"LIVING WITH MOSHIACH,"
Parshat Pinchas, 5759
Tamuz 18, 5759
July 2, 1999
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"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
THIS PUBLICATION IS DEDICATED
TO THE REBBE,
RABBI MENACHEM M. SCHNEERSON
OF LUBAVITCH
Click here, to see pictures
of the Rebbe
The Daily Sicha (in Real Audio)
- Listen to selected excerpts of the Rebbe's Sichos
[talks] which are relevant to the particular day.
We are pleased to present, to the visually impaired and the blind, our weekly
publication, Living With Moshiach.
*
This week's issue focuses on the fast day of the 17th of Tamuz,
Thursday, July 1.
*
This Jewish year, is the year 5759 since Creation. The Hebrew letters are
Hei-Tav-Shin-Nun-Tes. Over a decade ago, in the year 5742, the Rebbe
stated that the Hebrew letters for that year were an acronym for "This should
be the year of the coming of Moshiach."
Since that time, the Rebbe has publicized a phrase describing the year according
to the acronym of its Hebrew letters. This year has been designated by the
Rebbe's followers as "Hoyo T'hei Shnas Niflaos Tovoh" meaning "It
surely will be a good year of wondrous miracles."
*
Our sincere appreciation to
L'Chaim weekly
publication, published by the Lubavitch Youth Organization, 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
13 Tamuz, 5759
Brooklyn, New York
Parshat Pinchas
This week's Torah portion, Pinchas, details the manner in which the
land of Israel was to be apportioned between the Twelve Tribes. The Torah
states: "According to the lot shall one's inheritance be divided." The lot
determined which section of the Land of Israel each tribe would inhabit.
It was not a rational process, but a method of dividing the land in which
no logical reasoning was apparent.
Chasidic philosophy explains that the physical plane of existence is a reflection
of its higher spiritual source. It follows that just as the division of the
Land of Israel was accomplished by a lot, so are certain aspects of a Jew's
spiritual service determined in a super-rational manner.
To explain: Every Jew is obligated to keep all the Torah's mitzvot.
However, certain commandments are more relevant to some individuals than
to others.
We are told of various Sages of long ago who were especially scrupulous in
their performance of one mitzvah. Of course, being Tzaddikim,
they observed all the Torah's commandments. But one mitzvah was more
personally relevant than all the rest.
How do we explain this? That a particular mitzvah has special significance
for a given individual is not something that can be explained rationally;
the person himself doesn't necessarily perceive that this is so, either.
In truth, it is a matter that transcends intellectual understanding, just
like the process of choosing by lot. Indeed, the particular mitzvah that
is most relevant to each of us is determined from Above. The Jew's function
in life is to be especially careful in that one area, and to observe that
mitzvah to the best of his ability.
The simplest way to determine which mitzvah is the most vital to us
personally, is by examining the relative ease or difficulty we encounter
in observing it. As a general rule, the mitzvah we find the most difficult
to fulfill is the one that is most imperative on a personal level. In fact,
the hardship we experience is proof of this, as our evil inclination, recognizing
the mitzvah's special significance, spares no effort in trying to
deter us. The machinations of the evil inclination increase in direct proportion
to the mitzvah's importance.
The lesson to be learned is remarkable. Whenever we find it exceptionally
difficult to do a certain mitzvah, or it seems that the effort required
of us is greater than that required of other people, it is forbidden to throw
up our hands in defeat. On the contrary, we must try even harder in that
one area, as it is most relevant to us personally. Indeed, the mitzvah
for which we must overcome the greatest number of obstacles is the one
that can be said to have fallen to our lot.
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.
15 years ago, on Shabbat Parshat Pinchas, 5744/1984, the Rebbe spoke
in a relatively unusual manner about his persistence and insistence on
continuously discussing the coming of Moshiach. Let me share with you translated
excerpts from that talk:
"Some people wonder: How can a person appear in public, week after week,
and repeatedly speak on one subject--the coming of Moshiach?
"Furthermore, that person always stresses that he is not just speaking of
the concept, but of the actual coming of Moshiach, here on this physical
earth, and immediately, this very day. On each occasion he instructs those
gathered to sing 'May the Holy Temple be rebuilt speedily in our days,'
emphasizing that 'speedily in our days' should not be understood as 'speedily,
tomorrow,' but as 'speedily, today'!
"Certainly, every Jew believes that Moshiach can come at any moment--after
all, 'I await his coming every day' is one of the fundamental principles
of Judaism. Still, they wonder, to believe that Moshiach will come at this
very moment is hardly consistent with the reality of our lives. So why does
this man speak incessantly about it, on every occasion, and with such
single-minded intensity, as if to force the idea into the minds of his listeners?
"Their conclusion is that all this is a nice dream, nice, but not very realistic.
So what is the point of speaking so much about one's dreams?
"Chasidic philosophy explains that our current state of exile is like a dream;
in a dream one's sense of perception can tolerate the most contradictory
and irrational things.
