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                         L'CHAIM - ISSUE # 1226
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                           Copyright (c) 2012
                 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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        June 22, 2012            Korach            2 Tamuz, 5772
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                       When the Sun Stands Still

On the Third of Tammuz, Joshua ordered the sun to stand still - be
silent - so that he could continue the battle, leading to the conquest
of the land of Israel.

On the Third of Tammuz, the Previous Rebbe's death sentence was commuted
- leading to his release and the continuation of his work of preserving,
teaching and spreading Judaism, underground in the Soviet Union, openly
in the United States and elsewhere around the world.

On the Third of Tammuz, an era began, where we can no longer see the
Rebbe's physical presence. What this will lead to, must lead to, is
nothing less than the era of Redemption and the coming of Moshiach.

Statements are easy to make, easy to read. Observations of history
require no special insight - the records are there to be read. Coming to
terms with what something means, however, requires thought, discussion,
and reflection. It's not a simple task.

Recently, the world was abuzz with news of the transit of Venus - when
Venus passed directly between the earth and the sun. It's like a lunar
eclipse, except that because of the distances, Venus obscure only a
small fraction of the sun's disk.

A transit of Venus is very rare - over 100 years between them - but it's
used to measure the size of our solar system, and it's how we find
planets around other stars.

From facts to understanding: The sun's light is obscured, almost
completely by an eclipse, in a miniscule amount by a Venus transit. But
the sun's light is still there, and the temporary obscuring provides us
with insights and opportunity's.

From understanding to action: What we have learned about the sun, the
solar system, celestial mechanics - this is not just abstract knowledge,
this is not just interesting stuff. We have built much of our world -
the way we live, the things we use, even how we communicate and thus
interact - from our understanding of the principles of the cosmos.

And so it is with Gimmel (the third day of) Tammuz. "The Torah is truth
and Moses  - the faithful shepherd -  is true." "David Melech Yisrael
Chai V'Kayam - David, the King of Israel, lives and is eternal." "Jacob
our forefather did not die." These words express the continuing
influence of our teachers, our leaders, our parents and forebears.

It has been eighteen years since the first Gimmel Tammuz - 18, the
numerical equivalent of life. The influence, the spiritual presence, of
the Rebbe, continues to infuse us with inspiration, with Torah, with
calls to action - thousands of Jews learning a bit more Torah, doing
another mitzva (commandment),  millions of people throughout the world
increasing, just a little, their acts of goodness and kindness.

The sun stands still, still pouring forth energy which is converted into
life. There is a transit that temporarily obscures, and from it all our
commitment increases and our connection to the Rebbe, and what he
demands from each of us, deepens.

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           LIVING WITH THE REBBE  -  THE WEEKLY TORAH PORTION
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The controversy between Korach (the leader of the rebellion and the name
of this week's Torah portion) and Moses was coming to a head. On one
side stood Moses, leader of the Jewish people, on the other was Korach
and his 250 followers.

G-d told Moses to tell the Jews, "Get away from about the dwelling of
Korach, Datan and Aviram." G-d had issued His warning; in a few minutes
the earth would split open and swallow up Korach and his entire group.

The Torah describes Moses' actions immediately upon hearing this
command. "And Moses rose up and went to Datan and Aviram, and after him
went the elders of Israel."

The reaction of Moses was curious. He had already spoken previously to
Datan and Aviram and had exhausted every prior opportunity to make
peace.

Why did he return? Wasn't it already too late? G-d had issued His
decree; their fate was sealed. And if Moses' intent was to bring Datan
and Aviram to repentance, why doesn't the Torah say that he spoke to
them? Why are we are told only that Moses "rose up and went"?

Rashi, the great commentator, explains that Moses was sure that Datan
and Aviram would receive him favorably. Though G-d had already rendered
judgment, Moses' great love for his fellow Jews, even evildoers like
Datan and Aviram, prompted him to try once more to set things right.

Mere words may have failed, but Moses tried one more approach to move
Datan and Aviram to repentance - utilizing his status as leader of the
Jewish people.

"Moses rose up" - in full kingly splendor, Moses returned to Datan and
Aviram, hopeful that they would repent and avert their bitter fate when
they beheld his glory. In this light, the rest of the verse - "and after
him went the elders of Israel" - is also understood. The regal
appearance of Moses, resplendent in his full spiritual stature as king,
was so powerful a sight that the elders were inspired to accompany him.

Unfortunately, however, Korach and his followers were not similarly
affected, and their punishment was meted out as planned.

This episode serves to underscore the depth of Moses' love for his
fellow Jew and the great lengths to which he was willing to go to bring
a Jew back from the brink.

