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THE EXPRESSION OF INNER GOOD 4 D’var Malchus

MOSHIACH: FEEL THE PLEASURE 6 Thought | Rabbi Zvi Homnick

SAVING SOULS IN NEW DELHI 10 Shlichus | Nosson Avrohom

MY REBBETZIN 18 Stories for 22 Shvat | H. Ben Yishai

THE REBBE BROUGHT ME BACK USA 22 Feature | Shneur Elias 744 Eastern Parkway Brooklyn, NY 11213-3409 Tel: (718) 778-8000 Fax: (718) 778-0800 BELIEVING ALL THE WAY [email protected] 24 www.beismoshiach.org Moshiach & Geula | Dafna Chaim EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: M.M. Hendel ENGLISH EDITOR: IN THE DARKEST OF TIMES Boruch Merkur HEBREW EDITOR: 28 22 Shvat | Shneur Zalman Levin Rabbi Sholom Yaakov Chazan [email protected]

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d’var malchus THE EXPRESSION OF INNER GOOD

Sichos In English

A NAME IS TELLING attributes their being sent forth to land of dangerous animals.” The division of the Torah Pharaoh; it was * he* who motivated Our Sages interpret this to mean, readings is not random, nor are the them to leave Egypt. [6] “they will be transformed, so names chosen for them a chance that they will no longer cause harm, phenomenon. WHY IT WAS PHARAOH as it is written, [7] ‘The wolf will The name of every parsha is a WHO SENT FORTH THE dwell with the lamb.’” In this era of ultimate good, the thematic statement, encompassing JEWS the reading as a whole and predatory animals will continue to expressing its fundamental theme. Describing Pharaoh as the agent exist, but “they will neither prey, nor This week’s Torah reading of the Exodus points to one of its destroy.” [8] Their negative contains many significant narratives purposes, and in a larger sense, tendencies will be eliminated, and demonstrating G-d’s love for the alludes to the ultimate purpose of they will serve a positive purpose. Jewish people, and the Jews’ creation as a whole. G-d’s intent in creation was not response to Him. To highlight this factor, at the merely to reveal unbounded spiritual It tells of several of the more very beginning of the process of light within the context of material striking miracles in our people’s Redemption, G-d told Moshe: [2] existence. history: the splitting of the Yam Suf, “With a strong hand, [Pharaoh] will Were this His purpose, He would the descent of the manna, and the drive them from his land.” not have created a material world, victory over Amalek. For the intent of creation is that for the revelations in the spiritual And with regard to the Jews’ this material world and all of its realms are far greater. [9] response, it includes the Shirat elements be transformed into a Nor is His purpose merely to HaYam - song of the Red Sea, an dwelling for G-d. [3] nullify the influence of those entities acknowledgment of G-d’s hand so This includes all elements of which oppose holiness, for then their powerful that it enabled even the existence, even those which oppose creation would not contribute most common person to attain peaks the forces of holiness. anything. of prophecy.[1] There is no aspect of being which Instead, G-d’s desire is that every And yet seemingly, these will not serve a positive purpose. aspect of existence become part of wondrous dimensions are not at all In certain cases, as in the His dwelling. reflected in the name of the Torah example of Pharaoh, a And just as a mortal’s dwelling reading! transformation is necessary. In their reveals the character of its owner, The Shabbos is called Shabbos immediate state, they cannot serve a every element of His dwelling is Shira (“the Shabbos of Song”) positive purpose, and “their intended to reveal a different facet of recalling the song of the Red Sea, destruction is their purification;” [4] His Being. but the * name * of the Torah i.e., only when they are broken will As a foretaste [10] of this reading, B’Shalach, meaning “When their positive nature be revealed. ultimate state, the name of our he sent forth,” has no obvious Nevertheless, ultimately, this Torah reading focuses on the reference to these positive qualities. transformation will take place, and transformation of Pharaoh. On the contrary, if anything the positive energies they contain The other miracles it mentions B’Shalach has negative will surface. involve the negation of undesirable connotations, implying that the Jews This concept is highlighted by influences and/or the expression of had to be sent forth from Egypt the prophecies of the Redemption wondrous spiritual forces. By against their will. And the Torah which state, [5] “And I will rid the directing our attention to Pharaoh’s 728_B_Beis Moshiach 25/01/2010 8:18 AM Page 5

role in sending forth the Jews, and eagerly counted the days until it commitment on the part of the however, the name B’Shalach would be fulfilled. [18] Jewish people will, in turn, enable underscores a deeper purpose, that When they reached Mount Sinai, Moshiach to continue in the even most perverse elements of they camped in a spirit of oneness, fulfillment of his mission: [22] existence can generate positive unified by their desire to receive the “fight[ing] the wars of G-d... and influence. [11] Torah. [19] succeed[ing], build[ing] the [Beis And yet we find, that “G-d held Ha]Mikdash on its site, and LOOKING BEYOND EXILE Mt. Sinai over them as a tub,” [20] gather[ing] in the dispersed remnant compelling them to receive the of Israel.” A question, nevertheless, remains To r a h . May this take place in the unresolved: If the Jews were eager, why was immediate future. Why was it necessary for this necessary? Adapted from Likkutei Sichos, Vol. VII, p. Pharaoh to send the Jews out of The point is that there are levels 188ff; Shabbos Parshas B’Shalach 5732, 5735 Egypt? Why weren’t they eager to in desire. leave? G-d wanted the Jews to accept Notes: One might say that they had no 1. Mechilta, quoted in Rashi, Exodus 15:2. the Torah with a total commitment, reason to hurry. 2. Exodus 6:1. feelings so powerful that it was as if After the initial plagues, more 3. Midrash Tanchuma, Parshas B’Chukosai, sec. 3. their lives depended on it. than six months before the Exodus, 4. Keilim 2:1. The Jews were not capable of 5. Leviticus 26:6. the enslavement of the Jewish people summoning up this level of 6. Toras Kohanim on the above verse. had ceased. [12] commitment on their own, and 7. Isaiah 11:6. The Jews were living in the most therefore, G-d compelled them to 8. Ibid.:8. select portion of the land of Egypt 9. For an explanation of this and the concepts to reach this peak through external [13] and the Egyptians were ready follow, see Likkutei Sichos, Vol. VI, p. 18ff, and the means. sources mentioned there. to give them anything they wanted. Similarly, with regard to the 10. This was indeed only a foretaste, for the [14] transformation of Pharaoh was not fully completed Exodus. Moreover, they also had spiritual at the time of the exodus. On the contrary, shortly G-d wanted the Jews to seek to afterwards, he experienced a change of heart and fulfillment, for our Sages relate [15] leave Egypt with a deeper desire pursued the Jewish people. that the existence of the yeshivos 11. See Likkutei Sichos, Vol. XII, p. 33ff and other than their ordinary will. was never nullified throughout the sources which offer a similar explanation in Therefore He brought about interpreting the reason the Alter Rebbe (Shulchan Egyptian exile. Aruch HaRav, ch. 430) gives for the observance of circumstances that awakened this Why then should they have Shabbos HaGadol (“the great Shabbos,” the more profound and encompassing Shabbos preceding the holiday of Pesach). The Alter desired to leave Egypt? What did commitment. Rebbe states that this Shabbos commemorates the they have to gain? miracle of the Egyptians’ firstborn rebelling against Pharaoh and demanding that he release the Jews. This, however, was not the case. What was so great about this miracle? The Our Sages state that all the GENTLE FORCE transformation of darkness to light it represents, that the Egyptians themselves demanded the Jews’ people who did not want to leave B’Shalach is also a lesson in our release. Egypt died in the plague of relations with others. 12. Rosh HaShana 11:1. darkness. [16] Every Jew possesses an inner 13. Genesis 47:6. All the Jews who remained desire to follow the Torah and its 14. Exodus 12:35-36. See also Rashi’s commentary. wanted to leave. They realized that mitzvos. [21] Nevertheless, for this 15. Yoma 28b. living in exile, even amidst security desire to be manifest in deed, there 16. Mechilta, quoted by Rashi, Exodus 13:18, see Likkutei Sichos, Vol. XI, p. 1 footnote 10 and and prosperity , is not a Jew’s is often a need for a friend to gently sources cited there. purpose. lead his colleague to a deeper level 17. Exodus 3:12. Why then did Pharaoh have to of will. 18. The commemoration of their counting is one of the reasons given for the mitzvah of Counting the force them to go? This concept shares a connection Omer. Rabbeinu Nissim, end of P’sachim. to the Redemption. 19. Rashi and Mechilta, commenting on Exodus A HIGHER WILL For one of the qualities Moshiach 19:2. will manifest is the ability “to compel 20. Shabbos 88a. See Torah Or, maamer Chayav To explain within the context of a Inesh Livsumei, sec. 4, and the maamer V’Kibel all Israel to strengthen their Torah parallel concept. HaYehudim, 5687, sec. 2 which explain that our observance.” [22] Sages were employing an analogy. The Jews G-d had promised Moshe that witnessed Divine revelations so powerful that they Why compulsion? He would give the Jews the Torah, had no choice whether to receive the Torah; it was For Moshiach will awaken a level as if a tub was held over their head. as it is written: [17] “After you lead of soul within every individual that 21. See Rambam, Mishneh Torah, Hilchos Gerushin the people out of Egypt, you will 2:20. motivates him to a commitment that serve G-d on this mountain.” 22. Rambam, Mishneh Torah, Hilchos Melachim surpasses his individual will. The Jews rejoiced in this promise 11:4. The manifestation of this 728_B_Beis Moshiach 25/01/2010 8:18 AM Page 6

thought

prevalent psychological theories, whether floated by the orthodox or more eclectic schools of MOSHIACH: mental health, were for the most part nonsense, with the odd smattering of valuable insight. I also discovered that a lot of the areas in my life that needed FEEL THE improvement were “learned” in the developing years, rather than “programmed” into me, and although “unlearning” something that has become deeply ingrained PLEASURE can be quite difficult, it is also eminently doable. The teachings of Chassidus, while opening whole new vistas for my mind to By Rabbi Zvi Homnick explore, confirmed what I had already concluded based on Torah My earliest childhood recollections were in general. In my early teens, when I of experiencing tremendous joy and looked back at my early childhood with all its challenges delight in being Jewish and in almost and difficulties, I came to a surprising conclusion. My earliest all aspects of Jewish observance and childhood recollections were of experiencing tremendous joy and study. The question that plagued me delight in being Jewish and in was, where had my pleasure and almost all aspects of Jewish observance and study. The enthusiasm gone? When did doing the question that plagued me was, where had my pleasure and right thing become a chore rather than enthusiasm gone? When did doing the right thing become a a privilege? chore rather than a privilege? Although in my immaturity, I didn’t always appreciate the CHILDISH PLEASURES? with you and why, it is necessary import and significance of Torah One of the major impacts that to explore the key relationships prohibitions, and struggled with modern psychology has had on and events of the developing some of the restrictions, I had society at large is the near years. In order to uncover the always been excited by the obsession with events of the past, origins of any aberration of the opportunity to learn and do new particularly those of childhood psyche, we must dig up any and things. When and where did that and adolescence. Since all negative and painful get lost? The only answer that I psychology has positioned itself experiences of the past, and as an could come up with was – reward as a scientific and even medically added bonus we might even find and punishment. recognized discipline, with the someone to blame it on (do I The reward and punishment full weight of the law behind it, hear, “blame the parents”?). system of child rearing assumes its focus has always been geared Growing up as the son of a that the child has no interest in towards understanding mental psychologist, I am probably guilty doing the right thing or avoiding and psychological development in of having spent too much time doing the wrong thing, and so we the context of illness. Thus, in analyzing my own past. In doing must introduce an external set of order to find out what is “wrong” so, I discovered firsthand that the consequences to bribe and/or

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intimidate the child. My religious for personal reward. There is no in our Divine service in a manner upbringing had taught me that I greater joy and pleasure in the of taanug/pleasure. This is first don’t want to learn, daven and do world than that of being a Jew. and foremost expressed in the mitzvos, and certainly it is not a Little children are purer and study of Torah in general, and source of pleasure and enjoyment. closer to G-d, because they have particularly the study of Although part of me had resisted just arrived from a more G-dly Chassidus, which is the “pleasure that terribly destructive message, existence and have not yet been aspect within Torah.” much of it had seeped through corrupted by the pleasures and When I first began looking and I found myself torn rationalizations of this world. into Chabad Chassidus, one of internally. I would go from All this only confirmed for me the aspects that threw me was the intense bursts of serious study that the advent of the Baal Shem emphasis on kabbalas ol and total when I was thrilled to learn new Tov and Chassidus to the world submission to the Divine Will to Torah insights to times of heralded a new revelation, as the exclusion of any and all struggling against listlessness and opposed to the days of the personal inspiration that may lethargy. Rambam. But what I still couldn’t have the slightest modicum of self At that early time, during my figure out was why Chassidim, interest. If you are engaged in teenage years, I decided that if who were supposed to be serving holy pursuits because of what you and when I would be in a position G-d with joy and enthusiasm, want, or what you enjoy, or what of raising and educating Jewish seemed mired in the old world gives you satisfaction, then you children, I would build my model of reward and punishment. are actually distancing yourself educational philosophy on the In fact, they seemed far more from G-d’s Oneness. This is cited premise that every Jewish child ready to whack their kids than as one of the major causes for wants to do good and can be parents and teachers who were those who toil mightily in the readily inspired to want to avoid American born and bred. study of Chassidus and soul- evil. That is, if the parent or wrenching prayer without educator relates to the child in WITH PLEASURE experiencing any spiritual growth. that way as opposed to seeing the Since “I” am learning, “I” am The 15th of Shvat (Chamisha- child as an untamed wild creature davening, “I” want to achieve love Asar B’Shvat) 5748/1988, one that needs to be shown a carrot and fear G-d, therefore G-d’s week before the passing of the or a stick. I was well aware of the light is hidden from me. Only one Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka on the fact that this was not consistent who approaches his Divine 22nd of Shvat, marks the last with what the Rambam writes in service with the attitude that G-d time to date that the Rebbe held a his commentary on the Mishna in wants learning, G-d wants farbrengen on a weekday. In that Sanhedrin or in the laws of davening, G-d wants love and sicha, the Rebbe says that since a Talmud Torah in his Mishneh fear of Him, and “I” exist only to Jew is compared to a tree of the Torah, so I sort of kept my views give Him what He wants, will field insofar as his purpose is to to myself until I could find the actually succeed in attaining any produce “fruit,” namely Torah Torah sources to back up what I true spiritual heights. and good deeds, as well as was already passionately So yes, we can and must serve influencing others in those areas, convinced of in the depths of my G-d with joy and enthusiasm, as the New Year for trees is a time soul. the Baal Shem Tov teaches, but to to take on good resolutions to Later, when I began to peruse do so properly it must be an increase in all these areas. the teachings of the Baal Shem outgrowth of subservience and The Rebbe then goes on to Tov and his disciples, I was self-nullification. As far as draw a more specific lesson from shaken to the core. I couldn’t serving G-d with pleasure, that the difference between fruit trees believe that I had distanced seemed to be the exclusive and grain, namely that fruit is myself from the very teachings domain of those tzaddikim on a only for the purpose of providing that seemed to ratify so much of very lofty level of Divine service pleasure, as opposed to grain that what I had believed before, or fleetingly attainable for those provides basic sustenance. although I had kept it under who labor intensively in their Therefore, we must increase not wraps. It was true: every Jew davening throughout the week, only in the basic obligations of wants to serve G-d and can serve particularly on Shabbos, but for Torah and Mitzvos, but primarily G-d without any consideration the average Chassid the focus was

