LIVING WITH MOSHIACH, Parshat Pekudei B"H LIVING WITH MOSHIACH Weekly Digest About Moshiach PARSHAT PEKUDEI, 5768 30 Adar I, 5768 March 7, 2008 ************************************************* * This week's issue is sponsored in part by: * * Holy Sparks - "http://www.holysparks.com" * * * * * Your premiere site for Jewish spirituality. * * * * * 5,768 Years of the Most Amazing Jewish Wisdom * * recorded in calligraphy, especially for you! * * * * * Explore your potential: * * Jewish Books, Art & Wisdom For Our Time. * * FREE art! * ************************************************* >> A Jewish Response To Terrorism << http://www.torah4blind.org/lwm-5762/269.htm *************************************************** * Visit TruePeace.org * * "http://www.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 * *************************************************** Published Weekly By Lubavitch Shluchim Conferences On The Moshiach Campaign, Committee For The Blind * * * 5768 **************************************************** * VISIT US ON THE WEB, AT: * * http://www.torah4blind.org * **************************************************** * TO RECEIVE THIS PUBLICATION VIA INTERNET: * * E-Mail: info@torah4blind.org * * or: * * http://www.torah4blind.org/subs.htm * **************************************************** * OPERATION REFUAH: * * http://www.operationrefuah.org * **************************************************** * JEWISH CHILDREN: * * Get your own letter in a Sefer Torah! * * http://www.kidstorah.org * **************************************************** * Kids! We Want YOU To Join * * Tzivos Hashem (The Army of G-d) * * http://www.torah4blind.org/tzivos-h.htm * **************************************************** * MOSHIACH - CHILDREN'S PAGE * * http://www.torah4blind.org/children/index.htm * **************************************************** * THE SEVEN UNIVERSAL LAWS OF NOAH: * * http://www.torah4blind.org/noahide.htm * **************************************************** THIS PUBLICATION IS DEDICATED TO THE REBBE, RABBI MENACHEM M. SCHNEERSON OF LUBAVITCH "I BELIEVE WITH COMPLETE FAITH IN THE ARRIVAL OF THE MOSHIACH. "AND THOUGH HE MAY TARRY, I SHALL WAIT EACH DAY, ANTICIPATING HIS ARRIVAL." Maimonides, Principles of the Faith, No. 12 ********************* * TABLE OF CONTENTS * ********************* * Introduction. * The Weekly Torah Portion. * The Rebbe's Prophecy. * Parshat Shekolim. * On Lions and Lambs. * It's All in The Perspective. * Time for Unity; Time for Strength! * A Call to Action. * The Weekly Shabbat Calendar. * "Let There Be Light" - The Jewish Women's Guide to Lighting Shabbat Candles. * Laws of Shabbat Candle Lighting for the Blind. * Shabbat Candle Lighting Blessing. * Moshiach Information Hotlines. * Moshiach In The Air -- Electronic Media. * Subscription Information for this Weekly Magazine: Living With Moshiach. **************** * INTRODUCTION * **************** We are pleased to present, to the visually impaired and the blind, the 566th 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 ("http://www.torah4blind.org/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 Executive Director Enlightenment For The Blind, Inc. E-Mail:yys@torah4blind.org 27 Adar I, 5768 Los Angeles, California ************************************************* * IN LOVING MEMORY OF * * Horav Schneur Zalman Halevi * * ben Horav Yitzchok Elchonon Halevi * * Shagalov * * Passed away on 21 Tamuz, 5766 * * * * Reb Dovid Asniel ben Reb Eliyahu * * Ekman * * Passed away on 5 Sivan - Erev Shavuot, 5765 * * * * Mrs. Devora Rivka bas Reb Yosef Eliezer * * Marenburg * * Passed away on the second day * * of Rosh Chodesh Adar, 5766 * * * * AND IN HONOR OF * * Mrs. Esther Shaindel bas Fraidel Chedva * * Shagalov * * * * * Dedicated by their children * * Rabbi & Mrs. Yosef Yitzchok and Gittel Rochel * * Shagalov * ************************************************* *************************************** * THE WEEKLY TORAH PORTION * * Adapted from the Works of the Rebbe * *************************************** PARSHAT PEKUDEI This week's Torah portion is Pekudei, the last Torah portion of the Book of Exodus, which immediately precedes Vayikra, the first Torah portion of the Book of Leviticus. Accordingly, an intrinsic connection exists between the two: At the end of Pekudei we are told that a cloud descended upon the Sanctuary. The purpose of a cloud is to conceal; the cloud prevented Moshe from entering the Sanctuary. The theme of Vayikra, by contrast, is revelation. "G-d called to Moshe" -- to reveal