ITS TEEN TIME!

1 CROWN HEIGHTS Newspaper ~July 25, 2008
Newspaper
Community
‫כאן צוה ה’ את הברכה‬
July 25, 2008 | Tammuz 22 ,
5768
weekly vOL. i | NO 36
‫ תשס”ח | בס”ד‬, ‫פרשת מםות | כב' תמוז‬
A TRIBUTE TO
Reb Shneur Zalman
Yissocer Getzel Halevi
pAGE 2
A SHADCHAN
FOR YOUR CAREER?
PAGE 15
ITS TEEN TIME!
Ohr Chaya Mushka:
What an exciting summer!
Page 15
THis Weeks Hero
REB ZALMAN YEHUDA DEITSCH
THE REBBES STORY
The Hillel Foundation
Meets the Rebbe
Page 13
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2 CROWN HEIGHTS Newspaper ~July 25, 2008
The Vaad Hakohol
The Prohibition of going to Court
Rabbi Shlomo Segal
chapt. 38. But being that the original
responsibility was on the owner and
Member of the Bais Din of Crown
the insurance entered as a guarantor
Heights
for the owner, therefore, if it is verified
that the insurance is not obligated to
Question
cover the damage, a person would then
prohibited to continue in court in order
A person entered
to obligate the person to pay.
another person’s
home, and as a
Because:
result of dirt on
the staircase, the
From the perspective of the dayan in
person slipped. Is
Bais Din, the owner is not obligated
one permitted to sue the owner in court
to pay when a person got hurt on his
in order to collect from the owner’s
property. It is stated in Shulchan Aruch,
insurance-- the owner can argue that
Choshen Mishpat chapt. 412, that in a
this is damaging to him?
location where there are things that can
cause a person to slip, a person needs
Answer
to be aware and protect himself. In a
home, where there are young children,
In Shulchan Aruch, Choshen Mishpat
it happens quite often that items are
chapter 26, it cites the strict prohibileft on the floor, which can cause one
tion against going to court. The only
to stumble or slip, and one should have
exception would be when one does
noticed them while walking up the
not adhere to the Bais Din, his plaintiff
staircase. And there is no reason to
would then receive a special consent
obligate the owner for the damages.
from the Bais Din to summon the
defendant to court.
When one summons the owner and
not the insurance, it is a prohibition of
Surely,, one is not allowed to cause
going to court.
damages to another person’s money by
summoning him to court, as it is cited
Regarding the issue that this claim
in Shulchan Aruch, Choshen Mishpat
may cause an increase in the insurance
chapt. 388. Regarding this aspect, even
premium, it would be appropriate that
when one had refused to come to the
the plaintiff should cover the costs of
Bais Din, there is no granted permission
the insurance increase, because one
to cause pain to the person by going to
is forbidden to cause any damage to
court and subpoenaing the defendant
the owner through court. And since,
in person or financially.
in any case, the insurance reimburses
the plaintiff more than what the Torah
But in the situation when the claim is
requires, therefore the plaintiff should,
against the insurance and in order to
on a monthly basis, reimburse the sum
collect from the insurance, he needs to
of the increase that the owner had to pay
file a complaint against the owner--this
as a result of this claim, until the owner
is not forbidden. Since it is known that
changes to another insurance policy.
one cannot claim insurance in a Bais
Din, and the only option to obligate
It would be noteworthy to mention that
the insurance to pay is by filing a claim
the owner should assist the plaintiff to
in court.
collect his reimbursement from the
insurance and surely not hinder or
In such a case, it is cited in the posstop the plaintiff from receiving his
kim that this is not included in the
damages.
prohibition of going to court, and as
it is stated in detail in the Tshuvos of
Clarification
the Bais Yitzchok Choshen Mishpat
CommunityNewspaper
392 Kingston Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11225
Published & edited weekly by the Vaad Hakohol
of Crown Heights.
Moshe Rubashkin, Rosh Hakohol
Dr. Tzvi (Harvey) Lang, Chairman
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All advertisement designed and prepared by the
CHCommunity Newspaper are the property of the
newspaper and cannot be reproduced without the
consent of the publisher
In last week’s column, we discussed
that when one rented or leased a car,
and he received a ticket – who would
be responsible for the payment?
It seemed from some of our readers,
that the final conclusion lacked some
clarity.
The answer is the obligation falls on
the one who rented\leased the car, as
it is cited in Shulchan Aruch Choshen
Mishpat, chapter 128--in such a case,
we obligate the one who was negligent
in paying the money.
Zaida Getzel
By: Moshe Rubashkin
This coming Sunday, Chof Daled Tammuz, Yidden will recite the Hallel
Prokim as part of the Tehillim of Chitas.
The words of Praise express the deep
appreciation we have for the Almighty
and the wondrous miracles He wrought
for us. Once these precious words of
Dovid HaMelech are offered we feel
ennobled, a notch higher than before.
This coming Sunday Chof Daled Tammuz is the 25th Yartzeit of Reb Shneur
Zalman Yissocer Getzel Halevi ben Reb
Sholem, a”h. The extended Rubashkin
family and friends will offer their added
heartfelt gratitude c/o the Hallel verses
of the Tehillim of the day. The grace
and the privilege of having had a Zaide
Getzel is something to continually thank
Hashem for. Zeide was a marvelous
model, a life example of a true chosid, a
True Pnimi. It’s also interesting to note
that the Hayom Yom of Chof
Daled Tammuz describes the
character of a Pinimi.
Zeide Getzel was an original.
He was a colorful fellow. He
had his own inimitable style
and signature. They reflected
his deep concern for what
was right and respectful. He
possessed a sharp wit along
with an endless treasury of
stories with which to elucidate
every concept and circumstance. In his earlier years
Zeide would express freely his
thoughts and his observations,
but in his later years he was
more reticent. At his 80th
birthday surrounded by his
children, grandchildren and
great-grandchildren, gathered
to celebrate with l’Chaim, he
relented. In appreciation of
the occasion and in response
to our proddings, Zeida shared a few
stories. We never forgot them. Their
lessons penetrated and enriched us. The
wisdom gleaned, served us in countless
ways.
A country yokel inherited a silver spoon.
What use did he have for a singular, silver
spoon---none he decided. So he went
to the trading store and received a few
coupons in lieu of the silver spoon. Up
and down the aisles he went, but couldn’t
find anything that caught his fancy until
he found a lacquered, colorful, wooden
spoon. Gleefully he gave the agent the
coupons, and it was only a while after
when he left that he realized that he
had traded a silver spoon for a wooden
spoon. Zeida paused for emphasis when
he finished his folk tale. He didn’t offer
more. He left the thinking to us.
he could be on par to the man with the
four horses. Now behind him rode a man
with two horses. He too urged his horses
in thinking with a bit of prodding his
horses could catch up to the man with
the three horses. Unknown to him was
that the man with the three horses was
really competing with the man with
the four horses. And so it continued to
the man with the one horse who tried
to catch up with the man with the two
horses who in reality was competing
with the man with the four horses. No
wonder the horse dropped shortly. Zeide
again let the lesson sink in. He left the
thinking to us.
All grandchildren love their grandparents. They mirror and respond to the
unconditional love and warmth. They
know they are the heroes and heroines
in the eyes of their grandparents. What
grandparent doesn’t light up when seeing
their grandchildren? Their dreams, their
yearnings their hopes are invested in
their grandchildren. We felt all this and
more when visiting our grandparents.
Who could forget the twinkle in the
eye, the animated facial expression,
the profuse blessings. They fuel us ‘til
today. As an adult grandchild, BH, a
grandmother myself, I continuously
cherish the blessing of having known
my grandparents.
What I realize now that I haven’t considered previously is how unique and amazing our grandparents were in their own
generation. Fooled by their exceptional
modesty, we didn’t realize then that we
were provided with an encounter of truth
that can never be duplicated.
“Emes is in the Siddur,” a wise woman
remarked to my mother when noticing
her bewilderment at the action of those
who should have known better. “Emes
is in the Siddur,” became a slogan we
would quote often to remind ourselves
that whereas human beings can fail,
Another favorite was the Tale of the Four
Horses. Along a lone highway traveled a
man with four horses. Behind him rode
a man with three horses. The man the
man with three horses urged his horses
on, convinced with just a bit more effort Continued on Page 6
July 25, 2008 ~ crOWN heights Newspaper 3
The Rebbe's Sicha Parshas Matos-Masei 5750
The Three Weeks and their
meaning
Published by Sichos In English
The three weeks between the 17th of
Tammuz and Tishah B’Av are referred
to as the Three Weeks of Retribution
and Bein HaMetzorim, “between the
straits,” names whose connotation is
not openly positive.
This presents a conceptual difficulty.
The number three is generally connected with positive themes, e.g., the
three Patriarchs, the three pilgrimage
festivals. Similarly, our Sages associated the giving of the Torah with the
number three, praising G-d for giving,
“a threefold light to a threefold people...
in the third month.” Furthermore, the
number three has the implications of
permanence as expressed in the verse,
“the threefold cord will not be snapped
speedily.” Similarly, in halachic terms,
the number three is connected with a
chazakah, a presumption that can be
assumed to continue. Accordingly, it
is difficult to understand: Why is the
concept of retribution and destruction, the direct opposite of holiness
and permanence, associated with the
number three?
Generally, the concept is explained as
follows: The awesome descent of the
Three Weeks is intended to allow for an
ascent. When a person wants to reach
a level which is much higher than his
present rung, it is necessary for him
to undergo a descent first. Similarly,
for the Jews to reach the peaks of the
Messianic redemption, a redemption
which will not be followed by a descent,
it is necessary that they first undergo
the descent of exile. In this context,
the Three Weeks are associated, not
with exile, but rather with the Third
Beis HaMikdash that will be built after
this exile.
This explanation, however, is insufficient for the Three Weeks connect
the aspect of descent (and not the
subsequent ascent) with three. When
a descent is intended for the sake of an
ascent, the descent itself is not desired.
Indeed, it will ultimately be nullified
and all that will remain is the ascent.
If so, why is three which is, as above,
usually connected with permanence,
associated with a dimension that has
no self-contained purpose and which
ultimately will be nullified?
The question can be reinforced: Generally, the number three expresses an
ascent which follows a descent. For
example, in the narrative of creation,
the first day, is referred to in the Torah
as yom echad, “one day,” i.e., a day of
oneness, to quote the Medrash, “the day
that G-d was at one with His world.” It
was followed by the second day, “the day
on which strife was created,” as reflected
in the separation of the higher waters
from the lower waters. Accordingly, the
expression, “And G-d saw that it was
good,” is not mentioned in connection
with the second day since division, even in a constant process of ascent, “always
when necessary for the world, cannot ascending higher in holiness,” “proceeding from strength to strength.” If
be called “good.”
so, what is the reason for a descent? To
This was followed by the third day,
proceed to a higher and more elevated
which compensated for the division
rung that could not otherwise be
of the second day, creating peace and
reached. To give an example from every
unifying the two opposites. For this
day life, when faced with obstructions
reason, the expression, “And G-d saw
and difficulties, a person summons up
that it was good,” is repeated twice,
inner strength that brings out greater
revealing a compound goodness which
achievements that would otherwise
qualitatively exceeds the goodness of
be impossible.
the other days.
In this process of descent for the sake of
This is reflected by the attribute of
ascent, there are two levels: a) a descent
Tiferes (“beauty,” which was expressed
which is limited within the context of
on the third day of creation) which unithe natural order, b) a descent which
fies Chesed (“kindness,” expressed on
cannot be fathomed by the rules of
the first day of creation) with Gevurah
nature.
(“might,” expressed on the second
day of creation). This reveals a unity In the first case -- which reflects the
which surpasses that of the first day. progression from two (descent) to
On the first day, the unity existed on a three (ascent) -- just as the descent is
level above division. Thus, there is the limited, so, too, the ascent has certain
possibility that division will ultimately limits. In contrast, when the descent is
arise. In contrast, the unity of the third unlimited, as in the Three Weeks, the
day is established within the context ascent which follows is also unlimited
of division, bringing about a true state in nature.
of unity.
The first type of descent was implanted
The same concept is reflected in Torah by G-d in the natural order of the
where we find the concept of “a con- world. In contrast, the second descent
troversy for the sake of heaven,” the is brought about by man, through his
controversy between Hillel and Sham- sins. Thus, in the first instance, there
mai. This division has its source in the is a direct connection between the
division which came into being on the descent and the ascent which will
second day of creation and, in turn, follow. In contrast, when a person sins,
serves as the source for subsequent on a revealed level, there is no apparent
differences of opinion within Torah. connection between the sin and the
ascent through teshuvah which will
A “controversy for the sake of Heaven,”
ultimately follow. In particular, when
is obviously not a simple matter of strife
the descent that is brought about by sin
or conflict. Nevertheless, it -- even
is connected with three -- and thus, has
the controversy between Hillel and
the power of permanence -- the ascent
Shammai -- brought about a descent.
becomes even higher.
Ultimately, however, it serves a positive
function.[165] The debate between a To rephrase the matter: The process
thinking process that favors leniency of ascent that is brought about by
(since its source is the attribute of descent is a natural phenomenon.
Chesed) and a thinking process which Since the descent into the realm of
tends to severity (since its source is the division brings about a higher sense
attribute of Gevurah) leads to a clari- of oneness, the division is not genuine.
fication of Torah law. A third opinion On the contrary, even on the level of
emerges which reconciles and unifies division, it is felt how it is temporary
both conflicting perspectives.
in nature, with no purpose in and of
itself, and that it exists only to bring
Thus, both in the world at large and in
out the higher level of unity. When is
Torah, the concept of descent and divithere genuine division? When there is
sion is associated with the number two
an approach that possesses the aspect
and three is associated with the ascent
of permanence associated with three
and unification that follows. Similarly,
and yet appears to be totally negative
in regard to the Batei HaMikdashos:
in thrust with no connection with the
The first (associated with the Patriarch
ascent that will follow. When unity is
Avraham, and the attribute of Chesed)
established in that context, then it is
and the second (associated with the
true and complete.
Patriarch, Yitzchok, and the attribute
of Gevurah) Batei Mikdashos were
In this context, we can understand the
destroyed, while the third Beis HaMikThree Weeks. This period, brought
dash (associated with the Patriarch
about by our sins, reflects the lowYa’akov and the attribute of Tiferes)
est possible descent, a descent that
will be an eternal structure. Thus the
would not be possible within the
original question is reinforced: Why
order of nature, and reflects the aspect
are these weeks which are connected
of permanence associated with the
with mourning, destruction, and exile
number three. Thus, we see that this
associated with the number three?
exile continues without end, to quote
our Sages:
This question can be resolved by developing a different understanding of the In the first generations, their sin was
concept “a descent for the purpose of revealed and the end [of the period
an ascent.” To explain: A Jew should be of retribution] was also revealed. In
the later generations, their sin was not
revealed and the end [of the period of
retribution] was also not revealed.
Even after our Sages declared, “All the
appointed times for Moshiach’s coming have passed,” the exile continues.
Furthermore, on the surface, there is no
way in which it is apparent how such an
exile will lead to the redemption.
Nevertheless, this itself is an indication
that it will lead to an ascent which is
totally beyond our comprehension,
that it will surpass even the peaks of
holiness that were attained previously,
establishing an entirely new framework
of reference.
Furthermore, since this is the purpose
of the descent of the Three Weeks -although it is not consciously felt -- we
must appreciate that the Three Weeks
themselves have a positive dimension.
The Three Weeks are associated with
the revelation of the three powers of
intellect.
