Holidays   Shabbat   Chabad-houses   Chassidism   Subscribe   Calendar   Links

                                  B"H
                                 -----
                         L'CHAIM - ISSUE # 1315
*********************************************************************
                           Copyright (c) 2014
                 Lubavitch Youth Organization - L.Y.O.
                              Brooklyn, NY
                             --------------
                  Electronic version provided free at:
                          www.LchaimWeekly.org
                          --------------------
                  Palm-Pilot version provided free at:
                www.LchaimWeekly.org/lchaim/5774/1315.prc
                          --------------------
                    To receive the L'CHAIM by e-mail
                  write to: listserv@LchaimWeekly.org
                              Subscribe W1
*********************************************************************
             THE WEEKLY PUBLICATION FOR EVERY JEWISH PERSON
   Dedicated to the memory of Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka Schneerson N.E.
*********************************************************************
        March 28, 2014           Sazria         26 Adar II, 5774
*********************************************************************

                        The Quest for the Divine

Human beings seem to have an innate need to seek out their creator.
Polls have shown that as many as 96% of Americans profess a belief in
G-d. Even among scientists, who tend to have a more skeptical and
rational mind-set, over two-thirds report that they believe in G-d.

From where does the urge for faith come? Some have attempted to explain
it in purely naturalistic terms. Faith in G-d gives believers a survival
advantage, as it gives us a purpose in life and a comfort in times of
stress. Human intelligence is also adapted to perceive and seek
patterns. The belief that G-d created the universe is appealing, as it
satisfies the human need to compose organization and unity from
disparate elements.

However, the very fact that the universe has any pattern at all points
in the direction of a creator. Our drive to discover patterns in
creation, and being comforted or satisfied when finding them, is only
possible because such patterns exist. If the universe were truly random,
there would be nothing for us to find and discover. It is only logical
for us to take the next step and seek out the originator of all patters,
the One who conceived of the world and directs and controls it.

Chasidic teachings explain that the quest for G-d comes from deep within
the soul - the neshama. All of us have a part of G-d within, which
sustains and vivifies the body. Every physical thing likewise has a
spark of G-d that brings it into existence and sustains it. The quest
for G-d is the calling-out of a part that is very essential and
fundamental to our identity and existence, and is deeply embedded into
our consciousness itself.

It was once believed that as mankind and science progressed, we would
gradually "outgrow" our need for G-d, as science discovers the answers
to our questions about the world. We are now living in a time of
unprecedented scientific discovery and advanced technology - yet the
quest for G-d continues unabated. The more we know about the natural
world, the more we yearn for that which is beyond it.

Ironically, scientific advance has not hampered spiritual growth but
rather accelerated it. Modern technology relieves us of a great many of
the grueling, physical tasks our ancestors had to perform. This leaves
us a lot of time for reflection, and drives us to seek greater meaning
and purpose. Slowly we are approaching the Era of Moshiach, when we will
merit the fulfillment of the prophecy in Isaiah (40:5): "And the glory
of the L-rd shall be revealed, and all flesh together shall see that the
mouth of the L-rd spoke."

                            by Chaya Shuchat - chayashuch@gmail.com

*********************************************************************
           LIVING WITH THE REBBE  -  THE WEEKLY TORAH PORTION
*********************************************************************
In the beginning of this week's Torah portion, Tazria, we find a short
verse containing instructions for every Jewish parent of a newborn baby
boy: "And on the eighth day, the flesh of his foreskin shall be
circumcised." This is the mitzva (commandment) of brit mila, the
covenant of circumcision.

In actual practice, Jews were circumcising their male children for many
years before this commandment was given. Our forefather Abraham was
commanded by G-d to circumcise himself "and your progeny afterward,
throughout the generations." Nonetheless, we observe this mitzva today
based on the commandment in this week's Torah reading, and not because
Abraham was circumcised.

The difference between the two commandments is as follows: Abraham was
prophetically instructed by G-d to perform brit mila on himself as an
individual. It was a singular command, addressed to one person. By
contrast, the commandment in this week's Torah portion is one of the 613
mitzvot given by G-d to all Jews at Mount Sinai, in the presence of the
entire Jewish people.

