s’’xc Shabbat Vayishlach of the West Side & Chabad Early Learning Center 17-18, 5767 December 8-9, 2006

Candle Lighting: 4:10 PM Shabbat Ends: 5:14 PM Weekly Bulletin

V OLUME IFRIDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2006 17 KISLEV, 5767 ISSUE XII IT ALL BEGAN WITH A MENORAH IN UNION SQUARE Since 1975, the miraculous story of the , the Jewish "free- Chabad has been dom fighters." lighting public menorahs in cities We learned in Sunday School that lighting the menora is throughout the a reminder and a celebration that right can overcome world. Here is a might, and light can dispel darkness. My brother and I story about the took turns lighting the candles. A room and a family full of very first Public light and warmth. That was Chanuka for me. Menorah. Reprinted from the All that was many years ago. As a lawyer and communi- Menorah at the “Sundial” opposite the Low San Francisco ty worker, I had gone far afield from any connection to Library at Columbia University. Chronicle Jewish tradition, even modern-style. I had not lit a meno- Sponsored by Chabad at Columbia ra in years, nor really even thought of it. Yet, for some When I was a child, the holiday season always saw our reason, I had begun to feel a need to explore my Jewish family gathered in the living room, standing quietly in "roots." Maybe that was why I found myself walking front of the Chanuka menora. We lit the special candles toward Union Square in San Francisco one cold for eight days. We said the blessings each night to recall December night. My family was going to light a menora, continued on page 2

Chanukah at Chabad Roundup See details on pages 3 and 6

Friday Night, December 15, 5:30 PM Tuesday, December 19, 5 - 6:30 PM Would Moses Recognize Today? Chabad Alumni Kids Club Shabbaton @ Darna Restaurant Giant Menorah Lighting & Chanukah Give-and-Get Chabad, 101 W 92nd St. Sunday, December 17, 3 - 5 PM Wednesday, December 20, 6 PM Children’s Fun and Menorah Lighting Lighting and Celebration Chabad of the West 60s, 101 WEA @ 64th St. With Chabad of the West 60s Richard Tucker Sq., 66th & B’dwy Monday, December 18, 4 - 5:30 PM Every Weeknight of Chanukah, Dec. 17 - 21 CELC Chanukah Celebration Menorah Lighting at Columbia University - 5 PM Young Israel of the West Side, 210 W 91st St. Menorah Lighting at 66th @ Broadway - 6 PM

Chabad ELC ...... 5 101 WEST 92ND STREET Chabad Shul Section ...... 10 NEW YORK, NY 10025 212-864-5010 Fax: You Are Not Alone ...... 9 www.chabadwestside.org Inside: Upcoming Events ...... 3 [email protected] Happy Birthdays ...... 4 CHABAD WEEKLY BULLETIN PAGE 2 Continued from page 1 phere. It's disturbing. It upsets my fantasy picture. Union Square SF Reality always does. and not just any menora. This one was 30 feet high. I am caught up in these different strains of fantasy, We get there at about 4:00. The Square is empty and cold. reality, warmth, hostility, celebration, resentment. I The benches are staked out by the street people. The begin to wonder, What are we doing here? scene in front of me is a let-down. Then I see a flurry of Celebrations like this are more of a private affair, aren't movement. There's the menora! I point it out to my daugh- they? Like my childhood memories-home and hearth, ter, Sarah. As we approach it, it grows bigger in perspective everyone gathered in the living room. But in the mid- until we're in front of it, looking up at its simple, elegant dle of Union Square? My thoughts drift, and I give up form. Quite in proportion to the Square after all. trying to figure it out.

The action is next to the menora. Parked in the corner of the When I look up, there are many more people than I Square is a camper noticed just a few minutes before. The beginnings of a with a paint job that crowd, and quite an interesting crowd at that. Easily reads "Mitzva Mobile" four generations here tonight. The little circle of 45 min- and "." The Chabad House in Continued from page 12 Berkeley sponsors ADVERTISING RATES FOR THE CHABAD WEEKLY BULLETIN this menora. These Lubavitchers believe Size of Ads and Rates in reaching out and Full Page $1,000 (min 4 weeks @ $250 per week) sharing their celebra- Half Page $520 (min 4 weeks @ $130 per week) tion of Jewish life with 1/4 Page $910 (min 13 weeks @ $70 per week) or all , from the $325 (min 4 weeks @ $81.25 per week) Bus. Card $325 (min 13 weeks @ $25 per week) very religious to the totally non-religious. Consequently, they're here. Also conse- Niagra Falls, New York quently, I am a wel- come guest, I who haven't seen, much less lit, a menora in over a decade.

