**************************************************************************** L'CHAIM ISSUE # 100 PART 1 OF 6 **************************************************************************** THE WEEKLY PUBLICATION FOR EVERY JEWISH PERSON Dedicated to the memory of Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka Schneerson N.E. **************************************************************************** February 16, 1990 21 Shevat, 5750 **************************************************************************** 100! We're celebrating here at L'CHAIM. You are now reading our 100th issue and we're pretty proud of the fact that we've been getting together with you every week for the past two years. In this special-double issue, you'll notice that we're paying tribute to our roots; there's a four page insert about Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka Schneerson, in whose memory L'Chaim was initiated. You'll see photographs of diverse projects established in the Rebbetzin's name all over the world. But, you won't see even one picture of the Rebbetzin. For the Rebbetzin chose to be a non-public figure. For those truly uninformed about what the lives of Lubavitcher Chasidic women are like, this might not seem to be a surprise. "She chose?" skeptics might smirk. Yes, she chose. In a day and age when so many of us fall into the category of "looking out for number one," this highly intelligent and extremely well-educated woman put herself aside completely for another. "But in her day, that was the norm for women of all religions, social strata, and incomes," one might further protest. This objection is inaccurate, though, in the context of the Rebbetzin's upbringing and life. The Rebbetzin's father, the previous Rebbe, charged his female chasidim with the duty to stand in the first rank of every activity dedicated to strengthening Judaism. And, in the early 50's, the Rebbe, shlita, called for the world-wide establishment of the Lubavitch Women's Organization. Yes, the Rebbetzin chose to remain out of the limelight, and no, it was not the norm. Living in our self-fulfilling, immediately gratifying, fast-paced, goal-oriented society, it seems nearly impossible to fathom how someone could be so totally dedicated to another person. How many of us wonder first what the other person is going to expect back from us if we accept a favor? Or, if we can count on a "return" if we do someone else a favor? Can you imagine getting used to listening to what your friend/roomate/spouse/significant-other has to say before you dump on him or her? Environmental influences, social pressures, our upbringing and experiences play a large part in how we act in interpersonal relations. So does habit. Which brings us back to the number 100 with which we started out this article. The Talmud teaches that one who reviews a lesson 101 times is considered as if he "serves G-d" but one who reviews it just one time less, 100 times, is not considered thus. What's the big deal of the additional one time for someone who has reviewed the lesson 100 times? In previous generations, the norm was to review a lesson 100 times. This routine was so accepted, so habitual, that it hardly took any effort at all. But, to review the lesson just one more time, to put in that extra exertion, was equal to and far exceeded that which preceded it. Here's hoping we all have the strength to go beyond the habitual in every aspect of our lives. L'CHAIM! **************************************************************************** LIVING WITH THE TIMES THE WEEKLY TORAH PORTION **************************************************************************** This week's Torah portion, Yitro, contains the account of the giving of the Torah. Torah from Sinai begins with the Ten Commandments. The first two, I am G-d, your G-d (the root and foundation of all positive Mitzvot) and You shall have no other gods (foundation of all prohibitions) proclaim the unity of G-d. A precondition to the giving of the Torah (Mattan Torah) was the internal unity af the Jewish people, as the Torah states "...and Israel encamped there facing the mountain." The verb "encamped" is written in the Torah in singular form as if referring to one person - "Israel." This indicates, Rashi notes, that they encamped "as one man with one heart." At Sinai three "ones" interlocked. The essence of Mattan Torah is to realize in the material world the unity of G-d, through the "one nation on earth" (the Jewish people) fulfilling the 613 Mitzvot of the one Torah. How can such unity be achieved? After all, G-d Himself created mankind as diverse individuals, differing in their opinions and living in a world which He also created variegated in its climate and physical features. How can a whole nation attain true unity within itself and bring unity into such a diversified world? The explanation is to be found in the verse, "And they stood themselves under the mountain" - all of the adult Jews, sons and daughters. Receiving the Torah was such an overwhelming experience, they accepted it so completely, that all other concerns ceased to matter to them; their enthusiasm and joy of receiving the Torah left room for nothing else. The "Mountain" was the same for all; all sensed the Torah and its Giver; all were permeated with the same feeling of joy, and this brought true unity into all the 600,000 individual Jews with their families, as well as bringing unity of G-d into the world through the one Torah. The Jewish people began with one family, that of our father Abraham, and ever since then the Jewish family has been the foundation of our people. In the family, too, each member is a separate individual, with a particular function and purpose in life assigned to him and her by G-d. Unless there is unity in the family, there can be no unity of the Jewish people. How is family unity achieved? In the same way as at Mattan Torah: When all members af the family accept the one Torah from the one G-d in such a way that the Torah and Mitzvot are essential, and all else is merely secondary -- then there is true unity in the family. **************************************************************************** L'CHAIM ISSUE # 100 PART 2 OF 6 **************************************************************************** SLICE OF LIFE **************************************************************************** THE MITZVA TANK RABBI by Yehudis Cohen Just ask Rabbi Levi Baumgarten for a few stories about how someone's commitment to Judaism has been strengthened through their encounter with a Mitzva Tank. He'll captivate you for hours with experiences he's had over the past year. Levi, better known by thousands of New Yorkers as the "Mitzva Tank Rabbi," battles Jewish ignorance