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                         L'CHAIM - ISSUE # 1160
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                           Copyright (c) 2011
                 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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        February 25, 2011       Vayakhel         21 Adar I, 5771
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                           Flight Attendants

When we fly we take for granted that there will be a flight attendant on
board. There's a routine to the duties of the flight attendant. If we
fly much at all, we tune out their announcements from the moment we
enter the plane until the moment we leave - except to say "hello,"
"goodbye," "I'll have a diet Coke," and "thank you."

When we board, the flight attendant is there to greet us. Often another
flight attendant is busy in the galley, checking the coffee, counting
out the sodas or packets of pretzels. Then as everyone else is
struggling with the overhead luggage or squeezing into seats, the flight
attendant is there to direct traffic. If there's an elderly passenger,
or a small child, we admire how solicitous the flight attendant is; and
if there's an arrogant or aggressive passenger, we admire her patience.

Then comes the opening routine. Halfway through the flight, the food
cart. Then during landing: stay in your seats until the plane lands.
Thanks, come again.

But if there's ever an emergency - a passenger becomes ill, the plane
hits an air pocket, or G-d forbid there's an emergency  landing - then
we see the real need for the flight attendant and her training. It's
more than directing traffic and keeping people calm. That's when a
flight attendant earns the old-fashioned title of steward or stewardess
- someone responsible for managing a situation, someone who supervises
arrangements and keeps things in order.

We often look at a rabbi as a kind of spiritual steward. When things are
going along normally, there's a regularity to what we expect: Conduct
the services, give a sermon, sit on committees, teach a class, go to the
hospital. Etc.

And of course the rabbi has to manage the Bar Mitzva or wedding - the
needs of special passengers or moment in our journey through life.

But if G-d forbid there's a crisis or emergency, a serious illness or
worse, some financial or family crisis, then we expect the rabbi to be
there to manage us through the event, to get the oxygen mask on, get us
to the emergency exit, down the chute and onto safe ground. We may come
out bruised, but we came out - thanks to the rabbi.

But there's another flight attendant in our lives. It's us. Or rather,
it's our soul in the moments of prayer. The daily moments of prayer are
routine. We know the drill, as the saying goes. We can find the
parallels to store your luggage (get rid of the mental and emotional
baggage), put your seat belt on and your seat back up (prepare yourself
- take prayer seriously - before a "spiritual take-off"), the food cart
(take a break from the concentration to appreciate how prayer penetrates
into the physical), wait your turn and be polite getting on and getting
off (that's an easy analogy).

And when a life crisis occurs, what do we do? Turn to prayer for
guidance. Prayer is our oxygen mask and emergency exit and chute to
safety. We may come out a bit scratched and dazed and shocked, but we
come out, leaning, even if we don't want to admit it, on the flight
attendant within - our prayers to the Pilot of our lives.

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           LIVING WITH THE REBBE  -  THE WEEKLY TORAH PORTION
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This week's Torah portion, Vayakhel, describes the construction of the
Tabernacle in the desert and its furnishings. Among the detailed
instructions of how to make the Tabernacle is the following verse (Ex.
25:18):

"They shall make the stakes of the Tabernacle and the pins of the
courtyards and their tying ropes."

Rashi explains that the stakes were inserted into the ground to fasten
the edges of the curtains, so that they would not flap because of the
wind, and the ropes were used for binding them.

There is a moral to be derived from this:

The generations that preceded us can be compared to the builders of the
Tabernacle itself. Our own generation, the last one before the coming of
Moshiach, can be compared to those who tie the edges of the curtains to
the stakes in the ground so they will not flap loosely in the wind.

In the overall stature of Israel's history, our generation is the very
"heel" - the lowest part of the body - while our predecessors are like
the brains, heart and other "higher" parts of the body. Our task and
mission is likewise the "last" or "heel"-labor to complete and finish
all that is still required to bring about the Messianic redemption. Ours
may be the "lowest" task, merely tying down the very edges of the
curtains, some rather incidental and external details. Nonetheless, it
is just this work that completes the whole job, and it is specifically
what we do that will fasten the Tabernacle so that it may stand firm.

We are indeed the "heel"-generation, time-wise and quality-wise,
compared to all those before us. This may raise the question: Is the
generation worthy? Why should we merit the coming of Moshiach when our
ancestors, who were greater saints and scholars then we are, did not?
Nonetheless, the fact is that we are the ones who compete the work. The
credit and merit, therefore, is attributed to our generation. Our sages
thus said that a meritorious deed is attributed to him who does the last
part of it and completes it (Sotah 13b).

