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                         L'CHAIM - ISSUE # 944
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                           Copyright (c) 2006
                 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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        November 10, 2006        Vayera        19 Cheshvan, 5767
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                          The Comforts of Home

Ah, the comforts of home. They haven't changed much, if at all, since
the last time you were there. The same  couch in the den, perfect for
falling asleep while reading. Hmm, the kitchen table is still there -
complete with the fork lines you scraped into it once.

There are new photo on the mantel, your youngest cousins/nephews/nieces,
etc.

Check out the refrigerator, of course, and the pantry. Yup, everything's
there that you expect to see (and eat!).

Of course, your bedroom's a little different. It's been used by
siblings, children of siblings, and guests while you've been away at
school or, if older, away raising your own family.

Still, it's easy to slip into old habits, old comfort zones. Mom still
tells you not open the refrigerator and just stand there. Maybe by now
you've learned not to do it, but she still tells you.

The kitchen smells of your mom's cooking and there's nothing like that
smell in the world. And your dad's handiwork still suffuses the house.

What happens when you come home after an absence - and the longer the
absence, perhaps, the more striking the realization - is that you become
again what you were, but without the conflicts that got you there. The
childhood fights become memories to laugh about. The unfairness of your
mom's rules - no computer until homework is done, no phone until the
dirty laundry is off the floor - become the challenges against which you
measured and trained yourself.

When you come home after an absence, you become truly two in one - who
you are and who you were. Simultaneously. And that simultaneity
transforms the past, elevates the negatives into benefits, and
sanctifies all the positives.

Coming home unifies us - with ourselves, our past and purpose, our
family and interactions.

This is the concept of teshuva - returning. A universal theme of Judaism
is teshuva - returning - bring home with us all the experiences, all the
joys and triumphs, yes, but also all the disappointments, failures and
tragedies - bringing them, making them part of home.

Admittedly, teshuva is a paradoxical concept. The Sages tell us that
teshuva can change reality: if a completely wicked man declares to a
woman, "you are engaged to me on condition that I am a complete tzaddik,
completely righteous," and the woman agrees to the engagement, provided
the condition is fulfilled, they are engaged - for with one thought of
teshuva a person can totally transform himself. Indeed, through teshuva
sins transform to merits.

To understand this, to "wrap our minds around the concept," requires
study of Chasidic philosophy. And to feel, to integrate into one's self,
the teshuva transformation, may require intense effort,
self-examination, discipline, etc. To know the feel of teshuva as we
know the feel of our hand, can we achieve this? Or, do we have the will
to strive to achieve it?

But coming home we can understand. Coming home and freeing ourselves,
with the advantages of childhood and the privileges of adulthood, that
we gather within ourselves.

That teshuva is all about coming home to the comforts of home we can
handle.

And thus, immediate coming home, better, in the words of the previous
Rebbe: Immediate teshuva, immediate Redemption.

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           LIVING WITH THE REBBE  -  THE WEEKLY TORAH PORTION
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This week's Torah portion, Vayeira, relates that Abraham established an
inn for guests, and there he "called upon the name of 'kail olam,' the
eternal G-d." Our Sages interpret this phrase to imply that Abraham was
not satisfied merely to call to G-d himself, but that he taught others
too to proclaim G-dliness.

What did he do? He established his tent at a crossroads in the desert
and generously provided food and drink to wayfarers. After they
completed their meal, he asked them to: "Bless the One who provided you
with food and drink."

When the guests began to bless Abraham, he told them: "Was it I who
provided you with food? Bless He who spoke and brought the world into
being." By providing people with their physical needs, he made them
conscious of the spiritual reality.

The Hebrew term kail olam has also attracted the attention of the
commentaries. Translated here as "the eternal G-d," it can also mean
"G-d of the world," or more literally "G-d, world." "G-d of the world"
would imply that G-d and the world are two distinct entities, the former
paying homage to the latter, while the more literal meaning is deeper,
namely that G-d and the world are indistinguishable; everything is an
expression of G-dliness. This is the intent of the phrase "G-d is one"
that we recite in the Shema prayer: not only is there only one G-d, but
everything in the world is at one with Him.

This is not only an abstract concept. It affects a person's fundamental
approach to his life. When he sees G-d as "G-d of the world," he
understands that he has obligations to Him. After all, if G-d is the
Ruler of the world, a person has to pay his dues.

