e mas441 a - beis moshiach

38
Beis Moshiach (USPS 012-542) ISSN 1082-0272 is published weekly, except Jewish holidays (only once in April and October) for $130.00 in Crown Heights, $140.00 in the USA & Canada, all others for $150.00 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. Beis Moshiach is not responsible for the content of the advertisements. © Copyright 2003 by Beis Moshiach, Inc U.S.A 744 Eastern Parkway Brooklyn, NY 11213-3409 Tel: (718) 778-8000 Fax: (718) 778-0800 [email protected] www.beismoshiach.org ERETZ HA’KODESH 72915 s"cj rpf 102 /s/, (03) 9607-290 :iupky (03) 9607-289 :xep EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: M.M. Hendel ENGLISH EDITOR: Boruch Merkur [email protected] CONTENTS 4 | THE ULTIMATE PURPOSE D’var Malchus / Sichos in English 9 | THE FUNDAMENTALS OF OUR CHILDREN’S EDUCATION Chinuch / Rabbi M.M. Gluckowsky 14 | FARBRENGEN OF MASHPIIM Farbrengen / Avrohom Raynitz 22 | A MAN OF TRUTH WITH THE PRIDE OF YAAKOV Chassid / Shneur Zalman Berger and Avrohom Raynitz 26 | 11:00 PM AT THE MAYOR’S HOUSE Miracle Story / Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Beckerman 28 | THE MAN WHO BROUGHT 19 KISLEV TO MIZRACHI Profile / Shneur Zalman Berger 33 | THE INTERIM PERIOD Thought / Rabbi Yeheskel Lebovic 36 | THE REBBE DISCUSSES THE GENEVA SUMMIT Shleimus HaAretz / Shai Gefen 39 | MAKING IT RELEVANT News / Yehoshua Merenfeld

Upload: others

Post on 28-Jul-2022

2 views

Category:

Documents


0 download

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: e mas441 a - Beis Moshiach

Beis Moshiach (USPS 012-542) ISSN1082-0272 is published weekly,except Jewish holidays (only once inApril and October) for $130.00 inCrown Heights, $140.00 in the USA& Canada, all others for $150.00 peryear (45 issues), by Beis Moshiach,744 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn, NY11213-3409. Periodicals postage paidat Brooklyn, NY and additional offices.Postmaster: send address changes toBeis Moshiach 744 Eastern Parkway,Brooklyn, NY 11213-3409.

Beis Moshiach is not responsible forthe content of the advertisements.

© Copyright 2003 by Beis Moshiach, Inc

U.S.A744 Eastern Parkway

Brooklyn, NY 11213-3409Tel: (718) 778-8000 Fax: (718) 778-0800

[email protected]

ERETZ HA’KODESH72915 s"cj rpf 102 /s/,

(03) 9607-290 :iupky

(03) 9607-289 :xep

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF:M.M. Hendel

ENGLISH EDITOR:Boruch Merkur

[email protected]

CONTENTS

4 | THE ULTIMATE PURPOSED’var Malchus / Sichos in English

9 | THE FUNDAMENTALS OF OUR CHILDREN’SEDUCATIONChinuch / Rabbi M.M. Gluckowsky

14 | FARBRENGEN OF MASHPIIMFarbrengen / Avrohom Raynitz

22 | A MAN OF TRUTH WITH THE PRIDE OFYAAKOVChassid / Shneur Zalman Berger and Avrohom Raynitz

26 | 11:00 PM AT THE MAYOR’S HOUSE Miracle Story / Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Beckerman

28 | THE MAN WHO BROUGHT 19 KISLEV TOMIZRACHIProfile / Shneur Zalman Berger

33 | THE INTERIM PERIODThought / Rabbi Yeheskel Lebovic

36 | THE REBBE DISCUSSES THE GENEVASUMMITShleimus HaAretz / Shai Gefen

39 | MAKING IT RELEVANTNews / Yehoshua Merenfeld

Page 2: e mas441 a - Beis Moshiach

BEIS MOSHIACH - 17 Kislev 57644

SHABBOS PARSHAS VA’YISHLACHEREV YUD-TES KISLEV, 57501. Yud-Tes Kislev is referred to as“the Rosh HaShana of Chassidus.” Itwas given this name because theredemption of the Alter Rebbe onYud-Tes Kislev represented a victoryfor the teachings of Chassidus. Inother words, just as the headincludes the life energy for all thelimbs of the body, and just as RoshHaShana includes all the days of theyear, on Yud-Tes Kislev, there isdrawn down “a revelation of the lightof the inner aspects of our holyTorah...throughout the entire year.”

The connection between RoshHaShana and Yud-Tes Kislev isfurther emphasized this year when itis celebrated on the same day asRosh HaShana. Also, on Yud-TesKislev, it is customary to wish acolleague, “May you be written downand sealed for a good year in thestudy and practice of Chassidus,” agreeting that reflects the intrinsicconnection the two holidays share.For just as Rosh HaShana iscelebrated on the sixth day ofcreation because the purpose for thecreation of the world is associatedwith the creation of man, which tookplace on the sixth day, Yud-Tes Kislev

likewise represents “the ultimatepurpose of the creation of man uponthe earth.”

The above concepts can beexplained through a discussion ofthe relationship between Yud-TesKislev and Parshas VaYishlach.

The latter relationship, however,itself requires explanation, for thetwo concepts appear to be worldsapart. Parshas VaYishlach is relatedto Yaakov’s refining of Eisav. Insending angels to Eisav, for example,Yaakov’s intent was to elevate him tohis source in holiness, thetranscendent revelation of the worldof Tohu. Similarly, the delineation ofall the descendents of Eisav at theconclusion of the parasha is intendedto describe them as they exist in theTorah, which reflects their ultimatestate, after they have been elevated.What relationship do these efforts inrefining the world have with therevelation of Yud-Tes Kislev, whichdrew down the inner dimension ofthe Torah to the Jewish people?

This question can be resolvedthrough an analysis of the location ofParshas VaYishlach within thecontext of the Book of Bereishis as awhole. The Book of Bereishis isreferred to as the “Book of the Just,”

“the book of Avrohom, Yitzchok, andYaakov, who are called ‘the just.’”Since “the deeds of the patriarchs area sign for their descendants,” itfollows that the Book of Bereishisserves as a guideline for the serviceof the Jewish people in all thecoming generations.

In this context, we canunderstand the order of the parshiyosin the Book of Bereishis. Thefoundation for our service is statedin Parshas Bereishis: “In thebeginning, G-d created the heavensand the earth.” Our Sages explainthat this verse also implies that theheavens and the earth and all thecreations they contain were broughtinto being for the sake of “beisreishis,” two entities which are called“reishis” (firsts), the Torah and theJewish people.

The purpose of the creation canbe derived from the name of thefollowing parasha, Noach. Noach isrelated to the concept of satisfaction(nachas ruach), the satisfaction G-dfeels from the fulfillment of Hisdesire for a “dwelling in the lowerworlds.”

Parshas Lech Lecha describesAvrohom’s journey from his “land,native country, and father’s house,” a

THEULTIMATEPURPOSE

SICHOS IN ENGLISH

D’VAR MALCHUS

Page 3: e mas441 a - Beis Moshiach

Issue Number 441 - BEIS MOSHIACH 5

journey which reflects the descent ofthe soul from the spiritual realms toour material world. It is through thisdescent that the soul is able to attaina higher level than it had attainedbefore its descent.

In order for the soul to be able todescend and fulfill the intent for thecreation, it is necessary for it begranted an extra measure of Divinerevelation, as implied by the openingverse of Parshas VaYeira, “And G-drevealed Himself to him.”

This revelation must permeatethrough the totality of an individual’spersonality, a lesson alluded to inParshas Chayei Sara, which describesSara’s lifespan as being “one hundredyears, twenty years, and seven years,”three divisions which represent thecategories of will and pleasure,intellect, and emotions as they areforged into a single existence.

All of the above grant thepotential for Toldos, “offspring,” “theessential offspring of the righteousare good deeds.” In particular, in thiscontext, Toldos, Yitzchok’s offspring,refers to Yaakov (“doing good,”service within the realm of holiness,)and Eisav (“turning away from evil”and on a higher level, transforming itinto good).

After this, it is possible to beginthe service of G-d as alluded to byYaakov’s journey mentioned inParshas VaYeitzei. The journey fromBe’er Sheva (representative of thesoul’s place in the spiritual realms,the seven sublime attributes) and thedescent to Charan (“the place withinthe world which aroused G-d’sanger”) is intended to elevate andrefine the world. This week’s portion,Parshas VaYishlach, represents acontinuation of that activity,describing how Yaakov sentmessengers to Eisav with the intentof elevating him. Thus, it reflects theelevation of the lowest possiblelevels.

This service leads to Parshas

VaYeishev: “And Yaakov dwelled...,”interpreted by our Sages to refer todwelling in peace and prosperity. Itbrings us to Mikeitz, “the end,”referring to “the end of days,”VaYigash, “And he approached,”alluding to the establishment ofunity between a Jew and G-d, andVaYechi, “And he lived,” whichreflects eternal life, the era of theresurrection.

On a more general level, thestructure of the service of the Jewishpeople as outlined in the Book ofBereishis is divided into threegeneral categories: a) The first

portion from Bereishis until Toldosdescribes the preparation necessaryfor the service of G-d, defining thegoals for our service (Bereishis andNoach) and describing thecommandment to carry out thisservice (Lech Lecha), the powers weare given (VaYeira and Chayei Sara),and the manner in which the serviceis to be carried out (Toldos). b) Thesecond portion (VaYeitzei andVaYishlach) describes how thisservice is actually carried out.VaYeitzei describes the refinement ofthe lower aspects of the world andVaYishlach, the refinement of thevery lowest dimensions of existence.

c) The third portion (from VaYeishevto VaYechi) describes the results ofthe service, including the ultimatereward, the era of the resurrection ofthe dead.

In this context, ParshasVaYishlach, which describes therefinement of Eisav, represents therefinement of the lowest aspects ofexistence, and thus, the fulfillment ofthe intent of creation, theestablishment of a dwelling for G-dwithin this world.

On this basis, we can understandthe connection between Yud-TesKislev and Parshas VaYishlach. Yud-Tes Kislev represents the beginningof the “spreading of the wellspringsof Chassidus outward.” Even thoughPnimiyus HaTorah was studied in theprevious generations — the Arizalhad proclaimed “It is permitted and amitzva to reveal this wisdom,” andthe Baal Shem Tov and the Maggidhad already revealed Chassidicteachings — the revelation of theteachings of Chabad by the AlterRebbe represented a majorbreakthrough. From Yud-Tes Kislevonward, the teachings of Chassiduswere spread, reaching the “outerreaches,” the lowest aspects of theworld. For a dwelling for G-d to beestablished in the lower worlds, it isnecessary that the “wellsprings,” theessence of Pnimiyus HaTorah, whichis drawn down from the essence ofG-d, to permeate every aspect ofexistence until even the lowestelements of existence aretransformed into a dwelling for G-d.

Thus, the elevation of the lowestaspects of existence, which isaccomplished through the spreadingof Chassidus, which began on Yud-Tes Kislev and continued by all theRebbeim in the subsequentgenerations, represents thecompletion of Yaakov’s service of“sending messengers to Eisav.” Theshluchim who have been sent to everycorner of the world — even the

Parshas VaYishlachdescribes the

refinement of Eisav,the refinement of the

lowest aspects ofexistence, and thus,the fulfillment of theintent of Creation.

Page 4: e mas441 a - Beis Moshiach

furthest removed islands — and havespread the wellsprings of Chassidusthere have accomplished therefinement of Eisav, i.e., the elevationof the furthest removed portions ofthis world. Since Parshas VaYishlachrepresents the completion of theservice of the refinement of theworld, it is appropriate that theredemption of Yud-Tes Kislev beassociated with it.

2. This explanation also serves asthe basis with which we canunderstand the connection between

Yud-Tes Kislev and Rosh HaShana:The service of Rosh HaShana centerson the coronation of G-d as “King ofYisroel” and “King of the entireearth.” Yud-Tes Kislev, the RoshHaShana of Chassidus, reveals thatkingship through the world at large.By spreading the wellsprings ofChassidus outward to the furthestremoved corners of existence, wereveal how G-d is king over theentire earth. Since Yud-Tes Kislevexpresses the deepest aspects of G-d’s

essence and spreads the revelation ofthis dimension outward until G-d’skingship is evident throughout thetotality of existence, it thereforereflects the inner depth of RoshHaShana.

This year, the connection of Yud-Tes Kislev to the revelation of G-d’ssovereignty is given greater emphasissince Yud-Tes Kislev falls on Sunday.The Torah describes Sunday as “oneday,” the day when G-d was at onewith all existence. Our Sages explainthat the Shma which describes howG-d is one in the seven heavens andall four directions of this worldexpresses His Kingship over thetotality of existence. Similarly, theappreciation of G-d’s oneness grantedby Yud-Tes Kislev expresses Hissovereignty over our existence.

“Deed is most essential.” It isproper to arrange farbrengenseverywhere in connection with Yud-Tes Kislev for men, women, andchildren so that they will acceptgood resolutions together withothers in regard to all aspects ofTorah and Mitzvos as they areilluminated with the light of theTorah, the teachings of Chassidus.These farbrengens should be held onMotzaei Shabbos, on the nightbetween Yud-Tes Kislev and the 20thof Kislev (the night when Chassidimwould customarily hold thefarbrengens associated with Yud-TesKislev), and these farbrengens shouldcontinue until Chanuka.

The resolutions accepted in thesefarbrengens should center on thethree pillars of service, Torah, prayer,and deeds of kindness as associatedby our Sages with the verse, “Heredeemed my soul in peace.” Thisrefers to “those who are involvedwith Torah, deeds of kindness, andthose who pray together with thecommunity.” In particular, theyshould involve the construction orthe enhancement of buildingsconnected with these activities. (In

this context, it is worthy to mentionthe construction of a building for thelibrary of Agudas Chassidei Chabad.)

May these activities lead to anadded commitment to the study ofChassidus and the spreading of thewellsprings of Chassidus outward,both in regard to one’s self — havingChassidus permeate every aspect of

one’s being — and similarly,spreading Chassidus to others.

May this, in turn, lead to thecoming of Moshiach when we willkindle the menora in the BeisHaMikdash. From there, “light will goout to the entire world,” revealing G-d’soneness throughout creation.

BEIS MOSHIACH - 17 Kislev 57646

Yud-Tes Kislevexpresses the deepest

aspects of G-d’sessence and spreadsthe revelation of thisdimension outward

until G-d’s kingship isevident throughout

the totality ofexistence, it therefore

reflects the innerdepth of Rosh

HaShana.

Even though PnimiyusHaTorah was studied

in the previousgenerations — the

Arizal had proclaimed“It is permitted and amitzva to reveal this

wisdom,” and the BaalShem Tov and the

Maggid had alreadyrevealed Chassidicteachings — therevelation of the

teachings of Chabad bythe Alter Rebbe

represented a majorbreakthrough.

Page 5: e mas441 a - Beis Moshiach

B.H

LUXURIOUS EFFICIENCY ACCOMMODATIONS

RECOMMENDED

FOR THE UPSCALE GUEST VISITING

C R O W N H E I G H T S

W I T H V E RY D I S C R I M I N AT I N G TA S T E

FOR RESERVATIONS PLEASE CALL

(718) 774-0088

Crown Heights mosadis looking for

EXPERIENCEDOFFICE MANAGERwith basic computer and

bookkeeping skills.Seniors preferred.

Please fax resume to:1-530 463-9511

From

Montreal:Saturday: 22:30

wednesday: 22:30

From

New-york:Sunday:18:00Thursday: 18:00

$37 U.S. or $55 CAN

*15 passenger brand new van & comfortable.

