CONTENTS

6
FEATURED ARTICLES WEEKLY COLUMNS
3 Dvar Malchus
8 THE KOSEL WATCHMAN
Menachem Ziegelboim 5 Parsha Thought
17 Moshiach & Hayom Yom
20 MY THREE SONS
Nosson Avraham 22 Halacha 2 Go
35 Tzivos Hashem
24 CHASSID AND
PARAGON OF CHESED
Shneur Zalman Berger

17
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1068_bm_eng.indd 4 2017-05-16 8:28:38 AM

 DVAR MALCHUS
WILL THE
REDEMPTION
INTO REALITY
When a Jew cries out Daloi galus! (Enough
with exile!) and Moshiach now! were
he simply to want it sincerely it would be
fulfilled at once, without any delay (and there
is no need to wait even the short duration
described in the verse, His word runs
swiftly), being that the redemption is already
here in the world and a Jew must simply
reveal it! * The lesson of the mahn.
Translated by Boruch Merkur
AS WITH THE FLAVOR OF THE
MAHN, YOUR WILL IS DONE
The miraculous provision
of mahn teaches that, in each
generation, every Jew has the
capacity to receive his livelihood and
all his necessities an abundance
in the areas of family, health, and
sustenance in a manner of bread
from the heavens, provided by
the one leader of the generation.
[In the merit of Moshe Rabbeinu,
the Jews were able to survive in
the desert for forty years, living off
of mahn, miraculous bread [that
fell] from the heavens.] The Torah
describes how G-d commanded
the Jewish people to preserve a jar
of mahn, as a safekeeping for
generations (Shlach 16:32).
As with all concepts discussed in
the Torah, a lesson can be derived
1068_bm_eng.indd 3
think of it in his heart. He would
from the mahn that is relevant to
all generations. The miraculous
provision of mahn teaches that, in
each generation, every Jew has the
capacity to receive his livelihood and
all his necessities an abundance
in the areas of family, health, and
sustenance in a manner of bread
from the heavens, provided for him
Jew wishes for [the end of the exile
by the one leader of the generation
(Sanhedrin 8a, quoted in Rashis
with exile!) and Moshiach now!
commentary on the Torah, VaYeilech
31:7). This is true both with regard
to the necessities of life as well as
things intended for enjoyment.
Moreover, the Jewish people
have the power to fulfill their hearts
desires simply by willing it, as learned
from the mahn. (It had in it [the
redemption is already here in the
taste] of all the flavors [imaginable],
and every Jew would taste in it all
that he so desired, etc. He didnt
have to articulate it verbally but just
simply express [in thought] what his
soul craves, and G-d would fulfill
his wish, and the person would
enjoy the desired taste Shmos
Rabba 25:3.) There is no need for a
Jew to even wait for his wish to be
granted; it is already apparent in the
world. All that is required to reveal
it [to realize ones hearts desire]
is to genuinely want it. [G-d surely
acquiesces and provides the Jew with
his hearts desire, for] the true will of
a Jew is indeed the will of the Creator
(in accordance with the ruling of
Rambam in Laws of Divorce Ch. 2,
end).
TO GENUINELY WANT
MOSHIACH NOW
The above concept also has a
timely application. Namely, when a
crying out] Daloi galus! (Enough
were he simply to want it sincerely,
it would be fulfilled at once. There
wouldnt even be a delay of time
(and there is no need to wait even
the short duration described in
the verse, His word runs swiftly
Thillim 147:15), being that the
world and a Jew must simply reveal
it!
Even during the time of exile, it
is important to know that since the
Issue 1068 3
2017-05-16 8:28:38 AM
 Dvar Malchus
Torah commands us to keep
the mahn as a safekeeping
for generations, therefore the
jar of mahn still exists in the
physical world (just as it was
after the mahn stopped falling at
the end of the forty years in the
desert, when the Jewish people
entered the Holy Land to settle
it). It is especially vital to know
this after the destruction of the
First Temple, when the jar of
mahn was hidden away (Yoma
52b, Rambam Laws of Beis
HaBechira Ch. 4, beg.) (along
with the other holy artifacts).
Now a Jew must summon
Continued from page 21
immediately came into the house
and handed the Rebbes letter to
my wife.
However, before she had
a chance to open the letter and
read it, the telephone rang. My
wife picked up the receiver and
heard the doctor from our local
health clinic on the line. I have
some good news for you, he
said. Youre going to have a
baby.
When she put the phone
down and told me what she
had heard, I was stunned. I was
overcome with emotion by this
miraculous display of Divine
Providence. We had just received
the Rebbes bracha, and here
the joyous news came the next
instant.
Yet, despite our feeling of
elation, my wifes heart was
still filled with concern that this
might be another incomplete
pregnancy. Nevertheless, having
received the Rebbes bracha and
with our deep faith and hope that
everything would go well, she felt
that things would be different this
time.
4 23 Iyar 5777
1068_bm_eng.indd 4
the faith that wherever he may
be, there is the existence of the
jar of mahn albeit concealed.
Indeed, faith is presently
required, for its existence is not
visibly apparent (as it was in the
time of Yirmiyahu, for example
see Yirmiyahu 2:31). Faith
in the existence of the mahn
empowers every individual to
receive all of his livelihood and all
of his necessities [miraculously]
in a manner of bread from
the heavens. Making this a
reality simply depends upon
[harnessing] ones true will.
In fact, since today it is
The Rebbes bracha was
realized. After a full term nine-
month pregnancy, we were
blessed with the birth of our
second son, and incredibly just
one year later, our third son was
born.
My three sons go around
with the Rebbes picture in their
wallets. The two younger ones
are fully aware that they are the
children of the Rebbe, and in
my opinion, this is what has
influenced them to get closer to
the path of Torah and mitzvos.
It wasnt until the eighties
that I was able to come back
for a business trip to New York.
This time, there was no question
that I would not lose out on the
opportunity to visit the Rebbe
and offer our heartfelt thanks to
him.
I came to the Rebbes court
at 770 on a Sunday during
dollars distribution. Just looking
at this scene with thousands
of people, Jews from all walks
of life and backgrounds, was
a marvelous experience. As
I stood before the Rebbe, I
introduced myself, although I
felt that the Rebbe knew very
well whom I was. This was an
impossible to openly see the
jar of mahn, which is in
safekeeping for generations,
this itself must serve as a catalyst
to further speed up the time
when the Torahs commandment
of preserving the mahn as a
safekeeping for generations
shall be fulfilled in a revealed way,
with the coming of Moshiach
Tzidkeinu. May he come and
redeem us and take us upright to
our land.
(From the address of Shabbos Parshas
BChukosai 5746, bilti muga)
almost mystical feeling, one that
cant be explained logically. The
Rebbe had never met me before,
and he had surely received tens
of thousands of letters from all
over the world since I had written
him. However, the fact is that the
Rebbe knew exactly who I was.
I kissed his hand and had the
privilege of receiving dollars for
all the members of my family.
Dr. Bar-Or concluded
his story with words of great
appreciation for the Rebbe and
the work of his shluchim. He
has a particularly warm place in
his heart for his citys shliach,
Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Beckerman.
He is also personally acquainted
with the shliach at the Tel Aviv
Stock Exchange, Rabbi Chagai
HaLevi, having seen his activities
during the time he worked as a
banker and his many visits to the
stock exchange. I am pleased
to welcome Rabbi Beckerman
whenever he pays one of his
regular visits to the synagogue
founded by my father, and I even
raise funds for his programs. So
it is when I have such tremendous
love for Chabad Chassidim.
2017-05-16 8:28:38 AM
 PARSHA THOUGHT
THE MESSIANIC
TRIUMVIRATE
By Rabbi Heschel Greenberg
THE UNUSUAL
SPELLING OF YAAKOV?
At the end of the harsh words
of rebuke in this weeks parsha,
G-d promises the Jewish people
that He will not abandon them.
I will remember My covenant
with Yaakov, and My covenant
with Yitzchak too. I will also
remember My covenant with
Avraham, and I will remember
the Land.
Rashi observes that Yaakovs
name is spelled with an extra
letter vov. This is an aberration,
for in virtually all the other
places where Yaakovs name is
mentioned it is spelled without
the extra vov.
Rashi points to five other
exceptions to the rule and
observes that the Prophet
Elijahs name, which is usually
spelled with a vov, is missing
the vov in five places and that
there is a connection between
these two anomalies. Yaakov
appropriated the letter vov from
Elijah as collateral securing that
he would come and announce
the Redemption of his (Yaakovs)
children.
Why was it necessary for
Yaakov to take Elijahs vov five
times and why specifically did he
take the letter vov?
Rabbi Shlomo Ganzfried,
1068_bm_eng.indd 5
author of the classic Kitzur
Shulchan Aruch, in his
commentary on the Torah,
Aperion (cited in the anthology
Yalkut Moshiach UGeula),
suggests that the five references
hint to the fact that Elijah will
make five announcements
concerning the Final Redemption.
However, this too must be
explored to be fully understood.
Why would it be necessary
for Elijah to make five
announcements?
LIBERATION OF FIVE
LEVELS OF SOUL
One possible explanation
lies in the nature of Galus-exile.
Physical exile is a representation
of the spiritual exile of our souls.
Our G-dly soul has only a limited
ability to express itself because
we are in an internal exile.
There are five levels of the
soul, each of which must be
liberated from exile and allowed
to freely express itself.
To understand the
significance of the liberation of
these five levels it is necessary to
describe their function and how
they differ from one another.
The lowest level of the soul is
called nefesh. It is responsible for
the practical aspects of our lives.
The nefesh of our G-dly soul is
what motivates us and enables us
to act in accordance with G-ds
will.
In exile, that motivation is
often impaired or even lacking,
because Galus is a desensitizing
force. Galus removes the
motivation and dedication that a
Jew would normally have if the
nefesh was left to its own devices.
Elijahs first announcement
thus paves the way for the
nefesh to be liberated and our
motivation for Jewish practice
heightened. When a Jew feels the
inspiration to do more, it may
very well be a sign that Elijah has
made that announcement and
ones nefesh is in the process of
being liberated.
The next level of the soul is
called ruach, which is responsible
for our emotions. When a Jew is
filled with love or awe for G-d, it
is the ruach of our G-dly soul that
is behind that emotion. In exile
our emotions are occluded. While
we might be able to motivate
ourselves to do a Mitzvah, it may
lack the love and reverence that
the G-dly souls ruach has for
G-d and His commandments.
Elijahs second announcement
then sets into motion a process
that allows our spiritual emotions
to emerge. Thus, when a Jew
feels passion or any other strong
feeling for G-d, another person,
Issue 1068 5
2017-05-16 8:28:40 AM
 PARSHA THOUGHT
The fifth and final level of the soul, called Yechida,
is the spark of G-dly energy within the soul that
contains a spark of the Divine itself. This level, when
activated, goes even beyond will-power. It represents
the souls complete inability to do anything that hampers
its relationship with G-d. Is it often identified with the
souls very essence, which is one with G-d.
a Mitzvah, Torah study, etc., it
may portend that ones personal
redemption, along with the entire
worlds Redemption, is right
around the corner.
The next level of the soul is
called neshama (which is also
the generic name for soul). The
neshama is responsible for our
ability to understand G-dliness
and for our mortal minds to
grasp the Divine teachings of
Torah. In exile we experience a
mental block as far as Torah is
concerned. While we may be able
to understand secular knowledge,
there can still be a formidable
impediment to the grasping of
anything spiritual and divine.
Elijahs third announcement
thus unleashes the mechanism
for our G-dly souls neshama-
intellectual potential to freely
absorb all of this Divine
knowledge.
The next level is called chaya,
which is responsible for the souls
ability to exercise unbridled and
unlimited will-power to follow
G-ds commandments, no matter
the obstacle. When a Jew was
prepared to give his or her life for
Judaism, it was the chaya aspect
of his or her soul that asserted
itself. In exile this power can be
covered up by the darkness of
our condition.
Elijahs fourth announcement
thus prepares us for the liberation
of this level, which provides us
6 23 Iyar 5777
1068_bm_eng.indd 6
with the will-power to surmount
any obstacle to the fulfillment of
G-ds will.
The fifth and final level of
the soul, called Yechida, is the
spark of G-dly energy within the
soul that contains a spark of the
Divine itself. This level, when
activated, goes even beyond will-
power. It represents the souls
complete inability to do anything
that hampers its relationship with
G-d. Is it often identified with the
souls very essence, which is one
with G-d.
While in the level of Chaya,
one feels the need to sacrifice
comfort, money and even life for
a Higher purpose, the unmasked
Yechida acts effortlessly and
automatically; it simply cannot be
any other way.
This fifth level is the one
identified most with Moshiach
and it is uncovered by Elijah
when he makes his fifth and final
announcement.
ADAM DEGRADED
HIMSELF AND HIS
PROGENY IN SIX WAYS
Now that we have some
explanation why the vov of
Elijah was taken as collateral
five timesto ensure that he
empowers us to liberate all five
levels of our soulwe now have
to understand the significance of
the letter vov in particular.
The aforementioned Aperion
finds an answer to this question
by referring to a Midrashic
comment that the letter vov is
also missing from the word toldos
(generations, children) except in
two places. The two exceptions
are the verse in Genesis which
describes the world upon the
completion of creation: These
are the generations of the
heavens... and These are the
children of Peretz
The Midrash explains that
the vov is missing from all but
these two aforementioned places
due to the fact that when Adam
sinned he dramatically altered
the perfect nature of the world in
six different ways, the numerical
value of the letter vov. The first
mention of toldos-generations in
Genesis contains the letter vov
because it was prior to Adams
fall, when the world still enjoyed
an untarnished identity.
Likewise, in the Messianic
Age the world will revert back to
its state of perfection as Adams
sin will have been rectified. Thus,
the verse that speaks of the
generations of Peretz, a nickname
for Moshiach, uses the full form
of the word toldos.
What are the six changes
that Adams sin imposed which
will be restored with Elijah and
Moshiach?
The Midrash lists the
following six items:
His radiance, life,
height, produce, fruit, and the
luminaries.
Prior to his sin, Adams face
radiated a G-dly aura. This will
return for all of humanity with
the coming of Moshiach.
When G-d instilled the breath
of life into Adam, it was with the
intention that he be immortal.
That changed when Adam sinned
and brought death to the world.
In the Messianic Age, when
2017-05-16 8:28:40 AM
 death will be swallowed up
forever, we will enjoy eternal
life.
Adams height is described as
reaching from earth to heaven.
Metaphorically speaking, this
means that there were no barriers
between heaven and earth in his
consciousness. That lofty stature
was lost upon his sin but will be
restored in the Messianic Age.
Adams sin also affected the
earths produce and the fruit
of the trees. When we fail and
degrade ourselves, the entire
world experiences degradation
as well. Elijah and Moshiach will
restore the integrity and vibrancy
of the agricultural processes, as
well as all aspects of nature.
Likewise, the light that G-d
created on the first day, which
enabled one to see from one end
of the world to the other, became
concealed as a result of Adams
sin. It will be restored in the
Messianic Age.
THE THREE SPECIAL
MITZVOS ENTRUSTED
TO WOMEN
To sum up the words of the
Midrash, Moshiach will restore,
1068_bm_eng.indd 7
light (both Adams radiant face
and the light of the world), life
(an end to human death and
completion of the life of produce)
and unification of heaven and
earth-holiness.
These three elements are
the same three special Mitzvos
that were entrusted mainly to
women: Lighting Shabbos and
Holiday candles, guarding family
purity-Mikveh, and separation of
Challah from our dough (and, by
extension, keeping all the laws of
Kashrus).
It is easy to see the correlation
between lighting the Shabbos
candles and restoration of the
G-dly light.
It is also easy to understand
the connection between
separation of Challah and
bringing heaven and earth
together. Food is a metaphor
for all the physical and material
things in our lives. When we
separate challah (and keep kosher
in general) we bring holiness into
our earthly and mundane affairs;
we bring heaven and earth
together.
How do we connect Mikveh
with the restoration of eternal
life?
The primary function of the
Mikveh is the ritual purification
of a woman after her monthly
period (which represents a loss
of potential life). G-ds presence
is overtly present when there is
vibrant life.
When we experience a loss
or curtailment of life, such as
during sleep, our bodies enter a
state of pause. G-ds presence is
suppressed. Upon awakening we
therefore wash our hands with
water, the source of life.
In some instances, as when
there is a loss of potential life
for a woman, the purification
and restoration process requires
immersion in a Mikveh, which
has been likened, among other
metaphors, to the amniotic
fluid, symbolizing rebirth and
rejuvenation.
Indeed, our Sages tell us that
beginning with the Matriarch
Sarah it is the role of our women
in particular to rectify Adams
sin by engaging especially in
these three areas of light, life
and holiness. This will lead and
condition us for the imminent
Redemption, when we will see
uncompromised light, life and
holiness!
Issue 1068 7
2017-05-16 8:28:40 AM
 PROFILE/CHABAD HISTORY

