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IT’S NOT ENOUGH FOR IT TO BE ‘IN  PLACE’ OF THE REAL THING [CONT.] D’var Malchus | Vol. 32, pg. 36-43

‘THERE IS ONLY ONE PROPHET AND  THAT IS THE ’ Story | Nosson Avrohom

‘WHAT CAN I DO? THAT’S WHAT THE  REBBE WANTS!’ Moshiach & Geula | Zalman Hertzel

DANCING AND LEAPING FOR GEULA  Thought | Rabbi Yekutiel Menachem Rapp

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that I will inherit it?’ He said to him, ‘Take for Me three heifers…’23 He said to Him, ‘Master of the Universe, that goes well during the time when IT’S NOT the Holy Temple stands. However, during the time when the Holy Temple does not stand, what will become of them?’ He said to him, ‘I have already instituted for them the ENOUGH FOR Order of the Sacrifices. When they read about them before Me, I will consider it as if they have offered them before Me, and I will forgive them for all their iniquities.’” IT TO BE b) The study of Torah (especially the laws of the sacrifices) is like offering a sacrifice, as our Sages, of blessed memory, say, cited above (from Tractate Menachos): “Scholars who are involved in the study of ‘IN PLACE’ 24 To r a h …I consider it as if they are burning [incense] and approaching [the alter] for My sake … Any person who is involved in the study of the law OF THE REAL of the Sin Offering – it is as if he offered, etc.” c) The institution of prayers in the place of sacrifices. The unique quality of each of THING these three classifications is expressed as follows: a) The institution of the reading Likkutei Sichos Vol. 32, pg. 36-43 of the Order of the Sacrifices in the Translated by Boruch Merkur Written Torah25 in place of offering sacrifices relates to the result (the [Continued from last issue] “effect”) – that by means of reading the portion in the 3. We may propose the following explanation: Written Torah that deals with sacrifices, the Holy One The concept of “and let us render [for] bulls [the Blessed Be He grants atonement to the Jewish people as offering of] our lips” – that the recital is in place of He does through their offering sacrifices. offering a sacrifice – is expressed and defined in various b) The study of (the Oral) Torah, in particular the ways19 [namely, a) reading from the Written Torah, b) laws25* of service in the Holy Temple and the study of the Oral Torah, c) in the context of prayer, as sacrifices,26 is considered like offering a sacrifice and outlined below]: burning incense on the altar. That is (not only with regard a) The reading of the sections in the Written Torah to the result but) also with regard to the act of offering the pertaining to the sacrifices atones in place of the actual sacrifice and the incense27; it is as if there was the act of sacrifice, as our Sages, of blessed memory, say in Tractate offering. Taanis20 and Megilla21: “‘How will I know that I will Nevertheless, the fact that study resembles the act of inherit it?’22 [The Gemara interprets this verse as offering is only insofar as it is considered as if the person alluding to the following conversation Avrohom Avinu had (the subject) did the action of offering a sacrifice or with G-d.] Avrohom said, ‘Master of the Universe, if the incense; it does not account for the object itself. Indeed, Jewish people are considered as sinners before You, will there is nothing in this case that resembles the object of You then do to them as the Generation of the Flood or the the sacrifice itself.28 Generation of the Dispersal?’ He said to him, ‘No.’ He c) The institution of prayers in place of sacrifices, said before Him, ‘Master of the Universe, how will I know

  A>O1EBFKF #'1 +-1&' !& however, does pertain to the object of the sacrifice itself. slaughter and placing its blood [on the alter]. [When That is, not only is the person granted the reward or praying] one should not have a barrier between him and atonement brought about through the offering of the the wall, as in the case of offering a sacrifice, where a sacrifice (the result of the sacrifice), or the benefit of what barrier [separating the Priest from the floor] disqualifies is accomplished in the subject [i.e., the person] through … It is proper that he should have nice clothing the act of offering a sacrifice, rather, the act of prayer is designated for prayer, as the Priestly vestments, etc.” considered like the act of offering itself; there is the object of the sacrifice in this case. For this reason, the one who [To be continued be”H] prays is subject to several conditions that are reminiscent NOTES: of one who offers a sacrifice: “One29 must be careful that 19 Regarding the entire subject, see Likkutei Sichos Vol. 18, pg. 413 ff., and the footnotes there. Not only is the person 20 27b. granted the reward or 21 31b. 22 atonement brought about Lech Lecha 15:8. 23 Ibid 15:9. through the offering of the 24 So it appears in Menachos ibid, “who are involved in the study of Torah” (without any further specification – see above, sacrifice (the result of the end of Footnote 17). However, in Tur and in the Alter Rebbe’s Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chayim, siman 50 (s’if 1), “who are sacrifice), or the benefit of involved in the service” (i.e., the laws of the service in the Holy what is accomplished in the Temple). 25 subject [the person] through See Footnote 25 in the original. 25* See Footnote 25* in the original. the act of offering a sacrifice, 26 See Footnote 26 in the original. rather, the act of prayer is 27 See Footnote 27 in the original. considered like the act of 28 Rather, only by means of adding in prayer, “May it be Your will that this is considered and received before You as if I offering itself. offered, etc.,” especially when this is said in the context of one’s prayers (see Tzemach Tzedek, quoted later in Section 4), then it is considered as if it were an actual sacrifice, etc. – see Footnote his intent resembles that of offering a sacrifice. One 28 in the original. should not mix in an extraneous thought, such as a 29 The Alter Rebbe’s Shulchan Aruch ibid 98:4 from Tur thought that would disqualify Kadshim sacrifices. One Shulchan Aruch ibid. See Eliyahu Rabba mentioned in Footnote should stand as in the sacrificial service and have a 41 – that this illustrates an advantage of prayer being in the designated place [of prayer] as is the case when offering place of a sacrifice. sacrifices, for each [sacrifice] has an established place of Raskin's Consistently “if it grows we have it” Superior Fruit and Produce Emporium WHOLESALE & RETAIL Michal & We Deliver 335 Kingston Ave. Brooklyn NY 11213 * Tel: (718) 756-3888 756-2221 * Fax: 756-2440

#'1 +-1&' !& 'PPRB  PQLOV ‘THERE IS ONLY ONE PROPHET AND THAT IS THE REBBE’

By Nosson Avrohom

went outside and saw the car “I told him the story about my letter to being driven away by someone the Rebbe and what the Rebbe’s letter who looked nothing like a Chassid. said... There is only one prophet and “Some attempts to locate the car, as well as a call to the police, that is the Rebbe.” * The story of proved futile. The car joined thousands of others that make Rabbi Menachem Mendel Friedman of their way each month to the PA, where they are dismantled as part Ohr Yehuda. of the new Middle East, in which our politicians bow to our Arab It’s been fifteen months now to fly for Tishrei due to lack of neighbors. that the organization Unifying funds, who won. There was a “As the director of a Chabad Chassidim to Greet Moshiach has Chassid who experienced an house, I couldn’t allow myself the been holding monthly raffles for a astounding miracle with a luxury to bemoan the loss of my ticket to New York to visit 770. blessing in the Igros Kodesh in car, which serves me in my work. The goal of this organization, which his son’s life was saved, On Sunday I was already which was started three years who wanted to thank the Rebbe searching for a replacement car. I ago, is to intensify the spirituality for the miracle. He won the went to someone who wanted to within Chabad communities, raffle, which made him the sell his car at a reasonable price. through holding Chassidishe representative of the Chassidim in After I checked out the car, a on special days and Eretz Yisroel. Ford Transit, it seemed big by raising people’s awareness and The following recent story enough and worth buying. feelings about various issues that happened to shliach, Rabbi “Before buying it though, I the Rebbe emphasized. Menachem Mendel Friedman of took it to my mechanic, a friend The monthly raffle has Ohr Yehuda, at a convention for of Chabad whose services I use hundreds of participants, with Chabad activists, and it surpasses regularly. He checked the car and more joining all the time. The the others by far. told me honestly that he couldn’t organizers have some touching “We too were affected by the give me a definite opinion. This stories about amazing hashgacha rash of car robberies here. It was type of car could be fine for years pratis that they heard from those Friday afternoon and the car was with no problems, but it could who won. There was a Chassid parked near our house, when a also break down after a few who was sad about not being able neighbor heard the alarm. She months. He said it was a matter

#'1 +-1&' !& 'PPRB  Rabbi Friedman (circled on the left) minutes before the raffle was drawn of mazal. He added with a smile, As the Mishna says that and the car would, in fact, serve ‘Why are you asking me when, in action is the main thing, and as as a vehicle for G-dly matters. any case, you will ask the is brought at length in “I called the seller and we Lubavitcher Rebbe in the Igros Chassidus, every inyan must agreed on a price and I bought Kodesh and you’ll do what he have a “therefore” - may this the car. The fact that the Rebbe says…’ happen in actual fact, in had written about a raffle nagged “And that is just what I did. I thought, speech, and action of at me. I wondered whether the went home and wrote to the all the above, and of all in their Rebbe wanted me to go to 770. Rebbe about the theft, about the area and part of the world. “On Monday, the day after I car I was considering buying and May the promise speedily be bought the car, hundreds of what the mechanic had said. I put fulfilled, as the Alter Rebbe says shluchim and Chassidim, myself the letter into volume 17 and in Ch. 37: When… each included, attended a convention opened to pages 72-73: individual soul will fulfill… the hosted by Matteh Moshiach in To all the participants in the general life-giving soul of the which we discussed how to annual raffle to travel here, totality of the Jewish people will increase the B’suras HaGeula and which takes place every year in become a holy chariot to bring about the Rebbe’s hisgalus. and which was Hashem, then the general life Between one lecture and another, founded and administered by the force of this world… will rise up R’ Shimmele Pizem came over to Rebbe, in Eretz Yisroel, to holiness… and all flesh me. He is one of the people who Shalom U’v’racha, together will see… they will see runs the Unifying Chassidim I received the list of eye to eye… there is nothing organization. He asked me why I participants in the raffle and besides Him. was still not registered for the may the preparations for the “I read the letter again and monthly raffle to 770. trip, the trip itself, the days here again and although I didn’t see a “He told me that in the and afterwards the return, and clear answer to my question, I evening they would have the the effect on all the participants understood that the Rebbe was monthly raffle and maybe I in the raffle and the results of apparently blessing me to buy the should take part. He had asked all the above be with car, from the fact that the Rebbe me several times in the past but outstanding success as befitting quoted the Tanya about a each time it didn’t work out. This the aspirations of our Rebbeim. merkava (vehicle) for G-dliness, time, I was more receptive to the

  A>O1EBFKF #'1 +-1&' !& idea. I remembered the letter I probably heard this many times would do it daily. Aside from the had just opened to the day before from those who hoped to win. As Rebbe’s great fondness for those about a raffle and I thought that I drove in my new car between who won the raffles, we know maybe the Rebbe was sending me Rishon L’Tziyon and Nes that in the Beis HaMikdash there a clear hint. I didn’t hesitate for a Tziyona, I got a phone call from were raffles for which Kohanim moment. R’ Pizem informing me that would be present at the “Shimmele told me about the indeed, I had won. He himself communal sacrifices. Through option of not only participating in was stunned and he asked me their participation, all the Jewish this raffle but in all 12 upcoming whether I had merited prophecy. people were considered present at months’ raffles. I gave him my “I was very excited and saw that time. credit card number and agreed to the connection between the letter “What we are doing is similar pay the price for a year’s worth of I had opened to and winning that to what used to be done. The raffles. I was convinced that I night. I told him the story about winner of the raffle is the would win that night’s raffle. my letter to the Rebbe and what representative to Beis Chayeinu, “A previous commitment had the Rebbe’s letter said. There is Beis Rabbeinu Sh’B’Bavel, the me leaving the convention before only one prophet and that is the miniature sanctuary of our it was over and when I left, I told Rebbe.” generation, which is instead of R’ Pizem not to forget and call * * * the large sanctuary in me to tell me that I won since I When I met R’ Pizem, I asked Yerushalayim, where the third thought I would win this time. him about these monthly raffles. Mikdash will be revealed and then “He nodded his head – he He said, “If it was possible, I go to Yerushalayim.”

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#'1 +-1&' !& 'PPRB  JLPEF>@E DDBRI> ‘WHAT CAN I DO? THAT’S WHAT THE REBBE WANTS!’