Even after G-d had pronounced judgment and locked the very gates of
repentance, Moses, as leader and shepherd, would not give up.

If Moses could feel this way toward such evil people, how much more so
must we emulate his behavior today!

In our time, if someone acts inappropriately, it is largely out of a
lack of knowledge, not because he is an evil person. Thus, how much more
so must we all do everything in our power to bring every Jew close and
love him wholeheartedly.

                  Adapted from Likutei Sichot of the Rebbe, Vol. 28

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                             SLICE OF LIFE
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                                Together

                            by Yehudis Cohen

"About two and a half years ago, I started going to the Ohel of the
Lubavitcher Rebbe," begins Naftali Fruchter, a Viznitzer Chasid. "I
would go on or around the eve of Rosh Chodesh (the new month) as Jewish
teachings explain that this is a special time to pray at kivrei tzadikim
(the resting places of the righteous).

"After Passover of last year, I met with a certain Lubavitcher chasid
who asked me if I would be willing to work for him in his seasonal
business. I told him that in principle I was interested, as I had the
specific skills he was looking for. However, I had a number of
conditions that would need to be met in order for me to work for him. In
addition, I said that I would not consider taking the position unless I
was certain that his previous employee was not interested in having the
job back.

"My father," explains Mr. Fruchter, "always taught me 'Don't touch what
doesn't belong to you.' I would not take the job if the previous
employee wanted it. 'Until you have an answer from the other person,
there's nothing to talk about,' I told the Lubavitcher chasid."

Mr. Fruchter decided that he would wait until mid-summer (Rosh Chodesh
Av) for an answer regarding the position. If he didn't hear back from
the prospective employer by then, he would assume that the previous
worker was rehired.

As was his custom, Mr. Fruchter went to the Ohel before Rosh Chodesh Av.
He had called the Lubavitcher the week before to ask if there was an
answer yet. But the would-be employer was out-of-town and wouldn't be
back for a week. "I wrote to the Rebbe that I hoped 'the business matter
should conclude for good for both sides.' I said Tehillim (Psalms), put
my letter at the Ohel, and left. When I got home, I told my wife, 'The
Lubavitcher didn't call me. That means that I don't have the job. I'll
look for something else.'

"The next day was Friday. Late in the afternoon, I get a phone call from
the Lubavitcher. He goes to the Ohel every Friday. As he was leaving the
Ohel, he suddenly remembered that he had never called me regarding the
job. 'I don't know why, but it popped into my head that I need to call
you,' he explained to me.

"It's funny, just yesterday I mentioned by the Rebbe that we have to
conclude something with the job!" I shared with him. He assured me that
he would call me on Sunday to finalize everything and, in fact, we
concluded for good for both sides!"

Before finishing, I asked Mr. Fruchter, "You're a Vizhnitzer chasid,
what brings you to the Lubavitcher Rebbe?"

In true Jewish fashion of answering a question with a question, he
asked, "I have to explain to you why I go to the Lubavitcher Rebbe? To
you I have to explain?"

                                *  *  *

                           by Chabakuk Elisha


When my third son was born, a rebbe that I was close to was going to be
the sandek (who holds the baby) at his brit and I planned to name my son
Moshe after one of the sandek's ancestors. The brit, however, would take
place on 24 Tevet, the yahrzeit (anniversary of the passing) of Rabbi
Shneur Zalman, founder of Chabad Chasidut, and I felt that it would be
more appropriate to name our son Shneur Zalman.

The primary problem was that this rebbe was not so happy about my
interest in Chabad, and since he was sandek, I felt that I should stick
with the name Moshe. I considered combining the two names, but the
custom in Chabad is not to mix names of Rebbes with other people, so I
was hesitant to do that. I would probably have just wimped out and named
him Moshe, but my wife wouldn't hear of it - she was adamant that the
name include Shneur Zalman.

I was a bit torn, but I had a week to figure out what to do. Thy days
went by and the big day got closer, so with two days to go my wife said
that we should open a book of the Lubavitcher Rebbe's letters (Igrot
Kodesh) and see if the Rebbe could guide us to a proper resolution. I
was hesitant, but after thinking about the reality that I had no way to
resolve this, I agreed. The letter that we opened to basically read:

"Regarding your question about what language to use on the tombstone, my
opinion is that you should combine the Lubavitcher nusach (version) and
your own community nusach so that the best of both will be included.
Furthermore, you should never feel ashamed of your connection with
Lubavitch, and there is no reason why you can't be proud of all your
affiliations."

