Holidays   Shabbat   Chabad-houses   Chassidism   Subscribe   Calendar   Links

                                  B"H
                                 -----
                         L'CHAIM - ISSUE # 908
*********************************************************************
                           Copyright (c) 2006
                 Lubavitch Youth Organization - L.Y.O.
                              Brooklyn, NY
                             --------------
                  Electronic version provided free at:
                          www.LchaimWeekly.org
                          --------------------
                  Palm-Pilot version provided free at:
                www.LchaimWeekly.org/lchaim/5766/908.prc
                          --------------------
                    To receive the L'CHAIM by e-mail
                  write to: listserv@LchaimWeekly.org
                              Subscribe W1
*********************************************************************
             THE WEEKLY PUBLICATION FOR EVERY JEWISH PERSON
   Dedicated to the memory of Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka Schneerson N.E.
*********************************************************************
        February 17, 2006        Yisro           19 Shevat, 5766
*********************************************************************

                           L'Chaim - to Life!

Welcome. Come right in. We're so happy you could make it. We're
celebrating our eighteenth birthday with a farbrengen (that's Chasidic
jargon for a "warm gathering") and you are invited to participate. As is
done at all Chasidic birthday farbrengens, we'll say a few "l'chaims,"
discuss some thoughts from the Torah, make some good resolutions, give
charity, and scrutinize ourselves a little.

Is your glass ready? (Crystal-clear water will do just fine if you'll be
driving after the farbrengen.)

May we all live long, happy, fulfilling, healthy lives. May we be rich
materially and spiritually. May we be redeemed from our personal and our
national exiles! L'chaim, l'chaim.

Now that we've loosened up with a few l'chaims, let's sing a Chasidic
tune - a nigun. What's a nigun? you ask. Well, it's a wordless tune that
proves the teaching, "Music is the pen of the soul."

Do you know the "Marseillaise," the French national anthem? In 1973,
with the arrival of the first large group of French Jews to Lubavitch
World Headquarters, the Rebbe encouraged the singing of the
"Marseillaise" in a Shabbat farbrengen. The lively march was quickly
adopted within Lubavitch circles and frequently sung at gatherings. So
hum it now, a few times, or sing it using "di-di-di" instead of words.

By now you're surely getting into the swing of things. But, since some
of our guests might need to leave soon, let's discuss some Torah
thoughts while everyone's still here; we can save the resolutions,
charity and introspection for a little later.

We're here, all together, celebrating the eighteenth birthday of
L'Chaim, founded in memory of Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka Schneerson, wife of
the Lubavitcher Rebbe.

Though the Rebbetzin passed away 18 years ago, in many ways she is still
alive. How so? Concerning our ancestor Jacob it says: "Just as his seed
are alive, so, too, is he alive." Most commentators interpret "seed" as
"children." But seed can also mean any positive thought, word, or deed
that a person plants, nurtures and brings to fruition.

When a person thinks of doing something positive, speaks about it with
others, makes practical plans, and then actually executes those plans,
he brings his "seeds" to life. And when the good of these deeds
continues on after the person passes from this world, then, in a very
real sense that person is still alive.

Such was the case with the Rebbetzin. But, not only do her own
innumerable good deeds continue on. Also, in her lifetime and after, she
inspired others to do good deeds, too.

Each one of us can resolve to bring to fruition each kernel of good
thought, each bud of positive discussion, to nurture and carefully tend
each productive action until they affect not only our own lives, but
also the lives of everyone around us.

Let's move on to sincere introspection that should, hopefully, lead to
improvement in all areas, we'll pause now for a few minutes.

Time's up!

Thank you all so much for joining us at our birthday farbrengen.

But, before you go, please join us in one last l'chaim:

May we all merit to greet Moshiach and go together, as one, to the Holy
Land, NOW. L'chaim!

