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                         L'CHAIM - ISSUE # 1378
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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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        July 3, 2015             Balak            16 Tamuz, 5775
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                            Don't Put it Off

A goal-oriented person, especially when lecturing a procrastinator,
quotes the golden rule, "Don't put off until tomorrow what you can do
today."

A procrastinator, however, will cite the principle, "Don't do today what
you can put off until tomorrow. For tomorrow you might not need to do it
anymore."

Although neither of these cliches is a perfect fit for the Jewish
experience of this coming Shabbat and Sunday, if we had to choose one
over the other to describe the 17th of Tamuz this year, we'd side with
the procrastinator.

For, even though the 17th of Tamuz is traditionally a fast day and a day
of mourning, this year it will be a day of joy and pleasure. How can
this be? The 17th of Tamuz this year occurs on Shabbat, and thus, the
fasting and mourning are pushed off until Sunday.

The 17th of Tamuz is the date nearly 2,000 years ago when the wall
surrounding the holy city of Jerusalem was breached by the Roman army.
This initial cracking and breaching of the wall allowed for the eventual
destruction of the Holy Temple which took place three weeks later, on
the 9th day of the Hebrew month of Av.

A discussion about what to do when the 9th of Av falls on Shabbat is
recorded in the Talmud. The esteemed Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi ("the prince")
opines that being that the fast is postponed until Sunday (for Shabbat
is a day of pleasure and enjoyment, and we must not mourn or afflict
ourselves on Shabbat), it should be altogether cancelled.

Although the ruling was ultimately decided according to a differing
opinion, the concept of "If it's being put off until tomorrow, don't do
it altogether" does have validity.

For certainly, when we consider that the sad three-week period
inaugurated by the 17th of Tamuz (and concluded on the 9th of Av) is
actually a preparatory stage for - and thus part of - the ultimate
Redemption, there is the real hope that the Redemption will come before
the postponed fast can be observed.

Jewish mysticism explains that although outwardly, the fasts associated
with the destruction of the Holy Temple and the subsequent exile of the
Jewish people from our land seems to be entirely negative, in fact, the
essence of these fasts is positive, since they are entirely connected to
the Redemption. For the whole purpose of the destruction of the Holy
Temple and our people's exile is solely to reach the pinnacle of
existence which will take place in the Era of Moshiach.

The 17th of Tamuz is the beginning of this ultimate era. It is when the
cracks and crevices were first created in the wall.

Quoting a verse in Song of Songs, "Behold, he stands behind our wall, he
looks in at the windows; he peers through the crevices," the Rebbe
brings the opinion that this verse refers to Moshiach. The Rebbe then
explains, "Moshiach is standing on the other side of a wall that is
already cracked and crumbling... Moshiach is watching and waiting in
anticipation: When are we finally going to finish off our sundry
outstanding task, and complete the final sorting out that needs to be
done to refine and elevate the world? If we do not see him," the Rebbe
concludes, "it is because it is our wall that is standing in the way."

Celebrate Shabbat this week, for in general, Shabbat is a taste of the
World to Come. And particularly this Shabbat of the 17th of Tamuz, which
is essentially and intrinsically connected to the Redemption. And as we
celebrate and delight in Shabbat, let's contemplate which spiritually
refining and elevating tasks we need to do (that should not be pushed
off to tomorrow!) so that our wall no longer obstructs Moshiach's
presence but reveals him entirely.

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           LIVING WITH THE REBBE  -  THE WEEKLY TORAH PORTION
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The period of the Jews' exile began, to a certain degree, with the
destruction of the First Holy Temple in Jerusalem, and will only end
with the arrival of Moshiach. Although the Temple was rebuilt and
existed for a long time, this period is also considered part of exile,
for the Second Temple was missing five key elements that the First
Temple had.

Bilaam, the gentile prophet, alluded to the years of exile in his
prophecy in this week's Torah portion, Balak. "He crouches and lies down
as a lion and as a leopard; who shall make him rise up?" During the
period of exile, the Jews have assumed a position of "crouching" and
"lying down," as if they are bowed and resting. The Jewish People is not
in full possession of its faculties and powers, and is bent and
slumbering. Bilaam's words accurately describe the period of exile.

But even as the Jews are in exile, they are still likened to the lion
and the leopard. When a lion crouches down, it is not in a position of
weakness; the animal retains its power and potential to pounce even in
this position. It is the lion's desire to lie down; it was not forced to
by an outside power.

Even during the long exile among the nations, the gentiles do not have
true control over the Jewish People. For, the exile only applies to
worldly affairs; the exile has no influence over a Jew's performance of
mitzvot (commandments). There is nothing in the world that can prevent a
Jew from serving G-d and fulfilling His commandments.

