LIVING WITH MOSHIACH, Parshat Vayigash, 5756 B"H LIVING WITH MOSHIACH Weekly Digest About Moshiach PARSHAT VAYIGASH Tevet 6, 5756 Dec. 29, 1995 * Published Weekly By Lubavitch Shluchim Conferences On The Moshiach Campaign, Committee For The Blind * * * 5756 *********************************************** * 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 Didan Natzach The Tenth of Tevet In View of the Situation in Israel Please Tell Me What the Rebbe Said A Call to Action **************** * INTRODUCTION * **************** We are pleased to present, to the visually impaired and the blind, 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, and to the publishers of Sichos In English, 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 25 Kislev, 5756 Brooklyn, New York ***************************************** * THE WEEKLY TORAH PORTION * * Adapted from the Works of the Rebbe * ***************************************** Parshat Vayigash This week's Torah portion, Vayigash, contains the verse, "And [Jacob] sent Judah...before him to Goshen--l'horot--to make preparations." According to the foremost commentaries, Judah was sent to establish a yeshivah. (L'horot is from the same root as hora'a, which means "instruction.") When G-d told Jacob to go to Egypt, Jacob first ensured the presence of yeshivot. G-d promised Jacob He would be with him in the Egyptian exile. Yet, only once the yeshivot were established did Jacob bring his family with him to Egypt, for Jewish education is the foundation and mainstay of Judaism. In all times and places where Jews lived, even in the terribly harsh exile of Egypt, there were centers where Torah was studied, for Torah study is the life of the Jewish people. The Egyptian exile was the most severe of all exiles, including the present one, for several reasons. However, regardless of all the difficulties, Jews were never without yeshivot. The Torah is not a history text-book. Every subject and episode, every letter of the Torah, offers direction for all times and places. Some people claim that this is not the time to be sending children to Jewish day schools; today, afternoon Hebrew schools or Sunday schools are sufficient. The Egyptian exile and this week's Torah portion thus instruct us: Conditions in Egypt were far more difficult than those at present, but were disregarded and Torah was studied. They disregarded not only the severe physical conditions of the exile, they also dismissed the fact that, because the Torah had not yet been given collectively to all the Jewish people on Mount Sinai, they were not capable of reaching the tremendous heights to which we can aspire today. All of the above applies, too, to the question of support for Jewish education. There are those who claim that financial conditions are worse than ever. When conditions improve, they will support Jewish education and maybe even have the "self-sacrifice" to send their own children to a yeshivah. We must all remember, in Egypt the exile was far worse. There, our ancestors did not have even stubble for bricks and had to wander through a foreign land to search for it while Pharaoh's taskmasters stood over them, lashing out with their whips. They had no straw, but they had a proper Jewish education! ************************ * 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 GRANDPARENTS, * * * * Reb Shmuel Pesach Ben Reb Yaakov Dovid * * Passed away on 3 Tishrei, 5755 * * * * Mrs. Fraidel Chedvah Bas Reb Zev Wolf * * Passed away on 4 Adar II, 5755 * * Pais * ********************************************* ***************** * DIDAN NATZACH * ***************** Thursday, the fifth of Tevet (Dec. 28), is a day of celebration and rejoicing known as "Didan Natzach"--"Victory is Ours." It is the day, in 1987, when Federal Court Judge Charles Sifton rendered his legal decision on the ownership of the enormous and valuable library of the Previous Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Schneersohn. For three weeks during the previous winter, the judge had listened to testimony concerning whether the Previous Rebbe's library was a personal possession, subject to the laws of inheritances, or if it was the possession of "Chabad." Judge Sifton was tremendously influenced by the statement of Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka, of blessed memory, daughter of the Previous Rebbe and the Rebbe's wife, that "My father belonged to the chassidim just as the books belong to the chassidim." There was great rejoicing on the day of the verdict, lasting for seven days. Each evening the Rebbe spoke publicly and expounded on the spiritual ramifications of the victory. In one of these talks, the Rebbe said: "At the time of his imprisonment and redemption, the Alter Rebbe (Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi) found a Divine lesson in everything that had occurred. One of his conclusions was the need to increase with renewed vigor and strength the dissemination of chassidic philosophy. The eternal Divine connection [of the Alter Rebbe's imprisonment and subsequent release] to this event is obvious. Thus, especially because the charge was brought