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                         L'CHAIM - ISSUE # 1304
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                           Copyright (c) 2014
                 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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        January 10, 2014       Beshalach          9 Shevat, 5774
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                          The Collective Soul

                        by Rabbi Shloma Majeski

When the Jewish people arrived at the sea following the Exodus from
Egypt, the sea split into 12 different paths, so that each tribe could
go through its own specific lane, corresponding to one of the 12
different paths or approaches in their spiritual missions. And each
tribe traveled through the desert led by its own spiritual leader and
tzadik, who was the head of that tribe, and could guide them in the
spiritual path that was unique to them.

Nevertheless, there was one person who was the leader of the entire
generation, of all the Jewish people, and that was Moses.

Moses, one individual, was equivalent to the entire Jewish nation,
explains Rashi. Moses was unique in that his soul did not just contain
those souls that resonated with his particular path. Rather, it
contained every soul of the entire Jewish nation at that time, within
it.

Just as in Moses' times, the same is true in every generation. At all
times, there are many tzadikim, who are spiritual leaders and guides to
all the souls who are connected to him. In addition, there is a tzadik
who is the Nasi, the leader and collective soul, whose soul includes
within it all the souls of his entire generation.

Jewish mysticism explains: "The soul of Moses included the souls of all
600,000 Jews of his generation; the same applies to the collective souls
of future generations, all of whom are an extension of Moses."

The Lubavitcher Rebbe, the collective soul of our generation,
established thousands of Chabad Houses, Centers and schools in almost
every country in the world. The Rebbe instituted additional outreach
efforts by sending yeshiva students each summer to places in the world
even more remote, to touch the lives of Jews in even these most distant
places. And the many volumes of the Rebbe's letters that have been
published reveal a glimpse of an enormous volume of personal
communication that the rebbe conducted with Jews from every corner of
the globe on every subject imaginable.

As the collective soul, the Rebbe's efforts concern every Jew in every
corner of the world. But the connection of a collective soul with every
Jew is more. A collective soul feels the pain (and joy) of each
individual in a real and tangible way. A young woman once told the Rebbe
that she questioned his saying that he felt the pain of a particular
tragedy she had undergone. He replied that one day, when she would get
married and have a child, her child would begin teething. In the same
way that she would feel the pain of her child teething, the Rebbe felt
the pain of her particular struggle.

Although a tzadik radiates spiritual light to the world, one can't truly
absorb or benefit from this light unless he or she is receptive to it.
Sunlight is brilliant, but if the curtains are closed, the house won't
be illuminated by its light. Similarly, one must be connected and open
to be affected by the Rebbe's light. Actively connecting to the Rebbe
opens the curtains to allow that to happen.

How is the connection made? By studying the Rebbe's teachings,
requesting his blessings, relating stories about the Rebbe, and
fulfilling his directives.

Of all the Rebbe's directives, the one closest to his heart and soul is
that everyone should do his or her part to hasten Moshiach's coming by
learning about Moshiach, strengthening their belief in Moshiach, adding
in Torah  study and observing more mitzvot (commandments), increasing
acts of goodness and kindness, and publicizing this message to others.

The Rebbe has told us that the coming of Moshiach - the ultimate
collective soul of the Jews of all times - is imminent and that any
single act can "tip the scale" to bring Moshiach, ushering in a time
when  evil will be completely eradicated, and there will be no wars,
hate, or poverty.

       Adapted from A Tzaddik and His Students, sichosinenglish.com

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           LIVING WITH THE REBBE  -  THE WEEKLY TORAH PORTION
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This week's Torah portion of Beshalach describes the miracle of the
splitting of the Red (Reed) Sea. With the Egyptians in hot pursuit, the
Jewish people found their way blocked by a body of water. The Sea then
parted, "and the waters were a wall to them on their right and on their
left."

In what merit did G-d perform such a miracle? Our Sages teach that it
was in the merit of the Jewish children, who "recognized [G-d] first" -
even before Moses, Joshua and all the elders. These children, who had
been born into slavery yet had nonetheless been given a proper Jewish
education - were the first to declare, "This is my G-d, and I will
glorify Him."

Born in exile, the generation of children who went out of Egypt keenly
perceived their status as "the smallest of all the nations." They knew
that the Egyptian lifestyle was in stark contradiction to the Jewish way
of life. And yet, they clung to their Judaism and were proud of it.
Empowered by the Jewish education they received from their mothers, they
did not hesitate to leave the "fleshpots of Egypt" for the "great and
terrible desert," even though they did not have enough provisions.
Rather, they had absolute trust and faith in G-d, and in their merit the
Red Sea split.

