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                         L'CHAIM - ISSUE # 879
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                           Copyright (c) 2005
                 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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        July 22, 2005           Pinchas           15 Tamuz, 5765
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                            Forward Looking

Are you forward? What we mean to say is, are you an individual who looks
ahead with eager anticipation, learning from the past and then leaving
it behind? Or are you "backwards," i.e., living in the past, getting
stuck, never moving on?

Judaism teaches us to be "forward-minded," to look toward, work toward,
anticipate and eagerly await the unique epoch in world history.

The seventeenth day of the Hebrew month of Tammuz (Sunday, July 24 this
year) marks the fall of the city of Jerusalem to the Romans, and the
ninth day of the Hebrew month of Av (Tisha BeAv), commemorates the
destruction of the first and second Holy Temples in Jerusalem.

The three weeks between these two fast days are a period of
introspection, longing and action. We take stock of the faults that led
to the destruction of the Temple, work on eradicating them from our
private persona, and look forward to the ultimate rebuilding of the Holy
Temple and the era of peace, health, perfection and divine knowledge
that will define the world in the Era of the Redemption.

Why was the Holy Temple destroyed? One of the reasons given by our Sages
was unwarranted hatred. The Jewish people, even during the siege of
Jerusalem, remained fractionalized and divided. And on the individual
level, there was a lack of concern, love, and respect for each other.

By showing unrestrained love toward our fellow, we learn from the past
and move on. By reaching out to another person - any other person - and
showing him care, consideration, and concern. Do a favor for someone
else, not because there is a reason to do so, but because you care for
him.

Don't spend time thinking of reasons why and whether you should help
another person. Use that same time to think about how you can help him.

Do good. Don't wait for others to start. Be an initiator, the others
will respond. It's impossible that they won't. Some will react sooner;
for others, the process will take more time. Ultimately, the heart opens
to the heart. There is no human being who can see another person
continue to shower good upon him and others without being moved.

What is the motivating principle for this motif? The fact that at the
core of every person there lies a soul which is a G-dly spark, and that
every element of existence is being maintained by G-d each moment.
Knowing this inspires a person to reach out.

And by conducting ourselves in a manner that attests to and reflects
these truths, we nudge them closer to revelation. Every entity seeks to
express its inner nature. Reaching out with love and kindness inspires
and encourages the good and generosity that lie at the core of all
others to come to the surface.

Such deeds affect the macrocosm as well as the microcosm, bringing
closer the Era of the Redemption, when these concepts will be concrete
realities, not merely abstract truths.

            Adapted from Keeping In Touch, by Rabbi Eliyahu Touger,
                                    published by Sichos in English.

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           LIVING WITH THE REBBE  -  THE WEEKLY TORAH PORTION
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The Torah portion Pinchas begins with G-d's statement to Moses: "Pinchas
was the one who zealously took up My cause among the Israelites and
turned My anger away from them so that I did not destroy them in My
demand for exclusive worship. Therefore, tell him that I have given him
My covenant of peace ... It is because he zealously took up G-d's cause
and made atonement for the Israelites."

Although Moses himself had turned away G-d's wrath from the Jewish
people not once, but on numerous occasions, as related in the Torah, we
do not find that he was granted the "covenant of peace."

Moses and Pinchas assuaged G-d's anger in divergent ways. Moses
accomplished this by praying to G-d. His prayers were heeded, and G-d
nullified many decrees against the Jews. Pinchas, however, accomplished
this through his actions - by displaying zealous anger among the Jewish
people, thereby bringing them to repentance.

There is yet another difference between the two in their manner of
intercession on behalf of the children of Israel. After the sin of the
Golden Calf, Moses said to G-d: "...and if not [if You will not forgive
the Jewish people], then erase me from the book You wrote [the Torah]."

