DVAR MALCHUS

SLAM YOUR
FIST ON THE
TABLE AND
DEMAND
MOSHIACH!
How can it be that no one opens his mouth in Rashab, nishmaso Eden. On Beis
Nissan the entire lifes service of
protest?! If the Jewish people would ask and the Rebbe Rashab ascended to
plead, bang on the table and demand that G-d, and every year on that day
Moshiach Tzidkeinu should come immediately, this phenomenon is repeated.
The concept of the service of the
now! Moshiach would be here already, righteous ascending On High on the
arriving even on Shabbos! day of their passing is explained in
the teachings of Chassidus regarding
Translated by Boruch Merkur Lag BOmer, celebrating the return
of Rashbis soul to G-d, a concept

A
that is elaborated upon each year
s we are now in the month The tragedy is even greater the Rebbeim delivered a maamer
of Nissan, may it be G-ds considering what the Mitteler Rebbe on Lag BOmer. (There is also the
will that we see the imminent writes at length in Shaarei Tshuva well known story regarding the
fulfillment of the promise, that after all the harsh decrees Mitteler Rebbes manner of conduct
in Nissan they shall be redeemed in and pogroms, etc., that have been on Lag BOmer that others would
the future [redemption]. up until that point, there shall be no experience overt miracles unfold
This is especially urgent in the more horrors suffered by the Jewish around the Mitteler Rebbe on that
wake of the slew of tribulations people. And this was said in the time day, and couples who suffered from
the Jewish people have suffered of the Mitteler Rebbe (1773-1827)! childlessness would be blessed with
throughout the years they have spent Notwithstanding all of the above, viable offspring.) But irrespective of
in exile. That is, not only have the all the suffering of exile experienced all the greatness of Beis Nissan, that
Jewish people suffered throughout up until now, Rosh Chodesh Nissan day has passed and still we are not
the four general periods of exile, (the rosh head of the entire saved!
beginning with the Babylonian exile, month) has already passed, and Now it is Gimmel Nissan,
which is called reisha di dahava still we are not saved (Yirmiyahu Shabbos, when everything relating
the head of gold (Daniel 2:38), but 8:20)! to [events that transpired during the
in each of the four exiles the Jewish In fact, now the second day of week, such as] Rosh Chodesh Nissan
people suffered numerous forms of Nissan has also gone by, the day and Beis Nissan ascends spiritually,
tribulations, especially in this final marking the passing of the Rebbe but still we are not saved! How
exile.

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 Dvar Malchus

can it be that no one opens his limits) on Shabbos, as well as the point and after a short pause,
mouth in protest?! If the Jewish problem related to preparing the the Rebbe smiled and said) we
people would ask and plead, bang Third Shabbos Meal and Melaveh shall conclude in the manner
on the table and demand that Malka! of professional orators, Uva
Moshiach Tzidkeinu should come It is not enough to simply join lTziyon Goel, vnomar amen,
immediately, now! Moshiach in when one sees children singing May it be G-ds will that He
would be here already, arriving We Want Moshiach Now!; the build the Beis HaMikdash
even on Shabbos! point is that the person should speedily in our days and grant us
Of course, when Moshiach truly want Moshiach and plead our portion in Your Torah.
Tzidkeinu finally comes, he will that he should come now! (From the address of Shabbos
resolve the problem regarding (The Rebbes holy face Parshas VaYikra, 3 Nissan 5742,
travelling beyond the tchum (city became very serious at this bilti muga)

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1063_bm_eng.indd 4 2017-03-28 1:24:33 PM

 PARSHA THOUGHT

SEEING THE
LIGHT IN A
WORLD OF
DARKNESS
By Rabbi Heschel Greenberg Midrash argues that if this was
truly a new king, why is there
no mention in the Torah that the
old king died and a new king
A PUZZLING MIDRASH king arose over Egypt, who ascended to the throne?
did not know Yoseph.
A significant portion of According to the second
What possible connection is view, the Torah seeks here to
the third book of the Torah
there between a person swearing underscore the wickedness of
Leviticusdeals with sacrifices
falsely about money and a new Pharaoh. Had this been a truly
brought as atonement for sin. At
king in Egypt? new king, he would have been
the end of this weeks parsha, the
Torah states: guilty of enslaving the Jewish
If a person sins, betraying DENIAL IN THE people. But according to the
G-d by falsely denying to his COUNTRY OF DE-NILE second view, Pharaoh was far
fellow concerning a deposit, more evil because he enslaved his
To answer this question, we benefactors. It was the height of
or money given in hand, or an have to discuss the issue of denial
object taken by robbery, or he denial and ingratitude.
in Egypt. (No, not de Nile).
withheld funds from his fellow Rashi cites two opinions in the We can now understand
or he found a lost article Talmud concerning the meaning the connection to our verse in
and he denied it and swore of a new king in our verse. One Leviticus. The crimes mentioned
falsely regarding any one of opinion takes it literally: a new here all involve denial that one
all these cases whereby a man king who did not know Yoseph. owes money to another. And in
may sin he shall return the The other opinion maintains several of the cases the denial
article which he had robbed that it was the same Pharaoh also involves denial of the other
regarding which he had sworn but now he acted as if he did not persons kindness, as in the case
falsely, he shall pay it with its know Yoseph. He was in denial of a loan or work that was done
principal, adding its fifths to of Yosephs role in saving Egypt for the benefit of the denier.
it He shall then bring his from total devastation due to the Like the case of Pharaoh, here
guilt offering to G-d seven years of famine that he the denial is not only an act of
There is a puzzling and predicted. dishonesty; it is also a radical
enigmatic comment in the example of ingratitude.
The first opinion may be more
Midrash on this verse: faithful to the literal meaning of When a person engages in
This is what the Torah the word new, but the second denial on some level, he must
means when it says, A new view is more plausible. The know that he is emulating

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 PARSHA THOUGHT

Pharaoh, the personification G-d, The woman whom You when they realize that they got
of exile and the exile mentality. gave me, gave me from the tree, what they have from someone
Every time we deny G-ds role in and I ate. Rashi comments, else. This triggers denial of the
our lives or the role of others, we Here he denied G-ds others contributions to them
should realize that it is a sign we generosity. Not only did he and focuses instead on the way
are still trapped in a spiritual and deny that he was responsible for the other might have hurt them.
internal exile, akin to being slaves partaking of the forbidden fruit If one cannot outright deny the
to Pharaoh. because Eve gave it to him; he others role, the next best thing
And in this season, as we also blamed G-d for giving him is to accuse him of causing the
near Passover, the Festival of Eve, thus showing ingratitude to sin in the first place. His bad will
Liberation, it behooves us to G-d for having been given a wife cancel the good.
focus on liberating ourselves in the first place. Pharaoh was a prime example
from denial and ingratitude. From this we gather that of this syndrome. Pharaoh
fear can lead to denial even compensated for his huge
THE SOURCE OF DENIAL when it will also display a lack inferiority complex by acting
of appreciation and gratitude to big and saying, I own the Nile
Why, we must ask, do people others. How and why does fear and I have made it myself. He
engage in denial? cause both denial and a lack of proclaimed himself a g-d because
Children will reflexively deny gratitude? he was so insecure.
guilt when confronted with an
embarrassing situation.
INSECURITY WHAT ABOUT SARAH?
This denial syndrome actually
began with the first human being Peoples fear derives from This analysis raises a pressing
who denied guilt. When Adam their need for validation. question concerning Sarahs
partook of the forbidden Tree Anything that diminishes us denial of laughter. How can we
of Knowledge, he blamed it on threatens our sense of self. We place her in the same category as
Eve. In turn, Eve blamed it on cannot tolerate compromising Pharaoh and others in denial?
the serpent. Their son, Cain, our image in the eyes of others. The answer is that, obviously,
responded in like manner to If we had healthy self-esteem, the fear that prompted her
G-ds inquiry about Abel with the which comes from the realization to deny that she laughed is
words, I dont know, am I my that we possess a G-dly soul, we categorically different from the
brothers keeper? would not feel our self-worth fear that prompted Pharaohs
being diminished by admitting denial. In Pharaohs case, he
Why is denial so deeply
guilt. On the contrary, once we feared losing his power and
ingrained in us?
admit guilt, we can bounce back greatness. Sarahs fear, in stark
The Torah answers the from our diminished position contrast, was due to her sensitive
question in a later episode. When through tshuva. and heightened spiritual state.
G-d asks why Sarah laughed
Sadly, most people do not She was concerned that she
when she heard from the angels,
have a healthy sense of self. could have acted disrespectfully
disguised as human travelers,
Instead, they focus on the about G-ds ability to give her a
that she would bear a child at the
physical and emotional layers child. Her denial was actually her
age of 90, the Torah states that
of their personalities and way of saying, It was not the
Sarah denied it, saying, I didnt
achievements and not on the true me who laughed. I could not
laugh because she was afraid.
G-dly. Anything that will further have possibly done such a thing. I
From this we see that erode their fragile sense of self am better than that. It was a total
fear impels people to deny could be devastating to them. So aberration.
wrongdoing. they pick the route that seems to However, the common
But why would one deny the offer the least amount of pain, denominator in all these
favors received from another? deny their guilt and even deny examples of denial is that they
Why deny and be guilty of not the good they have received from were prompted by fear of
only lying but also of ingratitude? others. losing something. In the case of
For example, Adam, when Moreover, people who have Pharaoh it was the fear of losing
denying his guilt, also engaged fragile egos and lack authentic his grip on power, and in the case
in an act of ingratitude. He tells self-esteem, feel even smaller of Sarah it was the fear of losing

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her connection with G-d. People who have fragile egos and lack authentic
In the period of Galus-
self-esteem, feel even smaller when they realize
exile, denial is rooted in fear
and insecurity. This fear and that they got what they have from someone else. This
insecurity is also the cause of the
triggers denial of the others contributions to them and
breakdown in relationships. We
feel insecure and therefore we focuses instead on the way the other might have hurt
lose trust in others; especially if
them. If one cannot outright deny the others role, the
the actions of others make us feel
diminished. next best thing is to accuse him of causing the sin in the
first place. His bad will cancel the good.
LIVING THROUGH THE
NINTH PLAGUE AND
ENJOYING THE LIGHT that they had light. Even in the they perished in the plague of
last moments of their exile, G-d darkness. They chose to look
The ninth plague in Egypt gave them a taste of the light and back, while the rest of the Jewish
was the plague of darkness, clarity they would enjoy after people looked forward and saw
which most likely occurred in their Exodus. the light.
the first two weeks of Nissan
Metaphorically, this means In choosing the latter
which we are in now. The plague
that as we come to the end of approach, we accomplish several
of darkness brought fear and
exile, even though insecurity goals:
insecurity to the Egyptians. The
reigns throughout the world, First, it enables us to live a
Torah relates that No person
we have the power to enjoy the full and vibrant life now, in these
could see his brother.
clarity which dispels fear and last moments of Galus, free of
Perhaps this can be interpreted denial. insecurity and fear.
allegorically as well. Because of
As we stand now on the Second, it helps us see the
their fear and insecurity due to
threshold between Galus and other (both upper case Other
the darkness, they were unable to
Geula, we can choose to look as well as lower case other)
see the needs of the Other. They
back into the darkness of Galus and thereby develop wholesome
could not appreciate what they
and feel insecure with all of its relationships.
received from others because
attendant ills, or look ahead into Third, it prepares us for the
they were so insecure.
Geula and see things with clarity. Redemption.
However, as the Jewish Indeed, our Sages tell us that
nation was about to experience Fourth, it hastens the process
there were many fearful Jews
their liberation, the Torah states of the complete Redemption.
who did not want to leave Egypt;

Continued from page 14

starts singing, Dovid Melech Yisroel Chai Vkayam,
and continues with Yechi, and from the perspective of
the religious students its not extreme, because you are
saying that Dovid HaMelech and the Rebbe are chai
vkayam. But on the street, when you tell people that
Moshiach is coming now, they ask, why should he
come now? Who is he? Who is speaking about him
at all?
Its not that we dont say Yechi; on the contrary.
At the entrance to the Chabad House is a room which
corresponds to the Rebbes room, on which it says,
The Rebbes room Beis Moshiach, and there is
Yechi, and everything, but it comes after explanations.
Berele: Fine. This time, we agree.