With such children, there is no need to be alarmed. The Jewish people
were surrounded on all sides, yet in the children's merit they marched
into the Sea and the waters parted.

The miracle of the splitting of the Red Sea was extraordinary for
another reason: Not only was the obstacle that stood in their way
removed, but the waters themselves became a protective wall that
shielded them from harm. This is the highest level of overcoming
difficulties and hurdles, and it too came about in the children's merit.
When Jewish children are given the kind of education that enables them
to "recognize G-d first," the impediments themselves are transformed
into a protective wall.

When a Jewish child knows that the only reality in the world is
holiness, and that nothing can stop him from fulfilling G-d's will, he
merits that all ostensible obstacles will not only vanish but actually
help him in his Divine service.

Thousands of years later, the Jewish people are still in need of
miracles. As "one sheep among seventy wolves," our entire existence is
an ongoing supernatural miracle, like the splitting of the Red Sea.

In order to deserve this merit, we need to make sure that all Jewish
children can benefit from a Torah-true Jewish education. We will then
have the pleasure and nachas of seeing them "recognize G-d first" - even
before their parents and grandparents.

                            Adapted from Volume 2 of Likutei Sichot

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                             SLICE OF LIFE
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                            A Double Miracle
                            by Yehudis Cohen

When Tzvi and Sheila Goodman found out that they were expecting an
addition to their family of three boys, they were delighted. They wrote
a letter to the Lubavitcher Rebbe to inform him of the good news and ask
him for his blessing. They placed the letter randomly into a volume of
the Rebbe's published letters (Igrot Kodesh). The letter they opened to
was written to someone who the Rebbe had instructed to be involved in
printing a new Jewish book. The Rebbe explained that through the
printing of this book new channels of spiritual and material blessings
would open up that were never before in this world.

As everything seemed to be in order with the pregnancy, the Goodmans did
not make any connection between this instruction of the Rebbe and their
situation.

In the fourth month of her pregnancy, Sheila learned that she was
pregnant with twins. The couple was thrilled. However, their excitement
soon turned to fear when a sonogram showed that the twins were in
trouble. "They told us our babies shared one placenta, which in itself
was hardly functioning," recalls Tzvi. "While one baby was growing, the
other was starving to death."

The twins were suffering from a rare condition called Twin-to-Twin
Transfusion, which occurs in less than one percent of all twin
pregnancies. The doctor suggested that the Goodmans abort the pregnancy
- something that is commonly done in such cases in order to avoid
further complications. The Goodmans decided to seek a second opinion.
"We contacted a famous doctor at the North Shore University Hospital in
Manhasset, Long Island. Dr. Boris Petrikovsky, was Chief of
Maternal-Fetal Medicine there."

The doctor informed the Goodmans that the original diagnosis had been
correct and continued to explain how serious the situation was. Although
North Shore has one of the largest prenatal centers in the metropolitan
area, Dr. Petrikovsky had seen less than 20 such cases in the recent
past.

He told them that in most situations, and without medical intervention,
both twins do not survive. In some cases,  one does survive, but there
are usually many medical complications.

Dr. Petrikovsky, an Orthodox Jew, suggested that perhaps they should
discuss it with their rabbi before deciding. He was surprised when the
Goodmans said they would ask the Rebbe for advice in this matter.
Recalls Tzvi, "I tried to explain to the doctor that after Gimmel Tammuz
the Rebbe has ways to answer us. I told him about writing to the Rebbe
and placing the letter randomly into a volume of the Rebbe's letters."

The doctor informed the Goodmans of a relatively new amniocentesis
procedure that would redistribute the blood and vital fluids in the
damaged placenta so that it could reach both babies. He added that this
was the only possibility of solving the situation although he did not
believe that it would alleviate all of the problems. He emphasized  that
the blood and vital fluids would most likely redistribute 30/70 not
50/50, which would still leave one twin at a grave disadvantage.

