Keeping In Touch

TORAH THOUGHTS INSPIRED BY T H E WORKS OF T H E LUBAVITCHER R E B B E , RABBI MENACHEM M . SCHNEERSON

Volume Ill

Adapted by Eliyahu Touger

Published and Copyrighted by

Sichos In English In Touch. A Division of Fax A Sicha

788 Eastern Parkway Brooklyn, N.Y. 11213
5767 2007

www.hebrewbooks.org

Keeping In Touch Volume III

Published and Copyrighted by

Sichos In English In Touch. A Division of Fax A Sicha

7 8 8 Eastern Parkway Brooklyn, N . Y . 11213 Tel. (718) 778-5436

A l l rights reserved. N o part o f this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means, including photo-copying, without permission in writing from the copyright holder or the publisher.

ISBN

1-8814-0092-1

5767 2007

Table of Contents

Introduction Publisher's F o r e w o r d E d i t o r ' s Preface Bereishis Shmos Vayikra Bamidbar Devarim Festivals

v vii x 1 43 83 113 147 187

Introduction
A s I was t h i n k i n g w h a t t o w r i t e f o r t h i s i n t r o d u c t i o n , I o p e n e d my i n b o x a n d saw a m e s s a g e c h a i n . A m e m b e r o f t h e I n T o u c h f a m i l y w a s s e n d i n g m e an e - m a i l t h a t he received f r o m a relative w h o h a d received i t f r o m a f r i e n d . A t the b o t t o m was a s t o r y f r o m the I n T o u c h w h i c h a teacher was u s i n g i n h i s address t o s t u d e n t s i n a J e w i s h c o m m u n i t y t h o u s a n d s o f m i l e s away. T h e i n f o r m a l i t y o f t h e f l o w o f i n f o r m a t i o n was e x c i t i n g . N o t m a n y y e a r s a g o , s u c h ideas w e r e f o u n d i n b o o k s o n l y f o r s c h o l a r s so to

o p e n . T o d a y , t h e y are b e i n g s p r e a d t h r o u g h m a n y w a r m e r , m o r e u s e r friendly media. I celebrate our readers for m a k i n g the In Touch part of this

e x p l o s i o n o f k n o w l e d g e . Y e a r s ago, R e b

Dovber, the second

Chabad

R e b b e , was asked w h a t he e x p e c t e d o f h i s f o l l o w e r s . H e r e p l i e d t h a t he w a n t e d that w h e n t w o o f his chassidim meet, they s h o u l d discuss oneness. W h a t was t h e R e b b e a s k i n g for? H i s i n t e n t was s i m p l e . W h e n t w o s t o c k - b r o k e r s meet, w h a t d o t h e y speak about? T h e m a r k e t . W h e n t w o realtors meet, t h e y speak a b o u t t h e prices o f h o m e s a n d w h e n teachers m e e t , t h e y speak a b o u t students. G-d's

People speak a b o u t w h a t ' s o n t h e i r m i n d . W h a t t h e R e b b e w a n t e d was t h a t h i s f o l l o w e r s s h o u l d have s p i r i t u a l c o n c e p t s o n t h e i r m i n d s a n d so w h e n t h e y r u n i n t o a f r i e n d , t h a t ' s w h a t t h e y w o u l d t a l k a b o u t . I n m o d e r n d a y t e r m s , w h e n o n e faxes o r e - m a i l s a f r i e n d a T o r a h t h o u g h t , t h a t s a m e g o a l is b e i n g a c c o m p l i s h e d . A r e a d e r sees a n i d e a t h a t h e l i k e s and communicates it. A s r e a d e r s h a v e c i r c u l a t e d t h e b i - w e e k l y I n T o u c h f a x sheets, the

r e q u e s t s c a m e i n : C a n y o u a d d m e t o t h e s u b s c r i p t i o n lists? W o u l d y o u m i n d t h i s b e i n g translated? C a n I mass m a i l this? T h r o u g h o u r readers' efforts, t h e I n T o u c h has b l o s s o m e d with into a family o f thousands w h o and

share T o r a h concepts

f r i e n d s , b u s i n e s s associates, r e l a t i v e s ,

sometimes, w i t h people they barely k n o w .

T h e p r o p h e t s t e a c h t h a t i n t h e era o f Mashiach,

"The knowledge o f

G - d w i l l f i l l t h e w o r l d as t h e w a t e r s c o v e r t h e o c e a n b e d . " B y s p r e a d i n g " t h e k n o w l e d g e o f G - d " t h r o u g h a l l p o s s i b l e m e a n s at p r e s e n t , w e c a n b o t h a n t i c i p a t e a n d p r e c i p i t a t e t h e c o m i n g o f t h a t f u t u r e era.

In Thanks
To communicate with others, a person must go beyond his own

s u b j e c t i v i t y . F o r t h a t r e a s o n , t h e I n T o u c h is a t e a m e f f o r t , the contributions o f many different

involving special

individuals. W a r r a n t i n g

r e c o g n i t i o n are m y m o t h e r ,

R o s a l y n n M a l a m u d , f o r her

continuous

h e l p i n e d i t i n g a p r o d u c t w o r t h y o f t a k i n g p r i d e i n . O f course, m y w i f e K a y l i , w h o has m a d e t h e I n T o u c h f a m i l y p a r t o f o u r f a m i l y , s a c r i f i c i n g her t i m e person on a n d b e a r i n g w i t h m y late h o u r s our list receives their t o m a k e sure t h a t each on time. A special

b i - w e e k l y fax

m e a s u r e o f t h a n k s goes o u t t o m y c h i l d r e n . T h e y ' v e g r o w n u p w i t h t h e In T o u c h . F r o m the t i m e t h e y were babies, they shared our nights

t o g e t h e r as t h e y w a t c h m e w o r k o n t h e c o v e r l e t t e r s , g o o v e r p r o o f s , a n d fax o u t t h e b i - w e e k l y I n T o u c h T o r a h sheets. A l s o , I w o u l d l i k e t o t h a n k y o u , o u r readers. Y o u r encouragement,

q u e s t i o n s , a n d occasional c o r r e c t i o n s makes t h e I n T o u c h an i n t e r a c t i v e d y n a m i c , w h e r e y o u r r e s p o n s e p r o m p t s us t o d e e p e r u n d e r s t a n d i n g . W i t h i n t h e c h a s s i d i c c o m m u n i t y , i t is n o t a c c e p t e d f o r a c h a s s i d t o t h a n k his Rebbe. Nevertheless, i t is i m p o s s i b l e t o c o n c l u d e without

m e n t i o n i n g h i s c o n t i n u o u s c o n t r i b u t i o n . T h e I n T o u c h is n o t m e r e l y "established i n his memory" or "a perpetuation o f his teachings."

I n s t e a d , i t is o u r w a y o f s t a y i n g I n T o u c h w i t h h i m a n d t h e m i s s i o n h e gave u s : t o p r e p a r e o u r s e l v e s a n d t h e w o r l d at l a r g e f o r t h e c o m i n g o f Mashiach, n o t as a d r e a m o f t h e f u t u r e , b u t N o w . Yossi Malamud

Crown Heights, NY 28 Sivan, 5767

P.s. The m i s s i o n o f the I n T o u c h was o u t l i n e d i n the Publisher's

F o r e w o r d a n d E d i t o r ' s P r e f a c e t o V o l . I I o f Keeping In Touch. Because o f t h e i r c o n t i n u e d r e l e v a n c e , e x c e r p t s f r o m t h e m are r e p r i n t e d h e r e .

VI

Publishers Foreword
T h i s b o o k was w r i t t e n f o r p e o p l e w h o w i l l p r o b a b l y n o t l o o k f o r i t . There's Brad, a lawyer i n M a n h a t t a n , Joan, a c o n s u l t a n t w i t h a c o m p u t e r networking firm in California, others. Phil, an advertising executive in

C o n n e c t i c u t , and countless We

k n o w t h e m a l l t o o w e l l . A t one p o i n t i n t h e i r lives, a l m o s t a l l o f

t h e m sought contact w i t h some sort o f Jewish involvement, and Judaism did not come t h r o u g h for them. I t wasn't meaningful, exciting, and

j o y f u l e n o u g h t o m a i n t a i n t h e i r interest. T h e y can't be b l a m e d f o r n o t continuing to identify as Jews; they're being honest. Had Judaism

p r e s e n t e d a message t h a t t h e y f e l t was viable, t h e y w o u l d have l i s t e n e d . B r a d , Joan, a n d P h i l have n o t closed t h e i r d o o r s . A l t h o u g h t h e y m a y be involved with other pursuits, they are still willing to listen. I f

J u d a i s m presents a message t h a t t h e y can relate t o , t h e y w i l l r e s p o n d . I t is f o r t h e m t h a t t h i s b o o k w a s w r i t t e n . But w e s h o u l d n o t set up differences between "we" and "they." one to

F i r s t o f a l l , n o o n e s h o u l d ever d r a w l i n e s o f d e m a r c a t i o n s e p a r a t i n g Jew f r o m another. B u t m o r e i m p o r t a n t , t o i n s p i r e t h e m , w e have

i n s p i r e o u r s e l v e s . H a d t h e y seen m o r e v i b r a n t , p u r p o s e f u l , h a p p y J e w s , t h e i r feelings o f d i s i l l u s i o n m e n t a n d a l i e n a t i o n w o u l d never have arisen. R e a c h i n g o u t t o t h e m , therefore, m u s t involve reaching i n t o ourselves. We m u s t l o o k inside i n t o o u r core b e i n g and i n t o the core o f o u r

T o r a h h e r i t a g e . W e h o p e t h e b o o k serves t h i s p u r p o s e as w e l l .

The Book's Structure

T h e b o o k centers o n the w e e k l y T o r a h readings, f o r t h e y convey lessons o f t i m e l e s s r e l e v a n c e . Y e a r a f t e r year, c e n t u r y a f t e r c e n t u r y , a f i v e - y e a r old c h i l d a n d a v e n e r a b l e sage h a v e s t u d i e d t h e s a m e T o r a h passages,

a n d year a f t e r year t h e y h a v e b o t h d i s c o v e r e d d e p t h a n d m e a n i n g . T h i s is a n o n g o i n g p r o c e s s . T h e t r u t h s t h a t h a v e g e n e r a t e d h a p p i n e s s , d e p t h , a n d p u r p o s e f o r o u r p e o p l e f o r c e n t u r i e s c o n t i n u e t o d o so at p r e s e n t .

VII

T h e v e r y w o r d " T o r a h " r e l a t e s t o t h e H e b r e w w o r d horaah, m e a n i n g " i n s t r u c t i o n " o r " g u i d a n c e . " G - d gave us t h e T o r a h t o g u i d e us i n o u r d a y - t o - d a y l i v e s . I n t h a t v e i n , e v e r y w e e k l y p o r t i o n c a n b e seen as a bulletin o f i m m e d i a t e relevance containing new insights to help us

advance i n o u r D i v i n e service. We have p r e f a c e d these lessons w i t h stories, i l l u s t r a t i n g h o w the

ideas are n o t m e r e l y t h e o r e t i c a l c o n s t r u c t s , b u t t r u t h s t h a t are e x p r e s s e d i n actual experience. M o r e o v e r , i n t e l l e c t u a l concepts are m e a n t to be

g r a s p e d a n d u n d e r s t o o d , t o f i t i n t o t h e p o c k e t s o f o u r m i n d s , as i t w e r e . A story, by contrast, conveys a m u l t i - d i m e n s i o n a l message that

e m b r a c e s us a n d a l l o w s us t o e x p e r i e n c e t h e c o n c e p t i n h e a r t as w e l l as in mind. After each o f the lessons f r o m the T o r a h readings, we draw a

c o n n e c t i o n t o Mashiach a n d t h e R e d e m p t i o n t h a t h e w i l l i n i t i a t e , f o r t h e c o m i n g o f Mashiach is t h e f u n d a m e n t a l g o a l o f o u r e x i s t e n c e . Our w o r l d is e s s e n t i a l l y g o o d . I t is at least i n p o t e n t i a l G-d's

d w e l l i n g . I n t h e era o f t h e R e d e m p t i o n , t h i s p o t e n t i a l w i l l b l o s s o m i n t o actuality and G-d's presence w i l l permeate every d i m e n s i o n o f our

environment. As is explained i n several places i n the book, the era of the is

R e d e m p t i o n is n o t a d r e a m o f a f a r - o f f

future, b u t a reality that

b e c o m i n g m a n i f e s t i n o u r l i v e s at p r e s e n t . T o h e i g h t e n o u r awareness t o the shifting paradigms that characterize our society, we highlight

Mashiach's c o m i n g i n each o f t h e r e a d i n g s . S i m i l a r l y , we i n c l u d e d readings t h a t focus o n the Jewish festivals a n d f a s t days, f o r t h e s e are far m o r e t h a n m e r e d a t e s o n t h e Each one o f them prompts a different mode o f spiritual calendar. activity,

b e c k o n i n g us t o e x p l o r e a n d e x p e r i e n c e i n n e r g r o w t h a n d in a unique way.

development

What is the In Touch

How should we respond t o loss? I t ' s a l m o s t n a t u r a l t o d r i f t all, the a n g u i s h is g r e a t into a to

powerless

state o f grief. A f t e r

and hard

overcome. A proactive person, however, endeavors t o t r a n s f o r m the p a i n i n t o a positive force leading t o g r o w t h and development.

VIII

On

the

3rd o f Tammuz

5754

(June

12,

1 9 9 4 ) , the

Lubavitch

c o m m u n i t y , w o r l d J e w r y , a n d i n d e e d , m a n k i n d as a w h o l e f e l t p a n g s o f pain as i t heard o f the passing o f the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi

M e n a c h e m M . Schneerson. A l l o f the m i l l i o n s w h o s e lives very t o u c h e d b y t h e R e b b e felt t h e m a g n i t u d e o f t h e loss. B u t those w h o had assimilated the Rebbe's teachings refused to

r e m a i n m i r e d i n sadness. R a t h e r t h a n b e m o a n t h e d a r k n e s s , t h e y w o u l d create l i g h t . I n s t e a d , o f l a m e n t i n g t h e loss o f t h e R e b b e , spread his i n s i g h t s o u t w a r d . T h i s spirit motivated a small group o f people to begin a bi-weekly fax service sharing the and Rebbe's teachings in with the a cross-section medical, of and they would

business,

legislators,

professionals

legal,

entertainment fields. T h e o v e r w h e l m i n g m a j o r i t y o f the recipients d i d n o t i d e n t i f y as L u b a v i t c h e r c h a s s i d i m . B y a n d l a r g e , t h e y w e r e J e w i s h , b u t t h e y w e r e also c o n t e m p o r a r y A m e r i c a n s a n d t h e y w a n t e d t o hear a message o f ideals a n d values t h a t b o t h d i m e n s i o n s o f t h e i r p e r s o n a l i t i e s c o u l d accept w i t h i n t e g r i t y . S o m e o f t h e r e c i p i e n t s were non-Jews, they understood that moral principles and spiritual truths but were

i m p o r t a n t i n m o l d i n g t h e face o f o u r s o c i e t y . T h e y b e c a m e t h e c o r e o f the I n T o u c h Family. E v e r y o t h e r week, t h e y received b y f a c s i m i l e , a message s h a r i n g t h e Rebbe's holidays, teachings written on by the the weekly celebrated Torah author readings and and the Jewish Eliyahu

translator,

T o u g e r and edited by Yossi M a l a m u d . T h e I n T o u c h f a m i l y has g r o w n r a p i d l y s i n c e i t s i n c e p t i o n i n 1 9 9 4 and is currently circulated cost or in 15 countries to and over 180 cities be

worldwide without

obligation

anyone

w h o desires t o

i n c l u d e d a m o n g t h e r e c i p i e n t s . T o k e e p I n T o u c h a n d r e c e i v e t h i s free T o r a h f a x , s e n d u s a fax ( o n c o m p a n y l e t t e r h e a d i f a p p l i c a b l e ) y o u r n a m e , a d d r e s s , t e l e p h o n e a n d fax n u m b e r t o ( 7 1 8 ) 9 5 3 - 3 0 0 0 . with

Sichos I n English

Crown Heights, NY 28 Sivan, 5767

IX

Editors Preface
P e r h a p s t o d a y m o r e t h a n ever b e f o r e , e a c h o n e o f us feels a c e n t r i f u g a l force scattering our energies o u t w a r d a m o n g many diverse types of

c o m m i t m e n t s . O u r workplaces, our families, our investments, and our d i v e r s i o n s a l l m a k e t h e i r d e m a n d s u p o n u s . B y a n d l a r g e , w e are h a p p y w i t h w h a t w e are d o i n g ; i f w e w e r e n ' t , w e w o u l d n ' t c o n t i n u e d o i n g i t . We'd simply choose other options. But despite these different

involvements, we're l o o k i n g for something more. W e ' r e n o t l o o k i n g for just another activity or possession. W h a t we w a n t is s o m e t h i n g i n t e r n a l , s o m e t h i n g t h a t gives d e p t h a n d m e a n i n g t o what we're doing, something that prompts the satisfaction and value

h a p p i n e s s t h a t w e l l u p f r o m w i t h i n w h e n w e k n o w t h a t l i f e has and purpose.

F o r centuries, o u r p e o p l e have f o u n d t h a t s a t i s f a c t i o n i n t h e T o r a h . In our material environment there are certain immutable laws,

p r i n c i p l e s t h a t are e m b e d d e d i n t h e f a b r i c o f n a t u r e . A s k a n y f a r m e r a n d h e w i l l e x p l a i n t o y o u t h a t t h e r e are c e r t a i n " l a w s o f t h e f a r m " t h a t h e c a n n o t v i o l a t e . I f he w a n t s a viable c r o p , he m u s t c o n f o r m t o t h e m . T h e r e are a l s o l a w s o f t h e s o u l , p r i n c i p l e s e q u a l l y v a l i d a n d e q u a l l y embedded into the fabric and of our our lives. These with laws our govern fellow our man.

relationships

with

G-d

relationships

T h e s e are t h e T o r a h i n s i g h t s t h a t w e s h o u l d r e a c h f o r .

A Story and Its Analogue

Once R. Shmuel, the fourth Lubavitcher Rebbe, emerged from his

s t u d y after h o l d i n g p r i v a t e m e e t i n g s w i t h h i s f o l l o w e r s . H i s

attendant

w a s s u r p r i s e d t o see t h e R e b b e d r i p p i n g w i t h s w e a t . T h e R e b b e h a d sat w i t h a b o u t f i f t y i n d i v i d u a l s i n a l i t t l e b i t less t h a n t w o h o u r s , so attendant could understand t h a t t h e R e b b e w o u l d be e x h a u s t e d , the but

w h y the rivers o f perspiration?

When

he

questioned

the

Rebbe about

it, R.

Shmuel

explained:

" W h e n a p e r s o n comes i n t o m y r o o m w i t h a d i f f i c u l t y , I realize t h a t he is l o o k i n g at t h e w o r l d d i f f e r e n t l y t h a n I d o . T o u n d e r s t a n d t h e w a y h e faces h i s p r o b l e m , I c a n ' t s i t b a c k a n d a b s t r a c t l y c o n s i d e r t h e i s s u e ; I have t o p u t m y s e l f i n h i s c l o t h e s . B u t after I p u t m y s e l f i n h i s clothes, I w o n ' t b e able t o f o c u s o n t h e issues o b j e c t i v e l y . T o d o t h a t , I return t o m y o w n clothes and find appropriate must to

advice. A n d t h e n

convey t h e message t o t h e listener, I m u s t enter i n t o h i s c l o t h e s again. I f y o u s w i t c h e d c l o t h i n g 1 5 0 t i m e s i n less t h a n t w o h o u r s , y o u w o u l d a l s o be s w e a t i n g . " I n t h i s b o o k , w e have t r i e d t o f o l l o w a s i m i l a r process, t a k i n g t h e inner d i m e n s i o n o f the Torah's insights and c l o t h i n g t h e m t o f i t the i n t e l l e c t u a l a n d e m o t i o n a l tastes o f c o n t e m p o r a r y A m e r i c a . 1

A Man and a Mission

A l t h o u g h t h e r e a d i n g s i n t h i s b o o k are o r i g i n a l c o m p o s i t i o n s , t h e y are all based on the insights are o f the Lubavitcher Rebbe, who describe Rabbi M . M . the Rebbe in

Schneerson.

There

many

people

s u p e r l a t i v e s : a T o r a h g e n i u s , a v i s i o n a r y leader,

a miracle worker, or

s i m p l y a c a r i n g a n d s y m p a t h e t i c l i s t e n e r a n d c o u n s e l o r . W h a t d r a w s us m o s t is t h e q u a l i t y t h a t c a n o n l y b e d e s c r i b e d b y t h e t e r m " R e b b e " limitless, unique energy and vitality that comes f r o m the a

G-dliness

w h i c h w e a l l possess a n d w h i c h t h e R e b b e r e v e a l e d i n a d i s t i n c t i v e w a y . T h e R e b b e w o u l d cry a n d l a u g h . W h a t m a d e h i m special, however, w a s what h e c r i e d a n d l a u g h e d a b o u t . C o m i n g i n t o h i s p r e s e n c e , y o u became aware that he lived for a goal beyond himself. A n d more

W e have also tried to have the text appear as "easy reading," even in its external form. For that reason, although the text makes copious references to Biblical verses and Talmudic passages, those sources were not cited, lest the text appear to technical i n nature. Similarly, when referring to Rabbinic leaders, rather than enter the quagmire o f trying to determine what is the proper title Rav, Rebbe, Reb, or Rabbi, we have employed a uniform R . W e hope that single abbreviation w i l l save our readers the difficulty o f questioning why a particular sage was described as Rebbe, this as Rav, and the third as Reb. XI

i m p o r t a n t l y , h e w a s able t o a w a k e n t h e s p a r k i n s i d e e a c h o f us w h i c h l i k e w i s e seeks t o l i v e f o r g o a l s b e y o n d o u r s e l v e s . W h i l e f u l l y i n t o u c h w i t h t h e p r e s e n t , h e also gave us a p r o m i s e a n d a p i c t u r e o f a deeper a n d m o r e m e a n i n g f u l f u t u r e . W h i l e i n contact w i t h t h e R e b b e , t h e peace, l o v e , a n d s p i r i t u a l awareness t h a t w i l l t h e era o f t h e R e d e m p t i o n are n o t j u s t a b s t r a c t g o a l s . Y o u characterize understand foreseen

t h e m , because y o u relate t o a p e r s o n w h o h a d a n t i c i p a t e d a n d t h e m i n his day-to-day life.

H e gives o t h e r s t o o l s t o s h a r e i n t h i s awareness, a n d i n t h a t w a y , e n d o w s t h e m w i t h a sense o f m i s s i o n a n d p u r p o s e . F o r , h a v i n g s a m p l e d these qualities, a p e r s o n w a n t s n o t h i n g m o r e t h a n t o c o m m u n i c a t e t h e m f u r t h e r and i n that way, help b r i n g the w o r l d t o its u l t i m a t e f u l f i l l m e n t . T h a t is o u r i n t e n t i n p u b l i s h i n g t h i s v o l u m e : t o a l l o w t h e waves o f i n s i g h t the Rebbe generated to ripple further throughout our society

a n d b y d o i n g so, e m p o w e r us a l l t o d r a w o n t h e s e l f - g e n e r a t i n g s p a r k o f G - d l y fire f o u n d w i t h i n o u r hearts and w i t h i n the T o r a h . Yossi M a l a m u d Fax A Sicha

Crown Heights, NY 28 Sivan, 5767

XII

O n c e t h e Tzemach Tzedek, t h e t h i r d L u b a v i t c h R e b b e , had t o j o u r n e y t o M o s c o w t o intercede w i t h the Czarist g o v e r n m e n t o n b e h a l f o f t h e J e w i s h p e o p l e . Because t h e m i s s i o n was c r u c i a l a n d t h e r e was danger i n v o l v e d , o n h i s way, he s t o p p e d i n L i a d i t o p r a y at t h e gravesite o f h i s

m o t h e r , R e b b e t z i n D e v o r a h Leah, and left a note o u t l i n i n g h i s requests t h e r e . A f t e r t h e R e b b e departed, w i t h s o m e w e l l - i n t e n t i o n e d i m p e r t i n e n c e , some o f t h e c h a s s i d i m t o o k the Rebbe's n o t e a n d read i t . A f t e r d e s c r i b i n g the d i f f i c u l t i e s he was facing, t h e R e b b e c o n c l u d e d w i t h t h e f o l l o w i n g request: " I k n o w t h a t G - d w i l l f i n d a w a y t o save H i s people. M a y i t be H i s w i l l t h a t I m e r i t t o have a h a n d i n t h e i r deliverance." T h e R e b b e ' s r e q u e s t sheds l i g h t o n t h e c o n c e p t s discussed b e l o w . G - d has created t h e w o r l d a n d i n v e s t e d His i n t e n t w i t h i n i t . M a n has b e e n g r a n t e d t h e p r i v i l e g e

o f c h o o s i n g t o m a k e t h a t i n t e n t h i s o w n a n d use i t t o guide his life.

Parshas Bereishis
A s t h e T o r a h relates, s h o r t l y after his c r e a t i o n : " A d a m gave names t o a l l t h e a n i m a l s , t h e f o w l o f t h e heavens, a n d t h e beasts o f t h e e a r t h . " A s t h e Midrash i n d i c a t e s , c h o o s i n g these names was n o t a casual m a t t e r . B e f o r e h a v i n g A d a m n a m e t h e a n i m a l s , G - d asked t h e angels t o d o so, b u t t h e y d e m u r r e d , s t a t i n g t h a t i t was n o t w i t h i n t h e i r capacity. G - d t h e n p r o u d l y gave t h e task t o A d a m ,

t e l l i n g t h e angels: " H i s w i s d o m surpasses y o u r s . " I f n a m i n g t h e a n i m a l s was m e r e l y a m a t t e r o f f i n d i n g a c a t c h y t e r m a n d a s s o c i a t i n g i t w i t h t h e m , w h y c o u l d n ' t t h e angels d o t h i s ? A l s o , w h a t was so special a b o u t A d a m t h a t he c o u l d ? G i v i n g names was n o t j u s t an a r b i t r a r y c h o i c e . A s t h e A l t e r R e b b e w r i t e s i n Tanya, t h e n a m e o f an e n t i t y reflects i t s i n n e r l i f e f o r c e . G - d c r e a t e d t h e w o r l d t h r o u g h speech a n d t h r o u g h a series o f mystic p e r m u t a t i o n s , the letters o f the ten D i v i n e utterances o f

KEEPING I N TOUCH

c r e a t i o n became a l t e r e d so t h a t can serve as t h e l i f e - f o r c e f o r each i n d i v i d u a l c r e a t e d b e i n g . H a v i n g t h e w i s d o m t o n a m e an e n t i t y i m p l i e s t h e a b i l i t y t o see w i t h i n an e n t i t y ' s m a t e r i a l f o r m r e c o g n i z e t h e s p i r i t u a l energy t h a t m a i n t a i n s i t . M o r e o v e r , n a m i n g t h e a n i m a l s was n o t i n t e n d e d m e r e l y t o demonstrate A d a m ' s w i s d o m ; i n s t e a d , i t was p a r t o f h i s Divine and

service. F o r b y n a m i n g t h e a n i m a l s , he c a l l e d f o r t h

this G-dly

p o t e n t i a l , b r i n g i n g i t t o t h e surface. G i v i n g t h e m names associated their inner spiritual potential with their actual existence,

empowering t h e m t o fill their purpose i n creation. T h i s c o n c e p t relates t o t h e r o l e g i v e n A d a m a n d a l l o f h i s d e s c e n d a n t s i n t h e p u r p o s e o f c r e a t i o n . O u r Sages e x p l a i n t h a t u p o n b e i n g b r o u g h t i n t o existence, he a d d r e s s e d a l l o f c r e a t i o n , t e l l i n g t h e m : " C o m e , l e t us b o w d o w n ; l e t us b e n d t h e k n e e b e f o r e G-d o u r M a k e r . " N o t o n l y d i d A d a m h i m s e l f r e c o g n i z e G - d , he

b r o u g h t a l l existence t o t h e awareness o f H i s u n i t y . Before Adam's creation, the world followed G-d's will by

force, as i t w e r e . G - d c r e a t e d t h e w o r l d a n d i m p l a n t e d w i t h i n i t t h e laws o f n a t u r e . T h u s G-d's t h e existence o f the w o r l d expresses desire. of

desire, b u t t h e w o r l d does n o t i d e n t i f y w i t h t h a t G-d controls it arbitrarily; there is no

Instead,

concept

choosing t o acknowledge G - d . G-d c r e a t e d m a n t o reveal a d i f f e r e n t m o t i f : t h a t H i s oneness He

be a c k n o w l e d g e d b y a c r e a t e d b e i n g o n h i s o w n i n i t i a t i v e .

w a n t e d m a n , even t h o u g h he has an i n d i v i d u a l i d e n t i t y a n d sees t h e w o r l d i n t e r m s o f h i s o w n self, t o d e v e l o p an awareness o f Him. T h i s m i s s i o n however, i n v o l v e s free c h o i c e . F o r b y s a y i n g t h a t m a n has t h e r e s p o n s i b i l i t y t o a c k n o w l e d g e G - d o n h i s o w n i m p l i e s t h a t t h e r e is t h e p o s s i b i l i t y t h a t he w i l l f a i l t o d o so a n d perhaps, l i k e A d a m h i s ancestor, s t u m b l e a n d s i n . Nevertheless, the u n d e r s t a n d i n g t h a t the p o t e n t i a l for choice was g i v e n t o us b y G - d , i t s e l f i n d i c a t e s t h a t any d o w n t u r n t h a t s i n

BEREISHIS

will

b r i n g is o n l y t e m p o r a r y . F o r

G-d would

n o t give m a n

p o t e n t i a l t h a t w o u l d cause h a r m o r m i s f o r t u n e . Why for to does G - d a l l o w m a n t o sin? " T o p r o v i d e an o p p o r t u n i t y

teshuvah" r e p e n t a n c e a n d r e t u r n t o G - d , f o r t h i s enables m a n a t t a i n a h i g h e r level o f c o n n e c t i o n w i t h G - d t h a n he shared

b e f o r e h i s s i n . I n t h i s , w e can d r a w o n t h e s t r e n g t h g e n e r a t e d b y A d a m , f o r t h e o v e r w h e l m i n g m a j o r i t y o f A d a m ' s l i f e was atoning for sin and striving for such a renewed connection. spent

Looking to the Horizon

On t h e verse: " A n d t h e s p i r i t o f G - d h o v e r e d over t h e w a t e r s , " o u r

Sages c o m m e n t : " T h i s refers t o t h e s p i r i t o f Mashiach." W h a t t h e y are i m p l y i n g is t h a t Mashiach's c o m i n g is p a r t o f G - d ' s initial

i n t e n t f o r c r e a t i o n . I n d e e d , a n o t h e r source says: " T h e w o r l d was c r e a t e d s o l e l y f o r Mashiach." T h e i m p l i c a t i o n is t h a t t h e w o r l d ' s m a r c h t o p e r f e c t i o n is n o t a casual, h a p h a z a r d process i n i t i a t e d b y m a n , b u t a p r e d e s t i n e d p a t h c h a r t e d b y G - d . A s s t a t e d above, m a n has free c h o i c e , b u t i n t h e l o n g r u n , t h a t means t h a t he has t h e r i g h t a n d t h e p r i v i l e g e t o become an active p a r t n e r i n G-d's p l a n or t o let the mission

i n t e n d e d f o r h i m pass h i m b y a n d be f u l f i l l e d b y o t h e r s . The very fact that G-d created the world from absolute

n o t h i n g n e s s i m p l i e s t h a t H e d i d so w i t h a p u r p o s e a n d a g o a l . O u r Sages e x p l a i n t h a t H i s g o a l was t o create a d w e l l i n g f o r H i m s e l f , t o b r i n g i n t o b e i n g a place w h e r e H e w o u l d feel at h o m e j u s t l i k e we feel at h o m e i n o u r o w n d w e l l i n g s . Since H e c r e a t e d t h e w o r l d from absolute nothingness, there is nothing preventing His

p u r p o s e f r o m b e i n g c a r r i e d o u t . T h e o n l y q u e s t i o n is w h e t h e r w e w i l l t a k e an active r o l e o r n o t .

I n the 1950's, R a b b i Y i t z c h a k Groner, the Rebbe's shliach ( e m i s s a r y ) i n A u s t r a l i a , once came t o t h e R e b b e w i t h g o o d news. A f t e r several years o f e f f o r t , he h a d succeeded i n b r i n g i n g t h e e n r o l l m e n t i n t h e L u b a v i t c h G i r l s S c h o o l , t o 2 5 0 . H a p p y w i t h h i s success, he h a d a p i c t u r e t a k e n w i t h a l l 2 5 0 g i r l s n o t a n easy task i n t h o s e days w h e n w i d e - l e n s cameras w e r e n o t so c o m m o n h a d i t enlarged, a n d b r o u g h t i t t o t h e R e b b e . W h i l e pleased, t h e R e b b e d i d n o t share t h e f u l l e x t e n t o f R a b b i Groner's j o y . E x p l a i n i n g his lack o f enthusiasm, t h e R e b b e asked R a b b i G r o n e r : " H o w m a n y J e w i s h g i r l s are t h e r e i n M e l b o u r n e ? " "Several t h o u s a n d , " R a b b i G r o n e r r e p l i e d . " T h a t ' s w h y I ' m n o t so i m p r e s s e d w i t h y o u r 2 5 0 , " t h e R e b b e answered. " W h a t a b o u t a l l t h e rest?"

Parshas Noah
N o a c h is a p r o b l e m a t i c s p i r i t u a l f i g u r e . O n o n e h a n d , he is obvi o u s l y u n i q u e a n d p r a i s e w o r t h y . A f t e r a l l , he was t h e individual

G - d rescued f r o m t h e f l o o d a n d a l l h u m a n i t y descends f r o m h i m . O n t h e o t h e r h a n d , w h e n t h e T o r a h seeks t o praise h i m , i t says he was "a r i g h t e o u s m a n i n his g e n e r a t i o n s . " O u r Sages n o t e t h a t t h e words " i n his generations" are seemingly unnecessary. Some

u n d e r s t a n d i t as w o r d s o f praise. N o a c h ' s g e n e r a t i o n was p o p u l a t e d w i t h d e p r a v e d m e n , i d o l a t e r s w h o d i d n o t respect t h e n o r m s o f m o r a l i t y o r business e t h i c s . E v e n t h o u g h he l i v e d a m o n g s u c h p e o p l e , N o a c h was r i g h t e o u s . O t h e r s , however, u n d e r s t a n d i t as an i m p l i e d censure. I n his o w n g e n e r a t i o n , N o a c h was c o n s i d e r e d r i g h t e o u s . B u t h a d he l i v e d i n t h e t i m e o f A b r a h a m , M o s e s , o r D a v i d , h i s D i v i n e service w o u l d n o t have a t t r a c t e d a t t e n t i o n at a l l . W h a t was t h e d i f f e r e n c e b e t w e e n N o a c h a n d these s p i r i t u a l giants? E a c h one o f t h e m s t o o d o u t i n h i s e f f o r t s t o reach o u t t o o t h e r s . A b r a h a m spread the awareness o f G - d i n a w o r l d of

i d o l a t r o u s pagans. M o s e s p r a y e d f o r t h e w o r s h i p e r s o f t h e G o l d e n

NOACH

C a l f . A n d D a v i d was t h e k i n g o f t h e e n t i r e n a t i o n , s a c r i f i c i n g his p e r s o n a l l i f e f o r t h e sake o f his p e o p l e . N o a c h , o n t h e o t h e r h a n d , b u i l t his a r k . Y e s , i f s o m e o n e came a n d asked h i m w h y he was b u i l d i n g i t , he gave an e x p l a n a t i o n : G - d was u p s e t w i t h t h e state o f m o r a l i t y i n t h e w o r l d a n d was g o i n g t o b r i n g a f l o o d . B u t , a l t h o u g h N o a c h spoke, a p p a r e n t l y , his h e a r t was n o t i n his w o r d s . F o r b y a n d large, his e f f o r t s w e n t u n h e e d e d . Y e s , a l i s t e n e r o r t w o m i g h t have h e a r d h i m o u t , b u t n o m o r e t h a n t h a t . A f t e r w a r d s , t h e y w e n t o n t h e i r way, i g n o r i n g w h a t e v e r N o a c h had said. N o a c h d i d h i s d u t y , b u t n o m o r e . W h a t e v e r his feelings f o r his fellowmen were, when the flood began, only he and his

i m m e d i a t e f a m i l y were i n t h e a r k . N o o n e else was w o r t h y o f b e i n g saved. H i s f a i l u r e t o i n f l u e n c e o t h e r s t o j o i n h i m is w h a t caused s o m e Sages speak n e g a t i v e l y o f h i m . O n t h e o t h e r h a n d , w h e n N o a c h ' s D i v i n e service is c o n s i d e r e d as p a r t o f t h e w o r l d ' s o v e r a l l s p i r i t u a l h i s t o r y , i t is o b v i o u s t h a t he p l a y e d an i m p o r t a n t r o l e . W h y was his success l i m i t e d ? Because i n t h a t g e n e r a t i o n , n o t h i n g m o r e was p o s s i b l e . T h e s p i r i t u a l c l i m a t e o f h i s age was s u c h t h a t t h e p e o p l e w o u l d n o t l i s t e n t o h i m . W h y t h e n d o t h e Sages speak n e g a t i v e l y o f N o a c h ? N o t to

c r i t i c i z e h i m as an i n d i v i d u a l , b u t t o c a u t i o n us against e m u l a t i n g t h e l i m i t e d d i m e n s i o n s o f h i s c o n d u c t . I n his t i m e , he c o u l d n o t d o m o r e . N o w , w e can. T h e s p i r i t u a l c l i m a t e o f t h e w o r l d has

c h a n g e d a n d i t is p o s s i b l e t o reach o u t t o o t h e r s a n d m o t i v a t e t h e m t o change i n b o t h t h o u g h t a n d a c t i o n . I n s u c h a c l i m a t e , w e c a n n o t c o n t e n t ourselves w i t h N o a c h - l i k e e f f o r t s . E v e r y g e n e r a t i o n has i t s p u r p o s e a n d i t s f u n c t i o n i n b r i n g i n g t h e w o r l d t o i t s u l t i m a t e state, t h e era o f Mashiach. N o a c h was able t o push that purpose a little b i t further to consummation, but

o n l y a l i t t l e b i t . T h e later generations

advanced t h a t g o a l even

f u r t h e r a n d i n t h e near f u t u r e , w i t h t h e c o m i n g o f Mashiach, i t w i l l blossom into fulfillment. O n t h e o t h e r h a n d , each one o f us has t o realize t h a t t h e r e are t i m e s i n l i f e w h e n w e can o n l y d o so m u c h . L i k e N o a c h , a p e r s o n

KEEPING I N TOUCH

m a y have a greater g o a l , b u t i t m a y n o t be d e s t i n e d f o r h i m t o achieve i t . W h i l e c o n t i n u i n g t o s t r i v e f o r i t s f u l f i l l m e n t , w e s h o u l d n o t become disheartened i f sometimes o u r achievements fall short. We s h o u l d realize t h a t l i k e N o a c h , w e are p a r t o f a far greater

p i c t u r e , a masterpiece

t h a t G - d is c o m p o s i n g a n d w e s h o u l d be

h a p p y t o f u l f i l l t h e r o l e w i t h i n t h a t p i c t u r e d e s i g n a t e d f o r us.

Looking to the Horizon

I n N o a h ' s ark, there were a l l types o f animals, beasts o f p r e y a n d d o c i l e types, a n d y e t t h e p r e d a t o r s d i d n o t c o n s u m e t h e o r d i n a r y animals. Now o n e o f t h e p r o p h e c i e s t h a t describe t h e era o f Mashiach is

"a w o l f w i l l d w e l l w i t h a l a m b , " t h a t t h e beasts o f p r e y w i l l lose t h e i r destructive tendencies a n d d w e l l p e a c e f u l l y w i t h o t h e r cre

a t e d b e i n g s . T h a t , h o w e v e r , is a p r o p h e c y o f t h e u l t i m a t e f u t u r e . I n N o a c h ' s t i m e , i t h a d n o t been f u l f i l l e d as e v i d e n c e d b y t h e

fact t h a t once l e t o u t o f t h e ark, t h e p r e d a t o r s d i d i n d e e d p r e y o n t h e o t h e r a n i m a l s . W h y t h e n d i d t h ey n o t d o so i n t h e ark? I n r e s o l u t i o n , chassidic t h o u g h t e x p l a i n s t h a t N o a c h ' s a r k was a m i c r o c o s m o f t h e era o f Mashiach. T h e same e n v i r o n m e n t o f peace a n d t r a n q u i l i t y t h a t w i l l pervade t h e w o r l d at large d u r i n g t h e era o f Mashiach p e r m e a t e d N o a c h ' s a r k . T h i s p r o v i d e s a l e s s o n f o r a l l o f us. A l t h o u g h t h e w o r l d at

large was n o t o n a M e s s i a n i c level o f awareness, N o a c h was able t o motivate his o w n immediate environment to reach that level.

S i m i l a r l y , i n o u r o w n lives, each o f us can l i v e i n t h e s p i r i t o f t h e redemption, anticipating the knowledge and harmony of that

f u t u r e era i n o u r p r e s e n t experience. F u r t h e r m o r e , d o i n g so is t h e m o s t effective catalyst t o h a v i n g t h i s awareness spread t h r o u g h o u t t h e w o r l d at large. F o r as m o r e p e o p l e c o m e i n t o c o n t a c t w i t h a Mashiachdikker person, one w h o s e p r i n c i p l e s a n d values r e f l e c t t h a t u l t i m a t e age, t h e y w i l l gravitate

t o w a r d s h i m a n d seek t o e m u l a t e his c o n d u c t a n d i n t h a t way, m a k e Mashiach a m o r e t a n g i b l e c o n c e p t f o r each o f us a n d f o r a l l o f us.

O n e o f t h e classic Talmudic stories relates t h a t t h e R o m a n s f o r b a d e t h e Jews f r o m s t u d y i n g T o r a h . D e s p i t e t h e i r decree, R a b b i A k i v a c o n t i n u e d t e a c h i n g , e x p l a i n i n g t h a t t h e Jews' r e l a t i o n s h i p w i t h t h e T o r a h is l i k e t h a t o f a f i s h i n w a t e r . A l t h o u g h t h e r e are s o m e w h o t r y t o c a t c h a f i s h w h i l e i t is i n w a t e r , i t is o b v i o u s t h a t i t c a n n o t f i n d safety b y l e a v i n g t h e w a t e r , f o r t h e w a t e r is i t s source o f life. u l t i m a t e l y , the Romans caught R a b b i Akiva and executed h i m , cruelly c o m b i n g his s k i n w i t h i r o n combs. A l l t h e w h i l e , R a b b i A k i v a was r e c i t i n g t h e Shema.. W h e n h i s s t u d e n t s expressed a m a z e m e n t at t h e e x t e n t o f h i s a r d o r , he t o l d t h e m : " I i n t e r p r e t t h e c o m m a n d m e n t t o 'love G - d w i t h . . . a l l y o u r s o u l , ' as m e a n i n g ' E v e n i f t h e y take y o u r soul.' O n o n e h a n d , t h i s r e p r e s e n t s a very h i g h level o f d e d i c a t i o n t o G - d . Instead o f seeking either material or s p i r i t u a l s a t i s f a c t i o n a n d achievement, R a b b i A k i v a saw t h e e p i t o m e o f h i s l i f e as self-sacrifice. O n t h e o t h e r h a n d , t h e very fact t h a t he was looking f o r self-sacrifice i m p l i e s t h a t he s t i l l h a d a consciousness o f self. C h a s s i d i c t h o u g h t c o n t r a s t s R a b b i A k i v a ' s selfsacrifice w i t h t h a t o f o u r p a t r i a r c h A b r a h a m , e x p l a i n i n g t h a t A b r a h a m d i d n o t seek self-sacrifice. I f t h a t was r e q u i r e d o f h i m , he was p r e p a r e d f o r t h a t as w e l l . I n d e e d , w e see t h a t he was t h r o w n i n a b u r n i n g furnace, b u t t h a t was n o t h i s g o a l . H i s goal was t o spread t h e awareness o f G - d w i t h o u t t h i n k i n g o f his o w n spiritual or material welfare.

Parshas Lech Lecha

T h i s week's T o r a h r e a d i n g b e g i n s w i t h t h e s t o r y o f o u r P a t r i a r c h A b r a h a m . T h e T o r a h refers t o A b r a h a m as Halvri, "the H e b r e w . "

W h e n e x p l a i n i n g t h e m e a n i n g o f t h a t t e r m , o u r Sages n o t e t h a t i t l i t e r a l l y means " t h e o n e o n t h e s i d e " a n d e x p l a i n : " A b r a h a m was

KEEPING I N TOUCH

on

one

side

and the

entire w o r l d

o n the

other." Despite

the

p a g a n i s m a n d i d o l a t r y o f h i s s u r r o u n d i n g s , A b r a h a m h e l d fast t o t h e c o n n e c t i o n w i t h G - d t h a t he h a d e s t a b l i s h e d . M o r e o v e r , he was n o t c o n t e n t w i t h m e r e l y m a i n t a i n i n g h i s o w n p r i v a t e b e l i e f s y s t e m . H e p r o u d l y s h a r e d h i s awareness w i t h o t h e r s , t h e m t o a d o p t t h e w o r s h i p o f one G - d . N u m b e r s w e r e against h i m , b u t t r u t h was o n h i s side and influencing

w h e n t r u t h is p i t t e d against n u m b e r s , t r u t h w i l l always w i n o u t . For t h e r e is n o t h i n g t h a t can s t a n d against t h e r o c k - r i b b e d p o w e r

o f something true. Abraham transmitted this spiritual heritage to his

d e s c e n d a n t s . E v e r y one o f t h e m has t h e p o w e r t o s t a n d u p against a m u l t i t u d e w h e n he k n o w s t h a t he is r i g h t . I t ' s n o t chutzpah. I t ' s the power o f t r u t h . But h o w can w e k n o w t h a t t h a t w e are b e i n g m o t i v a t e d b y an

t r u t h a n d n o t b y s i m p l e brashness? W h e n is o u r s t u b b o r n n e s s

expression o f the d e d i c a t i o n t o t r u t h we i n h e r i t e d f r o m A b r a h a m a n d w h e n is i t p e r s o n a l bravado? A b r a h a m was a p r o p h e t a n d he had Divine revelations to guide him, but what will be our

barometer? T h e r e are t w o answers. T h e o b v i o u s o n e is t h a t w e s h o u l d f o l l o w t h e Shulchan Aruch, t h e C o d e o f J e w i s h L a w . W h e n J e w i s h Law r e q u i r e s o r f o r b i d s a b e h a v i o r , w e s h o u l d k n o w t h a t these

l i n e s are d r a w n i n s t o n e . But t h e r e is a deeper answer. T h e r e are t i m e s w h e n T o r a h L a w

w o u l d t e l l a p e r s o n t o give i n a n d s u b m i t t o t h e pressure a p p l i e d to h i m a n d yet, h i s J e w i s h h e a r t tells h i m n o t t o listen. F o r

example, despite the C o m m u n i s t persecution, the R e b b e R a y a t z risked his life a n d t h e lives o f h i s f o l l o w e r s t o spread Jewish an

e d u c a t i o n a m o n g y o u n g c h i l d r e n i n R u s s i a . I f he h a d asked expert i n Jewish L a w i f he have s h o u l d have done so, the

expert

probably w o u l d

answered

h i m i n the

negative. A f t e r a l l ,

c h i l d r e n are n o t o b l i g a t e d t o keep J e w i s h L a w a n d a d u l t s are. W h y

LECH LECHA

sacrifice t h e observance o f t h o s e w h o are r e q u i r e d t o keep J e w i s h L a w f o r t h e sake o f t h o s e w h o are n o t ? But the Rebbe R a y a t z d i d n o t make such a reckoning. H e

k n e w t h a t i f c h i l d r e n were n o t educated i n t h e i r Jewish heritage, t h e r e w o u l d be n o J e w i s h f u t u r e . H e n c e n o m a t t e r w h a t t h e r i s k i n v o l v e d , he s a c r i f i c e d h i m s e l f a n d o t h e r s so t h a t o u r p o s t e r i t y w o u l d be p e r p e t u a t e d . W h a t m o t i v a t e s a p e r s o n t o t a k e s u c h a stance? I n s t e a d o f t h i n k i n g a b o u t h i s s e l f a n d h i s o w n p e r s o n a l goals, he i d e n t i f i e s w i t h h i s p e o p l e a n d p u t s t h e i r w e l f a r e above h i s o w n . H e is n o t c o n c e r n e d w i t h h i s m a t e r i a l w e l f a r e o r even h i s s p i r i t u a l welfare, he is t h i n k i n g a b o u t h i s p e o p l e a n d w h a t is b e s t f o r t h e m . W h e n a person identifies inner t r u t h . i n such a matter, his g u t feelings w i l l reflect people's

Looking to the Horizon

S u c h i d e n t i f i c a t i o n e n d o w s a p e r s o n w i t h a singleness o f p u r p o s e t h a t l i f t s h i m above t h e ascents a n d descents t h a t u s u a l l y m a k e u p our D i v i n e service. M o s t o f us have days o f i n s p i r a t i o n w h e n w e

are m o r e f o c u s e d o n o u r s p i r i t u a l goals a n d o t h e r days, w h e n w e are m o r e f o c u s e d o n o u r m a t e r i a l c o n c e r n s . T h e n w e t u r n t o G - d i n teshuvah, repentance, w h e r e w e r e t u r n a n d t r y t o r e e s t a b l i s h t h e connection. Teshuvah r e p r e s e n t s a deep b o n d , f o r t o f o r g e a c o n n e c t i o n once o n e has b e e n b r o k e n , i t is necessary t o t a p a source deeper t h a n one's o r d i n a r y t h o u g h t a n d f e e l i n g . ( T h i s is necessary, since after a p e r s o n sins, o n h i s level o f o r d i n a r y t h o u g h t a n d f e e l i n g , the c o n n e c t i o n n o l o n g e r exists.) H e s h o u l d t u r n i n w a r d a n d f i n d a p o i n t w i t h i n h i s s o u l w h e r e t h e c o n n e c t i o n is c o n s t a n t . From

t h a t i n n e r p o i n t , he can t h e n r e b u i l d h i s c o n s c i o u s c o n n e c t i o n . N e v e r t h e l e s s , b y d e f i n i t i o n , teshuvah i n v o l v e s a give a n d t a k e o f advance a n d r e t r e a t . I n t h e era o f Mashiach, t h i s w i l l change. T h e Jews' D i v i n e service w i l l be c h a r a c t e r i z e d b y c o n t i n u o u s g r o w t h , going "from strength to strength." Our mindset will be

10

KEEPING I N TOUCH

characterized G-dliness over the

by

the

singleminded

dedication

to

the

level o f

m e n t i o n e d above. M o r e o v e r , i t w i l l have an advantage commitment displayed by the righteous men of the

previous generations.

F o r t h e y w e r e s w i m m i n g against t h e t i d e ,

f i g h t i n g t h e p r e v a i l i n g gestalt o f t h e i r era. I n t h e era o f Mashiach, b y c o n t r a s t , t h e w o r l d w i l l be r e f i n e d a n d w i l l assist us i n c a r r y i n g o u t o u r D i v i n e service.

O n e day, w h i l e o n shlichus i n B a n g k o k , R a b b i C h e z k i L i f s h i t z was r i d i n g i n a t a x i s t u c k i n heavy B a n g k o k t r a f f i c . C a l c u l a t i n g t h a t i t w o u l d take less t i m e t o w a l k t o h i s d e s t i n a t i o n , C h e z k i p a i d t h e fare a n d g o t o u t . A s he was w a l k i n g d o w n t h e street, a w e l l - d r e s s e d f o r e i g n e r approached h i m . "Excuse m e f o r s t o p p i n g y o u o n t h e street l i k e t h i s , " t h e m a n began. " B u t i f have t h i s f e e l i n g t h a t y o u c o u l d advise m e . M y w i f e a n d I are f r o m A m e r i c a , a n d w e have a business here. W e ' r e e x p e c t i n g t h e b i r t h o f a b a b y b o y any day n o w . W h e r e w o u l d w e be able t o f i n d a mohel t o p e r f o r m the circumcision?" " I a m a mohel," R a b b i L i f s h i t z r e p l i e d w i t h a s m i l e , " a n d I ' l l be h a p p y t o be o f service." T h e m a n l a t e r t o l d t h e R a b b i t h a t t h e day b e f o r e t h e y h a d m e t , h i s w i f e h a d asked h i m i f he h a d d o n e a n y t h i n g m o r e t o f i n d a mohel. A n x i o u s l y , she h a d q u e s t i o n e d h i m : " W h a t d o y o u expect? D o y o u t h i n k y o u ' l l b u m p i n t o a mohel o n t h e streets o f B a n g k o k ? " W h i c h is, o f course, e x a c t l y w h a t h a d h a p p e n e d .

Parshas Vayeira
The c o m m e n t a r i e s o n t h i s week's T o r a h r e a d i n g relate t h a t there the Jews the

was a n a r g u m e n t b e t w e e n A b r a h a m ' s t w o sons: Y i s h m a e l progenitor descend. o f the Arabs and to Isaac, from he whom the

Yishmael

bragged

Isaac

that

performed

c i r c u m c i s i o n w h e n he was days.

1 3 , w h i l e Isaac d i d so at t h e age o f 8

Y i s h m a e l was p o i n t i n g o u t h i s p o s i t i v e q u a l i t y . H e h a d b e e n w i l l i n g t o accept t h e c i r c u m c i s i o n at a m o r e a d v a n c e d age w h e n t h e p a i n was greater a n d he was aware o f w h a t he was doing.

D e s p i t e t h e p a i n , he m a d e a c o n s c i o u s d e c i s i o n t o c a r r y o u t G - d ' s w i l l . Isaac, Y i s h m a e l a r g u e d , h a d never m a d e s u c h a c h o i c e . H e h a d

11

12

KEEPING I N TOUCH

been c i r c u m c i s e d as an i n f a n t w h e n he was n o t aware o f w h a t was happening to h i m . Seemingly, there is merit to Yishmael's argument.

N e v e r t h e l e s s , t h e T o r a h c o m m a n d s us t o c i r c u m c i s e o u r c h i l d r e n at t h e m o r e t e n d e r age. W h y ? T h e c i r c u m c i s i o n represents o u r c o v e n a n t w i t h G - d , a p h y s i c a l s i g n o f o u r b o n d w i t h H i m . W h y is t h e c h i l d f o r c e d t o be a passive p a r t n e r i n t h i s act? W h y n o t w a i t u n t i l he is o l d e r a n d t h e act b e c o m e s a c o n s c i o u s a f f i r m a t i o n o f G-d's will? This point, however, reflects a fundamental distinction

b e t w e e n t h e m a n n e r i n w h i c h a Jew relates t o G - d a n d t h e m a n n e r i n w h i c h h u m a n i t y at large relates t o H i m . A s k a p e r s o n i n t h e street i f he is w i l l i n g t o d o s o m e t h i n g f o r G - d . H e w i l l agree,

p r o v i d e d , o f course, he u n d e r s t a n d s t h a t G - d exists a n d he k n o w s what G - d wants f r o m h i m . There's n o t h i n g w r o n g w i t h that; it's normal and natural. But a Jew's r e l a t i o n s h i p w i t h G - d goes above t h e n o r m a l a n d

t h e n a t u r a l . T h i s d i f f e r e n c e is r e f l e c t e d i n o u r Sages' d e s c r i p t i o n o f t h e g i v i n g o f t h e T o r a h . T h e y relate t h a t b e f o r e G - d gave t h e T o r a h t o t h e Jews, H e o f f e r e d i t t o several o f t h e o t h e r n a t i o n s . B e f o r e a c c e p t i n g , however, each o f t h e m q u e s t i o n e d G - d : " W h a t is s t a t e d w i t h i n i t ? " A n d w h e n t h e y received t h e answer t h a t one o f the T o r a h ' s c o m m a n d m e n t s ran contrary t o their way o f life, they graciously declined. When G-d offered the Torah to the Jewish people, they

a n s w e r e d naaseh venishmah, " W e w i l l d o a n d w e w i l l l i s t e n , " g i v i n g G-d a b l a n k e t p r o m i s e o f acceptance b e f o r e t h e y even h e a r d w h a t is n o t t h a t t h e y t r u s t e d that

was asked o f t h e m . T h e emphasis

w h a t e v e r G - d w o u l d say w o u l d be t o t h e i r b e n e f i t , b u t r a t h e r t h a t t h e y c o m m i t t e d themselves blindly, promising to do His will

because H e is G - d , n o m a t t e r w h a t H e w o u l d ask. Similarly, w i t h regard t o establishing a covenant w i t h G-d

t h r o u g h circumcision, the ordinary, h u m a n approach until one understands. When the act is

is t o w a i t and

meaningful

VAYEIRA

13

significant,

a person w i l l

commit

h i m s e l f . A Jew, b y

contrast, on

makes h i s c o m m i t m e n t above k n o w l e d g e ; i t is n o t d e p e n d e n t his understanding.

T h e u l t i m a t e e x a m p l e o f t h i s is a c h i l d w h o is c i r c u m c i s e d at e i g h t days. H e is b r o u g h t i n t o a c o v e n a n t w i t h G - d b y h i s p a r e n t s w i t h o u t even r e a l i z i n g w h a t is h a p p e n i n g t o h i m . N e v e r t h e l e s s , i t is this covenant that nurtures his relationship with G-d

t h r o u g h o u t his life.

Looking to the Horizon

The number e i g h t is s i g n i f i c a n t i n T o r a h numerology. Seven

reflects t h e n a t u r a l o r d e r a n d e i g h t , G - d ' s i n f i n i t y t h a t

transcends

n a t u r e . I t is, however, e m p h a s i z e d t h a t e i g h t is seven p l u s one, i.e., G-d's transcendent oneness p e r m e a t e s t h e seven q u a l i t i e s o f t h e o f transcendence is n o t Instead, G-d's

natural order. F o r the Jewish concept other-worldly, forgetting the concept is to fuse

a b o u t o u r m a t e r i a l existence. one in with seven to of have our

transcendence existence. This

reflected

every

dimension

material

c o n c e p t relates

t o t h e c o m i n g o f Mashiach, f o r

" r e d e m p t i o n , " shares t h e same l e t t e r s as , " e x i l e , " e x c e p t t h a t t h e r e is an alef "", s t a n d i n g f o r G - d ' s i n f i n i t y i n t h e w o r d f o r r e d e m p t i o n . F o r t h e c o n c e p t o f r e d e m p t i o n is n o t t o n u l l i f y the

w o r l d as i t e x i s t e d b e f o r e h a n d , b u t t o i n f u s e G - d ' s i n f i n i t y w i t h i n it. T h i s is a l l u d e d t o b y t h e fact t h a t t h e h a r p t o be p l a y e d i n t h e T e m p l e i n t h e era o f Mashiach w i l l be o f e i g h t s t r a n d s . I n t h e p r e v i o u s eras, t h e T e m p l e ' s h a r p h a d o n l y seven s t r a n d s , f o r t h e w o r l d h a d n o t reached b e y o n d t h e l i m i t s o f n a t u r e . I n t h e era o f Mashiach, however, t h o s e r e s t r a i n t s w i l l be o v e r c o m e a n d G-d's

t r a n s c e n d e n c e w i l l be revealed.

A R o m a n m a t r o n once asked R a b b i Y e h o s h u a : has y o u r G - d b e e n d o i n g since c r e a t i o n ? " " H e makes m a r r i a g e s , " t h e sage answered. " W e l l , anyone can d o that," replied the m a t r o n . " A r e y o u sure?" r e t o r t e d t h e sage.

"What

T h e m a t r o n set a b o u t t o p r o v e h e r p o i n t . S h e t o o k 1 0 0 0 o f h e r slaves a n d 1 0 0 0 o f h e r m a i d - s e r v a n t s a n d c o u p l e d t h e m , e x p e c t i n g t o have g i v e n t h e m l a s t i n g h a p p i n e s s . B y t h e n e x t m o r n i n g , however, e v e r y t h i n g w e n t h a y w i r e . T h e r e were f i g h t s , s h o u t i n g , a n d a b s o l u t e havoc. A p p a r e n t l y , t h e r e is s o m e t h i n g G - d l y i n g e t t i n g a couple together.

B u t k e e p i n g t h e m t o g e t h e r is j u s t as i m p o r t a n t a n d perhaps, j u s t as G - d l y . I t is n o a c c i d e n t t h a t t h e p e r c e n t a g e o f d i v o r c e i n T o r a h o b s e r v a n t h o m e s is d r a s t i c a l l y less t h a n t h e n a t i o n a l average. I t ' s n o t because d i v o r c e is t a b o o . O n t h e c o n t r a r y , t h e T o r a h a l l o w s a n d i n c e r t a i n instances, encourages - d i v o r c e . I t ' s j u s t that i n T o r a h observant homes, the foundations o f m a r r i a g e are d i f f e r e n t a n d t h e o n g o i n g r o u t i n e s o f t h e h o m e foster c o m m u n i c a t i o n and c o m m i t m e n t between spouses.

