677a:Beis Moshiach 29/12/2008 6:48 AM Page 3

contents

YOSEF AND YEHUDA: STUDY AND 5 ACTION D’var Malchus

RIVKY HOLTZBERG: OUR DEAR SISTER 8 AND COUSIN Shlichus | Chani Nussbaum

REPAYING BAD WITH GOOD 12 Thought | Chaim Ashkenazi

MR. MUSIC’S BACK IN TOWN! 18 Profile | S. Malachi

USA ONLY WITH THE ’S KOCHOS! 744 Eastern Parkway , NY 11213-3409 24 Shlichus | Chani Nussbaum Tel: (718) 778-8000 Fax: (718) 778-0800 [email protected] www.beismoshiach.org A DOCTOR WHO BECAME A ROVING EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: 30 SHLIACH M.M. Hendel Profile | Nosson Avrohom ENGLISH EDITOR: Boruch Merkur [email protected] LOVE – BETWEEN PARENTS AND ASSISTANT EDITOR: 40 CHILDREN, BETWEEN AND G-D Dr. Aryeh Gotfryd Insight | Rabbi Yosef Karasik HEBREW EDITOR: Rabbi Sholom Yaakov Chazan [email protected]

Beis Moshiach (USPS 012-542) ISSN 1082- 0272 is published weekly, except (only once in April and October) for $160.00 in Crown Heights, Brooklyn and in all other places for $180.00 per year (45 issues), by Beis Moshiach, 744 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn, NY 11213-3409. Periodicals postage paid at Brooklyn, NY and additional offices. Postmaster: send address changes to Beis Moshiach 744 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn, NY 11213-3409. Copyright 2009 by Beis Moshiach, Inc. Beis Moshiach is not responsible for the content of the advertisements. 677a:Beis Moshiach 29/12/2008 6:49 AM Page 5

d’var malchus YOSEF AND YEHUDA: STUDY AND ACTION

Translated and adapted by Dovid Yisroel Ber Kaufmann

divided into two kingdoms.” When Moshiach comes, the two This means that the two approaches to serving G-d will be approaches to serving G-d (study, united. Neither will outweigh the other; rather both will be revealed as represented by Yosef, and action, manifestations of the essential nature represented by Yehuda) will be united. of the Jewish soul. In terms of Divine service, Yosef How is this possible? Currently, Yosef represents study and Yehuda represents action (the actual (study) is superior. In the times of performance of mitzvos). Currently, the level of Yosef – that is, Torah Moshiach, Yehuda (action) will be study – is considered higher, for it leads to action. “Torah is greater” superior, but study will be of an entirely because through study one ends up different nature, infused with bittul. with both study and action. Therefore, Yehuda – the model for action – approaches Yosef – the The basic content of this week’s Torah reading is the model for study, since “action follows study.” Since Yosef approach of Yehuda to Yosef. Indeed, the name of the is – at this time – higher than Yehuda, he – Yehuda – must portion – VaYigash – means “he approached.” The make the first move, so to speak. Yehuda must approach Torah is talking about more than one individual Yosef. However, in the era of Moshiach, Yehuda will be approaching another. The confrontation between higher – as the prophecy in the Haftora indicates, “My Yehuda and Yosef – and their ultimate reconciliation – servant David will rule over them” – because then the reflects the process by which the ultimate revelation of advantage of action will be revealed. G-dliness will occur. For, as the Zohar explains, the However, there seems to be a problem, since the ‘one Torah reading is about the coming together of two king’ that will rule over both segments of the Jewish worlds, so to speak, in order to unify them. Yosef and people – the kingdom of Yehuda and the kingdom of Yehuda each represent a different ‘world,’ a different Yosef – will come from Yehuda, as Ezekiel himself approach to the Divinely ordained task of making the prophesies: “My servant David will rule over them physical world a dwelling place for G-dliness. forever.” This does not seem to be a complete or true The same concept is expressed in the Haftora. The unification, since the kingdom of Yosef will disappear and section of Ezekiel chosen for the Haftora talks of the time there will remain only the branch of Yehuda. Surely this of Moshiach, when the kingdoms of Yehuda and Yosef doesn’t mean that there will be only mitzvos and Acts of will be reunited. The prophet is told by G-d to “take a Loving-kindness after Moshiach, but no study of Torah. branch and write on it ‘for Yehuda’ . . . take a branch and True unity means both exist. write on it ‘for Yosef’ and bring them together so they will How can there be unification between the two be united in your hand. . . . Thus says the Lord . . . I will kingdoms – that is, the two approaches of study and make them one nation and there will be one king over action – when only the king from Yehuda – Moshiach – them. They will no longer be two nations nor will they be will rule? What is the difference between the days before

BEIS MOSHIACH Issue 677 5 677a:Beis Moshiach 29/12/2008 6:49 AM Page 6

Moshiach – when this unification has not yet taken place Then – in the times of Moshiach – performance of a – and the era of Redemption – when there will be one mitzva will reveal the essence of the soul – its innate king over all ? connection to G-dliness – or, as the prophet phrases it, As mentioned already, the reason Torah study is “all flesh will see” G-dliness. As a result, the impetus for greater – during these times – is because it leads to action. doing a mitzva will come not from understanding its So, through Torah study one ends up with the advantages significance, but automatically, from the nature of one’s of both. Therefore, in the times of Moshiach, action, soul. which will be greater, must also possess the advantages of Still, this seems to nullify the very existence of Yosef – both. The difference is that now Torah leads to action, to eliminate the need for study. How can the two while after Moshiach comes, action leads to Torah. kingdoms, Yosef and Yehuda – study and action – become Parenthetically, we should explain how one can know one unified nation and still retain their identities? How is what to do – how to perform the mitzva – before learning it possible that “My servant David shall rule over them” if about it – studying the laws. When Moshiach comes, G-d they are truly united, meaning both Yosef and Yehuda – will remove the “spirit of impurity from the earth.” As a study and action – retain their existence – and consequence, impulses, temptations and cravings will no significance? longer compel a person “against their will.” G-dliness will At the time when “study leads to action” – when Yosef be fully revealed, in the most physical is higher and Yehuda must approach and mundane manner. At that level, him – study and action remain two there will be no need to study the laws The mind can go separate concepts. Even though the of the Torah, because they will be individual possesses both, since known automatically, much as a very far, “study leads to action,” a hierarchy young child knows not to stick his or exists: study is higher. her hand into a fire. understand very The essence of the soul is nullified Returning to the question why to G-d’s Will, being only a vehicle for action will be greater than study in much, but it is still its manifestation. The essence, and the times of Moshiach, we can say limited. its nullification to G-d’s Will, is that study is limited to the intellectual revealed through action. When the capacity of the student or scholar. Performing a essence is revealed, its nullification to The mind can go very far, understand G-d’s Will is revealed in every very much, but it is still limited. mitzva, on the manifestation and attribute. Thus, Performing a mitzva, on the other when action is higher, the intellect hand, requires bittul – a nullification other hand, becomes ego-less. of the ego. To do something simply David, the king from Yehuda, is because G-d commanded it requires requires bittul – a described as “My servant,” indicating acceptance of the yoke of heaven – nullification of the that he ruled not with arrogance or submitting one’s own will to G-d’s. self-exaltation, but humility and The attachment thus formed – and ego. complete self-nullification. Just as the manifestations of that attachment performance of a mitzva requires – are limitless. effort and putting aside one’s desires Nevertheless, there are two types of bittul, two ways of and conveniences to fulfill G-d’s Will, so too Torah study subjugating one’s will. The first is an ‘external’ bittul, one requires effort and putting aside one’s ego and that does not penetrate to the essence of the soul. In this rationalizations. In this way – in his submission to G-d’s case, one performs the mitzva – carries out G-d’s Will – Will – Moshiach will unite Yosef and Yehuda, study and because of awe, through an acceptance of the yoke of action. heaven. This is the type of bittul that exists today. Getting We can thus understand a key phrase in Rambam’s list there, achieving this degree of submission to G-d’s Will, of qualifications for Moshiach. Moshiach, Rambam requires intellect. One must study, learn Torah so deeply explains, must be “a king from the house of David, expert and so well, that a willingness to observe its in Torah and involved with mitzvos – as David his father.” commandments has penetrated to the level of action, to a The phrase “as David his father” means that not only will commitment to perform the mitzva. In the times of Moshiach be punctilious in the observance of mitzvos and Moshiach, however, the mitzvos will be performed unequaled in Torah knowledge, but he will do both – because of a higher, ‘internal’ level of bittul. The Torah and mitzvos – with the same effort, humility and hierarchical order – from intellect to action, from study to self-nullification “as David his father.” mitzva – will no longer be necessary. (Based on 25, pp. 258-266)

6 6 Teives 5769 BEIS MOSHIACH 677a:Beis Moshiach 29/12/2008 6:49 AM Page 8

shlichus RIVKY HOLTZBERG: OUR DEAR SISTER AND COUSIN

By Chani Nussbaum

rest, despite the fact that the next Sarah Leiter, Rivky Holtzberg’s sister, day she had to get up early and and Penina Glitzenstein, her cousin, go to school. She had a heart of gold.” tell us about this special shlucha who was brutally taken from us while on SIMCHA “She was smart, smiley, and duty in her house. dynamic, with a special joie de vivre,” says her cousin, Mrs. Devorah Lipkin from Merchavya. After the Shiva, I spoke with married and settled down. “She did everything in the most two family members: Sara’le “Rivky excelled in school. She natural way, as though it wasn’t Leiter, shlucha at Ascent in Tzfas didn’t have to put much work hard at all. To her, everything was and Rivky’s younger sister by one into her studies, and everyone good, all was rosy.” year, and her cousin Penina knew that they could ask her for “A Shabbos Kalla with Rivky Glitzenstein, shlucha in help or pour out their hearts to was extra special,” Penina Tchernovitz, Russia, who was in her and count on her to keep a reminisces. “She infused it with high school with her and on secret.” extra simcha. shlichus with her in Riga. “One of the teachers came “If Rivky were here,” she said, during the Shiva,” said Sara’le. “she wouldn’t let us be sad. She “She had a short story with a SO GOOD-NATURED didn’t tolerate sadness; it was out powerful message. She said that “I remember,” said Penina, of the question, as far as she was Rivky was the only student who “something that happened in high concerned. And especially when went over to her after the school. One year, a girl from a the sadness is because of what matriculation exam and said in Russian family came to our happened to her.” her simple, modest way, ‘Thank school. Her personal difficulties “She had a sense of humor you for preparing us for the were really overwhelming. Rivky and she knew, and also taught exam.’ She excelled in the midda was so devoted to her. She not others, how to approach life in a of gratitude. only visited her, but made sure to lighthearted way. “I remember how, in our inform the teaching and medical “I remember one time getting childhood, when one of our older staff of her situation. She did it stuck in a huge traffic jam on the sisters came to recuperate after all quietly and discretely. She way back to from high having a baby, it was Rivky who actually saved that girl, and did school in Kiryot. It seemed like volunteered to sleep with the little so without fanfare. The girl later we’d never get home. We were on ones so that their mother could

