experts can have no the Rabbis, as among others, is not them,” because there is no common lesser bearing on defining about this teaching or this rule, but ground on which to debate. But, they pikuach-nefesh than purely on what constitutes pikuach-nefesh should surely keep in mind that if military calculations. in the present situation. the Arabs have a legitimate claim to the pre-’67 territories, they have To argue that the fate of the The contention that “the argument an equally legitimate claim to the country and the lives of the among Rabbis ... is not about (the Old City. people depend also on fac- rule of pikuach nefesh), but on what tors beyond the competence constitutes pikuach nefesh in the To be sure, “a judge must rule on the of military experts, and that December 5, 2008 ~ crOWN heights Newspaper 17

The Mitteler Rebbe’s Histalkus

He chose suffering.” much to his chagrin. They hoped The 9th of Kislev (1774-1828) Seeing the change in his condition, that with complete rest, he would By Rabbi Sholom D. Avtzon As the Mitteler Rebbe was about the doctors were amazed and the recuperate and regain his strength. to turn fifty-four himself, he was chassidim hopeful that this was a An excerpt from the about to be pub- evidently hinting to the chassidim But instead of improving, the Mit- sign that the Rebbe’s health was lished book, THE MITTELER Rebbe that since the Senate was consider- teler Rebbe slipped into a semi- indeed improving. A BIOGRAPHY. ing calling him to Petersburg, [the conscious state, and on the second One of the maamorim he said was As mentioned, Governor-General option of pain and suffering was no of Kislev, the greatest doctors in an explanation as to why Jewish boys Chavonsky had his personal reasons longer available. This meant that] that area convened to see what they as young as five or six were being for being as involved as he was in the other choice was the only option could do. Upon completing their drafted into the army. the MittelerR ebbe’s arrest. So even left for him. examination, they were astounded though the local courts all decided that someone in such a medical He explained, “The nature of a One time, after davening at great in the Rebbe’s favor, he refused to condition could still be alive. person is that when not allowed length at his father’s Ohel, he joy- sign the documents confirming their to do something, he is aroused fully announced, “I successfully One of the doctors said, “His strength decision to close the investigation with a desire to do it. In this case, persuaded my father to relieve me comes from saying Chassidus. Right and absolve the MittelerR ebbe from Jewish soldiers are being forcibly from being Rebbe.” now he is semi-conscious, but as any wrongdoing. denied the opportunity to do any you will see, if we allow him to say The chassidim who lived there and mitzvos. Therefore, their desire to On Rosh Chodesh Sivan, the Gov- Chassidus, his strength and vitality who were allowed to come from do a mitzvah is aroused in a very ernor-General sent the court’s find- will return.” nearby cities for Yom Tov thought he powerful way. ings, together with his objections, to meant that he finally had permission The other doctors saw they had the Senate. “Right now, since many Jews are to move to Eretz Yisroel, something nothing to lose. The Rebbe wasn’t doing mitzvos without feeling, this When the MittelerR ebbe heard that he frequently expressed a desire to responding to any of their medica- decree will cause them to yearn for his case was going to be reviewed and do. They cried out in response, “The tions or treatments, and his condi- mitzvos. decided by the Senate, he feared that Rebbe can not leave us like sheep tion was quite critical. If there was he might have to go to Petersburg to without a shepherd!” even the slightest chance that saying “G-d forbid to say this was done to defend himself. Chassidus would help him, why punish the Jewish people; rather not try? So one of the doctors went it was done to correct a problem. In addition to his over and said, “Rebbe, you can say Whatever Hashem does is for the personal situa- Chassidus.” good and benefit of his people.” tion, there was an extremely press- When the Mitteler Rebbe heard Although the Mitteler Rebbe was ing communal this, he opened his eyes and slowly now saying maamorim, the chas- He replied, “My son-in-law will be issue facing the entire Jewish nation. sat up; some color returning to his sidim saw that he was getting weaker. with you. He will be your trusted The Mitteler Rebbe was informed face. He immediately instructed his On Tuesday, the eighth of Kislev, shepherd.” that the government was seriously gabbai that the chassidim be called the chassidim fasted and said the considering implementing its plan The chassidim cried out again, “This to hear a maamar. entire Tehillim hoping to arouse to conscript Jewish boys into the can not happen! We will not allow Hashem’s compassion and give the When they arrived, he said in a weak army for twenty-five years of service. the Rebbe to move away from us.” Rebbe strength. voice, “I will now reveal secrets of Should this come to pass, the conse- The Rebbe did not reply. The chas- the Torah that were never spoken That night the Mitteler Rebbe quences would be catastrophic. sidim happily thought this meant of before.” Immediately, everyone instructed them to go home and say The seriousness of both these situa- they had convinced him to stay. pressed as close to him as possible l’chaim. He explained that happiness tions warranted a trip to Haditch in But had they keenly observed his to hear every word — indeed his sweetens [and therefore changes] the order to daven at his father’s Ohel. expression, they would have realized every breath. [severity of the] judgment. that their relief was only wishful Accompanied by his oldest son, Reb When one chossid realized he was Obeying his wishes, everyone left thinking. The true and full meaning Menachem Nochum, he began the too far away to hear the Rebbe’s except for the Rebbe’s son, Reb of his words would be understood long journey. However, he shocked words, he climbed onto a piece of Menachem Nochum, and his per- six weeks later. the chassidim in each city by deviat- furniture and bent over to get closer. sonal attendant, who kept vigil at ing from his usual custom of saying After Tishrei, theM ittelerR ebbe left In so doing, his hat inadvertently fell his bedside. maamorim in whatever city or town Haditch and began his return home onto the Rebbe. Listening intently, they heard him through which he passed; indeed, he to Lubavitch. After traveling about The Mitteler Rebbe was silent for a repeating with great enthusiasm and did not say even one maamar along 200 miles, however, the Mitteler moment and then said, “Evidently devotion the words, הנני והטהורה הקדושה the way. Rebbe began feeling ill. Since they this is a sign from Heaven that “Into Your בידך ונשמתי רוחי נפשי מוסר were on the road with no place to In addition, whenever he picked up I should not reveal what I had holy and pure hands I give over my stop, they continued their trip with a pen to write a maamar Chassidus, intended. So I shall say a different life, my spirit and my soul.” the hope that he would feel better, something happened to prevent him maamar.” As the week continued, he or at least reach a big city. In the middle of the night, the Rebbe from writing. Gradually it dawned said another maamar every day, but awoke and called for his chassidim on everyone expecting to hear him When he came to the city of Niezhin never again referred to the maamar as he wished to depart from them say (or even write) Chassidus that a few days later, his illness was so he thought of saying. while saying Chassidus. this was evidence of the severity of serious he had to remain bedridden the Heavenly accusations against and was unable Before he began saying the the Rebbe. to continue the maamar[im], he heaped praise on journey. the Jewish nation. He emphasized They arrived in Haditch shortly how they fulfill mitzvos in the best before Rosh Hashanah of 5584 Thinking that possible manner — particularly (1823) and remained there for the he just needed the mitzvah of tzedakah — despite entire month of Tishrei. As soon as some rest, the their difficult circumstances. That, he arrived there, he resumed saying doctors forbade emphasized the Mitteler Rebbe, maamorim at every occasion. him from doing is their true character. Hashem anything that On the way there, the MittelerR ebbe sees the truth and knows that their would cause remarked to his son and the other shortcomings are an insignificant him to exert chassidim who were present, “My part of who they really are. himself. This father was fifty-four when he was also meant that Throughout the remainder of the first taken to Petersburg. At that he would not be night, he said three maamorim and time, the Heavenly Court gave him a allowed to say gave guidance and instruction to the choice: pain and suffering, or death. any maamorim, chassidim who were there. Continued on page 18 18 CROWN HEIGHTS Newspaper ~December 5 2008