*********************************************************************
           LIVING WITH THE REBBE  -  THE WEEKLY TORAH PORTION
*********************************************************************
This week's Torah portion, Yitro, contains the account of the giving of
the Torah. Torah from Sinai begins with the Ten Commandments. The first
two, I am G-d, your G-d  (the root and foundation of all positive
mitzvot) and You shall have no other gods (foundation of all
prohibitions) proclaim the unity of G-d. A precondition to the giving of
the Torah was the internal unity of the Jewish people, as the Torah
states "...and Israel encamped there facing the mountain." The verb
"encamped" is written in the Torah in singular form as if referring to
one person - "Israel." This indicates, Rashi notes, that they encamped
"as one man with one heart."

At Sinai three "ones" interlocked. The essence of the Giving of the
Torah is to realize in the material world the unity of G-d, through the
"one nation on earth" (the Jewish people) fulfilling the 613 mitzvot of
the one Torah.

How can such unity be achieved? After all, G-d Himself created mankind
as diverse individuals, differing in their opinions and living in a
world which He also created variegated in its climate and physical
features. How can a whole nation attain true unity within itself and
bring unity into such a diversified world?

The explanation is to be found in the verse, "And they stood themselves
under the mountain" - all of the adult Jews, sons and daughters.
Receiving the Torah was such an overwhelming experience, they accepted
it so completely, that all other concerns ceased to matter to them;
their enthusiasm and joy of receiving the Torah left room for nothing
else. The "Mountain" was the same for all; all sensed the Torah and its
Giver; all were permeated with the same feeling of joy, and this brought
true unity into all the 600,000 individual Jews with their families, as
well as bringing unity of G-d into the world through the one Torah.

The Jewish people began with one family, that of our father Abraham, and
ever since then the Jewish family has been the foundation of our people.
In the family, too, each member is a separate individual, with a
particular function and purpose in life assigned by G-d to him and her.
Unless there is unity in the family, there can be no unity of the Jewish
people.

How is family unity achieved? In the same way as at the Giving of the
torah: When all members af the family accept the one Torah from the one
G-d in such a way that the Torah and mitzvot are essential, and all else
is merely secondary - then there is true unity in the family.

                    Adapted from the works of the Lubavitcher Rebbe

*********************************************************************
                             SLICE OF LIFE
*********************************************************************
Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka Schneerson, wife of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, passed
away on 22 Shevat, 1988. Many thousands of girls have been named for
her, hundreds of Jewish institutions - especially girls' schools and
mikvaot - bear her name, and numerous other endeavors (including this
publication) were established in her memory.

After the passing of the Previous Rebbe, the elder Chasidim turned to
the Rebbe in an attempt to convince him to accept the mantle of
leadership. The Rebbe adamantly refused. It is said that the Rebbetzin
was the one who convinced him to accept.

The Rebbetzin knew what it meant to be the wife of the Rebbe. Being the
daughter of the Previous Lubavitcher Rebbe, she knew precisely what sort
of self-sacrifice was required in this role. Yet, she encouraged the
Rebbe all the same.

Shortly after the Rebbe accepted the leadership, the Rebbetzin made the
choice to remain behind the scenes. She did this consistently and
persistently. It was her desire and she lived this way until her last
day.

Had the Rebbetzin chosen to live in the public eye, her biography could
have filled many volumes. But she chose to live a very private life and
precious little is known about her except for a few stories from a small
circle of people with whom she was close. We share with you some of
these stories.

                                NOBILITY

Rabbi Shalom Dovber Butman visited the Rebbe and Rebbetzin many times.
He relates:

The Rebbe's grandfather and my grandfather were brothers, and I was
invited many times to the home of the Rebbe and Rebbetzin.

One of the amazing things that characterized the Rebbetzin was her
ability to listen. Whoever spoke to her remembers the good feeling she
gave her visitors, and the interest she took in each one.

The Rebbetzin's uniqueness was seen in every expression on her noble
face, in her hand motions, in her manner of speaking. She spoke for
hours with people, inquiring, taking an interest, but mostly listening.
The Rebbetzin never cut anyone off in the middle of a sentence. She
always listened with her full attention and patience until the person
finished speaking. Only then, did she say something or express her
opinion.

Her special relationship with children is also well-known. Whenever I
visited her, there were refreshments on the table, and when I visited
her with my children, I could see that she made the effort to prepare
snacks for them.

