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                         L'CHAIM - ISSUE # 1407
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                 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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        January 29, 2016         Yisro           19 Shevat, 5776
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                        The Purpose of Creation

The Rebbe's wife, Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka, was a very private woman and
few people had the opportunity of knowing her, but those who did were
struck by her elegant and noble bearing. Her life was characterized by
simplicity, but her character overwhelmed everyone who knew her.

To give a simple example: Once she was being driven through a Jewish
neighborhood in New York and saw a family being evicted from their home.
She asked the rabbi driving her to stop and inquire how much they owed.
When she heard the sum, she wrote out a check for the entire amount on
the spot.

When asked why she did that, she explained: "I don't usually pass
through this area. If I did and I saw such a sight, it was obviously a
directive for me to act."

From the first anniversary of her passing onward, the Rebbe shifted the
emphasis from the commemoration of her life to the celebration of the
unique power of Jewish women and their connection to the Redemption.

The Talmud state, "In the merit of righteous women, the Jews were
redeemed from Egypt." To understand the role of Jewish women in
preparing for redemption, we have to begin with a fundamental concept:
The woman creates the spiritual atmosphere of the home. Women have a
greater sensitivity to spiritual truth. A woman arrives at knowledge by
establishing a personal bond with the idea she wants to discover. She
makes it part of herself instead of treating it as merely an abstract
concept.

Because her knowledge is internalized and personally relevant, she can
share it with others more easily and in this way, upgrade the moods of
her husband, children and the others around her. She looks beyond the
immediacies of her present situation and sees a higher and deeper
purpose. In this way, she can motivate the people around her to greater
growth and development.

That is why the women played - and play - such an important role as
catalysts of redemption. When the women in Egypt contemplated their
situation; they did not focus on the slavery and hardship. They
understood that exile was merely temporary. They had heard Moses'
promise of redemption and did not regard it merely as a promise of the
future; it was a real factor in their lives. And because it was real for
them, it was real to their husbands and children and ultimately, it
became a top to bottom reality within the world.

The prophet Mica says: "As in the days of your exodus from Egypt, I will
show [the people] wonders," indicating that the future redemption will
follow the same paradigm as the exodus from Egypt. Thus in the present
age as well, the women are the primary catalysts of Redemption, enabling
us to see Moshiach's coming as a real element of our lives.

One of the prophecies of the Messianic era is Ezekiel's promise: "I will
remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of
flesh." The prophet is telling us that a sensitive heart, one that
responds to what the mind knows is the key to the change in our feelings
that will take place when Moshiach comes.

We do not have to wait for Moshiach to begin developing such
sensitivity. Indeed, by following "women's ways of knowing," we can
start removing hardness from our hearts now. Sensitizing our lives in
the present is the most direct path to making the Redemption actual
reality, for such knowledge spreads to others almost effortlessly. Thus
throughout the world, people will start thinking about the Redemption in
this manner and moreover, applying those insights in life.

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

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           LIVING WITH THE REBBE  -  THE WEEKLY TORAH PORTION
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This week's Torah portion, Yitro, contains the narrative of the most
definitive event in human history - the giving of the Torah on Mount
Sinai. In order to understand what happened at Mount Sinai, we need to
examine the concept of Torah itself.

As wisdom, the Torah is Divine, and therefore higher than any other body
of knowledge on earth  "For it is Your wisdom and understanding in the
eyes of the nations." As a moral guide, the Torah is the epitome of all
virtue, superior to any code of ethics that can ever be devised by man.
All man-made ideologies and schools of philosophy contain an admixture
of good and evil, truth and falsehood; in fact, any element of truth
found in a particular ideology is merely a derivative of the eternal
truth of Torah.

Yet the greatness of Torah far supersedes our human and therefore
limited perception. The Torah is intimately connected to all of
existence, as G-d created the world according to the "blueprints"
contained in the Torah. Its minutest details directly affect all of
creation, determining the amount and type of G-dly influence present in
the world.

Observing this fundamental relationship between Torah and reality, King
David declared in Psalms, "Your statutes were music to me in my dwelling
place." And yet, as explained in the Talmud, G-d was not pleased by
these words of praise. King David was reprimanded for comparing the
Divine wisdom of the Torah to something as mundane as song. The Torah is
even greater than the mere fact that physical reality is dependent on
it.

What then, is the essence of Torah? Chasidic teachings explain that
Torah is simply the wisdom and will of G-d, united with Him in absolute
unity. G-d and the Torah are one entity. The Holy One, Blessed Be He,
has granted us the opportunity to grasp the Divine by allowing us to
partake of His eternal wisdom.

