"LIVING WITH MOSHIACH,"
Parshat Emor, 5764
Iyar 16, 5764
May 7, 2004
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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, the 381st
issue of our weekly publication, Living With Moshiach.
*
In this week's issue we focus on:
1) Yud Gimel Iyar, the 13th of Iyar.
2) Pesach Sheni, the 14th of Iyar.
3) Lag B'Omer, the 18th of Iyar.
*
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 of blessed
memory, 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
14 Iyar, 5764
Los Angeles, California
In honor of
Rabbi & Mrs. Yosef Yitzchok and Gitel Rochel
Shagalov
On the occasion of our wedding,
Sunday, 13 Nissan, 5764
Parshat Emor
This week's Torah portion, Emor, speaks about the Divinely-ordained
weekly cycle, the fundamental clock by which Jewish life is lived and celebrated.
"Six days may work be done, and the seventh day is the Sabbath of rest."
Yet this reference to the observance of Shabbat contains an even deeper
significance.
Our Sages explain that just as the six workdays of the week serve as preparation
for the seventh day of rest, so, too, do the six thousand years of the world's
existence since creation serve as preparation for the Messianic Era, a period
of time that will commence before the seventh millennium.
(The final Redemption can come at any time; six thousand years is the maximum
foretold by the Torah.)
For almost six thousand years (5764, to be exact), the world has been involved
in an ongoing process of preparation, getting ready for the culmination of
the Divine plan.
Over the course of thousands of years, the learning of Torah and the observance
of mitzvot have purified and refined the world into a state of being
capable of absorbing the great revelation of G-dliness that will occur with
the final Redemption.
This pinnacle of human existence, the purpose for which the world was created,
has been termed by our Sages "the day which will be all Sabbath and rest
for life everlasting."
The biblical term, "Shabbat Shabbaton" (a Sabbath of rest), a repetition
of the same root word, alludes to the two levels of sanctity that exist on
Shabbat.
"Shabbat" refers to the actual cessation of labor; "Shabbaton"
implies the extra dimension of holiness felt on that day, the inner quietude
and sense of rest that reign independent of our actions.
"A day of rest and holiness You have given to Your people," we pray in the
Sabbath service.
As the verse implies, our enjoyment and appreciation of Shabbat are
dependent upon the energy we expend and the sincerity of our efforts during
the six days of the week that precede it.
This added measure of holiness on Shabbat is attained in the merit
of our labors and the good deeds we accomplish during this time.
This principle holds true on the larger scale as well.
We find ourselves now in the very last seconds of the exile, just moments
before the ultimate "Sabbath of rest" is about to begin.
For indeed, the six thousand years of service prior to Moshiach's arrival
have not only prepared the world for the first phase of the Messianic Era
-- when the age-old battle against evil will finally be won -- but have readied
the world for the extra dimension of holiness that will reign during the
Days of Moshiach, when evil will be totally subjugated to good and the "spirit
of uncleanliness" will have entirely disappeared from the face of the earth.
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 OUR DEAR FRIEND AND COPY EDITOR
Reb Mordechai ben Reb Shaul
Staiman
Passed away on 22 Tamuz, 5763
"People think," the Previous Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Schneersohn, explained,
"that the mitzvah of Ahavat Yisrael -- loving one's fellow
Jew, means that you love the other person as much as you love yourself. They
have it all wrong. It means loving yourself as much as you love the other
person!"
Long before modern psychology focused on self-esteem, Judaism taught the
importance of loving and accepting ourselves. For it is only when we love
ourselves that we can properly love our family, friends, co-workers, and
even the cashier with the attitude. (Loving ourselves does not mean being
egotists, nor does accepting ourselves mean allowing bad character traits
to remain unchecked or unchanged. But that's another article!)
How can we foster self-love? We can start by studying and internalizing the
first words that a Jewish child is taught. "Torah Tzivah -- the Torah
that Moses commanded to us is an eternal inheritance to the Jewish people."
