Holidays   Shabbat   Chabad-houses   Chassidism   Subscribe   Calendar   Links

                                  B"H
                                 -----
                         L'CHAIM - ISSUE # 1391
*********************************************************************
                           Copyright (c) 2015
                 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/5776/1391.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.
*********************************************************************
        October 9, 2015         Bereshis        26 Tishrei, 5776
*********************************************************************

                           Collecting Leaves

Many folks from the East Coast to the Rocky Mountains will be going on
nature walks, drives through the mountains, or strolls in parks over the
next few weeks to enjoy the change of colors and scenery that autumn
affords. Kids in particular enjoy collecting the fallen autumn leaves.

Sometimes it's for a school project (having to identify which leaves
came from which trees?), an art project, or a personal project (trying
to find leaves in as many different colors and shapes as possible?).

Do you remember one of those "nature/art projects" that many of us did
as kids? You took leaves and put them under a sheet of paper. With the
edge of a crayon you rubbed the paper over the leaf and were able to
recognize not only the shape of the leaf but even its main stem and
veins. You couldn't rub it too lightly or too firmly, though, or it
wouldn't work.

Jewish life is like one big leaf collecting project if you consider that
mitzvot are very much like leaves. They come in all different colors and
shapes and sizes and textures. And, as Jewish teachings explain, just as
no two faces are exactly the same neither are there two temperaments or
opinions that are exactly the same.

Thus, individuals are attracted to different mitzvot. But, despite one's
propensity for a certain shaped or colored leaf, if the teacher said you
had to collect ten different leaves you had to collect TEN different
leaves.

Similarly, though we might enjoy doing one mitzva over another mitzva,
or five mitzvot rather than 13 mitzvot, when the Teacher says to collect
13, you gotta collect 13.

Similar to the way we execute the art project, we should be neither too
firm nor too light in doing these mitzvot, but should follow the rules
and tread the middle path; if we don't then the project won't work. It's
not a punishment either, it just won't work.

Often people ask, "But isn't the main part of the mitzva the intent?
After all, G-d desires the heart!"

Intent and sincerity are a major part of the mitzva but not the main
thing. The actual doing of the mitzva, and doing it according to the
rules, is the major part.

If you do it wrong, you won't get punished, it just won't come out
right. Like the art project with the leaf which doesn't work if you rub
too hard or too soft (or not at all), there won't be an image on the
paper. And with the mitzva, if it's not done right there won't be an
image on your soul, or on the environment, or on the world. That's not a
punishment, it's simply a fact. Too little or too much, too light or too
hard, too hot or too cold. If you don't do it right it just won't work.

But, there's always next time to try again.

Keep on collecting those leaves and those mitzvot. Enjoy them.
Appreciate them. Have favorites that you especially treasure and look
for at every opportunity. Eagerly anticipate the times of year when
certain mitzvot are more readily available or easily discernible than at
other times.

Take a stroll, or a walk or a drive through the glorious colors and
scents and textures of mitzvot every single day of your life.

*********************************************************************
           LIVING WITH THE REBBE  -  THE WEEKLY TORAH PORTION
*********************************************************************
This week's portion is the first portion of the entire Torah, Breishit.
It discusses the Creation of the world and Adam and Eve's function in
the world.

It is something of a paradox that from the very beginning, while still
in the utopian setting of the Garden of Eden, Adam was immediately put
to work. Quite contrary to the popular image, Adam never had a chance to
enjoy complete rest or relaxation, free of duties and responsibilities.
Even before violating the Divine command, the innocent Adam's raison
d'etre was "to work and watch it (i.e. the Garden of Eden). Yet Adam's
life in the Garden at that time is considered the epitome of "good
living." Obviously, hard work and the good life are not incompatible. In
fact, hard work makes the good life, as we shall soon see.

The question may be asked: Could not the All Merciful G-d have shown
even greater kindness by creating a perfect world where nothing would be
lacking, work would be superfluous and labor unnecessary? Where man
would subsist on His Grace alone and be able to "take it easy" instead
of working and earning a living?

We are told that man was created after everything else so that he should
find all his needs already provided for. Then why this need for work? If
work, and improvement of the world is called for, then obviously
Creation was not yet at its best. Yet the Alm-ghty seemed to be
satisfied with this imperfect state of affairs, for every successive
development of the first six days of Creation is called "good". Here is
a clear indication that it is these very imperfections and faults -
requiring improvement and work - that are part of the ultimate good.