Parshas Chayei Sarah

T h i s week's T o r a h r e a d i n g elaborates o n the d e s c r i p t i o n o f engagement and marriage o f Isaac a n d R e b e c c a , r e c o u n t i n g the the

m i r a c l e s t h a t s h o w e d t h a t G - d h a d d e s t i n e d h e r t o be Isaac's w i f e . I t c o n c l u d e s b y s t a t i n g : "Isaac b r o u g h t h e r i n t o t h e t e n t . . . a n d she b e c a m e h i s w i f e a n d he l o v e d h e r . " With the latter approach sentence, that we the Torah is teaching toward us the and

fundamental

should

have

love

m a r r i a g e . L o v e c o m e s after m a r r i a g e n o t b e f o r e . F o r genuine w e hear a b o u t l o v e has l i t t l e r e s e m b l a n c e t o t h e r o m a n t i c l o v e society. M o s t o f t h a t type o f love has

i n today's

14

CHAYEI SARAH

15

s e l f - g r a t i f i c a t i o n as i t s g o a l . F r o m t h a t s t a n d p o i n t , w h e n l o o k i n g for a p e r s o n t o love, w e seek o u t o n e w h o w i l l m a k e us feel g o o d . and

O u r m o t i v a t i o n is s e l f i s h ; w e are l o o k i n g f o r w h a t w e w a n t w h a t we need. Genuine particular love, o u r It Sages t e l l us, not come is n o t dependent o n one's partner

any is

factor.

does

because

a t t r a c t i v e , i n t e r e s t s are shared, o r pleasant t i m e is s p e n t t o g e t h e r . I t is n o t d e p e n d e n t o n w h a t w e can get o u t o f t h e Instead, relationship. beyond other

genuine love involves self-transcendence, g o i n g

one's o w n desires a n d needs a n d d e d i c a t i n g o n e s e l f t o t h e person.

T h a t ' s w h y genuine love involves marriage, a c o m m i t m e n t t h a t has n o l i m i t s . M a r r i a g e is a t h r e e p a r t n e r e d r e l a t i o n s h i p , a b o n d b e t w e e n a m a n , a w o m a n , a n d G - d . I f G - d is l e f t o u t , t h e m a n a n d t h e w o m a n w i l l be e n t e r i n g a r e l a t i o n s h i p based o n w h a t each o n e can get o u t o f i t , w i t h each o f t h e m b a r t e r i n g w i t h t h e giving and taking conditionally. In the long run, other, one's

c o m m i t m e n t is t o o n e s e l f a n d n o t t o t h a t o t h e r p e r s o n . On integral t h e o t h e r h a n d , w h e n a c o u p l e m a r r i e s a n d sees G - d as an part of their marriage, their How step relationship can two rests people on a

foundation together as

o f self-transcendence. one? Because they

come

beyond

their

individual

i d e n t i t i e s a n d focus o n t h e s p i r i t u a l core t h a t t h e y share. E v e r y s o u l is an a c t u a l p a r t o f G - d . W h e n w e h i g h l i g h t t h e G-dliness

w i t h i n o u r s o u l s a n d w i t h i n o t h e r s , w e w i l l be able t o l o o k p a s t t h e p e t t y c o n c e r n s t h a t create s t r i f e a n d d i s c o r d a n d c o n n e c t t o s p i r i t u a l core w h i c h is c o m m o n t o each o f us. When love follows marriage, it is an adult, mature the

c o m m i t m e n t . Each partner

cares f o r t h e

other,

n o t because o f

w h a t t h e y can get, b u t because o f w h a t t h ey can give. T h ey are d e d i c a t e d t o a l i f e above t h e i r s e l f - i n t e r e s t . T h a t ' s w h y t h e y b u i l d a home and to a family, showing but that their as a relationship source of is not

contained

themselves,

serves

positive

influence t o their children and t o all w h o visit their home.

16

KEEPING I N TOUCH

M o r e o v e r , t h i s t y p e o f l o v e is n o t less s a t i s f y i n g t h a n r o m a n t i c love. Yes, romance it will affords, lack the but the roller-coaster commitment ups will and be downs that more

deeper,

i n v o l v i n g , a n d m o r e g e n u i n e . C o n s e q u e n t l y , i t w i l l also be m o r e f u l f i l l i n g . W h e n t w o people b u i l d a home together i n this manner, they will experience the tranquil joy that comes from

s i m u l t a n e o u s l y b e i n g i n t o u c h w i t h one's s e l f a n d one's self.

transcending

Looking to the Horizon

I n h i s c o m m e n t a r y t o t h e T o r a h , t h e great J e w i s h p h i l o s o p h e r a n d m y s t i c N a c h m a n i d e s w r i t e s t h a t each o f t h e seven days o f c r e a t i o n is p a r a l l e l e d b y a m i l l e n n i u m i n t h e s p i r i t u a l h i s t o r y o f t h e w o r l d . For e x a m p l e , t h e f i r s t day is associated w i t h t h e c r e a t i o n o f l i g h t , o f p o s i t i v e energy. S i m i l a r l y , i n t h e first

an u n b o u n d e d source

m i l l e n n i u m o f existence, a n i m a l s reached i m m e n s e sizes; m e n a n d women lived for hundreds of years and received manifold

u n e a r n e d G - d l y blessings. T h e c o n c e p t o f l o v e b e f o r e m a r r i a g e a n d l o v e after has parallels w i t h regard to our relationship w i t h marriage is the

G-d. I t

e x p l a i n e d t h a t G - d a n d t h e J e w i s h p e o p l e are d e s c r i b e d w i t h

a n a l o g y o f m a n a n d w i f e . T h e g i v i n g o f t h e T o r a h represents t h e stage o f b e t r o t h a l a n d t h e w e d d i n g w i l l Redemption. A t p r e s e n t , o u r observance o f t h e T o r a h a n d i t s mitzyos has a certain element o f self-concern. A person observes because he be i n t h e era o f the

w a n t s t o c o n n e c t t o G - d ; he w a n t s t o advance s p i r i t u a l l y . W h i l e it's true, these aren't the ordinary types of self-concern.

N e v e r t h e l e s s , h i s l o v e f o r G - d a n d service o f H i m revolve a r o u n d h i s self. H e is s e a r c h i n g t o f u l f i l l h i s s p i r i t u a l desires a n d advance i n refinement. I n t h e era o f R e d e m p t i o n , t h e G - d l i n e s s i n the w o r l d and

w i t h i n o u r souls w i l l be a p p a r e n t a n d w e w i l l n o t have a t h i r s t a n d a y e a r n i n g f o r a b o n d w i t h H i m . I n s t e a d , t h e c o n n e c t i o n w i l l be

CHAYEI SARAH

17

f e l t as an o n g o i n g fact o f o u r existence. I t w o n ' t be s o u g h t after, because i t w i l l be t h e c o n s t a n t r e a l i t y . I n t h a t s p i r i t u a l l y c h a r g e d e n v i r o n m e n t , m a n w i l l d o mitzyos f o r G - d ' s sake a n d n o t h i s o w n . We will appreciate that every mitzyah is a means o f drawing

G - d l i n e s s i n t o t h e w o r l d a n d i n t h a t way, b r i n g i n g t h e w o r l d t o i t s consummate Nor fulfillment.

m u s t w e w a i t f o r Mashiach's c o m i n g f o r t h i s m i n d s e t t o the

assert i t s e l f . K n o w i n g t h a t t h i s is t h e t r u t h , t h a t u l t i m a t e l y ,

c o n n e c t i o n b e t w e e n t h e w o r l d a n d G - d l i n e s s w i l l be revealed, w e can b e g i n l i v i n g i n t h i s m a n n e r at p r e s e n t , a c t i n g i n an o u t w a r d o r i e n t e d manner, d o i n g things f o r others and for G - d , n o t o n l y for ourselves.

E a c h year. t h e I n t e r n a t i o n a l C o n v e n t i o n o f L u b a v i t c h Shluchim is h e l d o n o r near t h e Shabbos o f t h i s T o r a h r e a d i n g . O v e r 1 5 0 0 representatives p o s t e d t h r o u g h o u t t h e w o r l d m e e t at L u b a v i t c h W o r l d H e a d q u a r t e r s i n Crown Heights. T h e r e are always s o m e h u m o r o u s m o m e n t s , l i k e t h e R a b b i w h o t o l d h o w he answered a p e r s o n w h o p r o t e s t e d , " R a b b i , I have a s t r o n g sense o f m y Jewishness, b u t I a m really n o t d r a w n t o organized r e l i g i o n . " " I n t h a t case," s h o t b a c k t h e R a b b i , " t h i s is j u s t t h e place f o r y o u ! A s k anyone; I a m t h e m o s t d i s o r g a n i z e d p e r s o n y o u ' l l ever m e e t . " B u t over a l l , o n e c a n ' t h e l p b u t c o m e away w i t h t r e m e n d o u s respect f o r t h e i r c o m m i t m e n t . O n e o f t h e shluchim w h o does o u t r e a c h w o r k at a m a j o r u n i v e r s i t y r e l a t e d t h a t one n i g h t , at 1:00 a.m. t o be exact, he c a l l e d a certain student t o invite h i m for Shabbos. T o his dismay, he r e a l i z e d t o o late t h a t he h a d a c c i d e n t a l l y d i a l e d t h e s t u d e n t ' s h o m e n u m b e r r a t h e r t h a n h i s d o r m as he h a d intended. H e apologized profusely. "please d o n ' t w o r r y a b o u t i t , " t h e p a r e n t s assured h i m . " B u t w e w o u l d l i k e t o k n o w w h y y o u t r i e d t o call o u r s o n i n t h e m i d d l e o f t h e n i g h t . D o n ' t r a b b i s have h o u r s ? " " I n m y j o b , " t h e R a b b i e x p l a i n e d , " w e d o w h a t is m o s t effective. S t u d e n t s are d i f f i c u l t t o c o n t a c t t h r o u g h o u t t h e day, so I have n o c h o i c e b u t t o call t h e m at t h i s h o u r . I t ' s t h e b e s t t i m e t o reach t h e m . " I t p a i d o f f f o r t h e R a b b i also. T h e p a r e n t s l a t e r shared t h i s i n c i d e n t w i t h a n acquaintance. H e was so i m p r e s s e d w i t h t h e R a b b i ' s d e d i c a t i o n t h a t he c o n t a c t e d h i m a n d expressed h i s desire t o s u p p o r t h i s w o r k .

18

TOLDOS

19

Parshas Toldos
T h i s w e e k ' s T o r a h r e a d i n g b e g i n s : " T h e s e are t h e o f f s p r i n g of

Isaac," r e f e r r i n g t o Jacob a n d E s a u w h o s e b i r t h a n d early h i s t o r y is d e s c r i b e d l a t e r i n t h e T o r a h r e a d i n g . T h e n a r r a t i v e t o u c h e s o n an issue w h i c h many o f us have to face. Isaac was a completely

r i g h t e o u s m a n . E a r l y i n h i s l i f e , he was p r e p a r e d t o be o f f e r e d as a sacrifice t o G - d o n M t . M o r i a h a n d even a f t e r w a r d s , w h e n a r a m was o f f e r e d i n h i s place, he was still considered holy, like a

sacrifice. F o r t h a t reason, u n l i k e t h e o t h e r P a t r i a r c h s , G - d d i d n o t l e t h i m leave I s r a e l . H e was h o l y a n d h a d t o l i v e i n a h o l y l a n d . One o f h i s sons, Jacob, e m u l a t e d h i s h o l i n e s s . H e was "a

d w e l l e r o f t e n t s , " c h o o s i n g t o f r e q u e n t t h e p r o m i n e n t houses o f s t u d y o f t h e age. B u t h i s o t h e r s o n , Esau, was a h u n t e r , a m a n o f v i o l e n c e a n d p a s s i o n . A n d y e t Isaac l o v e d E s a u . S o m e say E s a u was able t o deceive h i m . I n Isaac's presence, he a p p e a r e d h o l y a n d t h e n a f t e r w a r d s , he d i d w h a t he w a n t e d . B u t t h a t makes o u r P a t r i a r c h l o o k somewhat shallow. Moreover, i t

r u n s c o n t r a r y t o o n e o f t h e basic t h e m e s o f Isaac's l i f e w o r k . Isaac was a d i g g e r o f w e l l s . W h a t ' s t h e secret o f a w e l l - d i g g e r ? N o t t o accept w h a t y o u see o n t h e surface, b u t t o d i g deep d o w n , t o keep c l e a r i n g away t h e d i r t u n t i l he f i n d s t h e w a t e r o f l i f e . Isaac d i d t h a t n o t o n l y w i t h w e l l s , b u t w i t h every experience i n h i s l i f e . H e w o u l d p r o b e t o t h e d e p t h s a n d appreciate t h e i n n e r core. N o w i f he d i d t h a t w i t h e v e r y t h i n g , w o u l d n ' t he d o t h a t w i t h h i s o w n son? So i f E s a u w a s n ' t f o o l i n g h i m , w h y d i d he l o v e h i m ? F o r p r e c i s e l y t h a t reason. W h e n d i g g i n g deeply, i t d e p e n d s h o w deep y o u d i g . I f y o u d i g p a s t t h e surface, y o u w i l l be able t o see a p e r s o n ' s passions a n d d r i v e s n o t a l l o f t h a t is pleasant.

B u t i f y o u really love a person, y o u w o n ' t stop there. Y o u ' l l d i g deeper u n t i l y o u f i n d t h e essential core o f G - d l i n e s s t h a t p e r s o n has. F o r every p e r s o n ' s s o u l is an a c t u a l p a r t o f G - d . I n some, i t shines o p e n l y . I n o t h e r s , i t ' s h i d d e n a n d i n c e r t a i n p e o p l e , i t ' s v e r y

20

KEEPING I N TOUCH

h i d d e n . Since Isaac l o v e d Esau, he d i d n ' t l o o k at h i s less favorable d i m e n s i o n s ; he f o c u s e d o n t h e g o o d t h a t was deep i n s i d e o f h i m . T h a t also enables us t o u n d e r s t a n d w h y he w a n t e d t o c o n v e y t h e blessings t o h i m . Isaac was c o n s t a n t l y s t r u g g l i n g t o m o t i v a t e Esau t o live u p t o his s p i r i t u a l p o t e n t i a l . H e felt t h a t b y p o u r i n g so m u c h p o s i t i v e energy i n t o h i m , he c o u l d arouse t h e g o o d i n s i d e a n d enable i t t o d o m i n a t e h i s p e r s o n a l i t y . In fact, h o w e v e r , t h e blessings were g i v e n t o Jacob. F o r the

w o r k o f r e v e a l i n g t h e g o o d i n E s a u c o u l d n o t be a c c o m p l i s h e d i n a b r i e f p e r i o d o f t i m e . T h a t i n d e e d is t h e p u r p o s e o f our efforts

t h r o u g h o u t the s p i r i t u a l h i s t o r y o f the w o r l d , i n c l u d i n g this final exile, r e f e r r e d t o as t h e " t h e e x i l e o f E d o m , " a n o t h e r E s a u . W e are s t r i v i n g t o reveal t h i s s p i r i t u a l energy, t h e name o f "sparks"

i n v e s t e d i n w o r l d l y experience w h i c h is associated w i t h E s a u . T h e f i n a l c o n s u m m a t i o n o f these e f f o r t s w i l l c o m e i n t h e E r a o f the R e d e m p t i o n , w h e n "deliverers w i l l go u p t o M o u n t Z i o n t o j u d g e t h e m o u n t a i n o f Esau, a n d t h e s o v e r e i g n t y w i l l be G - d ' s . " A t t h a t t i m e , t h e p o w e r f u l s p i r i t u a l energies w h i c h E s a u w i l l surface a n d be g i v e n a p p r o p r i a t e e x p r e s s i o n . possesses

Looking to the Horizon

Isaac's n a m e is associated w i t h happiness, f o r as t h e T o r a h relates, he was g i v e n h i s n a m e because " G - d has m a d e l a u g h t e r f o r m e . " As m e n t i o n e d , Isaac's D i v i n e service i n v o l v e d p e n e t r a t i n g t o the the

d e p t h s o f n a t u r a l e n t i t i e s a n d b r i n g i n g t h e i r G - d l y core t o

surface. A n d t h e t r a n s f o r m a t i o n o f darkness i n t o l i g h t t h a t t h i s involves brings about the highest degree of pleasure and

satisfaction. T h e yud which is t h e first letter o f Isaac's H e b r e w name

i n d i c a t e s t h e f u t u r e tense. F o r i t w i l l n o t be u n t i l t h e u l t i m a t e F u t u r e t h a t t h i s h a p p i n e s s w i l l be m a n i f e s t i n a c o m p l e t e sense. A t p r e s e n t , a l t h o u g h w e are aware h o w o u r D i v i n e service refines t h e m a t e r i a l r e a l m , t h e f r u i t s o f t h o s e e f f o r t s are n o t v i s i b l y e v i d e n t . I n t h e F u t u r e , " t h e g l o r y o f G - d w i l l be revealed a n d a l l f l e s h w i l l

TOLDOS

21

see ; t h e

p o s i t i v e effects

o f the

thousands

o f years o f

effort

m a n k i n d has d e d i c a t e d t o t h e r e f i n e m e n t o f m a t e r i a l existence w i l l be a p p a r e n t . Isaac, t h r o u g h h i s e f f o r t s t o i n v o l v e h i m s e l f i n t h e m a t e r i a l w o r l d , p e n e t r a t e t o i t s core a n d reveal " t h e w a t e r s o f l i f e , " served as t h e e x e m p l a r f o r t h i s m o d e o f D i v i n e service. H e n c e , o u r Sages relate t h a t i n t h e u l t i m a t e F u t u r e , o u r p e o p l e w i l l give p r i m a c y t o Isaac, t e l l i n g h i m : " Y o u are o u r a n c e s t o r . " A l t h o u g h i t is i n t h e F u t u r e w h e n t h i s D i v i n e service will

reach c o m p l e t e e x p r e s s i o n , w e have t h e p o t e n t i a l t o experience a f o r e t a s t e o f t h a t F u t u r e era at p r e s e n t : t o l o o k at every e n t i t y as i t exists above t h e f l u c t u a t i o n s o f t i m e , i n i t s t r u e a n d p e r f e c t state. T h i s p e r c e p t i o n serves as a g u i d i n g l i g h t , i n s p i r i n g a n d d i r e c t i n g us i n o u r t a s k o f r e f i n e m e n t a n d h a s t e n i n g t h e c o m i n g o f t h e age w h e n t h i s s p i r i t u a l r e a l i t y w i l l be f u l l y m a n i f e s t i n o u r m a t e r i a l w o r l d w i t h t h e c o m i n g o f Mashiach.

T h i s T o r a h p o r t i o n is u s u a l l y read o n the Shabbos e i t h e r before or after t h e 9 t h day o f t h e H e b r e w m o n t h K i s l e v , t h e b i r t h d a y a n d yahrzeit o f R . D o v B e r , t h e second Chabad R e b b e a n d t h e f o l l o w i n g day w h i c h c o m m e m o r a t e s t h e anniversary o f h i s release f r o m p r i s o n i n C z a r i s t Russia. W h e n R . D o v B e r was i n p r i s o n , he t o o k i l l . F e a r f u l o f t h e consequences i f he w o u l d pass away w h i l e i n t e r n e d , the authorities immediately s u m m o n e d a team o f doctors t o treat h i m . T h e d o c t o r s h a d one piece o f advice: " L e t h i m teach h i s p e o p l e f o r t h a t is t h e o n l y t h i n g t h a t w i l l spur h i s v i t a l i t y . " S o every day, the R u s s i a n soldiers w o u l d escort a g r o u p o f c h a s s i d i m i n t o t h e quarters w h e r e R . D o v B e r was b e i n g held. R . D o v B e r taught and his c o n d i t i o n i m p r o v e d . O n a d i f f e r e n t occasion, t h e Tzemach Tzedek, his s o n - i n law a n d successor, said: " I f t h e y w o u l d p r i c k m y f a t h e r - i n law's finger, chassidic teachings, n o t b l o o d , w o u l d ooze forth." R e c a l l i n g such an elevated p e r s o n a l i t y is i m p o r t a n t t o us, even t h o u g h w e m a y be very i n v o l v e d i n w o r l d l y m a t t e r s a n d far r e m o v e d f r o m s u c h h e i g h t s . F o r b y f o c u s i n g o u r sights h i g h e r a n d l o o k i n g at a p i c t u r e t h a t is greater t h a n o u r i m m e d i a t e m a t e r i a l circumstances, w e can overcome the challenges w h i c h l i f e forces us t o c o n f r o n t .

Parshas Vayeitzei
T h i s w e e k ' s T o r a h r e a d i n g describes h o w his home and fled him. to He C h a r a n . I t was was attacked, our P a t r i a r c h Jacob left one his

a lonely journey. N o forced to surrender all

accompanied

possessions, a n d a r r i v e d at his d e s t i n a t i o n e m p t y - h a n d e d . W h e n he a r r i v e d at C h a r a n , he stayed w i t h his u n c l e L a b a n did not welcome h i m warmly and immediately put Jacob t o who work

t e n d i n g his sheep. A s Jacob l a t e r p r o t e s t e d : " B y day, s c o r c h i n g heat c o n s u m e d m e a n d f r o s t , b y n i g h t . M y sleep f a d e d f r o m m y eyes."

22

VAYEITZEI

23

A t f i r s t , Jacob was single. H e w a n t e d t o m a r r y his c o u s i n R a c h e l a n d m a d e an a g r e e m e n t w i t h L a b a n t h a t he w o u l d w o r k seven years f o r her h a n d . B u t w h e n t h a t t i m e was c o m p l e t e d , L a b a n t r i c k e d h i m and under t h e darkness o f n i g h t s u b s t i t u t e d his o l d e r daughter he

L e a h . Jacob h a d t o agree t o w o r k a n o t h e r c o u l d marry Rachel.

seven years before

B u t Jacob d i d n o t despair a n d he placed his t r u s t i n G - d . T h e very fact t h a t he h a d n o one else t o r e l y o n b u t G - d m a d e i t ever so clear t o h i m t h a t he c o u l d i n d e e d r e l y o n G - d . D e s p i t e the t r y i n g s i t u a t i o n i n w h i c h he was f o u n d , he was c e r t a i n t h a t G - d w o u l d h e l p him. A s a result, each m o r n i n g , he began h i s day w i t h j o y a n d

confidence. u l t i m a t e l y , his t r u s t was rewarded, as the T o r a h states: " T h e man became exceedingly prosperous; acquiring fertile flocks,

maidservants, servants, camels, a n d d o n k e y s . " W h a t is the key t o t h e s p i r i t u a l dynamic? I t is nice t o say: H a v e f a i t h i n G - d a n d y o u w i l l be rewarded, b u t w h y is t h a t so? O n t h e surface, there is n o s u b s t i t u t e for hard w o r k and skilled effort.

W i t h o u t these, w i t h a l l t h e f a i t h a n d t r u s t m a n has, he w i l l never achieve l a s t i n g p r o s p e r i t y . Jewish t h o u g h t does n o t argue t h e last p o i n t . W e are t o l d : " G - d w i l l bless y o u i n a l l t h a t y o u d o , " i m p l y i n g t h a t we s h o u l d w o r k at c r e a t i n g a m e d i u m f o r G - d ' s blessings. B u t w e s h o u l d realize t h a t o u r e f f o r t s are n o m o r e t h a n a m e d i u m . u l t i m a t e l y , o u r success is d e p e n d e n t o n G - d ' s blessings. A n y p e r s o n i n v o l v e d i n business k n o w s t h a t he can develop a p e r f e c t l y l o g i c a l p l a n o f a c t i o n , execute i t p e r f e c t l y , a n d s t i l l c o m e o u t s h o r t . O n o t h e r occasions, i n i t i a t i v e s i n w h i c h he h a d f a i n t h o p e w i l l succeed b e y o n d his w i l d e s t expectations. A believer does n o t call t h i s l u c k . I n s t e a d , he recognizes i t as G - d ' s p r o v i d e n c e . T o a t t a i n G - d ' s blessings, y o u can't j u s t s i t a n d w a i t , y o u have t o invest s o m e t h i n g . T h i s means n o t o n l y y o u r o w n w o r k , b u t also s p i r i t u a l i n p u t . T h a t ' s w h e r e t r u s t comes i n . T r u s t i n G - d is n o t a passive, s i t b a c k a n d h o p e approach. R a t h e r i t is an active e f f o r t i n

24

KEEPING I N TOUCH

w h i c h a p e r s o n digs deep w i t h i n h i m s e l f a n d i d e n t i f i e s w i t h G - d . H e places h i m s e l f i n G - d ' s hands a n d relies o n H i m . T h i s evokes a p a r a l l e l p a t t e r n A b o v e . W h e n a p e r s o n t r u l y t r u s t s i n G - d f r o m t h e d e p t h s o f his s o u l , t o t h e e x t e n t t h a t he has n o w o r r y at a l l , his arousal o f t r u s t i t s e l f causes G - d t o g r a n t h i m k i n d n e s s , even w h e n , he is n o t w o r t h y o f s u c h blessings o n his o w n a c c o r d . A s o u r R a b b i s have t a u g h t : " I f a p e r s o n w o u l d place his h o p e i n G - d as is f i t t i n g , k i n d n e s s w o u l d never be w i t h h e l d him by G-d." from

Looking to the Horizon

A f t e r he achieves p r o s p e r i t y i n exile, Jacob receives a c o m m a n d f r o m G-d: is " A r i s e , leave t h i s l a n d a n d r e t u r n t o y o u r native l a n d . " I m p l i e d m a t t e r h o w m u c h affluence a Jew

a f u n d a m e n t a l lesson. N o

achieves i n exile, even i f his parents, grandparents, a n d ancestors f o r several generations have l i v e d i n a p a r t i c u l a r l a n d , t h a t is n o t his home. E v e r y Jew's t r u e h o m e is Eretz^ Yisrael a n d n o t Eretz^ Yisrael as i t exists i n t h e present age, b u t as i t w i l l exist i n t h e era o f Mashiach. We nor are n o t s p e a k i n g a b o u t a h o m e l a n d m e r e l y i n t h e p a t r i o t i c sense, are we seeking a change o f geography. W e are s p e a k i n g a b o u t

t h e i n t r o d u c t i o n o f an e n t i r e l y d i f f e r e n t s p i r i t u a l gestalt t h a t t h e w o r l d w i l l s t a r t l o o k i n g at t h i n g s f r o m a d i f f e r e n t vantage p o i n t . Of course, at t h e t i m e o f t h e r e d e m p t i o n , t h e Jews w i l l a l l

r e t u r n t o Eretz^ Yisrael. B u t m o r e i m p o r t a n t l y , at t h a t t i m e , Eretz^ Yisrael w i l l r e t u r n t o i t s t r u e self. I t w i l l become o p e n l y apparent t h a t t h i s is t h e l a n d " u p o n w h i c h t h e eyes o f G - d are focused... f r o m b e g i n n i n g o f t h e year u n t i l i t s e n d . " We should not look forward to the redemption out of the

d e s p e r a t i o n , h o p i n g f o r i t t o h a p p e n because w e have n o o t h e r w a y o f c o p i n g w i t h o u r i m m e d i a t e s i t u a t i o n . I n s t e a d , after e m u l a t i n g Jacob and achieving more, success and prosperity, fulfillment we should cannot seek be

something

a deeper

spiritual

that

achieved i n t h e w o r l d ' s present state.

L a z e r S h o l o k o v was t w e l v e a n d a h a l f w h e n he a t t e n d e d t h e C h a b a d c a m p at N i z h n y N o v g o r o d , R u s s i a . T h e c a m p d i r e c t o r , R a b b i S h i m o n B e r g m a n , h a d already n o t i c e d his innate sensitivity t o Judaism d u r i n g his previous p a r t i c i p a t i o n i n Chabad programs. So R a b b i B e r g m a n d e c i d e d t o b r o a c h t h e subject o f his u p c o m i n g bar mitzyah, o f f e r i n g t o p r e p a r e h i m f o r t h e event. " L a z e r was a w i l l i n g s t u d e n t , " recalls R a b b i B e r g m a n . " S t i l l , I w a n t e d h i m t o k n o w h o w f u l l y I a p p r e c i a t e d his d e d i c a t i o n i n c o m m i t t i n g h i m s e l f t o l e a r n h o w t o read f r o m t h e T o r a h a n d deliver a chassidic d i s c o u r s e b y h e a r t . A f t e r a l l , t h i s is n o t w h a t t w e l v e - y e a r - o l d R u s s i a n b o y s o f l i m i t e d J e w i s h a f f i l i a t i o n u s u a l l y choose t o d o . I t o l d h i m t h a t g i f t s w e r e also p a r t o f t h e c e l e b r a t i o n a n d p r o m i s e d h i m a g i f t o f h i s c h o i c e f o r his d i l i g e n c e a n d p e r f o r m a n c e . " L a z e r d i d us all p r o u d , a n d f u l f i l l e d h i s r o l e b e a u t i f u l l y . H i s bar mitzyah was a m o v i n g experience f o r all those w h o attended." A few days a f t e r w a r d , L a z e r p a i d t h e r a b b i a v i s i t . R a b b i B e r g m a n was e x p e c t i n g h i m . " L a z e r , " he e x c l a i m e d w a r m l y , " y o u d i d w o n d e r f u l l y ! Y o u c e r t a i n l y earned t h e g i f t I p r o m i s e d . J u s t t e l l m e w h a t y o u w a n t . " R a b b i B e r g m a n was sure L a z e r w o u l d ask f o r s o m e c o m p u t e r game o r e l e c t r o n i c gadget. H e was totally unprepared for what followed. " R a b b i , " L a z e r b e g a n w i t h a s l i g h t q u i v e r i n his v o i c e , " y o u have b e e n v e r y k i n d a n d g e n e r o u s t o m e . Since y o u p r o m i s e d m e a g i f t , I h o p e I w i l l n o t be a s k i n g t o o m u c h . I have a s i x t e e n - y e a r - o l d b r o t h e r w h o became i n t e r e s t e d i n p u t t i n g o n tefillin w h e n I b e g a n t o . W e b o t h have t o leave t h e h o u s e early i n t h e m o r n i n g t o get t o s c h o o l , a n d o f t e n t h e r e i s n ' t e n o u g h t i m e f o r b o t h o f us t o p u t o n tefillin. So f o r m y g i f t , I w o u l d l i k e t o ask f o r a p a i r o f tefillin f o r m y b r o t h e r . "

25

26

KEEPING I N TOUCH

Parshas Vayishlach
Our Sages relate t h a t t h e c o n c e p t o f a Bar-Mitzyah features i n t h i s

T o r a h r e a d i n g . S h e c h e m , t h e leader o f a C a n a a n i t e v i l l a g e o f t h a t name, k i d n a p p e d Jacob's daughter Dinah and defiled her. In

r e t r i b u t i o n , t w o o f her b r o t h e r s , S h i m o n a n d L e v i , slew a l l t h e males o f t h a t v i l l a g e . N o w S h i m o n a n d L e v i w e r e 13 years o l d at t h e t i m e . T h e T o r a h refers t o t h e b r o t h e r s as " m e n , " i n d i c a t i n g t h a t t h e y h a d c o m e o f age. F r o m t h i s , o u r Sages d e r i v e t h e c o n c e p t t h a t at 13, a y o u t h b e c o m e s The found Bar-Mitzyah. have

q u e s t i o n i m m e d i a t e l y arises: C o u l d n ' t t h e T o r a h the

a n i c e r s t o r y t o t e a c h us

age w h e n a y o u t h enters

manhood? T o resolve t h i s q u e s t i o n , w e have t o u n d e r s t a n d t h e n a t u r e o f the concept o f Bar-Mitzyah. W h y is a c h i l d c o n s i d e r e d t o have

e n t e r e d m a n h o o d at 13? O u r R a b b i s e x p l a i n t h a t a l t h o u g h a y o u t h m a y have g a i n m u c h k n o w l e d g e b e f o r e h i s t h i r t e e n t h b i r t h d a y , i t is n o t u n t i l t h a t age t h a t he is able t o appreciate t h e seriousness o f h i s a c t i o n s . I t is o n l y t h e n t h a t he gains t h e m a t u r i t y t o u n d e r s t a n d h o w i m p o r t a n t i t is t o f u l f i l l a mitzyah. ( T o c i t e a p a r a l l e l i n w o r l d l y m a t t e r s , a youth may be able to perform the mathematical equations with

m o n e y , b u t m a y n o t have financial dealings.)

maturity to conduct himself in

B y a s s o c i a t i n g c o m i n g o f age w i t h t h e s t o r y o f S h i m o n a n d Levi, the T o r a h is e m p h a s i z i n g that our connection w i t h the

T o r a h a n d i t s mitzyos c a n n o t be o n e t h a t b e g i n s a n d ends w i t h t h e m i n d . S h i m o n a n d L e v i p u t t h e i r v e r y lives at r i s k . T h e r e was

reason t o say t h a t t h e y s h o u l d have r e m a i n e d passive a n d l e t t h e m a t t e r g o b y . N e v e r t h e l e s s , t h e i r i n n e r s e n s i t i v i t y t o m o r a l values w o u l d n o t l e t t h e m r e m a i n s t i l l . Seeing an o u t r a g e , t h e y r e a l i z e d t h e y h a d t o d o s o m e t h i n g n o m a t t e r w h a t t h e danger. Why is a p e r s o n p r e p a r e d t o r i s k h i s l i f e f o r h i s values and

p r i n c i p l e s ? Because t h a t is w h o he r e a l l y i s . H i s t r u e " I " is n o t h i s i n d i v i d u a l s e l f w i t h h i s w a n t s a n d desires, b u t h i s s o u l w h i c h is an

VAYISHLACH

27

a c t u a l p a r t o f G - d . Since " I s r a e l , G - d , a n d t h e T o r a h are a l l o n e , " w h e n a Jew sees t h e T o r a h ' s values b e i n g f l a u n t e d , he s h o u l d be t o u c h e d t o t h e core o f h i s s o u l . And i t s h o u l d n o t be an issue t h a t m e r e l y causes h i m p a i n . H e

s h o u l d be p r e p a r e d t o d o s o m e t h i n g a b o u t i t , even i f i t i n v o l v e s self-sacrifice. T h i s is a f u n d a m e n t a l l e s s o n t h a t every Bar boy m u s t learn. Mitzyah

Looking to the Horizon

The Torah reading begins with the meeting between Esau

( i n t e r p r e t e d b y o u r R a b b i s as t h e p r o g e n i t o r o f R o m e ) a n d Jacob ( t h e a n c e s t o r o f t h e J e w i s h p e o p l e ) a n d t h e Haftorah develops t h a t theme, nations focusing when: on the u l t i m a t e c o n f r o n t a t i o n between will ascend M o u n t Z i o n these the

"Saviors

t o judge

M o u n t a i n o f E d o m a n d t h e s o v e r e i g n t y w i l l be G - d ' s . " In t r u t h , the conflict between t h e t w o is c o s m i c i n n a t u r e .

E s a u is i d e n t i f i e d w i t h t h e b o d y ; i t s d r i v e s a n d i t s cravings. H e is a h u n t e r a n d a m a n o f v i o l e n c e . Jacob is i d e n t i f i e d w i t h t h e s o u l . H e is "a s i m p l e m a n , d w e l l i n g i n t e n t s , " " t h e t e n t s o f s t u d y , " d e v o t i n g his life t o the s t u d y o f the T o r a h a n d s t r a i g h t f o r w a r d , honest business d e a l i n g s . O n e m i g h t t h i n k : W e l l , t h a t ' s p e r f e c t ! T h e r e is n o n e e d f o r conflict. spiritual. But from the was very not beginning by of their In conception, her womb, this the L e t Esau have t h e m a t e r i a l r e a l m a n d Jacob take the

compromise

accepted

either.

M a t r i a r c h Rebecca f e l t an awesome b a t t l e b e t w e e n t h e t w o . T h e y were, i n t h e w o r d s o f o u r Sages, " f i g h t i n g over t h e i n h e r i t a n c e o f t w o w o r l d s . " F o r Jacob u n d e r s t a n d s t h a t t h e p u r p o s e o f c r e a t i o n is not the f o r s p i r i t u a l i t y a n d p h y s i c a l i t y t o r e m a i n skew lines, b u t f o r physical t o become subsumed to the spiritual. A n d Esau

k n o w s a b o u t t h e s p i r i t u a l a n d desires t o c o r r u p t i t . And so t h e r e is a c o n f l i c t b e t w e e n t h e t w o . T h i s c o n f l i c t is

r e f l e c t e d o n an i n d i v i d u a l level, as t h e E s a u a n d Jacob w i t h i n each

28

KEEPING I N TOUCH

o f us seek d o m i n i o n . A n d i t is r e f l e c t e d o n a n a t i o n a l level i n t h e s t r u g g l e s o f o u r p e o p l e w i t h i n t h e sphere o f n a t i o n s . A s s t a t e d above, t h e u l t i m a t e r e s o l u t i o n o f t h i s s t r u g g l e w i l l be i n t h e era o f Mashiach. T h a t , however, is d e p e n d e n t o n t h e service o f each i n d i v i d u a l . A s each one o f us defeats h i s i n d i v i d u a l Esau, a c h i e v i n g a p e r s o n a l experience o f r e d e m p t i o n , t h e p a t h is p a v e d f o r an experience o f r e d e m p t i o n i n t h e w o r l d at large.

T h i s T o r a h p o r t i o n is u s u a l l y read o n t h e Shabbos f o l l o w i n g Yud-Tes K i s l e v , t h e date w h i c h c o m m e m o r a t e s t h e release o f R . S h n e u r Z a l m a n o f L i a d i f r o m p r i s o n i n C z a r i s t R u s s i a . R . S h n e u r Z a l m a n , k n o w n as t h e Alter Rebbe, was t h e f o u n d e r o f t h e Chabad a p p r o a c h t o C h a s s i d i s m a n d h i s l i b e r a t i o n is i n t e r p r e t e d as m a r k i n g t h e R o s h H a S h a n a h o f C h a s s i d i s m , because f r o m t h a t t i m e o n w a r d , t h e i n i t i a t i v e t o spread t h e w e l l s p r i n g s o f C h a s s i d i s m began a n e w phase o f e x p a n s i o n . T o e x p l a i n : O n c e t h e Baal S h e m T o v , t h e f o u n d e r o f t h e chassidic m o v e m e n t , ascended t o t h e s p i r i t u a l r e a l m s a n d e n c o u n t e r e d t h e s o u l o f Mashiach. H e asked h i m : " W h e n are y o u c o m i n g ? " Mashiach answered: " W h e n t h e w e l l s p r i n g s o f y o u r teachings spread o u t w a r d . " R . S h n e u r Z a l m a n ' s release is c o n s i d e r e d as a t u r n i n g p o i n t i n t h i s process, because t h r o u g h h i s teachings, C h a s s i d i s m was m a d e u n d e r s t a n d a b l e i n t e l l e c t u a l l y a n d t h u s accessible t o every Jew. B e f o r e C h a s s i d i s m was revealed, t h e masses o f t h e J e w i s h p e o p l e w e r e b e g i n n i n g t o lose t o u c h w i t h t h e i r s p i r i t u a l h e r i t a g e . S u r e t h e y r e m a i n e d p r o u d Jews, b u t p r a y e r a n d s t u d y d i d n o t h o l d t h e same i n t e r e s t f o r t h e m as b e f o r e . A c e r t a i n coldness h a d c r e p t i n t o J e w i s h p r a c t i c e a n d t h e r e was distance b e t w e e n c e r t a i n sectors i n the Jewish c o m m u n i t y . T h e Baal S h e m T o v l i t t h e s p a r k o f D i v i n e f i r e t h a t exists i n every Jew. F o r each o f us has a s o u l t h a t is an a c t u a l spark o f G - d a n d t h e Baal S h e m T o v s h o w e d h o w t h a t s p i r i t u a l p o t e n t i a l c o u l d be accessed a n d i n t h a t way, breathed life and vitality i n t o Judaism. R . S h n e u r Z a l m a n gave us t h e i n t e l l e c t u a l t o o l s t o u n d e r s t a n d a n d c o m m u n i c a t e t h e awareness o f these c o n c e p t s . I n t h i s m a n n e r , t h e y w e r e b r o u g h t w i t h i n reach o f every Jew, even o n e w h o s e p a t h t o s p i r i t u a l f e e l i n g began w i t h h i s m i n d .

29

30

KEEPING I N TOUCH

Parshas Vayeishev
O n t h e o p e n i n g verse o f t h i s w e e k ' s T o r a h r e a d i n g : " A n d Jacob dwelled in the land of his father's sojourning," our Sages

c o m m e n t : Jacob d e s i r e d t o d w e l l i n p r o s p e r i t y . G - d saw t h i s a n d e x c l a i m e d : " I s n o t w h a t is p r e p a r e d f o r t h e r i g h t e o u s i n t h e W o r l d t o C o m e e n o u g h ? " I m m e d i a t e l y , t h e r e a f t e r Jacob was w i t h the ordeal o f Joseph. T h e passage is d i f f i c u l t t o u n d e r s t a n d . W e a l l w a n t t o l i v e i n p r o s p e r i t y . W h y s h o u l d t h a t be d e n i e d t o t h e r i g h t e o u s ? s h o u l d receiving a p o r t i o n o f the W o r l d t o C o m e prevent f r o m l i v i n g a c o m f o r t a b l e existence i n t h i s w o r l d ? The resolution to these questions depends on an Why them confronted

understanding

o f t h e process o f t h e i n t e r r e l a t i o n o f m a t e r i a l a n d

s p i r i t u a l existence. E v e r y m a t e r i a l e n t i t y has a s p i r i t u a l l i f e - f o r c e that maintains i t s existence. W i t h o u t t h a t s p i r i t u a l energy, it

c o u l d n o t be. N e v e r t h e l e s s , t h e r e is a c h a s m s e p a r a t i n g t h e m a t e r i a l f r o m t h e s p i r i t u a l . A l t h o u g h w e can i n t e l l e c t u a l l y u n d e r s t a n d t h a t s p i r i t u a l l i f e f o r c e exists, w e c a n n o t see, hear, o r feel t h a t l i f e f o r c e w i t h o u r p h y s i c a l senses. A r i g h t e o u s m a n l i k e Jacob w a n t s t o l i v e a l i f e o f i n t e g r i t y , t o see t h e s p i r i t u a l m i r r o r e d i n t h e p h y s i c a l . H e does n o t desire m e r e p h y s i c a l p r o s p e r i t y . I n s t e a d , he w a n t s t o have h i s b o n d w i t h H i m expressed i n a l l d i m e n s i o n s o f his l i f e , e x t e n d i n g i n t o t h e m a t e r i a l r e a l m . H e seeks t h a t t h e s p i r i t u a l a n d t h e p h y s i c a l f u n c t i o n i n h a r m o n y like the b o d y and the soul. A f t e r his s t r u g g l e s a n d c o n f r o n t a t i o n s w i t h L a b a n a n d Esau, Jacob t h o u g h t he h a d r e a c h e d a l e v e l o f awareness w h e r e s u c h a connection was p o s s i b l e . H i s trust and faith tribulations and he i n G - d had learned to been see

tested t h r o u g h various

had

G - d ' s h a n d i n a l l t h e d i f f e r e n t experiences he h a d u n d e r g o n e . u n f o r t u n a t e l y , however, m u c h o f his l i f e h a d b e e n f i l l e d w i t h h a r d s h i p . N o w w h e n one is u n d e r g o i n g d i f f i c u l t y , i t is easier t o u n d e r s t a n d t h a t a l l o f one's t r i a l s c o m e f r o m G - d . Because w h e n

VAYEISHEV

31

l i f e is c h a l l e n g i n g , one is f o r c e d t o s t e p b a c k a n d And when a righteous man like Jacob

contemplate. he will

contemplates,

become conscious o f G-d's hand. W h e n , b y c o n t r a s t , t h i n g s are g o i n g w e l l , t h e r e is a n a t u r a l t e n d e n c y t o e n j o y t h e m f o r w h a t t h e y are w i t h o u t t h i n k i n g o f a n y t h i n g m o r e . I t is h a r d e r t o sense t h e s p i r i t u a l w h e n one is n o t c o m p e l l e d t o l o o k f o r i t . Jacob t h o u g h t he h a d g o t t e n p a s t t h a t level. H e felt that he was ready t o be able to appreciate the

s p i r i t u a l even w h e n he was e n j o y i n g success a n d w e l l - b e i n g . G-d t h o u g h t otherwise. T h e r e f o r e H e sent h i m another t r i a l ,

p e r h a p s t h e m o s t serious he h a d faced, f o r h i s l o v e f o r J o s e p h was great a n d t h r o u g h h i m , he r e m e m b e r e d Joseph's m o t h e r , R a c h e l , who h a d passed away. W h a t was t h e p u r p o s e o f t h i s anguish? T o b r i n g h i m t o t h e p r o s p e r i t y t h a t he d e s i r e d . A s w e see, u l t i m a t e l y , w h e n J o s e p h was e s t a b l i s h e d as t h e v i c e r o y o f E g y p t , p h a r a o h s e n t f o r Jacob a n d he lived 17 years in luxury, teaching reach Torah to his sons and the

grandsons.

B u t f o r Jacob t o

this harmony between

p h y s i c a l a n d t h e s p i r i t u a l , he n e e d e d t h i s one last l e s s o n .

Looking to the Horizon

T h e u l t i m a t e expression o f the fusion o f the material and the

s p i r i t u a l w i l l c o m e i n t h e era o f Mashiach. A t t h a t t i m e , " t h e r e be n e i t h e r f a m i n e , n o r war, n e i t h e r envy, n o r c o m p e t i t i o n f o r g o o d t h i n g s w i l l f l o w i n a b u n d a n c e a n d a l l t h e d e l i g h t s w i l l be f r e e l y available l i k e d u s t . " N e v e r t h e l e s s , t h e r e w i l l be a b s o l u t e h a r m o n y between the material and the spiritual, for "the occupation o f the e n t i r e w o r l d w i l l be s o l e l y t o k n o w G - d " a n d " t h e e a r t h w i l l be f i l l e d w i t h t h e k n o w l e d g e o f G - d as t h e w a t e r s cover t h e bed." Jacob's experience serves as a p a r a d i g m f o r h i s d e s c e n d a n t s as a w h o l e . H i s trials a n d t r i b u l a t i o n s enabled h i m to appreciate ocean

G - d ' s h a n d i n every f a c t o r o f h i s l i f e a n d t h u s p r e p a r e d h i m t o appreciate t h e s p i r i t u a l d i m e n s i o n o f t h e p r o s p e r i t y he w o u l d l a t e r

32

KEEPING I N TOUCH

achieve. S i m i l a r l y , t h e t r i a l s w h i c h o u r p e o p l e have u n d e r g o n e i n t h e exile have s h a r p e n e d o u r p e r c e p t i o n a n d p r e p a r e d us f o r t h e d i r e c t a p p r e c i a t i o n o f G - d l i n e s s t h a t w i l l c h a r a c t e r i z e t h e era o f Mashiach.

W i t h t h e best i n t e n t i o n s , a chassid once asked t h e Tzemach Tzedek, t h e t h i r d L u b a v i t c h e r R e b b e , f o r a blessing for his children's spiritual development. " I f the R e b b e gives t h e m a b l e s s i n g t o g r o w u p as c h a s s i d i m a n d r e m e m b e r w h a t t h e y see, t h e y w i l l be G - d - f e a r i n g as a m a t t e r o f course." T h e Tzemach Tzedek's l o o k t u r n e d sour. " F o r m o r e t h a n f i f t y years, m y g r a n d f a t h e r ( R . S h n e u r Z a l m a n o f L i a d i ) , m y f a t h e r - i n - l a w ( R . D o v b e r ) a n d I have b e e n u r g i n g c h a s s i d i m t o a c q u i r e a fear o f G - d t h r o u g h t h e l a b o r s o f t h e i r o w n avodah, t h a t i t s h o u l d not c o m e a u t o m a t i c a l l y . " Avodah w o r k i n g o n o n e s e l f is a h a l l m a r k o f t h e Chabad t r a d i t i o n . A t t h e h e a r t o f t h i s c o n c e p t is t h e r e c o g n i t i o n t h a t f o r a change t o be t r u e a n d l a s t i n g , i t c a n n o t r e s u l t f r o m o u t s i d e i n f l u e n c e . J u s t as i n o u r m a t e r i a l w o r l d , a n y t h i n g o f real value costs; so, t o o , w h e n i t comes t o s p i r i t u a l awareness, n o t h i n g comes w i t h o u t investment. I t ' s a message w e can l e a r n f r o m a soda b o t t l e : N o deposit, no r e t u r n .

Parshas Mikeitz
T h i s T o r a h r e a d i n g b e g i n s w i t h p h a r a o h ' s dreams, w h i l e t h a t o f the previous week focused often on Joseph's a dreams. Dreams direction are and

significant,

for

they

reflect

person's

character t h r u s t . T h u s t h e c o n t r a s t b e t w e e n p h a r o a h ' s dreams a n d Joseph's can teach us fundamental differences between an

a p p r o a c h o f h o l i n e s s a n d an o r d i n a r y w o r l d l y a p p r o a c h . A m o n g t h e differences b e t w e e n t h e m . a ) Joseph's dreams b e g i n w i t h w o r k : " W e were i n t h e field

b i n d i n g t o g e t h e r sheaves." p h a r a o h ' s dreams, b y c o n t r a s t , d o n o t i n v o l v e any a c t i v i t y o n his p a r t . H e watches as t h e g r a i n a n d t h e cows emerge from the N i l e . T h e contrast teaches; h o l i n e s s is

associated w i t h a c t i v i t y a n d e f f o r t .

33

34

KEEPING I N TOUCH

When

a person

receives

a gift

that

is u n e a r n e d ,

he

feels

c o m p r o m i s e d t o a c e r t a i n e x t e n t . W h y is that? Because w e possess a s o u l t h a t is " a n a c t u a l p a r t o f G - d . " T h e r e f o r e j u s t as G - d is a G i v e r , n o t a r e c i p i e n t , w e t o o , feel t h e greatest s a t i s f a c t i o n w h e n we receive the fruits o f our o w n efforts instead o f receiving

s o m e t h i n g g r a t i s . T h u s J o s e p h is active. T h e w o r l d at large, b y c o n t r a s t , does n o t have t h e same degree o f active D i v i n e i n f l u e n c e . I t is m e r e l y a m e d i u m t h r o u g h w h i c h G-d and man a c c o m p l i s h H i s i n t e n t . T h e r e f o r e P h a r a o h is

n o m o r e t h a n an observer. H e does n o t p l a y a c o n t r i b u t o r y r o l e i n b r i n g i n g the w o r l d t o its perfection. b) Joseph's dreams follow the pattern o f "Always ascend

h i g h e r w i t h r e g a r d t o h o l y m a t t e r s . " I n t h e f i r s t d r e a m , he b e g i n s w i t h ears o f g r a i n separate a n d d i s t i n c t e n t i t i e s w h i c h are

t h e n b o u n d t o g e t h e r i n t o sheaves, i.e., d i v i s i o n gives w a y t o u n i t y . A n d t h i s p a t t e r n leads t o t h e s e c o n d d r e a m , w h i c h p r o c e e d s t o t h e celestial plane, s p e a k i n g a b o u t t h e s u n , t h e m o o n , a n d t h e stars. Even i n the most m a t e r i a l sense, this reflects an upward

p r o g r e s s i o n . Sheaves are m o r e v a l u a b l e t h a n i n d i v i d u a l stalks o f g r a i n , a n d stars are far m o r e h i g h e r t h a n sheaves. T h e dreams o f pharaoh, b y contrast, f o l l o w a d o w n w a r d t r e n d . T h e f i r s t d r e a m c o n c e r n s cows, m e m b e r s o f t h e a n i m a l k i n g d o m , a n d t h e s e c o n d c o n c e r n s ears o f g r a i n , p l a n t s , w h i c h are o n a l o w e r l e v e l . F u r t h e r m o r e , even w i t h i n each d r e a m , t h e p a t t e r n is one o f d e c l i n e . F i r s t p h a r a o h saw h e a l t h y c o w s , a n d t h e n l e a n ones. F i r s t he saw " f u l l , g o o d " ears o f g r a i n , a n d t h e n " t h i n , s c o r c h e d " ones. A n d t h e d o w n w a r d t r e n d c o n t i n u e d , as t h e h e a l t h y cows a n d g r a i n w e r e s w a l l o w e d u p b y t h e l e a n ones. H o l i n e s s is c h a r a c t e r i z e d b y g r o w t h , f o l l o w i n g t h e " T h e y shall go f r o m infinite, s t r e n g t h t o s t r e n g t h . " Since pattern: is and

G-dliness

t h e r e is a c o n t i n u o u s t h r u s t t o w a r d s a d v a n c e m e n t

p r o g r e s s . T h e w o r l d at large, b y c o n t r a s t is f i n i t e a n d l i m i t e d . I t c a n n o t b e c o m e any m o r e t h a n i t is. O n t h e c o n t r a r y , as e n t i t i e s age, there is a t e n d e n c y toward weakening and deterioration.

MIKEITZ

35

Joseph's d r e a m s hence r e f l e c t t h e p o t e n t i a l f o r a d v a n c e m e n t , w h i l e p h a r a o h ' s are c h a r a c t e r i z e d b y w a n i n g a n d d e c l i n e . E v e r y one o f us have a d i m e n s i o n o f J o s e p h w i t h i n us a n d a d i m e n s i o n o f p h a r a o h . W h a t w e d r e a m o f is l e f t t o o u r c h o i c e .

Looking to the Horizon

Our Sages e x p l a i n t h a t exile is d e s c r i b e d w i t h t h e a n a l o g y o f a

d r e a m . W h y ? Because d r e a m s i n v o l v e a d i s t o r t i o n o f r e a l i t y . T h e basis is t r u e , b u t o u r p e r c e p t i o n can be w a r p e d u n t i l w e lose s i g h t o f w h a t is real a n d w h a t is o u r i m a g i n a t i o n . S i m p l y p u t , i n exile, t h e t r u e s p i r i t u a l values a r o u n d w h i c h o u r existence revolve do not seem important and we focus our

i n t e n t i o n o n lesser a n d s o m e t i m e s , t r i v i a l t h i n g s . M o r e o v e r , these s m a l l m a t t e r s c a p t u r e o u r senses a n d o u r e x c i t e m e n t a n d w h a t ' s really valuable becomes f o r g o t t e n . L i k i n g a p e r s o n o p e n i n g h i s eyes after a d r e a m , w h e n Mashiach c o m e s w e w i l l l o o k at t h e w o r l d a r o u n d us w i t h a m a z e m e n t . For

we w i l l see t h e w o r l d f o r w h a t i t i s . W e w i l l be able t o appreciate t h e t r u e value t h a t every s p i r i t u a l p u r s u i t possesses a n d w e w i l l w o n d e r h o w i t was p o s s i b l e t h a t w e w e r e so c a u g h t u p i n m a t e r i a l matters.

T h i s T o r a h p o r t i o n is always read near t h e 5 t h day i n t h e H e b r e w m o n t h o f T e v e s , t h e day t h a t t h e L u b a v i t c h e r R e b b e d e c l a r e d t o be a h o l i d a y f o r J e w i s h b o o k s . T h e library w h i c h the Rebbe Rayatz, R . Y o s e f Y i t z c h a k S c h n e e r s o h n , h a d assembled f o r t h e sake o f t h e chassidic c o m m u n i t y h a d b e e n m i s a p p r o p r i a t e d o n t h e c l a i m t h a t i t was p e r s o n a l p r o p e r t y o f t h e R e b b e R a y a t z . T h e m a t t e r was t a k e n t o F e d e r a l C o u r t a n d d u r i n g t h e hearings, t h e R e b b e ' s w i f e , t h e d a u g h t e r o f t h e R e b b e R a y a t z e x p l a i n e d : " N o t o n l y t h e l i b r a r y , b u t also t h e R e b b e , b e l o n g t o t h e c h a s s i d i m . " T h i s p o s i t i o n was accepted b y t h e c o u r t w h o r u l e d t h a t i n fact t h e l i b r a r y was t h e c o m m u n a l p r o p e r t y o f t h e chassidic c o m m u n i t y . W h e n t h a t r u l i n g was r e n d e r e d , t h e chassidic c o m m u n i t y celebrated. B u t t h e R e b b e e m p h a s i z e d t h a t t h e c e l e b r a t i o n s s h o u l d focus o n h a v i n g a l a s t i n g effect. I n t h a t v e i n , he asked t h a t p e o p l e use t h e energy o f t h e holiday t o augment their Jewish libraries.

Parshas Vayigash
I m a g i n e h o w t h e y m u s t have f e l t . T w e n t y - t w o years ago, t h e y h a d s o l d t h e i r b r o t h e r i n t o h a r s h slavery. H e h a d b e g g e d t h e m f o r m e r c y a n d t h e y h a d t u r n e d a d e a f ear t o his pleas. N o w t h e y w e r e s t a n d i n g i n f r o n t o f h i m . M o r e o v e r , t h e y m u s t have f e l t m o r e t h a n shame a n d e m b a r r a s s m e n t . T h e brother that they had sold to

slavery was n o w t h e m o s t p o w e r f u l m a n i n t h e w o r l d a n d t h e i r f u t u r e was i n his hands. But Joseph, the b r o t h e r w h o h a d been s o l d i n t o slavery, d i d

e v e r y t h i n g t o reassure t h e m t h a t he h e l d n o grudge, t e l l i n g t h e m : "Do n o t be distressed a n d d o n o t r e p r o a c h yourselves f o r h a v i n g Y o u w i l l be near t o me... a n d I w i l l p r o v i d e f o r y o u . " also

s o l d m e here

J o s e p h was n o t " t u r n i n g t h e o t h e r cheek." I n s t e a d , he

e x p l a i n e d his r a t i o n a l e t o his b r o t h e r s : " I t was n o t y o u w h o s o l d me here, but G-d." "He sent me ahead o f you... for great

36

VAYIGASH

37

d e l i v e r a n c e . " J o s e p h u n d e r s t o o d t h a t h i s b r o t h e r s c o u l d n o t have d o n e a n y t h i n g i n d e p e n d e n t l y . E v e r y t h i n g , even t h e f l u t t e r i n g o f a l e a f i n t h e w i n d , is c o n t r o l l e d b y D i v i n e p r o v i d e n c e . C e r t a i n l y , t h a t is t r u e w i t h r e g a r d t o t h o s e i n d i v i d u a l s w h o w e r e d e s t i n e d t o p e r p e t u a t e t h e legacy o f A b r a h a m . J o s e p h t h u s u n d e r s t o o d t h a t h i s b r o t h e r s w e r e G - d ' s agents a n d w e r e e x e c u t i n g H i s w i l l . G - d h a d w a n t e d h i m sent t o E g y p t and his brothers h a d done n o m o r e t h a n execute t h e D i v i n e w i l l . N e v e r t h e l e s s , one m a y ask: I t is t r u e t h a t t h e u l t i m a t e i n t e n t t o s e n d J o s e p h i n t o E g y p t was G - d ' s . N e v e r t h e l e s s , m a n has free c h o i c e . N o one h a d f o r c e d t h e b r o t h e r s t o sell J o s e p h as a slave. C e r t a i n l y , h a d t h e y n o t s o l d h i m , G - d w o u l d have f o u n d a w a y t o s e n d h i m t o E g y p t . T h u s a l t h o u g h J o s e p h d i d n o t have t o b l a m e t h e m f o r h a v i n g s o l d h i m , he d i d n o t have t o r e w a r d t h e m . T h e y had made a w r o n g choice, a c t i n g cruelly a n d reprehensibly. W h y d i d J o s e p h t r e a t t h e m so k i n d l y ? T h e f i r s t p a r t o f t h e answer has t o d o w i t h d e v e l o p i n g a m o r e complete understanding o f the nature o f D i v i n e providence. By

saying s o m e t h i n g happens because o f D i v i n e p r o v i d e n c e , w e are n o t i m p l y i n g t h a t one s h o u l d m e r e l y g r i n a n d bear i t . I n s t e a d , he s h o u l d be g e n u i n e l y happy, because e v e r y t h i n g t h a t G - d does is f o r t h e g o o d . G - d is t h e u l t i m a t e o f g o o d ; i t is i m p o s s i b l e t h a t H e w i l l d o a n y t h i n g t h a t is n o t g o o d . T h i s s h o u l d e n d o w a p e r s o n w i t h the

c o n f i d e n c e a n d s e c u r i t y o f k n o w i n g t h a t he is b e i n g l e d d o w n a p a t h t h a t w i l l lead h i m t o t h e m o s t c o m p l e t e b e n e f i t possible. Joseph happened understood to him from this. the He realized that everything that an

t i m e he was

s o l d o n w a r d was

e x p r e s s i o n o f D i v i n e k i n d n e s s . I n h i s i n s t a n c e , t h i s was

overtly

revealed. H e rose t o a p o s i t i o n o f p o w e r a n d a u t h o r i t y i n a m a n n e r t h a t c o u l d o n l y have been g r a n t e d b y D i v i n e f a v o r . Nevertheless, t h i s is o n l y p a r t o f t h e r e s o l u t i o n . I t e x p l a i n s

G - d ' s p a r t o f t h e e q u a t i o n , b u t n o t m a n ' s . I n Joseph's case h i s brothers treated him harshly. Similarly, each one o f us has

instances w h e r e he feels t h a t he has b e e n w r o n g e d o r m i s t r e a t e d .

