1 CROWN HEIGHTS NewsPAPER ~January 30 2009 כאן צוה ה’ את הברכה CommunityNewspaper פרשת נא | ה' שבט , תשס”ט | בס”ד WEEKLY VOL. II | NO 14 JANUARY 30, 2009 | SHEVAT 5, 5769 YUD SHEVAT THE BEGINNING OF THE REBBE'S NESIUS PAGE 10 WHAT IS A REBBE? PAGE 11 YUD SHEVAT CUSTOMS PAGE 11 RABBI YOSEF YITZCHOK SHNEERSON PAGE 12 GOAL OF MIVTZOIM PAGE 12 A MIXER OR A MIKVEH? Page 6 BORUCH...MATIR ASURIM OUR DAVENING HAS BORNE HAGAON HACHOSSID HORAV FRUIT! SHOLOM RUBASHKIN WAS RELEASED ON BAIL. CHAIM MEIR BUKIET Beis Din of Crown Heights 390A Kingston Avenue, Brooklyn, NY Tel- 718~604~8000 Fax: 718~771~6000 Rabbi A. Osdoba: ❖ Monday to Thursday 10:30AM - 11:30AM at 390A Kingston Ave. ☎Tel. 718-604-8000 ext.37 or 718-604-0770 Sunday-Thursday 9:30 PM-11:00PM ~Friday 2:30PM-4:30 PM ☎Tel. (718) - 771-8737 Rabbi Y. Heller is available daily 10:30 to 11:30am ~ 2:00pm to 3:00pm at 788 Eastern Parkway # 210 718~604~8827 ❖ & after 8:00pm 718~756~4632 Rabbi Y. Schwei, 4:00pm to 9:00pm ❖ 718~604~8000 ext 36 Rabbi Y. Raitport is available by appointment. ☎ 718~604~8000 ext 39 ☎ Rabbi Y. Zirkind: 718~604~8000 ext 39 Erev Shabbos Motzoei Shabbos Rabbi S. Segal: ☎ 718~604~8000 ext 39 ❖ Sun ~Thu 5:30pm -9:00pm or ☎718 -360-7110 Rabbi Bluming is available Sunday - Thursday, 3 -4:00pm at 472 Malebone St. ☎ 718 - 778-1679 Rabbi Y. Osdoba ☎718~604~8000 ext 38 ❖ Sun~Thu: 10:0am -11:30am ~ Fri 10:am - 1:00 pm or 4:54 5:56 ☎ 718 -604-0770 Gut Shabbos Rabbi S. Chirik: ☎ 718~604~8000 ext 38 ❖ Sun~Thu: 5:00pm to 9:00pm 2 CROWN HEIGHTS NewsPAPER ~January 30 2009 The Vaad Hakohol REBBE'S STORY “When one tells a story about his Rebbe he connects to the deeds of the Rebbe” Enhancing Achievement (Sichos 1941 pg. 68) Reprinted from the book “I consider it my pleasure and duty to “Though I was not inclined to accept to countries hostile to Israel. Despite To Know and To Care - Volume 1 help others benefit from an associa- the invitation, I saw this as a further Poland’s heavy financial loss, one Published and copyright © by Sichos tion with the Rebbe, just as I have step in enhancing the impact of the could almost see the Rebbe’s direc- in English benefited in both my business and Rebbe’s influence on ‘a person who tive at work as Mr. Walesa agreed to will benefit the Jewish people,’ and one concession after another. “For the past twenty-odd I agreed. Mr. Walesa told me he years, since I had first met “Later, I accompanied him on a visit wanted to express the regret of the the Rebbe, my life can be to the Diaspora Museum, where I Polish people for their inexcusable described as a pocket full pointed out the picture of the Rebbe behavior towards the Jews during of miracles,” says Mr. David which is displayed there. “Is this my World War II. Chase, one of America’s fore- Rebbe?” Mr. Walesa asked bowing most businessmen. “And I “As a Holocaust survivor myself, his head in reverence. Mr. Walesa’s don’t mean only in my busi- I insisted that his statement be response was striking. He was clearly ness endeavors. To the con- forthright, without minimizing the impressed and moved by the Rebbe’s trary, the greatest miracle issue or covering it up with bland intense gaze. He actually lowered of them may have been my diplomatic wording. his head as if acknowledging his ability to appreciate the mes- leadership. “Mr. Walesa surprised the Israeli sage that the Rebbe conveys. government with his non-evasive “In many other instances, I have My relationship with the statement of regret on behalf of been privileged to bring the Rebbe’s Rebbe has given me and many the Polish people. Subsequently, message to people who might other- others a sensitivity to matters former Prime Minister Shamir was wise not have been exposed to them. which are beyond ordinary very demanding in several points, The best way we can reciprocate for mortal understanding. For including a change in the pro-Arab the good which the Rebbe showers this reason, over the years, approach that had been advocated upon us is to express his teachings, I have committed myself to by Poland’s previous Communist ideals, and principles in our daily advancing the Rebbe’s work leaders and a cessation of arms sales lives.” in many areas and to different people. “The Rebbe’s directives are so far-reaching and never ending. private life. My activities bring me The Rebbe himself once described in contact with many public figures his ‘insatiable appetite’ for ongoing around the world, and I do not hesi- Jewish