THE KOSEL
WATCHMAN
He was a true Chabad Chassid, one of the
directors of Kollel Chabad in Eretz Yisroel
appointed by the Rebbe Rayatz. He also
served as Rabbi of the Kosel HaMaaravi under
the British, and was one of the prominent
personalities in the Jewish quarter of the Old
City until it fell to the Arab marauders in 1948.
That is when he was killed by a flying piece of
shrapnel. * Rabbi Yitzchok Avigdor Orenstein
was a talmid chacham, celebrated Chassid, a
man of many deeds, who was a father figure to
Rabbi Yitzchok
numerous residents of the Old City. Avigdor Orenstein

By Menachem Ziegelboim

R
abbi Yitzchok Avigdor
Orenstein was born
in 5653/1893 in
Yerushalayim. His
parents were Moshe Yehuda Leib
and Raizel. R Orenstein was a
scion of a distinguished Chabad
family. For a hundred years, he
and his ancestors, going four
generations back, were in charge of
Kollel Chabad in Eretz Yisroel.
His great stature wasnt
only in his ancestors merits but
primarily in his own merit, as
one of the precious sons of the
Holy City who spent all his life in
Torah, avoda, and mesirus nefesh
for Yerushalayim and the outlying
areas, and who stood at his post
defending the Old City and the
remnant of our Mikdash, the
Kosel HaMaaravi (Western Wall)
until his final day.
In his youth he learned in
yeshivos in Yerushalayim and
he was already well known as a
gifted Torah scholar as a youth.
He learned in Ohel Moshe
among other yeshivos, and was
one of the outstanding students
there.
After the Rebbe Rashab
founded Yeshivas Toras Emes in
Chevron before the First World
War, R Orenstein went to learn
there. Although he had not
studied Chassidus before this, in
a short time he managed to climb
the steps of wisdom to become
one of the deep students of
Chabad Chassidus. He continued
learning there until the outbreak
of World War I.
The war hit the residents
of Yerushalayim hard and took
R Yitzchok Avigdor out of the
four cubits of halacha. In those
tumultuous times, he turned
out to be an effective communal
activist and he took part in all
rescue activities that took place

8 23 Iyar 5777

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 Issue 1068 9

1068_bm_eng.indd 9 2017-05-16 8:28:45 AM

 Profile/Chabad History
After the davening, I and Rabbi Gersten began
to head home. When we arrived at Rechov
HaShalsheles, I suddenly heard the sound of a gunshot
and R Gersten fell to the ground screaming, They killed
me! I immediately turned around and there was a young
Arab approaching me with a revolver in his hand. I
screamed with all my might and the Arab was frightened
and fled.
in Yerushalayim at that time.
Thanks to the Spanish citizenship
papers that his ancestors paid
good money for, he was able to
walk around freely without fear
of the Turkish gendarmes who
pounced on every young Jew in
order to draft him.
He was also active in helping
those starving in Yerushalayim,
and those afflicted by outbreaks
of plague and spotted fever,
which spread during the war
years.
***
During the Rebbe Rayatzs
visit to Eretz Yisroel in 1929,
he visited the offices of Kollel
Chabad (in the Meal Sharim
neighborhood of Yerushalayim).
This opportunity was used by
the gabbaim of Kollel Chabad
to beseech the Rebbe to accept
leadership of the kollel. The
Rebbe made his leadership
contingent on having absolute
authority over the kollel, the full
power to appoint people of his
choice to the administration, and
also demanding that all members
of the kollel commit to accepting
his enactments. The hanhala
of the kollel agreed to these
conditions.
In the first stage, he appointed
R Shlomo Yehuda Leib Eliezrov
as his representative and left the
previous administration intact
until he would send a set of rules
for the kollel.
10 23 Iyar 5777
1068_bm_eng.indd 10
The Rebbe left Eretz Yisroel
and visited the United States
and other countries and only
a few years later did he send
regulations for the kollel
with many conditions for being
appointed a member of Kollel
Chabad (like davening regularly
in a Chabad shul, learning
Chassidus, etc.)
After the Rebbe accepted
the leadership, he made several
changes in the running of the
kollel, and together with his
representative, R Eliezrov,
he personally appointed the
Chassidim, R Dovid Levanon
and R Orenstein, as members of
the governing board representing
him. It was then that R Orenstein
stepped into the role that his
forbears had held in the Kollel.
As expected, R Orenstein
harnessed all his energy and
talents to run and wisely sustain
the needs of this illustrious kollel.
In his service of the kollel he was
the father to hundreds of poor
families in the Chabad yishuv,
widows and orphans.
His son, Mr. Shmuel Even-
Ohr (Orenstein), describes a
meeting his father had with the
Frierdike Rebbe in Riga:
When my father first met
the Admur R Yosef Yitzchok zl
in 5689 in Riga, the Admur was
very impressed by him and asked
him to move to Riga and be his
secretary. However, my father,
whose love for the Land burned
in his heart more than anything,
forwent this appealing offer by
his Rebbe even though he was in
dire financial straits at the time.
***
R Orenstein underwent
a significant turning point
in his life after World War I,
when the British conquered
Yerushalayim. At that time there
was an awakening among Jews
in Yerushalayim to organize
their communal lives. Many Jews
rallied to this work.
The Kosel story began for him
in Tishrei 5689/1928, and ended
up becoming a central part of
the life of R Orenstein. In those
days there was a meeting of the
heads of the yishuv in the course
of which it was decided to form
a committee that would closely
supervise Kosel matters for the
benefit of the Jews who visited
it, but whose rights were being
undermined by the Arabs and the
British Mandate. The committee
was named Vaadas HaKosel,
and R Orenstein was picked to
lead it.
In the protocols written at
the time, it listed the jobs that
had been assigned to him and
the working committee (Vaad
HaPoel) who worked with him:
1-He was to be present on
all gathering days and times (i.e.
tfillos);
2-While Jews were there, he
was to oversee order;
3-He was to look into the
work of the shamashim (sextons)
and as soon as possible present
a detailed proposal regarding
the monetary income of the
Kosel, incorporating all existing
available data;
4-He was to maintain a ledger
and write all significant incidents
that happened at the Kosel;
5-He was to liaise with the
2017-05-16 8:28:45 AM
 police who guarded the Kosel
and if possible, also with the
neighbors;
6-In extraordinary disruptive
situations, he was to consult with
the working committee.
He was also given scholarly
research jobs, such as collecting
all printed material and that
which was known orally about
the Kosel throughout the
generations, and was secretary of
the Vaadas HaKosel;
His salary was set at 10
Israeli liras (which was basically
matched to the British Pound)
a month. Although the original
committee disbanded right
after it finished its job, the
administrative responsibility
and the management side of
supervising the Kosel remained
in the hands of the International
Committee and Agudath Israel,
who also paid his salary.
In exchange for this paltry
monthly sum, starvation wages,
he worked extremely hard, for
he considered his position of
responsibility as a sacred task.
His work at the Kosel was
difficult, exhausting, and also
dangerous to some extent.
During the hardest days
and situations I barely missed
a day of visiting the Kosel, and
more than once I was in mortal
danger, but there was nothing List of committee members, highlighting the two chosen by the Rebbe Rayatz
that prevented me from doing my
work completely and faithfully. and fulfilled my role faithfully. responsibility involved, and
This is what he wrote in a letter But, my current material mainly, the danger that always
to the International Committee: circumstance is very difficult, hovered over him at the Kosel.
The work is physically hard. because my salary is tiny relative For example, an entry in the
On Shabbos I am at the Kosel to the needs of the household and Kosel diary from a Shabbos in
from morning till evening, almost family, and this has forced me 5697:
twelve hours. Every day I am at to turn to you with a request to After the davening, I and
the Kosel for a few hours. Aside consider all the aforementioned Rabbi Gersten began to head
from this, it is work of great and designate a proper salary to home. When we arrived at
responsibility to maintain order at me in a way that enables me to Rechov HaShalsheles near the
the Kosel and relations with the make a living from this. oven of the Arab that stands on
Arab neighbors who live around the corner of Rechov Chevron,
R Orenstein was not
the Kosel. I think that I have I suddenly heard the sound of a
exaggerating about the difficulties
consistently carried out my work shot and R Gersten fell to the
of his work, the tremendous

