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L'CHAIM - ISSUE # 1454
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Copyright (c) 2017
Lubavitch Youth Organization - L.Y.O.
Brooklyn, NY
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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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January 6, 2017 Vayigash 8 Tevet, 5777
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Great Escape
by Lieba Rudolph
Why are Great Escape rooms popping up in cities all over the globe, a
sign that there's something universally fun about spending an hour in a
room trying to find clues, solve puzzles, and escape?
The answer? Adrenaline. In the days that followed our family outing to a
Great Escape room, I kept reliving the thrill I felt as we solved each
puzzle.
Every experience is an opportunity to learn a spiritual lesson. I
quickly realized The Great Escape Room is a parable for life, at least
my life, in the days before the arrival of Moshiach:
Time is of the essence. Solving the room's puzzles in an hour meant
focusing only on the clues that mattered. This single-minded focus is
also the fastest way to redeem the Jewish people, and all humankind,
from this long exile. The Rebbe assured everyone that the Redemption is
imminent. Questions like, "what's taking so long?" or, "why is it so
difficult?" aren't relevant to our mission: Torah study and performing
mitzvot (commandments) are what move the Redemption forward. Period.
Work with collaborators, smile at sideliners. The room contained too
many puzzles, problems, and people for anyone to insist on working
alone. Once we had the answers, it was hard to remember who did what.
And it didn't matter. Everyone's input moved the job along. Well,
almost. A few people preferred not to participate.
Spiritually, there are those who sit out, too, each with a reason why
the concept of Moshiach doesn't resonate with them. But at least they're
in the room, and when it's time to "escape," they'll be thrilled to
leave as well.
Trust that there's an answer. We trusted that the creators of The Great
Escape Room had a correct answer for each puzzle. The only way to win
was to try different tactics until we solved them all. Similarly, trust
that G-d's perfect clues for solving the mysteries of the world are in
the Torah. Although they can be challenging to decipher, I stick with
the clues, trusting that the answers to our puzzling questions will add
up seamlessly when Moshiach comes. Knowing that Moshiach is G-d's
ultimate answer makes every effort meaningful and worthwhile.
Are we missing a vital clue? Our game monitors told us where not to look
for clues (in a certain corner, on the ceiling). They told us exactly
how many clues each puzzle needed in order to solve it. We tried
different ways to solve one particular puzzle, then realized a clue was
missing. But without that clue, we were just guessing; the chances of
our solving the puzzle were infinitesimal. In global terms, isn't it
time we acknowledge that we need G-d's help in solving the world's
problems?
Victory is sweet. I was in charge of the group that solved the first
puzzle. We screamed in euphoria when we finally combined the right
numbers to open the locked box. This was the feeling I kept replaying in
the days that followed - satisfaction, excitement, relief. It was a tiny
taste of the joy we will all feel when Moshiach comes, when everything
in creation will add up, just like those numbers. And just like those
numbers added up for everyone, Moshiach will come for everyone.
The victorious thrill I enjoyed in The Great Escape Room may have been
only a tiny taste of the Redemption, but the taste stays with me, adding
to my hunger for the real thing.
From Lieba. Rudolph's blog ponderingjew.org
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LIVING WITH THE REBBE - THE WEEKLY TORAH PORTION
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In this week's Torah portion, Vayigash, we read of the descent of the
Jewish people into their first exile, Egypt. As they are about to leave
the Holy Land, G-d tells Jacob, "Don't be afraid to go down to Egypt,
because I will make you into a great nation there. I am going down to
Egypt with you..."
Rashi explains that Jacob was anguished over leaving the Holy Land.
"How can I lead my family away from the best place for them to become a
nation, the place most conducive to be a Jew and foster closeness to
G-d? How will we become G-d's nation in a dark and distant exile?" he
wondered.
G-d tells him "Don't be afraid to go down to Egypt, because I will make
you into a great nation there. I am going down to Egypt with you..."
While G-d allays Jacob's fears about going down to Egypt, He does not
even mention Jacob's anguish over leaving the Holy Land. Why not? Since
this is G-d's message to Jacob as he goes down to the first Jewish
exile, there must be lessons here for every Jew on how to deal with
exile. What are these lessons?
Being in exile, one may feel that it is a lost cause trying to make a
difference in a Jewish way. G-d is telling us that the opposite is
actually the case. The fact that G-d puts us in a predicament, means
that this situation is most conducive to accomplish our mission, it is
here where we will be most effective and most successful.
The key is not to be afraid of the situation, don't be afraid of the
exile, embrace it and find how to use your predicament to effect even
greater change.
This is what G-d tells Jacob, "Don't be afraid of going down to Egypt,
because I will make you into a great nation THERE." Why shouldn't you be
afraid? Why will you succeed? Because G-d is going down with you.
