Holidays   Shabbat   Chabad-houses   Chassidism   Subscribe   Calendar   Links

                                  B"H
                                 -----
                         L'CHAIM - ISSUE # 882
*********************************************************************
                           Copyright (c) 2005
                 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/5765/882.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.
*********************************************************************
        August 12, 2005         Devarim               7 Av, 5765
*********************************************************************

                              Coming Home

The business trip is over - finally. Successful? Oh, yes. In fact, the
most successful business trip you've ever taken. But grueling. It was
cross-country and even took you overseas. There were delays, lousy
accommoda-tions, scheduling conflicts, missed appointments, and a few
good deals gone sour at the last moment.

It was all worth it, though. You made invaluable contacts - lifetime
commitments. Some excellent sales. Even on the rare occasion when  you
didn't close the deal, you succeeded in changing the other guy's mind a
little. The most hostile contact had in the end to acknowledge the truth
of your presentation, whether or not he accepted your offer. And
changing that mind set from negative to positive, might bring more in
the future. So really, every minute of the trip paid off somehow.

But you've been gone from home a long time. Way too long. It seems
you've lost track of time. Sometimes it's hard to remember what the
house looks like. And the family - oh, sure, you talk to them on the
phone, keep in touch by long distance, but of course it's not the same.
You want to be with them. Only now do you realize how much you miss
them.

And then, it happens. Your flight is delayed. Bad weather. An engine
malfunction. You're stuck, so close, so very close, but with no way to
get out of the airport, no way to get home. You're tired, frustrated,
angry and not a little worried. Will they cancel your flight? Will you
ever get home?

When at last the announcement comes to board the plane, your relief and
joy know no bounds.

We the Jewish people have been on a "business trip" for over two
thousand years. It's taken us across countries and over all the seas.
We've been "selling" G-dliness, changing  how the world views itself and
how it acts, even though sometimes that change seems imperceptible. But
the goodness in the world, a goodness that stems from the holiness in
the Torah, has been growing. And it's grown because wherever we've gone
we've established holiness, revealing  the truth of Torah and
inculcating the value of mitzvos.

Of course there have been obstacles, delays, hostilities, hardships,
etc. But when we look back on our accomplishments, on the sparks of
holiness we've gathered, on the transformation of the world into a
dwelling place for G-d, we must feel that ultimately, it was all worth
it.

Yet now, now when it's time to go home there are delays, disappointments
and diversions. It's been so long since we've been home, home living in
peace and security. It's been so long since we've been home in Israel,
an Israel unthreatened, whole, without internal strife. It's been so
long since we've been home in a Jerusalem, united, with the Holy Temple
standing, and all the people visibly experiencing the Divine Presence.
We're so close to Moshiach, to the final Redemption, that any
postponement, hindrance or impediment makes us tired, frustrated, angry
and not a little worried.

We don't want to wait any more. We want to go home.

*********************************************************************
           LIVING WITH THE REBBE  -  THE WEEKLY TORAH PORTION
*********************************************************************
The Book of Deuteronomy (Devarim), which we begin reading this Shabbat,
presents a fundamental question. It begins: "These are the words which
Moses spoke," i.e., it collects Moses' farewell addresses to the Jewish
people, statements which he made on his own initiative. On the other
hand, one of the fundamental principles of Jewish faith is that every
word in the Torah, including Deuteronomy is "the word of G-d," endowed
to us by Divine revelation.

One of the resolutions offered points to the utter identification of
Moses with G-d. For this reason, in these addresses Moses occasionally
uses the pronoun "I" when speaking of G-d. For example, in the second
portion of the Shema, it says: "I will grant your rains in their
season." The "I" refers to G-d, but was spoken by Moses. As our Sages
commented: "The Divine presence spoke from Moses' throat."

This motif is not only limited to Moses. Our Sages comment: "Every new
Torah insight developed by an experienced scholar was given to Moses on
Mount Sinai." Although the person labored to bring out these new ideas,
they are not his own, but G-d's. Every person has the ability to
transcend the human realm and reveal Divine truth.

What is the key to discovering such insights? Identifying one's "I" with
G-d and not with one's own self. When a person is preoccupied with
self-concern - what I want, and what I think is right - that is what he
will think and speak about. When, by contrast, he is able to step beyond
his individual concerns, he is able to appreciate - and share with
others - G-d's wisdom.

The Torah portion of Devarim is always read before the fast of Tisha
B'Av, the day on which we commemorate the destruction of both Holy
Temples. More importantly, it is a day when we focus on building from
those ruins, seeing that exile is not in itself an end, but rather a
phase in the progress of mankind to its ultimate goal - the Future
Redemption.

Our Sages describe exile with the analogy of sowing seeds. Before a seed
can grow into a flowering plant, its exterior husk must utterly
decompose. Similarly, for the G-dly core of the Jewish people to
flourish, all the external dimensions of their personality must be
stripped away.

