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                         L'CHAIM - ISSUE # 916
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                           Copyright (c) 2006
                 Lubavitch Youth Organization - L.Y.O.
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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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        April 21, 2006           Shmini           23 Nisan, 5766
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                          A Three Legged Stool

Imagine, if you will, standing on a three-legged stool. You're reaching
into a high cabinet to get something out when all of a sudden one of the
legs breaks and...ooops...oh well, the stool is only sturdy when all
three legs are attached.

Shimon the Righteous (who lived during the times of Mordechai - of Purim
fame) used to say:  "The world stands on three things - on [the study
of] Torah, the service [of G-d, i.e. prayer], and deeds of kindness."
(Ethics of the Fathers 1:3)

Let's see how we can assure that the legs of our personal worlds are
sturdy.

Deeds of kindness - yes, that includes helping a little old lady cross
the street or giving some coins to the beggar asking if you can spare a
dollar for a cup of coffee (used to be a dime!). It can even be carrying
a neighbor's groceries in from the car or offering to pick up something
at the store for an elderly or ill friend. One sturdy leg coming up.

The service of G-d, praying - hmm. Raising your hands, lifting your eyes
to the heavens and murmering, "G-d help me!" at those moments of
desperation is definitely counted. But to make that leg a tad sturdier,
try incorporating formal prayer into your daily schedule. It can be as
simple as the "Shema" before going to bed at night or the "Modeh Ani"
upon awakening in the morning. They're short and to the point.

Now, for that third pillar, Torah study. Of course it can be a challenge
to find the right level class on the right night in the right place with
the right teacher. But nowadays, thanks to the explosion of technology,
you can study Torah anywhere, anytime, any subject that suits your
fancy.

Some good websites to start are:

    www.meaningfullife.com,
    www.inner.org,
    www.moshiach.com,
    www.SichosInEnglish.org,
    www.JewishContent.org,
    www.JewishAudio.org, and, of course,
    www.LchaimWeekly.org.

Torah study is nothing to be afraid of. You don't need any special
background or credentials to participate. And it carries special meaning
for every Jew. Only through studying the Torah and all its beauty do we
come to understand not just how much it applies to each one of us; but
also how much more sturdy and stable our world is with it.

You can call your local Chabad-Lubavitch Center to find out what classes
are available. They can also give you information about Torah tapes and
Torah on the telephone. You might want to try the new jnet.org that will
pair you up with your own "chevrusa" study partner.

If none of the above suggestions meet your fancy, start an informal
study group of your own with a small group of friends. Organize a "lunch
and learn" class at your office. Or just buy an informative and/or
inspirational Jewish book at your local Judaica store and start reading.

Whatever it takes, make sure that third pillar is strong.  And, whatever
you do, remember that if you are trying to reach up high, first make
sure that all three legs of the stool are sturdy!

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           LIVING WITH THE REBBE  -  THE WEEKLY TORAH PORTION
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The Torah portion of Shemini opens with a description of the eighth and
final day of the consecration of the Sanctuary, the day when the Divine
Presence first rested therein. The name of the portion - Shemini - means
"eighth" and alludes to the special significance held by the number
eight. Eight symbolizes that which is above the laws of nature and the
boundaries of our physical world.  It stands for  that aspect of
G-dliness which exists even beyond the realm of our human powers of
description.

One would think that the contents of so lofty a section of the Torah
would deal with correspondingly lofty subject matter - philosophy,
belief in G-d, metaphysics - but we find that Shemini delineates the
laws between kosher and non-kosher animals. Why such a mundane a subject
for a Torah portion which is supposed to express so high a level of
holiness?

In many instances, a fine line exists between that which is kosher and
that which is forbidden. A kosher animal whose windpipe and esophagus
are only partially severed when slaughtered is not fit for consumption.
A difference of only a fraction of a centimeter can determine whether or
not the flesh of the animal is kosher or not, as Jewish law prescribes
that both windpipe and trachea be more than half severed with one
movement of the knife.

In our own lives, we also occasionally must make decisions which are as
fine as a hair's breadth. Choosing between good and evil when the
choices are obvious and blatant is much easier than making a decision
between two extremely fine points. For such decision making, extra help
from Above is necessary.

The Evil Inclination sometimes disguises itself in a "robe of holiness."
It discourages a person from performing a mitzva (commandment) through
guile and doubt, presenting all sorts of seemingly plausible and erudite
excuses. A person may become confused when the two paths of action
before him both seem to have merit. The Evil Inclination can even make a
sin appear to be an actual mitzva.