                              THE CHILDREN

Mrs. T. Holtzman: My husband remembers that as a child he innocently
asked the Rebbetzin, "Why do the Rebbe and Rebbetzin need such a big
house? There are no children here." Without waiting for an answer he
said, "Ah, there were probably children here once who grew up and got
married, and now the house is left for you alone ..."

Without displaying a hint of hurt, the Rebbetzin smiled and replied with
an answer that he'll remember forever, "Richtig, richtig, alle Chassidim
zainen dem Rebbe'ns kinder" (Right, right, all Chasidim are the Rebbe's
children).

                             A SECRET VISIT

In 1954, the Rebbetzin made a secret visit to Paris that lasted a number
of days, in order to gain information on the refugees then in Paris. A
large number of Lubavitcher families lived there under strained
circumstances.

The Rebbetzin was very concerned about the situation and took an
interest in all the details, and even visited the place without anybody
knowing, at night, in order to see things for herself. In her tone, in
her questions, and in her general approach, one could see genuine
concern as a mother has for her children. Her comments displayed concern
as well as great wisdom. Each question was carefully worded. With that
very same wisdom, she was also able to avoid speaking about anything she
declined to discuss.

                              OUR PLEASURE

Somebody once said to the Rebbetzin that she and the Rebbe should merit
to enjoy much nachas (pleasure) from the Chassidim. The Rebbetzin
responded by saying, "Our nachas is when we hear that you have nachas
..."

                          ESPECIALLY CHOCOLATE

A yeshiva student once saw the Rebbetzin carrying bags and and took them
for her into her house. When he brought them in, the Rebbetzin tried to
give him a chocolate bar. He said, "I was raised in a Chasidic home and
I was taught to do a mitzva in a complete manner and not to take a
reward.

The Rebbetzin replied: "I was also raised in a Chasidic home and I was
taught that when given something one should take, it especially
chocolate!"

                         CARING ABOUT A FRIEND

Mrs. Mira Raskin relates: The Rebbetzin and I were in touch for many
years. We spoke on the phone several times a week. The Rebbetzin had a
daily routine and I usually knew when she would call me.

On 21 Shevat, 1988 [the day before her passing], the Rebbetzin didn't
call me all day. The morning passed and then the afternoon, and it was
evening but the Rebbetzin still hadn't called. I was very worried but I
didn't want to call because I was even more afraid that I might disturb
the Rebbe and Rebbetzin.

At eleven o'clock at night, after having gone to sleep, the Rebbetzin
called and apologized for calling at that late hour. She told me she had
gone out to take care of some things with a friend, and when she
returned home, she didn't feel well. In her great concern for others,
she didn't want to worry anyone and so she didn't tell anyone.

The Rebbe noticed something was amiss and wanted to call the doctor. The
Rebbetzin refused but the Rebbe insisted. The Rebbetzin agreed on one
condition - that the doctor check the Rebbe first. In the midst of all
this, the Rebbetzin didn't forget to call to report to me what was
happening, so I wouldn't worry. She put herself aside and put her
energies into worrying about the welfare of others.

That night, the Rebbetzin's condition worsened, and she was taken to the
hospital, where she passed away. May her merit protect us.

                                Adapted from Beis Moshiach Magazine

*********************************************************************
                               WHAT'S NEW
*********************************************************************
                         L'CHAIM SUBSCRIPTIONS

For a one year subscription send $36, payable to LYO ($40 Canada, $50
elsewhere) to L'CHAIM, 1408 President St., Bklyn, NY 11213
                        L'CHAIM ON THE INTERNET
           Current issues and archives: www.lchaimweekly.org
                          LEARN ABOUT MOSHIACH

Call 718-MOSHIACH/692-3406 or (718) 953-6100, or visit www.moshiach.com
or www.mashiach.org

*********************************************************************
                            THE REBBE WRITES
*********************************************************************

    Freely translated from a letter of the Lubavitcher Rebbe to the
    Lubavitch Women's Organization for their eighth annual convention,
    1963

In connection with the 150th yahrtzeit of the Alter Rebbe (Rabbi Shneur
Zalman, founder of the Chabad Chasidic movement) I will relate briefly
the well-known story about one of the Alter Rebbe's first chasidim, Reb
Gavriel Nosei-Chein and his wife Chana Rivka.