When the Goodmans got home, they wrote a letter to the Rebbe. The letter
they opened to was dated May 28 - the same day the couple had first met
Dr. Petrikovsky:

"It was a pleasure to receive his letter in which he writes that his
health has much improved... It is unnecessary to mention once more that
since they have clearly seen how G-d has watched over them until now,
they should surely not worry that things are not going too well in his
business, for this is only temporary; and perhaps the point of it is,
that he should pledge a pre-determined large sum of money to charity in
my name... and he will surely notify me of the details as soon as
possible.

"He is surely following the advice of the doctors. For our holy Torah
has declared that G-d gives permission (which in effect also means
ability,) for the doctor to heal.

"Attached, he will also find a letter written to the gathering of N'shei
U'bnos Chabad, which he should pass on and explain to his wife and
daughter in a way that it will have its desired affect. Doing this will
add in the blessings to effect his speedy and complete recovery, and for
success in all of the above."

It was obvious to them from the Rebbe's letter that they should follow
Dr. Petrikovsky's advice and go ahead with the amniocentesis procedure.

Tzvi re-read the letter and noted the Rebbe's advice in the first
paragraph that the person should give a large sum of money to charity
and this would help his precarious financial situation. He recalled his
first letter from the Rebbe at the beginning of the pregnancy. It was
clear to Tzvi that  the "large sum of money" should go to printing a
book as that would open "channels of spiritual and material blessings."
That very day Tzvi went to the offices of  Vaad L'Hafotzot Sichot to
give a large donation for the printing of the English translation of
"Besurot HaGeula" ("The Announcement of Redemption," excerpts of talks
of the Rebbe from  1991 and 1992 speaking about the imminence of the
Redemption).

On their way to their appointment with the doctor the next morning, Tzvi
and Sheila stopped at the Ohel (the Rebbe's resting place). They entered
the Chabad House near the Ohel where there is always a video playing of
the Rebbe. Imagine how overwhelmed they were when they looked up at the
video screen and saw Sheila Goodman, pregnant with her second son,
passing by the Rebbe and being told by the Rebbe "an easy labor, a
healthy child..." Now the Goodmans knew with certainty that they had the
Rebbe's blessings.

The Goodmans informed the doctor of all that had transpired and that
they were certain everything would be okay. The Tzvi told the doctor,
"You have the privilege of making sure that everything will be okay!"

The plan was to go each Friday for the amniocentesis procedure for
however much long the pregnancy lasted. On the fourth Friday, the doctor
ordered a sonogram before the procedure. After looking at the results of
the sonogram, Dr. Petrikovsky said that they were not going to continue
with the procedure. Medical staff in attendance wondered how it was
possible that it seemed the procedure was not helping and yet the babies
were both gaining weight and growing.  When asked to explain how this
was possible, the doctor replied, "It seems that they got a blessing
from the Rebbe and the babies are getting their nourishment directly
from Above."

When it came time for Sheila to give birth, in her eight month, a team
of nearly 30 doctors were in attendance, ready for all possibly
eventualities. Dr. Petrikovsky called Tzvi over and told him, "I believe
in the Rebbe's blessings and I am sure the babies are going to be fine.
But they might need to stay in the hospital for the first six months or
so..."

After the birth of the first twin girl, there were a few tense moments
when the baby was being examined and then the doctor exclaimed in
amazement, "This is a healthy child!" A few minutes later, the  second
girl was born. Again a few moments after examining the 6.3 pound baby,
the doctor called out, "This is also a healthy baby, even bigger than
the first one!"

Dr. Petrikovsky came over to Tzvi and told him, "I want you to tell the
whole world about this miracle. I'm holding the placenta and it doesn't
work! They had direct nourishment from Above.  (Later, the hospital
related the story of the twins in a press release entitled, "Two
Miracles are Better than One.")

A few days later, Chana and Chaya Goodman joined their brothers, Yossi,
Moshe, and Mendel, at home to a chorus of "Mazel Tov" from family and
friends.

*********************************************************************
                            THE REBBE WRITES
*********************************************************************
        A transcript of questions to and answers of the Rebbe in
         1952, with thanks to www.NissanMindelPublications.com


Q: What is the meaning of a 'Brocha' [blessing] which the Rebbe Blesses?

A: The giving and receiving of a Brocha can be traced back to the times
of our forefathers Abraham, Issac and Jacob, whom G-d ad blessed with
the power of blessing and who blessed their children on solemn
occasions. Since that time it has always been a custom. In the words of
my father-in-law the meaning of a Brocha is like rain (Gishmei Brocha).
Rain can accomplish its function and be useful only when preceded by the
plowing and tilling of the soil, planting the seeds and preparing the
soil for growing. However, should rain fall on unplowed and untilled
soil, not only won't it accomplish its function but furthermore it may
cause damage. The same applies to a Brocha, the body (actions and
desires of the body) must be tilled and plowed (properly executing them
according to the Torah). Only then will the Brocha be useful and help
the blessed elevate himself to a higher standard.