"In other words, our current 'reality' is a dream, while the world of Moshiach
is the true reality. In a single moment, we can all wake up from the dream
of exile and open our eyes to the true reality of our existence--the perfect
world of Moshiach. Everyone present in this room can immediately awaken himself
from his dream, so that today, Shabbat Parshat Pinchas, 5744, before
we even say the afternoon prayers, in fact this very moment, we all open
our eyes and see Moshiach, in the flesh, with us, here in this room."
May the Rebbe's words of 15 years ago, and his prophetic promise of eight
years ago, that "the time of our Redemption has arrived," be fulfilled this
very Shabbat Parshat Pinchas, 5759.
Thursday, the 17th of Tamuz, July, 1, is a fast day. We neither eat
nor drink, from approximately 72 minutes before sunrise until 40 minutes
after sunset.(1)
_______________
1. In New York City, at 9:09 pm.
This summer, during the month of July, comes a very serious time for the
Jewish people, when many terrible things happened throughout history. This
period is called the "Three Weeks," or Bain HaMetzorim, which means
"Between the Straits."
What happened during this time? On the 17th of Tamuz: 1) Moses descended
from Mt. Sinai and smashed the two Tablets with the Ten Commandments when
he saw the Jews worshipping the Golden Calf; 2) The Romans breached the walls
of Jerusalem in 70 c.e.; 3) During the siege of Jerusalem the daily sacrifice
was interrupted by Nebuchadnezzer; 4) Apostomus publicly burned a Torah scroll;
and 5) An idol was erected in the courtyard of the Holy Temple. On the 9th
of Av, both the First and Second Temple were destroyed, bringing terrible
suffering upon the Jewish people.
*
The "Three Weeks" begin on the 17th of Tamuz (July 1, 1999), and continue
until the 9th of Av (July 22, 1999).
We observe some aspects of mourning: Weddings do not take place, and playing
musical instruments is prohibited, as is the buying and wearing of new garments.
In addition, we do not cut our hair.
Also, we should try to be extra kind to one another. We should give extra
charity, and learn extra Torah, and pray to G-d to end the Exile.
*
Jewish teachings explain that when we learn the laws of the Holy Temple,
its structure, the services and sacrifices practiced there, it is as if we
are rebuilding it.
Therefore, the Rebbe stresses that during the "Three Weeks" we should spend
time studying what the Holy Temple will be like, and to learn all about it.
See our publication: "Laws of the Holy Temple"
Also, the text of the book: "Seek Out The Welfare Of Jerusalem" [Analytical
Studies by the Rebbe, of Rambam's rulings concerning the Holy Temple], published
by Sichos in English - is available on-line at:
http://www.chabad.org/seekout.html,
and is divided into a special study program.
The Rebbe's slogan is: "The main thing is the deed." We therefore present
from the Rebbe's talks suggestions what we can do to complete his work of
bringing the Redemption.
Study About the Holy Temple:
During the "Three Weeks," it is customary to study topics relating to the
Holy Temple.
"This study should be carried out in anxious anticipation of the Holy Temple
being rebuilt. We should study about the Holy Temple with the awareness that
in the very near future we will see what we are studying about in actual
reality."
The Rebbe, 24 Tamuz, 5751/1991
*
"G-d told the prophet Yechezkel that through studying the laws of the structure
of the Holy Temple it is considered as if we have been involved in its actual
construction.
"As we are so close to the Redemption, the subject must be approached as
a present reality; at any moment the Third Holy Temple which is already built
in the heavens will descend and be revealed on earth."
The Rebbe, 17 Tamuz, 5751/1991
Jewish Women and Girls Light Shabbat
Candles
For local candle lighting times:
consult your local Rabbi, Chabad-Lubavitch Center, or call: (718) 774-3000.
or:
http://www.knowledgengineers.com/Havienu/html/vestibule/hebcal.html
For a free candle lighting kit:
contact your local Chabad-Lubavitch Center.
For a listing of the Centers in your area:
http://www.chabad.org/chabadir-access.html.
In the USA, call: 1-800-Lubavitch (1-800-582-2848).
Times shown are for Metro NY - NJ
Friday, July 2, Erev Shabbat Parshat Pinchas:
-
Light Shabbat Candles,(2) by 8:12 p.m.
Saturday, July 3, Shabbat Parshat Pinchas:
-
On Shabbat following the afternoon prayer, we read Chapter 6 of
Ethics of the Fathers (Pirkei Avot).(3)
-
Shabbat ends at nightfall, at 9:22 p.m.
_______________
2. The Shabbat candles must be lit 18 minutes
before sunset. It is prohibited and is a desecration
of the Shabbat to light the candles after sunset.
3. The weekly chapter of Pirkei Avot with the Rebbe's commentaries,
are available electronically via the Internet, by sending your subscription
request to: listserv@chabad.org
- Subscribe "G-4."
Laws of Shabbat Candle
Lighting for the Blind
Shabbat Candle
Lighting Blessing
"Let There Be
Light" - The Jewish Women's Guide to Lighting Shabbat Candles. |