727_B_Beis Moshiach 18/01/2010 8:20 AM Page 3 contents CONFRONTING PHARAOH 4 D’var Malchus FOR THE LOVE OF ...MOSHIACH 6 Thought | Rabbi Zvi Homnick UNITING CHASSIDIM IN AMERICA 10 Feature | Shneur Zalman Berger A SUPER-ACTIVE SHLIACH 18 Feature | Nosson Avrohom SCIENTISM IN A CHABAD SCHOOL? 26 Moshiach & Science | Dr. Aryeh Gotfryd USA 744 Eastern Parkway Brooklyn, NY 11213-3409 Tel: (718) 778-8000 Fax: (718) 778-0800 MIRACLES ON SHLICHUS [email protected] 28 Shlichus | Rabbi Yaakov Shmuelevitz www.beismoshiach.org EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: M.M. 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RECOGNIZING A TRUE LEADER Copyright 2010 by Beis Moshiach, Inc. 58 Thought | Rabbi Yosef Karasik Beis Moshiach is not responsible for the content of the advertisements. 727_B_Beis Moshiach 18/01/2010 8:20 AM Page 4 d’var malchus CONFRONTING PHARAOH Sichos In English A TWOFOLD CHALLENGE It is not bad; but it cannot see details of every situation as it is. “[G-d] placed the world within beyond itself. There is, however, a second, more [man’s] heart.” [1] The second soul is “an actual part general goal for our efforts - to The mission of mankind - to of G-d,” and its fulfillment comes nurture selflessness. transform the world into a dwelling through service, encouraging the For worldly existence encourages for G-d - mirrors the challenges every expression of this G-dly nature and of self-concern, and man’s task is to individual confronts in developing the the G-dliness invested in the world at break through these barriers and G-dly nature of his own character large. reveal the inner truth. and personality. The conflict between these souls The words “break through” are For every person is an entire reflects the challenge which man intentionally used. world in microcosm. [2] faces: to break through his self- For with regard to self-concern - There are two dimensions to our concern and to reveal his G-dly core. to borrow a Talmudic phrase [5] - personal task of self-refinement: When this is accomplished, the “its destruction is its purification.” Firstly, to use the qualities which first task mentioned above, making Our desires can be redirected we have been granted for a positive positive use of the potentials and from undesirable motives to a purpose. opportunities we are granted, can be positive orientation, but the For example, instead of self- achieved with far greater ease. fundamental approach of selfishness oriented material desire, our potential which characterizes worldly existence to love should be expressed in love for WITHIN THE must be broken. G-d, and selfless love for our fellow MACROCOSM There is no redeeming quality in mere self-concern. man. [3] These same thrusts are reflected And our potential for achievement in our endeavors within the world at should be directed to making large. WHAT THE PLAGUES contributions that are lasting in One of mankind’s tasks is to use ACCOMPLISHED nature, rather than those of mere all the elements of world for a Egypt, Mitzrayim in Hebrew, temporal value. positive purpose. serves as an analogy for material Similarly, each of our attributes Every element of being contains existence as a whole. [6] should be dedicated toward good, sparks of G-dliness which are As such, both motifs mentioned and indeed, toward the most concealed by the material nature of above are reflected in the story of the comprehensive good possible. our existence. Exodus. But there is a challenge which is By using these objects for a The miracles G-d wrought in more fundamental. spiritual purpose, e.g., eating a meal Egypt had two purposes: Every person should ask with the intent of using the energy A) that Pharaoh should release the him/her/self: What am I living for? generated from the food to serve G- Jews, and that when they depart, they Is my goal self-gratification, or d, we tap the G-dly energy invested in would “ask every man of his friend, am I living for a higher purpose? these worldly entities, and give it and every women from her neighbor, Chassidus explains [4] that we expression. golden and silver articles.” [7] have two souls, one an animal soul, This goal must be applied in a In this way, they would “drain that like an animal is concerned with very particular way, relating to the Egypt of her wealth.” [8] its own needs and drives. 