Holidays   Shabbat   Chabad-houses   Chassidism   Subscribe   Calendar   Links

                                  B"H
                                 -----
                         L'CHAIM - ISSUE # 922
*********************************************************************
                           Copyright (c) 2006
                 Lubavitch Youth Organization - L.Y.O.
                              Brooklyn, NY
                             --------------
                  Electronic version provided free at:
                          www.LchaimWeekly.org
                          --------------------
                  Palm-Pilot version provided free at:
                www.LchaimWeekly.org/lchaim/5766/922.prc
                          --------------------
                    To receive the L'CHAIM by e-mail
                  write to: listserv@LchaimWeekly.org
                              Subscribe W1
*********************************************************************
             THE WEEKLY PUBLICATION FOR EVERY JEWISH PERSON
   Dedicated to the memory of Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka Schneerson N.E.
*********************************************************************
        June 1, 2006            Shavuos            5 Sivan, 5766
*********************************************************************

                                 Youth!

The Midrash relates that before G-d gave the Torah to the Jewish people,
He asked for guarantors. The nation offered several options - the
Patriarchs Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, Moses and the other prophets, but
G-d rejected them all. The people then volunteered: "Our children will
be our guarantors."

G-d agreed and gave the Torah.

On one hand, the concept is obvious. If you want an idea or a practice
to be perpetuated, you must involve youth. Perhaps the point of the
Midrash then is the nature of the involvement asked of our children. A
lot of times people say, "I will show my children an approach. I'm sure
that they'll appreciate that it's good. But I won't force them. I'll let
them make up their own minds."

Judaism takes a much different tact. Before the Jews received the Torah
at Mount Sinai, they told G-d: "We will do and we will listen," making a
commitment to observe the Torah, before they knew what G-d was
commanding them.

This practice is mirrored in the way we train our children to approach
the Torah. The first thing is actual deed. They observe the mitzvot
(commandments) without understanding their rationale. Instead, they grow
up practicing them as an integral part of their existence. They do not
see Judaism as merely a set of beliefs whose value they comprehend, but
a fully integrated way of life that encompasses every dimension of their
existence.

"Brainwashing," someone might protest. "Denying the children free
choice."

But it is not. Our children will always have a choice. They grow up in a
world where material things are openly evident to all of us, and the
existence of spiritual truth is only in books. Is there any question
that they will hear the other side?

And raising them without a thorough involvement in Judaism as a way of
life is also a message. It teaches them that Judaism is secondary,
perhaps a nice pastime, but not one of the fundamental elements of life.
What kind of choice does that leave the child?

Shavuot is the anniversary of the giving of the Torah, an appropriate
time for each of us to renew and deepen our connection with it. The
Lubavitcher Rebbe instituted the custom of recreating the Sinai
experience by having all Jews - men, woman, children, even infants -
gather in the synagogue to hear the reading of the Ten Commandments on
the first day of Shavuot.

Following that custom brings home the above concepts. For whether or not
they understand the reading, everyone attending will appreciate that it
is special. A child will know that even if he did not comprehend the
reading, he did establish a bond with the Torah.

And the truth is that the adults should take precisely that message
home. For the truth of the Torah is G-dly, beyond human conception. No
matter how much we do understand, there is always infinitely more which
is beyond our understanding.

        From Keeping in Touch by Rabbi Eliyahu Touger, published by
                                                 Sichos in English.

*********************************************************************
           LIVING WITH THE REBBE  -  THE WEEKLY TORAH PORTION
*********************************************************************
The preparations for receiving the Torah, and the "receptacle" for it,
are peace and unity, as our Sages explain in the Mechilta in reference
to the words "And Israel encamped there facing the mountain" (Ex. 19:2)
- in the singular, as one man, i.e., "all Israel, like one man, with one
heart."

The Midrash expresses the same thought in this way: "The Holy One,
blessed be He, wished to give the Torah to the Jewish people immediately
upon leaving Egypt, but they were divided and lacked unity. When they
came to Sinai, they were all united into one unity. Said G-d, 'The Torah
is all peace; I shall give it to the peace-loving nation.'"

