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                         L'CHAIM - ISSUE # 651
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                           Copyright (c) 2001
                 Lubavitch Youth Organization - L.Y.O.
                              Brooklyn, NY
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             THE WEEKLY PUBLICATION FOR EVERY JEWISH PERSON
   Dedicated to the memory of Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka Schneerson N.E.
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        January 5, 2001         Vayigash          10 Tevet, 5761
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                      No Two Are Exactly the Same

In many parts of the Northern Hemisphere, it's "that" time of year:
gloves, scarves, hats and warm coats are typical outdoor attire The
children eagerly awaken each morning to see if enough snow has fallen
overnight to warrant cancellation of school, or at the very least, a
good snowball fight. You discuss with your neighbor whether to buy
icemelt or good old rock salt.

When's the last time you played in the snow-made a snowball, a snowman,
or an igloo?

They say no two snowflakes are exactly the same. But when you get right
down to it, regardless of what they look like, they're all made of the
same stuff.

It's similar to the Jewish people. No two Jews are exactly alike. We all
have our own talents, strengths, interests and opinions. But deep down,
we all have a lot in common. We share a common history, religion, and
ancestry. And we each have a "pintele yid," a little spark of the Divine
within every single one of us that unites us with each other and with
G-d.

You can't make an igloo, or a snowman, or even a snowball with just one
snowflake. But when you join together a lot of snowflakes, you can make
just about anything your imagination can come up with.

When Jews get together, for a family "simcha" or just an impromptu
gathering, an enormous amount of potential to make good things happen is
there, too. As Chasidic teachings urge us, "When two Jews get together,
there should be a benefit for a third Jew."

Get together with friends or family that you didn't have a chance to
connect with on Chanuka. Or, celebrate a birthday of a family member
with a lively gathering and have someone share some Torah insights that
he or she finds relevant. Better yet, get together "just because."

And all the while, think of how different, yet similar, each one of us
is, and how much good we can do with our limitless potential.

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           LIVING WITH THE REBBE  -  THE WEEKLY TORAH PORTION
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The haftara for the portion of Vayigash states: "And David My servant
will be king over them...and My servant David will be Nasi [prince] to
them forever." As King David is alternately referred to as "king" and as
"Nasi," it is important that we understand the difference between these
two terms.

Moshiach, too, is referred to as "David." It states in the Book of
Ezekiel, "And they will serve the L-rd their G-d and David their king,
whom I will raise up to them." This is a reference to King Moshiach, who
is a descendent of King David.

In his Laws of Kings, Maimonides enumerates the various functions of
Moshiach: Moshiach will compel the Jewish people to follow Torah and
mitzvot, wage the "battles of the L-rd," rebuild the Holy Temple in
Jerusalem, gather the Jewish exiles, and bring the whole world to
worship the One true G-d. These functions, however, are not specific to
Moshiach, but are the role of any Jewish king: to elevate the status of
Judaism, and establish righteousness and justice.

At the same time, Moshiach's "job description" is also that of teacher.
Not only Jews but gentiles will be guided by his advice and counsel,
till "the entire world will be filled with G-d's wisdom, as the waters
cover the sea." For this reason, Moshiach is also called "Nasi," the
leader of the Sanhedrin (the supreme Jewish court and legislature),
whose function was to teach Torah.

As reflected in the verse in this week's haftara, King Moshiach will
combine both of these aspects.

Significantly, the Torah refers to Moshiach as being "king over them." A
king is on a superior spiritual level, and is therefore somewhat removed
from the rest of the people. A Nasi, by contrast, exerts an influence on
the people precisely by being close to them. By teaching them Torah, he
enables them to understand its wisdom. True, the Nasi is spiritually
exalted (the word itself is derived from the Hebrew meaning elevated),
but his basic relationship with the people is one of closeness and
proximity. For this reason, the Torah refers to Moshiach as being "Nasi
to them forever," rather than "over them."

When Moshiach is revealed, it will not be necessary for him to exert
that much effort as "king" (i.e., wage battle against evil), as the
world will already be sufficiently prepared. His main function will be
as Nasi, teaching and guiding the world and disseminating Torah. It
states accordingly, "My servant David will be Nasi to them forever," as
Moshiach's eternal reign will be characterized primarily by this
quality.