We have been given a precious gift from G-d -- the Torah. The moral, ethical
and spiritual teachings flowing from the Torah are ours to dip into and relish.
We have the ability to grow and change by bringing these teachings into our
lives. They were tailor made for us by G-d, who loves every Jew as a parent
loves an only child born to him in his old age.
The Torah is eternal and its teachings are eternal; G-d's love for every
single Jew is also eternal. G-d loves us! Surely we can love ourselves!
From "Torah Tzivah" we go on to "Shema Yisrael -- Listen Jews,
the L-rd is our G-d, the L-rd is One." These words are not merely a declaration
of monotheism. They acknowledge that G-d is everywhere and affirm a basic
Jewish teaching that G-d is good. There is nothing disconnected from G-d
and everything G-d does is ultimately good. (We can hope, though, that the
"good" is something that we recognize and appreciate.)
Every Jewish teaching is a lesson in how to foster self-love. In Chapter
Three of Pirkei Avot -- Ethics of the Fathers, Rabbi Yishmael instructs
us to "Greet everyone with joy." Extrapolating from the Previous Rebbe's
words above, this means that we should greet ourselves with joy! When awakening
we should say "Good morning" to ourselves with gusto. If we "lose" it, once
we're back to normal, we should offer ourselves a hearty "Welcome back."
Loving ourselves has nothing to do with what we do, who we are, how much
money we make or how we look. It is loving what we are at our very core.
And essentially, we are all sparks of G-dliness, sparks of the same One G-d.
So when we love ourselves, we truly love everyone else.
Tuesday, Iyar 13 (May 4), is the 52nd yahrtzeit of
the Rebbe's youngest brother, Rabbi Yisroel Aryeh Leib.
The following is a brief biography, written by Rabbi Shimon Silman.
Rabbi Yisroel Aryeh Leib (known affectionately as "Reb Leibel") was a Torah
scholar of the highest caliber. He was a fascinating personality, totally
devoted to the study of Chasidus, which he learned with legendary
diligence.
As a young man, Reb Leibel was a member of the household of the Previous
Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Schneersohn, in Petersburg for several years.
He was very popular among the chasidim, who approached him with difficult
questions in Talmud and Chasidus. At that time he began studying
mathematics in the academies of Petersburg where he organized groups of Jewish
youth to learn Torah and observe mitzvot.
In the 1940s, Reb Leibel moved to Israel and married. He continued his research
of mathematics and spent long nights studying Chasidus.
In 1948 he accepted a position in the Department of Theoretical Physics of
the University of Liverpool in England. In this position he continued his
research in mathematics and theoretical physics until he passed away on 13
Iyar, 5712/1952. He is buried in Safed, Israel.
Pesach Sheni, means the "Second Passover," and is observed one month
after the first Passover.
Until the destruction of the Holy Temple, any Jew unable to bring the Passover
sacrifice on the 14th of Nissan -- either because he was ritually
impure, in a distant place, was prevented by unavoidable circumstances, or
even if he intentionally did not bring it -- could bring it on the 14th of
Iyar.
Pesach Sheni was instituted the year after the Jews left Egypt while
they were still in the desert. Before Passover of that year, G-d again commanded
our ancestors to bring the special Pascal sacrifice. However, some of the
Jews had become ritually impure in their desert travels and thus were not
permitted to bring the offering.
They protested and posed a question to Moses and Aaron, crying: "Why are
we kept back, that we may not offer the offering of the L-rd in its appointed
season among the children of Israel?" And G-d told Moses that all those who
were unable to bring the offering on Passover could bring it one month later.
This date became known as the Second Passover.
They could have left well enough alone. After all, our Sages have taught,
"If a person intended to perform a mitzvah and circumstances prevented
him from it, it is regarded as if he had performed it!" Since they were forcibly
kept from performing the mitzvah, they were still rightfully entitled
to its reward.