How are we to overcome the wiles and cunning of the Evil Inclination?
How can we be sure that the decisions we make are the right ones? By
learning the lesson which is taught in Shemini.

Man alone, bound as he is by the laws of nature and the limitations of
the human intellect, cannot always overcome his Evil Inclination. But
when a person gives himself over to G-d, Who is not bound by any natural
law and is infinite, and asks His help to "distinguish between the
unclean and the clean," one can indeed conquer the Evil Inclination and
avoid falling into its net.

A Jew's connection to G-d is so strong that it cannot be split asunder
by any power on earth. When a Jew does a mitzva - mitzva comes from the
Hebrew word for binding together and connecting - he ties himself to G-d
with a supernatural strength. Armed with this power, we can see through
the mask of the Evil Inclination when we are presented with even the
finest points of contention.

                   Adapted from the works of the Lubavitcher Rebbe.

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                             SLICE OF LIFE
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                          Connecting the Dots
                            By Rishe Deitsch

South African emigration was at its peak and the Cohen family decided to
leave as well, to make a fresh start in Israel. Mr. and Mrs. Cohen, and
their only child, Batya, rented a townhouse in a heavily South African
community in Israel, with its own community shul (synagogue).

Batya had just graduated high school so the timing for their move
provided the opportunity for an exciting new beginning for her as well.
Their joy was short lived when it was discovered that the headaches
Batya was complaining about were due to a serious inoperable brain
tumor. Within a short time she was gone, an only child, just 18 years
old.

Shortly thereafter, Mrs. Cohen was diagnosed with leukemia. Still
devastated from Batya's death, the situation seemed hopeless. Rabbi
Levy, the rabbi serving the South African community in Israel, knew of
my friend Esther and her work with energy healing, and he asked her if
she would be willing to see Mrs. Cohen. Of course, she agreed.

Mrs. Cohen had been told that her only hope was a bone marrow
transplant, but so far no match had been found. The best chance is a
close blood relative, but Mrs. Cohen had none alive.

After working with her, Esther took her leave. She called Rabbi Levy and
said that she felt that somehow, somewhere, there was a door remaining
to be opened, but she didn't know what.

As soon as she hung up from Rabbi Levy, her cell phone rang. It was a
friend who was in labor wanting to know if Esther could come be with
her. Luckily, the birthing center was right near the hospital where
Esther had just visited Mrs. Cohen.

Esther had attended many births in this center, and so she was very
friendly with the people who worked there. As she walked toward the
nurses' station, she suddenly stopped. She saw a young pregnant woman,
who said her name was Sara,  checking in. Esther was taken aback by
Sara's strong resemblance to Mrs. Cohen.

It crossed Esther's mind that perhaps this young woman might be a
suitable bone marrow match and that maybe it was worth exploring after
she finished helping her friend give birth.

The birth went smoothly, thank G-d. Afterwards, Esther asked about Sara.
She was told that the couple had recently moved to Israel from South
Africa. Esther asked the nurse to find out if they would mind if she
approached Sara after the birth, about being a possible bone marrow
donor for someone. The nurse came back saying they would not mind at
all.

A few hours later, Sara gave birth to a baby girl. Soon after, Esther
introduced herself to Sara and her husband and explained the bone marrow
donation procedure. The young woman agreed to have the blood test,
although she had just given birth!

The blood test was administered. Now late at night, on Esther's way home
at last after a long day, her cell phone rang again. This time it was
the blood technician who was excited to report a perfect match! "A match
like this is usually only an immediate blood relative," he said in
wonderment. Elated, Esther immediately called Mr. Cohen with the great
news. That very night, procedures were begun for the transplant to take
place.

A little while later, Sara called Esther to invite her to her daughter's
baby naming. It would take place on Thursday morning in the South
African community shul.

During the conversation, Esther discovered that Sara had recently lost
both her parents in a road accident in South Afirca, and this was one of
the main reasons they had left. She was an only child and the memories
in South Africa were too much for her. So they had moved to Israel. New
country, new life, and now a new baby. Later that day, Esther met Mr.
Cohen and told him about the baby naming.

Thursday morning both Esther and Mr. Cohen went to the baby naming. They
were both taken aback when the baby's name was announced. Batya! As Mr.
Cohen turned pale from the shock of hearing the baby's name, Sara stood
up to explain to the assembled guests why they had named her that.