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 INTERVIEW

TWO
BROTHERS,
TWO
VIEWS
They are young and dynamic, pioneers, with
original and unique programming, brothers in
shlichus, passionate redheads and quick thinkers.
Their main work is with students and young
people, along with intensive involvement in media
aimed at the Chabad community. * Meet the
Crombie brothers, R Shraga, shliach in New Jersey
and director of Chabadinfo.com, and R Sholom
Ber (Berele), director of the Shmaya center, a
Chabad House for students and young people in
Yerushalayim. They do the same type of work but
their views are different. * In this interview there
is plenty of mutual generosity of spirit along with
many intense divergences of opinion. It almost
seems as if they cant agree on anything for they
argue passionately, but they also respect each
others views.

By Shmuel Tzur

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 Issue 1063 9

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 Interview

I
t is hardly necessary to he is involved in writing opinion Shraga: In general, everyone
introduce Shraga and Berele columns on leading websites that thinks the other guy has it easy,
Crombie to our readers. reach general audiences, along and everyone picks the place
Some of you may not have with interviews and participating where he thinks it will be easier
met them face to face, but most of in panel discussions on major for him to have an impact. I give
you surely have benefited from their television stations. credit to my brother for his work
activities at one point or another. How did it all begin, when with students in Eretz Yisroel.
The first is a shliach in New Jersey, did you go on shlichus? Today, boruch Hashem, its a
in the biggest Chabad House in R Shraga: I went on shlichus widespread phenomenon, but
the world, which is run by Rabbi over ten years ago. About a year when he went on shlichus, it was
Yosef Tzvi Carlebach. He also after I married, I joined R Yosef not common in Eretz Yisroel.
finds time to spread the wellsprings Carlebachs Chabad House in The concept of opening a Chabad
within the Chabad world, through New Jersey. My main work is House especially for students
the Lubavitch website Chabadinfo. with students studying here, not practically did not exist. Outside
com. There is hardly a shliach who necessarily with Israelis. But of Eretz Yisroel it started many
doesnt know his phone number when there are Israelis, its only years ago and the first shluchim
and who wont hesitate to call him natural that we have more of that the Rebbe sent out decades
and consult with him about hafatza a connection. There are many ago, like Rabbi Shlomo Cunin
in the media. shluchim here because there and Rabbi Yosef Carlebach and
I am a full time shliach, is so much to do. There is R others, began their shlichus on
he declared at the beginning of Carlebach who is here for nearly campus.
the interview. My involvement forty years, and who established Of course, you can look at
with the media began when I an empire of shlichus, and R the advantages of living in Eretz
was a bachur on Kvutza, when Boruch Goodman who is here Yisroel or abroad. Personally,
Chabadinfo was started, but till for thirty years and who works I wanted to live abroad for a
today, I try to see to it that it does devotedly with students. A few number of reasons. First, because
not take away in the slightest years ago, R Yeshaya Shagalov of the spiritual animal soul (if
from my work with the students. joined, who works mainly with it is possible to define it as such).
R Shraga has played religious students. I also work I live near 770, so last Motzaei
a key role in a number of in the Chabad House office, Rosh HaShana we were able to
trailblazing initiatives in the handling publications, their make Havdala at the Chabad
media: ChabadPedia a Chabad internet site and more, along with House and arrive for Maariv of
encyclopedia on the internet, holiday programs for students Motzaei Rosh HaShana in 770.
ChabadWorld a site for and activities around the year. We do this every Motzaei Yom
Judaism, Moshiach and Geula Berele: I have been at the Tov, as we are on shlichus in a
in English, and many more Chabad House in Nachlaot in place that is within reach of 770.
productions from the Merkaz Yerushalayim for eight years. I This is definitely a benefit in
Chabad HaOlami LKabbalas came on shlichus together with being here.
Pnei Moshiach. my wife Liba, right after our I think that there are many
His brother, Berele, broke wedding. Before that, I spent two advantages to living outside
new ground with youthful and years at a Chabad House in India. of Eretz Yisroel along with
enticing outreach to students When I returned to Eretz Yisroel the dangers of assimilation,
in Yerushalayim. Very quickly, I wanted to open a Chabad etc. There is a great openness
he found himself surrounded House with the spirit of India, to Judaism. When people live
by hundreds of students who something unique that wasnt outside of Eretz Yisroel, Chabad
enjoy his original programming. widespread at the time shlichus is something far more important
Many of those who collaborate with students. That is how I got to them than it is in Eretz Yisroel.
with him are big organizations to the artsy neighborhood of The question that every shliach in
in Yerushalayim that arent Nachlaot. Eretz Yisroel is familiar with is,
necessarily Chabad, yet they What are the differences in Chabad is here too?
find common ground with him. the openness to Judaism among Berele: I have thought a lot
Along with his lectures at Ohr Israeli students versus students about this and the truth is that
Chaya and around the country, elsewhere? outside of Eretz Yisroel, Israelis,

10 4 Nissan 5777

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 and Jews in general, are more spreading Chassidus and bringing
open, but then again, often the people close to the Rebbe. I
shliach tends to be more open think that first and foremost its
and less rigid. I must say that the a matter of branding, but there
inspiration for my Chabad House is an advantage to the fact that
is Shragas Chabad House. I the place is not called a Chabad
was there on Sukkos before my House that enables a broader
wedding and I saw how they range of activities.
made a barbecue and there were You named your center
Lubavitchers who played music Shmaya in order to align with
and it was a big evening with the type of programming?
lots of students. What really Berele: Definitely. At a
grabbed me was the openness on Chabad House I wouldnt hold
the part of the Chabad House. informal and open events for
I saw that whoever came really students. Our spiritual leadership
felt connected on some level and told us, regarding a number of
could relate. R Shraga Crombie

When I returned to Eretz
Yisroel I opened my place. I But if you say that you call it so because that
purposely did not call it a Chabad enables you to do things that are not proper for
House, because that represents
a certain stance with certain a Chabad House to do, that is a problem! You are doing
Israelis in Eretz Yisroel. I things that shouldnt be done?! What is not suitable to be
preferred doing something with a
name that is more inviting. Many done under the name of Chabad, is not suitable altogether,
of the activities done by Chabad and it is not proper for a shliach to be doing it.
Houses outside Eretz Yisroel are
more open and I wanted to do
something like that. demographics. I understand
If the outreach approach is that, but I personally feel good things, that they are borderline
in fact more open, should it about working in a place that is and should not be done under the
be called a Chabad House or openly Chabad. When I get up name Chabad House. Whoever
should it be called something in the morning and ask myself walks in to our place sees a big
else? where I am working, I know its picture of the Rebbe. We dont
Shraga: I may have some a Chabad House. My son knows hide the Rebbe, G-d forbid. On
contentions over the fact that that we go to the Chabad House every schedule of events that I
Berele does not want to call it for Shabbos or that his father print, there is a picture of the
a Beit Chabad. Today, this is a works at a Chabad House; and Rebbe prominently displayed. We
fairly common phenomenon. this is important to me. dont hide the fact that we are
Here they call it Friendship Berele: I dont think its shluchim of the Rebbe. Its the
Circle, and things like that, and essential. The mekuravim, essence of our lives and we are
sometimes it seems the idea is to among themselves, refer to it moser nefesh for it.
hide the fact that we are Chabad. as a Beit Chabad. Just a few Do you see a difference
Soup kitchens and other things minutes ago, a mekureves asked between the outreach done with
like that are opened Im not me when the Chabad House is students in Eretz Yisroel and
saying whats right and what open today. That means they abroad?
isnt right but to us, the fact know and understand that this Berele: Yes. I have a national-
that we call it a Chabad House is a Chabad House with Chabad religious friend here, an
has great significance. It says activities. But it has many other American, who traveled abroad
explicitly on the big building: Beis implications regarding the and wanted to spend Shabbos
Chabad Lubavitch. Sometimes character of certain activities that at a Chabad House. He looked
you need to employ an indirect you dont want to do under the for places to be on Friday
approach in order to reach other name of Chabad even though night and went to a meal at a
they are Lubavitcher activities of

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 Interview

Chabad House. In Eretz Yisroel Concurrently, I think that that every detail, large and small.
he was used to a much more was the very idea of calling it Both of you are involved
conservative style and over there by another name to allow for with media in addition to your
he was taken aback by the more doing the type of programming student outreach work. How
open style. When he asked the necessary for this crowd. does that work?
shliach whether this was indeed Shraga: I dont agree. If there Shraga: Some shluchim dont
a Chabad House, the shliach said are things that cannot be done understand that an inseparable
this is the style here and it is, in under the name of Chabad, they part of their outreach includes
fact, different than other places. shouldnt be done. I agree with sending articles to newspapers
Shraga: There are answers you that the standards in Eretz and websites; it makes no
and guidance from rabbanim Yisroel are higher. There is a joke difference whether within Chabad
about what is permitted and that says, whats the problem with or out of Chabad. A shliach often
what is prohibited, and we act eating food with the rabbanut feels, I dont need to be one of
accordingly. I say the opposite, hechsher on planes going to Eretz those who runs after glory and
call it a Chabad House and stand Yisroel? Because its warmed sends in his pictures all the time.
behind it. Thats not an excuse, up with food with the mehadrin This is not correct for several
to not call it a Chabad House hechsher from abroad reasons. First, in the shliachs
and then do what you want. On I think there is a lack of city, the publicity begins not
the contrary, I think it should awareness on the part of before the event, but after. If
be called a Chabad House and it shluchim. In Eretz Yisroel there a shliach thinks hes going to
should maintain the appropriate are many things that are done start advertising before the Lag
standards worthy of the name. with greater consideration BOmer event, he is mistaken,
Berele: I still think that there for being particular about because the truth is that he
is a place for Chabad activities instructions of the Rebbe. Many starts advertising on Motzaei
that are not under the official people in America have no idea Lag BOmer about the next
name of Chabad. that there is a problem with the Lag BOmer. When he sends
Shraga: Then maybe you Israeli flag, for example. You an article and pictures to a
shouldnt do it altogether can see these flags at events and newspaper after every event, he
What is not suitable to be done dinners. Here, at our Chabad is starting the advertising for the
under the name of Chabad, is House, R Carlebach is well next years event.
not suitable altogether, and it is aware and he does not allow We see even within Chabad
not proper that Chabad is doing these kinds of compromises to how much the Rebbe invested
something like that and for a enter the Chabad House. himself in encouraging the
shliach to be doing it. Berele: Apropos to what publications of albums and
If you say Shmaya is a Chabad you said, I met someone in reports about the Lag BOmer
House, but we called it that Yerushalayim the other week who parades and Chanuka lightings.
because more people will come to did a lecture tour in communities We see that the Rebbe considered
a Chabad House called Shmaya, and at campus Chabad Houses in it very important to display these
I accept that. But if you say that the US. They let him speak about things and the Rebbe was very
you call it Shmaya because that Zionism, aliya etc., except for involved in the details.
enables you to do things that are one place where they didnt allow Shluchim often say that
not proper for a Chabad House it, R Carlebachs Chabad House. people within or outside of
to do, that is a problem! You are He was shocked to learn that the Chabad saw an article and
doing things that shouldnt be Rebbe says one does not need to decided to make a donation to
done?! make aliya in order to be a good them, as a result. Especially in
Berele: I think our standards Jew. the age of the internet, when I
are still very high, definitely Shraga: Abroad there is write an article about Purim, for
as compared to the openness more openness on the part of example, at the Chabad House,
abroad. Everything we do the students and, unfortunately, you never know whether a few
is done in consultation with also more openness on the part years down the line someone
mashpiim and with the spiritual of the shliach, which isnt always might do a search of the words
administration, and we dont proper. There is no such thing. Purim Chabad, and find our
make a move without them. Care must be taken regarding article. There are plenty of stories