Issue 1068 11

1068_bm_eng.indd 11 2017-05-16 8:28:46 AM

 Profile/Chabad History
Rabbi Orenstein leads the vaad for writing the Torah of Moshiach in Eretz Yisroel
ground screaming: They killed
me! I immediately turned around
and there was a young Arab
approaching me with a revolver
in his hand. I screamed with
all my might and the Arab was
frightened and fled. This did
not stop R Orenstein from going
back to the Kosel the very next
day.
***
R Orenstein remained at the
Kosel every Shabbos for most of
the day. Since on Shabbos it was
forbidden by the Mandate to read
from the Torah near the Kosel,
they would enter a nearby house
and read the Torah there and
return to the Kosel for Musaf.
After the davening, R Orenstein
would stay at the Kosel until
12 23 Iyar 5777
1068_bm_eng.indd 12
noon. In the afternoon he would
return to the Kosel and stay
there until night, until the last
worshipers left the Kosel area.
R Orenstein had a calming
influence on the worshipers. In
times of tension he would calm
the peoples agitation and fear.
He had a special spot at the
Kosel where he stood to separate
between the men and the women,
which he never deviated from. He
stood there for hours holding a
volume of Gemara and learning.
According to reliable testimony,
he would complete all of Shas
over a years time. The police at
the Kosel loved him and wanted
to enable him to rest, but R
Orenstein refused, saying: If my
fellow Jews are not allowed to sit
near the Kosel, why should I be
able to?
He also had good ties with
the Arabs who lived near the
Kosel. These good ties did not
stop him from complaining to
the authorities when the Arabs
disturbed the davening and
dirtied the Kosel with vomit and
excrement.
As supervising rabbi,
representing the chief rabbinate
and the nationalist institutions,
he would receive honored guests
who came to visit the Kosel.
***
R Orensteins influence
extended beyond the Kosel area,
and also affected life in the Old
City of Yerushalayim where
he lived. He moved there in
5700/1940. He found plenty of
opportunity for activism, to help
infuse life into the dwindling
community of the Old City.
When he moved to the
Old City, there was a small
community that was shrinking
and becoming progressively more
debilitated, until in the final years,
the population was just 3000
people. Many of them were poor
and the percentage of elderly
was high. Some of them learned
in yeshivos and some were
dependent on the care packages
of the Vaad HaKehilla. Only
a few were fortunate enough
to have jobs as day laborers,
working outside the walls.
Anytime there was any tension
on the Arab street, the Jewish
quarter was completely cut off
and in danger. This situation
bothered him tremendously,
and he filed complaints with
the governing bodies. He saw,
and rightly so, that we would be
unable to retain the holy sites,
particularly the Kosel, if there
would not be a robust yishuv in
the Jewish quarter, financially
stable, and fully recognized by
the national authorities who
2017-05-16 8:28:46 AM

would be ready and prepared to
protect it.
R Orenstein devoted much
time and energy to the task he
took upon himself to attract
young people to the Rova, to
strengthen the Jewish population
and develop sources of parnasa
there. At his initiative, a
committee was formed of various
personalities in the Yerushalmi
community that prepared plans
to open factories and home
industries, to build buildings on
empty lots in the south of the
Rova near the wall, and to buy
courtyards that the Arabs owned
in the Jewish area of the Old City,
especially on Rechov HaKaraim.
But the difficulties were great
and awareness of the necessity
for these activities did not
penetrate the official institutions
and the public. The money
1068_bm_eng.indd 13
The grave of Dovid HaMelech
DIRECTING THE GLOBAL CHEVRAS THILLIM
By the Rebbe Rayatzs direction, R Orenstein was also appointed to
direct the global Chevras Thillim, founded by the Rebbe, along with R
Shlomo Yehuda Leib Eliezrov. The organizations headquarters was in the
Old City. A minyan sat in the Chabad shul every day and said Thillim for
the welfare of Jews worldwide.
The two rabbanim mobilized to develop the organization and published
a letter to the public with the request that people join the organization. As
a result, tfillos and the recitation of Thillim began taking place every day
at the grave of Dovid HaMelech ah on Har Tziyon, near the site of the
Mikdash.
The Rebbe wanted to expand the organization even more. By his
instruction, Machne Israel published a letter aimed at rabbanim and
gabbaim of shuls worldwide with a call to strengthen the Chevras Thillim
and to found new ones. Included was a letter the Rebbe wrote, as well as the
resolutions of the chevra. These resolutions were composed by the mashpia,
R Alter Simchovitz and R Orenstein, after the Rebbe asked them to do so.
wasnt available and out of all quarter had been accomplished
the big plans almost nothing was even partially, the fate of the
accomplished. Obviously, if the Jewish yishuv there would have
plans to regenerate the Jewish been completely different.
Issue 1068 13
2017-05-16 8:28:49 AM
 Profile/Chabad History
R Orenstein saw to it to raise
money to support the poor of the
Old City from various sources.
He received money from a
wealthy philanthropist who chose
to remain anonymous, from the
Achva organization of which
he was one of the respected
members, and from the religious
council of the community in
Yerushalayim.
He would receive the poor
at his home and would give
each one what was coming to
him each and every day. He was
busy with this for many hours a
day. Although this placed a great
burden on him since he was
busy with his learning and Torah
research, he accepted it with love.
R Orenstein also worked to
strengthen the spiritual state of
Judaism in the Old City. For this
purpose he founded a yeshiva
called Midrash Shmuel, named
for the Rebbe Maharash, and the
outstanding young men of the
city learned there at night.
***
The British looked askance
at his many activities to bolster
Jewish life in the Jewish quarter.
One day in Teves 5708, he left
the Old City in order to take care
of matters for Kollel Chabad and
the Kfar HaIvri organization.
When he went to the assigned
place in order to join the caravan
to return to his home in the Old
City, he was taken aback when
the British blocked the way
and did not allow him to return
home, claiming that his job near
the Kosel ended and there was no
reason to be there. When he said
he lived there, they told him they
would bring him his wife and
children.
The fact that he could not
return to the Old City caused
him great anguish. He made
great efforts to return home.
Despite the advice of many
14 23 Iyar 5777
1068_bm_eng.indd 14
The book that
Rabbi Orenstein edited
friends and the pleading of his
elderly mother, he told them all,
My place is there, among my
suffering brethren, and not here.
Many Jews live there, thank G-d,
and an entire city is fighting for
its life.
After great and nonstop effort
on his part and the part of other
important figures like Rabbi
Herzog zl, and the president
of the National Committee, Mr.
Yitzchok Ben-Tzvi, R Orenstein
was allowed to return home. As
soon as he arrived home safely,
he wrote a thank you letter to
the National Committee and
its president, After I returned
home safely in the afternoon
of Erev Rosh Chodesh Adar I
to the Old City, I feel obligated
to thank you, especially your
distinguished president, Mr.
Yitzchok Ben-Tzvi, and all those
who lobbied the authorities to
allow my return to my family in
the Old City where I yearned to
be and worked so hard to return,
in order to live together with our
brothers who are under siege.
***
At the start of the Arab siege
of the Old City during the War
of Independence, R Orenstein
was called to the new city in
connection with matters of the
Kollel, but he did not give in to
the pleading of his friends that he
remain with them, especially after
he found out that his house had
been damaged by shelling and
his son was injured. After much
effort on his part and intervention
on the part of important people,
like Yitzchok Ben-Tzvi and
R Herzog, with the British
authorities, he was allowed to
return to the Old City. To friends
in the United States who asked
him why he insisted on going
to a dangerous place he said,
If it was decreed that someone
be offered up as a sacrifice for
the sanctity of the Old City of
Yerushalayim and sacred places,
then I am more obligated than
other people. His home, which
was on the border between the
Jewish quarter and the Arab
quarter, and which served as an
outpost for the defenders, was
completely destroyed and went
up in fire with his large library
and important manuscripts.
But R Orenstein did not
despair. He stood at the front
lines and was appointed as
the head of administrative
affairs of the residents of the
Jewish quarter. For the three
months that he served in this
position, he demonstrated his
superior organizational abilities
in assigning jobs, in defense,
and raising general morale.
Practically speaking, he was
responsible for every aspect of
life in the city. Two days before
he fell, he personally helped bring
to burial in the Battei Machseh
section those fighters who had
fallen that week, and as the father
of the Old Yishuv, he said the
final Kaddish over their graves.
Shabbos, 16 Kislev 5708,
was the last Shabbos that Jews
were allowed to visit the Kosel.
There was a special feeling for
those who visited the Kosel
2017-05-16 8:28:50 AM
 that Shabbos, and as usual, R
Orenstein was the last to go
home.
From the time of the
proclamation of the State, he was
no longer able to go to the Kosel.
However, from the notes in his
personal diary that was found
after his death, it can be seen how
he continued to be concerned
with the Kosel and protecting
the furnishings and Torah scrolls
that remained in storage in the
Strauss courtyard. He also writes
about how pained he is that they
can no longer make kiddush near
the Kosel, which actually would
be done in the room set aside for
him in the Strauss courtyard. He
kept up his tremendous concern
until the middle of Adar Sheini
of that year, when apparently he
realized that there was no hope
of returning to the Kosel for the
foreseeable future due to the
siege on the city.
In a letter dated 7 Iyar, that
Rabbi Orenstein describes his suffering in the Old City in a letter
he managed to have smuggled
out of the sealed off quarter, he
described the goings on after the Arab Legion on the Mount of they both remained buried in the
British soldiers left the city a few Olives. My father and mother, Old City of Yerushalayim, and
days prior. He describes how the who lived in one of the houses at so they returned their souls in
young defenders immediately the far edge of Battei Machseh, the embrace of the Old City of
took up their positions, and were awakened by the racket. My Yerushalayim that was so beloved
how the Old City was under father washed netilas yadayim to them.
constant fire, day and night, from and even managed to make the R Orenstein was a very
heavy artillery. There is also a blessing al netilas yadayim, modest and hidden person. He
description of the tragic death and in that instant a piece of always tried to conceal from
of a young Sephardic man, who shrapnel from a shell scored a others the extent of his greatness
attempted to sneak out over direct hit in his brain. My mother, in Torah. A close friend once
the city wall and was killed by a the Rebbetzin, was struck in a asked him why he was hiding
sniper, as well as the death of a major artery in her leg, and after from others, With your abilities
Hagana member standing watch excruciating suffering for two and knowledge you have so
in the courtyard of the Porat hours, passed away due to lack of much to offer? He responded
Yosef yeshiva. medical care. sincerely, What do I have in
His son, Mr. Shmuel Even- The beloved and sweet ones my possession that I might be
Ohr recounts: in their life, and in their death concealing, what advantage is
they did not part. One enemy there in me relative to others my
Four days after the first
shell hit both of them, and they, age? What do I know that they
burial was held, on Sunday 14
whose whole lives were one dont know?
Iyar 5708, in the early morning,
chain of dedication, heroism Chief Rabbi Hertzog wrote
a heavy barrage began to fall on
and sacrifice, met their deaths about him in a special memorial
the small area of Battei Machseh,
in the battle for the place that column, In connection with
from the artillery position of the
was most holy to them. And so his role as the supervisor of

