contents

6
featured articles WeeKlY cOluMNs

sHlicHus iN tHe laNd Of idOl WOrsHiP

Nosson Avrohom

16 tHe reBBe KNOWs eVerYtHiNG!

R. Studnitz

4 15 37

Dvar Malchus Viewpoint Parsha Thought

22

22 tHe MaN tHe reBBe called

Shneur Zalman Berger

sHiMON HatZaddiK
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Old BOY 29 a NiNe-YearPersONal receiVes a

Nosson Avraham

letter frOM tHe reBBe

32 sHaBBat tO sHare Menachem Savyon

ZerO HOur fOr tHe 40YOuNG settleMeNts
Sholom Ber Crombie

32
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DvAr MAlcHus

MOSHIACH NOW! THERES NO TIME TO CONSULT WITH YOUR SPOUSE

How is it possible for the concept of He went and consulted with his wife to contradict bringing the redemption? According to torah it is necessary for one to consult with his wife about worldly matters!
Translated by Boruch Merkur

The following story appears at the beginning of Shivchei HaArizal and Shivchei HaRav Chaim Vital Zal. One time at Erev Shabbos, the time to greet the Shabbos Bride, the Arizal, along with his disciples, went outside the city of Tzfasin order to receive Shabbos (in accordance with the tradition of Kabbala to go out to the field to receive the Shabbos Queen) The master asked his disciples: Dear colleagues, do you wish for us to go to Yerushalayim before Shabbos and make Shabbos there? The distance to Yerushalayim from Tzfas is more that 25 parsaos [i.e., more than 70 miles]. Some of the disciples said that they would like to go, but others said: First let us go tell our wives, as stated in the Talmud (Brachos 27b): He went and consulted with his wife. (It was no wonder to them that the Arizal should make a suggestion that was contingent upon a miracle taking place, in order for them to arrive [in Yerushalayim

on time for Shabbos]; they merely wanted to ask permission from their wives to be away from home over Shabbos.) Upon hearing their request to first go home, the master was stricken with great apprehension. Clapping his hands together in anguish he said: Woe to us that we did not merit to be redeemed! Had you answered me with one voice that you all wanted to go to Yerushalayim with great joy, all of the Jewish people would have been immediately redeemed. But since you rejected the proposal, the exile has returned to its former strength in the world.

redemption. According to Torah it is actually necessary for one to consult with his wife about worldly matters. This is especially so with regard to Shabbos, for the entire concept of Shabbos candles is for the sake of peace between husband and wife. And there are several other obligations particular to Shabbos pertaining to husband and wife. How then can something that is entirely in accordance with Torah, and based on the code of Jewish law, deter the redemption?

ACT FIRST, QUESTION LATER

According to nigla, the revealed dimension of the Torah, the answer is follows. The Gemara states (Eruvin 67a): With regard to a Rabbinic ruling, we must first act on the ruling and only then may we question it. But at first glance, if it is something that is questionable, how can one simply act on it in blind obedience? The explanation is that it is necessary to know that the Sages are great scholars and they can be relied upon in directing our actions. The fact that one has a difficulty with what they say, this is only because he has not truly applied himself in delving into the Torah. Were he to

HOW CAN FOLLOWING A HALACHA DELAY THE REDEMPTION?!

Now, since this story is part of Torah, it certainly contains a lesson in serving G-d. For at first glance, it is difficult to understand how it is possible for the concept of He went and consulted with his wife to contradict bringing the

4 18 Sivan 5772

properly toil in Torah, and he is meritorious, he will determine that the law is indeed as the Sages have ruled. In the case at hand, when the disciples heard an instruction from the Arizal, who [in addition to being a genius in the mystical dimension of the Torah] was a master of the revealed aspect of Torah (as stated in Likkutei Torah (and Taamei HaMitzvos) of Rabbi Chaim Vital), they should have known that they can rely upon him that he would not cause them to be ensnared, G-d forbid, in doing something that is contrary to Torah law.

A CALL FOR HISKASHRUS

From a deeper perspective: It is one thing to consider the veracity of a ruling; quite another to stage an outright attack

It is impossible to bring Were he to scrutinize the Moshiach in this manner that words of his Rebbe, G-d forbid, when one hears a ruling, he this illustrates that he is lacking takes out the Shulchan Aruch in hiskashrus. And when he and approaches the rabbi, who is lacking in hiskashrus, he is lacking in unity, lacking in has the authority to render [what is stated in Sim Shalom, judgments and rulings, and the concluding section of asks him the meaning of the the Shmoneh Esrei prayer] Beer Heitev commentary on the kulanu kechad all of us as topic does it not contradict one, and consequently he is the ruling he was just given? likewise lacking in the blessings Moshiach cannot be brought in enumerated there [i.e., peace, this manner. One needs to have hiskashrus goodness, and blessing, life, grace and benevolence and and kabbalas ol (faith in and mercy]. Regarding those things devotion to his Rebbe, and Express service Express service acceptance of his words and Fully that are under the authority of FullyComputerized Computerized the Sages, first and foremost instructions). One must comply what is required is hiskashrus with the rulings of the Sages 331must first Ave. Kingston and kabbalas ol (we 331 Kingston Ave. without any calculations at Flr) Brooklyn NY 11213 (2nd(2nd Flr) Brooklyn NY 11213 act on the ruling and only then all. This is the quality that may we question it). characterizes a soldier that he Get your tickets within minutes!the address of Shabbos Get your tickets within minutes! (From makes no calculations at all. To a Parshas Shmini 5718,(718) muga) soldier, nothing exists other than Fax: bilti 493-4444 Fax: (718) 493-4444 the commander and his orders.

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Issue 836

sHlicHus

SHLICHUS IN

THE LAND OF IDOL WORSHIP

How do you prepare a city full of idols for Moshiach? This is the remarkable shlichus of Rabbi Shmuel Yizhar and his loyal wife, which seems to directly mimic the work of Avrohom Avinu.
By Nosson Avrohom

6 18 Sivan 5772

aranasi, in southern India, is perhaps the most impure city in the world. All the residents are fervent idol worshipers who bow down to idols made of wood and stone. People from all over India go to Varanasi in their old age in order to die there, at which time their bodies are cremated and the dust thrown into the Ganges River that flows nearby. The city consists of narrow alleyways, dusty marketplaces, rickety rickshaws, sacred cows and a bustling street life. Traffic in the old city entails crossing narrow cobblestone alleys cut like mazes through markets and storefronts. Cows roam freely, grazing on garbage and snatching fruits and vegetables from inattentive shopkeepers. Aside from the Ganges River and its religious significance, there are other sites that attract tourists in droves: a university where religion is studied and huge temples located in the heart of the old city. Varanasi is also one of the main centers for studying classical Indian music, yoga and meditation, with tourists and pilgrims coming from all over the world to study under famous gurus, yogis, and instructors. Some say Varanasi is supposedly the oldest city in the world. It is not just another city in India, but one of the holy cities, a mystical center visited by tens of thousands of people. Plenty of Jews visit this center of impurity. Over the years, even the shluchim skipped over this city whose atmosphere is one of impurity. Four years ago, a few bachurim went to Varanasi in order to print the Tanya. A year later, Rabbi Shmuel Yizhar and his wife accepted the challenge of being mekarev Jews in this place

polluted by idols. R Shmuel was familiar with the city from before he became frum, and he sees being on shlichus there as a closure of sorts. The couple opened a Chabad house serving Jewish tourists who visit Varanasi for short periods, and those who are living there for years; including musicians or people who are finding themselves. The Chabad house has regular minyanim, shiurim and one-on-one learning, Shabbos meals and daily kosher meals. When a Chassid walks around here in Chassidic dress, it makes a tremendous impact, says R Yizhar.

SOUL STIRRINGS
How did the Yizhars end up in Varanasi? Before he became frum, R Shmuel would visit Varanasi every year for a few months and he got to know it well. He was born in Yerushalayim near the famous Machane Yehuda market. His family then moved to Rechovos: I got the usual Israeli education without too much tradition. I was an outstanding athlete and threw myself into the game of handball, as a member of the Israeli national team. When I was bar mitzva I felt spiritually inspired for a while, which happens to many Israeli kids who meet with a rabbi, learn the sidra and put on tfillin for the first time in their lives. I put on tfillin every day for a while, but since nobody around me was religious, my enthusiasm waned and I stopped putting on tfillin. In the army, Shmuel served in communications. Four days after he was discharged, he traveled to Thailand. He had a tremendous desire to travel and see the world.

For five years I traveled around Australia, Brazil and nearly all the European countries. I spent quite a bit of time in India. In Europe, I set up stands to sell jewelry and sunglasses and I would go to India to relax. In India, I studied music and even opened a music school in Dharamsala. In hindsight, I realize what a deep personal search I was going through. I always knew there was a Creator, but its a long way from there to Judaism and keeping Torah and mitzvos. In the course of my travels, I read a lot of Tanach, mainly Koheles and Iyov. I would also read the writings of Eastern leaders and philosophers. I twice attended sdarim that were organized by Chabad in Nepal and Bangkok, but to me they were enjoyable Israeli experiences and nothing more. Every few months I would go back home to visit my family and friends; then I would board a plane again. After twelve years abroad, Shmuel decided to try his luck in Eretz Yisroel. He attended one of the colleges in order to study software engineering and enjoyed it. When he graduated, he became a lecturer in this field. For a number of years he gave classes at Michlelet HighTech and at the Open University where he earned a nice salary. He was financially stable. This went on until the high-tech bubble burst, when he had to forgo a significant chunk of his salary. That got him back on a plane to India once again. That was 5763 and my first stop was Dharamsala. I was going to India with a different attitude because of something that happened to me a few months earlier. One day, I was scratched by

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sHlicHus
a street cat. I foolishly did not think it needed to be treated, particularly when I felt fine. A few days later, I suddenly began to tremble. My temperature soared and I was taken to the hospital where I was treated with antibiotics. None of the doctors knew what the problem was. This happened six times and each time I was hospitalized and released. The last time I was hospitalized, a religious Jew came into my room and talked to me. I was holding a philosophy book at the time. He asked me about what I was reading and I told him. He dismissed my explanations and said, Drop the nonsense. The holy Torah is the most interesting thing in the world. I was annoyed and told him to promote his own position without dismissing other peoples positions. Nevertheless, after he left my room, I felt that he might be right. Later on, I had another interesting incident that connected me to my Jewish side. It was when a good friend asked me to go along with him to the Kosel and I happily agreed. He davened near the stones and I waited for him. I was so alienated at the time that I did not understand why I should pour out my heart near a historical old wall. Then a young bachur came over to me, a Breslover baal tshuva, and he asked me, Could you give me ten Euro so I can fly to Uman? I looked in my pocket and found exactly ten Euro. I was taken aback. How did he know I had ten Euro? I considered this a sign from heaven that I should give it to him. Some time later, the doctors finally figured out that my shaking and fever came from Cat scratch disease (also known as CSD). Thats when I remembered that I had been scratched by a cat months before. They gave me the proper treatment and a short while later I flew to India. As soon as I landed I traveled to Varanasi where I already had a place to stay. me, In the merit of Thillim said by simple Jews, Moshiach will come. I planned on traveling onward to the Himalayas. Every year I would make my way there and every time, I would go to a small village in the area where I would spend time alone. It was two weeks before Pesach and on my way to the Himalayas I stopped off in Rishikesh where I was given a Chitas. I opened to the Tanya section and tried reading it but did not understand any of it. I was with a group of gentile musicians who had come with me. We usually played music together in the evening, but one night, when I started playing with them, I felt sick. I left them and went up to my room. I took the Chitas and began saying Thillim. I remembered what my friend had told me about saying Thillim. It was difficult and unfamiliar language and I broke my teeth over it. I began getting up at six oclock, before the others, and saying Thillim. I felt that deep inner yearnings were roiling up inside me. One day, I went out on the balcony of my room and began singing songs to Hashem. I sang for two hours, singing every song I could remember that had Hebrew words. All the guests of the motel came out of their rooms and looked at me in astonishment, but I didnt care. Since that Shabbos, I always kept my head covered. I also decided to stop smoking on Shabbos. Four months later, Shmuel arrived in Dharamsala where he met the shliach, Rabbi Dror Moshe Shaul. One of the bachurim helping out at the Chabad house was Boaz Shachar, who was greatly mekarev him. One day, Shmuel had a