In fact, I soon find myself swept up in a bear hug of a greet- ing by a tall young man in black hat, long coat and bright red beard. "Shalom Aleichem," he says. "Greetings, brother!" This is Yosef Langer (father of Chaya Langer, a former CELC Morah), one of the organizers of the event.

There is still time until the lighting, so we just sit and wait. I look around and think to myself, this is an odd scene. Beyond the little circle of activity near the menora, the Square still belongs to the night and the street people.

Some of the Square-dwellers come over to check out these strange newcomers. It's not a totally comfortable interac- tion. One fellow is openly hostile. A tall man, long black leather coat draped over his shoulders, walks back and forth loudly proclaiming his opinions of this event-as well as of Israel, Zionists, Jews. The opinions are not flattering and my urban paranoia takes hold and a wave of fear comes and goes. It doesn't contribute much to a festive atmos- CHABAD WEEKLY BULLETIN PAGE 3 Upcoming Events Friday, December 15, 2006 Tuesday, December 19, 5:00 - 6:30 PM Chabad Alumni Kids Club Giant Menorah Lighting & Chanukah Give-and-Get

December 9, 2006 Yud Tet Kislev, the 19th of Kislev, commemorates the liberation of the Chassidic first Lubavitcher , - Melave Malka Schneur Zalman, from Czarist A bundle of lulav, aravot and hadassim imprisonment in 1798. with an etrog, on the right, in the Saturday Evening mosaic floor of the of 8:30 pm This is an auspicious time to share Hamat Tveria, dated from the 6th at Chabad - 101 W 92 insights, stories and connect with century BCE. Hashem and each other. Men & women There will be plenty of Lchaims, are invited. refreshments, soulful niggunim and food for thought. Would Moses This farbrengen is sponsored by Yaakov & Eyta Brafman, in honor of Recognize Yaakov’s completion of saying kaddish for his father R' Efraim Fishel (Phil) Brafman A”H Judaism Wednesday, December 20 - 6:00 PM Today? Public MENORAH LIGHTING Discussing the chain of Jewish tradition and the at Richard Tucker Square development of Halacha (66th Street and Broadway) with Rabbi Yisroel Fried The Menorah will be lit every weeknight of Chanukah at 6 PM. JOIN IN A CELEBRATION OF JEWISH UNITY AND FREEDOM A Chabad Shabbaton , Doughnuts, and at Darna Shabbat Chanuka Chanukah Gelt for the Children

Kabbalat Shabbat at Chabad: 5:00 pm For Children! Sunday, December 17, 3-5 PM Shabbat Dinner at Darna: 5:30 pm Children’s musical entertainer, Bobby Doo-wah! Cost: $36 per person Arts ‘n Crafts Latkes and Donuts Face Painting to reserve: www.chabadwestside.org/shabbaton Special Children’s Menorah Lighting or call 212-864-5010 x 14 101 West End Ave. @ 64th St.

Dinner Hosts Daniel & Leah Seliger A project of Chabad of the West Sixties 212-706-7708 For information on additional Chanukah activities visit our website at: WWW.CHABADW60S.COM CHABAD WEEKLY BULLETIN PAGE 4 Scenes from the Chabad Women s Circle at the home of Rebecca Lindenbaum on Tuesday, December 5 with Shimona Tzukernik.

ONGOING CLASSES Happy Birthday! MONDAY EVENINGS 8:15 pm WEDNESDAY EVENINGS 8:30 pm PRACTICAL HALACHA IN-DEPTH Name Hebrew Date Occurs On with Rabbi Yisroel Fried with Rabbi Meir Ossey Noam Steinerman 23 Kislev December 14 AT THE CHABAD SHUL Remy Tamir 22 Kislev December 13 AT THE HOME OF Jacob Fraiman 21 Kislev December 12 NAAVA & DANNY ECKSTIEN 20 WEST 87TH ST. APT. #1B Eric Ajdler 17 Kislev December 8 WEDNESDAY MORNINGS 10:45–11:30 Jesse Perlmutter 17 Kislev December 8 SHABBAT PATHWAYS TO THE SOUL Jessica Brenner 22 Kislev December 13 9:00 am a Class for Women Judah Klingsberg 21 Kislev December 12 THE CHASSIDIC PARSHA with Rabbi Shlomo Kugel with Rabbi Yisroel Fried Mya Waxman 23 Kislev December 14 Coffee & Discussion Sydney Gaynor 23 Kislev December 14 1hour before Mincha AT THE HOME OF RAMBAM Sarah Ida Papernik 17 Kislev December 8 DEBORAH & DAVID SHIMKO with Rabbi Yisroel Fried Yakov Kirschenbaum 23 Kislev December 14 500 WEST END AVE. APT. #8C at the Chabad Shul

