"LIVING WITH MOSHIACH,"
Parshat Beha'alotecha, 5761
Sivan 17, 5761 * June 8, 2001
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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.
*
In this week's issue we focus on the importance of Jewish children attending
Torah Summer camps.
*
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
15 Sivan, 5761
Brooklyn, New York
IN LOVING MEMORY OF
Horav Chaim Yehuda Kalman ben Horav Avrohom Yehoshua
Marlow,
head of the Bet-Din (Rabbinical Court) of Crown Heights,
On the occasion of his first yahrtzeit, 20 Sivan, 5761
Parshat Beha'alotecha
This week's Torah portion, Beha'alotecha, opens with the words "When
you light the lamps."
Aaron the kohen (priest) was commanded to kindle the menorah
in the Sanctuary every day. The menorah was required to burn at all
times, as the Torah states, "To cause a light to burn perpetually."
Just as Aaron lit the menorah in the Sanctuary, so is every Jew required
to illuminate his home and surroundings with the Torah's holy light.
Aaron was a kohen, but so too is every member of the Jewish people,
as it is written, "You shall be to Me a kingdom of priests." The giving of
the Torah at Mount Sinai transformed every Jew, bringing him to the spiritual
level of a "kohen."
The menorah stood in the Sanctuary (and later in the Holy Temple in
Jerusalem). Similarly, every Jewish home is a "Sanctuary" to G-d. The verse
"I shall dwell in their midst" means that G-d dwells within each and every
Jew; hence, every Jewish home is an abode for the Divine Presence.
The light that Aaron kindled was "perpetual"; so too must the light in every
Jewish home be always shining. The Torah's light of holiness must burn night
and day, and pervade all corners of a Jewish residence.
All Jews, and especially Jewish children, have the power to imbue their homes
with holiness. How is this accomplished? By expressing an awareness of G-d
every moment of the day.
As soon as a Jew opens his eyes in the morning he says the prayer of "Modeh
Ani..." -- "I give thanks to You..."; whenever he eats, he recites the
proper blessings both before and after. Throughout the day, he conducts himself
according to the Torah's laws, and at night he says the prayer of "Shema
Yisroel" -- "Hear O Israel..." before going to sleep.
The Torah and its mitzvot are likened to light: "A mitzvah
is a candle, and the Torah is light." Indeed, the Torah and its commandments
are the medium through which the Jew is able to illuminate the "Sanctuary"
in his home.
Lighting the menorah is also associated with the Final Redemption
with Moshiach:
The menorah that stood in the Sanctuary and the Holy Temple was composed
of seven lights, as it states, "The seven lamps shall give light."
When Moshiach comes, all the Jews who are dispersed around the world will
return to the holy land of Israel in seven paths, as is written in the Book
of Isaiah, "And [G-d] shall wave His hand upon the river...and smite it into
seven streams."
Thus, disseminating the light of Torah and mitzvot in our own homes
serves to hasten Moshiach's coming with the Final Redemption.
May it happen at once!
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.
To Jewish Students and School Children Everywhere
G-d Bless You All!
Greeting and Blessing:
Vacation time is approaching, to release youths and children, boys and girls,
from Yeshivahs, Talmud Torahs, Day Schools, etc., for a long
summer recess.
The importance of a restful vacation is obvious. However, certain aspects
of vacation time should be examined carefully. Is vacation time a stoppage
of study, or is it a transition from one form of activity to another?
In all living forms, there is no such thing as a stoppage of life, followed
by a completely new start, for a stoppage of life is death, and cannot serve
as a temporary rest period. There can be a transition from one form of activity
to another, but not a cessation or stoppage.
For example: The two most vital organs in our body are the heart and the
brain. The heart is the principal seat of "physical" life; the brain is the
principal seat of "intellectual" life. Because the heart and the brain have
supreme control of the body, they are called "the Sovereigns of the body."
Now, these organs not only do not cease to operate in a living body, but
they do not even undergo a radical change in their form of activity. And
inasmuch as the actions of the other organs are being led by the activity
of the heart and brain, it follows that the other organs of the body, though
they may seem to be in a state of inactivity, as in the case of sleep, do
not in reality stop working.
This is even more obvious in the case of breathing. We find that during sleep,
breathing is slowed down considerably, but it never stops, for the "breath
of life" must always be there.
Similarly in the case of students, boys and girls, studying our Torah,
"Torat Chaim" -- The Law of Life, restful vacation does not mean
interruption and stoppage of Torah and Mitzvot, G-d forbid. It means
only just another way of furthering their course of study, a period during
which they renew their mental abilities and increase their capacities for
a more intensive study later on.
Therefore, my friends, bring light and holiness into your vacation time,
by remembering always that it is the time of preparation in order to improve
the quality and quantity of your studies during study-time to follow. But
let it not remain so only in your thoughts and intentions; be always united
with our holy Torah in your everyday actions and conduct. Let not a single
day pass without the "breath of life" provided by the "Torah of Life." Let
every one have appointed times for the study of Chumash,
Mishnah, Talmud, and so on, each one according to his or her
standard of Torah education.
At this time, I wish everyone who is resolved to use his or her vacation
in this productive "living" way-much success, as well as on returning to
normal study later on.
With blessing,
Graduation ceremonies are taking place all over. From kindergarten students
to those receiving their doctorates, commencement ceremonies are usually
a high-point of the school year.