But that wasn't enough for them. And due to their protest and great desire
to fulfill this mitzvah to its fullest potential, they and all future
generations were rewarded with "Pesach Sheni."
The complaint of the Jews to Moses and Aaron, "Why are we kept back..." teaches
us an important lesson in how we are to approach those mitzvot that
we currently can not perform because we are still in exile.
Why, G-d, are we kept back from offering the sacrifices in their right time?
Why are we kept back from seeing Your glory revealed?
Why are we kept back from performing each mitzvah to its optimum,
as each mitzvah is incomplete while we are in exile?
Let us also not be content with the words of our Sages, that if we desire
to perform these mitzvot it is enough. Like the Jews in the desert,
let us rally together and cry out to G-d, "Why are we kept back...bring the
true and ultimate Redemption that You promised us!"
And may G-d immediately heed our heartfelt cries as He did those of our
ancestors!
Wednesday, Iyar 14 (May 5), is Pesach Sheni, the "Second Passover."
It is customary on Pesach Sheni to eat matzah (together with
bread), in commemoration of the day.
*
The Previous Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Schneersohn, wrote: "The theme of
Pesach Sheni is that it is never too late! It is always possible
to put things right. Even if one was ritually impure, or far away, and even
in a case when this impurity or distance was deliberate -- nonetheless it
can be corrected."
It's never too late! We can always make up for a past misdeed, omission
or failing through sincere desire and making amends.
It's never too late! What an inspiring and optimistic thought! There's
always a chance to improve, to become better, to learn and do.
This is truly a motto worth memorizing (and hanging on the refrigerator).
Rather than muttering about yourself or another person, "You can't teach
an old dog new tricks," realize that it's never too late.
You didn't put on tefillin yesterday? Today's a new day and it's never
too late.
You didn't light candles for Shabbat last Friday night? Do it this
week; it's never too late.
You never went to Hebrew school, so you can't read Hebrew? Enroll in an adult
education course; it's never too late.
You never knew that Judaism had so much to offer? Now that you know, do something
about it, because it's never too late!
From Pesach Sheini we learn that a Jew must never despair. No matter
how spiritually estranged from Judaism a Jew may be it is never too late;
G-d will always give him a "second chance." It is always possible to correct
past mistakes.
This also teaches how important it is to repeatedly implore G-d to bring
about the Final Redemption. The initiative must come from us. Again and again
we must beg Him until He relents and sends us Moshiach.
For when Jews ask, G-d heeds their request, and Moshiach will indeed arrive
speedily, in our time, and at once.
On the third day -- twice blessed with "It was good" -- of the weekly
portion of [Parshat Emor] Counting the Omer, 5735 [1975]
To the Sons and Daughters of Our People Israel, Everywhere
G-d bless you --
The auspicious day of Lag B'Omer is approaching, the day of Rabbi
Shimon Ben Yochai's [known as "Rashbi"] simchah [rejoicing];
the day of which it is said: "On this day it is a mitzvah to celebrate
Rashbi's simchah, and for those living in the Holy Land --
to go to his grave and rejoice there greatly."
This year [5735/1975] Lag B'Omer significantly occurs on (Tuesday)
the day on which the Creator expressed His special satisfaction by repeating
"It was good" twice -- an allusion to two "goods": good to Heaven and good
to the creatures.
It is, therefore, surely an auspicious time -- the day of Lag B'Omer
itself, as well as the days immediately preceding and following it, which
respectively serve as preparation for, and first-fruits of, Lag B'Omer
-- to rejoice greatly with the simchah of mitzvot, especially
mitzvot that combine both "goods," good to Heaven (man's duties to
G-d) and good to the creatures (man's duties to man). This includes, of course,
the mitzvah of encouraging Jews to do mitzvot (or do them more
devoutly), as this effort of spreading the observance of any mitzvah
is also an act of loving-kindness.
And since influence in this direction generally -- indeed, inevitably --
involves quoting words of Torah and instructing in the laws of the particular
mitzvah, it comes under the mitzvah of Torah-learning and
teachings.
