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                         L'CHAIM - ISSUE # 1281
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                           Copyright (c) 2013
                 Lubavitch Youth Organization - L.Y.O.
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             THE WEEKLY PUBLICATION FOR EVERY JEWISH PERSON
   Dedicated to the memory of Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka Schneerson N.E.
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        July 26, 2013            Eikev               19 Av, 5773
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                         Building a Jewish Home

"You didn't buy a house!" That's the home-grown wisdom one Yiddishe Mama
dispenses to her adult children when they purchase an item that they
later decide is not to their liking. It wasn't such a big investment of
time and money that you have to lose sleep over it, she is counseling
her offspring.

But once you've purchased that house, or even if you're not yet up to
buying a house but simply want to make your rented quarters homey, what
furnishings should it contain?

Jewish teachings suggest that we furnish our homes, first and foremost,
with people.

Rabbi Yosay ben Yoezer of Tzrayda taught that our homes should be a
meeting place for Jewish scholars. His colleague, Rabbi Yosay ben
Yochanan of Jerusalem said that our homes should be wide open for guests
and that the poor should be treated as members of one's household.

Taking this advice from our Sages gives a special ambiance to our homes
even before we've decided on the decor.

But what of the furniture, fixtures, appliances, gadgets, rugs and art?
When purchased with the right attitude, these can all be within the
spirit of Judaism.

Such an attitude is aptly represented by a story of Reb Pinchas Reizes,
a famous chasid of Rabbi Shneur Zalman, the first Chabad Rebbe.

Reb Pinchas was fabulously wealthy. And yet, when he mentioned to Rabbi
Shneur Zalman his plans to build himself a beautiful, brick mansion, the
Rebbe asked him, "Pinchas, why do you need such a mansion?"

As most of the other houses in his city were made of wood, his home
would stand out and could be construed as an ostentatious sign of wealth
and pretentiousness.

"Rebbe, believe me," explained Reb Pinchas, "when I think about building
my house, I shed more tears than there will be bricks. I keep reminding
myself, 'Do I need a brick mansion?'

"But, because I will have a mansion, important community meetings will
take place in 'Pinchas' mansion.' Since the meeting is taking place in
'Pinchas' mansion,' Pinchas has a say. Once Pinchas has a say...!

"Now, if Pinchas doesn't have a mansion, the meeting won't be taking
place by Pinchas. Then Pinchas won't have a say...."

Rabbi Shneur Zalman responded, "You are right, it is a proper thing for
you."  Early Chassidic Personalities by Rabbi S. B. Avtzon

Some people chose to tailor their home's furnishings to the guests that
will fill their homes. This might preclude white sofas or carpeting,
expensive antiques or collectables within reach of small children, or
other items one must ponder before purchasing if one's home will be
filled with guests of all shapes, sizes and age.

To make a dwelling into a "home," a home in which one's family and
friends can truly feel "at home," the advice of Jewish teachings is the
best decorator around.

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           LIVING WITH THE REBBE  -  THE WEEKLY TORAH PORTION
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In this week's Torah portion, Eikev, Moses recounts the story of the
Golden Calf and the breaking of the first set of Tablets. After breaking
the Tablets, Moses prayed for 40 days and nights that G-d would forgive
the Jewish people. G-d then commands Moses, "Hew for yourself two
tablets of stone like the first... I will write on the tablets the words
that were on the first tablets that you broke."

G-d then commands the Jewish people to build Him a sanctuary, "so the
nations will know that the sin of the Calf has been forgiven."

Our Sages teach that one of the factors contributing to the sin of the
Golden Calf was the great quantity of gold in the Jews' possession.

Because they were unable to withstand the temptation, one might think
that, after their sin, G-d would forbid them the use of gold for all
time. Yet we find that the exact opposite occurred: the very first
material mentioned in the building of the sanctuary - the purpose of
which was to atone for the Golden Calf - is gold!