In that context, the word rendered as
“retribution” can be reinterpreted in a
positive context. The Zohar associates
Pharaoh “with the revelation of all the
sublime lights.” Similarly, these Three
Weeks can be the source for a revelation
of light that transcends all limits, the
light that will be revealed in the Third
Beis HaMikdash.
The concept of an immeasurable ascent
which comes because of the descent
into exile is also alluded to in each of
the parsha of Matos.
The name Matos refers to a branch
which has become strong and hard
because it was cut off from the tree.
There is a parallel to this in our service
of G-d. The Jewish soul as it descends
into a body, particularly as it exists
in exile, is, on an apparent level, cut
off from its source. This brings about
a hardening and strengthening process. On the surface, the hardening
is negative in nature, intensifying the
challenges which a Jew faces. Through
confronting these challenges, however,
a Jew attains added strength and power
in his service of G-d which enables
him to endure the challenges of exile
without being affected.
Thus, the extended exile which is felt
acutely in these Three Weeks should
not bring a Jew to despair, but rather to
an appreciation of the heights to which
the exile will bring us. This realization
should, in turn, bring about a strengthening of Torah and mitzvos which will
lead to the Messianic redemption. This
should be expressed in “spreading the
wellsprings outward,” extending the
influence of Torah to places which by
nature have no connection to it.
In particular, this should be expressed
in making siyumim, conclusions of the
study of Talmudic tractates or Torah
works. These siyumim should be made
in every place possible. May this lead
to a siyum of the exile.
4 CROWN HEIGHTS Newspaper ~July 25, 2008
Our Heroes
Horav Hachossid Reb Zalman Yehuda Deitsch
1946-29th of Tamuz 2006
The Rebbe advised Reb Zalman to take
over his father’s business, and blessed
By: Rabbi Michoel Seligson
him, “It should be with “Yeser s’ais
Horav Hachossid Reb Zalman Yehuda v’yeser oz”, a great increase in every
Deitsch was born in 5707 (late 1946) sense.
on the 11th of Cheshvan to Horav
This was the second time that the Rebbe
Hachossid Reb Sholom Yeshaya and
Mrs. Mirel Deitsch in Lemberg, at
a time that they were running from
Russia to Poland, together with other
Anash. From infancy on until he was
five-years-old, his family wandered
through refugee camps in Germany
and France.
In 1952, after living in France for a
short while, the Deitsch’s immigrated
to the United States and settled in
Connecticut. There was no yeshiva in
Connecticut, and the Rebbe suggested
that they send their son to the Lubavitch
Yeshiva in Brooklyn. After he completed his studies in Brooklyn, Zalman
traveled to Yeshiva Tomchei Tmimim
in Montreal, where he became attached
to the distinguished Chassidim and
absorbed the chassidishe warmth which
remained with him his entire life.
He returned to Brooklyn to continue
his studies at 770 and excelled. In 1959,
the Rebbe had instituted the custom of
choosing elite students, kanim, seven
students in Nigla and seven in Chassidus to give over pilpulim on shabbosim
throughout the year. Zalman was
chosen to be one of the seven kanim
in Chassidus. At that time, the Rebbe
instructed Zalman to involve himself
in avodas hatefila, to daven slowly and
carefully and to meditate on his prayers,
as was customary by chassidim in earlier generations. Reb Zalman fulfilled
this directive. Though he often traveled
on business, he was particular to daven
with a special concentration.
Going into Business
In Adar 1969, Reb Zalman became
engaged to Miss Cyrel Edelman, the
daughter of Horav Hachossid Reb
Dovid Edelman, the shliach in Springfield, Mass. since the Previous Rebbe’s
time in the 1940’s. Reb Zalman’s father,
Reb Sholom Yeshaya Deitsch, went over
to the Rebbe at the Farbrengen with
a bottle of mashkeh and thanked the
Rebbe for the shidduch, saying that it
was in the Rebbe’s merit. The Rebbe
replied, “For a shidduch you need to
pay”.
Two months later, on the 5th of Iyar,
Reb Sholom Yeshaya was suddenly
nifter.
In later years, Mrs. Mirel Deitsch
entered into Yechidus with the Rebbe,
and asked what the Rebbe had referred
to with his comment “For a shidduch,
one needs to pay”? The Rebbe told her,
I intended that he should strengthen
himself with Emuna and bitochon.
This comment became Reb Zalman’s
motto in life.
L’chaim in Reb Sholom Deitsch’s
Suka
Eventually, he designated a room in
his home for the study of Rambam,
as well as for a Rambam shiur that he
gave. When the shiur reached the laws
of Kiddush Hachodesh, dealing with
difficult concepts in astronomy; Reb
Zalman arranged for Reb Yosef Losch,
an expert in this
field, to deliver the
shiur. Reb Zalman
was never satisfied
until he understood
the concepts fully
a nd i n a l l t hei r
complexity.
His Bitul
gave such a blessing to the Deitsch
family. The first time had been when the
Rebbe set forth the decree that no one
younger than forty years of age should
make more than four l’chaim’s.
Reb Sholom Yeshaya entered into
Yechidus with the Rebbe, He said that
he was considering stopping his custom
of making a kiddush on Shmini Atzeres
in his Suka, since people would not be
able to drink without limitation. The
Rebbe said, with a dismissive downward motion of his hand, “It should be
Yeser s’ais v’yeser oz.”
Reb Zalman would dedicate the time
before and after business for Torah and
avoda. He would awaken early, study
chassidus and daven slowly, and then
proceed to his office. In the evenings,
when he returned home, he continued
with his shiurim.
Well versed in the Rebbe’s Sichos
Reb Zalman had
a unique bitul to
t he R ebbe. The
Rebbe’s directive to
Reb Zalman to go
into business was
utilized as a means
to assist the Rebbe’s
mosdos. There are
many Yidden who
are successful in
business and contribute to Tzedoko.
For Reb Zalman,
business and Tzedoko were not two separate entities.
Every dollar of profit, was an additional
dollar for the benefit of the Rebbe’s
mosdos and to strengthen the Rebbe’s
activities
For example, at the Farbrengen which
commemorated his 70th birthday, the
Rebbe asked that seventy-one new
mosdos should be established. Reb
Zalman immediately arranged for a
shliach to go to Amherst, Mass., and
paid his salary for many years.
Reb Zalman approached one of his
father-in-law’s mekurovim, and suggested that he join the “950 club”. This
club consisted of philanthropists who
had contributed to Machne Israel.
Everyone who participated in this project merited to have a personal Yechidus
with the Rebbe. The individual who Reb
Zalman convinced to become a member
said, “If I am already giving $950,000,
let it be a million dollars.” Reb Zalman
told him, “No, if you give a million
dollars, you will feel great self-esteem,
figuring ‘I gave a million dollars to the
Rebbe’. It is preferable that you give only
$950,000.” In his Yechidus, this person
told the Rebbe that he was acquainted
with Reb Zalman Deitsch. The Rebbe
said, “It is good that Reb Zalman knows
you and that you know him.”
Reb Zalman was well versed in the
Rebbe’s Sichos. W hen the Rebbe
Farbrenged or spoke a sicha, Reb
Zalman would immediately buy the
audio tape and listen to it many times.
After the Rebbe’s stroke on the 27th of
Adar I in 1992, Reb Zalman resolved to
listen intently to all the Sichos in their
entirety. From then until his ptira in
2006, he successfully studied all 100
volumes of Likutei Sichos and Sichos Shechuna
Kodesh which contain the Rebbe’s talks
When the Rebbe spoke about strengthfrom 1950 until 1992.
ening the shechuna, and encouraged
Shiurim for the Public in his Home Crown Heights residents to remain
in the neighborhood, Reb Zalman
When the Rebbe initiated the study of
purchased buildings in the shechuna.
Rambam, there was no doubt that Reb
He saw this as the Rebbe’s business and
Zalman would participate in a steady
invested beyond his financial ability.
Rambam shiur, which he attended
at Tiferes Zkainim Levi Yitzchok. After the sudden and tragic ptira of
his sister, Mrs. Alte Shula Schwartz,
in the late 1970’s, Reb Zalman and
his brothers, Reb Yosef Yitzchok and
may he live and be well Reb Avrohom
Moshe, founded Machon Alte, the girls
school in Tzfas.
The Rebbe’s campaigns
Reb Zalman once returned from Mivtza
lulov. Rather than saying that he had
persuaded a certain number of Yidden
to make the blessing on the Esrog;
he was excited that the children at a
school he visited, “American kids”, left
the game they were in the middle of to
fulfill Mitzvas lulov.
He never spoke about himself, or
expressed pride in his accomplishments
and that he that he had convinced
numerous people to fulfill mitzvos. He
was excited that an American child had
left a game to do a mitzva.
Mivtza Mezuza
He was committed to every Mivtza
that the Rebbe initiated. At the outset
of Mivtza Mezuza, Reb Zalman opened
his house to serve as a center of activities
and supported the mivtza enormously.
He and his wife would often go out
on Mivtza Mezuza together. To this
day, Mivtza Mezuza operates out of
his home.
Printing the Tanya
The Rebbe initiated the campaign to
print Tanyas. Reb Zalman rented a
truck, installed a printer, and paid a
yungerman to travel to different cities
in various states and print hundreds
of Tanyas. He told Rabbi Hodokov
that he wanted to cover the cost of
publishing Tanyas everywhere. The
Rebbe responded that his intention was
well received, but the Rebbe wanted
that every location should fund the
publishing of Tanyas on their own.
When Reb Zalman traveled to Africa,
he asked the Rebbe if he should print
the Tanya in Nigeria. The Rebbe’s
response was that if there was one Yid
there, a Tanya should be printed. At that
time, there was a group of Yidden living
there and the Tanya was printed.
Tiferes Zkainim
The Rebbe founded Tiferes Zkainim,
which organized daily shiurim for
seniors and retirees. Reb Zalman
became involved and traveled from one
location to another, giving shiurim. In
general, Reb Zalman assisted many of
the Rebbe’s mosdos, either financially
or in other ways.
Home of Activities
Reb Zalman’s home was always open
to communal activists. After the Rebbe
would introduce a new campaign, Reb
Zalman would invite askanim to meet
in his home to develop and work on the
new campaign. In a letter, the Rebbe
referred to Reb Zalman as, “one who is
involved in communal affairs”. A repre-
July 25, 2008 ~ crOWN heights Newspaper 5
sentative of a certain mosad approached
the Rebbe at the Farbrengen with a
bottle of mashkeh and announced that
a Melave Malka would take place in
Reb Zalman’s house. The Rebbe called
over Reb Zalman to give him mashkeh
as well.
Reb Zalman was known as an exceptional Baal Chesed, and helped many
people who were in need. He agreed
to be the guarantor for hundreds of
loans issued by a Gemach. Many times
he needed to repay the loans himself
and did not ask the borrowers to be
reimbursed. study of the Maamor he visited his
brother Reb Yosef Yitzchok, who was
very ill and was nifter a week after Reb
Zalman’s passing. Reb Zalman recited
the Maamor for his brother. He felt
unsatisfied and repeated the Maamor
again on the last Friday evening before
his own ptira.
During the shiva, family members
heard details of Reb Zalman’s chesed
activities that they were unaware of.
One of Anash recalled that when he
moved to Crown Heights and found
a house, he did not have money for
the down payment. He had no close
Reb Zalman trained all his children to friends in the shechuna and was very
exert themselves in the study of Torah. concerned. In the street he happened to
Reb Zalman was taken to the hospital
on Shabbos and was nifter on the
evening of the 29th of Tamuz.
Chinuch of his children
He trained his children from an early
age to share his hashkafos concerning
the Rebbe, his teachings and his mosdos. His sons would each contribute to
the Rebbe, half of the money that they
received as Bar Mitzva gifts.
When the Rebbe edited a new Maamor,
he encouraged his children to study
it by heart. On Friday evenings, each
of them would recite a chapter of the
Maamor. He would then explain the
chapter to his guests at the table, who
were not fluent in Yiddish.
Reb Zalman’s priorities were clear.
Although he had a successful business,
he did not raise his children to enter the
business with him. He was concerned
that they should all receive a chassidishe
education and fulfill the Rebbe’s desire
for his chassidim to go on shlichus.
After his children were married, they
went on shlichus. Reb Zalman would
speak with his children after Shabbos
and they would share their shabbos
experiences and the successes in their
respective Chabad Houses. He would
encourage them not to be satisfied
with their accomplishments and would
advise them to broaden their activities.
When he would visit, he would bring
Chassidishe warmth with him and
would Farbreng with mekoruvim telling
chassidishe stories.
An Exceptional Baal Chesed
On the Simchas Torah Farbrengen in
5740 (late 1979), the Rebbe spoke about
contributing a large sum of money for
Tzedoko. Anyone who would make a
mental resolution, during this sicha and
the nigun that followed to contribute
would be blessed financially many fold.
Reb Zalman did so, and immediately
after Yom Tov brought the money to
the Rebbe’s secretariat. He merited to
be included in this blessing.
meet Reb Zalman, who asked him why
he appeared so worried. Reb Zalman
heard his story, asked him to come to
his house and gave him the required
amount.
Reb Zalman fulfilled the saying of the
Mishna, “You house should be broadly
open”, in the fullest sense. A Yid known
to be a great host had a house that was
open to all and would house and feed
the needy. He would walk through
the house posing as a guest, to see if
anyone needed anything. One of the
guests once asked him, “Do you know
how long I will be able to stay here?
When will the host tell me to leave?”
He answered, “Don’t worry, I am also
here for a long time and no one told
me to leave.”
This characterized Reb Zalman. His
home was open to guests who felt as
if the house was theirs. He opened his
home on Shabbos, Yom Tov, and weekdays. A yeshiva bochur who needed
a hot meal or a warm environment
or a Yid who had come from far for a
chassidishe Farbrengen, were steady
members of his household.
One of Reb Zalman’s close friends
described him.
“Reb Zalman’s personality was a blend
of two worlds. He was a chossid and a
businessman. A chossid with all the
threads of his Nshama, with a warmth
of true Chassidishkeit, and the fervor
of a chossid from the past. Sometimes
people would wonder how America
of our time produced such a beautiful
fruit. Knowing Reb Zalman, it was
obvious that his entire business was
not part of him. His involvement in it,
was because “azoy darf zein”, this is how
it needs to be. His genuine
being was in tefila, learning,
and the life of chassidus that
he loved.
Menachem Mendel, the Rebbe’s shliach
in East Valley, Arizona; his son, Horav
Nechemia Moshe, the Rebbe’s shliach
in Midtown, Toronto; his son, Horav
Levi Yitzchok, the Rebbe’s shliach in
Tysons Corner, Virginia; his son, Horav
Yechezkel; his sons, the Tmimim,
Yisroel and Noson; his daughter, Mrs.
Toby Bernstein, the wife of Horav
Menachem Mendel Halevi, the Rebbe’s
shliach in Richmond Hill, Toronto; his
daughter, Mrs. Altie Wolvovsky, the
wife of Horav Menachem Mendel, the
Rebbe’s shliach in S. Rosa, California;
his daughter, Mrs. Hindy Mintz, the
wife of Horav Avrohom, the Rebbe’s
shliach in South Denver, Colorado;
his daughter, Mrs. Rivka Schechter,
the wife of Horav Avrohom of Crown
Heights; his daughter, Miss Rochel
Deitsch.