Thus both -- the effort to encourage Jews to do mitzvot, and the manner
of this effort
-- are mitzvot of "good to the creatures."
Hence it is an opportune occasion to remind everyone, again and again, that
which has been urged for some time now, in regard to active promotion of
the observance of mitzvot. Indeed, in light of the relevancy to
Rashbi and Lag B'Omer, the special Mitzvah Campaigns
that have been stressed lately(1)assume an added significance,
as follows:
Torah Campaign -- since the Torah was the vocation of Rashbi
and his colleagues;
Tefillin Campaign -- concerning which it is said in Rashbi's
Book, the Zohar, that tefillin is a G-dly crown, and one who
adorns himself with this "Supernal Sacred Crown" is given the title of King
of the Earth, companion to the King in Heaven, the Holy One blessed be He.
Mezuzah Campaign -- the Zohar says: "When a person affixes
a mezuzah at the entrance to his house... he adorns himself with his
Master's crown and keeps evil things away from his door."
Tzeddakah Campaign -- of which it is said in the Zohar: "Whoever
shows heartfelt compassion for the poor... rules over all creatures of the
world."
House Filled with Sacred Books -- of Torah and Tefillah (Prayer)
-- of which it is said in the Zohar: "That studying Torah and worshipping
G-d, command everybody's respect and awe."
Candle-lighting to usher in the holy Shabbat -- of which Rashbi
declares that it is a sublime honor for her (who lights the candles)... to
be blessed with children... who will foster peace on earth, etc.
May G-d grant that through the said activities, in the spirit of all that
has been said above, and within the framework of commitment to Torah and
mitzvot in the daily life, beginning with the Torah Campaign (both
the Revealed and Inner Torah), thereby removing the cause of the protracted
Exile, namely, bitul Torah (neglect of Torah) -- we will see the
realization of "G-d is my King since the days of old, working salvation in
the midst of the earth."
And will soon merit the true and complete Redemption through the Melech
HaMoshiach.
Then it will come to pass that "None shall any more have to teach the other...
for all will know Me," as Rashbi explains, since everyone will be
filled with the spirit of wisdom and understanding, counsel and valor, knowledge
and fear of G-d.
_______________
1. In subsequent years the Rebbe added the following Mitzvah
Campaigns: Family Purity and Kashrut, in 1975; Love
of a Fellow Jew and Jewish Education for Children, in 1976;
Letter in a Torah Scroll, in 1981; Study of Maimonides' Mishneh
Torah, in 1984; and Intensification of the Moshiach Campaign,
in 1991. Ed.
Sunday, Iyar 18 (May 9), is Lag B'Omer. Lag B'Omer is
the 33rd (lamed-gimel, hence lag in Hebrew) day of the
Omer period (between Passover and Shavuot), is the anniversary
of the passing -- yahrtzeit -- of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai (commonly
known by the acronym of his name, Rashbi), author of the Zohar.
Rashbi lived in the 2nd century b.c.e. He openly criticized the Roman
government and was forced to go into hiding. He and his son hid in a cave
and immersed themselves in Torah. Emerging after 13 years he founded an academy
in the Gallilee. His esoteric teachings were recorded by his disciples in
the Zohar, the most fundamental work of Kabbalah. On his
yahtrzeit on Lag B'Omer, tens of thousands gather at his tomb
in Meron, in northern Gallilee.
*
Before his death, Rashbi instructed his students to rejoice on the
day of his yahrtzeit. The Holy Ari, Rabbi Yitzchok Luria -- one of
the greatest scholars in the mystical aspects of the Torah -- taught the
great virtue of rejoicing on that day. Later the Baal Shem Tov and
his followers strengthened the custom of rejoicing on the yahrtzeit.