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 like this. example of Gershon Ber
Today you cannot say that Jacobson. He was a journalist
a certain website is meant for and that was his shlichus. He
Chabad and another one is would get up in the morning to
not, because the information is be a journalist and get scoops
accessible to everyone. You never and he did many things for the
know who will be exposed to Rebbe.
it and when. It is meant for the Shraga: That could be, but
world at large and it is important this approach still does not seem
that we publicize these things. right to me. For example, once
Berele: Heres a story. I upon a time when a Lubavitcher
wanted to publicize an event journalist expressed a view on
I did for Chai Elul and I did so politics or the economy, people
in a paper belonging to the dati didnt say, That is the column of
sector. The next day I got a the Lubavitcher, but in todays
phone call from a senior person day and age when every opinion
in the Yerushalayim municipality R Sholom Ber (Berele) Crombie column or article has a picture

who wanted to meet with me
because of that item.
We are very good at making sure that our
My involvement has changed message is always front and center. Now we
over time. I started writing for need to prove that behind this message are people who
Beis Moshiach and Chabadinfo,
and now my writing is mainly for are serious and who know what theyre talking about and
non-Chabad sources and even have a basis for what they say. Then people will want to
the general media that would not
be classified as religious. listen.
You also write on non-
Chabad forums about all sorts
to establish a place for yourself
of topics that dont necessarily
on the editorial pages or in the of the author, and everyone sees
have anything to do with
media in general, you must whos who, you ask yourself,
Chabad.
work at it, in the context of an what connection is there here
Berele: The Rebbe wrote to a actual job, and write about other to a Lubavitcher? True, it is not
number of people who thought things too, so that you will be a always easy, but I dont think my
that their writing was not columnist whose content is read job is to be involved in the media
influential, that they need to be and not only as someone who is to express views on other issues.
published wherever possible. Uri reacting. Can there be a Lubavitcher
Tzvi Greenberg and others got
Shraga: Im thinking of journalist?
answers from the Rebbe about
someone like Berke Wolf ah Shraga: If I would see Berele
this.
who never wrote about secular setting out to become a journalist
How does writing on matters and wrote exclusively like others, getting involved in
subjects that have no direct about the Rebbe. Wherever he everything and using this position
connection to Judaism or went and worked, he expressed to put things in the press that
Chabad, pertain to a shliach? only the Rebbes viewpoint. In are usually frowned upon; or if
Berele: When there are any my work with the media I also I would see an article about the
controversies about religious work with journalists and I dont Rebbe, Moshiach, 770, etc. once
matters in Eretz Yisroel, you get involved with the dramas every ten or even a hundred
need to write about it and that take place in the world in articles, I would say it is worth it.
offer a response and position. general, nor in the frum world. But if I go to their world and Im
However, you also cannot just My only consideration is: what is just like everyone else, what was
be a commentator who writes our role. accomplished?
only opposing views and only Berele: Berke is one example, Berele: First, there is a
what believing Jews have to say but there is also the counter difference between a journalist
about every issue. If you want

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 Interview

and someone who writes an undercover Lubavitchers. I hear I asked him to attend an
opinion column. I am not what hes saying, and Im not event of a Meshichist shliach.
involved at all today in writing saying its incorrect, but I dont Afterward, he told me: The truth
news articles; I just write an relate to it. is that I was at that event and I
opinion column. Second, Berele: I think that the saw how respectable it was and
the question is, what does it reality and communication today I view the message of the
mean to properly utilize your have changed so much since Meshichistim differently.
position? I can tell you that I Berke Wolfs time. Rabbi We are very good at making
have connections with all kinds Moshe Levinger used to be the sure that our message is always
of people on whom I have an spokesman for Gush Emunim. front and center. Now we need
influence through my writing He would send press releases to prove that behind this message
and I have a lot of things going saying here an encampment are people who are serious and
on with them behind the scenes. was started and there a tree who know what theyre talking
People tell me outright, its was planted. Then a group of about and have a basis for what
because of you that we look at young fellows came along that they say. Then people will want
the frum world, at Chabad, at operate like a well-oiled scoop to listen. When a person wants to
Meshichistim, differently. My machine, who strengthened ties hear the message, he is no longer
answer is, there are many things with journalists and that is how doing you a favor for listening
going on behind the scenes and they are getting their message out but actually comes with a desire
not only what you see up front. to the masses. Theres nothing to understand. The first thing he
Shraga: To love Meshichistim you can do; today it is impossible encounters is you, and he listens
is one thing, but if you were to to further ones agenda any other to you, and if you succeed in
decide to take this on as a full- way. touching him, he will also listen
fledged mission, and I think you What are your thoughts to the message.
have the abilities to do that, and about publicizing kabbalas Shraga: Im going to surprise
you would say to me, listen, I pnei Moshiach? you a little on this. I relate to
have the talent to be a journalist Berele: In our Chabad center, what Berele said. I made an
and instead of their taking we have the Rebbes picture and upsheren for my son and on the
someone else, I will be a reporter, the bold writing underneath: The invitation it said Yechi. My wife
thats something else. If this is only remaining avoda is kabbalas said, Whats this? What will an
a shlichus, I dont disagree with pnei Moshiach Tzidkeinu bpoel American who gets this invitation
that. mamash. People know what the make of it?
Today, we all know there is message is. People come to our I changed the wording to,
a lot of work that can be done place, which looks really nice and We want Moshiach now, and
in getting articles pulled, in which has shiurim and exciting of course, at the event, there was
withholding negative publicity. things going on, so they relate to Yechi, but it wasnt Yechi just as a
So maybe it is not necessary all of it. A journalist once came pronouncement, because Yechi as
to work in journalism but to me and when we were first a pronouncement is important to
in creating connections with getting acquainted he asked: those who know its significance.
journalists? Are you a Meshichist? He tried We proclaimed Yechi in front
Shraga: I look at it this way starting up with me about this. of the Rebbe and we know how
either hes wearing the hat I told him: You wont convince important it is, but you have to
of a Lubavitcher, like Berke, me and I wont convince you, so think what a mekurav will get
or he is someone who hides lets speak about it another time. from it. We need to convey a
his Lubavitcher hat and says, He said: You are the first message to him and sometimes,
I am hiding on the inside and Meshichist who isnt trying to We want Moshiach now is
fomenting a revolution from debate me on this. more extreme than writing Yechi
within. because he doesnt know what
I said: You know what I think,
Both are fine, but I relate Yechi is.
because it says so on my kippa.
more to the authentic Lubavitcher Now, what I need to do is prove Here, at the davening, at the
approach. The fact is that the first to you that Im normal. end of every tfilla, R Goodman
generation of Chabad spokesmen
He said: Wow, I get it... that
spoke as Lubavitchers and not as Continued on page 7
is indirect messaging.

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 MOSHIACH & HAYOM YOM

ROYAL
PEDIGREE
By Rabbi Gershon Avtzon

Dear Reader shyichyeh, they often lived apart from other

This Shabbos (VaYikra) is the people and didnt feel they needed
first Shabbos of the month of Nissan them. However, in the 1800s, laws
the month of princes. required everyone to have family
The simple reason for this title is names, and Jewish people chose his friends children Torah, is
because the first 12 days of Nissan family names. considered as if he gave birth to
we read about the Korbanos that the There is a long letter of the them, it is only as if. The Alter
of each shevet brought in honor Frierdike Rebbe (Igros Vol. 4 page Rebbe felt that it was deeper than
of the dedication of the Mishkan. 503), which is the source of the as if; it was like his father and
By Chassidei Chabad, this title above-quoted HaYom Yom, in which grandfather. Moreover, he told R.
takes on a whole new meaning: It is he describes the events that led up to Baruch of Mezhibuzh, who was the
a month that is connected to many the selecting of the family name of Baal Shem Tovs biological grandson
of our . The 13th of Nissan is the Rebbeim. He also points out, that (the son of his daughter, which is
the Yahrtzait of the Tzemach Tzedek although the Mitteler Rebbe picked even a closer connection than a sons
and beginning of the Nesius of the the name Shneuri, his children all son), that R. Baruch may have been
Rebbe Maharash. Beis Nissan is the went with the surname Schneersohn. a grandson in the material sense, but
Yahrtzait of the Rebbe Rashab and It should be pointed out, that that he the Alter Rebbe was
the beginning of the Nesius of the not until the passing of the Alter the Baal Shem Tovs grandson in a
Frierdike Rebbe. The 18th of Nissan Rebbe, which was when the surname spiritual sense. He thus implied that
is the birth of Reb Levik, the Rebbes was chosen, was it clear that there he had received an inner dimension
father and of course the 11th of would be chassidic dynasties. On of the Baal Shem Tov, a link deeper
Nissan is the birthday of our Rebbe. the contrary: It was the Mezritcher than that conveyed through birth.
In the HaYom Yom of 7 Nissan Maggid who took over after the It was only after the passing of
the Rebbe brings down the history passing of the Baal Shem tov and the Alter Rebbe, then succeeded
of the family name of , the Alter Rebbe who took over after by his son, and then his grandson
the royal family: The Alter Rebbes the passing of the Maggid. It was the Rebbe the Tzemach Tzedek,
family name was Baruchovitch. The assumed that the spiritual son (i.e., that the dynasty and Malchus of
Mitteler Rebbes family name was the greatest disciple) would take over Chabad Chassidus was born. The
Shneuri. The Tzemach Tzedeks the spiritual movement of Chassidus. Tzemach Tzedek was connected to
family name was Schneersohn. In the HaYom Yom of 27 Iyar, the Alter Rebbe in his essence, as is
In Italy, during the Middle the Rebbe quotes from the Frierdike evident from the story quoted in of
Ages, family names came into use, Rebbe: My father related that he HaYom Yom of 28 Iyar: In one of
especially by the nobles, who wanted heard from his father quoting his the night-time visions in which the
to separate themselves from the father (the Tzemach Tzedek), Tzemach Tzedek saw [his maternal
common people. The nobles then who heard the Alter Rebbe refer to grandfather,] the Alter Rebbe,
passed these family names down himself as the son of the Maggid (his within thirty days of the latters
to their children. This custom Rebbe), and as the grandson of the passing, [the Alter Rebbe] delivered
then spread to other European Baal Shem Tov. a maamer [based on the teaching of
countries. The Jews were the last While the Gemara [Sanhedrin the Mishna], The world stands on
people to adopt family names, since 19a] says, For anyone who teaches three things. After delivering the
maamer, the Alter Rebbe [quoted