G-d did not wish to shower undeserved bliss and good on humans. On the
contrary, he wanted to leave an area for people to work at and exercise
their creativity. G-d wanted to give a sense of fulfillment and
accomplishment, something we could consider our own. There is definitely
a greater appreciation of that which a person earns by the labor of his
own hands than what he receives as a "handout". In fact, the Talmud
tells us that people prefer a single bushel of their own produce to nine
bushels received as a giveaway.

Things would certainly have been easier and less complicated if we were
to receive everything on a "silver platter" without effort and sweat on
our part. But that would be eating "the undeserved bread of shame" as
the Zohar puts it.

There is a saying, "it is hard to be a Jew," a minority in an alien (if
not hostile) society, where one finds the going rough, discouraging and
difficult. Nothing comes easy; yet this too is for our own good. Only
that which we rightfully earn through persistent work and effort gives
true satisfaction; a feeling of victory comes only after a challenge.
Perhaps if things were easier and hardships were eliminated much more
would be achieved. But, then again, the "examination papers" of life are
marked for effort even more than for accomplishment.

*********************************************************************
                             SLICE OF LIFE
*********************************************************************
                          Kaddish in Deadwood
                            by Randy Diamond

For those who have not had the opportunity to drive the roads of South
Dakota and see up close the remnants of the old Wild West, it is a
genuine treat...Each year, particularly during the summer, millions of
tourists from throughout the United States will visit South Dakota to
see the famous Badlands, Mount Rushmore, the Corn Palace, and many other
sites.

For those tourists who are Jewish however, there are additional points
of interest that have an even more enhanced appeal to the "people of the
book"...

This famous little western town, best known as the burial place of Wild
Bill Hitchcock and Calamity Jane also had a Jewish past.  The story of
Deadwood's Jewish history begins back in the gold rush days in the
1870's. Many prospectors came to the area to seek their fortunes, among
them a few hundred Jews.

At Deadwood's peak during that period about half of the store fronts
were actually owned or rented by Jews, who were mostly merchants. Today,
more than 80 Deadwood Jews are buried on Hebrew Hill, also known as
Mount Zion.  Although our connection to Deadwood only began a short two
weeks ago, as I along with my brother Rick and cousin Jon Diamond were
traveling from Cleveland, Ohio to Aspen, Colorado for a short pleasure
trip. All of us are old "road warriors" and enjoy the open road, so we
decided to take a short detour (of a few hundred miles) to take a look
at the old wild-west which we really had only seen in the movies.

Shortly after we left Cleveland that first Sunday morning Jonny happened
to mention that he needed to say kaddish (a special prayer recited for
one who has passed away) for his father Herb, who had passed away 19
years ago, on the following evening. Knowing that by this time we were
going to be in the middle of nowhere (or so we thought), Jonny had
decided to simply have someone back in Ohio say it for him.

As we continued our way down the road heading west we thought that maybe
there would be some way that we could put together a minyan and somehow
be able to chant the sacred prayer.

Jonny decided to call his dear friend Rabbi Aryeh Kaltmann, who is the
head Chabad shliach (emissary) in Columbus Ohio to see if he could
assist. Rabbi Kaltmann, in his typical enthusiastic and jolly Australian
accent, didn't hesitate. "I will take care of this, so don't you worry,
I'll call you back in a few minutes". Sure enough, after reaching out to
his colleague Rabbi Grossman from North Dakota, Rabbi Kaltmann called to
inform us that they have rounded up a group to meet us in Deadwood,
which would be our destination for the following evening. Jonny would be
able to say kaddish after all...

We arrived the next day only a few minutes before the appointed time,
knowing only that we were to meet in the hotel lobby. Sure enough at 8
p.m. the minyan-aires started to come in, one by one, two by two. Most
of them certainly didn't appear to be religious, per se, and in most
cases they didn't even seem to know one other. As each of the men
introduced themselves, we learned that many had driven as far as an hour
to get to Deadwood. Some were doctors or lawyers, and a few were
Israelis who operated various seasonal retail shops in South Dakota
resorts.

A few minutes later we all adjourned to a meeting room where we prayed
the evening service, and Jonny was able to say kaddish...He said a few
nice words about the type of man his father Herb Diamond was, a
successful merchant from Cleveland who had a wonderfully charismatic
personality, and devoted himself to a great deal of kindness to Jews and
gentiles alike.

For each and every one of us who were there that evening, all 12 of us,
this moment in time was one that none of us will ever forget.  We all
came from different cities, different countries and different
backgrounds.  Before that evening most of us really didn't know each
other, but we came together simply in the spirit of wanting to help a
fellow Jew do the special mitzva (commandment)  of saying kaddish.