*
According to tradition, rainbows (a symbol of G-d's promise to never send
another flood) were not seen while Rashbi was alive because his merit
alone was enough to protect the world against the calamity of a flood. Since
"rainbow" and "bow" are both called keshet in Hebrew, the custom developed
for children to play with bows and arrows on Lag B'Omer.
"It is recorded in the holy Zohar that Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai was
told, "With your book [the Zohar] the Jewish people will go out of
exile with mercy." This means that by studying the Zohar, along with
the explanations of Chasidus, we will merit the true and final Redemption,
very very soon."
(The Rebbe in a talk at the Lag B'Omer Parade, 5750)
As in previous years, parades and outdoor events in honor of Lag B'Omer
will take place on Sunday, Iyar 18 (May 9), around the world. Organized
by local Chabad-Lubavitch Centers, programs usually include live family
entertainment, bonfires and an all-around good time for all.
For a Lag B'Omer program in your area, contact your local
Chabad-Lubavitch Center.
Lag B'Omer is a day of rejoicing and festivity. It is the anniversary
of the passing of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, author of the Zohar, who
proclaimed the day of his passing as a day of celebration.
The celebration of Lag B'Omer has an effect on the entire world, even
non-Jews, as Rabbi Shimon stated: "I can free the entire world from judgment..."
-- "the entire world" includes non-Jews as well. He was able to do
this because, as Chasidus teaches, Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai was one
of those unique individuals who were actually above the exile, and immune
to it; G-dliness was not hidden from him, but rather, was fully revealed.
Thus, Rabbi Shimon was able to see the G-dliness and intrinsic worth of every
Jew, and for that matter, every created thing, and was therefore able to
find merit for its existence.
This is part of the task of each and every one of us in these last moments
of exile. It is also the first stage in the G-dly revelation necessary to
completely transform exile into Redemption.
The first stage is to reveal within the world that G-d is its Master. Since
the world itself conceals the G-dliness within it (the word 'olam'
-- world -- relates to 'helam,' concealment), a Jew must serve G-d
in a way that reveals that everything within the world has G-dliness within
it.
We must use everything in our world for its ultimate G-dly purpose, whether
that be receiving Torah thoughts over the fax machine or enhancing our Jewish
education via e-mail or jogging with a walkman that is playing a Torah tape.
The unique quality of our generation is that we have not only been given
the wherewithal to make giant leaps forward in the area of technology, but
that almost concurrently, we have devised Jewish applications for those
technological breakthroughs.
May we begin revealing the G-dliness inherent in our lives, thus preparing
ourselves for and hastening the total revelation of G-dliness with the revelation
of Moshiach, NOW!
Respect. Self-respect. Respect for other people. Respect for other's property
and opinions.
Respect never goes out of style, it's always politically correct, and it
does not become obsolete as technology catapults us toward the next millennium.
The revered and venerated Sage, Rabbi Akiva, is renown for his teaching,
"Love your fellow as yourself. This is a great principle of the Torah." A
lesser known teaching of his is: "Beloved is a person, for he was created
in the image of G-d..." Keeping this second teaching in mind can help one
act on the first teaching; when we remember that every person is a Divine
creation can we do anything less than respect him or her?
* * *
On Sunday, Iyar 18 (May 9), we celebrate the special day of Lag
B'Omer. One of the events commemorated on Lag B'Omer is the suspension
of a plague that had been afflicting the students of Rabbi Akiva. The plague,
we are told, was caused by the students not displaying enough respect for
one another.
A disciple is one who follows in the ways of his teacher. Is it possible
that disciples of one whose entire life was consumed by the axiom, "Love
your fellow as yourself" -- so much so that this teaching is synonymous with
the name "Rabbi Akiva" -- did not display enough respect for each other?
An amazing insight of the Rebbe on this question is as follows:
Each of Rabbi Akiva's 24,000 students was so infused with love for his fellow
that this love was all-consuming. He was not able to give his colleague "space."
He loved his friend so much that he wanted to not only share his insights,
opinions and interpretations, but also to convince his peer of their validity
until the peer adopted them as his own.
