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                         L'CHAIM - ISSUE # 1428
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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 1, 2016            Sh'lach           25 Sivan, 5776
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                          Red, White and Blue

Ahh, July Fourth. Fireworks and barbecues. Red-white-and-blue and
fife-and-drum. The Declaration of Independence and the U.S.
Constitution. These are images that the Fourth of July conjures up for
many Americans.

In 1989,  a copy of the Declaration of Independence was found in the
back of a picture frame bought at a yard sale for $4.00 at an Adamstown,
Pennsylvania, flea market. It was determined that this copy was one of
an estimated 200 Dunlap broadsides printed on the night of July 4, 1776.
To date, 26 copies of the broadside have been discovered, the most
recent once in 2009 in the National Archives in London, England.

We've all heard stories like this one, but with different twists. The
person who buys a copy of a Rembrandt for a couple bucks and finds out
it's an original. Someone who finds an old, battered violin in the attic
only to realize that it is a real Stradivarius.

How did these people find out that what they had was the genuine
article? They took it to an expert, someone who not only knew a lot
about the item in question, but was highly trained and certified. By
looking for or noticing small details that the average person wouldn't
even know existed, the expert could ascertain the object's authenticity.

Though the above occurrences are not common, the idea behind them is a
recurring theme that permeates our lives: We often don't know the true
value of the Real McCoy.

The Torah and traditional Jewish values are a prime example. How many of
us truly recognize the value of the Torah? To learn to appreciate its
worth, we need to go to an expert, someone who is highly trained in
teaching or imparting this most unique document communicates.

When it comes to mitzvot, commandments, people sometimes ask: why does
five minutes later matter when I'm lighting Shabbat candles? What's the
big difference between a "k" and a copy-righted kosher symbol on food?

Some people question the necessity of performing mitzvot, or specific
mitzvot in particular. After all, I'm a "mentsh" and isn't that the most
important thing?

Do we really know the value of doing a mitzva in the Torah-prescribed
way? Not being experts in spiritual matters, can we possibly fathom the
greatness of our small deed or adherence to a detail?

And finally, what of the Jewish soul, defined by Rabbi Shneur Zalman of
Liadi, founder of Chabad-Lubavitch,  as an actual portion of G-d.
Looking at your fellow Jews, do you know his or her greatness? Can you
possibly recognize the power and potential of your fellow Jew?

A chasid, a gem dealer, once came to his Rebbe after returning from the
Holy Land. "They say that the souls of the people living in Israel are
loftier than those living outside of Israel," the chasid said. "I didn't
notice any difference."

The Rebbe was silent, then asked, "Could you show me some of the gems
you have with you?" The chasid gladly obliged. He showed the Rebbe the
stones and explained how their worth is determined by size, color,
brilliance, etc.

"And how do you know how to grade them?" asked the Rebbe.

"For that," said the chasid, "you have to be a mayven, an expert."

"To know the worth of a Jewish soul, you also have to be a mayven," said
the Rebbe.

May we all learn to appreciate the the Torah, mitzvot, and our fellow
Jew.

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           LIVING WITH THE REBBE  -  THE WEEKLY TORAH PORTION
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In this week's Torah portion, Shelach, we read about the report of the
spies whom Moses sent to explore the Land of Israel. The reaction of the
Jewish people to the spies' negative report was immediate: "Our wives
and children will surely be taken captive by the strong people living
there. Let us appoint a new leader and go back to Egypt." G-d,
therefore, decreed that they would not be allowed to enter the Land.
"But your children, of whom you said 'they will become prey,' them I
will bring in, and they will know the land you have despised." The
children, the younger generation, will be the ones to enter Israel, G-d
promises.

Why is there such an emphasis on children, in both the complaint of the
Jewish people and in G-d's response? Because children played a
significant role both in the inheritance of the Land and the mission
with which the Jewish people are entrusted.

Concerning young children our Sages comment: "A baby breaks into crumbs
more than he manages to eat."

This saying can be understood in the spiritual sense. A baby symbolizes
a person who possesses little wisdom and understanding. The food
represents the Torah and its commandments that sustain the soul. A
person who is an "adult," who utilizes his time on earth wisely, focuses
on doing mitzvot and fulfilling his mission in life. A child, in the
spiritual sense, wastes most of his time by becoming involved with
extraneous matters, losing sight of the Divine purpose for his soul.
Most of his spiritual sustenance, the Torah, ends up unassimilated and
undigested, "crumbs on the floor."