By Rabbi Zalman Hertzel Translated By Michoel Leib Dobry

success, at the relevant time. I Beis Moshiach Magazine is pleased to will mention these matters at present the next installment from the the Tziyon.” seifer Shlita by Rabbi Zalman Hertzel, “MUCH CONTINUED discussing the faith of Lubavitcher AND MARVELOUS SUCCESS” chassidim in the seventh generation. After the kinus, the Chabad women submitted a report to the Here are a few select examples The Rebbe replied to her Rebbe. Among the subjects of the Rebbe’s encouragement to words: “Amen. May there be discussed in the report were: the those who did various activities in much success and good news.” need to awaken the attribute of connection with the identity of He added: “For the letter, for the malchus within the king through Moshiach: pidyon-nefesh, and for the the acceptance of his sovereignty, names,” and he gave her an the special strength and the PETITIONS additional dollar. obligation of Jewish women in bringing the Redemption, and the ON “KABALAS THE REBBE unique importance of the letter HA’MALCHUS” and the signatures. The Rebbe On Hoshana Rabba 5752, a ENCOURAGES replied: “I will mention it again delegation of ten women from MAKING A KINUS at the Tziyon for much Crown Heights gave the Rebbe an Women in Crown Heights continued and marvelous success envelope with signatures for organized a kinus for the purpose in and with all things, etc.” accepting the Rebbe’s sovereignty of arousing the people to as Melech HaMoshiach. The accepting the Rebbe’s “GOING FROM delegation’s spokesperson said: sovereignty, including through STRENGTH TO “We, a minyan of women from a signatures. The women wrote to stiff-necked people, ask from the the Rebbe that the kinus is taking STRENGTH” Rebbe that he will reveal himself place in the merit of the On the 3rd of Kislev 5752, a for all to see as Melech encouragement the Rebbe gave on group of women presented the HaMoshiach and take us Hoshana Rabba. The Rebbe’s Rebbe with an adorned box immediately out of the exile!” reply: “May it be with much containing petition forms. The

  A>O1EBFKF #'1 +-1&' !& replied to Rabbi Dovid Nachshon signatures, etc., and replied: regarding the report on the “May it be at a good and signatures collected on “kabbalas auspicious hour. I will mention ha’malchus” and the lecture he it at the Tziyon, and fortunate is gave on the subject of “The their portion.” Rebbe as Moshiach” at an special Afterwards, the Rebbe briefly evening event attended by public read the second note (the one figures: “And there should be that suggested that this event can fulfilled in them, ‘He who has possibly drive people away), two hundred wants four asked again for the first note, and hundred, etc.’ I will mention it placed it on the second one. After at the Tziyon.” reading it, he took the second note (the negative one) and THE LUBAVITCHER placed it on the side. He again REBBE IS MOSHIACH gave the first note to the secretary with an instruction: One of the shluchim in “Give them the [aforementioned] Chicago wrote to the Rebbe; answer.” “Students in the Chicago ‘cheider.’ boys and girls, are enthusiastically involved in the THE REBBE MH”M’S group’s representative said: matter of Moshiach, and people PICTURE IN THE “Thank G-d, there are marvelous in the city are talking about how PAPERS activities in every respect in the Lubavitch is involved in Moshiach When one of the secretaries campaign of ‘And they shall seek and the Lubavitcher Rebbe is read before the Rebbe the text of G-d and Dovid their king’ – and Moshiach, and we see clearly that advertisements (in Yiddish, they have found him, and it has when we speak pleasantly and the Hebrew, and English) prepared spread forth among Chabad words come from the heart, they by Rabbi Yitzchak Springer to be women, throughout the whole are accepted, and the time has printed in the newspapers, and world, and in the entire shlichus. already come for G-d to respond then asked if they could be We, Chabad women and girls, to the request of the Jewish printed together with the Rebbe’s thereby greet Moshiach People that our King, our picture and the words “the Rebbe Tzidkeinu, the Rebbe shlita, and Moshiach shall soon reveal is Melech HaMoshiach,” the may he soon lead us upright to himself Mamash.” The Rebbe’s our Holy Land, immediately, reply: “May it continue with mamash.” good news. I will mention it at The Rebbe’s reply: “Amen.” the Tziyon.” (The Rebbe looked at the box and said:) “This is for me? May “FORTUNATE IS there be good news.” (He looked THEIR PORTION” at the box again with the signatures and added:) “One There were differing opinions must give to charity for all these within the Lubavitch Women’s matters, and it should be with Organization in Yerushalayim in much success, going from connection with arranging a strength to strength until you go kinus on “kabbalas ha’malchus” to G-d in Tziyon with the True through collecting petition and Complete Redemption. signatures, etc. A suggestion was Blessing and much success.” made that each side submit its reasoning to the Rebbe jointly on separate notes. “HE WHO HAS When the Rebbe received the TWO HUNDRED…” two notes, he first took the note In Kislev 5752, the Rebbe with the proposal of collecting

#'1 +-1&' !& 'PPRB  Rebbe replied in the affirmative. time, said that one day he was all the activities of the chassidim approached by several from done with truth, earnestness, and “KRIAS SHMA” SHEET different streams of Orthodox simplicity – as the work of a WITH “YECHI” Jewry and bombarded with a servant carrying out the will of flood of questions: What has his master. In Adar 5753, an attractive happened to you? Have you all In the previous chapters, we Krias Shma sheet was submitted gone crazy? You were so pleasant have described the change that to the Rebbe with his picture over and you did such wonderful began in recent years regarding the words “Yechi Adoneinu outreach activities – yet now all the announcement of the Moreinu V’Rabbeinu Melech of a sudden, you’ve started Redemption and publicizing the HaMoshiach L’olam Va’ed” in getting people to sign petitions Rebbe’s identity as the Moshiach, request of the Rebbe’s holy that the Rebbe is Moshiach?” stating that all this came as a blessing and consent. The Rebbe This chassid felt deeply hurt to direct result of the Rebbe’s own (who in the past ordered the see such a desecration of G-d’s conduct and his guidance to the removal of his picture from a Name and a trampling of the chassidim. similar sheet, even when the honor of Lubavitch. He turned to There’s still one thing left that words under his picture were only one of the secretaries and told we have to understand: Why do “Give a hand to the coming of him what happened, adding that the chassidim and others closely Moshiach”) replied in the perhaps orders should be issued connected to Chabad refrain from affirmative. to stop the “petition campaign.” following the Rebbe’s custom of The secretary replied (with his writing of “holy and righteous “WHAT CAN I DO? hands raised): “What can I do? memory as a blessing for life in THAT’S WHAT THE That’s what the Rebbe wants!” the World to Come,” and even REBBE WANTS!” * * * suggesting that they should These facts illustrate more conduct themselves in this matter A member of Anash, who was in a totally opposite fashion? visiting Boro Park around this than anything how pleased and satisfied the Rebbe shlita is from Y.S. MOVING Professional Yossi Reasonable Tel: 718-467-0171 24 hour service Boxes available upon request. Cellular: 917-805-7757

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  A>O1EBFKF #'1 +-1&' !& QELRDEQ DANCING AND LEAPING FOR GEULA

By Rabbi Yekutiel Menachem Rapp, Mashgiach, Central Tomchei T’mimim – Lubavitch “770” Translated By Michoel Leib Dobry

gave us the prescription to carry What was Dovid’s reply to Michal? out the mission: “Lights of Tohu in “Therefore I have made merry before vessels of Tikkun.” Most people involved in this G-d, and if I be demeaned more than matter emphasize the second part of the prescription, vessels of this, and be made lowly in my own eyes, Tikkun, while the true innovation is hidden specifically in the first part, [yet] of the maidservants of which you lights of Tohu. “Vessels of Tikkun” is an have spoken, with them I will obtain accepted concept among Chabad honor”! He doesn’t try to explain how chassidim. Those well-trained in the avoda of “Chabad” within the logical it is. He also doesn’t try to soul are aware of their uniqueness to bring the intellect to the convince people that it’s not so terrible. necessary conclusions, to take the intellect and show it the good No! He knows that this is not befitting within the Torah. “Taste and see that G-d is good” – taste with the a king, but in such a situation, when powers of the intellect and see with we’re talking about preparing for the intellectual sight the intellectual good of chassidus. Redemption, he makes no such Therefore, when we hear that we have to use the lights of Tohu, considerations. He reverts to the this instruction is meant to cause a great awakening within every conduct that he inherited from his Lubavitcher chassid. While Chabad had until now embodied intellect ancient grandfather, and breaks the and rationality, it now must assume boundaries of intellect to the side of the a totally different attribute – the lights of Tohu. World of Tohu. Our discussion must be founded on Torah sources. Indeed, when we read the story in Chumash about n Chaf-Ches Nissan 5751, for his complete hisgalus. From the birth of Peretz, one of the the Rebbe, Melech now on, we have been transformed descendants of the ancestral royal O HaMoshiach, shlita, into active partners to bring into dynasty of the Jewish People, informed us that he had cast us fruition the prophecies of the days including the coming of Moshiach, into all the tumult over preparing of Moshiach. In parallel, the Rebbe

#'1 +-1&' !& 'PPRB  we find that he also conducted However, if these lights will settlement until Moshe returned, himself in a slightly Tohudike undergo an intellectual evolution and in the end, the calf emerged – fashion. along the way, transforming them for there are situations where When the time came for Peretz into “lights of Tikkun” – then what “peace” can bring forth a Golden to be born, he simply didn’t have have we accomplished? Calf! He meant to make peace, and the necessary patience; he burst Taking a look back at the here this calf emerged. There is no forth, swiftly passing by his lineage of the first of those who doubt that while being a “lover of brother. This mode of conduct was “broke through” reveals that this peace” is a fine attribute in the not so appropriate in the world of characteristic was inherited by all path of holiness, there are critical straight logic, and in fact, the his descendants, starting with and fateful circumstances for the midwife expressed her amazement Nachshon ben Aminadav, and Jewish People that specifically at this act of impetuosity: “Why continuing with Chur ben Kalev require the attribute of breaking this sudden outburst?” and Dovid HaMelech, and through. At first glance, it seems that the culminating with the Rebbe, In such cases, when faith in midwife’s claim is justified: His Melech HaMoshiach, shlita. Moshe Rabbeinu stands in the brother had already begun to A few moments before Krias balance, it is demanded that we emerge in an orderly manner, and Yam Suf, one of the offspring of display self-sacrifice in a manner he had even stuck out his hand Peretz recorded one of the greatest higher than logic and reason, already. Yet, here comes Peretz, acts of heroism in Jewish history: similar to Chur. unable to restrain himself, and He sprang into the water, with In the Haftora from Parshas breaks through. What happened complete trust that G-d would take Shmini, recited on the Shabbos here? care of him. His courageous preceding Chaf-Ches Nissan, we This episode alludes to the (“nachshoni” in Hebrew) action read the well-known story about characteristics of those who desire stands as a symbol of bursting how Dovid HaMelech danced and the Redemption: Since the birth of forth without any deliberation. He leaped before the Aron Kodesh. Peretz has relevance to the coming gave no consideration to logical What exactly happened? of Moshiach, he has no time to assertions – not to the fact that Dovid first brought the Aron up stand on unessential pomp and there were people greater than him to the Holy City of Yerushalayim. ceremony. He breaks through. He who would not dare to do such a Dovid, a descendant of Peretz (as teaches us that in all things thing, and not even to a far simpler is written at the end of Megillas connected to the Redemption, he fact – he could possibly ch”v drown Rut), believed that raising the Aron must do everything with a in the deep waters. He gave no was a preparation for the building breakthrough. The main thing is to thought to any of these logical of the Beis HaMikdash, and if they hasten the Redemption. contentions, because the nature to would be worthy, the building This does appear to be a bit break through is a hereditary trait would be eternal and it would be peculiar, something of a departure among the descendants of the the advent of the Complete from the limitations of sound original Peretz. Redemption through Moshiach reason, but this is indeed the way. Even Chur, the son of Kalev Tzidkeinu. Therefore, he took This is the innovation in the avoda and Miriam, the nephew of Aharon liberties with his feelings, and they of preparing the world to greet HaKohen and Moshe Rabbeinu, burst forth in neither an orderly Moshiach. Here, the vessels of did not conduct himself according nor a moderate fashion. He Tikkun are not enough. We must to the code of logic at the incident danced, he jumped, he leaped, and also serve in a manner of bursting of the Golden Calf. Logic he played a selection of musical forth, the lights of Tohu. However, convinced everyone not to refuse instruments at his disposal, just like we must channel these lights into the masses who wanted to make “one of the idlers.” the vessels of Tikkun in order that themselves a calf. But not Chur – His wife Michal was the world around us will accept the for he was one of the descendants embarrassed by his conduct, to the news. of the original Peretz (as stated in point that at the first opportunity, A fire from the lights of Tohu Divrei HaYamim), trained in avoda she approached him and expressed must burn within us, and our above and beyond all reason. He her opinion that Dovid “exposed avoda is to draw these lights into refused, and he was killed. himself today in the eyes of the the vessels of Tikkun, so that they In contrast, Aharon, a man of handmaids and his servants, as too can receive the lights of Tohu. peace, tried to achieve a peaceful would expose himself one of the