MY FIRST CONTACT WITH THILLIM

I wanted to relax, but what I experienced there was amazing and inspiring. Every night I would take a walk but I felt alienated from the place. I felt a strong desire to connect with my Judaism. I began talking to G-d in my heart. Everything that interested me on previous visits no longer did; I felt they were all false. I felt I wanted to connect with my Jewish roots. However, I did not know what these roots were. I felt I was going crazy. What was happening to me? I asked myself tough questions. Today, I know that a strong war was being waged between my Yetzer Tov and my Yetzer HaRa. After a few months I went to Goa where I met a good friend who had gotten involved with Breslov. I told him what I had been going through and asked, Do you think Ive gone mad? He smiled and said, Your neshama has begun to wake up. What pushed me even further was a Shabbos we spent at the Chabad house there, which was run by R Shai Ezran at the time. This was the first time in my life that I had an aliya to the Torah. He said interesting things and I felt I was being exposed, for the first time, to a wondrous spiritual world. I wanted to learn more and more. From Goa I went to Varanasi where I had a music school. Before I went, my friend said a line that stayed with

8 18 Sivan 5772

stomachache. Since the pain didnt stop, he decided to go home. A friend who met him on his way to the travel agent suggested that he write to the Rebbe. You have a business here; you cant just leave it all and go home. Shmuel, who had become familiar with Chabad, agreed to his suggestion and went directly to the Chabad house. He had two questions: about his health and about a shidduch. I naively thought the Rebbe would be confused if I asked both questions together, said Shmuel with a smile. So I only wrote about health. Although I still did not know what Rebbe meant and I had doubts, I was determined to do whatever the Rebbe said. To my great surprise, the answer was all about shidduchim and at the end was one line about health, that I should ask the rosh yeshiva. R Dror Moshe Shaul suggested that I learn with him every day at six in the morning. Thats the only time I am free, he said. So every morning at dawn, I walked over to the Chabad house and we learned together. After only four days, the pain went away.

Farbrengen with mekuravim

I suddenly noticed an Indian Baba with long hair and a long beard, wearing the traditional garb. He headed in our direction. The Israeli looked at him and said to me, Maybe youll convince him to come. As he said this, the Baba passed by and greeted me in Hebrew. I was flabbergasted.
from personal experience how important it was to have the right people at the right time in the right place. After our first daughter was born, our talks about shlichus became more serious. I wanted to return to India which I knew so well, but my wife Aviva, who had never been there, was afraid, and rightly so. India is not an easy country for someone who is not used to it. Shlichus for a few months in Dharamsala did not convince her to remain there. I almost gave up on shlichus in India and then my wife was reading the Seifer Hashlichus and surprised me. What did you say is the name of the city that you want to go to on shlichus? she asked. Varanasi, I said. Lets go! The Rebbe wants shlichus! I was overjoyed. We began raising money and preparing to go. Then we heard about the brutal attack in Bombay. Whoever knew us and about our impending shlichus, tried to dissuade us from going, but we were determined. At a certain point, we began opening to answers from the Rebbe that had to do with the importance of shlichus. We understood from this that the Rebbe wants us on shlichus and it was time to go. There were more obstacles along the way, such as instead of getting their visas within a few days, which is what usually happens, it took a few months. Throughout this time, they lived in a dilapidated apartment and slept on thin mattresses because they were expecting to leave momentarily. They took a flight to Delhi,

RETURN TO INDIA
In 5765, Shmuel was back home with his parents in Rechovos. People at the Chabad house in India connected him with the right people in Rechovos and he began learning in Yeshivas Daat, headed by Rabbi Yitzchok Arad. In yeshiva, his Chassidic character was formed and they made his shidduch. The couple moved to Tzfas though he constantly thought about going on shlichus. He knew

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and from there they made their way to Varanasi. They arrived on a Sunday. After renting a room in a local motel, they looked around for a place to live as well as a Chabad house. It was a very hot and humid time of year. Many places that seemed suitable they couldnt enter due to the numerous idols. Day after day, for four days, they trudged around looking for a place to live. We lived on oranges and tomatoes. It would be Shabbos in two days and we didnt know what to do. I sent a text to R Arad in Rechovos and asked him to ask the Rebbe for a bracha for us. We spent hours walking around the city, disappointed time after time. On one street, a cow suddenly cut us off. She walked thirty meters and then stopped and looked at us. We felt she was inviting us to follow her. It sounds strange but thats what we did. The cow kept strolling and we followed until it reached a large, beautiful house with a big yard where it stopped near the gate. My wife said, Lets go in. This has to be a sign from Above. Looking back, I realize how desperate we were, but that is what happened. We walked in and saw a magnificent place, unusual for Varanasi. We met the landlord and said we wanted to rent the entire place. We said the price we were willing to pay and he said he would think about it. As he was closing the gate behind us, I got a text from R Arad which said, quoting Thillim: The bird also has found a house, and the swallow a nest for herself that is the Shchina, you should be successful in shlichus. I understood that he had written to the Rebbe for us and knew that all would be well. Just half an hour passed and the landlord came to the motel we were staying at and said he had sent away all the guests and he gave us the keys. As soon as we got the place, we went into a frenzy of shopping. We had to start from nothing and there were only two days until Shabbos. I invited the first Israeli I saw for Shabbos. I told him that we were celebrating the first birthday of our daughter. The Israeli came right before Shabbos and quickly prepared a vegetable dish. We quickly made challa. We bought plenty of mashke. Although we knew that not many people would be coming, we figured many people would be coming on subsequent Shabbasos. We were surprised when dozens of Israelis came. Somehow, each of them heard about the Chabad house that had just opened. The simcha on that Shabbos was immense. We had minyanim that first Shabbos. On Sunday, we had big streets signs made in Hebrew so anyone who came to the city would know where to find us. The rest is history. The daily schedule at the Chabad house is intense mikva in the morning, a Chassidus shiur, minyan for Shacharis, breakfast. Throughout the day there are chavrusos for learning Chassidus, Halacha or inyanei emuna. Every night there is a Tanya class and after supper there is a farbrengen and talking into the night. There are lofty souls here that are hard to find in other places. It is because of their high level that they fell to such depths. We have to do everything we can to rescue them and get them back on track. I traveled a lot in India and the Far East, but whats happening in Varanasi is extreme idol worship. There are Israelis living here for many years, who consider themselves Indian in every respect. One day before Purim, I was standing and talking to one of the longtime Israelis here, a musician. He insisted on not stepping foot in the Chabad house. There are others like him. I was standing outside with him and trying to convince him to join us, with his friends, for the Purim seuda. Its not a tfilla and not a shiur it is Jewish simcha at its best, I said, but he refused to come. I suddenly noticed an Indian Baba with long hair and a long beard, wearing the traditional robe. He headed in our direction. The Israeli looked at him and said to me, Maybe youll convince him to come. Annoyed, I said to him, You compare yourself to this Indian? We are Jews. But the Israeli did not respond, and just continued looking at the approaching figure. He said, His situation is more of a lost cause than mine. Maybe youll convince him to go to the Chabad house. As he said this, the Baba passed by and greeted me in Hebrew. I was flabbergasted. He looked Indian! I couldnt believe he was Jewish. Instinctively, I took them both by the hand and dragged them into a Chassidic dance on the street. Ashreinu, ma tov chelkeinu how fortunate we are that we are Jews. I sang at the top of my lungs. The man told me he was in India for seventeen

FROM THE DEPTHS OF KLIPA

The only way to be successful is not to be fazed by what is going on around you. We constantly remind ourselves of why we are here.

10 18 Sivan 5772

years, his name was Yiftach, and throughout those years he had not seen a religious Jew. I did not see him after that, but I have no doubt that our encounter was meaningful to him. The day will come when it will have its effect on him. In general, the fact that a Chassid walks around here proudly, dressed as a Chassid, can have a powerful impact on those who are so far that you cant even tell that they are Jews. In Varanasi there is a woman who is here for twenty years already. Shes the doyen Israeli here. I met her before I was religious. Shes around sixty and immersed up to her neck in Eastern religion. Interestingly, one of her daughters became a Breslover baalas tshuva. Of course, the mother doesnt enter the Chabad house. Shes occupied with teaching nonsense to tourists. At the beginning of our shlichus here, I said to my wife that we have to be mekarev this woman. When that will happen, many other neshamos who were influenced by her will be saved. One day, I left the Chabad house and saw her. I asked her what she was up to and she said she was in the area by chance. I invited her in, but she politely refused and promised to come another time. Near us lives an Israeli who came to study music. She was one of his teachers. He also makes a point of not coming to our Chabad house, but he agreed to be the tenth man for a minyan only if we didnt have a minyan and were missing a tenth. One Shabbos, we were missing a tenth and I sent someone to get him. It seems he was in the middle of a lesson with her. At first he tried to excuse himself but I insisted and

Shiurim with mekuravim

they both came. They remained for the meal too. In the middle of the meal, she got up and said she wanted to tell a story about an Israeli that she knew in Varanasi who became a Chabad Chassid. She told my story. Apparently she had done her research. When she finished, she asked me whether I know him. I said Of course I know him, its me! I had nothing to be ashamed of. On the contrary, if I was able to change my life, you too I said, turning to her can set aside your past and return to the truth. Since that visit, she began visiting us every so often. She spent Purim with us and after many years, she decided to visit Eretz Yisroel. She is not yet religious but its a good start. You dont discard years of impurity and idol worship in a day. There is another musician who has been here for seven years. I knew him too from before I became religious. When we first opened the Chabad house, I met him in Delhi. He looked at me and said he knew me from somewhere. I told him

about my previous gilgul before I became a baal tshuva. He knew what Chabad is and I invited him to visit us in Varanasi, where he lived. He agreed to visit, but said he didnt think I had anything new to tell him. He did not show up at the Chabad house and when I saw him on the street one Friday, I invited him again and he couldnt refuse. At first he was uncomfortable. Hes the type of Israeli who does not enjoy being together with other Israeli tourists and hearing their stories. He felt like a resident already. I understood him, because I used to be the same way. We established a chavrusa that Shabbos but before we began learning he said to me again, What new thing are you going to tell me? I am forty years old and have traveled the world. Ive seen and heard it all. Rather than answering him, we began learning Chassidus. He quickly realized that he didnt know anything about Judaism and Torah. He understood that Judaism is not just a snippet of history about Jews who lived in the Middle Ages, but a living Torah that has something to say

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sHlicHus
about every aspect of life. Today, he is a regular participant at shiurim and our other activities and he identifies as a Chassid of the Rebbe. He even brings other people to us. went to the other extreme. Since there is a lot of music in this city, he came to study how to play various instruments. He visited us often but always came at the end of davening or Kiddush, just for the meal. If he came on a weekday, it was deliberately after the shiur. He was so cold to anything having to do with Torah that I thought that any efforts towards him should not be in order to see results, and whatever would be would be. Then one Shabbos there came the turning point. I told our guests the story about the letter I had written to the Rebbe before I became religious about health He said he had come in order to write to the Rebbe about something that bothered him. He is a successful person, healthy, but he always felt sad. Before he had a chance to write however, he had gotten an answer in the shiur, directly from the Alter Rebbe himself. The following Shabbos I was pleasantly surprised to see him appear for davening and Kiddush with a kippa, which he had insisted on not wearing on previous visits. When I proclaimed Yechi, I heard someone respond and when I turned around, it was him. The next day, he came to the minyan again and got an aliya. That Shabbos, he committed to putting on tfillin. I was shocked by this significant change in him. Since then, I dont judge or assess anyone. I let the Rebbe do the work.