Issue 1068 15

1068_bm_eng.indd 15 2017-05-16 8:28:50 AM

 Profile/Chabad History

the Kosel, he would visit me
frequently and during those
opportune moments I got to
know him, to study his worthy
talents, to appreciate and value
greatly his character that was
pure, refined and sublime. The
son of a tremendous and sharp
Torah scholar, who was also a
renowned activist, Reb Yitzchok
Orenstein was also an impressive
Torah scholar. Infused with the
teachings of Chabad Chassidus,
he rose up to the highest levels
of Sublime Awe and service
of the heart, attributes not so
commonly found even among
Torah scholars. He fulfilled his
sacred duties with great alacrity
and wondrous consistency.
Rabbi Nissan Telushkin,
one of the venerated Chabad
Chassidim in America, wrote
about him that his memory will
never be removed from my mind
and heart. He goes on to write
how he made his acquaintance
through correspondence about
Kollel Chabad and other matters,
But I never pictured him as
clearly as when I got to know him
during the weeks that I spent in
the Holy Land. His sincerity, his
simplicity, his belief in Hashem,
his attachment to the Rebbe shlita
of Lubavitch and Chassidus in
general, the sweetness of his talk
and the modesty of his ways. And
his extraordinary love, literally
to the point of sacrificing his life
with his entire being and essence
to the Old City of Yerushalayim,
may it be rebuilt speedily in our
days, to the point that there was
no hair on his body that had
not been purely dedicated only
and exclusively to Eretz Yisroel,
in every corner of her, in the
Old City of Yerushalayim, in
Chevron and in his work for the
Kollel, from which he drew great
satisfaction. In his impassioned
service he was as a father to
the hundreds of poor families
of the old yishuv, to its widows
and orphans. I can never forget
him, the image of his face stands
before my eyes. I remember
him as he was when he took me
around to all the holy sites, and
how much pleasure he took in
reviving my soul with the sights
of that which is holy to our
nation.
R Orenstein also met the
Rogatchover Gaon in Dvinsk in
the year 5688. As is known, the
Rogatchover would put
down even the greatest
scholars of the day. R
Orenstein had a heated
back and forth with the
gaon in Torah, at the end
of which the Rogatchover
gave him a pat on the
shoulder and said, Bist
doch a mentch [lit. you
are a human being], a
rare approbation on his
part.
He was a very talented
writer with a clear and
polished style, grasping extremely
complex matters, and able to
convey them in simple terms,
pithily and well explained. He
authored a number of articles and
research papers on minhagim
of earlier generations and on
the laws pertaining to Eretz
Yisroel. For twenty years, he was
involved in producing a major
work on the Seifer HaAruch
from Rabi Nosson of Roma.
Additionally, he prepared for
publication a research work on
the history of Chassidus Chabad
in Eretz Yisroel. His other work
includes editing for publication
two works of Torah scholars
who had passed away and left
behind manuscripts, Mishnas
Yoel on the history of Chabad
Chassidus and its founder, and
Minchas RIVA from R Eizik
Charif of Petersburg. From the
introductions that he wrote
we get a glimpse of his own
greatness in Torah.

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16 23 Iyar 5777 sources about Moshiach & redemption" t"ab,wv grumnu ghrz, p"a
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1068_bm_eng.indd 16 & 1710 AM in parts of Brooklyn 24/6 2017-05-16 8:28:50 AM
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Rabbi Jacob Schwei
 MOSHIACH & HAYOM YOM
WHAT IS THE
APPROPRIATE AGE
TO START TEACHING
ABOUT MOSHIACH?
By Rabbi Gershon Avtzon
Dear Reader shyichyeh,
We have discussed on many
occasions the importance of
learning the Sichos of the Dvar
Malchus (Nissan 5751 Adar
5752), which are filled with the
Rebbes instructions to us about
living with Geula and Moshiach.
There are two sichos (Acharei
Kdoshim and Emor) that explain
at length what Geula is really
all about. Both those sichos are
based on the premise that the
only difference between the word
and is the letter . ourselves from the world, with the
This teaches us that defining
as the opposite of is a up on the world and focusing on
superficial way of relating to it;
rather with a deeper perspective
it ought to be viewed as part of
the process of . The way we exists within the world and within
reach Geula is through our Avoda
in Galus, when we are building
the dwelling place for Hashem in
this world. The major change that
will take place when the Galus is
over is that the , representing fulfill the 7 Mitzvos that Bnei
Hashem, will be revealed in the
world. At that point, we will see
the truth and purpose of creation.
We will be freed from our exile
mentality and everything will be
in sync with its true purpose of
serving Hashem.
In the Sicha of Acharei-
Kdoshim 5751, the Rebbe uses
1068_bm_eng.indd 17
When Hashem created the
world, He did so in a way that it
this understanding of Geula to conceals its creator. Our first job
teach us a few very important is to reveal that truth to the world.
lessons: When that is accomplished and
We should not be afraid the world recognizes Hashem as
of Geula. There are many people its Creator and Director, then we
that have a fear: What will be have brought the ( world) to
with all the accomplishments the first stage of .
done during the time of Galus? 2 The level of
There is nothing to worry about: : This is a more
All positive things will come with transcendent level of G-dliness
us from to ;they will just that will be revealed in the world.
be elevated to a higher level in The first level mentioned above
which the truth will be revealed. is to reveal the level of Hashem
We should not detach in which Helowered Himself to
create of the world. The second
reasoning that we are now giving level of Avoda is to reveal in the
world a much higher and deeper
bringing the Geula. The Geula level of G-dliness, a level in which
will be in this world! We need to Hashem transcends the world.
reveal the inner G-dliness that How do we reveal this? Through
the learning and spreading of
each creation of Hashem. We Torah (which will be revealed
need to work harder so that the after the first level of Geula), for
Jewish people should do all the Torah transcends creation.
Mitzvos and learn Chassidus and 3 The level of
the non-Jews should accept and : This refers to revealing the
essence of Hashem. This level is
Noach are commanded. the deepest and most wondrous
In the Sicha of Emor (5751), level. This level is accessed
the Rebbe explains three levels in through learning the secrets of
the that needs to be brought the Torah that will be revealed in
into the world: the times of Moshiach. Through
1 The level of : learning and internalizing the
This refers to revealing in the secrets of the New Torah of
world that Hashem is the true Moshiach ,
Master and Creator of everything. we will merit the revelation of
Issue 1041 17
2017-05-16 8:28:51 AM
 MOSHIACH & HAYOM YOM

There are those who think that in the early years like teaching the letter must
be permeated with chassidishkait.
of education we should just focus on the basics We should be part of that
of Judaism, while the purpose of creation changing chinuch.
does not have to be discussed with young But most importantly, what
can we learn from this HaYom
children. We can see from this HaYom Yom that in Yom, which goes through
addition to teaching we teach what is an !We great detail in identifying and
explaining what is an aleph,
teach the children that all it takes tochange is about our avoda of changing
to bring into the world. to ?
I would like to mention two
things, although I am sure that
the ultimate and thus merit yud below is the body, and the there are many more:
the ultimate . To prepare for line in the middle is the fear of 1 The importance of
this level of revelation, we need to Heaven. teaching children that they
start learning and spreading the There is obviously much to can change at a very
secrets of , especially learn from this HaYom Yom. young age cannot be emphasized
the way it was explained starting Firstly, we learn the about the enough! There are those who
from the Rashbi and in Chassidus personal responsibility that we think that in the early years
Chabad. have for the chinuch of our of education we should just
Let us focus on a famous children: I am charged with the focus on the basics of Judaism,
HaYom Yom (8 Adar 1) that commandment, And you shall while the purpose of creation
describes a conversation that teach them to your children, changing does not
took place when the Alter Rebbe and that one must be actively have to be discussed with young
hired a Melamed for his son, the involved in their chinuch. As children. We can see from this
Mitteler Rebbe: The Alter Rebbe we learned in another HaYom HaYom Yom that in addition to
once summoned a young disciple Yom (22 Teves): My father teaching we teach what is an
of the Maggid [of Mezritch]. proclaimed at a farbrengen: Just !We teach the children that all
Speaking in his customary as wearing tfillin every day is a it takes tochange is to
singsong, he said: I am charged Mitzva commanded by the Torah bring into the world.
with the commandment, And to every individual regardless of Children in our generation
you shall teach them to your his standing in Torah, whether are very receptive to the message
children, and you are charged deeply learned or simple, so too of Moshiach. We have the Koach
with the mitzvah of providing is it an absolute duty for every of the Rebbe, who said about
for your family. Let us exchange person to spend a half hour every himself that since the days I
tasks. I will provide you with day thinking about the Torah- went to cheider and even before
what you need to fulfill your education of children, and to do I started thinking of the world
mitzvah, and you will teach my everything in his power and and the way it will be in the
son who was the Mitteler beyond his power to inspire times of Moshiach,to instill an
Rebbe. children to follow the path along excitement about Moshiach in
The Alter Rebbe then gave which they are being guided. our children at a very young age.
him a study plan: First, you We also see the importance As the Rebbe told us (Simchas
should teach him the letters of of being in touch with the Torah 5752), According to our
the alef-beis. What is an alef? A Melamdim of our children. It Sages, the verse Do not touch
point above, a point below, and is not enough to make sure that My anointed ones (Meshichoi)
a line in between. That makes our children have a chassidishe refers to the children who
an alef. A child must know that Melamed and chassidishe study Torah. One of the
the first principle of the Torah is education, which is of course explanations of this statement
a yud above, a yid below, and a essential. We must also be aware (in addition to those provided
line of faith that connects them. and a part of what is being by the commentators) is that
Or, according to another version: taught. Not just regarding the the education of school children
The yud above is the soul, the big things, even the small things, must be carried out in such a way

18 23 Iyar 5777

1068_bm_eng.indd 18 2017-05-16 8:28:51 AM

 that the children are completely
permeated with the ideal of
Moshiach. Just by looking at a
Jewish child, what should one
see? Moshiach! His entire being
is Moshiach, the realization of
You have been shown... there is
none beside Him.
2 Bringing the Geula,
revealing the in the world,
starts with revealing the
inside of ourselves. We all have
a the yud above is the soul, the
yud below is the body, and we
must connect them withthe
line in the middle is the fear of
Heaven. When we bring Geula
to ourselves, a , by
having our Neshama permeate
our physical body and existence,
we connect with Hashem. A
child must know that the first
principle of the Torah is a yud
above, a yid below and with that
line of faith that connects us to
Hashem we will bring the
, the time of when
the world will be
with the revelation of our Rebbe
as Moshiach, right away!!
Rabbi Avtzon is the Rosh
Yeshiva of Yeshivas Lubavitch
Cincinnati and a well sought
after speaker and lecturer.
Recordings of his in-depth
shiurim on Inyanei Geula
uMoshiach can be accessed at
http://www.ylcrecording.com

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Issue 1068 19

1068_bm_eng.indd 19 2017-05-16 8:28:52 AM

 MIRACLE STORY

MY
THREE
SONS
Although many years have passed since then,
Dr. Emanuel Bar-Or of Givatayim clearly recalls
the day he received the letter from the Rebbe
containing a bracha that opened the channel for
him and his wife. In its merit, they were blessed
with two more children.