But that - he thinks - is all he is obligated to do. In the rest of his
affairs, his life is his own. It's like paying taxes. You have to give
the government a percentage of your income, but afterwards, you can
spend the remainder of your money however you like. Similarly, in a
spiritual sense, such a person recognizes that he owes something to G-d,
but his life is primarily his own; he can do with it whatever he wants.

When we appreciate the world as one with G-d, by contrast, our entire
relationship with Him changes. Religion is not merely going to the
synagogue or carrying out a certain body of laws, but an
all-encompassing experience, affecting every element of our lives.

Every situation in which we are found, every person whom we meet gives
us an opportunity to advance in our knowledge of G-d and our connection
to Him.

This is the heritage that Abraham gave to his descendants - to spread
the awareness that we are living in His world, that our lives are not
intended merely to provide ourselves with a little bit of enjoyment and
satisfaction, but are instead mediums to make His presence known to
others.

        From Keeping In Touch by Rabbi Eli Touger, adapted from the
             works of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, published by Sichos in
                                                           English.

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                             SLICE OF LIFE
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                Thoughts on the Marriage of My Youngest
                           by Rabbi Eli Hecht

I am at the Los Angeles airport waiting for my plane to Milwaukee,
Wisconsin. It's a time of joy and happiness for my family. My youngest
son, Yosef Yitzchok, called Yossi, is getting married. I consider my
mixed feelings. On one hand it is a blessing to see your youngest child
married. Nowadays this is no small feat. On the other hand, you "lose"
your youngest child.

Yossi is the youngest of six children. Having a family with six children
was a statement for me. My family was to symbolically replace, in a
small way, the monumental loss of 6 million Jewish brothers and sisters
who were cruelly killed and methodically destroyed by the Nazis during
World War II.

The loss of so many Jewish children left a large vacuum in the heart of
the Jewish nation. I know that each remaining family had the
responsibility, or rather the obligation, to have as many children as
possible.

So at the birth of each child I felt a sense of victory over tyranny and
that we were contributing to the rebuilding of the Jewish nation.

What words of wisdom can I impart to my son upon his embarking on
marriage? For that matter, can soft lofty and important ideas be
expressed in mere words? What do I say to my Yossi as he leaves the
insular community of yeshiva life and transitions into the greater world
that will be full of opportunities as well as challenges?

Yossi, I remember your birth and choosing your name. In Jewish tradition
there is a fine custom to name a child after a saintly person. If a
child is born in the week of a saintly man's birthday or happy event
then we take this as an opportune time to name the child after that
righteous person.

Yossi, my son, you are named after the previous Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi
Yosef Yitzchok Schneersohn (1880-1950). The previous Rebbe kept the
spiritual lives of millions of European Russian Jews alive. He
single-handedly fought for religious tolerance and freedom of religion
in what was once the U.S.S.R. For 30 years he was known as the great
hero of rabbinic Jewish leadership. He kept Jewish schools alive and
financially stable during those impossible, turbulent times.

During World War II the previous Rebbe came to America and revitalized
American Jewry. This he did for the last ten years of his life. His
legacy was carried forward by his son-in-law, the Lubavitcher Rebbe,
Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the leader of the largest Chassidic
movement world-wide. The Rebbe created thousands of Chabad schools,
synagogues, centers, "Chabad Houses," and Jewish communities all over
the world.

I was sent by the Rebbe to help create a Chabad community in Southern
California just around the time that you were born.

Usually a Jewish name is given at the brit - circumcision - ceremony.
But you were a very small baby and we had to wait for the brit to be
performed. During that time you were called "baby Hecht" as, in keeping
with tradition, we would only name you at the brit.

Oh how we prayed for you to grow and be healthy. Imagine having a baby
with no name. Your brothers and sister did not know what to call you.
Finally the day came and the doctor said; "Yes, baby Hecht is ready."
Your brit was celebrated amidst great festivity and the highlight was
when we gave you the name Yosef Yitzchok after the Lubavitcher Rabbi.

Now, it is after your wedding. So many proud Jewish people gathered in
Milwaukee to celebrate with you and your bride, Yehudis. Your
grandfather, grandmother, uncles, aunts, your brothers and sister with
their families and friends, all gathered to rejoice with you upon your
marriage. They came from around the world to be with you.

Yossi, remenber that you are a fifth generation Jewish-American born
son. Carry the name Yossi with pride and with the knowlege that together
with the honor comes the responsibility of keeping the Jewish nation
alive and well.

Yes my boy, this is your time in the sunshine. Live up to your namesake;
take in the enjoyment, love and happiness. Keep those links of family
strong and true.

