LIVING WITH MOSHIACH, Your Birkat HaChamah Guide B"H LIVING WITH MOSHIACH Weekly Digest About Moshiach YOUR BIRKAT HACHAMAH (BLESSING OF THE SUN) GUIDE Wednesday Morning, Nissan 14, 5769 / April 8, 2009 ************************************************* * This week's issue is sponsored in part by: * * Holy Sparks - "http://www.holysparks.org" * * * * * Your premiere site for Jewish spirituality. * * * * * 5,769 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 * * * 5769 "Year of Hakhel" **************************************************** * 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 In honor of his 107th birthday, 11 Nissan, 5769 "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 Rebbe's Prophecy. * Your Birkat HaChamah Guide. * Introduction. * The Blessing on the Sun. * What Is Birkat HaChamah? * Order of Birkat HaChamah According to Chabad Custom. * A Short Digest of the Birkat HaChamah Laws and Customs. * Laws of Birkat HaChamah for the visually impaired and the blind. * Order of the Blessing on the Sun. * Moshiach Matters. * Year of Hakhel. Hakhel Today. * Time for Unity; Time for Strength! * 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 617th issue of our weekly publication, Living With Moshiach. * On Erev Pesach, Wednesday, April 8, we will, G-d willing, be making the Birkat HaChamah -- Blessing of the Sun. This special blessing is said only once in 28 years, when the sun is in the same position that it had at the time of the creation of the world, Therefore we present here "Your Birkat HaChamah (Blessing of the Sun) Guide," and other related material about this special mitzvah. * 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 new copy editor, Reb Benyomin Hoffman, for his tireless efforts, and, many thanks to our former 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, 5769 Year of Hakhel 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 * * * * Reb Yitzchok Moshe (Ian) ben Reb Dovid Asniel * * Ekman (Santiago, Chile) * * Passed away on 24 Shevat, 5769 * * * * May Their Souls Merit Eternal Life * * * * AND IN HONOR OF * * Mrs. Esther Shaindel bas Fraidel Chedva * * Shagalov * * * * * Dedicated by * * Rabbi & Mrs. Yosef Yitzchok and Gittel Rochel * * Shagalov * ************************************************* ************************ * 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 593: http://www.torah4blind.org/lwm-5768/593.txt ********************************************* * 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 * * Passed away on 4 Adar II, 5755 * * Pais * * * * May Their Souls Merit Eternal Life * * * * Dedicated by their grandchildren * * Rabbi & Mrs. Yosef Y. and Gittel Rochel * * Shagalov * ********************************************* YOUR BIRKAT HACHAMAH (BLESSING OF THE SUN) GUIDE A Mitzvah Once Every 28 Years Wednesday Morning, Nissan 14, 5769 / April 8, 2009 * Compiled and Edited by Rabbi Yosef Y. Shagalov * 5769 * 2009 * Year of Hakhel INTRODUCTION Once every twenty-eight years, the sun is in exactly the same place in the sky, at the same hour, on the same day of the week, that it was at the time of its creation. We mark this rare occasion with great joy, by going outside in the early morning to recite the special Birkat HaChamah Blessing, acknowleding G-d's might. * To find out where your closest Birkat HaChamah service is taking place, call your local Chabad-Lubavitch Center. To learn more about this special mitzvah, visit: www.chabad.org/sun. THE BLESSING ON THE SUN -- BIRKAT HACHAMAH Blessing #1: Bo-ruch A-toh Ado-noi E-lo-hei-nu Me-lech Ho-olom O-seh Ma-aseh Be-rai-shis. Translation: Blessed are you, L-rd our G-d, King of the universe, who re-enacts the work of Creation. Blessing #2: Bo-ruch A-toh Ado-noi E-lo-hei-nu Me-lech Ho-olom She-heche-yo-nu Ve-ki-ye-mo-nu Ve-higi-o-nu Liz-man Ha-zeh. Translation: Blessed are you, L-rd our G-d, King of the universe, who has granted us life, sustained us and enabled us to reach this occasion. Editor's Note: The second blessing, was instituted, as a Chabad Custom, by the Rebbe in 5741/1981. At that time the Rebbe said: [1] "It is our custom to recite also the Shehecheyonu blessing, but in order to avoid even the slightest possibility of reciting an unnecessary blessing, one should wear a new garment -- over which one would be required to recite the blessing Shehecheyonu. Alternatively, one should take a new fruit and place it before him while reciting the blessing, and recite the blessing of Shehecheyonu while also bearing the garment or fruit in mind." WHAT IS BIRKAT HACHAMAH? "In [2] the beginning, G-d created the heavens and the earth and everything in them…. And G-d said, "Let there be great sources of light in the heavens, the sun and the moon, to separate the day from the night, and to be for signs of the