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 MOSHIACH & HAYOM YOM

and interpreted a Talmudic teaching]: When a man seemingly breaking the chain of direct descendant from
gives seed first, a female is conceived. This alludes to Dovid HaMelech. So the question is asked, how can a
your mother. When a woman gives seed first, a male is descendant of the Tzemach Tzedek be Moshiach if he is
conceived. This refers to you. not a direct descendant of Dovid HaMelech?
The Mitteler Rebbe, the eldest son and successor of This question is addressed at length in the seifer Yechi
the Alter Rebbe, passed away on 9 Kislev 5588 (1827). HaMelech HaMoshiach (by Rabbi Shalom D. Volpo). In
Before the following Shavuos, the elder Chassidim brief, he suggests three points:
gathered in Lubavitch. Their goal was to persuade the 1. The Rebbe Rashab, also a direct
Mitteler Rebbes nephew and son-in-law, the Tzemach descendant of the Tzemach Tzedek, says clearly
Tzedek, who was then 38 years old, to accept the mantle (Toras Shalom pg. 176): At a farbrengen on Motzaei
of leadership. Among them was R. Peretz Chein, who Shabbos, 21 Kislev 5673, His candle will never
declared that he could prove from a teaching of the be extinguished; the light of the Baal Shem Tov
Sages that the Tzemach Tzedek should become the will constantly illuminate. Chassidus will, without
next Rebbe. He thereupon repeated the above teaching. a doubt, exist until the coming of Moshiach, for
Hearing it, the Tzemach Tzedek became very serious Dovid Melech Yisroel chai vkayam this was the
and replied, I accept. Baal Shem Tov and the Maggid and the Rebbe, and
The esteemed R. Hillel of Paritch then spoke up: so on, for we are of the seed of Dovid and we will
The chassidim want to hear Chassidus! continue until Moshiach. The Rebbe will take us all
The Tzemach Tzedek withdrew to his room. He soon out.
reappeared, wearing the white robe that he had inherited 2. There are many reasons to believe
from his grandfather, the Alter Rebbe, and delivered the that the father of the Tzemach Tzedek, Reb
above maamer, beginning with the words, Al Shelosha Shalom Shachna, was a direct descendant of Dovid
Dvarim Haolam Omed The world stands on three HaMelech.
things. 3. There are many proofs that to be
These words suddenly reminded some of the Moshiach, one does not actually have to be a
prominent elder Chassidim of what had seemed to be a direct descendant son after son from Dovid
mere passing comment of the Alter Rebbe a few decades HaMelech, and one who is a matrilineal descendant
earlier. They recalled that in 5553 (1793), they had been of Dovid HaMelech can also qualify to be Moshiach.
invited to his study to hear him deliver a maamer. At that One proof is from . We all know that
time, they noticed that his three-year-old grandson was the Gemara (Sanhedrin 98b) says, Says Rav: If
running around the room and playing with toy tfillin Moshiach is among the living, he is, for example,
that he had made out of potatoes. Whenever the cords Rabbeinu HaKadosh. This is despite the fact that
that served for toy straps got caught in the legs of the Tosafos (Sanhedrin 5a) brings down that Rabbeinu
table and chairs of the Alter Rebbe, he would unscramble HaKadosh says that he is a descendant of the
them for him. One of the elder Chassidim, seeing that daughter of Dovid.
the toddler was edging towards the Alter Rebbe while he The main thing is that as we prepare for 11 Nissan,
was in the midst of delivering his discourse, intended to which, being the birthday of the Rebbe, makes it our
help the little fellow untie his straps. birthday too, we must reflect as On ones birthday
Catching sight of the elder Chassid, the Alter Rebbe one should spend some time in seclusion, bringing to
said, Let him be: hes listening. You will yet know that mind recollections from the past and pondering over
hes listening. That comment was completely forgotten. them. As to those [of his bygone actions] that call for
But the maamer that the Tzemach Tzedek was now rectification or repentance, one should repent and rectify
repeating some 35 years later was the very maamer that them (HaYom yom 11 Nissan) on our Hiskashrus
they had heard long ago from the lips of the Alter Rebbe to the Rebbe and our dedication to The most recent
together with a little boy of three innovation in the work of shlichus: To receive our
As we are talking about the royal family, I want to righteous Moshiach in the true and complete
address a question that I have heard many people ask: Redemption.
We know that the Alter Rebbe is a direct descendant Rabbi Avtzon is the Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivas Lubavitch Cincinnati
(son-after-son) of Dovid HaMelech (see introduction to and a well sought after speaker and lecturer. Recordings of his in-depth
HaYom yom) and that the Rebbe is a direct descendant shiurim on Inyanei Geula uMoshiach can be accessed at http://www.
of the Tzemach Tzedek. Yet, the Tzemach Tzedek ylcrecording.com
is a son of the daughter of the Alter Rebbe thus

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 HALACHA 2 GO

PRE-EMPTIVE
BDIKAS CHAMETZ
Selected Halachos from the
One Minute Halacha project
By HaRav Yosef Yeshaya Braun, Shlita
Mara Dasra and member of the Badatz of Crown Heights

AU COURANT: commentator) that once a Jew door, a significant amount of heat

begins the cooking process by remains in the ovensufficient
COMMERCIAL COOKING
turning on the fire, the food to cook foodand as long as
AND KASHRUS CONCERNS retains its status as bishul this degree of heat is maintained,
Certain foods require bishul Yisroel, regardless of whether the fire going on and off does
Yisroel (cooking by a Jew)* the pot remains continuously not affect the status of the
to retain their kosher status. on the fireit may be removed food. Some kashrus authorities
The manner in which many and returned to the heat source suggest another workaround
kashrus agencies adhere to this without Jewish intervention. to the issue by advocating for a
standard is by having a Torah- Aside from the fact that many supplementary heating element
observant Jew turn on the oven poskim disagree with the Shach, to be inserted in the oven by the
at the beginning of the workday, this solution seems insufficient to Jew that is not subject to the
thereby aiding in the cooking allay the issues with an automatic automatic door action, but this
process, thus rendering all food oven as there is no continuous element would have to provide
cooked during that cooking cycle firethe heating element is enough heat to cook in order to
bishul Yisroel. extinguished and reactivated provide any kashrus advantage (a
The most modern ovens, when non-Jewish workers swap tea light, for example, would be
however, have created an issue uncooked dishes with those woefully insufficient).
with this protocol; they are rigged originally cooked by the Jew. The optimal solution,
with an energy-saving apparatus Some authorities maintain which would circumvent all
that extinguishes the heating that since the Jew originally the possible problems that may
element in the oven whenever it ignited the fire, the subsequent incur when relying on heterim
is opened and reignites it when on/off action can all relate back to maintain bishul Yisroel status
the door is closed. In commercial to the original fire, but this heter with automatic ovens, is to have
settings, this may happen (leniency) does not take into an observant Jewish worker
many times in one workday. account the fact that it is only available to close the oven doors
This causes an obvious bishul the electricity of the oven that is throughout the daily cooking
problem, since the fire initially maintained throughout and not shifts.
ignited by the Jewish worker the actual heating element. * Note that this halacha
is not continually maintained A popular heter to resolve applies to Ashkenazim; Sefardim
throughout the day. the issue is that we may rely on have stricter general guidelines
Some authorities quote the the fact that even when the fire for bishul Yisroel.
Shach (17th century halachic is extinguished by opening the
Continued on page 05

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 MIRACLE STORY

W
hile more than
twenty-five years
have passed since
the following story
took place, each time Mrs. Ester
Rochberger of Rishon LTziyon
recalls the events, her emotions
are rekindled. So it was when we
asked to hear from her first-hand
about the miracle experienced by
her son, Shneur Zalman. Her voice
filled with emotion as she told her
story, recalling those days with the
utmost clarity.
Ill never forget the look of
total shock on the face of the
head of the hospitals childrens
ward, Professor Yitzchak
Winograd. For several long
minutes he explained to the
accompanying medical interns
about my sons serious condition
and the lengthy period of
rehabilitation still awaiting him.
Yet, quite incredibly, when the
moment came to examine him,
the doctor was positively stunned.
Everything had vanished as if it
had never been there.

IT WOULD BE PROPER TO
CHECK THE MEZUZOS IN
THEIR APARTMENT there didnt appear to be any passed by the Rebbe for dollars
For several months since real solution on the horizon. distribution, he should request a
his birth, Shneur Zalman had As he reached the age of two, I blessing for our son as well, and
suffered from a troublesome considered registering him for so he did. My husband submitted
case of bronchitis that never nursery school. However, I knew the names of numerous people in
seemed to leave him. Twenty- that if his condition remained need of personal salvation and a
five years ago, they didnt know as it was, while he would be bracha, giving special mention to
how to treat this ailment as registered in nursery school, he our son.
they do today, recalled Mrs. would end up spending most of The fact is that since my
Rochberger. Every time that I his time at home. husbands return to Eretz Yisroel,
came to see the pediatrician, she As with all important there had been a significant
would write out a prescription for matters in our lives, I wrote a improvement in our childs
antibiotics. While the medications letter to the Rebbe. This was condition. In addition, three days
helped to improve his condition, in mid-5751, and I asked the before Rosh Hashanah we were
they regrettably lasted only for Rebbe for a bracha that our son privileged to find in our mailbox a
a brief period and the illness should become healthy and his reply from the Rebbe to a request
chv returned. Thus, the child coughing should stop. Several for a bracha that I had sent:
endured this disorder until the months later, in late Tammuz, my Their PaN from June 19 has
age of twenty-two months. He husband flew to Beis Chayeinu. been received, and it will be read
would cough incessantly and I asked him that when he at an auspicious hour at the

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 THE ILLNESS
DISAPPEARED!
While we had been released from the hospital at eight oclock
that morning, we didnt actually leave the childrens ward until
eleven, three hours later. Throughout this time, people came
to our room and stood in line to write a letter to the Rebbe in
request of a bracha. An amazing story as told by the baalas
hamaaseh, Mrs. Ester Rochberger from Rishon LTziyon.