Himself to him. Sequentially, the revelation of Vayikra follows the concealment of Pekudei. And a revelation that comes after a concealment is much more obvious than one that occurs without a prior concealment. In the service of man, the revelation that follows a period of concealment is teshuvah (repentance; literally "return"). Before the person did teshuvah he was estranged from G-d, distanced from His Torah and mitzvot, i.e., in a state of concealment. His act of teshuvah, his return to G-d, constitutes the revelation. Indeed, we find that Jews who repent of past misdeeds (baalei teshuvah) merit a higher revelation of G-dliness than those who were always righteous! For the revelation that follows a concealment is a more exalted one. When a person does teshuvah, his "deliberate sins are considered as merits." "In the place where baalei teshuvah stand, even the completely righteous cannot." The tzadik is successful in completely banishing evil. But a baal teshuvah, someone who returns to G-d with all his heart, transforms the evil he has done into good -- so much so that even his deliberate sins are considered as merits! By doing teshuvah, he turns darkness into light. This is the revelation that follows the concealment. What can we learn from this? That regardless of our present spiritual condition we must never despair! We must never think that our spiritual state is so lowly that no hope exists. On the contrary: It is precisely after a period of concealment that the highest revelation of G-dliness is possible! Past generations of Jews were on a much higher spiritual level than our own, but they were further removed from the final Redemption. Our generation, however, as the Rebbe has stated many times: "is the last generation of Golus (Exile) and the first generation of the Geulah (Redemption)!" Because the greatest revelation of the Redemption follows the lowest descent, we must take heart and strengthen ourselves in advance of the light about to break forth. In this manner we will soon merit the true and complete Redemption -- the revelation that follows the concealment -- when "the night will illuminate as the day." ******************************************************* * IN LOVING MEMORY OF OUR DEAR FRIEND AND COPY EDITOR * * Reb Mordechai ben Reb Shaul * * Staiman * * Passed away on 22 Tamuz, 5763 * ******************************************************* ************************ * THE REBBE'S PROPHECY * ************************ The Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson of Lubavitch, issued a call that "THE TIME OF OUR REDEMPTION HAS ARRIVED!" and "MOSHIACH IS ON HIS WAY!" The Rebbe stressed that he is saying this AS A PROPHECY, and asks us all to prepare ourselves for the Redemption, through increasing acts of goodness and kindness. LET US ALL HEED THE REBBE'S CALL. _______________ See "Living With Moshiach" Vol 539: http://www.torah4blind.org/lwm-5767/522-539.htm ********************************************* * IN LOVING MEMORY OF OUR DEAR GRANDPARENTS,* * * * Reb Shmuel Pesach Ben Reb Yaakov Dovid * * Passed away on 3 Tishrei, 5755 * * * * Mrs. Fraidel Chedvah Bas Reb Zev Wolf * * On the occasion of her 13th yahrtzeit, * * 4 Adar II, 5768 * * Pais * * * * Dedicated by their grandchildren * * Rabbi & Mrs. Yosef Y. and Gittel Rochel * * Shagalov * ********************************************* ******************** * PARSHAT SHEKOLIM * ******************** This Shabbat in addition to the regular Torah portion read in shul (synagogue), Parshat Pekudei, and the special Torah reading for Rosh Chodesh (this shabbat is the second day 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. ********************** * ON LIONS AND LAMBS * ********************** Last Shabbat Parshat Vayakhel, Saturday, the 24th of Adar I, marked the beginning of the month of March. Hey, wait a minute. In a Jewish publication, shouldn't we reserve our discussions for Jewish months and not secular months? A famous teachings of the Baal Shem Tov is that from everything a person sees or hears -- whether in the realm of holiness or the seemingly secular -- he can learn a lesson in his G-dly service. So, what can we learn from March? Most of us know the saying, "March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb." And the juxtaposition of the lion and the lamb brings to mind a time of world-peace. So powerful is this image of lion and lamb connoting world-peace that a grass-roots group of parents who promote non-violent toys for children call themselves the Lion and the Lamb. In truth, when our