* By reservation only *Good service

8084-718)415(

Montreal - New-York - Montreal

Page 6: e mas441 a - Beis Moshiach

Issue Number 441 - BEIS MOSHIACH 9

I once heard a vort on the wordsin T’hillim, “for his desire is inHashem’s Torah, and in his Torah hemeditates day and night.” TheGemara asks; why does the versebegin with “Hashem’s Torah” and endwith “his Torah”? The Gemaraanswers that at first his learningremains the Torah of Hashem, butover time, with more study, theTorah becomes man’s personalacquisition.

I once heard another vort on this.“For his desire is in Hashem’s Torah”– the desire and will of a Jew mustbe to learn the entire Torah.However, since a Jew is limited andcan’t learn everything, the verseconcludes, “and in his Torah hemeditates day and night” – that theparts of Torah that pertain to the Jewwho is learning (“his Torah”) heneeds to meditate in day and night.

For example, a shochet mustmeditate day and night on the lawsof sh’chita and the laws of treifus. Asofer must meditate day and night onthe laws of safrus. So too for parents– one of the parts of Torah that weneed to invest ourselves in day andnight is the halachos of chinuch andeverything concerning chinuch,because this pertains to us.

Baruch Hashem we have treasuresfrom the Rebbe and from all theRebbeim on chinuch, and so one ofthe good resolutions we need toleave this conference with is thedecision to take the Igros Kodesh andthe Rebbe’s sichos on chinuch, and setaside one or two times a week tolearn them in depth.

A chassid once told me regardingthe HaYom Yom about chinuch – thatyou need to think half an hour a dayabout the chinuch of children – that

part of the half an hour can be spentreading letters and sichos of theRebbe on chinuch. When we do this,we have the right material andapproach with which to educate ourchildren.

Certainly, when we speak about achassidishe home, one of the thingsthat set such a house apart is chinuch,how the children in this home look.

Rabbi Dovid Chanzin, a”h, oncetold me that when he went to theRebbe for the first time, he wasinvited for the first day of Sukkos tobe a guest at the meal in the sukka inthe residence of the Rebbe Rayatz. Atthis meal with the Rebbe there wasanother Jew from Eretz Yisroel whoasked the Rebbe what Israelis should

do about observing the 2nd day ofyom tov when not in Eretz Yisroel(the Rebbe’s view on this matter wasnot yet known).

The Rebbe said that a rav fromEretz Yisroel was present, and heshould answer the question. RabbiChanzin told me this and said that Ishould pasken a halacha in front ofthe Rebbe(!). I sat quietly.

The Rebbe said, “The rav shouldsay the p’sak.”

I tried to get out of answering but

CHINUCH

THEFUNDAMENTALS OFOUR CHILDREN’S

EDUCATION

We must study the “laws of chinuch.” * Whatparents do affects their children. * What didthe Rebbe say about television? * The dangersof the Internet. * A speech by Rabbi M.M.Gluckowsky, rav in Rechovot.

Page 7: e mas441 a - Beis Moshiach

BEIS MOSHIACH - 17 Kislev 576410

the Rebbe said: Nu!

So I said that the k’vius (thehalachic designation of one’spermanent place) is establishedaccording to one’s primary residence,and for chassidim their primary placeis with the Rebbe.

The Rebbe asked: But you haveschools in Eretz Yisroel? (The Rebbeappointed R’ Chanzin as director ofthe Reshet, and he served in this rolemany years. Most of the letters thatthe Rebbe sent to the Reshet weresent to R’ Chanzin’s house in PetachTikva).

R’ Chanzin told me this story onone of our trips. I asked him how heunderstood what the Rebbe had said.He said, “I told the Rebbe my k’viusis with the Rebbe and the Rebbereplied, ‘I’ve given you the schools inEretz Yisroel.’ This means that if youwant to know where I am for you,you have a shlichus in Eretz Yisroel,in that you are responsible for theschools there, and in the place wherea person’s ratzon (will, desire) is, thatis where he is to be found. Thistaught me, concluded R’ Chanzin,that a chassid can sit in the Rebbe’spresence but really, for him, theRebbe is overseas, if that is where theRebbe’s ratzon is.

The same is true when speakingabout a chassidishe home. The firstquestion we ask ourselves is: whatdoes the Rebbe want? This is the firstquestion we need to ask ourselves ineverything regarding chinuch. This isthe inner question of every one of us.We need to know that every letterthe Rebbe wrote on chinuch andevery sicha the Rebbe said on chinuchis the key to our understanding ofchinuch. We want to know everydetail of what the Rebbe said,because when we strive to carry outthe Rebbe’s will, this is what achassidishe home is all about. Thisunderscores the importance ofreading and learning as much aspossible about what the Rebbe said.

R’ Reuven Dunin, a”h, oncedecided that he wanted to give hishouse to the Rebbe as a gift, and hesent the documents to the Rebbe sothat the Rebbe could fill out the formand sign it. The Rebbe wrote backthat this is not what is meant whenthe Rebbe is said to be the “baalha’bayis” (lit. master of the home) ofone’s house. A home that is runaccording to Torah in daily life, andin ways of pleasantness and peace, isa house that can be called theRebbe’s house.

A parent once wrote to the Rebbeabout his situation and about hishome. From the Rebbe’s answer, itseems that he was describing it verybleakly, even from the aspects ofkashrus, tznius, and chinuch. TheRebbe wrote back: You are the headof the house, and the Gemara says –and this is brought down in halacha– that “the body follows the head.” Ifyou, the head of the house, have settimes to learn Torah, you daven witha minyan three times a day, and yourhead is into the right things, then thebody will follow the head. In otherwords, the rest of the house will beuplifted along with you. However, ifthe head is involved in other things,what do you want from the body?

A letter in a similar vein waswritten by the Rebbe to the akeresha’bayis (lit. mainstay of the home,i.e., the mother), saying that sincethe akeres ha’bayis is the ikar(mainstay) of the house, the thingsthat she is involved in affect thechildren.

When we speak about the chinuchof our children, the Alef-Beis is“where is the head,” meaning us!

In the HaYom Yom for 4Cheshvan, it says that “Torah studyevery day literally affects nefashos(souls), not just the soul of the onewho learns, but also the souls of themembers of the household.” Thefather’s learning affects not justhimself, but the entire family, as it

goes on to say, “for then theatmosphere in the house is theatmosphere of Torah and fear ofheaven.” Learning Torah dailychanges the atmosphere in the house,and obviously it’s not just the fatherwho breathes the air in the house.

A couple once wrote to the Rebbeabout their son who wanted to marrya gentile woman. The son was on theWest Coast, in Los Angeles, theparents were in Eretz Yisroel, andthey asked the Rebbe what to do.

The Rebbe said that maybe afriend should talk to him, and it wasalso worth introducing him to Jewishgirls, as well as other ideas abouthow to draw the boy in otherdirections which might get him toleave the gentile girl. At the end ofthe letter the Rebbe writes: After allthis you need to know that parentsare connected with their childrenwith a soul connection, and thereforeevery addition in Torah and mitzvosthat you take upon yourselvesautomatically affects the soul of yourson, even if he is at the other end ofthe world.

These were practical ideas theRebbe gave the parents. We areconnected with our children at thelevel of the soul, and bystrengthening ourselves weautomatically strengthen ourchildren. Every good resolution we,the parents, make, affects ourchildren. It’s guaranteed.

A long time ago, a Lubavitcherwoman came to me and complainedabout the schools. I heard her outand the truth is we know about“yeridas ha’doros” (spiritual descent ofthe generations) and we know thisisn’t merely a concept but the reality,etc. When she finished speaking, Iasked her: What sort of literature doyou have in your home? What sort ofbooks do you read in your sparetime? What sort of newspapers enteryour home? What kind ofpublications? May I ask you whether

Page 8: e mas441 a - Beis Moshiach

Issue Number 441 - BEIS MOSHIACH 11

you have a video? Do you have acomputer? Is it connected to theInternet?

As I asked these questions shechanged colors and said, “With alldue respect, what difference does itmake what I do in private?”

I said, “Excuse me, but this iswhy I asked you those questions. Iasked them in order to tell you thatyou shouldn’t think that you can cutcorners and make compromises inlife while expecting your children tobe angels who don’t compromise. Ifyou compromise, you show yourchildren that they can compromise,and that not everything needs to betaken seriously.

There are things that are writtenand then there’s how we live. Youmust know that with these messagesyou are broadcasting an educationalmessage which is the opposite of theone you want them to get. Neverthink they don’t sense what’s goingon in private. The children knowwhat is going on. They have sensitiveantennas that sense what is going onand what their parents are up to.

I must talk about a plague thathas lately begun to spread, and wedon’t know how dangerous it is andto what degree our very souls are atstake. I’m referring to the Internet,may G-d have mercy, rachmana litzlan(the Merciful One preserve us), thekorbanos (sacrifices) that are fallingbecause of it. We think it’s nothing; itwon’t happen to me.

In Shaarei Halacha U’Minhag,chelek 3, page 249, there’s an excerptfrom a sicha from the 50’s, whentelevisions became available cheaplyand everybody started buying them.The Rebbe referred to it as follows:

“Regarding television, it’s atremendous and unprecedentedpirtza (breach). Even gentiles haverecently gone out vehemently againstit, as it causes destruction tochildren, and they seek ways of

containing this as much as possible.Especially after recent incidents ofmurder – everyone admits that oneof the causes is television andmovies. They watch how people killand shoot one another.”

The Rebbe is not philosophizing.The Rebbe says:

“And there’s another thing. Evenif someone thinks that he will onlywatch educational, good, and cleanprograms which are permissible towatch, how can parents guaranteethat their children won’t watch otherprograms that are forbidden to see,with the excuse that the parents alsowatch television.”

The plague of Internet is seriousand it’s spreading and destroyingworlds in the most shocking ways.When I was in France, I heard astory about R’ Yisroel NoachBlinitzky, who was one of the elderchassidim at that time. When hisfather-in-law came to Lubavitch tolook for a shidduch for his daughter,he went to the Rebbe Rashab andsaid he was looking for a shidduch forhis daughter, a good bachur fromYeshivas Tomchei Tmimim. TheRebbe suggested that he take R’Yisroel Noach. He asked the Rebbe,

why him? Does he know nigleh?Chassidus? The Rebbe answered thatR’ Yisroel Noach’s maaleh (specialquality) was that he feared Hashemeven b’chadrei chadarim (lit. inchambers within chambers, i.e., inthe most private places).

The Internet is in the category ofchadrei chadarim. It’s a challenge thatyou take into your home and it posesendless opportunities, all in chadreichadarim. You can browse theInternet with none the wiser.

When the Rebbe spoke in thesicha about the destructive force thattelevision exerts on children, he alsoasked, “How can you guarantee whatwill be with your children? Can yousupervise them 24 hours a day?” TheInternet is far worse than televisionbecause there are no limits as towhere you can go. With all respectfor the advantages of the Internet,and we know we need to use theseadvantages to spread Yiddishkeit andthe wellsprings, this has nothing todo with the dangers that lie in waitin our homes.

The Rebbe adds:

“In addition, even regarding theparents themselves, who willguarantee that they won’t fail? Todayyou watch “kosher” programs andtomorrow you just take a look atanother program, and little by littleyou reach the point where it’s allpermissible.”

The Rebbe is not only talkingabout children, but to us adults. Areyou such a tzaddik that you can be100% sure that you won’t take just apeek in order to know “what to becareful of”?

I must tell you that I know acouple that has gotten divorcedbecause of this, and I know of othertragedies, which have befallen veryfine families. We must talk aboutthese things, even though these arethings that are obvious, and wereonce clear and didn’t need to be

This taught me,concluded R’

Chanzin, that achassid can sit in theRebbe’s presence butreally, for him, theRebbe is overseas, if

that is where theRebbe’s ratzon is.

Page 9: e mas441 a - Beis Moshiach

BEIS MOSHIACH - 17 Kislev 576412

spoken of. However, today, becausewe are so exposed to things, and thestreet is so close to us, as the Rebbewrites, “it becomes permissible tohim,” it has become somethingordinary, to the point that as I standhere and talk to you, I feel as thoughI’m from the Middle Ages.

There have been people who havecome over to me and said: Dearrabbi, grow up. Don’t you knowwhat’s going on today? The world haschanged! We don’t use a horse andwagon to get around anymore. Todaywe have cars and planes, so why areyou saying these silly things?

But I must tell you, it’s costing usin korbanos.

The Rebbe goes on in the sicha tosay:

“Another trap that is liable to bethere as a result of this is ininfluencing other people. They knowthat so-and-so has a television in hishouse – he’s a Jew with a full beard.But the fact that he only watches“kosher” programs is not somethingthey know, so this person will watcheverything, even those programs thatare forbidden to watch, while relyingon the “heter” of the first person.

And to those who maintain thatthere are good, frum Jews who haveit in their house, and why shouldn’twe learn from them – this is likesomeone saying that since so-and-sohas an eye disease, I want to be likehim! The same is true here, inspiritual matters – nobody is perfect,but why desire to copy the faults ofother people?!

Among all those who have atelevision in their house, you won’tfind a single one who maintains thathe bought it to enhance his yirasShamayim (fear of heaven) or goodmiddos (character traits); everybodyhas their excuse.”

Listen to what the Rebbe goes onto say:

“Once, people were careful not topass by a place where a church was,and they preferred goingroundabout. Mothers would warntheir children not to go near achurch, and not to look at a cross,and today, by having a television,you bring the church and the priestand the cross into the house.Rachmana litzlan! Therefore, it’simportant that you immediatelybegin to fix this.”

The Rebbe once spoke at lengthabout how outside of Eretz Yisroel,Sunday is a day off, and as somepeople put it, “Sunday is the Shabbos

Sheini Shel Galuyos” (like the 2nd

day of yom tov in the Diaspora).Davening begins later, and when weIsraelis visit America and see peoplelooking relaxed on Sunday, we ask,“What’s going on – no work today?”

Then we remember that it’s Sundayand it’s a day off.

The Rebbe said that many peoplego to sleep late Motzaei Shabbosbecause they don’t have to get upearly Sunday morning, but childrenhave their routines and they go tosleep on time and get up earlySunday morning while their parentsare still sleeping, and they watchtelevision. On Sunday morningsthere are many religious programs ontelevision because this is their holyday, as it were. The Rebbe says, “Theparents sleep and the priest walksaround the house, r”l.”

I once repeated this sicha of theRebbe about the priest walkingaround the house, and when Ifinished speaking a mekurav got upand said, “I must tell you a story ofhashgacha pratis (Divine providence).My mother came to us from SouthAmerica and she brought us a gift ofa VCR. I was hesitant about allowingit into the house, but I decided Iwould take it for one purpose only,so that the children could see videosof the Rebbe.

“A few weeks later, I came homefrom work one day and saw thechildren sitting in the living roomwith nothing to do. I decided to puton a video of the Rebbe for them. Iwent to the next room to get avideotape, and when I returned, Isaw them glued to the screen. I wentover to see what they were watchingand my heart sank. That day was X-mas and I saw that my children werewatching the ceremony in BeisLechem (Bethlehem). I immediatelyput in the video of the Rebbe andangrily left the living room. Now I’mhere in shul and I hear that the Rebbesaid that it brings the priest intoyour home. I get the hint, and it’sactually not a hint, but open for allto see, and I understand what theRebbe meant.”

(To be continued.)

You shouldn’t thinkthat you can cut

corners and makecompromises in life

while expecting yourchildren to be angels

who don’tcompromise. If youcompromise, you

show your childrenthat they can

compromise, and thatnot everything needsto be taken seriously.