Yehi Zichro Boruch! May Horav Hachossid Hatomim Reb Zalman Yehuda, a
legendary Chossid who was committed
to the Rebbe and his mosdos, and saw
himself and his financial assets only
as the channel and the means to fulfill
the Rebbe’s directives, who was always
available for more initiatives from the
Rebbe, and who successfully inspired
and saw his children on shlichus, and
who shared Torah and Chassidus with
many Yidden that he was mekarev to
Yiddishkeit; serve as the inspiration to
be sincerely devoted and committed to
the study of the Rebbe’s teachings and
to his mosdos, and to participate whole
heartedly in the Rebbe’s campaigns, and
to be concerned with the well being of a
fellow Jew, where ever he may be.
We should speedily witness “The ones
who dwell in the dust will awaken and
rejoice” with Horav Hachossid Reb
Zalman Yehuda among them.
He had a good eye. He did
not reserve Chassidus for
himself, but shared it with
others. He would Farbreng
with mekurovim and individuals. Without any commotion, he slowly brought
people into his world, the
world of Chassidus, and
many found their way there
at his table.
Reb Zalman’s personality
taught a unique lesson Reb
Zalman was always busy.
He had a task in life that needed to be
fulfilled and was a “baal esek” who was
Reb Zalman was an ardent reader of
busy every moment with his mission,
Chabad weeklies which were published
and did not forget why he was created,
here and in Israel, and sponsored
and what his life’s goal was.”
them.
He left a generation of Yeshorim. May
A month before his ptira, by divine
they live and be well, his wife, Mrs.
providence, he studied the Maamor
Cyrel Deitsch of Crown Heights, who
Boreh Niv Sfosoyim 5748, in which
stood at his side and assisted him in all
the Rebbe discusses the cure from
the chesed activities; his son, Horav
Hashem, that heals the person so that
Sholom Yeshaya, the Rebbe’s shliach in
no remnants of the past illness remain.
Ambler, Pennsylvania; his son, Horav
Immediately after he concluded the
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6 CROWN HEIGHTS Newspaper ~July 25, 2008
Shiduchim
A Needle in a Haystack
By Sarah Junik
In the past I have talked primarily
about what needs to be done up until
the couple reaches the door for that first
shidduch date. Starting with this article,
I would like to touch on the Shidduch
dating itself.
One last point to mention: I was asked
recently what do you do if you present
a name to your daughter (in this case
it was a daughter but it is equally applicable to a son) and your daughter tells
you she is not interested with this name.
You have invested time in a preliminary
or total inquiry into this person, so you
may feel rightfully resentful of such
an answer. First of all take a calming
breath, you are trying to solve this
logically and tranquilly.
Give your child the reasons for which
you think this is a good possibility and
ask her for her reason for refusing. If it is
a valid concern then ask her not to close
the subject until you can confirm or
disprove her concern. Then make more
phone calls and find out if there is any
truth to the matter or not. It could be
that her concern is only a vague rumor
she heard from her friends or other
non critical objection. In that case, as
you obviously feel that this is a good
suggestion and the research you have
made has confirmed this, explain to
your daughter or son why their concern
is not a reason to refuse this shidduch.
Furthermore in your role as parent
explain how one should not refuse a
shidduch for frivolous or non essential
reasons. Refusing on such basis could
cause one to postpone meeting their
zivug and even to loose it.
If, after all this your child is still adamant about refusing the shidduch, then
you have to let them be and not pressure
them further. We have to accept that if
our child has an instinctive dislike of
the suggestion, it might not be for her
and therefore that is a valid reason for
refusing the shidduch.
about shidduch dating, is the need
to make a differentiation between
the worldly kind of “dating” and the
Jewish kind of “Shidduch dating”. In
the world the word dating is used with
multiple meanings. It can mean going
out to have fun. It can mean to have a
long term partnership, and all degrees
in between. There is no one definition
of the word. The definition depends on
the people who are “dating”.
However, in the frum Jewish world
there is only one kind of “dating” and
that is Shidduch dating. Shidduch dating does not share the same definitions
as worldly dating. It does not mean
to go out and have fun and definitely
it does not mean to be in a long-term
relationship. The one definition that
describes shidduch dating best is: “
A stepping stone to marriage.” This is
the reason why we should not use the
word “dating” to describe a Shidduch.
“Dating” is an end to itself in the world;
for us, Shidduch dating is only a means
to an end.
It was pointed out to me that people
use the word dating in our circles, and
we should refrain from this as we do
not want to use a word that indicates
relationships we do not condone. But
Zeide Getzel
Continued from Page 2
truth can still be found. Reflecting on
the personal integrity with which Zeida
Getzel charted his life’s compass we
can add, “Emes is in the Siddur,” and in
Zeida Getzel’s mind and heart, which
steered him on a meaningful contributing course, that still serves as a study of
what makes a Chosid today.
Zeida Getzel was neither a Maskil nor
an Ovaid. Yet he was the quintessential
Chasid on the Merit of his Actions.
Action has its own language. Action
has its own elegance. Zeide Getzel’s
action bespoke of the beauty of a humble
spirit, the grace of a humility that was
not recognized by its own beholder. His
very core mesiras nefesh from which his
mission-driven principles, his strong
deep character traits, his overflowing
love and fierce loyalty emanated. Some
who didn’t know him well, some who
couldn’t understand his operational
values might have considered him harsh
at times. Like Pinchas (Zeida’s Yartzeit
usually occurs close to Parshas Pinchas),
Zeide was a Kanoei-a Zealot. He was
zealous in his adherence to every detail
of a mitzvah. Like Pinchas, he rose to
every challenge and galvanized himself
to appropriate action—no matter the
price.
I heard of a case of a wonderful shidduch which was redt and the girl refused
it. The parents and close friends of the
family tried to convince her otherwise
but she steadfastly refused it. She
had no logical reason, she just said it
was not for her. So the boy married
someone else, after all he was quite a
"catch". Unfortunately not long after
the couple was divorced for a very solid
reason. Naturally the family asked the
first girl how she had known that a
marriage would not have been a good
thing? She answered that she hadn't
know any such thing, she had just felt
that this shidduch was not for her and
Zeidy Getzel was a very devoted Choshe should not go into it.
ssid, a Real Soldier. His derech in life
Do not discount intuition, our "Bina
was, “Vos men meg muz men nisht,” and
Yeserah". Not our own or our childrens'.
“vos men Tornit iz Avada Avade Darf
If logically it makes no sense, but
Menn Nisht.”
ourselves or our children believe this
is not for us, then it isn't.
Zeide Getzel personified mesiras nefesh
because he internalized the teachings
The first thing I would like to mention
talking to a number of people young
and not so young, it seems it is quite
normal to use the term “shidduch dating” in Lubavitch instead of the term
“dating”.
The first steps we all must make are
the ones we discussed in past articles:
getting the name of the girl or boy and
doing the necessary research on them.
By the time a shidduch date is set up, as
far as the parents are concerned, there
could be a L’Chaim. Which means that
they are sure this is could be the shidduch for their child. What the couple
has to discover is if they can interact
with one another and if they talk on the
same wavelength. Do they bore each
other to death or spark new thoughts
and ideas from one another.
reason our kids Shidduch date: to see
if there is a common ground to build a
marriage on.
This is the message we should be
relaying to our kids: "I have made my
homework, the choice is now yours to
decide if this boy or girl is someone
you can make a bond, a kesher with
or not."
The importance of the shidduch date
shouldn’t be taken lightly. Do not tell
your son or daughter, “Have fun.” Even
if it is only a means to try to calm their
nerves before the first shidduch date.
Instead of saying have fun, you should
give them a brocha that they may have
Syata D’Shemaya on the shidduch date,
and that they be able to recognize if it
is a good match for them, or at least an
On paper the boy and girl might fit like option that can be further explored.
a glove--they both like music, outings,
Shidduch dating is not “fun” for any
reading. And the both come from the
of the people involved. We all know
same background, it sounds perfect!
that the decisions we make, both posiBut when they go out on a date, the
tive or negative, will have long range
boy finds out that he likes Chazunos
consequences. We have discussed this
and she likes Piamenta; his outings
with our children in many ways and
are going upstate and hers are flying
many times, so why make such an inane
off to Spain; his reading is a sicha and
comment as "have fun" at this time?
hers is Good Housekeeping. So on that
very first or second date, the data on We will continue with this subject next
paper isn’t looking so good. That is the week.
and ways of Chasidus. They were his
life force. The blood that flowed through
his veins. He made no fanfare of himself
because he didn’t believe anything he
did was wondrous. He certainly was not
the main character of his own story. All
he saw himself as and hoped to be was a
proper loyal soldier in the Rebbe’s army.
An elder chosid standing alone amongst
a sea of young bochurim with eyes shut
listening intensely throughout a long
farbrengen testify to Zeida Getzel’s
perspective.
Allow me to share a story that will shed
much light to our confused circle of
Chasidim today:
The time—Motzei Purim, Post World
War II. The place--a suburb of Paris
where Russian Chabad refugees congregated at a Chassidisha Farbrengen.
Full of spirit, enhanced by a number
of L’Chaims, one member of the group
announced that “Getzel had send Shaloch Manos to Reb B.G.” Reb B.G. was
shaliach of the Rebba Rayatz. Somehow
he fell in the disfavor and critical review
by many of the Chasidim. All eyes
turned to Zeida Getzel. All began laughing in a mocking fashion. They tried to
get Zeida Getzel to react or respond.
Zeida did neither. No matter the jeering,
the loud, boisterous laughing, Zaide
remained silent. Seeing that he couldn’t
be brought into the conversation, they
changed the subject, and the farbrengen
continued. The brotherhood was not
disturbed at the very end, Zeida Getzel
had his say. “Do you want to know why
I sent Shaloch Manos to Reb B.G? I
will explain. Firstly, Reb B.G. is my
friend and was my chavrusa. We both
grew up in Nevel. Secondly, Reb B.G.
was personally chosen by the Rebbe to
carry out some of his most challenging
operations. Just for that, he deserves my
personal shaloch manos. Thirdly, you
all have issues with Reb B.G. because
you believe he is sitting on your rightful
chair (He has the job that should have
been yours), but I know he is not sitting
on my chair. L’Chaim.”
Each of us have our own defining
moments. A moment of such clarity
and commitment that nothing else
matters but putting truth into actions.
The personal sacrifices of the chassidim
of yesteryear as well as the chassidim of
today allow us to outwit and outlive our
oppressors.
Zeide Getzel was a very devoted father,
grandfather, great grandfather and
friend. He was and is an inspiration to
all those who knew him. The life and
legacy left by R Getzel, a simple chossid,
continues to encourage and empower
us today.
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July 25, 2008 ~ crOWN heights Newspaper 7
From Shedlitz to Safety
A Young Jew’s Story of Survival
By Rabbi Shimon Goldman
them both to appear before Pharaoh.
Originally, Moshe had feared that his
Exerpted from the book with the author’s
older brother would harbor feelings of
permission
jealousy or resentment, but Hashem
Continued from previous issue
calmed him, saying: “Aharon will see
you and feel genuine happiness in his
The Rashag
heart (Ex. 4:14).”
Every week, after the Friday night meal,
the Rashag — Reb Shmaryahu Gurary,
the son-in-law of the Rebbe Rayatz
— spent the night in our study hall,
learning and looking through various
books on Chassidus. The Rashag had
been of indispensable help during our
difficult years in Shanghai and Vilna,
and now we had the opportunity to
meet him personally. He sometimes
spoke with the boys still sitting in
the study hall, and it was a delight to
engage in conversation with this great
personage.
Extraordinarily proficient in all areas of
Chabad Chassidus, the Rashag would
review a Chassidic discourse every
Shabbos. On Shabbos afternoon after
Mincha, the Rashag headed a Shalosh
Seudos meal in the smaller shul. The
Rashag sat a table laden with challas,
herring, and assorted drinks. Certain
donors sponsored the Shalosh Seudos,
while others purchased the actual food
and brought it to the Rashag.
Prominent Chassidim participated in
these weekly gatherings, as did many
younger students who enjoyed hearing
the Rashag review Chassidus in his
lucid, explanatory fashion. Normally,
Chassidim place careful emphasis on
reviewing Chassidus in the precise format and order as originally expounded
by the Rebbeim. Not so the Rashag.
Having received explicit permission
from the Rebbeim — some say the
Rebbe Rashab, while others claim it
was the Rebbe Rayatz — the Rashag
deviated from this custom, explaining
Chassidic thoughts in his own words
and in different sequence.
Reb Avraham Blesofsky, a Stoliner
Chassid who lived nearby, was a regular
participant at the Shalosh Seudos. Reb
Nochum Wolosow also came every
week. Having just emigrated from Russia, Reb Nochum was very much set in
his Russian ways, and still preferred to
call American dollars “rubles.”
With the Rebbe Again
After our arrival in New York, the
yeshiva hosted a special welcoming affair in our honor. The yeshiva’s
administrator — the Rashag — organized the details, and a respectable
crowd crammed the huge hall of the
yeshiva building on Bedford and Dean.
Distinguished speakers addressed the
gathering. Gershon Chanowitz, the
representative of our group, recalled
the time when Hashem paired Moshe
with his brother Aharon, commanding
The yechidus did not last long. As we
left the Rebbe, I felt a strange sense
of emptiness as all my earlier longing
dissipated. Suddenly I identified with
the Baal Shem Tov’s explanation on
the words, “I thirst to see You in the
Sanctuary (Psalms 63:3).” It is easy
to long for spirituality in a spiritual
wasteland, commented the Baal Shem
Tov. Hence, the Psalmist expresses his
heartfelt desire to maintain this intense
longing even whilst in the “Sanctuary”
— when one is close to the spiritual
source. I, too, hoped I could maintain
my feelings for the Rebbe with the same
level of intensity I felt in Shanghai and
Japan.
“Imagine if Aharon heard this remark,”
exclaimed Gershon. “Had Aharon
known that G d truly desired his happiness, Aharon would have greeted Moshe
with cymbals and trumpets, dancing
and singing to fulfill G d’s wish. The
same is true today. Meeting Holocaust
survivors, tmimim who lived through
the horrors of war, should arouse within
us an increased measure of joy and an
intense feeling of elation.”
That summer, the yeshiva administration decided to send
us off to summer
camp. Hoping the
pleasant mountain
a i r a nd b e aut i ful scenery could
assuage some of our
painful memories,
the administration
reserved places for
us in a camp run by
Torah V’Daas. On
our way to camp, a
fellow introduced
himself to us as
Rabbi Linchner —
the son-in-law of
Reb Shraga Feivish
Touched by the immense outpourMendelovitz, the renowned founder
ing of love and emotion, we left the
and administrator of Yeshivas Torah
dinner with mixed feelings. Though
V’Daas. Delighted to meet us persontruly appreciative of all the welcoming
ally, Rabbi Linchner treated us to lunch
crowds, we still longed to meet with the
in the “American House,” a kosher
Rebbe Rayatz again, to see the holy face
restaurant in the area. After the meal,
that sustained us throughout all these
Rabbi Linchner spent a few hours
years. Meeting the Rebbe had filled our
talking to us about our war experiences
minds even in Shanghai and Japan and
and the ongoing acclimatization to
now, living so close to the Rebbe, we
American life. We conversed for a
readied ourselves with excited anticipawhile, thanked him for the meal, and
tion, waiting for our scheduled turn to
continued on to camp.
have a private audience (yechidus) with
the Rebbe.
