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                                  B"H
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                         L'CHAIM - ISSUE # 1218
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                           Copyright (c) 2012
                 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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        April 27, 2012       Sazria-Metzora        5 Iyyar, 5772
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                               Your Heart

So how's your blood pressure? Now is surely the time to be asking this
question as May is National Blood Pressure Month in the United States.
Whether your blood pressure is high, low, or thank G-d, normal, it
couldn't hurt to say a few words about the heart.

On Shabbat afternoons beginning after Passover, it's customary to study
one chapter each week from the tractate of the Mishna known as "Ethics
of the Fathers," containing moral guidance from many of our greatest
Sages. It is Ethics that contains the famous question of Hillel, "If not
now, when?" And when if not now is a more appropriate time to begin
reading Ethics on Shabbat afternoons?

The Hebrew word "Mishna" has the same letters as the Hebrew word
"neshama," or soul.* The words of our Sages as recorded in the Mishna
are intrinsically connected to our souls. Studying Mishnayot (pl. for
Mishna) is so powerful that Jewish teachings explain, "All the exiles
will be gathered in only by virtue of the study of Mishnayot."

So, what can one learn from Mishnayot about the heart, the cause of
blood pressure?

In the second chapter of Ethics, studied this Shabbat, we read of an
interaction between the great teacher and mystic Rabbi Yochanan ben
Zakkai and five of his most outstanding disciples.

Rabbi Yochanan instructed his students, "Go and see what is the good way
to which a person should cleave." Rabbi Eliezer said: A good eye; Rabbi
Joshua said: A good friend; Rabbi Yosay said: A good neighbor; Rabbi
Shimon said: One who considers the consequences of his actions; Rabbi
Elazar said: A good heart.

Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakkai said to them: "I prefer the words of Elazar
ben Arach to all of yours, for in his words yours are included."

Rabbi Yochanan further instructed his disciples: Go and see which is the
evil path from which a person should keep far way. Rabbi Eliezer said:
An evil eye; Rabbi Joshua said: A wicked friend; Rabbi Yosay said: A
wicked neighbor; Rabbi Shimon said; He who borrows and does not repay...
Rabbi Elazar said: A bad heart.

Rabbi Yochanan responded: "I prefer the words of Elazar ben Arach to all
of yours, for in his words your are included."

Obviously, neither Rabbi Yochanan nor Rabbi Elazar were discussing the
physical health of one's heart. They were discussing its spiritual
health.

The heart is the core and essence of a person, and it is the source of
all of a person's powers, both physical and spiritual. Rabbi Elazar is
teaching us that if the source - the heart - is good, everything else
will also be good, and will not be flawed in any way.

How did Rabbi Elazar come to these amazing conclusions? The Torah ends
with the Hebrew letter lamed and begins with the Hebrew letter bet. When
put together they spell the word lev, heart. From the Torah, we learn
how to have a truly good heart. And it is, perhaps, for this reason that
Rabbi Elazar's advice to future generations as recorded in Ethics: Rabbi
Elazar said: "Be diligent in the study of Torah."

So, whether in celebration Blood Pressure Month or simply for its own
sake, do something good for your heart: Study Torah.

* This is the origin of the custom of studying Mishnayot - chapters of
the Mishna - for a loved one who has passed on, for it brings an
elevation to the deceased person's soul when Mishna is studying in the
merit of his or her neshama.

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           LIVING WITH THE REBBE  -  THE WEEKLY TORAH PORTION
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This week we read two Torah portions, Tazria and Metzora. Tazria comes
from the Hebrew word meaning "to plant seeds." Why does a farmer sow his
field? For the purpose of obtaining a greater yield than he started
with. It makes no sense to go to all that work if the end result will be
quantitatively the same as before. Thus the whole point of planting
seeds is to eventually harvest a larger crop of produce.

The Jewish soul, sent from the celestial spheres down into the physical
world, is likened to a seed that is planted in the earth. Once enclothed
within a physical body and able to perform practical mitzvot
(commandments), the soul can obtain a very great "crop" from its service
in this world.