prophets speak of the ultimate world peace in the Messianic Era, they state, "The wolf will dwell with the lamb, and the leopard will lie down with the kid..." The prophet continues, "...And the lion will eat straw as the ox." One might ask, "Is this allegorical, or will animals that were previously adversaries actually co-exist peacefully?" That's a good question! (Every sincere question is a good question, actually.) According to the opinions of many of our great Sages, these prophecies should be taken literally. Nachmanides documents this stand profusely, although he maintains that their fulfillment will not necessitate great changes in Creation because, "Initially when the world was created, prior to the sin of Adam, animals were not predatory. Only after Adam's sin did their natures change...." Similarly, Rabbi Dovid Kimchi, the Radak declares that animals were not originally predators, as G-d created only one male and one female of each species. If either one would have been killed, the species would have become extinct. However, there are other great Sages whose opinions differ. No less a giant than Maimonides declares: "Do not presume that in the days of Moshiach the nature of the world will change, or there will be innovations in the work of Creation. Rather, the world will continue according to its pattern." How are we to understand Maimonides' words, knowing that he established as one of the 13 principles of Judaism the belief in the resurrection of the dead, an act that is certainly a change in the nature of the world? The Rebbe explains that there are two stages to the Messianic Era. In the first stage, "the coming of Moshiach," everything will go according to its natural pattern. In the second stage, the actual Redemption, we will experience supernatural and miraculous occurrences. However, it is possible, according to the Rebbe, that we could by-pass the first stage and go straight to the miracles -- if we are meritorious. Differing opinions aside, whichever way it's going to happen, let it just happen already! ******************************* * IT'S ALL IN THE PERSPECTIVE * ******************************* By Rae Ekman Shagalov [1] Last Thursday night a wonderful thing happened, but it did not look so wonderful in the beginning. I was driving home on my 10-mile commute after a long day at work. After a mile or so, my car began to lose power and then it died altogether. Fortunately, I was able to glide off the main road as I was losing power and stopped in a quiet neighborhood. I had a sinking feeling... "Oh no," I thought, "What if my clutch just went out. Maybe it's the generator or something in the electrical system. Maybe the head gasket blew and I'll need a new engine. Maybe I'll have to get a new car altogether. Where am I going to get the money for expensive repairs or a new car?" I called my husband to get the card number for the towing service because I didn't even have the card with me. "Guess what," I said, "my car just died!" Just then, the tow truck arrived, so I hung up the phone. The driver got into my car and tried to start it up without success. "Lady," he said, "I think you ran out of gas." "Out of gas?" I shouted, "I never even thought to check the gas!" I called up my husband right away, "Good news!" I said, "Thank G-d, I just ran out of gas." Then I thought about what I had just said. If, when my car had first stalled, I had thought to look at the gas gauge right away, my reaction would have been completely different, something like this: "How could I have been so dumb? Why didn't I check the gas? What a drag..." and so on. But because I had imagined so much worse, the idea of running out of gas was delightful, good news -- but it got even better! As it turned out, my husband was returning from an errand and was only five minutes away. When I was up and running again, we went out to dinner, enjoying a lovely unplanned date in the middle of a busy week. The incident reminded me of the following Chasidic story. It reveals the amazing secret of happiness that is present in every situation in life. The two saintly brothers, Rebbe Zushe and Rebbe Elimelech, who lived in 18th century Poland, wandered from town to town for years, disguised as beggars, seeking to refine their characters and encourage and teach their fellows. One day, while traveling with a group of vagabonds, one of the beggars was accused of stealing. Since justice then was not like justice today, the entire band of beggars was thrown into jail. When it came the time to pray Mincha, the afternoon