LIVING WITH MOSHIACH
Weekly Digest About Moshiach
Parshat Devorim, 5764
Menachem-Av 5, 5764
July 23, 2004
This week's issue is sponsored in part by:
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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, the 385th
issue of our weekly publication, Living With Moshiach.
*
In this week's issue we focus on the fast day of Tisha B'Av, observed
this year on Monday night, July 26, and Tuesday, July 27.
*
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
29 Tamuz, 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 Devorim
"See, I have set the land before you," Moses relates in this week's Torah
portion, Devorim. "Come and possess the land G-d swore unto your fathers."
Rashi, the foremost Torah commentator whose explanation on the text
expresses its most literal meaning, explains that the Jewish people did not
have to wage war in order to take possession of the land of Israel; had they
not sent the spies, they would not have needed any weapons.
"There is no one to contest the matter," Rashi comments. Since G-d
Himself promised the land to the Jews, no one in the whole world could have
prevented this from happening.
Historically, however, we see that instead of a miraculous entry into the
land, the Jewish people did indeed engage in battle with their enemies. Their
lack of faith and insistence that Moses send spies to bring back a report
spoiled their opportunity to enter the land unopposed, and made it necessary
for them to follow a natural procedure instead of a miraculous one. In other
words, it was their own negative attitude and conduct that forced them to
wage wars in order to assert their Divine right to the land.
This contains a moral for our own times and present condition:
The Torah tells us that the Final Redemption with Moshiach will be very much
like our first redemption from Egypt, but will be accompanied by even more
wonders and miracles. It follows that if the entry and settlement of the
land of Israel was supposed to be accomplished in a supernatural manner the
first time, how much more so will it be miraculous in our own times, with
the Messianic Redemption!
Again, just as before, the entire matter depends on us. We must show absolute
faith in G-d and His promise that the entire land of Israel belongs
to the Jewish people. We must not be afraid to inform the nations of the
world -- unequivocally -- that the land of Israel is our eternal
legacy.(1)
As Rashi explains on the very first verse of the Torah, "The whole
earth belongs to G-d; He created it and gave it to whom He saw fit. [The
land of Israel] was given to [the nations] by His will, and by His will He
took it from them and gave it to us!"
When we will demonstrate this true and absolute faith in G-d, we will immediately
merit that "no one will contest this, and there will be no more wars nor
the need for any weapons."
_______________
1. See "EYES UPON THE LAND" - The Territorial Integrity of
Israel: A Life Threatening Concern. Based on the Public Statements and Writings
of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, Adapted by Rabbi
Eliyahu Touger (1997: Sichos in English).
http://www.truepeace.org/book.html
See also: REBBE'S VIEWS
http://www.truepeace.org/rebbeview.html
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
See our publication: "Laws of the Holy Temple"
The text of the book: "Seek Out The Welfare Of Jerusalem" [Analytical Studies
by the Rebbe, of Rambam's rulings concerning the construction and design
of the Holy Temple], published by Sichos in English -- is available on-line
at:
http://www.sichosinenglish.org/books/seek-out,
and is divided into a special study program.
Also, for a Audio/Visual Virtual Interactive Tour of the second Bais
Hamikdosh (Holy Temple), go to:
http://www.moshiach.com/temple
Printed in last week's issue of
"Living With
Moshiach."
SHABBAT
CHAZON
Based on the Works of the Rebbe
The Shabbat before Tisha B'Av, the Ninth of the Hebrew month
of Av, is known as Shabbat Chazon, after the first word of
this week's Haftorah,(2) chazon (vision).
Rabbi Levi Yitzchok of Berditchev used to note that the name comes from the
word machaze, meaning "vision," for "on that day everyone is shown
the future Holy Temple."
According to Rabbi Levi Yitzchok, "every Jew is shown from afar a vision
of the future Holy Temple." This spiritual vision of the Third Holy Temple,
which will be permanent and everlasting, is experienced by our souls.