                             Adapted from Vol. 35 of Likutei Sichot

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                             SLICE OF LIFE
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                            FLAMES OF FAITH
                            By Dovi Scheiner

This past summer, two of my friends, Yanky and Mendy, were traveling on
"Merkos Shlichus" through remote regions of Australia. Merkos Shlichus
is when Lubavitcher rabbinical students visit Jews in small communities
to bring them information about Judaism, Jewish books and other
religious articles.

Yanky and Mendy lived in (and out of) their mobile home "Mitzva Tank" as
they trekked through Australia. Through various means they found out the
phone numbers and addresses of Jews who were scattered throughout the
country, far-removed from any kind of organized Jewish community or
Jewish life.

Yanky has been sharing experiences with me about his two-month stint in
Australia and had recently he told me the following story:

On one of their stops at a house on top of a hill, Yanky and Mendy met a
very pleasant woman and her elderly mother. The woman had moved there so
that her mother, whose health was failing, would be able to breathe the
fresh mountain air that was especially clear in that region. The
daughter, who is an artist, showed the two young visitors around her
home.

You can imagine their surprise when they saw a large, original painting
of the Rebbe hanging prominently on one of the walls.

When the young men asked how she, living out in the middle of nowhere,
had such a beautiful painting of the Rebbe, the woman smiled and said,
"That man saved our lives!"

The woman then told the students that many years before she had heard
that in every generation there is a Jew who, like Moses, cares for every
other Jew in the world, no matter where he or she may be physically or
spiritually. She was very moved and decided that she wanted to paint a
portrait of the Rebbe. She acquired photographs and the result was the
stunning painting that they had just seen.

The woman continued by telling them that at one point, due to
circumstances that could not be avoided, she had had to spend three
months time away from home. The solution she came up with was to hire a
young, foreign student to look after her mother in exchange for free
room and board in their spacious and comfortable home.

Upon completing her business, the woman returned to find her home in
top-notch condition and her mother in good spirits. She thanked the
young man for fulfilling his duties so responsibly and he prepared to
move out in the next couple of days.

A few nights later, when she was speaking with the student, she happened
to mention that she was Jewish. The student flew into a rage. He started
to jump up and down and shout very loudly that his grandfather was an
anti-Semite, as well as his father, and that he, too, was a great hater
of Jews. He was furious to think that he, a Jew-hater of the highest
caliber, had been tricked into living in a Jewish home and caring for a
Jewish woman.

The daughter was horrified and frightened by this outburst. She trembled
at the thought of this man spending even one more night in her home and
she knew that she should throw him out. But he would be leaving in a day
or two anyway, and she decided not to tell him to leave immediately.

That night the Jew-hater, filled with guilt and revulsion over his kind
deed, awoke in the middle of the night. He spread gasoline throughout
the house and struck a match. Then he walked outside and turned around
to gleefully wait and watch. Like his predecessors before him, he would
savor the sight of innocent Jews being burned alive.

The elderly mother woke up coughing. Her weak lungs were very sensitive
to the smoke quickly spreading throughout the house. Her cries awakened
her daughter, who quickly left the house together with her mother. Their
home suffered extensive damage from the fire, but thank G-d, the two
women emerged unharmed. The arsonist was arrested and deported.

When the smoke settled, the daughter walked through her once beautiful
home. Thick black soot covered the walls and all of the furniture. As
she walked into the room where she was now standing with Yanky and
Mendy, she saw a startling sight. In the middle of the depressing scene,
the Rebbe, from a portrait she herself had painted, smiled at her. Not a
speck of ash or smudge of soot had settled on the Rebbe's holy face. The
woman returned the Rebbe's smile, grateful that he had interceded on
their behalf and for guarding her life and her mother's.

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                               WHAT'S NEW
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                       My Jewish Days of the Week

My Jewish Days of the Week is a fun-filled journey toward the best day
of it all. All week long the characters prepare for the experience of
ushering in and observing Shabbat. The catchy rhymes and old-world
illustrations portray everyday life as a joyous adventure for toddlers.
Naturally, Shabbat itself is given top billing.



                           Is It Shabbos Yet?