Page 10: e mas441 a - Beis Moshiach

B”H

You are cordially invited to participate,together with all Anash and the Shluchim

IN A CHABAD CHASSIDIC GATHERINGTHE 4TH EUROPEAN MOSHIACH CONGRESS

“To actually bring about thecoming of Moshiach immediately”

Which will take place IY”H 17-19 Kislev 5764 11-14 December '03

Main event: Motzaei Shabbos 19 KislevHachnosas Sefer Torah in honour ofRabbi Chaim Yonah Edelman a”h andMain Melave Malka L’kabel pneiMoshiach Tzidkeinu.

At Beis Menachem- Chabad Community Centre53-55 Oldhill Street,London N16 6LU

44-7860-770770or 44-208-802-0770

Fax: 44-208-809-0770Email: [email protected] or

[email protected]

hjh tsubbu nurbu urchbu nkl vnahj kguko ugs

Speakers willinclude:

Rabbi GZ GluckRabbi D KahnRabbi SB KalmansonRabbi B KupchickRabbi LY LiberowRabbi SZ LiberowRabbi R MatusofRabbi D PartoucheRabbi Z SilbersteinRabbi SB Wolpo

Page 11: e mas441 a - Beis Moshiach

WHAT FOOD CANACCOMPLISH

Rabbi Velvel Kesselman: Today isthe Ushpizin of the Tzemach Tzedek.Once, a chassid from Vitebsk came tohim and asked for a bracha to bereleased from the Russian army. TheTzemach Tzedek said he couldn’thelp him. The chassid washeartbroken by this response and hewent to his son (later to be the RebbeMaharash) and asked him tointervene with his father.

The Maharash went to his fatherand asked for a bracha for thatchassid, but the Tzemach Tzedek saidhe had already told the chassid thathe couldn’t help him. The chassidreturned home in despair.

Two days later, the chassid sent atelegram to the Maharash with arequest that he try once again to get abracha for him. Once again, theTzemach Tzedek said he couldn’thelp him, but he took a MidrashTanchuma and showed the Maharash

a mashal about a person who hadhelped the prince, and the king said:When you need help, I will help you.

Two days later, they got word thatthe chassid had been released fromthe army. The Tzemach Tzedek wasvery happy and the Maharash wantedto know what had happened, for hisfather had said he couldn’t help.

A few months later, the Maharashwent to Vitebsk, where he met thechassid. He asked him what hadhappened on the day he had beenreleased from the army. Nothingspecial, said the chassid. His wifecouldn’t remember anything specialeither.

When they wracked their brains,they finally remembered that on thatday they had been preparing to go tothe cemetery to plead at the graves oftheir ancestors that they intercede forthem in heaven, when a Jew came totheir home asking for food. At first,they had said it wasn’t mealtime andthey were leaving for the cemetery,

but the man insisted on getting foodand said he hadn’t eaten for a fewdays. There was a lot of food in thehouse and nobody felt like eating.They invited him into the kitchenand told him he could help himselfto whatever he liked.

Said the Maharash: Now Iunderstand. What my father couldn’taccomplish with his brachos, youmanaged to do by feeding a hungryJew!

A REVOLUTIONARYAPPROACH

Rabbi Yisroel Halperin: I recentlymet the director of the largestfinancial institution in Eretz Yisroel.The meeting took place in a hoteland was for a specific period of time.At the beginning of the meeting, heasked me: Who runs Chabad thesedays?

I explained to him in brief thatthe Rebbe Melech HaMoshiach leadsChabad, and I added that if he hadany problem at all he could write tothe Rebbe and get an answer throughthe Igros Kodesh.

He said that he had two problemsfor which he wanted brachos, but hewould only write about one problem,the more important one. We wrotethe letter together and put it into avolume of Igros Kodesh.

On the page he had put the letter

BEIS MOSHIACH - 17 Kislev 576414

Hundreds of farbrengens took place throughoutCrown Heights during Tishrei. One of the mostinteresting of these farbrengens, a farbrengenof Mashpiim, took place in the sukka ofR’ Sholom Dovber Drizin. * Part 2 of 2

FARBRENGEN

FARBRENGENOF MASHPIIM

BY AVROHOM RAYNITZPICTURES BY SHMULIK GEWIRTZ

Page 12: e mas441 a - Beis Moshiach

Issue Number 441 - BEIS MOSHIACH 15

into was a letter addressed tosomeone with the same name as thisfinancial director. The Rebbeanswered both his questions, eventhe one he didn’t ask, and theanswers were quite detailed. He wasstunned.

Of course, the atmosphere at ourmeeting took an entirely differentfeel. He realized that the Rebbe is thesource of blessing, and that it was agreat privilege for him to help theRebbe’s mosdos.

I called him a week later and atthe beginning of our conversation hesaid, “Listen, in shul on Shabbos Itold everybody about the answer Igot from the Rebbe MH”M, and theentire shul was in a commotion...”

He’s a religious person who wasunfamiliar with Chabad, but once hegot to know the Rebbe he matter-of-factly referred to him as MelechHaMoshiach.

GOING TO THE REBBE –NOT FOR THE BRACHOSRabbi Wilschansky: You can get

brachos from the Rebbe anywhere inthe world. This emphasizes evenmore the advantage in going to theRebbe. Once upon a time one could

think that one was going to theRebbe in order to get brachos, buttoday, when you can get brachos fromthe Rebbe anywhere, going to theRebbe takes on a different flavor.

I remember how in 5725, R’Saadya Lieberov farbrenged with someof Anash who hadn’t yet traveled tothe Rebbe. One of them said he sawmany who had gone, but he didn’tnotice that the trip changed them atall.

R’ Saadya spoke about what the

Alter Rebbe wrote, that the chassidimshouldn’t come to him to ask aboutgashmius things, yet chassidimcontinued to do so! Said R’ Saadya:they should go even in order to askfor gashmius. The main thing is theyshould go!

R’ Sholom Ber Drizin: The Rebbehimself once said: When did theystart asking for gashmius inLubavitch? However, I see, said theRebbe, that when they get brachosand become wealthy, they give a lotof tz’daka, and they act as chassidicJews, so they should ask for gashmius!

Rabbi Levi Yitzchok Ginsberg:Throughout the years, the Rebbekocht zich in that everything shouldbe b’gashmius. The Rebbe said thatthis is the inyan of Chana. Eli was aspiritual man, and he said to Chana,“How long will you be intoxicated?”That is, how long will you continueasking for yourself? Give yourselfover to Hashem and stop thinkingabout yourself. But Chana continuedto ask, explaining that her asking forgashmius is also for Hashem.

Rabbi Wilschansky: I met a friendtoday, who for a long time had somequestions, but he didn’t receiveanswers from the Rebbe. Heconsulted with his “asei lecha rav,”

(From right to left) R’ Hendel, R’ Halperin, R’ Wilschansky, R’ Kesselman, R’ Raynitz

(From right to left) R’ Orenstein, R’ Ginsberg, Avrohom Raynitz, R’ Kenig

Page 13: e mas441 a - Beis Moshiach

with “yedidim m’vinim” and dideverything the Rebbe says to do, andthen he asked the Rebbe again, buthe didn’t get an answer. He finallydecided to travel to the Rebbe forTishrei. When he came here, hewrote a letter to the Rebbe and put itinto the Igros Kodesh, and to hissurprise he received a clear answer toall his questions. Apparently, he hadto travel to the Rebbe in order toreceive an answer.

BAAL SHEM’SKE MIRACLESR’ Drizin: There’s a misnagdishe

shul in Flatbush called Sherrer Shul.In this shul there davens a Kohen whodidn’t have children. After ten yearsof marriage, he divorced his wife.Two weeks later, he learned that hiswife was pregnant. He washeartbroken by this, since as a Kohenhe is not allowed to remarry hisdivorcee.

One of his friends, a non-Lubavitcher, convinced him to writeto the Rebbe. At first he refused.After all, he’s a misnaged. But after hisfriend worked on him, he wrote thewhole story to the Rebbe. TheRebbe’s answer in the Igros Kodeshwas that only a Kohen is not allowedto remarry his divorcee, butotherwise it’s a mitzva to remarryone’s divorcee.

His friend said, “We must go seeyour mother.” The unfortunate Kohendidn’t understand what his friend wasgetting at but he agreed to go to hismother. When they got to her house,his friend told her about the Rebbe’sanswer. She grew pale and then tookout various papers, which showedthat her son the Kohen had beenadopted.

You can hear this story directlyfrom the Kohen himself, who isactually a Yisroel. He remarried hiswife of course, and they live inFlatbush. If you don’t believe thisstory, go to that shul and hear itstraight from him!

A very similar story appears inRebbe and Chassid #2 by YehudahOhana, about his father’s cousin.

There’s another story, even moreincredible, that I heard about awoman who told the Rebbe that shehad been married for twelve yearsand still didn’t have children. TheRebbe asked her whether she hadever broken off a shidduch. Aftersaying that she had, the Rebbe askedher whether she had asked herformer fiancé for forgiveness. Shesaid she had not, and the Rebbe saidshe had to ask for his forgiveness.

She said that since twelve yearshad passed she had no idea where tofind him. The Rebbe named twostreets in Tel Aviv and told her tostand at the junction of the twostreets and find out from there.

The woman went to Tel Aviv, tothe street the Rebbe had told her, butto her great disappointment, nobodyknew her former chassan. She hadnearly given up when she saw a Jewsitting on a bench facing the cornershe was on. She went over to himand asked him if he knew a personby the name of such-and-such. Toher surprise, he was the man she waslooking for!

She asked him whether heremembered the shidduch from 13years before, and he did. She toldhim she was his former kalla and toldhim that the Lubavitcher Rebbe toldher to ask him for forgiveness. Heagreed to forgive her and even saidthat it was unconditional. Shethanked him and they parted ways.

She gave birth to a child sometime after that. At the bris she toldpeople the story with the Rebbe. Oneof the people present, who was hershadchan for both the former shidduchas well as the present one, went overto her after the bris and asked herwhether she was sure she had mether former chassan. She didn’t knowwhat the shadchan was getting at, andsaid of course she had met herformer chassan and he hadremembered all the details, etc.

If so, said her shadchan, then thisis truly a “Baalshemske mofes” sinceyour first chassan died five years ago.

T’MIMUSRabbi Yisroel Halperin: We’ve

spoken a lot about the wonderfulquality of t’mimus (sincerity). I onceheard a story that illustrates typicalJewish t’mimus. There was a poor Jew,who had to marry off his daughters.

BEIS MOSHIACH - 17 Kislev 576416

The Maharash wentto his father andasked for a bracha forthat chassid, but theTzemach Tzedek saidhe had already toldthe chassid that hecouldn’t help him.The chassid returnedhome in despair...R’ Velvel Kesselman

Page 14: e mas441 a - Beis Moshiach

Having no money, he sat down towrite a letter to G-d. He described histough financial situation and askedG-d to send him 50,000 rubles forthe expenses of his oldest daughter’swedding. He put the letter in anenvelope and addressed it: “For G-d,”put on a local stamp, and dropped itin the mailbox.

The postman was surprised to seewho the letter was addressed to andsince he knew the sender as a decentman, he decided to see what hewanted of G-d and how he couldhelp him. When he saw the amountof money that the man was askingfor, he knew he wouldn’t be able tohelp him with money, but he hadanother idea.

He asked the central post office inParis for the address of BaronRothschild, wrote the address on theenvelope, added stamps, and sent theletter off.

The letter arrived in Baron

Rothschild’s office. The secretary sawthe letter addressed to G-d withRothschild’s address, and decided togive it directly to Rothschild.Naturally, he was curious to see whatthe letter contained and when he sawthe request, he so enjoyed thet’mimus of the Jew that he sent him40,000 rubles.

The Jew received the money andthanked G-d for it. A year later camethe turn of his second daughter.Once again, he wrote a letter to G-dand dropped it in the mailbox. Thistime the postman knew what to dowith it and without even opening it,he added Rothschild’s name andaddress, put on the stamps, and sentit off.

The letter arrived in Rothschild’soffice and the Baron was, once again,curious to read the letter. After all, hehad sent the Jew a tidy sum andhadn’t received any thank-you’s fromhim.

He opened the letter and readhow the Jew was happy to receive themoney for the previous wedding.“The time has come for my seconddaughter to marry, and I need 50,000rubles again.” He added, “But I haveone request of you G-d. Don’t sendme the money via Rothschild becausehe takes off 20% percent for himself.”

When you hear this story, you canthink: What a naïve person! Butaccording to chassidus, the man wasright. Everything is from Hashem,and Rothschild took 20%!

This is the t’mimus required of ustoday. There are people who want tofollow their intellect, but it says inHaYom Yom that intellectuals need tobe extremely careful not to be ledastray after their intellect, which canturn them off the proper path. Ingeneral, we need to know what itsays in chassidus that in exile, when “Iam asleep,” the intellect also goes tosleep, and the only brainpower wehave today is the power ofimagination. You really don’t want torely on intellect like this. What we’releft with is the midda of netzach, i.e.,stubbornness, and it is withstubbornness that we will succeed inovercoming everything and bringingthe Geula.

(After Gimmel Tammuz, manyLubavitchers were confused. On theone hand, a funeral. On the otherhand, the sichos. There were greatdebates about it. I heard someone inKfar Chabad say that he prefers tobelieve. Why? Let’s say the Geulahappens and it turns out that thosewho didn’t believe were right, thenI’ll be considered a fool. But if itturns out that the believers wereright, and I didn’t believe, I’ll beconsidered a heretic. I prefer thepossibility of being considered a foolthan a heretic. I personally don’tagree with his approach because I’msure that the true reality is that whichit says in the sichos, but for thosefence-sitters, it pays to consider this

Issue Number 441 - BEIS MOSHIACH 17

Yaakov Avinu prayed to be saved from Eisav,but he also prepared a gift and for war. Thisteaches us that along with prayer and pure

faith, we need to take action.--Rabbi Sholom Ber Drizin

Page 15: e mas441 a - Beis Moshiach

BEIS MOSHIACH - 17 Kislev 576418

point.)

The stubbornness today isinterwoven with incredibly purefaith. Thousands of people comehere. I’m not talking about olderpeople who have been coming foryears and who continue to come outof habit. We see hundreds, eventhousands of people coming whonever saw the Rebbe. What are theycoming for?

The answer lies in “Beis RabbeinuSh’B’Bavel.” The Rebbe MH”Mexplains there that when the BeisHaMikdash stood, its holiness wasestablished based on the location, butin exile, the holiness of the BeisHaMikdash is established based onan individual. In every generation,the holiness follows the location ofthe nasi ha’dor (leader of thegeneration). Where the Rebbe is –that’s where the Divine presence (likethat in the Mikdash) is. This is thereason why so many people flock to770. People are drawn to 770because the Rebbe is there. Period.

There is no other logical reasonfor this supernatural attraction to770. More people come for Tishreinow than back in the 80’s and thebeginning of the 90’s. They aresimply attracted to G-dliness, to thatwhich is beyond revelation. They feelthat the Rebbe is here.

I heard about a certain wealthyman who didn’t believe that theRebbe is chai v’kayam (alive) and evenwanted to spend money to fight thisbelief. He spoke about it to theGerrer Rebbe, who told him: Take myadvice and don’t fight the emuna ofchassidim. Some even say that theGerrer Rebbe added: I am jealous ofthis emuna.

Rabbi Yitzchok Goldberg, roshyeshiva of Tomchei Tmimim inMigdal HaEmek, told me that heknew a rav, a Polish chassid, wholived in Boro Park. When they startedtalking about the Rebbe beingMoshiach, this rav got very angry and

said it was a chilul Hashem(desecration of G-d’s name).

R’ Goldberg tried to explain it tohim, but the rav wasn’t placated. Afew years after Gimmel Tammuz, hehad occasion to visit that rav whosaid to him, of his own initiative: I’vecome to the conclusion that theRebbe is Moshiach.