As we entered the camp gates, we
At long last, we were informed to be were shocked to see a football game in
ready for yechidus on a certain evening. progress. Yeshiva bochurim ran around
The day passed in a blur; the hours flew the field, their tzitzis flapping in the
by in frenzied preparation. We spent wind as they chased the ball. Suddenly
hours in deep introspection, preparing I envisioned my father standing before
ourselves spiritually for our meeting me. I was a little boy again, playing ball
with the Rebbe Rayatz. That evening, in the dirt streets of Shedlitz, and father
at the appointed time, we all gathered had found out about my games. “A ball?”
in 770. What followed was so intense, he said scornfully. “A yeshiva student
so moving, that it still remains difficult plays with a ball? It’s not for you; leave
for me to describe it all on paper. I the ball for the gentiles…”
will, therefore, give only the barest
details about our much-anticipated Yet here, in a religious camp in America,
yechidus.
mature yeshiva bochurim spent hours
playing football and other sports!
We all entered the Rebbe’s room
Apparently, as I quickly learned, Ameritogether, accompanied by our mashpia,
can students lived with a different set
Reb Shmuel Levitin. My emotions
of standards.
totally overwhelmed my faculties; I
could not remember a single thing
Brownsville
the Rebbe said to us. All I could do
was look, and look again, at the saintly
The dormitory building on Bedford
Rebbe, at the holy countenance that
and Dean was a decent walk from 770,
infused us with strength during all
forcing us to walk back constantly for
these difficult years.
meals and, at night, when we went to
sleep. Often we stayed up late, talking
about our day and various events. By
the time we finished talking many of us
were hungry again, but the kitchen was
already securely locked. Jerry Simon, a
student from New Jersey, always came
to our rescue. Somehow, Jerry found a
way to get into the kitchen and bring
out some food for his starving friends.
Jerry showed special kindness to us —
the so-called “hungry refugees” — and
made sure to arrange food from the
kitchen whenever we asked. (Indeed, he
later became a caterer. Subsequently, he
became my mechutan. My son Shmuel
married his daughter Tziril.)
Yehoshua Bronstein, one of my friends
from Shanghai, had a cousin Hirshel
who lived on Crown Street, a few blocks
away from 770. Forever on the lookout
for his newly arrived cousin, Hirshel
did all he could to help Yehoshua,
inviting him often to his house and
fairly demanding that other students
also come along. These visits meant
a great deal to us. Deprived of any
semblance of family life during the war
years, it was particularly comforting to
walk into a home with two parents and
healthy, happy children. Hirshel and
his wife literally opened their house
for us. We readily accepted all their
invitations, enjoying every moment we
spent in the company of a wholesome
family. Besides, we craved the taste of
homemade food again.
A few weeks after we arrived, Hirshel
suggested that we rent a room in a private home. Having seen the dormitory
facilities for himself, Hirshel decided
that his cousin deserved more comfortable surroundings. “The dormitory
really isn’t bad at all,” Hirshel rushed
on to explain. “I just feel that you and
your friends might feel more at ease
with rooms in a private home, instead
of sharing a building with everyone else.
Also, you boys are older than most other
students. You need a bit more privacy.
The Joint will help defray the cost of
your rent.”
Yehoshua discussed the idea with me
and I found myself in total agreement
with his cousin. We asked Hirshel to
try and find us a suitable room. After
a few days, Hirshel came back with
information that a room was available
in the home of Reb Shmarya Faktor.
An acclaimed sofer, Reb Shmarya was
renting out a spare room in his Brooklyn
Avenue home, and we decided to accept
the offer. We gathered our meager
belongings, left the dormitory, and
took up residence in Reb Shmarya’s
home. (Reb Shmarya merited to write
Moshiach’s Sefer Torah — a project
initiated by the Rebbe Rayatz in 1942
and completed by the Rebbe almost
thirty years later.)
8 CROWN HEIGHTS Newspaper ~July 25, 2008
Parshas Hashavua
Vedibarta Bam ~ Matos
By Rabbi Moshe Bogomilsky
"‫איש כי ידר נדר‬
‫לא יחל דברו‬...'‫לה‬
‫ככל היצא מפיו‬
‫"יעשה‬
“If a man takes a
vow to G d...he shall
not desecrate his
word; according
to whatever comes
from his mouth shall he do.” (30:3)
According to halachah, one who takes
a vow or swears an oath can consult a
Torah authority and annul it. The Torah
is, however, teaching that though halachically this is possible, an “ish” — “a
prominent person” — once he has taken
the vow or made the promise, should
heed the lesson of Tzidkiyahu and not
seek ways out of it, but do “whatever
comes from his mouth.”
‫(בית יעקב ר' יעקב הכהן ז"ל טראב – מסלתון‬
)‫ בשם ספר בן אברהם‬,)‫ראב"ד ביירות‬
QUESTION: The law not to desecrate
...‫"איש כי ידר נדר לה' או השבע שבעה‬
one’s word and to do “according to
"‫לא יחל דברו ככל היצא מפיו יעשה‬
whatever comes from his mouth”
applies both to men and women. Why “If a man takes a vow to G d or swears an
oath...he shall not desecrate his word;
the phrasing “ish” — “man”?
according to whatever comes from his
A NSWER: The Midrash Rabbah
mouth shall he do.” (30:3)
(Lamentations 2:14) relates: Rabbi
Elazar said: Let not the chapter on QUESTION: Since it already says,
vows be lightly esteemed in your eyes, “lo yacheil devaro” — “he shall not
because on account of that chapter were desecrate his word” — isn’t the concluthe members of the Great Sanhedrin sion of the pasuk “kechal hayotzei mipiv
of Tzidkiyahu slain. When Yechanyah ya’aseh” — “according to whatever
was exiled, King Nevuchadnetzar comes from his mouth shall he do” a
appointed Tzidkiyahu over five kings; redundancy?
and he used to enter and leave [the
ANSWER: The pasuk is talking about
King’s presence] without permission.
both vows and oaths. When a person
One day he entered his presence and
makes a vow, though he may not desfound him tearing the flesh of a hare
ecrate it, he can consult a Torah scholar
and eating it while it was yet alive. The
and have it annulled. According to
King said to him, “Swear to me that
halachah the same applies also to one
you will not disclose this about me,”
who swears an oath; however, the Tur
and he swore.
Shulchan Aruch, Yorah Dei’ah 230
Subsequently, the five kings were sitting records an opinion in the name of Rav
and sneering at Nevuchadnetzar in the Hai that an oath cannot be annulled.
presence of Tzidkiyahu, and they said
The Torah may be alluding to this opinto him, “The kingship does not become
ion. Hence, regarding a vow the pasuk
Nevuchadnetzar, but it becomes you
says, “lo yacheil devaro” — “he shall
since you are of the seed of David.”
not desecrate his word” — although
He too sneered at Nevuchadnetzar and others can annul it for him. However,
said, “I once saw him tear the flesh of a an oath, cannot be annulled by anyone
and “according to whatever comes out
[live] hare and eat it.”
of his mouth he shall do.”
They immediately sent and told the
King, “That Jew who enters and leaves * * *
your presence without permission has
The Gemara (Ketuvot 77b) relates that
informed us, ‘I saw Nevuchadnetzar
when Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi was
tear the flesh of a [live] hare and eat
about to die, the Angel of Death lifted
it.’ ”
him up and showed him his place in
The latter forthwith came and took up Gan Eden. Rabbi Yehoshua jumped
his residence in Daphne of Antioch. The over the wall and exclaimed, “I swear I
members of the Great Sanhedrin went will not go back.” Hashem ruled that “if
out to meet him. When he saw that they he ever had an oath annulled he must
were all men of imposing appearance, return, but if not, he need not return.”
he ordered seats of honor for them. He
What difference did it make if he had
said to them, “Expound the Torah to
never sought to be released from a
me.” They immediately began to read
oath?
it chapter by chapter and translate it.
When they reached the chapter, “When Though the halachah is not according to
a man takes a vow” he said to them, “If Rav Hai, if someone does assume such
a person desires to retract a vow, can a stringency and makes a oath, he may
he do so or not?”
not seek relief from a scholar. Therefore,
Hashem said, “If Rabbi Yehoshua has
They replied, “He must go to a sage who
always conducted himself according
absolves him of his vow.”
to this opinion, then ‘whatever comes
He said to them, “It seems to me that from his mouth he shall do,’ and thus
you must have absolved Tzidkiyahu his oath cannot be annulled and he can
of the oath which he swore to me.” remain in Gan Eden.”
He immediately ordered them [to be
)‫ הרב אברהם ז"ל ענטבי‬- ‫(יושב אוהלים‬
removed from their seats of honor] and
‫"נקם נקמת בני ישראל מאת המדינים‬
placed them on the ground” (see also
"‫אחר תאסף על עמיך‬
Nedarim 65a).
“Take vengeance for the Children of
Israel against the Midianites; after- among yourselves.” Rashi explains
wards you will be gathered unto your that the term “anashim” means “tzaddikim” — “righteous men.” A difficulty
people.” (31:2)
in selecting soldiers for the war was that
QUESTION: What is the connection
everyone sincerely considered himself
between the war with Midian and the
not qualified and humbly thought he
passing of Moshe?
did not meet the standard of “tzadA NSWER: The Gemara (Sanhe- dik” — “righteous.” So when righteous
drin 39a) relates that a heretic once men had to be selected, people had to
asked Rabbi Avuah, “Your G d is a inform Moshe of the righteousness of
Kohen, and when He buried Moshe their neighbors and their worthiness
He became defiled. In what did He for Moshe’s purpose.
immerse to regain His purity?” Rabbi
Though informing against another Jew
Avuah replied, “He immersed in fire,
is forbidden, it is permissible when the
as it is written, ‘For behold, G d will
other possesses qualities unknown to
come with fire’ ” (Isaiah 66:15). “Does
the community from which it can benimmersion in fire help?” he asked. Rabbi
efit. Also, if there is a need for tzedakah,
Avuah replied, “Immersion in fire is
one may reveal an individual who has
the primary method of purification;
the means and is presently unknown.
immersion in water is the secondary
)‫(שמעתי מזקני הרב צבי הכהן ז"ל קאפלאן‬
one, as it says, ‘And everything that
was not used over the fire you shall pass ‫ולא‬...‫"ויקצף משה על פקודי החיל‬
through the water’ ” (31:23).
...'‫ונקרב את קרבן ה‬...‫נפקד ממנו איש‬
Hence, from the laws of koshering
Kashering dishes for Pesach utensils, which were conveyed in
conjunction with the war against
Midian, it is derived that when
Hashem buried Moshe, He immersed
in fire. Thus, Hashem said to Moshe,
“Take vengeance against the Midianites. In the course of the war the
Jewish people will capture their
utensils and need to know how to
make them kosher, and they will then
be told the advantage of fire over
water for purification. Afterwards
you will be gathered unto your
people; I will personally bury you,
and the heretics will not be able to
ask how I will regain My purity.”
"'‫לכפר על נפשותינו לפני ה‬
“Moshe was angry with the commanders of the army...‘And not a man of us
is missing...So we have brought an
offering to G d...To atone for our souls
before G d.’ ” (31:14, 49, 50)
QUESTION: The Gemara (Shabbat
64a) says that Moshe was angry with
the commanders of the war for leaving
the women alive and suspected that
they had committed a sin similar to the
earlier one with the women of Midian.
Therefore, they responded, “Not a man
of us is missing,” meaning “None of us
has been lead astray by the Midianite
women.”
“If so,” Moshe asked, “why are you
making this offering to Hashem?”
They responded, “Though the fighters
have not actually sinned, they wish to
atone for any evil thoughts that may
have entered their minds.”
What encouraged them to bring an
offering for evil thoughts?
ANSWER: Following Moshe’s rebuke
of the Jewish people for permitting the
women to live and instructions to the
‫ (בית יעקב ר' יעקב הכהן ז"ל טראב – מסלתון‬commanders of the army, Elazar taught
)‫ ראב"ד ביירות בשם תנופה חיים‬the people the statute of koshering
utensils. All the utensils which were
"‫"וימסרו מאלפי ישראל אלף למטה‬
taken from the Midianites could be
“So there were delivered from the made usable either by passing through
thousands of the Children of Israel, a fire or immersion in boiling water.
thousand from each tribe.” (31:5)
To the Jews this was incomprehensible.
QUESTION: The term “vayimaseru” Why wasn’t it sufficient to simply clean
— “there were delivered” — seems to the utensils to thoroughly remove any
indicate that it was not voluntary. Why non-kosher substance adhering to
was it necessary to use force?
them? Elazar explained that not only
is a utensil not usable when something
ANSWER: The word “vayimaseru”
non-kosher is on the surface, but even
(‫ )וימסרו‬comes from the root word
when there is an absorption of non“masar” (‫)מסר‬, which means “inform.”
kosher taste in its walls.
To inform on a person and reveal his
secrets is forbidden, and informers are From this the soldiers derived a new
dealt with very severely (see Shulchan lesson in the relation¬ship between
Aruch, Choshen Mishpat 388). An man and Hashem: If a utensil is unfit to
exception to this rule was in this be used by Jews and requires purging if
instance for the following reason.
it has absorbed a non-kosher taste, how
much more must a person perfect himIn preparation for this war Moshe told
self in his rela¬tionship with Hashem
the people, “Heichaltzu mei’itechem
and repent for “non-kosher thoughts.”
anashim latzava” — “Arm men from
)‫(חדושי הרי"ם‬
July 25, 2008 ~ crOWN heights Newspaper 9
Vedibarta Bam ~ Pirkei Avos
‫"אלא הוו כעבדים המשמשין את הרב‬
"‫שלא על מנת לקבל פרס‬
“But rather be like servants who serve
their master without the intent of
receiving a reward.” (1:3)
QUESTION: How can this be reconciled with the Gemara (Rosh Hashanah
4a) that the one who says “This coin is to
charity so that my son shall live” or “so
that I shall merit the World to Come”
is a tzaddik gamur — a completely
righteous person?
ANSWER: The Gemara (Bava Batra
9b) says that for giving tzedakah to the
poor one receives six blessings, and for
also saying comforting and encouraging words to the poor, one receives an
additional eleven blessings, for more
important than the actual giving of
tzedakah is the way it is given. The poor
and destitute that have to beg for alms
are heartbroken and shattered. Instead
of making them feel that they are on
the receiving end and you are on the
giving end, you should convey a sense
of gratitude to the poor for giving you
the opportunity to do a mitzvah.
the surface one may see faults in the
person, one should, judge every person
“lekaf zechut” — “favorably” — and
their Torah observance, and opponents
thus it will be easy for one to find a
of the Sadducees) — have a tradition
“Rav” and a “chaveir.”
to deny themselves pleasures in this
world, and in the World to Come they
"‫"עשה לך רב‬
“Make yourself a teacher.” (1:6)
have nothing [to expect].”
Antigonus really meant that all rewards
are in the World to Come and that in
this world one prepares himself for it.
Man’s service of Hashem should not be
for the sake of receiving a reward, but
merely out of love for Him in the same
way as a child does things for his parents
purely out of love. Nevertheless, in
addition to loving Hashem, one should
also fear Him and stand in awe when
considering His greatness, might, and
(‫ב‬:‫)אבות דרבי נתן ה‬
holiness.
QUESTION: It should have said “asei
avurcha Rav” — “provide a teacher for
yourself”?
ANSWER: A Chassid of Rabbi Shneur
Zalman of Liadi, founder of Chabad
Chassidut, once said that, “through
conceit he overcame the urge to transgress.” Whenever his yeitzer hara — evil
inclination — would approach him, he
would exclaim, “Do you know who I
am? I am a prominent person, a Chassid of a very great Rebbe; how can you
"‫ "ואל תרבה שיחה עם האשה‬expect me to do this?”
