"LIVING WITH MOSHIACH,"
Parshat Shemot, 5763
Tevet 22, 5763
Dec. 27, 2002
Visit TruePeace.org
Dedicated to educating the public regarding the
current situation in Israel, based on Torah
sources, with special emphasis on the opinion
and teachings of the Lubavitcher Rebbe
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
NOTE:
The Table of Contents contains links to the text. Click on an entry
in the Table of Contents and you will move to the information selected.
"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
THIS PUBLICATION IS DEDICATED
TO THE REBBE,
RABBI MENACHEM M. SCHNEERSON
OF LUBAVITCH
Click here, to see pictures
of the Rebbe
The Daily Sicha (in Real Audio)
- Listen to selected excerpts of the Rebbe's Sichos
[talks] which are relevant to the particular day.
We are pleased to present, to the visually impaired and the blind, our weekly
publication, Living With Moshiach.
*
In this week's issue, we focus on Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi, whose
yahrtzeit is next Sunday, 24 Tevet, Dec. 29.
*
On a personal note:
Next Monday, the 25th of Tevet, Dec. 30, is the 65th yahrtzeit
of my grandfather, Rabbi Yitzchok Elchonon Halevi Shagalov, who literally
gave his life to spread Yiddishkeit in Russia. Therefore, in his memory,
we also present a famous incident in his life.
*
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
11 Tevet, 5763
Brooklyn, New York
Parshat Shemot
This week we commence the Book of Exodus (Shemot), which begins: "These
are the names of the Children of Israel who came to Egypt."
This is not the first time the Torah enumerates the names of the Children
of Israel. The sons of Jacob have already been tallied several times in previous
chapters. Why, then, does the Torah list their names again?
The Midrash offers two explanations:
Even though they were in exile, the Jewish people did not change their names
for Egyptian ones.
The Jewish people are likened to the stars, about which it states, "He [G-d]
counts the number of stars; each one He calls by name." Aside from denoting
preciousness and value, once something has been counted it can never afterward
be nullified.
Chasidic philosophy explains that a person's name relates to his most external
aspects rather than his innermost being. (The reason a person has a name
is so that others can call him by it; he himself, however, does not really
need a name.)
To a certain extent, this describes the Jewish soul after it descends into
the physical world and is invested in a body. However, not all of the soul
comes down into the physical world: its essence always remains above, united
with G-d, while only its external reflection descends to the physical plane.
This is alluded to in the verse "And these are the names of the Children
of Israel who came to Egypt." The Hebrew name for Egypt, Mitzrayim,
comes from the word meaning constriction and limitation. Only the "name"
of the Jewish soul, its outermost reflection, is subjected to the limitations
of the physical world and the difficulties of the exile. The soul itself,
however, remains unaffected and in full possession of all its powers.
The Jewish soul has never gone into exile. It is not contained or restricted
in any way by the physical world, and its essence is always "free." Thus
it is a perpetual source of strength for its reflection down below, enabling
a Jew to overcome spiritual obstacles and cleave to G-d in all circumstances
and situations.
It was this strength that empowered the Jewish people throughout their years
in Egyptian exile, allowing them to remain faithful to their beliefs and
retain their original Jewish names. Indeed, this is the connection between
the two explanations in the Midrash: the Children of Israel were able
to "stay Jewish" in Egypt precisely because the essence of the soul never
goes into exile -- a lesson that applies to our day as well.
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.
Next Sunday, Chof Daled (the 24th day of) Tevet, Dec. 29, is
the yahrtzeit of the Alter Rebbe, Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi,
the first Rebbe of Chabad-Lubavitch and the founder of Chabad Chasidic
philosophy and the Chabad-Lubavitch dynasty.
The Alter Rebbe opened a new path that allowed the teaching of the
previously hidden aspects of the Torah -- P'nimiyus HaTorah -- to
be grasped through the intellect and thus reveal additional G-dliness within
the world.
But the Alter Rebbe was not only a master in the area of the more
esoteric aspects of the Torah. Even as a child he was considered a great
scholar of the revealed parts of the Torah -- nigle d'Torah -- as
well.
This quality of the Alter Rebbe is alluded to in his name,
Shneur, which can be broken up into two Hebrew words, "Shnei"
and "ohr" which mean "two lights." The Alter Rebbe illuminated
the world with his greatness in the two lights of the Torah.
In the Alter Rebbe's magnum opus, Tanya, he writes: "The Messianic
Era...is the fulfillment and culmination of the creation of the world, for
which purpose it was originally created." This means that our spiritual service
will reach its full completion only with the fulfillment and culmination
of the entire creation that will take place when Moshiach is revealed.