seasons, and the days, and the years, and to shine upon the earth. "And so He made the two great sources of light: the sun as the greater light, to rule by day, and the moon, as the smaller light, to rule by night, together with the stars. "And He placed them in the heavens to shine upon the earth, and to separate between light and darkness. And G-d saw that it was good. And it was evening and it was morning. The fourth day." Beraishis, 1:1; 14 - 19 * * * Birkat [3] HaChamah is a mitzvah that is fulfilled when the sun returns to the same position, at the same time of the week, that it was in at the time of its creation. We will, G-d willing, perform the mitzvah this year on Passover eve, Wednesday April 8. It should be recited outdoors in view of the sun, preferably before the first quarter of the day (but can be recited until midday). It is preferable to recite the short prayer service publicly amongst many people. However, it can be recited alone. * * * * Birkat [4] HaChamah only happens once in 28 years. This is the 206th time ever! * Birkat HaChamah is always recited on a Wednesday morning (April 8, in this century). * The last time was in 5741/1981, that was also a Hakhel Year. * Next time will, G-d willing, be in the year 5797/2037, on the day after Pesach. ORDER OF BIRKAT HACHAMAH ACCORDING TO CHABAD CUSTOM [5] (From the Rebbe's Talk on Shabbat Parshat Tazria, the Shabbat Blessing the Hebrew Month of Nissan, Parshat HaChodesh, 5741/1981) 1. The text of the Blessing of the Sun contains the words "L-rd Our G-d, King of the Universe." It also reads: "who re-enacts the WORK OF Creation." 2. Preferably, the blessing should be recited between dawn and the end of the third "proportional hour" of the day (each hour is defined as one twelfth of the time between dawn and nightfall). However, if for some reason, one did not recite the blessing during this time, it may be recited until noon (the end of the six "proportional hours"). 3. It is customary to recite the blessing after Shacharit -- the morning prayer, among a large assembly of people. 4. Before reciting the blessing one should place one's feet together and glance at the sun once. Once the blessing is begun, one should not look at the sun at all. 5. The order of the recitations is as follows: The first six verses of Psalm 148; The two blessings; Psalm 19; Psalm 121; Psalm 150; Our Rabbis taught: One who sees the sun…; Psalm 67; Aleinu; Mourners Kaddish (when a minyan of ten is present). It is the custom of some communities to add to this order. 6. It is our custom to recite also the Shehecheyonu blessing, but in order to avoid even the slightest possibility of reciting an unnecessary blessing, one should wear a new garment -- over which one would be required to recite the blessing Shehecheyonu. Alternatively, one should take a new fruit and place it before him while reciting the blessing, and recite the blessing of Shehecheyonu while also bearing the garment or fruit in mind. 7. It is our custom that women recite this blessing too, [preferably], among a large assembly of people. 8. The men and women should, OBVIOUSLY, congregate separately. 9. IT IS A CORRECT AND GOOD PRACTICE to educate children, boys and girls, to recite this blessing. 10. It is a correct and good practice to give tzeddakah (charity) in conjunction with the recitation of the Order of the Blessing of the Sun. A SHORT DIGEST OF THE BIRKAT HACHAMAH LAWS AND CUSTOMS [6] * The Chabad custom is that women recite this blessing too, [preferably], among a large assembly of people. * It is correct and proper to educate children -- under the age of Bar Mitzvah and Bat Mitzvah -- to fulfill the mitzvah of Birkat HaChamah. * The earliest time to recite Birkat HaChamah is after sunrise on Wednesday morning, April 8. * Birkat HaChamah should be recited before the end of the first quarter of the day, i.e. the time by which one has to have recited the morning Shema. However, if for some reason one did not recite the blessing before this time; the blessing may be recited until noon. * If one saw the sun but it then became obscured by clouds (before one had a chance to make the blessing), one may still recite the blessing. * If [7] it's cloudy, you can still say the blessing, as long as you can see the shape of the sun behind the clouds. * In the event that dense clouds obscure the sun throughout the morning, one should wait until just before noon; if the sun is still concealed, one should recite the blessing without the words "L-rd, our G-d, King of the Universe." Thus the blessing should be pronounced as follows: "Blessed are You who re-enacts the work of creation." * If one did not recite Birkat HaChamah before noon, some authorities say that one should still recite the blessing -- but without the words "L-rd, our G-d, King of the