Monday through Friday on the streets of Manhattan. He is armed with whatever can fit in a mobile-home and the warmth and enthusiasm his friends say stems from his parents' open-home policy. The term "Mitzva Tank" was coined in 1974, when the first Lubavitcher mobile home hit the road. In the war against assimilation, it was hoped, the Mitzva Tank would be an effective weapon. "Even Jews who are not on anyone's mailing list react to the Tank," says 26 year-old Levi. "They see the tank," he continues, "and even if they don't come inside, for one instant they are reminded that they're Jewish." The Tank which Levi is in charge of, was purchased two years ago, just weeks after Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka Schneerson passed away. The tank is dedicated to her memory. "You can see the merit of the tank being in the Rebbetzin's name, and the blessing of the Rebbe for this project," says Levi. As an example, Levi relates the following incident, typical of his daily encounters. He was on 42nd street and 5th Ave. the tank's regular Monday location, when a woman walked straight into the Mitzva Tank. "You approached a boy, my son's friend," the woman said by way of introduction. "He wouldn't put on tefilin and joked about it. He told my son later about the Mitzva Tank and that he had refused to put on tefilin. My son told me, `Mom, if you ever see the Mitzva Tank, speak with the Rabbi and tell him I want to meet him.'" The boy had gone through Bar Mitzva lessons but was turned off because he was only taught to memorize the blessings and the Torah portion. He never went through with the Bar Mitzva. "I got in touch with the boy. He started putting on tefilin and his mother began lighting Shabbat candles. We arranged for him to be called up to the Torah on the Sunday of Chanuka at the Rebbe's minyan. Afterwards, they went to the Rebbe for "dollars," and told the Rebbe of their new commitment. `It should be a good beginning,' the Rebbe told both of them." For the "Mitzva Tank Rabbi," his is not just a nine-to-five job. He, his wife Leah, and two young children often get personally involved with people who "just happen" to pop into the tank. Levi regularly spends evenings on the phone with people he met during the day, continuing discussions, or keeping in touch with them for weeks or months after their initial meeting. He also sends them holiday information or material they have asked him to research. Many people ask him to purchase mezuzot or tefilin for them. One time, a gentleman, old enough to be Levi's father, stepped into the tank. "Let me ask you a question," he began. "Is there a G-d?" "Of course there is a G-d," was Levi's ready reply. "Then how could He have let the holocaust happen?" asked the man, whom Levi later found out was a scientist. "I have no simple answer for you," said Levi sincerely. Thus began weekly visits to the tank, which included discussions on all areas of Jewish life. Sometime later, the scientist's ninety-year-old mother had a massive stroke. Her son rushed to the hospital, only to be told that she had not more than one hour to live. "He told me he went over to her bed and said `G-d, if You're there, give me some kind of sign, show me You're there.' Then he said Shema Yisroel eighteen times," Levi relates. Eighteen, because that is the numerical value of Chai -- life. "Seconds later, his mother's eyes popped open and she asked him what he was doing there. He told me later that he didn't even know if he was allowed to say the Shema so many times." Today, his mother is in a nursing home, she can walk slowly and move most of her body. And the scientist puts on tefilin every day, doesn't eat non-kosher food, and studies Torah with Levi every week. The scientist and his wife have visited Levi and his family at their home in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. "We've become very close. We're friends," says Levi. "They are very taken with my wife and children and very impressed by the whole Jewish environment in Crown Heights." Another time a man walked into the Tank and told Levi the following story: "I was really down in the dumps, business was very bad. I saw a Mitzva Tank on the street. One of the guys asked me if I wanted to put on Tefilin but I told him I was too busy, business was bad. The young man asked me if I wanted a reliable business partner. `Sure,' I told him. `Every time you do a mitzva, you make G-d your partner,' the young man said. I figure, what could I lose and I agreed to put on tefilin. I had never done it before in my life. "Later that afternoon," the man continued, "I was in a terrible car accident. Ambulances and police cars rushed to the scene, expecting to take me away in a bag. The car was wrecked. I walked out of the car without a scratch. And I said, `Thank you, Partner.' " There was no question in his mind, emphasizes Levi, that it was G-d who had caused this miracle to happen. The hour is late and the stories keep on bubbling out. Just one more incident, though, Levi wishes to relate, one that wasn't exactly part of his line of duty. A Lubavitcher shaliach [emissary] from Texas brought a group of people to New York for a week. They were staying in a hotel in Manhattan and had plans to come to the Rebbe on Sunday for "dollars." "The shaliach told me that they wanted to come to the Rebbe in the Mitzva Tank. So, I picked them up in the Tank. We sang and talked the whole way to Brooklyn. They had a great time. And to this day, six months later, the shaliach tells me that they tell him, `Say hello to the Rabbi from the Mitzva Tank.' " Rabbi Levi Baumgarten is known by thousands of New Yorkers as the "Mitzva Tank Rabbi." He is the project coordinator for the Lubavitch Youth Mitzva Tank, purchased two years ago in memory of Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka Schneerson, of blessed memory. Each day, from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm, the high-tech mobile-home is stationed at various busy locations in Manhattan, allowing people on the go to do a mitzva on the spot. The fact that the Tank is on a regular schedule, visiting a specified location each day, is a tremendous break-through, according to Rabbi Baumgarten. "People look out for us," says the young Rabbi. The Tank has a library on board, though the majority of the visitors don't have the time to peruse the numerous volumes. Books and mezzuzot are also for sale, and as a special favor, Rabbi Baumgarten is often the go-between for people interested in purchasing tefilin or other religious items not easily accessible to busy Manhattanites. Rabbi Baumgarten has his work cut out for him. He has to attract and hold the attention of people who aren't interested in stopping to do a