against Agudas Chasidei Chabad as a living and vital organization, we must strengthen even more the dissemination of the teachings of our Rebbes, learning them privately and in groups amidst great joy and enthusiasm, joy that breaks all boundaries...." May we witness the ultimate breaching of limitations with the end of the exile and the ultimate joy of being united as one in the true and complete Redemption. ********************** * THE TENTH OF TEVET * ********************** = 1 = The Tenth of Tevet, which occurs this year on Tuesday, January 2, is a fast day. It commemorates the beginning of the siege of Jerusalem by King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, which ultimately resulted in the destruction of the First Holy Temple. The strength--both of the obligation to fast and its positive influences--of the Tenth of Tevet stems from the fact that it commemorates the first of the tragedies associated with the destruction of the Beis HaMikdash. Thus, this date begins the process of destruction. It is well known that the beginning of any process contains more power than the subsequent stages and for this reason, there is added power to the Tenth of Tevet. The positive influences of the Tenth of Tevet are connected to the fact that a fast day is a "day of will" when our prayers and teshuvah are more willingly accepted by G-d. As we are taught that "the beginning is wedged in the end," and the ultimate "end" purpose of the destruction of the Holy Temples will be the rebuilding of the Third and Eternal Holy Temple, the Tenth of Tevet is an auspicious day to hasten the coming of the Redemption. Of course, our most fervent prayer is that the Tenth of Tevet not be a day of mourning, but be turned into a day of celebration and joy with the coming of Moshiach. Thus, by our immediate decision to increase our acts of goodness and kindness, our performance of mitzvot, study of Torah, and specifically the giving of charity, which brings the Redemption closer, we are showing G-d that our actions are in consonance with our heartfelt prayers. May the realization of those prayers happen in the immediate future. = 2 = There is a beautiful response from the Rebbe to a question from an individual living in Israel concerning 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. Each individual can make a special added effort on the Tenth of Tevet to increase in the areas of Torah study, prayer and charity. One can even repeat these three "pillars on which the world stands" numerous times throughout the day. In this way, every single Jew will have a great impact on himself and his surroundings. In the merit of each and every individual who makes this added effort, may G-d fulfill His promise that "These days will be transformed into days of rejoicing and gladness," with the true and complete redemption through Moshiach. ************************************** * IN VIEW OF THE SITUATION IN ISRAEL * * Adapted from a Letter of the Rebbe * ************************************** 5 Tevet, 5736/1976 In reply to your inquiry and request for instructions in connection with the forthcoming Fast of the Tenth of Tevet, in view of the situation in and around Israel-- You will surely be instructed by the rabbi of your congregation. However, since you have also approached me in this matter, I will set forth at least several suggestions--after the following introductory remarks: Regrettably, there are people who claim that it is necessary to think and act "big," in terms of global dimensions and stupendous undertakings, etc. Surely they mean well; and to the extent that such resolutions are practical and are actually carried out--they are very helpful in improving the situation. Yet, we must never overlook--indeed, rather greatly emphasize-- the so-called "small and unsophisticated" things that each modest congregation, moreover each individual, can and must do--beginning with the old, yet ever-new, Jewish way, collectively as one people and also as individuals. This is the action of "the voice is the voice of Jacob"--Torah and prayer--which G-d Himself has shown us to be the first effective action to nullify the power of "the hands of Esau"--in whatever shape or form they are raised against us. Certainly this should find the fullest expression in a day that the Shulchan Aruch (Code of Jewish Law) declares to be a day of fasting, one to which the prophet Isaiah refers as a "chosen fast...a fast and time favored by G-d." Now, in answer to your inquiry, and since the Fast of the Tenth of Tevet is specially connected with the Holy Land and the Holy City of Jerusalem (recalling the siege of Jerusalem), my suggestion --in addition to the regular "observances" on fast days, as set forth at length and in detail in Poskim [halachic adjudicators] and in books of Mussar and Chassidus---is as follows: During this day--expressly for the sake of the security and strengthening of the Holy Land, materially and spiritually, and for the material and spiritual benefit of all Jews wherever they are-- in the Holy Land as well as in the Diaspora--and particularly for the benefit of our brethren behind the "Iron Curtain"--a special effort should be made in the areas of Torah, prayer, and tzedakah (charity). Especially after prayer (both in the morning and at the afternoon service) one should learn (and where there already are daily study groups, to add) a subject in Torah, including final ruling of Jewish law. Immediately following the prayers, even before learning, one should say several chapters of Psalms (in addition to the regular portion). Before and after praying--one should give tzedakah (in addition to the regular donation), including tzedakah for a sacred cause or institution in the Holy Land, the "Land of Living." Needless to say, one who repeats the above again and again in the course of the day is to be praised. And the more one does it (in quantity and quality), the more praiseworthy it is. And, as in all matters of holiness, it is desirable that all the above be done b'tzibbur (with at least a minyan). May G-d accept, and He will accept, the prayers and supplications of Jews wherever they are. And soon, in our very own days, may the Promise be fulfilled that "These days will be transformed into days of rejoicing and gladness," with the true and complete Redemption through our righteous Moshiach. **************************************** * PLEASE TELL ME WHAT THE REBBE SAID * * Weekly Torah Insights For Children, * * Adapted from the Works of the Rebbe * **************************************** Parshat Vayigash Aryeh was very excited. His older brother Shmuel had been studying for a year in the Yeshivah Gedolah in Australia. He was now home for the yeshivah's short summer break. "I hope he'll wear his blue down coat so that I'll be able to pick him out in the crowd," said Aryeh to his sister Shirah on the way to the airport. "Of course he'll wear it--it's snowing outside," said Shirah. "But Shirah, it's summer in Australia. He may not have realized how cold it is here now!" As it turned out, Shmuel was wearing his blue down coat, but it didn't help much--Aryeh hardly recognized his older brother. "Have I changed that much?" asked Shmuel, giving Aryeh a hearty hug. Aryeh reached up to his brother's face. "Shmuel, you look very different. When you left for yeshivah, you hardly had a hair on your chin. Now you have a full beard!" Shmuel laughed. "Oh, this?" he asked stroking his beard. "Well, I guess that's what happens when you get older and wiser." "And when you stay away from home for a long time," added Shirah. "Hey, that reminds me of the Torah portion class this week. When Yosef's brothers stood before him in Pharaoh's palace, he recognized them but they did not recognize him. Rashi explains that when they sold him as a slave he was a teenager. Now he had a full beard which made him look much different." "A beard does make a person look different," agreed Aryeh. He thought for a moment. "But still, I'm surprised that he changed so much that Yosef's brothers could not recognize him, even after meeting and talking to him again and again. Even when Yehudah argued to save Benyamin, he did not think that he was talking to Yosef." "Chassidus can explain that," explained Shmuel. "You see, it was hard for you to recognize me because of my beard, still you knew I would look like a yeshivah bachur. But when the brothers came to Egypt and met a governor who was supplying food to all the hungry people and who was running the economic affairs of the country, it never occurred to them that he could possibly be Yosef. They thought Yosef would be concerned only with spiritual things. they could never imagine him being so involved with business. That's why they didn't recognize him. "But Yosef was on a higher level than his brothers. Yaakov Avinu had taught Yosef all of the Torah he knew. This helped Yosef live like a Torah Jew even though he lived among people who were far from G-d and the Torah. Even when he was involved in buying and selling, he knew that the Torah is what is most valuable." * * * G-d wants a Jew to be involved in this world, and to make it a place where G-d's presence is felt. We should follow Yosef's example. Even when Yosef was involved in business matters, his life was not separate from G-d and the Torah. ******************** * A CALL TO ACTION * ******************** The Rebbe's slogan is: "The main thing is the deed." Hence, we present suggestions from the Rebbe's talks of what we can do to complete the Rebbe's work of bringing the Redemption. THE FAST OF TEVET 10: "In addition to the regular observances of fast days... expressly for the sake of the security and strengthening of the Land of Israel, materially and spiritually...a special effort should be made in the area of Torah study, prayer and charity... specifically: to learn or add to one's learning after the morning and afternoon prayers; to say several chapters of Psalms after the prayers (even before study); to give charity before and after prayers, including charity for a sacred cause or institution in Israel. ============================================================= = End of Text: Living With Moshiach, Parshat Vayigash, 5756 = =============================================================