R’ Goldberg was shocked, andasked the rav what had changed hismind. The rav said: When I saw thatthousands of Jews continue to flockto the Rebbe after Gimmel Tammuz,chassidim who continue to believethat the Rebbe is Moshiach, andamong them distinguished people,mashpiim, rabbanim, and rosheiyeshivos, I concluded that it’s certainlynot bad, because you can see foryourself how it leads to increased fearof heaven.

TO KNOW HOW TORECEIVE BLESSINGS

R’ Drizin: My father, a”h, wouldsay to me: Sholom Ber, how will youguarantee that Hashem will acceptyour prayers? Hashem wants us topray to him when we needsomething. This is a Biblical mitzva.Therefore, when you want yourprayer to be accepted, think aboutthe particular thing that you needand say to Hashem: I’m prayingbecause you want me to, and so,accept my prayer!

We need to pray and to believethat Hashem accepts our prayers. Butalong with prayer and faith, we needto take action. Yaakov Avinu prayedto be saved from Eisav, but he alsoprepared a gift and for war. Thisteaches us that along with prayer andpure faith, we need to take action.We believe the Rebbe will redeem usbut we can’t rest on our laurels. Weneed to do more and more to hastenthe Geula.

People think that the main thingis getting a bracha from the Rebbe,but it’s also important to know how

to receive a bracha that the Rebbegives. I heard that once, a group ofPolish chassidim settled in Lubavitchand they went to the Rebbe Rashaband asked for a bracha for wealth.They got their bracha and were verysuccessful in business.

One of the chassidim went to theRebbe and complained, saying: Whydidn’t the Rebbe give his ownchassidim brachos for wealth? TheRebbe said: What should I do? Theycame in and dragged a bracha out ofme. When I blessed them, I knew itwould be fulfilled. But when youcome in, you don’t know how toreceive brachos.

There’s definitely an importantplace for the one on the receiving endof a bracha. The Gemara relates thatRav Huna learned by Rav. One day hedidn’t come to learn, and when Ravasked him why he hadn’t come heexplained that he had only onegarment and he needed to repair it,so he couldn’t leave his house.

Rav blessed him that he’d betremendously wealthy and would beable to walk about in silk garments.Rav’s bracha was fulfilled and RavHuna became wealthy, but Ravremained as poor as ever.

Rav was annoyed with Rav Huna,which seems strange because Rav hadthe ability to bless, so what did hewant of Rav Huna? The Gemaraexplains that upon hearing Rav’sblessing to him, Rav Huna shouldhave said to Rav: and the same foryou, and then the bracha would havebeen fulfilled for Rav, too. From thiswe see that the one who receives abracha has an important role to playin the process of the bracha’s beingfulfilled.

The same is true for kabbalasha’malchus (accepting the king asking): the power for this lies with thepeople, as the Rebbe explains in hissichos.

Rabbi Y.Y. Offen: There are many

Page 16: e mas441 a - Beis Moshiach

Issue Number 441 - BEIS MOSHIACH 19

stories about chassidim who receivedbrachos from the Rebbe but thefulfillment of the brachos wasdependent on the emuna of therecipient. Sometimes, two chassidimreceived the identical bracha and theone who believed got what hewanted, whereas the one who didn’tbelieve didn’t get what he wanted.

I once heard that the Rebbe saidthat when Polish chassidim come tohim they don’t know chochmos (mindgames). They have simple faith, andthis brings down the brachos. ButLubavitchers have chochmos.

I LEFT THE YECHIDUS ANDKNEW I HAD A DAUGHTER

R’ Drizin: A Litvishe rav told methat in 5722 his daughter had heart

trouble and had to undergo open-heart surgery. This was a complicatedand very serious operation, especiallyin those days. After visiting withvarious rabbanim and not beinghelped, he came to the Rebbe. Therav told the Rebbe that his daughter,mother of two children, needed toundergo a dangerous operation andhe was asking for a bracha.

Instead of giving a bracha, theRebbe began describing how open-heart surgery is done. For nearly halfan hour, the Rebbe went through allthe stages of the operation, from theanesthesia to the final stitches andthe recovery from the operation.Then the Rebbe told him that oneday this operation would be simple,like an appendix operation, and the

Rebbe concluded with his wishes forthe success of the operation.

“I left the Rebbe’s room knowingthat my daughter would come outokay,” concluded the rav.

I told him that the Rebbeaccomplished two things here. Firstof all, he took hold of the hands ofthe surgeon and went over theoperation with him so he wouldn’tmake a mistake. Second of all, heturned a Litvak like you into a chassidwho believes in his brachos!

These two things, the descriptionof the operation and the fact that youbelieved the Rebbe, are what led tothe successful conclusion of theoperation.

Rabbi Eliezer Kenig: In the Torah,

Page 17: e mas441 a - Beis Moshiach

BEIS MOSHIACH - 17 Kislev 576420

we read of the importance of beliefon the part of the recipient whenHashem wanted to send MosheRabbeinu to Egypt. There was adialogue between Moshe and Hashemabout whether the Jewish peoplewould believe Moshe or not. Whatdifference does it make if they believeor not? Couldn’t Moshe take themout without their believing him?Apparently not, since in order forbrachos to be effective the recipientmust believe.

Rabbi Halperin: When the Rebbegave out dollars, it sometimeshappened that Klausenbergerchassidim and Gerrer chassidim wentby when their rebbes didn’t feel welland didn’t “say Torah.” The Rebbetold them that chassidim need todemand that the rebbe say Torah.When they told the Rebbe that theirrebbes didn’t have the strength for it,the Rebbe said: Chassidim provide thestrength!

This is the gist of the maamer,“V’Ata Tetzaveh,” the last maamer wereceived from the Rebbe before Chaf-Zayin Adar. The “feet of the people” –all the Jewish people are Moshe’s“feet,” and the feet can take the headto a place where the head on its owncan’t get to.

Rabbi Kenig: In 5738, when oneof the secretaries tried to preventchassidim from approaching theRebbe out of concern for the Rebbe’shealth, the Rebbe said: Hashem givesme the strength to help the chassidim,and you’re withholding this from me?Let them pass by!

TAKE YOUR WIFE HOMEFROM THE HOSPITAL

Rabbi Yaakov Raynitz: As themadrich (Dormitory Supervisor) inthe yeshiva in Lud, I see the simplefaith of the boys. It’s truly amazing.More than half of the boys came hereto the Rebbe despite the difficultiesinvolved. They get a chayus here forthe entire year, and we see this

afterwards in the yeshiva. They livewith Moshiach, announce “Yechi” afterthe davening, learn inyanei Moshiachand Geula, and enthusiastically dothe Rebbe’s mivtzaim.

What makes it easier for them togain their parents’ permission tocome is the knowledge that things areorganized here, thanks to Eshel –Hachnasas Orchim. Mothers call me,nervous about their sons, and theyask how their sons will manage foran entire month away from home.When they hear about the wonderfulhospitality they get here, it reallycalms them.

I remember the first time I camehere, in Elul 5722. R’ Dovid Raskinstood near 770 holding a list, andsent guests to people’s homes. Itwasn’t at all organized, and peoplesometimes had to sleep in 770. WhenR’ Yaroslavsky hadn’t yet founded theHachnasas Orchim, he would inviteguests to his apartment to have coffeeand cake. That year the Rebbe saidthat hospitality is greater thangreeting the Sh’china, that even if aJew does a mitzva and unites with theSh’china, hospitality is even greater.

I once went to Tzfas on 5 Av, theArizal’s yahrtzeit. In Chaifa, a Polishchassid got on the bus and sat downnext to me. He realized I was aLubavitcher and said: I’ll tell youwho the Lubavitcher Rebbe is.

He began to tell me that in the60’s he lived in New York, nearCrown Heights. He had heard aboutthe Rebbe but had no connection toChabad. Then his wife had a heartattack. She was at the beginning ofthe ninth month of pregnancy, andwhen she arrived at the hospital thedoctors said she had to have aCesarean section, because if laborwould begin her heart would not beable to take it.

He said that before agreeing to theoperation, he wanted to get a brachafrom his rebbe. He went to his rebbe,as well as to other rebbes, but all of

them rolled their eyes heavenwardbut could not tell him whether or notto do the surgery.

Having no other recourse, hewent to the Lubavitcher Rebbe. Atthat time, the Rebbe was still youngand was considered by otherchassidim as an “American rebbe,”without a shtraimel... But when youneed a bracha you go to theLubavitcher Rebbe.

He had a private audience withthe Rebbe, and he told the Rebbeabout his wife and burst into tears.The Rebbe looked at him with agentle smile and said: Dear youngman, relax, you have nothing to fear.You will have a healthy child. Youcan go to the hospital and take yourwife home, and with Hashem’s help,she will give birth to a healthy childand everything will be all right.

At first, he was shocked by thesupreme confidence with which theRebbe said that, but the Rebbe gavehim new strength and he went to thehospital and said he wanted to takehis wife home.

The doctors were sure he had losthis mind, and they tried to explain tohim how dangerous his wife’scondition was, and how a naturalbirth would likely end in the deathsof mother and baby. He stood hisground, strong in his emuna in whatthe Rebbe had told him. He signedthe consent form and took his wifehome.

He ended the story by pointing tohis wife and daughter, who weresitting on the bus, and said: This ismy wife and daughter, who are justfine, baruch Hashem!

There are so many stories floatingaround about the Rebbe, especiallylately when the Rebbe answersthrough the Igros Kodesh. At home,when I’m not working in yeshiva, ithas become like a Chabad house withpeople coming to write to the Rebbeand seeing miracles.

Page 18: e mas441 a - Beis Moshiach

Issue Number 441 - BEIS MOSHIACH 21

R’ Drizin: So many people had aconnection to the Rebbe that wedon’t even know a fraction of themiracle stories. When the Rebbe gaveout dollars there were hundreds, eventhousands of miracles. People camefrom all over the world, and we don’teven know where they came fromand where they went to, but each ofthem has a story with the Rebbe.

I heard that one of the residentsof Crown Heights was driving on ahighway in New York and wasstopped for speeding. When thepolice officer saw the Rebbe’s picture,he asked her if she had a connectionto the man in the picture. She saidshe did and the officer said: If youhave a connection to him, I won’t

give you a ticket.

When she asked what connectionhe had with the Rebbe, he told herthat he often was part of the policeescort that accompanied the Rebbe tothe Ohel. His wife once said to himthat since they were married for fiveyears without children, he should askthe Rabbi of the Jews for a blessing.

He did so and they had a son. Doyou know what we call our son? thegentile policeman asked her. Mendy!

HOW DO YOU DOL’CHAT’CHILLA ARIBBER?Rabbi Raynitz: Tomorrow is the

Ushpizin of the Rebbe Maharash.

The Rebbe would often repeat hisaphorism, “L’chat’chilla aribber.” Mybrother Shlomo lived here in the60’s and at that time the governmentmade it possible to buy a housewith very low mortgage rates. Mybrother asked the Rebbe about itand got a bracha. He went to thebanks, but since this was somethingnew, they didn’t know how itworked and they sent him fromclerk to clerk. At a certain point hegot disgusted by the runaround andasked them who had to give thefinal stamp of approval. They toldhim that it was the head manager ofthe bank in Manhattan.

He went to Manhattan andentered the office of that manager,

asking to speak to him. The secretaryasked him for his name and he said,“Rabbi Raynitz.” The manager didn’tknow anybody by that name, but hetold the secretary to let him in.

He went in and he put all thepapers on the desk, and said that hehad been told that if the managersigned all the papers he would get amortgage. The manager got a kickout of the whole thing and said,“what’s the problem,” andimmediately signed all the papers.Afterwards, when my brother went tothe bank with all the signed papers,the officials were a bit annoyed withhim for bypassing them and goingdirectly to the top manager, but they

had no choice but to give him themortgage.

A short time later, Rabbi NissanMindel went to the Rebbe inconnection with something heneeded to arrange and he told theRebbe that he had big problems withit. The Rebbe told him: Learn fromShlomo Raynitz how to do things“L’chat’chilla aribber.”

Rabbi Yitzchok Springer:Sometimes you also need to bestubborn to get brachos from theRebbe. There was a woman whosebrother was stuck behind the IronCurtain, and once, at a women’sgathering, she stood up in front ofthe Rebbe and didn’t budge until theRebbe promised her that her brotherwould be able to leave the country.

A short time later her brother gotout, and when he had a privateaudience with the Rebbe, the Rebbetold him: You should know that yoursister got you out of there!

Someone whose brother-in-law isweak in the belief of the Rebbe beingchai v’kayam and that the Rebbecontinues to answer us told me thatone day he had a serious problemand he decided to write to the Rebbe.He put the letter into a volume ofIgros Kodesh and didn’t get an answer.He wrote again, but didn’t get ananswer. When he came complainingto his brother-in-law, his brother-in-law said: When you write to theRebbe you have to do so seriously,exactly like fifteen years ago whenyou used to write. Go to the mikva,put on your gartel, and make a goodresolution, and then write.

After doing all that, he wrote tothe Rebbe and got a clear answer. Atthe beginning of the letter it said, “Ireceived the three letters you sent...”

L’chaim, may we merit toimmediately see the revelation of theRebbe MH”M. Yechi Adoneinu MoreinuV’Rabbeinu, Melech HaMoshiach L’olamVa’ed!

That is, how long will you continue asking foryourself? Give yourself over to Hashem and

stop thinking about yourself. But Chanacontinued to ask, explaining that her asking

for gashmius is also for Hashem.--Rabbi Levi Yitzchok Ginsberg

Page 19: e mas441 a - Beis Moshiach

BEIS MOSHIACH - 17 Kislev 576422

CHASSID

On 17 Elul of this year, R’ ChaimYosef Motchkin passed away in NewYork after a serious illness, at the age of83. He was the son of the famousmashpia, R’ Peretz Motchkin, a”h, andthe son-in-law of Rabbi Zalman LeibEstulin. R’ Yosef was a chassid and baalmiddos tovos, who had a good heart andgreat courage, qualities he used to helpJews in the difficult years undercommunist rule, even to the point ofmesirus nefesh.

RAISED WITH SELF-SACRIFICE

R’ Yosef (who was known as“Yoske”) was born in the year 5680(1920), shortly after the RussianRevolution. He was raised in the townof Seminavka, which is near Homel. Hereceived his chassidic education from hisfather, along with an extra measure ofpikchus (cleverness), courage, and thedesire to help others even to the pointof mesirus nefesh (self-sacrifice). His

father hired a private tutor, and the boywas assessed as being gifted with aprodigious memory. At a later point, helearned with the mashpia R’ YisroelNoach Belinitzky in Kremenchug.

In 5685 the family moved toSimferopol in Crimea. R’ Peretz, whowas fully devoted to the shlichus of theRebbe Rayatz and was occupied withstrengthening Yiddishkeit in Simferopoland the surrounding towns, includedhis young sons, Yosef and Mulle, in hisholy work.

They often met policemen andmembers of the N.K.V.D. on the roads,who searched R’ Peretz’s bags. R’ Peretzwould take his eight-year-old son,Yosef, along or his older brother, Mulle,and hide his chalaf (knife for sh’chita) intheir clothing, knowing that thechildren’s clothing wouldn’t besearched. Thus, even in theirchildhood, his children were raisedwith real mesirus nefesh. This chinuchbore fruit years later when R’ Yosef

worked energetically on behalf of theJews of the Soviet Union.

In his youth, he once rode a train,and near him sat a group of peasantswho began boasting about how theystarted up with Jews. He was upset tohear this, and at a certain point hecouldn’t restrain himself, and he said tothem: Until now you told about howyou started up with Jews; now you’ll beable to tell how a Jew hit you the wayyou deserve! And R’ Yosef laced intothem, broke some of their teeth, andjumped off the train.