My wife felt that this was a clear answer to name our son Moshe Shneur
Zalman, and I pretty much agreed - but was still a little hesitant. The
next day (the day before the brit) I was up early. Before beginning my
morning prayers, I took a volume of the Lubavitcher Rebbe's collected
talks (Likutei Sichot) off the shelf in order to study the talk relating
to 24 Tevet. I opened it up, and wouldn't you know it! The entire talk
was about the connection of the name Shneur Zalman and Moshe. I was
blown away, and today that's my son's name.

                                *  *  *

                             by Erez Navon


When I was nine-years-old, my father (Yitzchak Navon) was serving as
president of the State of Israel. A few days before Rosh Hashana, I
decided to write New Year's greetings to several prominent people with
whom I was acquainted. Among them were then-Prime Minister Menachem
Begin, and many others of great stature whom I knew during the time I
lived in the presidential residence. When Rabbi Shloimke Maidanchik, who
was a also regular visitor to our house, saw that I was writing New
Year's cards, he suggested: 'Why don't you send New Year's greetings to
the Lubavitcher Rebbe? I'll make certain to bring it to the Rebbe in New
York.'

I happily agreed, and a short while later, I placed the letter to the
Rebbe in Rabbi Shloimke's hands. I eventually received a correspondence
from the Rebbe in reply. As a young boy, I was very moved by the letter
the Rebbe sent me in return. To this day, the letter has helped me on
numerous occasions regarding a variety of issues. Here is an example of
one such incident:

When I started my real estate work in Panama, I wanted to bring another
entrepreneur into the picture. This led me to a certain wealthy
businessman, a Torah observant Jew who lived in one of the capitals of
Europe. Today, he is one of my closest and most loyal friends. After
knowing him for several years, I decided to show him the Rebbe's letter.

My partner was equally enthused by the letter, and it forever changed
the nature of our professional discussions. The official business-like
distance was gone, suspicions faded away, and the rapport between us
grew, in light of the intense love he displayed for the Rebbe when I
showed him the correspondence.

He was amazed as he looked at the letter, reading it over and over
again. He too had received several letters from the Rebbe, and he had
even experienced his own amazing miracle, when the Rebbe virtually saved
his life.

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*********************************************************************
                            THE REBBE WRITES
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                  Translated from letters of the Rebbe

                         3 Tammuz, 5710 (1950)

...Many are seeking an explanation of the characteristic greatness of
the Chabad leaders in general, and the leader of our generation, my
father-in-law, of blessed memory, in particular, in terms of the
following designations:

The paradigm of self-sacrifice, a gaon [great Torah scholar], a man of
exemplary character traits, a tzaddik, an individual endowed with divine
inspiration, an individual accustomed to performing miracles, and so on.
These praises gain even greater significance as they are defined by the
teachings of Chasidus.

Yet in all this, the main point is absent.

Furthermore (and this is essentially the main point), the Rebbe's
special greatness is by virtue of his unique relationship with us, his
congregation of Chasidim, and with those who are connected to him. And
this is because he is the Nasi - the leader of Chabad.

For in general, the Nasi is called "the head of the community of
Israel": in relation to them, he is their head and brain; it is through
him that they derive their vitality. By cleaving to the Nasi, they
connect and unite themselves with their Source above.

There are several types of Nesi'im: those whose influence is in the
sphere of penimiyus [inwardness], and those whose influence is in the
realm of makif [surrounding].

Within these distinctions are further divisions: those whose primary
effect was in the realm of the revealed Torah, or the esoteric part of
the Torah, or in both together; those who taught a path in Divine
service and in Chasidus; those whose influence extended into the
material realm etc.

There are also those who combined several of the above attributes, or
even all of them.

Chabad leaders up until the present time, from the Alter Rebbe to my
father-in-law, have included all of the above characteristics and
distinctions:

Their influence was both internal and external, in Torah, Divine service
and good deeds, in both the spiritual and material realms. Consequently,
their connection to those who belonged to them extended to all 613 limbs
of the body and soul.

Each and every one of us should know, that is, he should study and fix
in his mind, that the Rebbe is the Nasi and the head, it is from him and
through him that everything both physical and spiritual flows, and it is
through connecting oneself with him ([the Rebbe] has already indicated
in his letters how to do this) that one connects and unites oneself with
one's source, and the Source of Sources, ever higher and higher.