  A>O1EBFKF #'1 +-1&' !& idlers.” memory, have further stated that is 100, representing fullness. What was Dovid’s reply to Shaul pursued logic, and neither he Chassidus explains that while the Michal? “Therefore I have made nor his progeny were able to digest number 100 expresses the spiritual merry before G-d, and if I be conduct that was beyond logic and wholeness of the middos as they demeaned more than this, and be rationale. And if there were any are by nature, it still lacks the sense made lowly in my own eyes, [yet] convincing reasons against it, the of completeness that is beyond of the maidservants of which you conduct would be constantly nature and the seider hishtalshlus. have spoken, with them I will criticized through cold logic. This is represented by the number obtain honor”! He doesn’t try to Our Sages, of blessed memory, 101, and as chassidus explains, explain how logical it is. He also say regarding Michal that she was ‘Michoel,’ the name of the doesn’t try to convince people that among those women who put on ministering angel of chesed, is the it’s not so terrible. No! He knows t’fillin. It is understood, the Rebbe numerical value of 101, as the that this is not befitting a king, but says, that if the Sages went to the adding of an Alef signifies Alufo in such a situation, when we’re trouble to point out to us that she Shel Olam (the Master of the talking about preparing for the put on t’fillin, the whole idea was World), who is higher than seider Redemption, he makes no such relevant to her particular nature. hishtalshlus.) considerations. He reverts to the She was capable of fulfilling the Michal did not understand, but Dovid was adamant in his opinion: For the honor of the Torah, for the honor of G-d, and for the honor of the Redemption – there specifically must be joy that breaks through boundaries, joy that shows him “as one of the idlers.” For only in this fashion can we bring Moshiach, and as is said regarding Moshiach, “The breaker has gone up before them.” The fact is that Michal, who did not accept Dovid’s conduct and even dared to show contempt for it, was punished that “she had no child until the day of her death.” For besides the simple interpretation, even when our nature can’t digest this conduct, and even when the fact that the king himself acts in this manner conduct that he inherited from his mitzva in its most complete sense – fails to influence one’s conduct in ancient grandfather, and breaks the with the subjugation of the mind practical terms – there is no boundaries of intellect to the side and heart. However, everything permission to show contempt for of the World of Tohu. was with logic and understanding, other Jews who do act in this His wife, Michal, heard his and this is possibly alluded to in fashion, and if some people do explanations, however, she was not the letters of the name “Michal” – show them contempt, then the convinced. The pasuk says that derived from the words “k’li punishment is expressed in “she loathed him in her heart.” ha’meichil (containing vessel),” infertility. Why? Didn’t she understand the and by rearranging the letters, we In addition, and on a deeper magnitude of the hour? can form the word “keilim,” for she level, the power to produce The Rebbe explains in Likkutei did have “vessels of Tikkun,” offspring is a symbol of the Sichos (Vol. 1, pg. 228) that whereas “lights of Tohu” were continuity of humanity, and Michal bas Shaul inherited the lacking. Michal’s punishment of being character traits of her father, who (Another possible reference to unable to have children comes to looked for the rationality in this concept comes from the fact teach us that the future and everything. Our Sages, of blessed that the numerical value of ‘Michal’ continuation of the Jewish People

#'1 +-1&' !& 'PPRB  by The Committee For Singing and Music To Greet Moshiach. This is When Jews rejoice about the coming of an organization that was established in light of the Rebbe Moshiach, G-d has no choice, as it were, MH”M’s clear instructions that the except to bring the Redemption – in avoda today is “pure joy, connected with the coming of Moshiach and order that the joy won’t be for nothing. the Redemption.” For when Jews rejoice about the coming of Moshiach, G-d has no choice, as it depends upon conduct that is if we were not accustomed to it, were, except to bring the higher than the ways of nature. this gesture would be interpreted as Redemption – in order that the joy Otherwise, there is no continuity a disgrace to his honor). It won’t be for nothing. and no existence. This is continued with the Rebbe’s demand This is in line with the well- particularly so when we’re talking that his shluchim act in a manner known parable of the boy who about Michal, the wife of Dovid, of “L’chat’chilla Aribber” in all the makes the bracha “Borei Pri for it stands to reason that if she mitzva campaigns, culminating HaEitz,” in order that his father hadn’t failed in this matter, she primarily with the main avoda of must give him an apple… would have been blessed with a son greeting Moshiach, regarding This is particularly so according – Moshiach – among the children which we have received an orderly to the story of Dr. Rosen, who of Dovid! Therefore, we find that progression of instructions for the declared at a large conference held Michal lost so lofty a privilege world of “Tohu” – from pure joy in in Beis Chayeinu on the 3rd of simply because she showed connection with the coming of Menachem Av 5754, that he clearly contempt for conduct higher than Moshiach and the Redemption to heard the Rebbe (after Chaf-Zayin intellect, the type of conduct that is organizing celebrations to greet the Adar Rishon 5752) say several specifically so vital to bringing Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach, even times, “Shira V’Zimra!…Shira Moshiach. (and perhaps mainly) for women… V’Zimra!” and has repeated this on As a result, we can also This is a fact that can no longer numerous occasions. Thus, these understand the conduct of our be ignored: In the latter years, are the last words (for the time Rebbeim, from the dynasty of the there were several dozen great and being, until G-d will come and kings of the House of Dovid, who exceptional activities in the field of have mercy upon us and the Rebbe conducted themselves throughout spreading the announcement of the shlita MH”M will be immediately the generations in a manner of Redemption, all of which received revealed, and then we will hear “L’chat’chilla Aribber,” and the blessing of the Rebbe MH”M. from his mouth the “new Torah foremost among them, the Rebbe, For this is what the Rebbe demands shall come forth from Me”) that we Melech HaMoshiach, shlita, whose of us: to act in a manner of have heard clearly from the Rebbe entire conduct was based upon the breaking through on the lights of shlita. Yet, it is quite obvious that principle of “L’chat’chilla Aribber.” Tohu and not to be affected by this is a clear instruction that there This began with the frequent those who have “disgraced the simply must be singing and music! and forceful waving of his hand, as footsteps of Your Moshiach.” May it be G-d’s Will that in the a means of encouraging the singing This is another appropriate words of the Rebbe MH”M shlita, – not only on Simchas Torah and opportunity to arouse interest in we shall merit his complete the like, but on every weekday (and the dancing periodically organized hisgalus out of joy and dancing,

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  A>O1EBFKF #'1 +-1&' !& CB>QROB ‘DEEP WITHIN ME BURNS A LUBAVITCHER NESHAMA’ FASCINATING MEMORIES FROM THE HOME OF THE REBBETZIN By Avrohom Reinitz

ow did you develop a If you would meet Shem (Shemi) connection with the Rokeach in the Belzer shtibel in Boro H family of Beis Rebbi? My maternal grandmother, Park or in his spacious office in Devora Leah Klingberg, was the daughter of R’ Yosef Moshe Manhattan, you would think he was a Schneerson, who was the son of R’ Nachum Zalman Schneerson, Belzer Chassid with absolutely no the Admur of Tcherkass, who was the grandson of the Admur Yosef connection to Chabad. In a fascinating Yitzchok of Avrutch, the son of the Tzemach Tzedek. Since the discussion that I had with him, I Rebbe Rashab married the discovered a Lubavitcher neshama that daughter of R’ Yosef Yitzchok of Avrutch, both the Rebbe Maharash burns with a fierce love for Beis Rebbi. and the Rebbe Rashab were uncles in our family. * Shemi Rokeach is a Belzer Chassid on I once looked into our family tree and saw that since the his father’s side but is from the glorious Schneerson family frequently married within the family, it turns Schneerson family on his mother’s side. out we are descendents of the Thanks to this, he had an unusual Alter Rebbe in at least eight different ways! relationship with Beis Rebbi. * In honor My grandmother, who was from an illustrious family, related of Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka’s birthday to several Poilishe Admurim like Sanz, Chernobyl and others, on 25 Adar II, we present special always felt a special connection with the Schneerson family. All memories of the Rebbetzin whom Shemi her life she prided herself in that visited dozens of times and with whom she was part of the Schneerson family. I remember that in her he spoke by phone every Friday! final years, when she had to

  A>O1EBFKF #'1 +-1&' !& undergo an operation, she went to the Rebbe for a bracha. When the Rebbe asked her why she was worried, she said she was afraid her mind wouldn’t be the same after the operation. The Rebbe told her, “A Schneerson mind can never be ruined!” My grandmother came to New York in 5710/1950 and settled in Crown Heights on Montgomery Street. She immediately established a relationship with Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka. Their bond was like that of sisters though my grandmother respected the Rebbetzin as was appropriate for the latter’s position. My grandmother lived in Crown Heights until the seventies and then she moved in with my parents in Flatbush, but she kept up her relationship with the Rebbetzin and they spoke a lot on the phone. The Rebbetzin regularly called my parents’ home to speak to my grandmother and my grandmother would call her too. They often spoke several times a day. I remember a special gesture of the Rebbetzin to my grandmother. I was in my parents’ house when one of the men who worked in Beis Rebbi came to our house with a large package wrapped in gift wrap. He asked whether my grandmother was available because he had a present for her from the Rebbetzin. I took the package and brought it to my grandmother. She opened the wrapping paper and to her surprise, saw a picture of the Rebbe with a big smile in a gilded frame. My grandmother, who had no idea why she had been given this gift out of the blue, immediately called the Rebbetzin and asked, “Musha (which is what she always called her), what is this about?” The Rebbetzin told her that she

#'1 +-1&' !& 'PPRB  wanted to surprise her with a gift The Rebbetzin was short of also wore a pinched hat like they and she examined 200 photos of stature but she radiated royal do in Chabad. My brother wore a the Rebbe until she found the refinement. She was warm, with a round, Chassidic hat. Before one picture that she was sure my perpetual smile, along with her of our visits to the Rebbetzin, my grandmother would really enjoy. royal appearance. Her house on grandmother told my brother not My grandmother put the picture President Street was also a to wear his round hat but my in a place of honor and from then combination of simplicity and brother insisted and said that on, every night, before going to warmth but was also very elegant. since we are Belzer Chassidim, he sleep, she would stand next to the When we visited the Rebbetzin, wanted to dress as is customary in picture and say, “A gutte nacht, my parents or my grandmother Belz. When we got to the Rebbe (good night Rebbe) .” would speak with the Rebbetzin in Rebbetzin, she looked at me and The friendship between my the living room while we children said, “Shemi, why don’t you wear grandmother and the Rebbetzin walked around the first floor. On a round hat like your brother?” was so close that my mother was the second floor were the When my sister, Shterna Bracha, was born, my parents went to the Rebbe when he gave The Belzer Rebbe knows about our out dollars for tz’daka, for a bracha. The Rebbe, who was special relationship with Beis Rebbi pleased that they had named her after one of the Rebbetzins, and he often asked us about what was greeted them with a smile and said, “We get a mazal tov, she’s going on in Lubavitch. I once told the called Shterna.” When my sister turned three, Belzer Rebbe that although I am a the Rebbe told my parents she Belzer Chassid, deep within me burns should light Shabbos candles and should do so with a bracha. I a Lubavitcher neshama. don’t remember whether the Rebbe also said she should give tz’daka before lighting, just that like the Rebbetzin’s daughter. My bedrooms and the Rebbe’s office he emphasized that she should say mother received many presents and we were aware that we a bracha. from the Rebbetzin. When my couldn’t go there. I remember how On one of our visits to the mother was ready to go on we would go up one step after Rebbe’s house, my little brother, shidduchim, the Rebbetzin gave another, in a kind of competition who was three at the time, was my mother her own gold chain so as to who dared to climb the most playing and as he ran around he she would look nice. As a wedding steps to the second floor, but we knocked into a large silver gift my parents received a set of always came back down. We menora. My father, who was beautiful dishes and when I was didn’t dare go upstairs. sitting in a nearby room, leaped born, they received a lovely baby One time we visited the up and managed to grab the blanket. Rebbetzin on Chol HaMoed menora before it fell. As a little boy I visited the Sukkos and the Rebbetzin gave us Every Purim we brought the Rebbetzin many times. My ice cream. We went to the sukka Rebbe and Rebbetzin mishloach grandmother would go visit her behind the house and I sat on one manos. Each time, the Rebbe left and she would take me along. My chair and my brother sat on coins from Eretz Yisroel for us. I parents also went to the Rebbetzin another. When R’ Sholom have many coins from the Rebbe, often. Despite the close Gansburg, who helped out the in liras and then sh’kalim. That friendship, we were always highly Rebbetzin, came and saw where was our Purim gelt. respectful of the Rebbetzin. We my brother was sitting, he said, Did the Rebbe ever come dressed up for the occasion and “Get up! That’s the Rebbe’s home while you were visiting were particular to appear neat and chair!” and my brother jumped up. with the Rebbetzin? clean. We felt we were visiting After my bar mitzva I wore a Never. The Rebbetzin was very royalty. long coat, as Chassidim do, but I protective of the time she had with