Moreover, the edges of the curtains were to be tied to the pegs that
were fixed in the ground, the earth. This alludes to the very purpose of
the Sanctuary, namely, to bring about an indwelling of the Divine
Presence in the Tabernacle which was to be a physical abode established
specifically here on earth. This, indeed, is the very task and purpose
of our generation. We are to draw the Divine Presence all the way down
to the very earthiness of this material world, and this will happen with
the coming of Moshiach and the ultimate Redemption.

           From "Living with Moshiach" adapted by Rabbi J. Immanuel
            Schochet from the work of the Rebbe, published by Kehot
                                                Publication Society

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                             SLICE OF LIFE
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                          Adding Years to Life
                          by Refoel Jaworowski

The rabbis of the Chicago Mitzvah Campaign visit Jewish patients in a
number of Chicagoland hospitals on a weekly basis. In addition, they are
always on-call in cases of emergency. Such was the occasion one late
Thursday evening. Rabbi Aron Wolf, CMC's founder, received a call from
the chaplain's office of a local hospital. "The family of a Jewish
patient are asking for a rabbi to come and say some prayers," he was
told. "The patient had a stroke and the doctors are saying she doesn't
have much time left."

Rabbi Wolf quickly made his way to the hospital and found the patient to
be unresponsive, the last vestiges of her life apparently lingering by
sole virtue of the unremitting work of a life support machine. Her
family looked on as she lay in her bed at death's door, having gathered
together to be with her during her last moments. The atmosphere in the
room was somber.

After reciting some appropriate prayers, Rabbi Wolf spoke with the head
of the family and heard the doctor's prognosis. The doctor had said that
the patient was in a vegetative state and without any hope of recovery
whatsoever. In view of this opinion and of the doctor's resultant
recommendation, the family was now preparing to remove life support from
the patient.

Rabbi Wolf sat at length with the family and discussed the situation
from the perspective of Jewish teachings. They talked about the infinite
value of the gift of human life, which derives from G-d as the ultimate
source and only provider of this gift. Rabbi Wolf drew the family's
attention to the inherent fallibility of human knowledge and judgment.
He encouraged the family not to intervene by removing the life support
machine, but to at least give the patient a little more time. "Have
faith in G-d and leave the decision to Him," he advised. Although they
were reluctant at first, the family agreed to leave the patient on her
life support machine, and to reconsider the circumstances a few days
later.

The next day, Friday, Rabbi Wolf returned to the hospital to make his
regular weekly visits to the Jewish patients. He passed by the room of
the patient he had met the night before. Imagine his complete
astonishment and joy upon beholding the surreal spectacle of the patient
sitting up in her bed, casually enjoying her lunch!

Rabbi Wolf spoke with the patient, sharing her profound gratitude and
relief. Together they expressed prayerful thanks to G-d for restoring to
her the gift of life. And what was the response from the medical
establishment to this miraculous turn of events? "Yes," a nurse wryly
conceded to Rabbi Wolf, "She had quite a turnaround last night, didn't
she?"

The miraculous turnaround that the patient experienced gave the family a
new awareness and appreciation for G-d, the giver of life, and the
wisdom of His Torah.

A different time, Rabbi Wolf received an urgent call from a case manager
at the Chicago Department of Aging. The case manager was focused on an
84-year-old Jewish client, "LC," whose unmanageable circumstances were
becoming a cause for great concern.

Rabbi Wolf immediately arranged to visit LC in her apartment. Upon his
arrival he found LC sitting in her living room in pitch darkness. After
exchanging cordial greetings Rabbi Wolf turned a light on, whereupon he
observed that LC's disposition was agitated and her mind disconcerted.
As the visit continued her disorientation became increasingly evident in
the rapid rate and confused content of her speech; moreover, she
practiced a bizarre routine of hurriedly encircling the apartment at
30-second intervals as she talked.

From the total lack of food in the apartment Rabbi Wolf realized that LC
was probably severely malnourished. Clearly, she was in a poor state of
physical and mental health. The rabbi asked LC about her medications,
but failed to receive a lucid response. He glanced at the containers and
noticed that she had duplicate bottles of high blood pressure
medication.