In the allegorical sense, man's service of G-d is likened to the act of
sowing. His mission in life is to produce the greatest possible yield by
sowing goodness within himself, his family and friends, and within the
world at large. His study of Torah and performance of the commandments
are like seeds that germinate into an overwhelmingly abundant yield of
good.

Exile, too, is likened to the act of sowing. The actions we perform
during the galut (exile) serve the function of cultivating and hastening
their later outgrowth in the Messianic era.

The second Torah portion that is read this week is Metzora, which opens
with the words "This shall be the law of the leper." In many places this
portion is known simply as "This Shall Be."

The words "This shall be" are in the future tense. They constitute G-d's
promise that so it shall be, that after the difficult process of sowing
there will be much to harvest. After the exile, the redemption will
surely arrive. When Moshiach comes we will reap all the fine fruits that
grew from the seeds we planted throughout the years of exile.

Thus the two Torah portions, Tazria and Metzora ("This Shall Be"), are
symbolic of exile and redemption. In many years (as this one) they are
read together, on the same Shabbat.

Whenever two Torah portions are combined it signifies that their themes
are interrelated. Exile and redemption constitute a natural sequence;
the redemption follows the exile immediately upon its conclusion.

We who are still in exile and involved in the act of "sowing" must thus
always strive to connect ourselves in all we do to the imminent Final
Redemption, just as Tazria is connected to Metzora. Our "seeds" must be
sown with a sense of perpetual longing and anticipation of Moshiach's
coming. We must never reconcile ourselves to remaining in exile, but
repeatedly demand and pray to G-d that He fulfill His promise. In this
way we will merit the true and complete Redemption, immediately and at
once.

                                     Adapted from Hitva'aduyot 5742

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                             SLICE OF LIFE
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                            Touching Moments
                         by Rabbi Udi Studnitz

Ayal had several job offers in the United States. I had met him in my
work as an emissary of the Rebbe in the Kiryat HaYovel neighborhood in
Jerusalem. Ayal left Israel, but we kept in touch. Several weeks ago, he
called and excitedly told me about an instance of Divine Providence that
had greatly inspired him.

After moving to the U.S., Ayal opened a new company and did very well. A
few months ago, he invited his younger brother to come and work for him.
He looked for a small car for his brother so he could get around. He met
an Israeli who dealt in used cars and the Israeli promised him a
terrific car for $2,300.

They closed the deal, and Ayal gave him the money and got the car. He
soon discovered it was a lemon. He angrily called the Israeli and
demanded his money back. The Israeli refused. Ayal was furious and
insisted the deal was off but the Israeli disagreed. Ayal began shouting
at him but nothing helped. The man hung up the phone.

For the next three nights, Ayal couldn't sleep since he was so upset. He
imagined what he would do to that Israeli if he caught him.

It was at this time that he received an unexpected e-mail from a Chabad
House in his area. He had no idea how he had gotten on their email list
since he had never visited and had no connection with them. In the
email, the shliach  (emissary) asked people to come and be part of a
minyan at the Chabad House on a certain day because one of the members
had to say the mourner's prayer of Kaddish. The shliach included this
thought from the book "Bringing Heaven Down to Earth" based on the
teaching of the Lubavitcher Rebbe by Rabbi Tzvi Freeman's book:

How you treat others is how G-d treats you. How you forgive them is how
He forgives you. How you see them is how He sees you.

When you show empathy for the plight of another human being, G-d takes
empathy in your plight.

When others slight you and you ignore the call to vengeance that burns
inside, G-d erases all memory of your failures toward Him. When you see
the image of G-d in another human being, then the image of G-d becomes
revealed within you.

These words touched his heart. He felt that it related to what he had
been feeling. On the spot, he decided he would forgive the Israeli who
cheated him. He would be happy if he could get his money back, but he
resolved to drop the feelings of anger and revenge that had so consumed
him. He was willing to forgive him and to have pity on one who had
fallen so low.

The next day he attended the minyan where he became acquainted with new
people. This led to a few new business deals. Right after the prayers,
the car dealer called him and said he had reconsidered and was willing
to return all his money!