The Previous Rebbe said: "Only the body of the Jew was subjected to
exile and domination by the nations; the soul was not. It is our duty to
make it clear to all that strangers have no authority over anything
having to do with our religion, with Torah, mitzvot, and Jewish customs,
and nothing in the world can change this fact."

It can sometimes appear to us that the world does indeed rule over the
"lion" and the "leopard" - over the Jewish nation. This is because of
the concealment of G-dliness which is characteristic of the exile,
making it possible for us to be deceived into thinking that others can
truly rule over the Jewish People. That is why, from time to time, G-d
shows us open miracles and wonders - to remind us that "there is nothing
else but Him."

These miracles, which occur in every generation, include those signs and
wonders which are revealed through the righteous and serve to dispel the
darkness and reveal the holiness in the world. They allow us to see,
with our own eyes, that the Jewish People are indeed "lions" and
"leopards," though "crouched" and "lying down." In reality, the Jew
remains a free agent and the exile has no dominion over his true
essence.

                   Adapted from the works of the Lubavitcher Rebbe.

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                             SLICE OF LIFE
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                     Wounded Warriors' Warm Welcome

Roey Amir, who fought in Israel's Operation Protective Edge against
Hamas, wrote to the New York Post about his visit 10-day visit to New
York City with other wounded Israeli veterans, organized by Belev Echad,
a project of the Chabad Israel Center..

This time last year, I was planning a summer filled with relaxation,
rejuvenation and, of course, plenty of ice cream. Instead, I found
myself fighting for my life.

When Hamas terrorists kidnapped three young Israeli boys on June 12,
2014, the nation held its breath.

Tragically, their bodies were found weeks later, brutally murdered.
While Israel searched for the missing boys, Hamas terrorists sent a
near-constant barrage of deadly rockets into heavily populated civilian
areas.

Determined to protect its people, Israel declared Operation Protective
Edge.

As a commander in the Israel Defense Forces, I had just finished
training a group of new soldiers and was not on active duty, but I asked
for (and was granted) permission to rejoin my unit.

We were sent to Gaza to find and destroy the deadly tunnels Hamas had
built underground, to infiltrate and terrorize Israel.

During one deployment, we got a call that our location was compromised.
We were a small group of eight men in a bombed-out building, and one by
one we tried to escape. I was the seventh.

I started to make my way across the road when I saw something blue and
metallic out of the corner of my eye. By the time I saw it, it was too
late. The explosion sent me flying into the air. I was sure I was going
to die. My eyes were bleeding profusely and my legs were mangled.

I was airlifted to Soroka Medical Center in Beer Sheva, where I somehow
managed to pull through. I was confined to my hospital bed for many
months as I underwent surgery after surgery - 15 in all.

I am now completely blind in my left eye and I walk with a cane,
sometimes two. But if I had to, I'd do it all over again.

This month, on a whirlwind trip to New York with a group of fellow
injured soldiers, I've come to understand that we are not alone.

From the moment we arrived, brought here by the incredible Belev Echad
organization, a project of Chabad Israel Center of the Upper East Side,
we have been warmly welcomed by everyone we encounter.

During the war, we knew the world was against us. We were accused of
committing all kinds of atrocities; slandered on the news virtually
everywhere. But here in New York, we've been embraced lovingly, with
open arms.

We've been treated like heroes.

We rode Harley Davidson bikes through Bear Mountain State Park for a day
- in Israel, we often find and stop motorcycles strapped with explosives
meant to detonate and kill us.

We were treated to a helicopter ride over Manhattan - for most of us,
the last time we rode in a helicopter was when we were being evacuated
from the battlefield, severely injured and unsure we would live through
the hour.

One night, 600 Jewish young adults joined us for a party open to the
public by Chabad. One individual sent us to Washington on his private
jet, and on another day we were given the opportunity to open NASDAQ.

We played frisbee in Central Park, went shopping at Jersey Gardens,
checked out Manhattan's ice bar and did the Times Square circuit,
including Madame Tussauds wax museum, Ripley's Believe it or Not.

We feel like this is New York making a point to us and to the world.

But most importantly, we have been greeted with love and appreciation
everywhere we go. And when we visited the 9/11 memorial in Lower
Manhattan, it all made sense.

You, New Yorkers, have witnessed terrorism firsthand. You know what it
means, and you know it must be confronted.

You will never allow the terrorists to win, and that's something we have
in common.

You understand that when Israel fights terror, it is the same war on a
different front.