  A>O1EBFKF #'1 +-1&' !& the Rebbe. She was particular not an uncle-king; the most going on in Lubavitch. I once told to have visitors at that time. Being distinguished uncle, really a king, the Belzer Rebbe that although I close to the Rebbetzin, we knew but this was family after all. am a Belzer Chassid, deep within that when the Rebbe came home, My father is a descendent of me burns a Lubavitcher neshama. that was their private time. the great dynasties of Belz, When my brother and I were Our main connection with Beis Ropshitz, and Lizensk Chassidus. 9-10 years old, the Rebbetzin Rebbi was with the house on The Rokeach family is Belz and asked my grandmother, “Why President Street and not so much we are very close with the Belzer don’t your grandsons attend my with the house on Eastern Rebbe. Just a month ago I visited husband’s farbrengens?” Parkway. The basis of our the Belzer Rebbe with my son who My grandmother passed the relationship was our family became bar mitzva. The Belzer question along to my mother and connection since we were not Rebbe knows about our special my mother told my father to take Chabad Chassidim. Our relationship with Beis Rebbi and us to the Rebbe’s . My relationship to the Rebbe was like he often asked us about what was father agreed and that’s how I went to the Rebbe’s farbrengen the first time. We were seated on the dais behind the Rebbe. During SHEM, SON OF NOACH the farbrengen, the Rebbe nodded Shemi Rokeach’s name is Shem for Shem the son of Noach. How his head in response to the did this Chassidic Jew get this name? Shem tells us the story: l’chaims of the many Chassidim My mother was a Schneerson on her mother’s side, and on her and when it was my turn, the father’s side, the name was Klingberg. My grandfather’s father was a Rebbe looked at me so warmly great mekubal, the Admur of Zalashitz and his name was Shem and said, “L’chaim!” I turned to Klingberg. I am named after him and when I grew up, I heard his my father and said excitedly, “The amazing story from my parents. Rebbe saw me!” When the mother of R’ Shem was pregnant with him, his father – My father cooled off my Avrohom Mordechai – went to his grandfather, the Admur Rabbi enthusiasm and said: There are Yitzchok Yehuda Isaac of Komarna, author of Heichal Bracha, in order thousands of people here. You to ask him what to name their child. He arrived Erev Rosh HaShana think the Rebbe noticed you? The and the custom in Komarna was that the night of Rosh HaShana, after Rebbe sees everyone and says Kiddush, the Rebbe went to his room and after a brief period of l’chaim to the crowd in general meditation, he would come back out and tell the Chassidim who would and not to every Chassid. be the meilitz yosher (advocate up Above) for the Jewish people in that The next morning, before we new year. went to , the Rebbetzin That year, he spent a longer time in his room and when he emerged called my grandmother and said he said: We have a new meilitz yosher, the likes of which we never had that when the Rebbe came home before and his name is Shem the son of Noach. after the farbrengen, he told her After the tish, Avrohom Mordechai went to his grandfather, the with a big smile: Today, two new Admur, and began telling him about his wife who was pregnant when Chassidim came from our family! the Admur stopped him and said: I want to tell you what happened this I attended many other of the year. I was in heaven and I looked for someone to be the meilitz yosher Rebbe’s farbrengens, mainly on for the Jewish people. special dates in the Chassidic Nobody wanted the position since there was a decree on the Jewish calendar. people and nobody wanted the responsibility, until Shem the son of Did you ever have yechidus Noach said that he saw a lofty neshama that would descend that year with the Rebbe? and he would be my grandson. He wanted to make a deal with me. I never had yechidus, but I’ll Since nobody had been named for Shem the son of Noach, if I would tell you a story about the biggest agree to name him with this name, he would agree to be the meilitz mistake of my life, which cost me yosher for Klal Yisroel. an entire Yom Tov spent privately I promised him that my grandson would be named for him and this with the Rebbe. When I was 13, is your son. When he is born, name him Shem, and if someone asks my little sister was born. The birth you who he is named for, say he is named for Shem the son of Noach. was very difficult and my mother That is the story of my unusual name. nearly died. She had to go for

#'1 +-1&' !& 'PPRB  HaYehudi, it is a good time to be “If we would have waited until treated, especially when my Pesach, you may no longer have The doctor was father’s name is Mordechai. In been alive,” he said with a addition, the time between Purim shudder. furious that the and Pesach is connected with The operation was successful, Rebbe mixed in Geula, so what better time to do baruch Hashem, and my mother an operation? had to remain in the hospital a to medical My mother told the Rebbetzin few weeks to recover, which that the doctor said the operation included Pesach. My father said he matters and said, was very risky and he was afraid would be with my mother in the she wouldn’t make it, which is hospital on Pesach. When my “One asks a why he recommended postponing grandmother told the Rebbetzin it for after Pesach. The Rebbetzin that my parents would not be Rebbe about conveyed this to the Rebbe and home for Pesach, she said she religious matters she said: My husband says not to wanted me to be her guest. wait. My grandmother asked me but when it My mother asked: What should whether I wanted to be the I tell the doctor when he asks me Rebbe’s guest, but I refused. I comes to medical why I’m rushing to do it? knew that the Rebbe and The Rebbe said: Tell him that I Rebbetzin ate the Yom Tov meals matters, you ask said she should not delay. themselves and I was afraid that if My mother did as the Rebbe I spent an entire meal with the a doctor! Why said and asked the doctor to Rebbe, he would test me on the did you ask the operate immediately. To the Gemara that I was learning… doctor’s astonishment, she My grandmother tried to Rebbe?” explained that the Rebbe told her convince me to go. “Are you afraid not to wait. The doctor was of being with the Rebbe?” she furious that the Rebbe mixed in to asked in surprise, but I was afraid checkups once a month to a top medical matters and said, “One and I refused. Today, in hindsight, doctor in New York. asks a Rebbe about religious I cannot forgive myself for this This was Adar 5742. After her matters but when it comes to mistake, the biggest mistake of my monthly checkup, the doctor told medical matters, you ask a doctor! life. Just imagine, I could have my mother: Mrs. Rokeach, I Why did you ask the Rebbe?” spent all of Pesach with the Rebbe discovered something very My mother explained that the and eaten all the meals with the problematic that requires an Rebbe is our uncle and we greatly Rebbe and Rebbetzin! operation. Since it is a very respected him and so she asked dangerous operation, I him to forgo his medical honor TORAH AND recommend that you wait until and do as the Rebbe said. The CHASSIDUS after Pesach so you can celebrate doctor was not pleased, but since My father registered me in the Pesach with your family. my mother was his private patient Litvishe yeshiva in Philadelphia, As soon as she got home from he couldn’t refuse and he said he which was under R’ Elya Shwei, the doctor, my mother called the would do another test before he the rosh yeshiva at the time. On Rebbetzin to ask for the Rebbe’s would operate. Hoshana Raba we went to the bracha. The Rebbe was home and When the doctor returned with Rebbe for lekach. When we the Rebbetzin conveyed my the results of the test, he looked arrived, the line stopped and they mother’s message to him. The white as a ghost. “Who is this gave us the honor of going Rebbe told the Rebbetzin to tell Rebbe who told you not to wait? I directly to the Rebbe. The Rebbe my mother to have the operation must meet him. He saved your gave lekach to my grandfather and immediately and not to wait until life!” said a few words to him. Then he after Pesach. The Rebbe explained The doctor could not explain gave lekach to my grandmother, to that since it was close to Purim, how it had happened but the my father and mother. When it which we celebrate in the merit of second test showed that she was my turn, the Rebbe made a Queen Esther and Mordechai needed an immediate operation. gesture of great surprise and said,

  A>O1EBFKF #'1 +-1&' !& At Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka’s gravesite

Lubavitcher Rebbe. The driver was so excited to hear that we were related to the Rebbe that he nearly got us into an accident! “The Rebbe saved my life!” he exclaimed and he stopped the car on the side of the road in order to tell the story and to calm down. “I was born in Russia,” he said with a heavy Russian accent. “When I grew up I joined a group of Zionists who tried to get out of Russia. I was arrested by the KGB and I was sentenced to 12 years of hard labor in Siberia. “In Siberia, they had us chop down trees and drag them to the camp. The day after I arrived, one of the prisoners, a huge Russian gentile, came over to me and said: From now on, you will also do my work! “He thought I was a timid Jew who would obey his commands, but I refused. He began beating me and I gave him back as good as I got, even better. We kept at it until blood ran and we were taken “Why Philadelphia?” don’t know why, but of all my to the hospital. My father felt uncomfortable brothers and sisters she favored “In Siberia there was no lack and he justified his decision by me. During our visit she said to of manpower and the doctors saying he wanted me to grow up me: Shemi, you know that my didn’t exert themselves to save us. to be a talmid Chacham, a ben husband has many shluchim but I Then a doctor came over to me Torah. want to make you my shliach. and asked: Are you Jewish? Do The Rebbe replied, “No, no. I When you go to Eretz Yisroel, do you believe in Torah and G-d? don’t mean the yeshiva, Heaven me a favor. Go to Kfar Chabad “I thought the doctor was a forbid. But what will be with and take pictures of what is going KGB agent who wanted to entrap Chassidus?” on there, the houses, the mosdos, me and I refused to answer him. My father answered, “I ask the the streets, and when you come The doctor began treating me Rebbe to bless him ‘al ha’Torah back bring me the pictures. I want devotedly and he saved my life. v’al ha’Chassidus.’” The Rebbe to see what is happening there. Every time he came to see me, he gave me this bracha and despite Of course I was happy to fulfill asked whether I believed in G-d learning in a Litvishe yeshiva, I this shlichus and during our visit I and kept mitzvos and I denied any did not neglect the Chassidic asked my cousin, R’ Nachum connection to religion. teachings and customs. Schneerson (who is the nasi of “When I finally recovered, the Yeshivas Tchebin now) to send me commander of the camp told me to Kfar Chabad with his driver. that I was going to be transferred A MISSION FROM from forest work to office work in THE REBBETZIN On our way to Kfar Chabad the driver pointed at a picture of the hospital. I met the doctor In the 80’s I traveled with my the Rebbe that was hanging in his nearly every day and he continued family to Eretz Yisroel for my car and he asked me whether I to inquire about my beliefs. After brother’s bar mitzva. Before we knew who it was. I said: Of a year in the hospital, they went, we visited the Rebbetzin. I course, it’s our uncle, the suddenly told me that they had

