LIVING WITH MOSHIACH, Parshat Mikeitz, 5755 B"H LIVING WITH MOSHIACH Weekly Digest About Moshiach PARSHAT MIKEITZ KISLEV 29, 5755 DEC. 2, 1994 * Published Weekly By Lubavitch Shluchim Conferences On The Moshiach Campaign, Committee For The Blind * * * 5755 "Year of Hakhel" ********************************************* * TO RECEIVE THIS PUBLICATION VIA INTERNET: * * E-Mail: yys@dorsai.org * * FOR CHABAD-LUBAVITCH IN CYBERSPACE: * * E-Mail: info@chabad.org * ********************************************* THIS PUBLICATION IS DEDICATED TO THE REBBE, RABBI MENACHEM M. SCHNEERSON OF LUBAVITCH "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 ********************* * TABLE OF CONTENTS * ********************* Introduction The Weekly Torah Portion The Rebbe's Prophecy The Heroines of Chanukah The Story of Yehudit Moshiach Matters **************** * INTRODUCTION * **************** We are pleased to present, to the visually impaired and the blind, the seventh issue of our weekly publication, Living with Moshiach. * Finding ourselves in the festive holiday of Chanukah, we once again highlight Chanukah in a special feature presentation this week. As promised in last week's issue, we present the stories of Yehudit and Chana. * 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 E-Mail: yys@dorsai.org 14 Kislev, 5755, Year of Hakhel Brooklyn, New York *************************************** * THE WEEKLY TORAH PORTION * * Adapted from the Works of the Rebbe * *************************************** PARSHAT MIKEITZ Last week's Torah portion dealt with the subject of dreams --those of Joseph's, and Pharaoh's officers. This week, in the Torah portion of Mikeitz, we continue to delve into dreams, but this time, those of Pharaoh, king of Egypt. The common denominator shared by all these dreams is that they collectively portrayed the various stages and factors that caused Jacob and his sons to go to Egypt. As a direct result, the Jewish people were exiled there. Every word in the Torah is necessary and precise. If the subject of dreams receives so much emphasis and, we are told, such a wealth of detail, there must be a fundamental connection between the concept of dreams and the concept of exile. Furthermore, by understanding the significance of dreams, we shall be better able to overcome the difficulties we endure during our own prolonged exile. Chasidic philosophy explains that the most outstanding characteristic of dreams is the ability for diametrically opposed opposites to coexist, something that cannot take place in reality. This is also true of our own exile, an unnatural and abnormal situation, but one seemingly natural and normal to us. It is of such long duration, we can no longer feel the contradictions inherent in the galut (exile) itself. The same contradictions also apply to our spiritual galut. It is understood that self-love and the pursuit of worldly pleasures are the opposite of cultivating a love of G-d and holiness. Yet, we often perform mitzvot under the illusion that we are doing so out of love of G-d and are in close proximity to Him, all the while caring only for our own egos and self-fulfillment. We simply don't perceive the contradiction in this. Another example of our lack of logic is found in prayer. While praying, the Jew's innate love and emotional attachment to G-d can be aroused, but as soon as he finishes, it is as if he had never experienced this arousal as he returns to his preoccupation with day-to-day life. Although he stood on such a high spiritual level while actually communing with G-d, the feelings dissipate as the individual finds himself led after the cravings of the animal soul. Thus our very lives are lived as if we are dreaming. The spiritual exile is full of contradictions, yet we must not be discouraged and think that we perform mitzvot and pray in vain, for every positive deed leaves its mark even if its influence is not always easily felt. ************************ * THE REBBE'S PROPHECY * ************************ 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. ******************************************* * IN LOVING MEMORY OF MY DEAR GRANDFATHER * * * * Reb Shmuel Pesach Ben Reb Yaakov Dovid * * Passed away on 3 Tishrei, 5755 * * Pais * ******************************************* **************************** * THE HEROINES OF CHANUKAH * **************************** Yehudit, beautiful Yehudit, daughter of Yochanan the High Priest. Her self-sacrifice for her people knew no bounds. She could not stand by quietly as young Jewish girls were forced to spend the night before their wedding with the enemy governor. Quietly, stealthily, gracefully, Yehudit penetrated the enemy camp, endangering her own life, and brought back a prize for those who were not as brave as she--the grisly head of the Syrian General Holefernes. Chana, brave Chana, mother of seven sons. She taught them to love G-d and the Torah--more than life itself. "Foolish woman. Tell your sons to bow down to the idol so that they may live," the soldiers told Chana. But Chana knew that her definition of life was different from that of the pagan soldiers. Her sons would die in this world sanctifying G-d's name, but they would live forever in the World to Come. She whispered encouragement to each son. "Remember that the L-rd is one, there is no other." Not one son, from the oldest to the youngest, bowed to the idol. "Abraham, you were ready to sacrifice one son. But I, Chana, a simple, Jewish woman, sacrificed seven," cried out Chana as her youngest child was killed before her eyes. Heroines now? Yes, Jewish women of today can be heroines. Heroines who, in their own way, are as brave as Yehudit and Chana. How? Like Yehudit, Jewish women can stand up to the prevalent morality that has become accepted though it is not at all acceptable. They can say, "This is immoral, not in keeping with true Jewish values. I will fight it and I won't succumb to it, even if others greater, stronger and braver