Malkie just can't wait for Shabbat. But there is so much to be done!
This beautifully illustrated, full-color book helps children relate to
Shabbat preparations with simple descriptions of all the household tasks
that enliven the end of the week. A re-release of a best-selling picture
book with all new illustrations, Is It Shabbos Yet? is back with a brand
new look! The sequence action of the plot is endlessly fascinating to
toddlers who revel in learning what comes next...and who are figuring
out the comforting, predictable patterns in their own lives. This is a
book that can be read to a child as young as 18 months, and many parents
claim it is the best first book for both boys and girls.

                 Both books are from HaChai Publishing.

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                            THE REBBE WRITES
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                       17th of Teves, 5734 (1974)
                         Greeting and Blessing:

It was good to see you at the recent Farbrengen [gathering], and now I
have received your welcome letter of the 3rd of Teves.

To begin with your good wishes at the conclusion of your letter, the
acknowledgment has already been made in the Torah, when G-d assured
Abraham, "I will bless those who bless you," and G-d's blessings are, of
course, much more generous than those of a human being can be. These
Divine blessings will surely include a special blessing for your wife to
complete her pregnancy and give birth to a healthy offspring in a happy
and auspicious hour, and that together with your wife you should bring
up all your children to a life of Torah, Chuppah [marriage] and Good
Deeds, in good health and ample sustenance.

Needless to say, I was indeed gratified to read about your readiness to
"volunteer," as you express it. The reason for the quotation marks is
not, G-d forbid, to minimize in any way your dedicated resolve to do
your utmost, but rather to emphasize that insofar as a Jew is concerned,
while he is given the opportunity to be a "volunteer" out of his free
volition, and as it is written [in translation] "Before you I have
placed life. . . the blessing. . . Therefore, choose life, so that you
and your descendants will live" (Devarim [Deut.] 30:19) - the Torah
tells us at the same time that every Jew is indeed conscripted into
Tzivos Hashem [G-d's Army]. Clearly, one who has the qualification to
influence others is not to consider himself an ordinary draftee, but
rather a Commanding Officer in G-d's Army, and one who has even greater
qualifications to lead and inspire such "Officers," should consider
himself a General. It is, therefore, in this elite corps that you have
been "drafted," and the fact that you are at the same time a
"volunteer," makes it certain that you will discharge your duties and
privileges with the highest degree of dedication, which also ensures the
utmost Zechus [merit] for you and all yours.

May G-d grant that you should always have good news to report about
yourself and your family, as well as about your good works.

                                *  *  *


        Free Translation of a letter written by the Rebbe in the
                     lifetime of the Previous Rebbe


               The fourth candle of Chanuka, 5703 (1942)

Greetings and blessings,

...The Gemara states (Shvuos 39a): "All Jews are areivim for one
another." The Rebbe shlita offers three interpretations of the word
areivim:

a) sweet, i.e., every Jew must consider another Jew sweet;

b) intertwined, i.e., every Jew is intertwined with another Jew; and

c) mutually responsible; every Jew is responsible for all other Jews.

Through our one Torah, the Jews become one nation, connected with G-d,
who is "our L-rd, " and who "is One."

It is our hope that you will not content yourself with looking after
your own personal welfare, but will instead become one of those who
bring merit to people at large, and will participate with all your
resources in the broad range of activities promoted by Machne Israel.

As the Rebbe shlita has frequently alerted us, we are in the last phase
of the exile, and Torah and teshuva [repentance] are the only means to
alleviate the birth pangs of Moshiach.

The love which one Jew must feel toward another Jew spurs the heart to
great feelings of mercy for those who do not do teshuva in the present
time.

From the newspaper clipping which accompanies this letter, you will be
able to find the aspect of our activities in which it will be easiest
for you to begin work.

Before beginning any task, it may appear difficult. As one proceeds with
the work, however, one sees that with G-d's help, it is possible to
achieve results.

Awaiting your speedy reply, I conclude with the blessing, "Immediately
to teshuva, immediately to Redemption,"

Rabbi Menachem Schneerson

Chairman of the Executive Committee

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                            RAMBAM THIS WEEK
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11 Tevet 5761

Prohibition 166: a kohen (priest) coming in contact with any dead,
except those prescribed in Scripture

By this prohibition a common kohen (as distinguished from a High Priest)
is forbidden to defile himself for any dead person other than the
relatives specified in Scripture. It is contained in the Torah's words
(Lev. 21:1): There shall be none defiled for the dead among his people."