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Even in the darkest times, It was true: every Jew wants to serve tzaddikim can relate to the G-d and can serve G-d without any infinite Divine pleasure in the smallest detail of the smallest consideration for personal reward. contribution by the simplest Jew; the rest of us only have those There is no greater joy and pleasure small windows of Shabbos and davening and the like. However, in the world than that of being a when the construction is almost complete, even a hired hand who Jew. has no personal interest in the outcome, even passersby walking on working hard and forcing TIME FOR PLEASURE down the street and seeing a new oneself, with pleasure being In any creative process, there building going up, begin to catch reserved for the Divine revelation is the anticipation of pleasure that the excitement which is a in the times of Moshiach. To drives the desire to create, and foretaste of the pleasure in the serve G-d with joy is essential, then there is the pleasure that one finished product. It is because we and obviously there is great experiences all the way at the end are the lowest generation that we enjoyment and fulfillment in that, after successfully completing the are so close to the end, and it is but to serve Him “with pleasure” project and beholding the finished because we are so close to the is reserved for those who “see product. So, when it comes to the end that we can actually relate to, their [future] world in their Creation of the world, the and begin to experience, the lifetimes.” Midrash tells us that G-d had a pleasure and delight that Hashem At one of the first Chassidic “taava (desire) for a dwelling in has in His world and Creation, farbrengens that I attended, the the lower realms,” to describe the and express this in our study of speaker repeated with great gusto Divine anticipation of pleasure Torah and performance of and in detail the lengthy prior to Creation. Torah also tells mitzvos. description of the Rebbe (R’ei us in many places of the Four years later, in the year 5710, paragraphs 7,8) about the unbelievable spiritual delights of 5752, the Rebbe told us that the differences between Chabad the World to Come as an lesson to be learned from the Chassidim and other Chassidim. expression of G-d’s delight in the name of the Rebbetzin is the need The gist of it was that a Chabad completion of the project. to serve G-d with pleasure and Chassid has it difficult in this Even though the full pleasure beautifying His dwelling as the world and the next, but ultimately is not revealed until the end, it final preparation for the in the long run, it will prove to was there all along driving the revelation of G-d Himself in His have been worth it. (That was a whole process, but from behind dwelling with the coming of really uplifting and reassuring the scenes. Along the way, when Moshiach. Eighteen years after message for someone first getting certain key stages of the process that, we need to reject the old his toes wet...) So what changed? are completed we might get a way of relating to ourselves (and How is it that now the Rebbe is glimpse of the pleasure that is especially the children) as people speaking in terms of serving G-d behind the total effort. Similarly, who don’t want to serve G-d but with pleasure as something that in the close to six thousand year force themselves to do so out of a everyone can and must do, and project of making this world into sense of compulsory obligation even increase? In fact, later in the a dwelling for G-d, we have and realize that we have been same sicha the Rebbe discusses weekly breaks in the work when given the ability to taste the the need for an increase in the we can get a small taste of pleasures of being able to give G-d service of G-d with pleasure in “completion,” as well as the what he wants. And in honor of the context of the “descent of the celebration of certain holidays the New Year for trees may we generations.” How does being that represent landmark witness the going forth of “a “lower” bring out in us a breakthroughs in the millennia shoot shall spring from the stem “higher” level of serving G-d? long struggle to fulfill our of Yishai” in the form of mission. Moshiach coming to redeem us immediately, NOW!

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shlichus SAVING SOULS IN NEW DELHI

By Nosson Avrohom New Delhi is one of the largest and most polluted cities in the world, but despite the difficult conditions, the great distance and the terrible loneliness, Rabbi and Mrs. Shmuel Scharf illuminating the city with Torah and spreading the wellsprings of Chassidus, often with amazing results.

Your first impression, if you were From the alleyways waft the strong the easy way out,” said Rabbi to land in Delhi, capitol of India, odors of cow dung along with the Shmuel Scharf, who has been wouldn’t be that positive. You would scent of Eastern spices and dense running the Chabad house for the probably notice the pollution, the smoke that rises skyward into a past six years. “When he realized crowding, the smells, the noise and heavy, odoriferous cloud. that they congregate in the most the nonstop distractions, long before There are cheap guesthouses and unpleasant and filthiest area in you would notice the charm of the stations for the train and bus, and Delhi, he decided that’s where he city that attracts millions of tourists the airport is nearby, making it needs to be too. per year. Every backpacker who altogether an attractive destination. “He rented a room in a plans a trip to India passes through Delhi is the main hub of India. guesthouse on the main street and Delhi, whether he is heading north No wonder, then, that it was here began giving shiurim and hosting big to the Himalayas or east to the that the first Chabad house on the Shabbos meals. Within a short time ghettos of Varsani. continent was opened in 5752/1992 he had a group of young people The chaotic Main Bazaar is by Rabbi Nachman Nachmanson. around him who became his where you will find plenty of Israeli From here he went to other cities talmidim. Many of them have tourists. There is heavy traffic of and Jewish communities in order to become baalei t’shuva and cars, rickshaws, scooters and trucks, strengthen them. established Chassidishe homes. alongside processions of cows, “He wanted to reach the Israeli “After he got married he returned goats, sheep, and colorful birds. backpackers and he didn’t look for to Delhi with his wife for another

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fallen into drug use, and even tourists who are stuck without money to return to Israel. “We don’t wait for tourists to come to the Chabad house; we go out looking for them in the street. I constantly meet people who say that the fact that there is a Chabad house here strengthens them even if they don’t walk in.” When I asked R’ Scharf about the difficulties inherent in working in a country like India - and all the more so in a city like Delhi, which is probably the filthiest of all the other cities on the continent - he said: “People think that this shlichus is hard work, but it’s not so. It’s all a matter of perspective. Is the life of a Lubavitcher young man who is learning in Kollel and supporting a family easier? Is the life of an electrician who works from sunup to sundown to make a living harder? “We work for the Rebbe. Either we can sit and cry about how the conditions here hamper our efforts and New Delhi is not Crown Heights or Kfar Chabad, or we can throw ourselves into the work to light up yet another lost and confused soul and direct him to the truth. The difference between the Rabbi Shmuel Scharf with Israeli tourists in New Delhi way a Chassid and a Misnaged relate to the 613 mitzvos is that a two years of massive shlichus work. house, he gave the responsibility Misnaged views them as burdens Even afterwards, he didn’t drop his over to me. A bachur myself, I sent while a Chassid sees them as project, and he would send two bachurim there to keep up the place. privileges. We are happy to be in the bachurim from 770 each season to After I got married I set out together Rebbe’s army of shluchim and if we work there. He bought s’farim and with my wife and we’ve been on look at it this way, we don’t get distributed them to faraway shlichus here ever since.” tripped up by the difficulties.” communities. He was the Nachshon “In one of the first years here, I ben Aminadav of the tremendous NO SIMPLE urgently needed tens of thousands of work taking place today in India.” TEST OF FAITH dollars in order to pay off some R’ Scharf first arrived in Delhi debts that had accrued. I was with the help of R’ Nachmanson in The work in Delhi is extensive, embarrassed to show my face to the 5764, after he finished learning on constant and far ranging. Hundreds vegetable guy or the travel agent. I K’vutza. of people put on t’fillin every day used roundabout routes so I “I came before Chanuka and and there are innumerable one-on- wouldn’t meet them. Those were manned the Chabad house for seven one conversations. The place is a very hard times and we had no months, after which I returned to spiritual and physical lighthouse for money at all for food. 770 laden with experiences and those who want to learn about “We did not yet have a source of memories. When R’ Nachmanson Judaism, Jews who need medical income but we went on shlichus could no longer run the Chabad treatment, backpackers who have l’chat’chilla aribber. I had never

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AN UNUSUAL ONE IN A BILLION ONEG SHABBOS “After the devastating attack in Bombay,” says R’ Shneur Kupchik, The nature of the outreach in “many journalists came and wanted to interview us. One Friday, a Delhi, and in India in general, often woman from the Times of India came. She asked questions and I said has the shluchim finding themselves that if she wanted a scoop she should come the following Sunday, the playing a part in amazing stories of first night of Chanuka, and take pictures. She liked the idea and asked soul journeys. There’s a great that she be the only journalist present. openness on the part of the tourists “Some people at the Chabad house didn’t think this was a good idea and Jewish businessmen. The search and said that reporters always write what they want and not what you for meaning and the feeling that we want them to say. What do we need, that another million Indians hear are one people is strong. R’ Scharf about Chanuka, asked the bachur who was on shlichus with me, but I has many examples but we asked insisted that the Rebbe is in favor of publicity and who knows who will him to choose one special one. end up reading it? “When I first came here after “The reporter came and wrote her story. As my friend had predicted K’vutza, the Chabad house was and to our dismay, she wrote what she wanted. A few hours went by located in a small guesthouse that and a fine looking Jew of Indian origin, a businessman, walked in and consisted of just two rooms. There said that he didn’t know where to light candles that night and then he was another bachur with me. Our saw the article about us in the Times … resources were meager and it was “My frustration dissipated. For one Jew all the effort was only when the visitors went on their worthwhile.” way at the end of the day that we could go to sleep. “One Erev Shabbos, a very Hundreds of people put on t’fillin every wealthy person came to visit. He was there on business. About a hundred day and there are innumerable one-on- people were there for the meal. Stories and divrei Torah were told one conversations. The place is a and the atmosphere was magical, like every Shabbos. At the end of the spiritual and physical lighthouse for meal he asked us about our living those who want to learn about Judaism, conditions and whether it wasn’t hard for us. We told him that we Jews who need medical treatment, slept right there, and would pull out the two mattresses that were in a backpackers who have fallen into drug corner. He told us that he had paid for two rooms at a hotel nearby and use, and even tourists who are stuck he invited us to come and sleep in one of those rooms, at least for without money to return to Israel. Shabbos. We were happy to accept gone abroad fundraising but now I trip. A few days went by with no his invitation. had no choice; we were over our change in the situation. The test of “I went over to the hotel, while heads. My wife agreed to the trip, emuna was a tough one. my fellow bachur remained at the and I wrote to the Rebbe. The “One day, a Jew walked in and Chabad house to learn Rambam and Rebbe’s answer left no room for was aghast at our living conditions Chitas. I asked him to close all the doubt about what I needed to do: and I explained about the big debts I doors when he left. He came to the Regarding your question about had. I had no idea who he was or hotel when I was already sleeping. I your trip, put it out of your mind what his financial state was. He left had a great night’s sleep after and stay where you are and spread the Chabad house without saying a months of sleeping on a mattress on the wellsprings, and Hashem will word. A few days went by and I the floor. In the morning I woke up take care of your personal and forgot about him. When I went to first and went over to the Chabad general matters. check my bank account I was house, where I was surprised to find “When I read that answer I shocked to discover that he had the door open, and I suspected canceled my plans of a fundraising covered my debts.” someone had broken in.

