"LIVING WITH MOSHIACH,"
Parshat Re'eh, 5762
Year
of Hakhel
Menachem-Av 24, 5762
August 2, 2002
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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 Shabbat we bless the new Hebrew month of
Elul,(1) therefore this week's issue focuses on
Elul.
*
We take this opportunity to wish you and yours a K'Siva Vachasima Tova,
a happy, healthy and prosperous New 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
19 Menachem-Av, 5762
Year
of Hakhel
Los Angeles, California
_______________
1. Rosh Chodesh Elul is celebrated on Thursday, August 8, and Friday,
August 9.
Elul And Parshat Re'eh
This Shabbat we bless the new Hebrew month of Elul, a particularly
auspicious month that possesses a unique dimension. For during this month,
G-d is especially close to us and we are granted an extraordinary capacity
for teshuva -- "return."
As every Torah portion has particular relevance for the time of year in which
it is read, let us examine the connection between the month of Elul
and the Torah portion, Re'eh, which we read this Shabbat.
Our portion begins with the words, "See! This day I give to you a blessing
and a curse." Every word in this verse contains an allusion to the special
nature of the service of the month of Elul, and the Divine assistance
we are given to fulfill it.
"See!:" The first thing a Jew must do is to open his eyes. Our sense
of sight affords a much more definitive verification of facts than does our
sense of hearing; when a person sees something with his own eyes he cannot
be dissuaded. A Jew's G-dly service must be performed with this same level
of absolute confidence and conviction.
But how are we, mere human beings living in a physical world, supposed to
attain this level? G-d provides the answer in the next word of the verse:
"I" ("Anochi"): The word Anochi relates to the Essence
of G-d, an aspect of G-dliness that is higher than Names. The reason we are
able to achieve these lofty spiritual heights is because the power to do
so is derived from this highest of Sources. The Torah continues:
"Give:" G-d gives us this Divine assistance according to the principle
of "He who gives, gives generously;" His gifts are bestowed willingly and
in great abundance.
"To you" ("Lifneichem"): This word is related to the Hebrew
word penimiyut, meaning "inside" and "within." The special boost we
receive from G-d during Elul is not superficial, but involves the
sum and substance of the Jew and enables him to connect with G-d on the deepest
level.
"This day:" Lest anyone think that this Divine assistance is granted
only once, the Torah tells us that G-d's help is ongoing, enabling us to
serve G-d with renewed strength every day of the month.
And how are we to properly utilize this added dimension in our service?
"A blessing and a curse:" This refers to the observance of the Torah's
positive commandments and the avoidance of its prohibitions.
Directing our added capacity for teshuva in these two directions will
result in a good and sweet new year and a favorable inscription in the Book
of Life.
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.
This Shabbat we bless the Hebrew month of Elul, and we celebrate
Rosh Chodesh Elul, on Thursday, August 8, and Friday, August 9.
In addition to being the name of a Jewish month, the word Elul is
an acronym for five verses from the Bible which are connected to the five
different types of service, each identified with our new month.
The Rebbe enumerated these five verses:
Prayer -- "I am my Beloved's and my Beloved is mine." For it is through
prayer, the "duty of the heart," that our relationship with G-d is enhanced
and intensified.
Torah study -- "It chanced to happen and I set aside for you a place."
This verse describes the Cities of Refuge to which a person who killed
unintentionally can flee. But it also refers to Torah study for "the words
of Torah provide refuge."
Deeds of Kindness -- "A person [gives presents] to his friends and
gifts to the poor." In this verse the concept of deeds of kindness is clearly
expressed.
Teshuva -- "And G-d your L-rd will circumcise your heart and
the hearts of your descendants." For the service of teshuva -- returning
to G-d wholeheartedly, is primarily the service of changing one's inner self,
the feelings of one's heart.
Redemption -- "And they said, 'We will sing to G-d'" This phrase is
taken from the Song of Redemption sung at the Red Sea.
The first three services are identified with the three pillars of man's service.
These services must be permeated by the service of teshuva and by
the service of redemption and thus, they will be endowed with a boundless
quality that surpasses the limits of a person and the world at large.
A Month of Mercy
In the generation of the Exodus from Egypt, Moses ascended Mount Sinai three
times.
The first was to receive the Torah.