"I was adopted," said Sara. "I have always known it. I have always felt
gratitude to my birth mother for giving me up for adoption instead of
ending the pregnancy. My adoptive mother, who could not conceive a
child, often told me that I was a gift from G-d. Now that I have my own
child, I realize that all children are gifts from G-d. So we named our
daughter Batya, "daughter of G-d." May G-d help us raise her to serve
Him with all her heart."

The transplant was a complete success. Now the question begged to be
answered. Who was this perfect match? Mrs. Cohen knew the answer. When
she was a young girl of 16, before she was Torah observant, she had
become pregnant. Over her parents' objections, she had wanted to have
the baby and give it up for adoption to a Jewish couple.

At that time, an emissary of the Lubavitcher Rebbe had arrived in town.
He was looking for students to come to his new seminary for girls with
little Torah background. When he heard about the situation, he suggested
that she study at the seminary while carrying her baby to term there. He
also knew of a couple who desperately wanted to adopt a child.

Sara was this child, none other than Mrs. Cohen's own first child whom
she had never seen before. Now this daughter had returned the gift of
life to her own mother.

The family was now reunited and became very close. Sara recalls how she
had worried that her baby would grow up without the love of
grandparents. Mrs. Cohen recalls how she was sure that she would never
experience the joy of holding a grandchild.

I call this story "Connecting the Dots" because it is a perfect example
of how, though mostly we are unable to see the whole picture, sometimes
G-d shows us that He is behind every detail. Nothing proves G-d's love
for each of us like Divine Providence.

       Reprinted with permission from the N'Shei Chabad Newsletter.

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                               WHAT'S NEW
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                             New Emissaries

Rabbi Sholom Ber and Rivka Galperin are moving to Miami, Florida, as
shluchim (emissaries) of the Lubavitcher Rebbe where they will serve as
Program & Youth Directors at Chabad of Kendall / Pinecrest.

                           Saying Mazel Tov?

Modern medical wisdom recognizes that good health depends on a patient's
emotional state and mental attitude. For centuries, it has been
customary for Jewish women to adorn both the birthing room and the
cradle with Psalm 121 (Shir Lama'alot). The Psalm states our declaration
of dependence upon the Creator for our safety and well-being, and His
commitment to guard us at all times. To get a free color print of the
Psalm call (718) 756-5700, and mention Lchaim weekly, or visit
www.LchaimWeekly.org/general/art/shir-lamaalot.jpg.

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                            THE REBBE WRITES
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                         5 Kislev, 5712 [1951]

...I am not pleased. It appears from your letter that the trust in G-d
that should be expected of a Jewish woman in general and of a Chasidic
wife in particular is not present in yourself in appropriate measure.
Accordingly, this affects your health and your household.

Every Jew, man or woman, should constantly keep in mind that G-d, Who
conducts the world at large, no doubt also conducts the microcosm of
each of us. And just as He has a say in the big world, He certainly has
a say likewise in our little personal world. One should depend on Him,
trusting that He no doubt leads things in a good direction. Moreover,
one should not interfere with this by one's uncertain trust in Him, or
by factors that do not accord with the Torah - and one of these is [a
lack of] marital harmony.

Until after the arrival of Moshiach, there is no person without a fault.

Hence, just as one person has a fault, it is certain that so, too, the
other has a fault. And just as one does not want to uncover and
highlight one's own fault, one should also not highlight and magnify
another's fault. This is how things should be between Jews in general;
how much more so when the person under discussion is your husband and
the father of your child.

My aim here is not to rebuke, but to make you aware that your situation
is not as harsh as you perceive it to be, nor is it exceptional, as you
imagine it to be. Each of you should overlook things, preferring to find
ways of establishing domestic harmony. And once domestic harmony reigns,
this is the vessel into which G-d pours blessing, and success, and good
health, and a livelihood, and blissful contentment from one's children.

In my opinion, you would do well to ask your doctor for directives
regarding your food and beverages and home management, and to act
accordingly. And G-d will no doubt help you, so that everything will
come about at the proper time, in a positive way, and successfully.

With blessings,

                                *  *  *

                          2 Sivan, 5712 [1952]

Greetings and Blessings!

Your letters of 9/4 and 2/5 reached me after having been delayed on
their way here, and I was very happy to read that your wife's pregnancy
went well and that she gave birth to a son who is named [...].

May G-d grant that you, together with your wife, should raise him and
your older son to the study of Torah, to the marriage canopy, and to the
practice of good deeds, and may you be granted an ample livelihood.