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“Frightened, I quickly checked to see that the Torah scroll was in place, as well as our important documents. After ascertaining that all was in order, I figured that my friend had forgotten to close the door when he left. Later on there was a minyan and a seuda fit for a king. “On Motzaei Shabbos I went down to check our email when an Israel girl came over to me and said she wanted to apologize. She said she came from a family that was particular about making kiddush every Friday night and having a meal together, but she had rebelled. When Shabbos began she would go to Rabbi Shmuel Scharf with some backpackers at the Chabad house sleep, then wake up at four in the morning and go to the kitchen to I was very surprised to see him walk eat. That was her oneg Shabbos. She had spend half a year in India into the Chabad house the next day and she kept up her custom here too. with a ring he had bought in the local “The night before, she woke up market with a name of an idol etched towards morning and walked through the deserted streets to the on it. He had come to ask me whether I Chabad house. She felt she had to eat something hot or some food that thought it was nice. she associated with Shabbos. When she arrived at the entrance to the email or phone and even visits to surprised to see him walk into the Chabad house she was surprised to their homes in Eretz Yisroel. Chabad house the next day with a see the door open. She hesitated but There was a young man who ring he had bought in the local finally went in and saw, to her joined us for a Shabbos meal. His market with a name of an idol surprise, that no one was around. attitude towards Judaism was etched on it. He had come to ask me The refrigerator with the salads and negative and disparaging. He had whether I thought it was nice. Shabbos food enticed her and she preconceived notions about Judaism “I told him sharply to get it off filled a plate with Shabbos food and and religious people, not to mention his finger. He played dumb and once sat down to eat. That’s why she Moshiach. The rabbi of his again we spoke at length about our wanted to apologize. Of course I neighborhood had filled his head special qualities as opposed to other told her there was nothing to be with anti-Chabad sentiments. The nations. I kept urging him to write sorry about and I told her what had first time we met was at a Shabbos to the Rebbe until he finally acceded. happened. meal. We spoke about the Besuras At first he didn’t take it too seriously “That businessman thought he ha’Geula and the identity of the but when he began reading the came here on business, but really he Goel. Even after everybody else left answer he was shaken up by it. To was here to cause a Jewish woman he remained and we got into a good tell you the truth, so was I. The to have oneg Shabbos.” conversation. Rebbe wrote about jewelry and rings I saw that he had a strong pull that have holy names etched on FROM DELHI TO 770 towards his roots but he was trying them, that there is a problem Delhi is usually just a way station to resist it. We spent a lot of time wearing them since during the day a for the tourists, but despite their talking about the uniqueness of our person enters impure places. short stay, their connection with the people as opposed to all the idol “He immediately removed the Chabad house often continues via worship in India. So I was very ring but apparently the ‘other side’

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what that means, he snickered. He CHASSIDISHE NESHAMOS RETURN said he was very far from taking a R’ Scharf relates: step like that. The next time I met On one of the Shabbasos before Yud-Tes Kislev, about thirty him was in 770 a year and a half backpackers sat down to a Shabbos meal. We went from guest to guest, later. asking each to tell a story or start a song. When it was the turn of a “I knew that he had left the Far middle-aged woman she told us that until age 14 she was a Lubavitcher East and was working in Georgia in and had gone to a Chabad school but then she left it all. That night, her the US, so the next time I was in husband, who had joined her on this trip to India, wanted to visit the America I called him up. He told me Chabad house. She went along with him and she said she felt she had he was working for a contractor and returned home. Since we had a real Lubavitcher like her present, we was happy with his job. I asked him began to sing “Pada V’Shalom.” to come and visit us in 770 and to We continued going around the room until we got up to a man in my delight, he agreed. When he his eighties who also surprised us by saying, “I am a Lubavitcher.” He showed up, I gave him a tour of the said that he had learned in Tomchei Tmimim in Pardes in Lud. He went building and we learned the to yeshiva at age 12 but his mother pulled him out at 16, after the beginning of kuntres Beis Rabbeinu massacre in Kfar Chabad. When he insisted on returning to yeshiva, his Sh’B’Bavel. I suggested once again mother cut the tires on his bicycle so he couldn’t get there. Till this day that he should write to the Rebbe. he does not forgive her for that. “He wrote and opened to the He went on to say, proudly, that he has a Lubavitcher son. He told same answer he had opened to in stories about the yeshiva in Lud. I told him that he had made a tikkun India. We were both shaken by this. for leaving yeshiva for despite the warnings about attacks on Chabad We considered this open Hashgacha houses and the attractions that enticed people out there, he had come Pratis. The Rebbe told him to learn to the Chabad house. in Tomchei Tmimim in his city and Two former Lubavitchers at one meal! I found this exciting but there to have an influence on his was more to come. I went on to tell everybody a story about R’ Mendel surroundings. He asked me what he and then continued going around the table. The next person was also should do since in the city he was an older man, an Israeli with Russian roots. ‘What did you say his working in, there were only three name was? Futerfas?’ he asked. ‘I was one of his talmidim in Jews. I gave him some s’farim and Samarkand before he left for Israel.’ suggested that he put t’fillin on with He went on to tell some of his own stories from the days of mesirus his friends and learn with them. A nefesh behind the Iron Curtain. few months went by and we met in By the end of the meal I just couldn’t get over it. With the Chag Israel and I saw he was ripe for a HaGeula approaching, Chassidishe neshamos were redeemed and came change. I convinced him to go and home. learn in Tzfas and the rest is history. Today he is learning in 770.” There are numerous stories like this, says R’ Scharf. The In that letter the Rebbe wrote that he phenomenon of Jews writing to the Rebbe at Chabad houses in India is should go to Tomchei Tmimim. When I very widespread. told him what that means, he snickered. We heard another fascinating story from Rabbi Shneur Kupchik, He said he was very far from taking a who is also on shlichus in Delhi. “There is a kibbutznik by the step like that. The next time I met him name of Alon who became very involved in Judaism through the was in 770 a year and a half later. shluchim in India. He learns and knows the D’var Malchus, and puts works overtime and so he said: ‘But “Of course I explained that the on Chabad t’fillin. B’pnimius he is a the Rebbe didn’t answer the Rebbe answers about what he thinks Chassid but for various reasons it is question I asked. I asked about needs a response. In that letter the hard for him to change his habits family matters and the Rebbe Rebbe wrote that he should go to and to become a full fledged Torah answered me about a ring?’ Tomchei Tmimim. When I told him observant Jew.

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“During one of his frequent visits to India, he visited us. It was shortly before 19 Kislev. He was on his way to Goa but there was no Chabad house there at that time and I asked him to spend another week in Delhi so he could farbreng with us. He conceded to remain until after Shabbos. “Throughout that Shabbos I took every opportunity to call him ‘the director of the Chabad house of Goa.’ I announced that he had decided to open a Chabad house and many people looked surprised to see someone with a shaven head and a transient kippa getting all these honors. With a group of mekuravim “At the aliyos to the Torah our custom is to make a good hachlata rather than a monetary contribution. When he had his aliya I suggested that his pledge should be to have a farbrengen on 19 Kislev, and he agreed. I didn’t actually believe for a minute that he would have a farbrengen or open a Chabad house, but many things are said and you can’t always know what will “catch” in the end. “From the day he left, I didn’t stop getting reports from Goa. Tourists who went there and came to us told us about the kibbutznik who rented a wooden hut on the beach, hung up a Moshiach flag and asked A shiur-farbrengen at the Chabad house passersby to put on t’fillin. He attempts to stop them failed. For stories of Hashgacha Pratis or teamed up with another kibbutznik hours tourists sat and heard about miracles that our guests and together they put t’fillin on Chassidus and the Rebbe, about experienced,” said R’ Kupchik. “The hundreds of backpackers. Igros Kodesh and the imminent impact this has on the others present “A few months later the person Geula. That’s when we realized that is a dozen times more effective than from HaBayis HaYehudi (a Breslov he really took his hachlata seriously. if I would get up and speak about kiruv organization) in Goa came to emuna and hashgacha pratis. I have us and asked me why we sent many examples of situations like someone to ‘his territory’ to make a A JEW DOESN’T these, but I’ll tell you one special farbrengen. BOW TO A GOY one. “At first I had no idea what he At the Shabbos meals in Delhi “On a summer Shabbos last year, was talking about. He said that on they ask each person in turn to I asked one of the guests to speak. 19 Kislev, a young Israeli named request a particular niggun, tell a He was an Israeli who had left his Alon walked into the kiruv center story or ask a question that bothers wife an aguna in Eretz Yisroel and holding a bottle of mashke and he them. spent years traveling through India gathered all the Israelis there and “We often find ourselves and Thailand. He said that he had announced a Chassidishe speechless when we hear amazing met a non-Jewish woman in farbrengen. All his (the Breslover’s)

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by saying that he was going to take He remained standing while his this opportunity to thank G-d for girlfriend pulled on his sleeve and the miracle.” pleaded with him to give respect to the WHAT A BRIEF VISIT monk. After a few moments the monk CAN ACCOMPLISH Since tourists rarely spend much asked him whether he was Jewish and time in Delhi, it’s very hard to invest a lot into people and most of the when he said he was, the monk outreach is sporadic. We asked R’ Kupchik how they manage in those chastised the woman, ‘How are you not circumstances to touch a Jewish embarrassed to ask him to bow to me? neshama. “First, our goal is to welcome the You and I need to bow to him!’ tourists. There are many tourists who never walked into Chabad Thailand who was related to the “A story like this, told by houses back in Israel and have little Thai royal family. One day, she someone not religious and heard by intention of doing so in India either. asked him to accompany her to a dozens of tourists who just started We need to give them a taste of what monk that even the king visited and their tour and were going to it’s like so as they travel onwards consulted. He willingly agreed. As encounter all sorts of ‘religious’ they will visit other Chabad houses. soon as they walked in and saw the people on their travels, is very “The typical backpacker, when monk, she bowed before him, but powerful.” he first arrives in India, is taken the Israeli decided that he was a As for miracle stories: aback by the living conditions here, proud Jew and he wouldn’t bow. “This past Rosh HaShana by the filth and chaos. Feeling out of “He explained to the dozens of someone got up and said how he place, it is highly likely that he will wide-eyed guests at the Chabad was saved from the tsunami that look for something that reminds him house that he doesn’t know where struck a few years ago. He said that of home and will walk into a Chabad this resolution came from but he he and about another hundred house. If he has a positive remained standing while his Israelis were on an island near experience, he will continue to visit girlfriend pulled on his sleeve and Thailand and that morning they Chabad houses in the other stops pleaded with him to give respect to noticed bigger waves than usual along his route. the monk. After a few moments the washing over their chairs on the “Second, we always make the monk asked him whether he was beach. But they had no idea what effort to sit down with a person and Jewish and when he said he was, the devastation this was causing on learn something, even if the tourist monk looked at the woman and other islands. Their biggest worry will be in Delhi for only one day. chastised her, ‘How are you not was that coconuts shouldn’t fall on Sometimes we learn the first chapter embarrassed to ask him to bow to their heads because of the force of of Tanya or some other work and we me? You and I need to bow to him!’ the wind. suggest that as they travel, they stop He certainly didn’t anticipate that! “They continued to spend their in at other Chabad houses and “They were together for some time relaxing in hammocks, thinking continue learning. time until one day she got sick and that this must be a regular “A visit of just an hour can do tired of the frequent insults he phenomenon on that particular wonders. I recently met a directed at her and she left him. He island. Even the screams that they Chassidishe young man who I didn’t began thinking of his future and he heard from other islands didn’t recognize. He reminded me that he decided to return to Israel and distract them. It was only the next had met me a few years ago in a reunite with his wife and children. day when they heard the news that friend’s apartment. My wife and I When he finished his story he went they realized what a miracle they had had gotten to know this friend in back to the point of a Jew not experienced. The tsunami had killed India, and stopped in at his home in bowing to a goy and how even one hundreds of thousands of people but Israel before Pesach to give him of the most revered monks in for some reason it had bypassed shmura matza. Our visit and our Thailand gave his approval. their island. He concluded the story concern had made a big impression on his guest and spurred him on in

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his journey towards Chassidus. Today he is a Lubavitcher and he got married a few months ago.” When I asked R’ Scharf what his shlichus focuses on, he answered without hesitation: “publicizing the Besuras HaGeula.” “We don’t spread Moshiach,” he said with a smile. “We try to live Moshiach and people who come into the Chabad house live it together with us. They come with a great willingness to listen; they are looking for meaning and eternal truths. Most of them are disgusted by the lies of the world. They don’t blink when we talk to them about Moshiach. Some of them ask questions and we are A tourist lighting the menora happy to learn with them. didn’t understand much but before attention. I was left to think about “On Simchas Torah I was she left she told my wife, ‘It seems life on shlichus and endless giving. engaged in a discussion with three that your husband is telling the There is no coasting here. In the girls who belonged to the religious- truth; I sense that this is authentic months to come R’ Shneur Kupchik nationalist movement and they asked Judaism. I see how he’s on fire.’” plans on returning to Delhi after a me questions about the belief that break of a few months, for the the Rebbe is chai v’kayam and *** purpose of founding another branch whether he will be the one to redeem The interview with R’ Scharf which will focus on working with the us. took place in intervals, since every local Jewish community that is “Another girl, from an irreligious few minutes someone else walked in developing in Delhi. home, listened on the side. She and he had to give the tourist his full LIVE SHIURIM 0NLINE Anywhere, Anytime ! CHITAS INYONEI GEULA j,ww, & MOSHIACH unahj dtukv gbhbh RAMBAM rncwwo SHIURIM IN LIKUTEI ckeuyh ahgurho SICHOS KODESH eusa ahju,

hjh tsubhbu nurbu urcbu nkl vnahj kguko ugs kguko vnahj nkl urcbu nurbu tsubhbu hjh