"The world was not worthy to use of gold..." our Sages explain. "It was
created solely for the purpose of the sanctuary and the Holy Temple."
After being brought into existence for this reason, permission was then
granted for mankind to utilize gold for other purposes as well.

This is but one example of the principle that everything in the world is
created to serve a G-dly purpose. "Everything created by G-d in His
world is only created for His honor," the Mishna teaches.

G-d grants man the free will to choose how His creations are to be used
- to fulfill the purpose for which they were created, or, G-d forbid, to
do evil. Gold, created solely for use in the sanctuary and Temple, was
utilized by the Children of Israel for their idol-worship. The gross
misuse of the gold, however, did not alter its original purpose one
iota. G-d has no desire to destroy His world simply because some people
are foolish!

Furthermore, the fact that G-d allows man the capacity to utilize His
creations for evil adds to His honor. For human nature is such that when
a person is confronted by obstacles, inner strengths that would not
otherwise have been revealed are brought to the fore, strengthening his
resolve in the service of G-d.

This fundamental principle applies not only to things created during the
Six Days of Creation, but to modern discoveries and advancements in
technology that are constantly being invented. These too, are part of
Divine plan, and are also "discovered" solely for a G-dly purpose. The
true objective behind all of creation, in reality, is one and the same -
to enhance the service of the Creator of all things.

The fact that some people choose to utilize these means for corrupt
purposes does not detract from their original intent. On the contrary,
when a Jew utilizes technology for the purpose of spreading Torah and
its commandments, he elevates them to their true perfection, for which
they were discovered initially.

                         Adapted from Sefer Hasichot, 5748, Vol. II

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                             SLICE OF LIFE
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                    Spiritual Revival in Kazahkstan
                           by Chani Nussbaum

Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Schneerson, the father of the Lubavitcher Rebbe,
served as the Chief Rabbi of Yekatrinoslav (today S. Petersburg),
Russia, for over 30 years from 1907 to 1939. In 1939 he was arrested by
the communist regime for his fearless stance against the Communist
Party's efforts to eradicate Torah Judaism in the Soviet Union. After
more than a year of torture and interrogations, he was sentenced to
exile in Chi'ili, Russia. After completing four years in exile in
Chi'ili, Reb Levi Yitzchak moved with his wife, Rebbetzin Chana (who had
followed him into exile) to nearby Alma Ata, where he passed away less
than four months later on 20 Av, 1944.

Leah Cohen and Sarah Lifpsitz, together with their husbands Rabbi
Elchanan Cohen and Rabbi Bezalel Lifpsitz, are emissaries of the Rebbe
in  Alma Ata (Almaty), Kazakhstan. Under their direction, Jewish life in
that city has flourished.

CN: How many Jews live in Alma Ata today?

Leah: About 1,000 Jewish families, all of whom are involved in some way
in Jewish life. I assume there are many more Jews but unfortunately,
they don't even know they are Jewish.

CN: Why Alma Ata of all places?

Leah: Before we were married, when my husband Elchanan and my
brother-in-law Bezalel Lifpsitz were still yeshiva students, they came
to Alma Ata. At that time, they helped revitalize a shul (synagogue)
that was very old. When we got married a few years later, we came here
as emissaries of the Rebbe. We came 16 years ago and the Lifpsitzs
joined us 11 years ago. When we came there was tremendous ignorance when
it came to anything connected with Judaism. Tremendous progress has been
made. There have been enormous changes for the good. We are sure this is
thanks to Reb Levi Yitzchak. Our center is just a 15 minute walk to Reb
Levik's Ohel (resting place). From all over the world people send prayer
requests that we bring to his Ohel.

CN: It is an ancient Jewish custom to pray at the resting place of the
righteous. Do you know of any special stories that happened to people
after praying at Reb Levi Yitzchak Schneerson's resting place?

Leah: Of course! A couple who was married for years without children
decided to go to Reb Levik's Ohel.  The husband promised, "If we have a
son, we will name him Levi Yitzchak. If it's a girl, we will name her
Chana (Reb Levi Yitzchak's wife)." A year later they had a son and he
kept his promise and named him Levi Yitzchak. A year after that, they
had a daughter and they named her Chana.