Last but not least I too need to remember that at this venture I am
getting a new daughter and not losing a son. Mazel Tov-good luck for a
long and happy journey.

    Rabbi Hecht is vice-president of the Rabbinical Alliance of America
    and past-president of the Rabbinical Council of California. He is
    the director of Chabad of South Bay in Lomita, California.

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                               WHAT'S NEW
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                         The Place That I Love

For young children, the excitement of doing mitzvot lurks around the
nearest corner and goes along from room to room! The Place That I Love,
the newest release from HaChai Publishing, written by R.G. Cohen,
details which mitzvot are connected to each part of a Jewish
home....Torah learning in the study, having guests in the bedroom, the
joy of a warm family Shabbat meal in the dining room, keeping kosher in
the kitchen, Beautiful illustrations by Alexander Levitas bring each
scene to life, as a young boy guides the reader through the place that
he loves best... his Jewish home; a place that G-d and the entire family
are proud of.

                            Overcoming Folly

This comprehensive treatise is written in the spirit and style of
traditional ethical Torah teachings, that touches upon the various
challenges one experiences when faced with the reality of material
existence - obstacles that stand in the way of achieving true spiritual
heights. Written by the fifth Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Shalom DovBer
Schneersohn, in response to the challenges of secularism and non-Jewish
ideologies that faced Russian Jewry at that time, Overcoming Folly -
Kuntres Umaayan examines the age-old battle - man against his own evil
inclination. Translated by Rabbi Zalman Posner, published by Kehot
Publications.

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                            THE REBBE WRITES
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               From a letter of the Rebbe written in 1975

Greeting and Blessing:

This is to acknowledge with thanks receipt of your letter of Jan. 27th,
following the pleasure of our personal meeting and conversation in
connection with the distinguished delegation from your city and state on
the occasion of our 25th Anniversary.

I appreciate the promptness with which you so thoughtfully conveyed to
me the good news about your action immediately upon your return, in
regard to the projected Lubavitcher center in Ann Arbor. This truly
reflects the great principle of our Sages, which is also the foundation
of our religion and way of life, "The essential thing is the deed."

May G-d grant that these, your efforts, as well as those that will
follow, and hopefully in a growing measure, will be successful and
always carried out with the enthusiasm and alacrity. Time is
particularly of the essence in the area of education, as I had occasion
to point out. For when one embarks upon ambitious educational programs,
involving financial problems, it is clear that the financial difficulty
can be overcome in due course, while if one were to curtail an
educational activity, or even to delay it, the loss may be
irretrievable. A Jewish child who is deprived of the proper Torah
Chinuch [education] not only suffers an immediate loss, but he, or she,
may fall under undesirable influences from which it might later be
difficult to extricate him or her.

May G-d grant that each and every one of us should continue the sacred
work and institutions which are conducted in the spirit of my
father-in-law of saintly memory, whose 25th Yahrzeit Anniversary we have
just observed. And may each and all of us, in the midst of all our
people, continue from strength to strength, with inspiration and
gladness of heart.

With personal regards, and with blessing,

                                *  *  *

                   22nd of Mar Cheshvan, 5720 [1959]

Greeting and Blessing:

This is to acknowledge receipt of your two letters dated the 10th and
12th of November.

I was very gratified to read about the progress which you have been
making in business, and may G-d grant that you continue to enjoy a
growing success from G-d's "full, open, holy and ample Hand," and that
you and your family use the earnings in good health, on matters of Torah
and Mitzvoth [commandments], and the like.

I was especially gratified to read also about your interest in the
communal affairs and the Zechus Horabim [the merit of the many] will
surely stand you in good stead to succeed. All the more so as we have
entered a new year, and one that marks the 200th Anniversary of the
Histalkus [passing] of the Baal Shem Tov. It is well known and recorded
that the Baal Shem Tov emerged among the hidden Tzaddikim with the plan
of helping the Jews materially, which will also help them spiritually,
as a matter of course. My father-in-law of saintly memory expressed it
in this way, "When G d will give Jews what they need (materially), they
will show what they can do (spiritually)."

May G-d grant that this auspicious year will see increased efforts on
the part of everyone of us towards the realization of the "Dissemination
of the Fountains," and thereby hasten the True and Complete Redemption
through the righteous Moshiach.

Hoping to hear good news from you about your communal as well as
personal affairs, and that you and your wife have much Yiddish Nachas
[Jewish pleasure] from your children,

With blessing,

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                                CUSTOMS
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        What is the significance of the Ner Tamid - the Eternal
                   Light - found in many synagogues?


