Holidays   Shabbat   Chabad-houses   Chassidism   Subscribe   Calendar   Links

                                  B"H
                                 -----
                         L'CHAIM - ISSUE # 1318
*********************************************************************
                           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/5774/1318.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.
*********************************************************************
        April 25, 2014          Kedoshim          25 Nisan, 5774
*********************************************************************

                         Clean Air, Clear Mind

Over 40 years ago, the United States Environmental Protection Agency
established the Clean Air Act Amendments. Sixteen  years ago smoking was
banned on all commercial passenger flights in the United States, and/or
by American air carriers. As of January 2014, 28 states have enacted
statewide bans on smoking in all enclosed public places, including all
bars and restaurants.

But, can smokeless, cleaner air lead to a clearer head? less murky
thoughts? spotless behavior?

An old Jewish custom (about 1700 years old) begins once again this
Saturday afternoon.  It's the tradition of studying the Mishna "Ethics
of the Fathers" during the weeks between Passover and Shavuot.  Many
have the custom to continue studying these teachings throughout the
summer months as well, until Rosh Hashana.

These "ethics" have a lot to say that are relevant to us today, in our
interpersonal relationships both business and pleasure.

"Receive every person with a cheerful countenance," suggested Shammai.
Say "hello" with a smile and see how that starts your day off right.  If
you run into someone you don't particularly like, look at the whole
person, find his good qualities and then you will be able to greet him
with a cheerful countenance.

Joshua ben Perachyah said, "Judge every person favorably." Put yourself
in the other person's shoes and think how you would react or what you
would have done in the same situation.  And remember that when the
"Final Judgement Day" comes, you'll be judged as harshly or lightly as
you judge others!

And for the generation that New York magazine called the "greed"
generation, we have Hillel's comment:  If I am only for myself, what am
I?  Can a person really be effective when only concerned for himself?  A
person wrapped up in himself makes a pretty small package!

Rabban Gamliel, Hillel's son, counseled, "Provide yourself with a
teacher and free yourself of doubt."  Get an advisor for yourself, maybe
even more than one.  You'll need a financial advisor, a medical advisor
(if there are, G-d forbid, health problems), and someone to help you
explore your relationships.  Of course, most importantly, provide
yourself with a spiritual guide - someone you can look up to, learn from
and hope to emulate.

Take a deep breath (now that the air indoors is cleaner). Doesn't your
head feel clearer already?

*********************************************************************
           LIVING WITH THE REBBE  -  THE WEEKLY TORAH PORTION
*********************************************************************
In this week's Torah portion, Kedoshim, we learn that one may not eat
the fruits of a tree during the first three years after it was planted,
while the fruits of the fourth year are holy. They are to be eaten only
in Jerusalem. The Torah proceeds: "But in the fifth year you may eat its
fruit [in all places], so that it may yield you more produce..." Thus,
the objective of the first four years is the increase in yield during
the fifth year.

The fifth year's increase in physical yield resulted from the fact that
in a spiritual sense, too, the fruits of the fifth year possessed a
quality that was lacking - not only during the first three forbidden
years, but also during the fourth year when the fruits had to be eaten
in Jerusalem. Why, then, could these more spiritually elevated fruits be
eaten wherever one desired? Why were they not restricted to the confines
of the Holy City of Jerusalem, as were the less spiritual fruits of the
fourth year?

Before the Baal Shem Tov, the founder of Chasidism, became renowned, it
was his custom to wander from town to town and village to village,
because one of his approaches to Divine Service was to inquire among
Jews as to their welfare, and elicit responses of praise of G-d for
their well-being.

He was most gratified to hear the loving praises with which they
responded to his queries: "Blessed be His Name," "Praise the L-rd," "The
loving G-d does not forsake," and so on.

Once the Baal Shem Tov visited a town where there lived an eminent
scholar who for the past 50 years had been piously abstemious, studying
Torah day and night in holy isolation. He would fast until after the
evening prayer. He would then break his fast with a crust of bread and
water.