mitzva, even if it only takes five minutes. But, he always seems to know the right approach to convince them that they should stop for a few minutes to recharge their Jewish batteries. Rabbi Baumgarten never attributes the success to himself, though. "You see the blessing of the Rebbe and the merit of the Tank being in the Rebbetzin's name," says Rabbi Baumgarten. He doesn't even take credit for his warm personality and perceptiveness. "It's a family inheritance, I guess," he says modestly. "Anyone who knows my parents know that they have an incredibly open home with people coming in and out, asking for advice at all times of the day and night." "I approached someone who was walking by the tank," says Rabbi Baumgarten, ready to relate one of the hundreds of stories he has up his sleeve. "He didn't want to come in. Even when I convinced him to come in he didn't want to put on tefilin. After we spoke for a few minutes, he agreed to put on tefillin. When I said the Shema with him I saw that his whole body began to shake. Then, he burst out in tears. I asked him what had happened. `I don't know,' he told me. `But when I put the tefilin on and said the Shema, a chill went through my body like never before.' " Rabbi Baumgarten regularly keeps in touch with people who have visited the Mitzva Tank. They often come back, each week, to put on tefilin again, get additional reading material, pick up a candle-lighting brochure for a friend, or just to talk. "People tell me, `I don't know why we bother going to counselors, we can just speak with the Rabbi.'" he relates. If people are interested, Rabbi Baumgarten takes down names and addresses and sends holiday information, flyers, or specific material people have asked for. He also gives out his home phone number and gets calls nearly every evening from people who want to continue a discussion they began during the day. When he isn't busy receiving calls, he's initiating them, offering encouragement to a woman who has agreed to light Shabbat candles, or a man who is putting on tefilin every day, or arranging an appointment to put mezzuzot up at an office or home. Just recently, a woman stepped into the Mitzva Tank. "By the way, my birthday is this Friday," she told the young man who was assisting Rabbi Baumgarten. "A birthday is a very special day," the student explained to the white-haired visitor. "In honor of your birthday, why don't you do something special? How about lighting Shabbat candles?" he suggested. The woman liked the suggestion and agreed to light candles that Friday eve. "Rabbi," she told him, "I'm 90 years old and I've never lit candles before. But now, I think I will!" It is obvious that Rabbi Baumgarten is well-suited to his job. "I enjoy my work," says Rabbi Baumgarten. "I enjoy working with people and seeing the results." And with that, another story unfolds: "A couple was walking past the Tank and I invited them in. `No way am I going in there,' the husband said. The wife wanted to come in though, so she urged her husband. Eventually, he came inside but stayed at the front of the tank. I began speaking with the wife. She had a serious operation recently and I encouraged her to do something positive Jewishly to help her through this difficult time. Just as a I began speaking to her about lighting Shabbat candles, her husband motioned for me to come to the front of the Tank. `Maybe you can convince my wife to begin lighting Shabbat candles every week,' he told me. And this was from the guy who didn't even want to come into the Tank!" Rabbi Baumgarten adds emphatically. That was six months ago. Rabbi Baumgarten calls her from time to time and she thanks him, telling him that she lights every week. "People are impressed with the fact that we're not doing it for our own personal gain. We're just here to help and encourage others." When asked if he knew why the husband, out of the blue, wanted his wife to light Shabbat candles, Rabbi Baumgarten looks philosophical for a moment. "I guess he realized that light was missing from their lives." "I'm not an especially bright person," Rabbi Baumgarten insists -- though family and friends heartily disagree -- "I have been successful only with the strength of the Rebbe." And, he says, "I do the work, but the real credit goes to Rabbi Butman. He is the one who has the financial worries, not me." The term Mitzva Tank was coined in 1974, when the first MItzva Tank hit the road with the motto, "A Mitzva on the spot for people on the go." It was hoped that this would be an effective weapon in the war against assimilation. But the Mitzva Tank influences more than the hundreds who stop each week to actually do or find out about a mitzva. "People see the tank. It awakens something in them. They hear the Jewish music and it effects them. At that instant, they think about their Jewishness for a moment and that's something." **************************************************************************** WHAT'S NEW? **************************************************************************** JEWISH BOOKS TO USSR Books in the Russian language on Israel, Jewish history and Jewish tradition are arriving in the USSR, from Alma Ata to Zhitomer in the Ukraine. One thousand books are being mailed daily from the SHAMIR (Israel Association of Professionals from the USSR) head-office in Jerusalem. In the first stage of this unprecedented campaign, 30,000 families will each receive a ten volumes, totalling 300,000 books to be sent to the USSR. YOU ARE INVITED An open house and walking tour of the Crown Heights Jewish community takes place every Sunday from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. The warmth of a Chassidic home, the aroma of fresh pastries at the kosher bakery, the sound of prayer in a Chassidic shul, the sight of hand made Passover matza in a wood stoked oven, the sparkling tile of a million dollar mikva, loving children giving charity to those in need, warm, smiling faces. That's what you'll experience during your four-hour stay in Crown Heights. The program, sponsored by the Lubavitch Youth Organization, also includes refreshements and a video. Reservations are suggested. For more information call (718) 953-1000 or (800) 8770-613. JEWISH BOOK FAIR Lubavitch of Indiana sponsored their sixth annual Jewish Book Fair recently. Hundreds of people, both Jewish and non-Jewish, took advantage of the extensive selection available to buy books. Over 1000 titles were on display, with books targeted at toddlers to adults. Rabbi Avraham Grossbaum commented, Books are the perfect gift. They're durable, less dangerous than most toys and need no batteries." BUILDING SOMETHING OLD Since Sinai, the observance of the laws of mikva and family purity has been a veritable