Now, if we succeed, there is the possibility to become comfortable and
lose focus of our purpose. This is why G-d doesn't mention Jacob's
anguish, because it is his anguish that will keep him focused on his
essential purpose and bond with G-d. This anguish is the force behind
our success.
So we need both, fearlessness and anguish; we need to realize that
although we can succeed greatly in exile, it is not our place. We must
cry out to G-d that He bring the exile to an end. May it happen soon.
Adapted by Rabbi Yitzi Hurwitz from the teachings of the
Rebbe, yitzihurwitz.blogspot.com. Rabbi Hurwitz, who is
battling ALS, and his wife Dina, are emissaries of the Rebbe
in Temecula, Ca.
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SLICE OF LIFE
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Publicizing the Miracle
For over four decades, the presence of large menoras at public
locations has been bringing the Rebbe's message of the power of light
over darkness to all people. This message is the driving force behind
Chabad-Lubavitch's activities and will continue until all darkness has
been transformed into light with the coming of Moshiach! To date, there
are thousands of public menoras put up by Chabad-Lubavitch Centers
world-wide.
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WHAT'S NEW
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Published by Lubavitch Youth Organization
1408 President St, Brooklyn, NY, 11213
phone 718.778.6000
Chairman: Rabbi Dovid Raskin ''
Director: Rabbi Shmuel Butman
Program Director: Rabbi Kasriel Kastel
Secretary: Rabbi Moshe P. Goldman
Administrator: Rabbi Shlomo Friedman
Editor: Yehudis Cohen
Associate Editor: Dovid Y. B. Kaufmann
Chairman Editorial Comm.:Rabbi Nissen Mangel
Rebbe photo: S. Roumani
L'Chaim contains words from sacred literature. Please do
not deface or discard.
All contents © 2017 by L.Y.O. ISSN 1050 0480
L'Chaim Subscriptions
For a one year subscription send $40, payable to LYO
($52 elsewhere) to:
L'Chaim, 1408 President St., Bklyn., NY, 11213
L'Chaim on the Internet: www.lchaimweekly.org
Learn about Moshiach: Visit www.moshiach.com or call (718) 953 6100
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THE REBBE WRITES
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This an excerpt of a freely translated rendition of a letter of the
Rebbe pertaining to the fast of 10 Tevet which occurs this year on
thursday, Jan. 5. At the time, the letter was headed "URGENT"
3rd Day of the week, 5th of Teves, 5736 (1976)
Greeting and Blessing:
In reply to your inquiry and request for instruction in connection with
the forthcoming Fast of Asoro b'Teves (10th of Teves), in view of the
situation in and around Eretz Yisroel (the Land of Israel), you will
surely be instructed by the Rabbi of your congregation....
However, since you have also approached me in this matter - I will set
forth, at least, several suggestions - after the following introductory
remarks:
Regrettably, there are people who claim that it is necessary to think
and act "big," in terms of global dimensions and stupendous
undertakings, etc., etc. Surely they mean well; and to the extent that
such resolutions are practical and are actually carried out - they are
very helpful to improve the situation.
Yet, we must never overlook - indeed, rather greatly emphasize the
so-called "small and unsophisticated" things which each modest
congregation, or even each individual, can and must do - beginning with
the old, yet ever-new, Jewish way, collectively as one people and also
as individuals. This is the action of hakol kol Yaakov ("the voice is
the voice of Jacob") - Torah and prayer - which G-d Himself has shown us
to be the first effective action to nullify the power of yedei Eisov
("the hands of Esau") - in whatever shape or form they are raised
against us. Certainly this should find the fullest expression in a day
which the Code of Jewish Law declares to be a day of fasting, one to
which the prophet Isaiah refers as a "chosen fast . . . a fast and time
favored by G-d."
Now, in answer to your inquiry, and since the Fast of Asoro b'Teves is
especially connected with Eretz Yisroel and the Holy City of Jerusalem
(recalling the siege of Jerusalem), my suggestion - in addition to the
regular observances on Fast Days, as set forth at length and in detail
in Poskim (codifyers) and in books of Mussar (ethical works) and
Chassidus - is as follows:
During this day - expressly for the sake (Zechus) of the security and
strengthening of Eretz Yisroel, materially and spiritually, and for the
material and spiritual benefit of all Jews wherever they are - in Eretz
Yisroel as well as in the Diaspora and particularly for the benefit of
our brethren behind the "Iron Curtain," a special effort should be made
in the spirit of "Old Israel" - in the areas of Torah [study], Tefilla
(prayer) and Tzedoko (charity). Specifically:
After praying (both in the morning and in the afternoon) to learn (and
where there already are daily study groups, to add) a subject in Torah,
including Halachah pesuka (final ruling),
Immediately following the prayers, even before learning, to say several
chapters of Psalms (in addition to the regular portion);
Before and after praying - to give Tzedoko (in addition to the regular
donation), including Tzedoko for a sacred cause or institution in Eretz
Yisroel, Eretz haChayim ("Land of Living").