SMUGGLING CHASSIDIMFROM LENINGRAD

His family moved to the big city ofLeningrad. When he grew of age, R’Yosef went to work in home-basedmanufacturing, along with his olderbrother Mulle (Shmuel), a”h, and R’Michoel Bliner (the grandson of thefamous chassid, R’ Michoel Bliner).They brought the weaving machines toprivate houses so that they wouldn’tneed to work on Shabbos, and thenthey sold their work in the localmarket.

When he earned money, he didn’tkeep it for himself, but used it to helpmany chassidim. He became knownalready back then as a tremendousphilanthropist.

He spent years in labor camps after sacrificinghimself for someone else, nevertheless hecontinued to observe mitzvos at great personaldanger. * A profile of a courageous man witha heart of gold – R’ Yosef Motchkin, a”h.

A MAN OF TRUTHWITH THE PRIDE

OF YAAKOVBY SHNEUR ZALMAN BERGER AND AVROHOM RAYNITZ

Page 20: e mas441 a - Beis Moshiach

When the cursed Germans began tobomb Leningrad, Anash fled the city. R’Shmuel Prus relates:

“It was during the war between theRussians and the Germans. TheGermans quickly captured huge partsof Russia and rapidly approachedLeningrad. The government authoritiesbegan moving their offices deep intoRussia, and they made sure there werespecial train tickets for the governmentemployees and their families so theycould continue their work far from theburning front. Naturally, this saved thelives of these people.

“The situation grew worse daily.The Germans were approaching evercloser. Every night the city wasbombed. People fell like flies andbodies swollen by starvation lay in thestreets. Everybody tried to savethemselves, but there weren’t enoughtrains for all the citizens. Train ticketshad long since disappeared, even fromthe black market. Each ticket wasn’tmerely a train ticket but a ticket to life.People were prepared to spend afortune for them.

“R’ Yosef entered the office wherethe tickets for those privilegedindividuals were being disbursed, and

using various pretexts he walkedaround until he found an opportunemoment and he snatched a pile oftickets that were ready and signed andonly needed the person’s name filled in.

“If he had wanted, he could haveleft the city an extremely wealthy manby selling them, but R’ Yosef came tome and gave me the package.

At that time, it wasn’t clear to uswhether the Germans were better thanthe Russians or vice versa, andtherefore many of Anash didn’t rush toleave, thinking it was better to wait forthe Germans. Since I had heard aboutwhat the Germans had done, I felt thatwe must flee.

“A few days later I went to shul withthe pile of tickets and said thatwhoever wanted to leave the cityshould take a ticket. These ticketssaved the lives of dozens of chassidimand their families who escaped by theskin of their teeth.”

DISTRIBUTING FOODCOUPONS TO REFUGEESAlong with dozens of Anash, R’

Yosef took the train, perhaps the lastone that managed to escape the hell ofthe city. Due to starvation and the

rigors of the trip via the train systemthat was the target of German bombingraids, R’ Mulle became very ill and laythere helplessly throughout the tripsouth to Samarkand.

Samarkand was flooded withrefugees, and the authorities refused toallow the train to stop at the station sothey wouldn’t get even more refugees.

The next stop was about sevenkilometers away. That is where they allgot off. R’ Yosef picked up his brotherand put him on his shoulders, andcarried him to the city, staying at hisside until he found him a bed in ahospital and made sure he was beingproperly cared for. Only then did hereturn to the station to help his father

Issue Number 441 - BEIS MOSHIACH 23

Everybody tried to

save themselves, but

there weren’t enough

trains for all the

citizens. Train tickets

had long since

disappeared, even

from the black

market. Each ticket

wasn’t merely a train

ticket but a ticket to

life. People were

prepared to spend a

fortune for them.

Page 21: e mas441 a - Beis Moshiach

and the other people from the train getto the city.

There was a terrible famine inTashkent, and many Jews, chassidimincluded, died of hunger, contagiousdiseases, and the freezing cold. Foodwas obtainable only with food couponsor on the black market. Since most ofthe refugees were there illegally, theydid not receive government rationcards. They didn’t have money to buyfood with on the black market, andthus many starved to death.

R’ Yosef got to work. Hemanaged to find the driver of thearmored vehicle which picked upthe food coupons from the storesafter they were used, and byoffering a hefty bribe, he managedto convince the fellow to give hima large number of coupons. Hethen distributed these preciousfood coupons among the refugees,many of them Anash, and savedthe lives of hundreds of peoplefrom hunger and death.

Later on R’ Yosef came up witha brilliant idea. There were manyclothing factories in Tashkent, andcertain parts of the clothing werebrought from distant Moscow. Thegovernment did not allow othersfactories to manufacture theseparts, and the factories in Tashkenthad to pay large sums of moneyfor the delivery of the merchandisefrom Moscow.

R’ Yosef spoke to the rightpeople in Tashkent, and by using alarge bribe, he convinced them tolook away and to enable him toopen a factory that manufacturedthese parts in Tashkent. After gettingtheir agreement, he opened a largefactory and employed dozens of Anash,who were able to earn an honorablelivelihood, without having to work onShabbos, of course.

Since the employees were Anash,shiurim were organized there, too, andthus R’ Yosef’s business was helpfulboth b’gashmius and b’ruchnius.

When Anash wanted to build amikva in Tashkent, they came upagainst a serious problem. During thewar, it wasn’t possible to obtaincement. The government took allbuilding materials for governmentpurposes, and cement for private usewas unavailable.

R’ Yosef stood on the main road,and when he saw a cement truck hestopped it, put a nice sum into thedriver’s pocket, and the driver broughtthe cement to the site where the mikva

was being built by his brother Leibel.

OBSERVING MITZVOS IN THELABOR CAMP

R’ Yosef and R’ Shmuel (Mulle)Pruss were very close friends. Thisfriendship began while they were inLeningrad and lasted for years. It was5703 (1943) when the N.K.V.D.arrested Mulle Pruss and put him

behind lock and key. When R’ NissanNemanov heard about this, he told R’Yosef about it and asked him to getMulle out.

R’ Yosef went to police headquartersin Tashkent, put a large sum of moneydown on the table and asked forMulle’s release. This took great couragesince it could have ended badly (and itdid). The officer was happy to get themoney and R’ Yosef thought he hadmanaged to bribe the right man in theright place, but it turned out he was

wrong.

Apparently, the K.G.B.suspected that the warden receivedbribes from time to time and theywere listening in on theconversation from behind the door.When R’ Yosef left, they allowedhim to leave and then they walkedin and caught the officer red-handed with the money still on thetable.

After they arrested him theywent in search of R’ Yosef, but hewas already on the train on hisway to a nearby town where hewas supposed to sign on a largebusiness deal with the government.After a brief chase, the K.G.B.agents managed to catch up withhim and arrest him.

(Years later, R’ Yosef mentionedthat business deal and said sadlythat if he had concluded the dealhe would have been able to pay allthe expenses of Tomchei Tmimimin Russia for many years to come.)

R’ Yosef, who was never afraidof going all-out to help someone,

fell into their evil hands. He wassentenced together with Mulle Pruss.Pruss was sentenced to ten years and R’Yosef was given five years. The two ofthem, fortunately, were sent together tothe labor camp, called Yelgentch, abouttwenty kilometers from Tashkent. Beingthere together made it easier for themto endure their imprisonment andstrengthened them both.

BEIS MOSHIACH - 17 Kislev 576424

R’ Peretz Motchkin with his children, Mulle (above)and Yosef (in front)

Page 22: e mas441 a - Beis Moshiach

Despite the difficult livingconditions in the camp, they did theirbest to observe mitzvos. These twochassidim were known for their courageand resourcefulness, and these qualitiesstood them well as the following storieswill attest.

The two chassidim did every mitzvathey possibly could. One time, becauseof their insistence on doing a mitzva,the officer in charge ordered theirclothing removed and that they beplaced in solitary confinement. Thiswas in the middle of the winter and itwas well below zero degrees. “Thesuffering was indescribable,” says MullePruss. “When they came to relieve usafter spending the day in solitaryconfinement, we couldn’t get dressedsince our limbs were frozen.”

The battle was worthwhile becauseafterwards they weren’t prevented fromkeeping mitzvos. They were also able toobserve Shabbos, and they were carefulto refrain from working on Shabbos.All their battles for shmiras Shabboswere successful.

At a certain point, senior officialscame to their camp to makeinspections. Someone told them thatthe religious Jews in the camp didn’twork on Shabbos. The senior officialsasked the camp commandants aboutthe quota of the religious Jews, andwhen the camp commandants saidtheir production was good, the seniorofficials allowed things to continue asthey had before with six days of workand no work on Shabbos. It was anopen miracle.

The camp had a department for“reeducation,” whose purpose was theindoctrination of prisoners who refusedto follow communist ways. All theprisoners were terrified of thisdepartment, which was known for itscruelty.

One day, R’ Yosef and R’ Mulle werecalled to the head of the department,and he asked them many questions:Why are you different? Why don’t youwork on Shabbos? Then he got to his

point: If you were not allowed toobserve your Shabbos, would you beready to be taken out to be killed?

To the surprise of the officer thetwo of them said yes. “If they do notallow us to keep our religious laws, weare ready to die,” they said fearlessly.

The officer inquired about Pesach.“What will you eat?” They explainedthat they had to be allowed to receive afood parcel with matzos and specialPesach food. “And what will you do ifyou are not allowed to receive thematzos and Pesach food?”

“We’ll starve to death,” they said.

The officer realized that these werestubborn men, ready to die for theirprinciples, and he immediatelyapproved the matzos and food productsfor Pesach, such as vegetables. Beforethey left his room the officer whispered,“You should know that I’m Jewish. Mymother also wants matza. If you getmatzos, don’t forget to give me one.”

A half a year went by and RoshHaShana was around the corner.Somehow, they managed to obtain ashofar, but in the middle of the t’kiosthere was a commotion in the camp.

When they saw they were not able tocontinue, they threw the shofar at adistance and so the officers couldn’tfind the source of the strange soundsthey had heard.

Two weeks later, it was Sukkos, andthere was a Georgian Jew in the campby the name of Avrohom, who becamefriendly with them. He was also giftedwith great resourcefulness andboundless courage. He decided tobuild them a sukka. He had beenimprisoned because he was the head ofa big gang, and in the camp he wasconsidered “King of the Prisoners.” Heordered some prisoners to get himwood, and he told other prisoners toget him reeds for s’chach. He built thesmall and secret sukka near one of thewalls, right there in the middle of thecamp.

The first night of Sukkos, thethreesome needed wine for kiddush.Resourceful Avrohom the Georgian gota bottle of vodka over which thechassidim made kiddush. They even gottwo potatoes that served as lechemmishna.

That night the door suddenlyopened and there stood one of thecommanders of the camp, in uniform,who began to scream, curse, andthreaten. They thought they would bemomentarily taken out and shot butthe commander glanced around, madesure no one was looking, and said, “I’malso Jewish. I know this is Sukkos. I’vebeen watching you for a few days nowbecause I know you are my onlychance of having a sukka.”

He sat down with them, madeKiddush on mashkeh, reviewed a page ofGemara that he knew by heart from thedays he had learned before theRevolution, and left, but not beforeasking them to keep his secret. If hehad been caught he would have beenkilled, but the neshama of Jew... Despitethe shared secret, each time theyencountered him, the encounter didnot end pleasantly.

(To be continued.)

Issue Number 441 - BEIS MOSHIACH 25

R’ Yosef Motchkin as a young man

Page 23: e mas441 a - Beis Moshiach

11:00 PM AT THEMAYOR’S HOUSE

BY RABBI YOSEF YITZCHOK BECKERMAN, SHLIACH IN GIVATAYIM, ERETZ YISROEL

BEIS MOSHIACH - 17 Kislev 576426

Here’s a story that happened to mebefore the last elections in our city:

The mayor, Mr. Efraim (Effy)Stanzler, is a big friend of Chabad. Hehas written to the Rebbe a number oftimes, and has received amazinganswers.

The mosdos (institutions) inGivatayim are in serious need ofbuildings. It’s been years that we havebeen in various unsuitable buildings.It’s been years that we’ve been askingthe city council for a building for ourkindergarten, since until now thekindergarten has been in the women’ssection of the shul, and every Fridaythey had to dismantle it for Shabbos.Naturally, we couldn’t go on like this.

Over the years, we worked onpersuading the public of the need forthe city council to give us a buildingfor the kindergarten. We made abeautiful dinner. We’ve also had RabbiGroner visit our city, and he stayed atthe mayor’s house. We madeprodigious efforts to get a building.

At a certain point, we realized itwas hopeless, and we looked intoputting the kindergarten into acaravan. The mayor agreed to this.This was around Pesach 5763.However, even getting the caravan setup took a long time, and I went backto pressuring the mayor into giving usa suitable building for thekindergarten. The mayor told me tomeet with the city’s engineer in orderto arrange the setting up of a caravanwith him.

When I met with the engineer, Ithought to myself, why put in so much

money and energy into setting up acaravan if we can build our ownbuilding in a manner of “L’chat’chillaaribber?” The engineer said we couldbuild a three-storey building on the lotdesignated for the caravan. I brought asurveyor and an architect to draw upthe plans.

Once again our plans were held up.I felt really down about all these delaysand we just couldn’t continue runningthe kindergarten under thoseconditions. I wrote to the Rebbe andthe answer was in Igros Kodesh, vol. 6,letter 1721:

“Regarding the opposition of thecity council of Lud, they should try tospeak to Mr. Efraim Krasna andremind him that he visited me togetherwith Dr. Yaakov Griffel. And duringthe course of our conversation whenthey spoke about the coercion inreligious matters in Eretz Yisroel, hepromised me that if I knew of asituation like this and I would informhim, he would make sure things weretaken care of justly. (Even though itisn’t directly related to him, since Ithink he is in the department ofSettlement and Organization – still, heis influential). Since this is the firsttime that I am asking him somethingin connection with his promise, I hopehe will get involved in this and besuccessful. You can also speak to Mr.Shazar, and tell him that in accordancewith our conversation he will certainlyuse his influence to correct theinjustice...

“I hope that you are arrangingthings in such a way that you are notinvesting money into shacks and

buildings, especially when theadministration of the yeshiva in Ludpromised me one shack, and certainlyin certain places you should work onthe local city council so they give you asuitable building. And in the otherplaces, with the right pressure theywill certainly receive from the P’eylim[organization], a priori from what theygive the political parties, how muchmore so will they give the chareidimwho are not affiliated with any party...”

I saw amazing Divine providence inthis answer. First off, the Rebbe toldme to speak to Efraim, the name of ourmayor. Second of all, the Rebbe spokeof permits for buildings for schools.Thirdly, the Rebbe warned not toinvest money in shacks and buildingsbecause the local city council wouldgive a suitable building!

I had already given up on getting abuilding from the city council becauseI knew that there weren’t any extrabuildings sitting around, and they wererenovating old buildings (in general,Givatayim is suffering from a seriouslack of available property).

In any case, I spoke to my mashpiaand asked him what to do. Afterhearing the Rebbe’s answer he said tosimply do what the Rebbe said and tospeak to the mayor and ask him for abuilding!

I went to his office and showedhim the letter I had opened to in theIgros, saying simply “we have abuilding.”

He said there was a bit of aproblem, especially since it was rightbefore elections. I realized that he

MIRACLE STORY

Page 24: e mas441 a - Beis Moshiach

wasn’t looking for additional problemsbefore elections, because in otherplaces when the council doessomething for religious people it helpsthe candidate, but not in Givatayim.

I told the mayor that the childrenneeded a normal environment at thebeginning of the school year and wecouldn’t wait until after the elections.

In the end, three days before schoolbegan, we got a huge building from thecity council on a large piece of land,one of the nicest in the city. You haveto know what it’s like in Givatayim toappreciate what a miracle this is.