Brit mila is one of the most fundamental of the Torah's mitzvot. Our
Sages note that it involves no less than 13 covenants between man and
G-d. There are many reasons given for this mitzva, among which are the
following:

The main portion of a Jew's G-dly soul is introduced into the body upon
the performance of brit mila. [A Jewish girl is regarded as one who is
born circumcised (Avoda Zara 27a), and thus her holy soul enters
immediately upon birth.] Before the brit, the connection between the
G-dly soul and the physical body is incomplete. The brit mila effects
the fusing and unification between these two elements. That is why,
according to many codifiers of Jewish law, a Jewish male is considered
worthy of the World to Come from that point on.

As its name implies, brit mila is a physical manifestation of the
eternal covenant between G-d and the Jewish people. Brit mila is also
unique in being a "perpetual" commandment. Brit mila is a commandment a
Jew is considered to be observing at all times.

Brit mila has an additional advantage in actually being in a person's
flesh. All of the other commandments relate primarily to the soul, even
though our physical limbs are used to perform them. Because the mitzva
of brit mila involves an observable change to the body, it is a visible
sign of the intrinsic connection between man and G-d. Precisely because
it doesn't depend on the individual's intellectual comprehension, the
Torah commands us to observe it at the earliest possible opportunity,
i.e., at the age of eight days.

                        Based on the works of the Lubavitcher Rebbe


*********************************************************************
                             SLICE OF LIFE
*********************************************************************
                       Menora, Mezuza and Shofar
                          by Rabbi Meir Kaplan

One Monday, I got a phone call from Dave from Barriere, British
Columbia. "Hi Rabbi, would you be able to tell me how to turn buffalo
horns into shofars?"

To understand why Dave would like to make shofars out of buffalo horns
around Purim, I must first let you know how I got to know Dave, which is
one of the most inspiring tales I have been a part of since we made
Victoria our home.

Weeks after we arrived in Victoria, I was contacted by Rabbi Lipa
Dubrawsky from Vancouver who told me that a visitor from Baltimore had
met a Jew on the ferry to Victoria. This person inquired about a mezuza,
and he had his phone numbers in case I would like to be of help.

None of the numbers he gave me seemed to work. A few days later, I
learned that the 250 area code could be long distance, requiring a 1
before the number. I called Dave and found out that he lives in the
interior of BC in a town called Barriere, and he had been in Victoria
for a visit. "Let me then mail you the mezuza," I said, to which he
replied, "Please don't. I would like to meet you in person to get the
mezuza."

"When will you be coming?" I asked. "I don't go very often, it may be
next summer, but you'll hear from me as soon as I'm there."

A few days later Dave was on the phone: "My wife's uncle died suddenly
in Victoria. See you tomorrow."

When Dave came to my house it was clear that he had something to say. He
asked me and my wife Chani to sit down to hear his story.

"I was born in Austria to a Jewish family. At the age of three, I was
adopted by a Christian family from BC. They told me that my ancestors
were Jewish, but I didn't pay too much attention to it and I went on
with my life. When I decided to research my family to find relatives, I
was told that the Jewish people in my town had most probably all
perished in the Holocaust. When I heard that, I made up my mind to leave
the history behind and go forward with my life.

"I began a career in real estate and became the realtor of Barriere. I
established a family and had a peaceful life, until that one spring day.
It was right after I sold a house, and went to see my clients and to my
surprise, I saw a menorah on their shelf. I had no idea what it was, but
I was confident that it was a Jewish item. When I inquired about it,
they said they weren't Jewish and the conversation ended.

"After leaving the house, I felt I had to go back and find out how this
family got to own this beautiful menorah. After some convincing, they
were ready to share their story. 'My grandmother,' the lady said, 'hid a
Jewish family in her home during World War II. When the Nazis took the
family away, they left their belongings with her. She told us to carry
this menora with us and maybe one day we would find someone to give it
to.'"