38

KEEPING I N TOUCH

W h i l e i t is t r u e t h a t he s h o u l d n o t b e c o m e u p s e t o r v i n d i c t i v e , w h y s h o u l d he r e w a r d e v i l w i t h good? T h e answer has t o d o w i t h l o o k i n g b e n e a t h t h e surface only i n the deeds t h a t h a p p e n t o us and seeing t h e i r not

Divine

impulse

b u t also i n t h e p e o p l e w h o p e r f o r m t h o s e deeds a n d

p e r c e i v i n g t h e i r D i v i n e core. E v e r y p e r s o n is b a s i c a l l y g o o d . A t his core lies a D i v i n e s p a r k . H i s l i f e is a series o f a t t e m p t s t o b r i n g t h i s D i v i n e p o t e n t i a l t o t h e surface. I t ' s t r u e t h a t at t i m e s , we

m a k e m i s t a k e s . B u t J o s e p h a n d t h e p e o p l e w h o f o l l o w h i s legacy d o n o t f o c u s o n t h o s e negative p o i n t s . I n s t e a d , t h e y are aware o f t h e p o s i t i v e i n n e r p o t e n t i a l i n o t h e r s even w h e n i t is h i d d e n w o r k t o fan i t i n t o revelation. and

Looking to the Horizon

o u r T o r a h r e a d i n g relates t h a t Jacob was a f r a i d w h e n he has about

t o leave Eretz^ Yisrael a n d d e s c e n d t o E g y p t . G - d r e a s s u r e d h i m , promising that Jacob's body and ultimately all of his Holy

descendants

w o u l d be t a k e n f r o m

E g y p t back t o the

L a n d . Jacob u n d e r s t o o d w h a t i t m e a n t t o leave t h e H o l y L a n d a n d he was n o t p r e p a r e d t o d o so unless he r e c e i v e d G - d ' s t h a t his d e s c e n d a n t s w o u l d n o t r e m a i n i n exile forever. T h e r e is a p u r p o s e i n d e s c e n d i n g i n t o exile, f o r i n exile, o n e can accomplish a lot, for descent oneself should and be for the viewed world as at large. only promise

Nevertheless,

that

being

t e m p o r a r y ; a Jew s h o u l d realize t h a t his t r u e place is Eretz^ Yisrael a n d n o t Eretz^ Yisrael as i t exists t o d a y , b u t as t h e l a n d w i l l e x i s t

i n t h e era o f Mashiach. T h a t is w h a t w e are h o p i n g f o r a n d t h a t is t h e g o a l t o w h i c h w e s h o u l d d i r e c t o u r lives. As such, w e s h o u l d never feel at h o m e i n e x i l e . E v e n t h o u g h

w e have a c o m f o r t a b l e h o m e , f r i e n d s , a n d a l i v e l i h o o d , t h i s is n o t the purpose o f our Instead, the era lives we when and this be should not b r i n g us and with true look the

satisfaction. forward to

should "the

future-oriented will be filled

world

k n o w l e d g e o f G - d as t h e w a t e r s cover u p t h e ocean b e d . "

T h e w i d o w o f r e n o w n e d s c u l p t o r Jacques L i f c h i t z came f o r a p r i v a t e audience w i t h t h e R e b b e s h o r t l y after her h u s b a n d ' s s u d d e n passing. I n t h e course o f t h e m e e t i n g , she m e n t i o n e d t h a t h e r h u s b a n d h a d b e e n w o r k i n g o n a massive s c u l p t u r e o f a p h o e n i x (a m y t h i c a l b i r d ) f o r t h e H a d a s s a h H o s p i t a l o n Mt. Scopus.

A sculptor i n her o w n r i g h t , M r s . L i f c h i t z had c o n s i d e r e d c o m p l e t i n g her h u s b a n d ' s w o r k , b u t h a d b e e n advised t h a t t h e p h o e n i x is a n o n - J e w i s h s y m b o l . H o w c o u l d she c o m p l e t e s u c h a s c u l p t u r e a n d have i t b r o u g h t t o Jerusalem? T h e R e b b e c a l l e d f o r h i s secretary, R a b b i Y e h u d a K r i n s k y , a n d asked h i m f o r t h e b o o k o f Job. W h e n he received t h e sacred t e x t , t h e R e b b e o p e n e d i t t o c h a p t e r 2 9 , verse 1 8 , w h i c h reads: " a n d I s h a l l m u l t i p l y m y days l i k e t h e chol." T h e R e b b e p r o c e e d e d t o e x p l a i n t h e Midrashic c o m m e n t a r y t o t h e verse, w h i c h describes t h e chol as a b i r d t h a t lives f o r 1 , 0 0 0 years, dies, a n d t h e n is r e s u r r e c t e d f r o m i t s ashes. C l e a r l y , t h e p h o e n i x was a Jewish s y m b o l ! M r s . L i f c h i t z was d e l i g h t e d at t h e e x p l a n a t i o n , a n d d e d i c a t e d h e r s e l f t o t h e p r o j e c t w h i c h she c o m p l e t e d s h o r t l y thereafter. T h e Rebbe had given her a g i f t o f personal rejuvenation t h a t enabled her t o complete a s y m b o l o f rejuvenation for others. T h e core o f o u r v i t a l i t y is G - d l i n e s s . T h r o u g h c o n n e c t i o n w i t h H i m , w e can rise above o u r m o r t a l i t y .

Parshas Vayechi
T h e n a m e o f t h i s week's T o r a h r e a d i n g raises an o b v i o u s q u e s t i o n . Vayechi means " A n d he l i v e d . " Nevertheless, the entire Torah

39

40

KEEPING I N TOUCH

r e a d i n g focuses o n t h e v e r y o p p o s i t e o f l i f e : Jacob's f i n a l sickness, h i s f a r e w e l l blessings t o h i s c h i l d r e n , a n d h i s b u r i a l . B y c h o o s i n g t h i s name, lessons about life and t h e T o r a h teaches us Life is e t e r n a l , fundamental and that

death.

continuous,

o n g o i n g . T h e r e is n o w a y i t can pause f o r a m o m e n t . F o r

reason, o u r Sages r u l e t h a t mayim Chayim, " l i v i n g w a t e r , " c a n n o t be t a k e n f r o m a r i v e r t h a t d r i e s u p even as r a r e l y as once i n seven years. I f a r i v e r d r i e s , i t is i m p r o p e r t o describe "living." O n c e w e u n d e r s t a n d w h a t l i f e is, i t ' s u n d e r s t a n d a b l e w h y l i f e is i d e n t i f i e d w i t h G - d , as i t is w r i t t e n : " A n d G - d t h e L - r d is t r u e . H e is t h e l i v i n g G - d . " F o r H e is t h e o n l y e n t i t y w h o s e existence is truly continuous. E v e r y t h i n g else flashes momentarily on the its water as

screen o f t i m e a n d t h e n passes o n . W e are n o t , h o w e v e r , d o o m e d t o an e x i s t e n t i a l r e a l i t y . W e can e n d o w o u r lives w i t h a d i m e n s i o n o f e t e r n a l i t y b y c o n n e c t i n g t h e m to G - d and H i s truth. H o w can a m o r t a l share i n e t e r n a l l i f e ? T h r o u g h c l i n g i n g t o G - d , as i t is w r i t t e n : " A n d a l l o f y o u w h o c l i n g t o G - d . . . are a l i v e . " o t h e r w i s e , o u r l i f e t i m e s are f l e e t i n g shadows, b r i e f a n d f l i c k e r i n g moments. T h i s was o u r Sages' i n t e n t w h e n t h e y said: "Jacob o u r a n c e s t o r d i d n o t d i e . Since h i s d e s c e n d a n t s are alive, he is a l i v e . " Jacob was alive, f o r he was c o n n e c t e d t o G - d l i n e s s i n a c o m p l e t e m a n n e r . H e h a d n o i n d i v i d u a l existence o f h i s o w n ; every e l e m e n t o f h i s l i f e was l i v e d f o r G - d ' s sake. W h e n d i d t h i s b e c o m e o b v i o u s ? W h e n he l e f t a p o s t e r i t y t h a t e n d u r e s even t h o u g h he p e r s o n a l l y passed away. W h e n h i s sons a n d t h e i r d e s c e n d a n t s c o n t i n u e l i v i n g i n Jacob's p a t h , p e r p e t u a t i n g t h e values a n d p r i n c i p l e s t h a t he c o m m u n i c a t e d , w e see t h a t Jacob t r u l y l i v e d . A n d hence, even n o w , he is alive, f o r h i s message is timeless. o r d i n a r y m o r t a l w i s d o m is r e l e v a n t at a specific t i m e place. I f one's i n s i g h t is u n i q u e , h i s w o r d s can speak and

slightly

VAYECHI

41

b e y o n d h i s i m m e d i a t e m i l i e u . B u t t h e o n l y w a y a p e r s o n ' s message can r e m a i n r e l e v a n t t o c o m i n g g e n e r a t i o n s i n d i f f e r e n t s i t u a t i o n s is w h e n i t has i t s r o o t s i n G - d l i n e s s . I n d e e d , w e are l i v i n g t h o u s a n d s o f years after Jacob has passed away a n d m o s t o f us d o n o t d w e l l i n t h e l a n d s i n w h i c h he l i v e d . N e v e r t h e l e s s , h i s message is s t i l l m e a n i n g f u l t o u s . T h i s i n d i c a t e s t h a t w h a t he s h a r e d w i t h h i s c h i l d r e n was n o t o r d i n a r y m o r t a l wisdom, but G-dly truth. I n h i s passing, Jacob s h o w e d t h e e t e r n a l i t y o f h i s l i f e , h o w he had tapped the spark of G-d within his s o u l a n d taught his

c h i l d r e n h o w t o perpetuate

t h i s legacy. B y n a m i n g t h i s passage

Vayechi, t h e T o r a h h i g h l i g h t s t h i s q u a l i t y , s h o w i n g each o f us h o w we can step b e y o n d o u r m o r t a l i t y a n d c o n n e c t w i t h t h e i n f i n i t e .

Looking to the Horizon

T h e c l o s i n g passages o f t h i s w e e k ' s T o r a h r e a d i n g describe h o w J o s e p h t e l l s h i s b r o t h e r s t h a t u l t i m a t e l y G - d w i l l t a k e t h e Jews o u t o f E g y p t . M o r e o v e r , as t h e c o m m e n t a r i e s e x p l a i n , he gives t h e m the code through which they will be able to recognize the

prophecy o f redemption. Why is J o s e p h t h e o n e t o c o m m u n i c a t e t h i s message? Because the e x i l e . Y e s , he d e s c e n d e d to

h i s s p i r i t u a l level t r a n s c e n d e d

E g y p t a n d was even enslaved t h e r e . B u t these e x t e r n a l events d i d not change h i s i n n e r m a k e u p . I n s i d e , he was a k i n g a n d because he changed

was a k i n g i n s i d e , u l t i m a t e l y , h i s e x t e r n a l c i r c u m s t a n c e s to reflect t h i s inner core.

T h i s was t h e message J o s e p h c o m m u n i c a t e d t o h i s b r e t h r e n : "You w i l l l i v e m a n y years i n E g y p t a n d y o u w i l l u l t i m a t e l y be

enslaved, b u t t h a t w i l l n o t d e f i n e w h o y o u are. E g y p t is a l a n d o f l i m i t a t i o n s a n d y o u possess a D i v i n e p o t e n t i a l t h a t t r a n s c e n d s a l l l i m i t a t i o n s . E v e n t u a l l y , t h a t p o t e n t i a l w i l l surface a n d y o u w i l l be redeemed." T h i s is a message n o t o n l y f o r t h e Jews o f Joseph's g e n e r a t i o n , but also f o r t h e Jews o f a l l t i m e . A Jew does n o t b e l o n g i n exile,

42

KEEPING I N TOUCH

f o r he possesses a s o u l t h a t is an a c t u a l p a r t o f G - d . A s he realizes t h i s p o t e n t i a l a n d expresses i t i n h i s c o n d u c t , influences the external environment, causing i t surfaces redemption and to

become a tangible reality.

O n c e w h e n t w o Jews i n t h e N a z i d e a t h camps t r i e d t o l i g h t a C h a n u k a h M e n o r a h , the Germans stopped t h e m . o n e t h e n t o l d t h e o t h e r : " T h e y m a y have p r e v e n t e d us f r o m l i g h t i n g a candle t h a t shines v i s i b l y , b u t i n o u r hearts t h e r e is a candle t h a t is b u r n i n g b r i g h t l y a n d t h a t , t h e y w i l l never be able t o e x t i n g u i s h . " I t is i m p o s s i b l e t o i g n o r e t h e e m o t i o n a l d i m e n s i o n o f the story. Nevertheless, b e y o n d its p u l l o n our heart strands, t h e r e is a very p r a c t i c a l d i m e n s i o n . M a n y years ago, s u g g e s t i o n s w e r e b e i n g m a d e o n h o w t o c o m m e m o r a t e t h e H o l o c a u s t . o n e o f t h e ideas was t o have an e m p t y c h a i r at t h e Seder, r e c a l l i n g t h o s e Jews w h o w e r e n o t g i v e n t h e o p p o r t u n i t y t o h o l d Pesach Sederim themselves. W h e n t h e L u b a v i t c h e r R e b b e h e a r d o f t h e idea, he suggested a d i f f e r e n t a p p r o a c h . o f course, b r i n g a n e x t r a chair o r t w o t o t h e Seder, b u t d o n ' t leave i t e m p t y . F i l l i t w i t h a l i v i n g Jew w h o w o u l d o t h e r w i s e n o t have a t t e n d e d a Seder. We can't u n d e r s t a n d w h y G - d allowed the H o l o c a u s t .

A f t e r a l l , w e are m o r t a l s a n d o u r m i n d s are l i m i t e d a n d w e c a n n o t u n d e r s t a n d a n u n b o u n d e d G - d . B u t w e can reach a n o b v i o u s c o n c l u s i o n . I f t h e r e w e r e Jews w h o c o u l d have added t o the spiritual l i g h t i n the w o r l d by reaffirming their T o r a h heritage and f o r some reason they were p r e v e n t e d f r o m d o i n g so, w e s h o u l d a d d s o m e e x t r a l i g h t for t h e m .

Parshas Shmos
T h i s T o r a h reading chronicles the and oppression o f our b e g i n n i n g o f the enslavement immediately the

people i n Egypt. A question

c o m e s t o m i n d : G - d saw t h e J e w i s h c h i l d r e n b e i n g t h r o w n i n t o Nile. He heard the cry o f the people being crushed by

slavery.

W h y d i d n ' t H e d o a n y t h i n g a b o u t it?

43

44

KEEPING I N TOUCH

T h e o b v i o u s answer

is: Be p a t i e n t . W a i t t o t h e e n d o f t h e

T o r a h r e a d i n g ; take a l o o k at t h e readings f o r t h e n e x t t w o weeks. You'll see. He does act. He will afflict the Egyptians with

awesome plagues a n d free o u r p e o p l e w i t h great m i r a c l e s . B u t t h e answer avoids t h e c r u x o f t h e issue. W h a t a b o u t t h o s e babies w h o w e r e d r o w n e d a n d t h e slaves w h o were beaten? W h y d i d t h e y have t o suffer? J u s t l i k e G - d b r o u g h t t h e redemption much

later, H e c o u l d have b r o u g h t i t earlier a n d t h e n saved so d i s t r e s s a n d heartache. There are t h o s e w h o take G-d out o f the

picture. H e

is

w i t h d r a w n ; H e a l l o w s m a n free c h o i c e a n d lets t h e n a t u r a l o r d e r f u n c t i o n a c c o r d i n g t o i t s p a t t e r n . So i f m e n o r n a t i o n s choose t o act c r u e l l y , i t ' s n o t H i s f a u l t . T h a t answer takes G - d o f f t h e h o o k , as i t w e r e . B u t i n d o i n g so, i t severely l i m i t s H i s i n f l u e n c e o r o u r lives a n d o u r c o n n e c t i o n w i t h H i m . F o r , a c c o r d i n g t o t h i s v i e w , H e is n o t a c t i v e l y i n v o l v e d i n w h a t happens t o us. H e c r e a t e d t h e w o r l d a n d observes i t , b u t does n o t deal w i t h i t s d a y - t o - d a y f u n c t i o n i n g . F o r a believer, t h i s is a m u c h crueler p e r s p e c t i v e t h a n t h e f i r s t , f o r h i s r e l a t i o n s h i p w i t h G - d is far less i n c l u s i v e . A believer w a n t s t o see G - d i n v o l v e d , n o t o n l y i n t h e major

d e t a i l s o f h i s l i f e , b u t i n every aspect, even t h e s e e m i n g l y n o n s i g n i f i c a n t d e t a i l s . A s t h e Baal S h e m T o v w o u l d say: W h e n a l e a f t w i r l s i n t h e w i n d , t h e r e is a specific G - d l y desire t h a t n o t o n l y w h e r e i t is g o i n g , b u t h o w m a n y t i m e s i t t u r n s . So h o w can H e bear t h e p a i n o f t h e babies a n d t h e slaves? I f w e as h u m a n s are sensitive t o s u f f e r i n g s h o u l d n ' t H e be? A f t e r a l l , o u r feelings s t e m f r o m H i m . T h e p o t e n t i a l t o e m p a t h i z e a n d t o feel t h e p a i n a n d s u f f e r i n g o f o t h e r s t h a t w e possess exists, i n a far s u p e r i o r m a n n e r , w i t h i n H i m . I n d e e d , t h e o n l y r e a s o n w e possess s u c h a p o t e n t i a l is because H e has g r a n t e d i t t o us. I f w e c a n n o t bear t h e p a i n a n d s u f f e r i n g , h o w can H e ? T h e answer is t h a t j u s t as H i s i d e n t i f i c a t i o n w i t h us a n d l o v e f o r us is endless, so t o o is H i s p a t i e n c e a n d forbearance. A p a r e n t determines

SHMOS

45

loves his o r her c h i l d a n d feels his p a i n , b u t t h e r e are t i m e s w h e n d e s p i t e t h e p a i n he o r she feels, he w i l l c o n t i n u e s u b j e c t i n g the

c h i l d t o t h e p a i n f u l s t i m u l u s , because he k n o w s t h a t i t is f o r t h e child's o w n good. How underwent can the pain to and suffering We don't that the Jewish It people be

lead

good?

know.

would

b l a s p h e m o u s f o r us t o o f f e r e x p l a n a t i o n s , c o u l d be able t o u n d e r s t a n d w h e n we d o n o t u n d e r s t a n d

for the o n l y way we

G - d w o u l d be t o be G - d . B u t even H i m , w e can t r u s t H i m . W e can

realize t h a t u l t i m a t e l y , e v e r y t h i n g t h a t h a p p e n s is i n H i s h a n d s a n d H e w i l l d o w h a t is best, f o r us as i n d i v i d u a l s a n d f o r w o r l d at large. the

Looking to the Horizon

T h e u l t i m a t e p u r p o s e o f a l l existence is t h e era o f Mashiach. I n a larger sense, e v e r y t h i n g t h a t has o c c u r r e d f r o m c r e a t i o n o n w a r d is i n t e n d e d t o b r i n g the w o r l d and h u m a n i t y t o t h a t goal. As G - d leads us t o t h i s d e s t i n a t i o n , t h e r e w i l l be m o m e n t s w h e n w e d o n o t u n d e r s t a n d t h e c o u r s e o n w h i c h H e is l e a d i n g us. E v e n t h e n , h o w e v e r , w e s h o u l d t r u s t H i m a n d have f a i t h t h a t H e is l e a d i n g us d o w n t h e c o r r e c t pa t h . B u t w e have t o d o m o r e t h a n have f a i t h . G - d has d e s i g n a t e d us as H i s " p a r t n e r i n c r e a t i o n " a n d o u r deeds have t h e p o t e n t i a l t o help b r i n g the w o r l d t o its perfect state. W e are not passive

passengers t r a v e l i n g o n a t r a i n t h a t w i l l l e a d t o t h e We have a role to play and can hasten the

redemption. that

arrival o f

destination. E v e r y p o s i t i v e act w e p e r f o r m b r i n g s ourselves a n d t h e w o r l d closer t o t h i s g o a l . A t every m o m e n t o f o u r lives, w e s h o u l d ask ourselves: W h a t are w e d o i n g t o b r i n g t h e w o r l d t o t h i s p u r p o s e ? Are o u r deeds c o n t r i b u t i n g t o t h i s g o a l o r are t h e y h o l d i n g b a c k

its achievement?

T h i s Shabbos b e g i n s t h e J e w i s h m o n t h o f S h v a t . F o r t h o s e w h o s e lives have b e e n t o u c h e d b y t h e L u b a v i t c h e r R e b b e , t h e m o n t h is o f special s i g n i f i c a n c e . F o r i t c o n t a i n s t h e yahrzeit o f t h e P r e v i o u s L u b a v i t c h e r R e b b e , w h o passed away o n Yud S h v a t 5 7 1 0 , a n d m o r e s i g n i f i c a n t l y f o r us, t h a t day was also t h e day o n w h i c h t h e R e b b e accepted l e a d e r s h i p o f t h e L u b a v i t c h community. T h e s t o r y t o f o l l o w is i n m a n y ways a m i c r o c o s m o f t h e message o f t h e R e b b e ' s l e a d e r s h i p . I n t h e 7 0 ' s , a y o u n g , successful e d u c a t o r w h o g r a d u a t e d Y e s h i v a h u n i v e r s i t y came t o see t h e R e b b e . I n t r u t h , he came f o r a personal m a t t e r . H e and his w i f e h a d been m a r r i e d f o r several years a n d h a d n o t b e e n blessed w i t h c h i l d r e n . T h e R e b b e gave h i m a b l e s s i n g f o r c h i l d r e n ( a n d h i s f i r s t d a u g h t e r was b o r n t w e l v e m o n t h s l a t e r ) . B u t t h e R e b b e d i d n o t s p e n d a n excessive a m o u n t o f t i m e g r a n t i n g t h a t b l e s s i n g . I n s t e a d , he s o u g h t t o c o n v i n c e t h i s y o u n g R a b b i to open a school for A m e r i c a n y o u t h w h o had n o b a c k g r o u n d i n T o r a h s t u d y . " T h e r e are n u m e r o u s s c h o o l s for y o u t h f r o m observant homes, w h i l e y o u t h f r o m n o n o b s e r v a n t h o m e s d o n o t have m a n y a l t e r n a t i v e s . " T h e y o u n g R a b b i listened t o the Rebbe and t h o u g h t . A few weeks later, he m a d e h i s d e c i s i o n a n d o p e n e d s u c h a yeshivah i n Eretz_ Yisrael. T h e yeshivah was v e r y successful and started m a n y y o u t h o n their p a t h back t o Jewish i d e n t i t y . o n one o f h i s t r i p s b a c k t o t h e States, t h e y o u n g R a b b i decided t o visit the Rebbe and t h a n k h i m for his advice a n d g u i d a n c e . T h e R e b b e i n q u i r e d i n t o a l l t h e d e t a i l s o f t h e yeshivah, i n c l u d i n g even i t s l o c a t i o n . " I t ' s i n t h e Kiryat Moshe n e i g h b o r h o o d o f Jerusalem," the y o u n g R a b b i answered. " W h e r e ? " t h e R e b b e asked. " O n R e c h o v K i r y a t M o s h e near t h e t r a f f i c c i r c l e . " " o h , above t h e g r o c e r y s t o r e , " t h e R e b b e r e p l i e d , d i s p l a y i n g t o t a l f a m i l i a r i t y w i t h a n e i g h b o r h o o d he h a d never seen.

46

VAEIRA

47

Parshas Vaeira
T h i s w e e k ' s T o r a h r e a d i n g p r e s e n t s us w i t h a p r o b l e m a t i c issue. G - d sees t h e s u f f e r i n g o f t h e J e w i s h p e o p l e i n E g y p t a n d reacts. H e sends M o s e s t o w a r n p h a r a o h t o l e t t h e p e o p l e g o a n d w h e n pharaoh plagues. doesn't, G - d punishes the Egyptians w i t h ten severe

H e breaks t h e n a t u r a l o r d e r t o s h o w H i s l o v e f o r t h e

Jewish people and redeem t h e m . T h a t i s n ' t p r o b l e m a t i c . o n the contrary, we u n d e r s t a n d I f w e w e r e G - d , w e ' d p r o b a b l y have d o n e t h e same t h i n g . q u e s t i o n is, h o w e v e r , w h a t h a p p e n e d afterwards? that. The

I t ' s over 3 3 0 0

years since t h e e x o d u s f r o m E g y p t a n d w e ' r e s t i l l t a l k i n g a b o u t t h e same m i r a c l e s . A t o n e p o i n t o r a n o t h e r , each o n e o f us has asked t h e q u e s t i o n : " G - d , w h e r e have Y o u been l a t e l y ? " W e each can point out several pockets o f evil t h a t we w o u l d like G-d to

destroy. I f H e d i d i t then, w h y doesn't H e d o i t now? W h y d o n ' t w e see m i r a c l e s today? T h e f i r s t r e p l y t o t h i s q u e s t i o n is t h a t w e d o , w e are j u s t n o t sensitive t o t h e m . E v e n n a t u r e is n o t h i n g m o r e t h a n a series o f miracles. I f someone w o u l d t r y t o predict the p r o b a b i l i t y o f our lives b e i n g as t h e y are: t h a t e v e r y t h i n g w o u l d f a l l i n t o place so t h a t w e c o u l d l i v e o u r lives as c o m f o r t a b l y as w e d o , i t w o u l d be i n t h e b i l l i o n s . W h y a r e n ' t w e o v e r j o y e d w i t h h a p p i n e s s over a l l t h e g o o d fortune that w e have? Because w e ' r e u s e d to i t . It's just the

o r d i n a r y w a y o u r lives are l i v e d , so w e d o n ' t s t o p t o t h i n k h o w w o n d r o u s and a m a z i n g i t is. G-d treasures t h i s n a t u r a l o r d e r . Because i f G - d l i n e s s was

o v e r t l y apparent, t h e existence o f o u r m a t e r i a l w o r l d w o u l d n o t be necessary. T o e x p l a i n : T h e w o r l d was c r e a t e d f r o m a b s o l u t e nothingness.

T h e r e w a s n ' t even a v a c u u m . N o t h i n g was t h e r e . G - d d i d n ' t have t o create i t ; H e d i d so because H e w a n t e d t o . W h y d i d H e w a n t to? o u r Sages t e l l us H e w a n t e d a d w e l l i n g i n t h e l o w e r w o r l d s : t h a t H e create a w o r l d w h e r e H i s presence is n o t e v i d e n t a n d t h a t

48

KEEPING I N TOUCH

r e a l m b e c o m e a h o m e f o r H i m , a place w h e r e H e m a n i f e s t s presence as c o m f o r t a b l y as a p e r s o n does i n h i s o w n h o m e . So i f G - d w e r e t o n u l l i f y the natural order and make reveal H i s presence, t h e n

His

the the

o r d i n a r y f r a m e w o r k o f existence

e n t i r e exercise w o u l d have been i n v a i n . A c o n t i n u o u s sequence o f o v e r t m i r a c l e s w o u l d defeat H i s entire purpose. Therefore, stop t h e m He from

hides H i s miracles i n nature. B u t t h a t doesn't

b e i n g m i r a c l e s . I n d e e d , t h e r e are m a n y occasions w h e n w e r e w e t o s i t b a c k a n d l o o k o b j e c t i v e l y at w h a t is h a p p e n i n g t o us, w e w o u l d be s t a r t l e d at h o w e v i d e n t G - d ' s h a n d is. M o r e o v e r , there are

t i m e s w h e n even s u c h c o n t e m p l a t i o n is unnecessary. E a c h o f us can p o i n t t o events t h a t he has witnessed in which G-d has

m i r a c u l o u s l y assisted h i m a n d / o r t h e J e w i s h p e o p l e as a w h o l e . So, once i n o u r n a t i o n a l h i s t o r y , at t h e t i m e o f t h e from Egypt, G-d performed a series o f o v e r t miracles exodus where

everyone h a d t o a d m i t t h e i r D i v i n e o r i g i n . A f t e r w a r d s , t h e general p a t t e r n r e t u r n e d t o i t s p r e v i o u s state a n d G - d ' s presence was

concealed. o n l y f r o m t i m e t o t i m e is H i s h a n d p e r c e i v e d o p e n l y . Nevertheless, does not even w h e n w e c a n n o t see H i s h a n d at w o r k , that He is u n i n v o l v e d . I n s t e a d , at that

mean

all times,

w h e t h e r o r n o t w e are aware o f H i s presence, H e is i n v o l v e d i n o u r existence, g u i d i n g i t t o i t s u l t i m a t e p e r f e c t i o n .

Looking to the Horizon

B o t h c o n c e p t u a l m o t i f s m e n t i o n e d above; G - d ' s m a i n t e n a n c e of

t h e n a t u r a l o r d e r a n d t h e fact t h a t H e is n o t b o u n d b y i t , w i l l f i n d e x p r e s s i o n i n t h e era o f Mashiach. F o r t h i s reason, o u r R a b b i s have explained that there will be two phases in the Era of the

R e d e m p t i o n : one w h e n " t h e r e w i l l be n o d i f f e r e n c e b e t w e e n o u r w o r l d a n d t h e era o f Mashiach e x c e p t [ I s r a e l ' s ] s u b j u g a t i o n t o t h e k i n g d o m s [ o f t h e w o r l d ] , " a n d a s e c o n d phases w h e n t h e n a t u r a l o r d e r w i l l give w a y t o o v e r t m i r a c l e s . T h e f i r s t phase is necessary t o f u l f i l l t h e m o t i f o f a d w e l l i n g i n t h e l o w e r w o r l d s : i.e., t o s h o w t h a t as t h e w o r l d exists i n i t s

VAEIRA

49

n a t u r a l state, w i t h o u t m i r a c l e s , i t can serve as

G-d's

dwelling.

W i t h i n l i f e as w e k n o w i t , m a n w i l l d e v o t e a l l o f his energies t o a l i f e o f c o n n e c t i o n t o G - d t h r o u g h t h e T o r a h a n d i t s mitzyos. T h i s , however, is o n l y an i n t e r m e d i a t e phase. u l t i m a t e l y , t h e n a t u r a l o r d e r w i l l give w a y t o t h e m i r a c u l o u s . F o r i f o u r w o r l d is to be G - d ' s home, H e w i l l become manifest here w i t h o u t any miracles, for

restrictions

or l i m i t a t i o n s . T h i s w i l l

b r i n g about

nature's l i m i t s cannot contain H i m .

R . A h a r o n o f K a r l i n was o n e o f t h e f o r e m o s t s t u d e n t s o f t h e M a g g i d o f M e z r i t c h a n d a p r o m i n e n t scholar a n d teacher i n h i s o w n r i g h t . H i s t o w n s f o l k w o n d e r e d w h y d e s p i t e h i s o w n greatness, he t o o k t h e t i m e a n d e f f o r t t o t r a v e l t o M e z r i t c h a n d accept t h e M a g g i d as h i s m a s t e r . " W h a t d o y o u get f r o m g o i n g t o M e z r i t c h , " t h e y asked him. " N o t h i n g , " he w o u l d reply. A f t e r r e c e i v i n g t h a t answer repeatedly, t h e y pressed h i m f o r f u r t h e r e x p l a n a t i o n a n d he t o l d t h e m : " I n M e z r i t c h , I learn that I a m n o t h i n g . " F o r t h e r e are t w o ways t o u n d e r s t a n d n o t h i n g n e s s , a) t h e absence o f s o m e t h i n g , a state o f v o i d a n d lack, o r b ) a level l i m i t e d existence t h a t c a n n o t be d e f i n e d o r quantified. E v e r y Jew possesses t h i s h i g h e r d i m e n s i o n o f n o t h i n g n e s s i n t h e i r souls. I n M e z r i t c h , R . A h a r o n was saying, he h a d l e a r n e d t o i d e n t i f y w i t h a n d i n t e r n a l i z e this level. S u c h awareness is t h e k e y t o success a n d achievement, because a p e r s o n c a n a c c o m p l i s h m o s t w h e n h e goes b e y o n d h i s i n d i v i d u a l n a t u r e a n d accepts a y o k e t o a p u r p o s e a n d a g o a l above h i m s e l f .

Parshas Bo
Our T o r a h reading begins w i t h G - d sending M o s e s t o Pharaoh to

ask h i m a g a i n t o release t h e J e w i s h p e o p l e . B u t r a t h e r t h a n b e g i n , Lech el Pharaoh, " G o t o P h a r a o h , " G - d t e l l s M o s e s : Bo el Pharaoh,

"Come t o P h a r a o h , " i.e., c o m e w i t h M e . T h e c o m m e n t a r i e s e x p l a i n t h a t M o s e s hesitated before accepting the m i s s i o n a n d agreed g o o n l y after G - d p r o m i s e d t h a t H e w o u l d a c c o m p a n y h i m . o n G-d's a s i m p l e l e v e l , i t is e x p l a i n e d t h a t M o s e s was a f r a i d promise to accompany h i m assuaged those fears. and a on to

o n

deeper l e v e l , h o w e v e r , t h e u n w i l l i n g n e s s o f M o s e s t o p r o c e e d

50

BO

51

his o w n gives us a g l i m p s e o f t h e u n i q u e n e s s o f M o s e s ' p e r s o n a l i t y a n d t h e secret o f his success as a leader. M o s e s d i d n o t w a n t t o face P h a r a o h o n his o w n , because t h e n there would be a confrontation aspirations between good, two and men: Moses, who

representing

human

for

Pharaoh,

represents m a n ' s t e n d e n c y f o r e v i l a n d c r u e l t y . I n s u c h a o n e - o n one confrontation, Moses did not know who would emerge that

victorious. H e w a n t e d t o approach Pharaoh w i t h a power

t r a n s c e n d s t h e h u m a n sphere and, t h e r e f o r e , he w a i t e d u n t i l G - d p r o m i s e d t o accompany h i m . T h i s was n o t a o n e - t i m e event, b u t a m o t i f t h a t c h a r a c t e r i z e d M o s e s ' a p p r o a c h at a l l t i m e s . W h a t m a d e M o s e s effective? H i s a b i l i t y t o p u t his o w n s e l f aside a n d be n o m o r e t h a n a m e d i u m t o c o m m u n i c a t e G - d ' s message. W h e t h e r s p e a k i n g t o P h a r a o h o r t o t h e J e w i s h p e o p l e , M o s e s d i d n o t speak his o w n w o r d s . H e s p o k e i n G-d's name, as o u r Sages' say: " T h e D i v i n e presence spoke

from Moses' mouth." W h e n t h e i m a g e o f l e a d e r s h i p t h a t a p e r s o n p r o j e c t s is based o n his o w n i n d i v i d u a l p o w e r , i t m a y be effective i n m o t i v a t i n g c e r t a i n p e o p l e . B u t f o r a p e r s o n t o i n s p i r e a p e o p l e as a w h o l e , he should harness himself to a power much greater than his

i n d i v i d u a l self. F o r i n t h e l o n g r u n , w h a t is g o i n g t o m o t i v a t e o t h e r p e o p l e is a m i s s i o n t h a t is t r a n s c e n d e n t i n n a t u r e , one t h a t gives t h e m a g o a l above t h e i r i n d i v i d u a l selves. A n d t h e o n l y w a y a leader can h o n e s t l y i m p a r t s u c h a m i s s i o n t o his p e o p l e is w h e n he has a s i m i l a r sense o f m i s s i o n h i m s e l f . T h a t was M o s e s ' u n i q u e a b i l i t y . W h e n t h e p e o p l e c o m p l a i n e d t o h i m , he t o l d t h e m : "... a n d we, w h a t are we? Y o u r c o m p l a i n t s are n o t against us, b u t against G - d . " H e d i d n o t see h a d one himself goal: t o

p e r s o n a l l y as p a r t o f t h e p i c t u r e at a l l . H e

c o m m u n i c a t e G - d ' s message a n d m o t i v a t e o t h e r s t o c a r r y i t o u t . I n o u r o w n lives, each one o f us can be a M o s e s i n a c e r t a i n sense, f o r w e a l l have spheres o f i n f l u e n c e w h e r e o t h e r s l o o k u p t o us f o r g u i d a n c e a n d d i r e c t i o n . I f w h a t w e give t h e m is ourselves,

52

KEEPING I N TOUCH

t h e n o u r message w i l l have a l i m i t e d scope. B u t i f w e can rise above ourselves a n d c o m m u n i c a t e G - d l y t r u t h , o u r message w i l l have u n i v e r s a l appeal. One might question: But what if I do not feel Divine

i n s p i r a t i o n ? o f course, I ' d l i k e t o c o m m u n i c a t e G - d ' s t r u t h , b u t I d o n ' t k n o w h o w ? I d o n ' t k n o w w h a t G - d w o u l d w a n t m e t o say now. In t h i s , w e can also d r a w g u i d a n c e from Moses. Moses is He

p a t i e n t . H e does n o t g o t o P h a r a o h u n t i l G - d t e l l s h i m t h a t

w i l l a c c o m p a n y h i m . N o t o n l y is he w i l l i n g t o serve as a m e d i u m for G - d w h e n he feels he has a G - d l y message t o c o m m u n i c a t e , he

is n o t w i l l i n g t o d o a n y t h i n g unless he has s u c h a message. H e w i l l not approach Pharaoh o n his o w n . H e waits u n t i l G - d promises

that H e w i l l accompany h i m .

Looking to the Horizon

T h e s t o r y o f t h e e x o d u s f r o m E g y p t is f u t u r e - o r i e n t e d , as o u r Sages p r o m i s e : " A s i n t h e days o f y o u r e x o d u s f r o m E g y p t , I w i l l show [the people] miracles wonders." Just that transcended as the our exodus mortal from Egypt

involved

expectations

e n t i r e l y , so t o o , w h e n Mashiach comes, t h e n a t u r a l o r d e r w i l l b e n d to accommodate the supernatural. We will see miracles and

w o n d e r s t h a t go b e y o n d o u r furthest dreams. I m p l i e d is a v e r y f u n d a m e n t a l c o n c e p t : T h a t m i r a c l e s are n o t for h i s t o r y b o o k s alone, a n d c e r t a i n l y , n o t f o r s t o r y b o o k s a l o n e .

I n other w o r d s , a person s h o u l d n o t regard the stories o f miracles i n t h e B i b l e as f a i r y - t a l e s t o t e l l a c h i l d u n t i l he g r o w s u p a n d gets w i s e r . N o r s h o u l d t h e y be r e g a r d e d as events t h a t c o u l d h a p p e n i n t h e past, b u t are n o t p a r t o f o u r w o r l d t o d a y . I n s t e a d , w e s h o u l d u n d e r s t a n d t h a t j u s t as i n p r e v i o u s g e n e r a t i o n s , m i r a c l e s o c c u r r e d because G - d is n o t b o u n d b y t h e laws o f n a t u r e a n d can mold

n a t u r e t o f i t H i s w i l l , so t o o , i n t h e p r e s e n t age, G - d can act at w i l l w i t h i n t h e w o r l d a n d cause a n y t h i n g H e desires t o t a k e place.

BO

53

T h e r e is an i n t r i n s i c c o n n e c t i o n b e t w e e n m i r a c l e s a n d t h e era o f Mashiach, f o r t h e f u n d a m e n t a l message c o n v e y e d b y m i r a c l e s is t h a t t h e w o r l d is G - d ' s . I t is n o t a r e a l m t h a t exists i n d e p e n d e n t l y t h a t is c o n t r o l l e d b y n a t u r e . I t ' s H i s w o r l d . Since i t is H i s w o r l d , w e a w a i t an era w h e n t h i s w i l l be o p e n l y revealed, w h e n t h e G - d l i n e s s i n t h e w o r l d w i l l be e v i d e n t i n an o n g o i n g m a n n e r , n o t o n l y u p o n o c c a s i o n . T h i s w i l l take place i n t h e era o f Mashiach.

T h i s T o r a h p o r t i o n is always read close t o t h e 2 2 n d o f Shvat, t h e yahrzeit o f t h e R e b b e ' s w i f e , R e b b e t z i n C h a y a h M u s h k a h . She was a v e r y p r i v a t e w o m a n a n d f e w p e o p l e h a d t h e o p p o r t u n i t y o f k n o w i n g her, b u t t h o s e t h a t d i d were s t r u c k b y h e r elegant a n d n o b l e b e a r i n g . I d o n ' t m e a n w i t h r e g a r d t o externals. I n t h o s e areas, h e r l i f e was c h a r a c t e r i z e d b y s i m p l i c i t y . I t is w i t h r e g a r d t o i n t e r n a l s t h a t she s t o o d o u t . H e r character o v e r w h e l m e d everyone w h o knew her. T o give a s i m p l e e x a m p l e : o n c e she was b e i n g d r i v e n t h r o u g h a J e w i s h n e i g h b o r h o o d i n N e w Y o r k a n d saw a f a m i l y b e i n g e v i c t e d f r o m t h e i r h o m e . She asked t h e R a b b i d r i v i n g her t o stop a n d i n q u i r e h o w m u c h they o w e d . W h e n she h e a r d t h e s u m , she w r o t e o u t a check f o r the entire a m o u n t o n the spot. W h e n asked w h y she d i d t h a t , she e x p l a i n e d : " I d o n ' t u s u a l l y pass t h r o u g h t h i s area. I f I d i d a n d I saw s u c h a s i g h t , i t was o b v i o u s l y a d i r e c t i v e f o r m e t o a c t . " F r o m t h e f i r s t anniversary o f h e r p a s s i n g o n w a r d , t h e R e b b e s h i f t e d t h e e m p h a s i s away f r o m t h e c o m m e m o r a t i o n o f her life t o the celebration o f the u n i q u e p o w e r o f Jewish w o m e n and their c o n n e c t i o n t o the R e d e m p t i o n . T o emphasize this theme, a c o n v e n t i o n o f Shluchos, L u b a v i t c h w o m e n w h o serve as emissaries o f t h e R e b b e , i s always h e l d t h i s Shabbos. T h e t h o u s a n d s o f w o m e n w h o m e e t t o g e t h e r t o b r a i n s t o r m o n h o w t o carry o u t t h e i r m i s s i o n m o r e e f f e c t i v e l y is a clear s t a t e m e n t o f her o n g o i n g legacy.

Parshas Beshallach
T h i s Shabbos is g i v e n a s p e c i a l n a m e Shabbas Shirah, " t h e Shabbos o f s o n g , " because i t i n c l u d e s t h e s o n g s t h a t t h e J e w i s h p e o p l e sang

after t h e m i r a c l e o f t h e s p l i t t i n g o f t h e sea. T h e s e s o n g s o f p r a i s e are v e r y i m p o r t a n t . F o r w h e n G - d w o r k s a m i r a c l e o n o u r b e h a l f , we s h o u l d acknowledge H i s goodness. Indeed, our Sages relate

54

BESHALLACH

55

t h a t after t h e m i r a c u l o u s defeat o f S a n n e c h e r i b , make Chizkiyahu, the Jewish king at that

G - d desired time,

to

Mashiach.

Nevertheless,

H e d e c i d e d against

d o i n g so, because c h i z k i y a h u

f a i l e d t o s i n g a s o n g o f t h a n k s g i v i n g a n d praise. More p a r t i c u l a r l y , t h i s week's T o r a h reading includes two

songs : t h e s o n g i n w h i c h M o s e s

led the m e n and the song i n was

w h i c h M i r i a m l e d the w o m e n . o f the t w o , M i r i a m ' s song

m o r e s p i r i t e d . Besides s i n g i n g , she l e d t h e w o m e n i n dance, a n d they were i n s p i r e d t o accompany the song w i t h t a m b o u r i n e music. our Sages ask: W h e r e d i d t h e y get t h e t a m b o u r i n e s i n the

desert? A n d r e p l y t h a t t h e J e w i s h w o m e n w e r e c o n f i d e n t t h a t G - d w o u l d w o r k m i r a c l e s f o r t h e m i n t h e desert a n d so t h ey b r o u g h t tambourines with them from Egypt in the expectation had faith of in

celebrating. Even while

i n E g y p t , Jewish w o m e n

r e d e m p t i o n and miracles. I n that vein, o u r

Sages said: " I n t h e

m e r i t o f r i g h t e o u s w o m e n , t h e Jews w e r e r e d e e m e d f r o m E g y p t . " To understand the role o f Jewish w o m e n i n preparing for

r e d e m p t i o n , w e have t o b e g i n w i t h a f u n d a m e n t a l c o n c e p t . M e n a n d w o m e n are n o t t h e same. I n o u r b o d i e s , b o t h t h e h e a r t and

b r a i n are f u n d a m e n t a l l y necessary f o r o u r h e a l t h , b u t each o r g a n performs a different function. S i m i l a r l y , m e n a n d w o m e n each home

c o n t r i b u t e different elements t o the relationship and the environment comes f r o m t h ey c o m b i n e to forge. T h e ultimate

fulfillment

h a r m o n i z i n g t h e i r p o t e n t i a l s a n d b u i l d i n g o n each

other's streng ths. A w o m a n ' s c o n t r i b u t i o n comes i n c o n t r o l l i n g the e m o t i o n a l e n v i r o n m e n t o f t h e h o m e . W o m e n have a greater s e n s i t i v i t y t o s p i r i t u a l t r u t h . A w o m a n arrives at k n o w l e d g e b y e s t a b l i s h i n g a p e r s o n a l b o n d w i t h t h e idea she w a n t s t o d i s c o v e r . She makes i t p a r t o f h e r s e l f i n s t e a d o f t r e a t i n g i t as m e r e l y an a b s t r a c t concept.

Because her k n o w l e d g e is i n t e r n a l i z e d a n d p e r s o n a l l y relevant, she can share i t w i t h o t h e r s m o r e easily a n d i n t h i s way, u p g r a d e t h e m o o d s o f her h u s b a n d , c h i l d r e n and the others a r o u n d her.

She l o o k s b e y o n d t h e i m m e d i a c i e s o f her p r e s e n t s i t u a t i o n a n d

56

KEEPING I N TOUCH

sees a h i g h e r a n d deeper p u r p o s e . I n t h i s way, she can m o t i v a t e t h e p e o p l e a r o u n d her t o greater g r o w t h a n d d e v e l o p m e n t . That is w h y t h e women played and play such an

i m p o r t a n t r o l e as catalysts Egypt contemplated slavery and

o f redemption. W h e n the w o m e n i n on the

their s i t u a t i o n ; they d i d n o t focus They understood that e x i l e was

hardship.

merely and

t e m p o r a r y . T h ey h a d h e a r d M o s e s ' p r o m i s e o f r e d e m p t i o n did

n o t r e g a r d i t m e r e l y as a p r o m i s e o f t h e f u t u r e ; i t was a real

f a c t o r i n t h e i r l i v e s . A n d because i t was real f o r t h e m , i t was real t o t h e i r h u s b a n d s a n d c h i l d r e n a n d u l t i m a t e l y , i t became a t o p b o t t o m reality w i t h i n the w o r l d . to

Looking to the Horizon

o u r p r o p h e t ' s say: " A s i n t h e days o f y o u r e x o d u s f r o m E g y p t , I will show [the people] wonders," indicating that the future from

r e d e m p t i o n w i l l f o l l o w t h e same p a r a d i g m as t h e e x o d u s

E g y p t . T h u s i n t h e p r e s e n t age as w e l l , i t w i l l be t h e w o m e n w h o w i l l be t h e p r i m a r y catalysts o f R e d e m p t i o n , e n a b l i n g us t o see

Mashiach's c o m i n g , n o t as a f a r - o f f d r e a m , b u t as a real e l e m e n t o f o u r lives. o n e o f t h e prophecies o f the M e s s i a n i c era is E z e k i e l ' s p r o m i s e : " I w i l l r e m o v e t h e h e a r t o f s t o n e f r o m t h e i r flesh a n d give t h e m a heart o f f l e s h . " T h e p r o p h e t is t e l l i n g us t h a t a sensitive heart, one t h a t r e s p o n d s t o w h a t t h e m i n d k n o w s is t h e key t o t h e change i n o u r feelings t h a t w i l l take place w h e n Mashiach comes. W e d o n o t have t o w a i t f o r the c o m i n g o f Mashiach t o b e g i n d e v e l o p i n g s u c h s e n s i t i v i t y . I n d e e d , b y f o l l o w i n g " w o m e n ' s ways o f k n o w i n g , " w e can s t a r t r e m o v i n g hardness f r o m o u r hearts already. L i v i n g w i t h the R e d e m p t i o n i n this manner anticipating its

effects b y s e n s i t i z i n g o u r lives i n t h e p r e s e n t is t h e m o s t d i r e c t pa t h to m a k i n g the Redemption actual reality, f o r such knowledge

spreads t o o t h e r s a l m o s t effortlessly. T h u s t h r o u g h o u t the w o r l d , p e o p l e w i l l start t h i n k i n g a b o u t t h e R e d e m p t i o n i n t h i s m a n n e r a n d moreover, a p p l y i n g t h o s e i n s i g h t s i n l i f e .

A n earnest y o u n g v i s i t o r f r o m Eretz_ Yisrael once asked t h e R e b b e : " H o w can I t i g h t e n m y b o n d w i t h y o u ? " T h e R e b b e r e p l i e d : " W h e n I w a l k d o w n t h e street, I t h i n k over w o r d s o f Tanya. W h e n y o u w a l k d o w n t h e street, d o t h e same: t h i n k over t h e w o r d s o f Tanya. A n d there we w i l l meet." I t is said: " T h e r i g h t e o u s r e s e m b l e t h e i r c r e a t o r . " T h e suggestion offered by the Rebbe follows the p a t t e r n G - d gave t h e J e w i s h p e o p l e . H o w is a Jew t o c l i n g t o G-d? B y s t u d y i n g H i s T o r a h . T h r o u g h i t s s t u d y , a Jew can b e c o m e one w i t h G - d . T h i s week's T o r a h r e a d i n g describes t h e G i v i n g o f t h e T o r a h , t h e event t h a t m a d e s u c h u n i t y p o s s i b l e .

Parshas Yisro
T h e first o f the T e n C o m m a n d m e n t s is " I a m G - d y o u r L - r d

W h o t o o k y o u o u t o f the l a n d o f E g y p t , the house o f bondage." o u r R a b b i s u n d e r s t a n d t h i s as a p o s i t i v e c o m m a n d m e n t t o k n o w a n d t o believe t h a t t h e r e is a G - d . O t h e r a u t h o r i t i e s q u e s t i o n : H o w is i t p o s s i b l e f o r t h e r e t o be a c o m m a n d t o believe i n G-d? S e e m i n g l y , w h e n o n e speaks o f a c o m m a n d t h a t i m p l i e s t h a t t h e r e is a C o m m a n d e r . I f one believes i n G - d t o t h e e x t e n t t h a t he c o n s i d e r s H i m as t h e C o m m a n d e r , i t w o u l d appear t h a t t h e r e is n o n e e d f o r t h e r e t o be a c o m m a n d t o believe i n H i m . I n r e s o l u t i o n , t h e answer is g i v e n t h a t t h e c o m m a n d m e n t to

k n o w a n d t o believe i n G - d is n o t m e r e l y t o accept H i s existence. T h a t is accepted as a g i v e n . I n s t e a d , t h e c o m m a n d m e n t t o k n o w a n d believe i n G - d i n v o l v e s d e e p e n i n g one's k n o w l e d g e a n d f a i t h i n H i m , r e l a t i n g t o the d i m e n s i o n o f H i m t h a t we w o u l d appreciate o n o u r o w n . T o e x p l a i n : I t is e x p l a i n e d t h a t A b r a h a m , o u r p a t r i a r c h , came t o the r e c o g n i t i o n o f G - d t h r o u g h observing the w o r l d him. He saw t h e rising o f the sun around the not

and then its setting,

57

58

KEEPING I N TOUCH

appearance o f t h e m o o n a n d i t s disappearance, a n d t h e other continuous elements of the natural order

myriad was

and

overwhelmed: "Is i t possible without there being a

t h a t t h e r e be an o r d e r e d And thus he came

creation to the the

Creator?"

r e a l i z a t i o n t h a t t h e r e is a G - d W h o creates a n d m a i n t a i n s world.

N e v e r t h e l e s s , t h e c o n c e p t i o n o f G - d as C r e a t o r a n d t h e f o r c e behind nature is s o m e w h a t limiting. For although He brings

n a t u r e i n t o b e i n g , t h a t does n o t describe W h o H e i s . H i s t r u e i d e n t i t y , W h o H e is f o r H i m s e l f , far surpasses n a t u r e . F o r n a t u r e is a l i m i t e d f r a m e o f reference, b r o u g h t i n t o b e i n g i n a c e r t a i n w a y . T h e C r e a t o r W h o b r o u g h t i n t o b e i n g t h a t f r a m e o f reference above i t a n d n o t c o n t r o l l e d b y i t . I n d e e d , W h o H e is, is b e y o n d o u r c a p a c i t y f o r c o m p r e h e n s i o n entirely. I n t h a t vein, o u r R a b b i s said: " W e r e I t o k n o w G - d , I w o u l d be G - d . " F o r w e are creatures b o u n d b y n a t u r e a n d t h e r e is n o w a y w e can conceive o f a n y t h i n g above t h a t f r a m e w o r k . W h o can? o n l y G - d W h o is n o t b o u n d b y t h a t f r a m e w o r k . But i f this dimension of G-d is above our capacity for is

k n o w l e d g e , w h a t g o o d w i l l i t be f o r t h e r e t o be a c o m m a n d m e n t to k n o w a n d believe i n H i m ? H o w w i l l w e be able t o k n o w a n d

relate t o H i m as H e exists above nature? We can k n o w H i m i n t h a t m a n n e r b y r e l y i n g o n a source o f one."

k n o w l e d g e t h a t is i t s e l f i n f i n i t e . " T h e T o r a h a n d G - d are

H e n c e t h e T o r a h can e x p a n d o u r u n d e r s t a n d i n g above i t s n a t u r a l l i m i t s a n d enable us t o k n o w G - d i n a m a n n e r w h i c h w e c o u l d n o t do on our own. M o r e o v e r , w e possess a deeper p o t e n t i a l t h a n k n o w l e d g e a n d t h a t is f a i t h . E v e r y s o u l is an a c t u a l p a r t o f G - d , a s p a r k o f H i m , as i t w e r e . T h i s d i m e n s i o n o f o u r b e i n g is above o u r conscious

p o t e n t i a l . Just like we cannot k n o w H i m intellectually, we cannot k n o w t h i s d i m e n s i o n o f ourselves. A n d y e t t h r o u g h s i m p l e f a i t h , we can i d e n t i f y w i t h this infinite dimension o f our being and

b r i n g i t t o t h e surface.

YISRO

59

T h i s is t h e m e a n i n g o f t h e c o m m a n d m e n t

to know G-d:

to

h i g h l i g h t a n d express o u r i n n e r , G - d l y p o t e n t i a l t h r o u g h f a i t h a n d t o expand our intellectual potential t h r o u g h T o r a h knowledge.

Looking to the Horizon

T h e p r o p h e t t e l l s us: " B e h o l d days are c o m i n g [ w h e n ] . . . T h e y w i l l n o longer teach for each m a n his f e l l o w . . . saying ' k n o w G - d , '

a l l o f t h e m w i l l k n o w M e . " T h e u n i q u e d i m e n s i o n o f t h e era but

o f Mashiach w i l l n o t be t h e r e v e l a t i o n o f m i r a c l e s i n t h e w o r l d i n d e e d , t h e r e are views t h a t t h e r e w i l l n o t be s u c h m i r a c l e s

r a t h e r , t h e r e v e l a t i o n o f a m i r a c u l o u s d i m e n s i o n w i t h i n ourselves. T h e k n o w l e d g e o f G - d t h a t at p r e s e n t is f a r - r e m o v e d a n d d i f f i c u l t f o r us w i l l b e c o m e n a t u r a l a n d even o r d i n a r y . T h e p o i n t is also n o t o n l y t h a t w e w i l l k n o w G - d , b u t t h a t w e w i l l k n o w H i m i n a t o t a l l y d i f f e r e n t w a y t h a n w e can conceive o f at present. Today, our knowledge of Him is abstract and

i n t e l l e c t u a l . W e l o o k at H i m as s o m e t h i n g a p a r t f r o m w h o w e are a n d h o w w e l i v e o u r o r d i n a r y lives. I n t h e f u t u r e , w e w i l l Him know

as w e k n o w ourselves, i.e., w i t h t h e same visceral, i n s t i n c t i v e with w h i c h we presently relate to the physical

understanding

r e a l i t i e s t h a t are i m p o r t a n t t o us t o d a y .

T h e s a i n t l y R . Z u s y a o f A n i p o l i was a p o o r m a n w h o r a r e l y h a d a chance t o b u y f i n e c l o t h e s f o r h i m s e l f o r h i s f a m i l y . o n c e he o b t a i n e d a s u m o f m o n e y f o r w h i c h he h a d n o i m m e d i a t e n e e d a n d w i t h great j o y gave i t t o h i s w i f e t o have a dress m a d e f o r her. R . Z u s y a ' s w i f e h a p p i l y p i c k e d f a b r i c a n d t h e n t o o k i t t o a t a i l o r t o have i t s e w n t o size. A s she was f i t t i n g i t f o r t h e f i n a l a d j u s t m e n t s , she saw t h e t a i l o r s i g h i n g . W h e n she asked h i m t h e reasons f o r h i s s i g h i n g , he e x p l a i n e d t h a t he w o u l d s o o n be m a r r y i n g o f f h i s d a u g h t e r . W h e n h i s w i f e h a d seen h i m w o r k i n g o n t h i s dress, she h a d t h o u g h t t h a t he was m a k i n g her a n e w dress f o r t h e w e d d i n g . H o w d i s a p p o i n t e d she h a d b e e n t o discover t h a t i t was b e i n g m a d e f o r s o m e o n e else! W h e n R . Z u s y a ' s w i f e h e a r d t h i s , she w i l l i n g l y gave t h e dress t o t h e t a i l o r . A f t e r a l l , she h a d been w i t h o u t a n e w dress f o r m a n y years. W h a t d i f f e r e n c e w o u l d a n o t h e r year make? W h e n she r e t u r n e d h o m e , R . Z u s y a asked t o see t h e dress a n d she t o l d h i m t h e e n t i r e s t o r y . H e was pleased w i t h h i s w i f e ' s g e n e r o s i t y , b u t h a d one q u e s t i o n f o r her: " D i d y o u pay the tailor?" " p a y h i m . F o r what? I gave h i m t h e dress." " H e h a d w o r k e d an e n t i r e w e e k t o m a k e t h e dress a n d was l o o k i n g f o r w a r d t o h i s wages t o feed h i s h o u s e h o l d . H e needs t h a t m o n e y . I t is n o t r i g h t t o w i t h h o l d h i s wages."

Parshas Mishpatim
Mishpatim, the name of this week's Torah reading, means those

"judgments." o u r

R a b b i s explain t h a t the

t e r m refers t o

mitzyos t h a t are d i c t a t e d n o t o n l y b y D i v i n e f i a t , b u t also b y m o r t a l reason, f o r example, the p r o h i b i t i o n s against t h e f t and murder.