By Nosson Avraham
Translated by Michoel Leib Dobry

R
abbi Harel Rachimi,
the Rebbes shliach in
Ohr Yehudas Neve
Rabin neighborhood,
uses all his available time on his
shlichus to spread the wellsprings
of Chassidus among the local
residents. In the few years since
he arrived to serve as the Rebbes
emissary in the city, he has
cultivated numerous supporters
for his outreach activities and
has become a familiar figure, not
just in his neighborhood, but also
throughout Ohr Yehuda.
During the past Sukkos
holiday, mitzvah campaign
activities with the Dalet Minim
lasted throughout the daylight
hours, as Rabbi Rachimi took
advantage of every free minute
he had to give another Jew
the opportunity to fulfill this
cherished commandment. He
stopped only for a few moments
when he met Dr. Emanuel
Bar-Or of Givatayim.
Dr. Bar-Or, a Jew now well
into his eighties and who speaks
most highly of the young Chabad
shliach and his work, asked if he
could tell him an amazing story
that he and his wife experienced
because of the bracha of the
Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach.
When we spoke last week
with Dr. Bar-Or and heard his
unique story first-hand, we
were impressed. While his great
appreciation for the Rebbe and
Chabad first developed because
of this story, it has become even
stronger over the years. You
people are the ultimate fulfillment
of Judaism, he says.

20 23 Iyar 5777

1068_bm_eng.indd 20 2017-05-16 8:28:52 AM


Upon completing my military
service, I began my higher
level education in the field of
business administration. After I
earned two degrees from Tel Aviv
University, I flew to Paris, where
I stayed for the next several years.
Among other things, I learned
at the prestigious Sorbonne
University, where I received my
coveted third degree a Ph. D.
When I returned to Eretz Yisroel,
I met my wife Ruti, and in 5722
we married and established our
residence in Givatayim. I made
my living as a banker with one of
the leading financial institutions
in our area.
A year after our wedding,
our eldest son was born, and
he brought a great deal of light
and happiness into our home.
Afterwards, when we wanted to
increase the size of our family
by having more children, things
didnt go as we had hoped.
Pregnancies started and then
ended prematurely, causing
us considerable anguish. We
consulted with Eretz Yisroels
most experienced specialists in
the field, underwent extensive
tests and check-ups, but
nothing could determine why
the pregnancies constantly
failed to go to full term. The
doctors simply had no medical
explanation.
All this took a terrible toll
upon our emotional welfare. It
would be one thing if we knew
the source of the problem and
the necessary cure, but when
there didnt appear to be any
medical difficulty or suggested
form of treatment the resulting
emotional pain grew even more
intense. We used all available
resources, paid considerable
amounts of money for visits to
leading specialists, but all our
hopes soon vanished. Our dream
1068_bm_eng.indd 21
of having more children was
slipping away. This was a very
sad period for us.
One night, I came to the
Ahavat Tziyon Synagogue on
Gonen Street in Givatayim to
daven Maariv. After the minyan
was over, I met with one of
the regular shul members, a
Holocaust survivor, and we
began to chat. After a relaxed
discussion on a variety of
subjects, I inexplicably decided to
share my pain with him over the
fact that I and my wife, who was
also a Holocaust survivor from
Chernivtsi, Ukraine, would only
have one child. When he asked
me directly why I felt that way, I
told him about our consultations
with prominent doctors and their
diagnosis.
He then gave me an
astonished look and said with
the utmost simplicity, If theres a
problem, write to the Rebbe.
Rebbe? Which Rebbe?
I asked in bewilderment. The
Lubavitcher Rebbe, he replied
simply.
Until then, I knew virtually
nothing of the Rebbes greatness,
save for periodic news items
about him in the papers. My
conversation partner told me
about the numerous miracles
he had personally seen or heard
resulting from the Rebbes
brachos. While I took note of
what he said, I wasnt in a great
hurry to do it. Days and weeks
passed, and I totally forgot about
his suggestion.
Some time later, my
employer sent me to New York
on a business trip. As I prepared
for my journey, I remembered
the suggestion this Jew had made
and I resolved that I would find
the time to visit the Rebbes
beis midrash and ask for his
bracha. However, due to my
heavy work schedule, I wasnt
able to make my way there.
Every time I wanted to head for
Brooklyn, something always
managed to come up. However,
while I returned to Eretz Yisroel
without visiting 770, I was now
determined to ask for the Rebbes
blessing. One evening at home, I
sat down and composed a tear-
stained letter about our fervent
desire for more children, adding
what the doctors had told us and
our unsuccessful efforts thus far.
I asked the Rebbe for a bracha,
placed the letter in an envelope,
and dropped it in the nearest
mailbox.
A month later I remember
the moment to this very day, I
returned home from another
day at work. It was half past five
in the evening. As I opened our
mailbox, I found inside a letter
that had come from the Rebbe. In
his reply, the Rebbe wrote that he
had received my correspondence
and would pray for me at the
Tziyon of his father-in-law.
I was very happy. The awe-
inspiring words of that Jew about
the Rebbes hidden spiritual
powers had managed to break
through the wall of despair and
instill a little hope in my heart. I
Continued on page 4
Issue 1068 21
2017-05-16 8:28:52 AM
 HALACHA 2 GO
WHO HAS YOUR
BUTCHERS BACK?
Selected Halachos from the
One Minute Halacha project
Mara Dasra and member of the Badatz of Crown Heights
HOW TO SOURCE
KOSHER MEAT
Hakasher shebetabachim
shutafo shel Amalek ([Even]
the most virtuous butchers are
cohorts of [the evil nation]
Amalek), states the Mishna. It is
particularly difficult for sellers of
poultry and meatwho stand to
lose significantly if critical stock
is found to be substandardto
avoid the temptation of fudging
on the kosher status of meat they
sell. Themelech zaken uksil(old
and foolish king, aka theyetzer
haraevil inclination), writes
the Chasam Sofer (18thcentury
Rav and halachic author), sits
contentedly on a throne that
rests on three legs, one side
propped up by the butchers who
selltreif(non-kosher) meat with
a kosher label.
It is therefore imperative
that the kosher consumer be
discerning in sourcing their
kosher meat and chicken to make
sure that thehashgacha(kosher
22 23 Iyar 5777
1068_bm_eng.indd 22
By HaRav Yosef Yeshaya Braun, Shlita
supervision) is of the highest and
most conscientious standard
and not rely on the goodwill
of even generally honest and
G-d-fearing vendors, who are,
unfortunately some of theyetzer
harasfavorite victims.
There are myriad details that
must be properly supervised
from the time prior to
theshchita(kosher slaughter)
of the kosher animal or fowl
up to the purchase of the end-
productto ensure that they
are performed in the optimal
manner. It begins with the
qualifications of theshochet, the
conditions of theshchitaand the There is also an inspection
status of thechalef(slaughtering
knife)which should be checked
regularly by someone other than
theshochet.
After shchita, there must
be a properbdika(inspection)
of the vital organs; a visual
test is insufficient and
theshochetmust check the fowl
or animal by hand. For kosher
fowl, thesimanim(signs, i.e. process of removing non-kosher
the trachea and esophagus)
are checked through tekifas
agudal (pushing down with
the thumb) and for animals,
the examination is performed
by running the hand over the
relevant parts. In addition, both
abdikas pnim(internal check)
andbdikas chutz(external
check) of the lungs of kosher
animals is required to ensure
that there are no problematic
adhesions. (Which adhesions
disqualify the animal as kosher
varies according to differing
standards of glatt kosher meat
and divergent halachic opinion.)
for othertreifos([pre-existing
conditions that render fowl
or animal] unkosher) such as
checking chickens for tzomas
hagidin (the juncture of the
tendons) to assure they are not
torn,buka datma, (the hip
joints) examined for dislocation).
Thebdikais followed
bynikur(excision, the
2017-05-16 8:28:52 AM

components) of major blood
vessels,the gid hanasheh(sciatic
nerve) and purgingchailev(non-
kosher fats)a process that
necessitates the complete removal
of the animals hindquarters. Any
pooled or coagulated blood or
bruised meat is also removed.
Then the meat
iskashered(blood removed via
soaking, rinsing and salting)
under particular conditions and
within the appropriate time-
frame, and it must be ensured
that the final product is properly
sealed with twochosamos(seals).
Once the meat leaves the purview
of themashgichimat the kosher
packing plant, there must be
no evidence of tampering; it
is halachically problematic to
purchase chicken or meat if the
packaging is defective.
SOCIALIZING AND EATING
WITH STUDENTS
Amelamed(Torah teacher)
is restricted from kibitzing with
1068_bm_eng.indd 23
Once the meat leaves the purview of
themashgichimat the kosher packing plant,
there must be no evidence of tampering; it is halachically
problematic to purchase chicken or meat if the packaging
is defective.
his students during play and In the Shulchan Aruch it
eating and drinking together speaks of a PesachSedermeal
with them. This limitation that includes a teacher and
would seem difficult to uphold his students; if the restriction
for amelamedwho spends of eating and drinking with
most of the day with children, students would unilaterally apply,
and in practice, exceptions are such a situation would not be
commonly made.Poskimexplain halachically sanctioned. A clear
that the constraint on eating exception is made for a meal that
with the children applies only to is aseudas mitzvah(a meal for
actually joining them for a meal a mitzvah [occasion]), and to
or drink on a regular basis. It amelameddining occasionally
doesnt limit a melamedfrom with students for other reasons.
taking his meals while One Minute Halacha is a succinct
students are present; it applies daily presentation on practical and
only to eating at the same contemporary Halacha in video, audio,
table.Practically, a teacher may and text formats, and can be accessed
also sit together with students in by phone at 718.989.9599, by email,
a non-social atmosphere, while halacha2go@gmail.com, or by WhatsApp
each eats their private meal. 347.456.5665.
Issue 1068 23
2017-05-16 8:28:52 AM
 OBITUARY

CHASSID
AND PARAGON
OF CHESED
The warm, pleasant, sweet persona of Rabbi
Menachem Mendel Deitsch, Hyd, was known
to thousands of people who met him
along the various stations of his
storied life, as director of schools in
Aubervilliers , as a central figure in the
Chabad community in Migdal HaEmek,
and as an outstanding host in charge
of the Hachnasas Orchim near
the Ohel of the Alter Rebbe in
Haditch. * The life of this very
special Chassid was cut short
by four vicious Ukrainian thugs.

By Shneur Zalman Berger

H
alf a year after Rabbi
Menachem Mendel
Mordechai Deitsch
was attacked in a train
station in Zhitomir, he passed
away at the age of 64 on Erev
Shvii shel Pesach. Following
the attack, R Deitsch was
airlifted to Eretz Yisroel
where doctors were unable
to help him.