Rabbi Levi Yitzchok explains the vision with the parable of a child who is
given a beautiful, new suit, but proceeds to tear it to pieces. The father
has another suit sewn and given to his son. This, too, the child shreds beyond
repair. The father has another suit sewn for the boy, but this time he leaves
it hanging in the closet. Every once in a while, the father brings the suit
out and shows it to his child. He tells his son lovingly that when his behavior
improves, he will be able to wear the suit. Thus, the father trains his child
to behave in an appropriate manner.
We can grasp from the parable that the purpose of showing the child the garment
(and us a vision of the Third Holy Temple) is to encourage within the child
a longing for the object, a longing so great that he mends his ways and his
upright conduct becomes second nature.
The purpose of this vision is to inspire and encourage a Jew: having caught
a glimpse of the Third Holy Temple in its heavenly perfection, all that is
left for him to do is to bring it down to this world.
Although not everyone actually sees the Third Holy Temple, everyone is
intrinsically affected by it. This is similar to the following episode from
the Book of Daniel: "And I Daniel alone saw the vision; the men who were
with me did not see the vision, but a great trembling fell upon them. . .
."
Our Sages ask why a dread fell upon the men with Daniel if they had not actually
witnessed the vision.
They answer: "Though they did not see it, their heavenly soul saw it."
In the same way, on Shabbat Chazon, the soul sees the future Sanctuary;
moreover, this perception leaves an impression on the individual, even on
his body.
Let us hope and pray that our souls will be attuned to the heavenly vision
we are about to be shown. So much so that we will totally mend our ways,
thus meriting to see not just a spiritual vision of the Temple, but the physical
Temple in all its glory. And that we will all celebrate Tisha B'Av
this year in the rebuilt city of Jerusalem, not as a day of mourning, but
as a day of joy and happiness, with Moshiach, NOW.
_______________
2. The Haftorah is a portion from the Prophets that has a common theme
with the Torah portion of that week. The reading of the Haftorah was
instituted after a decree had been established forbidding the Jews to read
the Torah. When the decree was later abolished, the custom of reading the
Haftorah was retained.
Tisha B'Av is known by our Sages as the birthday of Moshiach. In simple
terms this means that at the moment of the destruction of the Holy Temple,
the potential for the Final Redemption, through Moshiach, was born.
The Rebbe clarified the exact meaning of this: "Our Sages explain that this
cannot refer to Moshiach's actual birth, because Moshiach will not be an
infant when he redeems our people. But rather, it refers to a strengthening
of his influence. For our Sages refer to a birthday as a day when mazalo
govair, 'the spiritual source of one's soul shines powerfully.' On the
day when Moshiach's spiritual source is powerfully revealed, there is a unique
potential for the Redemption to come . . . . Each year, for the past two
thousand years, on Tisha B'Av, Moshiach receives new power and new
strength, and from year to year, this influence grows more powerfully."
Thus, Tisha B'Av is a unique time, when the potential for the Redemption
is at its peak. Through this insight into Tisha B'Av we are introduced
to a basic concept in chasidic philosophy, which teaches that the greatest
ascent comes after the greatest descent.
Let us use the time properly and bring about the greatest ascent, the revelation
of Moshiach and the Final Redemption, NOW.
Tuesday, the 9th of Av (July 27), is a fast day. We neither eat nor
drink, from Monday, July 26, at Sundown,(3) until Tuesday,
July 27, at nightfall.(4)
On Tisha B'Av we do not wash, wear leather shoes, or have marital
relations. The Book of Eicha (Lamentations)(5) is
read sitting on a low stool as used in mourning.
*
To learn more about Tisha B'Av, and the laws pertaining to it, contact
your local rabbi or 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).