prayers, Rabbi Zushe noticed his brother weeping silently. "Why are you crying?" asked Rabbi Zushe. R. Elimelech pointed to the pail situated in the corner of the room which the inmates used for a toilet. "As you know, Jewish law forbids one to pray in a room with such a repulsive odor," he told his brother, "This will be the first time in my life in which I will not have the opportunity to pray the afternoon prayers." "And why are you upset about this?" asked R. Zushe. "What do you mean?" responded his brother, "How can I not pray the mandatory Mincha prayers?" "By not praying in this room," said R. Elimelech, "you are also doing a mitzvah (commandment)! The same G-d who commanded you to pray Mincha commands you NOT to pray under these circumstances. True, it is not the mitzvah connection that you had sought, yet, if you truly want the Divine connection, you would be happy that G-d has given you the opportunity to obey His law at this time, no matter what it is." His brother's perspective elated R. Elimelech's heart. The awareness that the waste-filled pail in the corner of the room allowed him the opportunity to enjoy an intimate, though different type of relationship with G-d, inspired him so deeply that he began to dance. The two holy brothers were now holding hands and dancing in celebration of their newly discovered relationship with their Father in heaven. The non-Jewish inmates imprisoned in the same cell were so moved by the sight, that they soon joined the dancing. It did not take long before the entire room was swept away by an electrifying energy of joy, as dozens of prisoners were dancing and jumping around ecstatically. The guards heard the commotion and came running. They asked the other prisoners what had happened. "We have no idea!" they answered, "Those two Jews were discussing the pail in the corner when, all of a sudden they came to some happy conclusion and began to dance." "Is that right?" sneered the guards, "They're happy because of the pail, are they? We'll show them!" They promptly removed the pail from the cell. Rebbe Zusha turned to his brother and said, "And now, my brother, we can begin our prayers." So, what do these two stories have in common? I've come to recognize that the art of happiness is largely a matter of perspective. We don't always have the choice of our circumstances, but we do always have the ability to choose to be happy. We may not be happy about our situation, but we can always be happy to connect with G-d. May you be blessed to always be happy and to serve G-d with joy! _______________ 1. In loving memory of my dear mother, Devorah Rivka bas Reb Yosef Eliezer and her father Reb Yosef Eliezer ben Reb Moshe, who both passed away on Rosh Chodesh Adar, 40 years apart, 5726/5766 [1966/2006]. May their souls have an elevation in Heaven. Reprinted with permission from "L'Chaim weekly" publication ("www.lchaimweekly.org"). Copyright 2008 by Rae Ekman Shagalov. She can be reached via her website: "www.holysparks.org" ************************************** * TIME FOR UNITY; TIME FOR STRENGTH! * ************************************** 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 urges that: Every Jewish man, woman and child should have a letter written for them in a SEFER TORAH.* Every person should study either the Rambam's Yad Hachazakah -- Code of Jewish Law -- or the Sefer HaMitzvos. Concerning Moshiach, the Rebbe stated, "The time for our redemption has arrived!" Everyone should prepare themselves for Moshiach's coming by doing random acts of goodness and kindness, and by studying about what the future redemption will be like. May we merit to see the fulfillment of the Rebbe's prophecy now! _______________ *. 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 ******************** * A CALL TO ACTION * ******************** The Rebbe's slogan is: "The main thing is the deed." We therefore present from the Rebbe's talks, suggestions of 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." *************************************** * In loving memory of * * HORAV CHAIM YEHUDA KALMAN * * Ben Horav Avrohom Yehoshua Marlow, * * head of the Bet-Din (Rabbinical * * Court) of Crown Heights, * * Passed away, on Friday Morning, * * 20 Sivan, 5760 (June 23, 2000) * *************************************** ******************************* * THE WEEKLY SHABBAT CALENDAR * ******************************* ** JEWISH WOMEN AND GIRLS LIGHT SHABBAT CANDLES ** ******************************************************* * FOR LOCAL CANDLE LIGHTING TIMES: * * consult your local