Needless to say, one who repeats the above again and again in the course
of the day, is to be praised, and each time - the more one does it (in
quantity and quality), is to be praised all the more. And, as in all
matters of Holiness, it is desirable that all the above be done with a
congregation, (with at least a Minyan).
May G-d accept, and He will accept, the prayers and supplications of
Jews wherever they are, and soon, in our very own days, may the Promise
be fulfilled that "These days will be transformed into days of rejoicing
and gladness,"
With the true and complete Geula (Redemption) through our righteous
Moshiach.
With esteem and blessing,
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A WORD FROM THE DIRECTOR
Rabbi Shmuel M. Butman
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This Sunday is the Tenth of Tevet, one of the four commemorative fasts
associated with the destruction of the Holy Temple. On that date
Nebuchadnezzar began the siege of Jerusalem, ultimately leading to the
Temple's destruction and the exile of the Jewish people.
The First and Second Holy Temples were constructed without iron. Iron,
with its potential to be forged into weapons, has negative and harmful
connotations. Indeed, the siege of Jerusalem that began on the Tenth of
Tevet is associated with iron, as iron represents the exact opposite of
the Holy Temple.
But iron can also have a positive dimension. The Land of Israel is
described in the Torah as "a land whose stones are iron." Similarly, a
Torah scholar is encouraged by our Sages to have "the strength of iron."
By using iron and the strength it symbolizes in the sphere of holiness,
the negative dimension of iron can be corrected and nullified.
This process will find its culmination in the era of the Redemption,
when not only will the negative aspects of iron be nullified, but
completely transformed into positive factors. Unlike the first two
structures, the Third and eternal Holy Temple will be constructed with
iron, which will be used for reinforcement. (The Book of Chronicles
relates that King David prepared a large amount of iron with which to
build the Temple, yet there is no record of it actually being used. It
is explained that David, the progenitor of Moshiach, prepared the iron
for use in the Third Holy Temple.)
Thus although the Tenth of Tevet commemorates a tragic event, it can
also be seen as the beginning of a positive process of construction, as
the destruction that began on that day was intended to ultimately lead
to the Third Holy Temple. May we merit to see it materialize
immediately.
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THOUGHTS THAT COUNT
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Then Judah drew near and said, "My lord--bi adoni..." (Gen. 44:18)
The Hebrew words "bi adoni" may also be rendered "the L-rd is within
me."A Jew must always remember when he prepares himself to pray that he
has an actual part of G-d inside him, his Jewish soul, on whose behalf
he is communing with his Maker.
(Ohr Torah)
* * *
G-d has made me - samani - lord of all Egypt (Gen. 45:9)
What was this message to Jacob from his long-lost son Joseph supposed to
impart? Was this news meant to be reassuring? The Hebrew word "samani"
may also be read "sam ani"--"I have caused G-d to be lord of all Egypt."
It is through my public prominence that G-d has become known, Joseph
implied. This indeed was a comforting thought to Jacob when he at last
heard from his beloved son.
(Rabbi Yisrael of Rizhin)
* * *
Laden with the best things of Egypt (Gen. 45:23)
Rashi explains that among the gifts Joseph sent to his father Jacob was
wine--something which is especially pleasing to elderly people. But wine
only improves with age if of superior quality to begin with; if the
vintage was sour and the grapes of poor quality, the passage of time
will only make the wine even more disagreeable.The same can be said for
people. A person who was substantive in his youth will only become more
so as he ages. Unfortunately, the opposite holds true as well.
(Rabbi Shlomo Alter)
* * *
I will go down with you into Egypt, and I will also surely bring you up
(Gen. 46:4)
G-d has cast his lot with that of the Jewish people: When Jews enjoy
elevated status, G-d Himself is elevated; when the wheel of fate spins
downward for the Jews, G-d shares their degradation.
(Midrash Rabba)
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IT ONCE HAPPENED
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Rabbi Yisrael of Rizhin, a Chasidic Rebbe of the Ukraine, lived during
the reign of Czar Nicholas. In those days, there were opponents to the
Chasidic movement who did not hesitate to bring damaging accusations to
the Russian Government. When an accusation of disloyalty of any Chasidic
Rebbe reached the Czar, the Czar took it very seriously.