Your letter mentions your anxiety about your income. You ought to keep
in mind something that is written in the holy books - that when a son is
born, this is an auspicious sign of blessing in the household. That
includes one's livelihood. In order to accelerate this, one needs to be
strong in one's trust in G-d, for it is He Who "provides nourishment and
sustenance for all," and seeks to do so "from His full hand."

Another thing to keep in mind is that one has to fashion vessels that
will contain G-d's blessings. In general terms, this means studying
Torah and observing the mitzvos (command-ments); in particular, it means
contributing tzedakah (charity). If a person thinks that his livelihood
is meager, he should donate more than previously. In that way he shows
G-d that his charitable needs are greater [than heretofore], and as a
matter of course He will then provide a greater income than heretofore.

May G-d grant that you and your wife both be firm in your trust, and
that you will soon see the fulfillment of G-d's blessing for an ample
livelihood.

With blessings for sound health for yourself and your wife and
children...

     Translated by Rabbi Uri Kaploun, reprinted from In Good Hands,
                                                 Sichos In English.

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                                CUSTOMS
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        Why are Ethics of the Fathers read on each Shabbat from
                        Passover until Shavuot?


We read one chapter each Shabbat following the afternoon prayer because
these are the days leading up to the giving of the Torah and these
chapters from the Mishnah contain ethics and moral exhortations to help
us improve ourselves so that we are worthy of the Torah. Many have the
custom to continue reading these chapters throughout the summer months
until Rosh Hashana as summer is a time when people are prone to become
more lax in their Jewish observance.

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                        A WORD FROM THE DIRECTOR
                         Rabbi Shmuel M. Butman
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Connecting Passover and the Holiday of Shavuot is the period known as
sefira. We count the days of the Omer starting on the second day of
Passover - our day of liberation from slavery. We continue counting for
49 days until the day on which we commemorate the receiving of the Torah
- the culmination of our liberation.

What, we might ask, is the point of counting days, measuring time? Time
just marches on. We can all march to the beat of a different drummer,
but we can't actually change time, can we?

Quantitatively, time cannot be changed. But, we learn from sefira, that
qualitatively, time can be changed. Time is like a container. We can
fill it with nothingness by wasting it away, or, we can fill it with
meaningful activities.

In the days between Passover and Shavuot, we should be preparing for the
receiving of the Torah. During this preparation period, we must make
sure to fill our time "container" with meaningful accomplishments in
matters of Torah study and mitzvah performance.

In this way, we will actually be able to "stretch" time. By instilling
our actions in the here and now with Jewish content, we fill our limited
time with infinite and eternal acts. We transfer and elevate our own
time beyond and above time.

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                          THOUGHTS THAT COUNT
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And these shall be an abomination among the fowls...the stork- chasida.
(11:13-19).

The Talmud explains that the stork is called chasida, which comes from
the word meaning kindness, because it is kind to its peers. If this is
so, why is it counted amongst the impure birds, normally birds of prey?
Because the stork is kind to its peers, only. It only worries about
those in its own flock or group.

                                             (Meiotzreinu Hayashan)

                                *  *  *


Whatever goes on its belly [gichon] ...you shall not eat; for they are
an abomination (11:42).

According to tradition, the Hebrew letter vav (the third letter in the
word gichon) is the exact middle letter in the entire Torah. This hints
to us that if one has learned half of the Torah, he must not consider
himself great or be boastful. "Don't let your chest swell - you should
still consider yourself as low as one who walks on its belly in the
dust."

                                                 (The Gerrer Rebbe)

                                *  *  *


They brought what Moses commanded before the Tabernacle of Meeting, and
all the congregation drew near and stood before G-d (Lev. 9:5)

According to the Kabbalist, Rabbi Yitzchak Luria, the commandment to
love one's fellow Jew must be accepted before beginning to pray. Only
when "the congregation drew near" to each other in love and unity, did
the Jewish people "stand before G-d" in prayer and supplication.

                                                 (Chesed L'Avraham)

                                *  *  *


Among the cud-chewing, hoofed animals, these are the ones that you may
not eat: the camel...the hyrax..the hare..the pig. (Lev. 11:4-7)

The Torah lists four animals that have only one of the two kosher signs
and are therefore non-kosher - camel, hyrax, hare and pig. Each animal
symbolizes one of the four nations which enslaved the Jews in exile. We
are now in the last of these four exiles, corresponding to the pig -
chazir in Hebrew. The word "chazir" means "return." After this fourth
and final exile the glory of the Jewish people will "return" to the way
it was intended.