Reb Gavriel was one of the most prominent Jews in Vitebsk. Twenty-five
years after their marriage, he and his wife were still childless. Then,
by reason of sustained persecution, he became impoverished. He was
understandably upset therefore, when an appeal reached him from the
Alter Rebbe to participate in a case of redeeming Jewish captives with a
substantial contribution, as he was wont to do in former days, but which
was now far beyond his means. When his wife learned of her husband's
predicament, she sold her jewelry and raised the required amount. Then
she scrubbed and polished the coins until they gleamed brightly, and
with a prayer in her heart that their mazal brighten up, she wrapped the
coins in a bundle which she handed over to her husband to take to the
Alter Rebbe.

Coming into the presence of the Alter Rebbe in Liozna, Reb Gavriel
placed the bundle of money on the table. The Alter Rebbe told him to
open it. At once the coins shone with an extraordinary brilliance.

The Alter Rebbe become engrossed in thought, then said: "Of all the
gold, silver and brass which the Jews contributed to the Mishkan
(Sanctuary), nothing shone so brightly as the Laver and its Stand (which
were made of the brass mirrors contributed by the Jewish women with
selflessness and joy).

"Tell me where did you get these coins?"

Reb Gavriel revealed to the Rebbe the state of his affairs and how his
wife, Chana Rivka bas Beila, had raised the money.

The Alter Rebbe placed his head on his hands and for some time was in
deep contemplation. Then he lifted his head and bestowed on Reb Gavriel
and his wife the blessing of children, long life, riches and
extraordinary grace. He told Reb Gavriel to close his business in
Vitebsk and to begin to trade in precious gems and diamonds.

The Alter Rebbe's blessing was fulfilled. Reb Gavriel Nosei-Chein became
wealthy. He and his wife were also blessed with sons and daughters.

He lived to the age of 110 years, and his wife survived him by two
years.

When my father-in-law of saintly memory [the previous Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef
Yitzchok Schneersohn] related this story, he completed it with the
teaching of the Alter Rebbe in connection with Sefira (the period of
preparation for Shavuot - to receive the Torah):

It is written, "You should count - u'safartem lachem - unto yourselves."
These words also mean "You shall illumine yourselves" (as in the Hebrew
word sapir - sapphire, known for its purity and brilliance).

The message of this story, in addition to the other profound teachings
which it contains, is: Although the coins for tzedaka - charity - are of
a fixed quality and value, nevertheless, the very same coins, when they
are given with selflessness and joy, assume an extraordinary value and
brilliance, bringing life, and joy in life, even in this world, and
certainly in the world which is all "light."

The same is true, of course, with spiritual tzedaka. Every effort and
activity to spread the Torah and mitzvot, as illuminated with the light
and warmth of Chasidic philosophy, and therefore inspired with
selflessness and joy, are not only more successful in themselves, but
also have a much greater effect and a much greater merit.

May G-d grant that each one of you, amongst our people, should
experience "U'safartem lachem," as interpreted by the Alter Rebbe, and
that everyone should illumine and purify himself, as well as the home
and the environment, with the light of the Torah and mitzvot and
Chasidic conduct in daily life. This will bring pure light into every
aspect of life, the material as well as the spiritual.

With blessings for success in all above,

*********************************************************************
                            RAMBAM THIS WEEK
*********************************************************************
19 Shevat, 5766 - February 17, 2006

Positive Mitzva 161: Counting the Omer

This mitzva is based on the verse (Lev. 23:15) "And you shall count for
yourselves...seven weeks" When the Jewish people came out of Egypt, they
counted the days, impatient for that special event of the Giving of the
Torah. Today, too, we count the 49 days/7 weeks between Passover and
Shavuot.

*********************************************************************
                        A WORD FROM THE DIRECTOR
                         Rabbi Shmuel M. Butman
*********************************************************************
Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka was a jewel, a true queen. Not merely by virtue
of her noble ancestry (descending from all the first six Rebbes of
Chabad) nor even of her exalted position as Rebbetzin of the Rebbe. She
was a true queen in her own right, too.

