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                         L'CHAIM - ISSUE # 1336
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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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        August 29, 2014         Shoftim             3 Elul, 5774
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                              Stock-Taking

In businesses large and small, at least once each year, time must be set
aside for inventory checking and stock-taking. Only by examining the
successes and failures of the year gone by and by getting a clear
picture of the current state of affairs, can the management make the
adjustments necessary to prosper in the future.

In our lives as Jews we also must take stock. The month of Elul, the 30
days before the awesome and inspiring High Holy days of Rosh Hashana and
Yom Kippur, is the time for taking stock in the business of being
Jewish. By tradition, Elul is the time when we review our actions over
the past year and make positive resolutions to improve in the year to
come.

In Judaism as in business, it is essential to know the true value of our
assets. A few key phrases from our Torah can help us understand the true
value of our lives and our role in G-d's "business plan" for humanity:

"A person was created in G-d's image." (Genesis 9:6)

"The whole world was created for me and I was created only to serve my
Maker." (Talmud Kiddushin 82a)

"Even one who transgresses is as full of good deeds as a pomegranate is
fell of seeds" (Talmud Eruvin 19a)

"Do not see yourself as wicked in your own eyes." Avot (2:19)

These teachings place immeasurable value on each of our lives, our
existence in this world, and the great potential we have to fulfill the
purpose for which we were created.

Thus, the questions for Elul's stock-taking are not "How well did this
item sell?" or "How much do I have left of that product?" Rather, our
queries should be questions such as, "Did I use my talents - my gifts
from G-d - to bring goodness into the world, to foster peace, to build
an atmosphere where G-dliness can be revealed," and "Have I grown as a
Jew this year?"

It is sometimes even helpful to enlist the aid of a close friend or
mentor in this stock-taking endeavor. Just as one might hire outside
help to take stock in a business, to prevent our being overwhelming by
the size of the endeavor, it might similarly be beneficial to retain
help in the spiritual stock-taking that we do during the month of Elul,
especially since our "self-love" tends to cover a multitude of faults.

And, talking of self love, we must be wary not to take stock of other
people's standings. "Don't judge your friend until you have stood in his
place" our Sages advise us. And who can ever truly say that he has stood
in his friend's place? Do you live in your friend's house, have his job,
his spouse, his children, his bank account, his health, his intellect,
his personality?

The month of Elul has begun. As we come to the end of the spiritual
business year, let us use this time to fill in any holes or gaps in our
spiritual product line and plan for a profitable year full of additional
mitzvot.

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           LIVING WITH THE REBBE  -  THE WEEKLY TORAH PORTION
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This week's Torah portion, Shoftim, contains the commandment to appoint
a king. "When you come to the land...You must set a king over you."

Why do the Jewish people need a king?

The function of a monarch is to impose law and order throughout the
realm. It isn't that people don't know the difference between right and
wrong without a king, but knowledge is not enough. A person can be well
aware of the law but violate it anyway. By instilling fear in his
subjects, the king guarantees that people will conduct themselves
properly.

Yet even when people are on a higher moral level and are law-abiding, a
king is still necessary. A king, who with Divine assistance becomes
"head and shoulders above the populace," understands matters that are
beyond the scope of his subjects. The king then issues various decrees
that his loyal citizens will obey.

For Jews, the true King is G-d; the function of the fleshly king they
appoint is to reveal His sovereignty in the world and help them connect
themselves to Him.

When Jews are on a lowly spiritual level (lacking complete nullification
before G-d), the human king, by instilling fear and awe in his subjects,
eventually leads them to fear and awe of the King of kings. The homage
they pay to the king helps them achieve self-nullification before G-d.

When Jews are on a more elevated spiritual level (when they already
possess this self-nullification), appointing a human king serves a
higher purpose, enabling them to attain a higher level of spirituality
than they could accomplish on their own. The king's superior influence
filters down to the rest of the populace, and through him his subjects
are elevated further.

Everything in the Torah contains a practical directive to be applied in
our day-to-day lives. Thus, although during this present time of exile
the Jewish people lack a monarch, our Sages declared, "Who are the
kings? The rabbis." In the same way our forefathers were commanded to
appoint a king over themselves, so too is each of us obligated to obey
our Sages' dictum, "Make for yourself a Rav" - to accept upon ourselves
the authority and "kingship" of our rabbis and teachers. Every Jew must
have his own Rav to whom he can turn for guidance and direction.

