LIVING WITH MOSHIACH, Parshat Vayigash, 5755 B"H LIVING WITH MOSHIACH Weekly Digest About Moshiach PARSHAT VAYIGASH TEVET 6, 5755 DEC. 9, 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 Tenth of Tevet Moshiach Matters **************** * INTRODUCTION * **************** We are pleased to present, to the visually impaired and the blind, the eighth issue of our weekly publication, Living with Moshiach. * In this week's issue, our feature presentation focuses on the fast day of the Tenth of Tevet * 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 19 Kislev, 5755, Year of Hakhel Brooklyn, New York *************************************** * THE WEEKLY TORAH PORTION * * Adapted from the Works of the Rebbe * *************************************** Parshat Vayigash The Jewish people, descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, are often referred to by the name of another of our great forebears, Joseph. "Listen, O Shepherd of Israel, You Who leads Joseph like a flock," sings the Psalmist. Rashi explains that every Jew is called "Joseph," "because he (Joseph) sustained and provided for them during the famine," a narrative of which appears in this week's Torah portion, Vayigash. At first glance, this seems to be an insufficient explanation. Why call an entire nation after one individual, no matter how exalted, just because he was instrumental in aiding the Jewish people during a certain short period in their history? Chasidic philosophy teaches that every phenomenon in the physical world exists only because of its spiritual root above. Indeed, the physical manifestation in this world is only a reflection of the true spiritual reality. The fact that Joseph sustained the fledgling Jewish people with food (as well as the rest of the known world at the time), reflects the fact that it was he who imbued his people with the spiritual nourishment and sustenance they needed to survive in exile as well. The lack of food, the famine which hit Egypt, was accompanied by a spiritual famine, for the exile in Egypt was a time of great darkness and trouble for the Jewish people. It was Joseph who gave his descendants the strength to deal with the hardships and adversity of exile. Joseph, in his role as second in command to Pharaoh, broke new ground and paved an innovative path in the service of G-d. Joseph's brothers were shepherds, an occupation which gave them plenty of time to pursue a spiritual life. By contrast, Joseph lived a life of involvement in the world, first as the manager of Potifar's household, later when he was in charge of his fellow prisoners in jail, and finally, when he was appointed second in command over all of Egypt. Although Joseph was always intimately involved in the day-to-day details of the physical world, as was dictated by his various positions, his greatness lies in the fact that he never severed his spiritual connection to G-d, and in fact, emerged even stronger in his service and commitment. Much of Joseph's life was spent in exile, in the center of the most cosmopolitan society of his time. Yet, he remained untouched by the lure of the material world and unbowed in his religious faith. Joseph therefore symbolizes, more than any of the Patriarchs or the rest of the twelve tribes, the essence of the Jewish people. As we stand on the threshold of the messianic era, we look back on the thousands of years of Jewish exile spent under the dominion of the nations of the world. Although we have, of necessity, concerned ourselves with the daily, mundane details of our lives, our relationship with G-d has remained as strong as ever. Indeed, our goal in life is not to withdraw from the world to concentrate solely on the spiritual; a Jew's task is to combine the two realms, imbuing the physical world with holiness. It is in our forefather Joseph's merit that we have been given the power to withstand any spiritual "famine" which could possibly threaten our existence as "Joseph's flock." ************************ * 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 TENTH OF TEVET * ********************** This coming Tuesday, the tenth of Tevet (December 13) is the anniversary of the beginning of the siege of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezar, King of Babylon. The siege eventually resulted in the destruction of the First Holy Temple in 422 b.c.e. This day is traditionally designated as a fast day. But this year, G-d willing, maybe we'll "break with tradition"; maybe we won't fast! Maybe we won't shed bitter tears and mourn for the Holy Temple's destruction! How could this possibly be? When Moshiach comes--may he arrive before the 10th of Tevet--we will no longer fast on the three days designated to commemorate the destruction of the Temple. Rather, these days will become days of rejoicing, gladness and festivity. How can we turn this dream into a reality? The Rebbe has repeatedly stressed that each and every individual can hasten Moshiach's arrival. How can this be accomplished? By increasing our acts of kindness, goodness, and tzedaka (charity); by actively awaiting his arrival at any moment; and by preparing ourselves to greet him; and by learning more about Moshiach and the Ultimate Redemption. A viable suggestion toward this end would be that each time we do an additional act of kindness, or goodness, give tzedaka or do mitzvot, we do so with the intent of hastening the Final Redemption. By doing this ourselves and encouraging those around us to do so the same, we will bring Moshiach that much closer. * A number of years ago, an individual living in Israel wrote to the Rebbe, requesting of him instructions in connection with the Fast of the Tenth of Tevet. The Rebbe encouraged this person not to overlook the "so-called 'small and unsophisticated' things which each modest congregation, or even each individual, can and must do..." One needn't think and act big, in terms of global dimension, in order to help the situation of Jews spiritually and materially the world over. The Rebbe's suggestions are as valid now as then and are as follows: During the fast day, to help insure security and strengthen the Land of Israel, materially and spiritually, and also for the material and spiritual benefit of all Jews wherever they are, a special effort should be made in the areas of Torah study, prayer, and charity. Charity, in particular, should be given in the morning and afternoon, and it is especially appropriate to give tzedaka for an institution in Israel. A person who does any of the above-mentioned activities throughout the day is to be praised. And the more he does, the morepraiseworthy he is. If each one of us performs these three important mitzvot to the best--and even a little better than our ability--then very soon, G-d will fulfill His promise that "These days will be transformed into days of rejoicing and gladness," with the true and complete redemption through Moshiach. ******************** * MOSHIACH MATTERS * ******************** A person's spiritual labors should be imbued with a constant yearning for the Redemption. Our Sages taught, "What is the light that the House of Israel is awaiting? It is the light of Moshiach." Thus, too, they taught, "When a man is led into the Heavenly Court he is asked, "...Did you yearn for the Redemption?" So, since one is obliged to serve G-d constantly, all day long, it is clear that this hopeful anticipation should likewise be constant, all day long. The Rebbe ============================================================= = End of Text: Living With Moshiach, Parshat Vayigash, 5755 = =============================================================