The Lubavitcher Rebbe very actively promoted the concept of Ahavat
Yisrael, the love of a fellow Jew.  And as he sent his shluchim to the
various points around the globe, each one understood that their mission,
among many others, was to reach out to each and every Jew and make them
feel loved, welcomed and unified...For those of us who were in Deadwood,
South Dakota on this very special evening, we were genuinely unified for
the purpose of doing this special mitzvah.  Whether we knew it or not,
the three Diamonds who trekked some 2000 miles to share in this moment
became a part of the continuing legacy of the Jews of Deadwood.

*********************************************************************
                               WHAT'S NEW
*********************************************************************
                            Saying Mazel Tov

For centuries, it has been customary for Jewish women to adorn the
birthing room and the cradle with Psalm 121. The Psalm states our
dependence on G-d for our safety and well-being, and His commitment to
guard us at all times. For a color print of the Psalm call LEFJME at
(718) 756-5700, e-mail intocenter@aol.com, or visit
www.LchaimWeekly.org/general/art/shir-lamaalot.jpg.

                      Historic Synagogue Restored


Government and Jewish community leaders, Jewish citizens and the general
public, celebrated the restoration of a 100-year-old synagogue in Kazan,
the capital and largest city of the Republic of Tatarstan in Russia. The
synagogue was returned to the Jewish community in 1996 in utter
disrepair and has since been restored to its original splendor based on
historic documentation.

*********************************************************************
                            THE REBBE WRITES
*********************************************************************
            A freely adapted letter of the Lubavitcher Rebbe

We are reminded of the custom in some communities to proclaim at the
outgoing moments of Simchas Torah (the culmination and final key-note of
all the festivals of Tishrei): "And Yaakov went on his way," meaning,
his prescribed way and G-dly service, his way of life, throughout the
year.

There is a message contained in the phrase And Yaakov went on his way -
and bearing in mind that each letter and word of the Torah is a world
full of meaning and instruction -

There is need to elaborate on the concepts contained in the said three
Hebrew words, to wit:

And Yaakov: It is well known that the two names of our Patriarch, Yaakov
and Yisrael, are quite different,

 1. In time - the name Yaakov was given at birth, whereas "Yisrael" was
    bestowed later, after he had achieved "You have striven with Angels
    and with men, and have prevailed."

 2. In meaning - the name Yaakov is associated with ekev, "heel," which
    is the lowest and last part of the body, wherein there is hardly any
    distinction between one person and another. The name Yisrael, on the
    other hand, has to do with leadership and mastery, and, rearranged,
    spell "li rosh," "I am the head," the head being the highest part of
    the body, wherein the essential differences (physical and spiritual)
    between individuals are located, viz, facial features, voice, looks,
    and mentality.

Now, the significance of Yaakov, in the said message of "And Yaakov went
on his way," is in that it refers to the Divine mission given to every
Jew, without exception, from birth, while still in the state of
"Yaakov," and at the beginning of his Divine service. From this starting
point, the said mission is to be fulfilled in a manner containing the
following elements:

Went on - implying true locomotion, i.e. leaving completely behind one
place (and spiritual state) to go to another, more desirable place.

Parenthetically, this is the reason why angels are called "omdim -
stationary," for although "they fulfill the Will of their Maker with awe
and fear, and praise G-d in song and melody" - which is their form of
advancement to higher states, there is no complete departure and change
involved in their nature, hence this cannot be termed perfect "going."

Only man is called "mehalech," a "walker," for his task is to go from
strength to strength, even if his previous station, spiritually, is
satisfactory. Yet, to remain in the same state will not do at all. His
progression must involve a change, to the extent where his new spiritual
state is incomparably higher than his previous one, however good it was,
and he must thus continue on the road that leads to G-dliness, the En
Sof, the Infinite as indicated further -

His way - the King's Way, the way of the Supreme King of the universe.
The preeminence of a perfect way, as has been pointed out, is that it
links the remotest corner with the Royal Palace in the Capital City; it
is a two-way road, leading from the Palace to the remote corner and from
the remote corner to the Palace.

Likewise, the Divine mission of every Jew, whose soul descended from the
pinnacle of her heavenly abode to the nadir of the material world, for
the purpose of linking the two through his Divine service in both
directions: "From below - upwards" (generally through prayer, "Unto You,
O G-d, I lift up my soul"), and "from above - downwards" (generally
through the study of Torah and the fulfillment of mitzvos, G-d's wisdom
and will, respectively, as reflected, particularly, in the mitzva of
tzedaka, giving alms to a poor and needy person, who craves for
everything, having nothing of his own).