This is especially relevant in our generation, just before Moshiach's
arrival, for Moshiach himself will embody both of these qualities, that
is, rabbi and teacher. On the one hand Moshiach will teach the entire
Jewish people Torah; at the same time he will also be their king, King
Moshiach.

                             Adapted from Likutei Sichot, Volume 24

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                             SLICE OF LIFE
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                             Happy Campers

The Lubavitch network of day and overnight summer camps was established
in 1956 by the Lubavitcher Rebbe. Today, the largest camp network in the
world spans 40 countries. In the former Soviet Union alone there are 40
camps attended by nearly 9,000 children. "Friendship Circle" camps, for
special needs children, are often run in tandem with the local
Chabad-Lubavitch camp or are sometimes a special division in the camp.
We present you with a small sampling of some of the Chabad-Lubavitch
affiliate summer camps world-wide.


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                               WHAT'S NEW
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              All contents © 2014 by L.Y.O. ISSN 1050 0480

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                            THE REBBE WRITES
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                          19 Elul, 5745 (1985)

This is to acknowledge receipt now of your letter of the 1st of Iyar, in
which you write about your desire to learn Torah, though you are not
Jewish.

I trust you know that the Torah itself has instructions as to the
approach in such a situation. This is that the Torah - and in a broader
sense it includes not only the Written Torah, but also the Oral Torah
(Talmud, etc.) - contains parts which ARE in order to be studied by
gentiles, namely, those that deal with the so-called Seven Noahide Laws,
in all their ramifications and details, which are incumbent upon all
human beings, both Jew and gentile.

On the other hand, there are other parts of the Torah which are of no
relevance to gentiles, and for various reasons, gentiles should not be
encouraged to take time out to study them, time that they can use to
better and practical advantage by studying, practicing and promoting the
said Seven Noahide Laws.

In light of the above, I suggest that you should personally discuss the
matter with a competent Orthodox Rabbi, who only could explain the above
more fully, and at the same time provide you with guidance as to how to
go about your study of Torah.

I would like to add a further point, which I trust you know, that from
the Torah viewpoint, there is no need whatever for a gentile to convert
to Judaism, in order to achieve fulfillment in accordance with the
design of the Creator.

On the contrary, Jews are required to discourage a would-be convert from
the idea of conversion, which could also be further explained to you by
the Rabbi you will consult with.

I take this opportunity - inasmuch as Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year,
is a day of Divine judgment pertaining to all peoples and nations - to
extend to you prayerful wishes for success in the new year.

P.S. Because of your obvious concern with the matter, this letter is
sent to you via special delivery.

                                *  *  *

                        10 Cheshvan, 5734 (1973)


In addition to the reports that I receive from time to time indirectly,
I was pleased to receive just now Mrs. Stern's letter of the 4th of
Cheshvan. I was gratified to read the good news about her activities in
S. Africa, especially with the school children. Now it is quite evident
how important and urgent has been the appeal made in the latter part of
this summer centered on [Psalm 8:2] "From the mouths of babes and
sucklings ... so as to ..."

The above, incidentally, conveys a basic lesson, which becomes more
obvious by analogy from medicine, which has two general aspects: cure
and prevention. The first has to do with curing the sick; the second -
with preventing sickness. At first glance, the accomplishment of the
physician in curing the sick seems more impressive by its dramatic
results, than preventative medicine, where there could be some delusion
that sickness would be somehow avoided. In truth, however, it is surely
better to be certain of immunity to sickness. The latter is the way of
G-d, as it is written: "Every malady... I will not place upon you
because I, G-d, am your Healer"

In the present situation, the "enemy and avenger" has made no secret of
his intentions, which emphasizes again how true is the saying of our
Sages that "the person to whom the miracle happens does not recognize
the miracle" and in a manner of "the person to whom the miracle happens
does not recognize the miracle", this is clearly the more desirable way,
and may G-d grant that henceforth it will be only in this way.

In light of the above it is more urgent than ever to spread the Torah,
Toras Chayim [the Torah of Life], and your contribution through the
"Betrachtungen" is certainly an important part of this endeavor.