Such peace and unity must be directed toward the purpose of Torah and
mitzvot (commandments), as indicated in the words of the Torah quoted
above: "And Israel encamped there facing the mountain."

Unity and peace are powerful enough, even where misused in the quest of
unworthy objectives, as was the case with the Tower of Babel episode.
However, such unity cannot be long-lived, and this is not the way to
bring G-d's blessings. But in the case of the Torah - G-d's Torah, and
mitzvot - G-d's mitzvot - peace and unity are the means by which to
attain unity with G-d; such unity can be attained only through the Torah
and mitzvot. This feeling of unity must express itself in mutual love
and in efforts to unite with the rest of our people through the study of
our one Torah and the observance of its precepts.

During the forthcoming days, until the Festival of Shavuot, every one of
us should explain to those whom we can influence, that it is the duty of
every Jewish man, woman and child to practice ahavat Yisrael - loving
your fellow Jew - especially at this time, over and above the duty to
practice it daily.

It is necessary to explain further that ahavat Yisrael is the
preparation for the Giving and Receiving of the Torah and to disseminate
and explain the words of Rabbi Shneur Zalman, the founder of Chabad,
that "Love your fellow as yourself" is a receptacle for "You shall love
G-d your G-d."

Thus, love of G-d, love of the Torah and love of the Jewish people all
become one.

The Maggid of Mezritch, explained the words of the Mishna: "Know, what
is above - (from) you," to the effect that everything coming from Above
is dependent on you, and each good deed may tip the scale.

This is especially so in the case of a good deed done in the cause of
peace and ahavat Yisrael, which the Baal Shem Tov made an integral part
of the foundation of Chasidut, since in this way, the individual Jew
becomes united with all the people of Israel.

This, then, is the true preparation for receiving the Torah; for the
Torah was given for the purpose of bringing peace into the world - the
big world, and the small world (i.e., man), bringing peace and unity
between man and his Maker.

Let every one, and especially those who speak publicly, disseminate
these thoughts far and wide.

In this way may we be certain that all of us, in the midst of all our
people, will merit - in the words of my father-in-law of saintly memory
- to receive the Torah "inwardly and with joy."

                    Adapted from the works of the Lubavitcher Rebbe

*********************************************************************
                             SLICE OF LIFE
*********************************************************************
                       The Best Birthday Present
                           by Rabbi Eli Hecht

I had just gotten off the phone with my sister Estie in Brooklyn, New
York. She told me it was time to visit my father who has been living by
himself since my mother's passing a year and a half ago. My father was
not feeling well.

My sister had told me, "Your father is sick and we are all overwhelmed
and there are no children or grandchildren available to help."

Just the thought of a trip to New York filled me with concern. My last
few trips to New York from my home in California had been due to
unpleasant circumstances; the funeral of my mother, followed by a second
trip for the unveiling. A year later I was back for my mother's first
yahrzeit. So you can imagine why I was approaching a trip east with
trepidation.

Also, to be honest, I was not looking forward to celebrating my birthday
by visiting an ailing parent. But, sometimes we are not given choices
and I was resigned myself to having a quiet birthday.

The more I thought about it, though, the more I recognized that there
was no bigger or better mitzva than to spend a few days with my father
who has spent his entire life caring about everyone else. "I can have
the first good deed of of my personal new year be to perform the  great
mitzva of the Ten Commandments: Honoring your Father and Mother." I told
myself.

I called Estie back and told her that I would be very pleased to fly to
New York and help care for our beloved father.

I quickly bought the last seat on Jet Blue from Long Beach, California.
I told my guests that were coming for Shabbos that they could have the
house to themselves and could even invite some guests of their own.
Being blessed with a wonderful Chabad staff I knew my community was in
good hands.

