LIVING WITH MOSHIACH
Weekly Digest About Moshiach
Parshat Pekudei, 5765
30 Adar I, 5765
March 11, 2005
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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 413th
issue of our weekly publication, Living With Moshiach.
*
This Shabbat we celebrate the second day of Rosh Chodesh Adar
II. Also, this Shabbat is Shabbat Parshat Shekolim. Parshat
Shekolim is the first of four special Torah readings read in the synagogue
on the Sabbaths before the month of Nissan -- Shekolim, Zachor,
Parah and HaChodesh.
*
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
27 Adar I, 5765
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 Pekudei
Following last week's Torah reading, Vayakhel, in which Moses gathered
the Jews together and relayed G-d's command to build the Sanctuary, this
week's Torah portion, Pekudei, lists Moses' accounts of the precious
metals used to make the Sanctuary's vessels, and details how the offerings
were made. Finally, it relates how these actions brought G-d's Divine Presence
to rest in the Sanctuary.
Usually, when a person builds a new house, he waits until it has been completed
to fill it with furniture and implements. The dedication of the Sanctuary,
however, was done in the exact opposite manner. "And he placed the golden
altar in the Sanctuary before the veil, and he burnt upon it the incense
of spices... and he set up the court around the Sanctuary and the altar."
The Sanctuary was not yet fully erected when Moses offered the incense on
the golden altar.
The Sanctuary, G-d's dwelling place on earth, contained a holiness so great
that it existed above and beyond the laws of nature. Its sanctity (and that
of the Holy Temples that followed) is eternal, not subject to the concept
of time, and continues today, though we no longer have a physical edifice
in which to bring offerings. The unusual manner in which the Sanctuary was
erected, therefore, reflected this.
The Torah's command, "And you shall make Me a dwelling place," applied not
only to the Sanctuary, but includes the obligation to erect the Holy Temple
in Jerusalem. Moses' offering of incense on the golden altar dedicated not
only the Sanctuary that traveled with the Jews in the desert, but the Temples
that were yet to be built, including the Third Holy Temple when Moshiach
comes.
According to Jewish law, offerings may be brought even in the absence of
the Temple's physical structure if one knows the exact location of the altar.
When Moses burnt the incense, before the Sanctuary was completely built,
he caused a measure of holiness to be brought down into the world that is
not dependent on physical limitations. This holiness is eternal and exists
forever.
This holds particular relevance for our generation, as the Rebbe stated many
times that ours is the last generation of exile before the Messianic Era.
No longer may we be satisfied with the measured norms of behavior that sufficed
for previous generations; our times demand an extra measure of self-sacrifice
on our part. Our service of G-d must therefore also breach all limitations,
so that we may merit the ultimate and Final Redemption with the coming of
Moshiach, speedily in our day.
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
This Shabbat in addition to the regular Torah portion read in
shul (synagogue), Parshat Pekudei, and the extra Torah reading
in honor of Rosh Chodesh [Adar II], we will also read Parshat
Shekolim, the Torah portion in which G-d commands Moshe to take a census
of the Jewish people by collecting a half-shekel from each one.
The Rebbe explains that a census emphasizes the unique importance of each
individual while at the same time reminding us that every Jew's existence
is bound to that of his fellow man.
The concept of "loving your fellow man" is further emphasized by the fact
that every Jew, no matter how rich or how poor, was required to give the
exact same amount of money, a half-shekel.
Moreover, the half-shekolim that were collected were used to bring
communal offerings on behalf of the entire Jewish people. And although we
are in exile we can still fulfill the mitzvah of half-shekel
by carrying out the custom of giving three half-dollars to charity before
Purim.
These gifts will hasten the Redemption, for then "Moshe will gather," i.e.,
Moshe, "the first redeemer and ultimate redeemer," will gather every single
Jew and proceed to Israel, to Jerusalem, to the Third Holy Temple.
Though we do not yet have the Third Holy Temple to which we could bring communal
sacrifices, these mitzvot apply equally today. For, the Torah is infinite,
not limited to time and place. While the physical Sanctuary was destroyed,
the spiritual aspects of the service in the Temple are still carried out
today through learning Torah and doing mitzvot.
When a Jew makes a contribution toward a sacred cause, it is immediately
matched by a corresponding kindness from G-d to him. Sincere human effort
is met halfway by Divine Grace, thus a goal that may at first seem unattainable
to a person can actually be reached, because his goodness evokes a corresponding
heavenly benevolence.
May our good deeds combined with G-d's benevolence finally bring us to attain
our ultimate goal, the coming of Moshiach.