This, in fact, was the claim made by the spies: "Why must we enter the
Land of Israel and waste our precious time involving ourselves with
physical matters? Here in the desert where all our physical needs are
miraculously met, we can devote ourselves totally to G-dly pursuits. For
even if we will have time to study once we enter the Land, most of our
day will be wasted! It is far better to stay in the desert than to lower
ourselves to that level!"

G-d responded: "Your children...will be the ones to inherit." Even
though the generation of Jews that left Egypt was on a very high
spiritual level, devoting their lives to studying the Torah, it was
precisely the children, those possessing little Torah knowledge, who
would be allowed to enter the Land of Israel. The new generation would
be required to pursue a different path, working hard to provide the
physical necessities of life, while at the same time imbuing their
surroundings with G-dliness and holiness. For this is what G-d really
wants Jews to do. Our mission in life is to lead a "normal" physical
existence seamlessly cobmined with  following the precepts of the Torah.

Torah learning of young children is also especially dear to G-d. "The
learning of little children may not be disturbed, even to build the Holy
Temple!" we are told. Their pure faith and belief in G-d has the power
to arouse G-d's mercy and foil the evil plans of the enemies of the
Jewish people.

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                             SLICE OF LIFE
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                         Machon Chana Vignettes


    The following are excerpts of speeches that students of Machon Chana
    Women's Yeshiva  gave at various events.

Hi, My name is Haya Liorah and I am from Paris, France. Before coming to
Machon Chana I received a degree in legal accounting.

I started becoming very interested in Judaism around age 16. I was very
determined and started to  learn how to read Hebrew. All of the money
that I made babysitting I used to buy Jewish books.

As my 18th birthday neared, I decided that I wanted to be totally
observant of Torah and mitzvot (commandments). I'm still not able to
explain why I chose this path except to say that I felt it was the
truth. Since making that decision, I have never stopped learning.

For three years I studied privately with the Chabad shlucha (emissary)
near where I live in Paris, Shaina Chaya Asseraf.  At the same time, I
was completing my degree and dealing with the disappointment of my
parents. It was a huge challenge for them that I chose a life path
different from theirs. But they are very supportive of me now.

When I started studying at Machon Chana, I  discovered a  new spiritual
depth to Judaism that I had not yet encountered. I found this through
the study of Chassidic teachings. These teachings, and a deep connection
with the Rebbe, have become a tremendous source of inspiration for me.

Studying at Machon Chana has benefitted me to the point where I would
say that it has actually built my life. These have been the best two
years of my life! Thank you to all my teachers, especially Rabbi Majeski
at the school and Mrs. Nemni in the dorm.

                                *  *  *


Hi, my name is Tal and I am from Israel.

After serving in the IDF as a medic for two years I was accepted to a
program at Vassar College in New York, to come for a full year as the
Hebrew Language Fellow.

In the second week of classes one of my sophomore students who was very
much involved with the Chabad House on campus told the shlucha, Dalia
Sanoff (an aluma of Machon Chana), that there is a new Israeli at Vassar
and that we should meet.

Back then I didn't know what Chabad is.

We met and slowly but surely I started to get more involved in the
Chabad House programs. I wanted to know more.

I was amazed to see how inspired and motivated my shlucha is thanks to
Machon Chana and thanks to the beloved dorm mother, Mrs. Gita Gansburg,
obm, in particular.  She shared so many stories and memories from the
time she was at Machon Chana.

So how did I finally get to Machon Chana?  Last year I was invited to
come to Machon Chana as a guest to celebrate the holiday of Shavout, and
I never left since!!

Machon Chana is more than an institution for textual learning. It is a
family, a place of growth, a school for life.

                                *  *  *


Hi everyone, my name is Tami, I grew up in Uruguay. Although my family
was not religious,  my parents sent me to the Chabad elemntary school.

When I was 12 years old, my parents decided to switch me to a Zionist
school. I spent many years learning about Zionisim, and it became part
of my life in a very deep way.

Three years ago I started being in touch with the  Shemtovs, the
shluchim (Chabad emissaries) in Motevideo. When their son offered me a
job in a kosher Pizza Store, as a supervisor, I accepted.

I had a friend who is involved with Chabad. She suggested that I start
studying Tanya, the basic book of Chabad philosophy. She explained that
it helps one learn how to live a full, Jewish life.

From the moment I heard about the book I felt compelled to buy it. I
started to study by myself, but I didn't get much out of it.