8 6 Teives 5769 BEIS MOSHIACH 677a:Beis Moshiach 29/12/2008 6:49 AM Page 9

edge, tired and hungry. But Rivky managed to change the atmosphere when she said, “What’s the In a split second she problem? We can walk from here to Afula.” In a split second she managed to put a smile on our managed to put a smile faces. Her joy in life was unforgettable. She took everything in a carefree manner. She simply didn’t on our faces. Her joy in know how to take things hard. “When we would be sitting life was unforgettable. around, in our childhood, she She took everything in would suddenly get up and say – Come, let’s do something; maybe a refreshing outing or something a carefree manner. like that. She couldn’t stand idleness.” She simply didn’t know ...ALWAYS A SHLUCHA how to take things The same was true for shlichus. Wherever she was, she operated as a shlucha. hard. Penina related, “As girls in seminary, we went together on shlichus to Riga. We taught Hebrew and Jewish subjects. Today, when I think about how I under the auspices of the seminary came to an end, managed on that shlichus, far from home and in the shluchim asked us to stay on for the camp that Russia, the answer is that it was thanks to Rivky. would soon be starting. It was Rivky who convinced When you were with her you couldn’t feel bad. She me to stay another two months. When I was enjoyed every minute of life, and she imparted that nervous about how we would finish all our feeling of simcha and enjoyment to those around obligatory courses afterwards in seminary, or her. overcome with homesickness after months of being “When the half a year of shlichus which was away, she calmed me down and assured me, “Don’t

The public Menora in Bombay lighting up the darkness of

BEIS MOSHIACH Issue 677 9 677a:Beis Moshiach 29/12/2008 6:49 AM Page 10

Chabad house in Bombay “I’ll never forget how one Friday, when I called her in India… she told me in her straightforward manner that there were thirty chickens in the bathtub, waiting to be kashered.”

worry Penina. It will all be fine.” And it was. “She never thought of herself, and in her special way she imbued others with confidence. That is how she was able, without knowing the language and working with people of a different mentality, to be so successful in Riga. She organized the camp, and when it ended, the girls found it incredibly difficult to say goodbye to her. “She had a certain charm that helped her with mivtzaim, too. She was so successful because people just couldn’t turn her down. “Every week, upon returning from a long, hard day in seminary, Rivky would go visit a certain old woman. She tried to bring her joy as only she knew how. She visited her until the woman passed away. “Whatever she did, she did willingly and quickly, and she always created a positive atmosphere around her.”

10 6 Teives 5769 BEIS MOSHIACH 677a:Beis Moshiach 29/12/2008 6:49 AM Page 11

DAILY MESIRUS “I’m sure,” said Penina, “that NEFESH within those two hours she also managed to bake a delicious cake “Rivky and her husband Gabi for dessert, because she was so went on a tough shlichus. quick and energetic. Everyone knows that India is a “One time, in one of our very difficult place for shlichus. phone conversations, she told me There is no future for your that they were renovating the children’s chinuch. (It’s even and building a worse than Russia). She did mikva. At that point they had only everything as a shlucha with her made the pit. Rivky told me that own hands, and she was graced around this time, a partially with the special abilities to handle observant woman visited them a shlichus like that.” and the topic turned to taharas Penina remembered a few ha’mishpacha. Rivky convinced interesting details: her to immerse in the pit by the “I’ll never forget how one light of lanterns, with simcha shel Friday, when I called her in India mitzva. The result was that this to see how she was doing and to woman, who had not had children swap shlichus stories, she told me in years, had a child within a in her straightforward manner year!” that there were thirty chickens in the bathtub, waiting to be kashered. I was flabbergasted. BE HAPPY! How would she manage? But for “With her passing,” concluded Rivky, everything was possible Penina, “she left us a mandate – and everything was fine. to be happy. That is what Rabbi , may Hashem avenge his blood, working “On another Friday she told strengthens us now, knowing that on the mikva me, ‘I didn’t start preparing for she is hovering above us and Shabbos yet because I didn’t feel saying: ‘Get up, don’t cry, don’t surely making a commotion in well this morning, but don’t be sad.’ Heaven and demanding the worry, everything will be fine, Her sister Sara’le said, “Her revelation of Moshiach and the with Hashem’s help. I’ll start now lying there just doesn’t befit her; Geula.” and within two hours, I’ll be she was so full of joy and action. “The living shall take it to done.’ And she, with her husband, are heart...”

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, education Most important, you can now get the JNET Advantage for only and personal use it can also be a potentially dangerous one. 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 portal worry, you're ready for JNet. is probably the most effective consumer resource for eliminating DIAL UP DSL Unlimited Access 24 Tech Support material not conducive to our needs. More than virtually foolproof, J .NET is also easy - both to 4 Profiles per Account Web Mail install and use. Plus its available in both dialup and high speed Call us toll free at 1-866-866-JNET (5638) DSL and backed by highly trained customer service experts that will solve your problems fast. (mention code “770” for special ANASH Rate)

BEIS MOSHIACH Issue 677 11 677a:Beis Moshiach 29/12/2008 6:49 AM Page 12

thought REPAYING BAD WITH GOOD

By Rabbi Chaim Ashkenazi

with favors.” The Alter Rebbe, in , demands of R’ Sender’s act may have been us that we repay bad with good, in even greater than Yosef HaTzaddik, because Yosef’s kind emulation of Yosef with his brothers. treatment of his brother after their mistreatment of him came after he How do we put this lofty ideal into saw that Divine Providence was orchestrating everything for the practice? * The following is from a good. R’ Sender, on the other hand, never got to see how the Chassidic on the issues of Misnaged’s behavior was for the our times as they relate to the month good, yet he acted kindly towards him. of Teives. WE DETERMINE WHICH The Alter Rebbe had a Chassid monetary loss due to this slander GARMENT WE WEAR whose name was R’ Sender. After that he nearly became Let’s examine that piece in R’ Sender passed away, the Alter impoverished. Tanya: “In matters that are Rebbe saw him up Above in a very In the period that followed, between one person and another, pure Heavenly Chamber. The this Misnaged experienced many as soon as any grudge or hateful Alter Rebbe asked him how he misfortunes until he became sick feeling arises from the heart to the had merited this, and R’ Sender and suffered greatly. R’ Sender mind, heaven forbid, or any answered: “Rebbe, you’re asking? went to visit him. Before they jealousy or anger or complaint and It says, ‘And tz’daka elevates!’” parted, R’ Sender bent over to the the like, he does not accept them What was R’ Sender referring patient, for all appearances to at all in his mind and his will. On to? whisper something to him. Only the contrary, the mind rules and R’ Sender was a distinguished after he left did those around him dominates the spirit in his heart to Chabad Chassid and was beloved discover that he had left a large do the exact opposite, i.e. to to all, even to those who opposed sum of money under the sick conduct himself with his fellow Chassidus. However, there was man’s pillow so the man could with the trait of kindness and one Misnaged who could not support his family and marry off exceeding affection in suffering tolerate him and even tried to ruin his daughters. from him to the furthest extreme, him in business. For example, R’ This was the tz’daka that without being provoked to anger, Sender would import tea to elevated R’ Sender to that very heaven forbid, or to take revenge Russia. This Misnaged informed high Chamber in Heaven. It is an in kind, heaven forbid. On the on him, saying he wasn’t paying example of what it says at the end contrary, to repay offenders with the tax, and so the government of chapter 12 of Tanya about the favors, as taught in the Zohar that confiscated his merchandise. R’ behavior of Yosef towards his we should learn from Yosef and his Sender suffered such a great brothers – “to repay offenders brothers.”

12 6 Teives 5769 BEIS MOSHIACH 677a:Beis Moshiach 29/12/2008 6:49 AM Page 13

We can assume that the person different seasons or occasions. closet or shelf that contains the who learns this twelfth chapter of When a person wants to wear garment of anger or animosity, in Tanya wonders: ‘How can I repay a certain item, he takes it out, and accordance with the Alter Rebbe’s the guilty parties with favors? The when he doesn’t need it, he leaves demand that we behave as Yosef Torah itself designates this person it in the closet. The clothing did towards his brothers. as a guilty offender!’ cannot compel him to take them This is the behavior demanded and wear them. The person is the THE ONE WHO IS of the beinoni, a level for every one who decides whether to wear RESPONSIBLE – THE person “and every person is one item of clothing or another. drawn after it.” How does the This is what the Alter Rebbe is ANIMAL SOUL Alter Rebbe expect us to learn expecting of us, as Yosef did with The Alter Rebbe writes from Yosef, who was a “tzaddik, his brothers. We have the ability similarly in his Igeres HaKodesh foundation of the world?” to act towards someone who hurt in the letter which begins with the The Alter Rebbe is not us the way Yosef acted towards words, “My beloved, my brothers, demanding that we all change our his brothers, even though we are my friends.” He concludes that personalities. For that you have to very far from feeling compassion letter with, “if a bad thought be an exceptional person with a and love for him. That means that occurs to someone about someone special neshama that has the when we have a negative feeling else, he should push it away like a ability to change the feelings of towards someone, the only way thought of idol worship.” his heart. These are the neshamos that it will find expression is if we This means we need to of the tzaddikim about whom it open the closet which is external seriously recognize that hurting says, “Their heart is in their to our inner selves and remove the someone, whether in action, possession.” What is expected of soul garment that matches the speech or thought is as serious a us is to oversee the actions that feeling that overcomes us at that prohibition as actual idol worship, are done through the garments of moment. which even a very lowly person thoughts, speech, and action. Since this is the process by sacrifices his life to avoid. Garments are belongings or which we react to someone who If we go back to our analogy items that are stored in the proper offends us, we have the ability to of clothing, it’s as though the closet or shelf, depending on its refrain from a negative reaction Alter Rebbe is saying – don’t open usage – special clothing for by refraining from opening the a closet that has clothing with shatnez in it or any inappropriate modes of dress. You need to get away from there! Therefore, each of us can be expected to learn from Yosef’s behavior towards his brothers, because we’re not saying that you shouldn’t have the feeling of animosity and hatred; just that you shouldn’t entertain it in your thought, speech, and action. This is despite the additional demand made on a Jew, that his feelings towards others be in the spirit of “love your neighbor as yourself.” Just as you don’t feel anger, jealousy or hatred for yourself (if you do, it’s a sign of poor mental health), these feelings should not be felt towards others, either. The Yerushalmi compares two Jews to two hands, right and left.