The entire purpose, in fact, of the revelation of chasidic philosophy is
to hasten and prepare the world for the Messianic Era.
Thus, when each one of us studies Chasidus, whether the more sublime
aspects or the most esoteric concepts, we prepare ourselves and the world
around us for Moshiach.
* * *
The Alter Rebbe's works incorporated the whole spectrum of Jewish
thought. The philosophical system he created is a synthesis of the mystical
and revealed aspects of Judaism. But the Alter Rebbe was not merely
a cold, analytic scholar, as the following story reveals:
Once, Rabbi Dov Ber, the Alter Rebbe's son, was studying late at night,
his infant son in a cradle nearby. Rabbi Dov Ber was so immersed in his studies
that when the baby fell out of the cradle he did not hear the child cry.
The Alter Rebbe was also studying in another part of the house. But
he heard his grandson's cry and quickly went to pick him up.
"You must always hear the cry of a child," the Alter Rebbe rebuked
his son.
This simple admonition is like the rallying cry of all of the Alter
Rebbe's descendants and followers since then. The Alter Rebbe devoted
his life to hearing the cry of every child -- regardless of his chronological
age. Indeed, within each one of us there is a child crying out to his Father
in Heaven, waiting to be picked up and brought close. The Alter Rebbe's
teachings, especially his main work, the Tanya, were written to help
enable one to achieve that very closeness.
21 Tevet, 5720/1960
To all participants in the Annual Dinner of the United Lubavitcher
Yeshivos "Tomchei-T'mimim":
This year's Annual Dinner takes place on the auspicious day of the 24th of
Tevet, the yahrtzeit of the Alter Rebbe, author of the
Tanya and Shulchan Aruch (Code of Jewish Law) and founder of
Chabad Chasidus.
* * *
A Yahrtzeit is the annual remembrance of the last day of life on this
earth for a Jewish neshama (soul), and of its return to its Creator.
This day marks the summation of the whole span of life, the conclusion of
the soul's mission on earth.
Like all remembrances in Jewish life to which the Torah calls attention,
a yahrtzeit is not just a reminder that is to remain in the realm
of memory.
It recalls and demands practical deeds in the spirit of the soul's mission
of the person whose yahrtzeit is commemorated, and by means of such
practical deeds in that spirit one becomes part and parcel of the creativity
and eternity of that person.
According to the explanation of my venerated father-in-law and of his father,
of saintly memory, the inner aspect of the soul's mission and of the life
and work of the Alter Rebbe -- as reflected also in his name, Shneur
(shnei-ohr, meaning "two lights"), two lights united together in one
word -- was to fuse together the two Divine lights, the revealed light of
the Torah (Nigleh she'b'Torah) and the hidden inner light of the Torah
(Nistar she'b'Torah), in such a way that the innermost should permeate,
irradiate and shine forth through the outer (revealed) light, resulting in
a whole and complete Torah -- Torah T'mima.
And, as explained in the Zohar, this is also the means whereby, in
the same way, the innermost aspect of the soul is merged with its outer aspect
-- the revealed part of the Jewish soul with its inner nekudas haYahadus
(Divine spark).
Such is also the inner purpose of the Yeshivos "Tomchei T'mimim"
Lubavitch, namely, that the students should become t'mimim (whole
and complete) in the spirit of Torah T'mima, as defined and expounded
upon by the Alter Rebbe, whose yahrtzeit is commemorated today.
* * *
All those who adequately participate in the Annual Dinner of the United
Yeshivos Tomchei T'mimim on this auspicious day of the 24th
of Tevet, including those who were unable to participate in person
but take an adequate share in the supporting and strengthening of the Lubavitcher
Yeshivos, thereby contribute and become an integral part of the creative
deeds and accomplishments of the one whose yahrtzeit is being
commemorated.
May G-d grant that such participation be in a growing measure, with a steadily
rising vitality and devotion.
And the zechut [merit] of the Baal-ha-Yahrtzeit, the
Alter Rebbe, will surely stand you all in good stead, men and women,
who take an active share in the support and expansion of the Yeshivos
Tomchei T'mimim, which are conducted in his spirit and with his system,
and will bring you Divine blessings in all your needs, both material and
spiritual, which go hand in hand together.
Next Sunday, 24 Tevet, Dec. 29, is the yahrtzeit of the first
Rebbe of Chabad-Lubavitch, Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi. We would like to
share with you just a few of the hundreds of references to and explanations
about Moshiach, the exile and redemption, that Rabbi Shneur Zalman made in
his numerous scholarly works.