24 23 Iyar 5777

1068_bm_eng.indd 24 2017-05-16 8:28:54 AM

 STARTING OUT
R Mendel Deitsch was
born on 4 Shevat 5713 in
Yerushalayim to R Yosef Eliyahu,
a mekubal, director of Kollel
Anshei Maamad, and Mrs.
Miriam (Segal), a descendant of
the Alter Rebbe.
Over the years, his older
brother, the Chabad mashpia, R
Chaim Sholom, was drawn to
the study of Chabad Chassidus.
Their mother imbued the home
with a Chabad atmosphere and
would occasionally reminisce
about her childhood when she
and her family saw the Rebbe
Rayatz on his visit to Eretz
Yisroel. This atmosphere pushed
R Mendel, then a talmid in
Yeshivas Eitz Chaim, to join
the Tanya classes given by
Rabbi Yosef Segal to yeshiva
bachurim. R Mendel was swept
up in the world of Lubavitch and
eventually switched to learn in
Yeshivas Tomchei Tmimim in
Kfar Chabad where he absorbed
much from the mashpia, R
Shlomo Chaim Kesselman.
He married Shterna Sara,
daughter of R Sholom Mendel
Kalmanson of Aubervilliers,
a suburb outside Paris. R
Kalmanson ran the Shneur
schools where many were
educated in the ways of Torah
and Chassidus. The schools
expanded over the years and R
Kalmanson felt he did not have
the strength for it. He wanted to
bring in a young menahel, but
every time he suggested names
to the Rebbe, the Rebbe did not
respond.
R Kalmansons daughter
married R Mendel and
a short while after her
wedding, the new chassan
ran a public seder for
mekuravim. The way he
organized and ran it,
despite his unfamiliarity
1068_bm_eng.indd 25
with the language, appealed to
his father-in-law. R Kalmanson
suggested his son-in-law as the
menahel to the Rebbe and the
Rebbe agreed. R Kalmanson
handed over the reins to his
son-in-law who immediately set
to work expanding the Shneur
schools and obtaining the
necessary funding.
THE REBBE PRAISED THE
SUCCESS OF A CHASSID
R Mendel ran the schools
for nearly 25 years and turned
them into a veritable empire.
My father-in-law had many
good qualities which gave him
tremendous success in expanding
the mosdos, said his son-in-
law, R Sholom Friedland. He
had lots of positive energy, was
always active, and constantly
thought forward, how to develop,
where to add, and how to
expand the mosdos. He viewed
everything through optimistic
glasses. He never looked at the
hardships, only at how to solve
the challenges and be successful.
My father-in-law wasnt fazed
by any sums of money, large or
small. What he looked at was the
importance of the growth of the
mosdos.
He was gifted with
extraordinary charisma which
helped him everywhere he went
at various points in his life. He
had good relationships with
many people and was able to
bring in large donations to the
mosdos he ran and built. He
turned a relatively limited school
system into a mighty empire
where thousands of students
were educated.
The Rebbe favorably viewed
the development of the schools
in Aubervilliers. One day, Rabbi
Binyomin Gorodetzky, the
Rebbes European representative,
met R Deitsch and said that
when he presented various
problems that the shluchim
in France were contending
with, the Rebbe commented
that R Deitsch went to France
and despite not knowing the
language, was successful in all
areas.
R Mendel once had yechidus
in the course of which the Rebbe
asked how much money he raised
recently. When he answered, the
Rebbe wrote it down. It was a
huge sum of money.
The ways of Hashem are
hidden from us and after many
years of running the mosdos,
he had to leave France. He
moved back to Eretz Yisroel
in 5760 where he settled in
Migdal HaEmek. From there he
continued to work in fundraising
for the mosdos he had built and
he often made trips abroad.
In Migdal HaEmek, the
Chabad community is relatively
younger, for the most part, while
R Deitsch, with his silvery beard,
big smile, and vast Chassidic
knowledge, became a draw for
people of all backgrounds, who
thanks to him were drawn close
to Chassidus. Although he wasnt
well-off financially, his home
was packed with guests every
Shabbos as it was in France.
He was mekarev his guests in
Migdal HaEmek to the ways of
Chassidus and to the Rebbe.
In every place, at every time,
and in every circumstance,
R Mendel, with his signature
broad smile, would readily spout
Chassidic sayings and Chassidic
stories, and was a magnet
for many people who became
interested in Chassidus.
THE HOST IN HADITCH
As a descendant of the Alter
Rebbe, R Mendel did much to
honor the resting place of the
Issue 1068 25
2017-05-16 8:28:55 AM
 Obituary

sight of the Alter Rebbes tziyun.

POWER OF A NIGGUN This is how Beis Moshiach
After the funeral, a friend expressed his feelings for R Mendel in writing, reported it a few years ago:
and about R Mendels great love for the Chassidic niggun of the brothers Together with a large
from Slavita: crowd, a chanukas habayis was
I am returning from the tragic funeral of the Chassid, R Menachem celebrated for the hospitality
Mendel Deitsch, Hyd. A dear, amazing individual, who passed away after a house and mikva near the tziyun
long coma. of the Alter Rebbe in Haditch on
R Mendel loved the Slavita niggun, a chilling niggun which was 24 Teves. The impressive event
composed by the rabbinic Shapiro brothers (grandchildren of Rabbi Pinchas was one of a series of events
of Koretz), known as the Chassidic printers of Slavita. It is told that the held on the yom hilula, with the
brothers were arrested due to malicious informing against them which attendance of about a thousand
claimed they printed books while avoiding the local censor, and had even people who arrived from Eretz
murdered those whom they suspected of informing on them. This was a Yisroel, the United States, the
classic libel. Their sentence was to be severely beaten. As they were beaten, FSU, and other parts of the
the brothers began singing this niggun (some say they composed the niggun world.
while being beaten). Since then, the niggun is called Niggun Slavita. The The farbrengen and
haunting melody almost seems to recount each blow of the lash and the chanukas habayis began at three
attendant pain. in the afternoon at the Shneur
About 150 years later, in Tishrei 5777, R Mendel Deitsch was at a train Center. The host, Rav Mendel
station late at night in the city of those holy brothers (the brothers moved to Deitsch, told the participants
Zhitomir after that terrible story, which was just about the only place that that the new center was made
Jews were allowed to print sfarim). He was beaten by Ukrainian thugs and ready to serve the many guests
half a year later, died of his injuries. who come throughout the year to
How uncanny, tragic, and astonishing that this man, who was so Haditch. This includes a mikva, a
attached to this niggun, and thanks to him I learned of this niggun, left this large kitchen, and a spacious hall
world under circumstances similar to the Shapiro brothers. On the way, he for Chassidishe farbrengens. R
served for all of us as a scary reminder of the lot of the Jew and his immortal Deitsch also spoke about plans
character, as opposed to the sinister, anti-Semitic, and murderous character for the future, having purchased
of the finest sons of Western society. a five-acre lot where they will
build a beautiful hospitality
There is a video of R Mendel teaching us the Slavita niggun with all the
center with guest rooms, rooms
flavor and nuances that only he truly preserved. It was a farbrengen on 24
for farbrengens and gatherings, a
Teves 5776, a few months prior to the attack that led to his death, at the
large mikva, and more.
hall built at the gravesite of the Alter Rebbe, from whom R Mendel was
descended, and to whose persona and teachings he was deeply attached R Deitsch realized his dream
(and was also one of the leading activists in bringing guests there). and there is a large center
there which hosts thousands
May the inspiration from this niggun and the great spiritual elevation
of Chassidim and visitors
contained within it be an elevation for his holy soul. Please, Reb Menachem
throughout the year.
Mendel, go stand before the Heavenly Throne and cry out with the eternal
Jewish plaint: Why should the nations say, Where is their G-d? Let it be In the years to come, the place
known among the nations before our eyes the revenge of the spilt blood of underwent many upheavals, but
Your servants. For He Who avenges blood remembers them; He has not R Mendel did not look at titles
forgotten the cry of the humble. He will execute justice upon the nations and roles. He always worked
[into] a heap of corpses; He crushed the head on a great land. hard for the people who visit
Haditch, and for the construction
and development of Heichal
Alter Rebbe in Haditch. His trips Teves. Admur HaZakein. Within the
to Haditch began as soon as the As always, R Mendel did framework of his work in Russia,
Iron Curtain fell, in the early not only look out for himself. he greatly helped shluchim and
90s. Back then, R Mendel and Together with his brother R Jewish communities with action
a few Chassidim went to Haditch Moshe Shmuel and friends, they and advice.
and arranged farbrengens as set up a hospitality house and the His son-in-law, R Friedland,
well as going to the tziyun on 24 Heichal Admur HaZakein within relates:

26 23 Iyar 5777

1068_bm_eng.indd 26 2017-05-16 8:28:55 AM

 The goal is to turn Haditch
into a comfortable place for any
Jew who goes to the Ukraine
to the graves of tzaddikim, as
well as to serve as a spiritual
attraction for those who are
becoming interested in Chabad.
When the latter visit Haditch,
learn Chassidus, and sing
Chabad niggunim, it inspires
them to get more involved
in the teachings of Chabad.
This is aside from the simple
reason that Chabad Chassidim
need to honor the tziyun of Rabbi Deitsch with his son at the Rebbe

the Alter Rebbe, providing the
necessary accessibility and
Rabbi Binyomin Gorodetzky, the Rebbes
accommodations. My father- European representative, said that when he
in-law did a lot over the years
to ensure places to stay and to
presented various problems that the shluchim in France
bring good food for all those who were contending with, the Rebbe commented that R
make the pilgrimage to Haditch.
Considering the conditions
Deitsch went to France and despite not knowing the
in Ukraine, it was quite a language, was successful in all areas.
challenge.

HARD TIMES
R Mendel went to Ukraine
with his wife for 18 Elul 5776, the
birthday of the Alter Rebbe. They
went to spend this auspicious day
in Haditch and for him to serve
as the baal tefilla on the Yomim
Noraim. On Motzaei Shabbos
Slichos, he inspired the crowd
when he led the recitation of
Slichos. During Rosh HaShana,
he davened with great feeling and
sweetness. Nobody dreamed this (R-L): R Mendel Deitsch, R Mordechai Belinov, R S M Kalmanson
would be his last Rosh HaShana.
in critical condition. He was Yerushalayim; R Levi Yitzchok,
During the Aseres Yemei
brought to the local hospital and Yerushalayim; Yehudis Fradkin,
Teshuva he went to the bar
after doing what they could do, Rechovot; R Yosef Eliyahu,
mitzva celebration of the son
he was flown to Eretz Yisroel. Krayot; as well as Shlomo
of Rabbi Thaler, shliach in
The doctors tried to stabilize his Yehuda, Shmuel, Yocheved, and
Berditchev. Then he and his wife
condition but his injuries were Sholom Dovber.
went to Zhitomir where he stayed
too severe. During the Shiva, numerous
with his cousin, R Avrohom
Deitsch. At night, he went to A half year after the attack, people went to console the
the local train station to fill up he passed away on Shabbos Chol family, from all walks of life,
his phone card. That is where HaMoed Pesach. He is survived including Admurim, rabbanim
four hooligans pounced on him by his wife, Shterna Sarah, and and public figures, who were
and beat him mercilessly. They his children: Menucha Friedland, taken by R Mendels charming
robbed him and ran away, leaving Aubervilliers; R Shneur Zalman, personality and who had received
R Deitsch unconscious. Minsk; Chana Appelbaum, so much from him.
Migdal HaEmek; R Yisroel,
Hours passed and he was
Issue 1068 27

1068_bm_eng.indd 27 2017-05-16 8:28:56 AM

 SHLICHUS

FROM
COMPETITIVE
SPORTS TO
CHALLENGING
SHLICHUS
Avivas life trajectory fluctuated between
a national championship and a physical
breakdown, between light and darkness. Today
she works to strengthen the separation between
the Jewish people and the nations of the world.
Her shlichus is in a place of impurity and idols,
where she and her family are bringing a spirit of
life and purity. * The story of Aviva Yizhar who is
on shlichus in Varanasi, India.