BEIS MOSHIACH Issue 677 13 677a:Beis Moshiach 29/12/2008 6:49 AM Page 14

Just as it’s not possible for the parties who, according to Torah, fact that he is transgressing right hand to be angry at the left are in the wrong. We know that Hashem’s will is between him and and hit it, or the opposite, this our hearts are drawn after our Hashem and nobody else’s can’t happen with Jews either. actions, so if we do favors for the business. The hatred the hurt The highest level of guilty person, our feelings person feels is because of his understanding is realizing that towards him will change for the anger and not because of two Jews are actually one entity, positive. zealousness for Hashem’s sake. so how could you be angry at We use this idea with a child The proof is that he doesn’t someone else? who hits others. We take his hand investigate what other mitzvos the Our animal soul hides the true and have him “make nice” to the person does or doesn’t do in the feelings that are within the G-dly one he hit, and we say, “nice, category of “between man and soul. Thus, it is possible for nice.” At first he resists, but when Hashem.” He only reacts to what someone who did not yet succeed we insist, he stretches out his affected him personally. in making his G-dly soul primary hand and pats the other child. Chassidim tell of a man who vis-à-vis his animal soul, to feel We must do the same with our shouted in shul because someone hatred for another. This feeling is animal soul. Although at first it sat during the recitation of sourced in the animal soul, which opposes all this and closes its fist “VaYevorech Dovid.” The person does not express what a Jew truly in order to hit rather than caress, who was sitting retorted – the fact is. if we don’t give up, we will that I’ve been sitting in a house ultimately get it to act like Eisav for several years now without TEACHING THE ANIMAL did. He intended to bite Yaakov parnasa doesn’t bother you. It’s SOUL TO CARESS and ended up kissing him - and just my sitting down for a minute some say he even kissed Yaakov during this prayer that makes you In his sichos, the Rebbe notes with all his heart. scream... an important point about the These are actions we can take As for the second part, his Gemara’s statement that a Jew even though we have no desire to personal hurt is significant, but ought to say, “I would want [to do them. Our hearts tell us – he’s doesn’t give him the right to get eat] pig, I would want [to wear] the bad guy so he should make angry. He needs to think about shatnez, but what can I do when the first move and change his way how nothing happens unless my Father in Heaven decreed of talking and acting towards us, Hashem wills it and how this was upon me.” Why shouldn’t a but we need to remind ourselves decreed in Heaven. If he thinks person say he couldn’t possibly that the only person in the world otherwise and gets angry, it’s like eat pig or wear shatnez? Because who we can change, is ourselves. idol worship, as the Alter Rebbe then he is not a servant of We can’t change the other person, writes regarding “whoever gets Hashem; he is a servant of his nor is it our responsibility to do angry is as though he worshipped own caprices and desires. so. (We can try and have a idols.” This is because the damage The Rebbe points out that this positive influence on him, say a was decreed on High and if it is said regarding matters between chapter of T’hillim for him, but hadn’t been decreed, the person man and G-d. In matters between we can’t force him to change). would not have been able to hurt man and his fellow, however, a him. person should definitely not say, The person who hurt him was “I want to kill, I want to steal or HURTING ANOTHER PERSON IS the means through which lie, etc.” Heaven forbid! A person Heaven’s will was carried out, and who would say that has rotten EQUIVALENT TO IDOL a negative thing is accomplished middos, and thoughts and feelings WORSHIP through someone who is already a like these are completely beyond In a sin between man and man guilty offender. It’s that person’s the pale. there are two parts. One part is problem that he was chosen to These terrible thoughts come the prohibition in doing carry out that despicable act. Why from the animal soul and should something against G-d’s will, and should we react angrily and treat be dismissed as soon as they rise the second part is the action him as the guilty party? True, he from the heart to the mind. Even against the other person. As far as is guilty, but that is for Heaven to more so, these thoughts should be the first part, if for example take care of. uprooted completely. This is done someone hurts someone else, the The story is told about a by doing kindness to those guilty

14 6 Teives 5769 BEIS MOSHIACH 677a:Beis Moshiach 29/12/2008 6:49 AM Page 15

Chassid who would lend money the mitzva of loving another Jew, told by G-d Himself, but to save a and would not ask for it to be as stated in chapter 32 of Tanya. Jew, it’s enough to hear it from an returned. If it was returned, fine. But when you hurt someone with angel. You want me to sign a When he was asked about this, he the intention of some positive cherem on a holy congregation replied – I lent the money because result, first of all, who knows because an angel said so? it’s a mitzva. Returning the money whether any good will come of it. From many places in Torah we is the borrower’s mitzva. Why Secondly, if no one gains thereby, can learn how much we should should I check up on him to see we totally lost out by harming value other people. For example, whether he’s doing a mitzva or someone else. It becomes quite there is a Chassidic insight based not? clear how we ought to respond on the Gemara that says, “How The justifications with which a when the thought arises to act foolish are those people who person explains his anger – that negatively toward another. stand up for the Torah and do not the person did such-and-such or The story is told by the Rebbe stand up for a Torah scholar. The said such-and-such and it’s a Rayatz about one of the big honor of the Torah scholar is mitzva to teach him a lesson – are Misnagdim in the time of the greater, because in the Torah it none of his business even if he’s Vilna Gaon who was asked to sign says, ‘He should be lashed with right. It would be much wiser to forty,’ indicating that forty lashes look for other, better mitzvos to are given. Came the Torah do. Only after he left scholars who said that it’s only Rabbi Moshe, the son of the did those around thirty-nine,” and this is the Alter Rebbe, said that those halacha. mitzvos that the body takes him discover that Now why isn’t a proof brought pleasure in, we don’t need to be from the counting of the Omer, mehader in (do punctiliously) he had left a large where it says we should count for because who knows whether we’re fifty days and our sages tell us doing it for the sake of Heaven or sum of money that this means we should actually for the sake of our own pleasure? count forty-nine? Because the Therefore, among Chabad under the sick proof of the greatness of the Chassidim it is not the practice to man’s pillow so Torah scholars is that they are look for the sweetest challos for able, with their wisdom, to reduce Shabbos, nor the most tantalizing his antagonist how many times a Jew is lashed! delights, even though it’s for Shabbos and Yom Tov, because could support his HASHEM WILL SURELY who can say what the intentions REMEMBER US of the person are when eating it? family and marry The same applies here. Since On the verse, “He preserved there is, unfortunately, great off his daughters... him like the pupil of His eye” it pleasure in putting down the says, “Whoever touches them [the other person’s views, tearing up the excommunication against the Jewish people] is like one who his publications and fliers, and the Chassidim. They told him that touches the pupil of G-d’s eye.” like, we don’t need to be mehader even the Gaon of Vilna, angel of Obviously, Hashem does not have in this; on the contrary, we need G-d, had signed it. a body and “the pupil of His eye” to treat these matters with great The gadol replied: At the is merely an anthropomorphic stringency. binding of Yitzchok we find that analogy. Hashem Himself told Avrohom to Why is harming a Jew bind his son Yitzchok. Later on, compared to harming the eye? THE GREATNESS And if another limb of G-d is IS IN DIMINISHING when Hashem wanted to tell Avrohom that he did not mean affected, so to say, wouldn’t that A JEW’S SUFFERING that he should slaughter Yitzchok, be equally as severe? The answer When you do a good thing for He sent an angel. Why? is that when other parts of the someone else, even if it doesn’t Because to kill a Jew, even if body are harmed, it takes a bring about the desired result, you it’s for the sake of Heaven as a moment to react to the blow, but don’t lose out on the reward of sacrifice to G-d, you have to be with the eye, it is instantaneous. Even before it’s touched, as soon

BEIS MOSHIACH Issue 677 15 677a:Beis Moshiach 29/12/2008 6:49 AM Page 16

and said that violence had no Teives, as follows: “The fact that I’ve place in Lubavitch. *The siege of Yerushalayim been sitting in a The Rebbe received everybody started on the 10th of Teives, without checking them out first. which is the beginning of the house for several Only someone who used violence tikkun for the unwarranted hatred against another Jew was expelled. that led to the exile. years now without Who are we to take matters into *Learning chapter 12 of Tanya our own hands and throw anyone in the course of the daily parnasa doesn’t out that the Rebbe would study schedule, in which the Alter welcome? Rebbe tells us to learn from bother you. It’s We have to do the opposite Yosef’s behavior towards his just my sitting and request that he remain, as the brothers “to repay the guilty ones Alter Rebbe asked of the Maggid with favors.” down for a minute of Mezritch that he not expel *Reading Parshas VaYechi, in Rabbi Avrohom of Kalisk and his which we have the promise of during this prayer disciples even though their Geula, “and G-d will surely conduct was not to the liking of remember you.” that makes you the Maggid. *In our generation, a Yom Tov I remember, during the was added to Teives with “Didan scream...” difficult time of Mihu Yehudi, Natzach,” in which the when the Rebbe spoke on this said, “The Rebbe and the s’farim as the finger approaches it, the subject for hours and denounced belong to the Chassidim.” Let us eye closes or tears. This teaches the unfortunate Law of Return remember that even our us how careful we must be not to (today we see how right he was adversaries are included among hurt another Jew and how painful and what tremendous damage was the Chassidim to whom the Rebbe it is to Hashem when a Jew is wreaked as a result of not and the s’farim belong, similar to hurt. listening to the Rebbe). At the what is said about Torah – “an Consider how the Rebbe time, a Lubavitcher askan asked inheritance of the congregation of reacted when he was ridiculed and the Rebbe why he doesn’t “abolish Yaakov” – the Torah and the attacked by Misnagdim and them from the world.” The Rebbe Giver of the Torah have a Satmar “Chassidim,” by those answered – we are on the eve of connection to every single Jew. opposed to shleimus ha’Am, the coming of Moshiach, and When each of us resolves to do ha’Aretz, and ha’Torah and whoever is cast aside now, will be “only goodness and kindness” to threatened that his mosdos would lost forever, heaven forbid. It’s others, even to “guilty offenders,” suffer etc. The Rebbe did not say not the time to push anybody we will merit the “I will surely anything bad against anyone away. remember you” with the true and personally. He spoke only against This theme is particularly complete Redemption. the behavior of certain people emphasized in the month of

Raskin's Consistently “if it grows we have it” Superior Fruit and Produce Emporium WHOLESALE & RETAIL Michal & We Deliver 335 Kingston Ave. Brooklyn NY 11213 * Tel: (718) 756-3888 756-2221 * Fax: 756-2440

16 6 Teives 5769 BEIS MOSHIACH 677a:Beis Moshiach 29/12/2008 6:49 AM Page 18

rosh chpordoefisleh kislev MR. MUSICS BACK IN TOWN!

By S. Malachi Translated by Michoel Leib Dobry

Russia in their youth, had time to “Every Jew a Shliach”: In this absorb something from the pleasantness of the Jewish shtetl thrilling story of his life, R’ Velvel life. In Velvel’s childhood, however, Marantz illustrates how each person was summed up by his first and second grade studies and an can utilize his talents to spread the aliya to the Torah on the day of his bar-mitzva. teachings of Chassidus. One of the early points of light in R’ Velvel’s life took place in “Oibershter, Oy Oibershter…” Velvel readily captures the attention 5712, a year after the outbreak of The fingers that just a moment of the children – especially since in the Korean War. This was a earlier appeared wrinkled from age those hands, he’s holding a bunch particularly costly war, during skip gingerly across the ivory keys, of bright red lollipops. which more than 34,000 American producing tones that pull at one’s With great enthusiasm, dozens servicemen lost their lives - about a heartstrings. The tones are of delicate voices sing the Twelve third of the U.S. forces that had accompanied by a silvery voice P’sukim, move on to “Yechi been sent to the front! longing for Hashem and pleading Adoneinu”, and conclude with the As any other able-bodied young for Redemption. annual niggun based on the chapter man above the age of twenty, Velvel Sitting in the warm and simple of T’hillim of the Rebbe, Melech was drafted and sent to the army home of R’ Velvel Marantz, I almost HaMoshiach. All these melodies base at Fort Dix, New Jersey. An forget that we are in the midst of have been composed by R’ Velvel atmosphere of dread reigned among the first interview of our “Every Jew himself. the new recruits. The rumors A Shliach” series. The heart is Standing behind the children, coming from the Korean front were captivated by the magical sound, you can see some older faces. not very encouraging, and every joining in without even noticing, as These are the parents who have soldier hoped that he could be one he sings the awe-inspiring lyrics, sent their children to say (or sing) of the few to be sent to the requesting Hisgalus. the p’sukim and remain “for just a American military bases in West If you enter the small minute” in order to see the Germany, where it would be much in ’s ‘Shikunim heartwarming sight with loving safer. Chadashim’ neighborhood on eyes, as many of them recall sweet “I remember the tension and Shabbos afternoon, you will come memories of their own childhood. apprehension as they read out the across R’ Velvel in all his glory, names on the list of those traveling conducting a choir of dozens of G-D IS WONDERFUL to West Germany. Suddenly, I delightful young boys. With his heard my name, and I clearly felt at R’ Velvel’s story begins in 5690, long white beard flowing and his that moment that G-d in Heaven in a typical American Jewish family. hands waving energetically, R’ was watching over me and His parents, who emigrated from