Tears were falling down Dave's face as he continued the story. "I said,
'I may be the one. I lost my entire family in the Holocaust. Would you
give me the menora?' When they heard my story, they immediately agreed.
They felt that the menora had finally reached its destination.

"Since I got this menora, I've become a different person; my Jewishness
has been awakened and I've been looking to learn more about who I am.

"A month later I found a silver item in an antique shop that seemed to
be Jewish. I purchased it and later heard from my learned friend that
this item is called a 'mezuza cover' and it's missing the parchment.
When I was on the ferry to Victoria in the summer, I saw a man who
appeared to be an observant Jew, so I asked him if he knew where I can
obtain that parchment."

Chani and I were in awe from the story. It was a very emotional moment
when I handed Dave his mezuza.

Days before Chanuka of that year, I received a letter from Dave asking
if I can send him the blessing for the lighting of the menora along with
a kippa, so he can light the menora, which lit his soul, and celebrate
the Festival of Lights in his home...

Today, Dave is the treasurer of the Thoumpson Valley Jewish organization
and is looking to do programs for the community. "You know," Dave tells
me, "We have Jews of all kinds. I thought a hands-on program is
something that everyone would be willing to participate in. I got horns
of a buffalo and was hoping we could convert them into shofars. I know
it's not the perfect timing, but I still think it will be wonderful to
get the Jews here to do something together. We are all one big family,
aren't we...?!"

    Rabbi Meir Kaplan and his wife Chani, are the directors of Chabad
    Vancouver Island in Canada. This article is from Rabbi Kaplan's
    weekly blog. Read more at www.chabadvi.org

*********************************************************************
                               WHAT'S NEW
*********************************************************************
                       Studies in Rashi: Vayikra

Kehot publications recently released the third volume of Studies in
Rashi. The essays in this volume cover the third book of the Torah,
Vayikra (Leviticus). They are translated from the Rebbe's innovative
study of Rashi's classic biblical commentary that spanned 25 years.
Translated by Rabbi Y. Eliezer Danzinger.

                              On Your Way


The new Jewish children's card game "On Your Way" contains 40 Jewish
teachings on ten topics. Played like "Old Maid," the game familiarizes
children with important Jewish ideas and concepts. The sayings were
selected by and the game was conceived by Rabbi Moshe Abelsky, of
blessed memory. The game combines Reb Moshe's love of these sayings with
his love for the young Jewish children, whom he used to drive to school
over a period of 25 years as a bus driver.

*********************************************************************
                            THE REBBE WRITES
*********************************************************************
                 Erev Rosh Chodesh Nissan, 5729 [1969]

It gave me great pleasure to read your letter of the 22nd of Adar,
reporting on your visit in England, and enclosing also a copy of your
article.

I may also note with particular pleasure that your report arrived
together with/after reports from other quarters, both from London and
Manchester, which speak of the extraordinary impression your appearances
there have made, as well as those of Mrs. . . , and the shining example
which both of you presented wherever you went, and during your various
addresses and lectures. These reports are still coming in.

I trust that the good fruits of the seeds which you planted, and the
fruits of fruits, some of which you have already seen, will further
stimulate your work and contribution in this direction. It is, of
course, quite natural for a person to gain encouragement in direct
proportion to the success of his efforts and there is no end to the
good, so that when a person has done his maximum one day, G-d provides
additional capacities for even greater effort and accomplishment the
next day.

It was good to see you at the Purim Farbrengen [Chasidic gathering], and
no doubt your wife was present too, though I did not see you later,
possibly because of the large gathering. May G-d grant that all matters
should be in accordance with the words of the Megillah [Scroll (of
Esther)]: "For the Jews there was light, joy, gladness and honor." May
this be fulfilled also in the case of each and every one of us, in the
midst of our people Israel, in accordance with the traditional text
which we add to this quotation from the Megillah - "So may it be for
us," at the termination of Shabbos and Yom Tov [festivals], when going
back to the ordinary days of the week, and it is necessary to make Chol
[mundane] into Kodesh [holy].

Should you remember additional details in regard to your visit in
England, I trust you will not withhold the good and share them with me,
and thanks in advance.