The following is taken from the personal diary of a chasid, written
during the first years of the Rebbe's leadership.
There was a Jew who had a daughter who was terribly ill and was hospitalized.
The doctors had given up hope and said she had only a few days left to live.
The father did not know what a "rebbe" is, but his wife told him to go to
rabbis and rebbes to ask them to save their daughter.
The father went to some rebbes and promised them large sums of money if they
would promise him his daughter would recover. But they all refused to make
such a promise.
In the meantime, the daughter's condition worsened and the father was at
his wit's end. He then met a Lubavitcher chasid who told him to go
to the Rebbe. That evening the father went to 770. He entered the secretaries'
office and asked Rabbi Chadakov to allow him to see the Rebbe. Rabbi Chadakov
said he would have to ask the Rebbe. The Rebbe answered that he should come
the next morning at ten o'clock.
Throughout the night the father was convinced that his daughter was dying
or already dead. So certain was he that he was afraid to call the hospital
to see how she was doing.
At ten the next day, the man went to the Rebbe. The Rebbe told him, "Your
daughter is still alive. In heaven they delayed her judgment until now. Now
it all depends upon you."
The father said he would give the Rebbe any sum of money so that his daughter
would be saved.
The Rebbe told him: "That is not what I meant. I meant that you should put
on tefillin every day, and then your daughter will recover."
The father agreed of course, and also decided to observe Shabbat,
and his daughter suddenly and miraculously recovered.
* * *
At a gathering during Sukkot, the Rebbe said incredible things about
the Previous Rebbe. Among other things, he said that those chasidim
who maintain that the Previous Rebbe continues to live -- continue to receive
from the Previous Rebbe in material and spiritual matters.
* * *
In the winter, Reb Avrohom Sykens was found in the street badly wounded.
He was taken unconscious to the hospital, and he lay in a coma for three
days. The doctors despaired, saying there was no hope.
One of the yeshivah students called the Rebbe's office and asked that
they tell the Rebbe about the situation and ask for a blessing.
The Rebbe said they should whisper in Reb Avrohom's ear that they had told
the Rebbe what had happened, and they should whisper the Rebbe's name and
his father's name.
The student did so immediately, and Reb Avrohom suddenly opened his eyes
and recognized the people standing around him. The doctors were astounded
and said it was entirely unnatural.
* * *
At a gathering, someone asked the Rebbe for a blessing that his brother would
be able to leave Russia, "a blessing like so-and-so had received."
The Rebbe said: "The truth is that giving a blessing is something connected
with the individual's soul. (Therefore it makes no sense to ask to receive
a blessing like someone else's.)"
* * *
A certain chasid had a very unhappy second marriage and he always
said that the reason was that he had badgered the Previous Rebbe until he
received his consent for the match. At a gathering, the Rebbe said to him:
"G-d should help you understand that when it concerns a Rebbe, there is no
such thing as his being forced. If the Rebbe agreed, it is because he wanted
to."
* * *
Someone wrote a letter to the Rebbe in the month of Adar [when we
are enjoined to be especially joyous], asking for a blessing for someone
who was seriously ill, and for whom they had already despaired.
The Rebbe answered: "It's surprising that we talk and talk and when it comes
to action, everybody thinks that it doesn't apply to them.
"The saying and directive of the Rebbes has been quoted many times: 'Tracht
gut vet zein gut' ('Think positively and it will be good'), which
conversely illustrates the problem with negative thoughts.
"Despite the fact that we are in the month of Adar, when we are commanded
to increase in joy, he is steeped in despair.
"And we will conclude with...: 'Tracht gut vet zein
gut' in a visible and revealed way.'"
The end of the story was that the sick person suddenly became better, to
the surprise of all the doctors.
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 Others Happy:
As we are now in the 60 days of happiness comprised of the two months of
Adar, we should endeavor to make others happy.
The Rebbe explained, "We should proceed to spread joy and happiness in the
most literal sense, making efforts to assure that the members of one's household
and similarly, all of those with whom one comes in contact, experience great
joy. And this will lead to the ultimate joy, the coming of the Redemption.
May it take place in the immediate future."
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, March 11, Erev Shabbat Parshat Pekudei:
-
First day of Rosh Chodesh Adar II.
-
Light Shabbat Candles,(1) by 5:41 p.m.
Saturday, March 12, Shabbat Parshat Pekudei:
-
Second day of Rosh Chodesh Adar II.
-
Parshat Shekolim
-
Shabbat ends at nightfall, at 6:42 p.m.
_______________
1. 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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