All other attributes and characteristics of Torah - its unlimited
enlightenment, its ethical superiority, its direct influence on
existence - are only secondary to this fact, the logical outgrowth of
its essential nature. As Torah is a part of an infinite, omnipotent G-d,
it is only natural that its perfection extends to all these other areas
as well.

This eternal quality is most obviously manifested in the inner, esoteric
part of the Torah, the teachings of Chasidism. Chasidism is not limited
to one particular realm, but rather animates and illuminates all of
Torah, which is why it is known as "the light of the Torah." The study
of Chasidism therefore serves to prepare the world for the revelation of
Moshiach and the Era of Redemption, when "the knowledge of G-d will
cover the world like the waters of the ocean cover the sea bed."

            From Kuntres Inyana Shel Torat HaChasidut of the Rebbe.

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                             SLICE OF LIFE
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Mrs. Edith Block and her husband, o.b.m. were at a kosher hotel in
Florida soon after the Rebbetzin's passing. Friday night at the Shabbat
meal, a women sitting at the table said to Mrs. Block: "Are you a
Lubavitcher?" When Mrs. Block answered in the affirmative, the woman
continued, "I am very sorry about the passing of Rebbetzin Schneerson. I
have something to tell you about your Rebbetzin."

"We are Chasidim, though not Chabad-Lubavitch. Some of my friends,
including me, had been married for a number of years but had not been
blessed with children. We were all Holocaust survivors, the sole
survivors of very large families. We went to our Rebbe for blessings for
children but to no avail.

"One of the young women decided to go to the Lubavitcher Rebbe for a
blessing. About ten of us women decided to join her.

"We knew that the Rebbe lived on President Street, which at the time was
near where our Rebbe was living. As we approached 1304 President Street,
we got cold feet and couldn't decide who should be the one to knock on
the Rebbe's door.

"We were standing on the sidewalk talking about it, when a car pulled
out of the driveway. The woman driver walked out of the car and asked us
what she could do for us. We stumbled over our words, but finally we
told her about our predicament.

"The woman took out a pad and pen from her purse and asked us for our
names. She then proceeded to give us the name of a fertility doctor in
Manhattan and told us to call him in a few days."

The woman continued and said, "I don't know what happened to the other
women. We all went our own ways. But I can tell you what happened to me.

"I called the doctor's office and the secretary told me that she could
make an appointment for me with this very busy doctor in a year. I
started to cry and the secretary asked me to repeat my name. She then
told me to wait. A few minutes later she came back to the phone, and
told me that they actually have an appointment for me already reserved
for the following week.

"Through that doctor," she continued, "G-d blessed me with a daughter.
And that daughter has given me 10 grandchildren!"

"Later, I found out that the person who had made the appointments for us
was none other than the Rebbetzin herself."

                                             As told by Henya Laine

                                *  *  *


The following was told by the Rebbe's secretary Rabbi Binyomin Klein,
o.b.m.:

It was a winter morning in 1966, about 3:30 a.m. The Rebbe had left for
home already - rather early, considering that there had been no private
audience that night. Just then the phone rang. I picked it and asked,
"Who is it?"

"My baby," came a frantic woman's voice. "He just fell - he's been badly
hurt."

Apparently the doctors were arguing over procedures because of the
baby's critical condition.

"Please, can you contact the Rebbe for me?" she cried. "I need a
blessing right away, and his advice."

"I'm very sorry," I explained, "but the Rebbe has already left the
office. I'm afraid this will have to wait until morning. But I promise -
I'll ask the Rebbe first thing."

The mother pleaded, "It's a matter of life and death. I need an answer
now."

I stared at the phone, deep in thought. The Rebbe might already be fast
asleep. And yet At last I decided to give it a try. If the phone was
answered, I would ask forgiveness for calling so late.

I dialed uneasily. The Rebbetzin answered. "Ver ret (who is talking)?"

I gave my name and immediately said, "I am terribly sorry for calling so
late," and proceeded to give my forgiveness speech, how it was a chutzpa
(nerve) to call at this hour.

Then I continued, "But there is a lady here in desperate need. She says
it is a matter of life and death." I described her plight.

The Rebbetzin exclaimed, "Why on earth are you asking forgiveness? On
the contrary, this is what my husband and I are here for. We are meant
to serve Jews twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. For us, there
is no 'time off.' "

                                  Adapted from Portrait of a Leader

                                *  *  *


Brocha Richler recalls: My grandfather, Reb Yankel Lipskier, owned a
grocery store in the Crown Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn. One time
something had to be delivered to the home of the Rebbe and the
Rebbetzin. My grandfather decided that rather than send one of his
workers to make the delivery, he would give my sister Bassi and I the
privilege of delivering the package.