Needless to say, I appreciate very much your giving my personal regards
to Chief Rabbi Yisroel Jacobovits and Prof. C. Domb.

Wishing you and yours a happy month of Nissan, and a Kosher and happy
Pesach [Passover], and hoping to hear good news from you.

P.S. Needless to say, all prayerful wishes expressed above include
"also" your wife and children. I trust you found the children well and
happy, especially during the happy season of Purim, in which the
children have a particularly important role, as is well known that the
Gezera [decree] was nullified when Mordecai gathered Jewish children and
taught and inspired them to the point of Mesiras Nefesh [self-sacrifice]
for the Torah and Mitzvoth.

                                *  *  *

                       5th of Nissan, 5725 [1965]
                          Students of Class 7


I was very pleased to receive your letter of March 29th, and to read in
it about the progress you are making in your study of the Torah and
similar subjects. I was especially gratified to note that you are
advancing in the fulfillment of the Mitzvoth [commandments] in the daily
life for this is, after all, the main purpose of the study of the Torah.

At this time, between the festivals of Purim and Pesach, you will surely
remember the important part of the Jewish children in the two mentioned
festivals especially. For, as our Sages declared, the miracle of Purim
took place at the very time when Jewish children were gathered around
Mordechai and were inspired by him to the utmost dedication and devotion
to the Torah and Mitzvoth. As for Pesach, you surely know the importance
of the "Four Sons" who are mentioned in the Haggadah, for whose benefit
the Seder is mainly arranged. One of the important lessons here is that
all Jewish children, whatever their background, should be gathered at
the Seder table and taught the importance of Pesach and of the Jewish
way of life in general. Those, like yourselves, who are fortunate to
receive a Torah-true education so as to merit the title "Wise Son", have
a special duty and privilege to serve as a living example to less
fortunate Jewish boys, to bring them closer to their Father in Heaven
and to the Jewish way of life, the way of the Torah and Mitzvoth.

The collection for Tzedoko [charity] for Mo'os Chittim ["wheat money,"
i.e., money for Passover needs], which was raised in your class, is very
welcome and a receipt is enclosed herewith. May it stand each and every
one of you in good stead, to receive G-d's blessings in all your needs,
and especially to bless you with success in your advancement in Torah
and Mitzvoth.

Wishing you all, as well as your teacher and parents, a happy and
inspiring festival of Pesach, the Season of Our Liberation,

*********************************************************************
                              TODAY IS ...
*********************************************************************
                               26 Adar II

All that is sacred to the nation of the G-d of Avraham and is
fundamental to the house of Israel - in establishing and rearing an
upright generation, kosher food, the sublime pure holiness of Shabbat,
was entrusted by awesome and revered G-d - for preservation and
development - to the woman of Israel. The woman who fulfills her
obligation and destiny in the life of the family, in conducting the
home, and in seeing that the education [of her children, and in a
broader sense, of all members of the household] be according to Torah,
this woman is the subject of the verse (Proverbs 14:1), "The wisdom of
women constructed her home."

*********************************************************************
                        A WORD FROM THE DIRECTOR
                         Rabbi Shmuel M. Butman
*********************************************************************
This Shabbos is one of the four special Shabbosim preceding the YomTov
of Pesach. It is called Shabbos Parshas HaChodesh. We read a special
Torah portion from the book of Exodus that states: This month shall be
the head month for you. It shall be the first month of the year.

Shabbos Parshas HaChodesh always falls either on the Sabbath when we
bless the month of Nisan or on the first day of Nisan itself.

The month of Nisan is special in that it is a month of miracles - not
the everyday miracles of human existence, or miracles clothed in nature
such as those that took place on Purim. But, rather, Nisan contains
revealed miracles that are higher than nature itself.

With the command that the month of Nisan, a month of revealed miracles,
be designated as the first and "head" of the months, the Torah
emphasizes that in all the months of the year, whether we see open
miracles, miracles in the cloak of natural events, unusual success or a
seemingly unchangeable cycle of nature, we must realize that G-d is the
Creator of the Universe, the sole Master of the world, who directs and
cares about even the smallest detail of the world and each individual
person.