The Baal Shem Tov once entered this scholar's "seclusion chamber," which
was in a corner of the synagogue, inquired after his health, and asked
him whether his needs were being met. The recluse ignored him. After the
Baal Shem Tov repeated his questions a number of times the scholar
became angry and showed his visitor the door. Said the Baal Shem Tov to
the scholar: "Rabbi, why don't you provide G-d with His sustenance? You
will starve Him, G-d forbid, and He will depart from the world."

Hearing these words the scholar was perplexed: such strange words about
seeing to G-d's needs so that He should not starve?! The Baal Shem Tov
noticed the scholar's bewilderment and explained: "Jews exist by virtue
of G-d's sustenance, but what sustains Him? This is answered by King
David in Psalms, wherein he says: 'You, Holy One, are enthroned upon' -
i.e., You are sustained by - 'the praises of Israel,' by the words of
praise that Jews give You for their health and livelihood."

To make this world a "dwelling place for Him," so that G-d be eminent in
this world, is the purpose of all creation. Accomplishing this requires
more than Torah study. It requires - as indicated by the Baal Shem Tov's
conduct - that we praise and acknowledge G-d for even the simple things
in life, for all things are to be imbued with holiness.

So, too, regarding the fifth year's fruits. The highest state of
holiness is attained not by eating the fruits in Jerusalem; it is
achieved by transforming the whole world into the Holy City of
Jerusalem.

                 From The Chasidic Dimension by Rabbi S.B. Wineberg

*********************************************************************
                             SLICE OF LIFE
*********************************************************************
                     Lessons I Learned Behind Bars
                     by Rabbi Avrohom Brashevkitzky

It smelled like the entire kitchen in the kosher restaurant came out to
hug me! But it was actually the mashgiach (kosher supervisor) of the
establishment who had come out of the kitchen to say "hello" to me. What
made the moment so enjoyable was the fact that one of the last times I
had seen this guy, he was wearing an orange jumpsuit, in a county jail.

My wife and I had stopped into the restaurant to grab a bite to eat. But
what I left with was much more than edible nourishment; I was seeing the
profound effect of the Lubavitcher Rebbe insisting that no Jew be
forgotten.

The story doesn't start or end here. It began several years ago when
Rabbi Mendy Katz from The Aleph Institute asked me to volunteer to visit
Jewish inmates in the jails/prisons closet to Doral, Florida, where my
wife Zeldi and I are emissaries of the Rebbe. Knowing that taking care
of the needs of our incarcerated brethren was highly important to the
Rebbe, I said "yes."

Truth be told, I was excited in the beginning. But I have to admit I
lost my stamina pretty quickly. There were those times that I got stuck
for longer than I expected due to a "lock down." At other times I left
worn out and despondent. Although I continued to visit regularly, I'd
often ask myself: What's the point? Most of the guys seemed so far, so
distant.

In addition, there was a more mundane problem; as a community rabbi and
emissary, I need to be in touch with so many people but I was not
allowed to bring a cell phone into the facilities. Each time I visited,
I was cut off from the entire "outside" during the few hours spent
"inside."

To make a long story short, I came home one evening from the jail and,
seeing all of many calls I had missed, I decided that perhaps I would
stop going.

As I often do when I am straightening up in the kitchen, I dialed
"Chassidus on the Phone" to listen to the talk of the Rebbe that was
playing that day. Usually the talk relates to the weekly Torah portion.
However, that day, it did not seem to have a connection to the portion
at all. In the talk, the Rebbe was explaining the great importance of
visiting Jews who are confined against their will, whether in hospitals
or behind bars.... Obviously I continued after that.

Today, as I was entering the prison chapel I met Steve, holding a book
in his hands that I had loaned to him. I bring the guys books to read
whenever I come and when they return them I loan them new ones. Steve
was holding GPS For Life (a book elucidating Tanya, the basic book of
Chabad Chasidic philosophy) that I had recently loaned to him.