E v e n i f t h e T o r a h w o u l d n o t have b e e n g i v e n , m o s t l i k e l y m a n k i n d

60

MISHPATIM

61

w o u l d have o f this nature. Why

a n d i n d e e d , m o s t societies have

i n s t i t u t e d laws

does m a n ' s m i n d accept these laws? Because u l t i m a t e l y Sages t e l l

m a n ' s t h o u g h t processes are r o o t e d i n t h e T o r a h . o u r

us t h a t t h e T o r a h is " t h e b l u e p r i n t s a n d d i a g r a m s " t h r o u g h w h i c h G-d created the w o r l d . G - d " l o o k e d i n t o the T o r a h and created standards o f justice and m o r a l i t y of mortals, prompting them to

the w o r l d . " As a result, G-d's filter into the consciousness

structure

t h e i r lives a n d t h e i r c u l t u r e s

a c c o r d i n g l y . Since these

laws are i n t e r w o v e n i n t o t h e v e r y f a b r i c o f t h e w o r l d ' s existence, every i n d i v i d u a l a n d society cannot help b u t progress towards

l i v i n g a c c o r d i n g t o these n o r m s . J u s t l i k e t h e r e are n a t u r a l p h y s i c a l laws that govern our material existence, so too, there are

i m m u t a b l e s p i r i t u a l principles t h a t c o n t r o l o u r lives. It's t r u e . M a n has free c h o i c e w h e t h e r t o a l i g n h i m s e l f w i t h and

these p r i n c i p l e s o r n o t . I n d e e d , u n f o r t u n a t e l y , b o t h h i s t o r y

everyday l i f e are f i l l e d w i t h examples w h e n m a n has i g n o r e d t h e m . F o r w e have n a t u r a l , s e l f i s h t e n d e n c i e s , desires a n d drives t h a t r u n c o n t r a r y t o G - d ' s l a w s . o u r Sages addressed t h i s c o n c e p t , s t a t i n g : " A p e r s o n w i l l n o t c o m m i t a t r a n s g r e s s i o n unless a s p i r i t o f f o l l y takes h o l d o f h i m . " I n o t h e r w o r d s , after a p e r s o n has v i o l a t e d G-d's laws, i f he l o o k s o b j e c t i v e l y at h i s c o n d u c t , he w i l l admit he

t h a t i t was f o o l i s h . A t t h e m o m e n t he transgressed, however,

was u n a b l e t o l o o k o b j e c t i v e l y . H e was c a u g h t i n t h e w e b o f his desires a n d c o u l d n o t t h i n k . W e a l l have t h e t e n d e n c y t o f o l l o w t h e l a w o f t h e j u n g l e : " I w a n t i t a n d since I can t a k e i t , i t b e l o n g s t o m e . " B u t m o s t o f us d o n o t r a t i o n a l i z e t h a t as b e i n g c o r r e c t o r m o r a l . W e have an i n n e r compass pointing us towards the principles that G-d has

e m b e d d e d w i t h i n existence. W h e n o u r desire cools, w e are able t o appreciate h o w u n j u s t a n d i m p r o p e r i t is t o take s o m e t h i n g r i g h t f u l l y b e l o n g s t o s o m e o n e else. I t is o n l y w h e n w e repeat t h e m i s d e e d again a n d again t h a t i t b e c o m e s h a b i t . T h e n w e seek t o r a t i o n a l i z e o u r c o n d u c t , f o r w e that

62

KEEPING I N TOUCH

have t r o u b l e l o o k i n g ourselves i n t h e m i r r o r a n d a d m i t t i n g t h a t w e are a c t i n g w r o n g . E v e n t h e n , h o w e v e r , i n o u r h e a r t o f hearts, w e k n o w w h a t is r i g h t . How from can w e l i v e b y o u r m o r a l compass? W h a t can p r e v e n t us and f l u c t u a t i n g back and

m a k i n g the t e m p o r a r y mistakes

f o r t h b e t w e e n o u r i n n e r r e c o g n i t i o n o f w h a t ' s r i g h t a n d o u r desire t o d o w h a t w e w a n t regardless o f w h e t h e r i t ' s r i g h t o r w r o n g ? T h e answer t o these q u e s t i o n s is also r e f l e c t e d i n o u r T o r a h reading. T h e c o n c l u s i o n o f the T o r a h reading retells the s t o r y o f t h e G i v i n g o f t h e T o r a h , e m p h a s i z i n g t h a t t h e laws m e n t i o n e d at t h e b e g i n n i n g o f t h e r e a d i n g are G - d ' s , n o t m a n ' s . W h e n w e b r i n g ourselves face t o face w i t h G - d ' s hard, almost impossible, to ignore w i l l , i t is see our

i t . A s l o n g as w e

s t a n d a r d s o f r i g h t a n d w r o n g as m o r t a l , w e u n d e r s t a n d t h a t t h e y are n e g o t i a b l e , however, f o r m a n can never them as reach absolute t r u t h . up an When,

we recognize

G - d l y , w e set

objective

s t a n d a r d t h a t , as l o n g as w e have i t s o r i g i n i n m i n d , w e w i l l n o t violate.

Looking to the Horizon

T h e h i s t o r y o f c i v i l i z a t i o n can be seen as an o n g o i n g process i n which desire the for Torah's power ideals and interact w i t h man's self-interest as one and

gratification. Slowly,

generation

passes t h e b a t o n o f s o c i a l d e v e l o p m e n t t o a n o t h e r , t h e s t a n d a r d s o f j u s t i c e G - d p r o c l a i m e d at S i n a i have d i s s e m i n a t e d throughout

t h e w o r l d . I t ' s t r u e , w e are a far c r y f r o m p e r f e c t i o n . B u t l o o k w h e r e w e have r e a c h e d ! T o d a y , t h e m a j o r i t y o f t h e n a t i o n s o f t h e w o r l d have laws w h i c h e m u l a t e , at least t o a c e r t a i n degree, t h e T o r a h ' s standards. T h e c u l m i n a t i o n o f t h i s process w i l l c o m e i n t h e era o f t h e r e d e m p t i o n o f w h i c h i t is said: " Z i o n w i l l be r e d e e m e d t h r o u g h j u d g m e n t . " I n d e e d , Mashiach w i l l be d i s t i n g u i s h e d b y his a b i l i t y t o render j u d g m e n t , as i t is w r i t t e n : " A n d he w i l l j u d g e between

n a t i o n s . " T h e s t a n d a r d s o f j u s t i c e a n d r i g h t e o u s n e s s he w i l l t e a c h

MISHPATIM

63

will

enable

mankind

to

reach

the

state

promised

in

the into

continuation

o f t h a t verse: " T h e y

s h a l l beat t h e i r s w o r d s

p l o w s h a r e s a n d t h e i r spears i n t o p r u n i n g h o o k s . "

A R a b b i once presented a copy o f his scholarly insights r e g a r d i n g t h e s a c r i f i c i a l service i n t h e T e m p l e t o R . B a r u c h o f Mezibush f o r an a p p r o b a t i o n . A f t e r r e c e i v i n g n o r e p l y , he asked R . B a r u c h t h e r e a s o n f o r h i s h e s i t a t i o n . " I h a v e n ' t b e e n able t o l o o k at y o u r b o o k , " R . B a r u c h answered. "please u n d e r s t a n d . I t has n o t h i n g t o d o w i t h y o u or y o u r scholarship. It's m y p r o b l e m . " E v e r y m o r n i n g w h e n I r e c i t e t h e passage i n t h e d a i l y prayers: " ' W h e r e is t h e l o c a t i o n o f t h e sacrifices?', I contemplate the d e s t r u c t i o n o f the T e m p l e and I am o v e r c o m e w i t h s o r r o w a n d g r i e f . T h e r e is n o w a y I c o u l d bear t o read a n e n t i r e t e x t o n t h e s u b j e c t . "

Parshas Terumah
T h i s week's T o r a h r e a d i n g focuses o n G - d ' s c o m m a n d : " M a k e M e a S a n c t u a r y a n d I w i l l d w e l l w i t h i n . " T h i s c o m m a n d is s o m e w h a t problematic. There are other religions that place fundamental

e m p h a s i s o n a sacred place. I n t h a t place, o n e prays a n d p e r f o r m s r i t u a l acts t h a t b r i n g o n e close t o G - d . J u d a i s m has a d i f f e r e n t value s y s t e m . C i t i n g t h e verse: " K n o w G - d i n a l l y o u r w a y s , " o u r Sages state: " T h i s is a s h o r t verse u p o n w h i c h t h e e n t i r e T o r a h d e p e n d s . " F o r t h e b u l k o f J u d a i s m centers n o t o n prayer o r w o r s h i p , b u t o n c a r r y i n g o u t o u r everyday l i f e t h e w a y G - d w a n t s . T h i s is w h y t h e Talmud a n d s u b s e q u e n t R a b b i n i c w r i t i n g s devote t h e b u l k o f t h e i r t e x t s t o m o n e t a r y laws, f a m i l y relationships, and t i l l i n g the l a n d . F o r rather than placing the

p r i m a r y e m p h a s i s o n t h e r i t e s c a r r i e d o u t i n h o l y places, J u d a i s m is a r e l i g i o n o f l i f e , i n v i t i n g G - d i n t o t h e d a y - t o - d a y d e t a i l s o f o u r ordinary existence, showing how they can be conducted in

h a r m o n y w i t h H i s g u i d e l i n e s . W h e r e v e r a p e r s o n is a n d w h a t e v e r he is d o i n g , he can be s e r v i n g G - d . T h i s is t h e i n n e r m e a n i n g o f t h e w o r d s , " G - d is o n e " i n t h e Shema: n o t o n l y t h a t t h e r e is o n l y o n e G - d , b u t t h a t G - d is one w i t h every aspect o f existence. J e w i s h l a w gives d i r e c t i v e s that

64

TERUMAH

65

enable us t o b r i n g t h a t oneness i n t o e x p r e s s i o n , l i v i n g o u r lives i n connection w i t h H i m . Why t h e n is a S a n c t u a r y necessary? I f " t h e e n t i r e e a r t h is

f i l l e d w i t h H i s g l o r y " a n d w e can relate t o H i m i n every s i t u a t i o n , w h y m u s t t h e r e be a special place d e s i g n a t e d as H i s sanctuary? W e can answer these q u e s t i o n s b y f o c u s i n g o n a verse o u r l i t u r g y t h a t expresses o u r r e g r e t t h a t w e d o n o t have from the

o p p o r t u n i t y t o "ascend, appear, a n d b o w d o w n b e f o r e Y o u . " N o w , i t ' s t r u e w e m a y n o t g o u p t o t h e T e m p l e M o u n t , n o r can w e s t a n d b e f o r e G - d ' s revealed presence, b u t w h y c a n ' t w e b o w d o w n ? I n t r u t h , h o w e v e r , o u r prayers are s p e a k i n g a b o u t an e n t i r e l y d i f f e r e n t sense o f b o w i n g d o w n . W h e n a Jew came t o t h e T e m p l e , he d i d n o t decide t o b o w d o w n i n h o m a g e t o G - d . H e b o w e d d o w n because he h a d n o o t h e r c h o i c e . H i s awareness o f G - d was so o v e r p o w e r i n g t h a t i t l i t e r a l l y k n o c k e d h i m o f f h i s feet. He

c o u l d n o l o n g e r s t a n d u p r i g h t . I n s t e a d , he p r o s t r a t e d h i m s e l f , l o s i n g a l l consciousness o f h i s p e r s o n a l i d e n t i t y . A f t e r w a r d s , w h e n he r e t u r n e d h o m e . H e was n o l o n g e r t h e same p e r s o n . T h e d i r e c t c o n t a c t w i t h G - d t h a t he e x p e r i e n c e d i n J e r u s a l e m i n s p i r e d h i m t o b r i n g G - d l i n e s s i n t o h i s everyday l i f e . But the i n f l u e n c e d i d n o t last f o r e v e r . T h a t ' s w h y the Torah

c o m m a n d s us t o m a k e a p i l g r i m a g e j o u r n e y t o J e r u s a l e m at least t h r e e t i m e s a year. T h e g o a l o f t h e T o r a h is n o t t o stay i n t h e T e m p l e . F o r t h e purpose o f creation is not that we become overwhelmed by the world

G-dliness. Instead,

the

purpose

is service: t o m a k e

G - d l y b y i n v o l v i n g ourselves i n a l l e l e m e n t s o f w o r l d l y experience a n d e x p r e s s i n g G - d l i n e s s i n t h o s e r e a l m s . T o m a k e t h a t easier, t h e r e was o n e place w h e r e G - d l i n e s s was p l a i n l y e v i d e n t a n d f r o m t h e r e , a p e r s o n received h i s i n s p i r a t i o n t o b r i n g G - d l i n e s s i n t o h i s ordinary experience. The Torah commands us to build a

S a n c t u a r y , n o t as an u l t i m a t e g o a l , b u t as a means t o d e v e l o p i n g an a l l - e n c o m p a s s i n g awareness o f G - d .

66

KEEPING I N TOUCH

Looking to the Horizon

For t h i s reason, even i n t h e era o f Mashiach, w h e n " t h e e a r t h w i l l be

f i l l e d w i t h t h e k n o w l e d g e o f G - d as t h e w a t e r s cover u p t h e ocean bed," the T e m p l e w i l l be r e b u i l t . I n d e e d , o n e o f t h e signs to

i d e n t i f y Mashiach w i l l be t h a t he w i l l r e b u i l d t h a t s t r u c t u r e . I n t h a t era, t h e oneness o f G - d w i l l be revealed t h r o u g h o u t a l l existence; s t i l l t h e n a t u r e o f t h e r e v e l a t i o n i n t h e T e m p l e w i l l be m o r e p o w e r f u l a n d m o r e o v e r w h e l m i n g . A n d f r o m there, we w i l l d e r i v e t h e energy a n d t h e awareness t o appreciate G - d l i n e s s i n a l l e l e m e n t s o f existence. T h i s is n o t o n l y a s t o r y o f t h e f u t u r e . T h e p r o p h e t E z e k i e l calls t h e s t u d y o f t h e s t r u c t u r e o f t h e T e m p l e " b u i l d i n g G-d's

H o u s e " a n d m a n y m a j o r J e w i s h leaders have c a l l e d f o r an increase i n t h e s t u d y o f t h i s s u b j e c t i n o u r t i m e even t h o u g h t h e r e is n o possibility o f actually b u i l d i n g the structure. F o r w h e n a person s t u d i e s a b o u t t h e T e m p l e , he is d o i n g m o r e t h a n l e a r n i n g a b o u t a s t r u c t u r e t h a t e x i s t e d c e n t u r i e s ago. H e is b u i l d i n g t h e T e m p l e i n a s p i r i t u a l sense a n d s e r v i n g as a c a t a l y s t f o r i t b e i n g revealed i n t h e w o r l d . M o r e o v e r , t h i s is n o t m e r e l y a h o p e f o r a faraway

f u t u r e , b u t t h e a n t i c i p a t i o n o f a s o o n - t o - b e revealed r e a l i t y .

W h e n the Rebbe Rayatz lived i n P o l a n d i n the 1930's, he was i n v o l v e d i n s t a r t i n g a c h a i n ofyeshivos, b u i l d i n g mikvahs, a n d m a i n t a i n i n g t h e T o r a h character o f t h e J e w i s h c o m m u n i t y a l t h o u g h t h e w i n d s o f change already i n t h e air a n d t h e severe e c o n o m i c h a r d s h i p s m a d e t h a t extremely difficult. H a n d i n hand, w i t h the Rebbe w o r k e d R . Yechezkel F e i g i n , h i s p e r s o n a l secretary, a f f e c t i o n a t e l y k n o w n as R e b c h a t c h a . A chassid o f d i s t i n c t i o n w i t h a n i m m e n s e k n o w l e d g e o f t h e T o r a h ' s m y s t i c secrets a n d a v i b r a n t J e w i s h heart, R e b C h a t c h a was t h e d e a n o f t h e yeshivah a n d i n s t r u c t e d t h e s t u d e n t s i n t h e i r s t u d i e s . T h i s is w h e r e he p u t h i s h e a r t a n d s o u l . B u t he was also a d e d i c a t e d chassid, w i l l i n g t o d o a n y t h i n g h i s R e b b e f e l t necessary. A n d so he h e l p e d t h e R e b b e R a y a t z i n a l l t h e v a r i o u s tasks, a r r a n g i n g teachers a n d b u i l d i n g s f o r t h e schools, seeing t o t h e c o n s t r u c t i o n o f t h e mikvahs, a n d g e t t i n g i n v o l v e d i n a l l t h e p r a c t i c a l d i m e n s i o n s o f these v a r i o u s activities. B u t t h e r e was so m u c h t o d o ; he h a d n o t i m e f o r h i m s e l f at a l l . H e was n o t c o n c e r n e d w i t h h i s p e r s o n a l desires a n d p a s t i m e s , b u t h i s s t u d y a n d h i s p r a y e r s . H o w c o u l d he c o n t i n u e t o sacrifice t h e m ? D a y after day, these t h o u g h t s ate away at h i m . O n e day, he c o u l d n ' t t a k e i t any m o r e . H e e n t e r e d t h e R e b b e R a y a t z ' s r o o m a n d began t o c r y . H e e x p l a i n e d t o t h e R e b b e h o w he m i s s e d t h e t i m e i n p r a y e r a n d h o w t h e r e was so m u c h t h a t he w a n t e d t o s t u d y . T h e s i n c e r i t y o f h i s tears m o t i v a t e d t h e R e b b e R a y a t z a n d he t o o b r o k e d o w n a n d b e g a n t o c r y . T h e y b o t h c r i e d f o r several m i n u t e s a n d t h e n t h e R e b b e R a y a t z said: " C h a t c h a , there's a n o t h e r t o w n w h e r e a s c h o o l has t o be established." W h e n a l i g h t is r o o t e d deep w i t h i n a p e r s o n ' s s o u l , i t w i l l always seek o p p o r t u n i t i e s f o r e x p r e s s i o n .

67

68

KEEPING I N TOUCH

Parshas Tetzaaveh
T h i s is t h e o n l y T o r a h r e a d i n g b e t w e e n t h e b i r t h o f M o s e s and

t h e B o o k o f D e u t e r o n o m y w h e r e M o s e s ' n a m e is n o t m e n t i o n e d . O u r R a b b i s n o t e t h e fact a n d e x p l a i n : A f t e r G - d t o l d M o s e s t h a t H e w o u l d destroy the Jewish people and b u i l d a new n a t i o n f r o m M o s e s ' descendants, M o s e s r e p l i e d : " I f Y o u d o w i p e m e o u t f r o m Y o u r b o o k . " A n d so, since every t h i n g a T o r a h sage says has an effect, even t h o u g h G - d d i d n o t w i p e o u t t h e p e o p l e , t h e r e is o n e T o r a h r e a d i n g w h e r e M o s e s ' n a m e is w i p e d o u t a n d i g n o r e d . Nevertheless, t h a t very T o r a h reading begins: " A n d y o u w i l l c o m m a n d the Jewish people." A n d the w o r d used for c o m m a n d , Tetzaveh, also has t h e i m p l i c a t i o n " c o n n e c t , " as i n t h e w o r d , tzavta. In the Torah reading where Moses' name is ignored, his

c o n n e c t i o n t o t h e J e w i s h p e o p l e is h i g h l i g h t e d . In H i s c o m m a n d to Moses, G - d tells h i m that the people

s h o u l d b r i n g t h e o i l t o h i m . A q u e s t i o n arises: I t was A a r o n t h e p r i e s t w h o k i n d l e d t h e Menorah, w h y w a s n ' t t h e o i l b r o u g h t t o h i m d i r e c t l y ? W h y m u s t i t f i r s t be b r o u g h t t o M o s e s ? A a r o n b r o u g h t t h e sacrifices. T h u s he was i d e n t i f i e d w i t h t h e service o f p r a y e r . M o s e s , b y c o n t r a s t , was t h e l a w g i v e r , i d e n t i f i e d w i t h the T o r a h and its study. W h a t ' s t h e d i f f e r e n c e b e t w e e n t h e t w o ? p r a y e r is m a n ' s w o r d s , d i r e c t e d at G - d , b u t c o m i n g f r o m m a n ' s h e a r t . T h e r e f o r e t h e y are l i m i t e d as m a n is l i m i t e d . T h e T o r a h , b y c o n t r a s t , is G - d ' s w o r d , i n f i n i t e a n d u n b o u n d e d as H e is. Now t h e Menorah was intended to be a continuous light,

b u r n i n g at a l l t i m e s . F o r t h i s t o be p o s s i b l e , i t n e e d e d n o t o n l y t h e i n p u t o f A a r o n , b u t also t h e t i m e l e s s d i m e n s i o n c o n t r i b u t e d b y M o s e s a n d h i s s t u d y . F o r w i t h i n every Jew, t h e r e is an u n l i m i t e d spiritual p o t e n t i a l , s o m e t h i n g n o t b o u n d by m a n and his l i m i t s . T h a t can be expressed i n prayer. O f t e n , however, f o r t h i s i n n e r level t o rise t o t h e surface a n d f l o u r i s h , i t s h o u l d be c u l t i v a t e d b y t h e u n l i m i t e d l i g h t o f t h e T o r a h . T h u s i t is M o s e s w h o enables

TETZAVEH

69

every Jew t o t a p his i n n e r m o s t s p i r i t u a l resources a n d m a i n t a i n a constant c o m m i t m e n t . A a r o n inspires the love o f G - d . M o s e s teaches k n o w l e d g e .

L o v e f l i c k e r s , r i s i n g a n d e b b i n g . K n o w l e d g e changes a p e r s o n f r o m the inside, leaving a lasting effect on every element of his

character.

Looking to the Horizon

A b o u t M o s e s i t is said: " H e was t h e f i r s t r e d e e m e r a n d he w i l l be t h e u l t i m a t e r e d e e m e r , " i.e., t h e o n e t o l e a d t h e Jews f r o m t h e f i n a l e x i l e . N o w Mashiach w i l l be a s c i o n o f t h e H o u s e o f D a v i d , the t r i b e o f Judah, from

a n d M o s e s was a L e v i t e . So o b v i o u s l y , t h e

i n t e n t is n o t t h a t M o s e s w i l l be t h e o n e w h o a c t u a l l y leads t h e Jews o u t o f e x i l e . Instead, the i n t e n t is t h a t Moses was identified with the

T o r a h ; i t was his e n t i r e b e i n g , t h e core o f his l i f e . T h e same w i l l be t r u e a b o u t Mashiach. T h e f u n d a m e n t a l d i m e n s i o n o f Mashiach w i l l be t h e T o r a h i n s i g h t s t h a t he w i l l reveal. A l l t h e changes t h a t he w i l l b r i n g a b o u t i n t h e w o r l d at large w i l l c o m e as a r e s u l t o f his t e a c h i n g s . T h a t ' s w h y w h e n d e s c r i b i n g t h e q u a l i t i e s Mashiach will possess, M a i m o n i d e s states i m m e d i a t e l y after saying that

Mashiach w i l l be a d e s c e n d a n t o f K i n g D a v i d , t h a t he w i l l deeply i n t o the study o f the T o r a h . "

"delve

T h e T o r a h enables a p e r s o n w h o s t u d i e s i t t o appreciate h o w G - d w a n t s us t o l i v e i n H i s w o r l d . T h a t ' s r e d e m p t i o n i n i t s f u l l e s t sense a n d i t is t h r o u g h spreading the Torah's teachings and

m o t i v a t i n g the listeners t o apply t h e m t h a t r e d e m p t i o n w i l l come about. T h u s redemption. the T o r a h , Moses' legacy, w i l l be t h e catalyst o f

R . M e i r o f p r e m i s h l a n was t h e R e b b e o f a s m a l l t o w n t h a t was t h e n p a r t o f A u s t r i a - H u n g a r y . H e was k n o w n t o p e r f o r m miracles and the people o f his c o m m u n i t y h e l d h i m i n awe. T h e y o u n g e r m e m b e r s o f t h e t o w n , h o w e v e r , h a d t h e i r d o u b t s a n d s o m e even d e s i r e d t o m i n i m i z e t h e reverence w i t h w h i c h t h e i r elders l o o k e d u p t o t h e R e b b e . T h e r i t u a l b a t h i n p r e m i s h l a n was o n t o p o f a steep h i l l . D u r i n g the w i n t e r , the snow made the incline very s l i p p e r y a n d t h e t o w n s p e o p l e w o u l d a l l take a c i r c u i t o u s r o u t e a r o u n d t h e m o u n t a i n r a t h e r t h a n t r y t o scale i t . R . M e i r , h o w e v e r , w o u l d go s t r a i g h t u p . N o w there were some y o u n g m e n w h o felt t h a t they b o a s t e d greater a t h l e t i c p r o w e s s t h a n t h e f r a i l R a b b i . I f he c o u l d c l i m b t h e m o u n t a i n , t h e y s u r e l y c o u l d . A n d so, t h e y m a d e an a t t e m p t . u n f o r t u n a t e l y , however, t h e y f a i l e d m i s e r a b l y . A f t e r ascending m o r e t h a n h a l f way up, they slipped and fell, s u s t a i n i n g severe i n j u r i e s . T h e i r parents, fearing t h a t their c h i l d r e n had fallen because t h e y h a d o f f e n d e d t h e R a b b i came r u n n i n g t o R . M e i r , b e g g i n g f o r forgiveness. R . M e i r , o n h i s p a r t , e x p l a i n e d t h a t he h a d n o t k n o w n a b o u t t h e i n c i d e n t . H e forgave t h e y o u t h s a n d even w e n t t o v i s i t t h e m t o s h o w his g o o d w i l l . D u r i n g the visit, one o f the y o u t h s somewhat shamefacedly asked R . M e i r h o w he c o u l d ascend t h e m o u n t a i n so easily. R . M e i r s m i l e d a n d r e p l i e d : " W h e n y o u are c o n n e c t e d above, y o u d o n ' t f a l l . " T h a t s t o r y is r e l e v a n t w h e n d e a l i n g w i t h t h e c o n s t a n t ebbs a n d f l o w s o f o u r s p i r i t u a l p r o g r e s s . H o w can w e p r e v e n t ourselves f r o m f a l l i n g ? B y b e i n g c o n n e c t e d above, b y b i n d i n g ourselves t o u n c h a n g i n g s p i r i t u a l t r u t h . T h a t gives us a t e t h e r t o r e l y o n as w e navigate l i f e ' s s l i p p e r y landscapes.

70

K I SISSA

71

Parshas Ki Sissa
This Torah reading contains the narrative o f the Sin o f the

G o l d e n C a l f , o s t e n s i b l y , one o f t h e m o s t p e r p l e x i n g i n c i d e n t s i n our n a t i o n ' s s p i r i t u a l h i s t o r y . F o r t y days after t h e y h e a r d S i n a i , o u r p e o p l e b u i l t a n d w o r s h i p e d an G-d's idol.

v o i c e at M o u n t How

was i t p o s s i b l e t h a t t h e y s a n k so l o w after b e i n g so h i g h? S o m e e x p l a i n t h a t t h e reason is t h a t t h e y w e r e u n p r e p a r e d f o r

t h e r e v e l a t i o n . A s i t is said: I t t o o k G - d o n e m o m e n t t o t a k e t h e Jews o u t o f E g y p t , b u t f o r t y years t o t a k e E g y p t o u t o f t h e Jews. T h e y h a d b e e n w o r s h i p i n g i d o l s a l l t h e i r lives a n d i t was n a t u r a l for t h e m t o slip back i n t o their pattern. Without minimizing that explanation, a more basic

i n t e r p r e t a t i o n can be o f f e r e d . W h y are w e s u r p r i s e d at t h e i r sin? Our lives are f i l l e d w i t h u p s a n d d o w n s . O n t h e c o n t r a r y , after

a s c e n d i n g h i g h , i t is a l m o s t l o g i c a l t o assume t h a t t h e y w o u l d f a l l low. After a l l , o u r s p i r i t u a l lives r e f l e c t an i n t e r a c t i o n o f t w o

e l e m e n t s o f o u r beings, o u r G - d l y souls w h i c h search f o r s p i r i t u a l g r o w t h a n d o u r a n i m a l souls w h i c h l o o k f o r m a t e r i a l s a t i s f a c t i o n . When t w o people are wrestling and respond one summons He has up no extra choice. it's

strength, the other w i l l Either

forcefully.

he f i g h t s b a c k o r he loses. A n d i f he f i g h t s back,

p o s s i b l e t h a t he w i l l be v i c t o r i o u s . A n analogue can be seen i n o u r s p i r i t u a l service. J u s t w h e n w e start to feel energy and vitality d u r i n g prayer, we w i l l start

t h i n k i n g a b o u t o u r stocks, the conversation we h a d last n i g h t , or j u s t a b o u t a n y t h i n g else t o get o u r m i n d s o f f s e r i o u s prayer. W h e n t h e G - d l y d i m e n s i o n o f o u r b e i n g gets aroused, u n d e r s t a n d s t h e challenge a n d goes i n t o b a t t l e . W h e n w e u n d e r s t a n d t h i s m o t i f , w e are n o t s u r p r i s e d at t h e Sin o f t h e G o l d e n C a l f . A f t e r t h e r e v e l a t i o n at S i n a i , t h e a n i m a l the other side

s o u l u n d e r s t o o d t h a t i t was n o w o r never. I t s u m m o n e d u p a l l i t s p o w e r a n d l u r e d the people t o s i n . Is i t a surprise t h a t they l e t d o w n t h e i r g u a r d a n d w e r e ensnared?

72

KEEPING I N TOUCH

I n t r u t h , t h e q u e s t i o n is n o t a b o u t o u r ancestors at a l l . T h e o n l y reason i t ' s i m p o r t a n t t o k n o w w h y t h e y s i n n e d is t o k n o w h o w w e can a v o i d f a l l i n g i n t o t h e same t r a p . T o d o t h a t , w e have t o l o o k at t w o p e o p l e w h o d i d n ' t s i n at the t i m e o f the G o l d e n Calf: M o s e s a n d Joshua. M o s e s d i d n ' t s i n , because he was o n M o u n t S i n a i w i t h G - d , l e a r n i n g t h e T o r a h . T h e s i n i t s e l f was n o t a p e r s o n a l challenge f o r h i m . L a t e r , t h e r e s u l t o f t h e s i n was. H e c o u l d have a b a n d o n e d h i s p e o p l e i n t h e i r m o m e n t o f weakness. I n s t e a d , he chose n o t t o . H e p l e a d e d w i t h G - d n o t t o d e s t r o y t h e m a n d he w e n t i n t o t h e i r m i d s t a n d c o m p e l l e d t h e m t o change d i r e c t i o n . B u t t h a t was a l l a f t e r w a r d s . A t t h e t i m e , t h e s i n i t s e l f d i d n o t p r e s e n t a cha l l e n g e . H e was t o o b u s y w i t h G - d . S i m i l a r l y , w e m e e t i n d i v i d u a l s w h o l i v e a s t e p above o r d i n a r y r e a l i t y a n d d o n ' t feel c h a l l e n g e d b y i t , because t h e y ' r e t o o i n v o l v e d with higher things. T h e p r o b l e m is that most o f us cannot

e m u l a t e t h e i r e x a m p l e . T h e level o f a M o s e s is t o o l o f t y f o r m o s t o f us. B u t t h e n t h e r e is Joshua. J o s h u a w a s n ' t w i t h M o s e s o n M o u n t S i n a i ; he was n o t o n t h a t level. B u t he w a n t e d t o be w i t h M o s e s a n d t h a t desire l i f t e d h i m above t h e level o f t h e p e o p l e at large. T h e r e f o r e f o r t h e 4 0 days M o s e s was o n t o p o f t h e m o u n t a i n , J o s h u a was c a m p e d s o m e w h e r e m i d w a y o n i t s s l o p e . H e wasn't

together w i t h the people w h e n they sinned. H i s i d e n t i f i c a t i o n w i t h Moses prevented h i m f r o m being there. T h e r e i n is a l e s s o n f o r us. W e c a n n o t necessary e x p e c t t o be a Moses, b u t w e can be Moses, a J o s h u a . A n d as Joshua, t h r o u g h o u r w e can rise above the nitty-gritty of

connection w i t h

wor ldly attractions.

Looking to the Horizon

I t is s i g n i f i c a n t t h a t i t is Joshua, n o t M o s e s , w h o l e d t h e p e o p l e i n t o the H o l y Land. G-d's i n t e n t is n o t t o have p e o p l e l i v e at

S i n a i , a m o u n t a i n i n t h e m i d d l e o f t h e desert, b u t t o have t h e m

K I SISSA

73

enter a l a n d where

they sow

and

reap a n d l i v e o r d i n a r y lives.

M o s e s is above t h e o r d i n a r y a n d so he does n o t e n t e r i n t o t h e l a n d w i t h t h e m . Joshua, a p e r s o n o n t h e i r level, is t h e i r leader. B u t J o s h u a does n o t p r o c e e d o n his o w n p o w e r . H e is M o s e s ' m a n a n d t h a t gives h i m t h e s t r e n g t h t o c a r r y o u t h i s m i s s i o n . H e communicates t o t h e p e o p l e because he is o n t h e i r level, b u t w h a t Moses.

he c o m m u n i c a t e s t o t h e m is w h a t he received f r o m

W h a t does J o s h u a c o n t i n u a l l y t e l l t h e people? Chazak V'Ematz, "Be s t r o n g a n d t a k e h e a r t , " have y o u r m i s s i o n M o s e s ' i n f r o n t o f y o u and dedicate y o u r s e l f t o i t . L i k e t h e Jews i n t h e desert, w e are o n a j o u r n e y t o o u r Holy mission

L a n d , i.e., p r e p a r i n g t o e n t e r t h e L a n d o f I s r a e l w i t h Mashiach. B y d e d i c a t i n g ourselves t o t h a t goal, w e m a k e i t a r e a l i t y . F o r by

l i v i n g w i t h the m i n d s e t o f r e d e m p t i o n , experiencing a foretaste o f t h e s p i r i t u a l awareness t o be achieved t h e n , w e h a s t e n t h e c o m i n g o f t h e day w h e n i t w i l l b e c o m e a t o p - t o - b o t t o m r e a l i t y .

A t t h e p u b l i c address at w h i c h he f o r m a l l y accepted t h e leadership o f the L u b a v i t c h m o v e m e n t , the Rebbe spoke o f his father-in-law, the Rebbe Rayatz, R . Y o s e f Y i t z c h a k S c h n e e r s o h n , a n d h i s e f f o r t s t o b r i n g Mashiach. I n p a r t i c u l a r , he m e n t i o n e d t h e T o r a h s c r o l l t h a t was b e i n g c o m p o s e d " t o greet Mashiach." T h e R e b b e R a y a t z h a d asked t h a t m o n e y be c o l l e c t e d f r o m p e o p l e a l l over t h e w o r l d t o purchase letters i n this T o r a h scroll. " T h e R e b b e R a y a t z , " t h e R e b b e asked, " c o u l d have p a i d f o r t h e T o r a h s c r o l l f r o m h i s o w n f u n d s . W h y d i d he seek t o collect m o n e y f r o m the chassidim?" I n reply, the Rebbe related that G - d c o m m a n d e d M o s e s t o b u i l d t h e S a n c t u a r y a n d i t is always r e f e r r e d t o as t h e S a n c t u a r y o f M o s e s . I n fact, however, M o s e s d i d n o t h i n g i n t h e c o n s t r u c t i o n o f t h e S a n c t u a r y . H e gave over i t s c o n s t r u c t i o n t o t h e J e w i s h p e o p l e . A l t h o u g h i t was h i s m i s s i o n , as a leader he d e s i r e d t o share t h a t purpose w i t h others. T h e same c o n c e p t , t h e R e b b e e x p l a i n e d , applies w i t h r e g a r d t o t h e R e b b e R a y a t z ' s e f f o r t s t o b r i n g Mashiach. H e d i d n o t w a n t b r i n g i n g Mashiach t o be h i s o w n p r i v a t e m i s s i o n , b u t o n e shared b y t h e e n t i r e J e w i s h p e o p l e . T h i s is t h e f u n c t i o n o f a J e w i s h leader: t o e n d o w h i s p e o p l e w i t h a l o n g range v i s i o n t h a t l i f t s t h e m above t h e i r o w n l i m i t e d perspective.

Parshas Vayakhel
T h i s week's T o r a h reading begins " A n d M o s e s called together children of Israel." Vayakhel, t r a n s l a t e d as "called together," the is not far

related t o the

t e r m kahal w h i c h m e a n s " c o l l e c t i v e . " A kahal is

m e r e l y a g r o u p o f i n d i v i d u a l s . I t is a c o m m u n a l e n t i t y t h a t surpasses example the of sum in of its parts. Law, Let's take the We most are not the

common merely addition

this

Jewish

a minyan.

speaking about ten of the tenth

individuals getting together. For draws down G-d's

person

presence,

something

74

VAYAKHEL

75

i n f i n i t e l y greater t h a n c o u l d be achieved b y t h e n i n e p e o p l e

on

t h e i r o w n . S i m i l a r l y , t h e J e w i s h p e o p l e are n o t j u s t a c o l l e c t i o n o f i n d i v i d u a l s ; t h e y are a kahal. How is a kahal f o r m e d ? H o w are p e o p l e motivated to go

b e y o n d t h e i r i n d i v i d u a l s e l f - i n t e r e s t a n d take o n t h e i d e n t i t y o f t h e collective? T h a t ' s t h e j o b o f M o s e s . A J e w i s h leader gives h i s p e o p l e a c o l l e c t i v e i d e n t i t y b y e n d o w i n g t h e m w i t h a m i s s i o n a n d a sense o f purpose always t h a t l i f t s t h e m above t h e i r p e r s o n a l selves. A M o s e s focused higher. He sees a greater goal and a is

more

encompassing

i d e a l t h a n p e o p l e at large. B u t he is n o t m e r e l y a

l o a n voice i n the wilderness. H e c o m m u n i c a t e s . H e makes others aware o f t h i s p u r p o s e a n d m o t i v a t e s t h e m t o c o m m i t themselves

t o i t . A s t h e y w o r k t o g e t h e r t o achieve t h i s g o a l , b o n d s o f u n i t y are f o r g e d . N o t o n l y d o t h e p e o p l e see themselves as abstractly

b o n d e d b y a c o m m o n m i s s i o n , u n i t y b e c o m e s a p a r t o f l i f e as t h e y c o o p e r a t e i n t h e i m p l e m e n t a t i o n o f these goals. As an e x a m ple, l et's take the story o f t h i s week's Torah the

reading. W h y d i d M o s e s call the people together? Sanctuary,

T o build

m a k i n g a d w e l l i n g f o r t h e D i v i n e presence. T h i s was

M o s e s ' g o a l . I t was s o m e t h i n g t h a t t h e p e o p l e a l o n e c o u l d n o t envision; only Moses could. H e had spent four m o n t h s 3 his

p e r i o d s o f 4 0 days each

o n M o u n t Sinai w i t h G - d . u p o n

r e t u r n , he s o u g h t t o share t h e r e l a t i o n s h i p w i t h G - d t h a t he h a d e s t a b l i s h e d w i t h t h e p e o p l e at large b y m a k i n g a place f o r G-d's

presence t o d w e l l . T h i s w o u l d r e d e f i n e t h e i d e n t i t y o f t h e p e o p l e ; they w o u l d clearly become G-d's n a t i o n . A s s o o n as he d e s c e n d e d t h e m o u n t a i n t h e f i n a l t i m e , M o s e s set a b o u t m o b i l i z i n g t h e p e o p l e t o w a r d t h i s o b j e c t i v e . F i r s t o f a l l , he asked t h e m t o m a k e f i n a n c i a l sacrifices, d o n a t i n g g o l d , silver, a n d o t h e r v a l u a b l e o b j e c t s . T h e n he i n s t r u c t e d t h e m h o w t o w o r k together t o b u i l d the actual Sanctuary and make the ideal tangible reality.

76

KEEPING I N TOUCH

T h e p e o p l e r e s p o n d e d t o his r e q u e s t w i t h e n t h u s i a s m , eagerly g i v i n g o f t h e i r p r e c i o u s objects f o r t h i s h o l y p u r p o s e . M o r e o v e r , they all volunteered to help in the Sanctuary's construction, weaving For

w o r k i n g t o g e t h e r f o r t h i s s u b l i m e g o a l . L i t t l e tasks w o o l and carving w o o d

t o o k o n far greater s i g n i f i c a n c e .

m o n t h s , t h e a t t e n t i o n o f t h e p e o p l e was f o c u s e d o n t h i s one g o a l : b u i l d i n g the Sanctuary and creating a d w e l l i n g for G - d . As G-d's t h e T o r a h relates, t h a t o b j e c t i v e was presence filled the Sanctuary. But consummated in the process and of

a c h i e v i n g t h a t goal, a n o t h e r i m p o r t a n t i n t e n t was

accomplished;

t h e p e o p l e were f u s e d t o g e t h e r i n t o a n e w c o l l e c t i v e e n t i t y . In truth, these two purposes are interrelated. For G-d's

presence can o n l y rest i n a s e t t i n g o f oneness.

Looking to the Horizon

T h e s t o r i e s i n t h e B i b l e are n o t i n t e n d e d t o be r e a d m e r e l y as

h i s t o r y , b u t also as g u i d e l i n e s f o r o u r c o n d u c t here a n d n o w . W e also have a g o a l o f c a u s i n g G - d ' s presence t o d w e l l i n t h e w o r l d . T h a t is w h a t t h e c o m i n g o f Mashiach is a l l a b o u t ; t h a t i n s t e a d o f conceiving o f the w o r l d solely i n materialistic terms, we w i l l all appreciate Temple, through G-dliness. the It will start w i t h the rebuilding o f encompassing. Temple, the For the

but the

u l t i m a t e p u r p o s e is m o r e

indwelling o f G-d's

presence i n t h e

awareness o f H i m w i l l s p r e a d t h r o u g h o u t a l l existence. To with achieve t h a t g o a l , t h e r e m u s t be p e o p l e w h o b o n d t o g e t h e r objective in mind. This a n d success purpose and not their

that

i n d i v i d u a l satisfaction

becomes the

fundamental

m o t i v a t i o n f o r t h e i r lives. L i k e t h e Jews w h o b u i l t t h e S a n c t u a r y , t h e y s h o u l d be w i l l i n g t o m a k e sacrifices, g i v i n g o f t h e i r f i n a n c i a l resources t o achieve t h i s g o a l . T h e y s h o u l d also be ready t o w o r k w i t h o t h e r s t o p e r f o r m w h a t e v e r tasks necessary t o t r a n s f o r m ideal i n t o reality. The u l t i m a t e p u r p o s e o f these e f f o r t s through the the revelation o f is the

G-dliness i n the w o r l d

c o m i n g o f Mashiach

VAYAKHEL

77

c e r t a i n l y a g o a l t h a t m o t i v a t e s i d e n t i f i c a t i o n . B u t i n t h e process o f a c h i e v i n g t h a t goal, these i n d i v i d u a l s w i l l also realize a s i g n i f i c a n t b y - p r o d u c t . A s they dedicate themselves t o t h i s higher purpose,

t h e y w i l l be n u d g e d o u t o f t h e i r s e l f - c o n c e r n . A n d w h e n t h e y s t o p l i v i n g f o r t h e i r o w n selves, t h e y w i l l be able t o perceive others.

T h i s w i l l create an a t m o s p h e r e o f u n i t y a m o n g t h e m , m a k i n g t h e m more f i t t o b r i n g about the revelation o f G-dliness i n the w o r l d .

O n e o f Poland's f o r e m o s t Rebbes had a grandson w h o was very i l l . H i s s o n called f o r t h e m o s t s k i l l e d m e d i c a l p r o f e s s i o n a l s , b u t t h e y a l l r e t u r n e d w i t h t h e same p r o g n o s i s . O r d i n a r y m e d i c i n e h a d n o cure f o r t h e disease t h a t a i l e d h i m . u n l e s s t h e r e was a m i r a c l e , t h e case was terminal. T h e f a t h e r appealed t o t h e R e b b e t o p r a y f o r h i s grandchild, b u t the Rebbe d i d n o t respond. N o matter how h e a r t f e l t t h e requests m a d e o f h i m , he w o u l d t u r n

h i s face t o t h e side. O n e n i g h t , t h e c h i l d ' s s i t u a t i o n became e x t r e m e l y serious. I t appeared t h a t he h a d few r e m a i n i n g m o m e n t s . H i s father w o k e the sick boy's b r o t h e r and t o l d h i m t o a p p r o a c h h i s g r a n d f a t h e r a n d ask h i m t o p r a y f o r t h e c h i l d . " M a y b e h i s b r o t h e r ' s pleas w i l l m o t i v a t e m y f a t h e r , " he t h o u g h t . T h e b o y approached his grandfather's r o o m and k n o c k e d o n the door. " M o s h e , w h a t are y o u d o i n g here at t h i s h o u r ? " he asked h i s g r a n d s o n . " I came t o b r i n g y o u g o o d news, Zeiie," t h e b o y answered. " M y b r o t h e r ' s c o n d i t i o n has i m p r o v e d . H e ' s getting better." " I ' m so h a p p y t o hear t h a t . F o r t h e last few weeks, everyone has b e e n so f u l l o f despair, I d i d n ' t k n o w w h a t to do." " B u t Zeide, even t h o u g h he is d o i n g b e t t e r , he s t i l l is quite i l l . c o u l d y o u pray for h i m ? " T h e R e b b e h a p p i l y agreed. N e e d l e s s t o say, after t h e Rebbe prayed, the c h i l d got better. I n the m o r n i n g , his f a m i l y t o l d h i m the entire story. " M o s h e u n d e r s t o o d , " t h e R e b b e e x p l a i n e d . " A s l o n g as I was b e i n g t o l d b a d news, I was depressed a n d c o u l d n o t p r a y . W h e n he t o l d m e t h e c h i l d was g e t t i n g b e t t e r , m y h e a r t was o p e n e d a n d I c o u l d m a k e entreaties t o G - d . " T h i s T o r a h p o r t i o n is u s u a l l y read i n t h e m o n t h o f A d a r , a m o n t h t h a t features happiness a n d j o y . A s

78

PEKUDEI

79

e m p h a s i z e d b y t h e above s t o r y , happiness opens a p e r s o n ' s h e a r t a n d makes h i m a m e d i u m f o r G - d l i n e s s .

Parshas Pekudei
This week's Torah of the reading concludes When the the narrative Jews of the

construction

Sanctuary.

completed

fashioning all the utensils and b u i l d i n g materials needed for the Sanctuary, they b r o u g h t t h e m t o M o s e s . T h e n G - d Moses to erect the Sanctuary and he did so commanded personally,

constructing the b u i l d i n g according t o G-d's instructions. W h y was i t M o s e s w h o b u i l t t h e Sanctuary? Because he was

t h e o n e w h o was g r a n t e d t h e v i s i o n o f t h e S a n c t u a r y o n M o u n t S i n a i . H e saw t h e S a n c t u a r y as i t e x i s t e d i n t h e s p i r i t u a l realms a n d t h a t gave h i m t h e p o t e n t i a l t o c o n s t r u c t i n g a p a r a l l e l s t r u c t u r e here o n e a r t h . F o r t h e p u r p o s e o f c o n s t r u c t i n g a S a n c t u a r y was t o reflect the spiritual reality that exists i n the supernal heavens

w i t h i n o u r m a t e r i a l existence, t o give m a n t h e taste o f t h e h i g h e r r e a l i t y t h a t surpasses h i s l i m i t e d p h y s i c a l f r a m e w o r k o f reference. H e n c e , t h e c o m m a n d m e n t t o b u i l d t h i s s t r u c t u r e was g i v e n t o M o s e s , a m a n w h o was above t h e level o f o r d i n a r y p e o p l e . He

s p e n t 4 0 days a n d 4 0 n i g h t s o n M o u n t S i n a i w i t h o u t e a t i n g o r d r i n k i n g . F o r h i m , s p i r i t u a l r e a l i t y was as p o i g n a n t a n d p r e s s i n g as o r d i n a r y d a y - t o - d a y experience, a n d p e r h a p s even m o r e so. T h i s , however, raises a q u e s t i o n . A l t h o u g h M o s e s was t h e o n e who erected the Sanctuary, he did no other work in its

c o n s t r u c t i o n . I n s t e a d , a l l t h e vessels w e r e m a d e b y o t h e r p e o p l e . H e conveyed the commands and i n s t r u c t e d the people h o w to

b u i l d t h e S a n c t u a r y a n d a l l o f i t s u t e n s i l s , b u t he d i d n o n e o f t h e a c t u a l w o r k h i m s e l f . I t was a l l p e r f o r m e d b y o t h e r s . W h y ? I f i t was supposed to be built by Moses, why did he delegate the

responsibility? This, however, teaches us a unique lesson concerning he

l e a d e r s h i p . A leader

walks a delicate

t i g h t r o p e . O f course,

80

KEEPING I N TOUCH

should

not

merely sit back the other

and

give o r d e r s intent is

like not

an that

absentee he do

landlord.

On

hand,

the

e v e r y t h i n g h i m s e l f . I n s t e a d , he s h o u l d share h i s m i s s i o n w i t h h i s p e o p l e , g i v i n g t h e m n o t o n l y a g l i m p s e o f h i s goals f r o m afar, b u t an active r o l e i n b r i n g i n g a b o u t t h e i r c o n s u m m a t i o n . T h e y s h o u l d not m e r e l y cheer h i m t o h i s a c c o m p l i s h m e n t s or carry o u t his

commands message

l i k e r o b o t s . B u t instead, they s h o u l d i n t e r n a l i z e his learn to share his inner motivation. For the

and

f u n d a m e n t a l e l e m e n t o f l e a d e r s h i p is g i v i n g one's p e o p l e a m i s s i o n t h a t elevates t h e m above t h e i r o r d i n a r y u n d e r s t a n d i n g a n d i m b u e s t h e i r lives w i t h m e a n i n g a n d p u r p o s e . That was Moses' intent in involving the Jews in the

c o n s t r u c t i o n o f t h e S a n c t u a r y : t o give t h e m t h e o p p o r t u n i t y t o share h i s u n d e r s t a n d i n g a n d t a k e an active r o l e i n m a k i n g t h e

w o r l d f i t f o r t h e i n d w e l l i n g o f G - d ' s presence. W h e n c o m m a n d i n g the Jews to build the Sanctuary, G-d stated: "Make Me a

S a n c t u a r y a n d I w i l l d w e l l w i t h i n . " T h e t e r m u s e d f o r w i t h i n is p l u r a l , i m p l y i n g t h a t t h e D i v i n e presence was i n t e n d e d t o d w e l l not o n l y w i t h i n t h e s t r u c t u r e o f t h e S a n c t u a r y , b u t w i t h i n each

member o f the Jewish people. By t a k i n g part i n the c o n s t r u c t i o n of the Sanctuary, t h e Jews i n t e r n a l i z e d t h i s p u r p o s e , making it

part o f their inner being.

Looking to the Horizon

A s i m i l a r m o t i f applies w i t h r e g a r d t o Mashiach a n d r e d e m p t i o n . T h e r e d e m p t i o n is g o i n g t o l i f t t h e J e w i s h p e o p l e t o a h i g h e r level o f awareness t h a n t h e y c o u l d p o s s i b l y reach o n t h e i r o w n . N o t o n l y w i l l t h e y w i t n e s s r e v e l a t i o n s o f G - d l i n e s s as b y s t a n d e r s , they

w i l l i n t e r n a l i z e t h e i r u n d e r s t a n d i n g . F o r t h i s reason, Mashiach w i l l be b o t h a k i n g a n d a teacher. J u s t as a k i n g is an a b s o l u t e r u l e r , e x a l t e d above h i s p e o p l e , so t o o , Mashiach w i l l reveal G - d l i n e s s i n a transcendent But manner, b e y o n d the understanding o f the people.

he w i l l also be a teacher a n d g u i d e t h e p e o p l e t o t h e p o i n t

PEKUDEI

81

where they w i l l understand and make this transcendent revelation a part o f their conscious appreciation o f reality. S i m i l a r c o n c e p t s a p p l y t o p r e p a r i n g ourselves a n d t h e p e o p l e a r o u n d us f o r Mashiach's c o m i n g . I t is n o t e n o u g h t h a t w e l o o k at t h i s as an abstract goal, a d e s t i n a t i o n t h a t w e are s t r i v i n g t o w a r d . I n s t e a d , t h e g o a l s h o u l d b e c o m e p a r t o f us, i n t e r n a l i z e d w i t h i n o u r o w n t h o u g h t process. T h e n as m o r e a n d m o r e p e o p l e start

l i v i n g t h e i r lives i n a m a n n e r t h a t a n t i c i p a t e s Mashiach's c o m i n g , t h e w o r l d w i l l become a f i t setting for r e d e m p t i o n .

T h e m o t h e r o f t h e Tzemach Tzedek, t h e t h i r d L u b a v i t c h e r R e b b e , d i e d w h e n he was v e r y y o u n g a n d he was r a i s e d b y h i s g r a n d f a t h e r , R . S h n e u r Z a l m a n o f L i a d i . W h e n t h e c h i l d was three, R . S h n e u r Z a l m a n b r o u g h t h i m t o cheder [ s c h o o l ] f o r t h e f i r s t t i m e . A s is c u s t o m a r y , he i n s t r u c t e d t h e teacher t o s t u d y t h e f i r s t passage o f Parshas Vayikra w i t h t h e c h i l d . A f t e r t h e teacher read t h e passage t o t h e c h i l d , t h e b o y asked t h e A l t e r R e b b e : " W h y is t h e alef i n t h e w o r d Vayikra s m a l l ? " R . S h n e u r Z a l m a n e n t e r e d a l e n g t h y state o f meditative rapture and t h e n replied: A d a m , t h e f i r s t m a n , was G - d ' s h a n d i w o r k a n d G - d t e s t i f i e d t h a t h i s w i s d o m surpassed t h a t o f t h e m i n i s t e r i n g angels. B u t A d a m k n e w h i s o w n greatness a n d was o v e r c o m e b y h i s awareness o f t h i s . [ T h e r e f o r e ] he blundered [and c o m m i t t e d ] the S i n o f the T r e e o f Knowledge. M o s e s o u r teacher... also k n e w h i s o w n greatness. B u t n o t o n l y was M o s e s n o t o v e r c o m e b y h i s awareness o f t h i s , i n s t e a d , i t gave h i m a b r o k e n a n d c o n t r i t e heart... G - d states i n t h e T o r a h : " T h e m a n , M o s e s , was e x c e e d i n g l y h u m b l e , m o r e t h a n any p e r s o n o n t h e face o f the earth." N o matter h o w l o w a person's stature and h o w s i m p l e he was, M o s e s w o u l d measure h i m s e l f against h i m , t h i n k i n g t h a t i f t h a t p e r s o n h a d possessed t h e p o s i t i v e s p i r i t u a l qualities w i t h w h i c h M o s e s h a d been e n d o w e d a n d h a d n o t earned t h r o u g h h i s o w n w o r k - a n d h i s ancestral m e r i t , t h a t p e r s o n w o u l d c e r t a i n l y have b e e n b e t t e r t h a n he. T h e r e are t h r e e types o f f o r m s f o r t h e l e t t e r s w h i c h t h e H o l y O n e , blessed be H e , gave at M o u n t S i n a i : o v e r s i z e d l e t t e r s , average-sized l e t t e r s , a n d m i n i a t u r e l e t t e r s . T h e T o r a h is w r i t t e n i n average-sized (benonim)

l e t t e r s . F o r t h e i n t e n t is t h a t a p e r s o n s h o u l d be a benoni ( a n i n t e r m e d i a t e ) . T h r o u g h t h e T o r a h , o n e reaches t h e level o f a benoni. W i t h r e g a r d t o A d a m , t h e f i r s t m a n , w h o s e r e c o g n i t i o n o f h i s o w n greatness caused h i m t o

83

84

KEEPING I N T O U C H

c o m m i t t h e S i n o f t h e T r e e o f K n o w l e d g e , an o v e r s i z e d alef is u s e d . W i t h r e g a r d t o M o s e s o u r teacher w h o s e D i v i n e service o f r e c o g n i z i n g h i s o w n h u m i l i t y b r o u g h t h i m t o t h e h i g h e s t level o f h u m i l i t y , Parshas Vayikra uses a m i n i a t u r e alef. R . S h n e u r Z a l m a n was i m p l y i n g t h a t t h r o u g h h i s h u m i l i t y , M o s e s m e r i t e d u n i q u e D i v i n e closeness t h a t enabled h i m t o correct the s i n o f A d a m , the first m a n .

Parshas Vayikra
The story mentioned had above raises his an obvious question: about The

Tzemach

Tzedek

not

asked

grandfather

Adam.

S e e m i n g l y , R . S h n e u r Z a l m a n c o u l d have e x p l a i n e d a b o u t M o s e s ' humility without d r a w i n g the contrast t o A d a m . W h y was it

necessary f o r h i m t o m e n t i o n A d a m at all? Moreover, the f a c t t h a t an o v e r s i z e d l e t t e r is u s e d i n the that his

T o r a h is o b v i o u s l y a s i g n o f greatness. W h y is t h e f e a t u r e seemingly highlights Adam's greatness used to point to

shortcomings? These questions Shneur Zalman was can be r e s o l v e d b y u n d e r s t a n d i n g t h a t primarily concerned with educating R. his

g r a n d s o n , a c h i l d w h o h a d already d e m o n s t r a t e d t h e p o t e n t i a l f o r greatness. H e w a n t e d t o teach h i m h o w t o l i v e w i t h o p p o s i t e s , t o refer t o t h e w e l l - k n o w n adage: "Just as a p e r s o n m u s t r e c o g n i z e h i s o w n s h o r t c o m i n g s ; so, t o o , he m u s t r e c o g n i z e h i s o w n p o s i t i v e qualities." T h e awareness o f one's s h o r t c o m i n g s s h o u l d n o t negate t h e r e c o g n i t i o n o f h i s p o s i t i v e q u a l i t i e s . I n s t e a d , t h e t w o can c o e x i s t . I n t h i s way, a p e r s o n w i l l n o t be o v e r c o m e b y t h e r e c o g n i t i o n o f h i s p o s i t i v e q u a l i t i e s , f o r he realizes t h a t t h e y w e r e g r a n t e d h i m as g i f t s f r o m above. This potentials approach fully empowers yet not a person fall to utilize the his positive pride.

and

into

trap

of

u n d e r s t a n d i n g t h a t he has been g i v e n m a n i f o l d p o t e n t i a l s b y G - d

VAYIKRA

85

encourages h i m t o p u t t h e m i n t o p r a c t i c e w i t h o u t s m u g c o n c e i t t h a t o f t e n c o m e s w i t h success.

feeling the

These concepts apply, n o t o n l y t o people w i t h obvious gifts l i k e t h e Tzemach Tzedek, b u t t o a l l o f A d a m ' s d e s c e n d a n t s . F o r every m a n a n d w o m a n possess a c e r t a i n d i m e n s i o n o f t h e G - d l y p o w e r g r a n t e d t o A d a m b e f o r e t h e s i n . W e are a l l , l i k e A d a m , G-d's

" h a n d i w o r k i n w h i c h H e takes p r i d e . " c e r t a i n l y , t h e s i n h a d an effect and that G - d l y d i m e n s i o n was driven into the hidden

aspects o f o u r p e r s o n a l i t i e s , b u t i t is p r e s e n t i n every one o f us. We a l l possess i n n e r g o o d n e s s t h a t k n o w s n o c o n n e c t i o n t o s i n .

T h e r e is n o reason t o shy away f r o m any s p i r i t u a l t a s k o r m i s s i o n , f o r w e possess t h e s p i r i t u a l g i f t s t o f u l f i l l i t i n t h e m o s t c o m p l e t e fashion.

Looking to the Horizon

The era o f Mashiach w i l l For if the be more than a return to of sin Eden-like teshuvah

conditions.

entire

process

and

( r e p e n t a n c e ) was o n l y t o get us b a c k t o t h e s t a r t i n g l i n e , t h e n t h e entire saga o f t h e world's spiritual history would be without

p u r p o s e . I n s t e a d , t h e cycle o f s i n a n d teshuvah w i l l b r i n g m a n k i n d t o a h i g h e r level t h a n b e f o r e , as i m p l i e d b y o u r Sages' s t a t e m e n t : " I n t h e place o f t h e m a s t e r s o f teshuvah, t h e c o m p l e t e l y r i g h t e o u s are u n a b l e t o s t a n d . " F o r teshuvah d r a w s d o w n a h i g h e r , u n l i m i t e d light. E d e n was an e n v i r o n m e n t o f h o l i n e s s . I t was e v i d e n t how

every e l e m e n t o f n a t u r e was an e x p r e s s i o n o f G - d l y t r u t h . B u t w h a t was revealed was t h e G - d l i n e s s o f n a t u r e . Teshuvah taps a d i m e n s i o n o f G - d l i n e s s t h a t is above t h e l i m i t s o f n a t u r e , r e l a t i n g t o H i m above a l l d e f i n e d p a t t e r n s . So h i g h are t h e peaks t o w h i c h w e can reach t h r o u g h teshuvah t h a t , at t h e t i m e o f t h e R e d e m p t i o n , w e w i l l appreciate t h a t i t was w o r t h e n d u r i n g a l l t h e t h o u s a n d s o f years o u t s i d e o f E d e n t o reach t h o s e levels. Our Sages declare: of their "The T o r a h has Israel will promised that turn in at the and

conclusion

exile,

teshuvah

86

KEEPING I N TOUCH

i m m e d i a t e l y , t h e y w i l l be r e d e e m e d . "

For the entire

motivation

b e h i n d exile, i n c l u d i n g t h e exile f r o m t h e G a r d e n o f E d e n , is t o m o t i v a t e teshuvah. W h e n t h e J e w i s h p e o p l e appreciate t h a t cue a n d r e s p o n d w i t h sincere teshuvah, t h e y w i l l be r e d e e m e d i m m e d i a t e l y .