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                        A WORD FROM THE DIRECTOR
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Today, Friday, is the Fast of the Tenth of Tevet, the strictest of the
"minor fasts" on the Jewish calendar. If the Tenth of Tevet were to fall
on a Shabbat the fast would not be postponed until Sunday, as are other
minor fasts. Likewise, when it occurs on a Friday, the fast is extended
until it gets dark, even if a person has already prayed the Shabbat
evening service.

Why does the Tenth of Tevet have the power to void the mitzva of eating
on Shabbat? Because it commemorates the initial event that ultimately
led to the destruction of the Holy Temple and the Jewish people's exile.
All other historical calamities are nothing but a continuation of this
bitter day.

When Moshiach comes we will understand the immeasurable good that was
hidden within the suffering of the exile, and will even thank G-d for
it, as it states, "On that day, it will be said: I thank you O G-d, for
having poured out Your wrath," but this is something that will only
occur at a future time, in the Days to Come. G-d conceals the positive
advantages of the exile because He wants us to cry out and pray to Him
to end it. Nevertheless, there is one positive aspect we can perceive
even now:

In the days of the Holy Temple, when the Jewish people were like "sons
who supped at their Father's table," G-dliness was open and revealed.
Without barriers or obstacles to the relationship, the essential
connection that exists between the Jew and G-d was not that prominent.
After the Jews went into exile they were aroused and motivated to
strengthen their bond with G-d, thus revealing that nothing in the world
can damage the Jew's fundamental connection to the Infinite.

Ultimately, however, as the Rebbe has declared, "The concept of exile is
completely foreign to the Jewish people, as the true place of the Jew is
'at his Father's table' - 'before the L-rd your G-d' in the Holy
Temple."

May we all be immediately restored to our proper place with Moshiach's
arrival.

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                          THOUGHTS THAT COUNT
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But now do not be sad...that you sold me here (Gen. 45:5)

According to the Midrash, the word "now" refers to the act of teshuva,
sincerely repenting of one's misdeeds and returning to G-d. Thus, in
effect Joseph was saying to his brothers, "If you are truly intent on
doing teshuva and regret having sold me, 'do not be sad' - do not allow
yourselves to wallow in sadness. For true teshuva can only be attained
through joy..."

                                                 (Mishmeret Itamar)

The emotion of sadness is essentially selfish, as it is derived from an
individual's feeling that something, either spiritual or material, is
lacking that rightfully belongs to him. Such an outlook concentrates
solely on the self, rather than on others.

                                (Rabbi Chanoch Henoch of Alexander)

Hurry back to my father and say to him...G-d has made me lord (samani)
over all of Egypt (Gen. 45:9)

The intention was not that Jacob would be pleased to learn that Joseph
now occupied a high political position. Rather, samani can also be
translated "I put" - that through me, Joseph, G-d's name has been
publicized and made great throughout the land of Egypt. Indeed, such a
message would surely bring immense joy to Jacob.

                                          (Rabbi Yisrael of Ruzhin)

Here is seed for you, that you sow the land (Gen. 47:23)

In every generation there is one "Joseph," a single tzadik (righteous
person) who empowers and encourages all the members of the Jewish people
in their service of G-d. Nonetheless, a person mustn't rely on the
strengths he receives passively, for a Jew must also "sow the land"
under his own effort.

                                                        (The Rebbe)

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                            IT ONCE HAPPENED
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Reb Yekutiel the salt merchant was a true Chasid, one who served G-d
with his whole heart and soul. Unfortunately, Reb Yekutiel had not been
blessed with a superior intellect. His knowledge of Torah in general and
Chasidut in particular was extremely limited, despite having attained
the age of 40.

For 15 years Reb Yekutiel had been a follower of the Alter Rebbe, Rabbi
Shneur Zalman, founder of Chabad Chasidism. At least once each year he
had traveled from Lepli in White Russia to the Rebbe in Liadi, and
absorbed as much as he could of the Rebbe's teachings.

Years passed, and the Alter Rebbe's son, Rabbi Dovber, was now Rebbe.
The center of Chabad Chasidim had moved to the town of Lubavitch, and
the study of Chasidut was rapidly gaining momentum.

