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                              L'CHAIM                ISSUE No. 16
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16 Tamuz, 5748             Parshat Balak             July 1, 1988
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          THE WEEKLY PUBLICATION FOR EVERY JEWISH PERSON
Dedicated to the memory of Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka Schneerson N.E.
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                             PRIVACY:
                           IS IT AN ACT?

   We all cherish our privacy, our own "space."  Shrubs and trees
surround homes, telling passers-by not to even attempt a peek
inside.  Privacy is receiving a lot of attention now, especially
with our constitutional rights on the subject being discussed in
the courts.  But, the constitution alone cannot insure privacy; it
must be insured by the way we lives our lives.

   In a different time and age, a non-Jewish prophet said of the
Jewish people:  *Ma Tova*--"How goodly are your tents, Jacob, Your
dwelling places, Israel."  This blessing was in response to the
manner in which the Jewish people arranged their tents in the
desert; never did a door or window from one tent face the same of
another tent.  People respected one another.  When people needed
privacy, they had it.  But just as important as the privacy people
were accorded inside their own homes, they had privacy outside,
too; the Jews behaved in a modest manner.

   The word "modesty" needn't conjure up puritanical visions of
women in high collars, thick, dark stockings and dresses down to
the ankle.  Modesty is more than the way a person dresses; clothes
are just one part of the picture.  There are private and public
parts of our lives that we wouldn't dare reveal except to our most
intimate friends; the same is true with our bodies.

   When we say that the Jews had the privacy they needed inside
their tents, it was not because they were behaving in a manner that
would shock the neighbors.  It was simply to keep those aspects of
their lives that were personal inside the home.

   While we're trying to establish legally what privacy is and
means, maybe we should take some time out to establish privacy, and
modesty, as a value in our society.

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                       LIVING WITH THE TIMES
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                     THE WEEKLY TORAH PORTION
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   This week's Torah portion, Balak, relates the events following
the encampment of the Israelites near the border of the country of
Moab.  Balak, King of Moab, hired a renowned non-Jewish prophet,
Bilaam, to curse the Jewish people.  He hoped he would thereby
bring misfortune upon the fledgling nation.

   Bilaam ascended a hill, commanding a panoramic view of the
encamped Israelites.  After performing several pagan sacrificial
rites, Bilaam waited for the proper inspiration to curse the
people.  G-d frustrated his intention in an unexpected manner; G-d
caused Bilaam to perceive the good in the Jewish people.  Normally,
an evil person notices the bad in others, while a good person sees
the positive.  In this case, a Divinely inspired mood of prophecy
and sense of goodness suddenly overtook Bilaam and, instead of
cursing the Jewish nation, he blessed them in dramatic and
beauti-fully poetic language.

   In Bilaam's blessings there occurs a phrase:  "I see him [the
Jewish people] from the peak of flinty rocks..." (Numbers 23:19).
Commentators explain that this is a reference to the rock-solid
foundation of the Jews, namely, their ancestors.  The prophet
Isaiah, many years later, expressed the same idea when he exclaimed
to the people:  "Look to the rock from which you were hewn" (Isaiah
51:1), using the Hebrew word *tzur* for rock.  *Tzur* is more
accurately translated as "flintstone."

   A flintstone has the remarkable property of producing sparks of
fire when struck by another stone.  Even more remarkable, however,
is the fact that such a rock can lie immersed in water for
hundreds, even thousands of years without losing its fire-producing
capability.  If it is removed from the water and struck, a fiery
spark is faithfully produced.

   This quality of the flintstone is ascribed by the prophets to
the Jewish people.  A Jew can never lose his Jewishness.  Even if
he is submerged in a veritable ocean of non-Jewish influences, his
spark of Jewishness can never be completely extinguished or
drowned.  With the proper approach and stimulation, the Divine
spark of Jewish identity will surely be ignited; the spark can be
fanned into a roaring flame.

             From "A Thought for the Week,"--Detroit.
         Adapted from the works of the Lubavitcher Rebbe.

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                           SLICE OF LIFE
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                A SKETCH OF THREE BAIS CHANA WOMEN

   I had it all...but it was only 50 percent."  Phyllis Landsberg
had a thriving career, a beautiful apartment in Washington, D.C.
and many friends...but something was missing in her life, she said.
The search for that something brought her to Bais Chana, an
institute in St. Paul for Jewish women.