T h e s t o r y is t o l d t h a t t h e Baal S h e m T o v once t o l d his s t u d e n t s t h a t e v e r y t h i n g t h a t t h e y see a n d hear s h o u l d serve as a l e s s o n i n t h e i r service o f G - d . A s t h e y l e f t t h e Baal S h e m T o v ' s s t u d y , t h e y passed a f r o z e n r i v e r a n d saw a g e n t i l e h e w i n g a cross o u t o f t h e ice. T h e y c o u l d n o t u n d e r s t a n d : R i g h t after r e c e i v i n g t h i s l e s s o n f r o m t h e Baal S h e m T o v , t h e y were p r e s e n t e d w i t h a n event w h i c h c o n f o u n d e d t h e m . W h a t lesson c o u l d they possibly learn f r o m t h a t sight? S e e k i n g d i r e c t i o n , t h e y r e t u r n e d t o t h e Baal S h e m T o v , t o l d h i m w h a t t h e y h a d seen, a n d asked h i m w h a t t h e y c o u l d l e a r n f r o m i t . T h e Baal S h e m T o v e x p l a i n e d t o t h e m t h a t t h e T o r a h was l i k e w a t e r . W h e n t h e T o r a h is s t u d i e d w i t h w a r m t h a n d v i t a l i t y , i t serves as a source o f l i f e a n d g r o w t h . B u t w h e n i t is c o l d a n d f r i g i d , t h a t d i m e n s i o n is l a c k i n g a n d i n d e e d , t h e very o p p o s i t e can result.

Parshas Tzav
T h i s w e e k ' s T o r a h r e a d i n g c o n t a i n s t h e verse: " A c o n t i n u o u s shall b u r n on the altar. I t s h a l l n o t be extinguished." fire

Every

e l e m e n t o f t h e S a n c t u a r y a n d t h e T e m p l e is n o t m e r e l y p a r t o f o u r p e o p l e ' s s p i r i t u a l h i s t o r y , b u t is i n s t e a d an o n g o i n g d i m e n s i o n o f o u r s p i r i t u a l lives. The altar refers to our hearts, t h e element o f our being

i n v o l v e d i n t h e s p i r i t u a l service o f sacrifices (korbanos) w h i c h is i n t e r p r e t e d as r e f e r r i n g t o o u r e f f o r t s t o d r a w close (likareiv) to

G - d . W i t h i n o u r hearts, a f l a m e m u s t c o n t i n u a l l y b u r n . T h e r e is n o w a y t h a t o u r service o f G - d s h o u l d r e m a i n m e r e l y c o l d a n d cerebral. I n s t e a d , i t s h o u l d be ablaze w i t h f i r e a n d energy. Our

religious life s h o u l d continuously vibrate w i t h vitality and vigor. T h e above c o n c e p t s relate t o one o f t h e lessons o f t h e r e c e n t l y celebrated purim holiday. H a m a n came from the nation of

Amalek, the

arch-enemy o f the Jewish

p e o p l e . A n d A m a l e k is

87

88

KEEPING I N TOUCH

d e s c r i b e d as t h e n a t i o n asher korchacha baderech, l i t e r a l l y "who "who the

meaning

e n c o u n t e r e d y o u o n t h e w a y , " b u t f i g u r a t i v e l y i n t e r p r e t e d as c o o l e d y o u o f f o n t h e w a y . " T h e Jews w e r e p r o c e e d i n g f r o m Exodus from Egypt to the Giving of the Torah with

h e i g h t e n e d s p i r i t u a l consciousness and t h e n A m a l e k s t o o d i n the way t o c o o l t h e m d o w n . S i m i l a r l y , w h i l e t h e decree o f A m a l e k ' s descendant, H a m a n , was d i r e c t e d at a n n i h i l a t i n g t h e J e w i s h p e o p l e i n a p h y s i c a l way, t h e r e was also a s p i r i t u a l e l e m e n t t o i t . H a d a Jew been w i l l i n g t o reject h i s J u d a i s m , H a m a n w o u l d have l e f t h i m a l o n e . I f o n e c o u l d c o l d l y f o r g o all c o n n e c t i o n t o his Jewish heritage, H a m a n d i d n ' t c o n s i d e r h i m an e n e m y . How d i d M o r d e c h a i respond t o threat o f annihilation? He

a r o u s e d t h e Jews a n d a w a k e n e d t h e i r s p i r i t u a l v i t a l i t y . O u r Sages relate t h a t at t h a t t i m e , o u r p e o p l e r e n e w e d t h e c o m m i t m e n t t h e y m a d e at t h e G i v i n g o f the T o r a h . A t Sinai, o u r people acted

rashly, p r o m i s i n g " W e w i l l d o " b e f o r e " W e w i l l l i s t e n . " A n d at t h e time of purim, they reaffirmed that commitment, showing a

d e d i c a t i o n t o t h e i r heritage u n f e t t e r e d by the l i m i t s o f logic.

Looking to the Horizon

T h a t same t y p e o f r a s h c o m m i t m e n t is r e q u i r e d i n t h e p r e s e n t day. A t t h e t i m e o f t h e p u r i m m i r a c l e s , t h e Jews w e r e by threatened

a n n i h i l a t i o n a n d t h e y rose t o t h e o c c a s i o n , d e m o n s t r a t i n g a

c o m m i t m e n t t h a t s t e m m e d f r o m t h e essence o f t h e i r s o u l s . T o d a y , m o s t o f us c a n ' t p i c t u r e s u c h a s i t u a t i o n . W e l i v e i n c o m f o r t s greater t h a n t h o s e a f f o r d e d t o t h e w e a l t h i e s t o f p r e v i o u s g e n e r a t i o n s . W e have r e l i g i o u s f r e e d o m a n d p e r s o n a l l i b e r t y t h e l i k e s o f w h i c h w e r e never e x p e r i e n c e d i n h i s t o r y . And yet, w e are i n exile; G - d l i n e s s is n o t revealed. O n the

c o n t r a r y , t h e m a t e r i a l d i m e n s i o n o f o u r existence

pervades o u r

consciousness t o t h e p o i n t t h a t w e can h a r d l y conceive o f a n y t h i n g else.

TZAV

89

T h a t a l o n e s h o u l d shake us t o t h e v e r y core o f o u r b e i n g s . I t s h o u l d m o t i v a t e us t o w a n t t o d o s o m e t h i n g , t o change ourselves a n d o u r e n v i r o n m e n t , t o m a k e ourselves a n d t h e w o r l d b e t t e r . T h e r e a l i z a t i o n t h a t w e possess a G - d l y s p a r k w i t h i n o u r s o u l s that

does n o t have c o m p l e t e e x p r e s s i o n a n d t h a t t h e w o r l d possesses a s p i r i t u a l d i m e n s i o n t h a t lies h i d d e n , n a t u r a l l y shakes us o u t o f inertia. W e are n o t "up against t h e w a l l " as t h e Jews w e r e in

H a m a n ' s t i m e , b u t w e are " u p against a w a l l " o f s p i r i t u a l f r i g i d i t y . We are c o l d a n d i n s e n s i t i v e t o t h e deeper s p i r i t u a l r e a l i t y t h a t our our existence. potential This and insensitivity becoming prevents we us really from are.

pervades realizing

who

N e v e r t h e l e s s , w h e n w e c o n f r o n t t h i s l a c k o f responsiveness, o u r i n n e r p o t e n t i a l is a r o u s e d a n d i n s p i r e d t o d o w h a t e v e r is necessary t o b r i n g a b o u t t h e r e v e l a t i o n o f G - d l i n e s s i n ourselves a n d i n t h e w o r l d at large.

A chassid o f R . M o r d e c h a i o f L e c h o v i t z was a t i m b e r merchant. As happens f r o m t i m e t o time, the price o f l u m b e r f e l l d r a s t i c a l l y a n d t h e m e r c h a n t was a b o u t t o suffer a m a j o r setback. A f t e r w a l k i n g a r o u n d d e s p o n d e n t f o r several weeks, t h e chassid w e n t t o h i s R e b b e f o r a blessing. R . M o r d e c h a i answered h i m : " O u r Sages t e a c h t h a t w h e n a p e r s o n is i n distress, t h e D i v i n e presence j o i n s h i m i n h i s a n g u i s h . W h e n y o u are s u f f e r i n g because o f t h e m o n e y y o u have l o s t , G - d shares y o u r distress. N o w t e l l m e : Is i t w o r t h w h i l e t o cause G - d s u f f e r i n g because o f a few pieces o f w o o d ? "

Parshas Shemini
T h i s week's T o r a h reading contains the c o m m a n d m e n t : d r i n k i n t o x i c a t i n g beverages... w h e n y o u c o m e t o t h e " D o not Tent of

M e e t i n g , " p r o h i b i t i n g priests f r o m b r i n g i n g sacrificial offerings when inebriated. S e e m i n g l y , t h e i n t e n t o f t h e c o m m a n d is so o b v i o u s t h a t i t n e e d n o t be s t a t e d . W h e n a priest is d r u n k a n d n o l o n g e r in

c o n t r o l o f his faculties, he is o b v i o u s l y n o t f i t t o o f f e r a sacrifice t o G - d . W h o w o u l d t h i n k o t h e r w i s e ? Is t h e r e any w a y one c o u l d t h i n k t h a t i t is f i t t i n g t o serve G - d i n s u c h a manner? While the straightforward interpretation o f verse m u s t be

u p h e l d i n t h e c o n t e x t o f T o r a h l a w , o n t h e n o n - l i t e r a l level o f i n t e r p r e t a t i o n r e f e r r e d t o as Derush, t h e r e is r o o m f o r an e x t e n d e d interpretation. T h e H e b r e w w o r d f o r sacrifice, korban, shares t h e r o o t kerov, m e a n i n g " c l o s e . " O f f e r i n g a sacrifice m e a n t c o m i n g closer t o G - d . At present, our prayers take t h e place o f sacrifices and i t is

t h r o u g h prayer t h a t we d e v e l o p i n t i m a c y w i t h H i m . N o w a p e r s o n so p r e o c c u p i e d w i t h his m a t e r i a l affairs t h a t he c a n n o t t h i n k o f t h e s p i r i t u a l can be c o n s i d e r e d as d r u n k . H e m a y pray, b u t w h e n he prays he is t h i n k i n g a b o u t his m a t e r i a l needs.

90

SHEMINI

91

F o r w h o m is he p r a y i n g connection to G - d

f o r h i m s e l f o r f o r G-d?

Prayer

as

i n d e e d , p r a y e r f o r any p u r p o s e o t h e r t h a n

s e r v i n g h i s o w n needs is b e y o n d h i m . J u s t l i k e a d r u n k a r d is so s t u p e f i e d t h a t he c a n n o t appreciate

t h e r e a l i t y he c o n f r o n t s ; so, t o o , s u c h a p e r s o n c a n n o t conceive o f t h e real i n t e n t o f p r a y e r . H e c a n n o t appreciate w h a t i t means t o p r a y f o r t h e reasons f o r w h i c h G - d i n t e n d e d us t o p r a y . T h e r e are o t h e r s w h o are s p i r i t u a l l y d r u n k , w h o seek s p i r i t u a l satisfaction rather t h a n m a t e r i a l s a t i s f a c t i o n . B u t t h e y are still

p r a y i n g f o r t h e i r o w n b e n e f i t . T h e y conceive o f p r a y e r as a t i m e t o satiate t h e i r y e a r n i n g f o r G - d l i n e s s , t o t a k e pleasure i n closeness t o H i m . T h e y t o o are " u n d e r t h e i n f l u e n c e " a n d u n a b l e t o see p a s t t h e i r o w n p e r s o n a l w a n t s a n d desires. W h a t is t h e alternative? T o c o m e close t o G - d f o r H i s sake, n o t f o r o u r o w n . O n a p e r s o n a l level, w e are a l l f a m i l i a r w i t h selfserving love, c o m i n g close to another person for one's own

g r a t i f i c a t i o n . Y e s , at t i m e s , t h a t m a y also m a k e t h e o t h e r p e r s o n feel g o o d . B u t o n e is t a k i n g as m u c h o r m o r e t h a n g i v i n g . But there is a deeper k i n d o f love, one where we devote

ourselves t o a n o t h e r p e r s o n f o r t h a t p e r s o n ' s sake, w h e r e w e care a b o u t t h e m a n d are w i l l i n g t o sacrifice ourselves o n t h a t p e r s o n ' s b e h a l f . T h e r e is n o e x p e c t a t i o n o f r e c e i v i n g a n y t h i n g i n r e t u r n ; w e m a k e t h e c o m m i t m e n t o u t o f love, because w e feel f o r t h a t p e r s o n . S u c h a r e l a t i o n s h i p s h o u l d be p a r a l l e l e d i n o u r D i v i n e service. G - d s h o u l d be served a n d w e s h o u l d c o m e close t o H i m w i t h o u t any ulterior motive neither material or spiritual. Such a

c o m m i t m e n t can o n l y be g e n u i n e l y m a d e w h e n one is l e v e l - h e a d e d a n d l o o k i n g at t h e w o r l d o b j e c t i v e l y . O n l y w h e n a p e r s o n is i n c o n t r o l a n d m a k e s d e c i s i o n s w i t h reserve c o m p o s u r e can he t r u l y act f o r o t h e r s .

Looking to the Horizon

There is an i n t e r e s t i n g halachic dimension t o the prohibition

against p r i e s t s o f f e r i n g sacrifices w h i l e i n t o x i c a t e d . A s a safeguard

92

KEEPING I N TOUCH

t o t h a t p r o h i b i t i o n , o u r Sages f o r b a d e

the priests

scheduled

to

serve i n t h e T e m p l e o n a p a r t i c u l a r day f r o m d r i n k i n g w i n e t h a t day. Moreover, our Rabbis maintain that even after the

d e s t r u c t i o n o f t h e T e m p l e , t h i s p r o h i b i t i o n is relevant. F o r at any m o m e n t t h e T e m p l e m a y be r e b u i l t a n d t h e p r i e s t s w i l l be c a l l e d u p o n t o p e r f o r m t h e i r s a c r i f i c i a l service. A c c o r d i n g l y , t h e y argue, i t w o u l d be a p p r o p r i a t e t o f o r b i d p r i e s t s f r o m d r i n k i n g w i n e at any t i m e , f o r at any m o m e n t , Mashiach m a y c o m e a n d cause t h e T e m p l e t o d e s c e n d f r o m heaven. T h u s t h e y m i g h t f i n d themselves i n t o x i c a t e d w h e n t h e y are c a l l e d o n t o serve i n t h e T e m p l e . U l t i m a t e l y , t h e halachah does n o t f o l l o w t h i s a r g u m e n t , f o r i f so, the priests Kiddush would and be forbidden and from drinking wine many when other

making

Havdalah

performing

i m p o r t a n t mitzyos. B u t t h e fact t h a t t h e r e is s u c h an

argument

c o m m u n i c a t e s an i m p o r t a n t message. O u r Sages d i d n o t t h i n k o f Mashiach's c o m i n g a n d t h e r e b u i l d i n g o f t h e T e m p l e as an a b s t r a c t w i s h o f t h e f a r - o f f f u t u r e , b u t i n s t e a d a real f a c t o r , a f f e c t i n g t h e i r lives i n t h e here a n d n o w . T h e y u n d e r s t o o d Mashiach i n t h e p r e s e n t tense a n d were w i l l i n g t o c o n s i d e r m a k i n g d e c i s i o n s i n T o r a h L a w that reflect the i m m e d i a t e p o s s i b i l i t y o f his c o m i n g .

I n 1 9 t h c e n t u r y p o l a n d , a b u s i n e s s m a n was r e c e i v i n g a p a r t i n g blessing f r o m his Rebbe before e m b a r k i n g o n a c o m m e r c i a l t r i p . A s t h e y w e r e t a l k i n g , h i s R e b b e asked h i m : " Y o u usually travel w i t h y o u r o w n horse and wagon, don't you?" "Yes." " D o y o u p i c k u p way-farers?" " O f course." " E v e n w h e n y o u are o n a l o n e a n d d i s t a n t r o a d ? " "Yes." "Even i f they l o o k c r i p p l e d and lame?" " O f course. I f a p e r s o n is d i s a b l e d a n d f o u n d o n a l o n e l y r o a d , I w i l l go o u t o f m y w a y t o h e l p h i m . " " I w o u l d n ' t , " said t h e R e b b e . " W h e n a h e a l t h y p e r s o n is f o u n d o n a l o n e a n d d i s t a n t r o a d , i t is p o s s i b l e t h a t he a r r i v e d t h e r e o n h i s o w n . B u t t h e r e is n o w a y a l a m e p e r s o n c o u l d a r r i v e t h e r e o n h i s o w n . M o s t p r o b a b l y , he is n o t l a m e at a l l . " T h e R e b b e q u i c k l y c h a n g e d t h e subject a n d gave t h e b u s i n e s s m a n h i s b l e s s i n g a n d he d e p a r t e d o n h i s j o u r n e y . A s h i s d r i v e r was d i r e c t i n g t h e carriage i n a d i s t a n t r e g i o n , t h e b u s i n e s s m a n d o z e d o f f . H e w o k e u p w h e n he f e l t t h e carriage p u l l i n g t o a h a l t . " W h y are w e s t o p p i n g ? " he asked t h e d r i v e r . " A m a n o n c r u t c h e s w a v e d us d o w n . I k n e w t h a t y o u w o u l d n ' t m i n d h e l p i n g h i m . L o o k t h e r e he c o m e s . " R e m e m b e r i n g his Rebbe's w o r d s , the businessman t o l d his driver t o h u r r y the horses. W h e n the m a n o n c r u t c h e s saw t h e w a g o n p u l l i n g away, he p i c k e d u p h i s c r u t c h e s a n d began t o give chase. L u c k i l y , t h e horses w e r e able t o p u l l ahead. F r u s t r a t e d , t h e " l a m e " m a n t h r e w one o f t h e c r u t c h e s t o w a r d s t h e w a g o n . I t was p r o p e l l e d so p o w e r f u l l y that i t pierced the walls. A t t i m e s , w e a l l e n c o u n t e r p e o p l e w h o are p l a g u e d b y m i s p l a c e d m e r c i e s . O f t e n , n o t o n l y f o r one's o w n g o o d , b u t for the g o o d o f the other person, one s h o u l d e m p l o y strict discipline.

93

94

KEEPING I N TOUCH

Parshas Tazria-Metzora
T h e t w o T o r a h p o r t i o n s read this week b o t h focus o n the subject o f tzaraas. M o s t t e x t s t r a n s l a t e t h a t t e r m as l e p r o s y , b u t t h a t is a m i s n o m e r . T h o u g h s o m e o f t h e p h y s i c a l effects o f tzaraas are

similar t h o u g h n o t e n t i r e l y alike t o those w h i c h accompany l e p r o s y , i t is an e n t i r e l y d i f f e r e n t a f f l i c t i o n . F o r i t affects n o t o n l y our b o d i e s b u t also o u r c l o t h e s a n d o u r h o m e s . I n s t e a d , as o u r

Sages e m p h a s i z e , tzaraas is p r i m a r i l y a s p i r i t u a l h a r d s h i p . A l t h o u g h i t affects o u r b o d i e s , i t s source is b l e m i s h e s w i t h i n o u r souls.

M o r e specifically, i t results f r o m lashon hara, d i s p a r a g i n g g o s s i p . Our

b e i n g careless w i t h r e g a r d t o

Sages e x p l a i n t h a t t h e p u r i f i c a t i o n process f o r tzaraas is a

d i r e c t r e s u l t o f t h e u n d e s i r a b l e deeds t h a t he p e r f o r m e d . T h r o u g h his gossip, he caused e s t r a n g e m e n t a n d distance between people, that

separating t h e m f r o m

each o t h e r . T h e r e f o r e , t h e i m p u r i t y

affects h i m r e q u i r e s t h a t he l i v e alone, o u t s i d e t h e c a m p w h e r e others live. Since he caused separation, he is punished by

separation. On t h e surface, one m i g h t t h i n k t h a t he s h o u l d stay a m o n g

people and learn f r o m the positive c o n d u c t o f others. T h e T o r a h teaches us " N o . " F i r s t he m u s t taste t h e b i t t e r n e s s o f l o n e l i n e s s a n d s o l i t u d e . O n l y after u n d e r s t a n d i n g w h a t i s o l a t i o n is realizing that he brought it upon himself through his and own

c o n d u c t w i l l he be m o t i v a t e d t o change. A s l o n g as he feels t h a t e v e r y t h i n g is f i n e , t h a t " O k a y , p e r h a p s he s h o u l d n ' t have s a i d t h i s or t h a t , b u t basically, e v e r y t h i n g is a l l r i g h t , " he w i l l never sense t h e n e e d t o alter h i s b e h a v i o r . Our T o r a h revolves a r o u n d Chesed, k i n d n e s s . B u t s o m e t i m e s ,

t r u e k i n d n e s s is n o t g i v i n g i n a n d a l l o w i n g a p e r s o n t o c o n t i n u e w i t h o u t refinement. Instead, i t involves compe l l i n g h i m t o stop, b r e a k h i s p r e v i o u s p a t t e r n , a n d sense t h e h a r d s h i p he has caused. This will provide the inner motivation f o r h i m t o b e g i n anew he, like and

develop

the

resources

o f love w h i c h

all men,

possesses w i t h i n h i s h e a r t .

TAZRIA-METZORA

95

N e v e r t h e l e s s , a l t h o u g h t h e p e r s o n a f f l i c t e d w i t h tzaraas is s e n t t o l i v e alone, away f r o m o t h e r s , he is n o t l e f t i n t o t a l i s o l a t i o n . I n s t e a d , he is v i s i t e d b y a kohen, a p r i e s t , a p e r s o n w h o s e c o n d u c t is characterized afflicted identity. I n d e e d , h i s v i s i t i n g t h e a f f l i c t e d p e r s o n is i t s e l f an e x a m p l e o f t h e kohen's k i n d n e s s . T o serve i n t h e T e m p l e , t h e kohen m u s t be p u r e a n d c o n t a c t w i t h t h e metzora m a k e s h i m i m p u r e . N e v e r t h e l e s s , he is w i l l i n g t o m a k e t h i s sacrifice a n d reach o u t t o h i m so t h a t he w i l l be able t o r e e s t a b l i s h h i s b o n d w i t h t h e J e w i s h p e o p l e . by love and k i n d n e s s . I n t h i s w a y , he gives the of

p e r s o n a m o d e l o n w h i c h t o base h i s r e d e f i n i t i o n

Looking to the Horizon

The concept o f compelling a person t o r e f i n e h i m s e l f is also

c o n n e c t e d t o Mashiach's c o m i n g . O n e

o f t h e signs M a i m o n i d e s compe l the Why

gives i n o r d e r t o i d e n t i f y Mashiach is t h a t "he w i l l Jewish people to strengthen [their Torah

observance."

c o m p u l s i o n ? W h y n o t have m a n serve G - d o u t o f g o o d w i l l o n their o w n initiative? Because o u r p e r c e p t i o n a n d u n d e r s t a n d i n g o f s p i r i t u a l i t y is l i m i t e d a n d Mashiach w i l l l i f t m a n t o a h i g h e r level o f c o n n e c t i o n to G - d t h a n he c o u l d p o s s i b l e achieve o n h i s o w n . Since t h i s is

b e y o n d o u r o w n c a p a c i t y a n d p e r c e p t i o n , w e w i l l n o t desire i t for a p e r s o n does n o t desire s o m e t h i n g t h a t he c a n n o t f a t h o m .

I n d e e d , a c h i e v i n g i t w i l l r u n c o n t r a r y t o o u r n a t u r e . So w e w i l l be forced c o m p e l l e d b y t h e p o w e r o f Mashiach's i n s p i r a t i o n to

g o b e y o n d ourselves a n d a t t a i n t h i s deeper level o f u n d e r s t a n d i n g .

R a b b i N o s s o n G u r a r y , o n e o f t h e v i n t a g e shluchim w h o has b e e n w o r k i n g o n a college c a m p u s i n u p s t a t e N e w Y o r k f o r over 3 0 years, r e c e n t l y r e l a t e d o n e o f h i s early o u t r e a c h experiences. I t was Y o m K i p p u r a n d he h a d b e e n active f o r several weeks t o o r g a n i z e a minyan f o r t h a t h o l y day. A t t h a t t i m e , h o w e v e r , he d i d n o t realize t h a t m o s t u n i v e r s i t y s t u d e n t s d i d n o t have t h e p a t i e n c e o r t h e knowledge t o sit t h r o u g h a t r a d i t i o n a l Y o m K i p p u r service. H e h a d m a n a g e d t o p u l l t o g e t h e r an e v e n i n g minyan f o r t h e Kol Nidrei service a n d w i t h a l i t t l e e f f o r t h a d m a n a g e d t o r e g r o u p a q u o r u m f o r t h e m o r n i n g services, b u t was s h o r t one p e r s o n f o r t h e A f t e r n o o n a n d Neilah prayers. N o w Neilah is t h e h i g h p o i n t o f t h e e n t i r e Y o m K i p p u r service. H e w o u l d n ' t feel c o m f o r t a b l e h a v i n g t h e s t u d e n t s r e c i t e t h o s e p r a y e r s w i t h o u t a minyan. B u t w h e r e t o f i n d a t e n t h man? H e w e n t o u t t o t h e c a m p u s green, b u t i t was s u r p r i s i n g l y e m p t y . A s t h e s u n t u r n e d l o w e r , he m a d e h i s w a y t o t h e cafeteria as a last r e s o r t . S u r e e n o u g h , he came across a J e w i s h s t u d e n t , h o l d i n g a d i n n e r t r a y . T h e s t u d e n t h a d never even h e a r d o f Y o m K i p p u r , l e t a l o n e t h e t e r m s minyan o r neillah. T h e R a b b i e x p l a i n e d h i s u r g e n t need, a n d t h e s t u d e n t agreed t o a t t e n d , b u t o n l y after he f i n i s h e d h i s m e a l . H e h a d already p a i d f o r t h e f o o d , a n d was l o o k i n g f o r w a r d t o e n j o y i n g i t . T h e R a b b i ' s d e s c r i p t i o n o f t h e d e l i c i o u s repast c h a b a d h a d p r e p a r e d t o b r e a k t h e fast d i d n ' t c o n v i n c e h i m . A n d so R a b b i G u r a r y sat t h e r e i n t h e cafeteria i n h i s tallis a n d h i s w h i t e Y o m K i p p u r robe, w a i t i n g for the student t o f i n i s h his dinner. T h e s t o r y has a h a p p y e n d i n g . T h e s t u d e n t a t t e n d e d t h e services a n d was t o u c h e d b y t h e s i n c e r i t y o f t h e R a b b i ' s p r a y e r . H e stayed n o t o n l y f o r t h e m e a l b u t t o t a l k t o h i m . T h i s b e g a n a process o f i n n e r search and development that u l t i m a t e l y led h i m back t o his Jewish r o o t s .

96

ACHAREI

97

Parshas Acharei
T h i s T o r a h r e a d i n g b e g i n s b y r e c a l l i n g h o w A a r o n ' s sons d i e d w h e n t h ey e n t e r e d t h e H o l y o f H o l i e s w i t h a s t r a n g e f i r e . I t t h e n relates t h e o r d e r o f t h e s a c r i f i c i a l service o f Y o m K i p p u r . Why does i t m e n t i o n t h e d e a t h o f A a r o n ' s sons? Because t h e

c i r c u m s t a n c e s i n w h i c h t h e y d i e d p r o v i d e us w i t h t w o lessons t o a p p l y i n o u r D i v i n e service: a) a p o s i t i v e o n e t h a t every Jew has t h e p o t e n t i a l t o d r a w as close t o G - d as t h e y d i d ; a n d b) a negative o n e t h a t t h e i r service was c o n s i d e r e d a s i n ,

because a l t h o u g h t h e y d r e w close t o G - d , t h e y d i d n o t t h i n k o f a p p l y i n g t h a t closeness t o t h e i r lives as l i v e d w i t h i n t h e l i m i t s o f o u r o r d i n a r y existence. T h e s e t w o perspectives are r e f l e c t e d i n t h e names b y w h i c h refer t o i t as Acharei, w h i l e

t h i s T o r a h r e a d i n g is c a l l e d . S o m e

o t h e r s c a l l i t Acharei Mos. I t is p o s s i b l e t o say t h a t t h e use o f o n e n a m e o r t h e o t h e r d e p e n d s o n w h i c h o f t h e above d i m e n s i o n s is chosen f o r emphasis. Acharei means " a f t e r . " T h e h e i g h t o f c o n n e c t i o n reached by

A a r o n ' s sons g e n e r a t e d t h e p o t e n t i a l f o r s i m i l a r closeness i n t h e J e w i s h p e o p l e " a f t e r w a r d s " . Acharei Mos ( " a f t e r t h e d e a t h o f ) , b y c o n t r a s t , places t h e accent o n t h e negative o u t c o m e t h a t r e s u l t e d from the failure to complement closeness to G-d with a

c o m m i t m e n t t o d e v e l o p an awareness o f H i m i n t h i s m a t e r i a l w o r l d . T h i s c o n c e p t also relates t o t h e service o f t h e H i g h P r i e s t o n Y o m K i p p u r . T h e n he e n t e r s t h e H o l y o f H o l i e s , d r a w i n g close t o t h e D i v i n e p r e s e n c e . A t t h i s t i m e , he s h o u l d r e c a l l t h e l e s s o n o f A a r o n ' s sons, r e m e m b e r i n g t h e i m p o r t a n c e , n o t o n l y o f e n t e r i n g the H o l y o f H o l i e s , b u t o f departing, a n d afterwards, c o n t i n u i n g t h i s s p i r i t u a l closeness w h i l e i n v o l v e d i n everyday l i f e . Lubavitch custom is to call the Torah reading Acharei,

h i g h l i g h t i n g t h e closeness w i t h G - d t h a t can be achieved b y every Jew. For the core o f every J e w i s h soul is at one with G-d,

i n s e p a r a b l y l i n k e d . T h i s b o n d surpasses t h a t e s t a b l i s h e d t h r o u g h

98

KEEPING I N TOUCH

t h e observance o f mitzyos. A l t h o u g h mitzyos create a b o n d b e t w e e n the c o m m a n d e d and the c o m m a n d e r , t h e t w o r e m a i n separate

e n t i t i e s . I n essence, h o w e v e r , t h e Jews a n d G - d are a b s o l u t e l y at o n e . T h i s is t h e level o f consciousness w h i c h surfaces o n Y o m K i p p u r service. On t h i s level o f s o u l , a Jew's o b e d i e n c e t o G - d is n o t a m a t t e r f o r w h i c h t h e r e is r e w a r d o r p u n i s h m e n t but a

o f choice

p u r e l y n a t u r a l response, a s i m p l e e x p r e s s i o n o f t h e i n n e r self. A s R . L e v i Y i t z c h a k o f B e r d i t c h e v w o u l d say, i t is n o t a c o m m i t m e n t t o observance w h i c h p r e v e n t s a Jew f r o m e a t i n g o n Y o m K i p p u r . O n Y o m K i p p u r , w h i c h Jew w a n t s t o eat?! And from Y o m Kippur, t h i s c o n n e c t i o n can be continued

Acharei, " a f t e r w a r d s , " s h i f t i n g t h e e n t i r e s p e c t r u m o f observance t o a h i g h e r level. T h e i n n e r c o n n e c t i o n b e t w e e n a Jew a n d G - d can suffuse every aspect o f l i f e . W h e n i t does, t h e s t r u g g le o f day-to day existence c a n n o t t h r e a t e n d e d i c a t i o n t o t h e E t e r n a l , f o r i n t h i s state, a m o r t a l is continuously connected t o G - d , w i t h n o p o s s i b i l i t y o f separation.

Looking to the Horizon

Yom Kippur is considered a foretaste of the Era of the

R e s u r r e c t i o n w h e n o u r souls w i l l d e s c e n d again t o o u r p h y s i c a l b o d i e s a n d y e t , t h e r e w i l l be n o n e e d t o eat a n d d r i n k , f o r t h e s o u l w i l l d e r i v e n u r t u r e f r o m t h e G - d l i n e s s t h a t w i l l be revealed at t h a t time. The above explanations also enable us to understand our

Sages' s t a t e m e n t t h a t t h e observance o f mitzyos w i l l be n u l l i f i e d i n t h e U l t i m a t e F u t u r e . T h e w o r d mitzyah means " c o m m a n d . ' T h e i n t e n t is n o t , H e a v e n f o r b i d , t h a t w e w i l l n o t observe mitzyos i n t h a t f u t u r e era, b u t t h e n o u r observance w i l l n o t be a response t o G - d ' s c o m m a n d . W e w i l l observe t h e mitzyos n a t u r a l l y , as a m a t t e r o f course, a l m o s t w i t h o u t t h i n k i n g . Since t h e essential G-dliness

o f o u r souls a n d t h e w o r l d w i l l be revealed, t h e r e w i l l be n o o t h e r

ACHAREI

99

o p t i o n . J u s t l i k e o u r b o d i e s w i l l b r e a t h e , t h e y w i l l also observe mitzyos.

A C h a s s i d i c R e b b e once saw t w o d r u n k e n g e n t i l e s s t u m b l i n g d o w n t h e s t r e e t w h i l e e m b r a c i n g each o t h e r . " I really love y o u . " "No, "Yes, "No, y o u d o n ' t , " answered h i s f r i e n d . I do." y o u d o n ' t , " w e n t the conversation back and f o r t h

f o r several m i n u t e s . " I f y o u r e a l l y l o v e m e , " t h e s e c o n d d r u n k concluded, "tell me what I ' m lacking." T h e R e b b e t u r n e d away, because he h a d h e a r d t h e l e s s o n he f e l t t h a t he was s u p p o s e d t o hear. L o v i n g s o m e b o d y means b e i n g m o r e t h a n a f a r - w e a t h e r f r i e n d a n d even m o r e t h a n b e i n g a n a l l - w e a t h e r f r i e n d . I t means e n t e r i n g i n t o a r e l a t i o n s h i p w h e r e y o u are t o t a l l y i n v o l v e d w i t h t h e o t h e r p e r s o n . A n d w h e n y o u are t o t a l l y i n v o l v e d w i t h a n o t h e r p e r s o n , y o u k n o w w h a t t h e y are l a c k i n g .

Parshas Kedoshim
T h i s week's T o r a h r e a d i n g c o n t a i n s t h e c o m m a n d m e n t : "Love

y o u r f e l l o w m a n as y o u r s e l f . " H o w is t h a t possible? S e e m i n g l y , n o m a t t e r h o w m u c h w e care f o r a n o t h e r p e r s o n , i t is i m p o s s i b l e t o love t h e m as one loves h i s o w n self. C h a s s i d i c t h o u g h t e x p l a i n s t h a t t h i s is p o s s i b l e , because i n t r u t h l o v i n g a n o t h e r p e r s o n is l o v i n g one's o w n self. A l l souls are actual parts together o f G - d . I n the transcendent s p i r i t u a l realms, unity. Indeed, t h e y are from our bonded souls'

i n one

perspective, w e are a l l b r o t h e r s . I t is o n l y o u r b o d i e s t h a t separate us a n d p r e v e n t us f r o m a p p r e c i a t i n g t h i s oneness. T h i s u n d e r s t a n d i n g also gives us a k e y t o h o w t o e s t a b l i s h u n i t y : by focusing o n the spiritual dimensions o f our being and d o w n p l a y i n g t h e m a t e r i a l ones. A s l o n g as w e are f o c u s e d o n o u r own needs a n d w a n t s , w e w i l l l o o k at a n o t h e r p e r s o n i n t e r m s o f

w h a t w e can get f r o m h i m o r her. T h i s is n o t t o say t h a t w e w i l l seek t o m i s t r e a t t h a t o t h e r p e r s o n . O n t h e c o n t r a r y , w e m a y act very fairly and ethically, b u t i n the l o n g r u n , what's g o i n g t o

100

KEDOSHIM

101

c o n c e r n us i n o u r r e l a t i o n s h i p is h o w t h a t r e l a t i o n s h i p w i l l b e n e f i t me, w h a t w i l l I get f r o m i t . W h e n , b y c o n t r a s t , w e l o o k b e y o n d o u r necessities a n d desires a n d f o c u s o n t h e G - d l y n a t u r e that

p e r m e a t e s a l l o f us, w e are able t o l o o k at t h e o t h e r p e r s o n f o r w h o he o r she is a n d be sensitive t o t h e i r needs. I n d e e d , w h e n w e are c o n s c i o u s o f another person's s p i r i t u a l

s o u r c e a n d see h i m i n need, w e feel a s t r o n g i m p e r a t i v e t o h e l p him, f o r i t is p a i n f u l t o see h o w t h a t m a t e r i a l n e e d h o l d s h i m b a c k

f r o m realizing t h a t s p i r i t u a l p o t e n t i a l and being the person w h o i n t r u t h he c o u l d be.

Looking to the Horizon

T h e h o l y t e x t Meor Einayim n o t e s t h a t t h e verse: " A star w i l l s h o u t f o r t h f r o m J a c o b " is i n t e r p r e t e d i n m a n y sources as r e f e r r i n g t o Mashiach, b u t i n t h e Jerusalem T a l m u d is i n t e r p r e t e d as r e f e r r i n g to every individual Jew. There is, however, no contradiction

b e t w e e n these t w o i n t e r p r e t a t i o n s . F o r w i t h i n every Jew, t h e r e is a s p a r k o f Mashiach. T h i s enables us t o u n d e r s t a n d w h y t h e message o f r e d e m p t i o n can be c o m m u n i c a t e d t o every p e r s o n . A p e r s o n w i l l i d e n t i f y w i t h the redemption, because the desire and the potential for

r e d e m p t i o n l i e at t h e core o f h i s o w n b e i n g . At that time, the true u n i t y and b o n d between all m a n k i n d transcendental produce oneness w i l l more

w i l l surface. A n awareness o f G - d ' s pervade a l l existence and this w i l l

a higher and

i n c l u s i v e c o n c e p t i o n o f u n i t y t h a n is available at p r e s e n t . Since Mashiach is n o t a d r e a m o f t h e far o f f f u t u r e , b u t a

p o t e n t i a l t h a t is accessible at p r e s e n t , at least i n m i c r o c o s m , w e can experience a f o r e t a s t e this love t o others, o f t h i s l o v e at p r e s e n t . A s w e p r o j e c t

i t w i l l awake t h e s p a r k o f Mashiach i n t h e i r

souls a n d encourage t h e m t o s p r e a d t h e r i p p l e s o f r e d e m p t i o n further.

A knowledgeable y o u n g m a n w i t h g o o d pedagogical s k i l l s once asked t o be accepted as a teacher i n a T o r a h s c h o o l . T h e p r i n c i p a l was i m p r e s s e d b y h i s r e s u m e , b u t after m e e t i n g h i m , d e c l i n e d t o o f f e r h i m e m p l o y m e n t . S u r p r i s e d , t h e y o u n g e r m a n asked w h y h e was n o t b e i n g accepted. " Q u i t e o b v i o u s l y , y o u have s t u d i e d a l o t a n d m a s t e r e d m u c h i n f o r m a t i o n . Y o u are also a g o o d c o m m u n i c a t o r , " t h e p r i n c i p a l r e p l i e d . " B u t , t h e r e is o n e d i f f i c u l t y . F o r g i v e m e f o r saying so, b u t i t appears t h a t y o u r f a i t h i n G - d a n d y o u r fear o f H i m are s o m e w h a t l a c k i n g . " T h e a p p l i c a n t d i d n o t a t t e m p t t o disagree. H e k n e w t h a t t h e p r i n c i p a l was s p e a k i n g t h e t r u t h . B u t he s t i l l w a n t e d t h e j o b . S o he c o n t e n d e d : " L i s t e n . W h a t d i f f e r e n c e d o m y beliefs make? I u n d e r s t a n d y o u r standards a n d w i l l s t i c k t o the c u r r i c u l u m . I ' l l teach t h e m exactly w h a t y o u w a n t t h e m t o l e a r n . " "No," the principal responded. " C h i l d r e n learn by

e x a m p l e . Y o u ' l l p r o d u c e s t u d e n t s exactly l i k e y o u . T h e y w i l l k n o w w h a t the T o r a h demands o f them, b u t w i l l lack t h e desire a n d i n s p i r a t i o n t o c o m m i t themselves t o i t . "

Parshas Emor
This week's T o r a h reading begins with the verse: "Say to the

p r i e s t s , t h e sons o f A a r o n , a n d t e l l t h e m . " O u r Sages associate t h i s c o m m a n d w i t h t h e o b l i g a t i o n o f chinuch, t h e e d u c a t i o n o f c h i l d r e n , c o m m e n t i n g : [ I t is w r i t t e n : ] " S a y " a n d [ i t is w r i t t e n , ] " t e l l t h e m . " [Why the redundancy i n t h e same verse?] T o adjure the adults

concerning the children. Lihazhir, t h e H e b r e w w o r d t r a n s l a t e d as " t o a d j u r e , " shares t h e same r o o t as t h e w o r d zohar, m e a n i n g " r a d i a n c e . " T h i s teaches a fundamental lesson with regard to education; it must be to

c h a r a c t e r i z e d b y r a d i a n t l i g h t . I n g e n e r a l , t h e r e are t w o ways persuade children to reject undesirable behavior: to

emphasize

102

EMOR

103

how

base

it

is,

or

to

show

the

positive

alternative.

Lihazhir

u n d e r s c o r e s t h e i m p o r t a n c e o f s p r e a d i n g l i g h t , f o r "a l i t t l e l i g h t dispels m u c h darkness," a n d b y s h i n i n g l i g h t , one w i l l k i n d l e the i n n e r l i g h t w h i c h every p e r s o n possesses. S i m p l y p u t , w h e n a c h i l d appreciates l i g h t a n d w a r m t h w i t h i n Judaism, he is a t t r a c t e d a n d w i l l w a n t t o i n t e r n a l i z e i t w i t h i n

h i m s e l f . A s m i l e , a g l i n t i n an eye, s o m e t h i n g w h i c h i n d i c a t e s t h a t t h i s is t h e p a t h t o t r u e a n d g e n u i n e s a t i s f a c t i o n a n d m e a n i n g f u l joy: these are t h e m o t i v a t o r s t h a t w i l l be effective i n e n c o u r a g i n g

J e w i s h p r a c t i c e a n d i n v o l v e m e n t . I f t h e y are l a c k i n g , even w h e n t h e c h i l d u n d e r s t a n d s t h a t i t is c o r r e c t a n d p r o p e r f o r h i m t o i d e n t i f y a n d p r a c t i c e J e w i s h l y , i t is g o i n g t o h a r d f o r h i m t o persevere a n d d o so. E v e n as a d u l t s , w e have d i f f i c u l t y o v e r c o m i n g o u r desires for i m m e d i a t e g r a t i f i c a t i o n . C a n w e expect m o r e f r o m a child?

I n s t e a d , p o s i t i v e r e w a r d i n g experience has t o be an i n t e g r a l p a r t o f e d u c a t i o n a n d e d u c a t o r s s h o u l d b e a m f o r t h t h e k i n d o f energy a n d v i t a l i t y t h a t i n v i t e s a s t u d e n t t o m a k e J u d a i s m p a r t o f t h e i r lives. This approach gives us a new d e f i n i t i o n o f w h o a Jewish

e d u c a t o r m u s t be. H e is n o t m e r e l y a r e s e r v o i r o f i n f o r m a t i o n . H e is a p e r s o n w h o s e T o r a h k n o w l e d g e has b e e n i n t e r n a l i z e d t o t h e p o i n t w h e r e i t has s h a p e d h i s character a n d i n v i g o r a t e d h i m w i t h joy, direction, and purpose. When a person sees such an the

i n d i v i d u a l , he is a n x i o u s t o l e a r n f r o m o p p o r t u n i t y t o d o so.

h i m a n d seeks o u t

p e r h a p s t h i s is t h e i m p l i c a t i o n t h a t t h e c o m m a n d t o educate is d e r i v e d f r o m a c o m m a n d r e g a r d a p e r s o n ' s o w n service. E d u c a t i o n s h o u l d n o t be l o o k e d at as an a d d i t i o n a l o b l i g a t i o n b e y o n d one's own D i v i n e service a n o t h e r t a s k t o be a c c o m p l i s h e d but

r a t h e r as a n a t u r a l outgrowth o f t h a t service. W h e n a p e r s o n has s t u d i e d t o t h e p o i n t t h a t t h e T o r a h has become p a r t o f his i n n e r being, its G - d l y power w i l l f i l l h i m w i t h l i f e a n d l i g h t . H e w i l l t h e n n a t u r a l l y b e c o m e a teacher, f o r o t h e r s w i l l w a t c h h i m a n d seek t o e m u l a t e h i s w a y o f l i f e .

104

KEEPING I N TOUCH

Looking to the Horizon

T h e p r o p h e t teaches us t h a t i n t h e U l t i m a t e F u t u r e , t h i s a p p r o a c h t o T o r a h w i l l be an i n t e g r a l p a r t o f a l l m e n . G - d p r o m i s e s : " I w i l l place M y T o r a h within them and I will write it upon their and

hearts.... T h e y w i l l n o l o n g e r t e a c h each m a n his b r o t h e r Me." The Torah will

each m a n his f e l l o w ,

saying ' K n o w G - d , ' f o r all w i l l be seen as a body of

know

not

knowledge,

c o n t a i n i n g laws a n d c o n c e p t s , b u t a m e d i u m o p e n i n g o u r hearts t o t h e awareness o f G - d . T h e b e s t catalyst t o h a s t e n t h e o n c o m i n g o f t h a t era is t o b e g i n c o n d u c t i n g ourselves i n t h a t m a n n e r at p r e s e n t . T r u e , t h e n t h e awareness o f t h e T o r a h ' s G - d l i n e s s w i l l be visceral, w h i l e t o d a y it is merely intellectual. Nevertheless, our minds control our

feelings a n d w e can i d e n t i f y w i t h t h e T o r a h t o t h e e x t e n t t h a t w e can feel a f o r e t a s t e o f t h a t f u t u r e t r u t h i n o u r c o n d u c t at p r e s e n t . W h e n w e i n t e r n a l i z e t h e message o f t h i s p r o p h e c y i n o u r lives, as a natural consequence, t h i s a p p r o a c h w i l l spread t o others. This

n a t u r a l process o f d i f f u s i o n o f l i g h t w i l l h a s t e n t h e t i m e w h e n i t will blossom into fulfillment.

D u r i n g t h e t u r b u l e n t p e r i o d after t h e d e s t r u c t i o n o f t h e S e c o n d T e m p l e , t h e R o m a n s i n t r o d u c e d an a t m o s p h e r e o f lawlessness a n d v i o l e n c e i n t o t h e L a n d o f I s r a e l a n d m a n y J e w i s h y o u t h became c a u g h t u p i n i t . O n e , S h i m o n , t h e s o n o f L a k i s h , was d i s t i n g u i s h e d b y great s t r e n g t h , c h a r i s m a t i c l e a d e r s h i p , a n d h i g h , a l b e i t , misguided, intelligence. A g r o u p o f y o u n g m e n gathered a r o u n d h i m a n d he l e d t h e m i n acts o f r o b b e r y a n d murder. O n c e , R a b b i Y o c h a n a n , o n e o f t h e l e a d i n g sages o f t h e era, was b a t h i n g i n t h e J o r d a n R i v e r . S h i m o n was p a s s i n g b y w i t h h i s m e n . W h e n he saw h i m , he p l u n g e d i n t o t h e water and swam t o h i m . Impressed by his vigor, R a b b i Y o c h a n a n said, " Y o u r s t r e n g t h s h o u l d be d e v o t e d t o t h e Torah!" N o w R a b b i Y o c h a n a n was k n o w n as one o f t h e m o s t handsome m e n o f his t i m e . S h i m o n , q u i c k l y n o t i c i n g t h i s , r e t o r t e d , " Y o u r b e a u t y s h o u l d be d e v o t e d t o women!" R a b b i Y o c h a n a n w a n t e d t o persuade this u n i q u e y o u n g m a n t o r e t u r n t o his Jewish r o o t s . H e t h o u g h t o f one way: H e h a d a y o u n g e r sister. C e r t a i n t h a t h i s sister w o u l d see S h i m o n ' s l a t e n t p o t e n t i a l l i k e he d i d , he r e p l i e d : " M y sister is even m o r e b e a u t i f u l t h a n I a m . I f y o u r e p e n t , y o u can have her as a w i f e . " T h i s was m o r e t h a n e n o u g h t o p i q u e S h i m o n s interest. T h e t w o y o u n g people met. S h i m o n reoriented his life entirely. H e began t o study T o r a h , m a r r i e d R a b b i Y o c h a n a n ' s sister, a n d e v e n t u a l l y became t h e s t u d e n t colleague o f h i s b r o t h e r - i n - l a w . H e d e m o n s t r a t e d t h a t w e always have t h e p o t e n t i a l t o b e g i n again a n d i n d e e d , u t i l i z e a l l t h e g i f t s G - d has g r a n t e d us w h e n s t a r t i n g anew.

105

106

KEEPING I N TOUCH

Parshas Behar
T h i s weeks T o r a h r e a d i n g describes t h e J u b i l e e year, t h e 5 0 t h year o f t h e a g r i c u l t u r a l cycle i n Eretz_ Yisrael. A t t h i s t i m e , ancestral

p r o p e r t y t h a t was s o l d was r e t u r n e d a n d servants w e r e f r e e d . T o e x p l a i n : W h e n t h e Jews e n t e r e d t h e H o l y L a n d after t h e i r j o u r n e y t h r o u g h t h e desert, every m e m b e r o f t h e p e o p l e was g i v e n a p l o t o f l a n d . I f t h e y o r t h e i r h e i r s s o l d t h a t l a n d , i n t h e f i f t i e t h year o f t h e a g r i c u l t u r a l cycle, t h a t l a n d was r e t u r n e d t o t h e seller. S i m i l a r l y , i f a p e r s o n s o l d h i m s e l f as a servant, he was t o be released after s i x years. I f he, n o n e t h e l e s s , desired t o remain a

servant, he was a l l o w e d t o d o so, b u t i n t h e f i f t i e t h year, he is also set free. W h a t a l e s s o n i n s e l f - r e n e w a l ! W e are always s a y i n g : " I f I w e r e g i v e n a s e c o n d chance, t h i n g s w o u l d be d i f f e r e n t , " a n d here T o r a h law establishes the concept o f a second chance as a binding

obligation. T h e s p i r i t u a l d i m e n s i o n s o f t h e T o r a h ' s laws are a p p l i c a b l e i n a l l t i m e s a n d i n a l l places. T h u s a l t h o u g h i n a p r a c t i c a l sense, t h e J u b i l e e is n o t p r a c t i c e d i n t h e p r e s e n t age, i n an a b s t r a c t sense, t h e mitzyah is a c o n t i n u o u s l e s s o n f o r a l l o f u s . No m a t t e r w h a t o u r p r e s e n t state is, G - d is g i v i n g us the

w h e r e w i t h a l t o s t a r t anew a n d change t h e d i r e c t i o n o f o u r lives. A t every moment, we are being granted spiritual and material

blessings t h a t enable us t o t u r n o u r lives a r o u n d a n d b r i n g a b o u t g o o d n e s s f o r ourselves, o u r f a m i l i e s , a n d t h e p e o p l e a r o u n d us. O u r Sages teach: " A r i c h m a n is r i c h o n l y d u e t o h i s m i n d s e t . A p o o r m a n is p o o r o n l y d u e t o h i s m i n d s e t . " A t r u l y w e a l t h y m a n is c o n f i d e n t t h a t even w e r e he t o be set d o w n i n a j u n g l e w i t h nothing to his name, he would be able to establish himself

financially i n a matter o f t i m e . Conversely, a person w i t h a p o o r m a n ' s m e n t a l i t y w i l l s o o n f i n d h i m s e l f i m p o v e r i s h e d even after he was g i v e n great w e a l t h . W h a t makes a m a n wealthy? O u r w e a l t h y ? O n e w h o is s a t i s f i e d w i t h Sages teach us: " W h o is doesn't

his p o r t i o n . " T h a t

BEHAR

107

m e a n t h a t he does n o t w a n t t o m a k e m o r e m o n e y ; he m a y , b u t he does n o t feel p r e s s u r e d t o d o so. H e feels t h e l u x u r y o f b e i n g

patient, o f w a i t i n g for opportunities, and t h e n using t h e m t o the m a x i m u m o f his capacity. A p o o r m a n , b y c o n t r a s t , is n o t s a t i s f i e d ; he feels t h a t he m u s t make money. He is obsessed w i t h want and need and those

feelings cause h i m t o act rashly, t r y i n g t h i s scheme a n d t o m a k e i t big. W h a t ' s t h e i n e v i t a b l e result? H e loses, b u t he's l o s t far m o r e t h a n m o n e y . H e ' s l o s t h i s l i f e , because h i s energy, h i s hopes, a n d h i s d r e a m s w e r e f o c u s e d o n t h e m o n e y t h a t he f e l t he h a d to

m a k e . I n s t e a d o f e n j o y i n g l i f e f o r w h a t i t is, s h a r i n g q u a l i t y t i m e w i t h f a m i l y a n d f r i e n d s , he was always l o o k i n g t o w h a t i t c o u l d be w h e n he m a d e t h e m o n e y . I t d o e s n ' t have t o be t h a t w a y . I t ' s n o t t o o l a t e . N o matter

w h a t state o u r finances, f a m i l y r e l a t i o n s , a n d p e r s o n a l m i n d s e t are i n , w e can change o u r s i t u a t i o n f o r t h e b e t t e r . T h e Jubilee teaches us t h a t w e can s t a r t anew. W e a l l have t h e resources, because t h e f u n d a m e n t a l resources are i n s i d e . E a c h one o f us possesses a s o u l t h a t is an a c t u a l p a r t o f G - d . T h a t s p i r i t u a l s p a r k gives us t h e p o t e n t i a l t o b r i n g a b o u t g o o d a n d w e l l - b e i n g f o r ourselves a n d t h e p e o p l e close t o us.

Looking to the Horizon

T h e u l t i m a t e r e n e w a l w i l l c o m e i n t h e era o f Mashiach. A t p r e s e n t , we are s p e a k i n g a b o u t m a k i n g t h e b e s t w i t h i n an e n v i r o n m e n t o f

challenge. C e r t a i n l y , as e x p l a i n e d above, w e have t h e p o t e n t i a l t o prevail, b u t prevailing may involve a struggle and confronting

d i f f i c u l t y . T h a t ' s because t h i s e n t i r e e p o c h o f t i m e is one i n w h i c h m a n is asked t o s h o w h i s p o w e r o f a c h i e v e m e n t . I t ' s l i k e t h e s i x days o f t h e w e e k i n w h i c h w e t o i l t o earn o u r l i v e l i h o o d . But after t h e six days, c o m e s Shabbos, a day o f rest. S i m i l a r l y ,

after t h e s i x m i l l e n n i a o f t h e p r e s e n t e n v i r o n m e n t w i l l c o m e t h e era o f Mashiach. A t i m e " w h e n t h e r e w i l l be n e i t h e r f a m i n e , n o r war,

108

KEEPING I N TOUCH

n e i t h e r envy, n o r c o m p e t i t i o n . " M a n k i n d w i l l focus i t s energies o n t h e k n o w l e d g e o f G - d a n d o n seeing G - d l i n e s s i n every p e r s o n a n d creation. M o r e o v e r , w e w i l l n o t have t o w a i t a f u l l six m i l l e n n i a . O u r Sages have e x p l a i n e d t h a t w e can h a s t e n Mashiach's c o m i n g . H o w ? B y c o n d u c t i n g ourselves i n t h e s p i r i t o f t h e w a y o f l i f e Mashiach w i l l teach. B y a n t i c i p a t i n g t h e r e d e m p t i o n t h r o u g h appreciating

t h e G - d l y q u a l i t i e s possessed b y every p e r s o n a n d every e n t i t y , w e can p r e c i p i t a t e t h e d a w n i n g o f t h e age w h e n t h i s i n n e r w i l l be o p e n l y a p p a r e n t . G-dliness

T h e r e is a w e l l - k n o w n analogy: A s i m p l e m a n enters a hospital and stumbles i n t o the amphitheatre o f the o p e r a t i n g r o o m . T h e r e he sees a m a n l y i n g o n t h e t a b l e a n d several m e n a n d w o m a n c u t t i n g h i s f l e s h o p e n a n d r e m o v i n g h i s b o d y p a r t s . H e is aghast i n h o r r o r a n d c a n ' t u n d e r s t a n d w h y anyone i s n ' t d o i n g a n y t h i n g t o stop them. A b y s t a n d e r perceives h i s a g i t a t i o n a n d takes h i m aside a n d e x p l a i n s . T h e o p e r a t i o n is a b s o l u t e l y necessary f o r t h e p a t i e n t ' s w e l f a r e . H e is u n d e r s e d a t i o n a n d does n o t feel p a i n . T h e organs b e i n g r e m o v e d are diseased a n d w e r e t h e y l e f t i n place, t h e p a t i e n t w o u l d d i e . H e n c e , t h e p e o p l e p e r f o r m i n g t h e o p e r a t i o n are n o t barbaric, b u t rather k i n d and merciful. T h e analogy is t o t h e m a n n e r i n w h i c h G - d c o n t r o l s t h e w o r l d . A s m o r t a l s , w e c a n n o t perceive t h e f u l l p i c t u r e a p p a r e n t t o H i s o m n i s c i e n c e . T h u s t h e r e are t i m e s w h e n w e d o n o t u n d e r s t a n d w h y H e does w h a t H e does a n d , l i k e t h e s i m p l e p e r s o n , w e o b j e c t at w h a t appears t o us as c r u e l t y w h e n i n t r u t h , H i s p r o v i d e n c e is an e x p r e s s i o n o f H i s kindness. Is t h e analogy a p p r o p r i a t e o r t o o s i m p l i s t i c ? C a n w e always excuse G - d ' s p r o v i d e n c e because o f t h e l i m i t s o f o u r u n d e r s t a n d i n g ? A n d are w e j u s t i f i e d i n j u d g i n g G - d , as i t were?

Parshas Bechukosai
T h i s week's T o r a h reading opens w i t h a promise: " I f you will the

f o l l o w M y decrees... I w i l l p r o v i d e y o u r r a i n s i n t h e i r t i m e a n d l a n d w i l l give i t s p r o d u c e , " p r o m i s i n g b l e s s i n g s f o r t h e o f t h e T o r a h a n d t h e o p p o s i t e f o r t h e f a i l u r e t o observe. N o w t h i s raises an o b v i o u s d i f f i c u l t y , f o r w e have a l l seen a n d w o m e n w h o s e c o n d u c t appears r i g h t e o u s a n d difficulty and p r i v a t i o n . W h e r e a s , t h e r e are yet they

observance

men

suffer to

others w h o

appear

be far f r o m w o r t h y a n d y e t l i v e i n c o m f o r t a n d ease.

109

110

KEEPING I N TOUCH

The

first

attempts is

at r e s o l v i n g t h i s issue e x p l a i n t h a t We cannot judge as G-d

our

understanding

limited.

judges.

A l t h o u g h a p e r s o n appears r i g h t e o u s , he m a y have c e r t a i n sins t h a t r e q u i r e e x p i a t i o n . C o n v e r s e l y , even a p e r s o n w h o appears w i c k e d m a y have p e r f o r m e d s o m e m e r i t o r i o u s acts t h a t are w o r t h y o f b o u n t i f u l reward. These somewhat. answers resolve the issue somewhat but only

F o r t h e r e are t i m e s w h e n g o o d p e o p l e are o b v i o u s l y

s u f f e r i n g far b e y o n d w h a t c o u l d p o s s i b l y have b e e n w a r r a n t e d b y their conduct. T h e r e are t h o s e w h o t r y t o resolve t h i s f u r t h e r d i f f i c u l t y u s i n g a similar explanation. G-d's judgment is all encompassing, cannot grasp

i n c l u d i n g factors w h i c h o u r m o r t a l u n d e r s t a n d i n g

a n d c o m p r e h e n d . F o r example, they explain t h a t the g o o d or evil a person experiences m a y be a r e s u l t o f h i s o r her c o n d u c t i n a lifetime. Or because o f t h e deeds o f h i s f a m i l y , his

previous

f o r t u n e m a y be a u g m e n t e d o r d i m i n i s h e d b e y o n d w h a t is d u e h i m i n d i v i d u a l l y . O r t h e c o n d u c t o f t h e J e w i s h p e o p l e as a w h o l e over t h e c o u r s e o f h i s t o r y or

is also t a k e n i n t o c o n s i d e r a t i o n .

W h e n a l l these f a c t o r s are a d d e d u p , t h e y e x p l a i n , t h e w o r k i n g s o f G-d's scales of judgment can be explained. W e as mortals,

h o w e v e r , can never see t h i s p i c t u r e i n i t s t o t a l i t y a n d so w e c a n n o t fathom H i s judgment. No matter h o w t h o r o u g h this argument, however, there is

s o m e t h i n g a b o u t t h e e x p l a n a t i o n t h a t is d i s t u r b i n g t o m a n y . T r u e , s o m e o f t h e o b j e c t i o n s s t e m f o r t h e fact t h a t t h e r e are t h o s e w h o , l i k e c h i l d r e n , d o n ' t l i k e t o accept t h e n o t i o n t h a t one's b e h a v i o r w i l l have consequences; t h e y d o n ' t w a n t t o deal w i t h t h e o f j u d g m e n t at a l l . B u t n o t all o f the objections stem f r o m i m m a t u r i t y . Instead, t h e r e are t h o s e w h o u n d e r s t a n d s i m p l y , G - d is t h e u l t i m a t e o f concept

g o o d a n d so e v e r y t h i n g t h a t H e does m u s t be g o o d . H e does n o t have t o balance g o o d w i t h b a d . I n s t e a d , H e s h o u l d be t h e s o u r c e o f u n m i t i g a t e d g o o d , g o o d t h a t is o v e r t l y a p p a r e n t as g o o d .