*
"In the days of the Holy Temple, the Children of Israel were by their very
nature drawn by a genuine yearning towards the service of G-d; for them the
demands of this world were a matter of necessity, to be dispensed with
off-handedly, and without ardor. In the time of exile the opposite is true:
A man is drawn by nature to his bodily needs and to this-worldly matters,
while his divine service and his love of G-d are earned at the expense of
considerable toil."
Likutei Torah
*
"The time of exile has been likened to a dream. For so it is written, "When
G-d will return the exiles of Zion, we will have been like dreamers." A dream
can fuse two opposites. In the present time of exile likewise, a person can
be a paradox. While he is at prayer he is aroused to a love of G-d; when
his prayers are over, this love has vanished: he is preoccupied all day with
his business affairs, and gives priority to his bodily needs."
Torah Or
*
"Fulfilling mitzvot during the time of exile is like sowing seeds.
A seed planted in the ground sprouts into a harvest that far exceeds its
beginnings. So, too, by fulfilling mitzvot, one "sows" and increases
the lights Above, in the Supernal "Land," and the harvest will "sprout" in
future time. Moreover, the longer a seed remains in the ground, the richer
will be the yield. So, too, the longer this exile is extended, the more intense
will be the revelation in time to come."
Likutei Torah
*
"It is well known that the Messianic Era, and especially the time of the
Resurrection of the Dead, is the fulfillment and culmination of the creation
of the world, for which purpose it was originally created.... This culminating
fulfillment of the Messianic Era and of the Resurrection of the Dead, depends
on our actions and service throughout the duration of the exile."
Tanya
In 1812, Napoleon invaded Russia, and the route of the invasion led through
White Russia. The Alter Rebbe, Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi, leader
of the chassidic movement in White Russia, who had twice been accused of
high treason, turned out to be a most loyal patriot. Although the French
conqueror was hailed in some religious Jewish quarters as the harbinger of
a new era of political and economic freedom, the Alter Rebbe saw in
Napoleon a threat to basic religious principles and spiritual values.
The Alter Rebbe had nothing but contempt for the man whose arrogance
and lust for power knew no bounds, and who represented to the Chabad leader
the antithesis of humility and holiness. The Alter Rebbe urged his
numerous followers to help the Russian war effort against the invaders in
every possible way. With the aid of his followers behind the enemy lines,
some of whom were employed by the French Military Command, the Alter
Rebbe was also able to render valuable intelligence service to the Russian
generals at the front.
When the French armies approached Liadi, the Russian generals advised the
Alter Rebbe to flee. In August (1812) the Alter Rebbe hastily
left Liadi, and fled with his family towards Smolensk. For some five months
the Alter Rebbe and his family suffered the hardships and perils of
the road and of an unusually inclement winter, until they reached a village
in the district of Kursk. Here the Alter Rebbe succumbed to a severe
illness in the final stages of the harrowing journey, and passed away at
the age of 68.
Traditions and records preserved in the family of the Alter Rebbe
provide interesting details in connection with the Alter Rebbe's last
and fateful journey. From an account by Rabbi Nachum, grandson of the
Alter Rebbe, relating his personal experiences, we learn the following
details:
It was on Friday, the 29th of Av, that the Alter Rebbe fled
from Liadi on the advice of the generals commanding the Russian armies in
that area. Sixty wagons were put at his disposal, but they were not enough,
and many had to walk on foot. A number of armed troops were assigned to accompany
and protect the caravan. In view of the rapid advance of the French army,
the generals suggested that the best route for the flight of the Alter
Rebbe would be through the town of Bayev. But the Alter Rebbe decided
to head for Krasna, urging the caravan to make the utmost haste, in order
to cross the river Dnieper at the earliest possible time.
After covering a distance of about two miles, the Alter Rebbe suddenly
requested the accompanying troops to let him go back to Liadi. Arriving at
his deserted house, he ordered his men to search the house carefully to make
sure that nothing whatever, however trivial, had been overlooked. The only
things found were a pair of worn-out slippers, a rolling pin and a sieve,
which had been left in the attic. He ordered these to be taken along, and
to set the house on fire before the enemy arrived. Then he blessed those
of the townspeople who remained in the town, and speedily departed again.
No sooner had he left the town on the road leading to the Dnieper than the
avant-coureur of Napoleon's army reached the town from the opposite
end. Presently, Napoleon himself with his entourage entered the town on their
galloping steeds. Napoleon inquired after the house of the Alter Rebbe,
but when he reached it, he found it ablaze, the fire burning beyond control.
Napoleon wished to have something that belonged to the Alter Rebbe
and offered a rich reward to anyone who could bring him
anything.(1) But nothing was there.