I spoke with Mrs. Rochie Shemtov and I told her that I want to study
Tanya. "I have the best place for you to do that!" she told me. And here
I am at Machon Chana, for more than a year.

This entire year, in addition to the regular classes, I studied Tanya
one-on-one with Rabbi Majeski (dean of Machon Chana). Rabbi Majeski
inspired me and encouraged me to continue concentrating on Tanya even
when things got difficult. Just two weeks ago, thanks to Rabbi Majeski,
I reached to my goal and finished the first book of Tanya.

I've grown so much since I came to Machon Chana. Part of the reason is
because of the learning and part is through seeing and living  with
Lubavitcher Chassidim in Crown Heights. Here, people are joyous, they
speak about G-d with passion and conviction; they connect the physical
and spiritual. I'd never seen people as happy as here in Crown Heights,
and from all that I have seen and learned here, I have changed.

Thanks to all of Machon Chana and my friends who supported me and helped
me to grow.

    For info about Machon Chana Women's Yeshiva visit
    MachonChanaYeshiva.com, email machonchanainfo@gmail.com or call
    (718) 552-2422.

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                               WHAT'S NEW
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                              New Facility

Chabad of West Orange, New Jersey,  celebrated the opening of their new
Chabad Center. The facility is currently renovated to accommodate a
sanctuary, youth lounge, lecture/social hall, kitchen, Rabbi's study and
library. Ultimately co-directors Rabbi Mendy and Altie Kasowitz intend
to renovate the entire 13,000 square foot facility.

                            Center Dedicated


Lubavitch House at the University of Pennsylvania held a dedication
ceremony this past month. Opened in the 80s, they purchased the building
next door a number of years ago and combined the two facilities. The now
25,000-square-foot facility has several levels. The first encompasses a
large social hall, a library and the Beit Yaakov Synagogue. There's a
student lounge, offices and conference rooms. The top floor is student
housing mainly occupied by graduate students.

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                            THE REBBE WRITES
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                          16 Adar, 5712 [1952]

. . . You seem to be disturbed because you feel that you have not
attained the proper level in Torah and Mitzvos [commandments] and cannot
see the tachles [purpose] etc., which makes you downhearted.

Leaving the details of your complaints aside, I wish to make several
observations:

 1. A feeling of dissatisfaction with one's self is a good sign, for it
    indicates vitality and an urge to rise and improve one's self, which
    is accomplished in a two-way method: withdrawal from the present
    state, and turning to a higher level (see Sichah [talk] of my
    father-in-law of sainted memory, Pesach 5694).

 2. If the urge to improve one's self leads to downheartedness and
    inertia, then it is the work of the Yetzer Hora [evil inclination],
    whose job it is to use every means to prevent the Jew from carrying
    out good intentions connected with Torah and Mitzvos.

    The false and misleading voice of the Yetzer Hora should be stifled
    and ignored. Besides, as the Baal Hatanya [author of the Tanya,
    Rabbi Shneur Zalman, founder of Chabad Chasidism] states (Ch. 25),
    even one single good deed creates an everlasting bond and communion
    with G-d (ibid., at length). Thus, a feeling of despondency is not
    only out of place, but is a stumbling block in the worship of G-d,
    as is more fully explained in the above and subsequent chapters of
    Tanya.

 3. With regard to understanding, or lack of understanding, of the
    tachles, the important thing required of the Jew is contained in the
    words of the Torah: "For the thing is very nigh unto thee, in thy
    mouth and in thy heart (and the tachles is) to do it." Understanding
    is, generally, the second step. The first step is the practice of
    the Mitzvos....

My prayerful wish to you, as you conclude your letter, is that the next
one coming from you will be more cheerful.

                                *  *  *

                    Rosh Chodesh Tammuz, 5730 [1970]


Greeting and Blessing:

My dear Assaf:

I was pleased to receive your letter, but I was very much surprised at
the question you asked.

You wrote: "I want to know if Hashem [G-d] really exists." I will answer
it this way: Suppose you were walking in the streets and saw a
skyscraper. Would you ask, "Is there someone who made it?" And if this
is so with a building of a number of floors, what will you say about the
whole world, with the sun, moon and stars, oceans and mountains and
woods, and all the creatures on land and in the seas, and so on?

Your other question was: if you daven [pray] the rest of the year, will
you get a trumpet?