“And do not indulge excessively in
Yehoshua ben Perachyah is advising
conversation with the woman” (1:5)
every Jew: “Make yourself a Rav —
QUESTION: Why is the Mishnah so declare yourself as a distinguished
adamant about even speaking to one’s person, one for whom improper conduct is not befitting. You will thus
own wife?
spare yourself the pitfalls of your evil
ANSWER: Instead of “Al tarbeh sichah
inclination.”
im ha’ishah” — the woman — it could
have said just “im ishah” — with a ,‫ ואל תתחבר לרשע‬,‫"הרחק משכן רע‬
woman? The Mishnah is teaching that
"‫ואל תתיאש מן הפורעניות‬
when it is necessary for one to en¬gage “Distance yourself from a bad neighbor;
in conversation with a woman and, do not connect yourself with a rasha;
for that matter, even his own wife, his do not abandon belief in Divine retributhoughts should not be centered on tion.” (1:7)
“ha’ishah” — the feminine features
QUESTION: 1) The first two stateof the woman — but rather he should
ments seem to be repeti¬tious? 2) What
con¬sider her as another person with
is the connection between all three
whom he needs to communicate.
statements?
Thus, the Gemara could be explained
to mean that if while giving charity to
a poor man one says “I am giving this
because of the benefit in store for me.
Through the fulfillment of this mitzvah,
my son shall live” (it is possible even
that he does not have a son, but is just
saying so to make the poor man feel
more comfortable), or “I shall merit
the World to Come” — such a person ,‫"יהושע בן פרחיה ונתאי הארבלי קבלו מהם‬
is a tzaddik gamur — a complete tzad- ‫ וקנה לך‬,‫ עשה לך רב‬:‫יהושע בן פרחיה אומר‬
"‫ והוי דן את כל האדם לכף זכות‬,‫חבר‬
dik — because he makes the recipient
“Yehoshua ben Perachyah and Nittai
feel like a giver.
Ha’arbeili received [the oral tradition]
‫ 'אל תהיו‬,‫אומר‬...‫"אנטיגנוס איש סוכו‬
from them. Yehoshua ben Perachyah
‫כעבדים המשמשין את הרב על מנת‬
says: ‘Provide yourself with a teacher;
" '...‫לקבל פרס‬
acquire for yourself a friend; and judge
“Antigonus of Socho...He used to say,
every person favorably.’” (1:6)
‘Do not be like servants who serve
their master for the sake of receiving a QUESTION: What is the connection
between these three things?
reward....’ ” (1:3)
A NSWER: King Shlomo says, ‘A
nearby neighbor is better than a distant brother’ (Proverbs 27:10). Thus,
Nittai Ha’arbeili’s statement can be
interpreted as follows: “Harcheik
mishachein — distancing yourself from
your immediate neighbor — ra — is
bad. However, though it is important
to be friendly and close with neighbors,
a person must beware not to attach
himself, G d forbid, to a neighbor who
is wicked.”
Unfortunately, when one is experiencing Divine retribution, in a moment of
despair, he may stoop to seek help from
the wicked or consider following their
ways. In view of this possibil¬ity, Nittai
Ha’arbeili cautions us not to become
despondent and give up hope in difficult
times. He is saying, “Be assured that
everything Hashem does is for our
benefit and eventually the person will
see the good in a tangible way.”
QUESTION: What does the counselor
do that the judge should not do?
ANSWER: A Beit Din can be either an
established tribunal before whom all
the litigants bring their issues without
having any input as to the identity of the
judges or a group of three judges chosen
in the following manner: each litigant
chooses one judge, and then the two
judges together with the litigants select
a third (see Aruch HaShulchan, Choshen Mishpat 13:1). The latter system
is known as “zabla” (‫ )זבל"א‬which is an
abbreviation for “zeh boreir lo echad”
(‫“ — )זה בורר לו אחד‬this one [litigant]
chooses one [judge] for himself.”
A lawyer will work feverishly to have
his client vindicated or win, even if
he personally knows that his client is
guilty. The Mishnah is warning the
judge, “Even if you were selected by
the litigant, you are prohibited from
favoring him if you see that he is wrong.
You must rule fairly, and you are not
required to assure a win for the litigant
who selected you. You may search for
halachic merits on his behalf, but under
no circumstances may you waive your
impartiality and twist the halachah.”
)‫(מדרש שמואל‬
"‫"חכמים הזהרו בדבריכם‬
“Sages, be careful with your words.”
(1:11)
QUESTION: The difference between
a wise person and a foolish person is
obvious in their speaking. As long as
the fool is quiet, he can be mistaken
for a smart person (see Proverbs 17:28).
Since the Mishnah is addressing “chachamim” — “wise people” — obviously
they are careful with what they say, and
otherwise they are not chachamim but
fools?
ANSWER: It is the duty of a rabbi or
teacher to guide his congregants or
students in the right path. To meet
this end, such a person gives many
lectures on various Torah matters, and
especially issues in which he sees a
need for improvement. The worst thing
possible is for a rabbi or teacher to be
a hypocrite. The listener loses respect
for him and does not accept anything
that he says, even when it happens to
be correct and sincere.
QUESTION: What effect did a mis- ANSWER: Yehoshua ben Perachyah
understanding of this statement have felt that every individual must have
on Jewish history?
someone to whom he looks up to as
his Rav. W henever a person must
ANSWER: Antigonus had two dismake a decision, whether halachic or
ciples, Tzadok and Boethus, who
personal, he should turn to his “Rav”
misinterpreted his teaching and persince he is objective and will be able
Avtalyon’s message is “Chachamim —
petuated this error by teaching it to
to give him his unbiased opinion. The
you people who are looked up to as the
their disciples, and their disciples to
wise, i.e. rabbis, teachers, etc., — hiza“Rav” will also take an interest in him
their disciples, etc. “Why,” they said
and guide him from time to time in
haru — you yourselves be very careful
“did our rabbis see fit to say a thing like
his efforts to elevate himself in his
and observant — bedivreichem — with
this? Is it possible, then, that a workman
relationship with Hashem as well as in
your own words. By practicing what
upon completing his day’s work will
)‫(מלי דאבות‬
his inter-personal relationships. While
you preach, your words will definitely
not receive his wages in the evening?
the “Rav” is someone whom he can only "‫"אל תעש עצמך כעורכי הדינים‬
enter into the minds and hearts of the
If our rabbis are convinced that there
approach occasionally, it is also very “Do not act as a counselor [when sitting listeners.”
is a future world and that the dead will
important that one have a “chaveir” — a as a judge].” (1:8)
be resurrected, they would not have
friend — someone with whom to have
said that.” From these two disciples,
The longest running English Shiur in
an ongoing relationship.
Heights--26 years and still going
PIRKEI AVOS SHIUR Crown
Tzadok and Boethus, two sects arose,
strong!
the Sadducees (the Tzedokim) and the Yehoshua ben Perachyah realized that
For Women and Girls
Boethusians. All their days they lived in the difficulty some have with appoint5:30-6 PM Halachos of Tefilla with Rabbi Michoel Seligson
great luxury, using silver and gold uten- ing a “Rav” or acquiring a friend is that
6-7 PM Pirkei Avos with Different Speaker each week.
sils, because they became arrogant. The they find fault with every prospective
Congregation ANASH
770 Montgomery St.
Sadducees used to say, “The Perushim candidate and do not see them as
— Pharisees — (the term for the group qualified to be their “Rav” or “chaveir.”
Use women's entrance on the side of the building.
faitful to the Rabbis and meticulous in Therefore, he advised that though on
10 CROWN HEIGHTS Newspaper ~July 25, 2008
Tznius
New Kollel Wives Shura Rishona Formed in Crown Heights.
By Mrs. M. Resnick
Baruch Hashem the response was
overwhelming!
I am always encouraged and heartened
by the positive response I receive when I
address young women about the insidious penetration of secular culture into
all areas of our lives - behavior, speech,
and mode of thought.
But last week when I met with thirty
young kollel wives in Crown Heights on
the same subject, the response bordered
on the miraculous. It was as if Hashem
opened the hearts of all those attending
and made them willing keillim for His
mission – “vatem tihyu li mamleches
Kohanim”
For at the end of the session those
beautiful new wives committed to form
a vanguard (shura rishona) which will
meet biweekly, in Weight Watchers-like
supportive fashion, to give each other
encouragement, sharing achievements
and difficulties with the aim of achieving a viable positive impact on our
beloved community.
Tzinius is a touchy topic among some,
so rather than discussing the halachos,
I tried to step back and re-examine the
fundamentals of a Jewish look. In the
not too distant past, men and women
took their fashion cues from the aristocratic class, trying to emulate the upper
echelon. But today, people attempt to
dress downward emulating lumberjacks
and janitorial staff by sporting a disheveled look, shirts hanging out, unkempt
hair styles, etc. The Rebbe points out
that the term for why the righteous
women merited to be the catalysts of
the redemption was because of the “ Lo
shinu’ aspect of their existence. They
did not substitute their Yiddishe look
(name nor language) for an Egyptian
look even though that look may very
well have conformed to the Halachic
laws of modesty.
Nowadays, some women wear snoods
outdoors, others dress casually on Shabbos, still others sit in an inappropriate
fashion. They all cite comfort to explain
their behavior. When did comfort
replace the will of Hashem? The aristocratic lady who rode side saddle on a
horse did not enjoy as much comfort as
the man who rode the horse normally.
But even Goyishe women understood
that propriety trumped comfort.
choices in every aspect of their lives,
believing that to be the road to raising independent adults. But doesn’t
this kind of training undermine the
idea of Kabbolas Ol, the basis of all of
Yiddishkeit? Isn’t it the parents’ job to
train their children for a life of Avodas
Hashem? With the purpose of lo nivreiti
ela leshamesh es Koni?
When the Rebbe founded “Tzivos
Hashem”, some questioned the militaristic nature of the organization. The
Rebbe replied as follows: “The most
important aspect, in my opinion, in
this day and age, is the lack of Kabolas
Ol, not only of Ol Malchus Shomayiim
but also of general non-submission to
authority including the authority of
parents at home, teachers in school
and the authority of law and order in
One wife at the meeting recalled a real
the street.
life test she faced recently. After a full
year of teaching her pupils not to wear “American children have been brought
T-shirts emblazoned with logos and up on the spirit of independence and
trademarks (“walking billboards”) freedom and on the glorification of
in public, she found herself debating personal prowess and smartness. It has
whether she should walk the two blocks cultivated a sense of cockishness and
from her ride to her home wearing the self-assurance to the extent that one
Gan Israel T-shirt she had to wear in who is bent on mischief or anti-social
camp as a madricha. Changing for a activity feels they can outsmart a cop
two block walk wasn’t easy for her, but on the beat and even a judge on the
“What if I were to meet one of my pupils bench.
on the way home, that same pupil that
“I came to the conclusion that that there
I spent an entire year dissuading from
was no other way to effect a basic change
wearing T-shirts with the ‘GAP’ & ‘Old
than through a system of discipline and
Navy’ logos”, she wondered. So she
obedience to rules which he/she can get
changed and she triumphed ( Score:1
accustomed to.”
for her - 0 for the Yetzer Hara.).
Another example of the mainstream
Raising children was also a topic.
culture affecting our behavior in the
Many mothers have absorbed the latest
workplace is the new, seemingly demopsychological fad of offering children
cratic policy of addressing each other
The Importance of Tznius During the
Summer
Likkutei Sichos Vol. 13 page 83
Free Translation
The hora’a (practical instruction) from
this is that a person should not say that
in a major and fundamental aspect of
tznius - such as the fact that “each tribe
dwelled on their own and they were not
mixed” - they will be careful. However,
in the small and lighter details it is not
important to be so exacting. For he
should know that even this detail is
fundamental, and it has the ability to
transform every negative thing from
one extreme to another.
However, there is still room for the
yeitzer hora’s persuasion: “When does
this apply? Concerning one’s permanent
conduct. However, when we are talking
about temporary conduct, it is not obligatory to be so exacting in tznius – to treat
the lighter details like the serious ones.”
in this matter and the conduct is in
a way of “how goodly are your tents
Yaakov, your camps Yisrael,” then
“Hashem you G-d will overturn for
you (the curse into blessing)...” And as
Rashi comments on the earlier verse: “It
was in his heart (to curse them)... and
when Hashem changed over his mouth,
he blessed them etc.” Until the promise
of the complete goodly mishkan - that
Hashem will return His security (mashkon) - the Beis Hamikdosh. Since a
security connotes that even during the
time of the churban it still exists - and
when the atonement is complete, it will
descend and be revealed, eternally.
Footnote 34: Now is the opportunity
to stress a timely matter: those who are
“lenient” in certain aspects of tznius in
the summer, especially when they are
in a temporary dwelling outside of the
city. And there are those who say echta
ve’ashuv - I will sin and then return
Also to this (rationale) comes the
(repent) – when I return to the city.
hora’a: “He (Bilam) saw the openings of
their tents--that they were not aligned This applies to the conduct of men as
facing one another.” Even when they well, and especially to women, since
were in tents, “the tents of Yaakov”, even each one of them is called Akeres
in a temporary dwelling, this level of Habayis. We could speak at length, but
tznius and carefulness applies.
now is not the time.
On the other hand, when we are careful
by first name, no matter if the person
is of the opposite gender, is older, or is
a rabbi or rebbetzin.
Most of the women readily acknowledged this problem. One even recounted
how she felt uncomfortable when she
first encountered such a work environment. However, she sadly admitted that
she very quickly got accustomed to this
disrespectful behavior.
Another issue raised was the excessive
socializing among young couples, and
the consensus was that familiarity in
certain circumstances is simply not
the Jewish way.
I quoted extensively from Rabbi
Glukowsky’s inspiring, timely address
to their husbands – the Kollel YungeLeight (highlights were published in
issue # …of this publication), and they
were all anxious to get audio copies of
the entire talk. Go to the Yagdil Torah
Website to listen to the shiur: http://
www.yagdiltorah.com/recordings/
recordings.htm.
After several hours of enthusiastically
sharing their experiences with me and
one another, I am gratified to report
that the women agreed that reclaiming our authentic Yiddishe heritage
is definitely the order of the day, and
that the creation of a shura rishona will
surely have a positive upward spiraling
influence on the entire community.
Kollel wives, please join us in this
groundbreaking effort to strengthen
our families and our community.
Our next meeting is scheduled for July
30. Please call Mrs. C. Nemni @ (718)
809-0379 for details.
July 25, 2008 ~ crOWN heights Newspaper 11
Gimmel Tammuz
Conclusion
The very next day, Thursday — Rosh
Chodesh Tammuz — three officers
entered the Rebbe’s cell. Prison protocol called for utmost respect on the part
of the prisoners; when addressed by a
guard or officer, inmates must stand at
attention. The Rebbe refused to arise,
and said so, in Yiddish.
arrive in Kos­troma on Shabbos.
Lulov was adamant about his decision.
If the Rebbe chose not to travel on
Friday, then he won’t be able to leave
the prison at all — and Lulov and his
cohorts will have him retried.
Once again, Mrs. Peshkova used her
considerable influ­ence in Moscow. At
an emergency meeting with the Prime
Minister, she made her case. In her
One of the officers, a Jew, retorted, “ If
presence, Rykov called Monshinsky,
you don’t stand, we will hit you!” The
the head of the G.P.U., and told him to
Rebbe replied softly, “Nu?” The guards
allow the Rebbe to travel on Sunday.
hit the Rebbe, and left his cell.
Once again, Lulov had lost — but he
A short while later, Lulov entered the
refused to give up completely. One last
cell with some prison officials. “Rebbe!”
time, he tried to convince the Rebbe.
Lulov said sarcastically, “Why aren’t
“If you leave tomorrow, on Friday,”
you standing? These men are here to
Lulov told him, “You will be released
give you good news!”
immediately after your arrival there.”
