LIVING WITH MOSHIACH, Parshat Vayeira, 5756 B"H LIVING WITH MOSHIACH Weekly Digest About Moshiach PARSHAT VAYEIRA Cheshvan 17, 5756 Nov. 10, 1995 * Published Weekly By Lubavitch Shluchim Conferences On The Moshiach Campaign, Committee For The Blind * * * 5756 *********************************************** * TO RECEIVE THIS PUBLICATION VIA INTERNET: * * E-Mail: yys@dorsai.org * * FOR CHABAD-LUBAVITCH IN CYBERSPACE: * * E-Mail: info@chabad.org * *********************************************** THIS PUBLICATION IS DEDICATED TO THE REBBE, RABBI MENACHEM M. SCHNEERSON OF LUBAVITCH "I BELIEVE WITH COMPLETE FAITH IN THE ARRIVAL OF THE MOSHIACH. AND THOUGH HE MAY TARRY, I SHALL WAIT EACH DAY, ANTICIPATING HIS ARRIVAL." Maimonides, Principles of the Faith, No. 12 *********************** * TABLE OF CONTENTS * *********************** Introduction The Weekly Torah Portion The Rebbe's Prophecy The First Jewish Child Chof Cheshvan Please Tell Me What the Rebbe Said ****************** * INTRODUCTION * ****************** Thank G-d that, with the current issue, our weekly publication, Living With Moshiach, has begun its second year of publication. * At this time, we take the opportunity to thank our supporters, who have helped us publish this weekly publication. May G-d bless them, with health, happiness and success, in all of their endeavors. * As of this week's issue, we have added [in the printed copy] eight more pages, and: A new feature, Please Tell Me What The Rebbe Said [1], a Weekly Torah Insight for children. * On Shabbat Parshat Eikev, 5751 (August 3, 1991), the Rebbe spoke about the printing of Chassidus in braille, for the blind. The full text of the Rebbe's sichah (talk) was reprinted as an "Introduction" to Vol. 1 of the Moshiach - Holiday Series, and in Vol. 1 of our monthly publication, The Light of Moshiach. * Our sincere appreciation to L'Chaim weekly publication, published by the Lubavitch Youth Organization, and to the publishers of Sichos In English, for allowing us to use their material. Also, many thanks to our copy editor, Reb Mordechai Staiman, for his tireless efforts. * It is our fervent hope that our learning about Moshiach and the Redemption will hasten the coming of Moshiach, NOW! Rabbi Yosef Y. Shagalov Administrator Committee for the Blind E-Mail: yys@dorsai.org 5 Cheshvan, 5756 Brooklyn, New York ---------- 1. Adapted from the book, Please Tell Me What The Rebbe Said (Brooklyn, NY: Sichos In English, 1993). ***************************************** * THE WEEKLY TORAH PORTION * * Adapted from the Works of the Rebbe * ***************************************** PARSHAT VAYEIRA "And Abraham made a great feast on the day that Isaac was weaned," we read in this week's Torah portion, Vayeira. "And Abraham was one hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him... and Sarah said... 'who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would have nursed children?'" Rashi, the great Torah commentator, explains the use of the plural word children: "On the day of the feast, many princesses brought their babies to Sarah, and she suckled them. For they did not believe that she had actually given birth to Isaac, insisting that he was a foundling they had brought home from the marketplace. By nursing other babies as well as her own, Sarah demonstrated that she had indeed given birth. And she nursed them all," Rashi emphasizes. What are we to learn from this narrative? If Sarah's intent had been only to prove that Isaac was her biological son, would it not have sufficed for her to nurse him alone? Why does Rashi stress that Sarah "nursed them all"? In answer, one must look at the global picture, and understand a seemingly radical concept: the entire world was created solely for the purpose of the Jewish people. After the founding of the Jewish nation and the giving of the Torah, [the Jewish people] Israel became the means through which all of mankind is affected; no commandment from G-d can be conveyed to the world except through the Torah and Jewish people. It is for this reason that the Seven Noachide Laws must be obeyed solely because G-d has so commanded, and not because one finds them intellectually compelling. The Jewish nation's existence as a people commenced with the supernatural birth of Isaac, at which point its influence in the world began to be felt. The miraculous birth of Isaac therefore marked the beginning of an era of miracles and abundance for all of mankind. The most tangible symbol of this occurred when Sarah was able to physically provide milk for the multitude of children who were brought to her to suckle, confirming the centrality