This is also how the service of every Jew, man and woman, should be. One
must not be satisfied with one's influence at home, in the community, or
country, but one must open the way, the King's way, as above, that leads
even to the remotest corner of the earth, in order to bring there, too,
the word of the King of Kings, and illuminate that corner with the light
of Torah and mitzvos, and to uplift all that is in that corner to the
state of "Unto You, O G-d, I lift my soul."

May G-d grant that each and everyone of us will carry out the mission
included in the said instruction of "And Yaakov went on his way," with
all that it connotes, and carry it out with joy for "joy breaks through
barriers."

*********************************************************************
                               TEACHINGS
*********************************************************************
                               28 Tishrei

"If you go in my statutes... I will give your rains in their season..."
(Lev. 26:3.4) Torah-study and mitzvot (commandment) - observance are the
wedding-ring with which G-d betrothed Israel and obligated Himself to
provide them with sustenance and livelihood.

*********************************************************************
                        A WORD FROM THE DIRECTOR
                         Rabbi Shmuel M. Butman
*********************************************************************
Having just recently experienced the joy and enthusiasm of the holiday
of Simchat Torah, it is appropriate to consider what kind of a message
the holiday carries which we can implement into our lives.

We have been enjoined to "Serve G-d with joy" and we are told that "joy
breaks all boundaries." Certainly, then, in these days immediately
following Simchat Torah, the conclusive lesson for us is to carry the
spirit of joy and happiness of the holiday into our observance of
Judaism.

Chasidic philosophy in particular demands enthusiasm and joy in every
activity connected with the performance of mitzvot and the study of
Torah.

Modern science and medical studies have, in fact, conclusively found
that one's attitude can directly effect one's health. We all know people
who are tense, jittery or under a lot of pressure. Unfortunately they
almost always pay for it with assorted physical ailments. On the other
hand, we've all heard stories about people who when ill, filled their
time with pleasant activities or humorous pursuits; their recovery was
noticeably quicker than that of others.

The Torah, the guidebook and blueprint for all humanity, was given to us
by G-d, the ultimate healer. He certainly knows how we can best keep in
the top condition, physically and spiritually. By incorporating joy and
happiness into every aspect of our lives, we work toward attaining a
healthy body and soul.

*********************************************************************
                          THOUGHTS THAT COUNT
*********************************************************************
G-d created Adam (the man) in his image (Gen. 1: 27)

The Midrash states that when Adam was first created, he filled the
earth. G-d shrunk him and removed parts from his limbs and placed small
pieces of flesh around him. Adam said, "Master of the Universe! Why are
you stealing from me? Replied G-d, "I will return it. Be fruitful and
multiply and fill the earth - as you did originally. Take these pieces
and scatter them around the world. Wherever they are buried, populations
of your descendants will settle. Every child is a part of Adam. Each
legitimate birth is a fulfillment of the command to multiply and fill
the earth. This is the signfiicance of our Sages' teaching that Moshiach
will not come unitl the souls have been born into bodies.

                                                 (Sefer HaChasidim)

                                *  *  *


In the beginning G-d created (Gen. 1:1)

The "beginning" and foundation of all knowledge is the understanding
that "G-d created the heavens and the earth" - acknowledging the Creator
Who not only made the world but actively involves Himself in its
existence. This first principle is the basis upon which all others are
predicated.

                                       (Rabbi Moshe Leib of Sassov)

                                *  *  *


All His work which G-d created to make (Gen. 2:3)

Throughout history every generation has made its own discoveries and
innovations, but this ability to innovate is not "new," having been
created by G-d during the Six Days of Creation. This is the meaning of
the words "to make": G-d invested His world with certain inherent powers
which would evolve and be developed over time.

                                                      (Otzar Chaim)

                                *  *  *


And man was not there to work the ground (Gen. 2:5)

A person must not put all of himself into working the ground; only his
hands should be involved. Investing too much of oneself into this area
is a sure sign that an individual has forfeited some of that which makes
him "man": "and man was not there."

                                              (Ma'ayanot Hanetzach)

*********************************************************************
                            IT ONCE HAPPENED
*********************************************************************
When the Rebbe Shmuel of Lubavitch was a young child he was unusually
serious, but often a bit mischievous.