An important community member came here and prayed at the Ohel for his
daughter who was married for 17 years without having children. Shortly
after his visit here we were told that his daughter conceived and gave
birth to a girl. There was an Israeli couple who came to Kazakhstan to
adopt a child. They adopted a little girl. We told them to pray at the
Ohel and they did, and they promised to be particular about the laws of
Family Purity. They had a child of their own, a son, after that!

Sarah: I'd like to share my own story that  happened to me in the merit
of Reb Levi Yitzchak. When we got here I was pregnant with our first
child. In my eighth month I went into labor. This was very stressful
since medical care here is quite primitive and I had not planned on
giving birth in Alma Ata. It would be like giving birth in the desert.
They haven't even heard of disposable diapers here! We went to Reb Levi
Yitzchak's Ohel to pray. My husband  asked for a blessing for me that aI
should have an easy birth at the right time. He also asked for a
blessing for a businessmen's club that he was starting; the first
meeting was to be that night.

That evening, at the meeting with the businessmen, there was a man who
introduced himself as an experienced gynecologist. "I have stopped
accepting patients and I am becoming proficient in Western medicine. I
would be happy to help you in any way possible." My husband immediately
told him about my situation. He was able to alleviate the problem and I
gave birth to a healthy, full term baby.  This doctor, who is now my
doctor, has become very famous and his clinic is visited by people who
need complicated treatment. He has a lot of experience, just like any
doctor in the Western world.

My husband's request for a blessing for the businessmen's club also came
to ruition. Direct flights from Kazakhstan to Tel Aviv were resumed and
now there are flights twice each week. We see how everything here is
miraculous. Reb Levi Yitzchak is the channel for success and for the
spiritual revival here (which may also be responsible for the mass aliya
to Israel of the Jews of Kazakhstan.

CN: How do you manage with kosher food and Jewish education for your
children?

Leah: It's easier to get kosher food now. Like many shluchim, we import
alot of food. For milk, we go ourselves to supervise the milking. But as
for cheese and other dairy products, we have learned to live without
them. My husband is a shochet (ritual slaughterer) so we have a steady
supply of kosher meat for ourselves and for the community. Regarding our
children's education, we teach our younger children and our older
daughters learn with the Online Shluchim School which is a big help.

CN: What do the children think about being shluchim (emissaries of the
Rebbe)?

Leah: We have never heard them say it's hard for them, or that they feel
isolated because we make sure to convey that it's fun to be shluchim and
a big privilege. I returned from Israel after giving birth to my seventh
child there. I discovered that my children's level of knowledge is no
less than that of Israeli children and is many ways even greater. It's
moving to see the children as full partners in our shlichut.

    On 20 Av each year there is a large gathering near Reb Levi
    Yitzchak's Ohel. People hear the life story of Rabbi Levi Yitzchok
    and are very inspired. Rabbi Yeshaya Cohen, Chief Rabbi of Kazahstan
    always declares, "The communists did not vanquish Rabbi Levi
    Yitzchak. The spiritual revival in Kazakhstan testifies to this."

                  Adapted from an article in Beis Moshiach Magazine

        For more info about the school: www.machonchana.org or call
                                                       718-735-0030

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                               WHAT'S NEW
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                       The Letter and the Spirit

The Letter and the Spirit, vol. 2 is a collection of English
correspondence of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, written to the individual, yet
with a relevant message and lesson for the many. Volume One was
published in 1998. Volume Two, just published, contains letters on many
different topics including a large section on Torah and Science.
Published by Nissen Mindel Publications.

                            Adventures in 3D

The KGB, a frightening water fall, separated twins, the secret the new
classmate was hiding, an inheritance worth millions... Zalman Ruderman's
adventures for young readers present suspenseful plots and teach care
and concern for others in a thought-provoking and exciting style. A book
for young readers or that can be read to the children, it will keep them
in suspence until the very last page and teach them good character
traits at the same time. A new release from BSD Publishers.