The Ner Tamid is symbolic of the western-most light of seven-branched
menora used during Temple times. This light constantly remained lit,
though the other lights were cleaned and relit, their wicks and oil
changed, every day. The western light (and today the Ner Tamid) was a
reminder of G-d's everlasting presence.

*********************************************************************
                        A WORD FROM THE DIRECTOR
                         Rabbi Shmuel M. Butman
*********************************************************************
On this Shabbat, the 20th of Cheshvan, we mark the birthday of Rabbi
Sholom Ber of Lubavitch, (known as the Rebbe Rashab), the fifth Chabad
Rebbe.

Rabbi Sholom Ber was a great tzadik and a person of tremendous insight.
This can be illustrated by the following incident.

Rabbi Sholom Ber founded, in 1897, the Tomchei Temimim Yeshiva in the
city of Lubavitch. The Rebbe Rashab was an honorary member of the
council which was formed to help establish the new government's policy
toward the Jews after the deposition of the Czar. In 1918 he traveled to
Petersburg to participate in a council meeting. At one of the stops on
the journey, he sent his attendant to buy a newspaper. Returning with
the newspaper, the attendant read to the Rebbe Rashab: "The Communists
have taken over, and the council has been abolished."

The Rebbe Rashab responded, "We must now establish yeshivos in every
city. I do not see their [the Communists'] end, but ultimately, their
end too, will come..."

In the (former) Soviet Union, as the Communist arm stretched forth with
ever increasing strength, the yeshivos went underground. Today, there
are hundreds of people living all over the world who were educated in
those underground yeshivos. In the last few years, yeshivos have been
started in 11 cities including Tbilisi, Moscow, Minsk, Dnepropetrovsk,
Kishinev, and Kharkov.

Dozens of Tomchei Temimim Yeshivos continue to educate young Jews in
Canada, Australia, Israel, Venezuela, and throughout the United States.

How visionary were the Rebbe Rashab's words concerning the ultimate
demise of Communism.

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                          THOUGHTS THAT COUNT
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For I know him, that he will command his children and his household
after him (Gen. 18:19)

Rashi comments that the phrase "for I know him" implies love and
affection for Abraham. G-d loved Abraham because He knew that Abraham
would teach his children to follow in his footsteps. As great and
impressive as Abraham's worship of G-d was, more worthy of merit was the
fact that he could be counted on to instruct others.

                                                        (Hayom Yom)

                                *  *  *


To do righteousness and justice (Gen. 18:19)

When G-d bestows wealth and abundance on a Jew, he must honestly judge
himself and ask: "Am I really worthy of all this goodness? What have I
done to deserve these blessings?" When a person is thus honest with
himself, it will cause him to realize that the sharing of his wealth
with those less fortunate is truly tzedaka--righteousness.

                                                 (Sefer HaMaamarim)

                                *  *  *


G-d rained upon Sodom and Gomora brimstone and fire...(Gen. 19:24)

At the present time Sodom is in its ruined state. However, when Moshiach
comes and evil will be completely removed from the earth, Sodom will
return to its original state of blessing and beauty, as it says, (Ezek.
16) "And I will return the captivity of Sodom."

                                                 (Sefer HaParshiot)

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                            IT ONCE HAPPENED
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In 5665 (1905), when war broke out between Russia and Japan, all Russian
males below the age of 50 were commanded to report to their local draft
boards. Many Jews did whatever they could to escape the draft, for in
those years it was impossible to serve in the anti-semitic Russian Army
and live as a mitzva-observant Jew. Of course, a significant number were
unable to avoid being drafted, despite their mighty efforts. One of
these was Mendel Dovid Gurevich, a teacher in the city of Valitch and
already the father of a large family.

Mendel Dovid was a chassid of the Rebbe Rashab (Rabbi Sholom Ber, the
fifth Rebbe) of Lubavitch, so as soon as he received his draft notice,
he hurried off to speak with the Rebbe. He told him of the disastrous
event, the extreme difficulties it would cause his family, and how
distressed they all were at the evil that had befallen them. The Rebbe
blessed him and said, "G-d Al-mighty will redeem you from their hands."

But Mendel Dovid's agitated heart felt no relief from the Rebbe's words.
"Rebbe, a blessing is not enough for me; I need a promise!" he pleaded.