By Nosson Avraham
Translated by Michoel Leib Dobry

Tziyon of my holy and revered preparations, we read the leading to his room. My maternal
father-in-law, the Rebbe, of holy letter once and placed it in the instincts told me that this wasnt
and righteous memory, his soul bundle of correspondences our just the standard cry of a small
rests in the hidden treasures of family had been privileged to child. It sounded low and weak,
Heaven, may his merit protect receive from the Rebbe over and I realized that something was
us. the years. Implementing the bothering him.
At the conclusion of the Rebbes instructions to check It turned out that I wasnt
letter, the Rebbes secretary the mezuzos was postponed until wrong. When I came over to his
added in the Rebbes name: It after Yom tov. bed and touched his forehead,
would be proper to check the On the first night of Rosh I felt that he was burning
mezuzos in their apartment, to Hashanah, our Shneur was with fever. I quickly took his
be certain that all of them are happy and cheerful. We were temperature and was stunned
halachically fit if they havent overjoyed by the prospect that he to see that it was over 104F. I
been checked in the last twelve would finally be able to enjoy his realized that this was a matter
months. life as any normal child. of pikuach nefesh. Wasting no
However, this feeling time, I closed my Thillim and
A SUDDEN AND didnt last very long. On the rushed him to the special health
morning of the second day of clinic kept open on Yom tov for
SURPRISING INFECTION emergency situations. The clinic
Rosh Hashanah, I heard him
Due to the hectic holiday crying and I climbed the stairs opened at ten oclock in the

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 MIRACLE STORY

Professor Yitzchak Winograd,

came into my sons hospital
room. He took a pen out of his
pocket, marked the place of
the inflammation, and then he
showed me how in the span of
one day, the inflammation had
spread from the thigh to the
ankle and was climbing higher.
He explained to us the purpose
of the medications our son was
now receiving. He then laid out
before us the worst and most
frightful options available to the
medical staff in the event that
the inflammation continued to
spread. You can expect to be
here for quite a while longer,
the senior doctor informed us.
His words both saddened and
worried me.
It was Wednesday, Tzom
Gedalya, and one of our friends
offered to watch our child at
the hospital, while my husband
and I traveled to Beit Shazar
in Kfar Chabad to send a fax to
the Rebbes mazkirus. Ill never
forget how I wrote a lengthy
correspondence spelling out
everything that had happened to
Professor Yitzchak Winograd
us and our child, and I concluded
morning, and I stood there with this to the doctor, and she agreed the letter with our request for a
other people until the doctors that this could be the source of bracha. In the meantime, my
and clinic staff arrived. the infection and inflammation. husband began the process of
getting the mezuzos checked. He
When people noticed my After another series of tests
didnt just handle the checking of
sons listless appearance and his that confirmed the doctors initial
the mezuzos in our home, he also
rolling eyes, they allowed me diagnosis, I was sent that same
took care of the mezuzos in the
to go in first to see the doctor, day to the childrens emergency
childrens ward at Assaf HaRofe.
and she immediately did a blood room at the Assaf HaRofe
All of the mezuzos, without
test on him. The diagnosis was Hospital. On our way there, I
exception, were pasul. The
quick there was an infectious recalled the letter that had come
hospitals mezuzos were written
inflammation that was causing from the Rebbe three days earlier.
on parchment sprayed with
the body temperature to rise. A I felt that by Divine Providence,
plaster, as had been customary
brief examination revealed that the Rebbe had provided the
in the past, and this caused the
the source of the infection was an cure prior to the calamity. This
letters to split and crack. Even
open wound on one of his legs. knowledge filled me with a sense
the mezuzos in our house had
I remembered that I had of faith and confidence.
several problems, which required
dressed my son in short pants The next morning, however, immediate correction.
the day before. When he took a my feeling of concern and
As soon as the new mezuzos
nap that afternoon, I noticed a fly apprehension began to gnaw
were affixed, there was a certain
land on an open and unscabbed away at me again. It was when
improvement in our sons
wound on his leg. I mentioned the head of the childrens ward,
condition. As a result, the medical

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 staff agreed to release him for a Rebbe. He looked at me for a
period of twenty-four hours. This long while and then said: Theres
would allow us to make Shabbos something to what youre saying.
at home, and we would return He called the head nurse, and
to the hospital ward as soon as in a voice filled with excitement,
Shabbos ended. he told her to prepare our sons
Equipped with a list of release papers. The leg was
medications and instructions, completely healthy and there was
we made our way home. no need for us to stay any longer.
I immediately got to work When she heard this, she too
on laundering and folding was totally astounded. Within
clothes, and we soon restored a a few minutes, this miraculous
semblance of normalcy in our story had spread rapidly to every
house after a week of absence. room of the childrens ward,
We were ordered to bring our son among both the patients and the
back to his hospital bed no later hospital staff.
than one hour after Shabbos.
Just fifteen minutes before EVERYONE WANTED TO
Professor Yitzchak Winograd rolled
leaving for the hospital on up our sons pants and looked at WRITE TO THE LEADER
Motzaei Shabbos, our home his leg. Thinking that he had made
telephone rang. On the line was a mistake, he asked to see the OF THE GENERATION
Rabbi Chaim Shalom Segal from other leg What happened during those
Afula, and he had a message for moments was quite amazing,
us: You have received the Rebbes literally a case of Who is like
bracha. This news was a source spread out of control. After the Your people Yisroel? While
of tremendous strength and department head finished his we had been released from the
allayed our fears. presentation, he asked everyone hospital at eight oclock that
to take a moment and view the morning, we didnt actually leave
On Sunday morning,
afflicted leg for themselves. the childrens ward until eleven,
Professor Winograd came into
Shneurs room together with a He rolled up Shneurs pants three hours later. Throughout
staff of young interns, explaining and looked at his leg for a long this time, people came to the
to them about the inflammation while. Then, thinking that he room and stood in line to write a
infecting the boys leg. He told had perhaps made a mistake, letter to the Rebbe in request of
them what kind of inflammation he asked to see the other leg. a bracha, Mrs. Ester Rochberger
had afflicted our son, as he The discovery was amazing: said as she concluded her
described the expected several the deep reddish inflammation fascinating story. The
long weeks of hospitalization had completely disappeared and bronchitis and the inflammation
and treatment in the ward, the leg now appeared normal disappeared as if they had never
optimistically speaking, before with no discoloration. Professor existed.
the medications would manage Winograd was speechless. Today, my dear son is
to make their healing effect. He When I realized the intensity married with children, and we in
also didnt hesitate to present of the miracle, I told the doctor, our family always remember the
all available medical options in You see, Professor, this is a amazing miracle we experienced
the event that the infection chv miracle of the Lubavitcher with him.

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 MOSHIACH & GEULA

THE REBIRTH
OF THE DAVIDIC
DYNASTY
Just as the moon becomes full after 15
days and begins to wane thereafter, so
too the Davidic dynasty, after fifteen kings
had descended from Dovid, sovereignty
diminished in the days of Tzidkiyahu; only
a glimmer of it remained Rabban Gamliel
in Bavel and the Nasi in Eretz Yisroel.
But then their reign will be renewed and
continue. * From Chapter Fourteen of
Rabbi Shloma Majeskis Likkutei Mekoros,
Volume 2. (Underlined text is the compilers
emphasis.)

Translated by Boruch Merkur

Gemara Sanhedrin 38a: Yehuda and Chizkiya, the office he held, Rebbi exclaimed, My children,
the sons of Rebbi Chiya, once sat at table with you throw thorns in my eyes!
Rebbi [Yehuda HaNasi], and uttered not a word. At this, R. Chiya remarked, Master, be not
Rebbi said to his servants: Give the young men enraged, for the numerical value of the letters that
plenty of strong wine, so they may be more inclined spell yayin-wine is seventy and that of sod-secret
to speak. When the wine took effect, they began is also seventy, teaching that when wine is imbibed,
to speak, saying: Ben Dovid [i.e., Moshiach] will secrets emerge.
not come until the two ruling houses of the Jewish
Maharsha: Ben Dovid will not come until
people come to an end namely, the Exilarchate
when wine is imbibed, secrets emerge: This
in Babylon (Rosh Gola ShBBavel) and the
concept is explained in terms of the Mitzva of
Patriarchate (Nasi) in Eretz Yisroel as it is written,
ibbur hachodesh (sanctifying the new month) and
And it shall be for a portent and a bludgeoning
what is said in the second chapter of Meseches
stone and for a rock upon which to stumble for the
Rosh HaShana [25a]: Rebbi Chiya once saw the
two houses of Yisroel (Yeshayahu 8:14).
moon in the heavens on the morning of the twenty-
Upon hearing the prediction of the demise of ninth day [which was a sign that the new moon

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 would not appear for at least twenty-four hours]. it entailed regarding the date of Yom Kippur]; he
He took a clod of earth and hurled it towards the preferred that it should come from Rebbi Chiya.
moon, saying, Tonight we want to sanctify you [so Rebbi Chiya, however, in sympathy with Rebbi, also
Yom Kippur would not be on Sunday, immediately did not want to sanctify the month on the thirtieth
following Shabbos, which would be a difficult and day, which would require that he consider it as if the
severe transition from the pleasure of Shabbos to moon were still hidden then. Indeed, it is a positive
the deprivations of Yom Kippur] yet you are still sign when the moon is not hidden, as it signifies the
here! Go and hide yourself [before nightfall, so that continuity of the Nesius. Rebbi then ordered Rebbi
there should be no appearance of the old moon after Chiya to sanctify the moon, being hidden as a result
the twenty-ninth day is over, which would prevent of his command, Go and hide yourself!
the thirtieth day from being proclaimed New Moon Moreover, Rebbi told Rebbi Chiya, send me the
Rashi]! watchword, Dovid king of Israel is alive and well,
Rebbi thereupon said to R. Chiya: Go to Ein meaning that although the concealment of the
Tav [a place in Judah where the Jewish court used to moon is a negative sign for the Nesius, foretelling
meet to sanctify the month Tosafos], sanctify the its demise, in another sense it is actually a positive
month [disregarding sign, indicating that

what you have seen], Dovid King of
and send me the Rebbi agonized over the Yisroel is alive and
watchword, Dovid well that after
demise of his rule, and
king of Israel is the cessation of the
alive and well [see Rebbi Chiya told him, Master, be Nesius, the Davidic
Thillim 89:38]. not enraged, for in virtue of wine is dynasty will be
The intent here renewed and the glory
imbibed, the secret of the ibbur (the of Dovid will sprout
with the choice of
watchword is to liken sanctification of the new month) will forth. Rebbi therefore
the new moon to the emerge ... the idea that the Davidic told Rebbi Chiya,
Davidic dynasty, as Go to Ein Tav and
dynasty will be renewed, along with sanctify the month.
stated in Midrashos
that just as the the preeminence of the family of the The reference to Ein
moon becomes full Tav (literally, good
Nsiim, speedily in our days.
after 15 days and eye) emphasizes that
begins to wane it is actually a siman
thereafter, so too the tov, a positive sign.
Davidic dynasty, after fifteen kings had descended Thus, the Gemara here in Sandhedrin states,
from Dovid, sovereignty diminished in the days of Ben Dovid will not come until the two ruling
Tzidkiyahu; only a glimmer of it remained Rabban houses in Yisroel come to an end the houses of
Gamliel in Bavel and the Nasi in Eretz Yisroel. Rabban Gamliel and the Nasi. For after the Davidic
The moon gradually wanes from the fifteenth day, rule will be totally eliminated like the moon after
shrinking until it disappears completely, but then fifteen days, when it is completely diminished it
it is [reborn and] renewed with light. So too, after will then be renewed like the rebirth of the moon.
the Davidic dynasty totally disappears after even Rebbi agonized over the demise of his rule, and
the rule of Rabban Gamliel in Bavel and the Nasi in Rebbi Chiya told him, Master, be not enraged,
Eretz Yisroel have died out then their reign will be for in virtue of wine is imbibed, the secret of the
renewed [and continue]. ibbur (the sanctification of the new month) will
To that end, since the concealment of the emerge from them [from Yehuda and Chizkiya], the
moon was to Rebbi, who was Nasi, a sign that his idea that the Davidic dynasty will be renewed, along
leadership would end, he did not want to [be the one with the preeminence of the family of the Nsiim,
to] say, Go and hide yourself! [despite the benefit speedily in our days.