During all his long and arduous journey the Alter Rebbe kept in touch
with the situation of Russian Jewry caught in the gigantic Franco-Russian
war. At that time the invading armies plundered everything they could lay
their hands on. Starvation and ruination were the order of the day, and the
Alter Rebbe's heart went out to his suffering brethren, who were the
most hard-hit victims of the invasion.
The Alter Rebbe had foreseen Napoleon's invasion of Moscow as well
as his defeat there. He also predicted that Napoleon's final defeat would
be at the hands of his own compatriots. At the same time he knew that the
retreating French armies, starving and desperate, would plunder the Jewish
communities that lay in their path. Arriving in Piena, the Alter Rebbe
embarked upon a relief campaign to aid the Jewish victims of the war, including
resettlement plans, fund raising, and relief distribution. For ten days after
his arrival in Piena the Alter Rebbe worked feverishly on his plans
and projects to alleviate the plight of his brethren. Then, he fell ill,
his condition worsening day to day. At the conclusion of Shabbat
Parshat Shemot, after reciting the Maariv (evening prayer)
and Havdalah, he composed a letter full of mystical allusions, and
a few minutes later he returned his soul to his Maker.
_______________
1. It seems that Napoleon practiced some sort of sorcery for which such an
object was required. Ed.
The following is a true story related by a Russian Jewish woman who was
present at the court case described below:
In 1924, the Russian masses, most of whom had been fervently religious before
the Revolution of 1917, were in the process of being weaned away from their
religion. But, there were many -- even Communist party members -- who remained
faithful to their religions. Many Jews retained outward appearances to show
that they were good Communists, but deep within them burned the eternal Jewish
spark.
One such man created a sensation in Gomel. Soon after his wife gave birth
to their first child, a son, he said that he was suing for divorce. The reason:
his wife had the baby circumcised!
The Communists had a chance to display to Gomel's Jewish population how a
young man was prepared to sacrifice family ties for his party. They immediately
planned a public trial. The trial was well publicized and when the day arrived
the galleries were filled to overflow.
The judge, who was himself Jewish, called the husband first. "Tell me, Comrade,
are you a loyal party member?" he asked.
"I am indeed." And the husband described his important post in the governmental
hierarchy.
"Until now, have you loved your wife? Have you been on good terms?" asked
the judge.
The husband answered in the affirmative.
"What then, Comrade, has happened that you wish to divorce her?" the judge
asked.
"Comrade Judge, my wife gave birth to a son. I looked forward to bringing
him up as a true Communist. One day, I came home and to my utter consternation
found that he had been circumcised! Was I supposed to stand guard all day,
neglecting my important work for the advancement of communism? I hold her
responsible!" the husband said emotionally.
"Let the wife step forward," the judge ordered. "Comrade, are you guilty
of perpetrating this heinous crime?"
"Comrade Judge," she wept, "it isn't true. He won't listen to me. We live
in a single, rented room in someone else's house. One day I had to go shopping
for food and I left my baby sleeping in his crib. I made sure to lock the
door before I left. It took me longer than I expected. Just imagine how
frightened I was when I found the door of our room wide open! I looked around
and saw that nothing had been touched. But suddenly, I realized that my baby
was gone!
"There was no one else in the house, no one to ask, no sign of any theft.
I ran out into the street like a madwoman when I suddenly saw my parents
and my husband's parents. Imagine my relief when I noticed my mother carrying
the baby. She tried to calm me; they had just taken the baby for a walk,
she told me.
"I believed them. But when I brought him home and changed his diaper I had
a fit. How could my parents do this to me?" she screamed.
"Terrible," the judge shook his head. "Unbelievable that in the modern Soviet
Republic these religious practices still exist. Let the child's grandparents
come forward."
All four grandparents stood together. Both grandfathers had gray beards and
wore long black coats. The grandmothers' heads were covered with kerchiefs.
One of the grandmothers, who knew a little more Russian than the others,
spoke for them all.
"Honorable Comrade, I admit that I can't see what's wrong with our grandchild
having a bris like all Jewish boys. But you should know that we didn't
mean to do it. It just happened."
The public galleries reverberated with howls of laughter. The judge called
for silence and asked sarcastically. "How, Babushka, does a circumcision
just happen?"
"We took our little grandson out for some fresh air. We came to streets where
we hardly ever go. Suddenly a young rabbi walked over to us, whom we never
saw before and asked, 'Do you want your grandson to have a bris like
every Jewish boy?' 'Of course,' we answered. So he quickly took out a knife
and before we knew what was happening our grandson had a bris!"
The gales of laughter from the galleries couldn't be contained.
"Babushka, have you finished your ridiculous story?" asked the judge.