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                            THE REBBE WRITES
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                    28th of Menachem Av, 5719 [1959]

Greeting and Blessing:

I received your letter of the 17th of August in which you write about
your difficulty to cope with the Yetzer Hora [evil inclination]. You
surely know of the general advice of our Sages who stated that G-d
created the Yetzer Hora but also created the Torah as an antidote. In
other words, learning Torah with devotion and diligence, the kind of
learning that leads to the fulfillment of the Mitzvos [commandments] in
daily practice, is the way to overcome the difficulty you mention.
Moreover, although we are commanded to fulfill the Mitzvos without any
thought of reward, G-d has promised a reward for their fulfillment,
which should be an added inducement to fulfill them with sincerity and
joy.

With regard to the question as to where you should continue your Torah
studies, in your present Yeshivah or another one, the answer depends on
the amount of success which you enjoyed in the present Yeshivah, and
what are the prospects for your continued success there as compared with
another Yeshivah. You should discuss the matter with someone who can
give you an objective opinion.

I trust that you observe the daily quota of Tehillim [Psalms], as it is
divided according to the days of the month. I also suggest that you have
your Tefillin checked, and that you should set aside a cent or two for
Tzedoko [charity] every weekday morning before putting on the Tefillin.

With blessing,

P.S. Since the above was written, your subsequent letter was received,
in which you write about the question of your entering the Lubavitcher
Yeshivah, etc. In this connection you ought inquire of the Yeshivah
administration as to what would be the requirements in your case.

It would be well if at the time of the interview you would have someone
from Camp Gan Yisroel, such as a Counselor or friend, who could find out
for you any pertinent data, concerning your admission to the Lubavitcher
Yeshivah.

                                *  *  *

                        15th of Av, 5720 [1960]


Greeting and Blessing:

After the very long interval, I received your letter of the 12th of
Menachem Av, in addition to the telephone message, to which you received
my reply. May G-d grant that you have good news to report about all the
things which you mentioned in your letter.

You can well understand my reaction to your writing that you have done
"very little" in your secular studies lately. Without entering upon a
discussion concerning the matter itself, the fact is that where there is
a sincere effort to do a thing efficiently and attain the objective
fully, one finds later the opportunity to utilize these efforts in many
ways. Above all, time is one of the most precious gifts which G-d has
given to the human being, and which should be used to the fullest
advantage, inasmuch as the loss of time cannot be retrieved. Although I
can well understand the reasons which you mention, which prevented you
from making better use of your time, nevertheless knowing you, knowing
also the encouragement that your wife surely gives you, you ought to
find the ways of overcoming all difficulties. Our Sages said, "One
should not bewail the past," for the important thing is to concentrate
on the future.

May G-d grant that you will fulfill the precept "Know Him in all your
ways," thus putting to good advantage also your secular studies in the
service of G-d. I need hardly point out to you the teachings of
Chassidus on the subject from the Baal Shem Tov, whose 200th anniversary
of the completion of his life's work we are observing this year, of the
Old Rebbe [Rabbi Shneur Zalman, founder of Chabad Chasidism], and of my
father-in-law of saintly memory. I refer you, particularly, to the
Maamar [Chasidic discourse] b'laylo ha'hu, Purim 5700, end of par. 4.

You do not mention anything about your studies of the Torah, both Nigleh
[the revealed parts of Torah] and Chassidus, though I trust that you not
only have regular study periods, but that you also make efforts to
increase them.

Hoping to hear good news from you in all above, and wishing you
especially a successful year in connection with your forthcoming
birthday,

With blessing,

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                               WHO'S WHO
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Rabbi Gershom ben Yehudah Hakohen (960-1040), also known as "Meor
Hagola," the Light of the Exile, lived in France. He was one of the
greatest scholars of his time and was famous for his Talmudic
commentaries, legal responsa, and penitential prayers, but especially
for the social legislation dealing with family life which he enacted.
Among others, he forbade the practice of having more than one wife, and
of opening another person's mail.  This legislation was accepted by all
the Jews of Europe and is binding on us to this very day. He established
the first yeshiva on the Rhine, which attracted the greatest scholars.