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stories for 22 shvat

Consideration for another person’s dignity was extremely important to her. Her vatronus MY (personal sacrifice for others) was legendary, and it was all done modestly. Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka stayed away from the spotlight even though she wasn’t shy by nature. REBBETZIN She had a powerful personality and possessed an impressive degree of creativity and initiative, as well as tremendous courage. She was By H. Ben Yishai determined about everything she did. Her father, the Rebbe Rayatz, often appointed her for secret missions Personal stories about women’s because she was capable and brave. She was a very intelligent woman connection with Rebbetzin Chaya and could have been a public figure, a famous personality in her own Mushka a”h, presented for her yahrtzait right, not to mention the honors she on 22 Shvat. could have accepted as the wife of a great man, but she chose and SHUNNING THE thrilled that the Rebbe had so preferred to shun publicity. That was her greatness – that she chose not to LIMELIGHT immediately “paid” me a for the program, but what, when, how? shine at the expense of others, even “Twelve years ago,” relates Mrs. “This is the story: if someone else being hurt was only Daniella Golan, founder and dean of “A religious woman from a remote possibility. Ohr Chaya for women, “the shock Yerushalayim shopping in a grocery of the Rebbetzin’s passing was still store in New York, found a dollar THE REBBETZIN WHO strong, as though a full decade with Hebrew writing on it among hadn’t already passed. I thought GAVE US THE REBBE her change. From the inscription, about how the Rebbe would Rebbetzin Leah Kahn was a close ‘give it to tz’daka in Eretz Yisroel,’ probably have urged us to mark the friend of the Rebbetzin. She was she realized that this was a dollar occasion. In my mind’s eye I could asked by one of the teachers at the from the Rebbe and was very see the Rebbe waving his hand to Chabad high school in Beitar Ilit: precious. She wanted to give it to a encourage the Chassidim to take What is the Rebbetzin’s main Lubavitcher, but the only one she action, and I decided to do message for us? knew was a former teacher at Neve, something. “The Rebbetzin was a modest Rabbi Yehoshua Appel. “At the time there were two woman. She did the will of Hashem “Upon her return to Eretz religious radio stations in Israel: only and that was that, without Yisroel, she contacted him and he Channel 7 (Arutz Sheva) in Beit El personal calculations. made a special trip to Neve Yaakov and Kol Chai. I contacted Rebbetzin “It is natural for us to want to to get the dollar from her. Melamed of Channel 7 and got a stake a spot for ourselves. Each of “When she asked him to give the peak programming slot for eight us wants to express ourselves, our dollar to Lubavitchers, R’ Appel said, p.m., in memory of the Rebbetzin. talents, and our abilities and to be ‘Tomorrow is Yud Shvat and there is When we broadcast, I linked up with successful. But for the Rebbetzin, a big event at Ohr Chaya. Rebbetzin Leah Kahn of Crown everything about her was directed Apparently I was meant to give the Heights, who told about her towards doing what needed to be dollar to Daniella Golan of Ohr relationship with the Rebbetzin. done even if it was at the expense of Chaya.’ “After the broadcast I went back her personal interests. “And the dollar got to me at just to Yerushalayim. As soon as I walked “Though the Rebbe and the right moment.” in the door, the phone rang. To my Rebbetzin are on a level we can What should we learn from the surprise, the caller informed me that barely comprehend, much less relate Rebbetzin? I had a dollar from the Rebbe. I was to, there is still much we can learn

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from them. We live in a time when if something doesn’t work out, we fall apart. It’s hard for us to tolerate a situation when it doesn’t go our way. The Rebbetzin, on the other hand, completely negated her personal will. “She gave her husband over to the Chassidim. The Rebbe spent days and nights in 770. She rarely saw him over Shabbos and Yom Tov. Yet the Rebbetzin never let the Rebbe get the feeling that she minded. She did everything she could to ensure that the Rebbe wouldn’t worry about her, for she knew that he needed to be available to the public. She once fell and broke her arm and she hid her arm under the table so the Rebbe wouldn’t realize that something happened. She didn’t want to take his time. What is time? Time is something whose worth depends on how a person views and utilizes it. Every person can do something big with his life. The Rebbetzin did this daily. “Some people might say, ‘That’s not surprising because she’s the Rebbetzin.’ She, too, was a person of this world, and she also definitely had challenges which she withstood. But she knew that in order to achieve her goal, she needed utter bittul. That is her message for us.”

THE REBBETZIN’S SHAWL Mrs. Orit Greenberg of Beit Shemesh relates: The Rebbe spent days and nights in 770. “Since I was little, I always knew She rarely saw him over Shabbos and what I wanted to be when I grew up: a mother to many children. I waited Yom Tov. Yet the Rebbetzin never let the impatiently for four long years after my wedding until our oldest Rebbe get the feeling that she minded. daughter, Chaya Mushka, was born. “Shortly after she was born, the She did everything she could to ensure Rebbe appeared to me in a dream. He smiled at me and thanked me that the Rebbe wouldn’t worry about warmly for calling my daughter after her, for she knew that he needed to be the Rebbetzin. He also gave me some items of the Rebbetzin. I available to the public.

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your car, you can forget about it,” The policeman answered apathetically, and he did nothing to help. “Lady, if an Arab took your car, you can I woke up relieved that it was just a dream. The next day my husband forget about it,” and he did nothing to took the car and stopped to buy oranges, leaving the keys in the car help. with the motor running. An Arab got in and drove off laughing, just as I noticed one that was beige-pink in that I have a son. Then I opened the had seen in the dream. My husband color. Igros Kodesh to an amazing answer. tried stopping a police car that “After Chaya Mushka we had a First, the Rebbe wrote about passed by but the policemen weren’t couple more, but then we had a yeshivas Tomchei Tmimim, to make interested. We didn’t see the car break which really bothered me. I sure that there were good talmidim again. yearned for more children. so they wouldn’t have to leave the Shortly afterwards, on Lag “Four years ago, at an Ohr yeshiva, and that the children needed B’Omer, I had another dream in Chaya event for 22 Shvat, there was to receive a good chinuch so they which I saw a large group of women an auction. The prize was a shawl would be Tmimim. Second, there walking together on the left. I had that was made out of something was a bracha that referred to the my daughter Elisheva with me but belonging to the Rebbetzin. The Gemara in Erchin that talks about then she suddenly disappeared into money would go towards Hachnasas the dispute between the Sages about the crowd. I began looking for her, Kalla. When I saw the shawl I a leap year, whether it is to fill the running here and there. My search immediately recognized it as the one lack of that year or of the previous led me to a building where I saw the Rebbe had given me in the years. The letter ended with the many women waiting downstairs. I dream. I felt it was my opportunity words: this is the inyan of the asked them what they were there for and decided I had to get that shawl. month of ibur (the significance and they said that the Rebbetzin was I joined the bidding, ignoring my being that ibur means pregnancy). receiving people and they were all apprehensions about how we would “It was 22 Shvat when I got the waiting to get a bracha. be able to afford it. The price went good news. The pregnancy was On one of the floors of the up and up until finally, at 9000 neither easy nor simple, but we building I saw a door that was half shekels, the shawl was mine. knew it was blessed. Dovber was open and I could see my little girl “Daniella blessed me that I born on 18 Cheshvan, 5768. standing there with her knapsack. I should have a son, a tzaddik. I called rushed in to take her when to my my husband and told him that I had THE DOLLAR FULFILLED surprise, I was facing the Rebbetzin. bought the Rebbetzin’s shawl. I told ITS DESTINY Although I had not met her before, I him how much it cost, and we knew right away that it was I, the author of this article, also committed to making ten monthly Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka. She was have a personal story about the payments for it. dressed in white and a tremendous Rebbetzin. It was Lag B’Omer, 15 “We began paying if off and saw light radiated about her. Her face years ago. We were new to Beitar the bracha right away. First, my in- was pretty and refined and she and one of my girls, four year old laws decided to give us 11,000 smiled at me. There was another Elisheva, went to Gan Chabad. shekels without even knowing the woman beside her and I realized she We had an old Subaru at the story. Then I was accepted to a was the Rebbetzin’s shomeret. I felt time. One night I had a dream that I computer course which soon earned uncomfortable about having barged was traveling with my daughter in me a job. Third, my husband also in without permission and I wanted the car and I stopped on the side of had special bracha in his parnasa to retreat with my daughter. the road to look at some beautiful that year. But the bracha I wanted The Rebbetzin smilingly flowers in the field. I got out and, the most still eluded us. reassured me in Yiddish that while my attention was diverted, an “We thought maybe we had to everything was all right. She said Arab entered the car and drove off. I finish with all the post-dated checks. sheina meidele (nice girl) and could see him laughing at us. I went When Shvat rolled around once blessed my daughter. I was thrilled to the nearest police station and again and the last payment was about this and the dream ended. asked the policemen to chase after made, I felt that we had a z’chus. “I A short while later, my daughter the Arab. The policeman answered put the shawl on my shoulders and went to school one morning and apathetically, “Lady, if an Arab took davened with tears and great kavana crossed the street by herself. There

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was a car speeding through the ended up enjoying it very much. my mother had an amazing and intersection, and it only stopped at On Motzaei Shabbos, shortly speedy recovery. After a short time the last second. It was a miracle that before leaving, I heard my name she back home, and fully she wasn’t hurt. I felt that her life announced over the loudspeaker. To independent. It was a miracle and I had been saved thanks to the my surprise, I had won a raffle. Out felt that the dollar saved her life. She Rebbetzin’s bracha. of hundreds of women, I had won a was unwilling to part with the *** dollar from the Rebbe in an elegant framed dollar after that. I want to conclude with a story frame. When my mother became sick that happened on 22 Shvat, 5764. In A few months later, my mother again some time later and was honor of the Rebbetzin’s yahrtzait was sick with heart disease and was hospitalized, she took the dollar with we had a gathering in Nir Etzyon. hospitalized in Haddasah Ein her. She went in and out of the That Shabbos was especially cold Kerem. The doctors prepared us for hospital several times and in between and I did not plan on attending, but the worst but we witnessed a series hospitalizations she stayed at my a friend from Beitar who had to of miracles. During her long brother’s house. One day, I cancel her plans at the last minute, recovery, she used an oxygen mask discovered that the dollar was convinced me to go in her place. I nearly the entire time and was missing. We looked everywhere but was cold and not feeling well and I extremely weak. Walking was very could not find it. My mother’s must admit that I did not go hard for her. condition worsened and she died the wholeheartedly. One day, I remembered the morning of Lag B’Omer, 5767. At first I was sorry I went. It was dollar I had won and brought it to After her passing, the dollar was so cold and my head hurt. I just my mother and placed it near her. suddenly found and returned to my wanted to get into bed and sleep. My daughter suddenly noticed that house. It had done its duty and had But the warm atmosphere soon drew the oxygen mask was disconnected been the z’chus for my mother to me in. I began to feel better and I and was empty. From that point on, live an additional two years.

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BEIS MOSHIACH Issue 728 21 728_B_Beis Moshiach 25/01/2010 8:19 AM Page 22

feature

to share our lives together. We rented an apartment in Paris, moved our furniture and possessions, and THE REBBE settled into our new home together. “After a very short time, for no apparent reason, something inexplicably changed within me. One day, I was sitting in the apartment BROUGHT ME when I was suddenly struck with an irrationally strong Jewish feeling. I felt a tremendous urge for Judaism, and knew I had to find a shul nearby where I could give expression to BACK these strong religious sentiments. “I got to shul at Mincha time and I immediately felt calm. It was at this shul that I took my first step towards By Shneur Elias Judaism.

R’ Moshe Katan is a shliach in Givat Shaul in Yerushalayim. He goes from store to store and encourages Jews from all walks of life in their religious observance. He spreads the wellsprings and the Besuras HaGeula wherever he goes. In the course of his work, Moshe started a shiur with some people from the business district. The shiur takes place every Thursday and lasts half an hour. Last week one of the participants approached Moshe after the shiur. The man is religious but not a Lubavitcher, sporting a black yarmulke and a beard. We’ll call him Yitzchok. “I have a story for you that I think you’ll find very interesting,” Yitzchok began. “It is also the reason that I began attending shiurim with Chabad. “I was born in a typical French home to parents who were Holocaust survivors. After their world was destroyed, they started life anew in France and blended in well with non-Jewish society, completely dropping their Jewish identity. I grew up like any French kid and didn’t give a thought to the fact that I was Jewish. “I met a local non-Jewish girl and had no qualms about deciding The Rebbe while in Paris

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“When I got home, something within me urged me not to let things remain as they were. I had to do something about my relationship. I spoke to her a bit and explained that since I was Jewish and she was not, there was no future for a relationship like this. “After we broke up, I got more and more involved in Judaism, participating in Torah classes and confident that I was on the right track. “A few months went by and I decided to make aliya in order to progress on my newfound path. I settled in Tzfas, where I worked as a dentist. I was involved with various The Rebbe and Rebbetzin’s apartment Chassidic groups and attended many shiurim, but I stayed away from After a very short time, for no apparent Chabad. “Over the years I observed reason, something inexplicably changed something odd; every baal t’shuva within me. One day, I was sitting in the had someone to whom they credited their becoming religious, but I had apartment when I was suddenly struck no such person. Twenty years had passed and I was still wondering with an irrationally strong Jewish how an assimilated French Jew like myself had been inspired with such a feeling. I felt a tremendous urge for strong feeling, out of the blue. “About two years ago I came Judaism, and knew I had to find a shul across a French newspaper. While nearby where I could give expression to leafing through it, a fascinating article caught my attention. It was these strong religious sentiments. about the Lubavitcher Rebbe getting a degree in Paris. The article my astonishing discovery. The aroused my G-dly spark. Now, mentioned where the Rebbe had Lubavitcher Rebbe’s first floor twenty years later, I know to whom I resided in Paris – Rue de Beaulard apartment was precisely the address need to say thank you. I went to No. 9 in the 14th arondissement – that I had rented, where I had Rabbi Abuchatzeira and told him the and bells began going off in my experienced that baffling spiritual story behind my t’shuva. head. I tried and tried to figure out urge towards Judaism! That was the ‘Why are you surprised that you why that address was familiar to me. explanation for the sudden dramatic became a baal t’shuva when you “The matter dominated my change in my life! lived in the Rebbe’s house?’ he thoughts for an entire day. When it “That’s when I realized that the responded.” finally came to me, I was stunned by Rebbe’s holiness in that place had