She was a queen in her exalted qualities of character. The Rebbetzin was
sensitive and compassionate to others without being in any way
condescending. For every person she met, every visitor to her home, even
young children, she always had the right words to suit the situation.

The Rebbetzin was a queen intellectually, too. Coming from a long line
of great Torah scholars, she was, not surprisingly, a true intellectual.
She was learned and erudite, fluent in seven languages, well-versed in
many fields of knowledge, with solidly-based opinions on a variety of
subjects.

When her father passed away in 1950, the Chasidim called upon her
husband as the obvious successor. But the Rebbe refused to even consider
it. When the pressure became strong, he threatened to depart into
self-imposed exile.

It was the Rebbetzin who finally convinced him: "You can't let my
father's thirty years of self-sacrifice on behalf of the Jewish people
go to waste," she pleaded. Very reluctantly, the Rebbe accepted the
mantle of leadership.

When her husband was chosen to be Rebbe, the Rebbetzin knew exactly what
to expect. She knew what it would mean to her own personal life. For, as
the Rebbetzin stated publicly about her own father, the Previous Rebbe,
he had "belonged to the Chasidim." Yet it was the Rebbetzin who had the
awesome courage to finally persuade the Rebbe to take on the
responsibility of leadership.

The famous Rabbi Akiva said of his wife Rachel - "Mine and yours are
hers," that his own Torah and the Torah he taught his thousands of
students were thanks to Rachel's self-sacrifice. So, too, do we owe the
prodigious accomplishments of the Rebbe's Chasidim throughout the world,
that have touched the lives of millions of Jews, to Rebbetzin Chaya
Mushka's self-sacrificing devotion to her husband for almost 60 years.

As we mark her eighteenth yartzeit this coming Monday, we pray that her
merit protect us and that we may learn from her shining example.May her
great memory be blessed.

*********************************************************************
                          THOUGHTS THAT COUNT
*********************************************************************
The Torah portion Yitro

In what merit did Yitro, Moses' father-in-law, have a Torah portion
named after him? He advised Moses, Aaron and the seventy elders to
appoint Judges over the people to oversee all minor matters. Only the
major questions and problems would be brought to the seventy elders,
Aaron or Moses.

                                                      (The Midrash)

                                *  *  *


You shall not have any other gods before Me (Ex. 20:3)

Rabbi Yochanan said: At Mount Sinai, G-d gave strength to the idols, and
they stood up and actually bowed down to G-d! We speak of this in Rabbi
Yudan said: The same thing will happen in the days of Moshiach. The
idols will bow down to G-d, and all the people who served them will be
ashamed. Rabbi Pinchas said: When Moshiach comes, G-d will even make the
idols speak! They will reprimand the people who served them and say,
"You left G-d and eternal life and bowed down to idols that can't even
speak!"

                                              (Midrash Shocher Tov)

                                *  *  *


G-d will descend on Mount Sinai in the sight of all people (Ex. 19:11)

The great commentator Rashi, quoting the Mechilta, explains this to mean
that those who were blind, were healed and able to see. In the era of
the Redemption, when there will be the Resurrection of the Dead, G-d
will bring everyone back to life as they passed away. If they were blind
or deaf, He will bring them to life also blind or deaf. But then He will
make them all healthy. This is because even after the Resurrection of
the Dead there will be those who will try to deny that people came back
to life. "If the person passed away deaf and came to life able to hear,"
they will claim, "it must be a different person!" Therefore G-d will
resurrect the person still deaf, and only then make him hear again.

                                                   (Bereshit Rabba)

*********************************************************************
                            IT ONCE HAPPENED
*********************************************************************
In the last years of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem, there lived a woman
named Ima Shalom "the Wise." She was born into a family of scholars
descended from Hillel and was related both by marriage and birth to the
greatest Sages of her time.

Once, a Roman nobleman visited Ima Shalom and began to ridicule the
Jewish religion. He said to her: "I have read the account of your G-d's
creation of Eve. I really wonder how you Jews can believe in a G-d who
is no more than a thief."

Feigning anger, Ima Shalom replied: "I am going to the Roman consul to
seek justice. Do you know, last night a thief entered my house and stole
all my silver cups and bowls and left vessels of gold in their place!"