activity. Perhaps it is the tate to share my experiences with the Rebbe’s total lack of self-concern Rebbe and with his directives with and constant devotion to the welfare Jews and non-Jews. of others that has motivated me to “I often visit my native land, Poland, regard my Lubavitch activity as a where I have business interests. cherished labor of love. Prior to one trip to Poland, I visited “Once, at the annual meeting of the New York and asked for the Rebbe’s Machne Israel Development Fund, I blessing. The Rebbe handed me told the Rebbe how pleased I was to an additional dollar, saying: “Give be one of the soldiers in his army. this to a person in Poland who will benefit the Jewish people.” “You are not merely a soldier,” the Rebbe replied. “You are my “Due to my business endeavors, I general.” have various contacts in the Polish government, and I contemplated “Some time later, when I came to who would be the proper recipient of receive a dollar on Sunday, I received the Rebbe’s dollar. One day I found a promotion; the Rebbe told me, “I myself aboard a domestic flight regard you as a five-star general.” with the newly elected President Lech Walesa. I had several contacts with Mr. Walesa in the past, and Newspaper it occurred to me that I would not Community be able to find a better person to whom to give the Rebbe’s dollar. I 392 Kingston Avenue approached him, handed him the Brooklyn, NY 11225 dollar, and conveyed the Rebbe’s [email protected] message. Published & edited weekly by the Vaad Hakohol of Crown Heights. “Mr. Walesa looked at me thought- fully. “I sincerely hope I will be Moshe Rubashkin, Rosh Hakohol Dr. Tzvi (Harvey) Lang, Chairman able to live up to your Rebbe’s Rabbi Plotkin, Secretary expectation.” Layout: SimplyUnique ([email protected]) “After this encounter, my acquain- All material in this paper has been copyrighted. It is the exclusive property of this newspaper, unless tance with Mr. Walesa grew and otherwise attributed., and cannot be reproduced without the consent of the publisher. we became quite friendly. Some time later, Mr. Walesa personally Composition responsibility: This newspaper will not be liable for errors appearing in advertising, beyond invited me to accompany him on the cost of the space occupied by the error. Advertiser his upcoming visit to Israel. This assumes responsibility for errors in telephone orders. All advertisement designed and prepared by the CH trip was a major breakthrough in Community Newspaper are the property of the relations between the two countries, newspaper and cannot be reproduced without the and he felt that my inclusion in his consent of the publisher delegation would be helpful. January 30, 2009 ~ crOWN heights NewsPAPER 3 The Rebbe's Sicha Parshas Bo A thought for the Week him he asked “what is in your hand?” people towards Tefillin were not as Elisha replied “wings of a dove.” warm as the Mitzva deserved!(2) how one acts is all that matters. Elisha than opened his hand, and Reprinted from A thought For the REFERENCES: Based on Likutei the Tefillin had miraculously been Week Torah declares that the ideal is unity. Sichos Vol. VI pp. 279-281 changed to doves’ wings! Because he By Rabbi YM Kagan Man must strive for the perfection did not have the moral strength to Exodus 13:16 that can be achieved only when head, say that they were Tefillin (though TEFFILLIN: heart and hand function together in Shabbos 120a this would have meant certain INSTRUMENT FOR harmony, in accordance with the death) it is apparent to the sages of UNITY Al-mighty’s wishes. the Talmud that the feelings of the The Sedra closes with: A“ nd it shall This critically important inner be as a sign upon your hand and as harmony is expressed in the Mitzva Tefillin between your eyes, for with of Tefillin. Tefillin on the arm near a strong hand G-d brought us out of HEAP the heart, with Tefillin on the head, Egypt.”( 1) together fulfill the precept. Ideas, The HEAP Program Outreach Workers A cardinal concept of Judaism is emotions and actions are to be The scheduled appointments are on unity; first of course is Hashem harmonious, the heart’s feelings and TUESDAY, February 3 -- 9:15 AM--3:30 PM. Echod — one G-d, and one Torah. the mind’s understanding and the at the Crown Heights Jewish Community Council, Then there is the ideal of an inner actions of the hand consonant with 387 Kingston Avenue (corner Crown St.). unity and harmony within every each other.