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moshiach & geula

drought that lasted a long time. One day, the mufti and other prominent men met to discuss the dire BELIEVING situation. One of the mufti’s advisors said, “The only ones who can help us are the Jews. If they pray to their G-d, there will be relief. I suggest that we announce that if ALL THE WAY within three days there is no rainfall, all the Jews will be expelled from the city. You’ll see that rain will fall.” The mufti agreed and quickly By Dafna Chaim implemented the plan. When the Jewish community heard about the new decree, they gathered in shul. Throughout the years, the Rebbe didn’t They fasted and cried but to no avail. The sun shone and there was stop talking about Moshiach. As no rain. On the evening of the second day, the Chacham, Rabbi Chassidim of the Rebbe, this must be Moshe Galanti (lived circa 1660’s), our all-encompassing goal as well. * At announced, “Everybody must gather tomorrow at the shul. Come in a Melaka Malka L’Kabbalas P’nei coats, scarves and boots. After Mincha we will go the gravesite of Moshiach Tzidkeinu on 28 Teves, 5752, Rabbi Shimon HaTzaddik and pray for the end of the decree.” organized by N’shei U’B’nos Chabad, The next day, hundreds of people assembled at the shul. After Mincha, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Gluckowsky, they began walking to the gravesite Rav of the Chabad k’hilla in Rechovot, of Rabbi Shimon HaTzaddik. When they got to the gates of the city, the delivered the following rousing address. guard mockingly asked, “What’s going on? Are you crazy? The sun is shining and you are wearing coats On 28 Teves, 5752/1992, a to happen. and boots?!” special Melaka Malka took place in One of the speakers who spoke The Jews responded confidently, the big zal of 770. The women of that evening was Rabbi Menachem “We are following our rabbi’s Crown Heights took the initiative to Mendel Gluckowsky and his speech instructions,” and they continued on organize a Melaveh Malka is presented here with the hope that their way. L’Kabbalas P’nei Moshiach it will restore, at least somewhat, our When they arrived at the Tzidkeinu on the birthday of fire for Moshiach. gravesite they poured out their Rebbetzin Chana. There was Standing here, I am reminded of hearts in T’hillim. Before long, a tremendous excitement in the air. a mashpia of mine, R’ Zushe wind began to blow. After another The Rebbe was rousing the people Wilmovsky a”h, who would say: chapter of T’hillim the skies clouded again and again about Moshiach and “The day will come when the Rebbe over. A light rain began to fall even galvanizing all of Anash around the will try and try and nothing will before they concluded the next world. help, and then the Rebbe will give it perek, and the drizzle soon turned I was there, and I remember the over to the women and children.” In into a downpour. electricity in the air that evening. other words, when it gets down to it, Happy and drenched, the Jews The speeches added to the uplifting the women will be the ones to bring made their way back to the city. This atmosphere. The feeling was that the Geula. time, the guard was conciliatory any minute now, that moment we There is a story that is told in rather than mocking. He ran after have all been waiting for was about Yerushalayim. Long ago there was a them and begged their pardon for having scoffed at them. The Rabbi

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said he forgave him on condition that he promise not to mock Jews again. In T’hillim it says, “We will never be embarrassed because we trusted in You,” and “Our ancestors trusted in You and were not ashamed.” Our trust and belief in Hashem will never let us down. When Nachshon ben Aminadav jumped into the sea, there were probably many who wondered why he did so and mocked his recklessness. Yet he jumped because he had utter trust in Hashem. Even when the water reached his neck, his faith did not waiver. The women who went out with tambourines after the miracle of the Splitting of the Sea displayed this same quality of faith. Their instruments did not suddenly materialize in the desert. From the time that they heard Moshe saying in the name of Hashem, “Tell the Jewish people to travel,” they packed their tambourines, confident they would soon be needed; they had already prepared a meal to greet Moshiach. On the verse, “blessed is the man who trusts in Hashem and Hashem will be his security,” it is explained that in the way that man trusts in Rabbi Menachem Mendel Gluckowsky Hashem, that is how he is requited. When we show that we are going all rabbi who is not a Lubavitcher. disappointed? the way with our emuna, that we “When I told the rabbi about the The Rebbe asks this question in really believe – a complete emuna, Yalkut Shimoni, he cooled my one of the sichos. On the one hand, not a halfhearted belief, a cautious excitement about Moshiach with the we say with complete confidence trust so as to protect us from warning, ‘Be careful so you won’t be that everything will work out well; disappointment – then Hashem is disappointed.’” on the other hand, we know that our security. The Rambam writes, “I believe there are things we don’t I visited Toronto and learned with complete faith in the coming of understand, that “this too is for the with one of the mekuravim the sicha Moshiach” – not half faith. That is best,” and “everything Hashem does, about the Yalkut Shimoni in how the Rebbe taught us, to believe He does for the good.” connection with the Gulf War. He all the way. Chassidim aren’t afraid One of the answers the Rebbe exclaimed, “Then I need to prepare! of disappointment. gives is that a Jew is a part of G-d I have to prepare my house for It happens that a person has a Above; just as Hashem can contain Moshiach. I need mezuzos.” Within tzara and is in need of a yeshua. He opposites, so can the soul of a Jew. two days he had put up 26 mezuzos is told, “Don’t worry, Hashem will This potential has been conferred on in his home! help. You will see that it will work the Jew, and we have the ability to I met him recently and he told out in the end.” How can we make believe with complete faith that me that he learns with a certain such statements? Maybe he will be everything will be fine while

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they were afraid and didn’t quite LEADER OF THE ENTIRE WORLD understand what it all signified. I went with a delegation of Chabad rabbanim to visit Rabbi R’ Chatshe told the Rebbe about Mordechai Eliyahu. We brought with us two kuntreisim of D’var their apprehensions and the Rebbe Malchus that had been published at that time. R’ Eliyahu looked said, “If the heart is not afraid, how through one of the booklets and then asked in wonder, “How does the can there be fear in the other Rebbe have time for this with all his other involvements?” limbs?” One of the rabbanim responded, “You know, the Rebbe is like When the heart, which is the Moshe Rabbeinu who was occupied with leading the Jewish people but Rebbe, constantly feels Moshiach, nevertheless found time to learn, to write a Torah and numerous other how can we, the limbs, not feel it? activities.” So when they tell us that we are R’ Mordechai Eliyahu retorted, “How can you compare? Moshe crazy about Moshiach, that’s not an Rabbeinu led a few million people in the desert while the Rebbe leads insult, it’s really a compliment, the entire world!” because it demonstrates our connection with the Rebbe, the heart. The Rebbe once said with some Throughout the years, the Rebbe did not satisfaction, “They say that I am stop talking about Moshiach… As crazy about Moshiach.” When people on the street say to me, Chassidim, every limb in our bodies “Rabbi, what’s up with you people? You aren’t normal!” I thank them for ought to be fixated on Moshiach and the compliment! Throughout the years, the Rebbe how to bring him. That is what is did not stop talking about Moshiach. Every breath he takes has to do with demanded of us now… When the heart, Moshiach. In every sicha, the Rebbe which is the Rebbe, constantly feels speaks again and again about this topic. As Chassidim, every limb in Moshiach, how can we, the limbs, not our bodies ought to be fixated on Moshiach and how to bring him. feel it? That is what is demanded of us now. How do we do this? By learning simultaneously knowing that Elokus; it’s all very real. The Rebbe inyanei Moshiach and Geula. If we whatever the outcome, it is for the brings it all down because this is the want to start living with Moshiach, good. The belief is not partial; it’s job of Moshiach, to reveal G-dliness, we have to sit and learn. complete faith and utter trust. We “and the glory of Hashem will be I know of households where, at are not afraid of disappointment revealed and all flesh will see every meal, a member of the family because we know that we have the together that the mouth of Hashem says a vort on inyanei Moshiach and kochos. It is the complete faith that spoke,” till flesh sees G-dliness. Geula. Each of us needs to instill the brings the yeshua, “for Your Some say it’s too much for them. atmosphere of Moshiach in our salvation we hope all day.” “Let me continue leading my life homes and to prepare the world for In his first maamer, “Basi and what will be, will be.” his coming. The Rebbe says the L’Gani,” the Rebbe explains how When the situation in Russia was world is already ready; far more tzaddikim brought the Sh’china at its worst, the Rebbe Rayatz ready than we think. We have to get down from one heaven to another gathered ten loyal Chassidim and out there and do – one small action but our job is to bring it down to they took an oath that they would be is all it takes to tip the scales. earth. By the Rebbe, everything with him till the last drop of blood. In the time of the Rebbe comes all the way down. The Chassidim left the Rebbe’s room Maharash there was a Chassid who To the Rebbe, the belief in shaken. They realized that asked how to begin to serve Moshiach is tangible. The same is something fateful had occurred at Hashem. The Rebbe told him: true for Torah and mitzvos, emuna, that meeting but, they confided to Devote yourself; put aside all your neshama, anything to do with the secretary, R’ Chatshe Feigin, that desires and devote yourself, and then you’ll find the way.

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Now, too, we need to set aside our personal desires and devote R’ Mordechai Eliyahu retorted, “How ourselves to the task of preparing can you compare? Moshe Rabbeinu led the world for Moshiach. The world is ready for Geula and we just need a few million people in the desert while to get out there and talk about it, make it something tangible and real. the Rebbe leads the entire world!” The Rebbe told us to “do all that you can” to bring Moshiach. given that paper, he surely knew ruin things. Hesitating when it They tell about a Chassid of what he was doing. comes to what the Rebbe said can Rabbi Levi Yitzchok of Berditchev When he got to the paritz, he have detrimental results and we have who had financial problems and for gave him the letter and nervously to strengthen our emuna and an entire year he was unable to pay waited for the paritz’s reaction. To bitachon in the Rebbe’s prophecy in his rent to the paritz (landed his surprise, the paritz perused the order to hasten the complete nobleman). One day, he was letter as though he was reading fulfillment of his words. summoned to the paritz to discuss something. When he finished he The Rebbe says that Moshiach is the matter. He knew the paritz was smiled and said, “Fine, this time I’ll standing on the roof of the Beis going to throw him out of his inn forgive the debts. You may go.” HaMikdash and announcing, and he rushed to R’ Levi Yitzchok to The happy Chassid left the paritz “Humble ones, the time for your get advice and a bracha. and immediately headed for R’ Levi redemption has arrived.” The Rebbe R’ Levi Yitzchok gave him a letter Yitzchok to tell him the good news. explains that he is not literally on the to give to the paritz and promised When he told him what had roof of the Beis HaMikdash – were him that all would be well. The happened, R’ Levi Yitzchok that the case, Geula would be readily Chassid went on his way and was questioned, “I don’t understand; he apparent to all and there would be extremely curious about what was only absolved you of the debt? Tell no need for his proclamation. written in the letter. He couldn’t me exactly what you did with the Moshiach is standing, instead, on restrain himself and he opened the letter.” the roof of the miniature sanctuary envelope and unfolded the paper. To The Chassid squirmed and tried which is Beis Rabbeinu Sh’B’Bavel his amazement, he saw that the page to get out of responding but finally and from there he is announcing, was empty. Now frightened, he had to admit that he had opened the “Humble ones, the time for your wondered how he dare give the letter. R’ Levi Yitzchok sighed. redemption has arrived!” paritz a blank sheet of paper. “That’s a pity. Had you had emuna We plead to Hashem to bring The Chassid returned to R’ Levi and not opened it, the paritz would Moshiach down from the roof and Yitzchok in order to consult with have given you the inn as a gift.” bring him to the third Beis him but at the last minute his faith The Rebbe is giving us enormous HaMikdash, and that the Rebbe in the tzaddik was restored and he powers. We have the ability to do redeem us immediately. realized that if R’ Levi Yitzchok had this and we must be careful not to Make a “Mivtzah Kashrus” in your own computer! Introducing JNET-The world wide web without the world wide worryTM While The Internet can be a helpful tool for business, experts that will solve your problems fast. education and personal use it can also be a potentially Most important, you can now get the JNET Advantage for dangerous one. only a bit more than non-filtered on line providers. That's why J Net was created. If you're ready for the world wide web without the world wide Using exclusive multi-tiered intelligent filtration, the J Net worry, you're ready for JNet. portal is probably the most effective consumer resource for DIAL UP DSL Unlimited Access 24 Tech Support eliminating material not conducive to our needs. 4 Profiles per Account Web Mail More than virtually foolproof, J .NET is also easy - both to Call us toll free at 1-866-866-JNET (5638) install and use. Plus its available in both dialup and high (mention code “770” for special ANASH Rate) speed DSL and backed by highly trained customer service

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22 shvat

assistant of the secretary, R’ Leibel Groner. As the Rebbe’s influence spread around the world, the secretaries’ workload grew. R’ IN THE Groner was assisted by several bachurim who were available for any task, knowing that their work was done on behalf of the Rebbe. R’ Halperin was a bachur who DARKEST learned in 770. He spent eight years in 770 until he got married and he was very familiar with every aspect of life in 770. He was involved in the lives of the bachurim and merited to OF TIMES get very close to the inner sanctum. This close involvement began in the summer of 1986 and intensified in the middle of 1987. He was asked By Shneur Zalman Levin to carry out various jobs and when he did them well he was given additional opportunities until he As a bachur he spent a few years in 770 became part of the everyday work. What were your jobs? and helped out in the office. During the “To carry out what I was asked to do,” said R’ Halperin. He is year after 22 Shvat, Mem-Ches, he was unwilling to go into detail even almost always by the Rebbe. We spoke to today, over twenty years later. “If R’ Groner had to do everything himself, Rabbi Shneur Zalman Halperin, it would have held up the Rebbe.” Unlike the other bachurim, he shliach in Mevo’ot HaChermon, to hear was able to attend the Rebbetzin’s funeral and he was close to the about events of that time from his Rebbe throughout the Shiva, at the house and at the daily t’fillos. perspective. “5748 was a special year,” he recalls. “It was a Hakhel year and The convoy left the house with the Rebbe spoke a lot about it and the pall bearers leading the way promoted Mivtza Hakhel. The year carrying the black bedecked aron. started out with tremendous simcha. The Rebbe walked a few feet back Simchas Torah that year was and his demeanor was ominous. He extraordinary. Then we had 2 Kislev walked with head bent, occasionally when the s’farim were returned and turning his head to the side. His the Rebbe urged great efforts in manner of walking was not the usual Mivtza Chanuka every single day. and he constantly murmured The atmosphere at the time was something. His general appearance uplifting. On 15 Shvat the last was “zei’er tzubrochen” (very farbrengen on a weekday took place. broken). He was pale and looked It was a short farbrengen that lasted tired. Behind him were the members over two hours. The Rebbe of the secretariat and behind them distributed fruit.” were Admurim and rabbanim … “There was the feeling that (from a diary). something was happening, that it For a number of years, R’ Shneur was a special time.” So the passing Zalman Halperin served as a close of the Rebbetzin on 22 Shvat was an