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                        A WORD FROM THE DIRECTOR
                         Rabbi Shmuel M. Butman
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The 20th of Av, is the yahrzeit of the Rebbe's father, Reb Levi
Yitzchok. Reb Levi Yitzchok, or "Reb Levik" as he was known, suffered
greatly at the hands of the Communist government. But throughout his
ordeal, he remained stead fast in his commitment to teach Torah. He
encouraged and inspired those around him to observe mitzvot and
reconnect to their rich traditions.

In 1939 Reb Leivik was arrested for teaching Torah, which the Communists
said undermined the authority of the government. Reb Levi Yitzchok was
sentenced to five years in exile.

Reb Levi Yitzchok stood as a great inspiration then and in our time as
well. His efforts helped many Jews hold onto the teachings of the Torah
when those around them wanted to eradicate all traces of religious life.
In addition, many of the people Reb Leivik taught and inspired went on
to be positive influences to their brethren.

In the 5th chapter of Pirkei Avot we learn about people, such as those
Reb Leivik inspired to teach and influence others.

It states: "Whenever a person causes many to have merit, no sin shall
come through him."

This does not mean that if a person has a positive influence on others
he will no longer have free will and be prevented from sinning, but that
when a person brings so many other people to do the right thing, as did
Reb Levi Yitzchok, the positive influence this generates prevents him
from becoming involved in situations where he might be led to sin.

We hope and pray that we will soon be led into the era of Moshiach, when
every influence will be a positive one, and every situation will be one
that leads only to good.

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                          THOUGHTS THAT COUNT
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And now, Israel, what does G-d want of you? Only that you be in awe of
G-d your L-rd, so that you will follow all His paths and love
Him...(Deut. 10:12)

Awe without love is not complete. Love without awe is nothing.

                                           (Rabbi Aharon of Karlin)

                                *  *  *


And you shall keep and do them [plural]...and He will love you and bless
you [singular] (Deut. 7:12-13)

"And you shall keep and do them" is in the plural, as it refers to
keeping the Torah's mitzvot (commandments), which all Jews must do
equally. "And He will love you and bless you" is in the singular, as it
refers to the reward a Jew receives for his observance, which is
entirely individual. Although all Jews keep the same mitzvot, they do so
with different levels of enthusiasm, devotion and motivation; thus they
are given varying degrees of reward.

                                                       (Kli Chemda)

                                *  *  *


Now Israel, what does the L-rd your G-d ask of you except to fear G-d
(Deut. 10:12)

"People are strange," Rabbi Chanoch of Alexander used to say. "They beg
and plead that G-d should give them 'fear of heaven,' when this is
something that is entirely in the individual's control. Yet when it
comes to livelihood, they imagine that they are in charge."

                                *  *  *


There are many mitzvot (commandments) that require physical "objects" in
order to observe them. For example, a person cannot fulfill the mitzva
of tzitzit (fringes) without a garment to put them on, nor can one affix
a mezuza without a house and door post. An incarcerated person is also
severely limited as to what he can do. "Fear of G-d," however, is
dependent on nothing. A Jew can fulfill this mitzva anywhere, and at any
time.

                                                   (Ginzano HeAtik)

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                            IT ONCE HAPPENED
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During the times of Rabbi Shneur Zalman, founder of Chabad Chasidism, a
law was passed to forcibly relocate Jews from rural villages to larger
towns. This particularly harsh decree left many Jews destitute, without
a source of livelihood, and a great deal of money was needed to
alleviate their plight. Not only were many poor families without basic
necessities, but officials had to be bribed to leave the Jews in peace.
To this end, Rabbi Shneur Zalman began traveling extensively throughout
the region asking for donations.