mainstay of Jewish life, strengthening bonds and fortifying emotional stability within the family. Chabad Lubavitch of North Broward-South Palm Beach has embarked on a $50,000 campaign to build and equip a new mikva which will service families in their area, making the nearly four thousand year-old Jewish heritage and traditions available and accessible to every family. **************************************************************************** L'CHAIM ISSUE # 100 PART 3 OF 6 **************************************************************************** THE QUEEN **************************************************************************** IN MEMORY OF THE QUEEN by Rabbi Shmuel M. Butman The world had a priceless treasure. But it was not until the Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka Schneerson, of blessed memory, passed away on 22 Shvat two years ago, (the second anniversary of which we commemorate this Shabbat) that most of us truly appreciated what a treasure we had lost. For the Rebbetzin had been a source of intense strength for the Rebbe, shlita, and for his unique and historic world-wide work of strengthening Judaism among millions of Jews. The Rebbetzin was a jewel, a true queen. Not merely by virtue of her noble ancestry (descending from all the first six great Rebbes of Chabad) nor even of her exalted position as Rebbetzin of the saintly and admired great leader of hundreds of thousands. She was a true queen in her own right, too. She was a queen in her exalted qualities of character. The Rebbetzin was sensitive and compassionate to others without being in any way condescending. For every person she met, every visitor to her home, even young children, she always had the right words to suit the situation. The Rebbetzin was a queen intellectually, too. Coming from a long line of great Torah scholars, she was, not surprisingly, a true intellectual. Those who knew her well and remembered her father, the previous Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn (1880-1950), considered her to have inherited his penetrating intellect and analytic mind. She was learned and erudite, fluent and widely read in seven languages, well-versed in many fields of knowledge, with solidly-based opinions on a variety of subjects. When her father passed away in 1950, the Chassidim called upon her husband, the present Rebbe, shlita, as the obvious successor. In his humility, the Rebbe had always stayed in the background. But the little that Chassidim had managed to glimpse of his unique personality, of his Torah brilliance and leadership capabilities, convinced them that only he could be the new Rebbe. But he refused to even consider it. When the pressure became strong, he threatened to depart into self-imposed exile. It was the Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka, of blessed memory, who finally convinced him: "You can't let my father's thirty years of self-sacrifice on behalf of the Jewish people go to waste," she pleaded. Very reluctantly, the Rebbe accepted the mantle of leadership. When her husband was chosen to be Rebbe, the Rebbetzin knew exactly what to expect. She knew what it would mean to her own personal life, how she would have to forfeit everything that other wives take for granted. Over a year before she passed away, the Rebbetzin stated that her father, the previous Rebbe, had "belonged to the Chasidim." Yet it was the Rebbetzin who had the awesome courage to finally persuade the Rebbe, shlita, to take on the responsibility of leadership. She was gladly prepared to accept all personal difficulties (even shunning the honor and reverence that could so easily have been hers) for the sake of the Jewish people. Her sacrifice was indeed awe-inspiring. Although she had known what to expect, she must have had superhuman strength to live with the fact that her great husband's life does indeed belong entirely to his Chassidim and to the Jewish people. It was this self-sacrifice of the Rebbetzin, forfeiting her husband's companionship for the sake of the Jewish public whom he serves, that has benefitted the millions of Jews around the globe affected by her husband's work to strengthen them in their Judaism. It was the Rebbetzin's devotion to the Rebbe's health and welfare that has enabled him to give so freely of himself for so many years, in ever-increasing measure. Everything the Rebbe has done for every one of us (for has any Jew not been touched directly or indirectly by the Rebbe's work?) is a result of her devotion to the Rebbe, shlita. Yet what amazes again and again, as we study the details of her life, was how cleverly she succeeded in concealing this indispensable role from the eyes of all but the very closest, allowing even them to perceive no more than the tip of the iceberg. And the vast majority of the Rebbe's Chassidim never realized what a treasure they had in the Rebbetzin. In fact it was the Rebbetzin who actually assumed her husband's other choice when he became Rebbe - of self-imposed "exile"! Imagine how much honor and respect the Rebbetzin would have received had she ever appeared in the main Lubavitch synagogue on Shabbat or Yom Tov, or at one of her husband's gatherings, or at one of the many Lubavitcher girls' schools or at a convention of Lubavitch Women's Organization attended by thousands. Any honor would have been eminently well- deserved, for it was her boundless devotion, after all, to the Rebbe's health and welfare that enabled him to dedicate himself so totally to world Jewry. Yet the Rebbetzin shunned all honor as one flees from fire, like no other great, righteous woman in memory. No one better exemplified the verse (Tehillim 45:14) applied to modest Jewish women: "Kol kvuda bas melech pnima" - "All the honor of a king's daughter is within." The Rebbetzin went out of her way to give no one any excuse to feel she was being treated specially, to arouse not even the slightest jealousy. She took humility and Tzniut (modesty) to their ultimate extreme, without losing anything in the process. And she remained a queen, regardless. As much as she tried, even succeeded, in concealing her great qualities, her entire demeanor in all her deeds and words bespoke royalty. But it was utterly effortless on her part, an inborn, integral part of her personality. It is to the Rebbetzin that the world owes the great Rebbe we have, who has given of himself to world Jewry during these past four decades. Her husband, may he be well, is the Rebbe to hundreds of thousands and concerned for every Jew in the world, who spends entire days and nights, Shabbosim and Yomim Tovim, with his Chassidim, who has never taken a day's vacation nor had more than a few moments to enjoy any kind of personal life through four decades