The Roman laughed, "You certainly can't call him a thief-he is a
friend."

"That's true, " replied Ima Shalom. "And it is the same with G-d, who
took a single rib from Adam's body and left in its place a wonderful and
valuable gift. Adam received a good, beautiful wife to be a comfort and
helpmate and to save him from loneliness."

But the Roman still objected. "Why, then," he countered, "did your G-d
first put Adam to sleep and then steal from him like a thief in the
night?"

Ima Shalom called her servant and instructed him to fetch a piece of raw
meat from the butcher shop in the market place. She then took the meat,
seasoned it and cooked it while the Roman looked on. When it was
well-cooked, she served him a portion and invited him to eat. He
refused, saying, "I have no appetite for the food you have prepared,
since I recall how disgusting it looked just a little while ago when it
was raw."

Said Ima Shalom, "Do you think Adam would have been pleased to receive
Eve if he had been able to see her being created from his own rib?" The
Roman had to agree that Ima Shalom had bested him in the dispute.

                                *  *  *


Long, long ago in the Land of Israel  in the city of Sichon, lived a
wealthy Jew and his wife. They lived together in perfect happiness,
loving each other with a rare, deep love. The only sadness in their life
was that they had not been blessed with children.

One day, a dark shadow eclipsed their happiness. Their tenth year of
marriage passed and still they had no children. In those days the
practice followed was that such a couple divorced and remarried in order
that they might be fortunate and have children. But the husband had no
desire to send his wife away, although he felt obligated to do so. He
could never love another woman no matter how many children she might
bear him.

One of the greatest rabbis of the day, Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, was
visiting the town of Sidon, and the sad couple went to him to ask his
advice. In his wisdom, he knew that this couple shouldn't be divorced,
but instead of telling them this directly, he presented them with an
unusual plan.

"Your marriage was celebrated with a wonderful feast. Now, although you
must part, why don't you give another banquet in honor of the happiness
you shared all these years."

The couple found his advice strange, but they returned home and set
about preparing an elaborate feast. They invited their many friends and
acquaintances, who marveled at this strange paradoxical celebration. The
tables were laid with great splendor. The guests were regaled with the
finest meats, rarest wine and the most exquisite entertainment.

As the guests began to leave, the man turned to his wife and said, "I
know of no gift fine enough to give you. But when you go tonight to your
parents' house, take the most precious possession you desire from my
house."

At last, a glimmer of light shown in his wife's sad eyes. She said
nothing, but then asked leave to return to her private quarters so that
she might prepare a parting toast for her husband. She soon returned
with a tall silver goblet filled with wine. Her husband drained the cup
and then retired to the couch to rest from the strain of the evening. He
had drunk perhaps too much throughout the evening... He drifted off into
a deep sleep, and when she was sure that the strong drink had taken
affect and he wouldn't awaken, his wife had her servants carry him to
her father's house.

The next morning when he opened his eyes, he didn't know where he was.
He cried out in alarm, "Why am I here?"

But, his smiling wife appeared from the next room. "You granted me
permission to take for myself the most precious possession in our home.
But I have no desire for gold or jewels - you are my only treasure."

Now, they understood the wisdom of Rabbi Shimon's advice. He had wished
only for their happiness. The wife returned to her husband's house, and
they lived together even more happily than before. Their happiness was
crowned by the birth of a child who was the reward of their abiding
faithfulness and love.

*********************************************************************
                            MOSHIACH MATTERS
*********************************************************************
As in the experience of giving birth, women focus on the ultimate goal
of this transition, the coming of the Redemption, and are not
overwhelmed by the magnitude of the challenges this transition presents.
Moreover, a woman's sense of forevision enables her to bring the
awareness of the Redemption into her life today. For the essence of the
Era of the Redemption is the fusion of the material and the spiritual -
that we do not see the world as an independent physical entity, but
appreciate its inner spiritual content.

     (Overview to "Women as Partners in the Dynamic of Creation" by
                                                      Malka Touger)

*********************************************************************
                 END OF TEXT - L'CHAIM 908 - Yisro 5766
*********************************************************************