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 OBITUARY

THE REBBES
BAAL
MENAGEN
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 The Chabad community and those who cherish authentic
Chassidic music recently parted with a Chassidic music
pioneer, Rabbi Eliyahu Lipsker ah. * His fascinating life
story spans his childhood in Kutais, the familys aliya
to Eretz Yisroel, and the early years spent in the United
States under the personal care of the Rebbe. * About his
tfillos at the Rebbes side and the special kiruvim, the
rare recordings and the Rebbes guidance for success
in his concerts, and about the Rebbes interest in every
detail of his career.

By Shneur Chaviv and Avrohom Rainitz

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 Obituary

D
uring the Shiva for her children on the path of Torah Following a special request
their father, R Yosef and mitzvos. from the Rebbe, a group of
Yitzchok and R Maybe it was because of these bachurim was sent from Lud
Menachem Mendel activities that R Eli received a to Haifa which included Eli.
Lipsker went to daven at the bottle of mashke or wine, now On Shabbos 5716, a group of
Reines shul (in the Oholei Torah and then, from the Rebbe, when shluchim visited Eretz Yisroel.
mesivta building on Troy Avenue) he went by for kos shel bracha. He They were sent by the Rebbe
where their father, R Eli Lipsker, did not ask for it, but the Rebbe following the terrorist attack in
davened in recent decades. would occasionally give it to him. Kfar Chabad, and they promoted
One of the people there, R Leibel Groner, who went to the importance of visiting the
today a learned Chassid with a console the family, told them that Rebbe to Anash and the Tmimim.
Chassidishe family, told them he heard the Rebbe refer to R Eli The shluchims visit made a
emotionally: There are many as, My baal menagen. deep impression on Alter Shneur
others like me here in shul who Zalman, his older brother, and he
are part of the Chabad family, but decided to go to the Rebbe. When
FROM KUTAIS TO LUD he told his father, he had him take
thirty years ago, when we made
our first steps toward Chabad R Eli Lipsker was born on Eli along.
and did not know the difference 21 Sivan in 1940 in Kutais. He
between a Chumash and a was the sixth child of Aryeh Zev
THE TRIP TO THE REBBE
Likkutei Torah, it was your father (Leibel) and Malka. In Kutais,
the Lipsker children did not go Since they had no visas for the
who was mekarev us. On Shabbos
to public school. They learned United States, after receiving the
he learned Likkutei Torah with us
Torah in the attic which served as Rebbes bracha it was decided that
and during the week he guided us
the secret schoolhouse. R Leibel they would go via France where
in how to integrate into Chassidic
hired a private teacher for his they would spend time under
life.
children who came every day to the influence of the mashpia,
R Eli gave a shiur in Torah R Nissan Nemanov, until they
teach them.
Ohr and Likkutei Torah until the obtained the necessary papers.
final weeks of his life. When I Eli was nine years old when
he arrived in Eretz Yisroel. The In the middle of the winter
went to the house to be menachem
Lipsker family was taken to an 5717, the brothers, Shneur
avel, his sons showed me a pile of
immigrant hostel in Beer Yaakov Zalman and Eli, sailed to
big papers on which R Eli had
and a few days later, R Leibel Marseilles and from there took a
printed the maamarei Chassidus
took his sons to the yeshiva on train to Brunoy, a suburb of Paris,
in magnified print so he could
Rechov HaRav Kook 16 in Tel arriving there on 15 Shvat. They
continue giving the shiur even
Aviv. It was the night of 19 Kislev went to the yeshiva and studied
when his eyesight was weakening.
and a farbrengen was taking place Nigleh and Chassidus. Their
During the Shiva, a broad documents arrived in the summer
with the elder mashpiim and
range of people, who were drawn but they did not have money for
leaders of the Chabad community
to Chabad thanks to him, came to the ship.
in Tel Aviv.
be menachem avel. Some of them
On Motzaei 20 Kislev, Eli had a beautiful voice and
were familiar to the family since
yeshiva began and the older boys he davened for the amud. He
they were also regular guests in
remained in Tel Aviv to learn while considered staying in France for
R Elis open home. A woman
Eli, the younger one, returned to Tishrei 5718 and being a chazan
came who emotionally said that
Beer Yaakov with his father. After on the Yomim Noraim and
if not for our fathers listening to
a while, R Leibel worked to open using the money he earned to
her, she would not be in the frum
a school in Lud, and the Lipsker buy two tickets, for himself and
world today. He saved her and
children were brought back from his brother. When the Chassid,
her three children. She said that
Tel Aviv in order to be the first R Yisroel Noach Blinitzky heard
our home was the only place that
students. The heads of the yeshiva about this, he adamantly opposed
welcomed her as she was, even
were Rabbi Meilich Kaplan, later the plan. You need to be with the
during the difficult situations she
the rav of the Chabad community Rebbe for Tishrei, he said. In
was in, said the son, R Mendy.
in Lud, and Rabbi Lazer order to demonstrate his sincerity
He remembered that period well
Gurewitz, the son of the famous he paid for their tickets, just so
and was very happy to see her and
Chassid, R Itche der Masmid. that they could be by the Rebbe

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 for Tishrei.
When the brothers went to say
goodbye to R Yisroel Noach, he
asked them to come back to say
goodbye when they were about
to leave. The next day, with their
luggage in the taxi, they went
upstairs to say goodbye. To their
surprise, R Yisroel Noach donned
his outer coat, went into the taxi
with them, and traveled with them
to the train station where they
would be taking a train to the R Eli Lipsker with his drummers at a Lag BOmer parade in the 70s
port.
On 27 Elul 5717, three days
before Rosh HaShana, the Queen
Mary set anchor in New York.
On the ship were the Lipsker
brothers, R Meir Friedman of
Kfar Chabad, and R Chaim
Horowitz (Tashkenter). Two
bachurim were there to welcome
them, Itche Springer and Gershon
Mendel Garelik.

THE FIRST YECHIDUS

The long voyage affected Elis
health and he arrived at 770 with
a fever. He could barely make it to
the tfillos on Rosh HaShana with
the Rebbe. After Rosh HaShana R Eli Lipsker with the Tzivos Hashem choir in the 80s
he felt a little better and he had
his childhood dream and began bachur to study music in those
his first audience with the Rebbe
studying music professionally. days was completely out of the
during the Aseres Yemei Tshuva.
From the day I was born, I question. Its the equivalent of
The Rebbe welcomed him today, telling a bachur to have a
had a passion for music. I dreamed
graciously and asked how he was. television or unfiltered Internet
about music all the years, and to
It was like a father-son talk, R chv.
my great disappointment was not
Eli later said. The Rebbe asked
able to develop my talent. In Eretz Said R Eli, The truth is that
how I feel, and whether I went
Yisroel there was no opportunity at first, the hanhala of the yeshiva
to a doctor and what treatment
and my parents could not provide did not like it. It went against all
I was getting. I was a 16-and-a-
me with a musical education. the unwritten rules. But the one
half-year-old bachur alone in New
As soon as I was independent, I who supported me was the Rebbe.
York and I suddenly felt that there
began studying music. At first I The members of the hanhala
was someone who cared for me
studied with music teachers and went to the Rebbe every two weeks
like a father.
then I went to school to formally to report what was happening
Right after the holidays, Eli study music. in the yeshiva. They told the
began learning in 770. At the same
Rebbe that there is a bachur who
time, he worked at any possible
THE REBBE ENCOURAGED goes to study music and they
job within the yeshiva framework
HIS STUDY OF MUSIC asked whether they should expel
so he could support himself. As
me. The Rebbe asked them in
soon as it became financially You have to understand, surprise, To expel him? Maybe he
possible, he decided to realize said his son Mendy, that for a needs help and support? I think

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 Obituary

the Rebbe saw the potential in that was originally from Poland. come up with a musical idea for
me and wanted me to contribute Remaining frum was not a given the Lag BOmer parade. I said
to the dissemination of Chassidic in those days in America. Her I would try to make a childrens
music in the world. father, R Moshe Buchtman, band with drums and it worked.
A short while later, young Eli was a rabbi in the Bronx where The Rebbe greatly encouraged
was called to the yeshiva office many Jews lived in those days. R the drummers. When we passed
where he was asked whether he Altein, who was Rabbi Jacobsons by the Rebbe, you could see how
needed financial assistance to son-in-law, opened a school for pleased he was. Several times the
continue his studies. Eli, who was girls and Leah was one of the Rebbe asked that the children
always particular about not taking first students. Later on, she went and I be called to do another
handouts, declined and willingly to Bais Yaakov in Brooklyn. round with the drums to add to
forwent the money they offered. When my grandparents the simcha.
From his perspective, the main had yechidus with the Rebbe Today, just about every Lag
thing was to remain a Tamim in at the time of my parents BOmer parade around the world
yeshiva and to be able to combine wedding, said R Mendy, they has drummers. Most people dont
this with studying music with the told the Rebbe about the family know that the one who came up
hanhalas approval. background. It turned out there with the idea was R Eli Lipsker.
At that time, his father arrived had been some close connection Having drummers at the
to visit his sons learning in 770. at some point between my parade was just one of his many
He heard that his son had started mothers family and the Rebbes musical initiatives. R Eli was a
studying music and he was family. pioneer of Chabad music in the
apprehensive about his spiritual The Lipsker couple previous generation, whether
future. At first, everyone was maintained a home of hospitality with his work on the Seifer
afraid I would go off the derech. and chesed, like he saw in his HaNiggunim, recording the
The hanhala of the yeshiva was parents home in Lud. Until Chabad nusach for the Yomim
afraid and my parents were afraid today, the Lipsker home is known Noraim, Shabbos and Yom
too. But after hearing that the in Crown Heights by numerous Tov, with his many concerts
Rebbe approved, they were no guests as an open house. In and the forgotten niggunim that
longer nervous and they even Tishrei, they had hundreds of he recorded for the younger
warmed to the idea. guests whom R Eli welcomed generation.
At a certain stage, I began graciously and with open delight. All along, R Eli merited warm
writing to the Rebbe and reporting My mother loves to cook and and close attention from the
to him about my progress in my she prepares huge meals for the Rebbe, both in his personal life
music studies, and the Rebbe guests. People are always coming and with his music. Before going
was very supportive. The Rebbe in and out, says Mendy. Last to big concerts, I would have
acknowledged what I was doing Sukkos, my father did not feel yechidus. One time, the Rebbe
and it was obvious that he was well. He was physically limited told me, At concerts you need
happy with my choice. At the and could not walk, so we built a to interact and have a rapport
same time, I continued learning small sukka for him on the porch. with the audience. That was a
in yeshiva. I studied for smicha But as Sukkos approached, this special guidance that I received
and shchita. I never shechted an bothered him and he asked us regarding my profession.
animal but I have the certificate to build a big sukka in the yard On countless occasions,
that I studied the laws of shchita. like we did every year, for the R Eli served as chazan in the
After that, I had nothing to do guests. Rebbes presence. Usually, on
with shchita. When I finished Chanuka there would be a rally
learning, I received the Rebbes THE FIRST DRUMMERS for children. I would perform
blessing to get married and with a band and the Rebbe would
establish a Jewish home.
IN THE PARADE
stand facing us and encourage
R Eli began his musical the singing.
HOSPITALITY career as a yeshiva bachur. He
Sometimes, at a farbrengen,
said:
R Eli married Leah the Rebbe would ask someone
In 5720/1960, when I was to sing a niggun. One time, the
Buchtman in 5723. She was
still in yeshiva, they asked me to Rebbe said, Lipsker is here; he
from a religious, American family