#'1 +-1&' !& 'PPRB  received an order to release me asked to see pictures of various call every Friday?” and I was free to return home. and I immediately identified I don’t remember which of the “I joyfully walked to the train the man in the picture. It is the secretaries passed the question on station. As I stood there at the Lubavitcher Rebbe! to the Rebbe. The Rebbe said I station waiting for the train, I saw “Now you know why I was so should call him! From then on, I the doctor coming in his car. He excited when you said that you are called the Rebbe’s house every hurried over to me and asked: Nu, related to the Rebbe, the man who Friday, and since the Rebbe did are you going to Israel now? saved my life.” not speak on the phone, I would “If I wasn’t sure until then that speak with R’ Sholom Gansburg, he was a KGB agent, at that point PHONE CALLS and he would convey my message I was convinced that he was trying WITH THE REBBETZIN to the Rebbe. The following week, to incriminate me. I denied it, of before I had begun talking to him, course, and declared that I was a Throughout my years in he would tell me what the Rebbe loyal communist and I wouldn’t yeshiva in Philadelphia, I called had said in reaction to what I had want to leave Mother Russia. the Rebbetzin every Friday to wish said the week before. “The doctor persisted and said: her a good Shabbos and to find The conversations were like I know you are a Jew and you out how she was doing. The those I had with the Rebbetzin, want to go to Yerushalayim. conversation was like any that of a grandson telling his “I continued to deny it and I conversation between grandfather how his week went. said I was going to Moscow, grandmother and grandchild. The When I went to Yerushalayim to where I planned on living. At a Rebbetzin asked how I was, about learn in Yeshivas Tchebin, which is certain point he took me over to a my learning, my friends, what I run by my uncle, Rabbi Boruch corner and said: ‘Listen well. You wore, just like any grandmother Shimon Schneerson, I continued are a Jew and that is why I helped who is concerned about her to call every Friday. I once said you until now. You should know grandson. Before a test she would that it rained very strongly in that I put a lot of effort into bless me with success and when I Yerushalayim and the following healing you and I used my told her about a special sale of week, R’ Gansburg told me in the connections so they would change clothing she said, “Shemi, buy Rebbe’s name that these were your hard labor to office work in good quality clothes.” gishmei bracha (rains of blessing). the hospital. It is thanks to me The Rebbetzin wanted us to This phone connection that you are free today and not in call her “Mrs. Schneerson,” and continued until I got married. another eleven years. if, during the conversation, I “‘You surely want to know who would mistakenly say, “Good Shabbos Rebbetzin,” she would TO OBEY THE I am and why I was so eager to GRANDDAUGHTER help you.’ He took a picture of a correct me immediately and say, Jewish rabbi with a white beard “Shemi, my name is ‘Mrs. After the passing of the out of his pocket. ‘This man sent Schneerson.’” She was very Rebbetzin, my grandmother felt a me and some other people like me particular about this. certain responsibility that the to various places throughout The Rebbetzin’s passing was Rebbe shouldn’t work too hard Russia. When we see a Jew in one of the darkest days of my life. and that he should take care of his distress, we are there to help him. I felt as though my dear health. She complained to him I want the best for you, which is grandmother had died. Memories several times that distributing why I say, do not remain in of the Rebbetzin are still with me. dollars wasn’t good for his health. Russia. Do all you can to get out My relationship with the Often, during “dollars,” the Rebbe of here and when you get to Eretz Rebbetzin was an eternal bond leaned on the lectern, but when he Yisroel, find out who this man in that has not waned with the saw my grandmother approaching, the picture is and you should passing years. he would immediately straighten know that he saved your life!’ Naturally, I went to New York up and greet her with a big smile. “I went to my home in Moscow and was menachem avel at the When it was her turn to see the and submitted another request to Rebbe’s house with my family. My Rebbe, the Chassidim would emigrate. A year later I received a grandmother asked one of the crowd around in order to hear visa and I went to Eretz Yisroel. secretaries to ask the Rebbe, what she would tell the Rebbe and Of course, as soon as I got there I “Now, after the passing of the how the Rebbe would respond. It Rebbetzin, who will my grandson was always interesting.

  A>O1EBFKF #'1 +-1&' !& When my grandfather passed the Alter Rebbe! “sanctify for Me every firstborn.” away, his funeral passed by 770 The connection was clear, for my and the Rebbe went out and MIRACLES wife was pregnant with our first accompanied it until Kingston. child. The t’fillin were corrected After I married I lived in When my grandmother passed that same night and the next day, Yerushalayim. A short time after I away, the Rebbe went to the my wife’s problem was gone! moved into my new apartment, my funeral and even crossed mother went for “dollars” and to * * * Kingston. The Rebbe looked very her surprise, the Rebbe said to Since my connection to the pained. He held my grandmother her: Tell Shem to check his Rebbe and Rebbetzin was a in high regard and in the video of mezuzos. familial one, after 3 Tamuz my the funeral you can see how the My mother said: It’s a new connection with Lubavitch ceased. Rebbe’s eyes expressed his apartment and new mezuzos! However, the Rebbe apparently immense sadness. The Rebbe said: Nevertheless, wanted the relationship to After my grandmother passed tell him to check. continue and the following away, my mother went for My mother called me and told incredible event took place. “dollars.” Some of the Chassidim, me what the Rebbe had said. I When my son, Menachem Zev immediately went to a sofer in was turning three, my parents had in Yerushalayim to be in Florida at the time we When the doctor and after a brief look at the would be cutting his hair. The mezuza that was on the front possibility of cutting his hair early returned with the door, he found that the words was discussed, so my parents “hishamru lachem” were attached could participate in the family results of the test, (thus, invalidating it)! celebration. When I visited my in- he looked white as A short while later, in the laws, I saw a volume of the summer of 5750, when my wife Rebbe’s Igros Kodesh there. I had a ghost. “Who is was expecting our first child, a heard that the Rebbe answers certain complication arose. I people through the Igros Kodesh this Rebbe who called my mother and asked her to and I decided to try writing to the ask the Rebbe for a bracha. In the Rebbe. Perhaps I would get an told you not to meantime, my in-laws, who live in answer. London, sent us a ticket to I asked whether to move up the wait? I must meet London so my wife could be date of my son’s haircut and put him. He saved treated by the best doctors in the note into the volume. When I London. opened it and read the letter, I your life!” When we arrived in London, I exclaimed, “Oy, gevald!” My got a phone call from my mother, mother-in-law ran over and asked who had been to the Rebbe and me what happened. I showed her had told him about the the amazing answer I had opened who knew about my family complication in the pregnancy. to. It was a letter that the Rebbe connection with the Rebbe, asked The Rebbe said I should check my wrote to someone who asked him her to speak to the Rebbe about Rabbeinu Tam t’fillin. Once again, about moving up the date of their taking care of his health. That’s my mother was surprised since three-year-old’s haircut and the the kind of issue that Chassidim our custom is to start putting on Rebbe wrote, based on a letter of can’t point out to the Rebbe but Rabbeinu Tam t’fillin only after we the Rebbe Rayatz, that we do not my mother felt that she could marry and my t’fillin were new. make it earlier, and this is what I discuss it with him. But the Rebbe repeated: he should should practice too. When my mother passed by the check his Rabbeinu Tam t’fillin. On the same page the Rebbe Rebbe, she said that the Rebbe It was late at night but I found wrote to someone who had been had to think about his health. The a Lubavitcher sofer. When he frequently in touch, who lately had Rebbe looked serious and he said: heard that this was an instruction been out of touch. The Rebbe When Nechama [my mother] asks, from the Rebbe, he agreed to asked him to renew the I must listen to what she says check the t’fillin immediately. He relationship! since she is a granddaughter of found a p’sul in the portion of,

#'1 +-1&' !& 'PPRB  PEIF@ERP

Iron Curtain. Rabbi Moshe Levertov founded the organization and Rabbi Gedalia Korf worked with him. “At that time, Ezras Achim APPOINTED began sending emissaries to work in cities in the Soviet Union, particularly in Russia. When they began sending emissaries for long periods of time, I was given the job BY THE of visiting Russia in order to prepare the way for the shliach. “I went to Russia with my family in the summer of 5749. We took our oldest children who were REBBE TO BE six and seven and to the best of my knowledge, they were the first Chassidishe children who went on shlichus to Russia. In those days, the communist system was in the A SHLIACH process of breaking down but it still prevailed. We debated whether By Nosson Avrohom to take the children with us. When we came back from there we realized how necessary it was to He was called to shlichus by the Rebbe take them for a significant measure in the middle of his Sheva brachos at a of the impact we had on the Jews we came in contact with, was time that the Rebbe had stopped thanks to our children. With their Chassidishe innocence, the personally sending shluchim * Since children drew tears from Jews and got them to join our activities. then, Rabbi Moshe Chaim Levin has “Our main office was in Moscow, where we spent most of been working with Russian immigrants the time. We were also in Minsk. I in the US and Russia. * Part 2 of 2 returned with my family for Tishrei and during 5750 I made many trips to Russia. [Continued from last issue] wanted me to go to Europe and “Wherever I went, I met with were even willing to finance the THE REBBE members of the community and work, but the Rebbe made it prepared the ground for the SHEDS A TEAR conditional that I work under the coming of the shliach who would After years in which Rabbi Joint Distribution Committee. I work there on a permanent basis. Levin worked with Russian had another offer to go on shlichus Until 5750 the city of speaking Jews in New York and the to Berlin, but the Rebbe wanted it Dnepropetrovsk, for example, was US in various capacities, he began to be with the agreement of one of closed to foreigners. I was the first looking for a permanent place of the rabbanim there who did not to go there and I began looking for shlichus. In 5747 he received a give his consent. the right people to work there. The number of intriguing offers but the “After a number of shlichus same thing repeated itself in other Rebbe placed certain conditions on offers that the Rebbe did not cities. I traveled around for weeks him and since these places did not approve, I began to work for Ezras and months, one day by plane, one meet those conditions, R’ Levin Achim that was founded in NY for day by train, another day in a continued to work in New York. the purpose of helping Russian hotel. All the hardships melted “Some Lubavitcher askanim Jews who remained behind the away as Jewish pride began to

  A>O1EBFKF #'1 +-1&' !& wearing from his father’s house. “Before my first trip to Russia with my family, we went for ‘dollars,’ and the Rebbe gave us a dollar and told us to change our money legally. In general, it was important to the Rebbe that outreach be done legally. I understood from the Rebbe that I should not change my money when I got to Russia with moneychangers but with official government people. “We had a very large quantity of Jewish items with us, food and lots of Jewish material. When we landed in Russia we despaired when we saw that customs officials Thousands of children at the Lag B’Omer parade were thoroughly checking all passengers on our flight. Many emerge. and a Jew who noticed me asked people were held up for “One day I davened Shacharis me what I was doing. He said that questioning and their belongings at the airport in Dnepropetrovsk he remembered the things I was were confiscated. It was chaotic.

#'1 +-1&' !& 'PPRB  “The Rebbe’s words took on THE REBBE’S INSTRUCTIONS ON “OHR” added significance. I decided to do After the Rebbe told R’ Levin to publish a magazine, R’ Levin as the Rebbe said and I went over prepared a list of questions about it and then received details responses to one of the customs officials and from the Rebbe (see photocopy). asked him not to delay us unduly “The Rebbe asked me to inform the organization SHAMIR that had because I was willing to declare begun to work with Russian-speaking Jews in Eretz Yisroel that I was what I had, and I said how much publishing a Russian language periodical. In the beginning of the letter money I had brought with me. He I asked whether I should publish a monthly and the Rebbe crossed out looked at me and at my two large ‘whether’ and wrote, ‘obviously.’ wagons full of suitcases and boxes “I asked whether the magazine should be a platform for Lubavitcher and said, ‘I think you have messages, like U’faratzta and Kfar Chabad, or more like the Algemeiner additional things to declare,’ and Journal, which wasn’t officially Chabad. The Rebbe responded that it he walked off. should be an independent platform for Torah and mitzvos, not “I was scared. I thought something that was obviously Chabad. perhaps I had made a mistake in “I asked whether every shliach could adapt the magazine to his own declaring my money and now they specifications and the Rebbe answered, ‘if the change won’t contradict would hassle me. We waited for the aforementioned,’ i.e., the fact that the publication was not overtly two hours in line and my children Chabad. were exhausted. When it was our “I asked who turn to be examined, the man would publish it, looked at the declaration form we whether FREE or gave him, checked the amount of Merkos L’Inyonei money we were bringing in and Chinuch, or saw that it matched. He stamped whether a new, the form and released us. independent “If he had opened our bags and organization had seen all our Judaica, he would should do so. definitely have given us a hard Here too I asked time. It was clear to me that if not whether shluchim for the Rebbe’s instruction to could do as they announce what money we had, I wished. The would have gone through the green Rebbe said it where I surely would have been should be an stopped and my bags opened. independent “The most moving event that I organization that remember from my work in the would bear the same name as the publication. As for the shluchim, if CIS took place on Chanuka 5750. the change would not contradict the aforementioned. It was the first year that Moscow “I asked whether the format should be that of a magazine which is was part of the Chanuka Live more respectable so people wouldn’t throw it out after reading it, or to satellite broadcast. If you watch publish it like a daily newspaper. The Rebbe said, ‘it appears once a the video, you will see that when month and is not like a newspaper.’ Moscow comes on the screen and “I asked whether to send the magazine free of charge or to charge a the Rebbe looks at the children token fee. Another possibility was for it to be free at first and then for saying the P’sukim, he sheds a there to be a charge, and should each shliach decide how he wanted to tear. It was an extremely moving do it. The Rebbe said I should sell it, ‘and perhaps there will be moment which is etched in my differences according to the wishes of the shluchim…’ memory. “After a few years I asked about a suggestion that someone had “On Chanuka of the following made, for this organization to publish a magazine in English that would year, 5751, we put up a huge be obviously Lubavitch. The Rebbe said, ‘do according to the advice of menora in the center of the city, knowledgeable friends,’ and as far as whether this magazine should be for the first time in the history of obviously Lubavitch, the Rebbe said, ‘Obviously, one should not affect Moscow. The Chanuka satellite the other.’” broadcast along with the concert