Moses' self-sacrifice on behalf of the Jewish people was spiritual in
nature. Pinchas, on the other hand, placed his physical life in
jeopardy, arousing the ire of the tribe of Shimon, who sought to kill
him when he acted zealously to stave off G-d's anger from the Jews. This
was physical self-sacrifice.

These actions of Moses and Pinchas were a manifestation of their
personal manner of Divine service. Moses' was on a level of service of
the soul, while Pinchas' was more on a level of the body.

When spiritual illumination results from physical service, such as
Pinchas - elevating and purifying the material world itself, and leading
the Jews to repentance - then the effect is a lasting one and the
atonement is permanent.

This is why the blessing of the "covenant of peace" was granted
specifically to Pinchas. Because Pinchas succeeded in obtaining
everlasting atonement for the Jewish people, he was rewarded - measure
for measure - with the covenant of peace.

             From "From the Wellsprings of Chassidus" by Rabbi S.B.
         Wineberg. Adapted from the works of the Lubavitcher Rebbe.


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                             SLICE OF LIFE
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                          Fulfilling a Promise

Dr. Ned Gaylin of Chevy Chase, Maryland walked into the JCC of
Rockville, Maryland together with his young grandson, Mike. There was an
Israel Renaissance Fair scheduled for that day and they had decided to
come see what Israeli products they could purchase and to show support
for their native country. After browsing the booths for a while, a scene
at the other end of the hall caught Mike's eye.

"Look, Grandpa," he said, "The Kotel!"

There was a booth set up with a life-sized imitation of the Kotel (the
Western Wall in Jerusalem) as the backdrop. Several Rabbis were donning
tefilin on men and teenage boys. Guests were snapping pictures in front
of the "Kotel" as a souvenir. As they headed over to the booth, Rabbi
Shlomo Beitch, a Chabad Rabbi in Rockville, asked Dr. Gaylin if he would
like to don a pair of tefilin. Having not done so since his Bar Mitzva,
Ned declined. Mike, however, was very excited about the "Western Wall"
and they lingered around the booth for several minutes taking
photographs.

As they walked away from the booth, Ned could not get the scene out of
his head. He stood from afar watching the action, he recalled an
incident that had taken place twenty-eight years before.

                                *  *  *


It was the month of Tishrei, 1977, and I was in the Jerusalem market.
There was a stand there selling etrogim for the holiday of Sukkot. On
impulse, though I was not religious,  I decided to buy one for the
holiday, yet I did not know how to choose one. What was everyone looking
for so carefully? I asked the fellow standing next to me if he could
help me out.

"There's a rabbi over there choosing one," he responded. "Ask him."

I took his advice and asked the rabbi if he could please help me choose
an etrog. The rabbi struck up a conversation with me and said that he
would gladly show me a beautiful esrog if I agreed to put on tefilin
every morning, except Shabbat and the holidays, for the rest of my life.
I laughed and said "No thanks!" The rabbi finally got me to agree that I
would put on tefilin at least once in my lifetime. He then gave me the
esrog he had chosen for himself. I went home and never kept my end of
the deal - I never put on a pair of tefilin.

                                *  *  *


Ned watched Rabbi Beitch and Rabbi Chesky Tenenbaum, a Chabad Rabbi in
Gaithersburg, Maryland, assist others in donning their tefilin. The
Kotel reminded him of all the terrorism and anxiety his brothers in
Israel were living through. Now, at the age of 70 , Dr. Gaylin decided
it was time to do his part. It was time to fulfill the promise he had
made twenty-eight years earlier. Ned walked over to Rabbi Tenenbaum and
said with a tear in his eye, "Rabbi, could you please help me put on
tefilin."