If each and everyone of us would sit down for only a brief few moments
and pay close attention to what has happened to us personally, we will
detect minor and major miracles that happen in our personal lives. We
are many times "just too busy" to stop for a moment and take stock of
what has happened. But we shouldn't pass it off as another "natural"
happening. It is a miracle of G-d, whether it has occurred in the month
of miracles, or an average day.

*********************************************************************
                          THOUGHTS THAT COUNT
*********************************************************************
If a man shall have on the skin of his flesh the plague of leprosy: then
he will be brought to Aaron the priest, or to one of his sons the
priests (Lev. 13:2)

The Mishna (Negaim) states: "A person can see all afflictions except for
his own...or those of his relatives." It's very easy to find fault in
others; much more difficult to recognize one's own deficiencies.

                                              (Ma'ayana Shel Torah)

                                *  *  *


When discussing the phenomenon of leprosy and the various appearances
such a plague could assume, the Torah uses the word "adam" (man), a term
reserved for expressing man's finest attributes and characteristics. Why
doesn't the Torah use any of the three other Hebrew words for man - ish,
gever, or enosh? The plague of leprosy appeared only "on the skin of his
flesh" - on the most external part of a person. Years ago, when G-d
afflicted someone with leprosy as a punishment for his deeds, it
affected only his most external self, for the inner person was
spiritually healthy and not deserving of punishment. Nowadays we have no
such phenomenon, as the Biblical leprosy differed from the modern-day
disease bearing the same name. In our time, it's not just the external
part of ourselves we must work on and purify.

                                                   (Sefer Maamarim)

                                *  *  *


Only a priest (kohein) was allowed to determine whether or not a plague
was leprous, a severe affliction necessitating that the sufferer to be
sent outside the camp for seven days. Only a kohen, whose job is to
bless the Jewish people with the priestly blessing, could fully
appreciate the magnitude of being sent outside the warm and loving
Jewish camp. He could therefore, be relied upon to try all possible
means to pronounce the individual clean.

                                            (The Lubavitcher Rebbe)

                                *  *  *


And on the eighth day shall he be circumcised (Lev. 12:3)

At a brit it is customary to bless the newborn, "Just as he has entered
the Covenant ("brit"), so too may he enter the fold of Torah and good
deeds." Just as circumcision is a mitzva from which a person can never
part, so too may the child spend his life connected to Torah and
mitzvot.

                                                        (Our Sages)

*********************************************************************
                            IT ONCE HAPPENED
*********************************************************************
Rabbi Moshe Leib Isserles (the Rema) and Rabbi Chaim, the brother of the
Maharal of Prague were dear friends all their lives. When Rabbi Isserles
assumed the office of Chief Rabbi of the Rabbinical Court of Cracow,
Rabbi Chaim accompanied him and served as an adjunct in his rabbinical
duties.

After the tragic death of Rabbi Chaim's wife and the year of mourning,
it would have been customary to begin the search for a suitable match.
When Rabbi Chaim made no attempt to remarry, it was assumed that he was
waiting for Rabbi Moshe's intervention, but Rabbi Chaim had his own
plan. He contacted a matchmaker and stated his requirements: He wanted a
G-d-fearing and modest woman, with the means to support a Torah scholar
and a private place where he could study undisturbed. He also required
that neither his wife nor her family would reveal Rabbi Chaim's true
identity.

Not long after, the matchmaker came up with the perfect match. The good
woman was the daughter of a baker, and both she and her father agreed to
all of Rabbi Chaim's conditions. A special room was filled with many
holy books, and the couple was betrothed in utter secrecy.

A few weeks later, Rabbi Chaim came to his friend and said, "I want you
to know that I have decided to travel to my home town to visit my elder
brother."

Rabbi Moshe was shocked and deeply saddened by the news. He tried to
dissuade Rabbi Chaim, but he refused to discuss his decision. When Rabbi
Moshe saw that his words had no effect, he said, "If there is nothing I
can do to change your mind, I will at least send you off with great
honor."