                                *  *  *

                         18 Shvat, 5710 [1950]


...My late revered father-in-law, the [Previous] Rebbe, in one of his
letters after the passing of his father [Rabbi Sholom Dovber, known as
the Rebbe Rashab], writes as follows concerning tzaddikim [the
righteous], who protect the world: Even after their passing, "not only
are they not separated from the flock whose shepherd they have been, but
they lovingly present themselves before the footstool of the heavenly
throne and take up their place before the splendor of the exalted and
sublime G-d, in order to protect the people of Yeshurun [Israel]."

All this is also true of my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe, of blessed
memory.

We, however, for our part, should hold on and strengthen our bond with
him ever more intensely - by studying his discourses, talks and letters,
and by thinking deeply upon the directives to be found in them, as well
as upon the directives given to various individuals. And then, we will
proceed "in a straight path, in one of his paths that he has shown us,
and we will walk in his ways forevermore."

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                               WHO'S WHO
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                                 Korach

Korach was one of the leaders of the tribe of Levi. He initiated a
rebellion against Moses and Aaron, and induced 250 leaders of the tribes
to join him. The following day, when the opposing sides offered incense
to G-d, the earth suddenly rent apart at the feet of the rebel leaders,
and they were swallowed up alive. The other 250 rebels were devoured by
a fire that descended from Heaven. This miracle made it abundantly clear
that Moses and Aaron were the Divinely appointed leaders.

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                        A WORD FROM THE DIRECTOR
                         Rabbi Shmuel M. Butman
*********************************************************************
In the end of the summer of 1990, clearly and unmistakably, the
Lubavitcher Rebbe announced that "The time for your Redemption has
arrived." The Rebbe explained that that this statement was being made
through the gift of prophecy and should be disseminated throughout the
world. The world was now ready for the Redemption.

What role are we to play? The Rebbe stated this clearly, as well. Our
primary task, he said, is to study and teach about Moshiach, to live
with the idea of Moshiach, to make essential changes in our way of
looking at life, and to publicize the prophecy that Redemption was
imminent, and that everyone should be actively preparing to greet
Moshiach.

The Rebbe's most recent talks, from 1991 and 1992, consistently
communicated the news that the time of the Redemption has arrived and
that every individual can and must play an active role in hastening the
Redemption. One of the ways this can be done, the Rebbe explained, is by
permeating our lives with the awareness of the imminent Redemption.

By attending classes at your local Chabad-Lubavitch Center, by listening
to Torah classes over the phone, by studying and reading the Rebbe's
published talks and essays (available in many languages), you will
connect to the Rebbe and everything he personifies.

As we approach Gimmel Tammuz, the pain has not lessened. But there is no
room for despair. For, as each moment passes, we are one moment closer
to seeing in a revealed manner that, to quote the Rebbe, "Moshiach is
coming," and "he has already come." We are one moment closer to
recognizing that "the world is ready for Moshiach" and that "the time of
the Redemption has arrived." We are one moment closer to being reunited
with the Rebbe, and "he will redeem us."

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                          THOUGHTS THAT COUNT
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Korach, the son of Yitzhar, the son of Kehot, the son of Levi, separated
himself, with Datan and Aviram, sons of Eliav, and On son of Pelet, the
offspring of Reuben (Num 16:1)

A distinguished lineage is meaningful only when it brings a person to
feel humbled in the face of his illustrious ancestors. Unfortunately,
however, it sometimes has the opposite effect, resulting in baseless
pride and arrogance. Korach is a prime example of the latter; too much
self-esteem allowed him to rebel against Moses.

                                        (Rabbi Naftali of Ropshitz)

                                *  *  *


The Torah criticizes Datan and Aviram more than any other participants
in Korach's rebellion as they mixed into a controversy that was none of
their business. They weren't firstborn sons who might have resented
having the priesthood taken away from them, nor were they even from the
tribe of Levi. The priesthood was none of their concern.

                                                   (Machane Belula)

                                *  *  *


That the earth open its mouth and swallow them up...and they go down
alive into the pit (Num. 16:30)

A person can only avail himself of repentance while he yet lives. Korach
and his followers, swallowed up by the earth alive because of their
sins, were granted the opportunity to repent and atone for their
transgressions.

                                                (Lubavitcher Rebbe)

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                            IT ONCE HAPPENED
*********************************************************************

    As told by Rabbi Laibl Groner of the Lubavitcher Rebbe's
    secretariat.

Two Lubavitcher yeshiva students were flying back from "Merkos
Shlichus"* in Central America to New York. As Lubavitchers are wont to
do, they asked Jewish male passengers if they wanted to put on tefilin.

A man whom they approached was sitting with his wife and young daughter.
"Would you like to put on tefilin?" they inquired. The man shook his
head "no." One of the students noted a concerned look on the man's face
and asked, "Is there anything we can do to help? You look very worried!"