Before leaving home, there was one more thing I had to do. On my
computer I keep a list of many members of our community. I have their
names, their children's names, and mother's names. Over 100 names are on
the list. I quickly printed out the list and took it with me. Why? The
first thing many a chasid does when travelling to New York is to visit
the resting place of the holy Lubavitcher Rebbe at the "Ohel." Whenever
I go to New York I bring this list with me to the Ohel. I pray to G-d on
behalf of our community members and I ask the Rebbe to intercede for
them in the heavenly realms.

I went straight from the airport to the Ohel. After the prayers at the
Ohel I went on to Brooklyn to visit my father. I called my sister from
my father's apartment and told her, "I'm here and I will be here for the
next four days to help." And so it was.

The next four days were busy. The first day was filled with hot tea, and
more hot tea. I needed to remember the pills and the cough medicine. I
made supper, then filled up the vapor machine and offered my father more
hot tea. I washed the dishes, adjusted the heat, answered the phone. I
still had to deal with the shopping and then the doctors' appointments.
Wow, my sisters have been doing all of this for weeks!

By the second day of my visit, my father felt well enough to shed his
pajamas and robe and to get dressed. I made him his favorite French
toast and we had a father and son breakfast. (The next morning it was
bulls eye eggs, something I hadn't made in 30 years.) Then more hot tea
and pills, a doctor visit, and dishes to wash.

Suddenly my father remembered that he had a "Dvar Torah" (Torah thought)
to write and we entered into a two and half hour discussion on Torah.
Book after book was pulled off the shelves. I marvelled at how much
better he was doing, though still recovering from being sick.

On my birthday, after a long day of tea, medicine, phone calls, and
errands, I thought to myself, "It's my birthday, and how lucky I am to
have this mitzva of caring for my father on this special day."

Before we knew it, it was Shabbos and my son Zalman joined us. Around
the Shabbos table there were songs, a few "l'chaims," stories, and Torah
thoughts. Suddenly my father was back to himself.

After Shabbos my father said the words that I had so hoped to hear:
"Eli, I am feeling better." My four-day visit was coming to a close and
I would soon be on a flight back to California. But I was sure that when
I looked back on this visit it would be with joy and happiness that I
had been able to fulfill the mitzva of honoring my father.

Since returning home, I have thought about the trip a number of times. I
realized that many of us only remember to visit parents when there is
sickness or sad times. Wistfully I wished I could be geographically
closer so that I would be there for the good times, as well. Then I came
to the conclusion that one doesn't have to "wish," one just needs to do
it.

The mitzva of honoring one's parents is one of the few commandments in
the Torah whose reward is explicitly stated: one's own life is
lengthened. Thanks, Dad, for giving me the chance to perform this great
mitzva.

    Rabbi Eli Hecht is vice-president of the Rabbinical Alliance of
    America. He is the director of Chabad of South Bay in Lomita, CA,
    which houses a synagogue, day school, nursery school and chaplaincy
    programs. rabbieh@aol.com

*********************************************************************
                               WHAT'S NEW
*********************************************************************
                             New Emissaries

Rabbi Avi and Dena Rabin have recently moved to Southern California to
open a new Chabad House in West Hills, in the San Fernando Valley. Rabbi
Yossi and Tzivi Kivman will be moving to Mansfield, Massachusetts, where
they will establish a new Chabad House serving the needs of the Jewish
residents in the greater Mansfield - Attleboro area.

                          Building Wins Award

The Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce chose the Tzivos Hashem Jewish
Children's Museum on Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn as one of its winners
in the Building Awards Competition. The award noted that the museum is
"an interactive, multi-media repository of cultural narratives and
artifacts, as well as an urban community center that will encourage an
understanding of Jewish history and culture through collective
instruction and interaction."

*********************************************************************
                            THE REBBE WRITES
*********************************************************************
                          28 Iyar, 5703 [1943]

Greetings and blessings,

...The holiday is called Shavuos, which means "weeks," recalling the
verse: "And you shall count seven weeks for yourselves." The day of the
holiday itself is not counted. Nevertheless, all the days leading up to
the holiday must be counted; only then is the holiday celebrated.