Rabbi Chaim kept his own counsel and quietly implemented his plan. Rabbi
Moshe prepared a great celebration to mark his friend's departure. When
it drew to a close, Rabbi Moshe tearfully accompanied his friend several
miles on the way before they parted.

Now came the next phase of his plan. Rabbi Chaim assumed a disguise so
effective, he was virtually unrecognizable. He returned to his
father-in-law's house in Cracow by a circuitous route, and there a
simple wedding was performed. Although the townsfolk thought it odd that
the baker made no wedding feast, they soon forgot it in the crush of
everyday concerns. Rabbi Chaim and his wife lived harmoniously, and from
that day forth, he remained in his home studying Torah and never
venturing out.

A few years later a terrible plague broke out in Cracow. The townsfolk
went to Rabbi Moshe to ask if this could be a punishment for some
unknown sin. After some investigation, his attendants brought the rabbi
a shocking report. The baker's daughter was suspected of living with a
man without having had a proper marriage. Rabbi Moshe ordered the man
brought to him at once.

Although when Rabbi Chaim arrived at the rabbinical court, he tried to
keep his face averted, his friend recognized him at once. Rabbi Moshe
led Rabbi Chaim into his private chambers and fell weeping with joy into
his arms. But when he looked up, his friend was laughing.

Rabbi Moshe stared at Rabbi Chaim and said: "I will ask you just three
things: Where were you before you came to the baker's house? What is the
truth about the sin they are speaking of? Why did you laugh?"

"Let me reply. When I served the community's needs, I suffered, for I
had no time to study the Torah as intensively as I wished. Now I can
follow the dictates of my heart. As for sin, there is none. I have been
happily married for two years. My only problem was the gnawing thought
that perhaps I was sinfully proud of my accomplishments. I prayed to G-d
for a humble heart, but I had not anticipated the correction would come
through such humiliation! I laughed because I saw you weep, and then I
knew that my punishment was fulfilled."

Rabbi Moshe called his servants: "This man is no sinner, he may leave in
peace."

That night Rabbi Moshe couldn't stop thinking about the day's events.
Rabbi Chaim had removed himself from all worldly matters and spent his
days and nights sitting in a barren room studying Torah. He had to go
see this for himself. Late the following night, he stood outside Rabbi
Chaim's room. Listening closely, he could hear his friend's voice, but
there was another voice as well. Finally, he knocked on the door and
announced himself.

"Enter," he was told. There was Rabbi Chaim, sitting alone at a table.
"Who else was here with you?" Rabbi Moshe inquired, but he received no
reply.

"I order you to reply!"

"If you command me as the rabbi, I must obey. The other voice you heard
was that of the Prophet Elijah, who comes here to teach me."

When he heard this, Rabbi Moshe became faint. "Ask him what sin I have
committed that I don't merit to learn from him."

"Tell Rabbi Moshe Isserles," the prophet replied, "that he has committed
no sin. But the spiritual and the grandiose cannot mix. Rabbi Moshe
occupies himself with his holy rabbinical service to the community and
he must conduct himself in a manner befitting the honor of his position.
I can come only to those whose good deeds are hidden from the public
eye."

*********************************************************************
                            MOSHIACH MATTERS
*********************************************************************
At the time of the Resurrection of the Dead, in which body will the
souls that have had several incarnations arise? In general, the concept
can be explained as follows: The soul (here the intent is to refer to
three levels, nefesh, ruach, and neshama, or merely one of them, but not
merely the level of neshama) reincarnates (in the predominant majority
of instances) to perfect what it failed to perfect in its first descent
to the body. Since the entire Jewish people are filled with mitzvos
[commandments] like a pomegranate is filled with seeds, in every descent
and incarnation, certain levels of the soul are perfected. At the time
of the resurrection, every body will arise together with the level of
the soul that it perfected.

            (From a letter of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, 7 Shvat, 1946)

*********************************************************************
                END OF TEXT - L'CHAIM 1315 - Sazria 5774
*********************************************************************