LETTING THE REBBE DO THE WORK

While on shlichus, you can see how the Rebbe sets things up. It happens, said R Shmuel, that a fellow shows up who is interested, but nothing happens, nothing changes. There are also guys who are openly hostile, who you would think will never move in the right direction, and then

Without Moshiach we would not be able to be mekarev anyone. They are in such a low place that only the subject of Moshiach, the loftiest thing, can bring them back. If you talk to them about tzitzis or dipping an apple in honey, they wont listen. Tell them about the imminent Geula though and they will listen.

HASHGACHA PRATIS ON EREV PESACH

As someone on shlichus for his third year, R Shmuel has numerous hashgacha pratis stories which can fill a thick volume. Here is one example: In our second year here, three days before Pesach we had to get chicken and wine from the Chabad house in Delhi. We usually get our chickens from Kasol where R Yoel Caplin shechts, or from Dharamsala where R Dror Moshe Shaul shechts. They send the chickens to Delhi and we get them from there. The trip from here to Dharamsala or to Kasol takes two days and its only one day to Delhi. To prevent the chickens from spoiling they are sent to Delhi where they are frozen until we show up to take them. A one

they suddenly make great strides and become baalei tshuva. A young Mizrachi couple came to the Chabad house. He is a violinist and knows a lot about Chassidus and the Rebbe. They were our guests for a while and he played beautiful Chabad niggunim for us. They asked the right questions and it looked as though they were heading in the right direction, and yet, when they left us, there was no indication of any change in them whatsoever. There is no doubt that they did, in fact, change, but externally they left the way they came. Until recently, we had a guy with us who was born into a frum home and dropped it and

and the answer and miracle that transpired. He listened and was impressed. After the meal, he said that he also wanted to write to the Rebbe about something that was on his mind. He came in the middle of the week, five minutes after I began the Tanya shiur. This time, he participated in the shiur. It was chapter 26 that begins with a description of two people wrestling, where even the weaker one if he is joyful can prevail over the stronger one who is weighted down by sadness. He asked questions throughout the shiur. I could see that he wasnt asking questions out of spite but out of interest. At the end of the day, I escorted him outside and he said he wanted to tell me something.

12 18 Sivan 5772

An original way to learn Chabad niggunim

Simcha breaks boundaries and removes all barriers

day trip wont make them spoil. That day, we had a lot going on with the preparations for Pesach. I was at the Chabad house with another bachur and three Indian workers who did not know English. I could not rely on them to prepare the place for Pesach. The shluchim in Delhi said they had the chickens and they were taking up space. I had to decide who to send. I couldnt send an Indian worker and I couldnt send the bachur. It was impossible to keep an eye on the Indians and direct them while simultaneously working with tourists. It was noon and I couldnt decide what to do. I called Delhi, hoping they had heard of a Jewish backpacker who was on his way to Varanasi. I knew this was problematic, because no backpacker would be happy about dragging boxes of chickens along with him, but I decided to try my luck. On my way from the Chabad house to our private quarters where we have a telephone, I saw a tall fellow walk in. He had long blonde hair, sunglasses, wore boots and leather clothes. His appearance certainly stood out. When he walked in, I saw the three Indians run over to him and kiss his shoes with a great display

of respect. I didnt know who he was, having never seen him before. He greeted me in Hebrew so I could tell he was Israeli. We gave one another a friendly hug and he told me that he was in Varanasi for eleven years, was married to a gentile woman from South Korea and had a daughter. He said he was known in town because he played a certain kind of drum that is difficult to play. He performed with famous musical groups and that is how the Indians knew him. I sensed that he wanted to connect with us. His life story was so interesting that I forgot about the phone. We sat down for a long talk over a cup of coffee and after an hour I suddenly remembered that I had to make a phone call. He surprised me when he said, I have to go to Delhi to get a certain form. Do you need anything from there? I was flabbergasted. What was the likelihood of this happening? I told him how amazing his offer was. He took down the information and set out. The next day, he dropped off the delivery near the door of the Chabad house. He made it so much easier for us.

The story does not end there. I invited him to the seder and he came without his gentile wife and daughter. He knew it wasnt appropriate. A month later he returned to Eretz Yisroel, got more involved in Judaism, left his wife until she finished a long conversion process, and then they married. *** I asked R Shmuel about chinuch. He said, Its really not simple. We keep a close watch on the children and are always looking for solutions. In a city like Varanasi there are constant celebrations and festivals for their deities. Day and night you can see trucks passing by playing loud music with thousands of people dancing behind. The music wakes the children up. In order to counteract that, we bought some CDs of Chassidic music and we play them loudly every time these processions pass by. We explain to the children about our uniqueness, as opposed to their false idols. We have lessons every day, each child on his level. When we have bachurim helping out here, they learn with the children. In addition to the learning, we have games with Jewish themes, so

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sHlicHus
they arent bored. The children are shluchim in every respect. Visitors to the Chabad house are impressed by them, and what we try to accomplish in long conversations, they, in their innocence, achieve easily. In order to make the tourists an integral part of our family, we give everyone a job. One is assigned breakfast, another arranges the sfarim, another is in charge of cleanup, another prepares the food for Shabbos. One of the jobs is to play with our children, of course, under our supervision. Each time, we see real changes in those who were assigned the children. The children always feel that they are on shlichus. *** As to publicizing about Moshiach and Geula, R Shmuel has this to say, The Rebbe says the world is ready and we see this most clearly in those places that are the most decadent. I dont think there is any spiritually lower place than Varanasi, and here it is clear how the world is ready. You see Jews here who have descended to the lowest level of idol worship, like in the time of Avrohom Avinu. You dont have to be an expert on neshamos in order to sense that these are lofty souls that fell into klipa. Its as Chassidus explains that which is higher, falls lower. When people ask me whether the topic of Moshiach interferes with our work, I dont understand the question. Without Moshiach we would not be able to be mekarev anyone. They are in such a low place that only the subject of Moshiach, the loftiest thing, can bring them back. If you talk to them about tzitzis or apple in honey, they wont listen. Tell them about the imminent Geula though and how the world is about to make a deep spiritual shift, and they will listen. Moshiach interests them and changes them. If it works here, then the entire world is ready for Geula. *** As to plans for the future: Our most practical plan is for the Rebbe to appear, at which point, our shlichus to prepare the world is over. Until that happens, we will do our best to be mekarev more and more people, no matter what spiritual level they are on. This year, we plan on building a mikva which is one of the hardest things on shlichus. We know that building a mikva in a city, purifies the entire city. We hope this is the final act which will tip the world to zchus. If a place like this becomes tahor, then the Geula can certainly come!

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14 18 Sivan 5772

VieWpOint

THE BANALITY OF GOOD

By Rabbi Yisroel Harpaz

If I had to sum up all of the mystical and kabbalistic wisdom I managed to absorb thus far into one catchphrase, it would be this: Learn to live in the moment. It is, for me at least, the foundation upon which all other pursuits are based. If we cannot master the art of perceiving the truth and meaning inherent in the here and now, then what value is there to the cosmic pondering (and ego pandering) that spans the vastness of time and space, and purports to look prophetically into the future? I remember when learning how to drive I was taught by my wise and esteemed father to always look ahead to avoid hazardous situations, and keep my eye on the rear-view mirrors to see whats going on around me and whats coming my way. But, at the same time, to never take my eyes off the car in front of me. This is the art of driving, and of living. Focus on the road beneath you, but never lose sight of the road ahead of you or forget whats behind you. Becoming a master of the moment sounds like a simple and obvious path to spiritual enlightenment and bliss. So why havent we all gotten there yet? Because in order to be a master of the moment, I have to cease being a slave to the past and a servant of the future. I have to free myself of all distractions and attachments that take me away from the moment, so I can focus on the task at hand. Not so simple anymore, but there is a way: By designating specific times to immerse myself in past reflection

As with all things, the ultimate lesson is not to preach the manifesto, but to live it to live every moment in a conscientious way.

and future contemplation, I free the rest of my life for living in the moment. And, fittingly, even those times of reflection and contemplation do not take me away from the moment, since that itself is the task at hand at that moment in time. In a rapidly evolving (some would say devolving) technologydriven world, one that seems to disembody us from living in the moment, how do we connect ourselves and our children to the values and beliefs we hold dear? As with all things, the ultimate lesson is not to preach the manifesto, but to live it to live every moment in a conscientious way, to listen to what the moment and the people and the birds and breeze or whatever is present there is telling us. To reject the distractions and anxieties that interfere with this type of living, and assign them to their designated time. In my writing and teaching, I have found that I am most effective when I am being, rather than writing or teaching. Writing or teaching implies that I am here, the reader/student is there, and the message is something that is being forced from here to

there. Being means that we are both entering a space in which all is one, where souls merge and a common voice emerges, and the writing or teaching simply flows. On the surface, the wisdom may be similar either way, but only through being is the wisdom an authentic and lasting creative experience that penetrates the heart and mind of all those involved because it is alive, it is in the moment. People who achieve great things and are humble (or who want to appear to be) often say that they were simply in the right place at the right time. The truth is that at any given moment we are all in the right place at the right time. Right now, I am the right person in the right place and in the right time. The question is, do I have the presence of mind to acknowledge this fact in the moment itself, or only in retrospect when being interviewed for my biography? Reproduced with permission from Exodus Magazine

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stories

THE REBBE KNOWS EVERYTHING!

Stories about the Rebbe that were told by his secretary, R Leibel Groner.
Prepared for publication by R. Studnitz

IF HES THE REBBE, HE KNOWS EVERYTHING!

A Chassida of the Rebbe Rayatz was married to a Misnaged. Boruch Hashem they lived peacefully together and had no shalom bayis problems. One day the husband, who was a businessman, came home and told his wife that they had a very serious problem. Someone had informed on him, accusing him of engaging in illegal activities, and he had to appear in court. He had already spoken to a lawyer who said the matter was quite serious and they needed to plan a strategy for how to win the case. When she heard this, she immediately said, Go to the Rebbe Rayatz and tell him the situation and ask him how to proceed. He said, I understand that the Rebbe knows how to learn Gemara, Kabbala, and Chassidus, but what does he

know of legal matters? His wife declared, If hes the Rebbe, then he knows everything. There is nothing he does not know! After some time, he was convinced and he went to Warsaw. He told the Rebbe about the case against him. The Rebbe said, You need to go to Vilna where there is a dentist. Visit him and Hashem should grant you success. The man was taken aback by this advice that seemed peculiar and wholly unrelated to his problem. When he returned home he remonstrated with his wife and said, Was that a joke? Do I have a toothache? If I go to a dentist he will ask me which tooth hurts and what will I say? His wife calmly replied, If the Rebbe told you to go to Vilna, then go. There is no other choice. Go to Vilna. It took some time, but her

husband finally agreed to go to Vilna. He sat down in the dentists chair and the dentist asked him, What hurts you? Uh, I dont have a toothache. So why are you here? I came because I have been unjustly accused and the Rebbe Rayatz in Warsaw told me to come here. The Rebbe sent you here? Fine, come back to my office tomorrow at four. The next day the man returned and the dentist seated him in the waiting room. As he sat there he overheard the dentist telling a patient about the case against him. The man grew angry and thought, What is this? I told him personal information; why is he repeating it to someone else? However, he restrained himself and said nothing. A few minutes later the dentist came out of his room and said,

16 18 Sivan 5772

The man that you see here is a judge. I told him your problem and he wants to hear it from you. Come in and tell him your story. The two entered the room and after the judge heard him out, he asked him what he had to say in his defense. The man said he had proof that all the accusations were false and baseless and he even delineated the ridiculousness of the accusations. What day must you appear in court? asked the judge. The man told him the date. The judge took out his appointment book, examined it briefly and then smiled broadly, You know what? That is the day I will be in court. Listen to what we will do. You dont know me and I dont know you. You show up on that day in court and when I ask you to defend yourself, tell me exactly what you told me here without giving any indication that weve met before.