Remember, we're not talking about a person who is opinionated, arrogant,
narcissistic, or condescending. We are talking about someone who loves the
other person so much that he wants the other person to share his Truth
(with a capital "T").
And this is where the hint of a suggestion of a lack of respect comes in.
Respect includes giving another person space. It means allowing for divergent
opinions. It acknowledges that G-d created every person differently for a
reason. Yes, we can learn to harmonize, modify, accommodate, adapt, perfect.
But we cannot expect to become the same, otherwise G-d would have created
us that way.
* * *
Most of us don't have to worry that our lack of respect for another is caused
by such an all-encompassing love. We're still working on the regular,
run-of-the-mill respect.
The way to encourage such respect is to begin looking at our fellow person
as one who is created in the image of G-d.
The(2) outer yard surrounding the room where the graves
of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai and his son were buried was jammed with Jews from
all over Israel. They had come to Meron on Lag B'Omer -- the
yahrtzeit of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai and the 33rd day of the counting
of the omer with their whole family. Today, they would cut their
three-year-old sons' long hair for the first time -- leaving only the side-locks.
The voices of thousands of Jews could be heard as they recited Psalms. There
were Jews of all types, whose ancestors came from all over the world. All
were praying and begging G-d to help them raise their children in Torah and
good deeds in the merit of Rabbi Shimon.
It was already after midday on Friday and time to get ready for
Shabbat. The visitors from Tiberias, Tzfat, Haifa and the residents
from other cities and towns in the Galilee started to leave for their homes
in order to arrive before Shabbat.
Many of the visitors, though, especially the ones from far away Jerusalem,
remained for Shabbat.
On Friday night, the beautiful melodies of the various groups praying reached
the heights of the nearby mountains. Their hearts were overflowing as thousands
of Jews joined together to dance and sing.
Shabbat morning arrived and the men gathered in large groups to descend
the valley to the small Meggido Lake where they immersed themselves to prepare
for the morning prayers. The last minyan had finished the morning
prayers when a scream pierced the Sabbath atmosphere. A woman who had brought
her son just yesterday for his first haircut was crying hysterically.
Her son had suddenly become sick and died. Doctors who were sent from the
British government to the area immediately put the entire section under
quarantine. No one could come and no one could leave.
Suddenly, the mother gathered the boy in her arms and went into the room
where Rabbi Shimon was buried. She placed the dead child on the Rabbi's grave
and started crying, "Oh great tzaddik, Rabbi Shimon. I, your servant,
came in your honor to cut the hair of my child. I came to make my son, my
first and only child, into a good Jew. I kept my promise to come here on
Lag B'Omer. Only yesterday I held him here and cut his hair in song
and joy. Now, great tzaddik, how shall I return home in great pain
without my child? How can I bear to go on?"
In the midst of her prayers, the mother arose and said, "Tzaddik,
Rabbi Shimon, I am laying my child on your grave as he is. I beg of you,
with tears, do not shame me. Give me back my child just as I brought him
here. Let the great name of G-d be exalted along with the name of the great
tzaddik. Let everyone know that there is a G-d ruling over this world."
The woman concluded her prayers and left the room, leaving her dead son on
the grave of Rabbi Shimon. The doors of the room were closed as everyone
left the room.
A few moments later a child's scream was heard from behind the closed door.
The mother ran into the room and in shock and disbelief she saw her son standing
on his feet and crying for a glass of water. Happiness and commotion filled
the room. The local doctors examining the child announced in wonder that
this was not a natural or normal incident, but rather a miracle that must
have happened in the merit of the great tzaddik Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai.
The governmental agents immediately reopened the gates and the masses once
again poured inside. Everyone seeing the revived child pronounced the blessing
"Blessed be G-d who revives the dead."
_______________
2. Adapted from Hilulai D'Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai -- the author of
which witnessed the scene 59 years ago with his own eyes.