Why Latkes?

Chanukah Discussion & Making

We know what the holiday ‘looks like’ but what does it really mean? How do we share the inner light of Chanukah with our families? Join Rabbi Ossey and Morah Suri for insightful conversation and practical tips. And... whether you make them every year or never tried before, there will be something for you to learn, sample and take home from the latke making demo.

Monday, December 11 101 West 92nd Street 1:15 - 2:15 pm

Childcare provided with advance notice

Chanukah Toy Drive

Brighten the life of a sick child this Chanukah. Drop off your unwrapped, new gift at the Chai Lifeline Toy Drive drop-off spot.

Next Week at CELC Why Latkes? Discussion & Cooking Class N2 & PK Visit to Monday, December 11 Creative Dance PK Music 97

Chabad ELC Music 92 Tuesday, December 12 Chabad ELC Morah Torah Plus 101 West 92nd Street 166 West 97th Street Library 97

Phone: 212-864-5010 Wednesday, December 13 Bookworms PK Fax: 212-932-8987 Kinderdance 97 www.chabadwestside.org CPR Course for Parents [email protected] Thursday, December 14 Kinderdance 92 Chanukah Celebration! Monday, December 18 Young Israel of the West Side - 210 West 91st Street 4:00 - 5:30 pm ting ra h L ig h $5 per person / $20 per family or Meno - Outdo rmly!) :00 pm dress wa 4 sure to (be Grand Menorah Lighting - Puppet Show Dancing - Pizza Dinner - Chanukah Gelt Mazal Tov! Mazal Tov! Morah Chava (PK) and Naftaly Kleinman upon the birth of a baby girl! Best wishes to Avigayil (PK), Devorah (N2) and the entire family!

Morah Dina Eber (PN2) upon her engagement to Mendy Dubrawsky. Best wishes to the Eber and Dubrawsky families!

“Whoever saves a life, it is considered as if he saved an entire world.” ( Sanhedrin 4:1)

Red Cross Certification in Child CPR Thursday, December 14 10:00 am - 12:00 pm 97th Street Library Fee: $35

Class space is limited - sign up at the school office today! 212-864-5010 x10 / [email protected]

Course is taught by Red Cross Instructor Rivky Kleinman

CHABAD ELC From the Desk of the PA Each week, the Pre-K class enjoys extra Phys-Ed programming courtesy of the PA. For the Fall session, Mr. O’Toole of Tae Kwon Do fame led the PE sessions each Tuesday afternoon. He focused on strengthening different groups of muscles by leading the class through fun gross- motor exercises out on the playground. Now that the weather’s become cooler, our program has moved indoors. Divided into two groups, the children participate in a creative dance session with Miss Bailey in the school library. This dance class brings literature and dance together in a meaningful way. After reading the book of the week, the children get into costume and dramatize the tale. As they follow the sequence of the story, the children have fun moving their bodies while staying in character. lus! We are looking for additional ideasP and instructors for the winter and spring sessions. If you have any recommendations, please direct them to Pearl or the PA.

Morah Torah Each Tuesday afternoon from 1:00 - 1:30 our teachers enjoy a Morah Torah session and now they welcome you to join as well! Childcare provided with advance notice, only. Justin T297 Mabel’s Labels for Chabad Don’t lose another pair of mittens! With a wide selection of iron-ons, stick-ons, allergy alerts and even shoe labels, Mabel’s Labels are tough, cute and easy to use. You can personalize labels with names, initials and even fun icons for non-readers. The labels are dishwasher, microwave, laundry & kid tested. Help support the PA while getting your family organized! Log on to www.chabadelc.mabel.ca to ensure that 15- 20% of your order goes directly to the PA. If you have any questions or would like more information about this program, please contact Chaviva Kaplan (Einav, PN1) at 212-724-3430.