The second was to plead with G-d for His forgiveness, after the Jewish people
sinned in worshipping the golden calf.
Then, on the first day of Elul -- the month immediately preceding
Tishrei -- Moses ascended the mountain a third time, to invoke G-d's
abundant mercy for our complete atonement.
He remained there for forty days, until Yom Kippur, when G-d
cleansed us completely, as though we had never sinned.
Since then, these days are marked as a special period of Divine grace, during
which our sincere prayers are sure to find favor in the eyes of G-d.
* The Shofar(2) is sounded every weekday morning,
except on Shabbat, and the last day of Elul, Erev Rosh
HaShanah(3) (Friday, September 6).
* Psalm 27 is added to the daily morning and afternoon prayers.
* It is customary to give additional charity each weekday.
* During the entire month of Elul we greet friends with the traditional
blessings of, "May you be inscribed and sealed for a good and sweet year."
It is customary to send friends and relatives New Year's greetings with blessings
for the coming year.
* It is customary to have our mezuzot and tefillin checked
to make sure they are still fit.
* To be more careful about keeping kosher.
* Beginning Saturday night, Aug. 31, and on the following weekday mornings
until the eve of Rosh HaShanah, Selichot(4) (special
penitential prayers) are recited.
* Elul is an appropriate time to reflect on our actions and attitudes
of the previous year, and resolve to correct our shortcomings. We increase
our good deeds and try to be more meticulous in our observance of those
mitzvot that we already perform.
* * *
Why do we do all of this in the month of Elul? Can't it wait until
we're closer to Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur -- most of us "work"
better under pressure anyway!
These questions can be explained by a beautiful parable given by Rabbi Shneur
Zalman of Liadi, the first Rebbe of Chabad-Lubavitch:
Once each year, a very mighty king leaves his palace, his guards, his finery,
and goes out into the field to meet with his subjects. At that time, they
can ask of him anything they wish. They do not need to wait in long lines,
go through security checks, be announced ceremoniously. They can speak with
him without hesitation. When the king returns to his palace, his subjects
will once again have to go through all kinds of protocol to meet with him.
So, of course, his subjects make the most of the opportunity.
During the month of Elul, G-d is "in the field." We don't need to
go through all kinds of red tape to reach Him. We need only to come out to
meet Him, as it were, with a humble heart, and He will listen to us. He will
accept our repentance and consider our requests most carefully.
The King will soon be in the field. Make sure not to miss this opportunity.
_______________
2. Maimonides explains that the shofar is blown as the means of stirring
the Jew to repentance. He says the call of the shofar is: "Awaken,
you sleepers, from sleep, you slumberers from slumber; search your actions
and return in penitence."
3. To differentiate between the shofar sounding of Elul, which
is custom and that of Rosh HaShanah, which is prescribed by the Torah.
4. The Sephardic custom is to recite them during the entire month of
Elul. According to the Ashkenazic custom, they are recited beginning
on the Saturday preceding Rosh HaShanah after midnight and thereafter each
morning until Rosh HaShanah.
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.
Facilitate an increase in Jewish education for children
A few years ago, near the end of the month of Menachem-Av, the Rebbe
explained:
"We are nearing the close of the month of Menachem-Av, a month associated
with the destruction of the Holy Temple. Removing the cause of the Holy Temple's
destruction -- 'Jerusalem was destroyed solely because the Torah study of
the children was nullified' -- will cause the effect, the destruction and
the exile, also to cease, and bring about the revelation of the Third Holy
Temple. One should assure an increase in the area of the education of Jewish
children."
You can start by enrolling your child in a Jewish day school or afternoon
school program or giving a donation to an institution dedicated to Jewish
education.
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, August 2, Erev Shabbat Parshat Re'eh:
-
Light Shabbat Candles,(5) by 7:53 p.m.
Saturday, August 3, Shabbat Parshat Re'eh:
-
Blessing of the New Month, Elul.(6)
-
On Shabbat following the afternoon prayer, we read Chapter 5 of
Pirkei Avot -- Ethics of the Fathers.
-
Shabbat ends at nightfall, at 8:58 p.m.
_______________
5. 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.
6. Rosh Chodesh Elul is celebrated on Thursday, August 8, and Friday,
August 9.
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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