Q: What is the difference between a Rebbe and a Rabbi?

A:  A Rabbi is the one who teaches his pupils when they approach him and
will answer shaalos [questions] when brought before him. A Rebbe does
not wait for anyone to approach him, he reaches forth among the people
and tries to awaken them and inspire them, and tries to find ways and
methods to bring them closer to their religion.


Q: What is a Rebbe?

A: A Rebbe is one whose soul embraces so to speak the souls of his
Chasidim. In other words, his Chasidim have a particular soul
relationship with their Rebbe, receiving through him Divine blessings,
material and spiritual. When a Chasid comes to the Rebbe with a problem
he tries to find in the Rebbe the part of his soul which is included in
the Rebbe's soul and connect it with his soul and thus be connected with
the Rebbe's soul. It is through this connection that the Chasid receives
his material and spiritual life and needs. For example, let us take the
electric bulb which produces light. The bulb itself is incapable of
producing light, however there are electrical power plants stationed in
some distant part of the city which generate the necessary power to
produce the light. There must be a channel through which the power can
pass and reach each individual bulb. The bulb itself must contain some
device which enables it to receive the power. That is the wire which is
connected to the power plant and is also connected to the bulb. When
this connection is opened by turning on the switch the bulb receives the
power and will function. The same applies to a Rebbe and Chasidim. The
Rebbe is the power plant which produces the needed strength and power to
fulfill the commandments and obligations and also to convey the
necessary material needs. The channel through which the Chasid can
receive the strength and material necessities is his soul which is
connected to the soul of the Rebbe. The sole duty of a Rebbe is to
convey the above mentioned spiritual and material necessities to his
Chasidim. Although the Rebbe is also required to fulfill his bodily
functions (eating, sleeping, etc.) however that is not his purpose or
true function. The necessity to fulfill them is solely because his soul
is bound with an earthly body which cannot exist without these
necessities. An example for this would be when one approaches a Rabbi
complaining of a headache and the Rabbi offers him an aspirin as a
remedy. It is useless to say that this is the function of a Rabbi. The
same is with the Rebbe in his bodily functions.


Q: Is the function of a Rebbe like that of a psychologist? Can the Rebbe
take the place of a psychiatrist?

A: If necessary the Rebbe would use psychology to help solve the problem
of a Chasid, but that is only a small part of his work. And even then
there is a difference between a Rebbe and a Psychiatrist. When a
psychiatrist speaks to his patient he regards him as an object of study.
Though he is interested in curing his patient and in helping him to
adjust to life, his approach is to derive not only a healthy patient but
an accumulation of information about the human being for his further
study. A Rebbe gives himself over completely to the person. When he is
seeking a solution, the Rebbe does not study him but is more emotionally
involved with the person who comes to see him.


Q: Does a Rebbe use his supreme powers always?

A: As the means, the Rebbe tries to apply the most simple method and
only after medical help does not prove successful will the Rebbe use his
supreme power.

*********************************************************************
                        A WORD FROM THE DIRECTOR
                         Rabbi Shmuel M. Butman
*********************************************************************
This Shabbat is Yud Shevat, the anniversary of the passing in 1950 of
the Previous Lubavitcher Rebbe and acceptance of the leadership one year
later in 1951 by the Rebbe. In addition, this upcoming week has within
it (on Thursday) the New Year for Trees, Tu B'Shevat.

In a letter to the Lubavitch Women's Convention in the 1960s, the Rebbe
discussed the meaning of these two events occurring in one week. The
Rebbe explained that there is an:

...affinity between these two notable days, and how their instructive
messages are related.