P.S. Mabel’s also has lots of great, personalized gift ideas! My Little Pumpkin N2 Moms Take the Jill Platovsky, parent of Chabad alum Jonah and Sammy, is back in time for Karaoke Stage

Chanukah with her newest collection Mothers from N2 (and Solomon of baby, big kid and mommy gifts. Schechter 1st grade) gathered on Saturday night to belt out their favorite Wednesday, December 13 songs at a Karaoke Club on 35th Street.

9 am - 2:30 pm While shy at first to take the mike, we all joined 97th Street in laughing, dancing and enjoying each others company. We even did a rendition of Sunrise, Sunset! Thanks to Cayle White (Felix, N2) for Percentage of sales goes to Chabad PA arranging this great evening.

Order copies of Susie Fishbein’s latest cookbook (or any of her previous editions) for friends, family and yourself and support the Chabad Parents Association.

“Kosher by Design Short on Time” is the ultimate cookbook for the busy person. The 140 brand-new recipes use common ingredients to create uncommon meals in record time. With full-color photos and preparation and cooking times for each recipe - this cookbook is one you will actually use! Price List

Kosher by Design — Short on Time $30.00

Kosher by Design $30.00 Kosher by Design Entertains $30.00 Kosher by Design — Kids in the Kitchen $20.00

To get your cookbooks in time for Chanukah (Friday, December 15) orders must be submitted by Tuesday, December 12.

Final order date: Wednesday, December 20. Cookbooks will arrive after break. CHABAD WEEKLY BULLETIN PAGE 9 TORAH FAX You Are Not Alone As Jacob was traveling to meet his brother Esav after a 20 year ers slipped away one by one. If pursuing a noble goal becomes a hiatus, our Parshah tells us that Jacob suddenly reminded himself thankless and lonely job, one might eventually think that it isn't that he had left something behind. Jacob then proceeded to worth the bother. retrieve his lost belongings - a few simple jugs - and found him- self in a wrestling match with an angel, identified in our Oral And here the Torah tells us that this situation is not a new one. It Tradition as Esav's guardian angel. The angel tried to kill Jacob, started with our forefather Jacob who found himself to be all but Jacob prevailed sustaining only an injury to his thigh, from alone. And it was at this time that Jacob realized that there was a which he healed quickly. G-dly spark (represented by the single jug of oil) within him that would accompany him wherever he would go. From that time It follows from this unusual story that Jacob, in effect, risked his onward it has been said that a never goes alone. Whenever life to retrieve a few jugs. Why would he do it? we are in a rut, we must realize that the G-dly spark within us accompanies us. In the words of the Psalmist: "I am with him in One answer to this question lies in the way the Torah describes his distress." This realization can be a source of great comfort. how Jacob remained alone. The Torah states "and Jacob was left alone (levado)." With just a slight change of one letter, the phrase In the time of Chanuka, our ancestors discovered that they were reads: And Jacob was left to [retrieve] his jug (lekado)." In other standing alone. The Syrian Greeks tried to stamp out their adher- words, he put his life in danger to retrieve a mere jug. ence to pure, unadulterated Judaism; the Jewish Hellenists tried to foist their ways on their co-religionists. And the loyalists, the According to a Midrashic interpretation, this jug was none other Macabees, were just a handful of stubborn Jews, who must have than the jug of oil that was discovered several millennia later in felt abandoned and forlorn. the Temple that miraculously lasted for eight days. Thus, the entire Chanukah story began thousands of years earlier when And the question arises: Where did they get their strength to Jacob, realizing the incredible value of that lone cruse of oil, carry on? Where did they get the inspiration to fight, risking their risked his life to ensure that it would be around to bring the light lives for their beliefs? of Chanukah to his descendents. The answer: Jacob had already demonstrated that when you are How are we to understand this remarkable jug of oil? And how all alone in your struggle for good, you are not truly alone. As do we apply the message of Jacob going to great lengths to Jacob retrieved that lone jug of oil, he realized that there is a G- retrieve it. Furthermore, the text actually states that he was left dly flame that burns in the heart of every Jew that accompanies alone. Using Midrashic license (the license given to the by us in all of our positive efforts. We are never alone. the Torah to uncover hidden layers of meaning embedded and encoded in every word and letter of the Torah) our Sages revise In other rabbinic sources we are informed that the lone cruse of that to read "for his jug." But even when the discovers a oil that lasted for eight days had an even earlier source. The light new layer of meaning, it does not negate the simple and straight- that this cruse of oil generated was the same light that was creat- forward meaning of the text. Indeed, the multiple layers of a ed on the very first day of creation before the sun was created. given text are meant to complement each other. In light of this, That light was a spiritual light, so powerful and holy, that it was we must understand how Jacob being alone ties in with the fact preserved for the future Messianic Age. However during the mir- that he went to retrieve this special jug of oil. acle of Chanukah, G-d revealed this primordial light, and gave us a sample and taste of the future Messianic Age when this light As discussed in previous Torah Fax messages, there are many will be revealed for the entire world for eternity. times when a Jew can feel that he is left alone. Even within the Jewish community, there are times when we fight for a certain This light that was created and introduced into the world on day cause, and we discover that all those whom we thought were on one of creation was accessed by Jacob and transmitted to the our team are suddenly nowhere to be found. It is reminiscent of heroes of Chanukah. With the establishment of Chanukah as a the story of Moses when he went to Pharaoh with the elders. But Jewish Holiday, this light has become accessible to every Jew, by the time he finally arrived at Pharaoh's throne, all of the eld- especially now as we are poised to enter into the final Age of Redemption. Moshiach Matters... "Three things come unawares, namely, Mashiach, a found object, and a scorpion" (Talmud Sanhedrin) This teaching does not mean that a person should not (G-d forbid) think about the Redemption and anticipate its coming. It means that though his reason sees no possibility for Redemption, a Jew persists with an intense belief that transcends his reason. This meaning springs directly from the Hebrew idiom b'hesech hada'at (here translated "unawares"), which literally means "with one's reason set aside." (Likutei Sichot) Moshiach - It’s a Jewish issue. For more info, visit www.moshiach.com CHABAD WEEKLY BULLETIN PAGE 10 Halachic Times Week of - December 8 - 13 NEXT WEEK AT A GLANCE