* * *This story is actually a continuation

of another story that occurred with themayor, with the same letter! On 20 Av5757, there was a farbrengen in theChabad house of Givatayim with themashpia Rabbi Zalman Landau. Hespoke about answers from the Rebbethrough the Igros Kodesh, and said thatin order to get an answer you needstrong emuna. Then Rabbi Beckermansaid that they needed to say l’chaimthat “Hashem should help the mayor

find a suitable place for the Chabadhouse.”

R’ Landau heard this and told R’Beckerman, “So bring the mayor to thefarbrengen.”

R’ Beckerman said that bringing themayor to the farbrengen was toodifficult, but what about going to hishouse (which shows how warm therelationship between him and themayor is).

“It was 11:00 pm,” says R’Beckerman, “and I didn’t knowwhether we should go to his house atthat hour or whether he’d be home. Idecided to ask the Rebbe, and in aletter from the year 5712 (letter#1721) the Rebbe writes, “Regardingthe opposition of the city council ofLud, they should try to speak to Mr.Efraim ... and remind him that hevisited me together with Dr. ...andduring the course of our conversationwhen they spoke about the coercion inreligious matters in Eretz Yisroel, hepromised me that if I knew of asituation like this and I would informhim, he would make sure things were

taken care of justly ... Certainly incertain places you should work on thelocal city council to give you a suitablebuilding...”

There couldn’t have been a cleareranswer than that. Our mayor’s namewas Efraim and the Rebbe was sayingwe had to talk to him about thebuildings the council would give “inaccordance with justice.”

“We took a bottle of mashkeh andknocked on the mayor’s door. Hewelcomed us in and we told him wewere on a mission from the Rebbe. Webegan talking about the significance ofChaf Av and then told him about theletter we had opened to. He read theletter once and twice and was verymoved.

“Rabbi Beckerman, you don’t knowwhat the Rebbe is writing here. Youmight think the letter has nothing todo with us, since it was written back in5712 and about Lud, but the Rebbe isreferring to me. I, Efraim, was born in5712 in the city of Lud!”

You can just imagine the results ofthat farbrengen with the mayor...

Celebrating the mayor’s birthday in Rabbi Beckerman’s home

Issue Number 441 - BEIS MOSHIACH 27

Page 25: e mas441 a - Beis Moshiach

PROFILE

THE MAN WHOBROUGHT19 KISLEV

TO MIZRACHIBY SHNEUR ZALMAN BERGER

BEIS MOSHIACH - 17 Kislev 576428

Mrs. Tzila Bar-Eli, daughter ofRabbi Neria, a”h, relates:

“The connection between myfather and the Lubavitcher Rebbewas very strong. It’s hard to gatherall the relevant details now, butfrom the little that I know, myfather had a lively correspondencewith the Rebbe. He would consultwith him about both communal aswell as personal matters. I knowthat my father met the Rebbe manytimes and participated infarbrengens.”

We can learn of this nonstopconnection with the Rebbe from a

letter the Rebbe wrote to R’ Neria(Heichal Menachem vol. 3, p. 151from 11 Kislev 5719): “In answerto your letter of 4 Kislev with theenclosed, you have certainlyalready received my response toyour previous letter...”

R’ Neria was the one whoinstilled the importance of learningchassidus into the talmidim of theB’nei Akiva yeshivos. He also taughtthem many Chabad niggunim. Heeven went so far as to encouragethe B’nei Akiva roshei yeshivos tosend their students to thefarbrengens for yeshiva students thattook place every Yud-Tes Kislev in

Kfar Chabad, and he was the mainspeaker at these farbrengens. Thispaved the way for the Tanya classesin B’nei Akiva yeshivos. As a resultof this, many of their talmidimbecame Chabad chassidim, some ofthem serving as roshei yeshivos,shluchim, directors of institutions,etc.

One wonders what motivatedthe person who is considered themain educator of the “kippot srugot”(knitted yarmulkes) to instill suchardent Chabad chassidic values inhis students? Why did he start aTanya shiur in his yeshiva?

CHASSIDIC CONNECTIONSOne might suspect, and rightly

so, that such a warm connection tochassidus must have begun in hischildhood, and even before that, inthe days of his father, R’ PesachyaMenkin (the family’s original namewas Menkin; the name Neria was aliterary name he adopted).

When his father was young hewas curious about the world ofchassidus. He heard about Lubavitchwhile in his hometown of Poltava,where there was a large Chabadcommunity. He traveled toLubavitch for Elul-Tishrei and inTomchei T’mimim he learned,

When he founded the B’nei Akiva Yeshiva inKfar HaRoeh he included a Tanya class. Hehimself learned Tanya every Shabbos. * Inhonor of Yud-Tes Kislev, Rosh HaShanaL’Chassidus and the yahrtzeit of Rabbi MosheTzvi Neria, a”h, Beis Moshiach brings you thestory behind the connection of the “father” ofthe “knitted yarmulkes” generation and theRebbe MH”M and chassidus Chabad.

Page 26: e mas441 a - Beis Moshiach

Issue Number 441 - BEIS MOSHIACH 29

listened to sichos, and studiedmaamarim of the Rebbe Rashab.

He later told his children abouthis positive impressions of his visitto Lubavitch, and his son, MosheTzvi, wanted a taste of chassidus,too. Moshe Tzvi was born on 21Shevat 5673 (1913) in the Polishtown of Lodz. His parents lovinglycalled him Moishe Hershele. Hisfather had a rabbinic position inthe town and learned Torah dayand night. Despite his busyschedule, he devoted a great deal ofattention to his children’seducation, trying to instill in thema love for Torah and those wholearned it. On special occasions hewould tell his children about theirillustrious family.

Because of his modesty, R’Pesachya didn’t praise himself tohis children, rather his wife toldthem that her life’s dream was tomarry a Torah scholar, and whenPesachya Poltaver was suggested,her father was told that this youngman was a talmid chacham (Torahscholar) and a great shakdan(diligent student).

About the Menkin family, theywould say, “Menkin – dos iz dismetena fun Charkov un Poltava”(Menkin is the cream of the townsof Charkov and Poltava).

There were T’mimim andChabad chassidim from the Menkinfamily, such as Rabbi AlexanderSender Menkin, who learned inTomchei T’mimim in Lubavitch.Another branch of the familyproduced Rebbetzin Malka Menkin,wife of Rabbi Aryeh Leib Lipsker,a”h, of Lud, mother of the Lipskerfamily.

TORAH STUDY UNDERDIFFICULT

CIRCUMSTANCESThe communist regime began

oppressing those who werereligiously observant. A decree washanded down in which all citizenswere required to send theirchildren to public school, wherethey learned heresy. R’ Pesachyadid not send his children to schoolbut taught them Torah at home.This entailed great self-sacrifice,because the punishment for doing

this was severe.

While still young, R’ Neria’sdiligence in learning amazed hisfamily and those who knew him.His older brother, R’ Yosef Chaim,relates, “When Moshe Tzvi wantedto read a book on a high shelf, hetook a chair and climbed on it.While still standing on the chair hereached for the book and read it forhours. We called him to climbdown, but he didn’t hear us.”

After Pesach 5686 (1926), whenhe was all of thirteen years old,Moshe Tzvi left home for theyeshiva in Minsk which was led byRabbi Yehoshua Horodner. Theyeshiva was an underground, i.e.,secret yeshiva and the studentssnuck in and out. They went aboutin pairs and made sure not to beseen in large groups. The shul waslocated near a side street, whichwas helpful. The bachurim learnedin the ezras nashim (women’ssection) on the second floor. Oneof the talmidim sat near the windowand watched the entrance, andwarned of the approach ofstrangers.

When a stranger approached, hequieted the boys and the roshyeshiva would descend by a ladderthat was left on the side of thebuilding, and the boys remainedwithout a teacher, ready to claimthat they were young boys wholearned by themselves.

It was difficult to hide theexistence of the yeshiva from theauthorities when it had dozens ofstudents. The boys were caught anumber of times and they weremiraculously saved. R’ Neria toldabout those days:

“One winter night a Jewishpolice officer surprised us. Sukenikwas his name, and he had a list ofthe talmidim. Some of the talmidimmanaged to hide, while the restwere registered as citizens of theUnderground study in his youth

Page 27: e mas441 a - Beis Moshiach

town of Minsk. Following thisincident, the hanhala(administration) decided to breakup the group of talmidim and sendthem to various shuls for a while. Aweek or two later we regrouped.”

Those weren’t idyllic days. Theywere dark and menacing days forthe Jews of Russia, and R’ Neriawrote about this years afterwards:

And the sun rose and the sun set.

To our sorrow the order ofCreation has changed.

Setting without rising.

We hope for light, but there isn’tany.

The last candles that illuminateRussian Jewry are being extinguished.

The darkness intensifies and agloom encompasses religious life,namely, the remnants who sacrificetheir lives for the holiness of ourTorah.

Despite the persecution thatreligious people suffered in thosedays, young Moshe Tzvi Menkin(Neria) wasn’t scared off; hecontinued learning. Not only that,but he began learning chassidus,something that was completely“pasul” (unacceptable) to thecommunists, since this meant hebelonged to the “Schneersohns.”

He joined some friends and theylearned chassidus from the mashpiaRabbi Avrohom Boruch Pevzner,a”h. The class took place daily inthe afternoon at the Lubavitchershtibel in Minsk. Lippa, the son ofthe dayan in Bobruisk, organizedthe shiur.

For a full year they learnedShaar HaYichud V’HaEmuna and inElul they learned Igeres HaT’shuvaand Kuntres HaT’filla. Every sooften they attended farbrengens thattook place in R’ Pevzner’s house,where they heard chassidus andsang heartwarming chassidicniggunim.

Moshe Tzvi enjoyed thesechassidus classes since he stillremembered his father’s praise forthe chassidus he had learned inTomchei T’mimim in Lubavitch.“When I told my father about it,and he was from a family ofmisnagdim, he told me that in hisyouth he had traveled to Lubavitchand stayed there for the YomimNoraim because he wanted to seewhat Chabad chassidus was allabout. My father told me that hestill had the taste of the chassidictalks of Rashbatz, the teacher of theRebbe Rayatz, as at the time theywere said.”

At the beginning of 5689, he

left the yeshiva in Minsk and wentto learn in Shklov by the rav of thecity, the gaon Rabbi MordechaiFeinstein (brother of Rabbi MosheFeinstein). He studied assiduouslyfor over a year until communistsoldiers overran the yeshiva.

It was 23 Shevat 5690 (1930)and the talmidim were learning inthe Tribess shul when twopolicemen burst in, one in uniformand the other in plainclothes. Thepoliceman in uniform quicklyremoved his revolver and yelled,“You’re under arrest.”

In the middle of that wintry

night, the talmidim were hauled offto the police station. Since the cellswere full, they spent the night inthe offices. They continuedlearning the Gemara they hadbrought along with them, thetractate K’subos, daf 30, and whenthey tired, they caught a fewsnatches of sleep on the desks.

In the morning they were takenfor interrogation and were asked toexplain what they were doing, whothey had come to, what they soughtin the city, whether the rav of thecity learned with them, etc. Thebachurim denied any connection tothe local rav and maintained thatthey had come to Shklov since theyknew there were many s’farim therethat were unavailable elsewhere.

Since they were young (R’ Neriawas 16), they weren’t sentenced butwere ordered to go back to theirrespective hometowns. R’ Neriawent straight to Moscow. Herealized that he couldn’t continueliving a Jewish life under thoseconditions, and he began workingon getting permits to leave thecountry for Eretz Yisroel.

THE REBBE RAYATZHELPS R’ NERIA

In Moscow he stayed with hisbrother, R’ Yosef Menkin, thoughhe quickly realized that it was toocrowded for him to remain there.The next morning he went todaven, where he met some bachurimwhose place of learning had beenclosed down by the government.He became acquainted with ZiselBunin, later known as the chassidRabbi Alexander Bin Nun, whobecame a close friend.

“I met a young Lubavitcher witha fair face and brown eyes who saidhe was also exiled from his place ofTorah study, the yeshiva TomcheiT’mimim in Nevel, which had beenclosed down.”

BEIS MOSHIACH - 17 Kislev 576430

The letter R’ Neria received from the Rebbe

Page 28: e mas441 a - Beis Moshiach

Moshe Tzvi visited the home ofRabbi Abba Dovid Goldfein, wherehe met a young bachur by the nameof Dovid Chanzin, later to becomea member of the Beis Din RabbaneiChabad in Eretz Yisroel. Accordingto R’ Neria’s testimony, R’ Chanzinhad learned through all of Shas bythe time he was seventeen. The twoboys liked each other and learnedtogether in R’ Chanzin’s house,where he lived with his widowedmother in Cherkizova, a smallsuburb of Moscow. They learnedthe tractate of Bava Kama togetherin depth, and the tractate ofP’sachim more quickly.

While staying in Moscow, R’Neria made great efforts to obtainpermission to leave the country.Many people helped him, amongthem Rabbi Tzvi Yehuda Kook, z”l.When it came time to pay for thepassport, he had to pay thirtydollars, a huge sum in those days.R’ Neria asked some people abroadfor help. A letter came from theRebbe Rayatz, who sent him thefull amount!

While waiting in the Ministry ofthe Interior to get his passport, hegot into a conversation with RabbiYechezkel Abramsky, who had also

come to get his passport but wasdenied it and imprisoned. R’ Neria’sfriends warned him to flee fromMoscow since he was seen talkingto Rabbi Abramsky, and who knewwhat might happen.

R’ Neria remained in Moscowanother few hours in order to saygoodbye to his relatives and hisfriend, R’ Dovid Chanzin. When hearrived at the Chanzin home, theywere surprised to hear about hisleaving. R’ Chanzin embraced himand danced with him for joy.Everybody expressed their hopesthat they would soon be able tofollow him out of the Soviet Union.

On 23 Sivan 5690 (1930), R’Neria got permission to leave thecountry, and four years later, R’Chanzin left too. When R’ Chanzinarrived in Eretz Yisroel, the tworesumed their learning together.This is what R’ Neria wrote in hisdiary in the winter of 5694 (whenhe was learning in Yeshivas MerkazHaRav, led by Rabbi AvrohomYitzchok Kook):

“Rabbi Dovid Chanzin arrived. Iknow him from Moscow. He hasalready learned through Shas. Nowhe’ll live in my apartment. I think Iwill arrange to learn with him. He’sa shakdan (diligent) and a finebachur.”

R’ Neria’s daughter, Tzila BarEli, says that the two lived in thesame apartment for a long time andlearned together for hours. “In oneof my father’s diaries it mentionswhat he said at a friend’s ShevaBrachos. It was repeated from hisfriend Dovid Chanzin.”

CHABAD MELODIESIN RAV KOOK’S YESHIVAUpon his arrival in Eretz

Yisroel, R’ Neria entered MerkazHaRav, and absorbed the teachingsof Rabbi Avrohom Yitzchok Kook,which helped form his spiritual

worldview. However, he didn’t losethe sweet taste of chassidus that hegotten from the mashpia R’ Pevznerand the farbrengens he attended.Over the years, he started manychassidus classes and taughtthousands of talmidim Chabadniggunim.

R’ Neria didn’t see this as acontradiction to his teacher, R’Kook. R’ Kook also had a warmconnection with Chabad, as RabbiHarel Cohen, one of R’ Neria’s closedisciples, relates:

“Our teacher, as one who wroteof the life and deeds of his greatteacher, Rabbi A.Y. Kook, zt”l, didnot neglect to write of his outlooktowards chassidus Chabad. In ‘SichosHaRaYaH,’ he even devoted achapter to this, chapter 23, whichis called, ‘The World of Chabad.’