Once again, the Rebbe refused and
The Rebbe replied, “I don’t care if I have
was struck once again. This procedure
to remain in prison for an extremely
was repeated a third time, with the
long time because of this; I refuse to
Rebbe still declining to stand for the
travel on Shabbos.”
jail guards.
The Rebbe spent that Shabbos in jail.
Finally, they ordered the Rebbe to
On Sunday, Gimmel Tammuz, at two
follow them to the office, where he was
o’clock in the afternoon, he was told
shown his verdict.
that he could go home for a few hours,
There were three sentences on the offi- but he must catch the eight o’clock train
cial document, the first two crossed out. to Kostroma.
The first one, was the death sen­tence:
The Rebbe made his way home. One
“Death by a firing squad”. Next to it, the
could only imagine the happiness and
word, Nyet — No. The second sentence,
relief of his family, when they saw him
also with a line running through it,
enter the door! After a joyous reunion
was: “Ten years in Slovaki”, followed
with his family, the Rebbe went into
by another “Nyet”.
his room to daven Mincha.
The third sentence, left unedited, read,
Word of his arrival had spread like
“Three years in Kostroma.” This, then
wildfire, and people streamed from
was to be the Rebbe’s punishment: a
all parts of the city to catch a glimpse
relatively mild exile, not too far from
of their Rebbe. Chassidim stood by
civilization.
the door of his study, and lis­tened to
Inwardly, the Rebbe rejoiced and the Rebbe daven, enraptured by his
thanked Hashem with his whole heart. emotional and heartfelt Tefillos.
He had escaped immediate death by
The few hours that were allotted went
bullet; then the terrible exile in Slovaki
by very fast, the hour turned seven and
— a double miracle!
the Rebbe was preparing to leave. He
Lulov’s harsh voice broke through the was allowed to take along one family
Rebbe’s thoughts: “Your situation in member and one Chossid. The Rebbe
Kostroma will be deplorable. A lot of chose his second daughter the Rebhard work, and much pain is awaiting betzin Chaya Mushka and the Chossid
you. However, if you retract your state- Reb Eliyahu Chaim Althaus. Many
ment concerning the Leningrad Jewish Chassidim went to the train station to
communal conference, I will arrange buy tickets, but none were for sale. The
your immediate freedom.”
G.P.U. forbade it. The train will travel
almost empty, as long as the Rebbe
For over an hour, Lulov tried to conwon’t be with his Chassidim.
vince, cajole and threaten the Rebbe,
to make him change his mind. But the By The Train Station
Rebbe remained firm. “I don’t regret
The Rebbe arrived under heavy guard
what I did, and I won’t change my
of the secret police and the regular civil
opposing opinion,” he replied stoically.
police. Standing on the station plat“Threaten me, if you will, with Siberia;
form, the Rebbe turned to the crowd
I won’t take back anything I said.”
and unintimidated by the “authorities”
Both Lulov and the head of the local the Rebbe addressed the crowd
G.P.U. were infuri­ated and humiliated.
“We raise our lips in prayer to Hashem:
How they longed to punish the Rebbe!
‘Yehi Hashem Elo­kaynu Imanu Kaasher
But their hands were tied; the National
Haya Im Avosaynu Al Yaazvaynu V’al
chief director of the G.P.U., MonshinYitshainu’ — Hashem should be with
sky, had already decided; he, not them
us as he was with our fathers, He should
would decide the Rebbe’s fate.
not forsake us or abandon us.
The Rebbe had bested them, and they
“Not only is this a prayer to Hashem not
knew it. But they would have their sweet
to forsake us but it is also a promise and
revenge; the Rebbe would have to leave
blessing that Hashem will not forsake
jail the following day, on Friday, and
us, even when we are in exile.
You will be watched and we will be
informed of all your activities, public
“Let the nations of the world know and
and private. Finally, you are to present
realize. We did not go into exile on our
your­self here every Tuesday.
own will, nor will we return [to Eretz
Yisroel] by vir­tue of our own capabili- The rescue committee continued their
ties. Hashem our father and King sent efforts on behalf of the Frierdiker
us in exile and He will redeem us by Rebbe, notwithstanding the advice that
sending us Moshiach. However only they were given to wait for a while, as
our bodies were sent into exile and it would be perceived as open defiance
subjected to foreign rule. Our souls towards the G.P.U.. Messing the head of
were not.
the Leningrad G.P.U. claimed it would
give cause to anti-Se­mitism, showing
“We are obligated to publicly proclaim
that only a Jewish leader is freed while
before all, that on any matter affecting
other clergy are not. Even if Moscow
the Jewish religion, Torah, Mitzvos and
orders the Rebbe’s free­dom he would
even its customs, no one can impose
immediately rearrest the Rebbe.
his beliefs on us nor coerce us to act
contrary to our beliefs.
Mrs. Peshkova continued her intensive
endeavors on behalf of the Rebbe and
“We resolutely state with the steadfastwas finally successful.
ness of the Jewish nation: ‘Touch not
my anointed nor attempt to do evil unto According to the terms of his exile, the
my prophets.’
Frierdiker Rebbe had to check in at the
local offices of the K.G.B. every Tues“It is well known that the law [of the
day. On the following Tuesday which
country] allows us to learn [and teach]
was Yud Beis Tammuz, the Rebbe’s 47th
Torah and perform Mitzvos. It is only
birthday, the Rebbe accompanied by
because of the efforts of false informers
Reb Eliyahu Chaim Althaus returned
with totally untrue accusation that
to the office. Being that it was a local
religious Jews are imprisoned and
holi­day, the station was quite empty
sent to labor camps. The actions of
and quiet.
those ignorant and evil doers shall be
To the Rebbe’s surprise, he was warmly
completely nullified.
greeted by the local commander him“This is our plea to Hashem: Do not
self. The K.G.B. chief informed him,
abandon us, rather give us the strength
he had just received word to release the
that we do not falter in face of this
Rebbe from his exile. However, since
physical suffering. The more they
it was a legal holiday, the paperwork
afflict us, should bolster our fortitude
would have to be done on the following
of strengthening Judaism.
day, on Yud Gimmel Tam­muz.
“Remember, their punishments are in
When the Rebbe entered his home, he
the physical realm of the world, which
was greeted by his daughter, Rebbetzin
is temporary. While Torah, Mitzvos
Chaya Mushka and the Chassid, Rav
and Israel are eternal.
Michoel Dvorkin, who spontaneously
“Shalom — May Hashem bring peace began singing: “Nyet, Nyet...” signifyupon you. We shall merit the blessing, ing that there was nothing besides
‘Hashem shall be with us as He was Hashem.
with our ancestors to neither forsake
The Rebbe then said the Maamar,
nor abandon us.’ And there shall be light
“Hashem is with me among my helpers,
unto all Jewish people in their abodes in
and I will see [the downfall of] my ene­
the spiritual and material senses.”
mies.” The following day after receiving
Thus spoke the Frierdiker Rebbe in the official papers of his release the
front of the dreaded officers on his way Rebbe said the Maamar “Blessed is the
to exile the very same words he said one who bestows beneficences upon the
by the Purim farbrengen that caused culpable, for he has bestowed goodness
his arrest.
on me.”
Kostrama
The traveling was non stop, for almost
twenty four hours. Late Monday night
the train arrived in Kostrama. In
defiance of their commands that he
immediately report to the local authorities the Rebbe went to his lodgings in
the house of the local Shochet.
Tuesday morning the fifth of Tammuz,
the Rebbe went to the local checka
— secret police. The administrator
received him in an extremely sullen
and antagonistic manner. He declared,
you are an exile prisoner receiving your
punishment for your criminal activities
against the good of the country. Not
only can you not leave the city without
special authori­zation, you must inform
us even if you are just changing your
place of residence.
The Frierdiker Rebbe had noticed a
subtle change in the local commander’s
demeanor; once he received the order
to free the Rebbe, he had become
cordial. The Rebbe boarded the train
to Leningrad, hoping that in the big
city, too, the K.G.B. and the Yevsektzia
will stop their harassment. Perhaps in
Leningrad, they may even admit that
his outreach activi­ties were legal!
Leaving Russia
The Frierdiker Rebbe arrived home on
Friday, the 16th of Tammuz. The mood
of the Yevsektzia had indeed changed
— but for the worse. The Jewish Communists were bitterly dis­appointed that
their carefully wrought scheme had
failed, and their archenemy was once
again free to continue his work.
Continued on Page: 16:
12 CROWN HEIGHTS Newspaper ~July 25, 2008
Shleimus Haaretz
The Exchange of Prisoners
Shabbos Parshas Bamidbar,
1979
Published and copyright © by Sichos In
English
The Rebbe spoke against the recent
exchange of prisoners: over 70 Arabs,
including over 30 convicted terrorists,
for one Israeli soldier. Though a Jewish
life has infinite worth — “surely more
than that of seventy Arabs,” — the
Rebbe said “the exchange should
not have been made.” They could
have obtained the same soldier for
Bank were only a token gesture that did
not solve the problem) and a firm show
of Israeli military strength be made. He
explained that this was the opinion of
Israeli’s military experts who according
to Torah are the authorities who must
decide policy at this time. He related
that there are those who maintained
that diplomatic considerations should
also be taken into consideration, but
brought proof to discount their opinion.
He cited the example of the Yom Kippur War where all the military leaders
had wanted to call up the reserves and
prepare for war. These defensive steps
were vetoed by the political leaders of
the time who feared antagonizing the
U.S. Those political actions brought
about the early Arab success and many
casualties among the Israeli forces.
showed that women who walked four
or more hours per week had 41% fewer
hip fractures than those who walked
diabetes. In a study published in the
less than an hour a week.
Annals of Internal Medicine, Frank Hu,
MD, of the Harvard School of Public And these are just a few of the ways
Health found that a brisk walk for one exercise improves your health. Studies
hour daily could reduce the risk of type have suggested it can also help with
II diabetes by 34%.
certain types of eder mahalah, improve
immune function, and more.
Exercise Helps people achieve and
maintain a healthy body weight
How Much of Physical Activity Is
Enough?
Overweight and obese conditions can
be prevented or treated with exercise The good news about regular physical
along with a healthy diet. Activity activity is that everyone can benefit
helps to reduce body fat and increase from it. Additionally, physical activity
muscle mass, thus improving your does not need to be hard or challenging.
body’s ability to burn calories. The Participating in moderate-intensity
combination of reduced calories and physical activity is an important part
daily exercise is the ticket to weight loss. of a healthy lifestyle for people of
And controlling obesity is critical, as it all ages and wide range of abilities.
is a major risk factor for many diseases. Adults should get at least 30 minutes
Lowering your body mass is a sure way of moderate-intensity physical activto reduce risk of dying early and to live ity (such as brisk walking) on five
a healthier life.
or more days per week, according to
recommendations from the Centers
Exercise Reduces feelings of depresfor Disease Control and Prevention
sion and anxiety. Promotes psy(CDC) and the American College of
chological well-being and reduces
Sports Medicine
feelings of stress.
Although there can be some risks
Improved self-esteem is one of the top
associated with physical activity, most
benefits of regular physical activity.
can be avoided by taking reasonable
While exercising, your body releases
precautions.
chemicals called endorphins that can
improve your mood and the way you Persons with known cardiovascular
feel about yourself. The feeling that fol- disease or persons who have already
lows a run or workout is often described experienced a major cardiovascular
as “euphoric” and is accompanied by event, such as a heart attack, stroke, or
an energizing outlook. Exercise can heart surgery, should have a physical
help you cope with stress and ward off evaluation by their physician before
engaging in even a moderate physical
depression and anxiety.
activity program. But other than in
Exercise Helps build and maintain
those cases, most adults do not need to
healthy bones, muscles, and joints
consult their physicians before engaging
Back pain can be managed or prevented in moderate-intensity physical activity.
with a fitness program that includes
muscle strengthening and flexibility.
Having good posture and a strong
abdomen is the body’s best defense
against back pain. Weight-bearing
exercise (such as walking, jogging,
stair climbing, dancing, or lifting
weights) strengthens bone formation
and helps prevent the osteoporosis
or bone loss. Combine a diet rich in
calcium and vitamin D with regular
weight-bearing exercise for maximum
results. According to The Journal of
the American Medical Association,
data from the Nurses’ Health Study
If, however, they are planning to engage
in vigorous-intensity physical activity,
experts recommend that men over age
40 and women over age 50 should also
consult a physician first.
many fewer Arabs. Furthermore, the
terrorists said they would continue
their activities, making the exchange
wrong, even if no better arrangement
could have been made. He stated that
the exchange was made for one reason
only — because the Israeli government
has so thoroughly lost its pride that it is
willing to do anything to try to win the
favor of the Americans and the Arabs.
The Rebbe reiterated his demands that
rather than give up the territories they
should be settled (noting that the few
new settlements opened on the West
The RAMBAM Lifestyle
By Yaakov Bam, Nutrition and Wellness
Consultant
Exercise. Exercise. Exercise.
The Rambam:
“Whoever is idle and
does not exercise,
even if he eats good
foods and takes care
to follow rules of medicine, will be full
of pain for all his days his strength will
fade away...”
Do you need motivation to
exercise?!
Do You Want to feel better, have more
energy and even live longer?!
The virtues of exercise range starting
with prevention of chronic diseases to
boosting confidence and self-esteem.
Take a look at various ways exercise can
improve your life.
Exercise Reduces the risk of developing coronary heart disease and
stroke. Reduces the risk of having
a second heart attack in people who
have already had one heart attack
Regular activity strengthens heart
muscle; lowers blood pressure; increases
“good” cholesterol (high-density lipoproteins or HDLs) and lowers “bad”
cholesterol (low-density lipoproteins or
LDLs); enhances blood flow; and helps
your heart function more efficiently.
All of these benefits reduce the risk of
stroke, heart disease, and high blood
pressure. Researchers found that being
active reduces risk of having and dying
from a stroke. According to a published
study, moderately active study participants had 20% less risk of stroke than
less active participants.
Exercise Lowers the risk of developing non-insulin-dependent (type 2)
diabetes mellitus
17 million Americans now have it.
Physical activity can enhance weight
loss and help prevent and/or control this
condition. Losing weight can increase
insulin sensitivity, improve blood
sugar and cholesterol levels, and reduce
blood pressure -- all of which are very
important to the health of people with
The Rebbe also mentioned that the
government authorities are taking
certain steps to pressure him into
silence including withholding government aid from Lubavitch teachers and
educational institutions. He promised
that he would not cease his protest even
in the face of these actions.
Take 3–5 minutes at the beginning of
any physical activity to properly warm
up your muscles through increasingly
more intense activity. As you near
the end of the activity, cool down by
decreasing the level of intensity.
Drink plenty of water throughout the
day to replace lost fluids (i.e., at least
eight to ten 8-oz. cups per day). Drink
a glass of water before you get moving,
and drink another half cup every 15
minutes that you remain active.
Exercise alone produces modest weight
loss. W hen it is a part of Healthy
Lifestyle the effects are much more
impressive.
To be continued
Yaakov Bam, MS, is a member of
American Association of Nutritional
Consultants. He focuses on guiding and
advising institutions, families and private
individuals in implementing the RAMBAM Lifestyle. By improving your lifestyle
you Will: have more energy everyday,
get rid of bad cholesterol, constipation,
normalize blood pressure, boost your
immune system and metabolism, prevent
heart disease, stroke, and diabetes chas
vsholom, etc… Yaakov can be reached
at yaakov.bam@gmail.com or by phone,
(347)564-2874. To find out more details
about the RAMBAM Lifestyle, please see
preceding and upcoming articles of the
Health Interest series. To register for a free
Health Lifestyle seminar, please contact
Yaakov Bam.