Earliest Tefillin (latest of the week) ...... 6:17 AM Shabbat Parshat Vayeshev ...... DECEMBER 15 - 16

Latest Shma (earliest of the week) ...... 9:27 AM Friday, December 8 Candle Lighting ...... 4:11 PM Torah Reading: . .VaYishlach (Genesis 32:4 - 36:43) Saturday, December 9 Haftorah ...... Ovadiah 1:1-21 Shabbat ends...... 5:15 PM

Reminder: Monday night December 4 in Chanuka begins next Friday afternoon, 12/15 Ma’ariv begin saying V’Tein Tal U’Matar Earliest time to light Menorah on 12/15 ...... 3:32 PM The Menorah should be lit before Shabbat Candle lighting Shabbat Parshat Vayishlach ...... at 4:11 PM. Under no circumstances c an the Menorah be lit after sun- FRIDAY, December 8 down ...... at 4:29 PM. Candle Lighting ...... 4:10 pm Mincha ...... 4:25 pm Dvar Torah ...... Rabbi Kugel Chassidic Discourse Shabbat afternoon Kabbalat Shabbat ...... 4:55 pm Kaballah teaches that Shabbat afternoon, known as Rava D’Ravin, is the most holy time of the entire Shabbat. SHABBAT, December 9 Traditionally, at this time, Chassidim would gather together Parshah Shiur ...... 9:00 am and one of them would review a Maamar, a Chassidc dis- Shacharit ...... 9:45 am course, that he had studied. This week, we welcome Mr. Yaakov Brafman of Miami, Dvar Torah ...... Rabbi Fried FL who will be visiting our Shul for Shabbat. In honor of ***Kids Shul & Junior Minyan ...... 11:00 - 12:15*** his completing the reciting of Kaddish after the passing of Kiddush: ...... approx. 12:30 PM his father, R' Efraim Fishel (Phil) Brafman A”H, Yaakov will be reviewing a Maamar at the Chabad Shul Shabbat Kiddush is sponsored by Shelly Leibenstern in honor of Afternoon. Please join us. the Yahrzeit of his father Rubin Leibenstern, Reuven Natan ben Aryeh Leib, Wanted: Rambam ...... 3:15 pm Torah Readers Mincha ...... 4:15 pm Ma’ariv & Havdallah ...... 5:14 pm Chabad is looking for volunteer Ba’al Korehs. If you or Each week, a Video of the Rebbe is shown after someone you know can layn a Parshah - we would love to Havdallah. have you layn at Chabad. Whether you want to refresh your Bar Parshah and want to prepare a new one, Daily Minyan: please call our office. The following Parshahs are already reserved: Sunday: ...... 9 AM VaYigash, December 30 Monday & Thursday: ...... 7:15 AM Jeremy Sanders Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday: ...... 7:30 AM Shemot, January 13 Avi Friedman Rosh Chodesh & legal holidays: ...... 7 AM Bo, January 27 Learn Rambam everyday at Avremel Kugel www.chabadwestside.org/dailystudy/rambam.asp Mishpatim, February 17 Jeremy Sanders CHABAD WEEKLY BULLETIN PAGE 11