of leadership. When we think deeply of all this, we begin to see the Rebbetzin's personality, too, as one of unparalleled devotion to the higher cause that the Rebbe's life represents and exemplifies. The famous Rabbi Akiva said of his wife Rachel - "Mine and yours is hers," that his own Torah and the Torah he taught his thousands of students were thanks to Rachel's self-sacrifice for 24 years. So, too, do we owe the prodigious accomplishments of the Rebbe's Chassidim throughout the world, that have touched the lives of millions of Jews, to Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka's self-sacrificing and self-effacing devotion to her husband for almost 60 years! The Rebbe, shlita, treated her with the deepest esteem, "with more respect than one treats oneself" (as our Sages instruct us to relate to our spouses). He clearly regarded her as a personality of colossal dimensions, not only as the daughter of the previous Rebbe, but also in her own right. As a close relative said of her on the day of her passing, "She was a truly righteous woman, unique in her generation. Her passing has left us all orphaned...." As we mark her second Yartzeit this Shabbat, we pray that her merit protect us and that we may learn from her shining example.May her great memory be blessed. The Tree and the Rose Dedicated to the blessed memory of The Rebitzen the tzadekes Chaya Mushka Schneersonn (o.b.m.) Stands a tree Majestic, glorious His roots planted deeply upon living springs His crown touching the stars. His branches spreading protective wings over the remnants of His nation. And in their shade seek refuge all dwellers of Earth Then, one day in the shadow of the tree there grew a flower a graceful rose of delicate beauty and delightful aroma pleasing to the eye and heart. The rose nestled in the shelter of the tree hidden in the thicket of his leaves. The tree shielded the rose with wings of kindness and the rose delighted the tree with her sweet fragrance and radiant beauty, Her sisters came and beseeched her "Why, Oh graceful one, of noble dynasty do you live all your days in solitude and seclusion? Why so you hide in shadowy depths and conceal your treasures from admiring eyes? Reveal yourself! Let us gaze upon you Spread your fragrance Let your scent flow beyond your abode." Yet the rose's only desire was to dwell in the shade of the tree Of all earthly delights His closeness alone gratified her soul Then came the storm on the fateful day and it carried the rose in all her beauty and splendor to the Heavens on high- Yet even as she rises in Heavenly ascent the tree does not cease to spread his protective wings to the heights above to hover above her and to shelter her for all time. And the rose from her lofty abode looks down with yearning, with compassion upon the solitary tree and bestows a healing balm dews of comfort upon her soul-mate her life companion The prince of her youth **************************************************************************** L'CHAIM ISSUE # 100 PART 4 OF 6 **************************************************************************** LETTERS **************************************************************************** LETTERS Dear L'Chaim, We live in St. Croix, the island recently ravaged by Hurricane Hugo. Since the hospital is destroyed, I found myself in an army "M.A.S.H" type labor and delivery tent on Rosh Chodesh Kislev. Since fathers were not allowed to attend due to considerations of space and privacy, I was accompanied only by a walkie-talkie my husband, Larry, had borrowed. The Rebbe's picture with Tehillim [Psalm] 121 was clipped onto my hospital gown. After fourteen hours of slow progress...I asked Larry to read Tehillim over the walkie-talkie. The effect was miraculous, especially since I don't understand Hebrew. The moment I heard the first words, I was able to relax completely, and no longer perceived any pain. What's more, even though everyone predicted hours more of labor, one hour later, I was the joyful mother of Sara Malka, our first child. My doctor, the most well-known obstetrician on the island, who had delivered countless babies exclaimed he had never seen anything like this before. My husband and I both feel that in this year of miracles, we have been privileged to witness an example of the wonderful power of Tehillim. Sincerely yours, Ingrid Tova Abramson. St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands From Behind Bars: c.c. to L'Chaim Dear Rabbi Spritzer, ...Yesterday two Lubavitchers came to the facility to celebrate Chanuka with us. I sent my regards with them to you and I mentioned about the tefilin. They went over my procedure for putting them on, but it was only verbal. The food was great, I always love the cole slaw and potato salad. I have been lighting the menorah each night and have been telling the other Jewish inmates the story of Chanuka. A small role reversal from last Chanukah... Saw that great write-up about you in L'Chaim. I loved your closing remark regarding prisons. I am one of the ones that learnt how to put on Tefillin in prison. Keep up the great work! Have a happy year, ...It is hard being alone without guidance with respect to my religious c8ommitments. If not for you, and your organization, and the educational material that you send me, I would feel very stagnant. In an issue of L'Chaim, there is an interview with the new executive director of Miami's Aleph Institute that sums up my past six or more months. I quote, "it sounds funny to say that I am more religious. I don't look at it like that I look at it as a vault of treasure that no one every showed me the combination to. When it's open I can take out as much as I want." This is exactly what I have experienced these past months. I always have as long as I can remember felt a strong inner feeling or emotion that I was a Jew. I even used to dream about being Jewish, living a life of a good Jew. However, due to unknown reasons I drifted from those dreams. But, during my nefarious lifestyle there was always a flame burning in my heart to return to Jewishness... I am receiving L'Chaim directly from L'Chaim...thanks. I also received your book "Likkutei Diburim," I will try to comprehend it, so look out, I will barrage you with questions. I really enjoyed your last letter, all your letters leave me with some food for thought. I treasure them all, Give my regards to all, Dear L'Chaim, I am a member of the Lubavitch Women's Organization-English division, as well as the general Hebrew speaking group, here in Jerusalem. I've undertaken to distribute the weekly "Sichat Hashavua" published by Chabad Youth Organization and among the enthusiastic recipients is our family doctor, who displays his copy in his office waiting