In the analogue, the descent that characterizes the exile wears away at
our connection with G-d. Without gentleness or mercy, exile tears apart
the husky shells of our personalities. Layer after layer of who we think
we are, and what we've been trained to be, what we would like to be, is
peeled away.

Ultimately, what is left? The very essence of the soul, the point within
our being that is an actual part of G-d. And when that essence is
tapped, true growth begins. When this pattern spreads, the Jewish people
blossom. In doing so, they spread the awareness of G-dliness throughout
the world, precipitating the dawning of the era of the Redemption.

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

*********************************************************************
                             SLICE OF LIFE
*********************************************************************
               A Summer Experience that Lasts a Lifetime

Summer vacation is still in full-swing for billions of children living
in the Southern Hemisphere. And for tens of thousands of Jewish children
who are attending the Gan Israel Chabad-Lubavitch network of day and
overnight camps throughout the world, it is a summer of fun, excitement
and growth.

In the Former Soviet Union, the Federation of Jewish Communities of the
CIS  sponsored camps attended by 11,100 children. Lugansk, Moscow,
Samara, Omsk, Vladivostok by the Sea of Japan, Nizhny Novgorod,
Yekaterinburg, Kharkov, Tbilisi, the Azov Sea, Perm, Kursk and Donetsk
were just a few of the Jewish communities or cities that hosted camps.
In Dnepropetrovsk there was even a "family camp" where the entire family
could live and learn together.

Sunny California had a total of 40 day camps that were attended by
nearly 10,000 children.

In Israel, in addition to the 100 day camps throughout the country under
the auspices of Chabad-Lubavitch, there are nearly 1,000 day programs
organized for children to attend in their free time. In Gush Katif, for
instance, yeshiva students spent their vacation time organizing programs
and activities for children who live in the area.

And even "down under" in Sydney and Melbourne, Australia, "winter camps"
were organized by Chabad-Lubavitch Centers in those cities.  Jewish
children in Montevideo, Uruguay, also enjoyed an action-packed Gan
Israel winter camp.

*********************************************************************
                               WHAT'S NEW
*********************************************************************
                         L'CHAIM SUBSCRIPTIONS

For a one year subscription send $36, payable to LYO ($40 Canada, $50
elsewhere) to L'CHAIM, 1408 President St., Bklyn, NY 11213

                        L'CHAIM ON THE INTERNET
           Current issues and archives: www.LchaimWeekly.org

                          LEARN ABOUT MOSHIACH

Call 718-MOSHIACH/692-3406 or (718) 953-6100, or visit www.moshiach.com
or www.mashiach.org

*********************************************************************
                            THE REBBE WRITES
*********************************************************************
                        Freely translated letter
                        13 Tishrei, 5728 [1968]

I was deeply distressed to hear of your great loss - the tragic death of
your young son, may he rest in peace.

It is not given to us to know the ways of the Creator. During the war,
during the time of danger, it was His will that all be saved. Indeed
you, sir, were one of those who achieved victory for our people of
Israel against our enemies, when the many were delivered into the hands
of the few. Yet, at home, and during a time of peace, this terrible
tragedy happened. But how can a mortal understand the ways of the
Creator? There is no comparing our minds and His. We do not wonder that
a small child does not understand the ways and conduct of an old and
wise man, though the difference between them is only relative. This is
no attempt to minimize the extent of your pain and grief, and I, too,
share in your sorrow, though I am so far from you.

Even in such a great tragedy as this, solace can be found in the words
of our traditional expression of consolation to mourners - an expression
which has become hallowed by the law and tradition of many generations
of our people. "May the Almighty comfort you among the other mourners of
Zion and Jerusalem." We may ask, why mention those who mourn for "Zion
and Jerusalem" when comforting an individual on his personal loss? A
deeper analysis will, however, reveal that the mourner will find comfort
precisely in this comparison of his loss with the Destruction and exile
of Zion, for several reasons.

First, the mourning over the Destruction of Zion and Jerusalem is shared
by Jews the world over. It is true that those who live in Jerusalem and
actually see the Western Wall and our Beis Hamikdosh [Holy Temple] in
ruins feel the anguish more deeply, but even those who live far away
feel sorrow.

Similarly, the grief-stricken individual or family will find solace in
the thought that "all the children of Israel are as one complete whole,"
that their sorrow is shared by all our people.

Second, we have perfect confidence that G-d will rebuild the ruins of
Zion and Jerusalem; He will gather the dispersed remnants of Israel from
the ends of the earth through our righteous Moshiach, and bring them in
gladness to witness the joy of Zion and Jerusalem. We are equally
confident that G-d will fulfill His promise that ". . .the dwellers of
dust (the dead) shall awake and give praise." Great indeed will be the
happiness and rejoicing then, when all will meet together after the
Revival of the Dead.