18 6 Teives 5769 BEIS MOSHIACH 677a:Beis Moshiach 29/12/2008 6:49 AM Page 19

protecting me. I burst out United States and resumed his spontaneously with a cry of ‘Thank studies at Brooklyn College. Around We accepted the you, G-d!’” this time, he met his future wife, Velvel’s musical career began to Shaindel. Before their wedding, the faith in the Rebbe, gather speed when he was future Mrs. Marantz asked that appointed to be the army composer. they keep kosher and observe Melech Despite the fact that the army various traditional Jewish customs mandated that he prepare martial in their new home, and so they did. HaMoshiach, in the music and the like, Velvel Even when the children grew up same way that we concentrated primarily upon and went to college, they were composing songs about G-d. One stringent about eating only in the accepted the other of the songs that he wrote during kosher cafeteria. this time was “Heaven”, which Another important step towards fundamental beliefs became very popular among the his religious observance took place soldiers. after the Six Day War, in the wake of ‘Yiddishkait.’ One Friday night, on a remote of that miraculous victory that woke army base in West Germany, Velvel the hearts of so many of our was invited by the army chaplain to brethren. The Marantz family made THE TANK THAT come for Shabbos services. “When an emotional pilgrimage to Eretz ATTACKED AT JUST I read the [translated] words from HaKodesh, and the high point was THE RIGHT MOMENT the prayer book, I felt that G-d is when they stood before the Western wonderful, but these lofty feelings Wall. “When I looked upon the Another ten years passed, and did not led me to any practical huge ancient stones, I broke into the life of the Marantz family change in my life. I still had a long tears. I didn’t understand what continued as usual. At the time, R’ road ahead of me…” caused me to cry, but I knew that Velvel’s older daughter, Feige, was After two years in West something was happening within learning in public school, but she Germany, Velvel returned to the me,” R’ Velvel recalled. was not very happy there. Then one day, an unusual vehicle, which they later discovered to be a “ Tank,” passed through their neighborhood, bearing a placard that caught R’ Velvel’s eye: “Why not send your children to ?” (In those days, even girls’ schools were called yeshivos.) R’ Velvel was given a brochure on Jewish education from the ‘tankists.’ He brought the brochure home to his wife, who expressed her interest in the idea, and the ball began to roll. When their daughter also agreed, the parents decided to disregard their feelings of concern and uncertainty, and they called the number that appeared on the brochure. The person who answered the phone was Rabbi Kasriel Kastel, and he sent HaTamim (now Rabbi) Pini Silberberg to the family’s home. After he succeeded in arranging for the girl to begin learning in a religious educational institution, Pini extended an

BEIS MOSHIACH Issue 677 19 677a:Beis Moshiach 29/12/2008 6:51 AM Page 20

prepared to host a family of seven Within the Marantz family in Suddenly, I heard whom they didn’t even know. general, the changes continued one my name, and I The entire family arrived in after the other, including leaving honor of that historic Shabbos. the local Conservative synagogue clearly felt at that Even their son, who was studying at and joining an Orthodox shul. Princeton University, made the R’ Velvel’s first teacher in moment that G-d effort to come. For the first time in chassidus was Rabbi Dovid Sholom their lives, they experienced a real Pape, with whom he discovered the in Heaven was Shabbos together, seasoned with living wellsprings of chassidic true Chabad flavor. teachings. Even then, back in 5736, watching over me It wasn’t long before R. Velvel Rabbi Silberberg explained to the and protecting me. realized that the year in which this Marantz family that the Lubavitcher revolution in his family, 5736, was Rebbe is Melech HaMoshiach. “We I burst out the year the Rebbe launched Mivtza accepted this as a simple fact,” R’ Chinuch (the mitzva campaign on Velvel said. “Everything he told us spontaneously Jewish education). was true. We accepted the faith in the Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach, in with a cry of THE REBBE AS MELECH the same way that we accepted the HA’MOSHIACH AND other fundamental beliefs of ‘Thank you, G-d! ‘Yiddishkait.’ In general, I OTHER BASIC remember him always speaking invitation to the entire family to CONCEPTS IN JUDAISM about Moshiach – and this was spend Shabbos at his parents’ during those years when talking house. The Marantz’s were Pini maintained his connection about Moshiach had not yet overwhelmed by the invitation. with R’ Velvel and encouraged him become all that popular…” They found it difficult to to make further progress in his understand how anyone would be Torah study and mitzva observance.

20 6 Teives 5769 BEIS MOSHIACH 677a:Beis Moshiach 29/12/2008 6:49 AM Page 21

THE REBBE’S TURN R’ Velvel’s first encounter with the Rebbe was during a farbrengen, and it infused him with excitement and enthusiasm. During that farbrengen, R’ Velvel realized that the Rebbe is not just another Jew; he knew that he was in the presence of a very special individual. Shortly after the farbrengen, when it was announced that the Rebbe would be giving out lekach, R’ Velvel got in line. When he came before the Rebbe’s holy countenance, he felt an electrifying surge flow through his entire body. From that moment on, he began coming regularly to the Rebbe’s , sometimes taking his children with him. His wife, Mrs. Shaindel Marantz, saw the Rebbe R. Velvel signing the k’suba at the Hoffman- for the first time at the 5736 Lag BaOmer parade. Dobry wedding in Kfar Chabad After hearing about the great and impressive event, she decided to come with her children. Indeed, the sight of hundreds of children marching, bearing signs, displays, and other Jewish attractions was very R. Velvel Pesach Marantz was born on the inspiring and deeply moving. The climax of the 18th of Shvat, 5690 (1930), in Brooklyn, New parade for Mrs. Marantz came at the moment that the York, to a non-observant Jewish family. He Rebbe made a 180 degree turn and looked directly at received his education in the local public her in the huge crowd. “I felt his penetrating look school system, and then later at Brooklyn from a block away,” said Mrs. Marantz. College and Columbia University. The family continued to make progress in its Velvel’s inclination towards music developed religious observance. The boys were sent to Chabad at a very early age. By the age of seven, he had summer camps and not long afterwards, they were already learned to play the piano, developing transferred to a Chabad cheider. Even their eldest musical concepts and composing songs. R’ son, who had just completed his university studies, Velvel never formally learned the profession. traveled to Kfar Chabad to learn in the baal t’shuva “It came to me through listening and self- program of Rabbi Shneur Zalman Gafni. teaching. Essentially, it was always within me,” In 5739, R’ Velvel wrote to the Rebbe asking if it he said. Later in life, he also learned to play would be appropriate to emigrate to Eretz Yisroel, flute and guitar. and the Rebbe replied in the affirmative. Thus, R’ In 5736 (1976), a transformation took Velvel, who at the time still felt that he was only a place in the lives of R’ Velvel, his wife, “friend of Chabad,” arrived at the new immigrant Shaindel Raizel, and their five children. The center in Kfar Chabad. That same year, he traveled to Marantz family discovered Torah and mitzvos the United States for his father’s funeral and brought as illuminated by the light of the chassidic his mother back with him to Eretz Yisroel. teachings of the Rebbe shlita, Melech HaMoshiach, and music turned into a vessel AN ENTIRE LIFE IN SIX MINUTES! for spreading Yiddishkait. Today, R’ Velvel composes melodies and During this trip, R’ Velvel was privileged for the lyrics and spreads Judaism throughout the one and only time in his life to have a private world. Together with the publicity of more than yechidus with the Rebbe shlita. The yechidus lasted four thousand tunes behind him, R. Velvel does only six minutes, but those six minutes included not neglect his immediate surroundings, prophecy and guidance that accompany him to this working to bring joy to children and adults very day. With prophetic accuracy, the Rebbe told alike. “Yismach (rejoice) contains the same him where he would go and what he would do. letters as Moshiach,” he likes to say. Indeed R’ “I was very excited when I entered the Rebbe’s Velvel personally exemplifies the connection room. The Rebbe motioned for me to sit and, between joy and Moshiach by his happy unaware of the custom to stand, I sat down. The disposition and the “Yechi” kippa on his head. Rebbe inquired about my occupation, and I replied that I had been a music teacher in Brooklyn, but I

BEIS MOSHIACH Issue 677 21 677a:Beis Moshiach 29/12/2008 6:49 AM Page 22

had left the position. The Rebbe and G-dliness, and the songs were produced was called “Hineh Zeh asked in response: “Do you work publicized via the radio waves and Ba – Light Up The World.” This in Rechovot, Tel Aviv, or Petach distributed worldwide. name testifies to the content of the Tikva?” I didn’t understand what “People would call me ‘Mister eleven songs on the disk, which are the Rebbe was talking about. Music,’” he recalled. “I didn’t instilled with the concepts of “Seven years later, I started understand how this happened. I Moshiach and the Redemption. teaching music at the Chabad had written songs beforehand, but “My objective is that every song cheider in Rechovot, and I they hadn’t become well-known. should bring another Jew closer to suddenly realized that the Rebbe’s My close friends and neighbors all Moshiach,” states R’ Velvel. words were beginning to be knew my songs. They liked them fulfilled! How did the Rebbe know very much, and passed them on YIDDISHKAIT FOR that I would be in Rechovot? Two word-of-mouth, but they never CHILDREN IN SOUTH years later, I moved on to teach at achieved any degree of fame. It’s the cheider in Tel Aviv, and again I clear that all this happened in the AMERICA suddenly noticed how I was merit of the Rebbe’s bracha.” One special project that was a fulfilling what the Rebbe had said. One of the songs he composed direct result of his yechidus with Afterwards, I turned to Rabbi was “Oibershter,” as performed by the Rebbe was the “Musical Bostomsky, the director of the the Tzlil V’Zemer Choir, and it P’sukim” cassette, which contains Chabad cheider in Petach Tikva, quickly became a smash hit. This a collection of light melodies based and asked for permission to teach is a moving song, with words on the words of the Twelve in his school, even for one day. I asking and pleading from Hashem P’sukim and “Modeh Ani didn’t want to delay the fulfillment that He should bring the Lefanecha,” which the Rebbe of the Rebbe’s words any longer! Redemption. Numerous heartfelt mentioned during the yechidus. “During the yechidus, I stories resulting from this song The songs include an English mentioned that I compose music. made their way back to R’ Velvel, translation of the respective pasuk “The Rebbe asked me: ‘Songs like that of a woman who became a so that non-Hebrew speakers can for adults or for children?’ baalas t’shuva after hearing the understand its message. The “Both,” I replied. song at a Jewish wedding in Brazil. cassette became a big hit. Many “The Rebbe’s eyes sparkled as Rabbi Shneur Zalman Gafni tells children grew up with it and love it he inquired further: ‘You also write how on a visit to South Africa, he to this day. A third generation now songs for children? Songs like asked the children to sing a Jewish enjoys this unique production, ‘Modeh Ani Lefanecha,’ ‘Shma song, and they all started singing… which R. Velvel reveals is due to be Yisroel,’ and ‘B’Reishis Bara “Oibershter.” re-released soon as a CD, as we Elokim’?’ have to “live with the times”… “The truth of the matter is that “MOSHIACH, HOW “After the cassette first came out,” he says, “I received messages in those days, I had not yet started WE WANT YOU NOW” composing such songs. But of appreciation from all over the immediately after the yechidus, I Right after his yechidus with globe – Australia, Russia, South already knew what the lyrics would the Rebbe, he composed the Africa, England, and South be to the next songs I was about to melody to the song, “Oh, America. One Jew from South compose… Moshiach,” with the lyrics: “Oh, America told me that he plays my “The Rebbe blessed me during Moshiach, how we want you now / songs for his children, in order that yechidus that I should utilize Hurry and open the gates / Please that they should get a little my musical talents to spread return us to our homeland, Yisroel ‘Yiddishkait.’” Yiddishkait throughout the world.” / Ad Masai – How long must we It turns that R. Velvel’s music wait?” This song became famous flows in the veins of his entire some twenty-five years ago in a THE GREAT family, and has even been passed Tzlil V’Zemer Choir production, down to his children and BREAKTHROUGH reaching Jewish homes of all grandchildren. His eldest son, Tzvi Immediately after receiving the backgrounds years before everyone Hirsch, plays organ and trombone, Rebbe’s bracha, the gates of started crying out “Moshiach.” and is known to all residents of Heaven began to open for R’ Since then, R’ Velvel has Kfar Chabad for his musical Velvel. He composed and recorded produced numerous cassettes and accompaniment at the monthly more and more songs on chassidus compact disks. The last CD he