The man returned home and his wife asked him, So what happened at the dentist? When he told her everything that had happened with the judge, she said, Now do you believe that the Rebbe knows what hes doing? The man was still not convinced and he said, First lets see how it works out. Fine, though I consider it a done deal, she said. You will return home and everything will be fine. I am sure of it. Of course, that is what happened. The judge ruled that there was no basis to the accusation against him and the case was dismissed.

WHY DID HASHEM CREATE MICE?

A similar story happened with the Rebbe Maharash. A man was falsely accused of a crime. He was told to appear in court

in Petersburg. First, he went to Lubavitch and poured out his heart to the Rebbe. The Rebbe told him, If Hashem created mice, then this indicates that we need mice. The man had no idea what sort of bracha this was. It was only when he appeared in court that he understood. When the judge asked the prosecutor to present his case against the Jew, he apologized and was embarrassed because he could not locate the papers. They asked for a two hour recess so they could find the papers, but even after that time had elapsed they did not find them. The judge ruled, If there are no papers, you are dismissed. On his way home he stopped off in Lubavitch to thank the Rebbe. Before he even opened his mouth, the Rebbe said, Nu, so you see why Hashem created mice?

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stories

NOTHING IS SAID OFFHANDEDLY

Someone who is not a Lubavitcher told me that he had to go to Europe on business and he wanted a bracha from the Rebbe. He had yechidus on Sunday. When he came out, he said, I dont understand your Rebbe. The Rebbe asked me where I will be next Shabbos. I told him that according to my schedule I would be leaving Europe on Thursday and arriving in New York on Friday. Since Shabbos begins at seven in the evening, that would not pose a problem. Once again, the Rebbe asked me where I would be for Shabbos. I repeated that I would be flying on Thursday and returning on Friday, but the Rebbe asked me a third time. I told him that I had already answered him twice and why was he asking me again? The Rebbe blessed me, May Hashem help you wherever you are. May you have a joyous Shabbos. A week and another few days went by and the man called the office and told me, The flight left on Thursday on schedule, but there was an emergency landing in Greenland. At twelve oclock on Friday afternoon, they announced that the plane was fixed and all passengers could return to their seats. When I asked when the flight was to land in New York, I was told it would be after Shabbos had begun. I told them that I could not fly for religious reasons and I remained at the airport. I started walking around, looking for a place to rest and finally found a room which had a sign on it that said Do Not Enter. Well, if it says not to enter that means enter I opened the door and saw a bearded Jew

sleeping. I was happy to see him as I wouldnt be alone on Shabbos. The man suddenly woke up and was surprised to see me. I felt that heaven had directed me to this place. What are you doing here? I asked him. He said, I am a shliach of the Rebbe. There is an American military base here with about forty Jewish soldiers. The Rebbe wants us to spend Shabbos with them. And what are you doing here? I told him my story and then the Chassid said the problem was that only he had permission to enter the military base while I did not. He said he would ask the commander for a pass for me. After speaking to the commander, the matter was arranged. The businessman finished his story by saying he had never had such an uplifting Shabbos. He enjoyed listening to the Chassid speaking to the soldiers, the niggunim, the dancing etc. He was impressed to see how the Chassid was mekarev them and went about letting them know what they needed to do as Jews. I told him, The Rebbes bracha helped you so you did not spend Shabbos just anywhere. The Rebbe wanted you to be in a place where you would have a joyous Shabbos. It was no coincidence that the plane landed in Greenland. It could have landed in many other places. When the Rebbe asked him three times where he was spending Shabbos, it wasnt an offhand question; it was meant to draw his attention to something. We need to be careful about every word the Rebbe says and obediently follow those words.

A QUARTER OF AN HOUR
The Rebbe once told me to call one of the shluchim. I was to tell him to get on the first plane leaving his city to travel to a certain city and find someone there. I called the shliach and a short while later he called back and said he checked with a travel agent and the first plane leaving was full. I relayed this to the Rebbe and he said he should speak with the management, because sometimes they leave empty seats for emergencies. The shliach looked into it, but the answer was still that the plane was full. I told the Rebbe and the Rebbe said to tell the shliach to wait a quarter of an hour and then to ask the travel agent or the management again. Ten minutes later the shliach called to say that someone had canceled his flight and he had gotten the mans seat even though there was a long waiting list. I told the Rebbe, who smiled and said, Does he realize why that man canceled his flight?

WHEN YOU RETURN HOME HEALTHY!

The following story happened to a businessman who now lives in Yerushalayim. He is not a Lubavitcher. He planned a trip to Mexico in order to buy merchandise for his business. He had a one day stop-over in New York, so he called a Lubavitcher friend who lived in Crown Heights and asked if he could stay with him. The friend agreed. After meeting him at the airport, the Lubavitcher excitedly said, You came on a special day. Its Yud Shvat, the yahrtzait of the Rebbe Rayatz and the day the Rebbe accepted the nesius. The

18 18 Sivan 5772

Rebbe will farbreng tonight. I think you should attend. The man politely declined with the excuse that he was very tired, but his host insisted, When will you have another opportunity to be at the Rebbes farbrengen? Forget about being tired and just come! The guest finally agreed, and when they went to 770 the Chassid sat his friend on the platform, in a seat near the Rebbe. Before the farbrengen, the Chassid coached his friend by saying that after the Rebbe said the first sicha, it was customary to take a cup of lchaim. The guest did as he was told and asked for a cup of lchaim like everyone else and raised it towards the Rebbe. The Rebbe looked at him and motioned that he should drink it down. Then the Rebbe motioned that he should refill his cup and finish that too. When he finished the second cup, the Rebbe told him to refill it yet again. This was very surprising to the Chassidim and they all wanted to know who this person was. As the farbrengen went on, the Rebbe turned to him again and told him to say lchaim two more times so that he drank five cups in all. On their way to the house, the guest thanked his host for taking him to the farbrengen and said that he had never heard such wonderful things before. The next morning, before leaving for the airport, the Lubavitcher said to him, The Rebbe is standing in shul now and giving out dollars for tzdaka. I suggest that you go to him and ask for a bracha for success for your trip to Mexico. The guest agreed, but when he passed by the Rebbe, the Rebbe did not react at all to his request. He

When I got to Mexico I went to a store where I was supposed to get merchandise. While I was figuring out what I had to pay, the door suddenly opened and robbers with masks and revolvers came in and demanded all our money. I surprised myself when I shouted, Rebbe, help me! A minute later, the police came in and arrested the robbers and returned all our money.
to a store where I was supposed to get merchandise. While I was figuring out what I had to pay, the door suddenly opened and robbers with masks and revolvers came in and demanded all our money. I surprised myself when I shouted, Rebbe, help me! A minute later, the police came in and arrested the robbers and returned all our money. I said to him, Do you realize what a zchus you had? What would have happened if you hadnt been to the Rebbe and

waited on the side and when the Rebbe finished giving out dollars, he asked the Rebbe again for a bracha for success. The Rebbe looked at him and said, May Hashem help you return home in good health. The guest was taken aback by this and he asked the Lubavitcher what sort of bracha this was. The Chassid was just as surprised. A week later, the Lubavitcher called me and related to me what his friend told him: When I got to Mexico I went

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stories

I told the Rebbe, who smiled and said, Does he to see them, before I told her or after I told her? realize why that man canceled his flight? THE REBBE LISTENED had not received his bracha to gives good advice. I asked her TO THE DOCTOR
return home in good health? Who knows how that would have ended! The Rebbes bracha is what helped you. for her husbands name and his mothers name and gave the note to the Rebbe. The Rebbe advised her to consult with a doctorfriend. When I told this to the woman, she said in despair, But we went to four doctor-friends and none of them helped! People close to the Rebbe noticed that he was suffering in great pain but was not talking about it. I got a phone call from the Rebbetzin ah and she said, I would like you to ask the Rebbe to give permission to Dr. Seligson to examine him. I spoke to him about it, but he did not agree. I went to the Rebbe and told him that Dr. Seligson was here;

THE REBBE EMPOWERS THE DOCTOR

A woman called and said her husband was sick for a number of months, and yet the doctors were unable to help him. She had heard that the Lubavitcher Rebbe

I relayed this to the Rebbe and he said, Ask her when she went

20 18 Sivan 5772

the Rebbe agreed to have him come in. Obviously, I had made sure that Dr. Seligson would be standing by at the ready. When the doctor left the Rebbes room I asked him what was happening. He replied that the Rebbe was suffering terribly from kidney stones. He gave the Rebbe advice about what to do but the Rebbe had said, Who are you to mix in to G-ds affairs? If G-d gives pain, that means there is a reason for it and I have to endure it. Since the doctor had no response to that, he left the room. I told Dr. Seligson, Why didnt you respond that the Torah tells us that a doctor has permission to heal? Dr. Seligson said, Oy, I forgot that. In the meantime, the Rebbetzin came to 770 and I told her what had happened. She brought the doctor back to the Rebbes room and he told the Rebbe, I heard that the Torah gives a doctor permission to heal. The next day the Rebbetzin told me that the Rebbe did what the doctor recommended and his condition was somewhat improved.

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BEYOND WHAT YOU SEE

The tzaddik Rabbi Mordechai of Chernobyl once spoke about the greatness of hidden tzaddikim. One of the older Chassidim said to him, We are sure that among your Chassidim there are hidden tzaddikim. Perhaps you can show us one of them. The tzaddik said, You are looking at a tzaddik nistar. But Rebbe, you are famous as a tzaddik; you are not hidden! The tzaddik said, What a pity it would be on all of you, if we were only what you can see. From this story we learn that all the great things we can say about the Rebbe is not even close to the complete reality. The Rebbes pnimius is impossible to know or reveal. What is a Rebbe? A Rebbe is above any understanding and explanation. Nobody can say what a Rebbe is. Every word the Rebbe says has a powerful impact on the events of this world so the Rebbeim were very careful with their words. On our part, we need to be careful and listen to everything the Rebbe says. May Hashem help and the Rebbe be revealed, below ten tfachim, and he will redeem us and lead us upright to our holy land!
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obituAry

THE MAN THE REBBE CALLED

SHIMON HATZADDIK
22 18 Sivan 5772

He worked alone, without helpers. He ran around all day, every day, from one chesed to another. * He spoke from the heart about the obligation to be involved in the Rebbes mivtzaim. * He focused on Inyanei Moshiach and Geula, not hesitating to speak about who Moshiach is, and it was all with his typical simplicity. * This is a small glimpse into the life of Rabbi Shimon Friedman ah who was known as Shimon HaTzaddik, who passed away on Erev Shvii shel Pesach. His will states: Ahavas Yisroel comes before everything!
By Shneur Zalman Berger

A SINGULAR INDIVIDUAL
Rabbi Shimon Friedman was a unique man. He was unique on the mivtzaim front, being constantly busy with Mivtza Tfillin and other mivtzaim without any assistance. He was one man who did the work of dozens of people younger than he. He was unique anywhere he went, whether in the homes of Admurim and rabbanim, government offices, or at the offices of Knesset members and ministers. He had no lobbyists at his disposal and yet, alone, he initiated storms of protest. He was unique in his hidden work on behalf of the needy, orphans and widows. He dedicated his life to helping them. Even when he approached eighty, he continued to help, expending his energy and money. It was all done secretively, without publicity or the need for appreciation. He was unique in his strong faith that hinei, hinei Moshiach ba, and he spread this faith wherever he went, proclaiming Yechi with a deep, inner conviction. He spread the Besuras HaGeula among many groups.