We were teenagers at the time and quite nervous as we had no idea who
would answer the door and take the package from us. Would it be the
Rebbe? The Rebbetzin? Someone who worked in the house?

When we came to the Rebbe's and Rebbetzin's home on President Street we
went around to the back and knocked on the door. A few minutes passed
and the Rebbetzin herself answered the door.

The Rebbetzin invited us to come inside. She was beautiful, with a
gentle, refined face and light blue eyes. She spoke softly, telling us
to place the package on the table. The Rebbetzin asked us our names and
also how old we were.  We answered and then started to leave. The
Rebbetzin called us back.  We wondered what she wanted to tell us.

"Girls," she said. "I want you to always remember one thing! Enjoy
life!"

Bassi and I always talk about the Rebbetzin's advice to us. What did
"enjoy life" mean to the Rebbetzin? What does it mean us? We both have
an "Enjoy Life" magnet on our fridges! Not withstanding the struggles
and the day to day grind of life, it's ok to enjoy life, in fact, it's
something to always remember!

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                               WHAT'S NEW
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                        New Home for Chabad Mass

Central Mass Chabad, in Worcester, Massachusetts, was recently deeded a
property that will become The Krock Family Chabad Center for Jewish
Life.  The new facility will house the offices for Chabad on Campus,
which serves local Jewish college students,  and will also host events
showcasing internationally-famous Jewish authors, scholars, artists, and
musicians; and will be eventually be fitted with a gourmet kosher
kitchen, so the facility can be used to host private and corporate
events. The Friendship Circle, a unique organization that addresses the
families of children with special needs in an innovative way, will be
opening an office there in June 2016.

                           New Moscow Center


A new Jewish community center 'Zhukovka' opened in Moscow, Russia. The
complex is the largest community-based center in Russia built in the
last 15 years. It includes a synagogue, mikvas, kosher restaurant,
banquet hall, offices and  hotel rooms for those wishing to spend the
Sabbath at the center.

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                            THE REBBE WRITES
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                     Freely translated and adapted

                       18th of Elul, 5735 [1975]

...In a Jewish household, the wife and mother, the Akeres Habayis
[foundation of the home], largely determines the set-up and atmosphere
of the entire home.

G-d demands that the Jewish home - every Jewish home - be quite
different from a non-Jewish home, not only on Shabbos and holidays, but
also on the ordinary weekdays and in "weekday" matters. It must be a
Jewish home in every respect.

What makes a Jewish household different from a non-Jewish household is
that it is conducted in all its details according to the directives of
the Torah, Toras Chayim - meaning that it is the Jew's Guide in daily
life - given by G-d. Hence the home becomes an abode for G-d's Presence,
a home for G-dliness, one of which G-d says: "Make Me a sanctuary and I
shall dwell among them." (Exod. 25:5).

It is a home where G-d's Presence is felt not only on Shabbos and Yom
Tov, but on every day of the week; and not only when praying and
studying Torah, but also when engaged in very ordinary things, such as
eating and drinking, etc., in accordance with the directive, "Know Him
in all your ways. "

It is a home where mealtime is not a time for indulging in ordinary and
natural "eating habits" but a hallowed serve to G-d, where the table is
an "altar" to G-d, sanctified by the washing of the hands before the
meal, reciting the blessings before and after food, with all food and
beverage brought into the home being strictly kosher.

It is a home where the mutual relationship between husband and wife is
sanctified by the meticulous observance of the laws and regulations of
Taharas Hamishpocho [Family Purity], and permeated with awareness of the
active third "Partner" - G-d - in creating new life, in fulfillment of
the Divine commandment: "Be fruitful and multiply." this also ensures
that Jewish children are born in purity and holiness, with pure hearts
and minds that will enable them to resist temptation and avoid the
pitfalls of the environment when they grow up. Moreover, the strict
observance of Taharas Hamishpocho is a basic factor in the preservation
of peace and harmony  in the home, which is vitally strengthened and
fortified thereby - obviously, a basic factor in the preservation of the
family as a unit.

It is a home where the parents know that their first obligation is to
instill into their offspring from their most tender age on, the love of
G-d and also the fear of G-d, permeating them with the joy of performing
Mitzvos [commandments]. With all their desire to provide their children
with all the good things in life, the Jewish parent must know that the
greatest, indeed the only real and eternal, legacy they can bequeath to
their children is to make the Torah and Mitzvos and traditions their
life-source and guide in daily life.

In all that has been said above, the Jewish wife and mother - the Akeres
Habayis - has a primary role, second to none.