  A>O1EBFKF #'1 +-1&' !& as people moved away. MEKURAVIM “With the encouragement and Since the help of Rabbi Tzvi Bronstein z”l, I opened, it has been a place that thought it would be a good idea. has attracted all sorts of people, When the amount that the seller Litvish, Chassidish, and Russian; wanted was told to the Rebbe, he young and old, men and women. A gave his consent. We began parsha shiur based on the Rebbe’s fundraising and asking the bank sichos has been taking place for for a mortgage so we could buy years and hundreds more listen to the building which was unique, the shiur via the Internet. both because it was already a shul During the week, R’ Levin gives and because of its location. various shiurim on Jewish topics. “The bank made life difficult. “This year we started a shiur on They wouldn’t give a loan to a the Rebbe’s for those religious institution like a shul. We who want to delve deeper into went to many banks before we Chassidus.” Rabbi Levin giving a shiur found one that would give us a People walk into the Chabad at the Chabad house loan. We spent an entire year on house all day long. They are this until we signed. That year was mekuravim, sometimes needy and Chanuka party, were replete with miracles. people who come for food, men organized and broadcast at the “The lawyer whom we hired for who want to read Chabad official and main television station this process was a religious Jew literature or Beis Moshiach, or of the Soviet Union. named David Frankel who had “just Jews.” Over the years a “After Pesach 5751, I returned attended yeshivas Rabbeinu Chaim community has built up around the to the US and that is when my Berlin. When he saw all the Chabad house. Children of regular work in Russia ended. In difficulties we were having, as well mekuravim who have attained a the years that followed I visited as the brachos we had received, he certain level go to school in Crown many more times as a guest said, ‘If you manage to get a Heights. lecturer when I was invited by mortgage, I will loudly proclaim “The feeling is of one big local shluchim.” that it’s a miracle of the family,” says R’ Levin, with great Lubavitcher Rebbe.’ satisfaction. The mekuravim who THE LAWYER SAID: THIS “A year later I told the story of have become Chassidim are a IS A MIRACLE OF THE the mortgage and the miracles to significant force when it comes to Beis Moshiach which was just LUBAVITCHER REBBE mivtzaim that are done in the starting out. A few days had gone neighborhood. They are joined by With Chabad outreach activities by since the magazine had been T’mimim from 770. beginning to flourish and printed and I got a phone call from One of the most exciting days becoming more established in the lawyer who said, ‘You gave an for the community is Simchas Russia, R’ Levin decided to leave interview to Beis Moshiach?’ I told Torah. The entire community that work and open a Chabad him I had and was afraid he didn’t farbrengs, parents and children, house, a permanent place where he like that, but he said, ‘Why didn’t and all make good resolutions for could invest all his energy. It was you mention my name? I also want the coming year. 5750 and he had three to be a part of these miracles!’ “There are men who wear a hat possibilities. One was to open a That’s when I saw the impact of and sirtuk. If you would have Chabad house in the Kensington Beis Moshiach. asked me a few years ago whether neighborhood of Brooklyn, where “Our Chabad house opened to I thought they would make a big many Russian Jews live. When he the public on Lag B’Omer 5754 change in their lives, I would have presented the three options to the with the haircut of my three-year- been doubtful. There’s someone by Rebbe, the Rebbe agreed to this old son. Litvishe people blessed us the name of Sender Gozenfod, an option. and said they were happy to have a immigrant from Minsk, who began R’ Levin found a building with Chabad house in the attending our programs. He didn’t a shul. It was run by a Hungarian neighborhood, and Russian Jews know much more than that he is rav who was interested in selling also came to give their blessings Jewish and we began to be since his congregation had shrunk and express their delight.” mekarev him and to explain basic

#'1 +-1&' !& 'PPRB  concepts in Judaism. “I’ll never forget his excitement “After working there for two “The first step was for him to as he told all his friends about the years, in the course of which he have a bris. Later, I sent him to Rebbe’s bracha and how quickly it became a Lubavitcher Chassid, the Hecht family’s camp for was fulfilled. As a result of this, rumors began to abound that the university students, located in the many of them began to come company was going to close down Catskills, and he returned from around to the Chabad house in and those who wanted to, could be there a completely different order to write to the Rebbe. transferred to the branch in person. In every encounter with “A short time later, he was fired Florida. Otherwise, they would us, he learned more things about for no apparent reason. His have to look for a new job. Judaism and he began to keep dilemma was how to explain this “He came to the Chabad house them. One day, he decided to turn of events to his friends when to write to the Rebbe a third time marry his wife according to the Rebbe had given his blessing. and he opened to a long answer halacha. I was amazed by the When he recovered from the blow about shlichus and how a shliach journey he had made so rapidly, he came again to write to the should not wait until he is invited from the moment his spark was Rebbe and I asked him to write to leave his current place and go ignited until a commitment to a everything he felt about the matter. out on shlichus but should do what life of Torah and mitzvos. He opened to an encouraging is required of him. “When he finished studying answer. “Both of us understood what computers at college, he did not “Just a few days later he got a the Rebbe meant – that he should find a job. He wrote to the Rebbe better job offer in an international go to Florida. I was really sad and opened to a bracha in the company with a far better salary about this because he was a Igros Kodesh. That week he got a and working conditions than dominant force in the Chabad great job offer at a Jewish before. Both he and I were thrilled. house, someone I had personally company where he had no problem The Rebbe had put him in a helped develop, but the Rebbe left not working on Shabbos and challenging position but he had no room for doubts. Yomim Tovim. come through. “Another difficulty he had was moving to an area that did not have much in the way of Jewish MOSHIACH life. Our neighborhood has many R’ Levin’s Chabad house has a wide array of programs that are kosher stores as well as a warm, constantly changing so as not to become stale. Two years ago, a smicha supportive k’hilla. Sorrowfully but program was started for some T’mimim who learned as well as did with faith, he said goodbye and hafatza in the neighborhood. Last year, the Chabad house provided an moved to Florida, where he holds a excellent program for the children of the neighborhood, which was run high position in the company. We by R’ Levin’s daughter. The number of participants continues to grow. talk occasionally and aside from This year, the Chabad house added a special program for teenage girls. his work, he works as a shliach “There’s a boy by the name of Menachem, who was given this name does in all respects, especially on long before his parents knew Chabad Chassidim. This boy is only nine the topic of Moshiach when he is years old but from the day he joined the program, he changed the entire asked about the writing on his atmosphere in his home. The boy grew up in a home that was not yarmulke.” observant and today he is one of the regular participants in shul on Shabbos. You can just melt when you see him say ‘Yechi’ after the WHEN YOU LIVE davening along with my son. He drew his mother into Judaism and she WITH MOSHIACH – began coming to shul and to our Shabbos meal. Everybody calls him ‘the little Chassid.’ The entire program was worthwhile just for him. IT’S ACCEPTED “The outreach to children is one of the most important elements of At the Chabad house of our work. During the summer we run a day camp for a month and there Kensington they speak about are many positive results. Some of the campers end up going to school Moshiach and his identity without in Crown Heights or other religious schools. Before the end of the last reticence. On the paroches in the day camp we had a day for parents and the feedback was heartwarming. shul the words “Yechi Adoneinu” Someone told me that her daughter had been to four camps previously are embroidered and at the end of and was never as excited to run to camp each morning as she was with each t’filla they proclaim it. our camp.” Although the minyan is comprised

  A>O1EBFKF #'1 +-1&' !& ‘Yechi HaMelech’) and the crowd proclaimed ‘Yechi.’ None of the rabbanim protested or ridiculed it. “When the event was over I concluded that if you do all Moshiach and Geula activities in the right way, people are receptive to it. What does it mean to do it in the right way so people are receptive – if each of us would truly live with the inyan, people would take note of this and we would become role models. People see that the chayus of Moshiach leads to your being a better Jew, to raising your children better. People look at this and want to be like you. A bris at the Chabad house “Chassidim know that ‘Chassidus mahnt p’nimius (Chassidus demands inwardness).’ This is true in all areas and of course in inyanei Moshiach too. The inyan of Moshiach though, is also expressed in an external way, but the emphasis must be on the p’nimius. It’s only when we live with Moshiach with a p’nimius that the message reaches everybody without exception.” * * * I also wanted to interview Mrs. Levin to get her perspective on the shlichus but it didn’t work out because, as R’ Levin told me, she was meeting with a Jewish girl who wanted to marry a non-Jew. A wedding celebration at the Chabad house for 10 Russian couples When I finished the interview and was about to call for a cab to of all sorts of people, Chassidic and had not married according to take me to Crown Heights, R’ and Litvish, mekuravim and frum- halacha. I invited ten rabbanim so Levin suggested that I wait for the from-birth, they all look favorably each one could be the mesader T’mimim who were in the at the chayus in inyanei kiddushin for a couple. I arranged neighborhood who had also come Moshiach. the hall and hung up a picture of from Crown Heights so I could “For a long time we had a the Rebbe with ‘Yechi’ written on join them. When the bachurim Litvishe rosh yeshiva from Torah it. I was actually nervous about came, I found out that every Vodaas davening here and I how the rabbanim would react to week, Russian-speaking bachurim noticed that he waited until we this, since some were Litvish, but go to the Chabad house and from said ‘Yechi’ after the davening I left the picture there anyway. there they go to public schools in before he left. This was Beis Nissan and so order to teach Jewish children. “In 5758, for the Rebbe’s before the chuppos I reviewed the (American law allows this to be birthday, we made 10 chuppos for famous sicha of the Rebbe (about done for an hour a week.) couples who came from Russia the importance of proclaiming

#'1 +-1&' !& 'PPRB  PEIF@ERP

call from a store owner, asking me whether I could come and put t’fillin on with him. I told him I would make every effort to get to REMEMBER! him. I wondered which should take By Rabbi Yaakov Shmuelevitz, Shliach, Beit Shaan priority, davening with a minyan or putting t’fillin on with him. Then the thought struck me, what Sometimes, the very fact that you was I sent to this city for if not for things like this? remember “I am a shliach,” gives you a I hurried over to the store with the t’fillin. The store owner was new perspective on life and then you busy with customers but the don’t feel the hardships but you thank moment I showed up the customers said, “It’s okay, we will Hashem and the Rebbe for the privilege wait. T’fillin comes first.” Among the customers waiting of being shluchim. was someone who was particularly well-dressed. As I put hen I was on K’vutza in shliach: on the t’fillin he came over to me 5744, at the farbrengen A few years ago a little story and complimented me on what I W on Parshas Zachor, the was publicized, telling how Rabbi was doing and introduced himself Rebbe taught us a lesson from the Binyamin Klein, the Rebbe’s as the director of a well-known word “zachor” (remember) – not secretary, conveyed a request for restaurant chain. He gave me his from the words, “what Amalek a bracha from Rabbi Yosef business card and invited me to did to you,” but just from the Yitzchok Gutnick of Australia. R’ meet with him because he wanted special name of that Shabbos, Klein wrote to the Rebbe that R’ to be a partner in our work. “Shabbos Zachor.” The Rebbe Gutnick was “very worried” by I learned that when you do said that the moment a Jew hears the things mentioned in the what the Rebbe wants, you don’t the word “zachor,” he ought to request. lose out, not spiritually and not immediately remember his very The Rebbe circled the words materially. And yes, I found existence as a Jew and his mission “very worried,” and made a another minyan for Mincha. in this world, “I was created to question mark and exclamation serve my Maker,” to act as a Jew mark next to it and wrote, “But A LOYAL SHLUCHA in all respects. he is a shliach, and that is not at Sometimes, they don’t even Along these lines, perhaps we all possible.” This teaches us that ask you whether you are can say that every shliach ought every shliach, if he just interested or not. You are to constantly remember the fact remembers his position as shliach, confronted with the facts and that he is a shliach, and this will not be consumed by all his have to deal with it. You have the remembering is what gives him problems. We have to do our kochos! You are the shliach! You strength from the meshalei’ach to shlichus and the Rebbe will make are the shlucha! stand strong in the face of sure to eliminate the problems. One shlucha, who has been difficulties. Sometimes, the very working for years on the Rebbe’s fact that you remember “I am a DAVENING WITH shlichus somewhere in the north, shliach,” gives you a new A MINYAN OR MIVTZA makes it a point to go to the perspective on life and then you T’FILLIN? Rebbe every year for the Kinus don’t feel the hardships but you HaShluchim or the Kinus thank Hashem and the Rebbe for Rabbi Shimshon Tal, shliach in HaShluchos. the privilege of being shluchim. Hod HaSharon, relates: “It’s practically my only The following are a few stories A few weeks ago, I was about chance to have a change of about the shluchim demonstrating to leave the house for shul to scenery, to absorb the the special commitment of being a daven Mincha. Just then, I got a Chassidishe atmosphere and to fill

