709:Beis Moshiach 24/08/2009 7:38 AM Page 3 contents WAR AND PEACE 4 D’var Malchus | Sichos in English MOSHIACH ARRIVES IN TEVERYA ILLIT 6 Shlichus | Nosson Avrohom MILKA’S MIRACLE 14 Miracle Story | Nosson Avrohom OPEN THE BOOK AND SEE 18 Moshiach & Geula | Dr. Yaakov Gottlieb 770 IN ZICHRON YAAKOV USA Shlichus | Nosson Avrohom 744 Eastern Parkway 22 Brooklyn, NY 11213-3409 Tel: (718) 778-8000 Fax: (718) 778-0800 [email protected] EXPELLED 3 TIMES www.beismoshiach.org Shleimus HaAretz | Sholom Ber Crombie 30 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: M.M. 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Beis Moshiach is not responsible for the content of the advertisements. 709:Beis Moshiach 23/08/2009 11:01 PM Page 4 dvar malchus WAR AND PEACE Sichos In English WILL A DOVE GROW environment, the spiritual worlds DISCOVERING OUR CLAWS? above, there is no conflict or battle. RESOURCES When, however, the soul “goes Every day, we conclude the A person need not fear out” from that setting and descends Shmoneh Esrei prayers, praising G- undertaking such efforts; on the to our material world, it becomes d “who blesses His people Israel contrary, he is assured Divine confronted by challenges that with peace.” [1] blessing. require it to engage in battle. And when describing the This is alluded to by the Hebrew For there are two different blessings G-d will bestow upon us if “al ovecha” translated as “against aspects to our world’s existence. we follow His will, our Sages state, your enemies,” in the verse cited Our world was created because “peace is equivalent to all other above. G-d “desired a dwelling in the lower blessings.” [2] Literally the phrase means worlds,” [6] i.e., it contains the Indeed, our Sages explain [3] “above your enemies,” conveying potential to serve as a dwelling for that Shalom, Hebrew for “peace,” is the promise that even as the soul G-d, a place where His essence is one of the names of G-d Himself. descends into our material world revealed. Why does peace play such a and confronts challenges, it always But as the term “lower worlds” fundamental part in our Jewish possesses the power to overcome implies, G-d’s existence is not heritage? them. overtly apparent in our Every man’s soul is “an actual Since the soul is “an actual part environment. part of G-d from above.” [4] of G-d,” it is always above worldly On the contrary, the material Therefore, he possesses a natural influence and has the power to nature of the world appears to deny desire to allow that G-dly spark an overcome all obstacles [9] and holiness and prevent its expression. opportunity to express itself. He transform its surrounding As such, the endeavor to resolve seeks to grow in understanding and environment. these two contrary thrusts is often personal development without being Moreover, it is the challenge of characterized by conflict. confronted by external challenges. the “battle” that brings out the This is the Torah’s conception of Unfortunately, however, that is essential power which the soul war, a struggle to transform even not always possible. possesses. For such confrontation the lowest elements of existence into We live in a material world, compels a person to search for inner a dwelling for G-d. which by nature encourages strength. This search in turn brings For this reason, the Torah selfishness and the search for him into awareness of his inner G- commanded the Jews to fight wars personal gratification. dly nature. to conquer the Land of Canaan, and In such a world, the search for And when that G-dly core is thereby turn a land which was spiritual growth may often lead to aroused, he can overcome all renowned for its depravity [7] into conflicts of interest, and at times, challenges, and spread G-dliness in Eretz Yisroel, a land “which the eyes actual conflict. all settings. In this way, he becomes of the L-rd, your G-d, are upon it G-d’s partner in creation, [10] from the beginning of the year until making manifest G-d’s purpose in WAGING WAR the end of the year.” [8] creation. These concepts are alluded to in Furthermore, even when there is the name of this week’s Torah no explicit command for war, the reading, Parshas Ki Seitzei which potential