By Molly Kupchik

COLLAPSE she was involved in competitive her. So she turned to a new

Aviva, mother of four, a
shlucha, and a baalas teshuva,
used to be an athlete. Hashem
got me out of the mud and
showed me what is true, she
begins.
Aviva studied education
and earned a degree in physical
education. At the same time,
sports as a means of self-
actualization and self-defense,
training that would help her in
her teshuva process.
The turning point began as
she approached the age of 30.
When she achieved first place in
the Israeli version of martial arts,
known as amanut lechima, there
was nobody left to challenge
sport, the triathlon (a three-
stage competition that includes
swimming, cycling and running),
an extremely demanding
competition.
Aviva achieved fourth place,
but after the competition was
over, she collapsed. She had a
42 C (107 F) fever for five days.
She, whose body was her entire

28 23 Iyar 5777

1068_bm_eng.indd 28 2017-05-16 8:28:56 AM

 life, who had trained every day,
discovered that her body had
betrayed her. She wondered,
what now?
SPIRITUAL GROWTH
Her brother became a baal
teshuva and her parents followed.
Her mother took her to a rabbi
who recommended that she
commit to some mitzva. She
chose to recite the shehakol
whenever she drank.
When she recovered and went
back to coaching children, they
asked her what she mumbled
before she drank. She taught
them how to thank Hashem. I
guess the Rebbe saw me doing
mivtzaim and connected me to
Chabad, she says smilingly.
At that visit to the rabbi, he
advised her to buy a Chovos
HaLevavos (the classic Duties
of the Hearts), which she read
during her illness. She did not
understand much aside from the
1068_bm_eng.indd 29
fact that, my whole life they
played me, nobody told me
anything of substance about the
Creator, that all of existence is
He.
I would read and cry, she
said, describing the experience,
until she got up to the Shaar
HaBitachon (Gate of Trust), and
then she decided to test it, during
this recovery period when she
had no income. She relied on
Hashem and a few days later she
received a large sum of money as
compensation for a previous car
accident, an amount enough for
all her financial responsibilities!
Then she began to speak to
Hashem. If You really run the
world, give me a sign, and He
did, and she was flying.
Now and then, that rabbi
would give her another mitzva
to do. When she recovered, she
faced a conflict with her coaching
and Shabbos. The rabbi said,
Keep one Shabbos, and one
led to another. On the third
Shabbos she went to shul and
felt how Hashem had opened
her eyes and differentiated light
from darkness, between the light
of shul and the darkness that
prevailed in the places she used
to hang out. When she davened,
every word was intense, and
Aviva wondered, Who is the
genius who invented such loaded
words?
As she faced challenges
from the yetzer hara, she used
the training that she developed
in self-defense classes. Aviva
explains that facing a challenger,
taking blows without being fazed,
developed inner resources that
helped her succeed in her fight
with the animal soul during her
teshuva process.
WHAT A WEDDING!
Someone suggested that she
visit Ascent for Shabbos. The
guest speaker that Shabbos was
Issue 1068 29
2017-05-16 8:28:57 AM
 Shlichus
The woman was busy looking for a spot deep Lecha Dodi, and I was moved
enough to immerse the utensils when Aviva was
horrified to see a skull floating past.
Rabbi Yitzchak Arad. Savoring
a taste of Chassidus, she wanted
more and was referred to
Machon Alte. She spent a few
days there and was invited to the
wedding of Ofra Badosa, a writer
for Beis Moshiach/Ateres Chaya.
At a wedding that is not run
according to the guidelines of
kdusha (holiness), each person
is trying to make himself happy
and is busy impressing others.
But here I saw true joy, where
clothing was not the main thing,
and I decided I wanted to get
married.
Aviva decided to drop
everything. Everyone thought
I was crazy, aside from my
parents who were happy. In
extraordinary divine providence,
she was able to sell her expensive
sports bicycle within a few hours
and she went to study full-time
at Machon Alte, heaven on
earth, as she puts it. She spent
a year there and from the start,
the Rebbe told her to spread the
wellsprings.
Aviva immediately began
doing so. On off-Shabbasos, at
her parents, she would arrange
Melaveh Malka meals and would
connect the participants to the
Rebbe through writing to the
Igros Kodesh.
She married Shmuel Yizhar
in a Chassidishe wedding. He
had become a baal teshuva after
spending twenty years in India.
PARSHAS PARA
About three months after
their wedding, they went to India
for a brief shlichus opportunity
that was more than enough for
30 23 Iyar 5777
1068_bm_eng.indd 30
here we were, for one Jew!
At the meal, seven people
knocked on the gate and joined
her, but after the birth of their
daughter, months of convincing
and reading in the Seifer
Hashlichus that a Jew travels
overseas even for one Jew, she
was convinced.
They arrived in Varanasi and
looked for a place to live, without
success. Then Aviva noticed a
cow and decided in desperation
to follow it with her baby in a
carrier.
The cow stopped for some
grass near a small motel in a
green area, a rarity in this hot,
sooty, muddy place. The new
shluchim rented the thirteen-
room building and hired the
proprietor to help out, because in
one moment, he was left without
employment.
The baby in the carriage
was bitten up and the food was
dive bombed by moths and
mosquitoes Welcome to India!
HASHEM HELPS MAKE
SHABBOS
Aviva tells about their first
Shabbos on shlichus:
We bought gas burners and
found someone to make chapati
for us, the Indian bread. I
began looking through rice and
suddenly, in walked an Israeli, a
retiree from the army who heard
about the new Chabad House
and wanted to help. He cut up
vegetables and began frying, but
when it came time to light the
Shabbos candles, I said to him,
Thats it, you need to stop.
Just add water and put it on the
Shabbos hotplate. Hashem will
take care of it!
My husband danced with him,
our daughter Shternas first
birthday celebration. Each guest
made a good hachlata. When I
served the rice and vegetables,
the guest who fried it was amazed
that despite the short time that
elapsed since Shabbos began, the
vegetables were well cooked. He
saw how Hashem runs the world.
Nature is completely nullified
in these places where you come
to make big changes. The man
was moved by the raw vegetables
that were miraculously cooked
and he decided to keep the Ten
Commandments. I realized what
shlichus for even one Jew
means.
ON THE BANKS OF THE
INDIAN NILE
Varanasi is the most sacred
city to Indians and is considered
the spiritual capital of India.
Indians make pilgrimages there
and go to die there. It is also a
musical center and many Jews,
who go there to study, see the
Yizhar couple on the street and
remember their roots.
The sitra achra is strong
there and whoever is not strongly
bound with holiness is swept
away. Yet, there are also moments
of inspiration and tourists have
asked me, Do you have a mikva?
We need to purify ourselves.
The city is noisy and chaotic
and full of the music of idol
worshipers. Although the Yizhar
home is located in a relatively
exclusive and quieter area, there
are still times that the music
pounds the ears nonstop, even 48
consecutive hours! The children
wake up in a fright and cry
because of the noise and even at
the young age of two, they know
2017-05-16 8:28:57 AM
 to ask for Chassidishe music to
drown out the sound. Aviva says,
Tourists can escape the noise by
going to another part of the city,
but we cant.
Another disturbing factor are
the monkeys. When the monkeys
feel like it, they enter the houses
and wreak havoc while doing
tricks in the windows.
We were in the middle
of Shma one evening when a
monkey suddenly came into
the living room, took a bunch
of bananas from the basket and
left. Nails were knocked into
the fence around the house in the
hopes that this will discourage
unwanted visitors.
Only on Purim does Aviva
prepare real Indian food aside
from the chapati that is baked
throughout the season.
When basic ingredients are
missing, you create them, she
says, and she explained how it is
the void that gets people to return
to the source. She illustrates
this with an anecdote about a
young man from a religious-
Yisroel, and their presence has
national background who learned
had a purifying effect.
a maamer Chassidus with her
husband before 11 Nissan. After
an hour and a half, he grasped CHALLENGES
his head and said, All my life I Being on shlichus is not
thought I know and suddenly, always fun, for example those
Ive discovered that I dont Shabbasos when there is no
understand a thing. The man minyan, But we did not come
spent many hours in the Chabad for ourselves; we came to show
House learning Chassidus. Jews the way, even for one! And
Tourists are overwhelmed by the Rebbe goes hand in hand
the intensity of the city We with us.
cant believe youre here! We One of the neighboring stroller and packages because
salute you! is a constant refrain shluchim comes now and then it was delayed and they did not
they hear. To which they respond, to shecht chickens. Sometimes, want to chance getting stuck on
If you would stop coming, we goats are available for rent and the road for Pesach. Then ended
would not have to be here. the children pet them and the up staying in the city (it was at
Boruch Hashem, the number of parents milk them. the end of the season when its
Jewish tourists has been declining To reach the nearest major hot and there are hardly any
over the years. They have been city, they need to travel thirty tourists). They wondered why
there for eight tourist seasons, hours each way! Once, on a trip they were delayed when they
for the purpose of sanctifying to the mikva, they had to jump were trying to do a mitzva, but
the place, make here into Eretz from the train with their twin then, to their surprise, a Jew

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 Shlichus

appeared who did not even

SOUL STORIES know that it was Pesach night.
There are Jews in Varanasi who live as Indians and who are immersed in He joined them for the seder
impurity. When they see the Lubavitchers who remind them of their roots, and when they parted ways
they are furious. he said he wanted to learn
Aviva tells of one such person who was very bound up in klipa who Torah. Aviva gave him her first
would come for Shabbos meals, he was completely enveloped in darkness, Chitas. He leafed through the
uncommunicative, closed in, sad He slowly opened up and began learning HaYom Yom and marveled,
maamarim with the shliach. This led to davening, to use the mikva, and Diamonds!
finally, he left and returned to Eretz Yisroel. And then we understood
*** why Hashem had us return to
this nightmare place, even for
Itai was drawn to the shluchim and stayed for about a month. He loved
one Jew ...
niggunim and read Chassidishe stories to the children and learned every day
with R Yizhar. He left after Pesach with the commitment to only eat kosher The need and the Rebbes
food. They later heard that he had gone to a yeshiva. They hosted him for request that a mikva be built
Tishrei in Crown Heights. He told them that during his last week with them, was on their minds (the Rebbe
he learned the kosher signs in the parsha and what was permissible to eat. wrote, I am pained that there
is no mikva in your city, and
On the train trip he was very enticed to eat Indian food when suddenly,
they should begin and the
as though straight out of the parsha, a grasshopper jumped on him. He
money will come).
considered this a sign from heaven that he must eat kosher and he recalled
what the shluchim said, that the Rebbe says that kashrus is the foundation of There was a year when they
a Jew, and this is what helps a Jew be connected to G-dliness. This line stayed came on shlichus and did not
with him. find anything suitable to live
in, so they took a cubicle near
***
an idol worship temple, where
When they first opened the Chabad House, a retiree couple knocked at they hosted thirty people on
their door. They came every evening for a meal and shiurim. The woman was Shabbos.
Reform who said she was called up to the Torah at her temple, and she said
Tourists marveled, You
they did not eat with Indians. They cooked their own food.
are in such a forsaken place,
Aviva dared to ask about koshering the utensils they use, and the woman its quite a sacrifice! There is
said she had never heard of that. The next day, she came with all her kitchen nowhere to go out to, and in
equipment and the shluchim kashered the pots. their cubicle the children had
Then they had to immerse them. Without a mikva, they had to use the no place to run around, with
Ganges River where bodies and ashes from bodies are placed. The Indians an aron kodesh, a refrigerator,
worship this river. and table. When they davened,
The husband was not willing to immerse the utensils in such a filthy the people sat on the beds.
body of water but was finally convinced. It was moving to see how a Jewish It was really a position of
woman whose soul was awakened was totally excited and happy, describes bittul, says Aviva. We wrote
Aviva, who herself experienced her first encounter with the river at that time. to the Rebbe and understood
The woman was busy looking for a spot deep enough to immerse the that we had to get to work to
utensils, when Aviva was horrified to see a skull floating past. create the reality. We found a
After the utensils were washed thoroughly, the woman hugged Aviva and place and arranged to close on
tearfully thanked her. it at a lawyer, but the owner
backed out.
To a girl who was confused about the future, the Rebbe wrote in the Igros
Kodesh to study Torah. Aviva gave her a Tanya and wrote a dedication, May We found a different
you build a home on the foundations of Torah and Chassidus. She told the place and negotiated all the
girl to go to Machon Alte to study or at least to look for a Tanya class. renovations. Three weeks went
by and the owner decided he
Half a year later, Aviva met her at a friends wedding. The girl was dressed
wasnt interested. We were
modestly and was wearing a wig. The girl said that at first she laughed when
at our wits end. The Rebbe
she read the dedication, but she looked for a Tanya class and brought the
encouraged us and promised,
Tanya with her. The learning empowered her and she went to Machon Alte
going out from straits to
and eventually built a Chassidic home.
expansiveness, soon, and we