"Rabbi! This book's so amazing that I asked my wife to purchase five
copies; for her, each of my children and my son-in-law!"

As we talked, he continued: "I'd already given up on studying Tanya, but
this book changed everything! It's amazing! I'm finally realizing that
the reason I ended up here is to appreciate and study Torah and find
real meaning in life!" He continued to detail the method he's
implemented in order to "really study it; not like a compelling
'good-read' that you don't stop turning the pages." He explained to me
that he read a chapter then the next, then went back to chapter one and
reread it and then reread chapter two. After reading chapter three he
went back to the beginning of chapter one and so on.

I am inspired to continue not only by the Rebbe's words and by the men I
visit, but by my fellow emissaries, as well. "Rabbi Mendy" (Schechter)
is one of them.

To explain: Jack owns a business in my area. I would visit him at least
once every week or two and we became friendly over time. He almost
always put on Tefilin when I came. I offered him many times to study
Torah. I encouraged him to perhaps buy his own pair of Tefilin, but
nothing really came of it.  Unfortunately he had some problem with the
IRS and "went in" for about 8 months in upstate Florida right near the
coast.

Recently Jack got out and of course I resumed my visits (with more
frequency). He couldn't stop telling me how impressed he was about
"Rabbi Mendy who drove every week from New Orleans, three and half hours
in each direction (!), just to spend an hour or so with us." Jack now
owns his own pair of Tefilin and has committed to studying Torah once a
week in his office.

I also take this opportunity to thank Rabbi Mendy Katz and the Aleph
Institute for the wonderful work they do around the clock. Mendy you are
an inspiration to me and many others!

My point in sharing my experiences is to encourage others to get
involved in this important work. Call your local Chabad-Lubavitch
emissaries and see how you can help them with prison and hospital
visitations.  You can also visit aleph-institute.org, an organization
reaching out to Jewish inmates and servicemen throughout the USA founded
under the direction of the Lubavitcher Rebbe.


*********************************************************************
                               WHAT'S NEW
*********************************************************************
                             New Emissaries

Rabbi Levi and Mushky Laine have arrived in Hanoi, Vietnam, to establish
a new Chabad-Lubavitch Center there. This is the second Chabad Center in
Vietnam.

Rabbi Baruch and Chaya Rozmarin have settled into their roles as
emissaries of the Rebbe in Grenada, the "Island of Spice" in the
southeastern Caribbean Sea.

                             New Facilities

Chabad of Medford, New Jersey, has found a new home in a Dutch Colonial
on Main Street. When renovations are completed, the Chabad Center will
include a small sanctuary, classrooms, offices and a kitchen.

Ground-breaking for a new, 10,000 sq. ft. Center for Jewish Living, in
the heart of culturally-rich Santa Fe, New Mexico, recently took place.
The center will include a sanctuary, classrooms, community room, Kosher
commercial kitchen, playground, garden, rooftop terrace, Mikva,
hospitality rooms, lounge, and offices.

*********************************************************************
                            THE REBBE WRITES
*********************************************************************
                           Sivan, 5738 [1978]

Thank you for your letter upon your return from Eretz YIsroel [the Land
of Israel].

I am pleased to note that you and your wife enjoyed your visit in Eretz
Yisroel and were impressed with the activities of Chabad there. As I
have remarked on similar occasions, it is customary to bring back
souvenirs from the lands one visits that are characteristic of native
features and products, etc. I trust therefore, that you too brought back
with you the right souvenir from the Holy Land, namely, an extra measure
of holiness, which will serve as a fitting memento of you visit. And, of
course, there is always room for improvement in matters of holiness,
Torah and mitzvos [commandments], in the daily life. In your case this
is even more important, not only for your own benefit, but also for the
benefit of the many who look to you for inspiration; and one is inspired
not by someone else's good thoughts and intentions, and not so much by
word of mouth as by living example, which need no elaboration to a
psychologist.