IN AN ORDERLY WAY
Rabbi Shimon Friedman was born on 12 Teves 5694 in Yerushalayim. His father, R Menachem Mendel, was a distinguished Chabad Chassid and a descendent of Rabbi Akiva Yosef Schlesinger, author of Lev HaIvri. His mother was descended from the Alter Rebbe as the great-granddaughter of Rebbetzin Menucha Rochel Slonim. In his youth, he learned in the Eitz Chaim Talmud Torah and Yeshiva in Yerushalayim. His abilities in learning and his exalted middos were recognized even back then. He began afflicting himself with fasts and even refrained from sleeping in a bed. When the Rebbe heard about this, he instructed him to serve Hashem in an orderly way and to stop these afflictions. He stopped this behavior immediately. Even many years later, when he became overly excited about matters of kdusha, he would stop himself and say: The Rebbe told me to serve Hashem in an orderly way. He married Shoshana, the daughter of Rabbi Yisroel Noach Duchman, a distinguished Chabad Chassid. After they married, he continued learning

for many years in the Eitz Chaim kollel. He lived very modestly and received financial help from his brother who lived in America.

THE TZADDIK
In the early years of the Rebbes nesius, when Tzeirei Chabad in Yerushalayim began spreading Chassidus with the Rebbes encouragement, R Shimon became more involved in the ways of Chassidus and the teachings of Chabad. When he wanted to visit the Rebbe, he received an astonishing answer, which was that he should not leave Eretz Yisroel. Over the years, he became an ardent Chassid and a fervent mekushar of the Rebbe. Any instruction from the Rebbe was immediately and enthusiastically accepted by him and then implemented with great devotion. When it came to the Rebbes inyanim, he even reached out to gdolei hador like Rabbi Yitzchok Yaakov Weiss zl of the Eidah HaChareidis, Rabbi Moshe Aryeh Freund zl of the Eidah HaChareidis, Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Auerbach zl, and the Admur of Erloi. At various farbrengens he would adjure the Chabad Chassidim in Yerushalayim to fulfill the Rebbes

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despair despite the many years that had passed. In his unique way of Ahavas Yisroel combined with firmness, he sent letters to rabbanim and public figures, ministers and Knesset members, and even met with many of them. The mashpia Rabbi Moshe Weber ah once said that during the period when Mihu Yehudi was the topic of the day, he stood with R Shimon under the porch of the house of the Interior Minister at that time, holding signs that expressed their protest about the ministers opposition to the amending of the law. They did not shout and they made no proclamations, but just stood there for a long time. Nearby residents poured buckets of water on them but they stuck it out. They took off their hats so they wouldnt get ruined and said to their antagonists: Even if you continue pouring water, that wont deter us. We will continue demonstrating here! From where did he get the strength to fight for decades? No doubt, every time the Rebbe said a sicha about Mihu Yehudi or Shleimus HaAretz, R Shimon would get a copy of the tape and listen to it. The Rebbes words inspired him to renew his work. Twenty-five years ago, he wanted to meet with Shimon Peres, who was the Foreign Minister at the time and ran a rotation government with Yitzchok Shamir. Details of the meeting are still unclear. He mentioned just a little bit about it when he went to console Peres about a year ago on the passing of his wife Sonya. It was twentyfive years ago that he waited downstairs from Peres house and when Peres came home from the office, he tried to talk to him about the importance of amending the law of Mihu Yehudi. Peres said he could only speak to him the next morning. R Shimon waited all night near the door. In the morning, when Peres came out in his pajamas to get the newspaper, he encountered R Shimon standing there. This time too, the surprised Peres tried to push him off, but then his wife appeared and brought R Shimon into the house and served him a cup of tea. R Shimon was then able to convey his important message about the need to amend the law. About a year ago, when Peres sat Shiva for his wife, R Shimon visited him and importuned him to address the issue of Mihu Yehudi, saying it wasnt too late. When it turned out that there was no one to say Kaddish for Sonya Peres, R Shimon said he would do it. He said Kaddish for eleven months which ended three months ago.

horaos and to get involved in mivtzaim. He would constantly shower words of encouragement and support and was the driving force behind many different activities. He was also modest and humble and stayed away from kavod. His righteousness, asceticism and his acts of chesed, along with the brachos he constantly bestowed on people, earned him the nickname Shimon HaTzaddik. Some say that when Rabbi Ezriel Zelig Slonim had yechidus, and later when Rabbi Chaim Stern had yechidus, both distinguished Chassidim of Yerushalayim, the Rebbe referred to him as Shimon HaTzaddik.

TRUE GIVING
He was an outstanding doer of chesed. A small favor and a big favor were equal to him. He considered walking an old man home or helping a child cross the street equivalent to giving large amounts to tzdaka. Over the years, he received large sums of money from his brother in America and other goodhearted Jews, which he would disburse to the needy in Yerushalayim and Kfar Chabad. He was a oneman chesed operation. Without helpers he would buy items in the grocery store and walk till he got to the home of some needy people and give them what turned their Shabbos into a delight. The fact that he himself sufficed with little did not take away from his understanding that other people needed delicacies for Shabbos. How did the young masmid and lamdan turn into someone

ON THE BATTLEFRONT
For over forty years, he fought fiercely for the amending of the law Mihu Yehudi. He was a leading askan for Shleimus HaAm in the early stages of the battle to amend the law, back in the early seventies all the way until recently. He fought devotedly and intensively without a break and without

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who spent his days doing chesed? He once revealed that it was Rabbi Aryeh Levin (A Tzaddik In Our Time) who told him that when he began doing his acts of chesed, he wondered whether he was doing the right thing since it took him away from Torah study. He consulted with the mekubal known as the Leshem, who told him that since his soul was drawn to chesed that was his mission in life. R Shimon said, I also felt that my soul is drawn to doing chesed. Based on what the Leshem said, I understood that this is what I should do. Those who knew him well were astounded to see how he devoted himself to doing chesed. For many years he would regularly help an old man put on tfillin. Every day, R Shimon waited for him in shul and when the man came, he would help him wrap the tallis and tfillin. While the man davened, R Shimon sat and learned. After the davening, R Shimon helped him take off the tfillin and fold his tallis and then he immediately ran off to do other acts of chesed. You could always see him leading old people to their homes or to shul or wherever they wanted to go. He always rushed about, on his way to another act of chesed. He lived for a period of time in Kfar Chabad. Many remember the following episode: A passenger plane was delayed and landed close to the onset of Shabbos. Having no choice, the passengers were quickly brought to Kfar Chabad where they were warmly welcomed. At the davening Friday night, R Shimon noticed that one of the guests was wearing Chassidic garb but was not wearing a shtraimel. When he found out that the mans shtraimel was in the luggage left

Listen, pleaded R Shimon, I asked a rav and he paskened that I can give you my tfillin. I live among Jews and can borrow tfillin every day. Where will that fellow get tfillin from?

behind at the airport, he took his own shtraimel and gave it to the man. R Shimon then wore his weekday hat. The loan extended well beyond that Shabbos, as due to the chaos of the situation the Chassid went on his way without returning the shtraimel to R Shimon. R Shimon made do with a simple hat on Shabbos from then on.

HIS TFILLIN BROUGHT YESHUOS

A telephone call during the Shiva was the cause of great excitement. It was the postscript to an amazing story that took place in the last months of R Shimons life and ended after his passing: R Lieberman, a shliach in

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China, met a young Jewish man who intended on marrying a non-Jewish woman. The shliach tried to dissuade him but was unsuccessful. The young man finally agreed to put on tfillin, but was unwilling to listen to anything more than that. The shliach visited Eretz Yisroel around this time and told R Shimon about this sad story. He said he did not have the means to get tfillin for the man. R Friedman asked him whether the man would really use them or would stick them away in the closet. When the shliach said he believed the man was serious about using them, R Shimon asked him to give him a day. The next day, he brought a pair of tfillin to the shliach. The shliach asked him where the tfillin came from and when he realized that they were R Shimons, he was horrified and refused to accept them. Listen, pleaded R Shimon, I asked a rav and he paskened that I can give you my tfillin. I live among Jews and can borrow tfillin every day. Where will that fellow get tfillin from? The reasoning was sound and simple, and so R Shimon begged the shliach until he agreed to take his tfillin. For months, R Shimon went around to shuls and borrowed tfillin. One time, a gabbai even yelled at him how could a Jew like him not have tfillin of his own? Months went by, R Shimon passed on, and the phone rang in his house. On the line was the shliach from China who did not know that R Shimon had died. He had called to say that the young man who had been given R Shimons tfillin had announced he was canceling his wedding plans!

PREPARING THE WORLD

By his grandson, Moshiach Friedman Upon hearing of the sudden passing on the eve of the last days of Pesach, numerous images came to my mind, numerous memories of special times with my grandfather. Who am I to speak in praise of him, never mind to eulogize him, for in Chabad we dont eulogize, but one important point immediately came to mind, which in my humble opinion is important for all of us to remember, for every Chassid of the seventh generation. Greater people than I can speak of his genius, of his thorough knowledge of Nigleh and Chassidus, about his care in hiddur mitzva, about his acts of tzdaka and chesed with constant dedication to helping others materially and spiritually. Foremost was his solid hiskashrus, heart and soul, to the Rebbe MHM shlita, even though he never merited seeing the Rebbe (because of the Rebbes instruction to him not to leave Eretz Yisroel). His love for the Rebbes ten mitzva campaigns was well known, along with his enthusiasm when he reviewed a sicha or maamer and the tremendous chayus when he listened to every word of the Rebbes teachings. Before a broad array of people, from across the spectrum of religious Jews and the general public, simple people alongside gdolim, who came to hear divrei Torah and Chassidus at his farbrengens and drashos, he never hid his faith and loyalty to the Nasi Hador, the Lubavitcher Rebbe. He and only he is the leader of the Jewish people and we all need to submit to him, even other Admurim and rabbanim. Yet, beyond all this, is the main point, which Chassidim allude to when they wish one another may we always hold on to the nekuda. My grandfather merited belonging to the Rebbe. He merited standing proudly on the front lines with the only and main shlichus that the Rebbe gave us on Shabbos Parshas Chayei Sara 5752, to prepare the world to welcome Moshiach. In this avoda, this nekuda of hiskashrus in our unique times, he had the merit to work forcefully and energetically. [Parenthetically, until today, those who daven in the shul in Shikun Chabad in Yerushalayim remember that summer Shabbos at the end of 5752, when R Shimon HaTzaddik recited the brachos at the bris of his grandson, and his name in Israel will be: Moshiach ... and a commotion ensued.] At every opportunity he reminded and publicized to everyone about the Rebbes prophecy: Hinei zeh Moshiach ba. Every time he was present when Yechi was proclaimed, he would stand tall and respond in a loud voice with the same dveikus and kavana that he had with everything of kdusha that he did. And there was his enthusiastic dancing of Yechi with simcha for the Geula. My childhood memories are full of these images, of gatherings for Kabbalas Pnei Moshiach that took place in Eretz Yisroel, with my grandfather in attendance, going in person to strengthen the emuna in the Besuras HaGeula and the Goel. Two days before he passed on, when I called my parents, he answered the phone. As soon as I said, Its Moshiach, he got all excited and began blessing us that we merit the hisgalus of the Rebbe MHM and to bring the holiday sacrifices in the third Beis HaMikdash.

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In another story, it happened one year that R Shimons brother Mordechai went to visit Eretz Yisroel. R Mordechai regularly sent large sums of money to R Shimon both to support his pious brother and for him to distribute to the poor. He brought a nice sum of money for tzdaka and showed up at his brothers house late one night. Just a few minutes went by and R Shimon left the house. His brother wondered where he had disappeared to and waited up for him. When R Shimon returned, he asked him where he had gone at that hour. R Shimon explained: The money you gave me was for the poor, so why shouldnt they have a good nights sleep? If I give it to them tomorrow, they will be worried for yet another night.