Once, when the Czar heard that the Rizhiner Rebbe did not recognize his
authority, and, in fact, held him in contempt, the Czar dispatched a
secret agent to Rizhin to ascertain the facts.
One of the high ranking advisors in the Royal Court was a renegade Jew,
who readily agreed to act as a spy. He arrived in Rizhin, supposedly as
a successful businessman. He made his way to the study hall, where he
treated everyone to drinks and refreshments. After everyone had a number
of "l'chaims," he began to talk about how his business ventures were
being hampered by the troublesome government. He looked around, waiting
to hear some of his listeners agree with him, but no one said a single
word.
The spy kept up this pretense for several days, and yet, no one ever
agreed with his condemnation of the Czar. When the "businessman" finally
entered the Rebbe's room for his private audience, he began bewailing
the fact that his business ventures were being unfairly taxed by the
government.
Giving the visitor a penetrating look, the Rizhiner Rebbe responded with
the following story:
There was once a Jewish innkeeper who lived in a small town, far away
from other Jewish families. The innkeeper had a young son, Yosef, who,
having no Jewish friends nearby, played with the handyman's son. The
father arranged for a teacher to come and teach the son to read Hebrew,
pray, and study Torah. The handyman's son, Stephan, used to sit in on
those lessons.
Stephan showed such an interest in the Jewish studies that he attended
every lesson. When Yosef was old enough to get married, the innkeeper
arranged for a matchmaker to meet Yosef. Stephan was there with Yosef
and remained present during the interview. When the matchmaker asked
Yosef questions of Jewish knowledge, Stephan was always first with the
answers.
When the innkeeper saw what was happening, he decided he had to separate
Yosef from Stephan. He saw no other way than to discharge his handyman.
The handyman protested that his son was old enough to go off on his own.
To this the innkeeper agreed.
Stephan began to wander, pretending to be a Jewish orphan, knowing that
kind Jews would befriend him. Whenever he went to a new town, he would
go into the study hall, pick up a Talmud, and begin studying it. Someone
would inevitably befriend the "orphan" and invite him to a meal.
Many years passed thus. One day Stephan reached a big city where there
was a commotion going on. The custom of this city was to choose a new
king every three years and that the king had to be a stranger. The
citizens reasoned that such a king would thus have no favorites amongst
the inhabitants and would rule with equal justice for all.
Stephan hurried off to the palace, presented himself as a candidate,
passed all the tests and was crowned as the new king. Not long after
being coronated, Stephan began issuing severe decrees against the Jews.
Eventually he decreed that all Jews had to leave the kingdom within 12
months.
The chief rabbi of the city proclaimed a fast and ordered everyone into
the synagogues for communal prayers. On the fourth day, the rabbi sent
for the leading members of the Jewish community and told them it had
been revealed to him in a dream that in a distant land, there was a
young innkeeper who would be the one who could influence the king to
annul his decree. To everyone's astonishment, it so happened that each
member had the very same dream!
The young innkeeper was eventually found and agreed to return with them
to see if he could help the Jewish community in any way.
The Jewish delegation and the innkeeper appeared before the king. When
the king saw the innkeeper, he embraced him. "Don't you remember me,
Yosef?" asked the king. "I am your old friend Stephan. Look what has
become of me because I was forced to leave your home," he said with a
chuckle.
"Now, what can I do for you?" he asked sincerely.
Yosef asked the king to permit the Jews to remain in his kingdom.
"Believe me," said Stephan, "I have nothing against the Jews. They are
good, kind people and are loyal to this country. But, every once in a
while I get an overwhelming urge to persecute them. I don't know why."
The chief rabbi explained: "Our Torah teaches us that the hearts of
kings and princes are in the hand of G-d. The way the king treats the
Jews reflects their behavior toward G-d. That is why the Jews never pray
for a new king. Because there is never any certainty that the new king
will be any better..."
With this, the Rizhiner Rebbe looked straight into the eyes of his
visitor and said, "Go and tell those who sent you here that all the
accusations against Jews of being unfaithful to the king are false. Jews
are always loyal citizens and pray for the welfare of the rulers and of
the country in which they live."
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MOSHIACH MATTERS
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Jacob was not sent into exile alone; G-d descended with him and guarded
him there. "Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt... I will go down with
you... and I will bring you up again" (Gen. 46:3-4) Our Patriarch Jacob
possessed an all-comprehensive soul which compounded the souls of all
Jews. "Jacob" thus stands for every single Jew, and his descent into
Egypt alludes to Israel's descent into galut (exile), including the
present one. Thus it follows that even now we are not alone, and that
G-d will mercifully hasten the Final Redemption with Moshiach, as it
states, "I will also bring you up again."
(Torat Menachem)
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END OF TEXT - L'CHAIM 1454 - Vayigash 5777
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