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unpleasant shock. “It’s not like we could have prepared for it; it was a complete surprise.” Nobody knew that the Rebbetzin had been to the hospital twice before. R’ Halperin was in one of the offices on Kingston Avenue. The bachurim were in the dormitory, some of them chatting while others were getting ready for bed. When he finished his work after midnight, he went out and met R’ Meir Harlig and R’ Nachum Sternberg walking together to 770. Although it was dark, he noticed that something was amiss. When he asked them what was wrong, they told him the sad news. They knew about it from Mrs. Sternberg who had been with the Rebbetzin when she passed away in the hospital. They quietly walked into 770 which was dark. Two or three bachurim were learning in the small zal. When they went down to the big zal it was dark there too and very few people were sitting there. People heard that something happened. R’ Chaim Boruch Halberstam, who was in charge of the broadcasts and was always on top of the news, knew about the Rebbetzin’s passing. “R’ Harlig suggested, ‘Let’s go to the Rebbe’s house.’ The Rebbe’s house was always ‘distant’ from us; it was a symbol of the Rebbe’s privacy, yet I joined him. We got to the house and it was dark. We didn’t know what to do and we just stood there and waited. After a few minutes a light went on in the foyer and the front door opened. The Rebbe stood in the doorway. R’ Harlig went over to the door as I stood at a distance. The Rebbe spoke to R’ Harlig and asked him to speak with the chevra kadisha. It was only afterwards that we learned that Dr. Feldman was the one who informed the Rebbe by phone about his wife’s passing. “The Rebbe asked that his tallis and t’fillin, Siddur and Kitzur Shulchan Aruch be brought to him 728_B_Beis Moshiach 25/01/2010 8:19 AM Page 30

took only ten minutes to get to the The Rebbe’s house was always ‘distant’ cemetery. Only about 100 people from us; it was a symbol of the Rebbe’s were present at the burial near the grave of Rebbetzin Shterna Sarah, privacy, yet I joined him. We got to the the mother of the Rebbe Rayatz. After the burial, which was house and it was dark. We didn’t know already described at length in other diaries, the Rebbe returned to his what to do and we just stood there and house. For the following year the house became the Rebbe’s waited. After a few minutes a light went headquarters. on in the foyer and the front door “After the funeral the Rebbe went home and up to his room on the opened. second floor. The first t’filla that he davened as the shliach tzibbur was from his room in 770. R’ Harlig ran house. Mincha after which he said a short to R’ Groner’s house to update him The aron arrived at about 5:30 sicha.” and to tell him what the Rebbe and the Rebbe went out to greet it What was the atmosphere like wanted. Not long afterwards the with slow steps. With head bent a during the Shiva? door opened again. R’ Harlig went little and his eyes opened wide and “There was a feeling of over to the Rebbe and told him that ablaze, he gazed upon the aron and confusion. Throughout the Shiva the they had gone to R’ Groner. A few the members of the chevra kadisha Rebbe spoke in a very low tone, not minutes went by and the Rebbe who carried it. The sight was the way we were used to hearing came out a third time and said that frightening. (Diary) him. He was very serious and you if they didn’t bring him the items he “I stood there,” said R’ Halperin, could see that he was greatly pained. had asked for, he would go to 770 “and when the car came with the Sometimes it seemed as though the himself. aron, they went in to inform the Rebbe sought to receive “In the meantime, some other Rebbe. The Rebbe left his house and encouragement from those who people who heard the sad news had walked nearly to the sidewalk and he came to console him. This was not gathered there. I ran to 770 and said followed behind the aron into the the way we were used to seeing the that soon the Rebbe would be house where it was placed in an Rebbe who always was the one on arriving. There was great confusion. inner room near the kitchen. The the giving end. We returned to the Rebbe’s house Rebbe remained alone with the aron “The first Admur to come and where R” Groner and R’ Sholom Ber for a few minutes and then gave console him was the Stoliner Rebbe Gansburg were. R’ Harlig told the instructions to R’ Berel Lipsker of and in the days that followed there two of them that the Rebbe said that the chevra kadisha.” were other Admurim who came as he didn’t want anybody in the house. At 9:30 they davened Shacharis well as rabbanim and roshei yeshiva. R’ Gansburg wondered whether the downstairs and the Rebbe went All this was printed already.” Rebbe included him but all R’ Harlig down to say Kaddish. R’ Halperin Throughout this time you were could do was shrug and say, ‘That’s remained in the house the entire in the Rebbe’s house during all the what the Rebbe told me.’” time even though the other bachurim t’fillos? According to other diaries that only entered in groups for a few “Yes.” were written about that night, a minutes to say T’hillim and were From day one there was a new short while later R’ Gansburg immediately replaced by others. way of doing things. The Rebbe entered the house and then so did R’ “The funeral which left the house remained at home and R’ Groner Groner. at twelve was an awe inducing sight. manned the office which moved to The mikva on Eastern Parkway The Rebbe walked down President the Rebbe’s house in the room off was opened at 3 a.m. and it was Street till Kingston and from there the kitchen. A phone system was set announced that whoever wanted to crossed Eastern Parkway where he up in the house and everything was join in the recitation of T’hillim got into his car.” run from this house. All the letters should immerse first. The funeral Police on motorcycles went ahead and requests from around the world was announced for twelve noon and of the car. The streets were probably arrived at 770 and were brought to the tahara would take place in the cordoned off beforehand because it the Rebbe’s house. During the Shiva they only brought the most urgent

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questions to the Rebbe like those about surgery, brachos for life and death matters, shidduchim, etc. “That year R’ Groner sat there from morning till night. Every so often he would go upstairs to bring to the Rebbe those things he needed to attend to. “The Rebbe did not receive nichumim all day. It was only after davening that people passed by the Rebbe to console him and then he went upstairs and stayed in his room. “The atmosphere was homelike; it was all about the Rebbe’s privacy. That’s the way it was during t’fillos so that immediately afterwards R’ Halperin (standing on the left) near the Rebbe everybody left. When the Shiva was over, the house reverted to its The Rebbe said many times that we private state.” Do you remember a special need to think about it, repent, and as a moment from that time? “So many people came to result – increase in all matters of life console the Rebbe: Hundreds and even thousands. They usually went with simcha; and since the event about through quickly and only Admurim and distinguished people sat down which we say “and the living shall take to talk. The Rebbe treated each one it to heart” was not ordinary, therefore, with appreciation but with some of them you could see that the Rebbe the increase also needed to be out of the was happy that they came like the Munkatcher Rebbe with whom he ordinary. spoke for fifteen minutes. “The only political figure from day’s work and more. After 22 Shvat 770 to be there for Shabbos which Israel who came, as far as I can the Rebbe stayed home and the lightened the atmosphere somewhat. remember, was Binyamin Netanyahu atmosphere in 770, aside from the On Shabbos there was a farbrengen, who was Israel’s ambassador at the mourning, was of a void. All of a for it was Shabbos Mevarchim. UN.” sudden the Rebbe was not appearing Right after Shabbos the Rebbe sat in At Maariv there was crying during each morning, the Rebbe wasn’t mourning at his place in 770 while Kaddish after Aleinu … After coming out for Mincha and Maariv, the huge crowd quickly passed by Maariv, the crowds waiting outside to there was no routine anymore. for about twenty minutes and then console the Rebbe passed by. They During the Shiva, those in 770 the Rebbe returned to his house included many rabbanim and heard the t’fillos at the Rebbe’s where he stayed for the next three distinguished communal figures. house via a live hookup. Throughout weeks, until after the Shloshim. Today the Rebbe’s niece came that year, bachurim did not see the “There were many changes the from Eretz Yisroel and the Rebbe Rebbe except on Yom Tov and some rest of that year. The Rebbe stayed spoke to her for about an hour. Shabbasos. Bachurim who persisted in his house and that is where t’fillos (Diary) could occasionally attend a t’filla at took place as well as ‘dollars’ and As a bachur, what do you the Rebbe’s house but they left sichos. The mail was brought there. remember of the atmosphere in immediately afterwards. There was a You can just imagine what Purim 770 in general? sense of painful concealment.” “Until 22 Shvat, the Rebbe On Friday, the Rebbe went to arrived at 770 every day for a full [Continued on pg. 40]

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moshiach & geula MOSHIACH: WHAT WE BELIEVE

Rabbi Gershon Avtzon, Rosh Yeshiva in Cincinnati

PART 11 OF 20. that there will be a few people who 4) If the sinners were As the saying goes, “75% of will not merit to be part of the embarrassed after their death, it known facts are either not known or resurrection. The Lubavitcher Rebbe helps them enter the world of truth. not facts.” This is especially true explains (see Igros Kodesh Vol. 1, This can be deduced from the regarding belief in Moshiach and pages 141-153) that even these statement in the Talmud Yerushalmi Geula, where there are many people have ways to “join” the (Kilayim Perek 9 halacha 3) preconceived notions and questions resurrection: regarding the sinner Yeravam. It that remain unasked – and 1) If the individual repents - even states that since his body was unanswered. at the end of his/her life. This is burned after his death - with the In our previous article, we written clearly in Rambam, Hilchos Z’chus HaAretz - he will be reconciled the view of Rambam - T’shuva, Perek Gimmel. resurrected. that the era of Moshiach will be an 2) If this individual has a very 5) Even if one does not have any all-natural era - with the basic belief righteous son. This is based on the of the above merits, his soul will still in the resurrection of the dead - Talmud (Sanhedrin 104a) that be resurrected. Most of us are T’chiyas HaMeisim. We were then states, “A son brings merit to his reincarnations of previous souls. The left with the question: father.” This applies even if the soul of a body that would not merit Will all Jewish people – including parent does not do T’shuva. This is resurrection, will join another part of sinners – be resurrected? also if the son does not pray that the its soul in a different body. (This is a In truth, this is discussed openly father be granted resurrection. The separate subject and may be in the Mishnayos. The Mishna same would be true if the father was explained a different time - see states, (Sanhedrin Perek Chelek - a righteous man and the son was the Seifer HaGilgulim chapter 5 ) Talmud 90a) “Every Jew has a sinner, that the father would bring From the above it is clear that portion in the world to come i.e. the merit to the son. every soul will be resurrected into a resurrection of the dead.” However, 3) If other righteous people pray physical body in the time of T’chiyas the Mishna then enumerates many on the behalf of the individual, even HaMeisim. people - sinners - who do not have a if he has no righteous descendants. portion in the resurrection. One of This is evident from the story in the PART 12 OF 20 Talmud (Chagiga 15b) of a sinner the examples is a person who does We must now return to our main who was elevated to Gan Eden - not believe in the resurrection. Being topic - the qualifications and which is harder to obtain than the the Hashem punishes “measure for characteristics of the human resurrection - through the prayers of measure,” this person does not merit Moshiach. We were left with a Rav Yochanan. This includes if to be a part of it. question: others have given Tz’daka in his From the Mishna it seems clear Is there a stage between Chezkas honor.