BLESSING THE JEWISH PEOPLE

R Shimons chesed included not only actions but good words, words of consolation and love. Being a Kohen, he always blessed people. Many Yerushalmim would ask him for a bracha and to think of them in his pure tfillos. When someone stopped him on the street and asked him for a bracha, R Shimon would stop rushing and as though he had all the time in the world, he would close his eyes and fervently recite the priestly blessing and add numerous other personal brachos. Many people would wait for him at the Kosel, as he visited the Kosel several times a week in order to man a tfillin stand. They sought his brachos and he would willingly give them.

FUNERAL EREV YOM TOV

On the night of Erev Shvii shel Pesach, R Shimon was in the

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on the date of Erev Tisha BAv because Ahavas Yisroel is a cure before the blow of the churban. The same is true nowadays, that Ahavas Yisroel is the way to achieve Geula. Shortly after he finished talking, he collapsed. He was taken to Tel HaShomer hospital and returned his neshama to its Creator soon afterwards at the age of 78. The funeral left the Chabad shul in Shikun Chabad in Yerushalayim two hours before Yom Tov. Despite the hour, hundreds of Chassidim and other people were in attendance at the funeral of the tzaddik, R Shimon. His son, R Menachem Mendel spoke, using the opportunity to urge people to participate in a Seudas Moshiach with anticipation of the Geula, and he proclaimed in a voice choked with tears, Yechi Adoneinu Moreinu VRabbeinu Melech HaMoshiach L olam Vaed. Although R Shimon was never interviewed and was not written about, upon his passing the frum newspapers were full of articles about this Lubavitcher tzaddik. Hamodia had a long article about him. It mentioned that Rabbi Naftali Frankel, member of the Badatz Eidah HaChareidis and longtime neighbor of his, said Many volumes can be filled with the deeds of Shimon HaTzaddik. R Shimon is survived by his sons: R Mordechai Yoel and R Menachem Mendel; and his daughters: Devorah Feige Eidelman, Yocheved Gurkov, Yehudis Weiner. His is also survived by thousands of spiritual descendants of all backgrounds and groups.

home of his son R Menachem Mendel (shliach in Ohr Yehuda). He suddenly asked to immerse in a mikva that evening, something he had never asked before. The next day, as he davened vasikin at the Sephardic shul, he asked for an aliya which was also something he never did before. Another unusual thing he did was read the Krias Shma of the morning far longer than usual. When he finished davening he returned to his sons house where ten bachurim had come to help run Seudos Moshiach. Breakfast needed to be made for the family and the guests. R Shimon did not sit in the living room and

learn, as he loved to do. He went to the kitchen and began working alongside the other family members. He suddenly asked everyone to stop what they were doing. He took a HaYom Yom and opened it to 8 Av and read the aphorism of the Rebbe Maharash which says: What good is Chassidus and piety if the main quality is lacking Ahavas Yisroel, love of another even to the extent of causing (G-d forbid) anguish to another! When the family wondered why he was reading a statement for the month of Av and not that days entry, he said that the Rebbe had placed this statement

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MirAcle story

A NINE-YEAR OLD BOY RECEIVES A

PERSONAL LETTER FROM THE REBBE

Erez Navon, the only son of Mr. Yitzchak Navon, former President of Israel, recalls the special correspondence he received as a boy from the Rebbe MHM and the tremendous influence it had upon him.
By Nosson Avraham Translated by Michoel Leib Dobry

SEND NEW YEARS GREETINGS TO THE LUBAVITCHER REBBE

I received this letter in 5743, when I was just nine years of age. My father, shyichyeh, was serving as president of the State of Israel. A few days before Rosh Hashanah, I decided to write New Years greetings to several prominent people with whom I was acquainted. Among them were then-Prime Minister Menachem Begin, who was a regular guest in the Presidents House, and many others of great stature whom I knew during the time I lived in the presidential residence. Another person who was a most welcome and regular guest in the house was R Shloimke Maidanchik. My father was very fond of him. He was a special Jew, a true Chassid of the Lubavitcher Rebbe. When he saw that I was writing New Years cards, he suggested: Why dont you send New Years greetings to the Lubavitcher Rebbe? Ill make certain to bring it to the Rebbes secretaries in New York. I happily agreed, and a short while later, I placed the letter to the Rebbe in R Shloimkes hands. He had already given me
Issue 836

n the first day of Rosh Chodesh Kislev 5771, Mr. Victor (Chaim Meir) Navon, brother of Mr. Yitzchak Navon, fifth President of Israel, returned his soul to its Maker at the ripe old age of ninety-one. Together with one of his sons and many of his grandchildren, Victor Navon was privileged to follow the path of G-d, as they became Chassidim and were closely connected to the Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach. He lived in the Rechavia neighborhood of Yerushalayim, and one of his closest friends for many years was R Yitzchak Wolpo. R Yitzchak helped arrange a special visit for Victor to 770 and a personal moment with the Rebbe. During the Shiva, many people came to the family home to comfort the mourners, including friends, prominent public figures, and

Knesset Members past and present. Sitting Shiva together with his brother, the former president, was Victors son, Rabbi Yosef Navon, a tenured teacher and longstanding member of the Chabad community of Tzfas. He listened closely as many visitors spoke about their personal experiences with the Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach. Many extolled the Rebbes prophetic vision, his wisdom, and his tremendous leadership. However, there was a special story unknown to most of the family, told by Victors nephew, the former presidents only son, Mr. Erez Navon, a successful businessman with large real estate holdings. To this very day, I have kept the letter that I received from the Rebbe when I was a small boy.

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a coin from the Rebbe during Chanukah and a dollar bill on another occasion. I have preserved and cherished both of these items to this day. I eventually received a correspondence from the Rebbe in reply. As a young boy, I didnt fully understand the value of this letter, but as the time goes by, I have come to appreciate it more and more. The Rebbe wrote to me as follows: good and sweet new year, and especially for a year of much success in your studies and your conduct, and it should be [a source] of honor for your parents, and glory for all our people in the House of Israel. With blessing, /the Rebbes signature/ As a young boy, I was very moved by this letter and kept it as a memento. To this day, the letter has helped me on numerous occasions regarding a variety of issues. Here is an example of one such incident: When I started my real estate work in Panama, I wanted to bring another entrepreneur into the picture. This led me to a certain wealthy businessman, a Torah observant Jew who lived in one of the capitals of Europe. Today, he is one of my closest and most loyal friends. After knowing him for several years, I decided to show him the Rebbes letter. My partner was equally enthused by the letter, and it forever changed the nature of our professional discussions. The official businesslike distance was gone, suspicions faded away, and the rapport between us grew, in light of the intense love he displayed for the Rebbe when I showed him the correspondence. He was amazed as he looked at the letter, reading the text over and over again. It turned out that he too had received several letters from the Rebbe, and he had even experienced his own amazing miracle, when the Rebbe virtually saved his life. As he told me the story, his voice cracked with emotion as he recalled the events of those days. He was a young man learning in one of the yeshivos in New York, when he began to feel intense pains in his back. When the pains intensified, he went in for a series of x-rays, but they failed to reveal the source of the problem. After the doctors had already given up trying, he traveled to the Rebbe to explain the situation and request a bracha. The Rebbe listened and then told him to go to a certain specialist at a hospital somewhere in the United States. He didnt waste any time and went straight to the hospital as per the Rebbes advice. However, when he got there and mentioned the name of the specialist, the medical staff told him that this specific doctor had already retired. However, they added, he was replaced by a younger doctor who is just as qualified. We strongly recommend that you see him. The young man agreed. A date was set for an examination, and he came at the appointed time to the young doctors office with all the required medical documents. Before entering the examination room, the receptionist informed him that the doctor for whom he was waiting had just been in an automobile accident, and as a result, he would be unable to see him. However, there was another specialist who had been called in to replace him temporarily: the former department head who had recently retired. In light of the emergency situation, he had agreed to return to work until the injured doctor had recovered. Would you mind seeing him instead? the receptionist asked. The young man naturally consented. He saw this turn

BH The Days of Slichos 5743 Brooklyn Dear Erez shyichyeh, Shalom uvracha! I was pleased to receive your blessing for the coming New Year, may it be good and blessed for all Israel. As our Sages, of blessed memory, have said: All who bless shall be blessed by Alm-ghty G-d, the Source of all blessings, from His Full, Open, Holy, and Broad Hand. I bless you as well with a

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of events as a fulfillment of the Rebbes bracha. The specialist checked the x-rays, and after making a thorough check of the mans back, he informed him that he must go in for an immediate operation. According to the doctors diagnosis, there was a malignant tumor on the cartilage between the vertebrae. Apparently, medical science was then incapable of detecting the tumor through x-rays alone. It required the doctors experienced and probing fingers to locate the source of the ailment and not a moment too soon. The operation took place, the tumor was removed, and the back pains quickly became a thing of the past. When my business partner told me this incredible story, I realized why he had become so emotional from seeing the Lubavitcher Rebbes letter. It was all by Divine Providence * As was mentioned earlier, this letter helped Erez on numerous occasions, and he becomes deeply moved every time he reads it. These words coming from a man such as the Lubavitcher Rebbe, who deals with some of the loftiest matters in the world, yet he finds time to reply to a young childs letter, shows the Rebbes true greatness. This is especially so since Chassidim explained to me that during Slichos, the Rebbe limits his letter writing to a minimum. Even when he does decide to write letters at this time, its only regarding extremely urgent matters, thereby making this case even more astonishing. In any event, I am quite certain that I did not earn this great privilege in my own merit. It was surely in the merit of my father and my forebears in the Navon family from generations past.

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life on sHlicHus

SHABBAT TO SHARE
The curiosity of the Beis Moshiach reporter was aroused when he saw someone who did not look religious loading up his car with boxes from the Chabad center. He went inside and spoke to the shliach, Rabbi Chaim Shlomo Cohen, and asked him what it was all about. * A meeting in the shliachs office led to the founding of a unique project that has gained renown all over Canada and is connecting people to the Merkaz Chabad lDovrei Ivrit (Chabad Center for Hebrew Speakers, acronym MaDA) and to the Rebbe MHM.
By Menachem Savyon

I visited Canada while it was still mid-winter and the streets were slippery with ice. People got around in their heated cars and tried not to venture forth for anything but necessities. This is why I was surprised to see Michael, a local Jew (whom I found out later is well-todo) standing in the doorway of Merkaz MaDA (Merkaz Dovrei Ivrit of Chabad in Montreal) loading up boxes in the trunk of his car. On the boxes were emblazoned the words, Shabbat to Share. He seemed so busy with what he was doing that he barely noticed the cold. The sight of someone who did not look religious loading up his car with boxes from the Chabad center aroused my curiosity. I went inside and asked the

shliach, Rabbi Chaim Shlomo Cohen, to tell me about this project Shabbat to Share. This is what he told me:

THE BUSINESSMAN BEHIND THE PROJECT

It all began one day when a young businessman came into my office. He told me that he runs an investment firm and handles millions of dollars. He said to me, There is stiff competition and lately things have gotten so bad that I am having a hard time paying my employees. What do you suggest? What can I do so that my business thrives? I told him that the Rebbe is the Nasi Hador and the Rosh Bnei Yisroel and everything goes through him. I recommended that he write a letter to the

Rabbi Chaim Shlomo Cohen

(photograph by Levi Yisroel)

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Rebbe and ask for a bracha. He did so, and he opened to a letter about strengthening bitachon. A while later, someone showed up at his business and invested a quarter of a million dollars in exchange for a part ownership of the business. Some time passed. The man said he had no plans of investing more, and he agreed to forgo whatever profits were made to that point. Since then, he writes a report to the Rebbe every day and he feels that the Rebbe runs his business. He sees wonderful results.