Rabbi Uriel Vigler, who heads the Belev Echad organization together with
his wife Shevy, told me that the late leader of the Chabad movement,
Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneersohn, treated the Israeli soldiers with the
highest regard, insisting they be called special soldiers, rather than
handicapped soldiers.

And indeed, we have been made to feel special and appreciated over and
over during our time here.

Thank you, New York, for treating us as you do and for not looking away
in pity. Thank you for looking us in the eye and saying, "We're in this
together."

     To read more reports on the ten-day trip visit belevechad.nyc.

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                               WHAT'S NEW
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                         From Coffee to Chabad

Chabad of Southern Oregon, in Ashland, Oregon, recently purchased a
building in the center of Ashland that formerly housed the local
Starbucks. The property is steps away from Southern Oregon University.
It is slated to become the new Chabad Center for Jewish Life and will
include a Sanctuary, Cafe Lounge, Social Hall, Classroom, Library,
Children's Play Area, Kitchen, and Offices, where Chabad of Ashland
works with students and faculty.

                               New Torahs


The Chabad Jewish Community Center in Medford, New Jersey, recently
completed and welcomed a new Torah scroll, the first time in history
that a Torah had been completed in Medford, a suburb of Philadelphia.

Darchei Menachem school in Brooklyn, New York, welcomed a new Torah
scroll that was written in memory of Crown Heights activists Rabbi
Shlomo and Miriam Lakein.

The Chabad Jewish Center of Northwest Bergen County in Franklin Lakes,
New Jersey, welcomed a Torah scroll.

The Chabad Youth of Melbourne, Australia, celebrated the completion of a
new Sefer Torah and welcomed it eagerly into the Chabad Youth Center.

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                            THE REBBE WRITES
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                 Rosh Chodesh Menachem Av, 5743 [1983]
                              Dr. - M.D.,

Greeting and Blessing:

I received your letter of the 19th of Tammuz, and I appreciate your
thoughtfulness in writing to me in detail about our esteemed mutual
friend. No doubt you have already heard from your patient, who has kept
in touch with me.

I am most gratified to note the personal attention and concern you have
shown towards your patient. There is certainly no need to emphasize to
you how important it is for the patient - also therapeutically - to know
that his doctor is taking a special interest in him. This is all the
more important in a case of a sensitive person, and especially as our
mutual friend is truly an outstanding person who lives by the Torah, and
particularly, by the Great Principle of the Torah V'Ohavto L'Re'acho
Komocho [the commandment to love one's fellow Jew as one loves oneself].

The above, incidentally, is particularly timely in connection with the
present days of the Three Weeks, which remind all Jews to make a special
effort to counteract, and eventually eliminate, the cause which gave
rise to the sad events which these days commemorate, and hasten the day
when these sad days will be transformed into days of gladness and
rejoicing.

Wishing you Hatzlocho [success] with this patient and all your patients,
and in all your affairs.

With blessing,

                                *  *  *

                      15th of Tammuz, 5723 [1963]
    To the Annual Convention of the Rabbinical Alliance of America -


I acknowledge the receipt of your invitation to your annual convention
taking place, please G-d, on Tammuz 22-25.

I hope that the convention agenda will include items which can be
practically and expeditiously implemented to take full advantage of the
opportune moment now at hand. An opportunity stemming from the spiritual
reawakening now exciting large segments of our people, and particularly
our youth.

Those who are sincerely concerned with the development and future of our
youth, are cognizant of the fact that this spiritual ardor is caused in
part by a realization of the shallowness and emptiness of philosophies
alien to traditional Jewish thinking, and inability of these foreign
ideas to cope with the problems of our times. Many who are imbued with
this new spiritual eagerness lack definitive purpose and direction;
others have a somewhat greater understanding of their religious
experiences and have acquired an awareness of their bonds with the
foundations of traditional Judaism. In both cases, the spiritual
resurgence has created a situation whereby large segments of our people
are once more amenable and responsive to being guided along the true and
righteous path - the way of Torah and Mitzvos [commandments].

Unfortunately, the opportunity has not been duly exploited and far too
many are still groping in the darkness lacking proper direction and
influence, proper leadership and guidance to proceed along the path of
G-d, and especially lacking knowledge of the course of action one should
pursue in his daily life.

The problem is of particular importance when it concerns our youth for
they instinctively respond with zeal and determination to ideas which
are novel to them. They are unafraid to alter the course of their lives
if they believe that which is being offered to them is the unadulterated
truth.