Now to the main subject of our correspondence, namely, saving Jews from
getting involved in avoda zora [idolatry] through T.M. and the like by
offering them a kosher alternative.

With reference to your letter, I would like to make the following
observations:

Although a well planned and systematic approach is generally required to
ensure success of any project, I do not think that we can afford to
delay too long the implementation of our plan through time-consuming
preparations; and for two reasons: firstly, every day that the plan is
not in operation means so many more Jews turning to those unholy cults
ad there is no other sure way of preventing or discouraging this.

Secondly, and this is also a weighty consideration, every new project is
provisional by nature, for it is expected that as it progresses there
would be need for changes and improvements, which is common experience
in various fields, medicine, science, business etc.

I note in your letter that your discussions with your colleagues have
advanced to the point of forming an ad hoc committee. I therefore
believe that the stage can now be set to start immediately a pilot
clinic or similar facility, to start offering actual treatment, on the
basis of your ad your colleagues' professional expertise and mutual
consultations. The pilot project should be set up in a way that allows
for ample flexibility for modification and change as may be necessary.

As indicated, I will be able to provide the funding for the initial
stage, within limitations. You will no doubt send me a tentative budget
of the initial outlay, with an estimate of the period of time it may
take until the setup becomes self supporting. Indeed, I am confident
that before long it will not only be self supporting, but also
profitable, considering the popularity of techniques involved. But it is
important to start in a way that will not inhibit the effectiveness and
development of the project, even if it costs much more.

With regard to specifics, I do not think it advisable to use the term
"mystic" for the planned healing center, since the goal is to attract
the greatest number of Jews and save them from avoda zora, and the said
term might discourage some. Moreover, generally mysticism connotes
something that lies beyond the pale of human comprehension, while the
therapeutic benefits of the techniques are quite understandable
rationally. Besides, to emphasize the mystical aspect would leave the
door open also, lehavdil [to separate], to non-Jewish mystical cults.

For the same reason it is advisable to be circumspect in regard to the
description of the techniques to be used I the healing center. For
example, you mention the use of "mikvot" [ritualarium]. While it is not
in my domain to assess the therapeutic effect of relaxation in a hot
mikve , I fear that to include a mikve "officially" in the regimen might
be suspected - by some people, a least, that it is a gimmick to involve
them in mitzvos. I think that veiling in it some such term as
"immersion" hot bath and the like would entirely allay such suspicion.

As for calling the healing center..... it is a name already in use by
various organizations and journals. Another suitable name would have to
be found, but there is no need to make the final decisions on this right
away.

Finally, let me relieve you of any apprehension that you might be
"pushing" me on this matter. On the contrary, in connection with such a
vital project, "pushing" could only be all to the good, since time is of
the essence, as I emphasized above.

In view of the fact that everything is by hashgocho protis [Divine
Providence], it is significant that your letter and my reply were
written in proximity to the Yom Tov [holiday] of Kabbolas Ha'Torah
[receiving the Torah, i.e.. Shavuot], when we renew and redouble our
commitment to the Torah on the basis of "naasah" [action] before
"v'nishma" [understanding] with emphasis on the doing and that "naaseh"
is the key to "v'nishma."

With esteem and blessing,

*********************************************************************
                              TODAY IS ...
*********************************************************************
                   Iyar 1, Second day of Rosh Chodesh

The Rebbe Rashab took a liking  to the saying, "The first Chabad
Chasidim were always keeping count." He commented: "That idea
characterizes a person's mission in life. The hours must be 'counted
hours,' then the days will be 'counted days.' When a day passes one
should know what he has accomplished and what remains yet to be done...
In general, one should always see to it that tomorrow should be much
better than today."