The Mitteler Rebbe’s Histalkus Continued from Page 17 œ"ªš

Turning to his son Reb Menachem The Rebbe the Nochum he said, “You see that my Tzemach Tzedek sun is setting before its proper time, also said that the since my [fifty-four] years of life are Mitteler Rebbe’s not close in number to the years of life was com- ¥™¢±š› ³©²§ my parents. pletely spiritual. He phrased it (as ©"«¥ “Now the sun which is setting on mentioned ear- me will begin to shine again when œ"¢ ›±š¯¥ž °š±ž © ¥™¢±š› '± ¦¢ ž¥² lier) that if one you use your powers to publish my were to cut the manuscripts on the entire Torah. Mitteler Rebbe’s 'ž ³¤ ¢œ¢§¥³ ³¯žš° This precious book, entitled Toras finger,C hassidus Chaim (The Living Torah), will be a š¢²¢ ±«²¡¢žž™š¢ž¥§ž ¦ ©§ ¢¥™§ would flow from source of life to those who learn it. his veins instead “[The fact that even after my petira] of blood. 7:00-7:30 š±« ¥¤ ³ž¢©²§ žœ§¥¢ I will be able to [continue guiding ž¯§ ±š œ« œ«ž§ ±œª ¦¢¢ª¥ :±¡§ The Torah says the public in its service of Hashem] that the days of will in turn assist my neshomah in tzaddikim are Gan Eden to shine, since I will be complete. The able to explain the teachings of my Mitteler Rebbe saintly father to [whoever will learn is one of the few the sefer].” tzaddi k im in Right before sunrise, in the middle of which this can saying the third mamaar and while be seen in actuality, as his histalkus [i.e., the Beis HaMikdash] was taken Nesius. During that time, the Mit- saying the word “chaim” (life) in the was on Tes Kislev, exactly fifty-four away.” teler Rebbe devoted his whole possuk “Ki imCho mekor chaim — years from the day of his birth. heart and soul to the welfare of the Indeed, the light of his chassidim for with You is the source of life,” Jewish people. Notwithstanding the For his chassidim, that Wednesday was taken away. It remained dark he was nistalek, on his fifty-fourth tremendous opposition that faced was reminiscent of the saying of until six months later when his birthday. him and the suffering he endured, our sages “Bayom harevi’i nitlu son-in-law Reb Menachem Mendel he drew hundreds of thousands His son-in-law the Rebbe the Tzem- hameioros…,” which means, “On finally agreed to become Rebbe. of Jews towards Chassidus during ach Tzedek was known to have said, Wednesday, the light [that was cre- (That story will be discussed at these years. “A histalkus as remarkable as this ated on Sunday] was placed in the length in the biography of the Rebbe has not occurred since the histalkus heavens to illuminate the world.” the Tzemach Tzedek.) May we all merit to be connected to of the Rashbi [Rabbi Shimon Bar But when nitlu is spelled with a tes him and follow in his ways. With this came an end to the four- Yochai] (who was also nistalek while it means, “On Wednesday, [i.e., in teen years of the Mitteler Rebbe’s saying the word “chaim”). the fourth millennium,] the light, Swimming is great low impact exercise! Come to the Rec-Center! December 2008 - -

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