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 should sing. MUSIC FOR THE NEXT
R Lipsker was chazan in the GENERATION
Rebbes minyan on the Yomim
As he developed his expertise
Noraim. I was often the chazan
in the field of music, R Eli also
by the Rebbe, davening on Rosh
began teaching music. Still as a
HaShana and Yom Kippur.
bachur, he started working as a
There were some years that I was
teacher in a non-Chabad yeshiva
hired to be the chazan in various
in New York. A short while later,
communities around the world,
they asked him to teach music in
and from that point on I did not
a Jewish school and that led to
go back to daven as the chazan in
his teaching music to children
770.
for decades in a number of New
York schools. Although officially
SIMCHAS BEIS HASHOEIVA he was only a music teacher, he
IN CROWN HEIGHTS considered his work a shlichus
After the Yom Kippur War, and spoke with his students about
R Eli Lipsker did a few concerts the meaning of life. He conveyed
in Eretz Yisroel. I did concerts spiritual ideas from the teachings
Baal Tfilla in the Rebbes minyan
at the Heichal HaTarbut in Tel of Chassidus. Many of them
Aviv and in Binyanei HaUmah Esther, the Rebbe told me to became closer to a life of Torah
in Yerushalayim. I performed write on the jacket that one does and mitzvos, thanks to him.
with my childrens choir and with not fulfill his obligation to hear Along with teaching music, R
Yigal Calek of London, and with the Megilla by listening to this Eli was always busy with concerts
someone who later became the recording. in which he performed Chabad
king of Jewish music, Mordechai In his youth, R Eli did not niggunim. In the 70s, during the
Ben David. It was a varied dream of making a living from conflict with Satmar, R Eli was
repertoire and people enjoyed it his involvement with music. the only Lubavitcher who entered
very much. The concept of a frum musician Williamsburg. They had no
Every Chol HaMoed Sukkos, making money from music did musicians and my father would
R Eli was invited to play at the not exist, certainly not in Chabad. play at all their weddings, said
Simchas Beis HaShoeiva of My fathers self-respect did his son.
Skver in New York. In 5741, not allow him to benefit from R Eli was most proud of his
a Hakhel year, after the Rebbe peoples gifts. He never took work in writing the notes for
spoke about the importance of food stamps or other government Chabad niggunim to be passed
Simchas Beis HaShoeiva, R Eli benefits, even when he was along to the young generation.
began the tradition of Simchas eligible. He believed in work and Thanks to him, Chabad niggunim
Beis HaShoeiva in Crown believed that a person has to do were preserved. He was the
Heights. It has since become one his maximum to support himself link that the Rebbe cultivated at
of the outstanding features of in dignity. As a bachur and even just the right time, in the right
Tishrei in Lubavitch. after he married, he worked place, and with the knowledge
The Rebbe also encouraged at any job that supported him to take the treasure of Chabad
R Eli to record his work. Every honorably, starting with jobs in niggunim and convey it to the
recording or other material that yeshiva, leining and chazanus, next generation.
I produced, I would submit to and as a driver of a delivery route ***
the Rebbe. The Rebbe always of kosher meat. When he began In recent years he was ill. He
listened and commented. He earning money from music, passed away on 20 Shvat. He is
once asked why it did not say that was really a blessing from survived by his wife, Leah, and
boruch Hashem on the cover. heaven, says his son Mendy. his children: R Yosef, shliach in
The Rebbe also told me to write He did not do any advertising Reading, PA; R Mendy, Crown
on the jacket not to listen to the and the jobs kept coming to Heights; and Shani Katzman,
recording on Shabbos and Yom him. There were ups and downs shlucha in Omaha, NE.
Tov. When I recorded Megillas in parnasa but he never stopped
working.

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 CHABAD HISTORY

SIXTY YEARS OF
COOPERATION IN
ONE MEMO
of the refugees are met and they are
Right from the beginning of its creation, the
resettled in Chabad communities
Lubavitch Hassidic movement distinguished itself across the world. This work was
done with the financial aid of
by the fact that its followers were guided to apply
the American Joint Distribution
and practice religious prescriptions in every detail Committee.
of life * If the Gruzian Jews have maintained their However, Lubavitch wasnt
satisfied just with providing
Jewish identity and strong religious feelings and material support for the refugees,
practices in spite of over 50 years of Communist and immediately set out to create
an infrastructure of Chabad
propaganda and persecution, I am convinced organizations to spread the light
that this is the result of the great efforts invested of Judaism wherever it may be
needed. Rabbi Gorodetsky was
by Rabbi Levitin * The majority of Shochtim in in charge of developing Chabad
England, France, Italy, the Scandinavian countries activities in Europe, the Middle
East and North Africa.
and Belgium are former students of our Yeshivot In this weeks installment we
* When the Aliyah from Morocco was very high, present a series of documents
from 5736 (1975-1976) which
there was a consensus of opinion by all concerned detail just part of the tremendous
that the youth coming from our institutions in that work that he was directing in
Europe and North Africa at the
country are the best element * This is obviously a time, specifying the various cities
very succinct description of our activities overseas, where Shluchim were operating
and their institutions which were
since otherwise it would require hundreds of sponsored by the JDC.
pages * What Does Lubavitch Do? These documents reference
over sixty years that Chabad
worked hand-in-hand with the

I
JDC, starting from World War I
n the aftermath of World appointed Rabbi Binyamin
when the JDC sent money to the
War II, the Frierdiker Rebbe Eliyahu Gorodetsky to lead the
famed Mashpia Rabbi Shmuel
established the Lubavitch organization; the organization was
Levitin who was then in Georgia
European Bureau and tasked with ensuring that all needs
(Gruzia).

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 These fascinating produced generations of
documents are part of the JDC Rabbis, teachers, Shochtim and
Archives (which were digitized other religious functionaries.
and uploaded online, thanks If the Gruzian Jews have
to a grant from Dr. Georgette maintained their Jewish
Bennett and Dr. Leonard identity and strong religious
Polonsky CBE). feelings and practices in spite
of over 50 years of Communist
THE MEMORANDUM propaganda and persecution,
I am convinced that this is
THAT SHOULDVE BEEN the result of the great efforts
HUNDREDS OF PAGES invested by Rabbi Levitin and
On December 21, 1975 [17 the financial assistance granted
Teves 5736] Rabbi Gorodetsky by the JDC so many years ago.
submitted to the JDC offices a In general it is an accepted
three-page Memorandum on fact that the Lubavitch
Lubavitch Overseas Activities movement is the only Jewish
which included a summary of religious organization in
most social and educational Communist Russia which has
activities being organized by the been active in the religious-
Lubavitch European Bureau cultural and social fields for so
and the Shluchim: many years, at the beginning
The Lubavitch Hassidic legally and then illegally. The
movement was founded like helping Jews to become former Lubavitch Rabbi, my
some two hundred years ago by craftsmen, farmers or workers father-in-law, myself and other
the Holy Rabbi Zalman of Ladi, in small industry cooperatives. Lubavitch people were at one
a small town in White Russia This way the Lubavitch followers time or another either sent to
which became famous among and Yeshivah students could earn prison or to Siberia, but our
Jews all over the world since the a decent living and at the same activities always continued and
Rabbi was called Rabbi Zalman time observe the Mitzvot. still continue in Russia to this
MeLadi. This kind of activity brought day. I have been directly involved
This movement is very well our movement in contact with in this work for the last 52 years
known among Jews because the American Jewish Joint and am in a good position to
of the many books, including Distribution Committee when state that all this has been done
historical research, published this latter organization began with the precious financial
on the subject. Therefore, I do to work in Russia after World assistance of the JDC.
not think it necessary to relate War I. In 1913 the first JDC
here its history. The purpose of financial assistance for Jews in POST WORLD WAR II
this memorandum is rather to Russia was sent to the Lubavitch ACTIVITIES
bring out the various aspects Yeshivot in Gruzia and namely
to Rabbi Shmuel Levitin, the The experience in illegal
of the Lubavitch movement
then Chief Rabbi of Gruzia and work in Russia has helped us to
activities and its relationship
representative of the Lubavitch bring out some 4,000 Lubavitch
with the American Jewish Joint
Rabbi for that region (as well members from that country
Distribution Committee for the
as my father-in-law who, by the in 1946, to the DP camps in
last sixty years.
way, passed in New York at the Germany and then to France.
Right from the beginning In France we provided them
of its creation, the Lubavitch beginning of 1975 at the age of
94, active, alert and conscious to with the material means to live
Hassidic movement distinguished and helped them to find work in
itself by the fact that its followers the last minute). Rabbi Levitin
worked for Gruzian Jewry for accordance with their capacities.
were guided to apply and Some of them were helped to
practice religious prescriptions many years and created there
a chain of Jewish religious learn trades and to open little
in every detail of life, including workshops for knitting, tailoring,
the social and economic ones, and social institutions which
etc. Others, in accordance with

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 Chabad history

their background and Toranic communities all over Europe and activities overseas, since
education, were appointed a certain number was sent to otherwise it would require
as Rabbis, teachers, scribes, Israel. hundreds of pages. However
Shochtim and Chazanim in Our activities in France I believe that even so it shows
our various religious-cultural served also as a springboard for clearly the positive role played
institutions created in those years our similar activities in other by our movement in maintaining
and which have since become countries, like Israel, Morocco, and strengthening the religious
famous all over Europe, like the Tunisia, the City of Melilla, spirit and Jewish values among
Yeshivah at Brunoy, the Bet- Madrid, Italy, Turkey, the Jews in Europe, North Africa and
Rivka Teachers Seminary for Scandinavian countries and even other countries.
Girls and the Bet-Rivka School Australia. In all these countries I wish to conclude by
for Girls at Yerres, a chain of we carried on and still carry on emphasizing once again that
Talmudei-Torah and day-schools in most of them religious-cultural the success obtained in our
in Paris and its suburbs as well and social activities (in Israel tremendous work in the various
as in the larger provincial cities also vocational training at Kfar- countries was due mainly to
of France, like Lyon, Marseille, Chabad) which include Yeshivot, the assistance and sympathetic
Toulouse and Nice. Talmudei-Torah, all-day schools attitude and understanding on
I believe the following two for boys, Bet-Rivka Schools for the part of the JDC leadership
facts, among others, will illustrate Girls, Youth Centers and Student towards our organization during
both the kind of our work and Centers with a Kosher restaurant all these years, for what I am
our close cooperation with the in Madrid. In addition, our truly and deeply grateful.
JDC: former Yeshivah students who Grand Rabbi B. Gorodetzki
1. In 1948 the Irish emigrated to such countries like Director-General for Europe,
Government made the JDC a Canada, England, Italy, Norway, Israel and North Africa
gift of 3 million pounds of meat Sweden, etc., hold responsible
to be distributed among Jews in jobs as religious functionaries
the DP camps and in Israel. In in those communities and the THE LIST
this connection there arose the majority of Shochtim in England, Attached to the memo was a short
problem of finding Shochtim and France, Italy, the Scandinavian two-page list of all the educational
Rabbis to handle the Kashrut of countries and Belgium are former activities under the auspices of
this large quantity of meat. The students of our Yeshivot. Rabbi Gorodetsky (aside for the Aid
JDC then entrusted us with this It should also be noted that to Russia program, which was kept
gigantic job, and I organized a during the early 1950s, when off the books for obvious reasons),
group of 50 Rabbis and Shochtim the Aliyah from Morocco was which were sponsored by the JDC:
who went to Ireland for this very high, there was a consensus PRESENT RELIGIOUS-
purpose. Moreover, I used this of opinion by all concerned CULTURAL AND SOCIAL
opportunity to send with them a that the youth coming from our ACTIVITIES OF THE
number of Yeshivah students to institutions in that country are LUBAVITCH MOVEMENT
learn the profession of Shechita. the best element and that their WITH JDC FINANCIAL
2. In 1949 or 1950 the JDC integration in Israel was much ASSISTANCE
received some 1,200 Sifrei-Torah easier than that of other Jews FRANCE
from Germany, which the Nazis from Morocco. 1. Yeshivah at Brunoy with
had confiscated from Jews all full board and lodging, including
over Europe. Again it was our PUBLICATIONS a school for Shochtim 88
scribes who were charged with students.
Our activities in France
the task of examining these Sifrei- 2. Bet-Rivka Teachers
include also publication of
Torah with regard to Kashrut Seminary for Girls at Yerres,
books and booklets in French on
and, if necessary, make the with full board and lodging 68
religious topics for the French
needed corrections since there students.
speaking countries in Europe, for
were no other scribes available in
North Africa, Canada and up to 3. Bet-Rivka Primary and
Europe in those days. Their work
recently also for Lebanon. Secondary all-day school for
enabled the JDC to distribute
these Sifrei Torah among Jewish This is obviously a very girls at Yerres with full board and
succinct description of our lodging 102 students.