Rabbi, Chabad-Lubavitch Center. * * 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.chabadworld.org * ******************************************************* >>>> Times Shown Are for Metro NY - NJ <<<< FRIDAY, MAR. 7, EREV SHABBAT PARSHAT PEKUDEI: * First day of Rosh Chodesh Adar II. * Light Shabbat Candles, [2] by 5:36 p.m. SATURDAY, MAR. 8, SHABBAT PARSHAT PEKUDEI: * Second day of Rosh Chodesh Adar II. * Parshat Shekolim - see above. * Shabbat ends at NIGHTFALL, at 6:36 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. ********************************************* * May the Shabbat candles, of the millions * * of Jewish women and girls around the * * world, illuminate our way, until we very * * soon see the fulfillment of G-d's promise * * (as it is written in the Midrash * * (Yalkut Shimoni, Beha'alotecha)): * * "If you will observe the kindling of the * * Shabbat lights, you will merit to see * * the lights of the redemption of the * * Jewish people," speedily in our days, * * NOW! * ********************************************* *************************************** * "LET THERE BE LIGHT" * * - The Jewish Women's Guide * * to Lighting Shabbat Candles * * http://www.torah4blind.org/ltbl.htm * *************************************** *********************************** * LAWS OF SHABBAT CANDLE LIGHTING * * FOR THE BLIND * *********************************** Edited by Rabbi Y. K. Marlow O.B.M.* * A blind woman who lives alone should light her Shabbat candle(s) with a blessing. * If she is married to a non-visually impaired person, HER HUSBAND SHOULD LIGHT THE SHABBAT CANDLES WITH THE BLESSING. * If she is eating and lighting in the company of others who are non-visually impaired, and they lit the Shabbat candles, she should light her own Shabbat candle(s), BUT WITHOUT SAYING THE BLESSING. * (If at all possible, she should not be the last one to light the Shabbat candle(s), so that she can be absolved by the latter's blessing.) _______________ *. Head of Bet-Din (Rabbinical Court) of Crown Heights. ************************************ * SHABBAT CANDLE LIGHTING BLESSING * ************************************ * First light the candles. Then spread your hands out around the candles, drawing your hands inward in a circular motion three times to indicate the acceptance of the sanctity of Shabbat. You then cover your eyes and recite the following blessing: BO-RUCH A-TOH ADO-NOI E-LO-HEI-NU ME-LECH HO-OLOM A-SHER KI-DE-SHO-NU BE-MITZ-VO-SOV VE-TZI-VO-NU LE-HAD-LIK NER SHEL SHA-BOS KO-DESH. Translation: Blessed are You, L-rd our G-d, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments, and commanded us to kindle the light of the holy Shabbat. * Uncover your eyes and behold the Shabbat lights. * The time of lighting is considered especially propitious for praying to G-d for health and happiness. The prayer is readily acceptable because it is offered during the performance of this great mitzvah of lighting Shabbat candles. CAUTION: The candles must be lit 18 minutes *BEFORE* sunset. IT IS PROHIBITED AND IS A DESECRATION OF THE SHABBAT TO LIGHT THE CANDLES *AFTER* SUNSET. ******************************************* * MOSHIACH INFORMATION HOTLINES * * http://www.torah4blind.org/hotlines.htm * ******************************************* ****************************************** * MOSHIACH IN THE AIR - ELECTRONIC MEDIA * * http://www.torah4blind.org/e-media.htm * ****************************************** ******************************** * LIVING WITH MOSHIACH * * Weekly Digest About Moshiach * ******************************** Annual subscription (for the 18-point, large type edition) $18.00. For a one-year subscription, make your check payable to: "Enlightenment For The Blind" and mail it to: 602 N. Orange Drive. Los Angeles, CA 90036 USA Name:__________________________________ Address:_______________________________ City:__________________________________ State:___________ Zip:_________________ Telephone: ( )____________________ Due to the generosity of our donors, we offer free subscriptions to all blind and handicapped people, public service libraries and non-profit organizations. **************************************************** * TO RECEIVE THIS PUBLICATION VIA INTERNET: * * E-Mail: info@torah4blind.org * * or: * * http://www.torah4blind.org/subs.htm * **************************************************** ============================================================ = End of Text: Living With Moshiach, Parshat Pekudei, 5768 = ============================================================