room. He has asked me to try and obtain a copy of L'Chaim. As an immigrant from the U.S.A. who is close to Chabad and the Rebbe, shlita, and as a physician with a large English-speaking clientele, he would like to receive it weekly. Thank you for your attention, Sara Blumenthal Greetings: My name is Joseph Valentin and I am Chaplain of the New Unit Light House Chapel at Avon Park Correctional Institution. As Chaplain I am deeply concerned about the spiritual needs of the men here. Several months ago you sent us some copies of "L'Chaim," the newsletter your organization puts out. These were very well received by the Jewish inmates here. If possible, could you begin sending them to us again. Any further material that you feel would be helpful, I welcome. This type of literature is always in demand. Thank you for your consideration to this Chapel and the men here. Gentlemen, This is not a complaint; it's merely an observation. I am a new subscriber to L'Chaim and look forward to finding it in the mailbox each Erev Shabbat. Unfortunately, it almost never arrives until, at the earliest, Monday. If other people have mentioned this problem, perhaps it should be mailed a day earlier. On two or three occasions, the publication arrived without the envelope; the postman knew to where it should be delivered. Could the envelope be sealed or an address label attached to the periodical in lieu of an envelope? Thank you, Michael Bookstone Editor's reply: For out-of-state subscribers, L'Chaim is mailed out on Friday, one week before the Shabbat for which it is targeted. For subscribers in New York, it is mailed on Sunday. If L'Chaim is not received on time, speak with your local post office or mailperson. We'll pass along the suggestion about sealing the envelope. **************************************************************************** L'CHAIM ISSUE # 100 PART 5 OF 6 **************************************************************************** INSIGHTS **************************************************************************** YITRO AND MT. SINAI The main event of this week's Torah portion is also the cornerstone of Jewish history -- the giving of the Torah on Mt. Sinai. We would expect the name of the Torah portion to allude to this occurrence. Instead, the portion begins by telling about Yitro, Moses' father-in-law, who had worshipped every form of idolatry existent in the world. Having rejected them all, he came to convert and to join the Jewish people. The Zohar explains that there is a clear connection between Yitro's decision and the giving of the Torah. His acknowledgement of G-d was a prerequisite to the revelation at Sinai. This explains why the Torah portion is called Yitro and what his connection is with the giving of the Torah. But the explanation itself raises another question: the entire Jewish nation had already acknowledged G-d and was preparing to accept His Torah. Why was the participation of one more person -- particularly one with such an unholy background -- so crucial? The Dichotomy To understand Yitro's contribution, we must first more clearly understand why the Torah was given. One function of the Torah is to transform this physical world into a dwelling place for G-d. Through learning Torah and fulfilling mitzvot here in a coarse physical universe, we extend G-d's revelation to penetrate the physical realm as well as spiritual realms. But there are two contradictory factors at play: on the one hand, G-d's Infinite capacity must be revealed. On the other hand, it must be revealed in a universe which is, by definition, finite! This dichotomy was evident at Mt. Sinai, where there was an intense revelation of G-d. But the world, due to its finite nature, was unable to withstand it. Each and every Jew was on the verge of expiring, and the world ceased to function normally. Since the world was not yet sufficiently holy and purified, it was not yet a fitting vessel in which G-dliness could be revealed. True, He could be revealed, but the world could not internalize the revelation. The ultimate goal is that the world be able to withstand this revelation. Furthermore, it should fully internalize it to the extent that the world itself, on its low level, be united with G-d. But how is this possible? Even the Finite Can Unite This was the contribution of Yitro: preparing the physical universe to be a vessel for G-dliness. For a person so deeply steeped in idolatry to recognize the Oneness of G-d also seemed impossible. By doing so, he elevated and purified the very lowest realms of the world, which seemed beyond reach. Furthermore, he did so on his own. He came to his realization utilizing only his finite human intellect. This showed that even finite existence can, as it remains finite, still unite with G-d. Yitro didn't complete the process; but after he had begun to prepare even the lowest portions of the world for the revelation of G-d, the Torah could be given for the Jewish people to carry on further. This contains an obvious lesson for our generation. Many Jews have grown up without a proper Jewish education and without a Torah-true environment. Lacking guidance, they have embarked on numerous paths in trying to find meaning and purpose in their lives. Sometimes this means looking into other religions; for others, it means taking an approach which relegates such questions to the background. G-d certainly knows that if a person is unaware that there is a Yom Kippur, he is not going to fast. What could be accomplished in the overall scheme of things by putting people in a position where they will have no Jewish education? However, every person goes through different experiences in his life, and acquires a slightly different philosophy. Although most do not get involved in idolatry in the literal sense, they nevertheless often internalize the values of their surroundings, which ridicule and flatly deny the Torah. Nevertheless, in our generation we have seen thousands upon thousands of young Jews answer the call of their souls to be elevated above the bonds of ignorance. Like Yitro, they have looked into what secular society has to offer and have found it lacking. By making a commitment to Judaism,they purify and elevate these ideas, and help prepare the world for the ultimate revelation of G-dliness. **************************************************************************** A WORD FROM THE DIRECTOR **************************************************************************** "L'Chaim, l'chaim," -- "To life" we toast each other at happy occasions. For those of us involved in this publication, this simple toast has even more meaning. Our origins were humble, in more ways than one. L'Chaim began as a project undertaken by the Lubavitch Youth