of the Jewish people as the key to G-d's blessing. "Many barren women were able to conceive; many sick were healed on that day [in Sarah's merit]," Rashi adds. "Many prayers were answered, and there was much joy in the world." When Sarah "nursed them all," she demonstrated to the nations of the world that the Jewish nation had indeed been chosen and elevated by G-d. Similarly, when Moshiach comes, the exalted position of the Jewish people will be revealed and apparent to all, for it will be obvious that the nations of the world receive their blessings solely in the merit of the Jewish people. ************************ * THE REBBE'S PROPHECY * ************************ The Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson of Lubavitch, issued a call that "THE TIME OF OUR REDEMPTION HAS ARRIVED!" and "MOSHIACH IS ON HIS WAY!" The Rebbe stressed that he is saying this AS A PROPHECY, and asks us all to prepare ourselves for the Redemption, through increasing acts of goodness and kindness. LET US ALL HEED THE REBBE'S CALL. ********************************************* * IN LOVING MEMORY OF MY DEAR GRANDPARENTS, * * * * Reb Shmuel Pesach Ben Reb Yaakov Dovid * * Passed away on 3 Tishrei, 5755 * * * * Mrs. Fraidel Chedvah Bas Reb Zev Wolf * * Passed away on 4 Adar II, 5755 * * Pais * ********************************************* **************************************** * THE FIRST JEWISH CHILD * * Adapted from a Letter of the Rebbe * **************************************** It is a Jewish custom to relate the events of the week to the weekly portion of the Torah, and thereby to derive true instruction from the Torah of Truth. This week's Torah portion tells us of the birth and upbringing of the first Jewish boy, born of Jewish parents, namely Isaac, the son of Abraham and Sarah, the first ancestors of our Jewish people. The circumstances surrounding Isaac's birth were supernatural and miraculous. His brit (circumcision) took place when he was eight days old, and his upbringing was fraught with difficulties and trials. Quite different was the case of Abraham's son Ishmael, whose birth was quite normal, and who was circumcised when he was thirteen years old, that is, at a mature age. Yet it was Isaac whom G-d chose to be Abraham's true heir, from whom the Jewish people would descend. Thus, the Torah teaches us that when new generations are to be born who are to ensure Jewish continuity and future, the approach must not be based on natural considerations and human calculations, for Jewish existence is not dependent upon natural forces, but upon G-d's direct intervention and providence. Similarly, the education and upbringing of Jewish children is not to be determined by the same considerations and criteria as in the non-Jewish world. Jewish parents do not wait until the child becomes mature enough to determine his behavior and find his own way to Judaism. He is given the strongest and fullest possible measure of Jewish training from infancy. Only in this way is it possible to ensure the "everlasting covenant" with G-d, to come through all difficulties and trials with strength, and endowed with G-d's blessings, materially and spiritually. * * * . . . This significant event, taking place on the day after the reading of the weekly Torah portion of Vayeira, is indeed related to the concluding highlights of the portion, namely, the birth and upbringing of the first Jewish child, Isaac, born of the first Jewish parents, Abraham and Sarah. The Torah tells us that Abraham made a "great feast" (when Isaac was two years old), at which the leading dignitaries of the era were present (Rashi, quoting the Midrash). Some of those who attended thought the celebration unrealistic, seeing no future for a single Jewish child, surrounded by a hostile world. Yet G-d promised that this child would be the father of a great and holy nation; a nation which, though overwhelmingly outnumbered, would not only outlive its enemies, but would be a leader and a guiding light to the rest of mankind. A hint to the fulfillment of the Divine promise is to be found in the passage immediately following the above narrative, in which the Torah tells us of Sarah's heartfelt concern for Isaac's upbringing and proper environment even at that early age. Thus, the Torah sets the pattern for Jewish education. It teaches us that regardless of the odds, the future of the Jewish child, as of the Jewish people as a whole, is assured by Divine promise, provided the parents fulfill their responsibilities, even to the point of self-sacrifice, if necessary. Not the least, it teaches us that in matters of Torah and holiness, even "a small beginning flourishes exceedingly in the end." ******************* * CHOF CHESHVAN * ******************* Next Monday, the 20th of the Hebrew month of Cheshvan (Nov. 13), is the birthday of Rabbi Sholom Dov Ber (1860-1920), the fifth Chabad-Lubavitch Rebbe, known as the Rebbe Rashab. A beautiful story is told about an important lesson that Rabbi Sholom Dov Ber taught his son, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok, who was later to become his successor. Once, when Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok set out on a journey, the Rebbe Rashab asked him to try to do a certain favor for one of the chasidim, a businessman, who was in need of help. When Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok returned he told his father: "I did everything you told me to do, and the favor to that man I did meticulously." "You err," said the Rebbe Rashab. "You did a favor to yourself, not to him. G-d did a favor to him, by arranging for an emissary, such as yourself, through whom the will of Divine Providence could be realized." The Rebbe Rashab was teaching us a lesson that permeates the whole of Judaism. When we do a mitzvah, especially one that ostensibly allows *us* to help another person, we are G-d's emissaries. And, more than helping the other person we are, in essence, helping ourselves. Tzedakah (charity) is a prime example. When we give tzedakah it should be with the knowledge and understanding that G-d has bestowed upon us a privilege--the privilege to administer His money in a righteous manner. Certainly, this is the reason why our Sages teach, "More than charity does for the poor person, it does for the rich person." This attitude can and should permeate all "favors" we do for others. In addition to being the correct attitude, it stops us from feeling self-righteous! **************************************** * PLEASE TELL ME WHAT THE REBBE SAID * * Weekly Torah Insights For Children, * * Adapted from the Works of the Rebbe * **************************************** PARSHAT VAYEIRA Outside the door of the Tzemach Tzedek's study stood his little grandson, a boy of four or five years old, who would grow up to be the Rebbe Rashab. He was waiting for yechidus (a private meeting) to receive a blessing in honor of his birthday, Chof Cheshvan (the 20th day of Cheshvan). As the door opened and the little boy walked in, he burst into tears. The Tzemach Tzedek lovingly calmed his grandson and asked him, "Why are you crying, my child?" Trying to muffle his sobs, the boy confided to the Rebbe. "Zeide [grandfather]," he cried, "I just learned in cheder [Hebrew primary school] that G-d appeared to Avraham Avinu. Why doesn't He appear to us, too?" Gentle, wise eyes gazed deeply into the child and comforted his burdened little heart. "My dear grandson," explained the Tzemach Tzedek, "When a ninety-nine-year-old Yid, a tzaddik, decides to circumcise himself, then he deserves to have G-d appear to him." Children often burst into tears when they do not get what they want. But are those things really worth crying about? We can see from this story what a Jewish child should insist upon, and what could bring him to the point of tears. Every Jew has a neshamah (soul) that is part of G-d. Because of that neshamah, a Jew, and especially a Jewish child, wants to actually see holiness, not only to be told about it. The Rashab's example teaches every child to desire and ask for this. This is especially true today when there are so many signs that Moshiach is coming soon. When the geulah (Redemption) comes, we will be able to see G-d's holiness all around us. Just like the Rebbe Rashab cried for something he really wanted, we should cry out to G-d and insist that He bring the geulah now. When we cry out and demand the geulah, we may have tears in our eyes, but these are not tears of sorrow or sadness. We are crying in determination, because we want it very much. But we have a happy feeling in our hearts, because we know that it is coming very soon. ****************** * PLEASE NOTE: * ****************** The printed copy of issue #49 contains an index of the articles we printed in Vol. 1 of Living With Moshiach. If you want this valuable reference, please send a $3.00 check, payable to: "Moshiach Publications for the Blind" and mail it to: Lubavitch Shluchim Conferences On The Moshiach Campaign, Committee For The Blind, 383 Kingston Ave., Suite 364, Brooklyn, NY 11213, U S A ============================================================ = End of Text: Living With Moshiach, Parshat Vayeira, 5756 = ============================================================