Rabbi Wolf immediately suspected that LC's deteriorating condition might
be due in large part to her taking double doses of this medication. He
thought of admitting her to a hospital psych ward and sought advice from
SR, a contact in a nearby hospital, on how to proceed. Under the
circumstances it was certainly no easy task, but the rabbi invoked his
rabbinical authority to convince LC to voluntarily admit herself.

That night Rabbi Wolf drove LC to the hospital and helped her through
the admission process and the initial testing procedures. The results of
the blood tests taken that night showed that the level of electrolytes
in her blood was in a terrible state; the doctor remarked that had she
not been admitted at that time she very well may not have survived the
night.

LC spent 10 days in the hospital, straightening out her medication and
recuperating. Although she managed to recover much of her health, it was
agreed that she could no longer live alone and would need to live in a
nursing home. Rabbi Wolf helped identify a suitable nursing home and
also shouldered the responsibility of facilitating her admission and
transition into her new environment. He even arranged for moving her
belongings and cleaning out her old apartment!

Now two months later, LC is happy and secure in her new setting, and has
been enjoying the social scene with her fellow residents at the nursing
home. A music enthusiast and accomplished piano player, she enjoys
enthralling her newfound friends by playing "golden oldies" for them on
the piano.

    The Chicago Mitzvah Campaign was developed to provide help and
    support to members of the entire Chicago Jewish community. CMC
    offers their services when people need them most, at times of
    frailty, illness, infirmity and loss. Their programs assist
    individuals with information, social support and material aid, and
    avail them of spiritual counsel, Jewish traditions and observances.

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                               WHAT'S NEW
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New Mikva In Canberra, Australia, a new mikva recently opened. Under the
auspices of Chabad of Canberra, Mikvah Chaya Mushka is the first ever
mikva in Australia's capital city.


New Center Chabad of Yale recently received approval of the New Haven
(Connecticut) Board of Zoning to turn the 8,500 sq. ft. Palmer House
into a new center. It is expected to open in 2012.


New Torah A new Torah scroll was completed in Johannesburg, South
Africa. While the Torah scroll was being written by a local scribe, it
took an 8 month journey through Jewish communities in southern Africa
before being completed and brought to the Savoy Chabad House.

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                            THE REBBE WRITES
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                 Erev Rosh Chodesh Adar 1, 5733 [1973]

It has been often noted that the time element in any event of Jewish
life, especially one connected with Torah and Chinuch [Jewish
education], has a special relevance and message. This rule also applies
to the fact that we are in a leap year, containing two months of Adar.

The underlying reason for periodic "leap years" in our Jewish calendar
is that our calendar is determined by the lunar year, which is about 11
days shorter than the solar year. But inasmuch as the Torah requires us
to observe our festivals in their due season - Pesach [Passover] in the
spring, Succot in the autumn, etc.- a periodic adjustment is necessary
to make up the deficiency between the lunar and solar years.

Herein also lies an important lesson. For not only does the extra month
fully make up the deficiency, but it usually provides also an advance
"on account" of the following year.

The lesson is two-fold: A person must, from time to time, take stock of
his accomplishments in the past, with a view to ascertain what he has
omitted to do.

The first principle to remember is, therefore, that it is never too late
to make good past deficiencies. Secondly, it is not enough to make up a
deficiency; it is also necessary to make an extra effort as an advance
on account of the future, and continue from strength to strength.

If this is true in all human affairs, how much more so in matters of
Torah and mitzvoth [commandments] and, especially, in the area of
Chinuch - the vital link in the preservation of our eternal Torah and
heritage and the continuity of our people.

Moreover, in the present day and age it is quite obvious that Torah-true
Chinuch is the only way to ensure that our children, boys and girls,
will remain ours, and that they will grow up and flourish like the
proverbial tree planted by water, with deep strong roots that can
withstand all wind and storms, and will not fail to bear good fruits and
the fruits of fruits to all generations to come.

In the spirit of the above, may each and all of us take a "leap" in our
advancement of Torah and mitzvoth as well as in our endeavors to
strengthen true Yiddishkeit [Judaism] in general, and Torah-true Chinuch
in particular, to the fullest extent of our capacity to meet the
challenge of our present critical times.

With blessings for hatzlacha [success] and good tidings

                                *  *  *

                      10th of Adar 1, 5733 [1973]

Rabbi Hodakov has conveyed to me your telephone messages, and I will
again remember you in prayer for the fulfillment of your heart's desires
for good in all the matter which you mentioned over the telephone.