One day, when he was just six or seven years old and searching for a
quiet place to sit and learn Torah, he decided to try the women's
section of the Shul. But suddenly the silence was broken by sound of the
side door opening followed by the sobs of a woman. He silently walked to
the front of the balcony and peeked down to the main floor. There he saw
a woman standing before the Holy Ark, weeping uncontrollably.

"G-d, please help me!" she moaned. "I'm alone! I've tried to work; I've
tried everything. But the house is bare and my children are starving! My
husband is dead, all I have is You. Please answer my prayers, G-d!"

Little Shmuel felt he had to do something. She was disturbing his
learning and besides, he couldn't stand to see suffering. He ducked down
behind the low wall and said in the lowest voice he could conjure.
"Lady! Lady! Do not worry!" The high ceiling of the empty Shul created a
sort of heavenly echo that made it seem as though his voice was coming
from everywhere.

The woman fell to her knees, looked up at the ceiling, raised her hands
towards heaven and sighed "Oh! Oh! Thank you, Lord!" When he saw it was
working he continued, "Do not cry! You will have money. I am giving you
the power to heal! When someone is sick, just take a glass of water,
make a blessing on it, drink a bit, pour a bit for the sick person, and
then bless them. People will pay you much money and you will never be
needy again!"

Then the boy paused dramatically for a moment and said, "But remember!
Never tell anyone how you got this power." "Oh, I won't. I promise!" She
innocently replied. "Thank you, Lord. Thank you! I won't tell a soul.
Oh, this is wonderful!"

The next morning she got to work spreading the word that she could heal,
and that very day someone brought their sick father to be cured. She
felt a bit strange but she did as the voice had told her the day before
and amazingly, it worked. The man actually felt better!

The news spread like a forest fire and in no time people were lined up
at her door. She transformed from a pauper to a fairly wealthy woman in
just a few weeks. The years passed. About 25 years later the child,
Shmuel, became the Rebbe "Maharash" of Chabad, renowned throughout
Russia for his genius and his holiness. Thousands flocked to his center
in Lubavitch to obtain his blessings and his advice.

Then, one cold winter he became dangerously ill. He had developed a boil
that had become seriously infected and his health deteriorated rapidly.
The Rebbe had a high fever and it appeared there was no alternative but
to operate. Then someone suggested that maybe, as a last resort, they
should try Bubba (Grandma) Sarah. It seems there was this old Jewish
lady in Vitebsk that had some charm for healing people and because there
was no other choice she was brought, trembling with awe at the thought
that she was actually in the same room with the holy Lubavitcher Rebbe,
to heal him.

The Rebbe was lying on his back, his head propped up by a large pillow
breathing with great difficulty and in obvious pain. But before she
could even begin he asked, "First you must tell me what the source of
your power to heal is."

"Oh, Rebbe!" moaned the old woman. "Please don't ask me to do that. I
promised that I wouldn't tell. Please Rebbe!" But the Rebbe insisted. "I
promise that nothing will happen to you or your remedy. "After all, G-d
also tells me things that are secret, so He won't mind if I know your
secret too. In any case, I cannot take your treatment until you tell
me."

How could she deny the holy Rebbe? She told him the entire story of how
25 years ago a heavenly voice spoke to her in the shul. Suddenly the
Rebbe realized that it was he himself that had given her the blessing
and he began to laugh. It was painful because of the boil, but the more
he thought about it the harder he laughed, he simply couldn't stop
himself.

His family, hearing the noise from where they were in the next room,
thought the Rebbe was having some sort of attack and rushed into the
room after sending for the doctor. The doctor arrived just in time to
see that the Rebbe's exuberant laughter had split the boil open and now
all that remained was to clean the wound. In just days the Rebbe was
back on his feet, a completely healthy man!

*********************************************************************
                            MOSHIACH MATTERS
*********************************************************************
"G-d blessed them, and G-d said to them: Be fruitful and multiply and
fill the earth" (Gen. 1:28) Just as the Jewish people were redeemed from
Egypt in the merit of their efforts to be fruitful and multiply, so will
they be redeemed in the future in the merit of their efforts to be
fruitful and multiply. Which source indicaites that they will not be
redeemed unless they are fruitful and multiply so that they fill the
entire word? For it is stated, (Isaiah 54:3) "For right and left shall
you spread out, and your seed shall inherit nations and repopulate
desolate cities"

     (Tana D'Vei Eliyahu Zuta, as quoted  in Yalkut Moshiach uGeula
                                                        al HaTorah)

*********************************************************************
               END OF TEXT - L'CHAIM 1391 - Bereshis 5776
*********************************************************************