32 23 Iyar 5777

1068_bm_eng.indd 32 2017-05-16 8:28:59 AM

 got the strength for another week
and then another.
The mashpia at first thought
we should look for another place
of shlichus, but the Rebbe said
that every trip and move would
stop us from our holy work and
that we had to be happy with
the fact that the Rebbe Rayatz
chose us as his shluchim. We
decided to be happy on shlichus,
no matter what, even if we would
spend Purim and Pesach in that
cubicle.
A few days later, R
Yizhar went to take back
their belongings from the last
house whose owner changed
his mind about renting. The
owner explained that he wanted
altogether different renovations.
We made an agreement and
Hashem gave us a floor and not
just a cement surface as we had
wanted We also had a Pesach
kitchen upstairs and a sink for
washing netilas yadayim, and the
owner paid for it all! We moved plans on bringing bachurim to Moshiach Tzidkeinu. There is no
before Purim, and on 27 Adar teach her sons. I. Go out of your self, out of
the cornerstone was laid for Their Chabad House provides your routine and comfort zone,
the mikva, lilui nishmas Mira food services, Chassidus classes, even if you have to give up your
Scharf, Hyd. farbrengens, and Shabbos/ desires. This is what the Rebbe
Three years of delays and Yom Tov meals. Aviva brought wants us to accomplish.
obstacles passed, including candlesticks from Crown Heights Our shlichus is all about
contractors and laborers who whose design the Rebbe chose for Moshiach. Our reason for being
took money and fled. Finally, the the Nshei Chabad, and female there is to greet Moshiach and
shliach with the help of one of tourists commit to lighting to fulfill the purpose of creation,
the tourists finished building the candles. i.e., the Geula.
mikva on their own. For example, the theme of
GO OUT OF YOUR SELF their Purim party one year was
RAIN RAIN that they are all welcoming
The numerical equivalent
Aviva sees how the ruchnius Moshiach and that is what
of the word shliach, plus
has an effect on the gashmius. is written on the sign at the
10 for the ten soul powers, is
She once had a medical problem entrance. The shluchim made
the numerical equivalent of
and on a fundraising trip to hats on which they inlaid a picture
Moshiach. Aviva is infused with a
Australia she held a farbrengen of the Rebbe and everyone chose
Geula awareness.
and her problem was solved. a hat, crown or accessory, and
The Rebbe wants us to go understood good and well who it
Aviva emphasizes that out of our selves. We need to get is we are preparing to greet.
chinuch is the basis for all of out of our comfort zone, she
existence. Her children attend Yes Rebbe, Jews in Varanasi
emphasizes, to think about what
schools in Eretz Yisroel for two are ready for you to come!
we can do to influence others
months after Pesach and she and to bring about kabbalas pnei

Issue 1068 33

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 MOSHIACH & GEULA

DOES MOSHIACH
COME BEFORE OR
AFTER TCHIYAS
HAMEISIM?
It is even possible that Moshiach will come only after the
Resurrection of the Dead. * From Chapter Fifteen of Rabbi
Shloma Majeskis Likkutei Mekoros, Volume 2. (Underlined text is
the compilers emphasis.)U7

Rebbi Yehuda son of Rebbi Simon said in the name
of Rebbi Shmuel son of Rebbi Yitzchok: Who is
Moshiach the King? If he is among the living, his
name is Dovid, and if he is among the deceased,
then it is Dovid [himself].
(Midrash Rabba Eicha 1:16)
If he is among the living: Meaning, if what
transpires is in accordance with the view that the
world of Moshiach precedes the Resurrection of the
Dead This is the opinion of the Sages who assert
that there is no difference between the present
world experience and the Messianic Era other than
[no longer being] subjugated [to Gentile nations].
And if he is among the deceased: Meaning, if
what transpires is in accordance with the view that
the Messianic Era will take place after the Era of
the Resurrection of the Dead Indeed, it is even
possible that Moshiach [himself] will come [only]
after the Resurrection of the Dead (Y'fei Toar; see
there).
(Anaf Yosef)

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1068_bm_eng.indd 34 2017-05-16 8:29:00 AM
Rabbi Jacob Schwei
Member of the Rabbinical
Court of Crown Heights
 TZIVOS HASHEM
HASHEM
KEEPS HIS
PROMISE
It was late afternoon and
Hershel looked at the horizon,
feeling very pleased. As far as
the eye could see were golden
fields, with dozens of acres
of ripened wheat. Soon they
would be able to harvest the
grain.
Nu, what do you say?
said R Yaakov, interrupting his
thoughts.
Boruch Hashem!
responded Hershel happily.
To see the flourishing fields,
the abundant wheat, and the
people from our community
working in the fields with their
tzitzis blowing in the breeze,
what more could we ask for?
Hershel, do you realize
that next year is a Shmita
year? In the settlements
around us live Jews who do
not observe the laws of Shmita.
How will we be able to observe
Shmita properly? What will we
live on?
Hershel grew serious and
said, When we were in
1068_bm_eng.indd 5
By Devorah Leah
Europe, where they made
pogroms and libels against us,
how did you think we would
live then? We were in grave
danger! Now, Hashem helped
us and we are here, in Eretz
Yisroel, free to live our religious
lives in peace, and you ask
how we will live? The One
who helped us until now, will
also help us next year, and we
certainly wont budge from the
commandments of the Torah!
This conversation took
place many years ago at
the Komemiyus settlement.
A small group of Chassidim
immigrated to Eretz Yisroel
from Europe. They worked
hard to establish themselves. In
order to find a livelihood that
would be sufficient for their
families, they began working
the fields around the moshava.
The fields produced wheat and
other grains and the families
lived comfor tably off the
proceeds.
Now there was a cloud
hanging over the future of the
community. The Shmita year
was approaching and during
Shmita you are not allowed to
work the fields (except under
specific conditions allowed by
halacha). What would they live
on?
What particularly bothered
them was the fact that they
were the only ones in the
area who decided to keep
Shmita properly. All the other
moshavim did not keep the
laws of Shmita for various
reasons, and they planned on
growing wheat as they did
every year.
Yaakov,
Do you see
Hashem sent us a special
bracha in the wheat this year
and it is more plentiful and
blessed than previous years.
G-d willing, we will sell it at
a big profit and we will have
parnasa until after Shmita.
Indeed, said Yaakov. His
friends bitachon in Hashem
is
was contagious. That
it says in
precise ly what
the Torah, And if you will
Issue 1068 35
2017-05-16 8:28:38 AM
 2

:
locusts would decide to fly
say, what will we eat in waited until they quieted
m over their heads and continue
the seventh year, when we down and said, Hashe
havent sown and havent promised that whoever elsewhere.
gathered our grain? Hashem observes the sevent h year will However, the cloud of

locusts went around and

parnas a in the
promises, I will command have more
my blessing to you in the year before Shmita so he will around the area and it looked
sixth year and it will make have what to live on during as though they were checking
three years those Shmita too. If we all make out ,the food availab le below.
grainfor , .


,
Shmita Hashem the firm decisio n that we will
, Then
the
cloud
landed on
who keep .

of them, so they observe Shmita

no matter


the
, and
fields

hundre

ds of
takescare

,
.
only during ? what, . Hashem will surely thousa nds of locusts began
have parnasa not
?
made a great
?' ' ,'
the Shmita year
butalso in ? help. ' '! ' to eat. They
' .
yed fields,

destro

they
,
as

noise

said

they

!
,' .
the following'.year. are willing
,We ,
When the

r.



and they left the one '? after anothe
Indeed , that year the in unison ,
,
'. ' ' ,'' cloud of locusts lifted
grain? was better , ? '
-
' :
evenin
toward g, one
than- ever, and


that not

see

could
?' the

of

the people

of wheat
a grain
moshava

' : rejoiced

.ed. The cloud
s

remain
in Hashem toward
continued

in

blessing and ?
and
' other green fields
the fulfillm ent of '?
, the farmer s went
the promis e to
about like ' mourners

those who observ e
,
as they approa ched
Shmita . , .'
check

days their
fields to
a
But few
them out. , Perhaps
.
later,

the joy ing remained?

'
someth ?
ceased. . Hersh el,
Hershel, look!
:

did you hear the ,' , .
, Yaakov examined

bad ' news? asked ' . ,
him by the
?'
Those a field in front of
. Locus ts!

Yaakov !' , ,
?
!
trust

can y
destro rav after placing their light of a flashlig ht.
res


e ,creatu

terribl ! '!

in Hashem . Our fields are intact!
a field in minutes! A swarm '?

,

.


,border The daysthat followe d,
seem to have
the the locusts
on
is Yes,

of locusts ,
The news of the
'

tense. of our

.'
s
g were
border

the
is headin
ized
and
with? Egypt
'
locusts
recogn
.
ching swarm of
approa alone, but

, we them

left

our ,way. What should fields and

. ,
'!! ,
became more real

as they in neighb oring fields they did
do? .
,
,


. heard
ne

horror stories about the not leave a grain of wheat!
The ,news spread . Everyo , , .
' :
destru ction it left wherev erit led Hershe l,
left their work in the fields



) Yes, mumb
the area,

of went. Throug hout unbelie vingly at
to .the home as he looked

went

and


?

, .(
methods were tried to get the beautiful wheat moving in

the rav where they cried,
rid of the swarm but the the breeze. Hashe m kept His
what will we do? The locusts
not successful z"xa w
, v rhht d"f | ~ | 90
in attemp ts were
will consume everything promise!
and the tension grew from
the fields and next year, the The news spread
day.
Shmita year, we will not be day to throughout the land and
5/7/2007 9:31:49 AM

The locusts arrived. The everyone knew that those

99.indd 2

able to grow wheat, so we

will remain without parnas a sky darkened by a huge cloud who keep Hashems mitzvos,
for two years! that consisted of hundreds of has Hashem watching over
thousa nds of little creatures. their parnasa and their fields.
The rav of Komemiyus
The farmer s looked upward
looked at them lovingly. He
fearfully, hoping that the

B"H. 23 Iyar 5777

19 May 2017 Number 1068
Price: $6.00 Part 2 of 3

1068_bm_eng.indd 2 2017-05-16 8:28:36 AM