22 6 Teives 5769 BEIS MOSHIACH 677a:Beis Moshiach 29/12/2008 6:49 AM Page 23

public Kiddush Levana, sponsored flute out of his pocket and starts activities in Beit Dagan. Since by Matteh Moshiach and held in playing a joyous chassidic niggun. 5744, he has composed a special front of the Beis Menachem The happy and lilting tones fill the niggun each year, based on the Synagogue. His son Reuven also living room, and the interview words of the chapter of T’hillim plays a variety of instruments, e.g., proceeds in an atmosphere fitting corresponding to the Rebbe shlita’s saxophone, clarinet, and flute, and for a chassidic farbrengen. age. During the past three years, is in great demand for appearances On Sunday evenings, R’ Velvel his compositions have merited to at weddings all over the country. joins Rabbi Grumach in visiting be the first or second runner-up in His younger daughter, Mrs. Chava the homes of Beit Dagan residents, the annual competition to choose Berenstock, created music books a door-to-door tradition that the the Rebbe’s niggun. for children to learn keyboard with two have been doing together for Despite the fact that his niggun a pure and Jewish approach – twenty-one years. Rabbi Grumach did not win, the children living in “Matchilim L’Nagen Chabad” and Kfar Chabad’s ‘Shikunim “Matchilim Im Neshama.” These Chadashim’ are familiar with the unique learning tools constitute a joyous tune that R’ Velvel sings major breakthrough in teaching “When I approach with them every Shabbos morning music to chassidic children, as no after the Twelve P’sukim. I also such texts had existed before. a young child and have been privileged to hear the say ‘ niggun, composed to the words: FOR WITH JOY SHALL “For He sated a yearning soul, and YOU GO FORTH ON Shalom!,’ he looks a hungry soul He filled with goodness; they shall give thanks to MIVTZA’IM at me with G-d for His kindness, and for His Every Friday, R’ Velvel travels wonders to the children of men. to the shopping center in Beit surprise. He Yechi Adoneinu Moreinu Dagan with the local shliach, V’Rabbeinu Melech HaMoshiach Rabbi Shmuel Grumach. He simply wasn’t L’olam Va’ed! Give thanks to G-d comes with his flute, and between because He is good, for His customers for putting on t’fillin, he expecting it, nor kindness is eternal; give thanks to plays Jewish songs and brings joy was he expecting G-d.” to the people passing by. An Even the adult congregants in integral part of his activities comes to see a Jew in the neighborhood’s “Nachum during the holiday seasons, when Yitzchak” Synagogue merit to hear he gives “his people” the privilege chassidic garb the happy melodies. Each evening of participating in the respective after proclaiming “Yechi” following holiday mitzvos and - no less playing a flute. It Maariv, R’ Velvel takes out his important - in the holiday simcha. flute and starts playing a tune. R’ Velvel devotes special changes his entire When people ask him why, he attention to children. He always outlook.” doesn’t quite understand the comes ready with a cheerful question: “I want to make people expression, as he wants them to happier, because the Rebbe says know that they are Jews and how has compiled lists of the local this is what brings Moshiach.” good it is to be a proud and pious citizenry, each person indicated R. Velvel, what do you have to Jew. He even gives out candies and according to his current level of say in conclusion to the readers the opportunity to make a bracha. religious observance, with the of Beis Moshiach Magazine? “When I approach a young child desired objective of bringing them I am filled with hope that this and say ‘Shabbat Shalom!,’ he another stage higher in their interview will push people to do looks at me with surprise. He Avodas Hashem. something additional. simply wasn’t expecting that, nor Moshiach is a real thing! It’s was he expecting to see a Jew in TO MAKE PEOPLE happening – he’s coming! We have chassidic garb playing a flute. It HAPPIER to feel the joy and be ready for the changes his entire outlook.” G-dly revelation that will appear Suddenly, R’ Velvel pulls a small R’ Velvel doesn’t save the throughout the world. simcha just for his outreach

BEIS MOSHIACH Issue 677 23 677a:Beis Moshiach 29/12/2008 6:49 AM Page 24

shlichus ONLY WITH THE REBBES KOCHOS!

By Chani Nussbaum

going to Israel to convert and live At that moment of crisis the miracle as a Jew. I was 17. My mother occurred... I exclaimed to my father, “It asked me to wait until I was 18, and I obliged. A year later I made IS possible!” * I prayed that the earth aliya.

swallow me up, but then I gathered my ISRAEL IS ACQUIRED courage... I was afraid this would be the WITH SUFFERING My parents took it hard and end of my conversion quest, but the cut off their support. I arrived in Israel with nothing. I was sent to rabbi smiled. the irreligious HaGoshrim . I told those in charge Menucha Rochel Gafnei is a morning I studied and in the that I wanted a religious place, so convert who made aliya and evenings I read. ‘If Judaism is the they sent me to kibbutz Lavie. It became mekushar to the Rebbe source of Christianity, why was at that time that I chose my MH”M. She then went to should I live a lie?’ I asked Jewish name, Rochel, although I Baltimore on a very challenging myself. hadn’t converted yet. shlichus. This is her story: I informed my parents of my From kibbutz Lavie I was sent I was born to a Christian interest in Judaism, and of course to Kiryat Arba, where I lived for a family in Geneva, Switzerland. I they tried to discourage me. My year. I love Kiryat Arba. In believed in G-d since my early father advised me that Judaism is general, my neshama feels close childhood. I always asked something you are born into and to tzaddikim and to the gravesites questions and wanted to know that I could never become a Jew. of tzaddikim. One day, when I more, but I knew nothing about I didn’t accept that. In fact, I went down to the ruins of the Judaism. One day, when I was read more and more about it until Avrohom Avinu shul in Chevron, I 14, I watched a movie on I reached a point where I thought came across a shocking sight. television about the Holocaust – maybe this world just isn’t Arabs were throwing stones at which had horrifying scenes of worthwhile, what am I doing in a group of Hesder yeshiva Jews being thrown into cattle it? At that moment of crisis the bachurim, while the army tried to cars. miracle occurred. throw the bachurim out. Girls Shaken, I asked my parents I remember it as though it were trying to block them to why this had happened to the were yesterday. I tuned into the prevent this from happening, and Jewish people. My mother French channel on television and the IDF brought female soldiers explained that it was because the saw a couple and their child tell to deal with them. I decided to Jews did not believe in the how they had converted and join the girls in their defense of Christian god. I began going to become Jews. I exclaimed to my the bachurim. It was an especially the public library to read books father, “It is possible!” warm day and, coming from about Jews and Judaism. In the I told my parents that I was Switzerland, I wasn’t used to the

24 6 Teives 5769 BEIS MOSHIACH 677a:Beis Moshiach 29/12/2008 6:49 AM Page 25

Farbrengen at the Chabad house

heat. After a few hours I fainted, Pesach, we were warned not to from Kiryat Arba who has and only regained consciousness bring in chametz, but my friends complaints, rise!” when the ambulance arrived. brought in chametz cookies on I prayed that the earth swallow When I went back there years Pesach. I was very upset and me up, but then I gathered my later, I was thrilled to see that the made a fuss about it. courage. I got up and said to the place was renovated with an Aron When the rabbi in charge of rav, “One time, when Dovid Kodesh and Sifrei Torah. the conversion ulpan came to see HaMelech was speaking in the After a brief period, the chief how things were doing, he was beis midrash, someone got up rabbi decided to send me to an told about the fuss I had made and yelled, ‘Remember what you ulpan where I would prepare to about the chametz. He was did with Bas-Sheva!’ Dovid convert. Already well along in my furious, since he viewed it as HaMelech replied, ‘What I did is religious observance, I was criticism of his conversion between me and Hashem, but disturbed that other women there program. He made a public there is nothing worse than were less sincere. On Erev announcement: “Will the girl shaming someone in public!’”

BEIS MOSHIACH Issue 677 25 677a:Beis Moshiach 29/12/2008 6:49 AM Page 26

I was afraid that this might be with other Jews. In my dream I Menucha when we got married. the end of my conversion quest, felt sad that I had not been able He said that Rebbetzin Menucha but the rabbi smiled and three to marry. Rochel was a great tzadeikes – let days later I was called to the Beis I saw this dream as a us add Menucha to Rochel so Din for my conversion. This was continuation of the “Holocaust that you enjoy peace (the 1977. theme” that had played such a meaning of the name Menucha) I will never forget the moment significant role in my life - the from the vicissitudes of life. of my conversion. The rabbi of movie about the Holocaust which (According to Chassidic tradition, the Beis Din was a Holocaust had sparked my interest in the day the Alter Rebbe was survivor and had lost most of his Judaism as a girl and then the released from jail, a daughter was family in the war. Three times he Holocaust survivor who oversaw born to the Mitteler Rebbe’s wife told me that the Jewish people is my conversion. I feel that I am and she was named for the peace a nation that suffers and that six the gilgul of a girl who perished that would now prevail). million Jews had been destroyed in the Holocaust whose soul, for in the Holocaust. Are you sure whatever reason, came back down THE CHASSIDIM COME you want to become a Jew? I into a Christian girl in Geneva. OUT ON TOP answered, choked with tears, yes, yes, yes. My husband began his work in FROM THE CITY OF Baltimore ten years ago and we I became a Jew at the age of OUR FATHERS TO THE 19. I was Rochel, born anew. have been in Baltimore together Many years later, at the age of DALET BAVOS for three and a half years. The 33, I had a dream in which I saw I moved north and met FK, a shlichus here is extremely hard. myself surrounded by Nazis and wonderful from Afula. I To illustrate how hard it is, I’ll dogs, being rounded up along became acquainted with the start with the welcome I got when Rebbe, Chabad, and the Baal I came here. HaTanya. Baltimore is a Litvishe The Misnagdic Dovid HaMelech says, stronghold and is a hard place to “Hashem shomer es geirim” spread Chassidus in general and neighbor across (Hashem protects converts). Why inyanei Moshiach in particular. is the word “es” (comprised of The opposition here is great. the street from us the letters Alef, the first letter of When I arrived, we rented an the alphabet and Tav, the last apartment and started the “Beis so strongly letter of the alphabet) necessary? Moshiach” shul in our living To tell us that he protects room. opposed what we converts from Alef till Tav, The Misnagdic neighbor stand for that he because without Hashem’s across the street from us so protection, there is no hope of strongly opposed what we stand pressured the prevailing. for that he pressured the landlord I, who loved Eretz Yisroel and to evict us. One day, he and his landlord to evict who had vowed that I would supporters stood in the doorway never leave, landed in Baltimore and did not let our mekuravim us. One day, he after making a hataras nedarim enter. They called us Christians (undoing of vows). Now, my and I, who had left Christianity and his husband and I are in the Rebbe’s thirty years before for Judaism supporters stood army of shluchim. and Chassidus, took this very *** hard. I stood in the kitchen and cried. “Rebbe, that’s it. Now it’s in the doorway This interview was conducted in your hands.” on the day that marks the passing Just moments later, the sky and did not let of Rochel Imeinu, and I asked darkened and it began to pour. Mrs. Gafnei when she added the our mekuravim Old-timers in Baltimore could not name “Menucha.” recall a storm like this before. “My husband, Menachem enter. That neighbor’s windows were Mendel, added the name broken by two huge trees that fell