Universe" -- until sunset. * Birkat HaChamah may be recited upon seeing the sun through a glass window or a similar transparent partition. Yet, if easily achievable, one should go outside and recite Birkat HaChamah under the open sky. * Before reciting the blessing, one should place one's feet together and glance at the sun once. Once the blessing is begun, one should not look at the sun at all. * One must be careful not to recite Birkat HaChamah in countryards or alleyways that contain filth, for no holy words may be recited in close proximity to filth. * When the time for Birkat HaChamah occurs on Erev Pesach (as in the year 5769), caution should be exercised that the proceedings of public gatherings should not be unduly prolonged, in order to ensure that people will rid themselves of chometz at the proper time. LAWS OF BIRKAT HACHAMAH FOR THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED AND THE BLIND 1. A [8] blind person may recite Birkat HaChamah. 2. One [9] who sees the sun through eyeglasses, even if his natural vision is impaired to the extent that he is not able to see without them, may recite the blessing of Birkat HaChamah. ORDER [10] OF THE BLESSING ON THE SUN [11] * Preferably, the Blessing of the Sun should be recited between sunrise and the end of the third "proportional hour" of the day (each "hour" is defined as one twelfth of the time between sunrise and sunset). If this is not viable, it may be recited until noon (the end of six "proportional hours"). * It should be recited following Shacharit [the morning prayer], if possible with a minyan of ten. * The Blessing of the Sun is recited facing east. Praise the L-rd. Praise the L-rd from the heavens; praise Him in the celestial heights. Praise Him, all His angels; praise Him, all His hosts. Praise Him, sun and moon; praise Him, all the shining stars. Praise Him, heaven of heavens, and the waters that are above the heavens. Let them praise the Name of the L-rd, for He commanded and they were created. He has established them forever, for all time; He issued a decree, and it shall not be transgressed. [12] * Place your feet together and glance once at the sun before reciting the following blessing. Once the blessing is begun, do not look at the sun at all. Blessing #1: Bo-ruch A-toh Ado-noi E-lo-hei-nu Me-lech Ho-olom O-seh Ma-aseh Be-rai-shis. Translation: Blessed are you, L-rd our G-d, King of the universe, who re-enacts the work of Creation. Blessing #2: Bo-ruch A-toh Ado-noi E-lo-hei-nu Me-lech Ho-olom She-heche-yo-nu Ve-ki-ye-mo-nu Ve-higi-o-nu Liz-man Ha-zeh. Translation: Blessed are you, L-rd our G-d, King of the universe, who has granted us life, sustained us and enabled us to reach this occasion. For the Choirmaster; a Psalm by David. The heavens recount the glory of the Al-mighty; the sky proclaims His handiwork. Day to day speech streams forth; night to night expresses knowledge. There is no utterance, there are no words; their voice is inaudible. Their arc extends throughout the world; their message to the end of the earth. He set in them [in the heavens] a tent for the sun which is like a groom coming forth from his bridal canopy, like a strong man rejoicing to run the course. Its rising is at one end of the heavens, and its orbit encompasses the other ends; nothing is hidden from its heat. The Torah of the L-rd is perfect, restoring the soul; the testimony of the L-rd is trustworthy, making wise the simpleton. The precepts of the L-rd are just, rejoicing the heart; the mitzvah of the L-rd is clear, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the L-rd is pure, abiding forever; the judgments of the L-rd are true, they are all righteous together. They are more desirable than gold, than much fine gold; sweeter than honey or the drippings of the honeycomb. Indeed, Your servant is scrupulous with them; in observing them there is abundant reward. Yet, who can discern inadvertent wrongs? Purge me of hidden sins. Also, hold back Your servant from willful sins; let them not prevail over me; then I will be unblemished and keep myself clean of gross transgression. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable before You, L-rd, my Strength and my Redeemer. [13] A song of ascents. I lift my eyes to the mountains -- from where will my help come? My help will come from the L-rd, Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot falter; your guardian does not slumber. Indeed, the Guardian of Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps. The L-rd is your guardian; the L-rd is your protective shade at your right hand. The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The L-rd will guard you from all evil; He will guard your soul. The L-rd will guard your going and coming from now and for all time. [14] Praise the L-rd. Praise G-d in His holiness; praise Him in the firmament of His strength. Praise Him for His mighty acts; praise Him according to His abundant greatness. Praise Him with the call of the shofar; praise Him with harp and lyre. Praise Him with timbrel and dance; praise Him with stringed instruments and flute. Praise Him with resounding cymbals; praise Him with clanging cymbals. Let every being that has a soul praise the L-rd. Praise the L-rd. [15] Our Rabbis taught: One who sees the sun at its turning point, should say, "Blessed be He who re-enacts the [work of] creation." When is this? Abbaye said: Every twenty-eight years, when the cycle begins again, and the Nissan [spring] equinox falls in Saturn, on the evening of Tuesday, going into Wednesday. [16] For the Choirmaster; a song with instrumental music; a Psalm. May G-d be gracious to us and bless us, may He make His countenance shine upon us forever, that Your way be known on earth, Your salvation among all nations. The nations will extol You, O G-d; all the nations will extol You. The nations will rejoice and sing for joy, for You will judge the peoples justly and guide the nations on earth forever. The peoples will extol You, O G-d; all the peoples will extol You, for the earth will have yielded its produce, and G-d, our G-d, will bless us. G-d will bless us; and all, from the farthest corners of the earth, shall fear Him. [17] It is incumbent upon us to praise the Master of all things, to exalt the Creator of all existence, that He has not made us like the nations of the world, nor caused us to be like the families of the earth; that He has not assigned us a portion like theirs, nor a lot like that of all their multitudes, for they bow to vanity and nothingness. But we bend the knee, bow down, and offer praise before the supreme King of kings, the Holy One, blessed be He, who stretches forth the heavens and establishes the earth, the seat of whose glory is in the heavens above, and the abode of whose majesty is in the loftiest heights. He is our G-d; there is none else. Truly, He is our King; there is nothing besides Him, as it is written in His Torah: Know this day and take unto your heart that the L-rd is G-d; in the heavens above and upon the earth below there is nothing else. [18] And therefore we hope to You, L-rd our G-d, that we may speedily behold the splendor of Your might, to banish idolatry from the earth -- and false g-ds will be utterly destroyed; to perfect the world under the sovereignty of the Al-mighty. All mankind shall invoke Your Name, to turn to You all the wicked of the earth. Then all the inhabitants of the world will recognize and know that every knee should bend to You, every tongue should swear [by Your Name]. Before You, L-rd our G-d, they will bow and prostrate themselves, and give honor to the glory of Your Name; and they will all take upon themselves the yoke of Your kingdom. May You soon reign over them forever and ever, for kingship is Yours, and to all eternity You will reign in glory, as it is written in Your Torah: The L-rd will reign forever and ever. [19] And it is said: The L-rd will be King over the entire earth; on that day the L-rd will be One and His Name One. [20] * It is a correct and good practice to give tzeddakah (charity) in conjunction with the recitation of the Order of the Blessing of the Sun. MOSHIACH MATTERS [21] * Since Birkat HaChamah falls out this year on Erev Pesach, the moon will also be full, just like when the sun and the moon were both created (before the moon was made small)!! The sun represents Moshiach, and the moon at its full is a symbol of the perfection and completeness of Jewish people! It's a Hakhel Year, a great time for Moshiach to come, and Pesach is the Festival of our Redemption, may it be speedily, NOW! * Moshiach is like the rising sun. When he comes, that'll be the biggest blessing of all. _______________ 1. As translated and printed in "Order of Birkat HaChamah Acording to Chabad Custom" pp. 6-7 (see below, footnote #5). 2. Adapted from The Moshiach Times, published by Tzivos Hashem. You can subscribe to The Moshiach Times by going to: www.tzivoshashem.org/kids, then click on Bookshelf > Moshiach Times > Subscribe or, go to: www.torah4blind.org/children/index.htm 3. Adapted from "L'Chaim weekly" publication, published by the Lubavitch Youth Organization, Brooklyn, NY. (www.lchaimweekly.org). 4. See above, footnote #2. 5. Adapted from "Order of Birkat HaChamah Acording to Chabad Custom" (Kehot, Brooklyn, 5769). 6. See above, footnote #5. 7. See above, footnote #2. 8. Based on the ruling of the Alter Rebbe, in his Seder Birkat Hanehenin, 13:9, and Luach Birkat Hanehenin, 12;15. See also Responsa Zera Emes, Vol. 3, Chapter 24. Editor. 9. See above, footnote #5. 10. See above, footnote #9. 