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                         L'CHAIM - ISSUE # 1284
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                 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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        August 16, 2013        Ki Seitzei          10 Elul, 5773
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                             Filling Space

How many college students can fit into a tiny car or phone booth? How
many absolute essentials can a woman place in her evening bag? How many
items can a man stuff into his suit pocket and still have the jacket lay
properly? How many grapes can a youngster pack into his mouth before
they come tumbling out?

Sand patted down by a child in a pail, and patted down yet again to make
room for more; a suitcase so full that you have to sit on it to close
it; another few characters in an "sms" - taking out spaces, abbreviating
words, using symbols - until the message is almost unintelligible; this
is the last bite, we promise ourselves as we dig once again into the
chocolate mud cake, though we're already stuffed to the gills.

People seem to be obsessed with cramming as many things as possible into
a minimal amount of space. From closet organizers to pocket organizers,
we want to make full use of space, both tangible and intangible.

There are times in the Jewish calendar when we are given a specific
amount of "spiritual space" and encouraged to fill it up.

The month of Elul in which we currently find ourselves is just such a
time. Elul is the round-up time for the previous year. It is the
"inventory" season, "year-end accounting" time and the moment when each
person writes and reads to himself his own "State of the Union" address.

In addition to Elul being a once-over concerning the past, it is a focus
on the future, an opportunity to plan ahead armed with the wisdom gained
from experience. Elul gives us the chance to concentrate on how we will
do things differently in the upcoming year.

But there is a third aspect to Elul, as well. While we're remembering
the past and considering the future, we are still living in the present.
And in this present, Jewish teachings invite us to use the entire month
of Elul to fill up our spiritual space with as many mitzvot as we can.
We are encouraged to add more mitzvot to our repertoire of mitzvot and
to enhance the manner in which we are already perform various mitzvot.

In Elul, we are urged specifically to give extra charity; to spend more
time connecting with G-d through prayer; to have our mezuzot and tefilin
checked by an expert scribe (and to put mezuzot on those doorways which
might yet need them); to observe the laws of kashrut more carefully;  to
bless our friends, neighbors and relatives with a good, sweet year.

Using the spiritual space we're given during Elul to its fullest
capacity can only be to our benefit for the coming year.

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           LIVING WITH THE REBBE  -  THE WEEKLY TORAH PORTION
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In this week's Torah portion, Teitzei, we read about the concept of
divorce. In order for a Jewish couple to terminate their marriage, the
husband must "write her a get (bill of divorce), and give it in her
hand," i.e., the actual document must leave the husband's domain and be
given over into the wife's.

Allegorically speaking, the Jewish people and G-d are likened to husband
and wife, the "marriage" having taken place when the Torah was given at
Mount Sinai.

Years later, when the Jewish people sinned, G-d "sent her from his
house," i.e., banished them from the land of Israel, handing them, in
effect, a "bill of divorce."

Yet how can we say that G-d "divorced" the Jews, when one of the
principal requirements in the dissolution of a marriage is that the get
leave the husband's domain and be given over into the wife's?

Is not the entire world G-d's domain, as it states, "The earth is filled
with His glory"? Indeed, how can there be any domain that is separate
from G-d?

The answer is that while G-d is certainly everywhere, His Presence in
the world can be either revealed or hidden. When the Holy Temple stood
in Jerusalem the Divine Presence was clearly manifest; ten open miracles
perpetually proclaimed G-d's existence. It was a period in which the
love between G-d and the Jewish people was open and apparent; His
Presence in the world was palpable and easily perceived. During the
exile, however, G-d "conceals" Himself, as it were, with the resultant
perception of estrangement and disconnection from G-d.

In truth, however, this perception is only an illusion, brought about by
our misdeeds. When Israel sinned, G-d responded by "withdrawing,"
causing them to feel as if they had entered another domain, and thus
validating the "bill of divorce." We must therefore bear in mind that
the entire concept of the existence of "another domain" is fallacious;
the "divorce" between G-d and the Jewish people is also an illusion. The
Jewish people's alienation from G-d is only imaginary, the consequence
of the darkness of exile.

Very soon, when Moshiach ushers in the era of Redemption, G-d's eternal
love for His people will again be openly demonstrated, and the imaginary
"divorce" between the Jews and G-d will have been annulled.