BECHUKOSAI

111

Since t h e y see t h e existence o f e v i l i n t h e w o r l d , t h e y p o s t u l a t e t h a t G - d has w i t h d r a w n . O n t h e p l a n e t h a t e v i l exists, H e does not. This, however, leaves us with an existential reality with

n o t h i n g t o r e l y o n , f o r i f G - d has w i t h d r a w n , w h a t is left? But i f w e refuse t o t h i n k o f G - d as w i t h d r a w i n g , h o w can w e

u n d e r s t a n d t h e existence o f e v i l a n d t h e u n d e s i r a b l e t h i n g s t h a t h a p p e n t o man? T h e answer is t h a t w e have t o g o b e y o n d o u r u n d e r s t a n d i n g . For the true nature o f G - d transcends logic a n d understanding

a n d t h i s is t h e d i m e n s i o n o f H i m w i t h w h i c h w e seek t o i d e n t i f y . T h i s b e g i n s an i n t e r a c t i v e process. B y d e s i g n a t i n g ourselves as "His men" and identifying w i t h H i m above u n d e r s t a n d i n g , we

m o t i v a t e H i m t o i d e n t i f y w i t h us a n d p r o v i d e us w i t h g o o d a n d w e l l b e i n g even w h e n t h e r e is n o l o g i c a l reason t o e x p e c t s u c h a positive outcome.

Looking to the Horizon

T h e challenges a n d s t r u g g l e w e feel i n o u r e f f o r t s t o i d e n t i f y w i t h G-d is a r e s u l t o f l i v i n g i n a w o r l d t h a t lacks r e d e m p t i o n . G - d

d e s i r e d "a d w e l l i n g i n t h e l o w e r r e a l m s , " i.e., t h a t i n a r e a l m w h e r e He But is n o t r e c o g n i z e d n a t u r a l l y , m a n w i l l c o m e t o r e c o g n i z e H i m . w h e n m a n takes t h e e f f o r t t o i d e n t i f y w i t h H i m above t h o s e the challenges will no longer be necessary. man Thus

challenges,

t h r o u g h o u t t h i s phase o f t h e w o r l d ' s existence,

confronts

challenge, s t r u g g l i n g t o r e c o g n i z e G - d l i n e s s against t h e p r i m a r y current of the world's nature. When he has succeeded in

o v e r c o m i n g these challenges, t h e y w i l l cease t o e x i s t a n d he w i l l be able t o relate t o G - d d i r e c t l y , p e r c e i v i n g H i m as H e t r u l y i s . Why is t h i s necessary? Because m a n ' s existence is also a

p r o d u c t o f the concealment

o f G - d l i n e s s t h a t characterizes

our

w o r l d . T h e o n l y w a y i t is p o s s i b l e f o r H i m t o perceive G - d ' s l i g h t i n i t s n a t u r a l p r i s t i n e state is f o r h i m t o u n d e r g o a process o f t r a n s f o r m i n g darkness i n t o l i g h t , p e r c e i v i n g t h e challenges o f h i s

112

KEEPING I N TOUCH

w o r l d l y existence as t h e m e d i u m t h a t enables H i m t o completely w i t h G-d.

identify

I have a f r i e n d w i t h w h o m I w e n t t o grade s c h o o l w h o was severely d y s l e x i c . u n f o r t u n a t e l y , n e i t h e r secular s c h o o l s o r yeshivas w e r e e q u i p p e d t o h a n d l e t h i s d i s a b i l i t y . H e j u s t m o v e d f r o m grade t o grade at a s l o w e r pace u n t i l graduation. A s o u r lives w e n t f o r w a r d , w e l o s t t o u c h a n d I h a d n ' t seen h i m f o r several years u n t i l I r a n i n t o h i m r e c e n t l y . H e is m a r r i e d a n d t h e f a t h e r o f several c h i l d r e n . H e manages a successful c o m p a n y a n d is n o t at a l l h a m p e r e d b y a negative self-image. I was s u r p r i s e d . H o w c o u l d t h a t have happened? W h e r e d i d he get t h e p e r s o n a l s t r e n g t h t o p u t a l l t h o s e c h i l d h o o d challenges b e h i n d h i m ? I f o u n d a m o m e n t w h e n I c o u l d t a c t f u l l y ask h i m these q u e s t i o n s a n d he t o l d m e : " F i r s t o f all, i t was m y f a t h e r . H e always b e l i e v e d i n m e . H e never m a d e m e feel l i k e a f a i l u r e . C o n t i n u a l l y , he e n c o u r a g e d m e t o g o f o r w a r d " . " A n d t h e n i t was o u r 1 0 t h grade R a b b i . I n t h e m i d d l e o f H i g h S c h o o l , he c a l l e d m e over a n d t o l d m e t h a t he t h o u g h t I c o u l d succeed. H e t o l d m e n o t t o measure m y s e l f against o t h e r s , b u t t o l o o k i n s i d e f o r m y o w n i n n e r v o i c e . H e was t h e r e f o r m e , t i m e a n d t i m e again t o reassure m e t h a t I c o u l d m a k e m y l i f e m e a n i n g f u l . H e m a d e m e feel t h a t I a m i m p o r t a n t , t h a t I c o u n t f o r something,"

Parshas Bamidbar
T h i s week's T o r a h reading begins the f o u r t h b o o k o f the is i t g i v e n t h a t the Torah name? first is of

w h i c h is c a l l e d Numbers i n E n g l i s h . W h y Because the book focuses on several

censuses

described i n this T o r a h reading the Jewish people t h r o u g h the What desert.

taken d u r i n g the

journey

does a census t e a c h us? are different.

T h a t e v e r y o n e is c o u n t e d S o m e are smarter. O t h e r s

the are

same. O f c o u r s e , w e

s t r o n g e r a n d s t i l l o t h e r s have p o t e n t i a l s i n o t h e r areas, b u t w h e n i t

113

114

KEEPING I N TOUCH

comes d o w n t o c o u n t i n g , n o o n e is g i v e n greater d i s t i n c t i o n t h a n a n y o n e else. Why is this? Because t h e r e are t w o f u n d a m e n t a l equalizers

w i t h i n t h e s p i r i t u a l m a k e u p each one o f us possess. F i r s t a n d m o s t f u n d a m e n t a l l y , every m a n o r w o m a n has a s o u l t h a t is an a c t u a l p a r t o f G - d . T h e core o f each o n e o f us is a s p i r i t u a l p o t e n t i a l t h a t is essential G - d l i n e s s . O n t h e m o s t basic level, w h e n w e f o c u s o n what is o u r real " I , " we come t o the realization, n o t o f our

i n d i v i d u a l egos, b u t o f t h i s G - d l y s p a r k . Q u i t e o b v i o u s l y , o n e p e r s o n ' s essential G - d l i n e s s c a n n o t be greater t h a n a n o t h e r ' s . M o r e o v e r , even o n t h e level w h e r e o u r i n d i v i d u a l selves are c o n c e r n e d a n d w e appear t o be separate a n d d i s t i n c t f r o m each

o t h e r , w e share a f u n d a m e n t a l e q u a l i t y . F o r t h e u n i t y w e share can be p i c t u r e d b y means o f t h e a n a l o g y o f t h e h u m a n b o d y . A l t h o u g h the l i m b s and organs differ i n f o r m and f u n c t i o n , t h e y w o r k i n h a r m o n y , each c o n t r i b u t i n g a necessary e l e m e n t t o t h e o p e r a t i o n o f t h e b o d y . I t is n o t o n l y t h a t t h e h e a d a n d t h e h e a r t are b o t h essential t o l i f e . E v e n o u r n o n - e s s e n t i a l l i m b s each c o n t r i b u t e a c o m p l e m e n t a r y e l e m e n t t o o u r b e i n g s t h a t enables us t o f u n c t i o n o p t i m a l l y . F o r e x a m p l e , t h e feet p r o v i d e m o b i l i t y t h r o u g h w h i c h t h e senses are e x p o s e d t o a greater range o f s t i m u l i , e n a b l i n g t h e b r a i n t o c o l l e c t a n d process i n f o r m a t i o n . So t o o , t h e r e are h e a d souls, h e a r t souls, a n d feet souls; each o n e w i t h a d i f f e r e n t m a k e u p a n d each o n e c o n t r i b u t i n g a q u a l i t y t h e o t h e r l a c k s . E v e r y o n e o f us possesses s o m e t h i n g t h a t can

make h u m a n i t y and the w o r l d i n w h i c h we live better. Indeed, t h a t is t h e reason w h y G - d c r e a t e d every i n d i v i d u a l p e r s o n . H e made

h i m o r her w i t h a m i s s i o n , e n d o w i n g h i m w i t h i n a u n i q u e q u a l i t y t h a t n o o n e else possesses, so t h a t he o r she c o u l d express t h a t quality and thus b r i n g about a meaningful and significant i n the w o r l d . T h e s e c o n c e p t s also relate t o t h e G i v i n g o f t h e T o r a h s o o n t o be c o m m e m o r a t e d . O u r Sages t e l l us t h a t i f even one p e r s o n h a d been l a c k i n g at S i n a i , t h e T o r a h w o u l d n o t have been g i v e n . M o s e s change

BAMIDBAR

115

w o u l d n o t have r e c e i v e d t h e T o r a h i f one o f t h e s i m p l e f o l k h a d n o t been there. I n d e e d , t h i s c o n c e p t is so f u n d a m e n t a l l y c o n n e c t e d w i t h J e w i s h p e o p l e t h a t i t is a l l u d e d t o i n t h e i r name, I s r a e l the

(),

f o r t h a t n a m e is i n t e r p r e t e d as an a c r o n y m f o r t h e phrase , meaning "There are 60 myriads (600,000)

l e t t e r s i n t h e T o r a h . " J u s t as every l e t t e r is necessary f o r a T o r a h scroll and without i t , i t is d i s q u a l i f i e d , so too, every Jew is

necessary f o r t h e success o f o u r p e o p l e .

Looking to the Horizon

T h i s t h e m e has f a r - r e a c h i n g a p p l i c a t i o n s . T h e p r o p h e t "You declares:

w i l l be g a t h e r e d i n , o n e b y one, O c h i l d r e n o f I s r a e l . " N o

matter h o w dispersed whether geographically or spiritually

o u r p e o p l e w i l l be, G - d w i l l e x t e n d H i m s e l f t o r e d e e m t h e m . A n d t h e r e d e m p t i o n w i l l n o t m e r e l y be c o l l e c t i v e . I n s t e a d , i t w i l l be

" o n e b y o n e . " G - d w i l l reach o u t t o every i n d i v i d u a l a n d b r i n g o u t his G-dly core and in that way, lead him or her to the

Redemption. T h i s is n o t m e r e l y a v i s i o n o f t h e f u t u r e , i t is also a d i r e c t i v e on h o w t o make t h a t future present. By reaching o u t t o every

p e r s o n a n d s h o w i n g h i m t h e i n n e r s p a r k o f G - d l i n e s s he possesses, w e can s p r e a d t h e s p i r i t u a l m o t i f t h a t w i l l characterize t h a t f u t u r e era. I n t h a t t i m e , w e w i l l appreciate t h e G - d l i n e s s t h a t lies w i t h i n o u r souls a n d w i t h i n every c r e a t e d b e i n g . B y m a k i n g ourselves a n d others conscious that way o f t h a t G - d l i n e s s , w e can a n t i c i p a t e and i n i n the

precipitate the revelation o f this G-dliness

w o r l d at large.

T h i s T o r a h r e a d i n g always e i t h e r f o l l o w s o r precedes t h e Shavuos h o l i d a y . I n 1 9 7 3 , s h o r t l y after t h e Shavuos holiday, the Rebbe called the chassidim together for a surprise gathering and began speaking about u s i n g the s u m m e r m o n t h s t o heighten Jewish education. H e expressed w o n d e r m e n t t h a t i n A m e r i c a , c h i l d r e n w e r e given a t w o m o n t h vacation f r o m school. N o t i n g that the T a l m u d compared the relationship between m a n and s t u d y t o f i s h i n w a t e r , he asked: " C o u l d y o u k e e p a f i s h o u t o f water for t w o months?" H e e x p l a i n e d , h o w e v e r , t h a t t h e v e r y p r o b l e m created its solutions, for t o keep c h i l d r e n occupied d u r i n g the s u m m e r , camps w e r e created. O f t e n , t h e i n f o r m a l l e a r n i n g e n v i r o n m e n t o f a c a m p can have a greater e d u c a t i o n a l effect o n a c h i l d ' s d e v e l o p m e n t t h a n t h e formal structure o f a classroom setting. Moreover, the i m p a c t o f a c h i l d being i n the camp's learning e n v i r o n m e n t 2 4 / 7 is i m m e a s u r a b l e . A s a r e s u l t , a c h i l d m a y g a i n a greater measure o f J e w i s h i d e n t i t y a n d c o m m i t m e n t f r o m a s u m m e r i n c a m p t h a n a year i n school. Therefore, the Rebbe concluded, efforts s h o u l d be m a d e t o reach o u t t o J e w i s h c h i l d r e n a n d e n r o l l t h e m i n T o r a h camps. T h e R e b b e c o n t i n u e d , c i t i n g t h e B i b l i c a l verse " O u t o f t h e m o u t h s o f s u c k l i n g s a n d babies Y o u e s t a b l i s h e d t h e s t r e n g t h t o d e s t r o y enemies a n d t h o s e w h o seek revenge." H e explained that the previously m e n t i o n e d efforts t o spread J e w i s h e d u c a t i o n w i l l generate p r o t e c t i o n a n d s t r e n g t h f o r Jews a l l over t h e w o r l d a n d p a r t i c u l a r l y i n Israel. T h r o u g h o u t t h e s u m m e r , he c o n t i n u e d t o c i t e t h a t same verse a n d e m p h a s i z e h o w t h e e d u c a t i o n o f J e w i s h c h i l d r e n was c o n n e c t e d t o J e w i s h s e c u r i t y . C h a s s i d i m w o n d e r e d w h y he c o n t i n u e d t o d w e l l o n t h e issue, repeating the points persistently. After that summer, the Y o m K i p p u r war broke out. T h e R e b b e l a t e r s t a t e d t h a t he d i d n o t k n o w w h y he

116

NASO

117

c o n t i n u a l l y s p o k e a b o u t " d e s t r o y [ i n g ] enemies a n d t h o s e w h o seek revenge," b u t a p p a r e n t l y , f r o m A b o v e , he was pushed t o w a r d i t . F o r the children's T o r a h played an i m p o r t a n t role i n generating the help f r o m Above that was g r a n t e d t o t h e w a r e f f o r t .

Parshas Naso
O n e o f t h e subjects d i s c u s s e d i n t h i s w e e k ' s T o r a h r e a d i n g is h o w t o deal w i t h a sotah, a w o m a n s u s p e c t e d o f a d u l t e r y . I n t h e era o f t h e B i b l e , t h e r e was a u n i q u e w a y o f p r o v i n g her f i d e l i t y o r l a c k o f such. A scroll c o n t a i n i n g G-d's n a m e a n d curses f o r infidelity

w o u l d be s u b m e r g e d i n a vessel o f w a t e r a n d t h e n t h e w o m a n was f o r c e d t o d r i n k t h e w a t e r . I f she h a d i n d e e d transgressed, her i n n e r organs w o u l d b u r s t a n d she w o u l d d i e . T h e T o r a h i n t r o d u c e s t h e passage d e s c r i b i n g t h i s s u b j e c t w i t h t h e verse: " I f a man's wife w i l l deviate." O u r Sages n o t e the

s i m i l a r i t y between the r o o t letters o f the w o r d used for "deviate," tisteh, a n d t h e H e b r e w w o r d f o r f o o l i s h n e s s , shtus, a n d c o m m e n t : " A p e r s o n does n o t s i n unless he b e c o m e s possessed b y a s p i r i t o f foolishness." What's the foolishness o f sin? Because n o o n e w o u l d ever

c o n s c i o u s l y desire t o separate h i m s e l f f r o m G - d . I f a p e r s o n w o u l d realize t h a t t h r o u g h a g i v e n act, he is c u t t i n g h i m s e l f o f f f r o m G - d , he w o u l d never p e r f o r m t h a t act. N o l u r e , n o m a t t e r h o w e n t i c i n g c o u l d cause a p e r s o n t o b r e a k h i s b o n d w i t h G - d . F o r n o o n e can G-d. W h y d o w e sin? Because w e r a t i o n a l i z e o u r c o n d u c t . " T h i s is not so bad," we tell ourselves. "No matter what I do, my n o r does a n y o n e w a n t t o separate h i m s e l f from

r e l a t i o n s h i p w i t h G - d is i n t a c t . " N o w , o n o n e h a n d , t h a t is t r u e , because f r o m G - d ' s p e r s p e c t i v e , n o o n e is ever t r u l y separate f r o m H i m . O n the other hand, it's like t w o people standing back t o b a c k . A r e t h e y d i s t a n t f r o m each other? N o . B u t can t h e y share a

118

KEEPING I N TOUCH

r e l a t i o n s h i p ? A l s o n o t . A t t h a t m o m e n t , f r o m h i s o w n perspective, t h e p e r s o n is t u r n e d away f r o m G - d a n d he m u s t u n d e r g o a deep i n n e r change b e f o r e he can r e n e w h i s r e l a t i o n s h i p w i t h H i m . W e r e w e t o realize t h a t every t i m e w e c o m m i t a t r a n s g r e s s i o n , w e are t u r n i n g o u r backs t o G - d , w e w o u l d never s i n . T h a t l a c k o f awareness is p a r t o f t h e f o o l i s h n e s s o u r Sages m e n t i o n e d . A s e c o n d d i m e n s i o n o f t h a t f o o l i s h n e s s c o m e s w h e n w e realize w h a t is r i g h t a n d w h a t is w r o n g , b u t t h i n k w e d o n ' t have the

p o w e r t o w i t h s t a n d o u r desires. T h a t is also f o o l i s h n e s s , because t h e r e is n o t h i n g m o r e p o w e r f u l t h a n t r u t h a n d t h e i n n e r within material each o f us desire, no is a G - d l y s o u l t h a t matter how seeks e x p r e s s i o n . can overcome truth No that

powerful,

s p i r i t u a l q u e s t once i t is i n s p i r e d . Is t h e r e a n y t h i n g w e w o u l d n o t d o t o r e m a i n o n e w i t h Why, so m a n y t i m e s i n o u r n a t i o n ' s h i s t o r y , have o u r G-d? people

c h o s e n m a r t y r d o m i n s t e a d o f d e n y i n g t h e i r Judaism? Because t h e y c o u l d n o t bear t h e t h o u g h t o f b e i n g separate f r o m H i m . N o w , o f course, p e t t y desires are m u c h easier t o o v e r c o m e t h a n t h e fear o f d e a t h . I f w e have i n m i n d t h a t w e w o u l d be w i l l i n g t o accept d e a t h r a t h e r t h a n separate ourselves f r o m H i m , i t w i l l f o l l o w l o g i c a l l y t h a t w e s h o u l d o v e r c o m e any i n t e r n a l challenges t h a t appear t o

stand i n the way o f l i v i n g a life o f connection t o H i m .

Looking to the Horizon

T h e relationship between a husband and wife o n this earthly plane is u n d e r s t o o d as an a n a l o g y f o r t h e b o n d b e t w e e n G - d a n d t h e J e w i s h p e o p l e . O u r r e l a t i o n s h i p has h a d m a n y phases. T h e r e w e r e honeymoon moments the G i v i n g o f the T o r a h , the entry i n t o

the P r o m i s e d L a n d , the b u i l d i n g o f the T e m p l e . A t those times, o u r b o n d w i t h G - d was o p e n a n d a p p a r e n t . A n d t h e r e have b e e n t i m e s o f d i f f i c u l t y , l i k e t h e era o f exile, when the entire relationship is called into question. Indeed,

s o m e t i m e s , i t seems l i k e G - d has been t e s t i n g o u r f i d e l i t y , l i k e t h e sotah t e s t m e n t i o n e d above.

NASO

119

But

exile

is

only

temporary.

Moreover,

it's

purposeful,

t e a c h i n g us t o l o o k b e y o n d t h e s u p e r f i c i a l i t i e s a n d c o n c e n t r a t e o n the fundamental dimensions o f o u r relationship. D u r i n g the g o o d times, that isn't necessary, b u t w h e n t h e challenges arise, w e

s h o u l d ask ourselves: W h a t r e a l l y is t h e n a t u r e o f o u r b o n d w i t h Him? A s w e f o c u s o n t h i s i n n e r r e a l i t y , t h e e x t e r n a l s o f exile w i l l n o l o n g e r be s i g n i f i c a n t . A n d as t h e y cease t o be s i g n i f i c a n t i n o u r m i n d s , t h e y w i l l cease t o e x i s t i n a c t u a l fact a n d give w a y t o t h e era o f Mashiach.

I n t h e 1 9 7 0 ' s , one o f t h e L u b a v i t c h e r c h a s s i d i m m a n a g e d t o e m i g r a t e f r o m R u s s i a a n d settle i n E n g l a n d . A t h i s f i r s t o p p o r t u n i t y , he f l e w t o N e w Y o r k t o v i s i t w i t h t h e R e b b e . D u r i n g t h e i r m e e t i n g , t h e R e b b e asked h i m w h e t h e r he h a d l e f t h i s tallis a n d tefillin i n R u s s i a . ( A t t h a t t i m e , i t was f o r b i d d e n t o m a k e o r i m p o r t s u c h r e l i g i o u s articles i n R u s s i a . ) H e t o l d t h e R e b b e t h a t he h a d l e f t h i s tallis t h e r e , because i t is c u s t o m a r y t o b u r y p e o p l e i n a tallis a n d t h e r e w e r e o l d e r Jews w h o w o u l d desire t h a t . H i s tefillin, b y c o n t r a s t , he h a d t a k e n w i t h h i m . T h e r e w e r e tefillin o w n e d b y c h a s s i d i m o f t h e p r e v i o u s g e n e r a t i o n available a n d t h e r e was l i t t l e d e m a n d f o r t h e m b y y o u n g e r Jews. The Rebbe chided h i m for his shortsightedness. " I n a

few years," he t o l d h i m , " t h e r e w i l l be y o u n g e r Jews s e a r c h i n g f o r tefillin a n d t h e r e w i l l be n o n e t o give t h e m . " The chassid was a m a z e d . A t t h a t t i m e , a l l t h e

d e l e g a t i o n s v i s i t i n g R u s s i a f r o m t h e Free W o r l d w e r e s u g g e s t i n g t a k i n g t h e T o r a h s c r o l l s f r o m t h e synagogues and b r i n g i n g t h e m t o A m e r i c a o r I s r a e l w h e r e t h e y c o u l d be u s e d a n d t h e R e b b e was t e l l i n g h i m t h a t he s h o u l d have l e f t h i s tefillin t h e r e . A few years later, he was s t a r t l e d t o see h o w r i g h t t h e R e b b e was. Y o u n g Jews t h r o u g h o u t R u s s i a b e g a n searching for t h e i r Jewish heritage and i d e n t i f y i n g t h r o u g h t h e observance o f mitzyos. I t was necessary t o s m u g g l e tefillin t h r o u g h c u s t o m s t o satisfy t h e i r t h i r s t t o f u l f i l l t h e c o m m a n d m e n t a n d n o t always w e r e t h e c h a s s i d i m successful. E v e r y p a i r o f tefillin t h a t reached R u s s i a was t r e a s u r e d . We do n o t k n o w w h e n a person's Jewish i d e n t i t y w i l l

be a r o u s e d o r w h i c h f a c t o r s w i l l s p a r k t h a t a r o u s a l . B u t we c a n be c e r t a i n t h a t u l t i m a t e l y , i t w i l l be a r o u s e d . F o r every Jew's s o u l is a n a c t u a l s p a r k o f G - d a n d t h i s G - d l y s p a r k w i l l e v e n t u a l l y seek e x p r e s s i o n .

120

BEHAALOSCHA

121

Parshas Behaaloscha
T h i s week's T o r a h r e a d i n g relates t h a t G - d c o m m a n d e d M o s e s t o have t h e J e w i s h p e o p l e o f f e r t h e p a s c h a l sacrifice i n t h e desert. N o w there were some i n d i v i d u a l s w h o were r i t u a l l y i m p u r e . H e n c e they could not participate in this sacrificial worship. They out?

a p p r o a c h e d M o s e s w i t h a d e m a n d : " W h y s h o u l d w e be l e f t G i v e us a chance t o p a r t i c i p a t e i n t h i s service."

M o s e s d i d n o t answer t h e m h i m s e l f . I n s t e a d , he b r o u g h t t h e i r demand before G - d w h o responded affirmatively, telling them

t h a t t h e y w o u l d be g i v e n a s e c o n d chance t o o f f e r t h e sacrifice a m o n t h l a t e r . M o r e o v e r , t h i s d i s p e n s a t i o n was n o t g i v e n f o r t h e m a l o n e . I n s t e a d , i t became a mitzyah f o r a l l g e n e r a t i o n s . W h e n a p e r s o n was r i t u a l l y i m p u r e o r d i s t a n t f r o m Jerusalem at t h e t i m e the first paschal sacrifice was b r o u g h t , he was g i v e n a second

chance t o o f f e r i t a m o n t h l a t e r . Often, highlight when the discussing this narrative, who the made commentaries the request.

sincerity o f the

people

Because t h e y g e n u i n e l y w a n t e d t o serve G - d , G - d gave t h e m t h e o p p o r t u n i t y . S i m i l a r l y , a p e r s o n s h o u l d realize t h a t t h e r e is never a reason f o r despair c o n c e r n i n g s p i r i t u a l m a t t e r s . I f he g e n u i n e l y desires, he w i l l be g i v e n t h e chance t o c o r r e c t t h i n g s . B u t t h e r e is a n o t h e r i n s i g h t i n t o t h i s s t o r y t h a t c o m e s from

Rashi's c o m m e n t a r y . Rashi teaches t h a t t h i s passage, l i k e t h e e n t i r e T o r a h , s h o u l d have been g i v e n t o us b y M o s e s , b u t because these i n d i v i d u a l s m e r i t e d , t h e passage was c o m m u n i c a t e d because o f them. T h e f i r s t p o i n t teaches t h a t a p e r s o n can always p i c k h i m s e l f up from a spiritual bottom and advance forward. That is a

p r o f o u n d lesson, b u t e c l i p s e d e n t i r e l y w h e n w e u n d e r s t a n d

the

s e c o n d p o i n t ; t h a t each o n e o f us can b e c o m e a m e d i u m f o r t h e revelation o f the T o r a h . What is the Torah? Divine truth that is absolute and

u n c h a n g i n g . S e e m i n g l y , t h a t s h o u l d be above m a n ' s grasp. O n c e i t has been t a u g h t , he can u n d e r s t a n d i t , b u t t o be t h e m e d i u m f o r

122

KEEPING I N TOUCH

its r e v e l a t i o n t h a t appears t o be b e y o n d h i m a n d d e p e n d e n t G-d alone. A n d y e t , w e see t h a t these m e n w e r e able t o be

on the

m e d i u m s f o r a passage f r o m t h e T o r a h t o be revealed. I n t r u t h , h o w e v e r , t h i s is a m o t i f t h a t can a n d m u s t be

f o l l o w e d b y every i n d i v i d u a l . O u r Sages t e a c h t h a t t h e n a m e Yisrael ( ) Israel, t h e n a m e b y w h i c h t h e J e w i s h p e o p l e are k n o w n is an a c r o n y m f o r t h e H e b r e w w o r d s : w h i c h means: " T h e r e are letters i n the T o r a h . " T h e r e are 6 0 0 , 0 0 0 letters and 600,000 600,000

general souls, i m p l y i n g t h a t each s o u l has a l e t t e r i n t h e T o r a h d e s t i n e d f o r i t t o express. W h a t t h a t means is t h a t each o f us is i n t e n d e d t o reveal G - d l y t r u t h . N o t o n l y can w e share t h e w i s d o m t h a t c o m e s f r o m the

h a r d k n o c k s o f h u m a n experience, b u t w e can also rise above o u r subjective h u m a n i t y a n d c o m m u n i c a t e G-d's w i s d o m t o others.

Looking to the Horizon

T h e t e x t s o f Kabbalah, J e w i s h m y s t i c i s m , e x p l a i n t h a t t h e above is o n e o f t h e d y n a m i c p u s h i n g f o r w a r d t h e cycle o f r e i n c a r n a t i o n . E v e r y p e r s o n has l e s s o n ( o r lessons) f r o m t h e T o r a h w h i c h he is destined to impart to humanity. His soul will continue to

r e i n c a r n a t e u n t i l he u n c o v e r s t h a t l e s s o n a n d shares i t w i t h o t h e r s . On a l a r g e r scale, t h i s scheme is also m o t i v a t i n g t h e t h r u s t t o

r e d e m p t i o n , f o r t h e same m y s t i c t e x t s e x p l a i n t h a t R e d e m p t i o n w i l l c o m e as a r e s u l t o f t h e c o n s u m m a t e r e v e l a t i o n o f G - d l y t r u t h i n t h i s w o r l d , each p e r s o n r e v e a l i n g t h a t d i m e n s i o n o f G - d l i n e s s t h a t he is d e s t i n e d t o . W h e n m a n has c r e a t e d t h e s e t t i n g t h r o u g h r e v e a l i n g t h e T o r a h teachings t h a t are w i t h i n h i s grasp, Mashiach w i l l c o m e a n d reveal an e n t i r e l y n e w level o f G - d l y t r u t h . A s each one o f us strives t o reveal t h e G - d l y t r u t h t h a t is h i s individual d e s t i n y , he is n o t o n l y r e a c h i n g a level o f personal

r e f i n e m e n t , he is p r e p a r i n g t h e w o r l d at large f o r i t s p e r f e c t i o n .

T h i s T o r a h r e a d i n g is o f t e n read i n t h e days a r o u n d 2 8 Sivan, t h e anniversary o f t h e a r r i v a l o f t h e R e b b e a n d h i s w i f e i n t h e U . S . , i n 5 7 0 1 ( 1 9 4 1 ) after a p e r i l o u s j o u r n e y f r o m t h e i r t e m p o r a r y h o m e i n p a r i s . H e r e is n o t t h e place t o r e c o u n t t h e h o r r o r , t u r m o i l , a n d disarray w r o u g h t i n t h o s e w a r years. I t is valuable, however, t o share one v i g n e t t e w h i c h sheds l i g h t o n t h e aura t h e R e b b e p r o j e c t e d d u r i n g t h o s e t r o u b l e d years. T h e c i t y o f N i c e is r e n o w n e d as a p l e a s a n t seaside r e s o r t . D u r i n g W W I I , h o w e v e r , i t was f l o o d e d w i t h refugees, m a n y o f t h e m Jewish, t r y i n g t o escape t h e N a z i war machine. O n e Shabbos, Y a a k o v M o s h e , t h e s o n o f a l o c a l R a b b i , n o t i c e d t h a t w h i l e t h e e n t i r e c o n g r e g a t i o n h a d sat d o w n t o p a r t a k e o f t h e t h i r d Shabbos m e a l , a p e r s o n w h o m he h a d n o t seen b e f o r e r e m a i n e d b y t h e w i n d o w r e c i t i n g Tehillim. H i s c o u n t e n a n c e was d i g n i f i e d , h i s e x p r e s s i o n , composed. W i t h intense concentration, b u t w i t h n o o u t w a r d signs o f e m o t i o n , he read K i n g D a v i d ' s p s a l m s . Y a a k o v M o s h e was t r a n s f i x e d . I n a w o r l d t u r n e d t o p s y - t u r v y b y v i o l e n c e a n d war, here was a m a n w h o r e m a i n e d t r a n q u i l . A p p a r e n t l y , he was also a refugee, b u t he d i d n o t appear d i s t u r b e d o r f l u s t e r e d . O n t h e c o n t r a r y , he r a d i a t e d t h e c o n f i d e n c e a n d s e r e n i t y t h a t stems f r o m i n n e r peace. Yaakov M o s h e drew strength f r o m watching h i m . A f t e r several weeks he i n q u i r e d a b o u t h i s i d e n t i t y a n d d i s c o v e r e d t h a t he was t h e s o n - i n - l a w o f t h e L u b a v i t c h e r Rebbe, R . Y o s e f Y i t z c h a k Schneersohn.

Parshas Shelach
T h e r e is a r e n o w n e d chassidic t e a c h i n g r e g a r d i n g t h e f u n d a m e n t a l e l e m e n t o f t h i s week's T o r a h r e a d i n g : t h e m i s s i o n o f t h e spies a n d t h e reasons f o r i t s f a i l u r e . T h e spies were sent t o i n v e s t i g a t e t h e l a n d o f I s r a e l . T h e y came b a c k w i t h c h i l l i n g r e p o r t s , t e l l i n g t h e

123

124

KEEPING I N TOUCH

people that the l a n d "devoured its i n h a b i t a n t s " and they w o u l d never be able t o c o n q u e r i t . T h e p e o p l e became f r i g h t e n e d a n d w a n t e d t o go back t o E g y p t . Chassidus e x p l a i n s t h a t the spies w e r e n o t o r d i n a r y people.

I n s t e a d , t h e y w e r e t h e n a t i o n ' s leaders, h a n d p i c k e d b y M o s e s f o r t h i s i m p o r t a n t m i s s i o n . So w h y d i d t h e y fail? Because o f t h e i r s p i r i t u a l e m i n e n c e . I n t h e desert, t o g e t h e r w i t h t h e e n t i r e J e w i s h people, from t h e y received t h e i r sustenance f r o m Above; manna a n d were they saw a fell

heaven. T h e y h a d n o m a t e r i a l c o n c e r n s in spiritual development. When

totally land

involved

c o n t r o l l e d b y t h e n a t u r a l o r d e r , w h e r e t h e y w o u l d have t o d e v o t e t h e i r energies t o m a t e r i a l c o n c e r n s , t h e y b a l k e d . " W h y d o t h i s ? " , they protested, " w h y n o t r e m a i n i n the desert and live o f f G-d's beneficence?" T h e r e is a d i f f i c u l t y w i t h t h a t i n t e r p r e t a t i o n . T h e T o r a h h a d been g i v e n m o r e t h a n a year p r e v i o u s l y . I n t h a t t i m e , o u r p e o p l e had been learning about establishing harmony between the

material and the spiritual and having spiritual t r u t h manifest i n m a t e r i a l r e a l i t y . T h e spies k n e w t h a t t h e y w e r e g o i n g t o a p h y s i c a l l a n d t h a t t h e y w o u l d have t o c o n q u e r t h r o u g h w a r . So w h y d i d t h e y c o m e b a c k so d i s e n h e a r t e n e d ? W h a t w e r e t h e y t h i n k i n g at t h e outset? T h e e x p l a n a t i o n is t h a t w h e n t h e y set o u t o n t h e i r m i s s i o n , t h ey were thinking of entering Eretz^ Yisrael as an abstract exciting

p r o p o s i t i o n . N o w , i n t e l l e c t u a l l y , t h e r e is n o t h i n g m o r e

t h a n seeing an a b s t r a c t idea b e c o m e m a n i f e s t i n a c t u a l f a c t . H e n c e , o r i g i n a l l y , t h e spies w e r e eager a b o u t t h e i r m i s s i o n . B u t w h e n t h e y a r r i v e d i n Eretz^ Yisrael, t h e y saw t h a t t h i s w a s n ' t m e r e l y an e x p e r i m e n t i n c h e m i s t r y o r p h y s i c s . T h e abstracts a n d t h e p r a c t i c a l s i n v o l v e d t h e i r lives: h o w t h e y w o u l d g e t u p i n t h e m o r n i n g , w o r k d u r i n g t h e day, a n d c o m e h o m e t o t h e i r f a m i l i e s at n i g h t . W h e n they comprehended that, they felt challenged. " T h i s is a l a n d t h a t d e v o u r s i t s i n h a b i t a n t s . " " I a m g o i n g t o c o m e h o m e each n i g h t w o r n o u t , n o t f r o m the physical labor o f t i l l i n g the

SHELACH

125

l a n d , b u t f r o m t h e s p i r i t u a l e f f o r t o f w o r k i n g t o see m y s p i r i t u a l ideals expressed i n a c t u a l l i f e . T o a c c o m p l i s h t h i s , I a m g o i n g t o have t o give u p o n ego a n d s e l f - c o n c e r n . N o t o n l y m y m a t e r i a l w a n t s w i l l n e e d t o be s a c r i f i c e d , b u t also m y s p i r i t u a l o n e s . " F o r real l i f e i n v o l v e s seeing s p i r i t u a l p r i n c i p l e s n o t as a b s t r a c t a x i o m s , but as t r u t h s t o be a p p l i e d w i t h i n t h e p r a c t i c a l r e a l i t i e s one faces

a n d t h e s o c i a l e n v i r o n m e n t i n w h i c h one exists. R a t h e r t h a n face s u c h a c o n f r o n t a t i o n , t h e y p r e f e r r e d t o r e m a i n i n t h e desert. G-d a n d M o s e s r e b u k e d t h e m f o r t h e i r e r r o r . F o r abstracts are

v a l u a b l e o n l y as t h e y are a p p l i e d . T h e p o i n t o f g i v i n g t h e T o r a h was n o t t o p r o v i d e t h e J e w i s h p e o p l e w i t h a t h e o r e t i c a l s t r u c t u r e for l i f e , a m e r e set o f beliefs a n d s p i r i t u a l m a x i m s . I n s t e a d , the

i n t e n t was t h a t t h e T o r a h be p u t i n t o p r a c t i c e a n d u s e d t o change t h e n a t u r e o f o u r p e o p l e ' s lives a n d t h e w o r l d i n w h i c h t h e y l i v e .

Looking to the Horizon

The conflict aroused when trying to express spiritual truths

w i t h i n t h e c o n t e x t o f m a t e r i a l existence w i l l be r e s o l v e d i n t h e era o f Mashiach. u n t i l t h e n , t h e r e w i l l always be a d i c h o t o m y b e t w e e n s p i r i t u a l t r u t h s and their expression. F o r the material nature o f t h e w o r l d covers s p i r i t u a l t r u t h a n d p r e v e n t s us f r o m p e r c e i v i n g i t . T h e K a b b a l i s t s refer t o t h i s process as tzimtzum. W h a t i t means is that a l t h o u g h G-dliness overtly apparent. To illustrate the concept: When a teacher wants to is t h e t r u t h o f a l l existence, i t is n o t

c o m m u n i c a t e a deep c o n c e p t , he w i l l o f t e n use an a n a l o g y . T h e a n a l o g y is a f o r e i g n matter; i t is n o t t h e idea he is t r y i n g to

c o m m u n i c a t e . B u t t h r o u g h i t , a s t u d e n t gets an u n d e r s t a n d i n g o f t h e idea. I n a s i m i l a r way, m a t e r i a l existence is n o t s p i r i t u a l t r u t h ; i t ' s o n l y an a n a l o g y t h a t enables us t o u n d e r s t a n d i t exists. B u t l i k e an analogy, i t conceals as i t reveals, f o r i t s h o w s s o m e t h i n g else t h a n its i n n e r message.

126

KEEPING I N TOUCH

I n t h e era o f Mashiach, t h a t w i l l change. W e w i l l see h o w every e l e m e n t o f m a t e r i a l existence expresses s p i r i t u a l t r u t h . O r t o refer b a c k t o t h e i l l u s t r a t i o n , i t w i l l be clear t h a t t h e a n a l o g y exists o n l y t o c o m m u n i c a t e t h e analogue. In such a situation, there w i l l be n o c o n f l i c t between the

m a t e r i a l a n d t h e s p i r i t u a l . W e w i l l have n o d i f f i c u l t y o u r ideas i n a c t u a l experience.

expressing

O n c e at ayechidus (a p r i v a t e m e e t i n g w i t h t h e R e b b e ) a F r e n c h Jew discussed a n a p p r o a c h - a v o i d a n c e c o n f l i c t he h a d w i t h t h e c h a s s i d i m o f t h a t c o u n t r y . O n o n e h a n d , he was a t t r a c t e d b y t h e b r o t h e r h o o d a n d happiness t h e y m a n i f e s t e d , b u t was p u t o f f b y c e r t a i n q u a l i t i e s . O n e o f t h e q u a l i t i e s w h i c h b o t h e r e d h i m m o s t , he t o l d t h e R e b b e , was w h a t he c o n s i d e r e d t h e i n o r d i n a t e affection the chassidim had for the Rebbe himself. " T h e y l e a r n f r o m m e , " t h e R e b b e r e p l i e d . " I also have a n i n o r d i n a t e l o v e f o r every Jew."

Parshas Korach
This week's Torah reading relates that Korach, a wealthy,

i n t e l l i g e n t , a n d s p i r i t u a l l y g i f t e d i n d i v i d u a l , l e d a r e v o l t against M o s e s . W h a t was entire Korach's complaint? He t o l d Moses: "The lift

n a t i o n is h o l y .

G - d is a m o n g congregation?"

them. W h y do you

y o u r s e l f u p over G - d ' s A preface

is necessary t o u n d e r s t a n d

the inner meaning o f

K o r a c h ' s c o m p l a i n t . K o r a c h also w a n t e d t o be a leader, t h e i n t e n t o f his r e b e l l i o n was t h a t he w o u l d replace M o s e s . So h o w c o u l d he object t o M o s e s ' leadership position? I n t r u t h , K o r a c h d i d n o t o b j e c t t o t h e Jew's h a v i n g a leader. What he opposed was the type of leadership that Moses

manifested. M o s e s was an a b s o l u t e a u t h o r i t y . H e s p o k e i n G - d ' s T h e p e o p l e l i s t e n e d t o h i m n o t because w h a t he s a i d name.

sounded

r i g h t , b u t because he was s h a r i n g w i t h t h e m G - d ' s w o r d . W h e t h e r t h ey u n d e r s t o o d o r n o t , t h e y were o b l i g a t e d t o c o m p l y . K o r a c h o b j e c t e d t o t h i s . H e was w i l l i n g t o give t h e people

d e m o c r a t i c l e a d e r s h i p . H e w o u l d suggest a course o f a c t i o n ; t h e p e o p l e w o u l d c o n s i d e r i t a n d m a k e t h e i r d e c i s i o n . I f t h e y agreed, t h e y w o u l d l i s t e n . I f t h ey d i d n o t agree, t h e n t h e y w o u l d b o t h consider other alternatives.

127

128

KEEPING I N TOUCH

What's

wrong with

such

an

approach?

F r o m a superficial

p e r s p e c t i v e , n o t h i n g . I n d e e d , t h a t is t h e t y p e o f l e a d e r s h i p w e are generally familiar with. But there is a problem with such

l e a d e r s h i p ; i t never takes a p e r s o n b e y o n d h i s o w n h o r i z o n s . Since u l t i m a t e l y h i s acquiescence t o understanding, he can only the leader is d e p e n d e n t limits on his own

advance t o t h e

o f his

c o m p r e h e n s i o n . B e y o n d t h a t he is u n w i l l i n g t o g o . T r u e l e a d e r s h i p gives t h e p e o p l e a v i s i o n o f a p u r p o s e b e y o n d t h e i r o w n u n d e r s t a n d i n g a n d i n t h a t way, e n d o w s t h e m w i t h an i d e n t i t y h i g h e r t h a n t h e i r i n d i v i d u a l selves. T h i s is w h a t M o s e s gives t h e p e o p l e . Because, as s t a t e d above, M o s e s is c o n v e y i n g G - d ' s w o r d , he is able t o expose t h e p e o p l e t o a g o o d b e y o n d t h e i r o w n u n d e r s t a n d i n g , an a p p r o a c h t h a t w o u l d never have t h o u g h t o f o n t h e i r o w n . But h o w can w e k n o w t h a t t h i s is true? Since w e cannot they

u n d e r s t a n d t h e d e p t h o f M o s e s ' message a n d m u s t accept i t o n f a i t h , is t h e r e a w a y M o s e s can p r o v e t h a t w e s h o u l d believe i n him? T h a t ' s e x a c t l y w h a t K o r a c h asked. M o s e s t r i e d t o t e l l h i m a n d h i s colleagues t o relent. O u t o f his concern f o r t h e m , Moses

pleaded w i t h t h e m n o t t o b r i n g about a c o n f r o n t a t i o n , b u t they insisted. T o causing an affirm Moses' that leadership, G - d w r o u g h t a miracle, his entire

earthquake

swallowed Korach and

company. T h i s is n o t o n l y a h i s t o r i c a l n a r r a t i v e . I n every g e n e r a t i o n , G - d sends us leaders l i k e M o s e s , T o r a h g i a n t s t h a t d o n o t speak i n t h e i r o w n name, b u t i n G - d ' s . T h e y give o u r p e o p l e t h e chance t o h e i g h t e n t h e i r r e l a t i o n s h i p w i t h G - d a n d serve H i m i n ways t h a t t h e y w o u l d n o t be able t o appreciate o n t h e i r o w n .

Looking to the Horizon

T h e above relates t o t h e c o n c e p t o f Mashiach, f o r i n h i s era, the

a b s o l u t e a u t h o r i t y w h i c h M o s e s c o m m a n d e d w i l l r e t u r n . Mashiach w i l l n o t o n l y be a J e w i s h leader; he w i l l be a k i n g .

KORACH

129

Why

king?

To

take

our

people

beyond

their

own

u n d e r s t a n d i n g a n d expose t h e m t o an awareness o f G - d l i n e s s t h a t t h e y c o u l d n o t receive o n t h e i r o w n . O n o n e h a n d , Mashiach w i l l be a teacher, educating the people and developing their

u n d e r s t a n d i n g step b y step, b u t h i s p r i m a r y f u n c t i o n w i l l be t h a t o f k i n g , f o r m o n a r c h y requires t h a t a person subjugate h i m s e l f t o k i n g . I n t h a t way, he steps b e y o n d t h e p e t t y c o n c e r n s o f h i s o w n ego a n d i d e n t i f i e s w i t h t h e greater a n d l a r g e r p u r p o s e w h i c h t h e k i n g shares w i t h h i s n a t i o n . W h a t is t h e s o u r c e f o r t h e k i n g ' s a u t h o r i t y ? H e is n o m o r e than a representation o f the K i n g o f kings. Indeed, the entire

p u r p o s e o f t h e m o n a r c h y is t o enable t h e p e o p l e t o d e e p e n t h e i r r e l a t i o n s h i p w i t h G - d . W h e n a p e r s o n gives h i m s e l f over t o an earthly monarch, i t enables h i m t o more effectively subjugate

h i m s e l f t o the u l t i m a t e M o n a r c h .

T h i s T o r a h p o r t i o n is o f t e n read near Yud-Beis T a m m u z , t h e anniversary o f t h e release o f t h e p r e v i o u s Lubavitcher Rebbe, R . Y o s e f Y i t z c h a k Schneersohn from

exile i n C o m m u n i s t R u s s i a . T h r o u g h o u t t h e f i r s t decade o f C o m m u n i s t r u l e a n d especially, after S t a l i n rose t o p o w e r , t h e r e was a c o n c e r t e d e f f o r t t o s t a m p o u t J e w i s h i d e n t i t y a n d p r a c t i c e . M a n y T o r a h leaders f l e d t h e c o u n t r y . O t h e r s retreated i n t o seclusion and there were s t i l l others w h o were slain or i m p r i s o n e d . A g a i n s t t h i s b a c k g r o u n d , R . Y o s e f Y i t z c h a k fearlessly assembled a n u n d e r g r o u n d n e t w o r k o f J e w i s h observance a n d e d u c a t i o n . H i d d e n mikvaos w e r e k e p t o p e n so t h a t J e w i s h f a m i l y l i f e c o u l d be m a i n t a i n e d . K o s h e r slaughterers w e r e s e n t t h r o u g h o u t t h e c o u n t r y a n d a n u n d e r g r o u n d n e t w o r k o f s c h o o l s was e s t a b l i s h e d t o educate a f u t u r e g e n e r a t i o n . O n c e w h e n R . Y o s e f Y i t z c h a k was arrested f o r these activities, a C o m m u n i s t i n t e r r o g a t o r threatened h i m w i t h h i s p i s t o l , b o a s t i n g : " T h i s l i t t l e t o y has m a d e s t r o n g e r m e n than y o u talk." R . Y o s e f Y i t z c h a k answered c a l m l y : " T h a t t o y is effective o n l y w h e n a p e r s o n has one w o r l d (he lives o n l y i n t h e p h y s i c a l ) a n d m a n y g o d s ( h i s m a n y p h y s i c a l desires t h a t he seeks t o f u l f i l l ) . I have t w o w o r l d s ( t h e p h y s i c a l a n d t h e s p i r i t u a l ) a n d o n e G - d . T h e r e f o r e t h a t t o y does n o t frighten me." W i t h t h i s a p p r o a c h , he was able t o s p u r self-sacrifice a m o n g h i s f o l l o w e r s . T h o u s a n d s gave o f t h e i r lives s o m e e x p e r i e n c i n g actual m a r t y r d o m a n d o t h e r s , l i v i n g lives o f self-sacrifice so t h a t f u t u r e g e n e r a t i o n s w o u l d identify and practice Jewishly. T h i s is n o t m e r e l y a s t o r y o f t h e p a s t . H i s e x a m p l e s h o u l d s p u r us t o give o f ourselves a n d l i v e lives o f selfsacrifice. I n o u r s i t u a t i o n , i t ' s easier. W e d o n ' t have t o face C o m m u n i s t p e r s e c u t i o n . A l l w e have t o d o is dedicate ourselves t o a p u r p o s e above o u r i n d i v i d u a l selves a n d live o u r lives a l i g n e d w i t h t h a t g o a l .

130

CHUKAS

131

Parshas Chukas
T h i s T o r a h r e a d i n g b e g i n s w i t h t h e verse: " T h i s is t h e decree o f the T o r a h " and continues t o describe the purification process

r e q u i r e d after a p e r s o n c o m e s i n c o n t a c t w i t h a h u m a n corpse. O u r Sages e x p l a i n t h a t t h e t e r m "decree" i m p l i e s a l a w t h a t c a n n o t be u n d e r s t o o d b y h u m a n l o g i c . F o r t h e e n t i r e c o n c e p t o f r i t u a l p u r i t y a n d i m p u r i t y is n o t s o m e t h i n g t h a t o u r m i n d s can understand. W h y s h o u l d a p e r s o n w h o c o m e s i n c o n t a c t w i t h a corpse be c o n s i d e r e d i m p u r e ? H e d i d n o t s i n o r transgress. O n t h e c o n t r a r y , c a r i n g f o r a corpse, p r e p a r i n g i t f o r b u r i a l , a n d b u r y i n g i t is a great act o f k i n d n e s s f o r t h e d e p a r t e d a n d h i s f a m i l y . W h y s h o u l d a p e r s o n w h o p e r f o r m s s u c h acts be f o r b i d d e n t o e n t e r t h e T e m p l e o r p a r t a k e o f s a c r i f i c i a l f o o d s because he is d e e m e d i m p u r e ? M o r e o v e r , once t h e T o r a h has decreed t h a t a p e r s o n w h o came i n c o n t a c t w i t h a corpse b e c o m e s i m p u r e , t h e p o s s i b i l i t y f o r h i m t o r e g a i n p u r i t y is even m o r e d i f f i c u l t t o c o m p r e h e n d . I n d e e d , t h e Midrash relates t h a t w h e n G - d t o l d M o s e s t h a t a p e r s o n w h o c o m e s i n c o n t a c t w i t h a corpse b e c o m e s i m p u r e , M o s e s ' face t u r n e d c o l o r a n d he e x c l a i m e d : " H o w can s u c h a p e r s o n r e g a i n p u r i t y ? " E v e n after G - d t o l d h i m a b o u t t h e p u r i f i c a t i o n process i n v o l v i n g t h e ashes o f t h e r e d h e i f e r ( t h e s u b j e c t o f t h i s w e e k ' s T o r a h r e a d i n g ) , Moses questioned: "Is this enough?" W h a t was t h e source o f M o s e s ' d i f f i c u l t y ? A l l o t h e r cases o f r i t u a l i m p u r i t y i n v o l v e a p e r s o n w h o is alive. A s l o n g as t h e r e is a c o n n e c t i o n b e t w e e n t h e s o u l a n d t h e b o d y , t h e s o u l w h i c h is " a n a c t u a l p a r t o f G - d " can o v e r c o m e any s p i r i t u a l d e f i c i e n c i e s and

i n d e e d , elevate t h e b o d y t o a state w h e r e i t also b e c o m e s p u r e . B u t after t h e s o u l d e p a r t s f r o m t h e b o d y a n d t h e c o n n e c t i o n b e t w e e n t h e m is severed, s e e m i n g l y , t h i s d y n a m i c is n o l o n g e r possible.

D e a t h b r i n g s w i t h i t a sense o f f i n a l i t y . O n t h e surface, t h e s o u l n o l o n g e r has any c o n n e c t i o n w i t h t h e b o d y a n d o n l y t h e p h y s i c a l , material d i m e n s i o n o f the b o d y remains. Therefore the b o d y itself because a source o f impurity. Once such impurity has been

132

KEEPING I N TOUCH

imparted regained? G-d

to

another

person,

seeming,

purity

can

never

be

i n f o r m s M o s e s , however, t h a t t h e c o n n e c t i o n b e t w e e n t h e t h e s o u l was

s o u l a n d t h e b o d y is never t r u l y severed. W h i l e

enclothed w i t h i n the body, i t s t u d i e d the T o r a h and p e r f o r m e d mitzyos. A s a r e s u l t , t h e permanent departed, impression on G-dly the quality body. o f the T o r a h makes the soul a has

Even

after

t h e G - d l y c o n n e c t i o n r e m a i n s . T h e r e f o r e t h e r e is n o

f i n a l i t y associated w i t h t h e i m p u r i t y i m p a r t e d b y a corpse a n d o n e can r e g a i n p u r i t y even after c o n t a c t w i t h d e a t h . T h i s p o s s i b i l i t y is, however, a "decree," s o m e t h i n g w h i c h o u r m i n d s c a n n o t f u l l y c o m p r e h e n d . F o r h u m a n u n d e r s t a n d i n g can c o m p r e h e n d an i n t e r r e l a t i o n s h i p b e t w e e n s o m e t h i n g m a t e r i a l a n d s o m e t h i n g s p i r i t u a l , o n l y w h e n t h e t w o are i n d i r e c t c o n t a c t . F r o m G - d ' s p e r s p e c t i v e , however, t h e m a t e r i a l a n d t h e s p i r i t u a l are never t r u l y separate a n d even w h e n , t o a l l appearances, a c o n n e c t i o n n o longer exists, the imprint of the spiritual remains forever.

M o r e o v e r , t h i s s p i r i t u a l i m p r i n t e m p o w e r s us t o g a i n awareness o f the ultimate truth: that even our material existence is an

e x p r e s s i o n o f G - d l i n e s s . F r o m t h a t s t a n d p o i n t , t h e i m p u r i t y is only temporary.

Looking to the Horizon

I n t h e p r e s e n t era, t h e above c o n c e p t s r e p r e s e n t a "decree;" they

are above o u r o r d i n a r y d a y - t o - d a y u n d e r s t a n d i n g . F o r at present, t h e p r e v a i l i n g m i n d s e t is o n e o f m a t e r i a l consciousness. W e relate t o t h e s p i r i t u a l as s o m e t h i n g abstract, b e y o n d o u r o r d i n a r y r e a l i t y . A t best, w h e n t h e r e is an active r e l a t i o n s h i p b e t w e e n t h e s p i r i t u a l a n d t h e m a t e r i a l , i t is p o s s i b l e t o appreciate t h e i n f l u e n c e o f t h e s p i r i t u a l . T h e m a t e r i a l is, however, always d o m i n a n t a n d at t i m e s , eclipses the awareness of the spiritual entirely.

I n t h e u l t i m a t e f u t u r e , however, t h i s w i l l change. T h e t r u l y G - d l y n a t u r e o f a l l existence w i l l be revealed a n d w e w i l l appreciate t h a t not o n l y t h e s o u l , b u t also t h e b o d y is an e x p r e s s i o n o f G - d . T h i s

CHUKAS

133

will

endow

us w i t h

a new appreciation

o f the

material

realm.

I n s t e a d o f seeing i t as a s o u r c e o f b o d i l y pleasure a n d s a t i s f a c t i o n , w e w i l l appreciate i t s i n n e r G - d l y c o r e . T h i s w i l l i n t r o d u c e a n e w era, o n e w h e n , i n t h e w o r d s o f t h e prophets, " I w i l l cause t h e s p i r i t o f i m p u r i t y t o d e p a r t f r o m the the even

e a r t h " a n d " D e a t h w i l l be s w a l l o w e d u p f o r e t e r n i t y . " T h e n b o d y i t s e l f w i l l be a s o u r c e o f e v e r l a s t i n g l i f e . M o r e o v e r ,

t h o s e w h o passed away w i l l be r e s u r r e c t e d a n d w i l l r e t u r n t o l i v e again.

T h i s T o r a h r e a d i n g also o f t e n falls a r o u n d t h e 1 2 t h o f T a m m u z w h i c h is t h e b i r t h d a y o f t h e R e b b e R a y a t z , R . Y o s e f Y i t z c h a k S c h n e e r s o h n , a n d also t h e a n n i v e r s a r y o f h i s release f r o m e x i l e i n S o v i e t R u s s i a i n 1 9 2 7 . T h e R e b b e R a y a t z s p e n t t h e last t e n years o f h i s l i f e , f r o m 1 9 4 0 - 1 9 5 0 , i n the U . S . H e , however, visited the c o u n t r y once before, i n 1 9 2 9 . A t t h a t t i m e , one o f t h e cities he v i s i t e d was p h i l a d e l p h i a . W h e n i t became k n o w n t h a t t h e R e b b e w o u l d be receiving visitors and t h a t m a n y local people were i n t e r e s t e d i n seeing h i m , several teenage J e w i s h b o y s w e r e u p s e t . T h e y d i d n ' t l i k e t h e i d e a t h a t a n o l d R a b b i was r e c e i v i n g so m u c h a t t e n t i o n a n d d e c i d e d t o c h e c k o u t t h e s i t u a t i o n f o r themselves. T h e y r a n g t h e b e l l at t h e h o u s e w h e r e t h e R e b b e was r e c e i v i n g v i s i t o r s a n d w e r e m e t b y a d i g n i f i e d chassidic gentleman. T h e y had n o t really t h o u g h t o f w h a t they w o u l d d o there, b u t w h e n t h e y saw t h a t t h e r e w e r e p e o p l e w a i t i n g o n l i n e t o be received b y t h e R e b b e , t h e y also d e m a n d e d t o see h i m . T h e chassid w h o received t h e m asked t h e m t o w r i t e d o w n w h a t t h e y d e s i r e d t o discuss w i t h t h e R e b b e . T h e y w r o t e that they w a n t e d t o k n o w h o w the Rebbe expected t h e m t o keep a n o l d - f a s h i o n e d r e l i g i o n i n a m o d e r n world. T h e chassid t o o k t h e i r n o t e t o t h e R e b b e w h o asked t h a t t h e y be s h o w n i n b e f o r e a l l t h e o t h e r s w a i t i n g o n l i n e . W h e n t h e y e n t e r e d h i s r o o m , he g o t u p a n d a r r a n g e d chairs f o r t h e m . N o w t h e R e b b e was p a r t i a l l y p a r a l y z e d f r o m t h e b e a t i n g s he s u f f e r e d u n d e r t h e C o m m u n i s t s i n R u s s i a . W a t c h i n g h i m p u t t h e chairs i n o r d e r t o o k a l l t h e b r a v a d o o u t o f t h e b o y s ' hearts. " Y o u ' r e p r o b a b l y w o n d e r i n g w h y I let y o u i n before all t h o s e w h o w e r e w a i t i n g o n l i n e . I t ' s because o f t h e q u e s t i o n y o u w a n t t o discuss. M o s t o f t h e p e o p l e w a i t i n g are a s k i n g m e f o r blessings. T h i s o n e has a d a u g h t e r w h o is s i c k . A m I a d o c t o r t h a t I k n o w h o w t o heal her? O u t 134

BALAK

135

o f m y l o v e f o r m y f e l l o w Jews, I w i l l p r a y f o r her. I n t r u t h , h o w e v e r , her f a t h e r c o u l d have d o n e t h i s h i m s e l f . " A n o t h e r is a b u s i n e s s m a n a n d is a s k i n g f o r success i n his i n v e s t m e n t s . D o I k n o w a n y t h i n g a b o u t i n v e s t m e n t s ? B u t o u t o f m y l o v e f o r m y f e l l o w Jews, I w i l l p r a y f o r h i m . S i m i l a r l y , every one o f these p e o p l e has a p e r s o n a l c o n c e r n t h a t is b o t h e r i n g h i m , b u t n o n e o f these concerns are m y f i e l d o f i n t e r e s t . Y o u , b y c o n t r a s t , are c o m i n g t o ask m e a b o u t J u d a i s m . T h a t ' s m y s p e c i a l t y . T h a t ' s w h y you were allowed i n first." T h e y t a l k e d f o r awhile. As they were p r e p a r i n g t o leave, t h e R e b b e t o l d t h e m : " Y o u ' r e w o n d e r i n g h o w t o be Jews i n A m e r i c a . L e a r n f r o m m e . " T h e r e are 6 1 3 mitzyos. I d o n ' t f u l f i l l a l l o f t h e m , b u t I d o t h e best I c a n a n d once I t a k e a step f o r w a r d , I d o n ' t go b a c k . " T h e R e b b e t h e n h a d each o f t h e m take r e s o l u t i o n s f o r mitzvos t h a t t h e y w o u l d f u l f i l l .