This is one of the differences between Shavuos and the other pilgrimage
holidays. The Torah associates Passover and Sukkos with a specific date.
With regard to Shavuos, in contrast, the Torah merely states that it is
to be celebrated on the fiftieth day after we begin counting (see Rosh
HaShanah 6b).

What is the lesson we can derive from this?

Shavuos is the holiday commemorating G-d's giving us the Torah. Before
the giving of the Torah, the Jewish people also studied the Torah. Our
Sages (Yoma 28b) relate: "Abraham - the first Jew - was an elder,
sitting in a yeshivah." This pattern continued in subsequent
generations. At that time, however, the Jews were not commanded to
study; they were acting on their own initiative, with their own powers.
Since they were not commanded to study, they were able to proceed only
as far as possible according to their own potential. Even those who had
greater powers and were able to advance higher and higher, were
nevertheless limited in their degree of progress. For every created
being is limited.

When, however, G-d gave the Torah, He said (Shmos Rabbah, ch. 12): "The
lower realms shall ascend to the higher realms, and the higher realms
shall ascend to the lower realms. And I will begin." Through taking this
initiative, He invested His own self in the Torah which He gave (Shmos
Rabbah, ch. 33), and this granted the Jewish people the potential to
ascend higher and higher without limitation.

Afterwards, from the giving of the Torah onward, this potential was
granted to everyone, whether a small child or a man of developed
intellect. For every Jew has a portion in the Torah.

For this reason, the event is called "The giving of the Torah," like the
giving of a present. For one can only receive the Torah - and more
specifically, the "light of the Torah" - as a present; it cannot be
earned through one's own powers.

On this basis, we can appreciate why when Moses our teacher was on Mount
Sinai, he would study the Torah and forget. He finally said: "I don't
know anything," and then G-d gave him the Torah as a present (Shmos
Rabbah, ch. 41). Now we know that throughout our ancestors' days in
Egypt, the existence of a yeshivah did not cease; while they were in
Egypt, there was a yeshivah with them, as indicated by the verse: "Go
and collect...." Thus Moshe had studied Torah for several decades and
nevertheless, the giving of the Torah represented a new plateau which he
could not reach with his own power.

Although the Torah could not be earned, a present is not given to
everyone. One must be worthy, as our Sages say: "If he had not generated
pleasure for him, he would not have given him a present."

What did the Jews do to earn the gift of the Torah?

 1. They possessed the merit of the observance of the Torah and its
    mitzvos by their ancestors. For it was in the merit of the
    Patriarchs that the Torah was given (Shmos Rabbah, ch. 28).

 2. The Jews had also prepared themselves by leaving Egypt, "the
    nakedness of the land," and counting the days until they would
    receive the Torah, preparing themselves for this (the Midrash).

We must remember this at all times. We must remember that when we study
the Torah, we are studying G-d's Torah. Therefore, a blessing must be
recited before studying the Torah, declaring "Blessed are You G-d, who
gives the Torah," using the present tense. For G-d is giving us the
Torah as a present now, at this moment, just like He gave it at Mount
Sinai.

Therefore we must approach the Torah with reverence, as our Sages
commented (Berachos 22a): "Just as at Sinai, there was awe, fear, and
trembling..., so too, at present, there must be awe, fear, and
trembling...." A person's fear of sin must precede his wisdom, for then
"his wisdom will be perpetuated" (Avos 3:9).

We must work hard and generate light so that a person will attain all
the 49 Gates of Understanding that he can acquire with his own strength.
Through this he will merit to "Count 50 days," i.e., be granted a
revelation of the Divine potential which surpasses his understanding.
When he studies the Torah, "G-d will be with him," "the halachah (Jewish
Law) will follow his view at all times (Sanhedrin 93b). When he studies,
he will appreciate the Torah's inner truth, and will be granted very
sublime spiritual] lights to advance his Divine service and knowledge of
G-d.

I wish you success in all your efforts, and bless you to receive the
Torah with joy and inner feeling; "Immediately to teshuvah, immediately
to Redemption,"

          From I Will Write it In Their Hearts, translated by Rabbi
                     Eliyahu Touger, published by Sichos in English

*********************************************************************
                                CUSTOMS
*********************************************************************
        Why do we eat dairy products, like blintzes, on Shavuos?