Third, the Babylonians and the Romans were able to destroy only the Beis
Hamikdosh of wood and stone, of gold and silver, but they could not harm
the inner "Beis Hamikdosh" in the heart of every Jew, for it is eternal.
In the very same way, the hand of death can touch only the body, but the
soul is eternal; it has simply ascended to the World of Truth. Every
good deed we do in accordance with the will of G-d, the Giver of life,
adds to the merit of the departed soul, as well as to its spiritual
welfare.

May it be G-d's Will that you and your family know no more pain and
distress. May you find true comfort and solace in your communal
endeavors, defending the Holy Land, the land "... over which G-d your
L-rd watches from the beginning of the year until the end of the year,"
as well as in those endeavors of your private life - observing the
Mitzvah of Tefillin, one Mitzvah bringing another, and yet another, in
its train.

*********************************************************************
                            RAMBAM THIS WEEK
*********************************************************************
7 Av, 5765 - August 12, 2005

Prohibition 275: It is forbidden to be impressed by important people
while sitting in judgment over them

This mitzva is based on the verse (Lev. 19:15) "Nor honor an important
person" A judge must rule according to the law. This prohibition
cautions him not to show extra respect and consideration for a person
just because he may be important or rich.

Prohibition 273: It is forbidden to distort justice

This mitzva is based on the verse (Lev. 19:15) "You shall do no
unrighteousness in judgment" A judge is appointed to seek the truth and
bring about justice.

The Torah cautions him to be extremely careful and not to judge
unfairly.


*********************************************************************
                        A WORD FROM THE DIRECTOR
                         Rabbi Shmuel M. Butman
*********************************************************************
When is the "season" of the Beit HaMikdash (the Holy Temple in
Jerusalem)? Eating matza has a season, blessing the esrog has a season,
hearing the megila, lighting the menora. All of these mitzvot have a
"season." When is the season of the Beit HaMikdash?

The answer is that there is no specific season - every day is the
season. Yet, if we have to pick one day of the year that would be the
closest to the "season" of the Beit HaMikdash it would be Tisha B'Av.

Tisha B'Av, the ninth of the Hebrew month of Av, is when we pay our
fullest attention to the Holy Temple. That's when we are free from any
other occupations; we dedicate our time solely to remembering the Beit
HaMikdash.

And as we sit on the floor with the kinot - elegies - in our hands it is
perhaps the proper moment to reflect, not only about the destruction of
the Temple, but about the rebuilding of the Temple, as well.

The rebuilding of the Beit HaMikdash is up to every person. Suppose for
a moment that every mitzva is a brick in the Beit HaMikdash and that by
doing another mitzva we are adding another brick. How much would that
entice us to do more! And perhaps, indeed, this is more than a parable,
it is a reality.

Over the years, we have laid millions of bricks. We are now, the Rebbe
tells us, laying the very, very last few bricks needed to build the most
beautiful edifice in the heavenly skies. Let us seize the moment before
Moshiach comes, and make sure that we are in on the building of the Beit
HaMikdash. When it is built, we will be able to point our finger at this
great Edifice with pride and deserved joy, and say, "I had a hand in
building it."

*********************************************************************
                          THOUGHTS THAT COUNT
*********************************************************************
These are the words which Moses spoke unto all Israel (Deut. 1:1)

First and foremost we must note that Moses spoke "unto all Israel."
Moses demanded that the Jews be united and stand together before he even
spoke to them. Unity is the foundation upon which all else is built.

                                                     (Sifri Darush)

                                *  *  *


Deuteronomy begins with Moses chastising the Children of Israel for
their behavior. Would it not have been more fitting if only blessings
came from Moses, and any necessary rebuke come from the wicked Bilaam?
Why then, was this not the case? G-d knew that if Bilaam had rebuked the
Jews, they would have responded, "Well, what can you expect from an
enemy." And if Moses only blessed the Jews, the nations of the world
would have said, "Big deal. He is one of them, so he gives them
blessings." Therefore G-d decreed that the reverse take place, that it
be Moses who chastises the Jews and Bilaam who blesses them, so that
their words would be properly considered.

                                                    (Devarim Rabba)

                                *  *  *


And the case which is too hard for you shall you bring to me and I will
hear it (Deut. 1:17)

The Baal Shem Tov elaborated: "This is why the Torah says 'the case
which is too hard for you.' If you are confused as to whether something
is a mitzva or, G-d forbid, a sin, or even if you don't know how to
properly perform a commandment and it is indeed hard for you to reach a
decision, know that the difficulty stems from you. The fact that there
is an element of pleasure involved is making it hard for you to properly
judge. The antidote to this is 'you shall bring it to me.' If you will
pay no consideration to the personal pleasure to be derived and all your
thoughts will be for the sake of Heaven, you will be properly guided."