11. THE FOLLOWING PAGES CONTAINS SACRED WRITINGS. PLEASE DO NOT DESECRATE THEM. Editor. 12. Psalms 148:1-6. 13. Psalm 19. 14. Psalm 121. 15. Psalm 150. 16. Berachot 59b. 17. Psalm 67. 18. Deuteronomy 4:39. 19. Exodus 15:18. 20. Zechariah 14:9. 21. See above, footnote #2. ******************************************************* * IN LOVING MEMORY OF OUR DEAR FRIEND AND COPY EDITOR * * Reb Mordechai ben Reb Shaul * * Staiman * * Passed away on 22 Tamuz, 5763 * * * * May His Soul Merit Eternal Life * ******************************************************* ****************** * YEAR OF HAKHEL * ****************** This year, 5769, is a Hakhel year -- the first year in the land of Israel's seven-year agricultural cycle (the seventh year being the Sabbatical or Shemittah year). Hakhel means literally "assembly." During the Hakhel year in Temple times, the entire Jewish nation, from youngest to oldest, assembled in the Holy Temple to hear the king read from the Torah on the holiday of Sukkot. The occasion was unforgettable. The ceremony itself was announced dramatically by trumpet blasts. The king sat on a specially erected high wooden platform placed in the women's court, where he would be visible and audible to the vast throng below. The king read several passages of the Torah, including the Shema and passages containing the blessings of the Jewish people. The Jewish king was not only meant to be a political and military leader, but his role was also essentially that of G-d's delegate to promote the spiritual dimension of the national life of the people. His reading of the Torah following the observance of the Shemittah year strengthened the people's adherence to G-d through keeping His commandments and studying His Torah. * It is significant that the Torah was read by the King rather than the Sanhedrin, the supreme rabbinical court. For the Hakhel gathering -- and, in fact, the entire Hakhel experience -- was to engender awe and reverence for G-d. This response is more readily aroused by the Jewish monarch than the Sanhedrin. The awakening of awe in the nation fosters Jewish unity. In the area of knowledge and comprehension of the Torah -- that which would be imparted by the Sanhedrin -- there can be many levels among Jews. But, when we speak of awe, all Jews are on the same level. During the Hakhel in the Holy Temple, the goal was not to reach deeper understanding; rather, to find awe and reverence, as was the case when the Torah was given. Thus, in Temple times, Hakhel was an opportunity to re-experience the revelation of the Torah at Sinai. And just as at Sinai, their unity led them to bring together all levels and all types of Jews. Hakhel Today Though we do not yet have the actual mitzvah of Hakhel, as we have not yet merited the rebuilding of the Third Holy Temple, the opportunity beckons for everyone to be involved in the spiritual mitzvah of Hakhel at all times, in all places. We have the opportunity and even the obligation to spread Jewish awareness by gathering Jews in the true spirit of Jewish unity. As the Rebbe suggested repeatedly during previous Hakhel years and reemphasized during the Hakhel year of 5748 (1987-8), "These gatherings are most appropriate this year of Hakhel when the potential for success in this matter is very great and we are given extraordinary powers from Above. For, 'when the days of old are remembered in their season, they also come into being' and we can effect the true Hakhel which will take place with the ingathering of the exiles in the Third Holy Temple." The Rebbe has always emphasized the teaching of our Sages that "Action is the essential thing." This means that we must attempt, on a regular basis, to have gatherings with friends, family, colleagues, whose intent is to enhance Jewish unity and Jewish awareness. Men, women and even little children were charged with this mitzvah. These gatherings, large or small, enable us to focus on the unity of the Jewish people, and the love of each Jew for every other Jew. Incorporate into the gathering the "three pillars upon which the world stands" -- Torah study, prayer and charity. Share a thought from the Rebbe, say a prayer for the Redemption, and give charity, even a few coins, to a worthy cause. May we merit very soon to fulfill the mitzvah of Hakhel to hear the Torah taught by King Moshiach, G-d's Messenger, with joy and gladness, truly now. ************************************** * 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 *************************************** * 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) * * * * May His Soul Merit Eternal Life * *************************************** ******************************************* * 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, Your Birkat HaChamah Guide , 5769 = ===========================================================