                   Adapted from Likutei Sichot of the Rebbe, Vol. 9

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                             SLICE OF LIFE
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                              Life Choices
                           by Yaacov Behrman

I spent my first Shabbat in Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center on
March 2nd. Just a week earlier, my parents had hosted a large Purim
celebration for family and friends. My mother, dressed in surgeon's
scrubs an Israeli doctor had given her when she took my father for a
procedure at NYU Medical Center, and my father dressed as the "Laughing
King," entertained our 20 guests unaware of the devastation about to
begin.

On tuesday, two days after Purim, we were rushing to Sloan in a Hatzalah
ambulance. My mother was in terrible pain. The doctors at the hospital
told her that the problem was likely scar tissue. But my mother felt
otherwise. I was still trying to be naively optimistic.

She was admitted into the hospital and instructed not to eat or drink.
On Friday my dear friend Yanky came to spend Shabbat with us at the
hospital.

My mother insisted that we eat in the lounge and not in her hospital
room. She set the table with a lovely white cloth she had ordered,
hoping to create a spirit of Shabbat in this hell hole. Although unable
to eat or drink, she held the challah to her nose and slowly smelled it,
"Lekovod Shabbos Kodesh, oy Lekovod Shabbos Kodesh  - In honor of the
holy Shabbat."

We had a guest that Shabbat afternoon. My mother had invited a Jewish
woman she had met in the hospital hallway to join us for the meal. The
woman's husband was in a room a few doors down, very ill.

The woman poured out her life story. "My husband survived the Holocaust.
He married me and started a new life in America. The beginning was hard
but eventually we became a successful, happy family. Than we lost a
grandchild and another was born with severe physical disabilities.

"Now my husband is very sick and in constant pain. Wasn't the Holocaust
enough? Why did G-d create a world where there is a need for a hospital
like Sloan in the first place? Why are there three floors for
pediatrics?"

My mother held her hand and a had a deep, meaningful conversation. She
didn't try to answer her questions, but with humor and wit cheered the
woman up and conveyed to her the importance of being a strong support
for her husband.

In the course of the conversation, my mother asked the woman where she
bought her stylish watch. The woman, eager to comfort someone suffering,
said, "I bought it in Italy; you like it, please take it." My mother
accepted her gift.

When the woman left, I said, "Mommy, please give back the watch! This
woman is emotional, and you can't use the cancer card to take that
watch."

The woman heard what I had said, returned and became extremely upset
with me. "How dare you tell your mother to give back the watch! No one
asked you! We tell our children what to do! Not the other way around."
(My mother, having remembered that one cannot accept a gift on Shabbat,
explained to the woman that she could not anyway accept the watch.)

Two days later on my parents' anniversary, the woman attempted to give
the gift again, and my mother accepted.

Three weeks before Mother passed, her oncologist at Sloan told her,
"Mrs. Behrman, you've started to die. There is nothing that can be
done."

We came home that day, bought two new yellow chairs for the porch and
spent an hour gardening. The following day our dear friend and family
doctor came over to discuss her prognosis. Mom was very clear with her
medical team that she wanted to be involved in all decisions related to
her health. She explained to me that making her own decisions gave her
some feeling of control over a situation that was out of her control.
Mommy understood this well; she had spent the last 18 years advocating
for people with disabilities. No matter how severe their disability, Mom
always tried to empower her consumers to make their own decisions and
take some control over their lives.

My mother passed away at the age of 69. She passed wearing make-up and a
brand new dress. It was exactly how she wanted it to be. She passed in
her own home, proud and beautiful, with her dignity intact. I was with
her, and we spoke an hour before she passed.

To me, that Shabbat in the hospital will always be very special. Mom was
so sick, yet still able to comfort someone else. It will serve as a
reminder of how blessed my dear mother was to have had the ability make
her own decisions until her last hour. She focused on the little control
she did have rather than obsess over her imminent death. She chose her
own path.

           From notes sent to the family upon Sara's passing:


Sara was a real advocate for the special needs population. We enjoyed
her enthusiasm, positive attitude, good spirits, and entertaining
personality. What a dynamic, creative person, caring friend, devoted
mother, bubby, and wife...

Her vitality and humor was like a tonic for tired souls. Her perceptive
insights and no nonsense attitude were vivid and dynamic...

I'm very grateful for the advice and help she gave me; and also for the
inspiration and the example of fighting for what's right with pride,
determination, and joy...

I knew Sarah since 2002 when I started working for HASC. She was my
number 1 cheerleader and advocate in this field. There was nothing she
would not do to get her participants all the services they wanted and
needed. Sarah was eclectic, direct, no nonsense...