The father unburdened himself, "This little girl is our daughter. When
she was born, she was able to see perfectly. But two years ago her
eyesight began to fail and now she is totally blind. We have been to all
of the eye specialists in Central America and none of them could help
us. We were told of a place in Boston where perhaps they will be able to
help. We are on our way there."

"Do you plan on being in New York at all during your visit to the United
States?" the Lubavitchers asked.

"No, not really," the man answered.

"There is a very great rabbi, the Lubavitcher Rebbe, who is available
each Sunday for anyone to approach him and ask for a blessing and
receive a dollar for charity..."

Try as they might, the man was not interested in putting New York on his
itinerary. "Please give us your daughter's Hebrew name and her mother's
name. We will ask the Rebbe for a blessing on her behalf."

The students wrote down the names, as well as the family's home address
in Central America. They also exchanged telephone numbers.

When the Lubavitchers arrived in New York they gave the information
about the girl, as well as the family's address, to the Rebbe's
secretariat.

Two months later, one of the yeshiva students received a surprise phone
call from the father. "I have to tell you something! After thorough
examinations and reviewing our daughter's files, the doctors in Boston
said there is nothing that they can do. We returned home utterly
dejected. One day when my wife brought in the mail there was a letter
addressed to us with the return address of the Lubavitcher Rebbe. 'It is
probably an appeal letter,' I told my wife. 'Just tear it up and throw
it out.'

"My wife insisted on opening the letter. It was written in Hebrew and we
do not understand Hebrew. But our next-door neighbor is Israeli. We went
over to his house and asked him to translate it for us.

"'The Rebbe acknowledges receiving your request for a blessing,' the
neighbor began. 'He writes that it will be a good idea if your daughter
and your wife both start lighting candles for Shabbat each week.'

"'We're not really interested in these kinds of things,' I told our
neighbor.

"'But it is not such a big thing to do,' the neighbor countered. 'You
want the Rebbe's blessing! I'll bring you the candles. All they'll  have
to do is light them and then we will see what happens!'

"The second week, when my daughter uncovered her eyes after lighting the
candles, she said, 'I see a flame!'

"'What do you mean you see a flame?' we asked in shock.

"My daughter pointed to the place where the flame was. 'Do you see
anything else?' we asked her. 'No,' she answered.

"The following week, my daughter and wife lit the candles for Shabbat
again. This time, my daughter called out, 'I see a clock on the wall.'
And she told us what time it was!

"After six weeks of lighting Shabbat candles, my daughter had regained
her full eyesight!"


A husband and wife who had been married a number of years but had no
children had a private audience with the Rebbe. The Rebbe asked the
husband, "Were you dating someone else before you married your wife?"

The husband acknowledged that he had dated someone else previously. The
Rebbe asked how serious things had become.

"We were actually speaking about getting married but in the end we broke
things off."

The Rebbe continued, "Did you ask forgiveness from this young woman?"
The husband admitted that he had not asked forgiveness (for any hurt
feelings, misunderstandings, etc.)

"Is there a way for you to contact her now to ask forgiveness?"

"Yes, I know her brother and we are in touch," the husband replied.

"Contact her brother. Through him, tell her that I asked that she should
give you a note of forgiveness signed by her and another person, or that
she should verbally state in front of two people that she forgives you.
Tell her that in the merit of this forgiveness, G-d will hasten her
finding her husband."

The husband called the young woman's brother and conveyed everything the
Rebbe had told him. "Amazing," said the brother, "my sister is actually
here right now because she is staying with us for Shabbat!"

After a few minutes the brother came back on the phone. "My sister said
that she forgives you, and she said this in front of my wife and me."

A month later, the husband got a call from the young woman's brother. "I
just want you to know that my sister has been dating someone and they
expect to get engaged in a few weeks." And, as you might have imagined,
a few months later the couple was eagerly expecting their first child.

* Merkos Shlichus is an outreach program whereby Yeshiva students
  volunteer each summer to visit remote Jewish communities in order to
  raise awareness of Torah, mitzva observance and Judaism.

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                            MOSHIACH MATTERS
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Although a Jew is found in exile, he is above exile. He does not, in
essence, belong there and was sent into exile by G-d to fulfill a
mission. Therefore, "a person's agent is like the person himself," and
"the servant of a king is a king;" i.e., a Jew like G-d stands above the
exile and it has no effect on him.

            (The Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rosh Chodesh Tammuz, 5750-1990)

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                END OF TEXT - L'CHAIM 1226 - Korach 5772
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