   "It was as if I was picked up and put in Minnesota," said
Landsberg.  "I walked in the door and thought, 'what am I doing
here?'"

   Since that visit, Landsberg has returned to Bais Chana many
times.  "I looked a the children here," she said.  "They don't lie.
It was beautiful watching the harmony in these families."

   Although Landsberg was not brought up in a religious home, her
parents support her choice to become Orthodox.

   "My mother was broken in by my brother, who became a
Lubavitcher a few years ago," Landsberg said.  "At first she didn't
know how to handle it all, but my parents always knew how much it
mean to us."

   Estela Egozie, 48, does not have to worry about her parents
accepting her late-life return to religion.  Her children, however,
approve 100 percent, she said.

   "My kids are really proud of what I'm doing," Egozie said.

   She moved from her native country, Cuba, to Florida in 1960.
She started going to adult education at an Orthodox shul because,
she said, "I always felt Jewish, but I didn't know much about
Judaism.  I had to find out what I was."

   Now, her grown daughter, who recently went on a trip to Israel,
is also rediscovering her Judaism and Egozie hopes to bring her to
Bais Chana.

   New Yorker Karen Berman, 38, said enthusiastically, "Judaism is
so 'doing'.  You think you are such an intellectual being you can
get everything through the head, but 'doing' makes a statement,
gets it inside you."

   Berman grew up in a Conservative Jewish home and works for
trade magazines in the diamond business.  She met a few Orthodox
people and was impressed by the sincerity in their lives.

   "I moved into a more Jewish neighborhood and started doing
things.  The more I did, the better I felt.  After doing it I
believed it had to come from G-d...who else could figure this out?"
she said.

   Some of the women at Bais Chana said they were there to discover
the truth about life or about themselves.  One told me that people
go there to simply know more about the religion of their birth.

   Many cannot afford to pay tuition.  In fact, only 25 percent
pay the total weekly fee.  Rabbi Feller said his greatest concern,
however, was that all women have a chance to learn.

   "I would rather have us financially deficit than have the women
spiritually deficit," he said.  "No one leaves here unchanged.  The
seed is planted here...whether it blooms now or later in life."

   The summer session at Bais Chana Women's institute runs from
June 17 to August 31.  For more information call or write to the
school at 15 Montcalm Ct., S. Paul, MN 55116.  (612) 698-3858.

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                            WHAT'S NEW?
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                     IVY LEAGUE STUDY PROGRAM

   Now in it's fourth year, the Ivy League Torah Study Program in
upstate New York continues to be a highly sought-after way to spend
one's summer vacation.  Elite university students spend their
summer learning Torah.  Sponsored by the National Committee for the
Furtherance of Jewish Education, the program provides each student
with full room and board and a $1,200 stipend.  Admission is based
on sincerity, self-discipline, creativity and the desire to learn.

                     OPEN TORAH STUDY PROGRAM

   An unforgettable summer experience in the Lubavitcher Yeshiva in
Kfar Chabad is available to all Jewish young men.  The doors of the
Yeshiva will be open to guests through July 21.  Studies include
the Code of Jewish Law, Talmud, Jewish History, Chasidic
Philosophy, etc.  This is a great opportunity to learn, live and
strengthen a commitment to Judaism over the summer.  For more
information call Rabbi Zalman Gafni (03) 704327 or Rabbi Tuvia
Bolton (03) 9606826 in Israel, or write to them at Yeshiva Tomchei
Tmimim Lubavitch, Kfar Chabad, Israel.

                 NEW CHABAD HOUSE IN GRANADA HILLS

   Chabad in the Encino Valley continues to expand to meet the
needs of the many Los Angeleans leaving the city for the suburbs.
The latest addition to the more than one dozen Chabad Centers in
the Valley is Granada Hill, newly opened under the direction of
Rabbi and Mrs. Mendel Bryski.

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                             INSIGHTS
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                        WHAT A COINCIDENCE

   This week, associated with the Torah portion *Balak*, marks the
anniversary of the release of the previous Lubavitcher Rebbe from
prison in 1927 for spreading Judaism in communist Russia.

   Having been imprisoned and sentenced to death, the previous
Rebbe had his sentence first commuted to three years of exile in
the city of Kostroma.  Shortly, thereafter, on the 12th day of
Tamuz, the sentence was completely revoked and he was released.

   It is significant that these two events (*parshat Balak* and
the 12th of Tamuz) coincide.  Upon examination, we find a striking
similarity between the content of *parshat Balak* and the
redemption of the previous Rebbe.