                                *  *  *


When I was still a yeshiva student, on Friday afternoon when our classes
were over, I would go with a friend to a mall in the Ramat Aviv
neighborhood where my yeshiva was. We would set up a table at the
entrance to the mall and urge men and boys to put on Tefilin. Throughout
the many hours we were there each Friday afternoon, we barely managed to
get eight people to put on Tefilin. The atmosphere in Ramat Aviv, an
extremely secular neighborhood in Israel, was very hostile. Every third
person who passed by would make a cutting remark. We would smile and
wish him a good day, trying not to get involved in debates.

On one of those Fridays, feeling helpless, we jokingly said that
although it was hard to find people in this particular neighborhood
willing to put on Tefilin, the day would come when people would be so
eager to do so that they would chase after us and want to pay us for it.
We laughed about how we would make all kinds of sales like two for one,
etc.

The following Friday we were standing at our Tefilin table as usual when
an expensive car stopped near us and a bare-headed, elegantly dressed
man emerged. He put his hand in his pocket and took out a wad of hundred
dollar bills. He came over and gave both of us a hundred dollar bill,
saying, "I want to give this money to you because you put Tefilin on
with people; continue what you're doing." He told us that the money was
for us and not for us to give to charity. We stood there open-mouthed.
This was not an everyday occurrence!

After we had recovered somewhat, we tried asking our benefactor who he
was, but he refused to disclose any details. He departed as mysteriously
as he arrived.

                             Reprinted from Beis Moshiach Magazine.

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                               WHAT'S NEW
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                    I Will Write It In Their Hearts

This treasury of letters by the Lubavitcher Rebbe are his personal
responses to communications from people from all walks of life. The
profound lessons of his advice transcend the spheres of the individual
recipients. Volume 7 of I Will Write it in Their Hearts has recently
been released by Sichos in English, translated by Rabbi Eliyahu Touger.

                     As A Father Loves His Only Son

As a Father Love His Only Son talks about G-d's love for His children
and how that reciprocal love triggers an unwavering belief in His
salvation. However dire the situation, the believer does not get
discouraged, he trusts in G-d and His mysterious ways. Compiled and
translated by Rabbis Uri Kaploun and Eliyahu Touger, published by SIE.

                      The Torah Book of Opposites

In this big, colorful board book, a charming cast of characters
illustrates important aspects of our beloved Torah. The Torah goes IN
and OUT of the Ark... ...there are BIG Torahs for the grownups and SMALL
ones for kids... ...we lift the Torah UP, then gently put it DOWN.
"Letters, BLACK; Parchment, WHITE; OPEN wide, CLOSED up tight!" The
Torah Book of Opposites is the perfect Jewish concept book for babies
and toddlers! Written by Nechamy Segal illustrated by Marc Lumer and
published by HaChai Publishing.

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                            THE REBBE WRITES
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                     Rosh Chodesh Teves 5734 [1973]

Greeting and Blessing:

This is to acknowledge receipt of your letter of December 24th.

It surprises me that, apparently, you are misinformed about the present
state of affairs in the matter about which you write.

In the natural order of things, it is now well-nigh impossible to do
anything to reverse the tide, inasmuch as those who determine the policy
have brought it to a situation where it is impossible to retract all
that has been promised in regard to the returning of territories, etc.
This is not the place to dwell at length on such a painful and appalling
matter.

Perhaps you know that there is a judicial formula, which originates in
the Torah (Talmud), to the effect: techilaso beratzon vesofo be'ones
("He began voluntarily and ended up under compulsion"). The present
situation has reached the stage of "compulsion." The time to have
averted it was when I began to storm (naturally not through the press)
immediately after the Six Day War, when those policy-makers hastily
dispatched emissaries to Washington with assurances that they were
prepared to return such and such territories, and that most of them were
negotiable, etc. This was the "voluntary beginning" which has resulted
in the present situation.