Since you are a thoughtful boy, I will again answer it with an
illustration: Suppose you were invited to the White House, and the
President of the United States received you with pleasure and asked you
what kind of a present would you like. Would you ask him for a candy?
Perhaps you know the story of King Solomon, who was only 12 years old
when he became king of all the Jewish people, after his father, King
David. G-d appeared to him in a dream and asked him, "What shall I give
you?" And all he asked for was a wise and understanding heart! And G-d
gave him that, as well as everything any person could wish for.

I trust you are learning Hashem's Torah with devotion and diligence, and
conduct yourself the way Hashem wants you to as befitting for a Jewish
boy, a son of Abraham, Yitzchak and Yaakov, the fathers of our people.

With blessing,

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                              ALL TOGETHER
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Hakhel is not only something to achieve in one's personal life, but also
in conjunction with others, and even all Jews! Hakhel requires us to
assemble and unite all Jews in Torah study - as per the theme of the
commandment of Hakhel in its most literal sense, and as per the original
Hakhel, the Giving of the Torah. The event at Sinai is referred to as
Yom Hakahal, 'the Day of the Assembly,' when the entire Jewish nation
assembled. Not only did all of that generation assemble, but also the
souls of all Jews who would live in all future generations!"

                                    (The Rebbe, Shabbat Naso, 1988)

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                        A WORD FROM THE DIRECTOR
                         Rabbi Shmuel M. Butman
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The 28th day of Sivan (this year Monday, July 4), is the anniversary of
the Lubavitcher Rebbe's arrival on American soil in 1941.

The Rebbe and Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka's escape from German-occupied
France was fraught with danger. The only possible route at the time was
to travel by ship to Portugal, cross over the border with Spain, then
from Barcelona continue on to the United States.

The Nazis, may their name be erased forever, fired at every passing
ship, and the Rebbe's vessel came under attack several times. When the
ship finally sailed into the New York harbor it was truly a miracle that
it had safely navigated the seas.

For reasons of ill health, the Previous Rebbe was not able to personally
greet his daughter and son-in-law. Instead, he appointed a delegation
consisting of four prominent Chabad Rabbis to serve as his emissaries.
On the night before the ship was due to arrive the Previous Rebbe
summoned them and said, "I will reveal to you who my son-in-law is:
Every night he recites Tikun Chatzot; he knows the Babylonian Talmud by
heart with the commentaries of the Ran, the Rosh and the Rif; the
Jerusalem Talmud and its commentaries; the writings of Maimonides and
Likutei Torah. Now go out and welcome him!"

The actual reunion between the Rebbe and Previous Rebbe would not take
place for another three days, and the Previous Rebbe requested that he
see his son-in-law and daughter separately. The Rebbe later explained
why: "[The reason] was that my father-in-law was a man of profound
feeling; one can imagine the intense emotion it would have caused had we
gone to see him immediately, and together. Chasidut demands that the
head rule over the heart; thus, despite his pain, he waited several days
until seeing us."

So began a new chapter in the dissemination of Torah and mitzvot and
another step forward toward Moshiach.

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                          THOUGHTS THAT COUNT
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Every one a ruler ("nasi") among them (Num. 13:2)

The Hebrew word "nasi" is composed of the words "ein" ("nothing") and
"yeish" ("something"). A Jewish leader who is humble and considers
himself "nothing" is the only kind of leader who is truly "something."
Likewise, one who thinks he is "something" is not a leader at all.

                                             (Degel Machane Efraim)

                                *  *  *


You shall offer up the first part of your dough for a gift (Num. 15:20)

The commandment to separate a portion of dough teaches an important
principle in the education of our children: The "first part" of the
school day, i.e., the morning hours, should be utilized as a "gift" for
"offering up" - set aside for studying holy Jewish subjects, as opposed
to secular ones learned later in the afternoon.

                                            (The Lubavitcher Rebbe)

                                *  *  *


Only rebel not against G-d (Numbers 14:9)

Nothing in the spies' report encouraged open rebellion against G-d. On
the surface, they were merely reporting facts. Nonetheless, Caleb and
Joshua responded by cautioning them not to rebel. For the fear they
expressed regarding the land's giant inhabitants and walled cities was
what constituted their rebellion. As King David states in Psalms, "G-d
is with me; I will not fear what man may do to me." Believing in G-d
causes a person to cease fearing man.

                                                 (Rabbeinu Bechaye)

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                            IT ONCE HAPPENED
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Rabbi Chaim Halberstam of Sanz, known as the Sanzer Rav, was deeply
involved in the mitzva (commandment) of charity, giving with an open
hand from his own funds and soliciting from others as well. In keeping
with the rabbinical dictum that charity collectors should travel in
pairs, he always went on his rounds with a respected member of the
community.