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                               WHAT'S NEW
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                  New Day School in Khabarovsk, Russia
                          The JCC in Mytischi

Work has begun on a new facility that will house a Jewish day school,
kindergarten and sports complex for the Khabarovsk Jewish Community. The
Ohr Avner Foundation will be overseeing the construction. In addition,
the Jewish Community Center of Mytischi, a suburb of Moscow in Russia,
has acquired a new home. The 250-square-meter building will be large
enough to house a Jewish kindergarten. The kindergarten will cater to
children in Mytischi as well as the neighboring towns of Korolyov and
Pushkin. For more updates about the work of Chabad-Lubavitch in the
Former Soviet Union visit http://www.fjc.ru

                      Jewish School Open in Berlin

This coming fall, the first traditional Jewish day school will open in
Berlin since the Holocaust. Located in a villa that was used during the
war by the Nazis, Talmud Torah Ohr Avner already has a pre-enrollment of
35 children. "It is the very best answer to the Nazis, and part of the
Rebbe's vision that we must bring light into the essence of darkness,"
said Rabbi Yehuda Tiechtal, the Rebbe's emissary, together with his
wife, to Berlin.

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                            THE REBBE WRITES
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         Free unedited translation of a letter of the Rebbe to
               (then) President of Israel, Zalman Shazar


                  Day After the Holidays of Redemption
                       12-13 Tammuz, 5729 (1969)

Greetings and Blessings!

I was quite surprised (and also very pained) when I read your letter.
Besides the main content, which consists of charges against me: "Why
does he (referring to me) insist on bickering about whether it is called
the "Land of Israel" or the "State of Israel" or the "Holy Land," and
the Pact between Halves etc. and dragging G-d into the issue...?"

Clearly, all those who expended efforts, and who stood and stand at the
head of, and represent the State, all stress and proclaim that it is a
state which was founded in 1948 in the lands which the British
abandoned, or from which the Haganah expelled the Arabs (or that they
encountered no opposition upon taking over). Twenty-two nations of the
world (including the communists in the Security Council - who were among
the leaders), decided among themselves to approve the establishment of
the state in territory which falls partly in the Land of Israel, and
partly outside of The Land of Israel.

My answer to all this is simple: It is all inconsequential. None of this
is new; except that in 1948 an important part of the Land of Israel was
liberated (by the way, they conquered a certain part from outside of the
Land of Israel, which was annexed onto the main part - the Land of
Israel).

They reject my words by saying that I am simply fabricating an issue. My
proof is that every year they declare the anniversary (not of the
liberation, or of the foundation of the government, but rather) of "The
State of Israel." This is definately not just a matter of semantics, but
is indicative of the essential approach: An entity which was established
in 1948 by the grace of the nations of the world, has absolutely no
effect, and is irrelevant, in countering the claim of the Arabs, the
Vatican, the UN etc., or the Canaanites (exposed or hidden) among the
Jews: "You are thieves, for you conquered the lands etc.."

I shall not delude myself into believing that with just claims, Israel
can overcome the UN, Vatican, etc. Nor shall I delude myself that the
most important element is morale among the youth (including in the
Israeli Defence Forces), the students in America (and certainly in other
lands, etc.) - all the while subscribing to the approach which refers to
"The State of Israel which was founded with the approval of the UN in
1948."

This approach, which has become the foundation and main world view of
those who decide on all aspects of public policy and relationships with
the nations, has destroyed and continues to destroy, has damaged and
continues to damage, the most vital interests of - even the State of
Israel (as is well known with regard to the United States and the UN,
and is certainly so in all the other countries). This has literally
caused deaths. And what has forced me to step out of my usual bounds and
speak out about these things, is that others should have warned about
them. Enough said, if you understand my intention.

It pains me to note that I have written all the above, and have not even
touched "the tip of the iceberg." I do not have to go into details, but
I am not saying anything regarding what happened yesterday (literally),
and before Shabbos, etc. which is new to you. Why should I cause you
further pain?

At the outset, I did not intend to write such a long letter, but since
it is already written, I do not wish to cut it short. Please forgive me.

According to the order of your letter: You wrote, "Let me be a
Chabadnik." You were a Chabadnik before I was even born. May you stay
that way for many long and good years.