She was fun to be around. I was always happy to greet her on the street
because her "happy vibes" were a tonic to everyone she met....

I connected with Sarah the minute I met her. I don't know how any mother
could be as devoted as she was. Smart, sharp, dynamic and forthright,
she dealt with joy the same way that she dealt with adversity:
emotionally-charged, intellectually focused, with a razer sharp humor.

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                               WHAT'S NEW
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                             New Emssaries

Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak and Rivka Devorah Gruzman are moving to Dusseldorf,
Germany, where they will be assisting the local emissaries with their
expanding programs as well as establishing a branch of CTeens in the
city for local Jewish teenagers.

Rabbi Levi and Chayale Groner are establishing a new Chabad Center in
Pelham, New York, a suburb in Westchester county. At the start, they
will focus on Shabbat and holiday programs, Torah classes and youth
programming.

Rabbi Levi and Yochi Lipinski will be moving to Buenos Aires, Argentina
to be youth directors of  Chabad of Palermo Soho.

Rabbi Mendel and Dini Sharfstein will be moving to Jacksonville,
Florida, where they will establish a new Chabad Center for Jewish Life
in S. Johns County. The new emissaries will be serving the Jewish
communities in S. Johns/Fruit Cove, Nocatee, and World Golf Village.

                               Correction

The city of Yekatrinoslav, mentioned in the Slice of Life #1281, has
been known as Dnepropetrovsk since 1925.

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                            THE REBBE WRITES
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                      25th of Tammuz, 5734 (1974)

Greeting and Blessing:

I duly received your letter of June 12th with the enclosure.

I will remember you in prayer in the matters about which you write, and
may G-d grant that just as you wrote about the problems, so you should
have good news to report about their satisfactory resolution.

The Zechus [merit] of the Tzedoko [charity], for which receipt is
enclosed, will surely stand you and yours in good stead.

It is surely unnecessary to emphasize to a person of your background
about the need of learning Torah every day, with additional time on the
holy Shabbos. I mention it only in accordance with the advice of our
Sages to "encourage the energetic." May G-d grant that you should go
from strength to strength in all matters of Torah and Mitzvoth
[commandments], in accordance with the saying of our Sages, "He who has
100, desires 200, and having achieved 200, desires 400." If ambition
grows with achievement even in material things, how much more should
this be the case in matters of the spirit, which are the essential
aspects of Jewish life.

With blessing,

                                *  *  *

                        5 Cheshvan, 5735 (1984)


For some reason, the enclosed letter [above] was not mailed to you
promptly, and please forgive the delay.

In the meantime I have just received your letter of Oct. 16, and I
hasten to reply to it:

With regard to your teaching profession - it would not be advisable for
you to give it up (despite the difficulties involved) until you have
another adequately stable Parnoso [livelihood].

Needless to say, it is not at all in accord with the directives of our
Torah, Toras Chayim (our guide in daily life and source of a truly happy
life), to delay the Mitzva of "pirya-vrivya" [be fruitful and multiply]
(the first Mitzva in the Torah) until one has an assured Parnoso
according to human estimation. I trust that neither you, nor your wife,
with your respective backgrounds, require elaboration on this -
especially since our Sages of blessed memory have dealt with this at
length in various sources.

If you will let me know your full Hebrew name and mother's Hebrew name,
as well as the same in regard to your wife, I will remember you both in
prayer when visiting the holy resting place of my father-in-law of
saintly memory.

Again, with blessing

                                *  *  *

                       26th of Elul, 5740 [1980]


I received your correspondence, and may G-d grant the fulfillment of
your heart's desires for good.

Especially as we are now in the auspicious month of Elul, as explained
by the Alter Rebbe [Rabbi Shneur Zalman, founder of Chabad Chasidism] by
means of the well-known parable of "a King in the field."

Briefly: There is a time when a king is out in the field, and then
everyone has an opportunity to greet the king, approach him, and present
a petition, and the king receives every one graciously and fulfills
everyone's request. So the King of Kings, the Holy One, Blessed Be He,
has set aside the month of Elul - the last month of the outgoing year -
as a time of special opportunity to get closer to Him through adherence
to His Torah and Mitzvos, and He receives everyone graciously. May this
be so also in regard to you and yours.