4 7 Shvat 5770 BEIS MOSHIACH 727_B_Beis Moshiach 18/01/2010 8:20 AM Page 5 This reflects the Jews’ effort to This dimension is reflected in the And thus the Zohar refers to the refine the sparks of holiness that were name of this week’s Torah reading, House of Pharaoh as: [18] “the place concealed within Egypt, allowing Bo. where all lights are revealed in an these resources of good to find The most common meaning of Bo unrestrained manner.” positive expression. is “come,” but it also means “enter,” Carrying this concept further, the B) “So that you will be able to tell or “penetrate.” [15] Exodus shares a direct connection to your children and grandchildren how Moshe is commanded to the ultimate Redemption. I have made sport from Egypt, penetrate to Pharaoh’s core and Indeed, had the Jews merited, performing miraculous signs there.” negate his strength. immediately after leaving Egypt, they [9] As the Zohar states, [16] G-d would have entered Eretz Yisroel in Pharaoh is identified with the caused him to enter room after room, the ultimate Redemption. [19] And stubborn boasts, “I do not know G- penetrating to the very heart of the entire period from the exodus d,” [10] and “the river is mine and I Pharaoh’s palace. until the Redemption is referred to as have fashioned it,” [11] denying G- “the days of your exodus from d’s influence in our world and COME WITH ME Egypt.” [20] replacing it with self-orientation. For nullifying the selfishness of The command to confront The fundamental purpose of the Pharaoh and breaking through the Pharaoh and negate his influence is plagues was to negate this approach, limitations of Egypt began - and given to Moshe, because the task of to manifest G-dliness openly so that begins for every individual when he negating selfishness is a fundamental all could see, and in doing so, to relives the Exodus in a personal sense dimension of man’s service. break the pride of Pharaoh and his - a self-reinforcing dynamic that Man was given the mission of nation. ultimately will take us beyond all making this world a dwelling for G-d, G-d persisted in this endeavor limitations, leading to the and this is possible only when until Pharaoh’s pride was crushed, Redemption; may it take place in the selfishness is nullified. For haughty and he came in his nightclothes to immediate future. self-interest prevents the Divine Moshe, entreating G-d’s mercy. [12] Adapted from Likkutei Sichos: Vol. XXI, p. 48- Presence from being manifest. [17] Personally, Pharaoh would have 49; Vol. XXXI, p. 32-33; Sichos Shabbos Parshas Bo, And yet, this nullification of self 5733, 5751 been prepared to release the Jews cannot be accomplished by man on after several of the plagues. Notes: his own; this is only within G-d’s He was, nevertheless, held back 1. Ecclesiastes 3:11. power. and the plagues continued, because 2. Midrash Tanchuma, P’kudei, sec. 3. For this reason, Moshe shrunk at G-d hardened his heart. [13] 3. See Avos 5:16. G-d’s command; he realized that the Why was this necessary? 4. Tanya, chs. 1 and 2. challenge was greater than him. That Had Pharaoh released the Jews 5. Keilim 2:1. is why G-d told him, “Come to earlier, he and his nation would not Pharaoh,” i.e., come with Me, and 6. See the previous essay entitled have been thoroughly humbled. “Seeing and Believing.” not “Go to Pharaoh.” G-d would The refinement of the sparks of confront Pharaoh together with 7. Exodus 11:2. G-dliness concealed within the Egypt Moshe. 8. Ibid. 11:36. would have been accomplished, but Moshe was not shirking 9. Ibid. 10:2. the power which opposed G-d would responsibility. He was willing to go, 10. Ibid. 5:2. have remained intact. but not with his own power. 11. Ezekiel 29:3. The plagues were continued until By hesitating, he invited G-d’s 12. Exodus 12:30-32. “Egypt [knew] that I am G-d,” [14] assistance, emphasizing that he and the self-oriented approach which 13. Ibid. 10:1. would be acting only as an agent, and their leader personified was 14. Exodus 7:5. the power to nullify Pharaoh’s pride shattered. 15. Therefore one of the Hebrew terms would be G-d’s. for marital relations is bia. REACHING TO THE CORE 16. Zohar, Vol.