  A>O1EBFKF #'1 +-1&' !& up my reserves so I can face the night and running to doctors wedding with my family to the another year on shlichus.” in the community, taking the ill center of the country, from Not long ago, she went to the woman from the place where they Thursday until after Shabbos. In Kinus HaShluchos, which was were staying to the doctor and the middle of the dancing I got a held over . Of course, back again. phone call. (I always have to be she planned on attending In the days that followed, the available as I’ve written before.) farbrengens, the davening with woman needed close supervision “This is Avrohom from the jail the Rebbe, lectures and and physical and moral in Beer Sheva,” the man workshops of shluchos like assistance, as well as someone to introduced himself. He told me herself, but things turned out far make sure she ate and followed about his wife who lived in Beit differently than she had planned. the doctor’s orders so she could Shaan with three children. “They This shlucha had graciously get back on her feet and fly home. have nothing to eat, no diapers, agreed to adopt a mekureves for So the shlucha saved the life of no cereal, and her emotional state the weekend. She had the woman the “adopted” woman but she is terrible. It’s a miracle that she stay with her, and hoped that she missed the entire Kinus and the didn’t end her life today. Please would be inspired by the various beautiful program. She went back Rabbi Yaakov, visit them and help activities. Unfortunately, just as to Eretz Yisroel with the feeling as much as you can.” she arrived at 770, the woman that she had missed out but I explained politely and became sick with a life- knowing that this time, she was apologetically that I wasn’t at threatening illness and the faithful really a loyal shlucha, a shlucha home in Beit Shaan and that I shlucha had to choose davening who saved a life. She had no would return home late at night on Shabbos with the Rebbe or doubts about the correctness of on Motzaei Shabbos. Avrohom keeping a close watch on the her choice. just repeated his urgent request woman, making sure to give her a and reminded me that this was a drink of water every quarter of an A CALL FOR matter of life and death. I began hour. HELP FROM A JAIL to wonder what I could do. Then the shlucha had to Something had to be done choose between farbrenging into IN BE’ER SHEVA immediately. I couldn’t merely I recently went to a family say, “Sorry, I’m not home and with Hashem’s help, things will be all right.” I had to do something, but what? Then I remembered that a few months ago, a woman in Beit Shaan who is well to do, told me that if I knew of a family in distress, I should let her know because she was willing and able to help. I called her immediately and told her the situation, including the background of the family whom I have known for years. She went to the woman, spoke to her, bought her groceries and even agreed to continue helping them with their purchases. Sometimes a Jew comes to this world for seventy or eighty years just to do a favor for another Jew, materially or spiritually. As for us, Rabbi Binyamin Klein on Mivtza T’fillin at the Kosel fortunate are we to be shluchim (for illustration purposes) of the Rebbe.

#'1 +-1&' !& 'PPRB  CB>QROB OUT OF SIGHT, OUT OF MIND: ‘ASHKELON WILL NOT BE SDEROT’

By Mendel Tzfasman

command instruct passersby about Grad rockets have been landing the “proper behavior during a rocket throughout the southern port city of attack.” Even other ads that one sees on the street are graffitied with such Ashkelon. The residents have entered a exhortations as “Tznius – defends against Kassams.” A simple road new era of defensiveness. They are sign says turn right for the beach and go straight for the “municipal turning for some of that protection to target range,” which is sadly ironic. In many areas, signs inform the shluchim, who are located residents, guests, and politicians that throughout the city. * Mendel Tzfasman “Ashkelon will not be Sderot.” In my opinion, this declaration is visited Ashkelon at the height of the problematic in that it expresses the view of the typical Israeli that “out missile attacks. He visited Chabad of sight, out of mind.” Missiles have fallen and will fall. That’s a fact. But schools, stayed at a Chabad house, please, not here! It’s a sentiment that makes peace with the situation. spoke with shluchim, students, and My thoughts were confirmed by their parents and saw the extent of the Rabbi Menachem Mendel Lieberman, shliach in Ashkelon, who damage from up close, as well as the quotes the verse, “But we are guilty for our brother, for we saw his outreach activities going on. sorrow when he pleaded with us, and we did not listen.” Recently, as missiles landed in Sderot, there was t was a peaceful forty-minute streets that indicate that the city has no protest to be heard about how the drive from Kfar Chabad to entered the line of fire. government is treating its citizens. I Ashkelon, much like a flight to On notice boards, at bus stops No demonstrations took place to another country. The residents of and even on public telephones there identify with the plight of Sderot. Ashkelon have not panicked yet and are signs hung urging residents to Now, the residents of Ashkelon are their eyes don’t scan the horizon in attend a huge demonstration under learning what Sderot has been living search of the next rocket. However, the slogan, “No entry to Red Alert.” with for seven years. there are many signs on the city Large signs from the civil defense “I want to take this opportunity

  A>O1EBFKF #'1 +-1&' !& to express our admiration for the Pizem family, shluchim in Sderot, on the frontlines. They are there not because they have nowhere else to go, but to give the residents there a place to stay. With mesirus nefesh, the residents of Sderot bodily protect the people of Ashkelon and the cities further north, just like the Jews of Gush Katif protected them.” I met R’ Lieberman at a staff meeting at the Ohr Menachem- Banim, Chabad school, together with the principal, Rabbi Dovid Kestenbaum, the secretary, R’ Asher Edrei, and the program director of the Chabad house, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Garelik. Previously, meetings focused on chinuch, but during these crazy times, they have Top: Children of the Chabad school in Ashkelon going home to concentrate on their defense, their after a day of learning full of tension and fear Above: The school’s staff

#'1 +-1&' !& 'PPRB  physical and spiritual protection. THE LEVEL OF DANGER On the tour of the classrooms During the meeting, booklets are IS HIGHER THAN IN and hallways of the school, I learned distributed for the teachers and SDEROT! that the roof of the building is made students about the importance of of thin tin! paying attention, alertness and If you closely examine the level of What do you do when there is a observing security protocols, etc. danger that lies in the missiles that Red Alert? The staff carefully reviews the reach Ashkelon, it turns out that the By way of response, the principal contents to ensure that it is situation of the people in Ashkelon took out the instructions of the civil appropriate, illustrating how even is, in a sense, worse than that of defense command. According to the during these wild times they do not Sderot. guidelines, you are supposed to go forget their main role: educators “First,” explained R’ Kestenbaum to the safest place in the area, a responsible for the chinuch of the principal, “Sderot gets Kassam bomb shelter or armored shelter. students in the spirit of Chabad rockets and Katyushas. In Ashkelon, Lacking protected shelter, you are Chassidus and the Rebbe’s we are getting Grad rockets. The supposed to enter a room that is the instructions. difference between them is not only furthest away from the line of fire, On the principal’s desk is a map in their range but also in their force. which has a minimum of outside walls, windows, or doors. The door and windows are supposed to be In many areas, signs inform residents, closed and then you are to sit on the floor near an inner wall. If possible, guests, and politicians that “Ashkelon you should sit under a table. In an open area, you are supposed to lie will not be Sderot.” In my opinion, this down and protect your head with your hands. This is the glorious state declaration is problematic in that it of the State of Israel sixty years since its founding. expresses the view of the typical Israeli In a conversation with R’ that “out of sight, out of mind.” Missiles Lieberman I learned that the municipal government, the civil have fallen and will fall. That’s a fact. defense command or defense ministry, have no intentions of But please, not here! It’s a sentiment making resources available to reinforce the schools of Ashkelon, that makes peace with the situation. not even those schools which are rated as in grave danger, like the Chabad school Ohr Menachem. of the city with the location of the The Kassam is primitive, homemade, The staff has looked into what school pinpointed. The designation with a relatively small explosive the cost would be to protect the of the school as being in a danger head. The Grad is a professionally school themselves, which entails zone is a worrisome fact, as the made rocket with a 23 kilogram changing the roof for “smart armor” school is located in the southwest of explosive head! Despite the rocket’s comprised of many layers, which Ashkelon, in the line of the shooting. power, its assembly and firing is detonates the explosive head and The school yard and playing fields simple and quick. All it takes is five diffuses the blast. It amounts to over are completely exposed and are rated men who can assemble and prepare 100,000 shekels. R’ Lieberman as highly dangerous. Half of the it for shooting, within three minutes, believes that despite the large sum, classrooms are defined, according to and ‘fold up shop’ within two he will quickly raise it, in the hopes the civil defense command as, minutes. that the government will get over its “unprotected during a shooting “Furthermore, the schools and policy of “building a hospital under attack.” The other half is described public buildings in Sderot are the rickety bridge.” as having “low to medium protected, while in Ashkelon there is All of this would seem to amount protection.” Not one classroom or no such plan, not now and not for to a really tense situation, but that is office is designated as “reasonably the future either. The school we are not what I experience when I go protected” or “well protected.” in is unprotected not only from Grad around to the classrooms and talk rockets but not even from Kassams.”

  A>O1EBFKF #'1 +-1&' !& your G-d upon it,” the line that the Rebbe quoted during the Gulf War, saying that Eretz Yisroel is the safest place in the world. In order to make it easier for the children during the indoor recess, the administration bought games for all ages to the tune of thousands of sh’kalim. One day, as the alarms depressed the atmosphere in the classrooms, Yoni Fein with his guitar Map of the danger zones in the school the fifth grade teacher, Yoni Fein took his guitar, put on a funny costume and made the rounds of the classrooms with a smile on his face. The students joined him as they merrily danced around. On a particularly bad day when some students were afraid to attend school, Michoel Veigel, an actor familiar to the children from educational videos, appeared and performed, just to make the children happy.

LIGHTING UP THE CITY R’ Lieberman became the shliach in Ashkelon thirty years ago. Ashkelon has 120,000 residents, most of whom have a strong Jewish identity. After thirty years of shlichus, Ashkelon has: a yeshiva k’tana (high school) for the children Children trying to maintain their routine of mekuravim, a high school for girls, public-religious Chabad with the children who went outside to maintain routine and keep up schools for boys and girls, 19 today for the first time in three days. their spirits. The teachers spoke to preschools (!) and a program for They have had to spend recess the children, sometimes privately, children with special needs. indoors (though the school is listened to them and infused them In addition to schools, there are unprotected regardless, as I with trust in Hashem, Who protects nine shuls, some of them outright mentioned). They tell me that when us in a miraculous manner. It was Chabad with others are run by they hear the Red Alert they go sometimes necessary to call the Chabad rabbanim; an educational under the desk and say T’hillim and home of a student who did not show public library which is run by Rabbi sing “Yechi.” up or who was simply afraid to Avrohom Kuskus; a soup kitchen attend, and calm him. run by Rabbi Sharon Ochiyon, and DRAFTED TO In addition to the personal work Eshel Ashkelon run by Rabbi Chaim Ettias, who is in constant touch with RAISE MORALE with the children, the teachers came up with an idea to protect the the city’s seniors and who organizes The administration and staff of students with a “holy insurance a wide range of activities from the the school, who are mostly from policy.” Each talmid received a small shul in his neighborhood, Neve Kiryat Malachi, Lud and Kfar T’hillim with a picture of the Rebbe, Dekalim, which has 100 people Chabad, have had a harrowing two with the verse, “the land which every Shabbos. weeks in which they made the effort constantly has the eyes of Hashem Rabbi Gedalia Melamed, rav of