Until the Torah was given, the Jews were permitted to eat non-kosher
meat. After the giving of the Torah, the Jews received the laws of
kashrus and they were therefore not permitted to use any of their
cooking utensils. They ate dairy food which needed no preparation.
Another explanation is that Moses, as a baby, was drawn out of the water
on the sixth of Sivan (Shavuos) and refused to be nursed by anyone but a
Jewish woman. Also, milk is one of the main parts of an infant's diet.
By eating milk products we intimate that no matter how much one has
studied the Torah, he is like an infant who has not even begun to fathom
its depth.

*********************************************************************
                        A WORD FROM THE DIRECTOR
                         Rabbi Shmuel M. Butman
*********************************************************************
The Holiday of Shavuot is a special day for numerous reasons. It is the
day on which the Jews stood before Mount Sinai, unified  as one people,
to receive the holy Torah. It is also the holiday on which the first
fruits were brought to the Holy Temple in Jerusalem; thousands of
pilgrims descended on Jerusalem for that special event.

On a more individual level, Shavuot is the yahrtzeit of the Baal Shem
Tov - founder of the Chasidic movement, and King David - one of the
greatest Kings of Israel and author of the Psalms.

What more appropriate time is there, then, to rededicate ourselves to
the study of the Torah and the observance of its precepts. As
individuals, we can use as our role models the saintly Baal Shem Tov and
King David.

The Baal Shem Tov taught that the sincere feelings with which the
simple, unlearned Jew performed the mitzvot was of great worth to G-d.
In rededicating ourselves to Torah, we needn't be concerned that we are
unlearned or might have to start at the beginning with the alef-bet.
Doing it with a whole heart is what matters.

King David, too, was involved with the emotions of the heart. Countless
people have been uplifted by his beautiful, poetic Psalms. The words of
the Psalms, in fact, were so comforting and soothing that they became
the beacon of light for Jews throughout the ages during times of trouble
or difficulty.

As individuals, and as a unified Jewish nation, let us rededicate
ourselves to Torah this Shavuot - Torah study, Torah precepts, Torah
ethics.

*********************************************************************
                          THOUGHTS THAT COUNT
*********************************************************************
                                Shavuot

Shavuot comes from the word shvua - oath. On the day that the Torah was
given, both G-d and the Jewish people made a mutual vow to each other.
We swore to G-d that we would never exchange Him for another god and He
swore to us that He will never exchange us for another nation.

                                              (Or Hachaim Hakodesh)

                                *  *  *


Why is festival of Shavuot called "the time of the giving of our Torah"
and not "the time of the receiving of our Torah"?

The Torah was given several thousand years ago on a specific date, the
6th day of the month of Sivan. But the time of our receiving the Torah
is every day. Each day a Jew receives the Torah anew.

                                                  (Chidushei HaRim)

                                *  *  *


The words of Torah are likened to water, and indeed there are many
similarities:

 1) Water naturally flows from a higher place to a lower place. So,
    too, words of Torah flow from a person who is on a high level and is
    understood by someone on a lower level

 2) Water does not keep well in a container of gold or silver, but
    rather a simple earthen container holds it best. Similarly, Torah
    cannot exist in a haughty person; the person must make himself into
    an "earthen vessel," humble and modest.

 3) Water comes down drop-by-drop in the rain, gathers together and
    forms rivulets. Torah, too, is studied little-by-little, until a
    person becomes a deep repository of Torah knowledge.

                                *  *  *

The holiday of Shavuot has four names, one of which is "Chag HaShavuot"
- commonly translated as "The Festival of Weeks." Shavuot also means
"oaths"; at the Giving of the Torah, G-d promised that he would never
choose another nation over the Jewish people and the Jewish people swore
their belief in G-d.

                                *  *  *

                       "I am the L-rd your G-d."