“R’ Kook’s mother, Perel Zlate,”said R’ Neria, “was the daughter ofR’ Refael, a talmid of YeshivasVolozhin, who found his way toChabad and was mekushar to theTzemach Tzedek.”

R’ Refael was a great Torahscholar and he founded the Chabadshtibel in Griba, the birthplace of R’Kook, in the Korland district inLatvia. R’ Refael even brought themashpia-chozer R’ YechezkelYanover, z”l, the “chozer fromKopust” to the chassidic communityin the town and its environs. R’Kook, in his childhood, heard thetalks of the chozer and was greatlyinfluenced by them, as he said to R’Neria.

“The history of his rebbi, R’Kook, zt”l, include strong ties withChabad, and R’ Neria absorbed theteachings of Chabad that werewithin the teachings of R’ Kook. R’Neria summed up that chapter withwords that only he could haveexpressed: ‘The third Shabbos mealis saturated with Chabad niggunim,in which the mashpia R’ Yechezkel

Issue Number 441 - BEIS MOSHIACH 31

The young Moshe Tzvi Neria

Page 29: e mas441 a - Beis Moshiach

MMAAZZAALL TTOOVVSS

From Around the Corner to Around the World...

SPREAD YOURGOOD MAZALTO ALL YOUR

FRIENDS !

WEDDINGS !BIRTHS !

BAR MITZVAHS !BRISIM !

MORE !

hjh tsubhbu nurbu urcbu nkl vnahj kguko ugs

WWWWWW.7.7 70LIVE.COM70LIVE.COMCall in your Mazal Tovs to 7Call in your Mazal Tovs to 7 18 718 7 77 4-50114-5011

or Fax 7or Fax 7 18 718 7 77 1-31-3 77 3939

BEIS MOSHIACH - 17 Kislev 576432

Yanover, z”l, said maamarei dach(“words of the living G-d”) in thedark at dusk, maamarei chassidusthat illuminated the mind andwarmed the heart. The childhoodmemories of how his grandfather[R’ Refael, z”l] sat at the table andsang, “B’nei Heichala” with fear andlove, with his spirit transportedafar, hovering in the vicinity of theTzemach Tzedek – this certainlycontributed to forming thecharacter of the third meal in thehouse of the Rav, which we saw inYerushalayim every Shabbos.’”

This emotional description wasdescribed by R’ Neria, and hehimself probably tried to conveythis soulful atmosphere to hisstudents. As his devoted student, R’

Harel Cohen, continues and writes;“We too will follow his lead and saythat the third meal at the home ofR’ Kook, zt”l, which our rebbidescribes in his books, and thewonderful Torah thoughts that weresaid there, definitely set the tonefor the wondrous yearning thatmoved the souls of us, thetalmidim, as we were influenced byR’ Neria, zt”l. And not only at thespecial third Shabbos meal in thedining room on the hill, a mealwhose impressions and echoes arealready deeply implanted at thetables of many homes in EretzYisroel and the Diaspora.”

Rabbi Nechemia Schmerling,director of the Chabad House inKfar Yona: “There’s a famous

Chabad niggun which is sungregularly in B’nei Akiva yeshivosevery Friday night for “YedidNefesh.” How is it that they use thistune? I once heard from R’ MosheTzvi Neria that when he was inMinsk he would walk manykilometers in order to daven at theChabad minyan, and he learned theniggun there.

“When he moved to EretzYisroel, R’ Kook sent him to bewith the first settlers in KfarHaRoeh, and on the first Shabboshe spent with them, he taught themthe niggun he had learned in Minsk.Since then, it became the tune theyall use.”

(To be continued.)

Page 30: e mas441 a - Beis Moshiach

THOUGHT

THE INTERIMPERIOD

RABBI YEHESKEL LEBOVIC

THE NEW ECHADThe Alter Rebbe once visited the

Baal Shem Tov’s grandson, R.Boruch, when the latter wasresiding in Toltshin. The AlterRebbe was then collecting funds formany unfortunate Jews who hadbeen affected by a new law whichmandated that they move fromtheir rural areas to bigger towns. R.Boruch asked him: “why didn’t youteach them the Echad (of the Shmaprayer, proclaiming G-d’s Unity)the way my zeide taught it, andthen you’d have solved the problemand annulled this decree.”

The Alter Rebbe answered that,on the contrary, it was precisely theEchad taught by the Baal Shem Tovwhich brought about this decree.For after the Spanish Inquisition,the heavenly sarim (angelic forces)of most nations were opposed toJews settling in their respectivelands and giving expression to theG-dly unity of Echad through theirprayers and Torah study. Doing so,they claimed, would diminish thepowers of impurity in those lands.

The Sar of Poland, however,agreed to Jewish immigration,banking on that the Jews wouldneither say Echad nor study Torah

with the proper kavana (intention),would lie and cheat in businessdealings, etc, and would thus onlyincrease the powers of impurity...

So Jews settled in Poland forseveral hundred years, withcontinued approval of the heavenlyforces. Then came the Baal Shem

Tov with a new approach to Echad(to the effect that not only is therebut one G-d, but that nothing butG-d truly exists, and that all ofCreation, possessing only relativeexistence, is completely nullified inHis Unity), which didn’t leavemuch leeway for divergence byeven one iota from Torah directivesand the kavana it requires.

The Polish Sar reacted angrily,claiming that the deal was now off,and that had he known the powerof the Baal Shem Tov’s Echad, hewould have never agreed, so nowthey had better start moving out.

A question can be raised:Shouldn’t the strengthened Torahobservance resulting frominternalizing the new Echad, andliving by it have generated enoughmerits to annul the decree or –even more – not make room for the“adversary” to even open hismouth?

THE TZADDIK’S SIN?This question can be related to a

question raised by the Rebberegarding both Yaakov Avinu andthe Alter Rebbe in reference to thepasuk “Katanti: “I have becomesmall as a result of all the

Even if we were tosay that in thecourse of one’s

spiritual growth, aprevious mode ofconduct becomes

unfitting for acurrent, heightenedlevel that one have

achieved, it stillwould be far-fetched

to call it a sin.

Issue Number 441 - BEIS MOSHIACH 33

Page 31: e mas441 a - Beis Moshiach

kindnesses that You have done forme” (B’Reishis 32:11). In thispasuk, Yaakov was expressing hisfeelings of trepidation as hisbrother Esau was approaching todo him harm. According to Rashi,he feared that he had becometainted with sin and lacked themerits to be saved from hisbrother’s evil intentions. The AlterRebbe, likewise, writes (IgeresHaKodesh #2 in Tanya) that “withevery kindness Hashem bestowsupon a person, one has to becomevery much humbled,” and alsoquotes the Gemara (Brachos 4a) tothe effect that Yaakov feared that“perhaps the sin will be a cause(for him not to be saved fromEsau), for it seemed in his eyes thathe had sinned.”

True, as a result of “kindnesses”one’s merits become diminished,but why call this diminished state asinful state? Even if we were to saythat in the course of one’s spiritualgrowth, a previous mode ofconduct becomes unfitting for acurrent, heightened level that onehave achieved, it still would be far-fetched to call it a sin.

THE INTERIM PERIODOF LACK

The answer lies in two factors.First, in that the word for “sin,”cheit, very often means a “lack”rather than an actual sin. Thesecond factor is the interpretationof the Panim Yaffos (disciple of theMezritcher Maggid), who explainsthat in the gradual development ofa tzaddik, he undergoes varioussuccessive elevations which arespaced with descents in betweenthese successive elevated states.There are several examples used toexplain this phenomenon: a) thewinding staircase: in between floorsone looses sight of the precedinglevel and is not yet in sight of thenext level, a state of limbo, if youwill; (b) the crushed oil-producing

olive: in its crushed state, it haslost its previous state of lusciousfruit, and has not yet reached thelevel of refined oil, again a state oflimbo; (c) the planted seed whichmust first decompose beforestarting its new growth. In theinterim stage of decomposition, itis neither seed nor plant.

Both Yaakov and the AlterRebbe (who are both the Ushpizinof the third day of Sukkos) werethen at an interim stage of“descent.” This is why Yaakov was

pleading “save me please from my(evil) brother” (B’Reishis 32:12),and the Alter Rebbe wasacknowledging that if in spite ofthe great kindness and kiruv whichHashem shows an individual thelatter does not rally forth withmuch greater and intensiveapplication to His service, hisservice becomes defined as“lacking.” It is thus possible to bein a state of lacking completeness

even though one is not actuallysinning.

The Echad of Jewry, even priorto the Baal Shem Tov, had alwaysbeen the elevated point of Jewishbelief, with Jews proclaiming G-d’sUnity on a daily basis. However,once exposed to the more refinedand elevated Echad of the BaalShem Tov, they became, in effect,uplifted to a much higherperception of G-dliness. But it tookan interim duration for their Divineservice to become all that morefiery and committed. It was aninterim period of “descent” and“lack,” a necessary stage to generatefurther growth and entry into thehigher level.

During any such interim periodof “descent,” one has to beespecially on guard. Yaakov and theAlter Rebbe, during their respectiveinterim state of “fall and descent,”were worried and especially onguard, notwithstanding therespective assurances they hadreceived: Yaakov had been assuredby G-d Himself, “I will guard youwherever you go” (B’Reishis 28:15),while the Alter Rebbe had beenassured deliverance and success byboth the Baal Shem Tov and theMaggid, who both visited him inhis prison cell.

We, too, are in a currentinterim kind of limbo, sandwichedin between a previous elevatedstate under the revealed guidanceof the Rebbe, and a following(hopefully close at hand) higherstate, with the coming of Moshiach.It is during this interim period thatwe have to be on especial guard,even as we anticipate the upcominglevel around the bend.

We also have to beseech of G-dthat our children remain strong (asYaakov expressed: “lest he comeand smite me – mother andchildren” (B’Reishis 32:12)).Having been exposed to the Baal

BEIS MOSHIACH - 17 Kislev 576434

We, too, are in acurrent interim kindof limbo, sandwiched

in between aprevious elevatedstate under the

revealed guidance ofthe Rebbe, and a

following (hopefullyclose at hand) higher

state, with thecoming of Moshiach.

Page 32: e mas441 a - Beis Moshiach

Issue Number 441 - BEIS MOSHIACH 35

8946 W. Pico Blvd

Los Angeles, CA 90035 www.avivrentacar.com

Owner:Yoram Cohen

Fleet includes:^ Subcompact to full size and our specialty "minivans". ^ Centrally located in Los Angeles,^ Close to Freeways, Hollywood and Beverly Hills ^ Service, Value, Convenience.

310 859-9660, 323 930-9660Fax: 310 859-0116

Get Shabbos for FREE

& FREE airport pick-up

on weekly rentalsu b h cr u u b r un u b b u st hj h

sg u ok ugk j hanv lkn

ahru, texprx

vnars nnujac

Express serviceFully Computerized

(718) 493-1111Fax: (718) 493-4444ej t, vfryhx akl c,ul nxpr seu,!

Get your tickets within minutes!

331 Kingston Ave.(2nd Flr) Brooklyn NY 11213

Shem Tov’s Echad for so manyyears, we have to commit ourselveseven more intensively, grateful forthe great kindness that Hashem haswrought for us, having given us the

immeasurable merit of being soclosely attached to the RebbeMH”M and chassidus.

May we soon get over the

interim period and speedily enterthe next stage, b’karov mamash!

Based on Likkutei Sichos vol. 20 p. 166-170. The story can be found in “Extraordinary

Chassidic Tales” p.45.

Page 33: e mas441 a - Beis Moshiach

BEIS MOSHIACH - 17 Kislev 576436

“NOTHING WILL COME OFTHE GENEVA CONVENTION”

Thirty years ago, in Kislev, theRebbe MH”M spoke about the GenevaConvention that was taking place atthat time. That convention opened on

the 26th of Kislev 5734 (1973), withleaders from Israel, Egypt, Syria, andJordan gathered to talk about peace.The Rebbe’s sicha is very relevant tocurrent events. The words of tzaddikimlive and endure forever:

Since there are Jews here who areprepared to withstand the “bother”involved in listening to a maamerchassidus, all in order to hear someprophecies about Geneva, therefore inorder not to disappoint them – inaddition to which, if I leave withoutsaying anything, they won’t be able tosleep because of their mental struggle(did I not speak about it because Idon’t know about it or did I not wantto speak about it) – therefore, I’ll say afew words about Geneva.

First of all, it’s not at all understoodwhy there’s a big celebration over themaking of the Geneva Convention.What they are going to conclude inGeneva was already agreed to long ago!Geneva is merely (the maka b’patish –the final hammer blow, and even lessthan that since a maka b’patish is aforbidden form of work on Shabbos inits own right, as opposed to Genevawhich is only) a formality.

They wrote things down on a paperabout which they know in advancewhether it will be fulfilled or not, andit’s all arranged ahead of time. All that

remains to be done is to finish up thesmall details. They’ve already agreed tothree quarters or 90%. What remainsto be done at this time is only tocomplete the few remaining percentagepoints.

Those who hear this now canwonder: How do I know this? Is thisruach ha’kodesh or prophecy? Did Ihear it from someone? However, if youlook around you, you will see that welive in a world in which, behind thecurtains, “in a room within a room,”there are people who sit and sell outtheir nation. The only debate is aboutthe broker’s fee...

Since we live in a world in whichwe need to anticipate “mar’is ayin”(public appearances), therefore theychose a specific day in which to makea whole to-do and to convene in theU.N. or the capitol city of the nation.And to convene all those whoparticipated in the negotiations, and toannounce to the world that now theyare “beginning” the negotiations. Thenthey will sit for days and nights andsign the paper that they had preparedweeks in advance! Thus, what remainsto be done is to argue about the kavod(glory) each one will get for it...

Therefore, they won’t actually besatisfied with their small demands butwill demand more and more – to thepoint that now the situation is suchthat they have agreed to concede oneverything! And they did not justagree, but they’re actually giving it! Allthis, despite the fact that they sayexplicitly that they won’t stop makingdemands but will demand more and

more, and not just from the Jews!

Therefore, there remains only thehope that since “the heart of kings andministers is in the hand of Hashem” –may it be His will that they changetheir minds – even those with freechoice (i.e., the Jews). All the more so,those who are not capable of freechoice (i.e., the nations of the world) –that for whatever reason, they speaklike this now. May it be His will thatalong with the miracles of Chanuka(which will take place in a few days)there will be a miracle in this regardtoo, and their minds will becompletely changed – and it will be forthe good, visible and revealed good.

(Sicha 19 Kislev 5734)

In another sicha, the Rebbe refers tothat convention:

There is an undesirable matter,which it would seem should neverhave come to pass, yet, it is necessaryto clarify this... Geneva is like the “peelof garlic” since at this time, sinceeverything is no longer in their control,this convention won’t accomplishanything! The fact that they spokeduring the ceasefire was because theystill had the ability to accomplishsomething, but now everything wasdecided, and not only orally, but evenin writing...

Since everything was decided bythe decision of the great master whosits in Washington, therefore thestruggle over whether to go to Genevaor not is superfluous, since a trip likethat won’t make a difference anyway,and there’s no difference whether they

SHLEIMUS HA’ARETZ

THE REBBE DISCUSSESTHE GENEVA SUMMIT

BY SHAI GEFEN

Page 34: e mas441 a - Beis Moshiach

go or not...

Since everything is ready anddecided and Geneva won’t changeanything, therefore the situation canchange only with the help of a miracle.

I’m not a navi (prophet) nor a bennavi, and therefore I don’t know whatmiracle Hashem will do, but just asthere were miracles until now, Hashemcan also make a miracle now, and evenin one day.

In any case, a pity for every minutethey invest in Geneva! This time couldbe used to work on convincing all Jewsto light candles all eight days ofChanuka. Since the candles a Jewlights are candles that Hashem lightsand that He Himself illuminates, the“light of the countenance of the livingKing” will extend over the entire yearuntil Chanuka 5735, when a new lightwill be drawn down that was neverhere before.