May G-d grant that you should have good news to report, especially now
as we are in the auspicious month of Adar. Which also reminds us that we
are in a leap year, with an added month to make up for the deficiency
between the lunar year, on which our Hebrew calendar is based, and the
solar year, which determines the four seasons, since our festivals must
occur in their due season. This is also a meaningful lesson that a Jew
can, and must always strive to, make up for any past deficiencies.

It is also significant that the added month is the one of Adar, which is
a month of increased joy for Jews since that first Purim, when, as
Megillas Esther [the book of Esther] tells us, "for the Jews there was
light, joy, gladness, and honor."

These words, by the way, are included in the Havdalah [the prayer at the
end of Shabbat] which we make at the beginning of each week, to which
are immediately added the words, "so be it for us." May G-d grant that
it should be so also for you and yours in the midst of all our people.

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                            WHAT'S IN A NAME
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PESACH means "to pass over." It is the Hebrew name of the Passover
holiday when the houses of the Israelites were "passed over" by the
angel of death. It is also the name of the special offering brought on
the holiday. A similar name is PESACHYA, which means "the Pesach of
G-d."

                   PIRCHIYA means blossom or flower.

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                        A WORD FROM THE DIRECTOR
                         Rabbi Shmuel M. Butman
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The last public address of the Rebbe was on the Shabbat of parshat
Vayakhel, 25 Adar 1. The Rebbe emphasized the clear and important
message that this week's Torah portion contains.

The Rebbe explained: "The message of Vayakhel applies to the Jewish
people and alludes to their being gathered together to form a single
collective entity in the spirit of the commandment, "Love your fellow as
yourself." This is possible, because all Jews share a single essence;
all are "truly a part of G-d from above."

"In simple terms, this command means that when a person sees another
Jew, he should try to unite with him, for in truth they share a common,
fundamental essence - a G-dly soul. This command to unite applies, not
only to the Jews in one's immediate community, but to all Jews, even
those far removed, indeed, even those in a distant corner of the world.
Needless to say, the manner in which these feelings of unity are
expressed will differ in terms of the practical means of expression
available, but the feelings of oneness are universal in nature.

"Even when the distance is also spiritual in nature, i.e., when another
Jew does not share one's level of Jewish observance, one should focus on
the connection shared and not on the differences.

"This is the message of Vayakhel, that one seek to unite with every
member of the Jewish people. This approach, the thrust to unite with
one's fellow Jews, will lead to the ultimate fulfillment of Vayakhel,
the ingathering of the Jewish people to the Holy Land."

Surely these points can guide us through these final moments of exile
until we experience the long-awaited redemption.

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                          THOUGHTS THAT COUNT
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And he made the altar of incense of acacia wood (Ex. 37:25)

A Chasid once came to Rabbi Shneur Zalman, founder of Chabad Chasidism,
and asked him, "Is it possible that the real intent behind the incense
was only to dispel the smell of the animal sacrifices?" Rabbi Shneur
Zalman told him that this was not so. "Whenever a person offered a
sacrifice in the Temple," he explained, "the first thing he had to do
was regret his sins and return to G-d with a whole heart. Then and only
then were his sins atoned for. Sometimes, however, it happened that a
person didn't repent completely, and there was still a trace of sin in
the air. The purpose of the incense was to dispel its foul odor."

                                                 (Shmuot VeSipurim)

                                *  *  *


Moses gathered together all the Congregation of the Children of Israel
and said to them: "These are the things which G-d has commanded that you
should do" (Ex. 35:1)

Every Jew approaches a mitzva (commandment) with his own thoughts and
intentions, according to his intellect and understanding. Yet the
physical performance of the mitzva is carried out in the same manner by
all. Moses was able to assemble all the Jews in true unity because the
performance of mitzvot is common to all Jews, irrespective of other
differences.

                                               (Rebbe of Tshortkov)

                                *  *  *


Earring, nose ring, finger ring and bracelet (35:22)

These items were donated for the Sanctuary to teach us an important
lesson in raising our children: Earring - We must listen carefully to
the Torah's dictates on child rearing, and must always hear what our
children are saying to make sure they are receiving a good education;
Nose ring - We must "smell out" our children's friends, to make sure
that they are positive and not negative influences; Finger ring - We
must point, so to speak, with our finger, the right path to follow, and
explain the dangers of straying from that path; Bracelet - We must use
our arms, that is, all of our strengths and resources, to ensure that
every Jewish child receives a strong Jewish education.