More particularly, the attention should be focused on the young boys and
girls of school age about whom the Torah instructs: "You shall teach
your children diligently" This commandment is recited in our daily
prayers in the first paragraph of the Shema which is bound up with the
recognition and submission to the yoke of heaven. This verse is then
repeated in the second paragraph of the Shema to stress the importance
of giving the children a Jewish education in general and especially -
the study of Torah which is the most important "of all the good deeds."
                        continued in next issue


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                               TEACHINGS
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"The Tablets were the work of G-d and the writing was the writing of
G-d, charut ('engraved') on the tablets. Do not read charut, but cherut
('freedom'). There is no free person except one who occupies himself
with the study of Torah" (Ethics 6:2).

Chasidut explains that engraved letters are unique in that they are an
integral part of (and not a separated entity from) the object on which
they are written. When a Jew studies Torah in a manner of "engraving,"
he becomes unified entirely with the Torah he studies. His entire
existence becomes Torah. This leads to true freedom; he is lifted above
all worries and distraction.

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                        A WORD FROM THE DIRECTOR
                         Rabbi Shmuel M. Butman
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This Shabbat is the 17th of Tammuz and the fast usually commemorated on
this date is postponed until Sunday. The Rebbe explained that there are
two ways of explaining the fact that the fast is put off:

 a. It is forbidden to fast on Shabbat, because no element of sadness
    should be associated with this day. In particular, this applies in
    regard to those fasts that commemorate national calamities.

 b. The postponement serves as a foretaste of the revelation of the true
    nature of the date of the fast that will surface in the Era of the
    Redemption when, as Maimonides writes, "all the fasts will be
    nullified... and will be transformed into festivals and days of joy
    and rejoicing."

On an overt level, a fast day is obviously undesirable. The suffering
endured on a fast is surely not pleasurable, nor appreciated.
Never-theless, the inner dimension of a fast is good, as the prophet
states, "It is a day of will to G-d."

This contrast is openly expressed in regard to the 17th of Tammuz. On an
obvious level it is associated with negative factors, the breaching of
the walls of Jerusalem, which led to the destruction of the Holy Temple.
Nevertheless, its inner, essential quality is good. This is even alluded
to in the date itself, for 17 is numerically equivalent to the word
"tov." This points to the intent of the exile, that it should lead the
Jews to the Era of the Redemption.

The connection to the Redemption also relates to Shabbat which is a
foretaste of "the era which is all Shabbat and rest for eternity."
Moreover, the mitzva of delighting in the Shabbat by partaking of
material delicacies is also paralleled by "the feast that G-d will make
for the righteous in that future era." That feast will be an actual
physical meal. For, as Chasidut explains, the ultimate reward of the
Messianic Era will be experienced in this material world, as the souls
are enclothed within the body.

May this take place immediately!

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                          THOUGHTS THAT COUNT
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Balak saw and the people of Moab were afraid (Num. 22:2-3)

When Balak, the king and leader of the Moabites, saw the approach of the
Jews his fear quickly spread to his people. This contrasts sharply with
the behavior of Moses, leader of the Jewish nation. When he was afraid
of Og, king of Bashan, it was only "in his heart." He did not allow his
fear to show even to himself, let alone to others. This is a lesson for
Jewish leaders in all times. Even in the most difficult times they must
exude only hope and encouragement.

                                                 (Divrei Chachamim)

                                *  *  *


May my soul die the death of the righteous, and may my end be like him.
(Num. 23:10)

A Jew once came to the tzadik Rabbi Yehoshua of Belz, and while speaking
to him expressed the desire that "at least I should die like a Jew." The
Rebbe interrupted him and said, "That is what the non-Jew Bilaam
requested when he said, 'May my soul die the death of the righteous.' He
wanted to die as a Jew but to live as a non-Jew. We must ask G-d to
grant us to live as Jews."

                                *  *  *


How goodly are thy tents Jacob - thy dwelling places, Israel. (24:5)

It is a good for Jacob to build tents - synagogues and houses of
learning. But only on the condition that they become "thy dwelling
places, Israel" - that Jews should actually be in them. A synagogue
should not be built solely for its beauty, standing empty a whole week
and only with difficulty finding a minyan on Sabbaths and Festivals.

                                    (Rabbi Yaacov Yosef of Polonye)

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                            IT ONCE HAPPENED
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David and Meir had been childhood friends. From the earliest they could
remember, they were partners in Torah study. After they both married,
David mysteriously disappeared and Meir didn't see him for many years.
Meir did, however, hear that David had joined the disciples of the Baal
Shem Tov and eventually became the Rabbi of Nikolayev.