_______________
3. In New York City, at 8:13 p.m.
4. In New York City, at 8:55 p.m.
5. Authored by the prophet Yirmiyahu (Jeremiah). He lived at the time of
the destruction of the First Temple in the year 3338. He was born into a
family of kohanim, and was the son of the Prophet and High Priest,
Hilkiah. He foresaw the destruction of Jerusalem and the Holy Temple and
exhorted the Jews to return to G-d. After the destruction he authored the
Book of Lamentations. He supported the Jewish people in their misery,
strengthening them and encouraging them to continue when it seemed impossible
to go on.
What is the purpose of a fast? Fasting brings one to repentance. It is also,
according to 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 path by which we can weaken and even
eradicate our desires and impulses toward that which is not good and proper.
Fasting, however, significantly weakens the body, making it difficult to
do even that which we are supposed to do.
The Baal Shem Tov recognized that our bodies are not as strong as they were
in times of old. He encouraged his followers not to abstain totally
from eating or mortify their bodies. Rather, he broadened the term of fasting
to include refraining from a "craving."
By holding ourselves back from gossiping or speaking ill of another person,
for instance, we are "fasting." We are abstaining from a negative aspect
of communication and are also training ourselves not to continue this bad
habit.
If you are one who yells a lot, talking softly may be your form of "fasting."
If you are very impatient by nature, taking the time to count to ten before
blowing up (and then not blowing up) is an effective fast for you.
When Rabbi Shneur Zalman stated that fasting is the method by which we can
eradicate our bad traits, it was the Baal Shem Tov's definition of fasting
that he encouraged.
This, of course, relates only to times that one wished to take upon himself
a "personal fast." However, the public fast days, defined by the Torah or
our Sages, are fast days in the traditional sense. They are days when we
abstain totally from all forms of food and drink.
May we be privileged to celebrate the Ninth of Av all together in
the holy city of Jerusalem, may it speedily be rebuilt, NOW.
Tisha B'Av is the darkest day on the Jewish calendar, observed this
year on Monday night, July 26, and Tuesday, July 27.
Though Tisha B'Av is a day of intense mourning for the destruction
of the Temples and Jerusalem, there are actually five tragedies that we
commemorate on this day: 1) The generation of Jews who had left Egypt were
prohibited from entering the Holy Land; 2) The First Temple was destroyed;
3) The Second Temple was destroyed; 4) Betar, the last fortress to hold out
against the Romans, fell; 5) A year after the fall of Betar the Temple area
was plowed under.
Today, the saddest thing about Tisha B'Av is that many people do not
know about it or care to observe it. We don't know what we're missing.
Unfortunately, we are split and divided, suffering from the same senseless
hatred that caused the tragedy of Tisha B'Av.
Tisha B'Av climaxes three weeks of mourning, beginning with the fast
of the Seventeenth of Tamuz.
But there is another side to Tisha B'Av.
The Talmud tells the story(6) of Rabbi Akiva and the Sages
tearing their garments in mourning upon seeing Jerusalem in ruins. Their
anguish increased upon seeing a fox strolling where the Holy Ark once stood.
The Sages burst into tears, but Rabbi Akiva laughed. The Sages were shocked.
"How can you laugh when animals desecrate our Holy of Holies?" Said Rabbi
Akiva: "The Torah connects the fall and rise of Jerusalem. Zechariah the
prophet predicted that 'Zion will be plowed under,' while Uria the prophet
foresaw 'elderly men and women relaxing in the streets of Jerusalem with
small children happily playing nearby'. . . . Now that the negative has actually
come to pass, the good prophecies will truly be fulfilled!"
The Sages conceded, saying: "Akiva, you have comforted us!"
Tisha B'Av is negative -- but once we have the negative, it takes
only time and effort to develop it into a positive and see the full picture
in the words of Zechariah (8:19): "These very days of sorrow and fasting
will turn into days of joy and feasting for the House of Israel."
Tisha B'Av expresses strength rather than weakness. Other nations
celebrate only their red-letter days and triumphs, yet we have the strength
to dedicate a day to our tragedy, and that is the secret of our long survival
that enables Israel to outlive the greatest empires that have long since
vanished. Tisha B'Av directs us to positive, constructive action of
rebuilding through Torah and charity.