It is largely - and in many respects exclusively - her great task and
privilege to give her home its truly Jewish atmosphere. She has been
entrusted with, and is completely in charge of, the kashrus of the foods
and beverages that come into her kitchen and on the dining table.

She has been given the privilege of ushering in the holy Shabbos by
lighting the candles on Friday, in ample time before sunset. Thus, she
actually and symbolically brightens up her home and peace and harmony
and with the light of Torah and Mitzvos. It is largely in her merits
that G-d bestows the blessing of true happiness on her husband and
children and the entire household.

In addition to such Mitzvos as candle-lighting, Challah and others which
the Torah entrusted primarily to Jewish daughters, there are matters
which, in the natural order of things, lie in the woman's domain. The
reason for this being so in the natural order is that it stems from the
supra-natural order of holiness, which is the source and origin of the
good in the physical world. We refer, of course, to the observance of
Taharas Hamishpocho which, in the nature of it, is in the hands of the
Jewish women. The husband is required to encourage and facilitate this
mutual observance; certainly not hinder it in any way, G-d forbid. But
the main responsibility - and privilege - is the wife's.

This is the great task and mission which G-d gave to Jewish women - to
observe and disseminate the observance of Taharas Hamishpocho, and of
the other vital institutions of Jewish family life. For besides being
the fundamental Mitzvos and the cornerstone of the sanctity of Jewish
family life, as well as relating to the well-being of the children in
body and soul - these pervade and extend through all Jewish generations
to eternity.

Finally, it is to be remembered that the Creator has provided each and
every Jewish woman with the capacity to carry the most in daily life in
the fullest measure, for otherwise, it would not be logical or fair of
G-d to give obligations and duties which are impossible to fulfill...

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                               TEACHINGS
*********************************************************************
Rav Saadya Gaon lists the mitzva of Hakhel twice, once in the mitzvot
encumbent upon the individual and again in the mitzvot for the entire
Jewish people. Rabbi Y.F. Perlow explains that there is a mitzva for the
king to read the Torah and a separate mitzva for the Jewish people to
assemble to hear the Torah being read. Rabbi Perlow posits that the
mitzva for the Jewish people to assemble always applies - whether there
is a king or not. He suggests that one of the elders of the Jewish
people can read from the Torah when there is no king because the mitzva
is to assemble in the Temple and hear the words of the Torah, regardless
of who reads it.

                                    Rabbi E. Fuchs, jewishpress.com

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                        A WORD FROM THE DIRECTOR
                         Rabbi Shmuel M. Butman
*********************************************************************
Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka was a jewel, a true queen. Not merely by virtue
of her noble ancestry (descending from all the first six Rebbes of
Chabad) nor even of her exalted position as Rebbetzin of the Rebbe. 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.
She was learned and erudite, fluent 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 Chasidim called upon her
husband as the obvious successor. But the Rebbe refused to even consider
it. When the pressure became strong, he threatened to depart into
self-imposed exile.

It was the Rebbetzin who finally convinced him: "You can't let my
father's 30 years of self-sacrifice on behalf of the Jewish people go to
waste." Reluctantly, the Rebbe accepted the mantle of leadership.

When her husband was chosen to be Rebbe, the Rebbetzin knew what it
would mean to her own personal life. For, as the Rebbetzin stated
publicly about her own father, he had "belonged to the Chasidim." Yet it
was the Rebbetzin who had the awesome courage to finally persuade the
Rebbe to take on the responsibility of leadership.

The famous Rabbi Akiva said of his wife Rachel - "Mine and yours are
hers," that his own Torah and the Torah he taught his thousands of
students were thanks to Rachel's self-sacrifice. So, too, do we owe the
prodigious accomplishments of the Rebbe's Chasidim throughout the world
who have touched the lives of millions of people, to Rebbetzin Chaya
Mushka's self-sacrificing devotion to her husband for almost 60 years.
May her great memory be blessed.

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                          THOUGHTS THAT COUNT
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Why are you sitting alone, and all the people stand around you? (Ex.
18:14)

Why did Yitro, Moses' father-in-law, ask Moses why he was sitting? The
law is that a judge sits while the plaintiffs stand. Further, how could
Yitro dare rebuke a man of Moses' stature? The important word here is,
"all alone." Yitro was not rebuking Moses, but rather encouraging him to
appoint more judges to help him.

                                      (Chizkuni from Tz'ena Ur'ena)

                                *  *  *


Israel encamped opposite the Mountain (Ex. 19:2)

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)

                                *  *  *


Rashi, the foremost Biblical commentator, 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)

                                *  *  *


You shall not make of Me gods of silver, gods of gold... (Ex. 20:20)

G-d is commanding the Jewish people, "Don't make silver and gold your
gods, that they should rule over you. Don't worship your money."