Parshas Balak
It's a s t r a n g e s t o r y . B a l a a m was a p r o p h e t a n d G - d gave h i m t h e

p o w e r t o curse. Balak, t h e K i n g o f M o a b , sends messengers t o him, Now, a s k i n g h i m t o c o m e t o h i m a n d curse t h e J e w i s h Balaam hated the Jews a n d wanted to people. but

curse t h e m ,

r e a l i z e d t h a t his curse c o u l d o n l y be effective i f G - d c o n s e n t e d . H e therefore consulted G - d , h o p i n g that G - d w i l l let h i m go w i t h Balak's messengers, b u t G - d refused.

H e a s k e d H i m : " C a n I curse t h e m f r o m here?" G - d t o l d h i m "No." " S h o u l d I bless t h e m ? " A g a i n , t h e answer was " N o . " B a l a k s e n t a s e c o n d g r o u p o f messengers a n d B a l a k asks G - d again. N o w , is G - d so fickle? I f H e was g o i n g t o l e t B a l a a m go, why d i d n ' t H e l e t h i m g o t h e f i r s t t i m e he asked? The story continues. Balaam comes t o Balak a n d on three

separate occasions t r i e s t o curse t h e Jews. N e v e r t h e l e s s , each t i m e ,

136

KEEPING I N TOUCH

he is f o r c e d t o d o t h e v e r y o p p o s i t e , c o n v e y i n g g e n e r o u s blessings upon them. So, w h y d i d G - d change H i s m i n d so m a n y times? A n d w h a t are t h e lessons w e can l e a r n f r o m t h i s i n o u r d a i l y c o n d u c t ? T h e s t o r y is a l e s s o n a b o u t a l i g n i n g ourselves w i t h G - d ' s T h e r e are m a n y t i m e s w h e n w e have o u r o w n desires, t h i n g s will. that

w e k n o w are n o t i n accordance w i t h G - d ' s w i l l . J u s t l i k e B a l a a m k n e w G - d w o u l d n o t curse t h e Jews, w e k n o w these b e h a v i o r s are

u n a c c e p t a b l e . B u t t h a t d o e s n ' t s t o p us f r o m t r y i n g t o sneak t h e m t h r o u g h . M a y b e G - d w i l l l e t i t g o b y j u s t t h i s once? T h e n w e get an answer. G - d has H i s ways o f i n f o r m i n g us o f w h a t H e w a n t s . A n d w e c l e a r l y u n d e r s t a n d H i s answer: " T h i s is n o t M y i n t e n t . " B u t t h a t d o e s n ' t s t o p us. W e p e r s i s t ; w e w a n t t o d o w h a t we w a n t t o do. So G - d r e s p o n d s l i k e H e d i d t o B a l a a m . A s o u r Sages say: " I n t h e w a y a p e r s o n w a n t s t o go, he is l e d . " I n s t e a d , o f t h e p e r s o n becoming sensitive to G-d's will and m o d i f y i n g his conduct

a c c o r d i n g l y , he b e c o m e s set i n his ways a n d r e s i s t a n t t o change. G - d , as i t were, says: " O k a y , i f t h i s is w h a t y o u w a n t t o d o . ahead, I ' m n o t g o i n g t o s t o p y o u . " D o e s G - d w a n t h i m t o c o n t i n u e w h a t he is d o i n g ? N o , b u t h o w m a n y t i m e s does H e have t o l e t t h e p e r s o n k n o w t h a t H e is n o t i n f a v o r o f w h a t he is d o i n g . A f t e r a w h i l e , H e j u s t lets p e r s o n d o w h a t he w a n t s . W i l l t h e p e r s o n be successful? u l t i m a t e l y , o f c o u r s e n o t . L i k e Balaam, he m a y have t h e o p p o r t u n i t y t o t r y t o d o w h a t he w a n t s f o r a w h i l e . I n t h e l o n g r u n , however, G - d w i l l have H i s w a y . N o w i f t h a t ' s t r u e i n t h e l o n g r u n , w h y s h o u l d w e w a i t f o r t h e l o n g run? Why n o t s i m p l y t a k e t h e cue f r o m t h e o u t s e t a n d a l i g n ourselves the Go

w i t h H i s w i l l initially? u l t i m a t e l y , w e are p u t i n t h i s w o r l d t o d e l i v e r blessings n o t a curse, i.e., t h e r e is a specific D i v i n e p u r p o s e f o r each o n e o f us t o fulfill. Eventually, each one o f us will bring that purpose to

BALAK

137

f u l f i l l m e n t l i k e B a l a a m u t t e r e d h i s blessings. T h e q u e s t i o n is: W i l l we i d e n t i f y w i t h t h a t p u r p o s e a n d f u l f i l l i t w i l l i n g l y a n d h a p p i l y ?

Looking to the Horizon

O n e o f Balaam's p r o p h e c i e s : " A star w i l l s h i n e f o r t h f r o m Jacob and staff w i l l arise i n I s r a e l " is u n d e r s t o o d as a reference to

Mashiach. I n d e e d , t h e c o m m e n t a r i e s i n t e r p r e t i t as t h e m o s t specific reference t o Mashiach i n t h e T o r a h . Why is Mashiach i d e n t i f i e d w i t h a staff? A s t a f f is u s e d to

c o m p e l a p e r s o n against h i s w i l l . W e f i n d , however, t h e c o n c e p t o f compulsion intrinsically connected to Mashiach. Indeed, when

M a i m o n i d e s describes t h e d i f f e r e n t q u a l i f i c a t i o n s w i t h w h i c h t o identify Mashiach, he states that he will "compel Israel to

strengthen

[ t h e breaches i n t h e T o r a h s

o b s e r v a n c e ] . " W h y is

Mashiach associated w i t h c o m p u l s i o n ? Because Mashiach w i l l i n t r o d u c e t h e J e w i s h p e o p l e t o a h i g h e r a n d deeper sense o f r e a l i t y t h a n t h e y are able t o perceive o n t h e i r own. T h ey are not able to reach t h i s level of understanding above

i n d e p e n d e n t l y n o m a t t e r h o w h a r d t h e y t r y . I t is s i m p l y

t h e i r grasp. B u t G - d w a n t s t h e Jews t o reach these peaks as w e l l . So H e sends Mashiach t o c o m p e l t h e m a n d n u d g e t h e m step b y step t o a level o f c o n n e c t i o n t o G - d t h e y c o u l d n o t attain. otherwise

O n e year, o n t h e day after S i m c h a s T o r a h , t h e a t t e n d a n t o f R . L e v i Y i t z c h a k o f B e r d i t c h e v was r o u s e d b y t h e s o u n d o f b r e a k i n g glass. H e q u i c k l y p e r f o r m e d t h e m o r n i n g w a s h i n g o f h a n d s a n d r a n t o see w h a t h a d h a p p e n e d . R a v L e v i Y i t z c h a k was s t a n d i n g t h e r e a d j u s t i n g h i s tefillin a n d pieces o f glass f r o m t h e d o o r o f the cabinet i n w h i c h they had been k e p t were s t r e w n all over t h e f l o o r . " I j u s t c o u l d n ' t help myself," the Rebbe explained t o h i s a t t e n d a n t . " I t ' s b e e n n i n e days since I p u t o n tefillin last. I j u s t c o u l d n ' t h o l d m y s e l f b a c k any l o n g e r . A s s o o n as I h a d t h e o p p o r t u n i t y , I r u s h e d t o p e r f o r m t h e mitzvah."

Parshas Pinchas
O u r T o r a h reading begins w i t h G-d's statement: "Pinchas, the son o f Elazar... t u r n e d b a c k M y rage... b y his zealousness f o r M y sake." O u r R a b b i s i d e n t i f y t h e zealousness o f P i n c h a s w i t h mesirus nefesh, a d e v o t i o n t o G - d t h a t k n o w s n o l i m i t s o r r e s t r a i n t s . E v e n i f one's l i f e is i n danger as i n t h e case o f Pinchas, w h o r i s k e d his l i f e t o preserve t h e m o r a l i t y o f t h e p e o p l e he is w i l l i n g t o take t h a t r i s k f o r t h e sake o f t h e values a n d p r i n c i p l e s t h a t G - d has g i v e n us. I n a c o m p l e t e sense, self-sacrifice o n t h i s level t r a n s c e n d s t h e l i m i t s o f reason a n d l o g i c . E a c h one o f us has c e r t a i n values a n d p r i n c i p l e s t h a t he u n d e r s t a n d s are c o r r e c t a n d w o u l d l i k e t o a p p l y i n h i s l i f e a n d see r e f l e c t e d i n t h e c o m m u n i t y a r o u n d h i m . T o work t o advance these values a n d p r i n c i p l e s does n o t involve

mesirus nefesh. O n t h e c o n t r a r y , o n e is h a p p y a n d s a t i s f i e d t o d o w h a t is necessary t o f u r t h e r t h i s p u r p o s e . T h e r e is n o sense o f s t r a i n o r challenge i n v o l v e d at a l l . B u t t h e r e are t i m e s w h e n t h e d e m a n d s t h e T o r a h makes o f us g o b e y o n d t h e scope o f t h e c o m m i t m e n t w e are p r e p a r e d t o m a k e . A n d t h e r e are o t h e r occasions w h e r e o u r s u r r o u n d i n g e n v i r o n m e n t

138

PINCHAS

139

creates challenges t h a t l o g i c a l l y , i t w o u l d appear w i s e t o a v o i d . Yes, w e h o l d o u r p r i n c i p l e s a n d values i m p o r t a n t , b u t t h e q u e s t i o n is: T o w h a t degree? H o w m u c h are w e w i l l i n g t o sacrifice f o r t h e m ? I n m o s t instances, w e feel t h a t o u r lives a n d p e r h a p s even o u r p r o p e r t y a n d p o s i t i o n s are t o o v a l u a b l e t o r i s k . This reflects the uniqueness of mesirus nefesh a n d the and

zealousness t h a t p i n c h a s d i s p l a y e d . E v e n w h e n one's reason

l o g i c w o u l d n o t r e q u i r e h i m t o m a k e a c o m m i t m e n t , he is w i l l i n g t o d o so. W h a t is t h e source f o r s u c h a c o m m i t m e n t ? I f i t does n o t s t e m f r o m t h e m i n d , f r o m w h e r e does i t stem? W h y is t h e p e r s o n w i l l i n g t o t a k e s u c h r i s k s a n d m a k e s u c h sacrifices? Chassidus e x p l a i n s t h a t every p e r s o n ' s i n n e r core is a s o u l t h a t is " a n a c t u a l p a r t o f G - d . " T h i s represents a level deeper t h a n h i s thoughts and feelings. A c c o r d i n g l y , he is w i l l i n g to commit

h i m s e l f t o G - d even w h e n h i s l o g i c a n d reason d i c t a t e o t h e r w i s e . H i s t r u e self, h i s i n n e r G - d l y core, i d e n t i f i e s w i t h G - d ' s w i l l a n d s p u r s h i m t o d o w h a t e v e r is necessary t o care i t o u t , regardless o f t h e r i s k s o r sacrifices i n v o l v e d . On one h a n d , t h i s appears t o be an a d m i r a b l e l e v e l . Y e t i n i t may be somewhat p r o b l e m a t i c . Since we are

everyday l i f e ,

s p e a k i n g a b o u t a c o m m i t m e n t above l o g i c a n d reason, h o w can i t be distinguished from the fanatic fundamentalism that has

appeared

i n m a n y sectors o f o u r society? I n w h a t w a y is t h i s

message d i f f e r e n t f r o m t h a t b r o a d c a s t b y m a n y r e l i g i o u s c u l t s w h o t e l l t h e i r a d h e r e n t s t o give u p e v e r y t h i n g f o r t h e c o n n e c t i o n t o G - d the c u l t promises? T h e answer t o these q u e s t i o n s is t h a t t h e values a n d p r i n c i p l e s for w h i c h Judaism esteems mesirus nefesh are those which have

c h a r a c t e r i z e d J e w i s h l i f e f o r over t h r e e t h o u s a n d years. W e are n o t t a l k i n g a b o u t n e w ideals h a t c h e d yesterday, b u t a s y s t e m o f e t h i c s a n d m o r a l i t y t h a t has been p r a c t i c e d f o r c e n t u r i e s . A Jew's mesirus nefesh is an e x t e n s i o n o f a h i s t o r y t h a t has p r o v e d i t s i n t e g r i t y over t h e course o f t i m e . H i s self-sacrifice c o n t i n u e s t h e g o l d e n c h a i n o f

140

KEEPING I N TOUCH

d e v o t i o n i n w h i c h over p e o p l e have l i v e d a n d d i e d f o r G - d and H i s T o r a h .

Looking to the Horizon

Our Rabbis of identify the pinchas with Elijah the is prophet also Elijah, the with Since

messenger

Redemption.

identified

zealousness, a c o m m i t m e n t t h a t e x t e n d s b e y o n d a l l l i m i t s .

i n t h e era o f t h e R e d e m p t i o n , t h e G - d l y core w i t h i n each p e r s o n a n d every e n t i t y w i l l surface, t h e messenger o f t h e redemption

m u s t be one w h o has b r o u g h t t h e G - d l y core w i t h i n h i s b e i n g t o t h e surface. Our within efforts to reveal the G-dliness within ourselves and part,

the w o r l d w i l l

evoke a s i m i l a r i n i t i a t i v e o n G - d ' s

m o t i v a t i n g H i m t o reveal essential energies o r d i n a r i l y

untapped.

G e n e r a l l y , t h e r e is an o r d e r a n d a p a t t e r n t o D i v i n e r e v e l a t i o n a n d His essence is n o t revealed. I n t h e era o f R e d e m p t i o n , "Your

M a s t e r w i l l n o l o n g e r be v e i l e d , " a n d these essential w i l l c o m e t o t h e surface. What will motivate this change? A

revelations

s i m i l a r change

within

ourselves. B y p l u m b i n g t o o u r core a n d t a p p i n g o u r G - d l y essence, w e i n s p i r e a p a r a l l e l process o n t h e p a r t o f G - d .

O n c e the Berditchever Rebbe, R . Levi Y i t z c h a k , spent a Shabbos i n a v i l l a g e w i t h m a n y n o n - o b s e r v a n t Jews i n a n attempt to influence t h e m to heighten their T o r a h observance. A t t h e tish, t h e c o m m u n a l m e a l , t h e R e b b e m a d e Kiddush w i t h m u c h f e e l i n g . H e t h e n w a s h e d h i s h a n d s a n d p i c k e d u p t h e challos t o m a k e t h e HaMotzi b l e s s i n g . H e gazed u p o n t h e m w i t h sheer d e l i g h t a n d t h e n o v e r c o m e b y happiness, k i s s e d t h e b r e a d . O n e o f t h e n o n - o b s e r v a n t Jews w h o h a d c o m e t o see t h e R e b b e t u r n e d t o a colleague a n d said: " I have s p e n t m y e n t i r e l i f e s e e k i n g pleasure, b u t I d o n ' t t h i n k I ever e x p e r i e n c e d as m u c h s a t i s f a c t i o n as t h e R e b b e d i d w h e n h o l d i n g t h o s e loaves."

Parshas Mattos
Our T o r a h r e a d i n g begins w i t h t h e c o n c e p t o f v o w s , r e l a t i n g h o w

a p e r s o n w i l l take a v o w f o r b i d d i n g h i m s e l f f r o m i n d u l g i n g i n a particular material activity or partaking o f a f o o d Why or beverage.

w o u l d a p e r s o n take a vow? Because he feels he needs a

safeguard. H e senses t h a t his i n v o l v e m e n t i n a g i v e n a c t i v i t y is b e c o m i n g t o o d i f f i c u l t t o c o n t r o l , so he erects a s y s t e m o f checks and balances t h a t f o r c e h i m t o r e s t r a i n h i m s e l f . B y d e c l a r i n g a

p a r t i c u l a r f o o d o r a c t i v i t y f o r b i d d e n , he makes i t c e r t a i n t h a t he w i l l not indulge i n i t . B u t w h y is t h a t necessary? I f he d o e s n ' t w a n t t o i n d u l g e , w h y d o e s n ' t he s i m p l y exercise c o n t r o l , w h y does he n e e d t h e e x t e r n a l r e s t r a i n t s o f a vow? A n y o n e w h o has ever d e v e l o p e d a negative h a b i t k n o w s t h e answers t o these q u e s t i o n s . A s k an e x - a l c o h o l i c i f he can have j u s t o n e d r i n k , o r ask a p e r s o n w h o has g i v e n u p s m o k i n g i f he can have just one cigarette. They'll tell you that it's virtually

i m p o s s i b l e . O n c e y o u start, i t ' s a l m o s t i m p o s s i b l e t o s t o p . T h e o n l y w a y t o a v o i d s l i d i n g d o w n t h e s l i p p e r y slope is t o stay far

141

142

KEEPING I N TOUCH

away. T h e o r e t i c a l l y , a p e r s o n can have always have c o n t r o l over h i s b e h a v i o r , b u t p r a c t i c a l l y , safeguards h e l p . T h e r e is, h o w e v e r , a w a y t o a v o i d t h e e n t i r e issue. W h y does a p e r s o n b e c o m e obsessed w i t h a p a r t i c u l a r a c t i v i t y t o t h e that he cannot and control himself? that Because he hopes he feels the extent for

a need

happiness

satisfaction

that

particular

activity w i l l provide. H e continues p e r f o r m i n g that activity i n the hope o f receiving that satisfaction u n t i l he has developed the

h a b i t . O n c e he has d e v e l o p e d t h e h a b i t , i t is h a r d t o o v e r c o m e i t . But i f he never develops an obsession, he w i l l n o t lose h i s self-

control. But doing that requires having an alternate source of

s a t i s f a c t i o n . I n d e e d , o u r T o r a h t r a d i t i o n p r o v i d e s us w i t h s u c h a resource. W h e n a p e r s o n derives s a t i s f a c t i o n a n d pleasure f r o m h i s spiritual activities, he will not feel lacking, nor will he need

s o m e t h i n g t o give h i m a " h i g h . " W h e n h i s s p i r i t u a l a c t i v i t y f i l l s him w i t h energy a n d v i t a l i t y , t h a t w i l l b e c o m e h i s f o c u s a n d t h e n

he w i l l be able t o r e g a r d m a t e r i a l t h i n g s w i t h a m a t u r e p e r s p e c t i v e . He w i l l n o t reject t h e m a t e r i a l , b u t n e i t h e r w i l l he be o v e r - e x c i t e d

a b o u t i t . H e w i l l be able t o see i t w i t h t h e p r o p e r p e r s p e c t i v e a n d use i t f o r G - d ' s p u r p o s e s a n d n o t h i s o w n i n d u l g e n c e . I n t h a t v e i n , o u r Sages p o i n t t o t h e verse " K n o w G - d i n a l l y o u r w a y s " a n d e x p l a i n t h a t i t is c e n t r a l t o t h e T o r a h ' s g u i d a n c e . " K n o w [ i n g ] G - d i n all y o u r ways" implies that a person w i l l n o t be s p e n d i n g a l l h i s t i m e i n t h e synagogue or house o f study.

I n s t e a d , he w i l l be i n v o l v e d i n " y o u r w a y s , " i n o r d i n a r y a c t i v i t i e s in our material world. Nevertheless, his i n t e n t w i l l not to be

i n d u l g e is o w n pleasures, b u t t o serve G - d . E v e r y t h i n g i n t h i s w o r l d can be u s e d f o r t h e service o f G - d . I n d e e d , t h a t is t h e reason f o r i t s c r e a t i o n as Pirkei Avos teaches us: " E v e r y t h i n g w h i c h G - d created i n t h i s w o r l d , H e created solely f o r His g l o r y . " H e n c e , t h e r e is n o a c t i v i t y f r o m w h i c h w e m u s t r e f r a i n

a n d a b s t a i n e n t i r e l y . Y e t w e s h o u l d be sure t h a t o u r i n v o l v e m e n t in these a c t i v i t i e s is f o r t h e sake o f H i s glory and not our

MATTOS

143

i n d u l g e n c e . I n t h a t way, w e w i l l able t o d e r i v e pleasure t h a t is b o t h meaningful and satisfying.

Looking to the Horizon

T h e u l t i m a t e e x p r e s s i o n o f t h i s m i n d s e t w i l l c o m e i n t h e era o f Mashiach. A t t h a t t i m e , w e w i l l experience an a b u n d a n c e o f m a t e r i a l blessings. T h e r e w i l l be n o f a m i n e , n o r w a r , a n d " g o o d t h i n g s w i l l flow i n abundance." A t the same t i m e , w e w i l l n o t be o v e r l y

concerned w i t h the physical. O n the contrary, "the o c c u p a t i o n o f t h e e n t i r e w o r l d w i l l be s o l e l y t o k n o w G - d . " T h e t w o c o n c e p t s are i n t e r r e l a t e d . Because o f t h e p l e n t y t h a t w e w i l l enjoy, w e w i l l n o t seek s a t i s f a c t i o n i n m a t e r i a l pleasures. E v e r y o n e w i l l have e n o u g h , so t h e r e w i l l be n o h u n g e r a n d l a c k t o p u s h a p e r s o n t o c o n s t a n t l y seek m o r e . But On h a v i n g i t s e l f is n o t e n o u g h t o satiate a p e r s o n ' s a p p e t i t e . t h e p e o p l e w h o have m o s t are the

the contrary, sometimes

ones c o n s t a n t l y d r i v e n b y desire. I n s t e a d , t o achieve t r a n q u i l i t y , a p e r s o n m u s t have an a l t e r n a t i v e source o f s a t i s f a c t i o n . I n t h a t era, s u c h a s o u r c e o f s a t i s f a c t i o n w i l l be easily accessible, f o r " t h e e a r t h w i l l be f i l l e d w i t h t h e k n o w l e d g e o f G - d " a n d h u m a n i t y w i l l its s a t i s f a c t i o n i n t h i s p u r s u i t . We can appreciate a f o r e t a s t e o f t h e r e d e m p t i o n a n d d e v e l o p find

s u c h a m i n d s e t t o d a y . Since G - d l i n e s s is n o t o p e n l y a p p a r e n t as i t will be i n t h a t future era, the satisfaction w i l l n o t be felt as for

powerfully.

Nevertheless,

even t o d a y , t h e m o t i f is o p e r a b l e

o n c e a p e r s o n g e n u i n e l y experiences s p i r i t u a l s a t i s f a c t i o n , t h a t w i l l become his f u n d a m e n t a l goal i n life.

O n c e t h e s a i n t l y R . Z u s y a o f A n a p o l i was t r a v e l i n g f r o m t o w n t o t o w n t o raise m o n e y f o r t h e r e d e m p t i o n o f captives. O n t h e course o f h i s j o u r n e y , he came t o a n i n n . T h e o w n e r was n o t h o m e , b u t t h e m e m b e r s o f h i s h o u s e h o l d i n v i t e d R . Z u s y a t o stay. O n e o f t h e features o f t h e i n n was a large b i r d cage w h e r e several e x o t i c b i r d s w e r e k e p t . R . Z u s y a saw t h e m f l y i n g against t h e w a l l s o f t h e cage, s t r a i n i n g t o be free. H e t h o u g h t f o r a m o m e n t . " I a m j o u r n e y i n g f o r t h e p u r p o s e o f f r e e i n g captives a n d here I have captives i n f r o n t o f m e a n d I a m l e t t i n g t h e m r e m a i n caged." W i t h o u t a s e c o n d t h o u g h t , he o p e n e d t h e cage a n d l e t t h e b i r d s take f l i g h t . W h e n t h e i n n - k e e p e r r e t u r n e d a n d saw t h a t t h e b i r d cage was e m p t y , he asked w h a t h a d h a p p e n e d . W h e n he was i n f o r m e d , he a n g r i l y a p p r o a c h e d R . Z u s y a a n d d e m a n d e d an e x p l a n a t i o n o f h i s b e h a v i o r . A f t e r a l l , t h e b i r d s h a d cost h i m a p r e t t y p e n n y . R . Z u s y a answered: " I t is w r i t t e n : ' H i s m e r c i e s are u p o n a l l H i s c r e a t i o n s . ' Seeing t h e i r p l i g h t , m y m e r c y was a r o u s e d t o release t h e m f r o m their confinement." T h e inn-keeper c o u l d n o t u n d e r s t a n d s u c h a n e x p l a n a t i o n a n d v e n t e d h i s rage u p o n R. Zusya. S o m e t i m e s afterwards, R . Z u s y a chanced t o h e l p a p o o r w a y f a r e r . W h e n he l o o k e d c l o s e l y at h i m , he r e c o g n i z e d t h a t he was t h e i n n - k e e p e r . A f t e r t h a t event, h i s f o r t u n e s h a d t a k e n a t u r n f o r t h e w o r s t a n d he was reduced t o begging. Apparently, G - d w i t h h e l d H i s mercies f r o m a p e r s o n w h o c o u l d n o t u n d e r s t a n d merciful conduct.

Parshas Maasei
T h i s T o r a h r e a d i n g c o n t a i n s t h e c o m m a n d m e n t t o set aside C i t i e s o f Refuge f o r a p e r s o n w h o k i l l e d a colleague u n i n t e n t i o n a l l y .

A l t h o u g h i n t h e w o r l d at large, o n e o f t h e m o s t c o m m o n f o r m s o f punishment for committing a crime is imprisonment. This

144

MAASEI

145

punishment

is n o t , b y c o n t r a s t ,

t o be f o u n d i n t h e T o r a h ,

nor

s h o u l d t h e C i t i e s o f R e f u g e be l o o k e d u p o n i n t h a t v e i n . Why do most societies choose i m p r i s o n m e n t ? When they

c o n s i d e r a l a w b r e a k e r t o be d a n g e r o u s , t h e y arrest h i m a n d i s o l a t e h i m f r o m society, so t h a t he w i l l n o t cause t h e w o r l d any f u r t h e r h a r m . I t ' s t r u e , h i s f r e e d o m s are d e p r i v e d , b u t t h i s is v i e w e d as an unavoidable way o f p r o t e c t i n g the public interest. T h e T o r a h never desires t o sacrifice any i n d i v i d u a l , even who has committed a crime. Indeed, the entire concept one of to

punishment

i n t h e T o r a h s h o u l d be seen, n o t as i n t e n d i n g

cause h a r m t o a transgressor, b u t t o m o t i v a t e a n d enable h i m t o correct t h e s i n he c o m m i t t e d . p u n i s h m e n t by imprisonment is

t h e r e f o r e o u t o f t h e q u e s t i o n , because t h e t r a n s g r e s s o r is d e p r i v e d o f his f r e e d o m t o choose his p a t h i n l i f e . E v e r y s i n g l e m o m e n t o f a p e r s o n ' s l i f e s h o u l d be d e d i c a t e d t o s e r v i n g G - d i n t h e way possible. Since imprisonment prevents that, it fullest is not

countenanced by the T o r a h . F r o m t h e above, i t is clear t h a t w h e n a p e r s o n w h o k i l l s a colleague a c c i d e n t a l l y is f o r c e d t o flee t o one o f t h e C i t i e s o f Ref uge, t h i s is n o t p u n i s h m e n t b y i m p r i s o n m e n t . R a t h e r , l i v i n g i n a C i t y o f R e f u g e is p u n i s h m e n t b y exile. T o r a h L a w r e q u i r e s t h a t i n t h a t c i t y he be p r o v i d e d w i t h a l l h i s needs, b o t h p h y s i c a l and

s p i r i t u a l . W h a t is he l a c k i n g ? N o t h i n g , b u t e v e r y t h i n g , because he is s e p a r a t e d f r o m h i s n a t i v e l a n d a n d f r o m t h o s e w h o l o v e h i m . H e lives, u s i n g all o f his potentials, but i n a different and more

p o s i t i v e m a n n e r . I n t h i s way, he atones f o r his t r a n s g r e s s i o n . S i n causes h a r m . M e t a p h o r i c a l l y , i t can be e q u a t e d w i t h k i l l i n g a p e r s o n , f o r i n a s p i r i t u a l sense, w i t h every s i n , a p e r s o n separates h i m s e l f f r o m h i s essential G - d l y core, t h e s o u r c e o f his v i t a l i t y . N e v e r t h e l e s s , i t is an " a c c i d e n t a l m u r d e r , " because t h e p e r s o n is u n a w a r e o f h o w he is c a u s i n g t h i s s e p a r a t i o n . A s o u r Sages say: " N o m a n sins unless a s p i r i t o f f o l l y enters h i m . " F o r i f he was c o n s c i o u s o f t h e s p i r i t u a l s e p a r a t i o n caused b y his deeds, he w o u l d never have t h o u g h t o f c o m m i t t i n g t h e m .

146

KEEPING I N TOUCH

How refers to

does he atone? B y g o i n g t o e x i l e . I n a s p i r i t u a l sense, t h i s the The Torah, as our Sages state: "The Torah affords reorient

refuge."

T o r a h gives a p e r s o n

an o p p o r t u n i t y t o

h i m s e l f a n d f i n d an e x p r e s s i o n f o r a l l o f his energies i n a m a n n e r t h a t aligns his s p i r i t u a l core w i t h G - d ' s i n t e n t . A n d i n t h i s way, one finds a t o n e m e n t .

Looking to the Horizon

T h e c o n c e p t o f c i t i e s o f refuge features p r o m i n e n t l y w i t h to regard

o u r p e o p l e ' s r e d e m p t i o n . M o s e s was c o m m a n d e d t o have t h e proper,

Jews set aside n i n e c i t i e s o f refuge: t h r e e i n Eretz^ Yisrael

three, i n T r a n s j o r d a n ( w h i c h is also p a r t o f o u r H o l y L a n d ) , a n d three, nations i n the to lands o f the Keni, Kenizi, and Kadmoni, lands were three not

the

south

o f Eretz^ Yisrael

whose

conquered i n Biblical times. M a i m o n i d e s cites t h i s c o m m a n d m e n t as a B i b l i c a l p r o o f o f fulfilled

t h e u l t i m a t e r e d e m p t i o n . F o r " t h i s c o m m a n d was never

a n d surely, G o d d i d n o t give t h i s c o m m a n d i n v a i n . " H e n c e , w e can assume t h a t i t w i l l be f u l f i l l e d i n t h e era o f R e d e m p t i o n . But w h a t p u r p o s e w i l l these c i t i e s serve i n t h a t f u t u r e era. A s

R . Y i t z c h a k L u r i a , t h e h o l y Ari, asks: T h e n , G o d w i l l "cause t h e spirit o f i m p u r i t y t o depart f r o m the earth," and " n a t i o n w i l l n o t l i f t u p s w o r d against n a t i o n . " I f so, w h y w i l l t h e r e be a n e e d f o r c i t i e s o f refuge at a l l , a n d i n p a r t i c u l a r , m o r e c i t i e s o f refuge existed previously? T h i s q u e s t i o n can be a n s w e r e d based o n a passage f r o m Talmud which relates h o w after Rabbi Yishmael the that

inadvertently

c o m m i t t e d a s i n , he r e c o r d e d i n his n o t e b o o k , " W h e n t h e T e m p l e is r e b u i l t , I w i l l b r i n g a s u c c u l e n t sin offering." Similarly, the

c i t i e s o f refuge i n t h e M e s s i a n i c age w i l l serve as an a s y l u m f o r t h o s e w h o k i l l e d i n a d v e r t e n t l y i n t h e p r e v i o u s era.

T h i s T o r a h p o r t i o n is always read o n t h e Shabbos p r e c e d i n g Tishah BeAv, t h e fast m a r k i n g t h e d e s t r u c t i o n o f the T e m p l e . Chassidim w o u l d often tell the f o l l o w i n g story: T h e followers o f the Rebbe, R . Yisrael o f R u z h i n w o u l d make every e f f o r t t o a v o i d sadness. O n Tishah BeAv, because o f t h e s o m b e r n a t u r e o f t h e day, t h e y w o u l d engage i n v a r i o u s p r a n k s a n d antics t o p r e v e n t t h e d e p r e s s i o n a n d m o u r n i n g f r o m overcoming t h e m . W i t h this i n t e n t , some o f t h e c h a s s i d i m h u r r i e d t o t h e synagogue o n Tishah BeAv m o r n i n g a n d p o s i t i o n e d a lasso a n d a h o i s t at t h e entrance. A f t e r a n u m b e r o f c h a s s i d i m e n t e r e d , t h e y p r e p a r e d t o l i f t u p t h e n e x t p e r s o n w h o a r r i v e d feet f i r s t t o t h e synagogue's r a f t e r s . T h e r e he w o u l d h a n g t o h i s colleagues' amusement. somewhat

T h a t year, R . Y i s r a e l came t o t h e synagogue

earlier t h a n e x p e c t e d . H i s f o l l o w e r s , already a n x i o u s l y w a i t i n g f o r a v i c t i m t o appear, d i d n o t l o o k t o see w h o s e f o o t s t e p s a p p r o a c h e d t h e synagogue. A s t h e R e b b e e n t e r e d , t h e y q u i c k l y b e g a n p u l l i n g o n t h e r o p e . T h e lasso t i g h t e n e d a r o u n d h i s feet a n d he was h o i s t e d u p w a r d . T h e c h a s s i d i m began t o l a u g h , b u t t h e n t h e y r e a l i z e d t h a t t h e v i c t i m was n o n e o t h e r t h a n t h e i r m a s t e r . O v e r c o m e b y fear, t h e y l e t loose t h e r o p e , c a u s i n g t h e R e b b e t o f a l l t o t h e f l o o r . u n a b l e t o r e s t r a i n themselves, t h e y a l l b r o k e out i n roaring laughter. R . Yisrael picked h i m s e l f u p and proceeded t o the h o l y ark. H e o p e n e d i t a n d s p o k e t o h i s C r e a t o r : " G - d , i t appears t h a t Y o u r c h i l d r e n d o n o t k n o w h o w t o celebrate Y o u r h o l i d a y . S o take i t away f r o m t h e m . " Our Sages relate t h a t i n t h e f u t u r e a l l t h e fasts

c o m m e m o r a t i n g t h e d e s t r u c t i o n o f t h e T e m p l e w i l l be t r a n s f o r m e d i n t o h o l i d a y s a n d days o f c e l e b r a t i o n . T h a t ' s t h e Tishah BeAv w e w a n t t o r e m e m b e r . u n t i l t h e n , w e p r a y t h a t G - d takes b a c k H i s h o l i d a y .

147

148

KEEPING I N TOUCH

Parshas Devarim
This week's Torah reading begins by explaining that Moses

"began t o e x p o u n d the T o r a h w i t h t h o r o u g h e x p l a n a t i o n . " O u r Sages e x p l a i n t h a t " w i t h t h o r o u g h e x p l a n a t i o n " means t h a t M o s e s t r a n s l a t e d t h e T o r a h i n t o 7 0 languages. W h y ? O f w h a t value was t h a t t r a n s l a t i o n ? I n t h a t era, a l l t h e Jews u n d e r s t o o d Lashon HaKodesh, t h e H e b r e w i n w h i c h t h e T o r a h was w r i t t e n . W h a t p u r p o s e was a c h i e v e d b y t r a n s l a t i n g t h e text? Among the explanations g i v e n is t h a t b y d o i n g so, Moses

elevated t h e secular t o n g u e s

i n w h i c h he s p o k e . O u r Sages say:

" E v e r y t h i n g w h i c h G - d created i n H i s w o r l d , H e created solely f o r H i s g l o r y . " N o e n t i t y , be i t a language, a p r e c i o u s m e t a l , o r an i n v e n t i o n has a separate, i n d e p e n d e n t i d e n t i t y . I t was c r e a t e d b y G - d f r o m a b s o l u t e n o t h i n g n e s s f o r a p u r p o s e : t o reveal H i s g l o r y . Otherwise, i t w o u l d n o t exist. Because w e l i v e i n a m a t e r i a l w o r l d , t h i s p u r p o s e is n o t o p e n l y revealed. O n t h e c o n t r a r y , i t is p o s s i b l e t o t a k e an e n t i t y ' s and

i n d e e d , a l l e n t i t i e s ' existence f o r g r a n t e d . I t ' s n a t u r a l t o t h i n k : " I a m , because I a m . I d o n ' t n e e d a reason f o r b e i n g . M y existence a n d t h a t o f t h e w o r l d a r o u n d m e is f a c t . " J u d a i s m l o o k s at t h i n g s d i f f e r e n t l y . T h e u l t i m a t e t r u t h o f a l l existence is n o n - b e i n g . T h e w o r l d exists o n l y because G - d b r i n g s i t i n t o existence. A n d H e d i d n o t b r i n g i t i n t o existence casually. I n s t e a d , e v e r y t h i n g t h a t H e m a d e was m a d e w i t h a p u r p o s e : proclaim H i s truth. T o g e t b a c k t o t h e o t h e r languages t h a t w e began s p e a k i n g o f : W h y d o E n g l i s h , F r e n c h , S p a n i s h , a n d o t h e r languages exist? T o be u s e d t o speak G - d ' s expressing Hebrew is, G-d's after truth t r u t h . I n d e e d , t h e r e is an advantage t o i n English than Holy d o i n g so a in Hebrew. that is to

all, the

Tongue,

language

i n h e r e n t l y a n d o b v i o u s l y h o l y . T o use i t f o r t h e sake o f h o l i n e s s i.e., t o t e a c h T o r a h a n d J e w i s h values t h r o u g h i t is n a t u r a l

a n d e x p e c t e d . W h a t else w o u l d y o u use H e b r e w for?

DEVARIM

SHABBOS CHAZON

149

E n g l i s h , b y c o n t r a s t , is n o t a h o l y t o n g u e . O n t h e c o n t r a r y , i t e x i s t e d f o r m a n y years b e f o r e a n y o n e t h o u g h t o f u s i n g i t t o t e a c h G-d's Torah and of so, the using it to to teach Torah It on involves is his a the new a

transformation development,

worldly that

holiness. achieved

something

man

own,

c o n t r i b u t i o n t h a t m a n has m a d e b e y o n d t h e n a t u r a l p a t t e r n o f creation. Since u s i n g secular languages f o r a T o r a h p u r p o s e development, there is a c e r t a i n a m o u n t o f difficulty is a n e w involved.

T h e r e f o r e t o m a k e i t easier, M o s e s s t a r t e d t h e process. T a k i n g t h e f i r s t step is always t h e h a r d e s t . B y b e i n g t h e f i r s t o n e t o t r a n s l a t e t h e T o r a h i n t o a secular t o n g u e , he m a d e i t easier f o r t h e J e w i s h p e o p l e o f t h e l a t e r g e n e r a t i o n s t o c o n t i n u e t h i s process. I n t h a t sense, o u r a c t i o n s c o m p o s i n g a n d r e a d i n g t h i s v e r y page can be seen as a c o n t i n u a t i o n o f the motif Moses

i n i t i a t e d . W e are t a k i n g a w o r l d l y language, s o m e t h i n g t h a t is n o t inherently holy and using i t t o communicate G-d's t r u t h .

Looking to the Horizon

T h e above m o t i f i n d e e d applies n o t o n l y w i t h r e g a r d t o other

languages, b u t t o t h e e n t i r e sphere o f o u r i n v o l v e m e n t i n m a t e r i a l a c t i v i t i e s . W h y d o w e s p e n d o u r lives e a t i n g , d r i n k i n g , a n d e a r n i n g m o n e y ? T o s h o w h o w these a c t i v i t i e s a n d t h e m a t e r i a l e n t i t i e s t h a t they involve exist for G-d's sake. I n d o i n g so, w e change the

n a t u r e o f t h e w o r l d a n d enable t h e p u r p o s e f o r w h i c h G - d b r o u g h t i t i n t o b e i n g t o resonate w i t h i n i t . A s t h a t happens, t h e r i p p l e s o f change b e c o m e larger. A s m o r e and more elements of existence begin to express their true

purpose, G-d's purpose i n creation becomes m o r e apparent. T h i s is w h a t p e o p l e m e a n w h e n t h ey say t h a t t h e w o r l d is g e t t i n g ready f o r Mashiach. T h e i n t e n t is t h a t Mashiach w i l l reveal h o w t h e w o r l d is G - d ' s d w e l l i n g . A s m o r e a n d m o r e p e o p l e are u s i n g d i f f e r e n t o f existence t o express G - d l y t r u t h ,

a n d m o r e varied elements

Mashiach is c o m i n g closer t o r e a l i t y .

150

KEEPING I N TOUCH

I n t h a t sense, t h e process o f p r e p a r i n g t h e w o r l d f o r Mashiach does n o t i n v o l v e any g r a n d i o s e or cataclysmic developments. It

means s i m p l y l i v i n g l i f e as w e k n o w w e s h o u l d , u s i n g every e n t i t y for the purpose f o r w h i c h G - d created i t . W h e n we d o o u r part i n n u d g i n g t h e w o r l d closer t o i t s i n t e n d e d p u r p o s e , G - d w i l l d o H i s part i n revealing H i s true i n t e n t for creation and b r i n g i n g the Redemption.

T h i s T o r a h p o r t i o n is always read o n t h e Shabbos after t h e fast o f Tishah BeAv, t h e day o f t r a g e d y t h a t is t h e anniversary o f t h e d e s t r u c t i o n o f t h e F i r s t a n d S e c o n d T e m p l e s , t h e q u a s h i n g o f Bar K o c h b a h ' s r e v o l t , t h e exile f r o m S p a i n , a n d m a n y o t h e r d i s t r e s s i n g events i n o u r national history. I t is t o l d t h a t t h e great R e b b e , R . A v r a h a m Y e h o s h u a H e s h e l o f A p t , once m e t h i s f r i e n d , t h e h o l y R e b b e , R . Y i s r a e l o f R u z h i n . R . A v r a h a m Y e h o s h u a saw t h a t R . Y i s r o e l h a d b e e n c r y i n g a n d asked h i m t h e r e a s o n f o r h i s tears. " I a m c r y i n g , " R . Y i s r o e l answered, "because o f t h e great s u f f e r i n g t h e Jewish p e o p l e bear a n d t h e f u r t h e r s u f f e r i n g t h a t t h e y w i l l have t o bear i n t h e f u t u r e . " " D o n ' t w o r r y , " R a v A v r a h a m Y e h o s h u a answered c o n s o l i n g l y . " W e have b e e n assured t h a t t h e Jews w i l l n o t be g i v e n any s u f f e r i n g s t h a t t h e y d o n o t have t h e s t r e n g t h t o bear." " T h a t ' s p r e c i s e l y w h y I a m c r y i n g . T h e Jews have so m u c h p a t i e n c e a n d forbearance. T h e y seem t o be able t o t o l e r a t e even t h e m o s t severe f o r m s o f s u f f e r i n g . "

Parshas Vaes'chanan
T h i s week's T o r a h reading begins w i t h M o s e s ' plea t o enter l a n d o f Israel. O u r enter the Holy Sages r e l a t e t h a t M o s e s p r a y e d 5 1 5 Obviously, Moses was not times the to in to was

Land.

interested desired

seeing the

sights or t a s t i n g the "the

f r u i t o f the

land. H e

e n t e r i t , because i t was

Holy

L a n d . " Nevertheless, w h y

t h a t so i m p o r t a n t t o h i m ? A f t e r

all, o n three different

occasions,

he h a d s p e n t 4 0 days a l o n e w i t h G - d o n M o u n t S i n a i . S e e m i n g l y , t h e r e can be no greater peak o f holiness t h a n t h a t . W h a t then

c o u l d e n t e r i n g t h e l a n d o f I s r a e l give h i m ? Our to fulfill Sages e x p l a i n t h a t M o s e s w a n t e d t o e n t e r t h e H o l y the mitzyos, G - d ' s commandments. The Land of

observance

151

152

KEEPING I N TOUCH

m a n y o f these c o m m a n d m e n t s is d e p e n d e n t o n t h e H o l y and its crops and the like. Outside o f the Holy Land,

Land these

c o m m a n d m e n t s c a n n o t be But

observed.

s t i l l M o s e s had been given the entire T o r a h , i n c l u d i n g the H e knew and understood

laws g o v e r n i n g these c o m m a n d m e n t s .

every d i m e n s i o n c o n c e r n i n g t h e m , n o t o n l y h o w t o observe t h e m , b u t also t h e i r s p i r i t u a l s i g n i f i c a n c e . I f so, w h a t w o u l d t h e observance o f t h e mitzvos c o n t r i b u t e t o h i m ? To resolve these questions, we have to understand the actual

i m p o r t a n c e o f observance i n a c o s m i c sense. T h e r e are o t h e r f a i t h s w h i c h see m e d i t a t i o n , prayer, a n d s t u d y as t h e u l t i m a t e g o a l o f m a n ' s e f f o r t s . F o r these endeavors l i f t a p e r s o n above h i s p h y s i c a l and material dimensions see observance as and connect h i m t o the spiritual. T h e y deeds to maintain a connection to

ceremonial

between

r e l i g i o n and the c o m m o n

p e o p l e w h o are n o t able

i n v o l v e themselves i n t h e s p i r i t u a l a c t i v i t i e s m e n t i o n e d above. O r t h ey see i t as a m o o d - s e t t e r . A f t e r a l l , t h e a c t i v i t i e s w e p e r f o r m influence our thoughts and b y p e r f o r m i n g different actions, we

m a k e i t easier t o a t t a i n d i f f e r e n t m e d i t a t i v e states. Judaism takes a d i f f e r e n t p e r s p e c t i v e . T h e mitzyos s h o u l d be

f u l f i l l e d , because G - d desires t h a t t h e y be f u l f i l l e d . W h y d i d G - d desire? W e d o n ' t k n o w a n d w e d o n ' t n e e d t o k n o w . W e d o k n o w that H e desired t h e i r observance a n d t h a t is r e a s o n e n o u g h to

m o t i v a t e us t o observe t h e m . p r a y e r , m e d i t a t i o n , a n d s t u d y l i f t a p e r s o n above t h e m a t e r i a l r e a l m , b u t o n l y r e l a t i v e l y so. A f t e r a l l , a l l these a c t i v i t i e s d e p e n d on our minds and our emotions. A n d our thoughts and our

feelings c a n n o t e x t e n d above t h e m o r t a l l e v e l . T h a t is w h y o u r Sages s a i d t h a t b e f o r e t h e G i v i n g o f t h e T o r a h , t h e r e was a decree s e p a r a t i n g t h e w o r l d f r o m G - d , because o u r m i n d s a n d o u r hearts c o u l d n o t reach H i m o n t h e i r o w n . How can w e reach H i m ? B y d o i n g w h a t H e says. T h e w o r d "bond."

mitzvah shares a c o n n e c t i o n t o t h e w o r d tzavta, m e a n i n g

S o m e t i m e s , t h e observance o f mitzvos m a y l e a d t o i n s p i r e d feelings

VAES'CHANAN

153

a n d t h o u g h t s o n o u r side a n d s o m e t i m e s , t h e y m a y n o t . B u t t h a t is a l l i m m a t e r i a l ; t h e essence is t h a t b y p e r f o r m i n g a mitzyah, w e are c o n n e c t i n g ourselves t o G - d as H e exists i n H i s o w n t e r m s . M o r e o v e r , t h e mitzyos are acts o f service, f o r t h e y e x t e n d t h a t b o n d i n t o the m a t e r i a l w o r l d , having i t encompass the m a t e r i a l o b j e c t s w i t h w h i c h t h e mitzyah is p e r f o r m e d . W h e n a Jew gives a penny t o charity a n d s i m i l a r l y , w h e n he p e r f o r m s any o t h e r t h a t p h y s i c a l o b j e c t is b o u n d u p

mitzyah w i t h a p h y s i c a l o b j e c t w i t h G-d's holiness.

M o s e s w a n t e d t o be p a r t o f s u c h a b o n d . T h e r e f o r e he p r a y e d t o G - d t o a l l o w H i m t o e n t e r t h e l a n d o f I s r a e l so t h a t he c o u l d observe t h e mitzyos t h e r e .

Looking to the Horizon

O t h e r c o m m e n t a r i e s e x p l a i n t h a t M o s e s ' i n t e n t was even deeper t h a n that, f o r M o s e s h a d n o t h o u g h t s o f his i n d i v i d u a l s p i r i t u a l a c h i e v e m e n t s at a l l . H e was d e d i c a t e d e n t i r e l y t o h i s p e o p l e . W h y d i d he w a n t t o e n t e r t h e H o l y L a n d ? Because h a d he been t h e one t o l e a d t h e Jews i n t o t h e l a n d , he w o u l d have b e c o m e revealed as Mashiach a n d a l l t h e s u b s e q u e n t t r i a l s a n d t r i b u l a t i o n s t h a t have p l a g u e d J e w i s h h i s t o r y ever since w o u l d have been a v o i d e d . W h y w e r e n ' t h i s prayers accepted? O n o n e level, i t can be e x p l a i n e d t h a t t h e Jews w e r e n o t w o r t h y . T h e i r sins a n d t h e i r failure to trust G-d throughout the 40 years o f wandering

t h r o u g h t h e desert h a d a f f e c t e d t h e i r s p i r i t u a l r u n g a n d t h ey w e r e n o t f i t f o r Mashiach. B u t o n a deeper level, Mashiach's c o m i n g was n o t w i t h h e l d as p u n i s h m e n t . I t was w i t h h e l d , because t h e w o r l d had n o t been

r e f i n e d t o t h e e x t e n t t h a t i t was ready t o receive h i m . H a d M o s e s ' p r a y e r b e e n accepted, Mashiach's c o m i n g w o u l d have against the

n a t u r e o f t h e w o r l d a n d t h a t is o p p o s i t e t o t h e e n t i r e m o t i f o f t h e ultimate represent R e d e m p t i o n . For the u l t i m a t e R e d e m p t i o n w i l l not

merely the revelation o f G-dliness o n H i s terms, b u t

also t h e r e f i n e m e n t o f t h i s m a t e r i a l w o r l d a n d t h e i n t e r n a l i z a t i o n

154

KEEPING I N TOUCH

o f t h a t r e v e l a t i o n . T h e w o r l d was n o t ready f o r t h a t i n M o s e s ' t i m e . T h a t is t h e g o a l o f t h e t h o u s a n d s o f years o f D i v i n e service that has followed: to prepare the world and enable to it to

i n t e r n a l i z e t h e r e v e l a t i o n s o f Mashiach's age.

T h i s T o r a h r e a d i n g is o f t e n read near A v 2 0 , t h e yahrzeit o f t h e R e b b e ' s father, a t o w e r i n g sage a n d kabbalist, w h o was also a n active c o m m u n a l R a b b i i n R u s s i a d u r i n g t h e d a r k e s t years o f S t a l i n i s t o p p r e s s i o n . O n c e as p a r t o f t h e census, t h e R u s s i a n g o v e r n m e n t sent o u t a q u e s t i o n n a i r e a s k i n g several queries o f i t s c i t i z e n s . A m o n g t h e q u e s t i o n s w a s : " D o y o u believe i n G-d?" M a n y Jews w e r e i n c l i n e d t o answer i n t h e negative because t h e y feared a r o u s i n g g o v e r n m e n t s u s p i c i o n and/or l o s i n g their jobs. W h e n the Rebbe's father learned o f t h i s , he gave a n i m p a s s i o n e d s e r m o n , e x p l a i n i n g t h a t d e n y i n g b e l i e f i n G - d was e q u i v a l e n t t o heresy. N o m a t t e r w h a t t h e r i s k s , every Jew was o b l i g a t e d t o answer affirmatively. A m o n g h i s l i s t e n e r s was a g o v e r n m e n t e m p l o y e e w h o s e w i f e h a d already f i l l e d o u t t h e census f o r m f o r h i m , s t a t i n g t h a t he d i d n o t believe. T h e w o r d s o f t h e R e b b e ' s f a t h e r m o t i v a t e d h i m so p o w e r f u l l y t h a t he w e n t t o t h e census o f f i c e a n d asked t h e g o v e r n m e n t t o c o r r e c t t h e f o r m . H e w a n t e d t o be l i s t e d as a believer. L a t e r w h e n t h e R e b b e ' s f a t h e r was arrested, h i s i n t e r r o g a t o r s asked h i m h o w he h a d d a r e d t o m a k e s u c h s t a t e m e n t s . H e answered t h a t h i s w o r d s w e r e t o t a l l y i n s u p p o r t o f t h e g o v e r n m e n t . "Jews i n h e r e n t l y believe i n G - d , " he t o l d h i s q u e s t i o n e r s . " I was m e r e l y e x h o r t i n g t h e m t o tell the t r u t h and n o t lie t o the government."

Parshas Eikev
This Torah L - r d , ask love that word reading contains the verses: " W h a t does G - d , your to

o f y o u ? O n l y t o fear G - d . . . t o w a l k i n H i s ways a n d Our Sages i n t e r p r e t t h e quote non-literally,

Him." the

noting the G-d

Hebrew word meaning from 100.

t r a n s l a t e d as

"What"

resembles

I n this vein, the

verse means t h a t what? 1 0 0

desires 1 0 0

the

Jewish people. 1 0 0

blessings.

155

156

KEEPING I N TOUCH

T h i s is t h e source f o r t h e i n j u n c t i o n f o r each p e r s o n t o r e c i t e t o r e c i t e 1 0 0 blessings every day. On t h e surface, t h e s i m p l e m e a n i n g o f t h e verses a n d our

Sages' r e n d e r i n g o f i t are w o r l d s apart. T h e verse is t e l l i n g us t o have an active e m o t i o n a l r e l a t i o n s h i p w i t h G - d t o love H i m

a n d fear H i m , a n d seek t o e m u l a t e H i s ways w h i l e o u r Sages are s p e a k i n g o f a r i t u a l o b l i g a t i o n t o r e c i t e blessings a n d t o m a k e sure t h a t w e r e c i t e 1 0 0 o f these blessings each day. W h e n l o o k i n g deeper, however, w e can appreciate that with

t h e i r i n t e r p r e t a t i o n , o u r Sages are n o t n u l l i f y i n g t h e verses' s i m p l e m e a n i n g . W h a t t h e y are d o i n g is p r o v i d i n g a v e h i c l e f o r us to

i n t e r n a l i z e a n d a p p l y t h e charge c o m m u n i c a t e d b y t h e verse i n o u r daily lives. T o fear a n d l o v e G - d a n d f o l l o w H i s p a t h s are n o b l e v i r t u e s . H o w can a p e r s o n m a k e these v i r t u e s a c t u a l f a c t o r s i n h i s l i f e a n d n o t m e r e l y ideals t o w h i c h he is s t r i v i n g ? B y r e c i t i n g 1 0 0 blessings a day. T o e x p l a i n : O u r Sages state, " I t is f o r b i d d e n t o b e n e f i t f r o m this w o r l d w i t h o u t reciting a blessing." A n d M a i m o n i d e s writes: " O u r Sages i n s t i t u t e d m a n y blessings as expressions o f praise a n d t h a n k s t o G - d , a n d as a means o f p e t i t i o n , so t h a t w e w i l l always r e m e m b e r t h e C r e a t o r . . . a n d fear H i m . " W h e n a p e r s o n recites a b l e s s i n g b e f o r e e a t i n g , he m a k e s o r at least has the opportunity o f G-d's to make i n his a fundamental Ordinarily, a

acknowledgement

presence

life.

p e r s o n eats w i t h o u t t h i n k i n g o f h o w t h e f o o d g o t here o r w h y i t got here. I t ' s a very simple, almost a n i m a l i s t i c deed. W e eat

because w e ' r e h u n g r y w i t h o u t t h i n k i n g o f a n y t h i n g m o r e . Our Sages t e l l us t o act d i f f e r e n t l y , t o take a m o m e n t o f f

before eating t o t h i n k and contemplate the inner s p i r i t u a l dynamic t h a t takes place w h e n w e eat. T o q u o t e Torah reading): " M a n does not live (also f r o m this week's but by

by bread

alone,

e v e r y t h i n g t h a t emerges f r o m

t h e m o u t h o f G - d . " T h e verse is

e x p l a i n i n g t h a t t h e f o o d a p e r s o n eats exists because G - d i n v e s t e d

EIKEV

157

His

energy i n i t t h r o u g h t h e m e d i u m o f speech. J u s t as at

the

b e g i n n i n g o f c r e a t i o n , G - d s p o k e a n d c r e a t e d t h e w o r l d ; so, t o o , at every m o m e n t H e is b r i n g i n g t h e w o r l d i n t o existence His speech. W h e n a p e r s o n eats, he is n o t d e r i v i n g h i s v i t a l i t y f r o m the through

p h y s i c a l m a t t e r o f t h e f o o d alone, b u t f r o m t h e G - d l y l i f e s p a r k His food, speech i n v e s t e d i n t h e f o o d . B y r e c i t i n g a b l e s s i n g over h i s p r a i s i n g G - d shehakol nihiyeh bidravo " t h a t e v e r y t h i n g was

c r e a t e d w i t h H i s speech," he is t a k i n g n o t e o f t h a t process. S i m i l a r l y , w h e n a p e r s o n relieves h i m s e l f , he recites a b l e s s i n g , acknowledging the infinite w i s d o m that w e n t i n t o the creation o f t h e h u m a n b o d y . W h e n he sees a l i g h t n i n g b o l t o r hears t h u n d e r , he recites a blessing, clarifying t h a t w h a t appears p a r t of the

natural order prayers, when

is r e a l l y an e x p r e s s i o n he that petitions his G-d is

o f G-dliness. A n d i n his for not his a livelihood, result on his he is

acknowledging

success

own

endeavors alone, b u t d e p e n d s o n G - d ' s blessings. In a s i m i l a r way, a l l t h e blessings w e r e c i t e are i n t e n d e d t o

m a k e t h e awareness o f G - d p a r t o f o u r o p e r a t i v e c o n s c i o u s n e s s a n d i n t h i s w a y s p u r o u r l o v e a n d fear o f H i m .

Looking to the Horizon

T h e u l t i m a t e c o n c e p t o f l i v i n g i n consciousness o f G - d w i l l be i n the era o f Mashiach w h e n "the earth will be filled with the

k n o w l e d g e o f G - d as t h e w a t e r s cover t h e ocean b e d . " A l t h o u g h our m a t e r i a l e n v i r o n m e n t w i l l c o n t i n u e t o exist, i t w i l l be s u f f u s e d

w i t h t h e k n o w l e d g e o f G - d . E v e r y place w e go, w h a t e v e r w e d o , w e w i l l be aware o f H i s presence. T h e c a t a l y s t t o h a s t e n t h e c o m i n g o f t h i s era is t o c o n d u c t ourselves i n t h e same m a n n e r t o d a y . A l t h o u g h w e c a n n o t a c t u a l l y see o r feel t h e r e v e l a t i o n o f G - d i n a l l t h i n g s , w e can His appreciate abstract

presence i n t e l l e c t u a l l y . A n d w e d o n o t o n l y m e a n

k n o w l e d g e , b u t r a t h e r t h e k i n d o f k n o w i n g t h a t affects one's h e a r t

158

KEEPING I N TOUCH

as w e l l as one's m i n d . T h i s is achieved t h r o u g h t h e r e c i t a t i o n o f blessings i n a l l o u r d i f f e r e n t a c t i v i t i e s . W h e n w e c o n d u c t ourselves i n t h i s m a n n e r , w e w i l l m a k e an impression attractive o n o t h e r s . F o r one o f t h e rarest a n d t h e r e f o r e things today are people This who have sincere thus most and

internalized continue to

s p i r i t u a l feelings. ripple outward

process w i l l

naturally for G-d's

h e l p i n g create a s e t t i n g

presence t o be o v e r t l y revealed.