One time the Sanzer Rav set about to collect a large amount of tzedaka
(charity) for a certain wealthy man who had gone bankrupt. He and a
trusted companion went about from house to house soliciting funds, when
they came to the elegant home of one of the richest men in the city.
They entered the beautifully appointed anteroom and were shown to a
velvet sofa where they were served tea from a silver tea service while
they waited for the master of the house to appear. After a few minutes a
well-dressed gentleman entered and greeted the illustrious rav warmly.

The rav and his companion requested that the wealthy man donate the
large amount of 500 rubles for an unspecified "worthy cause."

The rich man considered their request for a few moments and then asked,
"Tell me, exactly what is the cause you're collecting for? Is it for
some public institution or for a private person?"

The Sanzer Rav replied that he was collecting for a wealthy citizen who
had lost all his money and gone into bankruptcy. But this answer wasn't
sufficient for the man, and he began to inquire further about the
identity of the person.

"I'm sorry," replied the Sanzer Rav, "but I cannot divulge the man's
name, since that would cause him terrible embarrassment. You'll just
have to trust me when I tell you that he's a very deserving individual."

The rich man refused to be dissuaded from his curious pursuit of the
man's identity. "Of course, I trust you implicitly, and I would be only
too happy to donate even several thousand rubles to help you, but I
would first like to know to whom I'm giving the money."

At this point the man who was accompanying the rav interjected his
opinion that perhaps it wouldn't be so bad to divulge the man's identity
in this case. Certainly the rich donor wouldn't allow the information to
leave the room, and it was a wonderful opportunity to amass the large
amount of money to help a fellow Jew rebuild his life.

But the Sanzer Rav would say only that the man had up until recently
been one of the pillars of the community and had himself contributed to
many worthy causes before his unfortunate business collapse. Again he
protested that he couldn't and wouldn't publicize the man's name.

The rich man, far from being silenced, was even more aroused in his
curiosity. "If you tell me his name I will give you half of the entire
amount you need."

His fellow collector again tried to convince the Sanzer Rav to tell the
man's name, in view of the tremendous sum of money involved, but to no
avail.

"You must understand," he replied, "that even though the sum you are
offering is more than generous, the honor of this Jew is more important
and valuable to me than any amount of money! If you were to give me the
total sum that I require, I would still refuse to reveal the identity of
the recipient!"

The rich man's countenance changed suddenly and he became very still. He
quietly asked the Sanzer Rav to step into an adjacent room, for he
wished to speak with him privately.

Standing alone with the rav, the rich man broke down into bitter
sobbing. "Rebbe," he began, "I, too, have lost my entire fortune and am
about to enter into bankruptcy. I was too embarrassed to tell this to
anyone, but when I saw how scrupulously you guarded the other man's
privacy I knew I could trust you. Please forgive me for testing you in
such an outrageous manner, but I am a desperate man. I needed to know
for sure that under no circumstances would you tell anyone about my
terrible situation. I am in debt for such a huge sum, I have no hope at
all of repaying it. I'm afraid that I will have no choice but to leave
my family and go begging from door to door!"

The Sanzer Rav left the home of the rich man, and needless to say, not a
soul ever heard a word of their conversation. Less than a week later he
returned to the same man's house with a large sum of money. He had been
able to raise enough money to rescue not only the original intended
recipient, but this one as well. They were both able to pay off their
debts and resume their businesses successfully.

The role of the saintly Sanzer Rav in this affair became known only many
years later after he had gone to his eternal reward.

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                            MOSHIACH MATTERS
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It is written (Psalm 84:12), "For a sun and a shield is Havayah Elokim
(G-d, our L-rd)." "Shield" refers specifically to that shield which is a
covering for the sun, to protect creatures so that they should be able
to bear it (i.e., the sun's heat). Our Sages, of blessed memory, have
said (Nedarim 8b), "In time to come (i.e., in the Messianic Era), the
Holy One, blessed be He, will take out the sun from its sheath; the
wicked will be punished by it...," as they will be unable to bear the
intensity of the sun. The passage goes on to say that the righteous will
not only be able to tolerate it: they will actually be healed by it.

                                  (Shaar Hayichud Vehaemunah, Ch.4)

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               END OF TEXT - L'CHAIM 1428 - Sh'lach 5776
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