***************************************************************** L'CHAIM ISSUE No. 6 ***************************************************************** 5 Iyar, 5748 Parshat Tazria-Metzora April 22, 1988 ***************************************************************** THE WEEKLY PUBLICATION FOR EVERY JEWISH PERSON Dedicated to the memory of Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka Schneerson N.E. ***************************************************************** PERSONALITY PLUS Have you taken a look on the personals pages of a major New York weekly. Almost 50% of them are Jewish. The majority of these singles in the ads sound like great people--and they probably are. But, just what are they looking for? The cryptic personals, where every word costs, are filled with "good times, adventures, fun." Judaism has always emphasized a different part of life-- family. Many of our holidays, as singles painfully note, are family oriented. We play Jewish Geography--"Do you know my uncle's cousin's brother?" to try and establish a common bond and familial connection. Thirty, even twenty years ago, most people got married soon after high school or right out of college. In those days the women knew they would stay home and take care of the house and children. And the men knew they would go out, work, and support the family. No big, difficult decisions to make and marriage was part of the natural progression of life. Did these people think that the good times were over once they stepped under the wedding canopy? That's debatable. Maybe people's definition of "fun" was different in those days. Close your eyes for a minute and try to remember all of the really good times you've had. Like the time all the relatives came for Chanukah and your little cousin lost his present--his new pet turtle. Or that vacation in the bungalow/cottage/motel when you had to double-up with your brother or sister. You couldn't get to sleep at night because you were giggling so much. Nice memories, fun memories, family memories. "...Jewish Dentist--30...male--who is seeking a partner to build a future in NJ filled with fun...If you are...family oriented, then let's meet." This contemporary guy obviously believes that fun can actually be successfully combined with marriage, even children. Family and marriage can be fun. It can be more, too. In one of the seven blessings from the marriage ceremony, we say, "Grant abundant joy to these loving friends." Joy, love and friendship, what more could you want? ***************************************************************** LIVING WITH THE TIMES ***************************************************************** THE WEEKLY TORAH PORTION ***************************************************************** This week we read two Torah portions on Shabbos. They are Tazria and Metzora. The portion of Metzora begins with the laws concerning the purification of the leper. Can we "live with the times"--find a contemporary lesson from a Torah portion about leprosy? Most know leprosy simply as a highly contagious and disfiguring disease. But, in Biblical times it was seen as a physical punishment from G-d for the sin of slander. Quite a harsh punishment for transgressing a commandment between man and his fellow man. Or is it? It was the punishment Miriam received for speaking ill of Moses. And, Moses, at the burning bush saw his hand turn leprous. This was an intimation from G-d that his harsh words about the Israelites were slanderous. A leper was isolated from the rest of the people once his illness had been diagnosed, and made to live outside the camp in the desert where the rest of the Israelite dwelled. Since the disease had a spiritual as well as a physical dimension, this was not simply a hygienic precaution, but had a moral purpose. Likewise his purification was a recovery of spiritual as well as physical health. The leper was required to remain outside the camp, and even people who were "impure" for reasons other than leprosy were not allowed near him. Rashi comments, "Because he, by slanderous statements, parted man and wife, or a man from his friend, (therefore) he must be parted (from everybody)." He was excluded from the camp because of his association with strife and dissension. Unlike other forms of spiritual impurity, slander is progressive. At first it is turned against ordinary people, then against the righteous, then against G-d Himself. On the day of the leper's purification, the Torah tells us, "he shall be brought to the kohen (priest). And the kohen shall go out of the camp" to meet him. Who is to go to whom? The answer lies in understanding that these two expressions are actually two aspects of the leper's spiritual cleansing. The first indicates an assurance that even one who stands "outside the camp," isolated--even by a sin between two people-- will in the end be motivated to turn to the "kohen" in repentance. The second stage is when the kohen meets the leper, and in so doing initiates and awakens the desire to return. He will then strive to translate his revelation into a cleansing of the whole circumstances of his life which led up to the transgression. Adapted from the works of the Lubavitcher Rebbe. ***************************************************************** SLICE OF LIFE ***************************************************************** PORTRAIT OF AN ARTIST Baruch Nachshon is a soft-spoken man. But words are filled with determination, his eyes an intensity that reveal the true fire burning within him. He journeys around the globe, familiarizing people with his art work. Yet, more often than not, his art reacquaints people with their Jewish roots. Nachshon was born in Haifa, in 1939, and grew up in a religious-Zionistic home. He became interested in Chabad as a teenager, through what Nachshon terms "Divine Providence." "I heard a Chabad melody on the radio. It was so deep that it shocked me. I had never even heard of Chabad before." Those were the days, as Nachshon puts it, before Chabad was well known in Israel, "Not like now when they are famous." It occurred to Nachshon after hearing the Chabad melody to go to Kfar Chabad--established as an agricultural village near Tel Aviv--and meet the Chasidim." Nachshon went with some friends and was especially captivated by the "light and vivid eyes of the children." Months passed and Nachshon didn't visit the village again. But, "when I heard the same melody that had touched my heart before, I understood that I belonged to this group." At the age of 16, he began studying Chabad Chasidic philosophy, continuing for two years until going into the army. From the time Nachshon was a child he wanted to be an artist. But it was not until he was married, and had finished the army, that he seriously pursued his art career. "I had to decide whether I wanted to go to Paris, a center of art, or to go the Lubavitcher Rebbe. My soul told me to go to the Rebbe so I decided to go and see him." Nachshon met with the Rebbe upon his arrival in America and spoke with him for about three hours. He remembers the meeting very clearly, but was specially struck by one of the last comments the Rebbe made. "At the end of our meeting, the Rebbe told me that many generations had passed and the creation of art in a kosher way was not complete. He told me that I would be the one to fix that." Upon returning to Israel, Nachshon and his family moved into Kiryat Arba, a town established on the hills overlooking the ancient Jewish city of Hebron. He began creating his own style of art. In passing, he adds, "all the while I was saying the Psalms of David for guidance." But, in reality, it was the Psalms that Nachshon credits with much of his inspiration during those trying years. In 1978, 15 years after his first visit to the Rebbe, Nachshon returned with an exhibition of his art work. "For ten years in a row, I created art in Hebron, in solitude, for away from people or happenings. I waited for this day, to come to the Rebbe and show him my creations that I did in accordance with his blessing. And when I came, I merited to hear, with my own ears, the words: Thank you very much for all the pleasure you have given me." The above thoughts were written by Nachshon immediately after the Rebbe viewed his work. Later, when the public was viewing Nachshon's exhibit, set up in Lubavitch headquarters, he was called into the Rebbe's office. The Rebbe told him, "You have done well to beautify the soul of Judaism. But Judaism isn't just the soul. It is the body, also. And the body of the Jewish people is very important. You should try in the future to bring out the "simple meaning of the text' --teachings from our ancestors and real mitzvos." Bringing people his art work is what Nachshon considers his purpose in life. He goes where he is invited--Australia, Hong Kong, Tasmania, France, America, South Africa--bringing along an extensive slide show of his work and some pieces for sale. When Nachshon told the Rebbe that people were often surprised at the price he asked for his originals, the Rebbe suggested, with a laugh, that he only sell those to people with strong hearts, and he encouraged Nachshon to print posters of some of his works so that truly "kosher" art would be within the budget of every person. The fire that burns within Baruch Nachshon, and within his art, can easily rekindle the spark of Judaism within every Jew. Excerpted from "Wellsprings" Magazine. ***************************************************************** INSIGHTS ***************************************************************** THE WAY TO HAPPINESS It is not too risky a generalization to say that everyone wants to be happy. Even those who enjoy being sad desire happiness; for them sadness makes them happy. From the Torah point of view, happiness is essential to one's physical and spiritual well-being. To help achieve it, though, we must first understand a totally dissimilar feeling, humility. SMALL IS BEAUTIFUL The Torah praises Moses as being more humble than any other person. Yet Moses recognized his greatness, for he is also described as the embodiment of truth. Therefore he could not deny his superior intellect, level of prophecy, and so on. How then do we see his humility? Moses didn't look at his greatness as his own personal achievement, but rather as an expression of his G-d-given abilities. He was blessed with powers that others didn't have, powers that were not earned by his own personal effort. Had another person been given these abilities, Moses thought, that person would have used them more completely and become