Meir eventually inherited his father-in-law's business and divided his
time between business and Torah study. On one of his many trips to a
fair in a far-off city, he was staying in an inn where he saw a group of
chasidim rejoicing.

"What are you rejoicing about?" asked Rabbi Meir.

"Rabbi David of Nikolayev is here," they answered him.

Rabbi Meir realized that they were speaking of his childhood friend, and
asked the chasidim where Rabbi David was. They pointed to a closed door.
Rabbi Meir knocked on the door. "David, open the door for me!"

Rabbi David opened the door and recognized his old friend. They fell on
each other in great excitement.

"Why did you go to the Baal Shem Tov?" Rabbi Meir began.

"Remember when you and I used to discuss that we wanted to learn Torah
lishma - for its own sake - but we were not able to reach that level? I
heard that in the Besht's circle, they learned Torah lishma."

"And what made you stay, once you got there?" asked Rabbi Meir.

"When I came to the Baal Shem Tov," answered Rabbi David, "I didn't find
what I was looking for at first. But the chasidim encouraged me to stay
a while longer. I stayed the eve of Shabbat and managed to be in the
Baal Shem Tov's room when he read the holy book, Song of Songs.

Truly, it was something to hear. I felt as if a tumult was being made in
the heavens. But I still wasn't convinced that this was the place for
me.

"Yet, the Baal Shem Tov's chasidim convinced me to stay on, at least
until they observed the yartzeit (anniversary of the passing) of one of
his parents. That entire night, the Baal Shem Tov would remain in his
room repeating the six books of the Mishna by heart. The chasidim were
certain that this phenomenon would convince me. I waited until the night
of the yartzeit, and there was truly something to be awed by. However, I
still was not convinced.

"Stay until the night after the yartzeit, the chasidim told me, 'for the
Baal shem tov will fast for the entire day and then, at night, he will
make a big meal for the greatest of his students. If you attend this
meal, it is impossible that you won't be totally drawn to the Baal shem
tov.' 'But prepare yourself well,' they warned me. 'Most people fall
asleep during the meal.'

"I agreed to stay. I rested well in preparation for the evening. I even
said special prayers to help me stay awake. At the meal, the Baal Shem
Tov sat at the head of the table, surrounded by his chasidim. He began
to expound on the meditations for immersing in the ritual bath (mikva).
"One of his students stood up and said, 'Rebbe, the Arizal (Rabbi
Yitzchak Luria) explains this concept differently.'

"The Baal Shem Tov's face went a fiery red, and then a deathly white.
Immediately, I became exhausted and could not stop myself from falling
asleep. While asleep, I saw many people running somewhere. I asked the
people where they were going and they told me that in a few minutes the
Baal Shem Tov was going to expound on some deep concept. I, too, began
to run.

"We arrived at a large building and I saw two seats in the middle of the
hall. I was told the seats were for the Baal Shem Tov and the Arizal. I
managed to stand right near the Baal Shem Tov's chair.

"The Baal Shem Tov began to expound on the mediations for immersion in
the ritual bath. After he finished his lecture, the Arizal asked him
many questions and the Baal Shem Tov answered him. Thus proceeded the
exchange until the Arizal acknowledged the truth of the Baal Shem Tov's
words.

"Immediately thereafter I awoke to find myself once again at the festive
meal with the Baal Shem Tov. The Baal Shem Tov once again began to
expound on the meditations for the mikva and the same disciple said once
more, 'But the Arizal explains differently.'

"The Baal Shem Tov looked straight at me and said, 'David, stand and
tell us what you saw!'

"And that," concluded Rabbi David, "is how I became a disciple of the
Baal Shem Tov." When Rabbi Meir heard this story, he decided to travel
together with Rabbi David to the Baal Shem Tov and eventually became one
of his greatest chasidim.

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                            MOSHIACH MATTERS
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"A star will shoot forth from Jacob, a staff will stand up from Israel."
(Num. 24:17) According to the Jerusalem Talmud, this verse refers both
to Moshiach and to the Jewish people. Chasidic teachings explain that
the soul of Moshiach is a soul that contains within it all the souls of
Israel. The soul of each and every Jew, therefore contains a spark of
Moshiach's soul. Hence, each and every Jew is given the same appellation
("star from Jacob" and "leader of Israel") as that which is given to
Moshiach, for it refers to the Moshiach within the Jew - the essence of
the Jew's soul. When the Divine essence of the Jew's soul will be openly
revealed in his/her personal life, this effects a personal "coming of
Moshiach."

(Neirot.com, based on a talk of the Rebbe, Simchat Torah eve, 1985)

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                END OF TEXT - L'CHAIM 1378 - Balak 5775
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