What will happen in the future - no one can say. But we are a people who
depend on miracles, and, indeed, our whole existence as a small nation
in a hostile world is also nothing short of a miracle. And so when the
offer of territorial concessions was made immediately after and since
the Six Day War, there was the miracle that the other party, the Arabs,
rejected the offer.

And during the Yom Kippur War there was even a greater miracle when the
Egyptians, after crossing the Suez Canal with a huge army, known to be
at least 100,000 strong, and most likely much stronger, yet for no
reason stopped in their tracks only a number of kilometers east of the
Canal, facing no military resistance, and with the road ahead of them
wide open. Unfortunately, extraordinary opportunities on both fronts
which the miracles had provided were missed, and, again, I do not wish
to dwell on matters which do not reflect favorably on our fellow Jews.

As for the practical thing which Jews everywhere can do to help the
present situation - something which is most regrettably ignored, in line
with playing down the obvious Divine intervention in the most critical
days of the war - is that every Jews must strengthen his bonds with the
Torah from Sinai, when G-d made us the "chosen people." This is also
something of which we need not be ashamed, for contrary to those who
misunderstand or misrepresent this in terms of privilege which smacks of
chauvinism, this chosenness is primarily a matter of duty and obligation
to be a model people for the whole world to emulate, a people where form
takes precedence over matter, the spiritual over the material, and the
soul over the body, a people which was destined to be "a light unto the
nations" (Isa. 42:6, etc.).

It is this kind of life and conduct which the Torah describes that also
stimulates right thinking and the proper outlook on life. It is this
kind of life that also strengths the self-confidence of every Jew
wherever he may be, and enables him to shed any inferiority complex and
the readiness to be impressed by a non-Jew; or by an idea which comes
from a non-Jew; or actually non-Jewish ideology. It is sad indeed when,
instead of being a model and a living example for non-Jews to emulate,
some Jews fall over themselves to emulate non-Jews, rejecting the
"spring of living waters," the Jewish Torah and Jewish tradition, etc.

It is surely unnecessary to point out to you, an M.D., the psychological
factor which has such an important role when two adversaries confront
each other. When the adversary sees that his opponent is spiritually and
psychologically strong and self-confident and certain of his just cause
and not prone to be impressed by the adversary or any non-Jew due to the
inferiority complex mentioned above - this is the best way of preventing
wars, not only major wars, but even wars of attrition.

It is hardly to be expected that a Jew, who in his personal life is
afraid to show that he is a proud Jew, whether at home or outside, who
prefers to stack his library with non-Jewish volumes and authors, etc.,
and who makes sure to bring up his children in a way that when they walk
in the street they should show no signs of being Jew, yet this same Jew
should draw the line and take a different posture when he meets a
political adversary and engages in political negotiations with
representatives of other countries. Could such a Jewish representative
truly consider himself at least equal to the gentile adversary in such a
confrontation, having tried all his life to emulate and follow slavishly
the gentile world and way of life? And whatever pretense and façade he
might make will surely not convince the adversary.

The same is true, of course, in regard to the education of the Jewish
children, who are brought up on the culture of the various nations of
the world, and where Jewish tradition and culture take second place at
best or are non-existent. Could such children grow up into proud Jews,
dedicated to their heritage and defend it?
                        continued in next issue


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                               WHO'S WHO
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                       Rabbi Yochanan Ben Zakkai

Rabbi Yochanan Ben Zakkai lived at the time of the destruction of the
Second Temple. Before the actual fall of Jerusalem he hid himself in a
coffin and was smuggled out of the city. He made and was granted three
requests of the Roman commander Vespasian: the city of Yavneh to
establish a yeshiva; the life of the Davidic heir to the monarchy; a
physician to cure Rabbi Tzadok who had fasted 40 years to save Jerusalem
from destruction. The establishment of Yavneh as a Torah center set the
stage for the spiritual rebirth of the Jewish people despite the
destruction of its physical base.

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                        A WORD FROM THE DIRECTOR
                         Rabbi Shmuel M. Butman
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The Land of Israel is not like other lands. Other countries' borders are
determined by wars, treaties and politics. The Land of Israel's borders
are determined by G-d. There are many mitzvot that apply only in Israel;
anywhere else in the world, and you can't do them.