even greater than he. Moses' humility encompassed both ends of the spectrum. On the one hand he understood that he was the highest of men. But on the other he considered himself unworthy of reward, since he felt that this greatness was not his own doing. It would seem that such humility might lead to a sense of worthlessness and depression, whereas pride in oneself and one's personal achievements would lead to joy. However, quite the opposite is true. The arrogant person can not experience true joy for two reasons. First, he is not really happy with what he has. Secondly, he's even less happy with what he has not. WHATEVER MAKES YOU HAPPY How do we react when given a gift? Even a small gift brings joy to the recipient. One feels happier with a gift than a paycheck, for example, even if the wages are greater. The reason is simple: the wages were worked for and are deserved. The joy is not so great since the money was earned. The gift, on the other hand, was not earned, and therefore causes more joy. An arrogant person looks at everything he gets as "wages." He has been blessed with family, a job, health, caring friends, children, or any of the above. They do not bring him true happiness, however, since he feels deserving of them. Of course he has these things, he thinks to himself, since he is obviously worthy of them. So they are taken for granted. The humble person will be extremely happy, however, because he looks at all these blessings as gifts. He sees himself undeserving, and therefore feels he is constantly receiving gifts. The second factor involves what a person "has not": those things which he does not possess. Regardless of how blessed, healthy, or rich a person is, there is always something he doesn't have. How does a person view those things? The proud person is profoundly unhappy because he knows deep inside that they really should belong to him. Who is more deserving, the other guy?! His pride prevents him from being satisfied, no matter how much he has. The humble person doesn't even think of these things. He is more than happy with what he has, feeling that even they are unde-served. Additional possessions never even enter his mind. In fact, his joy is deeper. Should he encounter misfortune, he won't become depressed, wondering why he deserved such a fate. Humbly, he accepts everything with calmness, inner joy and satisfaction. THIS YEAR, "REJOICE" The Jewish year is usually written in Hebrew with letters numerically equal to the numbers. This year, 5748, is spelled *tuf, shin, mem, and ches*. Read together, they spell the word "Rejoice!" or alternatively, "Make others rejoice!" Jewish writings stress the importance of a name, and how the name indicates its own essence. Therefore, we see that this year"s essence is joy. In 5748, it is necessary to sensitize ourselves to joy, and make ourselves able to receive it. ***************************************************************** WHAT'S IN A NAME? ***************************************************************** HILLEL means "the shining one" or "praised." One of the greatest Talmudic scholars (first-century B.C.E.) was named Hillel. The name is first mentioned in Judges 12:13. HADASSAH means "myrtle tree," the symbol of victory. It was the Hebrew name of Queen Esther, the heroine of the Purim story (Esther 2:7). ***************************************************************** A WORD FROM THE DIRECTOR ***************************************************************** The Passover holiday has recently been celebrated, and already we're starting to think about the summer. When to go, what to do, which bungalow to rent, where to send the children to camp, are questions being tossed around. The summer is looked upon as the time to become physically refreshed. But, especially for children at camp, it is the perfect opportunity to become culturally and spiritually rejuvenated. Though we are not here to suggest any particular camp, we would like to urge you to choose a camp that has not only kosher food, but a "kosher" atmosphere, too. Activities should be geared to strengthening growing bodies and souls. And the staff should be comprised of warm, dedicated people who appreciate and understand the special needs of our most precious commodity. Especially beneficial would be attending a suitable overnight camp. For in that situation, the child lives the enriched Jewish atmosphere twenty-four hours a day. During the year, the child undoubtedly receives a good Jewish education. But, in the summer, instruction comes in a most unique and enjoyable manner; prayers are sung together and Jewish studies are enhanced with good-natured competitions. Needless to say, although the children will be on vacation from school, one never needs a vacation from learning Torah. So make sure that ample time is scheduled in for learning about our beautiful heritage. Rabbi Shmuel Butman ***************************************************************** IT HAPPENED ONCE ***************************************************************** As part of his inheritance, Rabbi Yosef received a clock that had belonged to his father, the Seer of Lublin. When the shiva for his father ended, Rabbi Yosef set off for his home in Tulchin. On the way, it began raining heavily. The roads were soon