don't have the courage to resist." How else? Like Chana they can remind their children or others around them, "The way of the world is not our way. We are here to sanctify ourselves, to brings holiness into the mundane, to bear witness to the fact that G-d is one." And, they can get in touch with their true selves, with what it means to be a Jewish woman, with what has characterized Jews in general and Jewish women in particular for millennia--we are compassionate, modest, kind, believing, giving, loving, caring. The word Chanukah means dedication. What better time than the holiday of Yehudit and Chana for Jewish women the world over to rededicate themselves to exploring the ancient definition of Jewish womanhood! ************************ * THE STORY OF YEHUDIT * ************************ The town of Bethulia, in the land of Judea, came under siege by a huge army with Holofernes, a Syrian-Greek general, at the head. The men of Bethulia fought bravely and desperately. Holofernes cut off the food and water supply and before long the town was on the verge of surrender. Uzzia, the commander of the defense forces, and the Elders of the town pleaded with the townspeople not to surrender: "Give us five more days to find some type of solution." Reluctantly the people agreed. All except one. "Why do you test G-d? If you truly have faith, you must never give up your trust in G-d. Besides, don't you know that surrender to Holofernes is worse than death?" So spoke Yehudit, the daughter of Yochanan the High Priest. She was a young widow blessed with extraordinary grace and beauty. Yehudit's words made a deep impression on Uzzia and the Elders. "What can we do?" they asked her. "Pray for us, Yehudit, and maybe G-d will accept your prayers." "I have thought of a plan. I want to go to Holfernes," said Yehudit. Uzzia and the Elders were shocked. "Would you sacrifice your life on the chance that you might soften Holofernes's heart?" But Yehudit persisted and after much discussion Uzzia and the Elders agreed to let Yehudit try. Yehudit passed through the gates of Bethulia, dressed in her finest clothes. She was accompanied by her faithful maid, who carried a basket filled with rolls, cheese and several bottles of wine. Before they were able to enter the enemy camp they were stopped by sentries, who demanded to know who they were and who sent them. "We have an important message for the brave Holofernes," Yehudit said. "Take us to him at once." "Who are you, and why are you here?" Holofernes asked, his eyes feasting on his unexpected, charming visitor. "I am Yehudit, a plain widow from Bethulia. I have come to tell you how to capture the town, in the hope that you will deal mercifully with its inhabitants." Yehudit told Holofernes what he already knew, that the situation in the besieged town was desperate, that the inhabitants have very little food and water. Yet, she said, their faith in G-d remained strong and so long as they had faith, they would not surrender. Before long, however, in desperation they would begin to eat non-kosher animals. Then G-d's anger would be turned against them and the town would fall. "But how will I know when this takes place?" asked Holofernes. "I have made arrangements with one of the watchmen at the city gates to tell me of the circumstances in the city," answered Yehudit confidently. Holofernes was completely captivated by Yehudit. He gave orders that she and her maid were to have complete freedom to walk through the camp, and anyone attempting to molest them in any way would be put to death immediately. Each evening, Yehudit walked to the city's gates and told the watchman that everything was going as planned. "The people must keep their trust strong in G-d," she told the watchman. By the third day Holofernes and his men were getting restless. When Yehudit entered Holofernes's tent with her ever-present maid, he asked her, "What intelligence do you bring me today?" "I have very good news, General. There is no kosher food left now. In a day or two, famine will drive them to eat the mules and dogs. Then G-d will deliver them into your hands!" "Wonderful," said Holofernes. "This calls for a celebration. Tonight we'll have a party. Just the two of us." That evening, Holofernes welcomed Yehudit into his tent. He offered her some of the delicacies with which the table was laden. "I have brought my own food and wine prepared specially for this occasion," Yehudit said. "My goat cheese is famous in all of Bethulia." Holofernes liked the salty cheese and the strong wine. Before long, he was sprawled on the ground, totally drunk. Yehudit uttered a silent prayer and unsheathed Holofernes's heavy sword. Taking aim, she brought the sword down on his neck with all her might. She concealed the general's head in her basket and then calmly walked to her own tent. "Come quickly," she said to her maid. The two women walked leisurely, as they had done for the past few nights, until they reached the gates of the city. "Take me to Uzzia at once," she said to the sentry. Uzzia could not believe his eyes as he stared at the gruesome prize Yehudit had brought him. "There is no time to lose," she told the commander. "Prepare your men for a surprise attack at dawn. When Holofernes's men run into his tent and find his headless body, they will flee for their lives." That is precisely what happened. The enemy fled in confusion and terror. And it was the brave and G-d-fearing Yehudit who saved the city. We have a tradition on Chanukah to eat dairy foods in remembrance of Yehudit's heroic act. ******************** * MOSHIACH MATTERS * ******************** Through telling stories about great tzadikim (sages), we bring the light of Moshiach into this world and push away much darkness and troubles. (Rabbi Nachman of Breslov) ============================================================ = End of Text: Living With Moshiach, Parshat Mikeitz, 5755 = ============================================================