                        continued in next issue


       Translated by Mordechai. E. Sones and Yankel Koncepolski for
                                                  www.TruePeace.org

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                            RAMBAM THIS WEEK
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16 Tamuz, 5765 - July 23, 2005

Positive Mitzva 199: Returning Security for Loans

This mitzva is based on the verse (Deut. 24:13) "You shall surely return
the pledge to him" A person who borrows money may be asked to provide
security for the loan. When he repays the loan, the lender will return
the security. However, the borrower may need the article he gave even
before he repays the loan.

We are commanded to return security to a borrower whenever he needs it.

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                        A WORD FROM THE DIRECTOR
                         Rabbi Shmuel M. Butman
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This coming week will begin the three-week period of mourning over the
destruction of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. This period commences with
the Fast of the Seventeenth of Tamuz, this year Sunday, July 24.

On the Seventeenth of Tamuz, the Romans (70 c.e.) breached the wall
surrounding Jerusalem. This in turn enabled them to enter the city, and
ultimately destroy the Temple on the Ninth of Av.

Our Sages say that the Holy Temple was destroyed because of reasonless
and unwarranted hatred amongst Jews. In previous generations, a focus
during these three weeks was to increase in ahavat Yisrael - love of a
fellow Jew - as an antidote to the destruction. However, the Lubavitcher
Rebbe has stated unequivocally that even this terrible sin, on a
national level, has been rectified. What remains for us to do is,
especially at this time, is to increase in ahavat Yisrael as a foretaste
of the manner in which we will live when Moshiach comes and the Temple
is rebuilt. This behavior, says the Rebbe, will prepare us for and
hasten the Redemption.

Rabbi Yisrael of Koznitz said: "When every Jew will give his hand one to
another, the hands will join into one great hand that will be able to
reach all the way to G-d's holy 'throne.'"

We must all strive to put aside our differences and join hands, one to
another. Then surely we will be able to approach G-d's holy throne and
petition Him to take us out of exile and bring us to the Holy Land with
Moshiach, NOW.

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                          THOUGHTS THAT COUNT
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Let the Omnipotent G-d of all living souls appoint a man over the
community (Num. 27:16)

Most people believe that with the decline of the generations - since the
Torah scholarship and mitzva observance of the generations declines with
each generation - we can make do with lesser leaders. The opposite is
true, however. Since each generation is more limited, a greater leader
is needed. This situation can be likened to a person who is sick. The
more ill he is, the greater the doctor must be who attends him.

                                                  (Chidushei Harim)

                                *  *  *


...appoint a man over the community who will go out before them (Num.
27:16-17)

Appoint a man whose soul "will go out" in love of every Jew. The most
important trait of a Jewish leader is that he should have self-sacrifice
for every Jew.

                                          (Rabbi Yitzchak of Vorka)

                                *  *  *


It is a continual burnt offering that was offered at Mt. Sinai (Num.
28:6)

A continual burnt-offering hints to the "hidden love" which every Jew
has. This love is continuous, it never ceases.

                                                      (Ohr HaTorah)

                                *  *  *


Attack the Midianites...for they attack you (Num. 25:17,18)

The Children of Israel were not commanded to go to war against the
Midianites because of events that occurred in the past; they were not
seeking revenge for past aggression. Rather, the Midianites are still
our enemies who seek our destruction - "for they attack you." And as the
Torah teaches: "If someone comes to kill you, rise up and kill him
first."

                                                            (Chida)

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                            IT ONCE HAPPENED
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Years ago, the Jewish settlement in the Land of Israel was entirely
dependent on the generosity of its brethren in the Diaspora. To that
end, special emissaries would travel throughout Europe collecting
donations, visiting local Jews and soliciting funds.

One time an emissary arrived in a certain city and was given a warm
welcome. All of the townspeople came to the synagogue to hear him
deliver his appeal. At the end of the speech, a prominent member of the
local community volunteered to accompany him on his rounds from house to
house.