"I have told you all," said the grandmother. "But I want you to know that
I am very happy."
"Happy?" roared the judge. "About what?"
"Happy that our dear little grandson had a bris. Just like you, your
honor! Aren't you proud to be a Jew?"
Try as he might, the judge could do nothing to stop the titters and snickers.
Eventually the courtroom was brought to order. The husband was called back
to the witness stand.
"Tell me, Comrade, hero of communism, if not for this most unfortunate affair,
is there any other reason you have for divorcing your wife?"
"No, Comrade Judge, none whatsoever."
"If I tell you that she is not guilty, will you consider returning to her?"
"Of course, Comrade," said the husband.
"Then, here is the decision. Your wife is innocent. It is entirely the fault
of the grandparents who persist in observing these religious practices. They
will be fined 50 rubles. This is the decision of the Soviet Court of Gomel."
As the spectators filed out of court, they couldn't help but admire the ingenious
plan of the young party-member and his wife to have their son circumcised
while still retaining his high-ranking job and party membership.
The bizarre story about the stranger was, of course, to protect the
mohel's identity. But, it was no secret to anyone; everyone knew the
one mohel left in the city, Rabbi Yitzchok Elchonon Halevi Shagalov,
a young rabbi who had studied for ten years in the famous yeshiva
in Lubavitch, and was one of the chasidim left in Russia by the Previous
Rebbe to continue with Lubavitcher activities at great personal sacrifice.
* * *
In the early hours of the morning, on the 4th of Tishrei, 5698 (September
9, 1937), while still up and learning Chasidus, as was his nightly
custom, Rabbi Yitzchok Elchonon Halevi Shagalov was arrested for spreading
Yiddishkeit in Russia and shot to death (at the age of forty) in prison
less than five months later, on the 25th of Tevet, 5698 (December
29, 1937).
In 1953, his wife Rebbetzin Shagalov, may she live and be well, settled in
Crown Heights, Brooklyn, New York. With the Al-mighty's blessings, she is
enjoying the blessings of many descendants (including a number of
great-great-grandchildren), all of them Lubavitcher chasidim, and
many of them emissaries of the Rebbe on all five continents!
The Rebbe's slogan is: "The main thing is the deed." We therefore present
from the Rebbe's talks suggestions what we can do to complete his work of
bringing the Redemption.
Study Tanya:
The book Tanya, the basic work of Chabad Chasidic philosophy, is based
on the Torah verse, "It [the full scope of Torah] is very close to you."
The yahrtzeit of the Tanya's author, the Alter Rebbe,
on the 24th of Tevet, should inspire us to establish fixed programs
of study that focus on this fundamental work of Chabad Chasidic philosophy.
As it is divided into 53 chapters, corresponding to the 53 Torah portions,
chasidim of old customarily studied one chapter each week. The Previous
Rebbe divided the Tanya into daily portions and instituted its daily
study, and the Rebbe has repeatedly encouraged this study.
*
One can study over the phone via pre-taped classes by calling (718) 953-6100,
or via the Internet, at:
http://www.lchaimweekly.org (except
on Shabbat or Yom Tov), or attend a class at your local
Chabad-Lubavitch Center.
The daily portion of Tanya is also available electronically via the
Internet.
To subscribe, go to:
http://www.lchaimweekly.org/general/subscribe.html
Jewish Women and Girls Light Shabbat
Candles
For local candle lighting times:
consult your local Rabbi, Chabad-Lubavitch Center, or call: (718) 774-3000.
or:
http://www.candlelightingtimes.org/shabbos
For a free candle lighting kit:
contact your local Chabad-Lubavitch Center.
For a listing of the Centers in your area:
http://www.candlelightingtimes.org/general/shluchim.html.
In the USA, call: 1-800-Lubavitch (1-800-582-2848).
Times shown are for Metro NY - NJ
Friday, Dec. 27, Erev Shabbat Parshat Shemot:
-
Light Shabbat Candles,(2) by 4:17 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 28, Shabbat Parshat Shemot:
-
Blessing of the New Month, Shevat.(3)
-
Shabbat ends at nightfall, at 5:22 p.m.
_______________
2. The Shabbat candles must be lit 18 minutes before
sunset. It is prohibited and is a desecration of the Shabbat
to light the candles after sunset.
3. Rosh Chodesh Shevat is on Shabbat Parshat Va'eira, Saturday
Jan. 4.
Laws of Shabbat Candle
Lighting for the Blind
Shabbat Candle
Lighting Blessing
"Let There Be
Light" - The Jewish Women's Guide to Lighting Shabbat Candles.
Back to "Living With Moshiach"
Home Page
 |