These ceremonies are called "commencement" because, truly, the person is
now beginning a new stage in his or her life.
And, as the word commencement or even graduation implies, the person
is hopefully going to proceed on to a newer and higher level.
The above certainly applies to Jewish students in particular and all Jews
in general. Each year we should be striving to graduate to a new and higher
level of Jewish observance. Whatever level we have currently reached is adequate
for today, but for tomorrow it is not enough. For, as we all must certainly
know, if we stay in one place we stagnate; if we are not going up, inevitably
we are going down.
For those who have not had the opportunity to graduate even from the
"kindergarten" of Judaism, one must never think that it is too late to start.
As we learn from one of our greatest sages and teachers, Rabbi Akiva (who
did not even learn the Hebrew alphabet until the age of 40), it is never
too late to start. Though long overdue, it is incumbent upon each of us to
start the educational process that will undoubtedly keep us growing and reaching
up, for all our days.
Summer is a great time for kids. Without the pressures of school, children
have the opportunity to spend their summer vacation in enjoyable and educational
pursuits. The summer schedule is particularly suitable for children to grow
spiritually, by attending a day or overnight camp with a vibrant, exciting
and Torah-true Jewish atmosphere.
Each year, without exception, as the summer approached, the Rebbe emphasized
the importance of Jewish children attending Jewish camps. The amount that
a child can learn in the summer, unencumbered by the pursuit of reading,
writing and arithmetic, goes far beyond what he can accomplish at any other
time of year. And, as this knowledge is being imparted in an atmosphere of
fun and excitement, in an environment totally saturated with Jewish pride,
it remains with a child long after the summer months are over.
It's still not too late to enroll your child in a Jewish camp. And it's certainly
not too late to facilitate other children attending a Jewish camp if you
do not have camp-age kids. By calling your local Chabad-Lubavitch Center,
you can find out about a summer camp experience for someone you know whose
benefit will last a lifetime.
By the way, adults, too, should take advantage of the more relaxed atmosphere
of summer to revitalize and nourish themselves Jewishly.
Try a Jewish retreat or even just a weekly Torah class to enhance your Jewish
pride and knowledge.
And may this summer be our last one in exile and our first in the Era of
the Redemption.
Have you made your summer plans yet? If you're intending to go away, you
might already have started packing or thinking about what you'll take along
with you.
Usually, before we go anywhere -- even if it's just a day trip to the country
-- we need to know what the weather is going to be like, what kind of activities
we're going to be involved in and how long we'll be staying. This information
makes our packing easier and the trip more pleasant.
Imagine the ordeal of packing for a surprise, mystery trip. You'd have to
take your whole wardrobe along -- not knowing whether you're going to a hot
or cold climate, to casual or elegant affairs, or taking walking tours or
sightseeing buses.
Each and every mitzvah we do is a journey -- an excursion to
self-betterment, an adventure to a heightened relationship with G-d, our
fellowman, and ourselves.
Mitzvot are not many people's typical idea of a vacation, though,
certainly not the kind of lazy, laid back, relaxing vacation many of us envision
when we're at the height of a frenzied, hectic day.
They are a different kind of vacation, however, a kind of vacation you can
go on every day of your life, every minute of your day. Because who doesn't
want to take a vacation where you can visit new sights, reconnect to your
past, carve out for yourself a place in history, experience something eternal.
One of the greatest things about vacation via Torah and mitzvot is
that because of the diversity of each mitzvah, you can experience
the whole spectrum of vacations each and every day that you do different
mitzvot.
Relax by communicating with G-d (praying in the vernacular), putting on
tefillin, lighting Shabbat candles. Bathe in the vast sea of Torah
that is available through attending classes, reading books, or listening
to pre-taped lessons in the privacy of your home. Be dazzled by the bright
lights of the Infinite Light (Ohr Ein Sof) when you contemplate G-d's
greatness and the purposefulness of the world and its every creation. Wine
and dine at sumptuous banquets on Shabbat and holidays. Exercise your
conscience and workout on your self-control by fulfilling the mitzvot
between one person and another: not being jealous; loving your fellowman;
judging everyone favorably; honoring your parents. The list goes on.
But, what kind of packing should you do for a vacation of mitzvot?
The rule of thumb that the better you've packed the more you'll enjoy your
vacation applies to mitzvot as well. Ask questions! Find out why,
when, and how to do each mitzvah. Learn the significance and the inner
meaning behind the customs. Pack in all of the knowledge you can as you go
along.
But, don't hesitate to do a mitzvah just because you think you might
not be properly prepared. After all, would you pass up a surprise, mystery
trip just because preparing is a hassle or you didn't have a chance to pack?
Enjoy your vacation!
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.candlelightingtimes.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.candlelightingtimes.org/general/shluchim.html.
In the USA, call: 1-800-Lubavitch (1-800-582-2848).
Times shown are for Metro NY - NJ
Friday, June 8, Erev Shabbat Parshat
Beha'alotecha:
-
Light Shabbat Candles,(1) by 8:06 p.m.
Saturday, June 9, Shabbat Parshat Beha'alotecha:
-
On Shabbat following the afternoon prayer, we read Chapter 2 of
Pirkei Avot -- Ethics of the Fathers.
-
Shabbat ends at nightfall, at 9:16 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.
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.
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