TAKING CARE OF SHABBOS AND YOM TOV MEALS

As many Chabad houses do, we arrange free meals for the

needy every Yom Tov. One day, one of the balabatim said he had an idea to hold Yom Tov meals all over the city and he would pay the costs of this enormous project, which would include meals in ten halls and preparation of thousands of portions. I asked him, How will we do it? We need a place and workers. We will have to make extensive arrangements... Whats the problem? The gabbai of the shul in the area that I live in will definitely agree to provide a place. It sounded good and I decided to go ahead with it. The first issue we had to deal with was staff. Where would we get so many workers? The solution just appeared, without us doing anything. Many people who heard

about the idea offered their help as volunteers. This is how the Chabad house began arranging meals every Yom Tov for those who need it. Food preparation, setting up the place, cleaning up and kashering the kitchen are all done by volunteers. Many of them are not yet religiously observant. The benefits of the meals are two-fold: Those who cant eat at home are helped by the Chabad house and get more involved in Judaism, and those who have the wherewithal to eat at home but come and volunteer to prepare the meals also get more involved in Judaism. A woman of around ninety years of age came to one of the sdarim we made. She is a Holocaust survivor. Her parents
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had been observant and when she found out about the sdarim we were making, she came along with her daughter and granddaughter. After the Seder, she said that this was the first time since her childhood that she was celebrating Pesach. Another moving story took place when a woman wanted to celebrate her birthday by coming along with her family and serving as waiters at one of the meals. Afterward, the three generations of volunteers said it was the nicest birthday party they ever celebrated! We thought about an alternative name. Since the Rebbe explains that on Shabbos, unlike Yom Tov, there is no concept of guest since everybody is a balabus, we chose the name Shabbat to Share, meaning to include another Jew for Shabbos. Thanks to the Federations request and the change in name, the project picked up steam, and today its a huge enterprise. Every box has candles, coins for tzdaka before lighting, a page for the meal that contains Divrei Torah, stories from the

FOOD CONNECTS PEOPLE TO THE REBBE

We had cooks at the Chabad house that ran the daily soup kitchen we operate, but we had to divide the food into portions and pack them into individual boxes. Once again, many people volunteered their help. Some were prominent men of means. They all gathered at the Merkaz Chabad with their families and peeled vegetables and prepared packages. At a later point, we got calls from schools that wanted their students to volunteer. All this help spurs us on to expand so we can put all the volunteers to good use. Distributing the packages to hundreds of homes every week is also done by volunteers. People who heard about the project and are excited about it come and pick up boxes and distribute them. They are happy and proud to be a part of it. Aside from the very important goal which is to connect Jews to Shabbos and to ensure they have the means to enjoy it, the project connects many people to the Chabad house and to the Rebbe. I was sitting with one of my balabatim with whom I had never had an easy time and he suddenly came up with an idea: that every man of means should sponsor five needy people a year. The moment they will start paying and get involved, they will already belong to the Beit Chabad, he said. Heres another example. We needed to buy a refrigerator. A wealthy woman who came to volunteer and peel vegetables heard about this and decided to donate one. This project also reaches those needy people whom nobody knew were in need. In one situation, a

We went to see him and on the spot he gave us two checks totaling $130,000, a much higher amount than he used to give us. His donation alone covered our deficit. Along with the other donations we received, we covered the budget for the entire year!
parsha and Inyanei Moshiach and Geula, and of course: grape juice, challa, salads, fish, chicken, etc. So every box includes several of the Rebbes mivtzaim. When we started out, we needed to come up with an attractive box. We could have used plain boxes, but the Rebbe wants everything to be done in the nicest way possible. We discussed it and someone came up with a way of getting boxes cheaply. He contacted someone with whom we had been trying to arrange a meeting for years. He owns a company that makes boxes and packaging. He loved the idea and was willing to manufacture boxes for us for free. He even suggested that we contact certain other people in order to include them. All this happened because we wanted nice boxes.

AMBITIOUS IDEA
A number of years went by. One day the same businessman (who reports to the Rebbe every day) came into my office and said, We are doing a good thing and bringing people the joy of the holiday. What about the joy of Shabbat? I thought he was joking. To arrange Shabbos meals every week is a never-ending project. We tried to brainstorm about how to do it and came up with a plan. We decided to call it Shabbat in a Box and the idea was to distribute boxes of Shabbos food to the needy. As soon as we started we saw that there was unfortunately a great demand for it. After some time, the Jewish Federation asked us to change the name since they used the name Shabbos in a Box to distribute candles and challos.

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Volunteers preparing the boxes of food for Shabbos. On the left: a group of student volunteers

person whom everyone thought did not lack for anything, told us that he has two children with special needs whom he takes care of himself, and it would relieve his burden if he received Shabbos meals. When the volunteer went to his address, he discovered, to his surprise, that although the person lived in an exclusive area, the windows were covered with blankets because the man did not have money to buy curtains. Stories like the one about the woman who told us that this was the only cooked meal she ate all week, inspires the volunteers to keep on helping. We recently got a phone call from someone who hardly ever comes to the Chabad house but regularly supports our activities. He told us his wife gave birth to a boy and he wanted to make the bris at the Chabad house. He wanted poor people to eat at the seuda and he said he would bring his friends so they would see the work that we do and would join in.

STARTLING HASHGACHA PRATIS

Among the many volunteers was a young woman whose grandmother had died. It was because of this that she decided to volunteer, especially since the project helps many elderly people. One time, she went out to distribute boxes according to the list she was given. At one address, she realized it was the building where her grandmother had lived. She was taken aback and moved when she discovered that the family to whom she was delivering the Shabbos food lived in the same apartment that her grandmother had lived in! I asked R Cohen what makes the project so successful. He said, The idea is simple. Reveal the good within another person. Let him do what he feels is good and this will open his heart and automatically mekarev him. They also get to see how the Rebbe is concerned about every Jew, not just about their spiritual needs but about their material needs

too. As for the money to cover such an enormous project, R Cohen said: I once wrote to the Rebbe about the Chabad houses financial situation and the Rebbes answer was that its like the skin of a deer which expands. (A deers skin once removed cannot fit back on the deer once again. The reason is because the deers hide stretches to fit the deer, regardless of the hides small size.) The skin is the money, and the flesh is the work we do. By increasing our programs we increase our income, in contrast to the usual way things work. Last Chanuka we held a huge publicity campaign, in the course of which we introduced people who distribute boxes of food to the needy. Im talking about supporters who take great pride in this work. The businessman who came up with the idea lives this project all the time. It happens sometimes that

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life on sHlicHus
he goes to Toronto on business, but he makes sure to get back to Montreal on time for the weekly distribution. some Yiddishkait. We always write that the goal of MaDA is to make a world without hunger, without suffering, which is another way of saying a world of Geula. This past year, the Jewish Federation adopted our slogan with the other donations we received, we covered the budget for the entire year!

FOOD DISTRIBUTION ALSO HASTENS THE WELCOMING OF MOSHIACH

Is there a connection between providing food for the needy and kabbalas pnei Moshiach? The answer is: yes. Everybody involved in the project becomes connected through it to the Chabad house and is exposed to the fact that the Rebbe is Moshiach. The project itself expresses the fact that the Rebbe MHM cares about everyone. Aside from that, there is material about Geula and Moshiach in every box that is distributed. Mainly, it is an excellent way of reaching peoples hearts. So although the stated goal which speaks to everyone is to care about those who dont have what to eat for Shabbos, it is an excellent way of revealing the good and the G-dly soul in many Jews. By achieving this, everything else finds its way to their hearts too. I once sat with a balabus who told me that we need to prepare something on the parsha for the volunteers so they will have something to say and in order to create a supportive community. I have seen that in the end, the volunteer community itself is exposed to and ultimately begins searching for Jewish content. Something in the heart and soul opens up and is ready to accept

BRINGING JEWS TO THE REBBE

One of our projects is bringing Jews to the Rebbe. Its a long trip from Canada to New York, but weve organized such groups many times. The idea was proposed that we should buy a small bus with twenty seats so we can bring people to the Rebbe without needing to deal with private bus companies. Various ideas were put forth about how to get the funding when out of the blue, someone called and said, I would like to speak to you. Come to my office. When we got there, he said he wanted to donate a bus for us to use in our work in the area and of course, to bring people to the Rebbe. *** The Rebbe is constantly helping his shluchim. We need to write to him and keep on reporting about what is happening. The more we do that the more help we get. When we started out, we didnt even have the first thousand dollars to pay rent, while today, our budget is over two million dollars a year. All Chabad house activities are important, but the main goal needs to be realized immediately with the hisgalus of the Rebbe MHM.

THE REBBE SAID TO PUBLICIZE IT IN THE NEWSPAPERS

R Cohen told me a special story, which illustrates how the Rebbe helps his shluchim: A little more than a year ago, our financial situation was terrible and we didnt know what to do. We couldnt initiate a fundraising drive, because we already do a fundraising mailing twice a year, before Pesach and before Rosh HaShana. We wrote to the Rebbe, and the answer we opened to was to do another fundraiser. Since it would be a one-time emergency drive, it would cause no harm. And if it did cause harm, it would only be minor. We decided to go ahead with it, and for the first time advertised in the papers asking for help for our activities. Shortly afterward, someone called the Chabad house who is a regular supporter of ours and asked that we visit his office with details about his donations over the previous year. We went to see him and on the spot he gave us two checks totaling $130,000, a much higher amount than he used to give us. His donation alone covered our deficit. Along

TO BRING MOSHIACH NOW!

36 18 Sivan 5772

ADD IN ACTS OF GOODNESS & KINDNESS

parsha thOuGht

LOSS LEADER
By Rabbi Heschel Greenberg

THE COLLECTORS
When the Jewish nation journeyed in the desert, the Jews traveled in formation. In this weeks parsha, the Torah recounts how the twelve tribes were divided into four camps; the last of which was the Camp of Dan that comprised the tribes of Dan, Asher and Naftali. When the Torah describes the order in which these four camps traveled, it states that the camp of Dan traveled last. It is described as the collector for all the other camps. The Jerusalem Talmud, cited by Rashi, explains that since the Camp of Dan was very numerous they would serve as the rear guard. In that capacity, they would return objects that were lost by those who preceded them. This, then, is the meaning of the phrase the collector for all the other camps. Its great numbers allowed its members to spread around to all sides of the encampment so that no lost objects would escape their view.

The question still remains: Of all the remaining tribes and camps, why was the Camp of Dan selected for the important role of restoring the losses of the Jewish people? True, it was the second most numerous camp, but nothing happens by chance. The very fact that its members were so prolific, and thus suited for this task, indicates that the Camp of Dan also possessed a spiritual advantage over the other camps.

WHY NOT YEHUDAH?

Commentators raise the question as to why, specifically, the Camp of Dan was charged with this responsibility. If the reason was simply because they were numerous, the Camp of Yehudah was even more numerous and even better suited to restore all the lost objects of the other tribes.

The commentators answer that the Camp of Yehudah was the most distinguished of all the camps. It was therefore important that they would be the leaders. Therefore the task of returning lost objects fell to the second most populace camp. The question still remains: Of all the remaining tribes and camps, why was the Camp of Dan selected for the important role of restoring the losses of the Jewish people? True, it was the second most numerous camp, but nothing happens by chance. The very fact that its members were so prolific, and thus suited for this task, indicates that the Camp of Dan also possessed a spiritual advantage over the other camps.

when we consider the Chassidic definition of losses. When a person is unaware of their G-d given talents that could have been utilized to make the world a better placethat is a major loss. When a person kills time, those lost moments are far more serious a loss than the loss of material objects. When a Jew is unaware of his or her souls existence and its potential, he or she has suffered a major loss. And there can be no greater loss than a Jew who is oblivious to his or her Jewish heritage.