                       HATRED WITHOUT REASON

   Balak, our Sages relate, had more hatred for the Jewish people
than any other foe.  His hatred was so severe that he went out of
his way to hire the noted Bilaam to curse them.  Even after Bilaam
refused, Balak pressured him to accept this task until he finally
agreed.

   Balak shared his stubborn and extreme opposition to Jews and
Judaism with the Bolshevik regime which was responsible for the
previous Rebbe's imprisonment.

   The administration took extreme measures in persecuting him.
They even went to the extent of violating their own laws, since (as
the Rebbe constantly pointed out) the Russian constitution
guarantees freedom of religion.

   The similarity between the Bolshevik government an Balak
continues when we consider the results of their efforts.  Having
finally convinced Bilaam to curse the Jewish nation, Balak came to
regret having done so.  Instead of cursing them, Bilaam began to
shower heavenly blessings upon them.  Some of these statements have
been perpetuated as praises of the Jewish people, and one of them
actually appears at the beginning of the daily prayer service.

                  NOT QUITE WHAT THEY HAD PLANNED

   The arrest of the previous Rebbe was not any more "successful"
than Balak's attempted curse.  The prime cause for the Rebbe's
arrest was his insistence on creating underground schools for young
Jewish children.

   This, of course, ran in the face of governmental efforts to
wipe out religious education, and thereby eventually wipe out any
traces of religious knowledge and observance.

   Upon discovering that he was being sent to the city of
Kostroma, the previous Rebbe stepped up his activities.  One of
his chasidim was immediately dispatched to first visit the city and
create a new underground yeshiva.  The efforts to restrict Jewish
education brought about the opposite result, its further growth.

   This thwarting of their goals was not only achieved in secret.
When it came time for the Rebbe's final release, the same
individuals who had devoted themselves to his imprisonment were
themselves compelled to order him freed.

   Furthermore, they did everything possible to have him leave the
country.

   When border officials tried to confiscate part of his library,
he threatened, "If you try to take any part of the library, I will
refuse to leave the country!"  After hasty communication with
officials in the capital, they were informed to give him anything,
as long as he left.

   In a way, this shows an even greater achievement than opening
schools without their knowledge, which simply indicated an ability
to overcome and outmaneuver their restrictions.  Here, not only was
wickedness overpowered, but it was also transformed to the extent
that his imprisoners themselves helped him be released.

   The ultimate result of the imprisonment was that the Rebbe was
freed from this oppressive regime.  He continued spreading Judaism
as he had in the past.

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                         WHAT'S IN A NAME?
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GIDON means a "mighty warrior."  Gidon, one of the Judges of Israel
(Judges 6:11), was also a warrior who defeated the Midianites in a
surprise night attack.  He was from the tribe of Menashe.

GITEL is from the Yiddish, meaning "good."  A variant form is Gite,
or Gita.

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                     A WORD FROM THE DIRECTOR
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   A fast day, in Jewish tradition, always denotes a day of
seriousness and contemplation.  This Sunday, July 3, is the fast of
the 17 of Tamuz.  Since the actual day of the 17th of Tamuz is on
Shabbos, and we do not mourn on Shabbos, the fast is pushed off.

   Probably one of the most well-known reasons for the fast is
that on this day, the wall around the holy city of Jerusalem was
breached, thereby beginning the destruction of the entire city, and
ultimately the Temple.  Another reason, however, is that on this
day, Moshe broke the *luchos*--the tablets on which the Ten
Commandments were written.  He broke them when he saw the Jewish
people worshipping the golden calf.  And this, only a short while
after actually having received and heard the commandments from G-d
Himself.

   In America today, I certainly don't have to tell you what the
"golden calf" is.  In this country, the currency even serves as a
constant reminder of G-d; it all bears the inscription, "In G-d We
Trust."  Yet, it is doubtful whether or not many of us even take
notice of these small but important words.

   The 17th of Tamuz, when we fast because the *luchos* were
broken, is the perfect opportunity to break the golden calf--the
cause of this disaster.

   On this 17th of Tamuz, since the fast has already been pushed
off--because of Shabbos, let us pray that it be pushed off
forever.  Let us work to break our modern-day "golden calf," and
show that truly, in G-d we trust.  And let us pray that speedily,
Moshiach will come to take us out of Exile and build the third Holy
Temple, and "these days will turn into joy, happiness, and days of
festivity."