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Moshiach and Moshiach Vadai? The answer is - in a word - YES. Someone who is Chezkas Moshiach is a To comprehend this stage, we Tzaddik who cares about the Jewish first must understand the following: For an individual to be Chezkas people. But that is not enough to make Moshiach, HE must be holy and worthy. For someone to reach the him Moshiach Vadai. For that - building stage of Moshiach Vadai, WE - the generation - must be holy and Beis HaMikdash, ingathering of exiles - worthy. Someone who is Chezkas Moshiach is a Tzaddik who cares to happen, Hashem must decide that the about the Jewish people. But that is time is right. That decision is based on not enough to make him Moshiach Vadai. For that - building Beis our work and effort. HaMikdash, ingathering of exiles - to happen, Hashem must decide that “anointed” -, there is no turning free nation. the time is right. That decision is back. From the Sicha of VaYeira, One may ask: If this second based on our work and effort. 5752, it is clear that we have passed stage is so crucial, why does the In general there are four stages that stage. I must clarify an Rambam not mention it? (see Chasam Sofer T’shuvos important point. Rambam writes The answer is simple. The Choshen Mishpat 98): that certain Torah laws will change Rambam is a book of Jewish Law, 1) Having an individual that is with the arrival of Moshiach - such dealing with practical things we can fitting to be the redeemer of Klal as not fasting on the set fast-days, do or that we can identify in others. Yisroel. etc. This does not start until after Being that stage two is a private 2) Being appointed by Hashem stage four.] “meeting” between Hashem and to be the redeemer of Klal Yisroel. We see these four stages by our Moshiach - as we see by Moshe, it 3) Doing the activities that the first redeemer - from our first exile happened in a barren desert! - redeemer needs to do. These in Egypt - Moshe Rabbeinu: Rambam does not discuss it. activities can’t be done until one is 1) Moshe Rabbeinu, until the age There is still one more point that hired. Just as in any job, even if of 80, was a Tzaddik and a mystic - we need to address: If one reaches someone has the ability to be a CEO he was born with a Bris Mila already the stage of Chezkas Moshiach, is of a company, he can’t actually work done by Hashem! - but did not take there still a possibility of him not until the board hires him. any action as the redeemer. actually being the Moshiach? In 4) Finishing the job. At that 2) Hashem tells Moshe - in other words: Can he lose his point - when the Beis HaMikdash is middle of the desert through the Chazaka? standing and all Jews are in Eretz burning-bush - that he is the This will be addressed IY”H in Yisroel - we can say, “Job well redeemer. our next article. done!” and the Geula is here. 3) Moshe goes to Egypt and Rabbi Avtzon’s audio shiurim are [To put matters into perspective: brings the 10 plagues. available at www.ylcrecording.com The key stage is stage number two. 4) On the 15th of Nissan, 2448, Once Moshiach is appointed - or the Jewish people leave Egypt as a Raskin's Consistently “if it grows we have it” Superior Fruit and Produce Emporium WHOLESALE & RETAIL Michal & Aaron Raskin We Deliver 335 Kingston Ave. Brooklyn NY 11213 * Tel: (718) 756-3888 756-2221 * Fax: 756-2440

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feature

Tomchei Tmimim in Lud. Later on he was one of the ten Tmimim who constituted the first group to go on K’vutza in 5721, a K’vutza which PUTTING enjoyed special kiruvim from the Rebbe and the Rebbe’s unusual involvement on their behalf in the highest echelons of government and the military. TFILLIN ON Rabbi Yaakov Tzirkus, resident of Nachalat Har Chabad, father and grandfather to a family of shluchim, has a Chassidishe hobby: taking care of the Yiddishkait of Israeli soldiers. EVERY JEW And it’s not only the soldiers. Wherever he goes, whether to the bank or the post office, shopping or personal errands, he always takes along a pair of t’fillin and a pile of HE MEETS brochures. K’VUTZA R’ Tzirkus’ enthusiasm for By Mendel Tzfasman mivtza t’fillin began even before the campaign was formally introduced. About fifty years ago, Chabad While still a bachur in Tomchei Tmimim in Lud, before the Six Day Chassidim in Yerushalayim advertised War, he would take the train on the Yerushalayim-Lud line to and from a Chassidishe farbrengen that would yeshiva, and he would put t’fillin on with the passengers. On Lag take place in the Beis Yisroel B’Omer in Miron he would be found offering visitors an opportunity to neighborhood and both Lubavitchers put on t’fillin; mainly policemen and and friends of Lubavitch were invited. soldiers who were already acquainted with mivtzaim from Thirteen year old Yankele Tzirkus, who mivtza Dalet minim and other holiday-related activities. lived in Katamon, asked his father, a As his third year of yeshiva g’dola in Lud drew to a close, he and his Sanzer Chassid, permission to attend. friends formulated an ambitious dream: they yearned to travel to the About fifty years ago, Chabad “To say that you are a Chabad Rebbe and learn in 770 for the Chassidim in Yerushalayim Chassid, I cannot, but you are following year. Although individuals advertised a Chassidishe farbrengen certainly an admirer of Chabad,” his like Zushe Feldman, Reuven Dunin that would take place in the Beis father responded with a smile, and and Avrohom Sossonkin had done Yisroel neighborhood and both he gave his permission. so, there had never before been a Lubavitchers and friends of The young boy attended group of Tmimim who flew together Lubavitch were invited. Thirteen hundreds of farbrengens and with to the Rebbe and remained to learn year old Yankele Tzirkus, who lived the guidance of his Lubavitcher in 770. They would be the first in Katamon, asked his father, a neighbors, the Rabinowitz brothers, K’vutza – a term that originated Sanzer Chassid, permission to who showered him with love, he with them. attend. switched from Chevron yeshiva to The hanhala of the yeshiva did

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not readily agree to let ten of them go out of the fifty students. Nor was this the only hurdle they had to pass. They also needed visas for the US and even more challenging than that, the entire group had to get permission from the IDF to be away for such a long period of time. And of course they needed money for the flight. The logistics weren’t at all easy and more than once it looked as though it would not work out, but the Rebbe’s personal intervention and the efforts on the part of Chabad askanim, as well as their determination to go, made their dream come true. Rabbi Tzirkus on mivtza t’fillin at Nisanit before the Expulsion R’ Tzirkus nostalgically recalls that wonderful year: When he came down with the bottle in “We arrived in 770 on Erev Shabbos Slichos and we felt that the hand, the Rebbe asked him to start Rebbe was very happy that we had come. Throughout the year we had a singing “Hoshia es Amecha” and the problem with the army, since they had given us permission to leave for Rebbe stood in his place and only three months and made it clear encouraged the singing. The entire 770 from the outset that an extension was out of the question. When we danced like on Simchas Torah. asked, as a group, for an extension since we were already there with the Rebbe asked who was responsible person should not part from his Rebbe, we got approved in a most for the Tmimim from Eretz Yisroel. friend except with a d’var halacha, amazing way. When we wrote a Rabbi Mentlick said that he thought for in this way he will remember letter to the Rebbe in which we said it was Halperin, and Halperin went him.” In addition, the Rebbe gave we also wanted to ask the American over and got a bottle of mashke from them each a Tanya and a dollar for consulate for an extension of four the Rebbe to distribute to us. When tz’daka, to strengthen the “in this months, the Rebbe responded he came down with the bottle in way he will remember him.” quickly: It is proper, and perhaps hand, the Rebbe asked him to start R’ Tzirkus told us about his for a period that includes the singing “Hoshia es Amecha” and the personal yechidus with the Rebbe on holiday of Pesach (and you can add Rebbe stood in his place and his birthday, as was done in those that as a reason for the request). encouraged the singing. The entire days: “At the Yud Shvat farbrengen of 770 danced like on Simchas Torah.” “My yechidus was on Thursday that year, the Rebbe encouraged the Throughout the half a year (the night, the night of 23 Kislev, the eve singing from the start, and duration of the first K’vutzos), the of my birthday. Back then, private throughout the farbrengen the Rebbe bachurim received many kiruvim and audiences took place on Sundays, was extremely happy. We felt the fatherly treatment from the Rebbe. Tuesdays and Thursdays. The Rebbe Rebbe was speaking to us The ultimate expression of their asked me whether I had had an aliya personally. In one of the sichos the special treatment was the yechidus to the Torah the previous Shabbos Rebbe spoke about the klipos that for them and for the bachurim who (as is customary) and I said that I abound in this world and need to be traveled to Lud in their place on 17 had. Then the Rebbe said that since broken. It needs to be done in a Adar I, before their return home. my birthday was on Friday, I should natural manner, but by raising The Rebbe said a maamer for them try to review the parsha twice with nature itself above nature. which began with the words, “A Targum over the course of the day.” “At the end of the sicha the

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gave him a bundle of bills which he “AND THEY WILL FEAR YOU” distributed to the children. R’ Tzirkus relates: I once went with my “mivtzaim chavrusa,” R’ Ritterman, to a pillbox PREPARING (a small security post) between Dugit (which, sadly, is no more) and THE ARMY FOR GEULA the sea. The place is well fortified and high enough that it overlooks the When the Tzirkus couple was entire Arab area. The soldier opened the heavy iron door for us and newly married they lived in asked whether he could put on t’fillin while his friend, a Russian goy, Yerushalayim and then in Kfar stayed on guard upstairs. Of course, we were happy to oblige. Chabad. After the Rebbe’s He asked us why it was important to put on t’fillin and what it instruction that young married accomplishes, and we explained that aside from the importance of the couples should move to the newly mitzva and how we connect to Hashem through it, t’fillin protect us founded Nachalat Har Chabad and save us from attacks and imposes fear upon the enemy. “But they became public, they moved there. don’t see us,” he wondered. We said that this is what our Sages say and R’ Tzirkus related: something the Rebbe repeated numerous times, and it works, even if we Years ago, the Rebbe set a limit don’t see it. of two years for Kollel. In general, at Because of the hermetically sealed doors and the height of the steps one time there were no kollelim in within the pillbox, you can’t hear upstairs what is said downstairs. Lubavitcher communities in Eretz While we were putting on t’fillin with the Jewish soldier, the Russian Yisroel and Crown Heights. I guy upstairs, his binoculars trained on the terrorists’ position a few remember that there were kilometers opposite us, noticed something odd. “I don’t know what Lubavitcher kollelim in Toras Emes happened to them,” he remarked. “All day they are walking around in Yerushalayim where Chassidim sat outside their post and suddenly they rushed inside in fright.” and learned till an advanced age. When we moved to Nachala, the EIGHT-YEAR-OLD wife, so all the mivtzaim and the Rebbe added a “bonus” and said that those who moved could add TANKIST merits are hers. This was especially the case while the children were another two years of learning in Ever since the Rebbe announced younger – though the work was all kollel. mivtza t’fillin, R’ Tzirkus’ friends on her, she consistently showed the R’ Tzirkus did not suffice with cannot remember a single Friday children how happy she was that his enthusiastic involvement in that he did not go on mivtza t’fillin. their father went on mivtzaim. mivtza t’fillin and the mivtza of a He goes with R’ Zev Ritterman every “Of course, I can’t let the sole letter in a Torah scroll for soldiers Friday to put on t’fillin with soldiers burden of the Shabbos preparations and children. Throughout the years on the Gaza border and, of course, fall on my wife’s shoulders. That’s he also put a lot of work into mivtza those they meet on the way. why I go shopping on Thursday. Torah, participated in – and even His neighbor, R’ Refael Cheruti, And when the children got older, teaching – many shiurim in the main who joins him for mivtzaim on they helped a lot. Sometimes I shul of Nachalat Har Chabad. Shabbos to take care of “his base,” would take one of the children The Tzirkus family has been related: along. Till today, when my children living, from 13 Nissan, 5730/1970, “One time, following a good and sons-in-law come for Shabbos, and we hope for many more good hachlata, we walked to the Kastina they come along with me on years to come, in a Chabad Junction, where we knew we would Shabbos to complete a minyan at the community which has expanded to find many soldiers. We barely made army base. provide its residents with everything it to the first junction on the way out “In Elul, 5735/1975, I went with a Lubavitcher family needs. But R’ of Nachala since R’ Tzirkus didn’t my then eight year old son, Yossi to Tzirkus never took it easy. He found miss a single person on the way. the Rebbe. At the end of one of the out that not far from them was the No wonder, then, that he often farbrengens, the Rebbe gave out Tovala (Transport) base with 800 gets home barely a few minutes bundles of dollars to the tankists. soldiers, and he knew there was before candle lighting. When I passed by the Rebbe with plenty to do to help them His family never tried to stand in my son, the Rebbe asked me, “Is he b’ruchnius. the way of this demanding schedule. also a tankist?” When I said yes, he Activities there started in Tishrei, “All the children are grown and joined me on mivtzaim, the Rebbe 5731, with a few Lubavitchers. With nobody is at home except for my the onset of the Yom Kippur War,

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the base became a hub of activity from where all IDF vehicles left for the front, and the mivtzaim picked up accordingly. Since then, Chassidim young and old walk to the base every Shabbos to participate in the minyan they established. This wonderful outreach work led to the creation of some baalei t’shuva among the soldiers. The bonds were so strong that the command staff of the base decided to send the emblem of the unit to the Rebbe as a sign of appreciation. In 5735/1975, a request came from the Armored Division base, a little further from Nachala, to have a minyan there on Shabbos. The Lubavitchers decided to split up the minyan, and R’ Tzirkus was order not to allow us in. accept what we say unquestioningly. “drafted” there. In later years, the “Fortunately, at that time there They ask questions and we sit there base changed functions and names. was a minyan arranged by bachurim with them and explain it to them at For a long time it was called an from the yeshiva in Lud at the Rear farbrengens, shiurim and in personal Infantry Command base and today it Guard command center in Ramle. conversations. is called the Ground Forces base. One of the commanders there “I remember that one time, one But the change in names and complained and said it undermined of the soldiers asked me for my function did not change anything as the chaplain. When the issue was Moshiach pin and attached it to his far as R’ Tzirkus was concerned. referred up the chain of command uniform lapel. A week later I saw Every Shabbos he persuaded people and reached the adjutancy of the that the pin was no longer affixed to to go along with him for the minyan, High Command, that commander his uniform. When I asked him what to give shiurim and hold farbrengens received an official response from happened to it, he said, ‘The at the shul on the base. the Deputy Chief of Staff that the commander said we can’t wear Shabbos after Shabbos for thirty organizing of minyanim on army anything on our shirt but if the pin years, after a long and busy Friday, bases was allowed and there was is that important to me, I should put R’ Tzirkus made the rounds of his nothing wrong with it. When we got it on my beret, which I did.’” neighbors, inviting people to join a copy of the document, it was a R’ Tzirkus concludes with a word him in completing a minyan. Some relief for us and the soldiers as the of advice. “Often, people decline to brought along sons and sons-in-law. commander’s order had to be put on t’fillin, but when I have Who could refuse a Chassid who reversed. offered to help them with it, they are exhibited daily mesirus nefesh with willing. It’s likely that many “no’s” the excuse that he was tired or didn’t MOSHIACH, MOSHIACH are because they are afraid that they have the energy? don’t know how to do it. It pays to Of course, the main shlichus and The minyan did not always work offer to help.” avoda is kabbalas p’nei Moshiach. out smoothly. “Occasionally there If you ask R’ Tzirkus’ friends or “Naturally, after every t’filla we were problems from the Left of the the soldiers that he sees regularly, proudly proclaim ‘Yechi,’ and when political map. For example, there you will hear an entirely different tip. Rabbi Cheruti reviews the sicha of was a commander on base who They all know that his success is due the D’var Malchus he refers to the happily told his commanding officer to his personality, not his methods. Rebbe as Moshiach. He explains the how glad he was that there was a When someone like him approaches Rebbe’s prophecies and how they minyan every Shabbos organized by you, radiating simcha, love and have been fulfilled one by one, and Chabad. To his dismay, the officer caring, you can’t say no to him. It’s about the main prophecy – hinei reacted angrily and assured him not surprising that even the tough hinei Moshiach ba. emphatically that he would put a nuts to crack open up in his hands. stop to the minyan. He gave an “That doesn’t mean they all