One such mission took Rabbi Shneur Zalman to the district of Vohlin, not
far from the city of Toltshin, where Reb Boruch, the Baal Shem Tov's
grandson, resided. Rabbi Shneur Zalman decided to visit Reb Boruch and
Reb Boruch was delighted by the honor.

"What brings you here?" Reb Boruch asked.

"Well," Rabbi Shneur Zalman replied, "I am raising funds to convince the
government officials to leave the Jews alone. The pitiful plight of my
brethren is too much to bear."

Reb Boruch was surprised. "But surely you could have averted the decree
on the spiritual level! Why are you actually going around collecting
money?"

Rabbi Shneur Zalman explained: "I am only following a precedent. When
our Patriarch Jacob was in danger, no doubt he could have alleviated the
harsh decree in a spiritual way, without having to placate his brother
Esau with gifts. Yet we see that he declared, 'I am sending a present to
my lord Esau...that he be appeased.'"

Reb Boruch remained unconvinced. Rabbi Shneur Zalman was a great tzadik;
why did he have to lower himself to act within the natural order? "But
why didn't you just teach them the meaning of 'Echad' ('One') according
to my grandfather's teachings? The decree would then have been
automatically nullified!"

"It was your grandfather's 'Echad' that caused this decree in the first
place,' Rabbi Shneur Zalman replied. He then revealed the following:

After the Jews were expelled from Spain in 1492, there was not one
country willing to take them in. The reason for this (as with everything
else that happens in the physical world) originated in the higher
spheres. In heaven, the ministering angels representing the various
nations were arguing among themselves. "We don't want the Jews to live
in our land!" each angel cried. "The first thing they'll do is build
synagogues and houses of study. They'll learn Torah and they'll pray. We
don't want them to declare 'Hash-m Echad - G-d is One!' "

The angels were afraid that this declaration of G-d's unity would
nullify their very existence, much as darkness is dispelled in the
presence of light. This spiritual reality was reflected down below, and
the leaders of each nation refused to accept the Jews. There was only
one angel who was not afraid, the ministering angel of Poland. In fact,
he saw this as a golden opportunity to increase his own impure powers.

"They don't scare me," he declared. "I will take them in and it will be
to my advantage. It is true that they'll build yeshivas and study Torah,
and they will declare 'G-d is One.' But they will not have the proper
intentions, and I will grow stronger."

And so it came to pass. The king of Poland agreed to accept a bribe - a
pile of money as high as a mounted Cossack holding a spear upright.

Indeed, the Jews arrived in Poland in droves. They built synagogues and
houses of study, established businesses, learned Torah and recited the
"Shema" ("Hear O Israel, the L-rd is our G-d, the L-rd is One"). And, as
the ministering angel had predicted, they did not have the proper
intentions. The angel was delighted that his plan was working. His own
powers were increasing from day to day. Unfortunately for him, however,
the Baal Shem Tov came along and taught the Jews a dimension of "Echad"
that was entirely different.

"That's not fair!" the angel of Poland cried. "The deal is off-the
bargain is null and void! I only agreed to accept them under the terms
of the old 'Echad,' not the new one!"

Down on earth, the Jews would have to find another home. The noose was
tightened around the throat of European Jewry, and many Jews were
expelled from their villages.

"Now do you understand?" Rabbi Shneur Zalman concluded. "The new law is
a direct result of your grandfather's 'Echad,' and that is why money is
once again needed to avert the harsh decree..."

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                            MOSHIACH MATTERS
*********************************************************************
Everything that happens to the Jews while they are in exile must
strengthen their hope and trust that in the very immediate future, they
will leave the exile in the true and complete redemption led by
Moshiach. Then, every member of the Jewish people will gather together
in the Holy Land, in Jerusalem, and in the Holy Temple, "the Sanctuary
of G-d established by Your hands." This is hastened by the activities
which each Jew undertakes to transform his own personal home into a
"sanctuary in microcosm."

                             (The Rebbe, 22 Menachem Av, 5749-1989)

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                END OF TEXT - L'CHAIM 1281 - Eikev 5773
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