Compiled by:
Rabbi Avrohom Richter
No. 271
Parshat Lech Lecha
Cheshvan 12, 5760 * October 22, 1999
This week's Torah portion discusses the covenant between G-d and Avrohom. G-d tells Avrohom that his descendants will live amongst other nations, but will eventually come to inherit a land of their own, the land of Israel. The Lubavitcher Rebbe Melech HaMoshaich Shlita asks (Likkutei Sichos vol. 2 Devarim): The covenant was a covenant of love. This being the case, why did G-d mention the hardships of exile? The answer can be understood by means of a parable. When a teacher teaches his student, he gives over his wisdom with utmost love. There are however times, when the teacher, without warning contemplates a deep thought. At this time he remains unspoken and his student becomes confused. However, the true intent of the teacher is to enable the student to grasp this deep thought at a later time.
The same is true in regard to the love of G-d for His people. When G-d made the covenant and mentioned the hardships of exile it was only due to the great rewards we will receive in return. May the hardships we have already experienced suffice, and may we merit the revelation of the Rebbe Melech HaMoshiach Shlita NOW!!!
One should not think that our generation can not possibly merit the redemption, being that the generations before us, who were much more worthy than us did not merit it. For in truth, the opposite is true. Being that so much time has passed and so much suffering has been endured, surely by now we have cleansed ourselves from all sins.
(Chafetz Chaim on Torah)
The Tzemach Tzedek once overheard the Chassidim talking. One said to the other 'who knows when Moshiach will come?' The Tzemach Tzedek responded: "Those are the words of Bilam the wicked, who said 'I see him, but not now.' A Jew on the other hand must constantly await the arrival of Moshiach.
(Beis Rebbi Vol. 3 pg. 180)
Do It My Way
This story is about a young girl who had the misfortune of not being able to speak. Her parents did all they could to try to help her situation, but to no avail. The doctors remained convinced that she was a mute and would never be able to talk.
Hearing of the miraculous powers of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, they arranged a private audience with him. Taking their mute daughter they arrived in 770.
The Rebbe turned to the girl and asked her if she would take upon herself to light Shabbos candles in order that she be able to talk. The girl nodded her head. The Rebbe was not satisfied. He demanded "Answer me with words, not the nodd of your head. The girl looked confused, only to respond with a nodd once again. The Rebbe repeated his demand: "Answer me with your mouth." To everyone's amazement the girl said her first words. "Yes I will light Shabbos Candles."
A similar story took place one Motzoei Yom Tov, as the Rebbe gave out "Kos Shel Bracha" - wine of blessing. One young man approached the Rebbe extending his cup with his left hand. The Rebbe told him that it is customary to receive Kos Shel Bracha with one's right hand. The man looked confused, keeping his left hand out in the air and his right hand tight by his side. The people on line behind him were nudging him on, being that he was holding up the line. After the Rebbe asked him again to extend his right hand he did, and the Rebbe filled his cup with wine.
The person standing behind him felt the entire story to be a peculiar one, so he went over to this man and asked why he didn't abide to the Rebbe's words the first time and extend his right hand. To this the man replied with tears in his eyes: "Just until now, my right hand was paralyzed."
Speak About Moshiach
Rabbi Yaakov Asher Kaplovitz Shlita, the Rav of "Naveh Hashlosha" neighborhood in Bnei Brak said to the Rebbe: Ineed a blessing. In my area there are Misnagdim [opponents of Chassidus] and I am a Chassid of Ger.
The Rebbe: It should be in a propitious time. There is a promise from the Alter Rebbe that "The Chassidim will always have the upper hand". You should be "reclining in Bnei Brak throughout the entire night" [a quote from the Haggadah] and you should speak about Moshiach. There is no need to wait for Pessach. It can be done now also, especially considering that we are in the month of Elul - that we should "await his coming every day." And the main thing is that [Moshiach's coming] should be fulfilled "every day". It should not be pushed off until tomorrow.
(Elul 26, 5750)
(adapted from "And he will redeem us")
Copyright © 1999
For your comments and suggestions, write to:
Editor of
"Inyaney Moshiach"
Back to "Inyaney Moshiach" Home Page