#'1 +-1&' !& 'PPRB  Last week, the center for women showed a video about the Rebbe’s “With mesirus nefesh, the residents of prophecies before Israel’s wars and their fulfillment. “Watching the Sderot bodily protect the people of Rebbe and hearing his confident and Ashkelon and the cities further north, reassuring words, is calming,” said one of the women. Another woman just like the Jews of Gush Katif told about her little girl who, when the family entered the sheltered area, protected them.” held a colored page to her heart. When her parents asked her what it was, she said it was the booklet from the Chabad shul for Russian Jews, throughout the city, mainly the the Chabad house with the Rebbe’s works with Russian speaking Jews, Mivtza of a Letter in a Torah Scroll, picture on it. She said, “The Rebbe and Rabbi Michoel Mishulavin, which the shluchim are focusing on watches over me.” in Nachalat Har Chabad, is these days. the Rosh Kollel of Tiferes Z’keinim “The goal is to get every resident OUTREACH UNDER FIRE for seniors. registered for a letter as a segula for So far, rockets have landed in Over the years, R’ Lieberman has protection as the Rebbe said, every neighborhood without brought additional shluchim to quoting the verse in Daniel, ‘At that distinction. At first, they landed Ashkelon and their impact is felt time, your nation will be rescued, all “only” in the southern throughout the city. R’ Menachem those written in the book.’” neighborhoods, but now they reach Mendel Garelik is director of I didn’t have the time to tour all even those areas that are programming for Chabad of the mosdos in the city so I chose the northernmost. Miraculously, there Ashkelon, and responsible for the central Chabad house which is run have been no casualties thus far. Rebbe’s mivtzaim, starting with by Rabbi Uri Cohen. This Chabad Each time, the rocket missed a Mivtza T’fillin, Kashrus, Mezuza, a house, which was renovated a year house by a few meters, or a busy Letter in a Torah Scroll, etc., as well and a half ago in an extremely office, preschool or school. as seasonal mivtzaim on special days luxurious manner, attracts hundreds One of the rockets fell on the in the calendar. of people from all over the city. They street opposite the Chabad school Rabbi Moshe Vilenkin is director come to write to the Rebbe, for for girls and landed within a fourth of development and planning for davening, and learning. It has a Chabad mosdos in Ashkelon. Rabbi beautiful shul, a Judaica store, a Refael Cheruti spreads the B’suras Kollel Erev, a Midrashiya for HaGeula among the children, the women, and an Igros Kodesh center. staff of the preschools, and the Each week the Chabad house parents. Recently, another shluchim publishes a publication that is quite couple, Rabbi Moshe and Mrs. popular. In the first article, R’ Cohen Peles, were appointed as “shluchei writes about the happenings of the Torah.” previous week. Last week, he chose According to R’ Lieberman, the to urge residents to abandon their number of shluchim is not what apathetic stance and to protest. He matters, but their unity and full concluded his article with, “Once cooperation. “If there is something again, our power of deterrence will strong and real that can withstand deteriorate, the rockets will continue the rockets landing here, that is the to land, and Ashkelon will be next in power of unity which the Rebbe line after Sderot. We residents are in spoke about dozens of times.” danger. If we don’t shake up the It is apropos to mention that R’ country, within a short time, half of Lieberman invites all of Anash to the city will be deserted. Correct me visit Ashkelon, to encourage the if I’m wrong, and I hope I am residents and to work with R’ wrong. Good Shabbos! Moshiach Garelik in doing mivtzaim now!” The school’s spiritual safety kit

  A>O1EBFKF #'1 +-1&' !& tz’daka, 4) say T’hillim at every opportunity. Hundreds of people have gone to the Chabad house in order to have their mezuzos and t’fillin checked. The shluchim and the staff of the school have made a campaign of house calls, checking t’fillin and mezuzos, distributing T’hillims and pictures of the Rebbe. They have divided the city according to neighborhoods in order to reach floor apartment, where nobody was A journalist for HaAretz, Yigal every resident and sign them up for home. Shrapnel fell all over and Chai, who went to where a rocket a letter in a Torah scroll. miraculously, nobody was in the landed with a direct hit on the R’ Refael Cheruti, along with R’ vicinity of the building. seventh floor of a new building in an Sholom Fash and the Geula Tank of Another rocket landed within an exclusive complex, wrote in a brief Beis Moshiach of Kiryat Malachi, apartment, seconds after the letter, “Some Chabad Chassidim in went to the place where the rockets grandmother and granddaughter Ashkelon suggested to the crowd landed. He said the 12 P’sukim with entered the shelter and another gathered at the foot of the building, the children and “Yechi.” They gave Grad, that entered an apartment to put on t’fillin. ‘It will help protect out Moshiach cards with the Rebbe’s where a couple was sleeping, the peace of the residents. When a picture and the T’fillas HaDerech to miraculously did not injure anyone. Jew puts on t’fillin, it protects the residents, and cheered up the kids In every instance, the shluchim lives of all other Jews wherever they with the song “Moshiach, went to the area in order to are,’ is what Yaakov Barabi said.” Moshiach,” which drew them into encourage the residents, to reinforce The Chabad weekly publication lively dancing and thanks to Hashem them with mitzvos and to cheer had a feature under the headline, for the open miracles. them up. R’ Garelik explains the “Jews Against Grads” which said reason for their coming as follows, how people should protect THE LITTLE CHILDREN “The Rebbe teaches us to be themselves: 1) Have a and In ordinary times, some of the concerned for every Jew. When a pushka in your house, 2) check your Chabad preschools in Ashkelon are Jew is in need, we have to be there.” mezuzos, 3) put on t’fillin and give in public shelters. But when there are Red Alerts, even a simple action like locking a preschool door and opening it the next day, become impossible. The bomb shelter which is designated to serve the residents of the neighborhood has to, according to law, be open whenever there is an alarm, so what happens is, when the preschool teachers shows up in the morning they discover that expensive equipment has been stolen or ruined. A rough estimate of the damaged incurred is tens of thousands of shekels in the last week and a half! Many preschools that were located in makeshift buildings had to leave their locations because they did not measure up to security standards, and relocate to a Bar Mitzva celebration for children of Ashkelon neighboring preschool. Seventy

#'1 +-1&' !& 'PPRB  children are in one place that is meant to hold half that number. If that wasn’t enough, for many days as rockets fell, the preschools did not hear the Red Alert. The teachers knew that rockets were approaching only when a parent called and told them. After many complaints from parents and teachers, the city and rearguard command decided to employ a siren as well. I went with R’ Cheruti and R’ Garelik to visit the preschools. If I imagined that I would see frightened children and worried parents, I was wrong. In the doorway of one preschool we met a mother who said, “When the children are in gan, I am calmer than when they are at home.” Another parent said, “Only Mivtza T’fillin near the site where rockets landed Hashem and His mitzvos can protect the Red Alert, calmed her mother by us, and the children are in a holy saying, “Ima, don’t worry. Let us atmosphere all day in gan.” say, ‘Shir HaMaalot,’ and you will There is no shortage of stories. see that nothing will happen to us.” One child went with his The teachers tell stories too: grandmother on a walk Shabbos “One morning, one of the parents morning. “Then I told my came to gan with his son and asked grandmother, ‘Come, let’s go down. where he could buy tzitzis. His son I want to walk near the water.’ At had told him what he had learned first my grandmother didn’t want to the day before in gan, that tznius but she finally gave in. While we protects girls and tzitzis protects were down below we heard a loud boys. The father decided not to take boom and saw a missile land right chances and to buy tzitzis for where my grandmother and I had Games for children to play indoors himself and his son.” been standing earlier. My R’ Lieberman reminds our remembering that we are all one grandmother hugged me and began readers: family, not only will no enemy be to cry. She said it was a miracle. I “It was the unity of the Jewish able to touch us but achdus will also cried and told her it was in the people that averted the evil decree in bring the true and complete Geula, merit of the T’hillim that we say in the Purim story, and it was when no nation will raise a sword gan with the ganenet.” especially the Jewish children in against nation, and we will see the Another child, whose mother whose merit we were saved. When Rebbe once again.” became very tense when she heard we unite, all Chabad Chassidim,

  A>O1EBFKF #'1 +-1&' !& JLPEF>@E DDBRI> A DAILY DOSE OF MOSHIACH & GEULA Collected and arranged by Rabbi Pinchas Maman; Translated by Michoel Leib Dobry

21 ADAR II: MOSHIACH AND THE TORAH i.e., this Redemption will be in the merit of the righteous women of the generation, as in the sayings of the Sages, of “If a king will arise from the House of Dovid who is blessed memory (Midrash Zuta Rut): “The generations are learned in Torah…and will compel all Israel…and fight the only redeemed in the reward of the righteous women of the wars of G-d…” (Rambam, Hilchos Melachim 11:4) generation,” and particularly according to what is explained The task of Moshiach is the restoration of the laws of the in the writings of the Arizal – that the generation of the Future Torah in full measure. The test to verify this is derived from Redemption is a reincarnation of the generation that went out the matter itself, in three details: from Egypt. Learned in Torah – he is personally devoted and Accordingly, the righteous women of our generation, in dedicated to Torah and its fulfillment. Compel all Israel – he whose merit we shall be redeemed, are the righteous women achieves this level of perfection among the entire Jewish in whose merit we were redeemed from Egypt. People. Fights the wars of G-d – he removes all barriers to (Parshas Bo, Parshas B’Shalach 5752) the fulfillment of the Torah placed by the nations of the world, such that “they will be available for Torah and its wisdom, and 26 ADAR II: THE SERVICE OF THE WOMEN IN BRINGING they will have neither oppressor nor abolisher.” THE REDEMPTION (Likkutei Sichos, Vol. 18, p. 81) The Song of Devora emphasizes the main concepts in the 22 ADAR II: MOSHIACH WILL CORRECT THE WHOLE WORLD service of Jewish women, in whose merit the Redemption will AND BRING THEM TO SERVE G-D TOGETHER come: “Now, Devora was a woman prophetess, the wife of In addition to the perfection of Moshiach himself, “Behold Lapidos” – “What is the significance of the wife of ‘Lapidos’ My servant shall prosper; he shall be exalted and uplifted, and (torches)? She made wicks for the Beis HaMikdash.” The he shall be very lofty,” Moshiach will “correct the whole world pattern derived from the Beis HaMikdash is that in every to serve G-d together,” as is said, “For then I shall turn unto Jewish home there is the action by women in lighting the the nations, etc., to call all of them by the Name of G-d,” at Shabbos (and Yom Tov) candles to illuminate the entire the True and Complete Redemption, immediately, mamash. house, and thus the entire surroundings and the whole world, (Likkutei Sichos, Parshas Balak 5751) as exemplified by the wicks in the Beis HaMikdash that 23 ADAR II: EVERYTHING DEPENDS UPON US Devora made to illuminate the Beis HaMikdash and the whole world. The obligation has been placed upon our generation to “And she sat under the palm tree of Devora” – “‘Under complete the elevation process of the Heels of Moshiach and the palm tree’ comes to teach us about yichud” (“for it is high to continue drawing the revelation of Moshiach below into and has no shadow [it has no leaves below] and no one could this physical world. seclude himself there with her as he could in his home”) – the Even with a brief contemplation on these matters, it quality of modesty – (all the honor of the daughter of a king should grip a person with fear and trembling that all the is hidden). awesome matters mentioned in the words of the Sages, of (Shabbos Parshas Bo and B’Shalach 5752) blessed memory, on the subject of Moshiach and the revelation that will be then, all depend upon our avoda. 27 ADAR II: MITZVOS WILL BE NULLIFIED IN THE FUTURE (Likkutei Sichos, Vol. 23, p. 458) TO COME (A) – WEARING A GARMENT MADE OF SHATNEZ 24 ADAR II: USING CHUTZPA IN HOLINESS It is known that according to many opinions, the period of “mitzvos will be nullified in the Future to Come” refers to the “On the Heels of Moshiach, chutzpa will increase” period of the Resurrection of the Dead, the second period in (Sota, end of Chapter 9). the days of Moshiach (as opposed to the first period in the This “chutzpa” should be used for the side of good, to days of Moshiach, prior to the Resurrection of the Dead, request and claim from G-d, to the point of the greatest when the fulfillment of mitzvos will be at its ultimate level, and “chutzpa” and demand that Moshiach Tzidkeinu should come therefore, “a garment that includes a prohibited mixture of in actual deed. Surely G-d will be satisfied by this claim and wool and linen…may be used for shrouds of the dead”). demand, and in fact, He will fulfill it. “Rav Yosef says that this means mitzvos will be nullified in (Adar Sheni 27, 5746) the Future to Come” (Nida 61b): “Shrouds can be made at 25 ADAR II – BIRTHDAY OF THE REBBETZIN CHAYA the outset from a prohibited mixture of wool and linen, even MUSHKA: IN THE MERIT OF THE RIGHTEOUS WOMEN IN though when [the deceased] will arise in the Future, he will THAT GENERATION stand in the clothes in which he was buried. Thus, mitzvos will not apply in the World to Come” … In relation to the Future Redemption, it is said, “As in the (Kuntres on Laws on the Oral Torah That Will Never be Nullified) days of your going out of Egypt, I will show you wonders,”

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