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                              TODAY IS ...
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                                 3 Elul

Whoever has faith in individual Divine Providence knows that "Man's
steps are established by G-d," that this particular soul must purify and
improve something specific in a particular place. For centuries, or even
since the world's creation, that which needs purification or improvement
waits for this soul to come and purify or improve it. The soul too, has
been waiting - ever since it came into being - for its time to descend,
so that it can discharge the tasks of purification and improvement
assigned to it.

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                        A WORD FROM THE DIRECTOR
                         Rabbi Shmuel M. Butman
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This week started the new month of Elul. The month of Elul is the last
month of the Jewish year. Thus, it is a month devoted to introspection
and repentance, in preparation for the new year.

Jewish teachings encourage us to be more careful and conscientious in
our mitzva observance during this month, to say additional Psalms, give
extra charity and make an honest reckoning of our behavior over the past
year.

The Rebbe discussed the Sages comment of the need for the Jewish people
to do teshuva before Moshiach comes.

The Rebbe stated: "The Talmud (Sanhedrin) states that the coming of
Moshiach is dependant only on teshuva - repentance. As to the
continuation of the above declaration of the Sages, that "the matter now
depends on teshuva alone," G-d's people have already turned to Him in
teshuva. For teshuva is an instantaneous process, which transpires "in
one moment, in one turn." Furthermore, a single thought of teshuva is
sufficient to alter one's entire spiritual status....

"Since on more than one occasion every Jew has had thoughts of teshuva,
the coming of the future Redemption is surely imminent..."

Thus, though we are obligated to continuously do teshuva, the Rebbe
clearly stated that the teshuva necessary to bring the Redemption has
already been done.

Another important concept that the Rebbe related in that same address
was the need to judge others meritoriously. At this time of Divine
judgement, it is ever so crucial to judge others "with a good eye."

"What we must constantly point out is the merits of our people, merits
that are surely worthy of hastening the future redemption."

May we merit the Redemption, as the Rebbe prophesied, in the immediate
future.

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                          THOUGHTS THAT COUNT
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Judges and officers shall you appoint for yourself in all your gates
(Deut. 16:18)

"In each and every city," comments Rashi. The Talmud goes even further,
explaining that "city" may also be understood to mean the individual
person, who is called the "small city." In order for a person's Good
Inclination to be victorious and to rule, one must have the assistance
of "judges and officers." The "judge" part of a person's spiritual
make-up first looks into the Shulchan Aruch to see if a certain act is
permissible or not according to the Torah. If the Evil Inclination
afterwards rears its ugly head and balks at fulfilling G-d's command,
the "officers" come to the rescue to force the individual into
compliance. "Man's Good Inclination must always be in a state of anger
against the Evil Inclination," states the Talmud.

                                                (Lubavitcher Rebbe)

                                *  *  *


You shall set a king over yourself (Deut. 17:15)

If appointing a king over the Jewish People is a mitzva (commandment) in
the Torah, why then did Samuel the Prophet take the Jews to task when
they demanded that he do so? The answer is that the Jews did not want an
earthly king because G-d had so commanded; they clamored for a king to
imitate the nations around them.

                                                       (Ktav Sofer)

                                *  *  *


According to two witnesses...shall a case be established (Deut. 19:15)

The word which the Torah uses here for "case" is "davar," which alludes
to the "dibbur" (speech) of prayer. The "two witnesses" likewise stand
for our love and awe of the Alm-ghty. The Torah teaches that our prayers
must be uttered with this love and awe in order for them to be worthy
and contain substance.

                                                      (Ohr Hatorah)

                                *  *  *


What man is there who has built a new house and has not dedicated it?
Let him go and return to his house, lest he die in battle and another
man dedicate it (Deut. 20:5)

"And indeed, that would be grievous and sorrowful," comments Rashi. Yet
why should the fear that another person will dedicate one's house be
even greater than the basic fear of losing one's life in battle? The
inner meaning, according to Rashi, is that when the soldier goes out to
wage war, instead of concentrating on his own personal relationship with
G-d and doing teshuva, his mind is liable to dwell on his house and the
possibility of never returning to it.

                                                     (Rebbe of Gur)

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                            IT ONCE HAPPENED
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Reb Leibush had just arrived in Belz to pay a visit to his mother. When
he entered her home, which she shared with his brother, Reb Shalom, the
Rebbe of Belz, the sound of hammering resounded through the rooms. The
town of Belz was constructing a new synagogue.