It is a Sephardic custom to rise on Tisha B'Av afternoon and clean
the house, showing our renewed faith and hope.
On the positive side, some sources say that Tisha B'Av is the birthday
of the righteous Moshiach, bringing about the potential for a most important
Jewish principle: "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).
Last but not least, we conclude the Lamentations on a high positive note
as we loudly declare: "Return to us, O G-d, and we will return to You; renew
our days as once before!"
_______________
6. See last week's issue of "Living With
Moshiach."
"Come and sing in the night." Eicha, 2:19.
Chasidic interpretation explains this to mean that during the "night" of
exile one can come and sing; despite the fact that it is dark.
The beauty and specialness of the Jewish people is that we can find reasons
to "sing" in the night. While the whole world is enveloped in total darkness,
we find a reason to sing.
What exactly is that reason? We view the darkness of night, the darkness
that surrounds us, as if it were a tunnel. At the end of every tunnel, no
matter how long, there is a light shining bright. And it is because of the
fact that we are surrounded by the darkness of the tunnel that we can see
the brightness of the light at the end. We realize, too, the darker the tunnel,
the closer we are to the light at the end.
When the Redemption and Moshiach will come, these days are going to be filled
with the light of joy and happiness and glory. This is what we are waiting
for, what we are hoping for. This is the reason we can and must sing and
dance in the night. After all, we are already at the end of the tunnel.
Printed in last week's issue of
"Living With Moshiach."
When is the "season" of the Bais HaMikdosh? Eating matzah has
a season, blessing the esrog has a season, hearing the
megillah, lighting the menorah, etc. All of these
mitzvot have a "season." When is the season of the Bais
HaMikdosh?
The answer is that there is no specific season; every day is the season.
Yet, if we have to pick one day of the year that would be the closest to
the "season" of the Bais HaMikdosh it would be Tisha B'Av.
Tisha B'Av - is when we pay our fullest attention to the Holy Temple.
That's when we are free from any other occupations; we dedicate our time
solely to remembering the Bais HaMikdosh.
And as we sit on the floor with the kinot -- elegies -- in our hands
it is perhaps the proper moment to reflect not only about the destruction
of the Temple, but also about the rebuilding of the Temple as well.
Rebuilding the Bais HaMikdosh is up to every person. Suppose for a
moment that every mitzvah is a brick in the Bais HaMikdosh
and that by doing another mitzvah we are adding another brick. How
much would that entice us to do more! And perhaps, indeed, this is more than
a parable; it is a reality.
Over the years, we have laid millions of bricks. We are now, the Rebbe tells
us, laying the very, very last few bricks needed to build the most beautiful
edifice in the heavenly skies. Let us "chop arein" (seize the moment)
before Moshiach comes, and make sure that we are in on the building of the
Bais HaMikdosh. When it is built, we will be able to point our finger
at this great edifice with pride and deserved joy, and say, "I had a hand
in building it."
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.
Make Torah Celebrations:
As a further preparation for the messianic era, to reveal the positive qualities
and joy that are latent in these Three Weeks, conclusions of Torah works
(siyyumim) should be held on each of the Nine Days (July 19-27), including
Shabbat.
"These activities will hasten the transformation of these days into days
of celebration, when with true and complete joy we shall proceed together
with Moshiach, to the Holy Land, in the true and ultimate Redemption."
The Rebbe, 18 Tamuz, 5751/1991
*
For a siyyum in your area, contact your local rabbi or Chabad-Lubavitch
Center.
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, July 23, Erev Shabbat Parshat Devorim:
-
Light Shabbat Candles,(7) by 8:01 p.m.
Saturday, July 24, Shabbat Parshat Devorim:
-
Shabbat Chazon - see above.
-
On Shabbat following the afternoon prayer, we read Chapter 3 of
Pirkei Avot -- Ethics of the Fathers.
-
Shabbat ends at nightfall, at 9:08 p.m.
_______________
7. 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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