                                   (The Previous Lubavitcher Rebbe)

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                            IT ONCE HAPPENED
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The wealthy chasid had stopped at the home of the mother of Reb Yisrael,
the Ruzhiner Rebbe, before continuing his journey to visit Reb Yisrael
in prison.  "I would like to give his regards from his family, and
especially from you, his mother," said the man.

The woman was visibly touched, and answered, "If you ask my son to give
you a sign that he received my regards, I would be very happy."

The chasid arrived at the prison and was permitted a visit with Reb
Yisrael, during which they discussed many hidden secrets of the Torah.

The conversation was so congenial that the chasid chanced a delicate
question. "I would like to ask you something, but only if you won't be
insulted or hurt by the question." Reb Yisrael agreed.

"The story is told of the Baal Shem Tov's visit to the city of Be'er
where he was slighted by the rabbi who refused to greet him. The rabbi
resisted all entreaties by the chasidim, saying that he did not consider
the Baal Shem Tov knowledgeable in Torah despite the many miracles he
performed. The chasidim laughed at this accusation. 'Why, our rebbe is a
genius of the revealed Torah.' The rabbi thought for a moment, and said,
'Very well, then. I will test him on a part of the Talmud, and if I feel
he knows it well, even I may ask him for advice.'

"The Baal Shem Tov agreed to be tested. The rabbi gave him a page to
study in the Talmud, but then was called away on an urgent matter. When
he returned, he tested the Baal Shem Tov, who replied satisfactorily,
but the rabbi was suspicious. He thought that in his absence the Baal
Shem Tov might have reviewed the text with someone more scholarly. He
demanded another test.

"Again the Baal Shem Tov submitted to the test, and this time the rabbi
was satisfied. The advice he sought was in regard to his salary; he
needed more money. The Baal Shem Tov at once requested the raise on the
rabbi's behalf and it was given."

The wealthy chasid stopped in his narrative for a  minute. "From this
story we see the greatness of the Baal Shem Tov. He was not insulted by
the rabbi's tests, on the contrary, he was eager to do him some favor.
But, in your case, it struck me as very different. I have heard that
when your visited Lemberg, the rabbi's son insulted you. He died soon
after, and you are in prison. Could you perhaps explain the difference
to me?"

The Ruzhiner Rebbe replied: "When I travelled to Lemberg I passed
through many villages and towns, and through all my travels I was
accorded the greatest respect. By the time I reached Lemberg a great
crowd of people awaited me.

"When the son of the rabbi of Lemberg saw that I was given such a great
honor, he was angered, since he felt it belittled his father. He told
the owners of the hotel where I was staying to prohibit me from forming
a minyan to pray. So that even though it was Shavuot, and I had brought
my own Torah scroll, I was unable to pray with a minyan. Nevertheless, I
refused to take offense.

"Before my departure, my chasidim implored me to go t visit the rabbi. I
lit my pipe and went to his home, but as I approached, the rabbi's son
stopped me, saying, 'How dare you come to my father while smoking!' My
chasidim tried to defend me, but the son was furious. He must have
brought the tragedy on himself.

"As for my imprisonment, I will explain it to you, and this will be a
sign to my mother. Before my wife became pregnant with my youngest son,
I learned that a unique soul was to descend to earth. I had waited over
eight hundred years to come down and would have  a special mission.
However, Heaven had decreed that the tzadik who would father this soul
would have to spend some time in jail. I went to my mother to ask her
advice. She answered me directly, 'What does a father not do for his
children?' And that is why I am here."

The chasid returned to Reb Yisrael's mother and recounted the
conversation.

Shortly after Reb Meir of Premishlan helped Reb Yisrael escape. He hired
a smuggler to bring Reb Yisrael over the Russian-Austrian border,
promising him, "When you get to the river, you must take our rabbi on
your shoulders. If you succeed, I guarantee you a place in the
world-to-come."

Reb Yisrael eventually settled in the town of Sadigura.

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                            MOSHIACH MATTERS
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The inner challenge of the exile is not only to generate love for no
reason (which annuls the cause of the exile - baseless hatred), but
rather to reveal the great love and unity there is amongst the Jewish
people even when they are in a state of being scattered among the
nations.

                              (Sefer HaSichot 5749, Vol. 1, p. 138)

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               END OF TEXT - L'CHAIM 1160 - Vayakhel 5771
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