                                  (Rabbi Yaakov Aharon of Zalvazin)

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                            IT ONCE HAPPENED
*********************************************************************
Reb Gavriel was a simple, honest shopkeeper living in the town of
Vitebsk. He and his wife of 25 years had no children and their financial
situation was not the best, but they never complained. They lived pious
lives and always contributed generously whenever their Rebbe, Rabbi
Shneur Zalman (founder of Chabad Chasidism), asked for donations for any
of the numerous charities he supported. Over the years, Reb Gavriel's
financial situation deteriorated, but no sigh escaped his lips and he
kept the matter to himself.

A large sum of money was once needed to ransom a number of Jews from
debtor's prison. Rabbi Shneur Zalman told Reb Gavriel the amount he
hoped Reb Gavriel would contribute. When Reb Gavriel mentioned the sum
to his wife, Chana Rivka, she immediately noticed his unhappiness. After
some prodding, Reb Gavriel revealed that business had taken a turn for
the worse. In fact, it was so bad that they were penniless and could not
possibly come up with the money the Rebbe had requested.

Chana Rivka chided him softly, "Haven't you told me many times the
Rebbe's words that one should always trust in G-d, and should always be
joyful? G-d will help, and enable us to contribute the amount the Rebbe
expects of us!"

She then quietly collected all of her jewelry and valuables. She went
into town and sold them, triumphantly bringing the money to her husband.
"Here is the entire amount the Rebbe asked for," she told him happily.

Reb Gavriel immediately set out for the Rebbe's home in Liozna. Upon
being called into the Rebbe's room, he placed the sack of money on the
Rebbe's table. The Rebbe asked him to open the sack to count the money,
which he did. Both Rabbi Shneur Zalman and Reb Gavriel were surprised to
see that the coins shone as if they had been newly minted.

The Rebbe contemplated the coins, then said, "The contributions to the
Sanctuary in the [Sinai] desert included gold, silver and copper. But
the only metal that shone was the copper from the mirrors of the women.
This was formed into the laver and its pedestal ... Tell me, where did
this money come from?"

Reb Gavriel finally revealed to the Rebbe that for the past ten years
his business had been suffering. He explained that his wife had sold all
of her jewelry to raise the money the Rebbe had requested.

The Rebbe meditated for some time, then said: "Your harsh trials are
over. May G-d grant you and your wife sons and daughters and long life
to see the children of your children; may G-d grant you over and again
prosperity wherever you turn, and favor in the eyes of all those who see
you. Close your shop and start dealing in precious gems."

Reb Gavriel hastened home to Vitebsk and brought Chana Rivka the good
news of the Rebbe's blessing. And, of course, he asked her why the coins
shone.

"I polished each coin lovingly," she explained, "until they glistened
and sparkled like stars in the sky." She wanted to do this special
mitzva (commandment) in the most beautiful manner possible. "In my heart
I beseeched G-d that by virtue of that," she continued, "our fortunes
would start sparkling, too!"

Reb Gavriel closed his shop and began dealing in gems. With G-d's help,
the local nobles and squires soon became his regular customers. His
clientele grew from day to day. And within a year from when he had
travelled to Rabbi Shneur Zalman to turn over the sparkling coins from
his wife, she gave birth to a son.

Reb Gavriel soon became known by the nickname "Gavriel Nosei Chein" (the
Likeable). He and Chana Rivka continued in their simple, pious ways,
giving charity even more generously than before. They were respected by
all who knew them and were successful at whatever they attempted.

    Reb Gavriel lived to the age of 110 years, and his wife Chana Rivka
    survived him by two years.

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                            MOSHIACH MATTERS
*********************************************************************
In the nation of Israel, throughout history, the primary source of
virtue and goodness has been righteous Jewish women. Sara was the mother
of prophecy; Miriam, the mother of redemption. The Jewish women who went
out of Egypt were the mothers of loyalty to G-d, and strong, pure faith
in Him. Devorah was the mother of herosim; Ruth, the mother of royalty;
Esther, the mother of salvation; Chana, the mother of martyrdom. There
also were the mothers of brave rebellion - Mattisyahu's daughter and the
women who followed her, and the heroic Yehudis. Who will be the mothers
of the light of the Redemption to Come? These same women, and the
righteous Jewish women of today.

                                        (Yalkut Shimoni, Ruth, 606)

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                END OF TEXT - L'CHAIM 1407 - Yisro 5776
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