"LIVING WITH MOSHIACH,"
Parshat Shelach, 5760
Sivan 27, 5760
June 30, 2000
It is with tremendous pain and sorrow
that I dedicate this issue of Living With Moshiach
to the loving memory of Horav Chaim Yehuda Kalman
Ben Horav Avrohom Yehoshua Marlow,
head of the Bet-Din (Rabbinical Court) of Crown Heights,
who passed away, on Friday Morning, 20 Sivan, 5760 (June 23, 2000)
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
NOTE:
The Table of Contents contains links to the text. Click on an entry
in the Table of Contents and you will move to the information selected.
"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.
*
In this week's issue we focus on:
1) The importance of Jewish children attending Torah Summer camps.
2) Chof Ches Sivan, the 28th of Sivan.
*
This Jewish year, is the year 5760 since Creation. The Hebrew letters are
Hei-Tav-Shin-Samech. 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 acrostic of its Hebrew letters. This year has been designated by the
Rebbe's followers as "Hoyo T'hei Shnas Segulah," meaning "It will
surely be an auspicious year."
*
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
22 Sivan, 5760
Brooklyn, New York
Parshat Shelach
This week's Torah portion, Shelach (literally "Send"), narrates the
story of the Twelve Spies who were sent on a special shlichus (mission)
to the land of Israel.
The Spies had been instructed to scout out the land in order to determine
the optimal strategy the Jews should employ to conquer it. Indeed, when they
returned from their mission they gave their report on the land and its
inhabitants.
Their sin, however, consisted in going one step further. In addition to providing
the information they were requested to obtain, the Spies insisted on venturing
their own opinion about the mission itself: "We will not be able to go up
against the people, for they are stronger than us!" they declared.
G-d hadn't asked the Spies whether or not they thought conquering the land
was possible. Their shlichus was solely a fact-finding mission; thus,
adding their own opinion and discouraging the Jewish people from fulfilling
G-d's request was a grave transgression.
In principle, a shaliach (emissary) is required to carry out his mission
to the best of his ability, no more and no less. Altering that mission to
accommodate his own thoughts and feelings is a distortion of the very
shlichus with which he was entrusted.
In truth, every Jew is an emissary of G-d, Who brought him into this world
in order to fulfill a unique mission. For the mission of every Jew is to
transform his surroundings into the "land of Israel"--a "dwelling place for
G-d" --through observing Torah and mitzvot.
As G-d's emissary, the Jew is required to "scout out the land"--to determine
the best possible method of fulfilling his assignment. Each individual's
circumstances in life will determine the answer, whether by strengthening
one's observance of Shabbat, keeping the laws of kashrut more
carefully, lighting Shabbat candles or putting on tefillin, etc.
G-d doesn't ask the Jew if it's possible to attain his goal; the very fact
that he's been sent on his mission to bring G-dliness into the world indicates
that the "land" can indeed be conquered. Furthermore, no matter how difficult
the mission may seem, a Jew must never come to the same conclusion as the
Spies and despair of ever being victorious.
Yes, a Jew is entrusted with a special shlichus, but G-d has given
him the power and capacity to fulfill his mission. Keeping this in mind is
the key to being successful.
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.
Shavuot Eve, 5734/1974
To All Boy Students and
To All Girl Students
Summer vacation is approaching, and no doubt you are all looking forward
to making the most of it. I would like to make a suggestion to you in this
connection.
The summer recess is meant to give you an opportunity to strengthen your
health of body and soul, which, of course, go hand in hand together. For
Jewish boys and girls to be truly healthy means, first of all, to have a
healthy neshama (soul). And a Jewish soul derives its health from
the Torah and mitzvot, which are "our life and the length of our days,"
as we say in our prayers.
Needless to say, life and health must be continuous, and one cannot take
a "vacation" from them.
The Torah and mitzvot are to the Jewish soul what breathing and
nourishment are to the body. A healthy person seldom thinks about the vital
necessity of breathing and food. However, on certain occasions one becomes
acutely aware of these things. For example, when one swims under water and
holds his breath, then comes up and feels the urge to fill his lungs with
fresh air. Or, after a fast-day, when the body has been temporarily weakened
from lack of food and drink, one immediately feels the invigorating effect
of food and drink.
Now, during the school year, when a great deal of time that could be spent
in studying the Torah and doing mitzvot is taken up with other unavoidable
occupations, such as the study of English and arithmetic, etc., the soul
gets somewhat undernourished. At such times, your soul "holds its breath,"
so to speak, which makes it more eager to get back to Torah and
mitzvot whenever time is available.