Have you heard the one about how many Jewish mothers it takes to change a
light bulb? "That's O.K.," the Jewish mother says, "I'll sit in the dark."
This is our modern-day stereotype of the Jewish mother -- self-sacrificing,
a bit of a martyr and a little manipulative. And, your therapist might add,
responsible for all your problems.
Though martyrdom and manipulation are not traits that we might want to emulate,
what about self-sacrifice and selflessness -- two qualities that have been
getting a lot of bad press over the last couple of decades?
Most of us would not be where we are today had it not been for our mothers'
selflessness: waking up at all hours of the night, nursing us back to health
when we were sick, putting their own needs and desires on hold in order to
help fulfill ours. True, dear old mom might remind us of these things a little
more often than we'd like to hear, but are mothers deserving our recognition,
and more, for their self-sacrifice?
In fact, they deserve limitless appreciation and recognition! According to
Jewish tradition, our debt of acknowledgment toward our parents can never
be repaid. The commandment to show honor toward another is mentioned in the
Torah concerning our parents and G-d. The reason for the commandment to "Honor
your father and your mother" is the fact that our parents were partners with
G-d in giving life to us, though Mom probably had more sleepless nights from
us than either of the others two partners.
Where would the Jewish people be without the self-sacrifice of countless
Jewish women throughout the ages?
Jewish tradition teaches that it was because of the self-sacrifice and
righteousness of the women that the entire Jewish people were redeemed from
Egypt! When Pharaoh enslaved the Jewish people, the men refused to have more
children. "Why should we bring children into the world to be slaves and suffer
like us?" they asked.
The Jewish women, however, though shouldering the same burden of slavery
and suffering as their husbands, purposely sought out ways to endear themselves
to their spouses. They were responsible for the birth of a new generation,
a generation fit to be redeemed. The women reasoned, "True, our children
will suffer hardships like us, but, soon G-d will fulfill His promise to
them and deliver them out of the land of Egypt."
In every generation, whenever all seemed hopeless, it was the righteous,
self-sacrificing Jewish mothers who inspired their families and communities
to have faith and look toward better times.
We shouldn't just set aside one day a year to honor mothers. We should
remember them every day -- it's a mitzvah!
Her plan was clear. She would go every day to the House of Prayer and the
Houses of Study. Her child, though still unborn, would come to know the sounds
of the holy words of Torah.
To her friends, she would explain: "I am going to the House of Prayer, so
that my baby can hear the holy words."
On this particular cold, winter day, she sat immersed in her own prayer to
the One Above to bless her child with wisdom and the ability to toil in His
Torah. She sat until the scholars emerged. Shyly, she approached the first,
"Please, bless my child with wisdom." The elderly sage smiled at the young
woman whose presence no longer surprised him. "May your child shine with
the light of Torah," he replied. She continued on to the various Houses of
Study where she would sit beneath the open windows, the words of Torah permeating
her essence.
The months passed. The young woman still made her early morning rounds, but
now she was accompanied by her baby son, Yehoshua Ben Chananya.
She still visited both the Houses of Prayer and the Houses of Study, but
now she propped up the baby in a cradle. And from the early morning until
the heat of the day had passed, the tiny baby sat, dozed, ate, and dozed
again while the sacred melodies of Torah learning filled the air, enveloping
him and filtering into his consciousness.
* * *
Rabbi Yehoshua was tired. The road to Rome was long and difficult. But, praised
be G-d, his mission had met with success. His nerve-wracking debates with
the vicious Hadrian had yielded the hoped-for result -- the severe decrees
against the Jews had been rescinded. He could return home to Yavne in peace,
with good news for his colleagues in the Sanhedrin (the Supreme Court) and
all his fellow Jews. For now, at least, the Jews could breathe more easily.
Rabbi Yehoshua's tremendous scholarship and his generous, kindly nature made
him respected and beloved by all. As the years passed, he accumulated greatness
and honor.