The Rebbe looked at him intensely, and then replied, "A promise I don't
have for you but a blessing I do," and he repeated his original words.
Mendel Dovid refused to be discouraged and again requested an explicit
promise, but the Rebbe merely repeated the same words for a third time.

Mendel Dovid took his leave of the Rebbe and returned home. He
strengthened himself and his faith in the Rebbe's blessing, and tried to
be optimistic about the future. Nevertheless, he felt he had no choice
but to make his own plans for when he would have to appear at the draft
board.

The dreaded day arrived. Mendel Dovid reported to the draft center.
Thousands of new soldiers converged there with him. They passed through
a series of medical tests and other examinations, under the supervision
of officers who would determine who would be shipped off to battle and
who would be assigned non life-threatening duties at the home front.

All Mendel Dovid's attempts to gain an exemption were fruitless. Indeed,
he was even found fit to be sent to a battle regiment. His only hope was
the blessing of the Rebbe Rashab, even though it was impossible to
imagine how it could possibly be fulfilled at this point. What would
happen to his family? What would become of him? It seemed he needed a
miracle.

At the conclusion of all the tests and classification procedures, all
the draftees were assembled for their first military inspection. The
officer in charge was a General Kazaroff. With a fiery speech, he
attempted to enthuse his new troops about the great merit that had
fortunately come to them: to be privileged to defend with their lives
their dear, beloved mother country.

When he finished speaking, the draftees turned to go to their respective
ways. The general indicated to them that they should remain where they
were for just a few more moments. He strode into his headquarters, and
then quickly emerged. They could see that he was holding a piece of
paper. The general glanced at the note. "Who is Gurevich Mendel?" he
called out.

Mendel Dovid began to tremble uncontrollably from fright. He took a
moment to try to figure out what could possibly be the reason that the
general was singling him out in front of thousands of soldiers, but
couldn't think of anything. He doubted if it could be good.
Hesitatingly, he stepped forward and presented himself. The general
merely glanced in his direction and said, "You are discharged. You may
go home." He turned on his heels and left, leaving a stunned but
ecstatic Jew momentarily frozen in place.

After a few moments, Mendel Dovid was able to accept that it wasn't a
wistful dream. It really was true! He was free! "I believed in the
Rebbe's blessing," he said to himself as he joyfully set out for
Valitch, "but I never imagined it could come true so quickly or in such
an extraordinary fashion."

The following Shabbat Menachem Dovid sponsored a large kiddush at the
Chabad shul. He told them the whole story: how the Rebbe had repeated
his blessing three times in identical wording, and the wondrous manner
in which he had obtained his speedy release. Everyone listened in rapt
attention and sincerely shared in the joy of his deliverance.

Then, one of the chassidim rose, and offered to shed light on how the
Rebbe's blessing had become enclosed in this particular natural-seeming
guise. "This General Kazaroff," he began, "used to live in our city. The
rented apartment he dwelled in was owned by a Jew. A few months ago his
landlord passed away. The heirs made clear their intention to raise the
rent. Kazaroff very much wanted to continue living there, but not to pay
any additional money. He approached the heirs and proposed that if they
agreed to not increase his rent, he would repay them in a different way.
In the upcoming large draft, he would exercise his powers as a general
to obtain the release of a Valitch Jewish soldier.

"His new landlords accepted this unusual offer, and Kazaroff continued
to live in the apartment for the same sum. About a month ago, however,
he moved out. Since war had erupted, he was forced to leave Valitch and
relocate nearer to the front. In the meantime, he was appointed the
general in charge of the draft, and it seems he didn't forget his
promise. He must have perused the draft list for a Jewish-sounding name
from Valitch, and the first one he came across was that of our friend,
Menachem Dovid Gurevitch."

      Translated and freely adapted by Yrachmiel Tilles from Sichat
          HaShavua for www.AscentOfSafed.com. Yrachmiel Tilles is a
                         founder of Ascent in Tzfas and director of
                                              www.KabbalaOnline.org

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                            MOSHIACH MATTERS
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"In the time to come... the Jewish people will say [to our patriarch
Yitzchak (Isaac)]: 'For you are our father.' " (Isaiah 63:16) The name
Yitzchak implies laughter, and hence, delight. In the time to come, when
all the sparks of Divinity embedded in the material universe will have
been uncovered and elevated, G-d's delight at the completion of this
task will become manifest.

                                      (Torah Or, Vayeitzei, p. 21c)
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                END OF TEXT - L'CHAIM 944 - Vayera 5767
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