LOSING OUR MAH

On a deeper level, the Rebbe explains (Likkutei Sichos vol. 1, Parshas VaYechi) the notion of loss by referring to a Talmudic statement (Chagiga 3a) regarding the definition of a shoteh, a person who is exempted from Mitzvah observance because he is mentally incompetent. The

THE SPIRITUAL LOSSES

The question of why the tribe and Camp of Dan was selected for the role of restoring lost objects is even more compelling

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parsha thOuGht

We surrender our own egos and understanding to G-d and follow His commandments as soldiers follow marching orders. To be sure, that is only the first step. It must be followed by involving our emotions and our intellect in the process. But, the prerequisite to knowledge and the guarantee that we will not lose all of the souls virtues lies specifically with the self-effacing dedication to the will of G-d.

nature?

KABBALAS OLACCEPTING THE YOKE

There is another thing about the Tribe of Dan that qualified it to be the restorers of the lost spiritual assets of the Jewish people. When we view the entirety of the Jewish people there are those tribes that parallel the head and therefore serve as our leaders. There are other tribes who occupy lesser positions of importance and are said to parallel the heart and the torso. The lowliest of the tribes, such as the ones included in the Camp of Dan, are likened to the feet of the Jewish body. The head symbolizes the superior intellectual state of these tribes and the feet represent the state of what our Sages referred to as kabbalas ol, accepting the yoke. This state, while it may be regarded as inferior to an intellectual one, is actually essential to our lives as Jews.

Talmud asks rhetorically: Who is a shoteh? One who loses what is given to him. The Hebrew word for what is mah. In Kabbalistic terminology the term mahwhat expresses the idea of utter self-abnegation. When Moses and Aaron were challenged by their critics, Moses responded: and mah-what are we that you quarrel with us? Moses employs the term mah to describe his utter insignificance. This state of subordination to G-d that allows the person to be humble and submit to G-ds will derives from the souls natural state of devotion to G-d. However, when we stray from G-ds commandments and act in ways that are inconsistent with His will it is an indication that we have lost touch with the mah of our soul. In the words of the Talmud (Sota 3a): No person transgresses unless a spirit of folly enters him. A sin is a case of temporary insanity. The sinner has lost his or her souls subservience to G-d. The sinner has lost his or her mah.

THE SPIRITUAL DIMENSION OF DAN

Now, when we consider the deeper meaning of the losses suffered by the Jewish people

in their journeys through their personal lives and through history it seems strange that the people who were charged with the responsibility to restore these losses were the lowliest of all the tribes! What was it about the Camp of Dan (that comprised the tribe of Danthe lowliest of all tribes and the dominant force in this campand the tribes of Asher and Naftali) that empowered them to restore the spiritual losses of the Jewish people? The answer to this question requires a better understanding of the spiritual character of the tribe of Dan. When Jacob blesses his sons, the blessing he confers on Dan was: Dan shall judge his people... Dans quality was that he was able to judge people. This power of judgment can be found within every Jew. With this trait we can objectively examine our talents and abilities as well as those of others. Upon close scrutiny of these talents we begin to question ourselves: Have we utilized them to the fullest in a constructive manner? Have we allowed our soul the freedom to express itself? Have we utilized our time wisely? And have we allowed our souls natural state of self-abnegation to override our animal souls egotistic and selfish

FEET FIRST
The first thing a Jew must possess is the recognition that G-d is beyond us. And no matter how intelligent and advanced we may be, G-d transcends us and we cannot fathom Him. This feet first approach dictates that we surrender our own egos and understanding to G-d and follow His commandments as soldiers follow marching orders. Only by our self-effacing dedication to the will of G-d, symbolized by the tribe and Camp of Dan, can we keep from losing our mah and our souls other virtues. To be sure, that is only the first step. It must be followed by involving our emotions and our intellect in the process. Just as there was a Camp of

38 18 Sivan 5772

Dan that followed all the other tribes and helped to restore their material and spiritual losses, so too, historically speaking, we are at the tail end of galus-exile. Our generation has the distinction of being the Camp of Dan of all preceding generations.

TREPIDATION AND JOY

This realization should infuse us with feelings of trepidation and joy: Trepidation because it imposes an extraordinary responsibility on our generationdeemed by the Rebbe to be the last one of exile and the first one of Redemptionto restore all the

imperfections of the past. Yes, we have the cumulative goodness of the past that endows us with the capacity to restore all that has been lost by our forebears. But by the same token, this realization should generate tremendous excitement and joy, knowing that weand no previous generationwere given that special responsibility. Indeed, in the words of the Talmud (Sota 13b): A Mitzvah is credited to the one who finishes it. We have the opportunity to finish the ultimate Mitzvah of transforming this world into one that has not lost its mah; its ability to experience G-ds

overarching presence in our lives.

BEIS MOSHIACH: COLLECTORS OF ALL CAMPS

It is fascinating that the phrase in Hebrew masef lchol hamchanos (collectors of all the camps) is numerically equivalent to the words Beis Moshiach. The implication here is that our role in creating a home for Moshiach is to be the collectors of all the losses from our own lives and the ones who help restore the losses of our fellow Jews.

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crossroADs

ZERO HOUR FOR THE YOUNG SETTLEMENTS

Grassroots protests at intersections around the country can and will produce powerful results, thereby initiating a real battle to put a halt to the current wave of destruction.
By Sholom Ber Crombie Translated by Michoel Leib Dobry

he moment of truth has arrived. The lengthy discussions over the past six months, including endless debate on subjects such as Givat HaUlpana and Migron have reached their conclusion. Thus, it seems that the forces of ruin are now vigorously preparing for the next act of destruction. The prime minister has brought the left-center Kadima Party into his government, creating an all-inclusive potpourri where the rightof-center parties are clearly outnumbered. As a result, he is no longer worried what the more ideological Likud Knesset Members have to say. Theyve already lost the ability to threaten him with toppling the coalition if he dares to send the tractors out to dismantle more settlements.

The government now enjoys wide parliamentary support, and the prime minister apparently now feels so sure of himself that he can set out on his destructive policies virtually unimpeded. He promised action to his coalition partners, who have demanded the use of greater force against the settlers in order to justify to their voters why they joined the government. Behind the scenes, the defense minister is instigating a direct clash with the settlement leaders. He still clings to the old principle of hit the settlers and save your skin. His hope is to restore a sense of political relevance among his core supporters, built upon new pictures of injured settlers and demolished homes. Now is the time for us to head into the real battle. With the

political establishment silenced and the prime minister feeling relatively secure, only the people can change the situation. We must go back to the original method for bringing about change public protest. In this global technological age, every move we make can have a reverberating effect. Its enough if every Chabad Chassid gathers four friends and they go out together to the nearest intersection with placards calling for the prime minister to stop demolishing settlements, thereby creating greater publicity in the media and renewing the protest campaign. When Chabadnikim stand at the junction near Beitar Illit, they encourage their colleagues in Kiryat Gat to do the same, and they subsequently encourage other Chassidim to

40 18 Sivan 5772

take action. As the situation gets more serious and the general public remains in a state of deep hibernation, we simply cant wait until the major organizations get tens of thousands of people out into the city squares. The protest demonstrations at intersections and other such activities are the strongest weapon the people have to prevent the governments next act of recklessness. Of course, we just cant settle for small protests. We have to remember the call of the Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach, who said that every protest helps. The Rebbe also said that he knows how the higher echelons of government policymakers take note of these protests, even when we sometimes think that they achieve nothing.

FOREIGNERS IN OUR MIDST

A few weeks ago, we once again confronted the problem of the Sudanese refugees creeping past our southern border and flooding into Eretz Yisroel. With yet another wave of rampant violence against the residents of south Tel Aviv, we were reminded how the first city of the Jewish homeland is gradually turning into the last city of Sudan. Those who today are fighting on behalf of these refugees and assisting their entry into the country are the same people who were screaming seven years ago that we have to uproot the Jewish settlements in Gush Katif and the northern Shomron in order to solve the demographic problem. They used this claim in order to influence public opinion, telling us that the question was

whether we were prepared to make painful concessions to preserve the Jewish majority within the Green Line. These are also the same people who told us for thirty years that there is a marvelous peace with Egypt, and our neighborly relations with them would never cause us harm. Its interesting to consider whether all these refugees could have entered the country through Syria as well, or whether the peace with Egypt was the very thing that allowed the Sudanese to flood into the Holy Land. In the past several years, the foreign refugee problem has become one of the most serious threats to the Jewish majority in Eretz Yisroel. They infiltrate the country, or receive work permits, and then settle here. Theyre not war refugees as some try to portray them. Theyre people
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crossroADs
who escaped long ago from a combat zone and came here via Egypt, where they were booted out in a fashion far different than we would ever do. All of those noble-minded souls who try to paint such a rosy picture to the world seem to forget the Divine right of the Jewish People to the Holy Land. Instead, they relate to the issue of equal rights, potentially turning Eretz Yisroel into a multinational country. It would seem that the next generation of the territorial integrity of Eretz Yisroel and the struggle to preserve its Jewish nature. Those who argue that we are not allowed to settle in Yehuda and Shomron are the same ones who state that its permissible for emigrant workers to settle in Tel Aviv. They claim that the establishment of new footholds on Arab land is positively infuriating, while they openly encourage Sudanese incursion into areas within Israel proper. How ironic; how duplicitous. defeated our Arab enemies and conquered the territories. They called it liberation. It was perfectly obvious to every normal Israeli that these territories are ours. The intense longing to touch the holy stones of the Western Wall and walk through the annals of Jewish history was a quite natural feeling among the entire population, regardless of differing political or religious ideologies. It seems that more than anything else, this breach of faith was caused by the varying Israeli explanations over the years regarding our presence in Eretz Yisroel. Instead of adhering firmly to the position that this is the land of the Jewish People, its everlasting homeland, and how every Jews heart swells with pride over its liberation, the Israeli leadership has sought to hide behind the flimsy claims of democracy, about how they started it Today, it is all too apparent where these claims have brought us and how it has damaged our Jewish national honor and self-dignity. Yet, despite this deteriorating state of affairs, we must not give up hope. We can change the face of history, it we would only remain true to the guidelines set by the Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach. We must expand Jewish awareness of our claim to Eretz Yisroel, connecting the People of Israel to its true eternal values. If the brainwashing tactics of the extreme left-wing organizations could manage to sway Israeli public opinion and bring us to this dangerous situation, its clear that a rational approach based on the principles held by every faithful Jew will be accepted with far greater ease. With G-ds help, we will do and we will succeed.

In this global technological age, every move we make will have a reverberating effect. Its enough if every Chabad Chassid gathers four friends and they go out together to the nearest intersection with placards calling for the prime minister to stop demolishing settlements.
Knesset Members will include a sizable faction representing the Sudanese minority, demanding the privileges of citizenship under the law. It doesnt appear to bother these enlightened freethinkers that the Sudanese have brought violence and crime to the streets of Eretz HaKodesh, along with a Christian culture, the establishment of churches and other houses of worship in Tel Aviv, all of which eat away at the citys Jewish character. To counter the efforts of these high-minded liberals, we must come out openly and reinforce a sense of Jewish awareness among the residents of Eretz Yisroel. The overall population must be strong enough to deal with this new demographic threat, and it must be instilled with Jewish faith and the understanding of what Eretz HaKodesh is and why it belongs to the Jewish People. There is a clear connection between the struggle to ensure

RETURNING TO OUR POINT OF ORIGIN

Last month, in commemoration of the forty-fifth anniversary of the liberation and unification of Yerushalayim, a campaign was organized against the Peace Now movements activities on behalf of the citys division. It reminded the Peace Now membership that once about forty years ago they had sworn allegiance to Yerushalayim, declaring that it was the indivisible capital of the Jewish state. This declaration proudly appears in the movements official principles. Its hard to understand what has happened to the Israeli public over the years since the moving proclamation of The Temple Mount is in our hands. What is clear is that something has breached the wall of faith in our right to Eretz Yisroel. People used to walk with tremendous self-esteem because we had

42 18 Sivan 5772