Reb Yekutiel, however, had only heard of these things secondhand. He had
yet to actually visit the new Rebbe, who was also known as the Mitteler
Rebbe.

One day a young man arrived in Lepli who had just come from Lubavitch,
and he repeated the Chasidic discourses he had heard there to the local
Chasidim. The young man was an unusually gifted speaker, and his words
made a great impression on his audience. Even the deepest philosophical
concepts were explained in simple language and came alive. Everyone in
Lepli was soon discussing what they had learned and begging for more.

Reb Yekutiel did not miss one opportunity to hear the young man speak.
He listened to every word of each discourse, and recognized that very
lofty concepts were involved. But try as he might, he could not
understand them.

It was so confounding! Reb Yekutiel was no youngster, and had already
heard numerous Chasidic discourses directly from the Alter Rebbe. His
inability to comprehend what everyone else seemed to grasp just fine was
a source of much anguish and grief.

From day to day his depression increased. The more he listened to the
young man's lectures without understanding them, the greater his pain
and frustration grew. After every Chasidic discourse he would lock
himself in his room and weep, and castigate himself for being
dull-witted. "You're nothing but a block of wood," he cried. "An
ignoramus and a simpleton."

But the desire to understand Chasidut burned in Reb Yekutiel's heart. He
might not be a scholar, but he was certainly stubborn. He asked the
young man to become his personal tutor, and he agreed and moved into his
house.

For three consecutive weeks the young man sat and explained the Chasidic
discourses to Reb Yekutiel. The older Chasid made a superhuman effort to
understand - but alas, it was simply beyond his ability.

There was no alternative but to allow the young man to move on. Reb
Yekutiel was completely broken. For days and nights he wept and recited
Psalms, fasting and imploring G-d to open up his impenetrable mind.

Eventually he concluded that he had to go to Lubavitch. And indeed, a
whole new world awaited him there. He had never seen so many people
sitting and studying Chasidut.

That Friday night the Rebbe delivered a Chasidic discourse, and much to
his amazement, Reb Yekutiel was able to understand and even repeat parts
of it from memory. But on Shabbat afternoon the Rebbe delivered an
explanatory discourse that was deeper than the first, and this one
proved too difficult for him to follow.

Reb Yekutiel stayed up the whole night crying and saying Psalms, and
resolved that he would fast the next day. The day after that he had his
first private audience with the Mitteler Rebbe, in which he poured out
his heart.

"There is nothing that stands in the face of determination," the Rebbe
told him. "If a person really wants to do something, his natural
abilities will expand and become broader."

When Reb Yekutiel heard these words he knew that he would one day
achieve his goal. He sent word to his family that he was staying in
Lubavitch.

For the next four months Reb Yekutiel pushed himself almost beyond
endurance. He trained himself to concentrate on a single thought for
hours, and repeated whatever he learned dozens of times. The younger
Chasidim sometimes helped him study, but most of his time was spent
secluded in the synagogue's basement or attic.

At the end of the four months Reb Yekutiel was completely transformed.
His mind could grasp even the deepest and most esoteric ideas and
concepts. He returned to his family and resumed his business.

In the course of time Reb Yekutiel became one of the greatest
authorities on Chasidic philosophy. In fact, the Mitteler Rebbe's work,
Imrei Bina, was written especially for him.

Reb Yekutiel lived to the age of 100, having been blessed by the Alter
Rebbe, the first Chabad Rebbe, with longevity. In his later years he was
a Chasid of the Tzemach Tzedek (Rabbi Menachem Mendel, third Chabad
Rebbe) and the Rebbe Maharash (Rabbi Shmuel, fourth Chabad Rebbe).
Indeed, the Tzemach Tzedek said of him, "Reb Yekutiel is a living
example of our Sages' words: If someone says he has expended effort and
found what he was looking for, you can believe him!"

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                            MOSHIACH MATTERS
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Whenever Jews gather together, they begin by wishing each other
"Shalom," "peace," i.e., that each individual Jew, every Jewish family,
and the entire Jewish people enjoy increased peace. Increasing peace is
also a means of preparing the world for the Era of the Redemption, when
in the imminent future the entire Jewish people will leave exile and
proceed to our Holy Land.

                                (The Rebbe, 26 Kislev, 5752 - 1991)

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               END OF TEXT - L'CHAIM 651 - Vayigash 5761
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