26 6 Teives 5769 BEIS MOSHIACH 677a:Beis Moshiach 29/12/2008 6:49 AM Page 27

Rabbi Gafni with his friend, Chazan Albrecht

during the storm, and his house summoned to court over it. When we had two months to remain in was declared a hazard. He was the judge asked me for the apartment rent-free. not allowed to enter because of concluding remarks, I said that I We saw the opposition melt the danger. considered the landlord’s conduct away. My husband recently spoke The rental issue became quite religious racism. As a black at the home of a mourner who nasty; the landlord even shut off judge, he appreciated the point became close to us. A Litvishe rav our water! Eventually, we were about racism and declared that was present too, and he hugged

BEIS MOSHIACH Issue 677 27 677a:Beis Moshiach 29/12/2008 6:49 AM Page 28

my husband and thanked him the chair the Rebbe used when he warmly for what he had said. visited. Now, unfortunately, the shul is in the hands of goyim and CHASSIDUS we would love to redeem it. We UNDERGROUND hired a lawyer and just need the money to get things moving. Baltimore is one of the cities Every so often we visit the grave that was visited by the Rebbe of Rabbi Akselrod and his wife, Rayatz on his first trip to the who are buried here, to entreat United States. He spent three them to bring about the weeks there and prepared the way immediate redemption of the for the difficult shlichus that place. would follow years later. Our main work is focused on Baltimore is famous for its Ner the shul that we started. These Israel yeshiva, a Litvishe yeshiva days we are having a hard time that was founded by the Chassid, maintaining and it’s Hashgacha R’ Chaim Nachman Kubalsky. Pratis that you came now for an The Rebbe Rayatz asked him interview. This gives us a chizuk to ensure that there was always a that we definitely need. We know Tanya shiur in the yeshiva, even if the Rebbe does not remain “a it was secret. The Rebbe debtor.” anticipated that Tanya would be We have seen many miracles, learned underground and indeed, like young men who, after coming despite the difficulties, that shiur to our shul, left their non-Jewish takes place until this day. girlfriends. We have Shabbos The Tzemach Tzedek shul was meals open to the public. Shiurim founded 180 years ago and was are given regularly at the shul and visited by the Rebbe Rayatz. A of course there are farbrengens, Chassid and rav by the name of especially on special days in the Rabbi Akselrod supported the calendar. We get quite a few shul and over the years preserved Israeli “yordim.” Farbrengen on Sukkos We even get bachurim from with Rabbi Sholom Jacobson Ner Israel who come and write to the Rebbe with the Igros Kodesh. three Jews out of comas. Every so When we checked At first they just came to check often I give workshops on things out, but when they opened alternative medicine. it out, we to an answer that was meaningful One day I got a brochure to them, they saw that there is which advertised something that I discovered that something to this and they could use in my clinic. I called to that very day was respect it. order it and was invited to a My husband does Mivtza meeting with the advertiser in her yahrtzait! We T’fillin whenever possible. In the order to get the material I three and a half years that we are needed. For some reason, the memorialized her here together, he has put t’fillin meeting was postponed time and on people nonstop. again. I finally went with my that day, at last husband to the meeting. The A CLINIC FOR JUDAISM advertiser wasn’t Jewish but he understanding was very respectful. I work with homeopathic To our surprise, he said he why our meeting medicine. I got the Rebbe’s had been married to an Israeli bracha for this and was told to woman who had died the year had been publicize it. Baruch Hashem, I before. He wanted to do am good at what I do and see postponed. something in her memory. When amazing results. I was able to get

28 6 Teives 5769 BEIS MOSHIACH 677a:Beis Moshiach 29/12/2008 6:49 AM Page 29

we checked it out, we discovered . We held the bris INSTEAD OF that that very day was her and my husband was the sandek. A MACHZOR yahrtzait! We memorialized her Now, the man is very involved On Yom Kippur, like at many that day, at last understanding with our activities and he serves Chabad houses, we have more why our meeting had been as our right-hand man. people than usual. One year, postponed. One night, two young men before Yom Kippur, a young man About a year ago, as we sat came to us covered in blood. came to our Chabad house and with our guests Friday night, I They had been beaten by blacks, said to my husband, “I don’t like told the story of Avrohom Avinu’s and I treated them both physically to pray and I don’t want to feel circumcision. One of the guests and spiritually. One of them was threatened. I found this book in announced that he had never the son of a Litvishe rosh yeshiva, your family room, Navi been circumcised. His mother but had gone off the derech. He Mikirbicha (A Prophet From was Jewish, but his non-Jewish stayed with us for four Shabbasos Amongst You) and that will be my father had not allowed a bris to and began to get back on track. Siddur.” My husband told him to be performed. Our guest himself He renewed his connection with do as he pleased. was afraid to have a bris done. his father. We hope for his The man sat all of Yom Kippur I gave him a naturopathic complete recovery, with Hashem’s glued to the book. After the fast treatment to help him overcome help. he said to my husband, “Now his anxiety, and on Motzaei take me to 770.” My husband Shabbos he decided to undergo

BEIS MOSHIACH Issue 677 29 677a:Beis Moshiach 29/12/2008 6:49 AM Page 30

The bar mitzva of the twins

agreed and at this point, this man bachurim in 770, and today it’s a In addition to the Rebbe’s is in the process of becoming a pleasure to see him. He will soon kochos, I derive strength from my baal t’shuva in Flatbush. go to the yeshiva in Be’er Sheva children, twins who are connected Apropos of Yom Kippur, a to learn for smicha. Needless to with “didan natzach.” Back in young man who was with us for say, he is an ardent Chassid. 5747, after the Rebbe won the the davening told my husband court case, the Rebbe said it was that he wanted to take off a week THE REBBE’S KOCHOS an auspicious time. I went with a to find himself. My husband friend to the graves of tzaddikim We manage with the kochos of advised him to go to 770. He did, in Teveria and asked them to the Rebbe. Every time I want to and today he is a baal t’shuva. intercede on my behalf so I would return to Eretz Yisroel, the Rebbe There was a Litvishe bachur have another child. Six months doesn’t allow it. One answer in who would study with my later I discovered that I was the Igros Kodesh said, “You husband despite his yeshiva pregnant with twins. They were should help your husband forbidding a connection with born on 6 Tishrei in 5748, Shnas establish the shul.” Another time, Chabad. After three years, my Hakhel. it said, “I can’t guarantee it, but husband told him, “You can’t go In times of difficulty, I tell it is recommended that you stay.” on this way. You have to decide myself, “I made it through all the The third time, when I couldn’t where you belong.” After some hardships in my life thanks to the take it anymore, the Rebbe wrote discussion, he finally said, “Fine, Rebbe. Now I will carry out my quoting the verse, “The stone that so arrange a place for me in a difficult shlichus for him and do was despised by the builders, Lubavitch yeshiva.” my part to bring the Geula.” became the cornerstone.” He became friendly with

30 6 Teives 5769 BEIS MOSHIACH 677a:Beis Moshiach 29/12/2008 6:49 AM Page 32

profile A DOCTOR WHO BECAME A ROVING SHLIACH

By Nosson Avrohom

material. Dr. Shaltiel is also Dr. Shlomo Shaltiel was born nearly respected in the Arab villages in seventy years ago to a traditional the area, and he uses this position to publicize the Seven Noachide family in Iran. He went to university, Laws.

supported himself, reached the rank HIS CHILDHOOD of officer in the Iranian army, and IN IRAN Shlomo Shaltiel was born to a then left it all and made aliya. * Thus traditional Jewish family in central Iran. They were very began his journey towards the Rebbe poor. At the beginning of each and Chassidus and he is now a week, his father, Mordechai, would go around to the big doctor-shliach. markets in order to buy fabric cheaply. Then he would go from village to village and sell it. “The doctor of Yemos devoted work. “We ate meat once a week, on HaMoshiach” is how Dr. Shlomo Even as he turns seventy, Shabbos. My mother a”h would Shaltiel is known by the residents many of his patients are unwilling buy 150 grams of ground meat of the northern yishuv of Ramat to forgo his diagnoses and and mix it with wheat, chumus Yishai and its environs. Shaltiel is continue to come to see him. The and lentils, and this is what we originally from Iran. He made transformation in his life to one ate on Shabbos. There were times aliya after he successfully of Torah and mitzvos occurred that there was nothing to wear, completed his medical studies at entirely by Divine Providence, but we never complained and we the University of Teheran, back in during a visit to the United States knew how to manage with little.” the time of the Shah, before the with a delegation of doctors for a Although the Shaltiel family Iranian Revolution. This bearded worldwide tennis tournament. wasn’t considered particularly doctor is well known among the When he returned to the religious, the parents instilled the residents of the kibbutzim and , he began taking an foundations of faith and Judaism moshavim in the area. During his interest in Chassidus and quickly in their children. years of work as a family doctor, became a Chassid. Today, “Every Friday, my mother and first in the south of the country whenever he has a chance, he aunts would light candles before and then in the north, he received goes around to homes in the area sunset. We didn’t go to shul many commendations for his and gives out Chassidishe reading

32 6 Teives 5769 BEIS MOSHIACH 677a:Beis Moshiach 29/12/2008 6:49 AM Page 33

regularly, but we did not forget Jewish tradition. our uniqueness as Jews. If we When he went to university, he “I say that would have forgotten, our gentile behaved like anyone else, free of Chassidus is a neighbors would have been sure any religious constraints. The to remind us. When I grew older only thing he observed was medication with and my family moved to Teheran, fasting on Yom Kippur. I attended the Jewish Alliance Before Shlomo started medical no side effects. School, where we learned a little school, he studied veterinary about Judaism, one hour a week.” medicine, chemistry and When a person Since his family was so poor, literature. When he concluded the father dreamed that his son these subjects successfully, he does not feel well would make it through his was disappointed that he did not or is dealing with studies. He would constantly urge find satisfaction in them. He him to study so that he would decided to study medicine, which an illness, the have a promising future. This is he found enjoyable. why he registered his son at the “In order to finance my teachings of Alliance school, an exclusive studies, I would buy large school where the students also quantities of socks and Chassidus protect studied French and English. undershirts in the market in However, doing well in his Teheran, and go around with my him no less than studies went along with forgetting father and sell them in the medicine does.”