is also given to extend the INNER CONFLICTS begins: [5] “When you go out to boundaries of holiness and enable it In microcosm, the concept of battle against your enemies.” to encompass areas which were battle is relevant within our own In the soul’s natural previously governed by worldliness. personal lives as well. 4 8 Elul 5769 BEIS MOSHIACH 709:Beis Moshiach 23/08/2009 11:01 PM Page 5 Commenting on the verse, “And given to identify Moshiach - the 13. Ch. 15. you shall... see the difference leader who will motivate mankind 14. To express this concept in between one who serves G-d and to accomplish its purpose - is that traditional Chassidic terminology one who does not serve Him,” [11] he will “wage the wars of G-d.” (Torah Or, Mikeitz, 39c ff.): our Sages define, [12] “one who [15] serves G-d” as “one who reviews For it is possible that the task of The commandment to “love G-d... with all your might (B’chol his subject matter one hundred and refining the world will require Meodecha)” is interpreted as a charge one times,” and “one who does not actual conflict, [16] that Moshiach to summon up an unlimited serve Him’ as “one who reviews his must “fill the world with justice” by commitment. And we are promised subject matter hundred times.” “destroying the power of the that an unlimited commitment on In Tanya, [13] the Alter Rebbe wicked and waging the wars of G- man’s part will arouse unlimited G- explains that, in that era, it was d.” [17] dliness. customary for students to review This, however, is merely a 15. Rambam, loc. cit. 11:4. their subject matter one hundred temporary stage. times. Therefore, it was the one Ultimately, Moshiach will 16. Although the Rambam mentions hundred and first time, the time “vanquish all the nations the above as one of the criteria when the person went beyond his surrounding him... and perfect the through which Moshiach will be identified, this will only be necessary if habit and normal practice, which entire world, [motivating all the the Redemption will follow the dictates caused him to be distinguished as nations] to serve G-d together,” of the natural order. It is possible that “one who serves G-d.” For it is the [13] initiating the era when “there the Redemption will follow a striving to rise above one’s nature will be neither famine nor war, miraculous order (see the notes of the and personal habits which merits neither envy nor competition... Raavad and others; even the Rambam the award of such a title. [and] the occupation of the entire acknowledges such a possibility in A person must challenge world will be solely to know G-d.” Igeres Teiman), in which case, these himself; and this means more than a [18] wars may not be necessary. commitment to gradual progress. Seifer HaSichos 5749, Vol. II, p. 676ff; 17. Rambam, loc. cit., 4:10 in “Serving G-d,” involves Seifer HaSichos 5750, Vol. II, p. 655ff; Seifer description of the role of Israel’s HaSichos 5751, Vol. II p. 796ff breaking our individual natures, kings. and showing that there are no limits Notes: 18. Loc. Cit. 12:5. The promise of this to our commitment to Him. era - and the awareness that it is the 1. Siddur T’hillas Hashem, p. 60. This endeavor involves a truth of existence - should inspire constant struggle. 2. Rashi, commenting on Leviticus confidence and peace of mind in these A person cannot reach a level of 26:6. last moments of exile when we are spiritual achievement and then, confronted by challenges and conflict. 3. Shabbos 10b. “rest on his laurels.” Instead, he Indeed, it is possible to experience a must continually strive to advance 4. Tanya, ch. 2. foretaste of the peace of mind to be further. 5. Deuteronomy 21:10. achieved in the Era of the Redemption The inner “battles” necessary to at present through the teachings of express such a commitment tap the 6. Midrash Tanchuma, Parshas Chassidus. essential and unbounded Divine B’Chukosai, sec. 3; see Tanya, chs. 33 and 36. An allusion to this sequence can be potential each of us possesses seen in the fact that Parshas Ki Seitzei within our souls. And the effects of 7. See Rashi, Leviticus 18:3. (which highlights the concept of war) these efforts extend beyond our is followed by Parshas Ki Savo (which 8.