Reb Leibush couldn't wait to visit the site of the new shul, and so
after partaking of a cup of tea and some fresh cake with his mother, he
went out to check on the progress of the building. He was surprised to
see his brother standing with a shovel in his hand, helping with the
work like a member of the construction crew.

Reb Leibush felt that this manual labor was below the dignity befitting
the town's rabbi, and decided to tell his brother how he felt. "Listen,
my brother, you know that the Talmud says that a leader of a Jewish
community is not permitted to perform menial labor in the presence of
three or more people. You, the Rebbe of Belz, know this law, so why are
you standing here like a common worker?"

Reb Shalom listened quietly to his brother's words before responding.
"Leibush," he began. "I will tell you a story that will explain my
apparently strange behavior. Many years ago when I was studying in the
town of Skohl my two study partners and I learned that if we studied
with the utmost dedication and unstinting effort for a 1,000 consecutive
nights without sleeping, we would merit a revelation of the prophet
Elijah. When we heard about this, we wanted this holy revelation more
than anything else in the world. We resolved that we would undertake to
study together for a 1,000 nights in a row. In the beginning it wasn't
hard. After all, we were very enthusiastic and burning with our desire
to reach our exalted goal. Nights passed in intense study, and we hardly
noticed when the morning came.

"But, after a while, it began to be increasingly more difficult to study
with the same dedication. We were becoming tired from not sleeping night
after night. Finally, one of my partners couldn't stand the strain any
longer and he decided to drop out. But I continued the nightly session
with my remaining partner. It was on the eight hundredth night that he,
too, lost the quest, but I was firm in my will to continue right through
to the end.

"I sat alone in the dark shul every night, fighting sleep and utter
exhaustion, determined to reach the one thousandth night. When I thought
that I had no more strength to continue I still pushed on, so deep was
my desire to receive the revelation of the holy prophet.

"On the thousandth night a terrible storm blew up. It seemed like the
gates of Hell had opened and the fierce winds had threatened to destroy
the world. Even I, who was normally unfazed by the weather, no matter
how violent, was shaken by the unearthly howls and piercing flashes of
lightning that zig-zagged across the sky. Still, I sat by my open book,
determined that nothing would interfere with my reaching my goal.
Suddenly there was a loud, frightening crash of glass. The wind had
blown out one of the windows of the study hall and its breath had
extinguished my candles. This was too much for me. I had persevered for
a 1,000 nights though my strength was all but gone, and now this. The
rain and wind pelted me through the shattered window and my spirits had
plummeted to rock bottom. I would have left had I not been so terrified
of the raging storm.

"But then I gathered myself together. Was this not my last night, after
which I could expect a visit from the prophet Elijah himself? How could
I allow a mere storm to deprive me of my reward? I felt my way to the
holy Ark and slid open the carved door, and wept my heart out before
G-d, begging Him to help me. I don't know how long I stood there pouring
out my yearning and frustration to the One Above, but at one point I
realized that the storm had ended.

"I came to myself and went out to look out the broken window. I saw an
old man walking in the direction of the study hall. I knew it was Elijah
who had come to learn Torah with me. We sat together and learned all
that night, and I was like a person transported in a dream.

"The last part of the Torah which he taught me was the laws of building
a synagogue. This teaching is so precious to me that if I were able, I
would erect the whole building by myself from beginning to end. Alas,
this little bit is all I am capable of doing, but even so, it is so dear
to me that my entire being is full of joy with each brick that I place."

          Reb Leibush smiled, happy with his brother's explanation.

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                            MOSHIACH MATTERS
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The power to serve G-d without any limitations will only be possible in
the era of Redemption. This level of service stems from the yechida, the
essence of the Jewish soul. Moshiach represents the yechida of the
Jewish people as a whole. Hence, his coming allows each Jew to reveal
his own yechida, i.e., the spark of Moshiach in his soul. Moshiach's
coming is imminent, for our Sages declared, "All the appointed times for
Moshiach's coming have passed." Additionally, a fundamental principles
of our faith is to "wait for his coming every day." When we reach the
month of Elul, we must take stock and ask: Is it possible Moshiach has
not come?!" The bottom-line of the stocktaking is, "Ad masai?! - until
when must we remain in exile?!

                               (The Rebbe, Rosh Chodesh Elul, 1991)

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               END OF TEXT - L'CHAIM 1336 - Shoftim 5774
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