The Land of Israel is called the Holy Land for a reason: its very soil
is hallowed, permeated with G-dliness and holiness. It is a land "upon
which the eyes of G-d rest, from the beginning of the year until the end
of the year." The very air itself "makes one wise," according to our
Sages.

After the terrible destruction of the Holocaust, G-d gave the Jewish
people a wonderful gift - the opportunity to return to their ancestral
home and live according to their own dictates. For the first time in
almost 2,000 years, millions of Jews were able to take refuge in the
Holy Land. But not only would the Land of Israel provide physical
refuge, it was a golden opportunity for real spiritual freedom. For even
though the Jewish people would remain in galut (the exile will end only
with Moshiach's coming, may it happen immediately), Jews would be able
to practice Torah and mitzvot proudly and openly. In allowing Jews
political autonomy, G-d gave them a chance for true independence, which
can only be attained through the Torah.

Shleimut ha'aretz, literally "the integrity of the land," means that the
whole and complete Land of Israel belongs to the Jewish people. Given by
G-d to every single Jew, it simply isn't in our power to reject this
gift. Aside from the fact that it is against Torah law to cede portions
of Israel to non-Jews (thereby putting Jewish lives in danger), the land
always retains its special, holy nature.

May G-d continue to guide His people along the right path, and help us
to live up to His expectations.

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                          THOUGHTS THAT COUNT
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When a woman conceives and gives birth... (Lev. 12:2)

This Torah portion is immediately preceded by the words "to distinguish
between the unclean and the clean, and between the beast that may be
eaten and the beast that may not be eaten," to teach that keeping kosher
has a direct effect upon the spirituality of future generations.

                                                      (Nachmanides)

                                *  *  *


If a man shall have in the skin of his flesh a swelling or scab...he
shall be brought to Aaron the priest...then shall the priest isolate the
person with the plague [of "leprosy"] for seven days (Lev. 13:2-4)

Our Sages taught that nothing happens by chance. When a person came down
with leprosy, the seven-day isolation period was to be used for
contemplation and repentance. The leprosy was a reminder that G-d
watches us all the time, and if we follow the priest's guidance, He
would accept our repentance and heal us.

                                                  (Sefer HaChinuch)

                                *  *  *


If the plague of leprosy is on a man, then shall he be brought to the
priest (Lev. 13:9)

The Biblical plague of leprosy was visited upon a person who had
participated in the sin of lashon hara - gossip. During a private
audience with the Previous Lubavitcher Rebbe a Jew once asked for a
tikun, a "prescription" to correct the spiritual damage his misdeeds had
caused. The man went on and on about how badly he had behaved, and used
extremely harsh words to describe himself. "I'm sure you know," the
Rebbe reminded him, "how grave the Torah's prohibition is against
speaking lashon hara. But just as it is forbidden to speak lashon hara
about someone else, it is also forbidden to speak lashon hara about
oneself!"

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                            IT ONCE HAPPENED
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Everyone in the holy city of Jerusalem knew Shalom the shamash, the
young sexton who tidied up and maintained order in the famous "Beit Kel"
yeshiva. Quiet by nature, he would fetch books for the Torah scholars
and in general, make himself useful. But all in all, there was nothing
extraordinary about Shalom that would raise any eyebrows.

Only recently had the young Jew arrived in the Holy Land, after a long
and arduous journey from Yemen. Indeed, it was the fulfillment of his
life's dream when he was finally able to kiss the holy soil and devote
himself to the service of G-d in Jerusalem.

Shalom the shamash had been born in the city of Sharab, where his
superior intellectual gifts were evident at an early age. Unfortunately,
the premature death of his father prevented him from remaining in
yeshiva, as the young orphan was now the sole support of his family.
Shalom became a traveling merchant and plied his wares from door to
door. This left him with only his evenings free to pursue his one true
love: the study of Torah. He would often remain in the study hall till
the wee hours of the morning before going home to catch a few hours of
sleep.