Wishing you and all yours a Kesivah vechasimah tova [that you be written
and sealed for good], for a good and sweet year,

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                               WHO'S WHO
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Betzalel was the son of Uri, from the tribe of Judah. He was a master
artisan, of whom the Torah states, "I have filled him with the spirit of
G-d, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledte, and in all
manner of workmanship to devise skillful works, to work in gold, and in
silver, and in carving of wood..." (Ex. 31:1-6) Together wtih Oholiav he
produced all the ritual items for the Sanctuary - the ark cover, the
furniture, the table and its vessels, the altars, menora, etc. All were
made according to the prophecy that Moses had received at  Sinai.

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                        A WORD FROM THE DIRECTOR
                         Rabbi Shmuel M. Butman
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It is customary during the entire month of Elul to sound the shofar
daily,except on Shabbat. The shofar is not sounded on the eve of Rosh
Hashana but it is sounded on both days of Rosh Hashana. The shofar is
also sounded during the final service of Yom Kippur.

What is so special about the sound of the shofar? The sound of the
shofar gives us two distinct messages: It is the sound of trumpets
announcing the coronation of the king and it is a signal, like an alarm,
reminding us to consider our past deeds and return to G-d in sincere
teshuva (repentance).

Why was the shofar, a rather crude musical instrument, specifically
chosen to give over these two messages? Even in ancient times, finer
musical instruments producing more refined sounds existed.

The shofar is made from a ram's horn. Even when the horn has been
hollowed out, cleaned and polished, it is still more similar to a horn
than a fine musical instrument.

The preparation for Rosh Hashana, and its inauguration through the
sounding of the horn of an animal, teaches us a profound lesson.
Although people are intelligent creatures and our intellect is one of
the things that separates us from other living creatures, intellect
cannot be the be-all and end-all. When it comes to accepting G-d as our
Ruler, we must do so with the submissiveness of an animal. Our return to
G-d, too, is more easily accomplished by setting aside our cold,
calculating intellect and relying, instead, on our warm, simple, more
primitive emotive qualities.

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                          THOUGHTS THAT COUNT
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You shall not plow with an ox and a donkey together. (Deut. 22:10)

We learn from this prohibition just how careful the Torah is to avoid
causing pain or mistreating animals. The donkey is much weaker than the
mighty ox; if the two animals were paired together with one harness, the
donkey would have terrible difficulty keeping pace with its much
stronger companion.

                                                         (Ibn Ezra)

                                *  *  *


To you shall it be tzedaka [righteousness] (Deut. 24:13)

A person should give tzedaka while he is still alive, when the money is
still in his possession. The Torah tells us not to behave in the manner
of certain rich individuals, who amass great fortunes during their
lifetimes, and then instruct in their wills that the money be put to
good use after they pass away.

                                                       (Klei Yakar)

                                *  *  *


You shall not take in pledge the garment of a widow... and you should
remember that you were a slave (Deut. 24:17, 18)

When a Jew looks at all the commandments - you shall give to this one
and to that one, treat the orphan in such and such a manner, give the
widow special treatment - he may grumble, "How many demands does G-d
make of us!" The Torah, therefore, addresses this complaint by saying,
"You shall remember that you were a slave in Egypt." You, too, knew
great deprivation and endured many troubles. As slaves, you were among
the most mistreated people on earth; therefore, you must treat others
kindly for you understand their pain.

                                                      (Panim Yafot)

                                *  *  *


When you go forth in camp against your enemies (Deut. 23:10)

The Sifri explains: Do not attempt to "go forth" unless you are "in
camp." The first requirement, when waging any battle, is unity and
cohesiveness. You must stand together and present a united front, and
not separate into dissenting factions and parties.

                                              (Maayanei Shel Torah)

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                            IT ONCE HAPPENED
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Once in the village of Bober, a group of Chasidim gathered to discuss
matters of the spirit and tell inspiring stories late into the night.
One of those in attendance offered the following tale:

"I'm going to tell you how I came to be born into this world. My mother
was married to a man for ten years, but they were not blessed with
children. As is sometimes done, they divorced, in the hope that children
would be born from another marriage. After the divorce my mother
remarried, but after another ten years of marriage with her second
husband, she still had not had children.

"Her second husband was bitterly disappointed and wanted to divorce her,
hoping to remarry, and have children with a different wife. My mother,
however, refused to accept the divorce, since she knew that the
likelihood of her remarrying after this was remote.