Comes the summer recess, and your soul can now breathe more freely and more
fully, for you are then released from those other unavoidable studies and
occupations.
Thus, the summer vacation gives you an opportunity to apply yourselves to
Torah study and Torah activities with the utmost eagerness and enthusiasm--not
only to make good use of your free time, but also to make up for lost time
during the past school period, and, what is not less important, to give your
soul a chance to fortify herself and "take a deep breath" for the school
period ahead.
As a matter of fact, the summer vacation seems to be so well planned for
this purpose, for it is a time when you can devote yourselves to Torah study
and Torah activities in particularly agreeable circumstances: in a relaxed
frame of mind and in pleasant natural surrounding of sunshine and fresh air.
Moreover, it comes soon after the Festival of Shavuot, the Season
of Receiving Our Torah at Mt. Sinai. As you know, this Festival comes after
the many days and weeks of counting the Omer, in memory of the eager
anticipation of our ancestors, from the day after they left Egypt until receiving
this greatest Divine gift--the Torah and mitzvot--seven weeks later.
This should provide an added measure of inspiration to last through each
and every day of the summer vacation and, indeed, through the year.
I urge you, dear children, to make the most of your summer vacation in light
of all that has been said above. Think about it, and put it into effect--in
the fullest measure, and G-d will surely bless you with a happy and healthy
summer, happy and healthy both spiritually and physically.
* * *
For a Torah Summer Camp in your area - 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).
The 28th of the Hebrew month of Sivan (Shabbat Parshat Shelach,
July 1), is the 59th anniversary of the arrival in the United States of the
Rebbe and Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka.
The Rebbe and the Rebbetzin were in France during the early years of World
War II. In 5701/1941, after tremendous effort on the part of the Previous
Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Schneersohn--who was already in the United
States--the Rebbe and the Rebbetzin were able to travel to Portugal, from
where they boarded a ship to the United States.
The trip itself was quite dangerous, with the ship being stopped numerous
times en route by the Nazis.
On the 28th of Sivan 5701 (June 23 1941), the Rebbe and the Rebbetzin
arrived in New York.
The Previous Rebbe, because of ill health, was unable to greet his daughter
and son-in-law personally. Instead, he sent four of his most eminent
Chasidim to greet them.
The Previous Rebbe informed them, "I am selecting you as my representatives
to welcome my son-in-law, who is arriving tomorrow. I will reveal to you
who he is: Every night he says the Tikkun Chatzot prayer over the
destruction of the Holy Temple. He knows by heart both the entire Babylonian
and Jerusalem Talmuds with their commentaries, and Maimonides' great Mishne
Torah (code of Jewish law), and is expert in the works of Chabad philosophy.
. .!"
The 28th of Sivan became established as a day of rejoicing and
thanksgiving for the rescue of the Rebbe and the Rebbetzin from the fires
that raged in Europe.
It also marks the beginning of a new era in Chabad outreach with the
establishment by the Previous Rebbe of the central Lubavitch educational
and publishing departments, which he placed under the directorship of the
Rebbe.
May the 28th of Sivan this year be the ultimate day of rejoicing and
thanksgiving for the rescue of the Rebbe and the entire Jewish people from
these last moments of exile, may G-d send the redemption NOW!
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.
Enroll your child in a Torah Summer Camp
The Rebbe spoke many times about the unique learning opportunity for Jewish
children afforded by the months of summer vacation. Without the pressures
of tests, homework, etc., children enrolled in camps permeated with a Torah
atmosphere eagerly learn about their heritage and are instilled with pride
in being Jewish. Creative methods are used to make Judaism come alive. The
soul is nourished as the body and mind are strengthened through sports, crafts,
etc.
If you don't have camp-age children, help sponsor a child in a Torah camp.
Call your local Chabad-Lubavitch Center for more information.
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.chabad.org/shabbos
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, June 30, Erev Shabbat Parshat Shelach:
-
Light Shabbat Candles,(1) by 8:12 p.m.
Saturday, July 1, Shabbat Parshat Shelach:
-
Blessing of the New Month, Tamuz.(2)
-
On Shabbat following the afternoon prayer, we read Chapter 3 of
Ethics of the Fathers (Pirkei Avot).(3)
-
Shabbat ends at nightfall, at 9:22 p.m.
_______________
1. 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.
2. Rosh Chodesh Tamuz is on Monday, July 3, and Tuesday, July 4.
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
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