Organization in memory of Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka (obm). Our first issue was distributed on her shloshim, just a short thirty days after the Rebbetzin passed away. We started out printing in the thousands, hopeful, yes pretty much certain, that L'Chaim would be well-received. We are now printing in the tens of thousands, our unsolicited subscription list continues to grow steadily, and international editions are presently printed in Australia, England, and Argentina. In addition, articles from L'Chaim have appeared over the last two years in nearly every Chabad-Lubavitch publication around the world. The impact that L'Chaim has had is really phenomenal. I would like to tell you a story that I was told personally by one of the people involved: Two of our yeshiva boys -- those dedicated souls who go every Friday, rain or shine, to offices and stores throughout the five boroughs -- saw a Jewish sounding name on an office door that they hadn't yet visited. They walked in, asked the secretary if they could see the "boss" and were asked to wait. They waited and waited but the boss didn't have time. So, they left a L'chaim with the secretary and asked for an appointment for the following Friday. The following Friday the two young men showed up once more. Again they waited and, despite the appointment, they were told the boss didn't have time. They scheduled an appointment for the following week, left a L'Chaim with the secretary and asked that it be given to the boss. This scenario repeated itself quite a few more time until the boss actually had time to see the young men. When they met face to face, the boss said, waving the L'Chaim in his hand, "You know, this is really bothering me!" To this, the young men replied, "We didn't mean to annoy you but since you couldn't meet with us we thought we would leave you some reading material." "That is exactly what I mean. L'Chaim is bothering me. My wife and I [his wife was the secretary] have been reading it every week and it is making us think about things that we haven't thought of in years. It is making us take a look at our lives and our priorities..." This gentleman and his wife have become very close with the yeshiva boys and the boss has even given them names of friends and relatives to visit in the area, "But don't tell them I sent you," he cautions. It is my pleasure and duty to thank: the conscientious L'Chaim staff, headed by our devoted editor, Mrs. Yehudis Cohen. She has dedicated herself and her family to L'Chaim, a publication which has enriched the Shabbos of tens of thousands of people around the globe; the yeshiva students who distribute thousands of copies of L'Chaim each week. These "tankistin" have taken upon themselves to be the personal "ambassadors of good will" for L'Chaim. They can be proud of their accomplishments; those people who dedicate issues of L'Chaim, making it possible for us to continue this important publication. In the merit of the Rebbetzin, may we transfer the production of L'Chaim to Yerushalayim, the Holy City, with the coming of Moshiach, NOW. Rabbi Shmuel Butman **************************************************************************** L'CHAIM ISSUE # 100 PART 6 OF 6 **************************************************************************** IT HAPPENED ONCE **************************************************************************** Rabbi Shneur Zalman (the "Alter Rebbe"--founder of Chabad) was deeply disturbed by the intrigues and dissension which jeopardized his activities, particularly those relating to the Chasidic community in the Holy Land. He had a premonition that his own eclipse was at hand. One day, the Rebbe confided in his daughter, Devorah Leah, and expressed his utmost apprehension in regard to the future of Chasidism and the Baal Shem Tov's teachings. Devorah Leah realized the gravity of the situation and sensed that her father's life was linked with it. For several days she kept her anxiety to herself. Then she decided that it was her duty to divulge her secret to some of the senior Chasidim. She also resolved that she would give her life for the life of her father. Devorah Leah asked three senior Chasidim to meet with her. She asked them to promise on oath that they would act according to her request and instructions, whatever they might be, and would keep in strictest confidence all that she was about to tell them, until such time as it would be fitting to keep the matter secret no longer. The three Chasidim requested time to consider her conditions. They realized that something was amiss. They had noticed that the Rebbe had secluded himself in his private room and not even they were admitted. This change in the Rebbe's routine was ominous, but what exactly was wrong they had no idea. Undoubtedly, the Rebbe's daughter knew something which was of extreme gravity. Finally they came to the conclusion that they had to accept Devorah Leah's conditions. The following day they presented themselves to Devorah Leah with their resolution. She began by saying: "We are all Chasidim of my father, our Rebbe, and each one of us must be ready and willing to give his or her life for him, and for the future of Chasidus." Then she was overcome by a flood of tears. At the sight of her distress the three Chasidim were deeply moved. One Chasid rose to his feet and exclaimed: "What is wrong? I will be the first to give my life for the Rebbe and for the perpetuation of the Ba'al Shem Tov's teachings. I will gladly go through fire or water..." "First," Devorah Leah interrupted, "you must swear to me by the most stringent Torah-oath which has no absolution, that you will do what I ask of you, without any mental reservation whatsoever, even if it is a matter of life." Hearing these ominous words, they reiterated that they had already carefully weighed the matter and had agreed to abide by Devorah Leah's conditions, come what may. Thereupon the three of them gave their solemn oath as requested. "Now I make the three of you a Beth-Din, and you will agree to act as a Beth-Din, and to rule on the situation in accordance with the law of the Torah," Devorah Leah said, continuing: "These were my father's words concerning the present situation in the wake of the intrigue which has cast a shadow over Chasidism: " `For thirty years a good fruit-bearing tree requires cultivation and care in order to bring it to its optimum fruitfulness. It is now thirty years since the teachings of our Master, Rabbi Israel Ba'al Shem Tov, were firmly planted by my Master, the Maggid of Mezritch, and grew into a Tree of Life. Now, the Adversary threatens to destroy it all. I do want to live, for this is the duty of every man, according to the Torah. Yet, more precious to me