*********************************************************************
                        A WORD FROM THE DIRECTOR
                         Rabbi Shmuel M. Butman
*********************************************************************
Twenty-three years ago, on the 28th of Nisan (this year occuring on
Monday, April 28), the Rebbe made a declaration that shocked his
Chasidim:

"I have done everything I can. Now I am giving it over to each one of
you. Do everything you can to bring Moshiach in actuality" the Rebbe
stated.

Throughout the following 11 months, until his stroke, the Rebbe
continued to speak numerous times each week about Moshiach and what each
one of us can do to prepare for and hasten the Redemption.

The Rebbe, ever emphasizing our Sages' teaching that "deed is
essential," has given concrete suggestions about how we can best do what
we need to do to bring Moshiach:

Study Torah in general, and in particular, those parts of Torah that
pertain to Moshiach and the Redemption. More specifically, study about
Moshiach and Redemption as elucidated in the Rebbe's 32 volumes of
"Collected Talks" (Likutei Sichot).

Live in a manner now that is a "dress rehearsal" for the Redemption, the
time when there will no strife, no jealousy, world peace and inner
harmony, and Divine knowledge will be within everyone's reach.

Give extra charity, keeping in mind the Talmud's teaching that charity
hastens the Redemption.

Increase in acts of goodness and kindness. Every day, perhaps a number
of times each day, do something kind for a neighbor, a friend, a
co-worker, a family member, a stranger.

In this way, may we hasten the moment when all of our needs, spiritual
and material, will be amply supplied in the ultimate Redemption.

*********************************************************************
                          THOUGHTS THAT COUNT
*********************************************************************
Antigonos of Socho received the tradition from Shimon HaTzadik. He used
to say: ...And let reverence for Heaven (literally, the fear of Heaven)
be upon you (Ethics Ch. 1:3)

After Antigonos emphasizes that one should not serve G-d with a view to
receiving reward, but out of complete love for Him, he declares that a
person must also be careful regarding his reverence for G-d. One who
serves with love is eager to fulfill a positive commandment, and one who
serves with reverence is careful regarding negative ones. Thus, by being
careful in both aspects, a person's service is complete.

                                                        (Bartenura)

                                *  *  *


Hillel said: Be of the disciples of Aaron, loving peace and pursuing
peace, loving other people, and drawing them to Torah (Ethics Ch. 1:12)

Moses drew G-dliness down to the Jewish people from Above by means of
the Torah which was given through him. Thus he is referred to as "the
chaperone of the King" - analogous to the escort who accompanies the
groom to his bride. Aaron, by contrast, brought the Jewish people closer
to G-d from below to Above, and is thus referred to as "the bride's
chaperone," analogous to the escort who accompanies a bride, leading her
up to the groom who awaits her.

                                  (Sefer Ha'Arachim Chabad, Vol. 2)

                                *  *  *


[Hillel] used to say: If I am not for myself, who is for me? And if I am
only for myself, what am I? (Ethics Ch. 1:14)

In many areas of Jewish life the individual and the community are
completely integrated and harmonized, with equal emphasis on both.
Hence, "If I am not for myself" expresses the importance of the
individual. At the same time, each person is part of the whole Jewish
community, and if he is not, i.e., "if I am only for myself," isolated
from the community, what is the individual truly worth?

                                           (Likutei Sichot Vol. 18)

*********************************************************************
                            IT ONCE HAPPENED
*********************************************************************
As part of his inheritance, Rabbi Yosef received a clock that had
belonged to his father, the Seer of Lublin.

When the shiva (first seven days of mourning) for his father ended,
Rabbi Yosef set off for his home in Tulchin. On the way, it began
raining heavily. The roads were soon flooded, making it impossible to go
on. Fortunately, Rabbi Yosef found a Jewish inn and decided to stop
there until the storm ended.

After three days the rain stopped, at which time Rabbi Yosef was more
than ready to leave. The innkeeper, let us call him Zev, presented Rabbi
Yosef with the bill that Rabbi Yosef could not pay. He offered Zev any
of his possessions as payment, and after some consideration, Zev chose
the clock.