                                                     (Vayikra Raba)

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                            IT ONCE HAPPENED
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On Portugal Street in the city of Posen in the year 1682 stood a grand
house, that belonged to the goldsmith Avigdor Tuvye, and his wife,
Gittel. Seven other families, all upstanding, respectable Jews, also
inhabited it. The owner of the house, unfortunately, led a less than
impeccable life, indulging in both drink and gambling. Whether or not
these loose habits caused his untimely death is hard to say, but both
Avigdor and Gittel passed away. And as they left no children, their
apartment became vacant.

Not long after the owners' demise, the residents of the house began to
be bothered by all sorts of wild screams and laughter emanating from
Avigdor and Gittel's former apartment. Soon, all were aware that the
place was being haunted by hordes of demons and ghosts.

Baruch Batlan (father of Rabbi Shneur Zalman, the first Chabad Rebbe)
was the first tenant in the building to move out. On his next visit to
his teacher Rabbi Yoel, the "Baal Shem" of Zamostch, he related the
strange circumstances which had prompted him to move. Rabbi Yoel
inquired about the character of the former owners, and was told that
they were both coarse, but generous people. Gittel, the wife, was
involved in many charitable causes, but she was also rather vulgar and
given to uttering frequent and virulent curses against those she
disliked.

Rabbi Yoel, having heard this tale, issued his "prescription" to cure
the house. The legal heir to the house must be convinced to make it a
synagogue, and only thereafter could they undertake the exorcism.

The situation in Posen had gone from bad to worse, with horrible screams
drawing a crowd of onlookers night after night. The town's mayor, a
devout Catholic, beseeched his bishop to come and try to drive the
creatures away. Armed with holy pictures and crosses, the priests
assembled opposite the house to recite their prayers. But, as if in
response, the windows of the house flew open, revealing the most
horrifying, frenzied aberrations. The priest fled in terror.

Soon after, Baruch and nine others set about to follow Rabbi Yoel's
instructions. Carrying Torah scrolls wrapped in prayer shawls, they
ordered the spirits to depart. When there were no results, the minyan
burst into the apartment. They were met by the sound of breaking glass
and the appearance of the weirdest collection of creatures imaginable.
They shrieked and flapped their black wings, screaming, in their frantic
attempts to escape, leaving a disgusting stench in their wake.

The town reeled with news of this miracle. For six weeks the house was
quiet, but then a terrible noise came from the cellar. The neighbors, so
recently relieved, were again terror-struck by the demons' reappearance.

One day, one of the tenants, a furrier, sent his son to the cellar to
fetch some pelts, which were stored there. When he opened the trap door,
the boy was greeted by the emergence of a monster so frightening, that
the poor fellow became deranged from the shock.

Then, it was decided to call Rabbi Yoel and get rid of the menacing
spirits once and for all. Rabbi Yoel summoned a rabbinical court and
prepared a case against the creatures. Charging them with overstepping
the boundaries set for them, he ordered them to depart at once from the
world of humans. They, however, countered his charges, protesting that
they were merely obeying their own leader, Ashmadai, the demon prince.
They were, so they maintained, the legal heirs of Avigdor and Gittel who
had created them through their evil thoughts and curses. So, the
argument continued between the demons and the Rabbi over the disposition
of the property.

Finally, in the midst of great pandemonium, Rabbi Yoel roared: "You
demons! I command you in the Holy Name to disperse by order of this holy
court!"

No sooner had he spoken than a muffled crying was heard. Immediately
stillness pervaded the room. From that time forth, the demons were never
again seen or heard on Portugal Street. Rabbi Yoel was besieged by
requests for blessings, and the son of Shlomo Moshe the furrier was
cured.

                     Adapted from Memoirs of the Lubavitcher Rebbe.

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                            MOSHIACH MATTERS
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Our generation is like a mountain climber. As he nears the summit, he
has to exert himself to the utmost to reach it, and in so doing he is
glad of every branch or rock that he can use as a foothold or to grasp
or lean on. Also, he must have light so that he can see what he can
grasp, and when it comes, he treasures it. We are nearing the summit of
the mountain. There is only a short way to go until Moshiach. At this
time, then, we should value every positive thing, and we are in need of
light - the study and dissemination of Torah.

                               (Sefer HaSichot 5696 [1936], p. 316)

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                END OF TEXT - L'CHAIM 916 - Shmini 5766
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