"In spite of the law which clearly allows childlessness as a basis for
divorce, my mother insisted that they go to a Jewish court.

"The great rabbi who was asked to head the trio of rabbinical judges at
this court-hearing was the illustrious Chasid and legal expert, Rabbi
Hillel of Paritch. After hearing the particulars of the case, he agreed
to head the court, but only on the condition that the court sit in
Lubavitch, in the presence of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem
Mendel (known as the Tzemach Tzedek).

"To everyone's great surprise, the Rebbe agreed to this request, and the
court met in Lubavitch. The day of the proceeding arrived and both sides
presented their arguments. The judges listened carefully and then went
to confer amongst themselves.

"Finally, Reb Hillel, the chief judge, spoke: 'It is the opinion of this
court that G-d should grant this couple healthy children. In this way,
the matter will be resolved to the satisfaction of all concerned.'

"When he heard this verdict, the Tzemach Tzedek smiled broadly. He was
heard to say in a quiet voice, 'Indeed, they should have children.'

"And so," concluded the Chasid, "here I am!"

                                *  *  *


Word had spread that Rebbe Tzvi Elimelech of Dinov was gravely ill and
that his hours, perhaps minutes, were numbered. His family and disciples
crowded around his bed, waiting in trepidation, hoping to hear some last
words from his holy lips which would remain with them and guide them in
their lives.

As they gazed at his face, they reflected on its expression of profound
concentration and assumed that their master was meditating on some
sublime spiritual thoughts. How could they have assumed that he would
spend his last moments in this world communicating with them?! But just
then his eyes opened and traversed the room, focusing on each person
there. They saw that his eyes finally fixed on one particular unfamiliar
individual who had been standing off in a corner of the room. They
pushed him forward so that the Rebbe could see him more easily. Everyone
was anxious to see what the Tzadik wanted with this man.

"Reb Shmuel," the Rebbe was heard to murmur, "what is it that you have
come to ask me?"

"Rebbe," the man said, "it's about the wool I bought... what should I do
about it?"

"Don't worry, Reb Shmuel," the Rebbe whispered. "Just keep it until next
winter. Then the prices will rise and you will make a nice profit."

Then, before the eyes of all his family and Chasidim, the Rebbe closed
his eyes and his soul departed from his body.

The heartbroken mourners couldn't stop talking about the Rebbe's last
words. What could the Tzadik have meant by those cryptic words he
uttered to the complete stranger who captured his attention in his final
moments on earth. The stranger certainly must have been one of the 36
hidden saints in whose merit the world stands. Why, he disappeared as
mysteriously as he had appeared! And who could explain the mystical
concepts behind the words "Wool," "next winter," and "nice profit"? Each
Chasid had his own interpretation of the Rebbe's words.

After a few days, Rabbi David, Rabbi Tzvi Elimelech's son, heard about
the speculation. He called some of the senior Chasidim to him and
offered the explanation of his father's last words:

"There is no mystery at all about my father's words; there is only the
true expression of his profound love for each and every Jew. You never
noticed Reb Shmuel, but he used to come often to my father to ask for
his advice and blessing on his business decisions. Not too long ago, he
purchased a large lot of wool. After he invested almost all his money in
the wool, as well as large borrowed sums, prices took a sharp decline.
He was worried sick about the possible loss of all of his assets and how
he would cover all the debt he incurred borrowing to make the purchase.

"He decided to come to my father at once to ask his advice in this
matter, but he had no idea that my father was ill. When he came, he saw
a large crowd going into my father's room, and he just followed the
others. But, when Father saw him, he realized that Reb Shmuel had
probably come to ask his advice on some matter of concern, and so, he
inquired what he needed. For my father, the need of a fellow Jew was his
highest priority, and so, even in his last moments, he sought to assure
the worried man that all would be well.

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                            MOSHIACH MATTERS
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Hasten, and bring upon us quickly blessing and peace; and bring us
peacefully from the four corners of the earth, break the yoke of the
nations from upon our neck, and speedily lead us upright to our Land.
For You are G-d Alm-ghty who brings about deliverance, and You chose us
from among all the nations and languages, and You brought us near to
Your great Name, our King, in love, that we may thank You and proclaim
Your Unity, and love Your Name. oneness with love. Blessed are You, Who
chooses His people Israel with love.

               (From the blessings recited daily before the Shema.)

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              END OF TEXT - L'CHAIM 1284 - Ki Seitzei 5773
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