The Torah likens a human being to a tree, and the Tzaddik [a righteous
person] to a flourishing date palm. In a remarkable statement in the
Talmud our Sages declare, moreover, that a Tzaddik lives on forever,
"for just as his seed is alive, so is he alive." It is noteworthy that
the word "seed" is used here, rather than "descendants" or "children,"
or "disciples," though all these are included in the word "seed." In
choosing the word "seed" in this connection, our Sages conveyed to us
the specific images and ideas which this word brings to our minds:

The wonderful process of growth, which transforms a tiny seed into a
multiple reproduction of the same, be it an earful of grains or, in the
case of a fruit seed, a fruit-bearing tree; the care which the growth
process requires, and how a little extra care at an early stage is
multiplied in the final product; the fact that the more advanced and
more highly developed the fruit, the longer it takes to grow and ripen,
so that grain, for example, takes but a few months to reproduce itself,
while it takes a fruit-bearing tree many years to mature, etc.

All these principles apply in a very practical way in the performance of
our daily service to G-d, which, of course, embraces our whole daily
life, since it is our duty to serve G-d in all our ways.

May all whose lives have been touched by the Previous Rebbe and by the
Rebbe be true seeds of these righteous date palms and apply practically
to our daily lives their teachings, especially the observance of
mtizvot, which will hasten the revelation of Moshiach, may it be NOW!

*********************************************************************
                          THOUGHTS THAT COUNT
*********************************************************************
And G-d led them not by the way of the land of the Philistines, although
it was near (Ex. 13:17)

The path taken by the Jews throughout history, whether in the direction
of the Land of Israel or toward the Final Redemption, was never smooth.
Whenever our ultimate goal appeared at hand, the next second it seems to
move further away. Yet when we have nearly despaired of reaching our
destination, suddenly we see that it is indeed within reach.

                                                  (Nidchei Yisrael)

                                *  *  *


The Children of Israel went up armed out of Egypt. And Moses took the
bones of Joseph with him (Ex. 13:18,19)

With what were the Jewish people armed? With the bones of Joseph, in
whose merit the Jews were protected from harm. "Tzadikim (the righteous)
are even greater after their deaths than during their lives."

                                                      (Torat Moshe)

                                *  *  *


And Moses took the bones of Joseph with him (Ex. 13:19)

While the Children of Israel were busy collecting the spoils of Egypt in
preparation for the exodus, Moses was busy with a mitzva (commandment).
Moses knew that gold and silver are only temporary acquisitions, but
each mitzva a person does accompanies him to the hereafter.

                                                       (Klai Yakar)

                                *  *  *

                             Shabbat Shira


Every year on Shabbat Beshalach, the Maharal of Prague would instruct
the teachers to gather their students (and their parents) in the
courtyard of the synagogue to tell them the story of how the birds sang
and danced during the splitting of the Sea. As related in the Midrash,
the Jewish children plucked fruit from the branches of the trees that
sprang up on either side and fed them to the birds. After the story was
told, groats were distributed to the children to scatter about for the
birds in commemoration of this event. The Maharal would then bless the
children and their parents that they raise them to a life of Torah and
good deeds and lead them to the marriage canopy.

                        (Sefer HaSichot 5702 of the Previous Rebbe)

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                            IT ONCE HAPPENED
*********************************************************************
Bat Yam, Israel, has a charismatic Sefardic rabbi, Rabbi Yisrael Nissim
Logasi, renown as "the young people's rabbi." Hundreds of young adults,
many of whom identify as secular Jews, participate each Friday evening
in his "Oneg Shabbat" Torah lecture at the Beit E-l Synagogue.

"For 16 years Rabbi Logasi has been giving his famous Friday night
class," begins Rabbi Tovi Vahava, a Chabad Chasid, lives in Bat Yam.
"Everyone in town knows Rabbi Logasi. He is a greatly admired
personality, with tremendous Torah knowledge and a pleasant disposition.

"Over the years, Rabbi Logasi and I have become closer, and I frequently
heard about his appreciation for the Lubavitcher Rebbe. In his youth the
rabbi had been close to the Baba Sali (ztz"l). He spent many years in
his presence, where he learned about the special connection between the
Baba Sali and the Rebbe. While his sermons included many stories from
the Baba Sali and other members of the Abuchatzera family, he also spoke
admiringly about the Rebbe.

"I would periodically come to participate in his Friday night sermons,
and whenever I arrived, he would invite me to say a few words. I was
always surprised by the tremendous honor and respect that Rabbi Logasi
had for the Rebbe and Lubavitch.

"On the Shabbat before Lag B'Omer (April 26, 2013), we had our entire
extended family with us. Naturally, when the whole family is together,
the Shabbat meal takes longer. When I saw that it was already past 10:00
p.m., I decided that I would skip the weekly Friday night class.