July 25, 2008 ~ crOWN heights Newspaper 13
Rebbe Story
The Hillel Foundation Meets the Rebbe
“When one tells a story about his Rebbe he connects to the deeds of the Rebbe”
is not like nirvana. In devekut you have
(Sichos 1941 pg. 68)
no existence in yourself, but you are a
Why didn’t Chabad establish its head- were successful in having him leave part of G-d that is permeating all your
quarters in Israel? What is a Rebbe? and come to the United States. But, I being with His divinity. It is not in a
What is the Chabad method to medita- believe, that even had there been a choice hidden form, but it is functioning in
tion and reflection? The above mentioned between the two million Jews in the U.S. your body just as your heart, leg, etc.
questions are from a first time released or the hundred thousand in Israel, where are functioning.
Yechidus with the Rebbe and the Direc- they had already established yeshivas and
It must permeate not only your actions
tors of the Hillel Foundation. This Yiddishkeit (Judaism), he would have
but your understanding and intelfascinating Yechidus took place during chosen the harder field to work with and
ligence. Performing a mitzvah is the
then summer of August 1959. I would not the most convenient. There was more
action itself—like putting the tefillin
like to thank all the Editors from The challenge here in Brooklyn.
(phylacteries) on your head—you can
Avner Institute for all of their efforts Q: Lubavitch is systematic, and the
put it on your head and at the same time
in helping to publish this Yechidus. neo-Orthodox in Israel do not have
think about business or politics. That is
Special thanks to Rabbi Groner, one some of the frustrations of the Jews in
called machshovot zerot—your thoughts
of the Rebbe’s Secretaries, for allowing galut (exile).
are in another world. You can think
this Yechidus to be released for the first R: It has no connection with being
about the perush hamilim (meaning
time from his Archive. To read more Orthodox or systematic. It deals with
of the words) itself but it touches your
beautiful encounters of the Rebbe visit choosing a spot where you have no help
understanding only and goes no deeper.
www.inspiringageneration.com.
or choosing a spot where you can rest
If you say the blessing with hitlahavut
twelve or fifteen hours a day. It doesn’t
Rebbe: If I remember correctly, when
(enthusiasm), then it not only touches
depend upon the ideal but whether the
we met last time it was discussed that
your understanding but your feelings
human being is seeking an easy way out
everyone must always be going mechayil
also. If this hitlahavut goes deeper
or seeking to accomplish something,
al chayil (from strength to strength). As
and much more, then it can bring him
and in a certain period of time. My
a year has elapsed in between, probably
to a stage of ecstasy till he forgets the
father-in-law always sought something
every one of us is more efficient. I would
environment around him. That is, it
that was difficult to perform, that no one
like to hear besoros tovos (good news)
permeates all your faculties.
wanted to do voluntarily, and began by
about your achievements.
doing something revolutionary.
A mitzvah can be performed limited
Question: “Chayil” also means a soldier
and no more, but if you perform it to a
of war. Is there any connection to going In 1940, Orthodoxy in the U.S. was going
maximum, then it brings you to ecstasy
from “strength to strength?”
down. In Israel, it was going up, and in
and even the movement of your head and
R: Yes, a solder is forced to go to war; he Europe it was at the same level more or
involuntary movements are also under
must go higher even against his will.
less. When my father-in-law first heard
the impact of this mitzvah. Thus the
Q: Why didn’t the Lubavitcher move- that the Hasidim were trying to bring
saying of the Ba’al Shem Tov (founder
ment choose to go to Israel instead of him to the U.S., his first thought was that
of Hasidism) that every day before his
the U.S.?
this is a place where his energies can best
prayer he was afraid that he may not
R: The Lubavitcher movement came be applied. Neo-Orthodoxy is trying to
come out of this activity alive.
to the U.S. in 1940, when the British fight assimilation while it is still only a
Mandate was in full power. If you have seed, as it is much easier to annihilate Q: Shabbatai Zvi and his followers used
a certain amount of energy and it is something when it is beginning than mystical Kabbalah to break away from
your intention to use it to a maximum after it is fully grown.
halacha (Jewish law), as they considof efficiency, you must apply it where it
ered Kabbalah the true procedure for
Q: A re you not concer ned w it h
can be used to maximum efficiency.
themselves. Perhaps this way may be the
assimilation?
Q: Do you mean that there are more
reason the [18th century scholar] Vilna
R: That is our prime interest. Twenty
Gaon objected to Hasidic teachings?
Jewish people here that will be helped
years ago there were three reasons for
by your ideals?
R: As for comparing the movement of
assimilation: 1) escape . . . 3) rescue.
R: There is more possibility to help more
Shabbatai Zvi to the Hassidic moveNow assimilation is looked down upon
people in Brooklyn than in Tel Aviv.
ment—every movement that is started
by all three groups.
Q: Is that why you chose Brooklyn, and
by someone of the Jewish people has
Q: Please state your attitude about
not some other city like Chicago?
some common point because it was
devekut (Divine ecstasy).
R: The real reason is because my fatherstarted by a Jew. Shabbatai Zvi also was
R: Do you have a specific question in
in-law wanted a place where he could
a scholar not only in Kabbalah but in
mind?
influence a great number of students. And
halacha, but after a few years he deviated
Q: No. I wanted to hear the Lubavitcher
this can be done more easily in Brooklyn
from the right derech (path). It became
interpretation.
than in Baltimore or Chicago.
something that not was only deviant just
R: Every human being, by his connection
Q: If the British Mandate had not been in
the opposite of Judaism.
with G-d Almighty, has no limitation
Israel, would he have chosen Israel?
Hasidism and Kabbalah are called in the
to his possibilities, because he has in
R: I don’t believe so; you do not have
Zohar penimiut (inward). That includes
his store not only his own energy but
the possibilities there that you have in
that there must be something hitzoniut
an open channel to receive additional
the United States.
(outward). Kabbalah is not something
energy from above. To have this channel
Q: Did the entire Lubavitcher movement
that you can dissect and throw away one
open is called “devekut.” You can be a
come to the U.S. at one time, or did they
thing, because if you accept one part if it
very long distance from the powerhouse
come as individuals?
is a necessity that you accept the other
and you can become closer and closer to
R: Lubavitcher congregations were
part. When someone comes to a concluentering the powerhouse itself. And you
established in the U.S. over fifty years
sion against halacha, he is deviating. If
can become a part of the Being we call
ago. They invited my father in-law (the
you are logical, you must come to the
G-d Almighty. That is the maximum of
Previous Lubavitcher Rebbe) as a politiconclusion that Kabbalah and Hasidism
devekut. It does not mean that the soul
cal rescue from Poland, which was under
must exist; because without them there
parts from the guf (body), because the
German occupation. The Hasidim in
is something missing. The same thing--if
body is also a creation. It becomes not
the U.S. intervened through the State
you accept Kabbalah and negate halacha,
only closer and closer, but it becomes
Department. They explained to the State
you are negating something that is a part;
forlorn in Divinity. And yet, soon after
Department the advantages of having his
and you are negating the basis on which
that, he can eat his seudat Shabbat
leadership here in the U.S., and through
you are standing.
(Sabbath meal) and go to his business
the American Embassy in Berlin they
after Havdalah (close of Shabbat) – it The Vilna Gaon did not negate Kabbalah,
because he had his own group and he
learned Kabbalah. In his opinion, it was
something not to be learned with a large
group, but to be taught to only a select
group, as the others are not able to grasp
Kabbalah and must be satisfied with
halacha. But there must be a select group
above them that learns Kabbalah.
Shabbatai Zvi negated halacha. In
the time of Shabbatai Zvi there was a
group of Catholic priests that translated
Kabbalistic manuscripts and studied
Kabbalah. But this is not considered
Jewish Kabbalah, as the Catholics did
not put on tefillin. It is just like someone
in Sorbonne, Brooklyn College, or some
other university who can learn Kabbalah
without putting on tefillin. For true Kabbalah cannot be separated from halacha.
The terminology of these two kinds of
Kabbalah is penimiut and hitzoniut (true
and false Kabbalah): the body and the
neshama (soul).
Q: How do you start with your students?
Should I begin to talk to them about
hitlahavut or just do the mitzvoth?
R: Now is such an era that you must
choose with every individual his own
approach. If you can take him with hitlahavut or devekut, do it that way. But the
main thing is the actual mitzvah and you
can choose your own approach. If you
estimate your congregation or audience
that it can be approached more effectively
by explaining hitlahavut, then choose
this way. The mistake is if he begins with
one thing and then goes no further. If he
begins with ma’asah (actual mitzvah),
then he has the most essential part of it,
and if the audience goes to sleep you have
achieved the essential. But if you begin
with devekut or hitlahavut and then they
go to sleep, they will not know about the
most important part—ma’asah bepoel
(actual doing).
Q: I came across a great amount of
children who expressed bitterness
against their parents. Can you suggest
an approach to turn this bitterness into
love?
R: Although there is no general remedy
that will apply to each individual, nevertheless there is one common point.
In growing up he must encounter difficulties and obstacles in his way—the
world is changing, his body is changing,
and this presents obstacles to him. He
needs someone for a scapegoat, ashma.
The only person who has been with
him all his life is his parent, and if he
has no strength of character to say to
himself that he must overcome these
obstacles—even if it is connected with
the biggest event in his life—then he
must find someone to put the finger on.
His road is not easy to go on. He must
choose his father and mother to blame,
because he knows his teacher only one
or two years and he experienced these
difficulties before that. If he can put his
finger on his mother or father, he has a
perfect excuse.
Explain to your audience the real reason
they choose their parents for their
accusations, but do not stress this point
Continued on Page 14
14 CROWN HEIGHTS Newspaper ~July 25, 2008
Tammuz Yahrzeiten
This week we continue with the Yahrzeiten of people who lived in our shechuna.
We are also including the Yahrzeiten of Shluchim. In mentioning them we nifter in 1995.
come to “v’Hachai yiten el Libo”. We learn lessons from their lives that we can
incorporate into our own. This column includes the Yahrzeiten from the 23rd of Women
Tamuz through the 27th of Tamuz. The respective resting places of the individuals
18th of Tamuz
noted in this column are near the holy Ohel, unless otherwise specified.
Mrs. Yocheved Miriam Karasik
23rd of Tamuz
Harav Hachosid V’Hatomim Chaim
Tzvi Konikov
The wife of Horav Hachossid Reb
Horav Hachossid Reb Shmaya
Yaakov Boruch, who served as a mashKrinsky
He learned in the city of Lubavitch,
giach in Yeshiva Tomchei Tmimim in
Russia in Tomchi Temimim and merThe son of Horav Hachossid Hatomim
Lubavitch, she was widowed at a young
ited to be a Ben-Bayis in the home of the
Reb Zev, he was a shochet for more than
age and on her own, raised her children
Rebbe Rashab where he became very
fifty years and sacrificed himself to raise
according to the teachings of Torah
close with his son and successor, the
his children according to Torah and
and Chassidus. She collected Tzedoko
Rebbe Rayatz. In Yeshiva Reb Chaim
Mitzvos. He was nifter in 1963.
to distribute privately to mosdos and
Tzvi was considered to be an Illuy – a
families, and left grandchildren and
Horav Hachossid Hato- genius – and he received the title of
great grandchildren in the Zarchi,
mim Reb Boruch Sho- “Yoreid L’umkai shel Halacha”. After
Gansburg and Majesky families, who
his marriage to Rebbetzin Brina, he
lom Schwei
are shluchim worldwide. She was nifter
became the Rav of 3 shuls in Smolensk.
The son of Horav Hachoin 1962.
In 1930 after having yechidus with
ssid Reb Mordechai Elithe Frierdicke Rebbe in Riga, he and 24th of Tamuz
yohu was born in Finland. As a young
his family moved to America where
Mrs. Esther Malka Levinson
orphan from his father, his mother
he became the Rav of the Tzemach
Bunya sent her children with a chossid
Tzedek shul in Williamsburg. Harav The daughter of Horav Hachossid
to study at the Lubavitcher Yeshiva in
Chaim Tzvi then founded the “Chevra Reb Menachem and the wife of Horav
Samarkand where Reb Boruch Bholom
Machazikei Hatorah” and the Mesibos Hachossid Hatomim Reb Hillel, she
excelled in his studies. He was a modest
Shabbos groups and was among the was a modest and G-d fearing woman,
and private person as well as a great
founders of the Bais Rivkah school with a strong emuna and bitochon. She
scholar who was well-versed in sforim
Network. He also introduced the idea suffered ill health from childhood, sacand knew many by heart. For parnossa,
of Wednesday hour to the Frierdicke rificed herself to bring up her children
he worked as a typesetter in the
Rebbe who launched it. At one time the in a righteous manner, and worked
Balshan/Ezra printing shop, where
Rayatz told him: “He wants a chelek with enormous energy to help others
they printed the sforim of Kehot
in everything he does.” He was from in need. She merited having children
and many other sforim on Torah
the first to put Torah and Neginah serving as the Rebbe’s Shluchim. She
subjects. Reb Boruch Sholom
on wire, record and tape for the was nifter in 2005.
would catch mistakes or
purpose of promoting Chassidus
errors in the manuscripts
to “Hamon Am”. There are Rebbe Story
of many Rabbonim and
numerous Igros Kodesh printed Continued from Page 13
authors of sforim, and
as correspondence to him from
he would protect them
too hard. Tomorrow or the day after
the Rebeim. Chaim Tzvi was
from major embarrasstomorrow they will be less bitter. Do
an emese, dugma-chaya of a
ment. This caused him
not expect them to stand up on the first
pioneer of yiddishkeit to his
day and say “ashamnu (I have sinned).”
to become the most
children and to all who knew him,
sought after typesetter
Zichrono L’vrocho.
Q: How is it that I saw that the leadership
by authors who insisted
of Lubavitch was transmitted through a
on waiting so he could be the
25th of Tamuz
daughter not through a son?
typesetter of their Sefer to help them
Reb Yisochor Dov Silber
R: You probably mean after the son of the
with their Chibur. The Rebbe, once
Alter Rebbe (“Old Rabbi”--Shneur Zalreferring to Reb Boruch Sholom, said, The son of Reb Moshe, he sacrificed
man of Liadi, first Lubavitcher Rebbe).
“I could not find the key to him.” He himself to guide his family in the ways
He had two sons but they begged the
was nifter in the midst of his life after of Torah and Mitzvos. He was nifter
son-in-law to take over the leadership.
in 1999.
a painful illness in 1974.
Q: Is it ideals and not heredity that
Horav Hachossid Hato- 26th of Tamuz
decides the leadership?