The two men walked through the Jewish section knocking on doors and
asking for donations. Not one family refused to contribute. The
contributions varied according to financial circumstance, but everyone
was happy to give at least something. Then the emissary noticed that
they had skipped a mansion, and asked his companion why. "It would be a
waste of effort," he was told. "The man who lives there is miser. He has
never given even a penny to charity."

"But we have to try," the emissary insisted. "Who knows? Maybe our words
will penetrate his heart."

They knocked on the door, which was opened by the wealthy miser himself.
"Good day!" the emissary said cheerfully. "May we speak with you for a
minute?"

"You may certainly speak, but if you've come for a donation of money
you're wasting your time," the miser said dryly.

But the emissary would not give up. "You're obviously a wealthy man.
Don't you want to help support the poor and hungry Jews of the Holy
Land? Everyone else in town is contributing generously."

"My money belongs to me," the miser declared sharply. "I worked very
hard for it, and saved every penny. I refuse to give the fruit of my
labors to someone who didn't expend the effort."

The emissary looked at him with pity in his eyes. "You're right, it's
your money and your decision," he conceded. But before he left he added
under his breath, "It looks as if you're going to be the third."

The miser closed the door with the emissary's words echoing in his ears.
What did he mean? A whole day he couldn't get the comment out of his
head, and that night he tossed and turned in bed. "It looks as if you're
going to be the third." The third what? He had to find out.

The next day the miser searched the city until he found the emissary
from Israel. "I must know," he pleaded with him. "What did you mean when
you said that I would be the third?"

The emissary smiled. "Yesterday I honored your principle of not giving
away any of your hard-earned money. So how can you expect me to share my
wisdom with you for nothing? I also worked very hard to acquire it."

The miser acknowledged that he was right, and agreed to pay for the
answer. The emissary insisted on a sum three times what he usually asked
of the rich, and the transaction was made.

"Now I will tell you a story," the emissary began. "Many years ago there
lived a very wealthy man who was as stingy as he was rich. He was even
miserly when it came to himself. He even refused to marry, lest a wife
and children drain his finances.

"The man worked very hard his whole life and eventually amassed a
fortune. Before he passed away, he instructed the Burial Society to bury
him with all his money. Even after death he refused to part from his
riches.

"His final wishes were carried out, and not one cent remained above
ground. When the grave was filled, the angel in charge of the deceased
came to accompany him to the Heavenly Court.

"'Did you study Torah?' the man was asked. 'No,' was his reply, 'I was a
businessman.'

"'Then certainly you supported those who did with your charity. Tell
us,' the judges urged him, 'which good deeds did you perform with all
your money?'

"'Look, there's nothing to talk about,' the man answered. 'I brought all
my money with me. Do whatever you want with it.'

"'You don't understand,' they explained. 'Here money has no value. The
currency is mitzvot-commandments.' The man's fate hung in the balance.

"After much discussion the judges realized that there was only one
precedent in history, when the wealthy, rebellious Korach had been
swallowed up by the earth with all his riches. In the end it was decided
that the miser, who had also been buried with all his money, should be
sent to keep him company. The lonely Korach would no doubt be delighted.

"But it's very hard to spend such a long time with even two people," the
emissary continued. "I'm sure that Korach and his friend are very bored
by now, and would welcome a third conversationalist into their group.
When I met you I thought to myself, 'Who knows? Maybe their boredom will
soon be alleviated. But now that you've given me your donation, I think
that Korach and his friend will have to wait a while longer."

From that day on the former miser was always the first to contribute to
every charitable cause that came his way.

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                            MOSHIACH MATTERS
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Many years before the destruction of the First Temple, Josiah, the last
of Jerusalem's righteous kings, hid the ark in a mazelike system of
chambers and vaults that King Solomon had constructed under the Temple
building. The ark is still buried there, beneath the site of the Holy of
Holies. When Moshiach comes, it will surface.

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                END OF TEXT - L'CHAIM 879 - Pinchas 5765
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