flooded, making it impossible to go on. Fortu- nately, Rabbi Yosef found a Jewish inn and decided to stop there until the storm ended. After three days the rain stopped at which time Rabbi Yosef was more than ready to leave. The innkeeper, let us call him Zev, presented Rabbi Yosef with the bill which Rabbi Yosef could not pay. He offered Zev any of his possessions as payment, and after some consideration, Zev chose the clock. Zev hung the clock in a back room of the inn, wound it up, gave the pendulum a swing, and the clock began ticking away. Every hour the clock rang out the time in an appropriate number of chimes. At first, Zev and his wife were thrilled when they heard the clock chimes, but as time passed, they paid it little attention. Years later a Rabbi came to stay at the inn and was given the room where the clock hung. That night, Zev, though exhausted, could not sleep. From the Rabbi's room came sounds of beautiful singing and the sound of dancing. And when the clock struck the hour, the music took on an added quality of joy! Zev decided he would ask the Rabbi in the morning what this great joy was all about. With this thought in mind, he fell fast asleep. The following morning, the Rabbi, as if reading Zev's mind, said: "You must be wondering why I was so joyous last night, but I am wondering where you got the clock! Zev could not understand the connection between of the two things but told the Rabbi the story of Rabbi Yosef and how he acquired the clock. "I see you have no idea what a bargain you got," said the Rabbi. "This clock belonged to my saintly Rabbi, the Seer of Lublin. As soon as I heard the chiming, I recognized it!" "A clock is a clock," mumbled Zev. "Let me explain what a clock really is," offered the Rabbi. "People think a clock is to tell them when to get up, go to work, eat, sleep. That is nonsense. People lived for thousands of years without clocks. An animal doesn't need a clock to show it when to do these things." "True," said Zev, waiting for more. "A clock reminds people that there is such a thing as time in this world. When G-d created the world, He created time. The minute and hour hand on the clock remind us that each minute and every hour G-d gives life to the whole world and sustains us. "A clock is indeed a great thing," Zev called out enthusiastically. "That is not all," continued the Rabbi. "The clock also reminds us that time is passing, and we must watch and guard it. Anything lost can be found, except for time, which can never be recovered. When the clock chimes, it makes us consider if we have filled the passing hour in a worthwhile manner." "Oh, Rabbi, when I think of how many hours I have wasted," Zev cried out. "Don't be downhearted," the Rabbi said encouragingly. "Do you know that the Hebrew word for hour also means `a turn'? Do you know what `a turn' is? Imagine a person walking carelessly along a dangerous road, till he reaches a cliff. Suddenly, he realizes where he is and quickly turns around. This turn immediately saves him, even before he has managed to take the steps away from the danger. In one hour or with one turn toward the right path a person can change his whole life." "How wonderful!" Zev marvelled. "Now, I shall tell you the really exciting secret of this clock, the clock of my saintly Rebbe. "This clock is exceptionally perfect and wonderful, for in addition to all the previously mentioned virtues, the clock has a most happy chime. Every chime rings out like a message of good news, as if to tell us that an hour of Exile has passed and we are now one hour nearer to the complete and final redemption with Moshiach." Now the Rabbi asked Zev, "Can you understand why I rejoiced so much the whole night. I heard the chime of the clock, recognized it, and celebrated with fervor." ***************************************************************** THOUGHTS THAT COUNT ***************************************************************** "...for the person undergoing the purification there be taken two live kosher birds, cedar wood, yarn dyed crimson in the blood of a worm, and a hyssop branch" (14:4). The disease is the result of slanderous talk which is like babbling words. Consequently birds which babble continuously were required for his purification. (Rashi) The disease was also caused by pride. Through humility one rid himself of this trait. The lowly hyssop and the worm from the purification process allude to the necessity of viewing oneself with modesty. (Rashi) *** "A woman who conceives (lit: gives seed) and bears a son" (12:2). "Woman" is a common metaphor for the Jewish nation. "Gives seed" is analogous to the performance of good deeds. Bearing a child is the final redemption. The performance of mitzvos is compared to the sowing of seed because one, tiny seed can be the starting point for an abundance of fine produce. Similarly, just one mitzvah can be the source for abundant GÄdliness. (Ohr Hachayim as elucidated in Ohr Hatorah) *** "And (she) bears a son...On the eighth day, [the child shall be circumcised]" (12:2). "Bearing a child" hints at the future redemption and "eighth day" hints at the eight strings on the harp for use in the Third Temple, may it be speedily built in our days. (Ohr HaTorah) *****************************************************************