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story

reach me, I understood that this must be something urgent. I stepped out of class and took the call. A LONELY “I learned that a girl from Rommy’s tour group had just called her mother saying that she and her friends had fallen into a pit after a thin layer of snow that obscured it ISLAND OF caved in under their feet. No matter how they tried, they couldn’t get out. Mid-sentence the call was cut off, apparently because of low battery or poor reception. The concerned FAITH mother called the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which contacted the parents of all members of this group. “For several long minutes after By Nosson Avrohom ending the call, I stood motionless in Translated By Michoel Leib Dobry the college hallway, perplexed and confused. Thunderstruck, I tried to collect my thoughts. When I It all started with a phone call. Mrs. recovered a bit from the paralyzing shock that had gripped me, I felt as if Tammy Givon, a teacher by profession, I was in a race against time. Every passing moment was critical towards was informed that her daughter had saving their lives. I knew that they disappeared during a dangerous trip would not have taken enough food with them to spend a long time in the somewhere in Chile. While the Foreign wilderness. On the contrary, it is customary on such trips to bring only Ministry, diplomats, and rescue teams the exact amount of food and drink necessary, in order to lighten the were conducting frantic searches, the load. “The first thing that I did was to Rebbe’s marvelous answer served as a gather all my children together and lonely island of hope. let them know what had happened. I didn’t waste any valuable time. One Israeli backpackers and tourists concern escalated dramatically when of the children quickly got on the are known throughout the world as she heard last Kislev that her computer to check the Internet for very bold individuals who don’t think daughter, Rommy, who had gone out any media information on the twice before setting out on on a trip to a nature reserve in Chile, disappearances, putting out a call to challenging journeys, often fraught had not returned that night. “I was in any Israeli tourists located in Chile with danger to life and limb. shock,” Mrs. Givon said, reliving the who could offer their assistance in Regrettably, many of them, terrible tension of that time. the search and rescue efforts. In the particularly youth, have met with “The call came in while I was in midst of all the pressure created by tragic death, getting entangled in the middle of a class for my master’s this aura of uncertainty, I drew much thick forests or wild rafting down studies at the Kaye Academic College encouragement from the tremendous rapids. Anxiety is rampant among of Education in Beersheva. I saw an display of brotherhood of the Jewish parents whose children go out on unfamiliar number flashing on my People, as we were flooded by e-mail such excursions after completing cell phone again and again, and I messages from Jews with whom we their compulsory military service. decided to ignore it until after class had no prior connection. Everyone Mrs. Tammy Givon of Beersheva was over. However, when I saw that expressed their willingness to help. was no exception. Her fear and the caller was persistently trying to “In the impromptu command post we had set up in our home, my

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cousin sat on the phone and started calling all the local Chilean hostels to ...but what truly amazed me was how my find out where our daughter was friend had the courage to stand behind registered as a guest. He soon tracked down the hostel, located near the Rebbe’s answer. She gave her word the large nature reserve. The hostel staff said that the group members had that everything would be fine and our left their belongings in their rented room, and they had gone out a trip daughter would return safely. As for me, scheduled to last three days. “After my third day of absence I just had to think positively. from teaching, my colleagues at work learned what had happened. They unique since it falls on the day on walking was hard for her. The other also joined the effort by offering which “it was good” was said twice. group members took all of their whatever help they could. At the …[There are] several concepts equipment, water, and their school where I work, there is a in twofold good – beginning with backpacks, and then proceeded along teacher affiliated with Chabad. She the sayings of our Sages, of blessed the more difficult trail, scheduled to came with an offer of a different type memory, “Good to Heaven, good to end in another three days. On the of help: she asked the Chabad yeshiva man”… other hand, our daughter would in Beersheva to daven for the welfare …and the deed is the main thing, finish her trip by the evening of the of my daughter. They also wrote a in that the auspicious day – Yud-Tes first day and return to the hostel, letter to the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Kislev – (also) falls out this year (as since she had taken a shorter route. placed it in a volume of Igros Kodesh, it did in the year of the Redemption) “The group that had continued and requested that we should merit to on the day on which “it was good” along the more difficult route got lost have a miracle on that day. The date was said twice… along the way, arriving in an area was Yud-Tes Kislev. “In all honesty, I was stunned by where the snows had not yet “The answer that they received the letter, since it was dated Yud-Tes sufficiently frozen. They fell into a gave me tremendous encouragement Kislev, the Hebrew date of that day. pit, and from there one of the girls during those days of intense anxiety. In addition, the Rebbe wrote that this placed a call to Eretz Yisroel and said It was a letter that discussed was a day of announcement and that they were in trouble. They tried Redemption and good tidings, redemption, and so we waited for this to get out of the pit, but when all their written in connection with Tuesday, to be proven true. efforts failed, they slept the night Yud-Tes Kislev. What a coincidence! “In the meantime, the students of there. They tried again the following That very day was Yud-Tes Kislev and the Chabad yeshiva in Beersheva said morning by the light of day, and this it also came out on a Tuesday that T’hillim and davened for my time they managed to get out. They year. But what truly amazed me was daughter, and we soon saw how continued along the trail, and when how my friend had the courage to things eventually went in the right they finished as originally planned, stand behind the Rebbe’s answer. She direction. they went back to the hostel. They gave her word that everything would “It was on the third day since we were certain that my daughter and be fine and our daughter would were notified of her disappearance. her friend had already finished their return safely. As for me, I just had to My cousin was in constant contact hike and were waiting for them at the think positively. with the hostel where the group hostel – but they weren’t… The answer appeared in Volume members were staying, to see if “Our concern over my daughter’s 27, pg. 297: perhaps they had returned after all, whereabouts went up a notch once I confirm the receipt of the thus putting an end to all the drama. we realized what had happened. I letter… “During one phone call, the clerk gathered my strength, determined With the completion of seven at the hostel told him that one of the neither to be broken nor to lose hope. days since the day of Yud-Tes Kislev, group members had returned. The My Chabad friend gave me constant it should be noted: group consisted of four people, and support, imbuing me with the belief The calendar for this year – in they had gone out together on a hike. that I should think good and it will be relation with the day of the When they reached the intersection, good, and that I have nothing to announcement, Yud-Tes Kislev, in my daughter and her friend decided worry about after such a clear and commemoration of the Redemption to follow an easier trail. Her foot had encouraging answer from the Rebbe. of the Alter Rebbe (5559) – is been injured along the other trail, and I tried to believe her.

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and save them. When it landed and She and her friends had fallen into a pit the pilot asked if Rommy Givon was after a thin layer of snow that obscured among them, my daughter burst into tears.” it caved in under their feet. No matter “Looking back,” says Mrs. Givon, “this tumultuous experience changed how they tried, they couldn’t get out. many things in my life. Today, I believe much more in the concept of Mid-sentence the call was cut off. ‘Think good and it will be good.’ A Jew can achieve great things through “A few hours later, I received a numerous wrong turns, that they his thoughts. phone call from the helicopter that arrived at a point which met up with “Let me tell you another was scanning the region in search of the more difficult path the other fascinating detail: Since the passing them. The crew informed us that my group members had taken. However, of my mother a”h, she has come to daughter and her friend had been they soon discovered that they me in a dream on numerous found safe and sound. I was even able weren’t there because, as we already occasions, but I have never seen her to speak with her, which moved me to knew, they had spent the night in the face. The night before my daughter the point of tears. pit where they had fallen. My was found, I dreamed that I saw my “Later, she told me about daughter and her friend waited for mother literally as she was in this everything she had gone through in a nothing. world. She smiled at me, hugged me, lengthy e-mail. It turned out that a “A series of mistakes continued to and stroked my cheek to assure me local driver had taken them to the guide them over the next two days that everything would be alright. point where the easier trail began, but until on the third day of the trip, the When I told this to my cousin the due to difficulties along the way, he day we received the answer in Igros following morning, she reminded me dropped them off a considerable Kodesh, Tuesday, Yud-Tes Kislev, that it was Yud-Tes Kislev – my distance from the marked route. It they were found. They saw the rescue mother’s birthday…” was only eight hours later, after helicopter and waved for it to come

[Continued from pg. 31] man and the living shall take it to constant horaa that speaks to every heart.” The point being that when person who “lives,” that he needs to was like in 770 without the Rebbe. you enter the house of the mourner, “take it to heart” and add in the Every year there was an especially you should think about what study of Torah and the fulfillment of joyous farbrengen that lasted for happened and be inspired to repent. mitzvos. hours and that year there was no The Rebbe said many times that On one occasion, the Rebbe also farbrengen. The reading of the we need to think about it, repent, spoke about this horaa concerning Megilla without the Rebbe did not and as a result – increase in all himself: “If on every date that have that happy spirit. The weekday matters of life with simcha; and something special happened in a farbrengens stopped.” since the event about which we say person’s personal life, when that “and the living shall take it to heart” date comes around again he needs “AND THE LIVING SHALL was not ordinary, therefore, the to add in the inyan of life (‘and the TAKE IT TO HEART” increase also needed to be out of the living shall take it to heart’), all the ordinary. In addition, people needed more so that special events in the Throughout the year, the Rebbe to contemplate the actions of the lives of leaders in Israel (‘the nasi is constantly repeated what Shlomo woman who departed and learn everything’) lead to an increase in HaMelech says in Koheles, “and the from her. the inyan of life, whether regarding living shall take it to heart.” This Throughout the year, the Rebbe the N’siim themselves that there be was the theme at every farbrengen explained this verse from different an increase in their own perfection and of the sichos said that year. angles, each time adding an (relative to the earlier perfection) or “It is better to go to the house of explanation and clarity about the regarding their work in influencing the mourner than to the house of practical meaning of “and the living their flock, especially regarding a feasting, for it is the end of every shall take it to heart” – it is a Nasi and Melech.”

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moshiach & science KOSHER MEDITATION

By Dr. Aryeh Gotfryd

5742 or Ph.D. clearly indicates that he above is no reflection in any way Dr. ______had devoted considerable time to on the Torah knowledge and Miami Beach, Fl. obtain these degrees and, to that commitment of any person. But extent, he has not been able to because no person can be fully Greeting and Blessing: consecrate his time and attention objective in a matter in which one to Torah and Halacha. I use the is personally involved, especially if After the long interval, I was term “consecrate” advisedly, for it is a dedicated involvement, it is especially pleased to receive your this is what proper Torah study important to seek the opinion of a letter. May G-d, whose benevolent demands. completely objective and Providence extends to each and disinterested Rabbinic authority. everyone, lead you in the way of For this reason, it has been my the fullest utilization of your advice to those Ph.D.’s and M.D.’s With blessing for Hatzlacha in abilities to help others, and help who wish to enter the field of all above, yourself, in strict accord with the Jewish Meditation, that even if they /the Rebbe’s signature/ Torah. This is also the way of also have Rabbinical Ordination *** Hatzlacha in the fulfillment of (Smicha), they should seek the Announcement: Baruch your heart’s desires for good. advice and guidance of a competent Hashem, a second edition of Mind and experienced Rav, who is an Over Matter: The Rebbe on Science, I have underscored the words expert in those sections of the Technology and Medicine, is well “in strict accord,” because in the Shulchan Aruch which deal with under way. Among the many field of Jewish Meditation one these questions. To be sure, a Rav improvements is the inclusion of cannot overemphasize the great Moreh Horaa is expected to be dozens of never-before-published caution that is required to steer proficient in all of the Shulchan letters, including the following clear from even the slightest Aruch, but there are Rabbanim (courtesy of R’ Michoel Seligson). admixture of Avoda Zara (idolatry) who have specialized in this Call for letters: The publisher, - or even the suspicion of A.Z. I particular field, and they are SHAMIR Books, is offering a bring this up here because I have competent to rule whether this or complementary pre-release copy of received complaints about some that practice has any suspicion of the book for each contributor practitioners of Jewish Meditation A.Z. And there is surely no need to of material included in the upgrade. that some aspects of their practices emphasize how strictly one must Please reply to this email if you are are not in accord with the regard any suspicion of A.Z., even able to share a bona fide letter Shulchan Aruch. I do not know the the remotest. pertaining to science, technology or writer personally, but since we are medicine. dealing with a highly sensitive and In these days of confusion and Call for assistance: The serious area, I cannot ignore such misconception, additional proper has a modest budget for reports. Moreover, it appears that precaution must be taken to avoid someone to make a proper index of the complaints are basically anything, however innocent in the book according to Chabad connected with the fact that many itself - if it can be misconstrued by standards. Reply by email if and only of those who practice Jewish a patient or by a colleague as a if you are already familiar with the Meditation are not experts on Heter for similar treatment or book’s contents, have a good Halacha, particularly on the methods which may not be as command of written English, and intricacies of Avoda Zara. Of innocent of A.Z. the patience and time to organize an course, however well meaning a intelligent index. Email Jew is, the fact that one is an M.D. I must emphasize again that the [email protected].

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