(Free translation from sicha of ParshasVaYeishev 5734)

THE GENTILE IS UNWILLINGTO ACCEPT IT

Over the years, the Rebbe said anumber of times – regarding the Jews’desire to relinquish land – that themiracle is that the gentile won’t agreeto accept what is offered to him.

Indeed, we’ve seen on a number ofoccasions that despite the primeministers’ willingness to giveeverything to the Arabs, they haverefused to take it! This happened at theCamp David meeting with Barak, andwith Sharon, and now too, we hearthat representatives of the PLO refusedto go to the Geneva Summit.

A bystander just watches inamazement. European countriestogether with Jewish lowlifes, promisethem everything, even minimalsecurity was given into criminal Arabhands; even sections of the Negev wereoffered. In short, they were offeredeverything, which only the extremists

among the Arab representatives couldhave dreamed about. Yet, they are stillnot satisfied. The goy doesn’t want toaccept what was promised him. Theywant to humiliate the Israelis evenmore, even after they have agreed totheir demands.

ENDLESS SUBMISSIONIf you want to understand the logic

behind Sharon’s fall, where on the onehand Beilin undermines him, and onthe other hand – in order to deal withwhat Beilin is doing, Sharon has topresent his own plan for dismantlingsettlements, it’s worth reading whatjournalist Ben Kaspit writes. (He’s atrustworthy writer whose sources aregenerally reliable.) This is what herecently wrote about Sharon:

“Do any of you remember hisuncompromising demand for sevendays of absolute quiet, the silence ofdeath, before the renewing ofnegotiations? Then they stutteredtowards relative quiet, not seven days,even two to three days, maybe even aquarter of an hour. Then we evenconceded on that and said that 100%“real effort” would suffice, which thenturned into 50% and was watereddown to “dealing with the terroristinfrastructure,” which turned into whatSharon called, ‘beginning to deal withterror...’”

So how surprised can you be at asituation in which everybody does ashe pleases, and the Arabs understandyou can get anything out of him. Wealready had a prime minister whoannounced that he is “not squeezed”and “not pressured,” but we all sawwhat happened to him in the end.When we concede on even thesmallest, most (seemingly) trivialdemand, and broadcast weakness andcapitulation, in the end it all falls apartlike a pack of cards.

The one who created the GenevaAgreement and the political decline isthe prime minister himself, but all ofus will pay the price.

Over the years, the

Rebbe said a number

of times – regarding

the Jews’ desire to

relinquish land – that

the miracle is that the

gentile won’t agree to

accept what is offered

to him. * The goy

doesn’t want to accept

what was promised

him. They want to

humiliate the Israelis

even more, even after

they have agreed to

their demands.

Issue Number 441 - BEIS MOSHIACH 37

Page 35: e mas441 a - Beis Moshiach

BEIS MOSHIACH - 17 Kislev 576438

This week the security ministerwarned that the quiet is onlyimaginary, and those who are involvedbehind the scenes know how seriousthe situation is. In the face of fearfuland shameful behavior inYerushalayim, there sit poisonoussnakes that plan “to annihilate, to kill,and to destroy all the Jews, from youngto old, babies and women, on oneday,” r”l. Arafat himself admitted, in acandid moment, that the decision tostart the current war was made whenhe saw our ignominious flight fromLebanon. He realized that there was away to humble us and get us to flee.

The fault is ours and ours only. Noteven the Americans’ or the Europeans’fault. When the Rebbe spoke aboutshleimus ha’Aretz, he never blamed thenations of the world. We and only wecaused our own problems. The easiestthing to do is to say, “The Europeansare anti-Semites,” “America ispressuring us,” but it’s the fault ofthose who are willing to endanger thelives of millions of Jews because oftemporary pressure. It’s like someonewho is unwilling to deal with hisillness, and allows the illness to takeover.

Take the last Geneva Agreement forexample. Would any European dreamof organizing a ceremony like thatwithout Beilin organizing it? WouldAmerica allow Arafat on to the WhiteHouse lawn if not for the OsloCriminals?

History has proven what happenswhen we cave in to terror andpressure, and this is precisely thesituation we are in now.

A LETTER TO MINISTERBENNY ALON

This letter is written with a greatdeal of pent up pain. Since the murderof Minister Rechavam Ze’evi, Loyalistsof Eretz Yisroel don’t know where toturn. Your party, which is supposed torepresent the “most Right of the Right,”those who don’t compromise on

building up Eretz Yisroel, settlements,security, and promotes Transfer is nowa party that sits in a government thathas declared war on settlements inYesha. The prime minister announcedthat he will dismantle settlements; theysaid that this week they will dismantleoutposts. A government that caved into European pressure and will markgoods made in Yesha so thatEuropeans can place a tariff on them(reminiscent of the yellow star). Theydemonize those living in Yesha. TheArabs along with other nationscelebrate as they see Israel’s namebesmirched, and you Minister BennyAlon lead the Moledet party and givethe moral support and a narrowmajority to the Sharon government?

You announced this week that youwill leave when they dismantlesettlements. You are certainly aware ofthe fact that people aren’t fools andeverybody knows that when you givesupport to this government, leaving asthey implement the plan ismeaningless.

Mr. Alon! The Sharon governmentannounced that “we are occupiers.”The Palestinians have been promised astate. Now they also know that we willdismantle settlements and Jews will beuprooted from their land. Theproducts from Yesha are marked, andyou relax on your ministerial seat?

Matters are even more painfulwhen we all remember how you urgedthe previous leader of the party,Rechavam Ze’evi, to leave the Sharongovernment because of theannouncement of the establishment ofa Palestinian state. You even presentedyour resignation from your role inleading the coalition. Ze’evi resignedand was killed al kiddush Hashem. Now,as the Sharon government is the worstgovernment for settlement in Yesha, agovernment that closes the mouths ofthose on the right side of the map, youstill continue to support it?

Before the elections, you promised

that you wouldn’t be a partner in sucha government. Many people on theRight, as well as traditional supportersof Moledet, were persuaded to believeyou. What will you answer them nowas you give support and basically givea “kosher stamp” to this government?If the leader of Moledet is still in thegovernment, what do you want fromMafdal?

To our shame, the Likud protestedSharon’s announcement that Netzarimwould be dismantled, far more thanyou and your party. Since Ze’evi wasmurdered two years ago, you havebeen supporting a government whileoffering various excuses, servingknowingly as a support to Beilin andthe Oslo group.

How painful it was to see Peresexulting in Rabin Square when hementioned how the Israeli Right isimplementing the Oslo policies. Helaughed and we cried. What will youanswer on Judgment Day? How does aJew who wears a yarmulke knowinglybecome a partner with a governmentlike this?

We are brothers, Mr. Alon, andthere are many things beyond yourseat and the momentary pleasure ofgovernmental perks. The Jewish peoplehas a long memory. In our historythere were many who collaboratedwith the enemy, and they also hadgood reasons, but the Jewish peopleremembers them. From ourperspective, there’s no differencebetween the Oslo and GenevaCriminals and what you’ve been doing.By being part of the government, youbear responsibility for it. Furthermore,you implement what Beilin and Peresplan.

It’s painful to say it, but it’s true.You can still correct things byimmediately resigning from thegovernment and announcing that thegovernment endangers us all and mustbe toppled – the sooner the better.

Page 36: e mas441 a - Beis Moshiach

Issue Number 441 - BEIS MOSHIACH 39

Recently, in honor of Beis Kislev,the return of the Rebbe’s holy booksto their rightful place, we had afarbrengen with Rabbi Yoram Ulman,who was visiting from Sidney,Australia. I’d like to share a fewthoughts on the occasion.

Amidst a Jew’s service to G-dthere tends to be one particularaspect in that service that eachperson relates to more than the rest.One person might relate to and beenergized by prayer, while someoneelse might relate better to a mitzva ofaction, or to the mitzva of learning.Now, that doesn’t mean to say thatthey only relate to that particularmitzva while neglecting everythingelse. It just means that a person feelsmore inclined to and connected tothis facet of his Divine service to theextent that it is obvious that this iswhat enlivens him.

I see this in yeshiva every day.Some students will recite the daveningas fast as they can in order to geteven fifteen minutes more to learn.Others will manage their learning insuch a way just to get extra time forcommunity outreach work. Eachperson relates to and is enlivened bysomething suited to his character.

However, there is somethingwhich transcends each individualperson and enlivens him no matterwhat kind of character he has. That isa chassidishe farbrengen.

A farbrengen takes Jews of everydemographic – the young and theold, the more advanced in Yiddishkeittogether with the newcomer, theliberal and the conservative, andplaces them around a table coveredwith seltzer water and cabbage saladsand fills them up with stirringmelodies and a liveliness to be better

Jews.

Now, as I mentioned earlier, RabbiUlman, the Rebbe’s shliach fromSidney, Australia, visited Sea Gate inhonor of Beis Kislev to farbreng withthe yeshiva students. This day, asstated in HaYom Yom, is “theculmination of the didan natzachvictory,” marking the date of theactual return of the Rebbeim’s booksto the library Agudas ChassideiChabad.

What is the point of gathering tocelebrate such an occasion? I myself,a yeshiva student, can identifycompletely with such a question,because what it all comes down to is“how is this relevant to me.”

Relevance is a fantastic way toharness the power of self-centeredness and channel it in one’sDivine service. Relevance is alsosomething that a farbrengen canaccomplish; it takes a concept from amyriad of lofty and encompassingideas and makes it accessible anduseable to each individual. This is

Just like in the case ofthe Alter Rebbe, his

suffering, bothphysically and

spiritually, in prisonfor the release of theTanya binds us withan obligation to delveand delve ever deeperinto the Tanya, so too

it is with the RebbeMH”M and his efforts

to return theteachings of Chabad

chassidus to theirrightful place.

MAKING IT RELEVANTBY YEHOSHUA MERENFELD

NEWS

Page 37: e mas441 a - Beis Moshiach

BEIS MOSHIACH - 17 Kislev 576440

vital, especially to the newcomer ofTorah learning, who is oftenstruggling with many new and loftyideas and how to apply them.

So how are Beis Kislev and thereturn of the Rebbe’s holy booksrelevant to our everyday life? For thatone first has to know what a Rebbeis.

“A Rebbe is the head to the Jewishpeople, just like a head to a body.Just as whatever happens to the headhas an affect on the entire body, sotoo with a Rebbe.

Furthermore, everything thatoccurs in the life of the Rebbe mirrorsevents that take place in the spiritualworlds. This was made poignantlyknown to chassidim through theimprisonment and then liberation ofthe Alter Rebbe on Yud-Tes Kislev. Aswe have learned, the Rebbe’simprisonment below corresponded tothe heavenly trial concerning thespreading of Chabad chassidus, andhis release marked the go ahead fromAbove to spread even more so histeachings below.

So too it is with our Rebbe.However, in this case it wasn’t theRebbe who was imprisoned, but thechassidus. This was stressed by theRebbe by calling the return of theseholy books “the release of thecaptives.”

Now we can understand the greatjoy connected with Beis Kislev and itsrelevance to each one of us. Thespreading of chassidus is the means tobringing Moshiach and the fulfillmentof the purpose of Creation. Whenchassidus was imprisoned, thisprocess was also held back. With thereturn of the s’farim to their rightfulplace, the process was able to resume,and with even greater strength, like aperson who tastes freedom for thefirst time and has great enthusiasmfor life and the benefits of freedom.

The return of these holy bookscaused such great joy for the Rebbe,

and just like we find with a family –that a simcha for a son is also thecause of simcha for his father and viceversa – how much more so the simchaof the leader of the generation, thehead of the Jewish people.

All of this was explained in thecourse of the farbrengen, told over ina give and take dialogue with anequal mixture of song and l’chaims.Those gathered around became moreopen and aroused to contemplate theRebbe’s connection to the world andthere own connection to the Rebbe.

One still might ask, “Where is thedirective for action?” The truth is, the

answer for this question is mucheasier to give than it is to apply, as wefind is the case to most of ourquestions.

That being said I can say theessence of a farbrengen is not only torealize the lessons that lay ahead ofus, but to be inspired and driven toactualize these lessons and to grow asa person and as a Jew.

What comes out from all this isthat the return of these holy books tothe library of Agudas ChassideiChabad was not only for the sake of abookshelf – that it shouldn’t look soempty – but for the sake of the

chassidim. Just like in the case of theAlter Rebbe, his suffering, bothphysically and spiritually, in prisonfor the release of the Tanya binds uswith an obligation to delve and delveever deeper into the Tanya, so too it iswith the Rebbe MH”M and his effortsto return the teachings of Chabadchassidus to their rightful place; itdemands the appropriate response onthe part of Jews everywhere, namelyto spread chassidus with even moreeffort and actualize the coming ofMoshiach, which is the purpose ofCreation.

Through understanding ourconnection to the Rebbe we can findthe inner fortitude to excel, andthrough this, thank the Rebbe on anindividual level for what he has doneon our behalf and is doing constantly.

The farbrengen carried on into thelate hours of the night and earlyhours of the morning. We wishedRabbi Ulman success in all of hisendeavors “down under” and hewished us success in the yeshiva.

It was a good farbrengen; goodmeaning relevant.

If you would like to participate in anunforgettable yeshiva experience with a mixof warm, but provocative lectures, Q&Asessions, informal discussions, live music,good food, and warm friends, then considerTiferes Menachem’s Torah by the Sea 10-daylearning excursion December 26 – January4, ‘04. Speakers for the program will include:Dr. Aryeh Gotfryd (Scientist & NotedAuthor), Rabbi Heschel Greenberg (NotedScholar & International lecturer), RabbiSimon Jacobson (Best selling author ofToward a Meaningful Life), Rabbi Y.Y.Jacobson (World renowned speaker andauthor of Tale of Two Souls), Rabbi ShlomaMajesky (Dean of the Internationallyacclaimed Women’s Institute Machon Chana),and Dr. Dovid Sholom Pape (Editor of thewidely acclaimed children’s magazine TheMoshiach Times). For more information or toregister please contact mailto:[email protected]; phone: (718) 333 – 1176;website: www.tiferes.org for onlineregistration.

Page 38: e mas441 a - Beis Moshiach

DR. ( ZVI ) HARVEY LANGC h i r o p r a c t o r

783 Montgomery StreetChiropractic Applied Kinesiology

- Nutrition -

Infants - Children - Adults

Headache, Back & Neck Pain, etc.

Learning Disability, T.M.J. (JAW), Dislexia, Chronic

Ear Aches, Scoliosis, Allergy, Neural Organization

(718) 773-1121 By Appointment

REWARDING SHLICHUS POSITIONavailable immediately

Bnos Rabbeinu High School in Chicagonow has a position open for a dorm

counselor.Warm, inspiring Chassidishe atmosphere.

Part time teaching also available.

For more info contact Mrs.Turen847-568-7700 / 773-965-7770

15 passenger van for all your travel needs:

airports ,pick ups, weddings, etc.

long distance trips, and light moving

@@asv ,gupv

@@j,ubu,

@@vucku, eybu,

ykpui: 1668-877 )817( /leT

pktpui: 7393-996 )719( /lleC

chpr: 1939-194 )719( /peeB

22112255--119966--771199

KK II NN GG SS TT OO NN HH OO TT EE LL

Only 1 minute from 770 ^ High Style Hotel in a small format ^ Fancy Studio Apartments@ Kitchen with all the latest technology appliances: Fridge, Microwave, Toaster

@ Breakfast, drinks in fridge all day

@ Broadband Internet

@ FREE calls in the USA, video Linen & Towels changed daily.

Fancy Bath & Shower with plenty

of Shampoo & Soap