KIDDUSH SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES: Chassidism, and his successor, the Maggid of Mezritch. When he asked them why he had been arrested, they Sponsoring a Kiddush is a great way to share you explained that his manner of teaching chassidic thought Simchah or special family event with the community! had aroused a kitrug; i.e., its legitimacy had been chal- lenged in the Heavenly Court. Kiddushim can be sponsored to celebrate a birthday, graduation or to commemorate the Yahrzeit of a loved Before his imprisonment the Alter Rebbe had been teach- one. Kiddush sponsors are encouraged to share some ing Torah's mystical secrets openly to the masses, and the words of Torah at their Kiddush. Kiddushim cost $300, objection had been raised that the world was not suffi- $400 or $500. ciently refined to receive these spiritual truths. This kitrug had resulted in the Alter Rebbe's arrest. To sponsor a kiddush, please email Rabbi Fried at [email protected], or call at 212-864-5010 x 14. When the Alter Rebbe heard this explanation, he asked whether or not he should continue his teaching upon his Kiddush Schedule: release. The explained that if the Alter Rebbe were duly released this would be a sign of Divine Shabbat VaYishlach, December 9, ...... acceptance of his actions and that he should continue Kiddush is sponsored by Shelly Leibenstern in honor of "with greater intensity and power." Shortly afterwards, the Yahrzeit of his father Rubin Leibenstern, the Russian government dropped the charges against the Reuven Natan ben Aryeh Leib, 19 Kislev Alter Rebbe and he was released on Yud-Tes Kislev. Shabbat VaYeshev (Shabbat Chanuka), December 16, ...... Since then, this date has been commemorated as a major Kiddush is sponsored by Ilan Nordmann in honor of his chassidic holiday, a day from which to draw inspiration. Bar Mitzvah Parshah and with thanks to Hashem. Yud-Tes Kislev marked a turning point in the Alter Shabbat MiKetz (Shabbat Chanuka), December 23,.. Rebbe's approach to teaching. After his release, he began Kiddush is sponsored by Gail Gumora in honor of the to deliver longer discourses and to present chassidic Chabad Shul thought within an intellectual framework, rather than as brief articles of faith. The Rebbe Rashab, the fifth Shabbat Vayigash, December 30, ...... Lubavitcher Rebbe, held that the fundamental service of Kiddush is available "spreading the wellsprings of Chassidus outward" began Shabbat Vayechi, January 6,...... after the Alter Rebbe's release on Yud-Tes Kislev.[3] Kiddush is available On one occasion,[4] the Rebbe Rashab stated that before Yud-Tes Kislev, "Chassidus used to scorch the world": its transcendent, spiritual nature could not be contained with- A Few Thoughts For the 19th of (Yud Tes) Kislev in the thought patterns prevalent in the material world, and in fact, contradicted them. From Yud-Tes Kislev As we mentioned in last week’s Shul Bulletin, this Sunday. 12/10, is the 19th of Kislev. On this date, in 1799, the first Lubavitcher onward, however, the Alter Rebbe garbed his teachings in Rebbe, Rabbi Schneur Zalman of , known as the Alter Rebbe, a form that could be grasped intellectually, enabling any- was released from Czarist imprisonment for his spreading of one, even a spiritually insensitive person, to approach and Chassidic thought. Here are a few thoughts on this great day from comprehend the Torah's deepest mystical secrets. Sichos in English, www.sichosinenglish.org. The Alter Rebbe named his approach Chabad, an Yud-Tes Kislev commemorates the nullification of the capi- acronym for the Hebrew words "wisdom, understanding, tal sentence against the Alter Rebbe, founder of the Chabad- and knowledge," thereby highlighting the intellect as a Lubavitch chassidic movement, and his liberation from medium for connecting with G-d. imprisonment in the year 5559 (1798). The Alter Rebbe had *** been arrested by the czarist authorities for spreading The Previous Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Y , quotes Chassidism throughout Russia, creating a movement which the Alter Rebbe as saying that Yud-Tes Kislev "will be they perceived as threatening the Czar's authority. established as a festival of continuing [relevance] among Like every event in the temporal world, the Alter Rebbe's the Jewish people." It is a day when "thousands of Jewish arrest was a