* * *
One day, already an old man, Rabbi Yehoshua sat with his students exploring
a question in Jewish law. Was it incumbent upon the parents to bring their
small children to hear the reading of the Torah once every seven years during
the Hakhel year? Rabbi Yehoshua listened attentively to the discussion,
and then, as if seeing some far-off vision, related the story of how his
mother would rise before dawn to sit beneath the open windows and allow her
child to absorb the feel and essence of the holy words. All his life, Rabbi
Yehoshua continued, he recalled his mother with blessing, for it was she
who instilled in him the holiness to which his soul became attached.
Rabbi Yehoshua's comment sealed the discussion with his own beautiful truth.
* * *
To those familiar with the Jewish view of the age at which one's Jewish education
begins, a recent study, explored in Time magazine, comes as no surprise.
Research on the brain has "discovered" the importance of stimulating a child's
brain from birth, and that most of the growth and development of the brain
takes place from birth to age three.
In Jewish tradition, a child's formal education does not begin until the
age of three. Until that time a child's primary teacher, stimulator, nurturer,
is his/her mother. Only once a child reaches the age of three, after the
explosive development of the brain has slowed, does a child leave his mother's
pushing, prodding, preparing, prompting, and parenting to begin conventional
schooling.
Jewish continuity is Jewish motherhood. It is Jewish mothers instilling in
their children, from birth and even before, a love of G-d, a love of the
Torah, and a love of the Jewish people, which are all intricately connected
and one.
Happy Mother's Day!
The most important principle in the Torah is the protection of Jewish life.
It's more important than Shabbat, more important than holidays, even
fasting on Yom Kippur.
Right now, in Israel, and everywhere, Jews must stand together in unity and
do whatever possible to protect Jewish life.
The Rebbe teaches that there are ten important
Mitzvot we can do to protect life. See what you can do:
1) Ahavat Yisroel: Behave with love towards another Jew.
2) Learn Torah: Join a Torah class.
3) Make sure that Jewish children get a Torah true education.
4) Affix kosher Mezuzot on all doorways of the house.
5) For men and boys over 13: Put on Tefillin every weekday.
6) Give Charity.
7) Buy Jewish holy books and learn them.
8) Light Shabbat & Yom Tov candles. A Mitzvah
for women and girls.
9) Eat and drink only Kosher Food.
10) Observe the laws of Jewish Family Purity.
In addition, the Rebbe also urged every man, woman and child to Purchase
a Letter in a Sefer Torah. There are several Torah scrolls
being written to unite Jewish people and protect Jewish life.
Letters for children can be purchased for only $1. Send your Hebrew name
and your mother's Hebrew name plus $1 to:
"Children's Sefer Torah,"
P. O. Box 8,
Kfar Chabad, 72915, Israel
or via the Internet, at:
http://www.kidstorah.org
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.
Enroll your child in a Torah Summer Camp
The Rebbe spoke many times about the unique learning opportunity for Jewish
children afforded by the months of summer vacation. Without the pressures
of tests, homework, etc., children enrolled in camps permeated with a Torah
atmosphere eagerly learn about their heritage and are instilled with pride
in being Jewish. Creative methods are used to make Judaism come alive. The
soul is nourished as the body and mind are strengthened through sports, crafts,
etc.
If you don't have camp-age children, help sponsor a child in a Torah camp.
Call your local Chabad-Lubavitch Center for more information.
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, May 7, Erev Shabbat Parshat Emor:
-
Light Shabbat Candles,(3) by 7:41 p.m.
-
After nightfall, after reciting the Shabbat evening prayer, count
Omer 32.
Saturday, May 8, Shabbat Parshat Emor:
-
On Shabbat following the afternoon prayer, we read Chapter 4 of
Pirkei Avot -- Ethics of the Fathers.
-
Shabbat ends at nightfall, at 8:47 p.m.
-
After nightfall, after reciting the evening prayer, count Omer 33.
_______________
3. 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.
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.
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