than life is my desire to cultivate this tree so that it continues to give its fruit until the coming of our Redeemer. " `My teacher, the Maggid of Mezritch, had forewarned me of difficult times, and had promised to come to my aid. I saw my teacher and master, but his face was overcast, an ill-omen.' "In view of this situation, I have resolved to put my life in lieu of my father's. I wish to be his atonement; I bequeath my life to him; I will die so that he may live a good and long life, in order to cultivate the Tree of Life. In this way I will also have a share in it." Unaware of his daughter's self-sacrifice for him, Rabbi Shneur Zalman sent a request for a prayer to Rabbi Nachum of Czernobil, before Rosh Hashana, 1790. On the first night of Rosh Hashanah, after the services, Rabbi Shneur Zalman, breaking his custom not to speak to anyone on that night, asked: "Where is Devorah Leah?" When she appeared, he began to wish her the customary blessing to "be inscribed in a happy year." But she interrupted him immediately, and wished him, instead, to "be inscribed in a happy year." After the second day of Rosh Hashana ended, the Rebbe called his daughter Devorah Leah and her husband Rabbi Shalom Shachna into his room. What was spoken there and then is not known, but Rabbi Shachna was heard saying amid tears: "What is to happen to the boy?" The following day Devorah Leah passed away. Rabbi Shneur Zalman took personal charge of her young son's upbringing. The years 1792 and 1793 saw an intensification of intolerance in certain communities towards the Chasidic approach. Rabbi Shneur Zalman realized that his hopes for a reconciliation were still premature, which greatly distressed him. The extent of his suffering became apparent on the festival of Shavuot, the anniversary of the Ba'al Shem Tov's demise. As usual on this festival, Rabbi Shneur Zalman spoke a great deal about the Baal Shem Tov, but his melodies had a tinge of bitterness. He was soon immersed in a state of profound soulful reverie, his eyes closed, his lips moving inaudibly. Tears trickled down his saintly face. It was an awesome sight. Those who were present surmised that the Rebbe was invoking Divine mercy, and felt as though the spirits of the Ba'al Shem Tov and the Maggid of Mezritch were present. Suddenly, Rabbi Shneur Zalman rose to his feet and tearfully exclaimed: "Zaida (Grandfather)!" -this is how he often referred to the Baal Shem Tov - "invoke Divine mercy upon me, and upon all your disciples and followers, and upon the survival of your teachings! Oi,oi, gvald,gvald! Our Heavenly Father, have mercy upon us!" Saying which, Rabbi Shneur Zalman collapsed in a faint. Turmoil broke loose. The Rebbe's wife and daughters rushed into the room. A messenger was quickly despatched to summon the physician. In the midst of the commotion, little Menachem Mendel, the orphaned son of Devorah Leah, two years and nine months old, came running into the room. Seeing his grandfather lying on the floor, he threw himself upon him, crying: "Zaida! Zaida!" Rabbi Shneur Zalman opened his eyes. He saw the proffered little hand of his grandson, who kept on saying: "Zaida, take hold of my hand and get up!" Reaching for the little hand, Rabbi Shneur Zalman said: "Give me your hand!" And he stood up, adding, "This one will comfort us!" From the book, Shneur Zalman of Liadi **************************************************************************** THOUGHTS THAT COUNT **************************************************************************** And Yitro heard... of all that G-d had done for Moses and for the people Israel...(Exodus 18:1) What Yitro, Moses' father-in-law, heard was heard by many other people, too. But only he concluded to accept the One G-d and join the Children of Israel. There are some who hear, but their hearing isn't really hearing, the words don't really enter their ears, hearts and souls. Yitro's edge was that he heard and he understood what he heard. (Rabbi Mendel of Kotzk) Israel encamped opposite the Mountain (19:2) Rashi explains that the word "encamped" in Hebrew is written in the singular form because the Jewish people were like one person with one heart -- they were totally united. Only through the power of unity are the children of Israel capable of standing "opposite the mountain" -- opposite the mountain of hatred that surrounds them. (Rabbi Moshe of Kovrin) Why was the Torah given on a mountain, specifically? A mountain and a plain are both made of earth; a mountain is just higher. The intention of giving the Torah was so that the Children of Israel would elevate and spiritually purify the physicality of the world. This is hinted to by the mountain, which is dust of the earth but is high, symbolizing the elevation of matter and its purification. (Sefer Hama'amarim) "You shall not make of Me gods of silver, gods of gold..." (20:20) Don't make silver and gold your gods, that they should rule over you. Don't worship your money. (Rabbi Yaakov Aharon of Zalvazin) **************************************************************************** TODAY IS... A Thought for the Day **************************************************************************** Sh'vat 22 There are two sorts of statutes: a) statutes that create life, and b)statutes created by life. Human laws are created by life so they vary from land to land according to circumstances. The Alm-ghty's Torah is a G-dly law that creates life. G-d's Torah is the Torah of truth, the same in all places, at all times. Torah is eternal. **************************************************************************** CANDLE LIGHTING **************************************************************************** NY Metro Area 5:12 pm 21 Shevat, 5750 February 16, 1990 Torah Portion: Yitro Shabbat ends 6:15 pm influence friends and acquaintances, and bring them into the light. *************************************************************************** Published by Lubavitch Youth Organization 770 Eastern Parkway Brooklyn NY 11213 (718) 953-1000, 778-6000 Rabbi Dovid Raskin - Chairman Rabbi Shmuel Butman - Director Rabbi Kasriel Kastel - Program Director Rabbi Shlomo Friedman - Administrator Yehudis Cohen - Editor Rabbi Berel Bell - Contributing Editor Editorial Committee Rabbi Zalman I. Posner - Consultant The name of this publication is an acronym for L'zecher CHaya Mushka **************************************************************************** This BBS version of the L'chaim publication, was prepared for BBS distribution by Reuven Blau, Sysop of L'chaim BBS, KESHERnet N.Y. 718-756-7201. Please address all questions or comments via the Chassidus echo on any world wide KESHERnet BBS or netmail directly to the Sysop of L'chaim BBS (Fido net 107/610).