32 4 Nissan 5777

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 4. All-day school in Paris 69 3. Bet-Rivka all-day school Although it would seem that
students. for Girls at Casablanca with full because a report was suggested
5. All-day school at board 315 students. by the JDC it would automatically
Aubervilliers 85 students. TUNISIA follow that he would try to sing
6. All-day school at Orly 40 1. Yeshivah (Primary and our praise. Yet in the many years
students. Secondary all-day school for that I have worked with the
boys) in Tunis 205 students. Rabbi, and it goes back to the
7. Chain of 46 Talmudei-
forties, one thing constant about
Torah in Paris and the suburbs 2. Teachers Seminary for
the Rabbi was his willingness at
with a total of 985 students. Girls in Tunis 80 students.
any time to give us a noticeable
8. Chain of 51 Youth and 3. All-day school for Girls in credit line, in large print and
Student Centers in Paris and Tunis 90 students. usually at the beginning of his
the suburbs with a total of about 4. Evening classes in Tunis report. This, as opposed to a
1,000 persons. with an attendance of 80 persons. number of our subventioned
9. Two Kindergartens in the 5. Summer Courses with an organizations who tack on the
suburbs of Paris with a total of 45 attendance of about 200 persons. credit line at the end in small
children. 6. Yeshivah with full board at print.
10. Bet-Rivka all-day school Djerba 115 students. What cannot be said by Rabbi
at Lyon 160 students. CITY OF MELILLA Gorodetzky, and I will say it, is
11. Youth and Student Center that the trust and faith we have
1. All-day school 72
at Lyon with a total of about 80 of him and his organization is no
students.
persons. less than we have with any of the
2. Evening classes with an JDC offices and staff. It is indeed
12. Youth and Student Center attendance of about 40 persons.
in Marseille with a total of about a most unique relationship and
3. Summer courses with an one that all of here treasure. You
70 persons.
attendance of about 80 persons. have got to see and hear it to
13. Youth and Student Center
believe it.
in Strasbourg with a total of
about 50 persons. THE TRUST AND FAITH IN This does not mean that we
RABBI GORODETZKY automatically agree with the
14. Youth and Student Center
Rabbi when he comes up with his
in Toulouse with a total of about Rabbi Gorodetskys memo
projects. On the contrary, we are
50 persons. circulated among JDC officers and
always in a discussion state with
MOROCCO on February 16, 1976 [15 Adar I,
the Rabbi; but his understanding
1. Yeshivah at Casablanca, 5736] we find the following letter
of our problems and our
including vocational school for from a Hassid of Lubavitch Mr.
strictures makes it easy for us to
Tefilln and Sofrim, with full Theodore Feder (JDC Europe) to
deal with his organization.
board and lodging 46 students. the Executive Vice President of the
JDC, Mr. Ralph Goldman: Ralph, if you had not asked
2. Bet-Rivka Teachers me for comments, you would
Seminary for girls at Casablanca As a hassid of the Lubavitch
have not gotten this letter. So,
210 students, the large majority and especially of Rabbi
ask
of whom receive full board and Gorodetzki I plead prejudice in
lodging. his favor.

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Issue 1063 33

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 TZIVOS HASHEM

YOU WILL
HAVE NACHAS By Devorah Leah

died a few years ago and reason to refuse, but something

The Place: S Paul, Minnesota
since then her connection to in her heart made her say no.
The Time: Yud Shvat 5739 She decided she would keep
Judaism had become weaker
Adina looked around the full just one more Shabbos and
and weaker.
hall. In another few minutes, then
Then, one day, her fifteen-
the Yud Shvat farbrengen This is why she was sitting
year-old brother announced
would begin, and the room here on Motzaei Shabbos and
that he was starting to keep
was filling up with Chassidim waiting for the program
Torah and mitzvos. At first,
and Jews who came from all to begin, the evening that
Adina reacted with a certain
over. was going to be the finale to
disdain for things he did that
The truth is, she didnt her acquaintance with the
seemed strange to her. But
really belong here. She grew wonderful world of Judaism.
slowly, she became interested
up in a typical American
too. He told her about the ***
home, went to college and was
world of Kabbala and Chassidus The guest speaker for the
enjoying life. She knew she discovered a
and Adina evening was Rabbi Shlomo
was Jewish and was proud of body of
deep and very wise Zalman Hecht of Chicago
that, but Judaism to her was
knowledge that she had never who was an eloquent speaker.
something quaint and nice
known about before. She felt For the past ten years the
that belonged to history.
that here, within Judaism, community in Minnesota had
Her main connection to lay the truth and she began tried, without success, to
Judaism was through her keeping kosher and later on, bring Rabbi Hecht to speak.
grandfather. Adinas mothers Shabbos too. They had finally succeeded in
father was a religious Jew. She But something within her getting him.
fondly remembered how, when
still did not quite connect to His white beard and
she was a little girl, he would
Judaism. For several months pleasant voice impres sed
pick her up and put her on his
she went back and forth the crowd. He began to talk
lap and tell her about life in
between the world of Judaism about the greatness of the
Russia. Back then, he slept on
and the sparkling outside Rebbe Rayatz, about his
a bench in yeshiva and went
world, and she finally decided mesirus nefesh for Jews and
hungry most of the day, but he
she was giving up. Judaism was Judaism, about his genius and
was happy that he could learn
beautiful and real but it just righteousness. Adina listened
Torah.
didnt feel right to her. closely to the rabbi but when
When her grandfather told he began telling the following
This week, friends invited
her about this he would cry, story, she became glued to his
her to join a hike in the
and Adina knew that these words. She looked at the rabbi
mountains that they were
were tears of longing for days as though hypnotized and took
planning for Friday night. The
long gone. Her grandfather
truth is she did not have a in every word he said:

34 4 Nisan
Nissan5777
5777

1063_bm_eng.indd 34 2017-03-28 1:24:49 PM




, .[] "- . :

... ,
. . ' ":
.
... ,
, '
, .

.
, ,

someone as

,
, met
...

never


.
After World War

great as this man. The
in

fund

a
II, we started
. called for me
then
ne
, everyo Rebbe

our city that


room.
,

, enter
to his
contributed' toward s.
was here
'
Mr. Brody
e of the

The purpos


by
,
me

today, began the
fund was to help needy ...



.
who Rebbe. When I asked
families in Europe
after about
him his children,
remained there


he burst
' into tears and
The
.
the Holoca
ust.
one of his

not

director ofthe fund said
, that
six childre n was religiou s.
was someon e named
! .




I him
told that one day
Mr. Samuel Brody. He


have nachas,

would

he

was a fine man who ,
, packin . g when his grandc hildren
ran a meat
: ,


return ed to Judaism.
plant in Chicago. ,




,

go to

want to
.
eyes and said, I
,***
.
After a nice amoun
t of


Lubavi , tcher
the
.
ca
Ameri to see




ed,
collect , "we "sent
money was . ,


.


There


was
silence
in the
give Rebbe. ,
Rabbi Hecht
Mr. Brody to Europe to

room when
over it and
,
t get

couldn

He
.
it out person, ally to

familie

s in
.




finishe d the story. I have often
a starvin g,

If

: to me,

he said
, -
need. When he return ed from


though



t
. of

this
encoun
ter with
eight- year-o ld boy who never
up.
Europe he was shaken He

.

the Rebbe


and
, have wonde red
Rebbe yearne
before, d

the
. saw
e was

ng promis
,
told about the great sufferi


wheth er the
more than food
,
to see him,
,
that was the lot of
, many . . fulfilled ,alread y and how.
and , which he lacked,
clothes
survivors, about the starva . tion . ' Mr.

'

Brody

died a few years
that shows
that the Rebbe is and I dont know what
plight. ago

that was their
, ,


. special.

someone very happened to his children, but I
But one little story
Mr. Brody was so amazed ~ the
ixhb ws | that
xa,wvsure
z"am promise of a
astounded him. When he was
| 74

that he asked me, even though tzaddi k will come true.

in Paris, he met a little boy of
survived the war. he wasnt a Chassid, to arrange Rabbi Hecht finished his
eight who 3/19/2007 11:36:48 AM

for him to see the Rebbe speech and Adina sat there
Mr. Brody asked him if he
94.indd 2

Rayatz. I arranged it and we and cried. She knew the

could do something for him.
traveled together to New York. answer because Mr. Shmuel
He expected a child of that
age to ask for candy, clothes When Mr. Brody came out Brody was her grandfather.
or something like that. But the of the Rebbes room, he was
boy looked at him with big overcome. He said he had

Continued from page 17 the conclusion of the search until be extremely careful not to introduce
after Pesach. One room must be left chametz to the office following his
EARLY BDIKAS CHAMETZ unsearched, so that a search can be search.
It is permissible to begin conducted in that room on the night If one cleans a room from
although not complete the mitzvah of the fourteenth, with a blessing. chametz with the intention of
of bdikas chametz earlier than Here is a practical example of storing his Pesach items there, it is
the night of the 14th of Nisan. such a scenario: One intends to enter wise to wait until the night after he
Regardless of the date of the search, his office during Pesach. In that has cleaned it to conduct a search
it must be conducted during night case, the office cannot be included for chametz by either candlelight
hours and a candle must be used. in the sale of chametz. It must be or the use of an electric flashlight,
In such a case, a blessing is not cleaned and searched instead, but he and not to rely on the search that
recited, and care must be taken does not need to wait until the night he will conduct on the night of the
to avoid introducing any chametz of the fourteenth; he can search it fourteenth. He can then introduce
into the searched area following earlier, as explained above. He must his Pesach items.

1063_bm_eng.indd 5 2017-03-28 1:24:32 PM