Dr. Shlomo Shaltiel

BEIS MOSHIACH Issue 677 33 677a:Beis Moshiach 29/12/2008 6:49 AM Page 34

once saw me in the company of helped open another four “I had seen many Jewish students. On our next branches and even prepared in my life. hunting expedition, a young boy teachers so they could teach Ivrit came over to me and whispered to other students.” There were those I that if I valued my life I shouldn’t When Shlomo graduated go hunting anymore. He had medical school, he was drafted respected and heard that this technician and his into the army. Since his marks friends were planning on were good, he served in central those I admired, murdering me and throwing my cities. body in the river.” “After six months of training, I but the feeling I Despite his distance from was appointed as an officer in the had with the religious observance, Shlomo felt medical corps. We were assigned a growing affinity for Eretz posts in central cities and our job Rebbe was Yisroel and his Jewish heritage. was to help villagers in villages “While I was still in high around the city, whose hygienic altogether school, people from the different standards were low. We had to parties in Israel came to speak to supply them with free medication different.” us to drum up interest in aliya. and treatment. Every day we HaPoel HaMizrachi even opened would visit another village. I villages. I recall going to a branches where they taught Ivrit. enjoyed my service in the medical regular customer of my father’s, I was an active member of the corps very much, handling the an officer in the Iranian army. He Labor branch, and after learning medical challenges that I had took a liking to me, and told my five hundreds words in Hebrew, I learned about in school.” father, ‘Send him to study, so that when he gets older he won’t sell fabric but will be an army officer.’” STORY OF A FAMILY His father did what he could I would often get phone calls from friends and acquaintances who to ensure that his son would be a would ask me to come to cities or moshavim where I did not work as a successful student. “Even though doctor, in order to examine patients and give them a diagnosis. the Shah was known to be kind to About ten years ago, Mr. Elisha, a deputy mayor of Afula and the the Jews, and a lot of business leader of the Persian communities in the north of the country, called was done between Iran and and told me about a Persian Jewish family from Shiraz, Iran, who had Israel, the Iranian man on the settled in Natzrat Ilit. The father was unwell and he asked me to go and street hated Jews. The biology see him. professor, who had studied in I went that same day, and after I treated the man I got into a Germany, was a big anti-Semite. conversation with the family. I was told that their acclimation to Eretz Although we Jews in his class Yisroel was so difficult that they were considering returning to Iran. I were the best students, none of us felt bad that they were having such a hard time in Eretz Yisroel, and I got a mark higher than 60. We explained that it’s hard at first, and that in Eretz Yisroel, their children knew there was no point in had greater opportunities to study Torah and do mitzvos. In the arguing with him.” Diaspora, it was more likely that their children would assimilate. I also Shlomo was often aided by the told them about the Rebbe and about the Igros Kodesh, and they were fact that looked typically Persian, finally convinced to stay. not Jewish, but one time, even “When we wrote to the Rebbe, they opened to an amazing answer this did not help him. which indicated that they remain and not leave. They were very “In the middle of my second impressed. After a few hours of telling them about the Rebbe and year in medical school, I became Chassidus, I said goodbye and didn’t hear from them again. The next friendly with a gentile dental time I heard about them was when I saw a Chabad Persian newspaper technician. This man had a hobby called ‘Generation of Moshiach.’ The publisher was one of the children of hunting geese far from the of that family, who now lives in B’nei Brak. At first he had gone in the city, in an area that was direction of , but then he discovered Chassidus and he became an surrounded by lakes. He didn’t ardent Chassid.” know that I was Jewish until he

34 6 Teives 5769 BEIS MOSHIACH 677a:Beis Moshiach 29/12/2008 6:49 AM Page 35

LIFE CHANGE “On our next hunting When Shlomo concluded his army duty in 1968, he decided he was moving to Israel. After Israel’s expedition, a young boy miraculous victory in the Six Day War, he had a longing to be a part of the nation in Israel. whispered to me that if I “When my parents heard my plan for the first time, they didn’t stop crying. They couldn’t valued my life I understand why I would leave a good position with shouldn’t go hunting a nice salary to go to a land which, to them, was backwards. How would I manage there? When they anymore. He had heard saw that I was determined to leave Iran, they tried to convince me to emigrate to the United States or that they were planning a country in Europe.” R’ Shaltiel tells me that he had a feeling that the on murdering me and Shah would lose the throne and that the radical Moslems would take over the country in a throwing my body in the revolution. river.” “I couldn’t articulate it, but that is what I felt. I was one of the first Jewish doctors to go to Israel learning Hebrew, because they thought he spoke the from Iran. Many more followed me.” language well enough already. He acclimated When he moved to Israel, he was attached to a quickly and successfully. branch of Kupat Cholim in Kiryat Gat, where he In 5732 (1972), when he felt like an old-time lived. He was quickly sent away from the Ulpan for Israeli, he decided to specialize in his field. He was sent by Kupat Cholim Klalit to do a residency in the HaEmek hospital in Afula. He divided his time between his work in the internal medicine department in the hospital and his job as a family doctor a few times a week in Ramat Yishai, which at that time numbered very few people. His living in Israel did not make him rethink his Judaism; on the contrary, all his medical friends were irreligious so there was no one to inspire him to return to his traditions. He acquired a good reputation as a doctor, which only distanced him from introspection and searching. The first glimmerings of interest in Torah came as a result of his association with a certain intellectually inclined cabby, Meir Ifargon, whose growing interest in Torah and mitzvos started to rub off on Dr. Shaltiel. “I began to attend seminars and lectures at Arachim. I saw that Torah has depth and I found it interesting. I started keeping kosher and Shabbos. After my initial enthusiasm though, I cooled off and considered dropping it all.” This was a confusing period for him. On the one hand, he realized that there was truth here; he couldn’t ignore it. On the other hand, the way things were presented to him, a presentation with a constant element of fear, made him feel that he couldn’t commit to mitzva observance and that it was better not to start. Shlomo Shaltiel (center) during his army duty in Iran “At the right time and the right place, Hashem

BEIS MOSHIACH Issue 677 35 677a:Beis Moshiach 29/12/2008 6:49 AM Page 36

sent me the medicine for my soul. eyes and his demeanor stunned Yitzchok Volosov, and Rabbi Back in Iran, I had played tennis me. I trembled in fear.” Shlomo Tzoref. a lot. I really enjoyed the sport. I He did not understand what “I began attending farbrengens was sent to California for a was happening to him in those and shiurim. I quickly realized doctors’ tennis tournament by the moments. He had never felt fear that there are many g’dolim in doctors’ union, to represent for any man, not even people in Torah but the path of Chabad is Israel. I was thrilled to go.” authority. In Ramat Yishai he was something loftier; it’s the Torah Before Shlomo boarded the often called to accompany of Moshiach. Chassidus and the plane to the US, he contacted his government leaders and ministers sichos lit up my neshama. There nephew in . His nephew who visited the area, and he was a long period in which I had migrated to America before guided them without a qualm. would travel with a group of boys the Iranian Revolution with the Now, with one look from the to attend the shiurim given by the help of Chabad, and thought the Rebbe he felt tremendous fear. rabbanim of the yeshiva in Migdal world of the Rebbe. “All my ideas of speaking to HaEmek, Rabbi Goldberg, Rabbi “My nephew’s enthusiasm for the Rebbe vanished in that Gurewitz, and Rabbi Segal.” the Rebbe surprised me. He moment, and I quickly left. Deep spoke about the Rebbe in glowing DOCTOR AND ROVING terms, as a miracle worker, a SHLIACH prophet and the one who had saved him and about another “You can never Dr. Shaltiel decided not to 1000 Jewish children from Iran.” know the power of keep the enormous light that he R’ Shlomo felt he couldn’t discovered in Chabad Chassidus miss the experience, so he a word and what to himself, but to share it with as arranged a stopover in New York. many Jews as possible. Since that “When we walked into 770 it can accomplish. time he has ordered many there was a large crowd waiting hundreds of copies of Chabad for the Rebbe to enter for Sometimes, one pamphlets in many languages. Mincha. Some Chassidim who Every week he gives them out to stood near me realized that this word of yours can as many Jews in as many homes was my first time, and they arouse hidden as he possibly can. This is not suggested that I stand near the only in his immediate area of door and wait for the davening to resources of faith Ramat Yishai but throughout the be finished. Then, when the wider area, including – but not Rebbe would leave, I could see and be a catalyst limited to – Kfar Yehoshua, him from up close and maybe Tivon, Kibbutz , and Beit receive his blessings. I for real change.” Shearim. In many places they understood that the Rebbe was no wait for him each week. ordinary rabbi who you could In the research I did for this meet at any time.” inside I knew that the Rebbe was article, someone I know who lives Shlomo went up to the hall awakening me, and I promised in Ramat Yishai told me that Dr. near Gan Eden HaTachton and myself that when I returned to Shaltiel goes to places and people waited for the Rebbe to come up Israel I would find out what that a Chassid cannot necessarily in the elevator. Then, he thought, Chabad Chassidus is about. I had get to. he would be able to see the seen many rabbis in my life. “On one of my visits in Tivon, Rebbe. There were those I respected and I met two women. One was “When the Rebbe came up, a those I admired, but the feeling I married with children and the woman suddenly stepped forward had with the Rebbe was other was single. The latter told and began speaking to him. I altogether different.” me that until the age of 16 she stood facing him, and when the When he returned to his home studied in Chabad and today she Rebbe looked up at me, I felt I in Ramat Yishai, he began is a Leftist and supports the views was melting. It’s a feeling that inquiring about Chabad in his of the Arabs. can’t be explained in rational area. He soon met the rav of a “At the end of our terms. The Rebbe’s penetrating yishuv, shliach Rabbi Yosef conversation I asked her directly whether she had made a mistake

36 6 Teives 5769 BEIS MOSHIACH 677a:Beis Moshiach 29/12/2008 6:49 AM Page 37

by leaving the path. She could tell could attend services. and ask for a bracha. He was I wasn’t trying to be “The closest place for him was skeptical, but since the idea came condescending, and she admitted yishuv S’dei Yaakov, and I from me, he finally agreed. Then that she had erred when she was recommended that he go there. he returned home and didn’t see younger. She said that if she had After Yom Kippur he told me that him for several years. continued in the ways of he made the effort to go to Tivon, “I recently met him on yishuv. Chassidus she would probably be and not only did he fast the entire He reminded me of the story, married and have children and day but he did not leave the which I had forgotten, and wouldn’t be living the way she is shul.” Now that kibbutznik helps exultantly told me that his wife now. Dr. Shaltiel distribute Chabad had given birth to twins, a boy “I felt I had awakened her periodicals, candle lighting kits, and a girl, that same year.” pintele Yid. Whenever the etc. to various kibbutzim. He has another story about occasion arises to talk to people, Many Jews with whom he someone who was already in the I do. You can never know the comes in contact want to write to operating room with a diagnosis power of a word and what it can the Rebbe. “People today long for of appendicitis. accomplish. Sometimes, one word a genuine leader, someone “When he called me and told of yours can arouse hidden elevated, and that’s where the me about his condition, I asked resources of faith and be a Rebbe comes in,” says Dr. for a bracha for him. The Rebbe’s catalyst for real change.” Shaltiel. He shared me with some answer that I opened to was that Dr. Shaltiel has numerous miracles that he was witness to. it was all imaginary. I called him examples of this: “Six or seven years ago, back and he told me that in the “There’s a man from kibbutz someone from yishuv S’dei meantime he was feeling better. I Alonim whom I met at his place Yaakov came to me in my role of told him he could go home of work in Tivon. I would give physician and asked me my without having an operation. The him Sichat HaGeula every week. opinion regarding a certain doctors made him sign that any He’s an intellectual and I got into problem he had. In the course of deterioration in his condition was a conversation with him. I told our conversation I learned that he his responsibility, and he agreed. him about my profession as a did not have children for many “This man also did not have doctor, and we became friends. years. I felt sorry for him and children for some years. He asked Before Yom Kippur last year, he suggested that he write to the the Rebbe for a bracha, and he surprised me by asking where he Rebbe through the Igros Kodesh had a daughter.” Dr. Shaltiel is involved in the painful situation of mixed marriages between Jewish girls and Arab men. “A few years ago I met an Arab who boasted to me that he was friends with a Jewish girl from Migdal HaEmek. I painted a harsh picture for him about the suffering he would endure if he remained friends with her. I said, ‘You will never have peace. She will always be depressed.’ “He was very frightened by what I told him, and a week later he asked me to talk to the girl, instead of him. I spoke to her in a tough manner, telling her that this was forbidden. She was frightened and they broke up. In situations such as these you have to say the truth, namely that both Dr. Shaltiel receiving a dollar from the Rebbe that he won in a raffle