"I sat on the couch and dozed off. Suddenly, I felt a tug on my clothes.
At first, I simply ignored it. But then I again felt someone pulling on
my clothing. I saw the Rebbe standing before me with a serious look on
his face. 'Go to Rabbi Logasi's Oneg Shabbat,' the Rebbe told me, 'for
those who honor Me, I shall honor.' The Rebbe said these words and then
disappeared.

"I jumped from the couch, confused and excited. It took me a few minutes
to collect my thoughts. I looked over at the family, most of whom were
still sitting at the Shabbat table; they were all busy talking. I
quickly informed my surprised family that I was going out to Rabbi
Logasi's class - on the Rebbe's instructions. I assured them that I
would explain everything upon my return.

"After a few minutes' walk, I arrived at the synagogue. I was surprised
to see hundreds of young people outside, chatting in groups. It was
already 10:30 and the class starts at 10:00.

" 'What happened?' I asked a young man. It turned out that Rabbi Logasi
hadn't come for some reason, and they were all standing around and
waiting for him. After another few minutes, a different young man asked
if I would take over for Rabbi Logasi and speak about the weekly Torah
portion until he arrived. I agreed to do so. He called everyone inside
and I went up to give the class, despite the fact that I hadn't prepared
to speak.

"I shared a talk of the Rebbe and the words just flowed, as if G-d was
placing the right words in my mouth. After this, I told them about the
Rebbe's instructions to make a parade on Lag B'Omer in honor of Rabbi
Shimon bar Yochai. They begin to ask questions about the Rebbe. I
patiently responded to each question.

"As soon as Shabbat was over, I contacted Rabbi Logasi. I told him what
had happened and he was stunned. 'You gave a class?' he asked in
amazement. He told me that he had gone out of town for Shabbat and had
arranged for a different rabbi to give the lecture in his place.
However, it was clear that he had not shown up.

"I told Rabbi Logasi that I hadn't come on my own; the Rebbe had sent
me. I also told him how the Rebbe had told me in reference to him - 'for
those who honor Me, I shall honor.'

"He was surprised by this chain of events. He called the rabbi who was
supposed to replace him that night. The rabbi apologized, telling him
that Friday night he had suddenly become overcome with severe abdominal
pains. He had no alternative except to remain at home. Since it was
Shabbat, he obviously couldn't call anyone as a replacement. 'I am sorry
that hundreds of young people weren't able to learn Torah that night!'
he told Rabbi Logasi. However, Rabbi Logasi quickly reassured him that
the Lubavitcher Rebbe had taken care of everything. He then proceeded to
retell the whole story of what had happened that night.

"Rabbi Logasi contacted his rabbi, the kabbalist Rabbi Refael
Abuchatzera from Ashdod, and told him about this amazing miracle. His
rabbi's reply: 'True. That what's happened.' He explained that there had
been a great tumult in Heaven over the potential waste of time of such
magnitude, and it was decided to send the Lubavitcher Rebbe himself, who
cares for every Jew in the world, to make certain that the class would
go on.

"Rabbi Abuchatzera then told Rabbi Logasi an additional point, that
regarding the words 'for those who honor Me, I shall honor' - that
anyone who gives honor to the Lubavitcher Rebbe, the Rebbe honors him
and makes certain that no evil will befall him.

"The following week, the participants in the weekly Torah lecture were
privileged to hear the story in full from Rabbi Logasi himself, as he
heaped praise and appreciation upon the leader of the generation who
never abandons his flock and cares for every single Jew."

Adapted from an article in Beis Moshiach Magazine by Nosson Avrohom

*********************************************************************
                            MOSHIACH MATTERS
*********************************************************************
This is what is demanded of each and every one of us in this seventh
generation - and "all those that are seventh are cherished": Although
the fact that we are in the seventh generation is not the result of our
own choosing and our own service, and indeed in certain ways perhaps
contrary to our will, nevertheless "all those who are seventh are
cherished." We are now very near the approaching footsteps of Moshiach,
indeed, we are at the conclusion of this period, and our spiritual task
is to complete the process of drawing down the Divine Presence -
moreover, the essence of the Divine Presence - within specifically our
lowly world.

              (From the first Chasidic Discourse of the Rebbe, upon
                      accepting the leadership of Chabad-Lubavitch)

*********************************************************************
              END OF TEXT - L'CHAIM 1304 - Beshalach 5774
*********************************************************************