Why did G-d use the singular form when giving the Ten Commandments to
millions of people? To teach us that each and every Jew must say to
himself, "The Ten Commandments were given to me, and I must keep them."
One should not think it is sufficient that the Torah is kept by others.

                                                        (Midrashim)

*********************************************************************
                            IT ONCE HAPPENED
*********************************************************************
Matzliach "the Antique Dealer," as he was known, lived long ago in
Tunisia. He was a great lover of Torah, though not an outstanding
scholar. And, though he was not very rich, he gave charity generously.

He was particularly known in the Jewish community for his special custom
in connection with Shavuot, the festival of the Giving of the Torah.
Every year he invited ten scholars to his home on the first night of
Shavuot. He prepared a fine feast for them, and after the meal they
would recite the special "Tikun" prayers and study Torah the entire
night.

Matzliach started this tradition when, years earlier, he learned of the
custom to stay awake on the first night of Shavuot. At the time, he was
greatly surprised to hear that the night before G-d was to give the
Torah to the Jews at Mount Sinai, they did not stay awake! Indeed, they
slept soundly, so that when G-d descended on the mountain early in the
morning, His chosen people were not there! It wasn't that the people
were not eager to receive the Torah, but rather that they wanted to be
well rested and refreshed for the great moment of Divine Revelation.

And so it became the custom of Jews everywhere to make up for this by
staying awake the night of Shavuot, in this way "correcting" what had
happened. In fact, this is what "Tikun" means - correction.

One year when Shavuot approached, Matzliach found himself in a difficult
situation. Business hadn't been good and not only didn't he have money
for his usual feast, but he didn't even have the funds for food and wine
for the holiday. Sadly he told his wife Mazal about his predicament.

"I still have my precious earrings," Mazal said, taking them off and
giving them to him. "Take them to the pawnbroker to get a loan until
things improve."

Matzliach took the earrings to the pawnbroker and received a tidy sum.

As he was walking home, Matzliach met the chief rabbi of Tunisia, Rabbi
Hai Tayeb.

"You saved me a trip," the Rabbi said. "I'm going around collecting for
our poor, so they can celebrate Shavuot with joy."

Without hesitation, Matzliach gave the Rabbi the money he had just
received from the pawnbroker.

On his way home, as Matzliach wondered what he would tell his wife, he
heard his name called.

"His Majesty sent me out to buy a set of antique coffee-cups. I have no
idea where to get them," said one of the servants of the ruler. "But you
are an antique dealer. Get them for me, and you will be amply rewarded."

"I will try my best," Matzliach promised. The dealer he went to had such
a set and was happy to sell them off cheaply to Matzliach.

Matzliach went to the Royal court and was introduced to the King. "Just
what I wanted," he said. Then he asked how much he owed for the cups.

After hearing the price, the surprised king asked, "That's all you paid
for these precious cups? The ruler of Tunisia is not looking for
bargains. You shall be paid their full value!"

Matzliach left the king's palace with a large sum of money. Walking
home, he met the Chief Rabbi again.

"I can now afford to double my donation," Matzliach said happily.

"Thank G-d, we both did well today," the Rabbi said. "Have a happy
Shavuot."

Indeed, it was a happy holiday for Matzliach and his wife Mazal. And
what made them happiest was that this year, too, they could observe
their custom of celebrating Tikun-night as before.

*********************************************************************
                            MOSHIACH MATTERS
*********************************************************************
At Mount Sinai, we consecrated ourselves to G-d as His bride, the first
stage of our marriage. Our bond with Him will be complete only in the
era of Moshiach, at which time G-d and Israel will unite completely. For
33 centuries, we have been creating the "space" of our marriage with G-d
and zealously defending its borders. We have remained faithful to Him in
the face of all the cultures and "isms" that have sought to seduce us.
We have established our identity as His people, consecrated to Him
alone. Now we are ready for the real thing - for an actual experience of
the divine as the most intimate truth of our lives.

                    (From The Week in Review by Rabbi Yanki Tauber)

*********************************************************************
                END OF TEXT - L'CHAIM 922 - Shavuos 5766
*********************************************************************