Zev hung the clock in a back room of the inn, wound it up, gave the
pendulum a swing, and the clock began ticking away. Every hour the clock
rang out the time in an appropriate number of chimes.

At first, Zev and his wife were thrilled when they heard the clock
chime, but as time passed, they paid it little attention.

Years later a rabbi came to stay at the inn and was given the room where
the clock hung.

That night, Zev, though exhausted, could not sleep. From the rabbi's
room came sounds of beautiful singing and the sound of dancing. And when
the clock struck the hour, the music took on an added quality of joy!

Zev decided he would ask the rabbi in the morning what this great joy
was all about. With this thought in mind, he fell fast asleep.

The following morning, the rabbi, as if reading Zev's mind, said:

"You must be wondering why I was so joyous last night, but I am
wondering where you got the clock!

Zev could not understand the connection between of the two things but
told the Rabbi the story of rabbi Yosef and how he acquired the clock.

"I see you have no idea what a bargain you got," said the Rabbi. "This
clock belonged to my saintly rabbi, the Seer of Lublin. As soon as I
heard the chiming, I recognized it!"

"A clock is a clock," mumbled Zev.

"Let me explain what a clock really is," offered the Rabbi. "People
think a clock is for the telling them when to get up, go to work, eat,
sleep. That is nonsense. People lived for thousands of years without
clocks. An animal doesn't need a clock to show it when to do these
things."

"True," said Zev, waiting for more.

"A clock reminds people that there is such a thing as time in this
world. When G-d created the world, He created time. The minute and hour
hand on the clock remind us that each minute and every hour G-d gives
life to the whole world and sustains us.

"A clock is indeed a great thing," Zev called out enthusiastically.

"That is not all," continued the rabbi. "The clock also reminds us that
time is passing, and we must watch and guard it. Anything lost can be
found, except for time, which can never be recovered. When the clock
chimes, it makes us consider if we have filled the passing hour in a
worthwhile manner."

"Oh, Rabbi, when I think of how many hours I have wasted," Zev cried
out.

"Don't be downhearted," the rabbi said encouragingly. "Do you know that
the Hebrew word for hour also means 'a turn'? Do you know what 'a turn'
is? Imagine a person walking carelessly along a dangerous road, till he
reaches a cliff. Suddenly, he realizes where he is and quickly turns
around. This turn immediately saves him, even before he has managed to
take the steps away from the danger. In one hour or with one turn toward
the right path a person can change his whole life."

"How wonderful!" Zev marveled.

"Now, I shall tell you the really exciting secret of this clock, the
clock of my saintly Rebbe.

"This clock is exceptionally perfect and wonderful, for in addition to
all the previously mentioned virtues, the clock has a most happy chime.
Every chime rings out like a message of good news, as if to tell us that
an hour of Exile has passed and we are now one hour nearer to the
complete and final Redemption with Moshiach."

"Now," the Rabbi asked Zev, "Can you understand why I rejoiced so much
the whole night? I heard the chime of the clock, recognized it, and
celebrated with fervor."

*********************************************************************
                            MOSHIACH MATTERS
*********************************************************************
How is it that the Redemption has not yet been attained? That despite
all that has transpired and all that has been done, Moshiach has still
not come? What more can I do? I have done all I can to bring the world
to truly demand and clamor for the Redemption...The only thing that
remains for me to do is to give over the matter to you. Do all that is
in your power to achieve this thing--a most sublime and transcendent
light that needs to be brought down into our world with pragmatic
tools... I have done all I can. I give it over to you. Do all that you
can to bring the righteous redeemer, immediately! I have done my part.
From this point on, all is in your hands...

                                  (The Rebbe, Nissan 28, 5751/1991)

*********************************************************************
               END OF TEXT - L'CHAIM 1318 - Kedoshim 5774
*********************************************************************