BEIS MOSHIACH Issue 677 37 677a:Beis Moshiach 29/12/2008 6:49 AM Page 38

people waiting for Moshiach, they past, Israel had a good They are are pleading for Moshiach to relationship with the Iranian experiencing the come.” people, but the imaginary peace As a doctor with plenty of agreements changed that. Instead same spirit of experience, Dr. Shaltiel explains of bringing to normalization and that part of the world’s readiness good relationships, they brought spiritual revival for Geula is the connection that hatred and estrangement, just as is being observed and the Rebbe said in his sichos. which Jews in acknowledged today between the “As for the Jews who live world of the spirit and the world there, I speak to my sister-in-law Israel are of action, which the medical and nephews who remained there. experiencing. They world previously did not They say that they are given full acknowledge and actively freedom. They explain to their are going to shul negated. neighbors that they are Jews but “I say that Chassidus is a not Zionists. The government has more and medication with no side effects. only expressed hatred for When a person does not feel well Zionism. They are experiencing attending shiurim. or is dealing with an illness, his the same spirit of spiritual revival connection to the messages which Jews in Israel are within the teachings of Chassidus experiencing. They are going to sides will end up losing.” protect him no less than medicine shul more and attending shiurim. does. It is only their property that PEOPLE AREN’T ONLY “At the yishuv here, there was keeps them there – the WAITING FOR someone who had an intestinal government doesn’t stop them MOSHIACH … tumor and had given up hope. from leaving.” Every week I would bring him the I asked Dr. Shaltiel what he When I asked Dr. Shaltiel if D’var Malchus, and this gave him advises those who are involved in he feels that the world is ready chizuk. The Rebbe’s sichos gave hafatza. for Geula now, more than years him hope and encouragement. He “There are many people, ago, he was unequivocal: has since recovered, and he says especially T’mimim, who man “Twenty years ago, when I that the strength to prevail over t’fillin stands and don’t say a would tell people about Judaism, the harsh treatment he had to word to people. Someone could I would often encounter endure came from the teachings come and put on t’fillin and then difficulties. People didn’t want to of Chassidus.” go on his way without hearing listen to me and some of them I asked Dr. Shaltiel his anything. If someone is putting got rid of me and not always in thoughts about what is going in on t’fillin, you have to take the the nicest way. Today, people Iran today. I assume he is in opportunity to tell him seek me out; they seek the truth. touch with his relatives who something. People today are Many young people are getting remained there. thirsty to hear the truth. We can involved in Judaism. I speak “The tremendous hatred that never know what an impact we openly about inyanei Moshiach the Iranians have for Israel is the can make. People are searching and Geula and Moshiach’s result of one single cause – the for truth and faith and we have to identity, and people don’t have a withdrawal agreements. In the give it to them.” problem with it. Not only are

38 6 Teives 5769 BEIS MOSHIACH 677a:Beis Moshiach 29/12/2008 6:49 AM Page 40

insight LOVE BETWEEN PARENTS AND CHILDREN, BETWEEN JEWS AND G-D

By Rabbi Yosef Karasik, Rav district Bat Chefer-Emek Chefer

clear as day that a family member How is the love that parents have for an did something wrong, but they will older child different than the love for a have compassion on him and forgive him. Even the rebuke and baby? Is love divided amongst children punishments that parents mete out to their children comes from their or does each child receive “complete care and concern for them. love”? What is the difference between WHEN IS THE LOVE Hashem’s love for His children during STRONGER When it comes to parental love, exile and His love during Geula? is there a difference whether the children are young or old? And PARENTAL LOVE when one of them takes pleasure in what about the children’s feelings towards their parents – is there an There is a powerful bond of a certain thing, he wants the other age when the feeling of love is love between parents and children. one to enjoy it too. They stronger, or does age make no They care deeply about one constantly seek to improve the lot difference? another, sharing in their joys and of their loved ones and to help Torah and Chazal do emphasize disappointments as though it is them realize their ambitions. The a difference in ages. Midrash happening to themselves. When act of giving provides them with states, “Hashem says, I love only one of them is in danger or is great satisfaction. Yisroel, as it says, ‘For Yisroel is a experiencing some misfortune, Even physical distance does not youth and I love him,’ (Hosheia enormous compassion is aroused affect their love. In fact, the 11:1) … He loves the small child on the part of the other, and they distance only increases their strong more than the grown child.” The will go to any length to save him. feelings. They can sense the open expressions of love such as This genuine love is sourced other’s mood, even at a distance. hugs, kisses, endearing words and deep in their hearts. They unite They think only of the good loving looks, are usually expressed and connect even in their desires – points of their family and look away from the flaws. It can be as to little children far more than to

40 6 Teives 5769 BEIS MOSHIACH 677a:Beis Moshiach 29/12/2008 6:49 AM Page 41

older children. advantage in the love that a little The natural love of a little Yet in Shmos it refers to child feels towards his parents. child, which is an essential-soul “Yisroel, my firstborn son,” a term Rational love is actually self- love, is eternal. It does not change of greatness, which seems to love and not love for another, with time or moods because it is indicate that the love is greater for since his love for the other is based “an unconditional love.” an older child. on his personal appreciation. The In other words, although an The Rebbe explains in Likkutei parent brought him into the world older child has an essential bond Sichos that both are true – in and provides for him, and too, the logical reasons for the love certain respects the love for a therefore the child appreciates cover over the real reason, that younger child is greater, while in what the parent does for him. It they are united at their source with other respects the love for an older makes sense to love since I receive one neshama. It is specifically with child is greater: a benefit from him and I am a little child who lacks the rational Love for an older child has dependent on him. This love is reasons for love that the essential logical reasons behind it. The conditional and can therefore connection is more apparent, and parents value their children’s change depending on mood or on therefore, the love of a little child qualities – their talents, their the ability to give. The love can is a more open kind of love than middos, the pleasure the children even weaken and disappear. that of an older child. give them – and the child admires his parents who take care of him, protect him, can be relied upon and give him whatever they can. The love for a little child who has yet to mature and appreciate all that his parents do for him, especially a baby who doesn’t even realize they are his parents, is not a rational love. It’s a natural, inner love that is not motivated by any intellectual or emotional reasons. The love for an older child is called an “ahava sichlis” (rational love) in Chassidus, because it has a clear logical motivation. The love for a little child is called “ahava atzmis” in Chassidus, because it comes from the essential bond between parents and children, who are united on a soul level . The children are a part of the parents’ essence. They are one soul, one essence, so the love between them is like the love a person has for himself.

LOVE WHICH IS NOT MOTIVATED BY A RATIONAL REASON Despite the clear advantage in the love of an older child which is understood rationally and therefore permeates a person’s entire being, Chassidus explains that there is an

BEIS MOSHIACH Issue 677 41 677a:Beis Moshiach 29/12/2008 6:49 AM Page 42

THE LOVE BETWEEN IS LOVE FOR SEVERAL saying that and said, “G-d forbid HASHEM AND THE CHILDREN A DIVIDED that I have such a love! I love JEWISH PEOPLE LOVE? Hashem and tolerate the food! The Torah says, “and you shall There are also two kinds of love Can parents love several love G-d, your G-d, with all your between Hashem and the Jewish children with as much love as heart,” meaning there should be people: the love of an older child parents of one child, or is their no room in your heart for any which comes from contemplating love divided amongst their other love, just love for Hashem. Hashem’s kindness towards us and children so that each additional Children are of the essence of our dependence on Him, and the child diminishes their love? the souls of the parents, thus the love of a little child, which is an Chassidus explains that there love for one child does not essential love not based on can be total love for each child, weaken the love for another child, meditation. It comes from the unlike love for something because they are all one entity. inner bond between a Jew and Just as the love a person has for Hashem, as the Alter Rebbe says in his hand does not diminish the Tanya, “a veritable portion of G-d There are also two love for his foot, so too the love Above.” The existence of a Jew is for one child does not weaken the united with the existence of the kinds of love love for another child and the love Creator. for one mitzva and a certain part Hashem’s love for the Jewish between Hashem of Torah does not weaken the love people contains these two levels as and the Jewish for other mitzvos and the rest of well. When the Jewish people Torah. [Nevertheless, the love for observe Torah and mitzvos, the people: the love of an only child is an “extra love” love is also for their good qualities because Hashem made it that way – “Yisroel, my firstborn son.” an older child (Seifer HaMaamarim 5701, “Ata Yisroel has qualities that are Echad,” chapter 1)] greater than those of other nations, which comes from and therefore Hashem loves them. However, there is also an contemplating COMPLETE LOVE essential love that Hashem has for IN GEULA the Jewish people, as the verse Hashem’s L’Asid Lavo, the enormous love says, “for Yisroel is a youth and I kindness towards between Hashem and the Jewish love him.” It’s the love for the little people will become apparent, both child who doesn’t have good us, and the love of the essential love and the rational qualities yet. Hashem and the love. Jewish people are one. a little child, The essential connection of the The Rebbe emphasizes the fact Jewish people and Hashem – the that Hashem made us in such a which is an G-dly soul, “the veritable portion way that as little children grow up, of G-d Above” within each Jew – their minds and emotions mature essential love. will be seen by all created beings. as well. This means that the Hashem will remove all the understanding of the mind doesn’t coverings that block Him from the necessarily have to conceal the physical, where the love for one created beings, as it says, “your natural, deep and unconditional thing can diminish the love for teacher will no longer be love; on the contrary, it has the something else. For example, if a cloaked,” meaning that “He will ability to strengthen the revelation person likes one particular food, not hide His face from you.” of the essential love. his love for that food may be Likewise, all the good qualities Accordingly, when a Jew uses his stronger than the love that of the Jewish people over the mind and abilities for avodas another person feels when he likes generations, from Avrohom Avinu Hashem because of the command of several different foods. A dish was till our generation, will be Hashem, with bittul and kabbalas ol, once served to one of the gathered together and all will see his qualities will not conceal, but descendants of the Baal Shem Tov how extraordinary are the Jewish actually reveal the essential love that and he said, “I love this food,” people. he has for Hashem. but then he immediately regretted

42 6 Teives 5769 BEIS MOSHIACH