                                              Rabbi Shmuel Butman

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                         IT HAPPENED ONCE
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   Shaul, the merchant, had a beautiful house expensively
furnished and decorated with fine works of art.  His magnificent
gardens displayed the rarest flowers, whose fragrance could be
appreciated from afar.

   Shaul's elderly father also lived in his home.  As his father
grew older and weaker, he became a "burden" to the family.
Relations between father and son had possibly never been the best.
But who is to know.

   During meal times, especially, Shaul was repelled by his
father; his trembling hands spilled soup and drinks and oftentimes
the fine china was broken; appearance was sorely neglected.

   One day, as the family was sitting at dinner, the old man
dropped an expensive crystal wine goblet.  It shattered into
thousands of splinters and red wine spilled all over the
tablecloth.  Shaul was livid.  His patience was spent.  He decided
there and then to send his father away.

   But, of course, Shaul couldn't just send his father packing and
into the streets.  When he overcame his anger, he came up with,
what he thought was a brilliant solution.

   "Go out and buy wooden dishes and cups," Shaul ordered one of
his servants.  His father would use the wooden utensils, Shaul
decided.  There might still be spills, but at least none of the
expensive china would be ruined.  Of course, when company came his
father could hardly sit at the table with them using his coarse
dishes.  But, that wouldn't be so terrible at all, thought Shaul.    


   Weeks passed.  One day, Shaul's youngest son, Yosef, went out
to the store to buy candies.  He was a sweet child with a good
heart, loved by everyone who knew him.  Suddenly he saw a group of
beggars sitting on the street corner, eating out of wooden bowls
from the soup kitchen just like his grandfather used at home.
Yosef was touched but confused.  Without hesitation, he took all
the money out of his pocket and gave it to the beggar.

   Yosef ran home.  He asked his father for a piece of wood and
whittling knife.  Then, he ran up to the attic, happy that his
father had agreed to give him the supplies.

   As he was whittling, Yosef heard his father's impatient voice.
"What are you doing up there? Why is it taking so long?"

   Yosef took the wood downstairs with him.

   "What are you holding?" asked his father curiously.  "Why have
you asked for wood and a knife?"

   "I am making a wooden bowl and plate and cup for you, father!
That way, when you get old and start to break things and I have to
give you wooden dishes like the beggar use, I'll have made them
already," explained Yosef sincerely.

   Shaul was shocked by his son's words.  For a moment he imagined
himself in his father's place: old, helpless, and being treated
without the least bit of reverence or respect.  Shaul saw clearly
his terrible behavior.  He went to his father and begged
forgiveness.

   From that day on, the old man lived in comfort, honored by his
son and grandchildren.  He spent his last years pleasantly in his
children's home.  In time, when Shaul became elderly, he also
enjoyed the honor and comfort which was given to him by his son
Yosef.

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                        THOUGHTS THAT COUNT
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Parshat Balak

   Why would this entire portion of Torah be known by the name of
such a vile personality as Balak.  This seems contrary to the verse
in Proverbs, "The name of the wicked shall rot," which is explained
in the Talmud to mean that we do not name children after the wicked
so as to allow their name to be forgotten.  In truth, however, the
emphasis on the name of Balak is a disservice to him, for it
re-minds us of the way his plan to curse the Jews fell apart.  From
another perspective, the remembrance of the deeds of Balak serves
to remind us of the positive outcome of all his plans when the
curses of Bilaam became the most beautiful blessings.

                                ***

"Balak saw and the people of Moav were afraid" (Numbers 22:2Ä3).

   When Balak, the king and leader of the Moabites, saw the
approach of the Jews his fear quickly spread to his people.  This
contrasts sharply with the behavior of Moses, leader of the Jewish
nation.  When he was afraid of Og, king of Bashan, it was only "in
his heart."  He did not allow his fear to show even to himself,let
alone to others.  This is a lesson for Jewish leaders in all times.
Even in the most difficult times they must exude only hope and
encouragement.

                                ***

"The people began behaving immorally with the women of Moav"
(25:1).

   Bilaam was the antithesis of Moshe.  Moshe was essential good
recognized and appreciated the smallest amount of good in every
single Jew.  Even when it was completely hidden he was able to make
it shine.  Bilaam, on the other hand, was so totally evil that he
was able to find and bring into the open the slightest speck of bad
in the Jews.  How did he do this?  By suggesting that they be
tested with the temptation of the Moabite women.
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