reflection of events taking place in the spiritual hearts will be aroused to teshuvah and heartfelt divine realm. While in prison the Alter Rebbe was visited by the service" (Likkutei Dibburim) souls of his predecessors, the Baal Shem Tov, founder of CHABAD WEEKLY BULLETIN PAGE 12 continued from page 2 Singing along and watching the experienced here. I begin to feel that utes ago has grown to fill over half progress of the torch, I am suddenly this event has a lot to do with the Square. Everyone is talking to his aware that a man is pushing through Chanuka. Chanuka, when the tiny friends, or to new-found friends. the crowd toward Yosef. It is the man Maccabean band vanquished the who, foreign armies, when a tiny supply of It's a full five minutes before the much earlier, was angrily proclaiming oil lasted eight days. When, in an emcee on the platform can get his anti-Jewish feelings. He apparently magical way, light reigned everyone's attention. The man at the approaches Yosef. I feel myself tight- and darkness was driven back, figu- mike-black hat, black beard, and big en. Does he want to try to stop Yosef, ratively and literally. smile-is Rabbi Chaim Drizin. When grab the torch? It seems crazy, but the crowd finally quiets down he who knows...? But behind the magical moment speaks, giving a little introduction when the light drives back the dark- about the Chabad House and about He is closer now, almost at Yosef's ness, perhaps there is always a life- Chanuka. After the introductions, Rabbi Drizin launches into a story that teaches a lesson. The Rabbi fin- ishes the story to a round of applause, and the nicest part of all this to me is that somehow this story has the effect of drawing the crowd closer, making the Square a more "homey" place. We all seem to be joined in a moment of shared intima- cy. Almost like a family. Is it possible that this menora lighting mirrors my Neuilly sur Seine, France Budapest, Hungary childhood recollection? Only the family is much bigger. side. From the man's face, it is time, a generation, an eon, of hard impossible to read his intent. Now he work and careful investment. That Yosef, my red-bearded friend from is next to Yosef, and he reaches up. builds our knowledge and aware- earlier on, plunges into the crowd He puts his hand on the torch, not ness and spiritual strength, until we carrying high a lit torch so that each just touching but holding it tight. are able to burst forth in the moment of us can touch it and join in the light- Yosef stops momentarily. Here is of need and make manifest the ing of the candles. He is moving where fantasy meets reality, I am "magic," the light, the Divine spark, slowly, allowing each one to join, to thinking. that is always latent within us and make contact. Children are lifted to around us. touch the torch. There is no pushing. And-I see this very clearly-Yosef All are confident of being included. I looks directly into the man's eyes, Completing his circuit with the torch lift Sarah and she puts her hand next gently puts his other hand on the Yosef hands it to Rabbi Drizin, who to Yosef's for a moment. man's arm, and gives a kind of quiet climbs into the cherrypicker and is nod. A gesture of recognition, a silent lifted to the top of the menora. The As the torch moves on, Rabbi Drizin request for mutual respect. All this in blessings are said and the first can- starts singing and urges the crowd to just a few seconds. And then the dle is lit on this first night of Chanuka. join him. Shema Yisrael-Hear O man's hand relaxes its hold. Yosef Israel, the L-rd our G-d, the L-rd is moves on. The man recedes to the For the first time in 15 years there One. The words echo the feeling crowd's edge. Looking at him after was a menora in my home after that given by the passing torch-the unity some moments, I see that he is night in Union Square. We lit it and commonalty of this body of singing. together and put it in Sarah's win- Jewish people of different ages, dow. To shine light out into the dark- types, cultures, languages, in affirm- From this moment until the end of the ness. We'll do it again this year, too. ing their connection to each other evening, the quality of that interac- After all, like the Chasidic saying and to their faith. tion stays with me and begins to pull goes, you can't fight darkness with a together the different feelings I've stick.