*********************************************************************
                            IT ONCE HAPPENED
*********************************************************************
When his many wars were finally successfully concluded, King David
devoted himself to the building of the Holy Temple of G-d in Jerusalem.
Unequalled in holiness, wondrous in its construction, it was supremely
unique in that the Presence of G-d was revealed there for all to see.

Although the task of its final construction was given to his son
Solomon, King David, who laid the foundations in every sense, is
credited with its building. It is written that Hashem did not allow
David to build the Temple because he had shed so much blood on the
battlefield, while the Temple was dedicated to peace. But another,
perhaps more telling explanation, is also stated, namely, that had David
built the Holy Temple, it would have been imbued with such holiness that
it would have lasted into eternity. Would this not be a wonderful thing?
it was asked. And Hashem replied:  "It is known to Me that Israel will
sin in the future, but I will vent my anger on the stones and spare the
people from destruction."

King David's preparations stemmed from his inspired commitment, as he
stated in his Psalms:  "I will not take shelter in my house, nor mount
my bed, nor give sleep to my eyes... until I find a place for the
L-rd...."  Together with the prophet Samuel, the King was able to
discover the plans of the Temple which had been passed down from Sinai.
It was to be built in the territory of the tribe of Benjamin, on high
ground, on the exact spot which is called the Foundation of the World.
King David went to the owner of the land, a man named Aravnah, and
purchased from him a threshing area located on Mount Moriah. There, King
David built an altar and offered sacrifices to the L-rd.

Then, the King set about collecting the vast supplies  needed for
building. There were stockpiles of the famous cedars of Lebanon, more
brass than could be measured, treasures of gold and silver, all
materials consecrated by David for the holy purpose of building the
Sanctuary.

After the death of King David, he was succeeded by his son Solomon,
under whose rule the kingdom was firmly established. Peace and economic
independence marked his rule. And Solomon, the wisest of all men, gained
fame throughout the known world. When, in the fourth year of his reign,
he began construction of the Holy Temple, he was able to assemble the
finest artisans and craftsman of his time. When King Solomon sent to
Pharaoh wishing to hire Egyptian craftsmen, it is related that Pharaoh
gathered his astrologers to discern which of his workers were destined
to die in that year; those, he chose for Solomon's project. When they
arrived, the King, through divine inspiration, saw that they wouldn't
live out the year. He dressed them in shrouds and sent them back to
Egypt with the message to Pharaoh:  "It seems you don't have enough
shrouds in which to bury your people, so I have sent them to you."

Many miracles occurred in conjunction with the Temple's construction.
Because it was prohibited to use metal implements to cut the stones, our
Sages have related that there was a creature called a shamir, a kind of
worm which existed for the sole purpose of cutting them. Also, during
the construction, the stones rose into place spontaneously; none of the
workers died or became ill; no tool was broken. The work of building was
pursued unceasingly for seven years; tens of thousands of workers were
employed in this gigantic effort, and when it reached completion, the
joy of the people was indescribable.

The Temple was consecrated in the month of Tishrei (chosen because it
was the birthday of the Patriarch Abraham). Huge crowds gathered from
every corner of the kingdom and beyond to join in the magnificent
celebration. The third day of the consecration ceremonies fell on the
Day of Atonement, but in that special year fasting was suspended. The
highlight of the proceedings was the transfer of the Holy Ark of the
Covenant into the Inner Sanctuary, a witness to the continuity of the
worship of Hashem by the Jewish nation. Our Sages tell us that when
Solomon tried to bring the Ark into the Sanctuary, the gates stuck
closed, whereupon he recited 24 different prayers; it was only when he
invoked the name of his father, saying, "...remember Your servant
David's loving kindness..." that the doors opened at once.

The King led the week-long celebration with his prayers and burnt
offerings. Many pilgrims made the long journey to Jerusalem to
participate in the glorious event, coming from as far as Syria and even
Egypt. At the conclusion of the celebration, the people made their way
home after having been blessed by the King. They had reached a joyous
spiritual height which surpassed in holiness and purity even that of the
Day of Atonement.

*********************************************************************
                            MOSHIACH MATTERS
*********************************************************************
Our current "reality" is a dream, while the world of Moshiach is the
true reality. In a single moment, we can all wake up from the dream of
exile and open our eyes to the true reality of our existence - the
perfect world of Moshiach. Everyone can immediately awaken himself from
his dream, so that today, before we even say the afternoon prayers, in
fact this very moment, we all open our eyes and see Moshiach, in the
flesh, with us, here.

                                 (The Rebbe, parshat Pinchas, 1984)

*********************************************************************
                END OF TEXT - L'CHAIM 882 - Devarim 5765
*********************************************************************