But Shalom's thirst for Torah knowledge was insatiable. Despite his
achievements, he still felt as if something were missing. It was then
that he discovered the esoteric realm of Torah - the Kabala and its
mysteries - as developed by the sages of Yemen. Enthusiastically he
plunged into the study of the higher worlds and the Torah's secrets, and
distinguished himself in this realm as well. But the young Rabbi Shalom
insisted on working for a living, and continued to peddle his notions as
before.

One time on a business expedition Shalom found himself in a very
dangerous situation, and vowed that if G-d saved him, he would move to
the Holy Land. Indeed, G-d came to his aid, and he left his friends and
family and embarked on the long journey through the Middle East.

Shalom's joy knew no bounds when he finally arrived at the Beit Kel
yeshiva in Jerusalem, headed by the famous Kabalist Rabbi Gedalia
Chiyun. His soul longed to join the other students of the inner aspects
of Torah, but he had no wish to reveal his already extensive knowledge.
Instead, he presented himself as a simple Jew and found employment as
the sexton of the study hall.

It was a wonderful opportunity to learn without being observed. As a
regular presence in the yeshiva, no one paid any attention to Shalom,
who kept his eyes and ears open to every word. Thus he gradually
increased his knowledge until he far surpassed everyone else. But his
greatness remained a secret known only to him.

One day a question came up in the yeshiva that no one could answer. For
days the Kabalists consulted their heavy tomes, but could not come up
with a satisfactory explanation. Rabbi Gedalia became almost obsessed
with the problem, and was very perturbed by his inability to solve it.

The shamash had been listening to their deliberations and knew the
answer. But not wishing to reveal himself, he remained silent. As the
days progressed, it was as if a dark cloud hovered over the study hall.

One day Shalom came upon Rabbi Gedalia weeping over an open volume,
begging and imploring G-d to illuminate his mind. It was impossible to
ignore such a pitiful sight. Later that night, when the study hall was
empty, Shalom wrote the answer on a small piece of paper and left it
between the pages of Rabbi Gedalia's book.

The next morning the study hall was in an uproar. The problem that had
appeared so difficult and complex had been solved in a clear and logical
manner. Everyone was curious where the wonderful explanation had come
from, but it remained a great mystery.

The strange phenomenon repeated itself several times. Whenever a
difficult question was raised in the evening, its answer was found in
Rabbi Gedalia's book the next morning. A thorough investigation was
conducted, but the head of the yeshiva could not determine where the
answers were coming from.

The riddle was solved in a totally unexpected manner, when Rabbi
Gedalia's young daughter happened to mention that she had noticed the
Yemenite sexton flipping through the pages of one of her father's books.
In fact, she had noticed him doing so on several occasions. The next
time an unresolved question was raised in the study hall the Rabbi made
believe he was going home for the evening but hid in a closet. Indeed,
to his utter shock, he observed the sexton consulting the holy tomes and
secreting a piece of paper between the pages of his prayer book.

The next morning the head of the yeshiva insisted on seating Rabbi
Shalom Sharabi at his right hand side, and revealed to all the great
mystery. In fact, he later appointed him his heir and successor, despite
his tender age of only 27.

Rabbi Shalom Sharabi's greatness was thus revealed to everyone in
Jerusalem, and many stories are told about his wisdom. For 30 years he
served as head of the Beit Kel yeshiva, until passing away in the year
5537 (1777).

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                            MOSHIACH MATTERS
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The Torah states, "A woman who conceives and bears a son..." (Lev. 12:2)
"Woman" is a common metaphor for the Jewish nation. "Conceives," in the
Hebrew literally "gives seed," is analogous to the performance of good
deeds. Bearing a child is the final Redemption. The performance of
mitzvot is compared to the sowing of seed because one tiny seed can be
the starting point for an abundance of fine produce. Similarly, just one
mitzva (commandment) can be the source for abundant G-dliness.

                        (Ohr HaChayim as elucidated in Ohr HaTorah)

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            END OF TEXT - L'CHAIM 1218 - Sazria-Metzora 5772
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