R: Only ideals. Only someone who has
mim Reb Av rohom
Horav Hachossid
Menachem Majerczyk
the aptitude in a certain direction. If you
Hatomim Reb Chaim
have a father who all of his life has conThe son of Hatomim Reb
Dovid Nota Wichnin
secrated himself toward certain ideals
Tzvi Elozor, he studied
The son of Hor av so that it permeates his very existence, it
Nigla and Chassidus in
Hachossid Reb Nach- must also permeate his wife and children.
an especially engrossed manner. He
m a n Do v, he w a s If he is permeated by a certain idea, the
had a kvius with a friend for many
mekushar to the Rebbe and committed first subjects to be impressed by it will
years in the early hours of the morning
to fulfilling his shlichus to spread Torah be his son or his daughter. If the subject
and merited to complete the study of
and Chassidus with love and affection. is Torah or Kabbalah, the son is more
the Zohar. He always had a comment
He was a distinguished educator, who adaptable than the daughter. [Aside
or a humorous word to be msameach
in his entire life involved himself in to the only woman present: “You will
another Yid. He was nifter in the midst
educating boys and girls. He served excuse me for saying this, as it is not my
of his life in 2003.
as the spiritual dean at Yeshiva Achei idea.”] The reason for the leadership is
24th of Tamuz
Tmimim in Amton, and served for not because he was his son, but because
eighteen years as the Rosh Yeshiva he has a maximum of piety, education,
Horav Hachossid Hatomim Reb
in Tiferes Bochurim in Morristown and hitlahavut; he received it from his
Schneur Zalman Getzel Halevi
and as the Rav at the Tzemach Tzedek father and his environment and thus has
Rubashkin
Shul in Monsey. He worked with a a bigger chance. The Tzemach Tzedek
The son of Horav Hachossid Reb special fervor in fulfilling the Rebbe’s (third Lubavitcher Rebbe) was an orphan
Sholom Halevi, he sacrificed himself directives and Mivtzoim, and attracted from the third year of his life, and the
to instill in his family a love of and people from many different circles. Alter Rebbe took care of his education
hiskashrus to the Rebbeim and chas- He was born in 1939, on the 26th of personally. Thus, he had more chances
sidim. He was nifter in 1983.
Menachem Av in Bobruisk and was to receive this education than even the
25th of Tamuz
Mrs. Zishe Gordon
The daughter of Horav Hachossid Reb
Nissan and the wife of Horav Hachossid
Hatomim Reb Yochanon Gordon,
the Gabai in 770, she was involved
in hosting guests, and her house was
always open to chassidim. She was
nifter in 1957.
27th of Tamuz
Mrs. Mirel Deitsch
The daughter of Horav Hachossid
Reb Menachem Mendel and the wife
of Reb Horav Hachossid Hatomim
Sholom Yeshaya, she sacrificed herself
for the upbringing and education of
Jewish daughters and in a pleasant and
delightful way and was mkarev many
Yidden to Yiddishkeit. She was nifter
in 1994.
We should speedily witness, “The ones who
dwell in the dust will awaken and rejoice,”
with all the above-mentioned individuals
amongst them.
Dear Readers:
Anyone who would like to have their
relatives mentioned in the yahrzeit column
should email the name, father’s name,
date of the petira and some details to
chp5768@gmail.com. A picture may be
included.
sons of the Mittler (Second Lubavitcher)
Rebbe.
This is the answer for an intellectual. If
you are a Hasid you must accept a more
spiritual explanation: Rebayus (leadership) is not motivated by something
accidental or monetary but by something
above us. The son of the Mezritcher Maggid (successor to the Ba’al Shem Tov) was
his successor for only five years. After
that he was niftar (passed away). It is not
dependent upon something physical, but
something spiritual and divine.
I wish you a kesiva vechasim tova
(Happy New Year), and next year I
will ask you more forcefully about your
achievements.
Q: In camus or aichus (quality or
quantity)?
R: You know that Einstein said that
camus always transfers into aichus (mass
into energy). There is an interesting
quotation in Medrash Rabbah that if
there had been one Jew missing of the
six hundred thousand at Sinai, G-d
would not have given the Torah. Not a
Jew like Moshe Rabbeinu (Moses) but
even the Jew that had a pesel mika (idol)
in his tent—had he been missing, the
Torah would not have been given. Nine
Moses’ cannot make a minyan (quorum
of ten Jewish men) to say a kedusha, even
though there would be a tremendous
power of quality; but if you have ten in
quantity you can say kedusha. Similarly,
the Medrash says that in giving the Torah
you must have six hundred thousand.
That is the best proof that quantity and
quality have a transformation from one
into the other.
July 25, 2008 ~ crOWN heights Newspaper 15
CHJCC
The CAREER Shadchan
It’s Teen Time!
Ohr Chaya Mushka: An Exciting New Summer Pro-
“Hello, my name is Isaac. Can I speak well-known accounting firm, a respectgram for Girls
able financial firm and a major business
to the employment department?”
company. We have successfully placed
It’s Shabbos afternoon in the big,
several candidates in those firms.
“Speaking.”
bustling city of New York. Some are
Davening, while others are still enjoy“I am looking for 2 secretaries for our There is a great demand for administraing a tasteful Shabbos meal. Some
insurance company. I am very happy tive secretaries, social workers as well
housewives may be clearing the remains
with the girls you sent me in the past. as positions for high school graduates.
of an overflowing table, filled to the brim
I am looking to change our image. We are continuously filling those
with food and guests, while others may
I would like to replace some of the positions.
have settled down for a well- deserved
staff here with applicants from Crown
afternoon rest. The more active of the
Heights. Your girls are more profes- Some of our clients only want manual
children are running around, perspiring
sional and educated. They provide jobs such as painting, handyman, roofin their now-not-so-freshly laundered
better customer service and get along ing, carpentry, locksmiths and more.
Shabbos outfits, while the subdued
We have helped them create flyers with
easily with everyone.”
types are curled up with a book.
their information. I have been happy to
“Thank you. I appreciate the feedback. hear that the flyers were instrumental
And then there are a couple dozen
It’s always good to hear that the employ- in generating business for them.
teenage girls. Still in the hot city during
ers are satisfied with the employees that
the summer, they are meandering their
we send them. Now if you tell me what Many people bring in resumes listing
way over to 1349 President St. – the
you are looking for, the job description, their experience and wonder why
Rubashkin residence. Why? What
hours and pay, I will try to find the right they are not being hired. We review
attracts them to leave the comforts of
candidate for you.”
the resumes and upgrade them in a
the air conditioner and venture out?
manner that they sell themselves. For
What could girls from 9th through 12th
Interestingly enough, I have been those clients who don’t know how to
grade possibly be doing every Shabreceiving calls of this nature from create a proper resume, we identify
bos afternoon at 7:15 pm, and every
several employers lately. Our dedication their strengths, experience, and educaWednesday evening at 8:00 pm?
to matching people with the right job or tion and help them create their first
changing to a better job is paying off. resume. One client, who had 20 years of
Ohr Chaya Mushka, sponsored by the
experience in a specific field, had never
Crown Heights Community Council,
To date, some of our notable successes written a resume before. Working with
is a program specifically geared towards
have been in helping an architect find him for more than 3 days, we generated
teens. Twice a week, the girls gather
a job with an upcoming real estate a professional looking resume and
together in a lounge to hear inspiring
development company. He came back e-mailed it to several employers. One
and uplifting speakers, participate
to tell us that he was hired and that he of the employers responded that he was
in myriads of different activities and
was very happy because it was a job in very impressed with the resume and
workshops, and schmooze over good
his field He wanted a job where he can immediately set up an appointment
food.
use his expertise and experience and for our client.
was happy that he actually found one
Mrs. Leah Blecher, program co-ordiBeing a career shadchan, we want to
so quickly.
nator says, “The long summer days can
make sure that the match doesn’t turn
get lonesome and boring…. We have
More recently, a graphic artist was hired sour. We have therefore been providing
created a program in which the girls
by two companies that we referred her our clients with access to tips and career
look forward to attend!”
to. She asked us for advice on which counseling services.
company to choose. We counseled
Ohr Chaya Mushkah, the brainchild of
her and advised her to choose the Stop by at our employment department
Rivky Lasker, has managed to attract a
company where she now works, based to find your bashert job!
large and diverse crowd. Rivky explains
on her needs and preferences. She
how they bring speakers the girls want
came back to thank us and told us Bella Vilenkin
to hear. “Whether we have Tzameret
that she is extremely happy there - the Employment Counselor
Borowitz speaking about seeing the
environment is warm, family-like and Crown Heights Jewish Community
positive in everything or Shimi Weineasygoing. She feels her boss appreci- Council
baum on how to be a Chosid, the girls
ates her work. She just enjoys getting 387 Kingston Ave.
are excited to hear what they have to
up and going to work every day.
Brooklyn, NY 11225
say, and they come.”
718-778-8808 ext. 23
We developed a relationship with a bella@chjcc.org
On average, 45-50 teens will show up
for an event. The coordinators, Rivky
Lasker and Mrs. Leah Blecher, make
sure to plan a fun aspect to the program
as well. Aerobics, jewelry making,
The Food Stamps program has waived the
drum circle, pottery – these are just to
$2000 level requirement. Please note that you name a few. Of course, delicious food
accompanies every program with sponstill have to be a citizen and income eligible.
sors coming from food corporations
such as Bunch O’ Bagels and Café K.
With every aspect covered, it’s well
understood why the attendance rate
It is very important that you take the name of the is so high!
ATTENTION
person you talk to when you call any government
agency. It is good practice when you call any company but when you call an agency it could make all
the difference to your case.
Don't forget take a name!!
The secret to the success of Ohr Chaya
Mushka is, in fact, quite simple. The
coordinators make sure to organize programs that interest the teens. Instead
of moping around Shabbos afternoon,
there is now a delicious Shalos Seudos,
with a worthwhile farbrengen to boot.
Wednesday evenings’ feature dance
classes, aerobics, and other aesthetic
activities all paired up with an incredible out-of-town speaker!
In truth, despite Ohr Chaya Mushka
being such an enjoyable experience,
there is a serious undertone as well.
The program coordinators, attendees,
and all those involved are doing so as a
zchus for a complete Refuah Shleimah
for a dear friend of many, ‘Orah Meital
Bas Baila.’ The girls that come realize
the power of Achdus, and have already
taken upon themselves a Hachlata to
learn a Halacha from the Kitzur Shulchan Oruch every Shabbos get-together.
They are currently up to Hilchos Negel
Vasser, and I”YH, will continue thus far.
May Ohr Chaya Mushka bring much
nachas to the Rebbe, and in the Zchus
of the tremendous efforts put out to
strengthen our youth, may we celebrate
the coming of Moshiach even before the
next Ohr Chaya Mushka program!
Of course, there are many people
involved, behind the scenes. Mrs. Rivka
Shur from the community council,
ensures that the various technical
details are being taken care of and the
appealing food buffets are set up by
the talented Chani Rubashkin. Last
(but certainly not least) what would
Gashmius be without Ruchnios? Mrs.
Leah Schapiro, a noted Mechaneches
and community activist acts as an advisor to the coordinators and helps the
coordinators plan the agenda as well.
What’s on the agenda? To name a few:
Rachel Benchimol from Upper East
Side, Manhattan, Rabbi Samuels from
Connecticut, Rabbi Weinstein from
Brooklyn Heights, and the beloved
Rabbi Korn from Manhattan College
Campus.
Thanks to Moshe Rubashkin’s belief in
creating infrastructure for our youth,
not to mention Faigy Rubashkin’s
warm hospitality, Ohr Chaya Mushka
has really taken off, and will I”YH
continuously expand.
“We have already decided to lengthen
our Shabbos program,” explains Mrs.
Leah Blecher. “The camaraderie is
so incredible with the singing and
niggunim that it will now extend to
Havdalah and the watching of Living
Torah.”
Please spread the word. All girl teens
from 9th grade through 12th grade are
welcome to attend every Wednesday at
8:00 pm and Shabbosim at 7:15pm to
1349 President St. Of course, there is no
fee, but growth, gains and loads of fun
to be expected. For more information
call 917 202 2185. See you there!
16 CROWN HEIGHTS Newspaper ~July 25, 2008
Gimmel Tamuz
Conclusion
exert pressure on the Soviets. Both the
Jewish communities of Germany and
Latvia issued invitations to the Rebbe
Continued from page 11
to become their chief Rabbi, and sent
The Yevsektzia let it be known that they representatives to present their offer to
would like to take matters into their own the Russians.
hands, at the first opportunity — and
At first, both communities vied for
this time they will act before the govthe privilege of hav­ing the Rebbe live
ernment could interfere. Their threats
amongst them, and they both put
made it clear that the Frierdiker Rebbe
pressure on the government separately.
was no longer safe in Lenin­grad.
Despite their efforts, the Soviet Regime
Once again, the Rebbe moved, this time would not relent. There was no way the
to Malachovka, a small suburb outside Rebbe was going to leave Russia.
of Moscow. He hoped that his leaving
Reb Mordechai Dubin was a member
would satisfy the Yevsektzia; now they
of the Latvian par­l iament. Being the
can claim victory, for they have successLatvian government’s representative
fully banished the Lubavitcher Rebbe
he was greeted with great honor, since
from Leningrad!
Russia was extremely interested in
Unfortunately, despite the Rebbe’s negotiating a friendship and commerce
hopeful optimism, the tide did not treaty with Latvia. He journeyed to
turn. The Yevsektzia continued their Russia three times, vainly attempting to
personal attacks and constant vigilance. acquire permission for the Lubavitcher
From their writings and actions, it was Rebbe to assume the post as Chief
obvious that they would stop at nothing Rabbi in Latvia. Finally he hit upon a
to capture the Rebbe again. This time, ruse: he would trick the government
the Rebbe’s very life appeared to be in into allowing the Rebbe to leave!
danger, and it became obvious that the
At his next meeting with the Soviet
Rebbe would have to leave Russia.
officials, Reb Mor­d echai took the
Making the decision to go was relatively offensive. He angrily lashed out at them,
simple; obtain­i ng visas and permis- saying the Latvians were sorely insulted
sion to move proved to be much more by the actions of the Russian governdifficult.
ment. After repeatedly rebuffing their
requests to allow the Rebbe to come to
The Russian government refused to give
Latvia, Reb Mordechai himself heard
permission to the Rebbe to emigrate.
that the Russians had agreed to respect
Once again, the Chassidim turned to
the German delegation’s request! How
other countries for help, and to try to
could he cast his deciding vote in the
parliament in favor of normalizing rela- was a redemption for every Jew.
tions with the Soviet Union, if Latvia’s
Epilogue
honor is being slighted?
Chassidus explains that the purpose of
Not suspecting that Reb Mordechai
every concealment is to bring out an
was lying, the Rus­sians grudgingly
even greater revelation of light and holigave permission to the Rebbe to move
ness. What then, was accomplished by
to Latvia, with the promise on Reb
the Frierdiker Rebbe’s being sentenced
Mordechai’s part to vote in favor of
to jail and his subsequent liberation,
Russia.
that was not already brought to light
Originally they gave permission only with the Alter Rebbe’s and the Mitteler
for the Rebbe to leave, but his family Rebbe’s arrest and imprisonment?
and library must remain. They would be Didn’t the previous Rebbeim’s arrests
used as hostages to prevent the Rebbe show that Chassidus must continue to
from any anti-Soviet activ­ity.
be publicized?
The negotiations continued and the
Russian Government finally relented
and allowed the Rebbe, his family then
his library and a few Chassidism to
emigrate to Latvia.
The Rebbe explains: “The liberation of
the Alter Rebbe and the Mitteler Rebbe
showed that Chassidus may be revealed
to all, and in abundance. After Yud Beis
Tammuz, however, Chassidus began to
actually spread throughout the world,
Before leaving Russia, the Frierdiker
illuminating every area of the globe.”
Rebbe went to Ros­tov one final time
to daven by the Ohel of his father the
Rebbe Rashab. Accompanying him was
his daughter Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka
(who was with him since Kos­troma).
It is believed that the Rebbe took her
along so she could daven by the Ohel
before her chasuna.
On Thursday, Isru Chag of Succos, the
Rebbe and his fam­ily left Russia. They
arrived in Riga, Latvia the following
day.
The following year the Rebbe wrote that
this day is a day for all Jews to celebrate,
as it was not a personal redemption, it
CHABAD
WEEKLY.
COM
Tremendous Response! Great Success!
Come to the Rec-Center!
July 2008SUNDAY
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Laps (18 - Older)
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