W h e n R a b b e i n u S h m u e l , later t o become the f o u r t h R e b b e o f L u b a v i t c h , was a l i t t l e b o y , he e n j o y e d w h i t t l i n g a n d was able t o f a s h i o n several w o r k s o f a r t f r o m w o o d . T h e c h a s s i d i m v i s i t i n g h i s father, t h e Tzemach Tzedek, k n e w o f h i s h o b b y a n d w o u l d ask h i m t o s h o w t h e m h i s work. O n c e one o f t h e c h a s s i d i m , h i m s e l f s o m e w h a t o f a c r a f t s m a n , s h o w e d t h e R e b b e M a h a r a s h a special w h i t t l i n g k n i f e he h a d . " I w i l l give y o u t h i s k n i f e , " he t o l d the boy, " i f y o u can show m e where G - d is." u n f a z e d , t h e b o y t o o k o u t o n e o f h i s best k n i v e s . " A n d I w i l l give y o u t h i s k n i f e , " he t o l d t h e o l d e r m a n , " i f y o u can show m e where H e i s n ' t . "

Parshas Re'eh
T h i s week's T o r a h r e a d i n g focuses o n the establishment of a

c e n t r a l place o f w o r s h i p f o r t h e J e w i s h p e o p l e , d e s c r i b i n g h o w G - d " w i l l choose t o have H i s name d w e l l " i n one p a r t i c u l a r place a n d there, t h e J e w i s h p e o p l e w e r e r e q u i r e d t o " b r i n g . . . y o u r b u r n t offerings and your feast-offerings." And there, they were

c o m m a n d e d t o "celebrate b e f o r e G - d . " T h e verse is r e f e r r i n g t o t h e T e m p l e i n Jerusalem, revealed. Now where G - d is everywhere. T h e r e is n o t a place i n t h i s w o r l d is not present. Why then must His worship be t h e place w h e r e G - d ' s presence was

He

c e n t r a l i z e d ? W h y c a n ' t w e serve H i m a n y w h e r e a n d everywhere? T h e answer t o t h e last q u e s t i o n is t h a t w e can a n d w e m u s t serve G - d everywhere. T h a t is o n e o f t h e differences between

J u d a i s m a n d m a n y o t h e r r e l i g i o n s . T h e r e are o t h e r r e l i g i o n s t h a t f o c u s t h e i r c o n n e c t i o n t o G - d o n h o l y places, h o l y p e o p l e , a n d h o l y t i m e s . I n o t h e r w o r d s , o n a special day, a special p e r s o n usually hired for that purpose performs services that are

w a t c h e d b y p e o p l e at large i n a special, h o l y place.

159

160

KEEPING I N TOUCH

J u d a i s m , b y c o n t r a s t , teaches: " K n o w H i m i n a l l Y o u r w a y s , " i.e., even w h e n w e are i n v o l v e d w i t h o u r ways activities like

business o r r e l a x a t i o n w e can " k n o w H i m , " relate t o G - d . N o m a t t e r w h e r e w e are, every act t h a t w e p e r f o r m can a n d s h o u l d be an a f f i r m a t i o n o f G - d , a s t a t e m e n t t h a t w e are aware o f H i m

i n a l l w a l k s o f l i f e . T h i s applies n o t o n l y t o select i n d i v i d u a l s , b u t t o every o n e o f u s . T h a t is w h a t w e m e a n w h e n w e say: " G - d is o n e " i n t h e Shema w e are a f f i r m i n g , n o t o n l y t h a t t h e r e is o n l y o n e G - d , b u t t h a t G - d is o n e w i t h a l l existence. E v e r y e n t i t y a n d every m o m e n t is one w i t h express t h i s oneness. So w h y t h e T e m p l e ? A n d w h y m u s t t h e sacrifices be o n l y there? O n e o f t h e answers is t h a t t h e T e m p l e is f o r us, n o t f o r H i m . G - d k n o w s t h a t w e are c o n t i n u a l l y i n n e e d o f s p i r i t u a l i n s p i r a t i o n . A f t e r a l l , w e are l i v i n g i n a m a t e r i a l w o r l d a n d w e have n a t u r a l desires t h a t d r a w us away f r o m t h e s p i r i t u a l . R . L e v i Y i t z c h a k , t h e B e r d i t c h e v e r R e b b e , once said: " G - d , w h a t d o Y o u e x p e c t from offered H i m a n d o u r D i v i n e service s h o u l d

man? Y o u p u t t h e pleasures o f t h i s p h y s i c a l w o r l d i n f r o n t o f h i s eyes a n d s p i r i t u a l c o n c e p t s i n b o o k s . T r y d o i n g i t t h e o t h e r w a y ; put s p i r i t u a l i t y before h i m and m a t e r i a l consciousness in the

b o o k s a n d see i f m a n w i l l s i n . " F o r these reasons, G - d w a n t e d m a n t o have o n e place w h e r e he could sense the spiritual, where he would be uplifted above

m a t e r i a l c o n c e r n s . T h e r e f o r e H e "chose t o have H i s n a m e d w e l l i n t h e T e m p l e " a n d c o m m a n d e d m a n t o j o u r n e y t h e r e at least t h r e e t i m e s a year. F o r t h e awareness o f G - d he e x p e r i e n c e d t h e r e w o u l d stay w i t h h i m even after he r e t u r n e d h o m e a n d enable h i m t o l i v e s p i r i t u a l l y even w h e n i n v o l v e d i n o r d i n a r y d a y - t o - d a y a c t i v i t i e s .

Looking to the Horizon

T h e above emphasizes w h y , i n o u r prayers, w e c o n t i n u a l l y ask G - d to rebuild the Temple. W e are asking H i m to recreate this

RE'EH

161

s p i r i t u a l e n v i r o n m e n t a n d again give us a place w h e r e w e w i l l conscious o f H i m . But w e are n o t m e r e l y r e t u r n i n g t o t h e past. A s t h e

be

prophet first

says: " T h e g l o r y o f t h i s l a t e r h o u s e w i l l surpass t h a t o f t h e

o n e . " T h e T e m p l e t o be b u i l t b y Mashiach w i l l be greater t h a n b o t h t h e F i r s t a n d t h e S e c o n d T e m p l e s . A n d i t is n o t o n l y t h a t the

T e m p l e w i l l be greater. I n t h a t f u t u r e era, t h e d i r e c t awareness o f G-d w i l l n o t be c o n f i n e d t o t h e T e m p l e , b u t w i l l p e r m e a t e a l l

existence. A t p r e s e n t , o u r k n o w l e d g e o f G - d is a b s t r a c t a n d i n t e l l e c t u a l . W e k n o w H i m f r o m b o o k s . I n t h e era o f Mashiach, w e w i l l perceive G - d l i n e s s o v e r t l y . " T h e e a r t h w i l l be f i l l e d w i t h t h e k n o w l e d g e o f G-d as t h e waters cover t h e ocean b e d . " I n t h e p r e s e n t age, w e

believe i n G - d . O u r c o n n e c t i o n t o H i m is n o t p a r t o f t h e w a y w e o r d i n a r i l y perceive the w o r l d . I n the era o f Mashiach, that will

change. W e w i l l be as c o n s c i o u s reality today.

o f H i m as w e are o f m a t e r i a l

A l t h o u g h t h i s is a p r o m i s e o f t h e f u t u r e , i t is n o t i r r e l e v a n t at p r e s e n t . O n t h e c o n t r a r y , t h e fact t h a t w e d o n o t perceive this

s p i r i t u a l r e a l i t y at p r e s e n t does n o t m a k e i t any less t r u e . A n d as w e l i v e w i t h t h e k n o w l e d g e o f G - d i n t h e p r e s e n t era, w e h a s t e n the dawning of the age when we will actually perceive His

presence.

Jeffrey K i m b a l l is a l a w y e r a n d a n active m e m b e r o f t h e L u b a v i t c h c o m m u n i t y i n S p r i n g f i e l d , M a s s . W h e n asked t o describe h i s c o n n e c t i o n w i t h t h e R e b b e , he t e l l s a s t o r y t h a t goes b a c k several decades ago. Several o f h i s associates came t o h i m w i t h w h a t appeared t o be a n o loss p r o p o s i t i o n . A m a j o r i n v e s t m e n t was b e i n g m a d e i n t h e infrastructure o f a Central American country w i t h profits t h a t c o u l d be r e a l i z e d i n a r e l a t i v e l y s h o r t p e r i o d . S o secure a n i n v e s t m e n t d i d i t seem t h a t t h e b a n k s w e r e w i l l i n g t o p u t t h e m o n e y u p f r o n t w i t h o u t any g u a r a n t o r s . A l l t h e y n e e d e d w e r e p e o p l e w i l l i n g t o take responsibility. Before signing, M r . K i m b a l l decided t o c o n s u l t the Rebbe, detailing the offer i n a letter and asking f o r a b l e s s i n g . T h e R e b b e r e p l i e d w i t h a t w o page l e t t e r discussing the i m p o r t a n c e o f adhering t o a T o r a h l i f e s t y l e . A f t e r h i s s i g n a t u r e , he a d d e d a s h o r t p o s t s c r i p t : " R e g a r d i n g t h e business offer, i t is n o t advisable." M r . K i m b a l l had n o t anticipated such a reply. N e v e r t h e l e s s , h a v i n g asked t h e R e b b e , he r e s o l v e d t o f o l l o w h i s advice. H i s associates w e r e v e r y i n s i s t e n t . H o w c o u l d he pass u p s u c h a n o p p o r t u n i t y ! M r . K i m b a l l , however, h a d m a d e h i s d e c i s i o n a n d he s t o o d b y i t . T w o years later, t h e s o u n d n e s s o f t h e R e b b e ' s advice became o v e r t l y a p p a r e n t . M r . K i m b a l l h a d b e e n asked t o invest i n Nicaragua. D e s p i t e the country's previous s t a b i l i t y , i t was o v e r t h r o w n b y C o m m u n i s t rebels a n d m a n y p r i v a t e concerns w e r e n a t i o n a l i z e d .

Parshas Shojtim
T h i s w e e k ' s T o r a h r e a d i n g relates: " G - d , y o u r L - r d , w i l l establish "One by not to

a p r o p h e t f r o m w i t h i n y o u r m i d s t . " A s M a i m o n i d e s relates: of the foundations of the faith is who that G-d

communicates

prophecy to man." exist and

Indeed, "One

says t h a t p r o p h e c y does the Creator

k n o w l e d g e is n o t

communicated from

162

SHOFTIM

163

man"

is c o n s i d e r e d as a h e r e t i c w h o w i l l n o t receive a p o r t i o n i n

the W o r l d t o Come. Why run is p r o p h e c y so i m p o r t a n t ? Because m a n a n d G - d d o n o t

o n s k e w l i n e s . I n s t e a d , t h e r e is an i n t e r a c t i v e b o n d c o n n e c t i n g

t h e m t o g e t h e r a n d m a n can receive g u i d a n c e f r o m G - d c o n c e r n i n g his concerns. Nor is p r o p h e c y a m a t t e r that involves o n l y the spiritual

dimensions o f man's

existence. Q u i t e t h e c o n t r a r y , a p r o p h e t ' s

g u i d a n c e relates t o m a n ' s m a t e r i a l c o n c e r n s as w e l l . T h u s t h e B i b l e t e l l s us t h a t t h e i n i t i a l m e e t i n g b e t w e e n Saul, t o b e c o m e Israel's

f i r s t k i n g , a n d t h e p r o p h e t S a m u e l came a b o u t because d o n k e y s b e l o n g i n g t o Saul's father h a d been l o s t a n d S a u l w a n t e d the

prophet's guidance where t o f i n d t h e m . Now, d o n k e y s w e r e r a t h e r v a l u a b l e i n t h o s e days. B u t are these

t h e t h i n g s y o u speak t o a p r o p h e t about? A p p a r e n t l y , yes. Since t h e y are a m a t t e r o f c o n c e r n t o m a n , t h e y are a matter o f concern to G - d and G-d communicates

i n f o r m a t i o n v i a a p r o p h e t t o assist m a n i n t h i s r e a l m as w e l l . T h i s is n o t m e r e l y a m a t t e r o f t h e past, p e r t i n e n t t o B i b l i c a l t i m e s . I n s t e a d , i t is a p r i n c i p l e o f e t e r n a l relevance. I n t h i s v e i n , i n several t e x t s , w e f i n d M a i m o n i d e s a n d o t h e r d i s t i n g u i s h e d T o r a h l u m i n a r i e s s p e a k i n g o f p r o p h e t s i n t h e i r age. T h i s is p a r t i c u l a r l y true i n the present era, b r i e f moments before the coming o f

Mashiach. A g a i n t o q u o t e M a i m o n i d e s , i n s u c h a t i m e , " m a n ' s m e r i t a n d h i s desire f o r G - d w i l l increase a n d h i s w i s d o m w i l l grow."

T h i s w i l l create a s e t t i n g m o r e a p p r o p r i a t e f o r p r o p h e c y t o be manifest. To times, state t h e m a t t e r s i m p l y : A s t h e r e was i n t h e past, i n o u r there are individuals who because of their spiritual

d e v e l o p m e n t have been c h o s e n b y G - d t o serve as m e d i u m s . T h e y will give m a n k i n d d i r e c t i v e s w i t h r e g a r d t o D i v i n e service and

guidance w i t h regard t o t h e i r material concerns.

164

KEEPING I N TOUCH

Looking to the Horizon

T h e r e w i l l be a f u n d a m e n t a l d i f f e r e n c e b e t w e e n p r o p h e c y i n t h e p r e s e n t age a n d p r o p h e c y i n t h e era o f Mashiach. A s m e n t i o n e d above, i n t h e p r e s e n t age, p r o p h e c y is g r a n t e d o n l y t o unique

i n d i v i d u a l s , p e o p l e w h o s e s p i r i t u a l d e v e l o p m e n t places t h e m i n a c a t e g o r y o f t h e i r o w n , f i t t o hear G - d ' s w o r d . In the era o f Mashiach, that will change. As the prophet

declares: " I w i l l p o u r o u t M y s p i r i t over a l l f l e s h a n d y o u r sons and y o u r daughters w i l l prophesy." I n other words, prophecy w i l l be t h e n a t u r a l c o n d i t i o n o f a l l m a n k i n d . W h a t w i l l b r i n g a b o u t t h i s change? I n o u r p r e s e n t c o n d i t i o n , man as new even t h e m o s t r e f i n e d v i e w s G - d l i n e s s a n d s p i r i t u a l i t y developments, augmentations o f his mindset. For his

m i n d s e t is f o c u s e d o n m a t e r i a l e n t i t i e s . I n t h e era o f Mashiach, b y c o n t r a s t , G - d l i n e s s w i l l be p e r c e i v e d as t h e t r u t h o f o u r existence. His presence w i l l be as a p p a r e n t t o us as m a t e r i a l existence is

today.

T h e w a y w e l o o k e d at c e r t a i n t h i n g s has c h a n g e d over t h e l a s t decade. T e n years ago, t h e r e w e r e p e o p l e I d o n ' t mean only Rabbis and other m e n o f the cloth, b u t l a y m e n a n d business p e o p l e w h o w e r e s p e a k i n g a b o u t an e n d t o war. F o r example, J o h n N a i s b i t t , a p o p u l a r f u t u r i s t , w r o t e : " O n e o f t h e t h i n g s I t h i n k m a y be p o s s i b l e , t h a t I never t h o u g h t was p o s s i b l e b e f o r e , is t h e e n d o f w a r . T h i s has t o d o w i t h t h e e c o n o m i c d e v e l o p m e n t w e ' r e seeing t o d a y A l l the w h i l e we're

g e t t i n g so e c o n o m i c a l l y i n t e r c o n n e c t e d as t o m a k e w a r a lose-lose [ p r o p o s i t i o n ] . . . . H a v i n g l i v e d m o s t o f m y l i f e under the threat o f nuclear a n n i h i l a t i o n , I f i n d this an u p l i f t i n g , a n d real, p o s s i b i l i t y . " T h e n t h e r e was 9 / 1 1 , a n d a w a r i n A f g h a n i s t a n , a n d a w a r i n I r a q , a n d i t s n o t over. T h r o u g h o u t t h e w o r l d , w i t h o u t even m e n t i o n i n g w h a t ' s h a p p e n i n g i n Israel, t h e r e are m a n y t i n d e r b o x s i t u a t i o n s . W h a t ' s m o r e , i t ' s n o t m e r e l y t h a t w e ' r e f i g h t i n g wars, i t ' s d o m i n a t i n g o u r a t t e n t i o n and we're g e t t i n g interested. H o w does t h e T o r a h t e l l us t o v i e w w a r a n d w h a t g u i d a n c e does i t give?

Parshas Ki Seitzei
Our T o r a h r e a d i n g begins: " W h e n y o u go o u t t o war against y o u r The Hebrew word translated as "against," really

enemies."

m e a n s " a b o v e " o r " o v e r . " W i t h t h i s b r i e f phrase, t h e T o r a h g u i d e s us o n t h e o u t l o o k t h a t s h o u l d c h a r a c t e r i z e o u r a p p r o a c h war. F i r s t o f a l l , w e have t o r e a l i z e t h a t w e are w a g i n g w a r s a g a i n s t "our enemies," foes that stand opposed to our values and toward

principles t o the extent that the T o r a h peace

w h i c h is t h e T o r a h o f

t e l l s us t h a t w e m a y ( a n d i n s o m e i n s t a n c e s , w e m u s t )

t a k e a r m s a g a i n s t t h e m a n d seek t o c o n q u e r t h e m .

165

166

KEEPING I N TOUCH

T h a t ' s h a r d f o r m a n y o f us t o bear. W e have i n t e r n a l i z e d t h e message o f peace a n d b r o t h e r h o o d t o t h e e x t e n t t h a t w h e n w e ' r e told a w a r is necessary, w e t u r n aside. W e On one hand, that's admirable, don't want to for violence get is

involved.

u n d e s i r a b l e . O n t h e o t h e r h a n d , t h e r e is a c e r t a i n l a c k o f p r o p e r f e e l i n g here. I f t h e T o r a h calls t h e p e r s o n an e n e m y , he s h o u l d be v i e w e d as s u c h w i t h a l l t h e s e v e r i t y t h a t t e r m a p p l i e s . H e is n o t a f r i e n d o r a colleague. H e is s o m e o n e w h o m t h e T o r a h says w e m u s t hate a n d w h o m w e s h o u l d seek t o c o n q u e r . W h y ? Because he stands i n o p p o s i t i o n t o G - d ' s desires. T h e T o r a h ' s a p p r o a c h t o w a r f a r e i n v o l v e s m a k i n g an o f f e r f o r a peaceful s e t t l e m e n t at t h e v e r y o u t s e t . So i f t h e e n e m y does n o t accept i t , t h e r e is s o m e t h i n g f u n d a m e n t a l l y w r o n g w i t h h i m a n d i t is p r o p e r t h a t he be h a t e d . I n d e e d , t h e i n a b i l i t y t o r o u s e ourselves t o s u c h h a t r e d is j u s t as severe as t h e i n a b i l i t y t o rouse to ourselves the

t r u e l o v e . A s o u r Sages declare: " H e w h o is m e r c i f u l t o

c r u e l is c r u e l t o t h e m e r c i f u l . " B o t h l o v e a n d hate are

genuine

e m o t i o n s w h i c h w e s h o u l d use i n o u r D i v i n e service, n o t because o f o u r o w n p e r s o n a l desire, b u t as m a n d a t e d b y G - d ' s w i l l . But w h e n one hates, t h e r e is a d i f f i c u l t y . O u r Sages t e l l us a dirty person w i l l become soiled

t h a t one w h o w r e s t l e s w i t h

h i m s e l f . Since w a r i n v o l v e s close c o m b a t a n d t h e e n e m y is h a t e f u l , f i g h t i n g h i m can m a k e one's o w n s e l f h a t e f u l . For t h i s reason, t h e T o r a h e x p l a i n s t h a t w e are " a b o v e " o u r

enemies. Y e s , w e m a y e n d u p l o c k e d i n close c o m b a t w i t h t h e m , but t h a t does n o t d e f i n e w h o w e are. W e are i d e n t i f i e d w i t h o u r

G - d l y souls, t h e aspect o f o u r b e i n g t h a t is " a n a c t u a l p a r t o f G-d." W h e n w e reveal t h a t p o t e n t i a l , w e are above Then, all as elements the verse of this truly above our of

enemies, reference.

material

framework

continues:

" G - d your L - r d will

d e l i v e r y o u r e n e m y i n t o y o u r h a n d " a n d w e w i l l be v i c t o r i o u s i n b a t t l e . A n d w h a t ' s m o r e , w e w i l l preserve o u r G - d l y i m a g e w h e n d o i n g so.

K I SEITZEI

167

T h e p u r p o s e o f w a r is n o t t o u t t e r l y d e s t r o y t h e e n e m y , b u t rather For as t h e verse c o n t i n u e s " a n d y o u shall take captives."

t h e T o r a h does n o t w a n t t o d e s t r o y a n y t h i n g ; e v e r y t h i n g has a

p u r p o s e a n d can be e m p l o y e d i n t h e service o f G - d . B u t w h e n an e n t i t y b e l o n g s t o t h e enemies o f G - d , i t w i l l n o t be u s e d i n t h e p r o p e r w a y . T h e p o s i t i v e p o t e n t i a l i t possesses w i l l be p e r v e r t e d a n d e m p l o y e d u n d e s i r a b l y . W h e n , however, i t is " t a k e n c a p t i v e " b y t h e forces o f h o l i n e s s , t h a t p o s i t i v e p o t e n t i a l w i l l be released a n d e m p l o y e d as G - d i n t e n d e d i t .

Looking to the Horizon

War a n d peace are c l o s e l y c o n n e c t e d t o Mashiach's c o m i n g . O n o n e

h a n d , Mashiach w i l l f i g h t w a r s . I n d e e d , o n e o f t h e ways t h a t he w i l l be i d e n t i f i e d is t h a t he w i l l , as t h e M a i m o n i d e s w r i t e s , "wage t h e wars o f G - d a n d be v i c t o r i o u s . " O n t h e o t h e r h a n d , Mashiach's purpose is t o i n t r o d u c e an age o f peace a n d p r o s p e r i t y w h e r e up

" t h e r e w i l l be n o f a m i n e n o r w a r , " a n d " n a t i o n s w i l l n o t l i f t s w o r d s against n a t i o n s . "

T h e s e t w o c o n c e p t s are n o t c o n t r a d i c t o r y . T h e g o a l is peace, an era w h e r e peace c o m e s n o t because o f d e t e n t e a n d n o t even because o f e n l i g h t e n e d s e l f - i n t e r e s t , b u t because G - d c r e a t e d a

w o r l d w h i c h is c h a r a c t e r i z e d b y u n i t y a n d oneness. D i f f e r e n c e need n o t lead t o d i v i s i o n . Q u i t e the contrary, i n d i v i d u a l s w i t h d i f f e r e n t q u a l i t i e s c o m p l e m e n t a n d balance each o t h e r , l e a d i n g t o h a r m o n y a n d synergy. Nevertheless, o n the path t o realizing G-d's purpose i n the

w o r l d , t h e r e m a y be i n d i v i d u a l s a n d n a t i o n s t h a t s t a n d i n t h e w a y . T h e y are p r e o c c u p i e d w i t h cruel and despotic. W i t h forcefully attempt to their self-interest a n d m a y even be

t h e m , Mashiach w i l l wage w a r . I f t h e y prevent the forces of justice and

r i g h t e o u s n e s s f r o m a d v a n c i n g , t h e i m p e d i m e n t t h e y create s h o u l d be r e m o v e d , even i f i t r e q u i r e s a b a t t l e . O n t h e o t h e r h a n d , the

u l t i m a t e p u r p o s e is t h a t t h e y s h o u l d be " t a k e n c a p t i v e , " t h a t t h e i r p o t e n t i a l s h o u l d be t r a n s f o r m e d f r o m a negative f o r c e t o p o s i t i v e

168

KEEPING I N TOUCH

energy, e n a b l i n g t h e G - d l y i n t e n t f o r w h i c h o u r w o r l d was c r e a t e d t o be m a n i f e s t i n a l l i t s p a r t i c u l a r s .

T h e Selichos prayers are o f t e n r e c i t e d o n S a t u r d a y n i g h t after t h e Shabbos w h e n t h i s T o r a h p o r t i o n is read. T h e r e is a classic chassidic s t o r y a b o u t these prayers. O n c e t h e w e l l - k n o w n chassid, R . S h m u e l M u n k e s , was traveling to L i o z n a t o spend the holiday o f R o s h H a S h a n a h w i t h t h e A l t e r R e b b e . O n t h e Shabbos b e f o r e t h e h o l i d a y , he l o d g e d at t h e i n n o f a n e l d e r l y c o u p l e s i t u a t e d o n t h e r o a d . O n S a t u r d a y n i g h t , t h e c o u p l e asked h i m i f he w a n t e d t o a c c o m p a n y t h e m as t h e y r o d e t o t h e town. " W h y are y o u g o i n g ? " asked R . S h m u e l . " T o r e c i t e Selichos," t h e w o m a n answered. " W h a t are Selichos?" i n q u i r e d R . S h m u e l f e i g n i n g ignorance. " S h a m e o n y o u , " s c o l d e d t h e w o m a n . " A n o l d Jew a n d one w h o l o o k s like a R a b b i and y o u d o n ' t k n o w w h a t Selichos are. Selichos are w h e n y o u ask G - d f o r t h e cows t o have m i l k a n d t h e g r a i n t o g r o w . " "Silly o l d folk," R . Shmuel replied, "staying u p i n the m i d d l e o f the n i g h t t o pray for some m i l k and grain." W h e n the A l t e r Rebbe heard about this interchange, he severely r e p r i m a n d e d R . S h m u e l . W h y d i d R . S h m u e l m a k e f u n o f his h o s t s ' prayers? Because he w a n t e d t h e m t o realize t h a t t h e r e is m o r e t o life than m i l k and grain. A person s h o u l d learn t o l o o k u p w a r d a n d focus h i s a t t e n t i o n o n t h e s p i r i t u a l . W h y d i d t h e A l t e r R e b b e r e p r i m a n d R . Shmuel? Because o u r awareness o f t h e s p i r i t u a l s h o u l d p e r m e a t e t h e m a t e r i a l . W e are c o n c e r n e d w i t h cows a n d g r a i n . N o o n e s h o u l d t r y t o d e n y t h a t . A n d because we are, G - d i s . H e is t h e source f o r o u r p r o s p e r i t y a n d w e l l - b e i n g a n d H e seeks t h a t we t u r n t o H i m sincerely w h e n r e q u e s t i n g o u r needs.

169

170

KEEPING I N TOUCH

Parshas Ki Savo
T h i s week's T o r a h reading contains t h e charge: " A n d y o u s h a l l

f o l l o w H i s w a y s . " O n t h a t verse, o u r Sages c o m m e n t : "Just as t h e H o l y O n e , blessed be H e , is c a l l e d c o m p a s s i o n a t e ; so, t o o , y o u s h a l l be c o m p a s s i o n a t e . J u s t as t h e H o l y O n e , b l e s s e d be H e , is c a l l e d m e r c i f u l ; so, t o o , y o u s h a l l be m e r c i f u l . J u s t as t h e One, b l e s s e d be He, is c a l l e d g e n e r o u s ; so, Holy be

too, y o u shall

generous." Maimonides develops t h i s idea f u r t h e r , explaining that the

r e a s o n t h e T o r a h i n f o r m s a b o u t a p a r t i c u l a r D i v i n e q u a l i t y is so t h a t w e can e m u l a t e i t : " F o r t h i s reason, t h e p r o p h e t s the A-lmighty that with a l l these good to different adjectives:... described To make

known should

these are

and

just paths i n w h i c h a person Him according to his

conduct

himself

emulate

potential." The Torah's

purpose i n describing G-d's

q u a l i t i e s is but we

n o t t o t e l l us W h o H e is, f o r i n t r u t h H e defies d e f i n i t i o n , instead, t o t e a c h w h o w e s h o u l d be, w h a t are t h e q u a l i t i e s

s h o u l d d e v e l o p w i t h i n ourselves. A m o r e c a r e f u l l o o k at t h e w o r d i n g M a i m o n i d e s uses i n d i c a t e s t h a t he is n o t t e l l i n g us m e r e l y t o a d o p t t h e q u a l i t i e s f o r w h i c h G - d is p r a i s e d . H e is t e l l i n g us t o e m u l a t e t h e m a n n e r i n w h i c h G-d manifests these qualities. To explain: Usually, a person

expresses an e m o t i o n as a n a t u r a l , s p o n t a n e o u s response. H e sees something a t t r a c t i v e a n d is r o u s e d t o love. H e sees something

m e n a c i n g a n d he r e c o i l s i n fear. T h i s c a n n o t be s a i d a b o u t G-d. He is b y d e f i n i t i o n above

h a v i n g " n a t u r a l r e a c t i o n s " t o w h a t h a p p e n s here o n e a r t h . F o r i f o u r c o n d u c t w o u l d i n f l u e n c e G - d l i k e i t i n f l u e n c e s o u r colleagues, H e w o u l d n o t be m u c h o f a G - d . I n s t e a d , H e reacts i n a c e r t a i n w a y because H e chooses t o , because H e c o n s i d e r s t h i s r e a c t i o n as appropriate. H i s emotional attributes are expressed o n l y w h e n

t h e y are c a l l e d f o r . T h i s teaches us t w o t h i n g s : F i r s t l y , t h a t w e s h o u l d t r y t o react i n a s i m i l a r m a n n e r , e x p r e s s i n g t h e q u a l i t i e s t h a t H e does i n l i k e

K I SAVO

171

situations. B u t secondly, a n d perhaps m o r e i m p o r t a n t l y , t h a t we s h o u l d react as H e does, n o t s p o n t a n e o u s l y a n d n a t u r a l l y , but

w i t h c o n t r o l l e d t h o u g h t . O f t e n , we become e m o t i o n a l l y excited. This prevents us from to t h i n k i n g clearly exercise at will so, at a and knowing as which G-d being our

emotional exercises subject

attribute His

given by

t i m e . Just

attributes

and

choice, we

without

to

emotional

whims;

too,

should

control

feelings, r a t h e r t h a n r e s p o n d t o t h e m . In this vein, we can appreciate statements made by

M a i m o n i d e s w i t h r e g a r d t o a leader: " T h e r e w i l l be t i m e s w h e n he w i l l be m e r c i f u l a n d c o m p a s s i o n a t e t o c e r t a i n p e o p l e . [He will

a c t ] n o t m e r e l y o u t o f o r d i n a r y f e e l i n g a n d g e n e r o s i t y , b u t as is appropriate. A n d at t i m e s , he w i l l seek revenge a n d bear a g r u d g e against s o m e o t h e r p e o p l e , m a n i f e s t i n g anger as is a p p r o p r i a t e t h e m w i t h o u t feelings o f anger for

H i s p u r p o s e s h o u l d be f o r t h i s

a c t i v i t y t o p r o d u c e t h e greatest p o s s i b l e g o o d f o r p e o p l e at l a r g e . " Leadership a n d w e a l l are leaders i n g i v e n s i t u a t i o n s

i n v o l v e s r u l i n g over one's feelings, u n d e r s t a n d i n g

a situation and

a c t i n g i n t h e w a y t h a t w i l l l e a d t o t h e greatest g o o d , n o t d o i n g w h a t w e feel l i k e d o i n g at t h e m o m e n t . T h i s is t h e e m u l a t i o n o f G-d w h i c h t h e above verse asks o f us.

Looking to the Horizon

The will u l t i m a t e expression come i n the era o f the refinement o f our personalities be an era of

o f Mashiach.

Firstly, i t will

b o u n d l e s s p r o s p e r i t y . N o n e o f t h e selfishness t h a t a c c o m p a n i e s a s c a r c i t y m e n t a l i t y w i l l be p r e s e n t . W e w i l l have e v e r y t h i n g w e n e e d and more. Therefore we w i l l n o t begrudge others w h a t they

have. W e w i l l be able t o see a p e r s o n f o r w h a t he o r she is, n o t w h a t he can give us. But beyond that, there will be an outpouring of Divine

r e v e l a t i o n . N o t o n l y w i l l w e n o t have m a t e r i a l c o n c e r n s d r a g g i n g us d o w n , s p i r i t u a l awareness w i l l l i f t us u p . W e w i l l b e c o m e aware o f t h e G - d l i n e s s t h a t is p r e s e n t i n every p e r s o n a n d every e n t i t y .

172

KEEPING I N TOUCH

T h a t w i l l i n s p i r e t h e G - d l i n e s s t h a t w e have w i t h i n o u r o w n b e i n g t o be expressed. A s such, a l l o f o u r e m o t i o n a l q u a l i t i e s w i l l be m a n i f e s t i n t h e m o s t c o n s u m m a t e manner, l o v i n g w h a t and w h e n we need t o love, f e a r i n g w h a t is t r u l y a w e - i n s p i r i n g , a n d e x p r e s s i n g k i n d n e s s m e r c y w h e n t h e s i t u a t i o n calls f o r i t . and

T h i s T o r a h r e a d i n g is always read b e f o r e R o s h H a S h a n a h . As the H i g h H o l i d a y s approach, the q u e s t i o n raised at t h e e n d o f t h e f o l l o w i n g s t o r y is s o m e t h i n g f o r a l l o f us t o p o n d e r . " I was i n t h e m i d s t o f t e a c h i n g a class," relates R a b b i Shabtai Slavaticki, the L u b a v i t c h representative i n Belgium, " w h e n a y o u n g m a n i n his m i d - t w e n t i e s arrived at t h e d o o r w a y u n a n n o u n c e d . ' I ' v e h e a r d t h i s is a place w h e r e o n e can c o m e a n d s t u d y a b o u t J u d a i s m , ' t h e m a n said. ' I was also t o l d t h a t one can b o a r d here f o r a w h i l e . I ' l l be b a c k w h e n I ' m ready t o b e g i n . Is t h a t O . K . ? ' " R a b b i S l a v a t i c k i n o d d e d i n assent. S o m e t i m e later, t h e y o u n g m a n r e t u r n e d , i n t r o d u c i n g h i m s e l f as E i t a n . H e o r i g i n a l l y came f r o m Israel, b u t h a d d i s c o v e r e d spirituality t h r o u g h contact w i t h a g u r u i n India. E i t a n had f o l l o w e d the guru's teachings i n the hope o f being accepted t o his i n n e r c i r c l e o f d i s c i p l e s . A t o n e p o i n t , t h e g u r u asked a b o u t his o r i g i n s . W h e n he t o l d h i m t h a t he was f r o m Israel, t h e g u r u asked E i t a n i f he h a d t o t a l l y severed h i s ties t o J u d a i s m . E i t a n t o l d h i m t h a t he s t i l l f e l t s o m e w h a t connected.

T h e g u r u t o l d h i m t h a t he c o u l d n o t enter his i n n e r c i r c l e u n t i l he b r o k e a l l c o n n e c t i o n w i t h a n o t h e r f a i t h . H e i n s t r u c t e d E i t a n t o i n v e s t i g a t e h i s o w n r e l i g i o n . I f he were t o be d i s i l l u s i o n e d , t h a t w o u l d cleanse h i m a n d enable h i m t o d e v o t e h i m s e l f t o h i s n e w b e l i e f s . After studying w i t h Rabbi Slavaticki for a while, E i t a n h a d a charge o f h e a r t . T h e t e a c h i n g s o f J u d a i s m a n d particularly its mystic d i m e n s i o n attracted h i m . H e d e v o t e d h i m s e l f t o t h e classes s e r i o u s l y , b u t he was s t i l l n o t ready f o r a c o m m i t m e n t t o f u l f i l l mitzyos. E v e n after s u b s t a n t i a l s t u d y , he f e l t u n s u r e . O n c e m o r e he c o n f i d e d i n Rabbi Slavaticki. " I ' v e d e c i d e d t o t a k e ' t i m e o u t . ' A l t h o u g h I sense t h a t I ' m g o i n g i n t h e r i g h t d i r e c t i o n , I n e e d t o be sure m y e n t h u s i a s m is g e n u i n e l y c o m i n g f r o m w i t h i n a n d n o t m e r e l y i n s p i r e d b y t h e e n v i r o n m e n t here. I a m g o i n g t o 173

174

KEEPING I N T O U C H

H o l l a n d f o r a w h i l e t o see i f t h e desire t o c o n n e c t w i t h J u d a i s m is generated f r o m t h e real m e w i t h o u t e x t e r n a l influence." W i t h t h a t , E i t a n d e p a r t e d . R a b b i S l a v a t i c k i k n e w he s h o u l d be p a t i e n t , b u t t h e weeks t u r n e d i n t o a m o n t h a n d more, and still no w o r d f r o m Eitan. T h e H i g h Holidays came a n d R a b b i S l a v a t i c k i f o u n d h i m s e l f i m m e r s e d i n p r a y e r o n R o s h H a S h a n a h . A s he u t t e r e d t h e verse, " M a y all c r e a t i o n s k n o w t h a t Y o u are t h e i r C r e a t o r . . . , " h i s t h o u g h t s were w i t h E i t a n . H e added a silent prayer t h a t Eitan, too, w o u l d recognize the u l t i m a t e t r u t h . J u s t t h e n , he f e l t a h a n d o n h i s s h o u l d e r . S t i r r e d f r o m h i s i n t e n s e prayers, he l o o k e d u p . I t was E i t a n . I n t o t a l amazement, R a b b i Slavaticki embraced h i m and offered h i m a seat nearby. A f t e r t h e services, E i t a n began t o e x p l a i n : " I began m y m o r n i n g as I d o every day, w i t h m e d i t a t i o n . I n t h e stillness o f t h e m o m e n t , i t s u d d e n l y d a w n e d o n m e w i t h t o t a l c l a r i t y t h a t i n d e e d t h e r e is a G - d a n d H i s T o r a h is t r u e . F r o m s o m e l o n g f o r g o t t e n m e m o r y , I r e m e m b e r e d t h a t t h i s was t h e H i g h H o l i d a y season. I w e n t t o c h e c k t h e calendar a n d r e a l i z e d i t was R o s h H a S h a n a h . I k n e w t h a t I h a d t o be here i n t h e synagogue. B u t I also k n e w t h a t o n e s h o u l d n o t t r a v e l o n t h i s h o l y day. A w a r e t h a t t h i s m o m e n t o f r e c o g n i t i o n o f t h e t r u t h c o u l d s l i p b y , I c o n c l u d e d t h a t i t was a m a t t e r o f danger t o t h e p r e s e r v a t i o n o f m y s o u l , so I t o o k a t r a i n a n d here I a m . D o y o u t h i n k G - d w i l l f o r g i v e m e ? "

Parshas Nitzavim
T h i s w e e k ' s T o r a h r e a d i n g c o n t a i n s t h e verse: " A n d i t observance o f t h e T o r a h a n d i t s mitzyos] [i.e., the

is v e r y close t o y o u , i n

y o u r m o u t h a n d i n y o u r h e a r t t o observe i t . " O n t h e surface, i t is h a r d t o say t h a t t h e observance o f t h e T o r a h is " c l o s e , " i.e., easy. On the contrary, t h e o p p o s i t e o f t e n appears t r u e . W e are beset

NITZAVIM

175

with

challenges

i n our

observance

from

within

and

without.

E x t e r n a l d i f f i c u l t i e s , be t h e y t h e pressures o f e a r n i n g a l i v e l i h o o d or the tendency t o c o n f o r m t o the norms o f the s u r r o u n d i n g

environment, and internal difficulties i n overcoming our natural d r i v e s a n d desires, m a k e observance a t r i a l . c e r t a i n l y , t h e t r i a l can be o v e r c o m e , b u t i t is a t r i a l , n o n e t h e l e s s . W h e n does t h a t apply? W h e n w e l o o k at t h e w o r l d t h r o u g h m o r t a l eyes a n d T o r a h observance is seen as a d u t y t h a t w e s h o u l d fulfill. From such a perspective, even i f w e are happy i n our initial

observance

a n d desire t o c a r r y o u t o u r o b l i g a t i o n s , o u r

a p p r o a c h is " I w a n t t o d o w h a t I w a n t t o d o . " F r o m t h i s vantage p o i n t , t h e T o r a h a n d i t s mitzyos d o n o t relate t o o u r essential

i d e n t i t y . T h e y are an a d d e d r e s p o n s i b i l i t y , dues t h a t w e have t o pay. T h e r e f o r e , t h e y w i l l be c o n s i d e r e d d i f f i c u l t . T h e degree o f d i f f i c u l t y d e p e n d s o n o u r s p i r i t u a l a n d m a t e r i a l s t a n d i n g , b u t as l o n g as w e d o n o t see t h e m as expressions o f w h o w e are, t h e y w i l l run against o u r basic t e n d e n c i e s a n d w e w i l l have t o w o r k t o be

f i r m a n d steady i n o u r D i v i n e service. T h e r e is, however, a n o t h e r p a t h : t o l o o k at t h e w o r l d from

G-d's perspective and f r o m the perspective o f the innate G-dliness w i t h i n o u r s o u l s . G - d sees t h e w o r l d as H i s d w e l l i n g place, H i s h o m e . N o w i f y o u can, y o u m a k e sure t h a t a l l t h i n g s i n y o u r h o m e w o r k w e l l a n d see t o i t t h a t t h e y serve t h e p u r p o s e f o r w h i c h y o u b r o u g h t t h e m t h e r e . N e e d l e s s t o say, t h i s applies w i t h r e g a r d t o G - d ' s h o m e , o u r w o r l d , f o r H e is t h e C r e a t o r a n d a l l existence is d e p e n d e n t o n H i s w i l l . I f H e b r o u g h t s o m e t h i n g i n t o b e i n g , i t is because i t f i t s H i s p u r p o s e a n d w i l l . T h i s applies n o t o n l y t o t h e p a r t i c u l a r e n t i t i e s i n t h e w o r l d , b u t also t o every event t h a t o c c u r s w i t h i n t h e span o f t i m e . F o r n o t o n l y d i d H e b r i n g t h e w o r l d i n t o b e i n g at t h e v e r y s t a r t o f i t s existence, H e m a i n t a i n s a n d c o n t r o l s t h a t existence at every m o m e n t . So f r o m G-d's perspective, e v e r y t h i n g exists so t h a t either

d i r e c t l y o r i n d i r e c t l y , i t w i l l c o n t r i b u t e t o t h e Jews' observance o f t h e T o r a h a n d i t s mitzyos. W h y t h e n w i l l a person experience

176

KEEPING I N TOUCH

challenges a n d d i f f i c u l t i e s i n h i s D i v i n e services? A f t e r a l l , i f i t s G - d ' s w o r l d , t h e observance o f t h e T o r a h s h o u l d be easy, w i t h o u t challenges. T h e s e d i f f i c u l t i e s e x i s t so t h a t w e w i l l be p r o m p t e d t o reach i n s i d e o u r souls a n d t a p i n n e r s p i r i t u a l energies t h a t w o u l d otherwise not be revealed. Realizing that the challenges are

i n t e n d e d t o be o v e r c o m e is t h e f i r s t step i n o v e r c o m i n g t h e m a n d i n s h o w i n g t h a t i n fact observance is easy.

Looking to the Horizon

T h i s T o r a h r e a d i n g also c o n t a i n s a verse p r o m i s i n g t h e c o m i n g o f t h e R e d e m p t i o n : " A n d G - d w i l l r e t u r n y o u r c a p t i v i t y . " O u r Sages n o t e t h a t t h e g r a m m a t i c a l c o n s t r u c t i o n o f t h e verse a l l o w s f o r t h e interpretation: " A n d G - d will return w i t h your captivity." I n that v e i n , t h ey c o m m e n t : " T o every place t h e J e w i s h p e o p l e were e x i l e d , t h e D i v i n e p r e s e n c e was e x i l e d w i t h t h e m . A n d w h e n t h ey r e t u r n , the D i v i n e presence w i l l r e t u r n w i t h t h e m . " I m p l i e d is t h a t n o o n e is never alone. N o m a t t e r w h a t the

s i t u a t i o n he o r she is i n , even i n t h e greatest darkness, G - d is w i t h him. A n d t h e r e is a greater lesson: O u r r e d e m p t i o n f r o m e x i l e is n o t m e r e l y a m a t t e r t h a t affects us; i t affects G - d as w e l l . A s l o n g as w e are i n exile, H e is i n e x i l e . O u r desire f o r r e d e m p t i o n s h o u l d t h e r e f o r e be n o t o n l y f o r o u r o w n sakes: t o e x p a n d o u r h o r i z o n s , either materially or spiritually. Instead, how we s h o u l d t h i n k about His

G - d feels, as i t were, h o w d i f f i c u l t i t is f o r H i m t h a t

i n t e n t i n c r e a t i o n is n o t b e i n g f u l f i l l e d . T h a t r e a l i z a t i o n s h o u l d be a p o w e r f u l l y s p u r , m o t i v a t i n g us t o d o e v e r y t h i n g w e can t o b r i n g t h e e x i l e t o an e n d i n t h e nearest p o s s i b l e f u t u r e .

T h i s week's T o r a h r e a d i n g c o n t a i n s t h e mitzyah t o w r i t e a T o r a h scroll and thus brings t o m i n d the f o l l o w i n g sequence o f events. A few days after t h e Simchas T o r a h holidays o f 5 7 4 2 ( 1 9 8 1 ) , the Rebbe c a l l e d i n several o f t h e l e a d i n g m e m b e r s o f t h e L u b a v i t c h c o m m u n i t y i n Eretz_ Yisrael f o r a p r i v a t e m e e t i n g . H e f o r b a d e t h e m t o discuss t h e c o n t e n t o f t h e m e e t i n g w i t h o t h e r s , so w e d o n o t k n o w e x a c t l y w h a t was said t h e n . W e d o k n o w t h a t o n e o f t h e d i r e c t i v e s t h e c h a s s i d i m received was t o have a T o r a h s c r o l l w r i t t e n f o r t h e s o l d i e r s o f t h e I s r a e l i a r m y . E a c h s o l d i e r was asked t o p u r c h a s e a l e t t e r and the chassidim were u r g e d t o h u r r y the project. A r o u n d t h a t same t i m e p e r i o d , t h e R e b b e h a d c a l l e d f o r t h e w r i t i n g o f several c o m m u n a l T o r a h s c r o l l s : a T o r a h s c r o l l f o r c h i l d r e n , a n d several f o r a d u l t s . H e h a d c i t e d t h e B i b l i c a l verse: " T h e r e w i l l be a t i m e o f t r o u b l e s u c h as t h e r e never has b e e n f r o m t h e t i m e t h e n a t i o n came i n t o existence... at t h a t t i m e , y o u r p e o p l e w i l l escape, a l l t h a t are w r i t t e n i n t h e s c r o l l . " H e e x p l a i n e d t h a t p u r c h a s i n g a l e t t e r i n a T o r a h s c r o l l w i l l save a person f r o m m i s f o r t u n e and difficulty. [ A t that time, the c h a s s i d i m c o i n e d t h e e x p r e s s i o n : " A Sefer Torah ( T o r a h s c r o l l ) f o r a safer w o r l d . " ] So t h e c h a s s i d i m w e r e n o t so s u r p r i s e d t h a t he h a d asked t h a t s u c h a s c r o l l be w r i t t e n for soldiers. Even w i t h o u t external difficulties, the w r i t i n g o f a T o r a h s c r o l l takes m a n y m o n t h s , a n d o f course, delays can c r o p u p . F o r w h a t e v e r reasons, t h e T o r a h s c r o l l f o r the soldiers had n o t been c o m p l e t e d before the s u m m e r o f 5 7 4 2 ( 1 9 8 2 ) . L a t e r t h a t s u m m e r , after t h e f i r s t w a r i n L e b a n o n b r o k e o u t , t h e R e b b e said t h a t i t ' s a shame t h e T o r a h s c r o l l h a d n o t y e t b e e n c o m p l e t e d . M a n y lives w o u l d have b e e n saved, f o r t h e T o r a h s c r o l l w o u l d have served as a s p i r i t u a l h e l m e t , p r o t e c t i n g t h e s o l d i e r s .

177

178

KEEPING I N TOUCH

Parshas Vayeilech
T h i s week's T o r a h reading contains the c o m m a n d m e n t f o r each

p e r s o n t o w r i t e a T o r a h s c r o l l , as s t a t e d i n t h e verse: " A n d n o w w r i t e d o w n t h i s s o n g f o r yourselves a n d t e a c h i t t o t h e c h i l d r e n o f Israel." T h e mitzyah o f w r i t i n g a T o r a h s c r o l l c o n n e c t s us t o t h e v e r y essence o f t h e T o r a h . I n this vein, M a i m o n i d e s states t h a t a

p e r s o n w h o w r i t e s a T o r a h s c r o l l is c o n s i d e r e d as i f he received t h e T o r a h at S i n a i . I n o t h e r w o r d s , w r i t i n g a T o r a h s c r o l l does n o t relate t o m e r e l y t h e i n t e l l e c t u a l e l e m e n t o f t h e T o r a h , t h e aspect o f t h e T o r a h t h a t w e can relate t o w i t h o u r m i n d s , b u t t o essence of the Torah, the Torah as it transcends the our

u n d e r s t a n d i n g a n d b o n d s us t o G - d . F o r t h a t was t h e core o f t h e Sinai experience. We did not comprehend G-dliness; we the

e x p e r i e n c e d a face t o face r e v e l a t i o n o f H i m . T h e T o r a h was

m e d i u m f o r t h a t r e v e l a t i o n . B y w r i t i n g a T o r a h s c r o l l w e recreate a n d r e l i v e t h a t event. W e are c o m m a n d e d t o f u l f i l l t h i s mitzyah so t h a t every p e r s o n w o u l d have an o p p o r t u n i t y t o appreciate t h i s experience. A q u e s t i o n , however, c o m e s t o m i n d . E v e n i n t h e m o s t s t r i c t l y observant T o r a h communities, i t is u n c o m m o n to see people

a c t u a l l y p e r f o r m i n g t h i s mitzyah. A n d t h r o u g h o u t h i s t o r y , m a n y o f our people's greatest spiritual luminaries have never actually

w r i t t e n a T o r a h s c r o l l t h e m s e l v e s . I f i t is a mitzyah, w h y i s n ' t i t observed m o r e popularly? T h e r e s o l u t i o n o f t h i s q u e s t i o n lies i n a halachic p r i n c i p l e t h a t w h e n an a c t i v i t y c a n n o t be p e r f o r m e d b y o n e p e r s o n alone, w h e n i t is c a r r i e d o u t b y t w o i n d i v i d u a l s , t h e y are b o t h c o n s i d e r e d to

have p e r f o r m e d i t i n i t s e n t i r e l y . Since, i n t h e p r e s e n t age, i t is virtually impossible for every person to write a Torah scroll

h i m s e l f , w h e n a T o r a h s c r o l l is w r i t t e n c o m m u n a l l y , every p e r s o n w h o p a r t i c i p a t e s b y p u r c h a s i n g a l e t t e r o r a passage is considered

t o have c o m p o s e d t h e e n t i r e s c r o l l a n d p e r f o r m e d t h i s mitzyah.

VAYEILECH

179

Performing

the

mitzyah

in

this

manner

actually

has

an

advantage over a c t u a l l y w r i t i n g a T o r a h s c r o l l oneself. F o r w h e n j o i n i n g i n t h e c o m p o s i t i o n o f a c o m m u n a l s c r o l l , one u n i t e s w i t h m a n y o t h e r Jews. T h i s establishes b o n d s o f c o n n e c t i o n t h a t b r i n g o u r p e o p l e t o g e t h e r i n a g e n u i n e oneness. On t h e verse, " T h e e a r t h feared a n d t h e n became c a l m , " o u r

Sages state t h a t u n t i l t h e T o r a h was g i v e n , t h e e a r t h " f e a r e d , " i t was s h a k y a n d i n s e c u r e . I t was n o t u n t i l t h e T o r a h was g i v e n t h a t s t a b i l i t y was e s t a b l i s h e d . T h e f u l f i l l m e n t o f t h e mitzyah o f w r i t i n g T o r a h s c r o l l s l i k e w i s e contributes s t a b i l i t y , safety, and protection to all those who

participate i n i t . W h e n a person participates Torah s c r o l l , he d r a w s down

i n the w r i t i n g o f a and

D i v i n e blessings o f s e c u r i t y

w e l l b e i n g f o r h i m s e l f , h i s f a m i l y , his c o m m u n i t y , a n d t h e world.

entire

Based o n t h e above, over 3 0 years ago, t h e L u b a v i t c h e r R e b b e o r g a n i z e d a c a m p a i g n t o have c o m m u n a l T o r a h s c r o l l s w r i t t e n f o r adults and for children. A t that t i m e , there were tremendous

international tensions wont t o say. He

" t h e w o r l d t r e m b l e d " as t h e R e b b e was t h a t p a r t i c i p a t i o n i n t h e mitzyah o f and

promised

w r i t i n g these T o r a h s c r o l l s was a means o f r e d u c i n g t e n s i o n s t r i f e a n d p r o m o t i n g peace.

Looking to the Horizon

T h i s mitzyah also shares a special c o n n e c t i o n t o t h e a d v e n t o f t h e era o f Mashiach. T h e great S e p h a r d i c m y s t i c , t h e Ben Ish Chai, w r i t e s t h a t t h e f i r s t a n d t h e l a s t p o s i t i v e mitzyos o f t h e T o r a h have a u n i q u e p o t e n t i a l t o h a s t e n t h e c o m i n g o f Mashiach, as i t is w r i t t e n : "I have r e d e e m e d y o u f i r s t and last." The f i r s t mitzyah is the last

mitzyah t o "be f r u i t f u l

a n d m u l t i p l y , " t o have c h i l d r e n . T h e

mitzyah is t o w r i t e a T o r a h s c r o l l . B y s p r e a d i n g t h e observance o f b o t h these mitzyos, w e h a s t e n t h e c o m i n g o f t h e R e d e m p t i o n . T h e c o n n e c t i o n t o t h e mitzyah o f w r i t i n g a T o r a h s c r o l l can be e x p l a i n e d as f o l l o w s : G - d gave t h i s mitzyah t o t h e J e w i s h p e o p l e as

180

KEEPING I N TOUCH

t h ey w e r e p r e p a r i n g t o cross t h e J o r d a n a n d e n t e r o u r H o l y L a n d . S i m i l a r l y , i n t h e p r e s e n t era, w e are " o n t h e b a n k s o f t h e J o r d a n , " as i t w e r e , b r i e f m o m e n t s b e f o r e c o m i n g b a c k t o Eretz_Yisrael l e d b y Mashiach. B y s t r e s s i n g t h e mitzyah g i v e n b e f o r e o u r p e o p l e e n t e r e d Eretz Yisrael t h e f i r s t t i m e , w e p r e p a r e f o r o u r p e o p l e ' s u l t i m a t e r e t u r n t o the land.

T h e Tzemach Tzedek, t h e t h i r d R e b b e o f Chabad, was raised b y his grandfather, the A l t e r Rebbe. O n c e the A l t e r R e b b e t o l d h i m : " I w a n t t o give y o u a l l t h e T o r a h k n o w l e d g e I possess as a p r e s e n t . " T h e Tzemach Tzedek d e c l i n e d , s a y i n g t h a t he p r e f e r r e d t o g a i n h i s k n o w l e d g e t h r o u g h his o w n labor and t o i l . Y e a r s later, h o w e v e r , he r e g r e t t e d t h e d e c i s i o n . " I s h o u l d have t a k e n t h e p r e s e n t f r o m m y g r a n d f a t h e r , " he r e m a r k e d , " a n d t h e n b e g u n t o t o i l . I c o u l d have achieved far m o r e i f m y i n i t i a l base o f k n o w l e d g e h a d b e e n broader."

Parshas Haazinu
I n t h e s e c o n d verse o f t h i s s o n g , M o s e s t e l l s t h e p e o p l e : " L e t m y t e a c h i n g d r o p l i k e r a i n , l e t m y sayings f l o w l i k e d e w . " W i t h these metaphors, he is i n f o r m i n g the people o f t w o dimensions o f

T o r a h . D e w f l o w s at a l l t i m e s . R a i n , b y c o n t r a s t , is d e p e n d e n t o n t h e e v a p o r a t i o n o f m o i s t u r e f r o m t h e e a r t h . O n l y w h e n t h e r e is a s u f f i c i e n t a m o u n t o f m o i s t u r e t h a t has r i s e n f r o m t h e e a r t h is i t p o s s i b l e f o r r a i n t o descend. D e w is t h u s an a n a l o g y f o r t h e r e v e l a t i o n o f T o r a h t h a t comes f r o m A b o v e . T h u s i t is i n t e r p r e t e d as a reference t o t h e W r i t t e n L a w w h i c h is G - d ' s w o r d , m a d e k n o w n t o us b y t h e p r o p h e t s o n H i s i n i t i a t i v e . A n d i n a p e r s o n a l sense, i t refers t o t h e awareness o f G - d t h a t is, f r o m t i m e t o t i m e , g r a n t e d t o a p e r s o n as a g i f t f r o m above, as an e x p r e s s i o n o f G - d ' s k i n d n e s s . Rain, by contrast, refers to that dimension of Torah

associated w i t h m a n ' s l a b o r . O f course, i t s source is also A b o v e , f o r t h e T o r a h is G - d ' s t r u t h , n o t m a n ' s . B u t t h i s facet o f T o r a h r e q u i r e s m a n ' s i n p u t . T h e r e f o r e i t refers t o t h e O r a l L a w w h i c h is revealed as a r e s u l t o f m a n ' s s t u d y . I n t h a t v e i n , o u r Sages teach: " E v e r y n e w i n s i g h t d e v e l o p e d b y an e x p e r i e n c e d sage was g i v e n t o M o s h e at S i n a i . " T h e i n s i g h t was d e v e l o p e d b y t h e s c h o l a r t h r o u g h his e f f o r t a n d s t r i v i n g . A n d yet,
181

182

KEEPING I N TOUCH

i t is n o t an e n t i r e l y n e w i n s i g h t f o r t h e n , i t w o u l d be m e r e l y a human scholar, truth. Instead, his i t is p a r t diligent truth o f the Sinai revelation. able to align The his was

through with

work

was

understanding

G-d's

a n d reveal an aspect t h a t

previously u n k n o w n . I n t h e p e r s o n a l sense, t h i s refers t o t h e awareness o f G - d t h a t comes from a person's own efforts. He labors to appreciate

s p i r i t u a l c o n c e p t s , n o t as t h e y can be a p p r e c i a t e d b y t h e s o u l as sparks of spiritual truth, but as they are internalized and

u n d e r s t o o d by the h u m a n dimensions o f o u r being. Now b o t h o f these d i m e n s i o n s are i m p o r t a n t . R e v e l a t i o n f r o m

above is always m o r e r e f i n e d a n d p r i s t i n e t h a n t r u t h s r e a l i z e d b y man. B u t t h e t r u t h s m a n realize o n h i s o w n are m o r e l a s t i n g a n d

have a greater effect o n h i s o w n s p i r i t u a l d e v e l o p m e n t . To g o b a c k t o t h e analogy, any f a r m e r w i l l t e l l y o u t h a t d e w is

u s e f u l , b u t i f y o u r e a l l y w a n t c r o p s t o g r o w , r a i n is necessary. T o generate sincere a n d real change, i t is necessary t h a t a p e r s o n w o r k on himself.

Looking to the Horizon

T h e s e t w o p a t t e r n s are r e f l e c t e d i n d i f f e r e n t eras i n o u r n a t i o n ' s s p i r i t u a l h i s t o r y . T h e era o f t h e T e m p l e was an era o f " d e w . " G-dliness was manifest from above as an expression of His

k i n d n e s s . M i r a c l e s t o o k place i n t h e T e m p l e even w h e n t h e Jews a c t e d d e c a d e n t l y a n d r e b e l l e d against G - d . T h e era o f exile, b y c o n t r a s t , is c h a r a c t e r i z e d b y c o n c e a l m e n t a n d any awareness o f G - d w h i c h w e are g r a n t e d is a t t a i n e d b y o u r h a r d w o r k i n r e f i n i n g ourselves and our surroundings. O n the

o t h e r h a n d , p r e c i s e l y t h i s a p p r o a c h is w h a t w i l l b r i n g t h e u l t i m a t e revelations t h a t w i l l characterize the era o f Mashiach. L i k e rain

w h i c h c o m e s as a r e s u l t o f v a p o r , t h o s e r e v e l a t i o n s w i l l be b r o u g h t a b o u t b y o u r e f f o r t s i n t h i s era o f e x i l e .

W h e n t h e Baal S h e m T o v was a y o u t h , he w o r k e d as a school-teacher's h e l p e r . H i s j o b was t o take y o u n g c h i l d r e n f r o m t h e i r h o m e s a n d escort t h e m t o t h e s c h o o l r o o m i n t h e m o r n i n g . W i t h l o v e a n d care, he m a d e take each one f r o m h i s h o m e , k i s s i n g a n d h u g g i n g h i m , i m b u i n g h i m w i t h w a r m t h and joy. H i s successor, t h e M a g g i d o f M e z r i t c h , once said: " I w i s h that i n the height o f the S i m c h a h T o r a h c e l e b r a t i o n s , I w i l l be able t o k i s s a T o r a h s c r o l l w i t h t h e d e p t h o f f e e l i n g w i t h w h i c h t h e Baal S h e m T o v w o u l d k i s s t h o s e c h i l d r e n every m o r n i n g . "

Parshas V'Zos HaBerachah

T h i s T o r a h r e a d i n g c o n t a i n s t h e verse: " T h i s T o r a h w h i c h M o s e s c o m m a n d e d us is an i n h e r i t a n c e o f t h e c o n g r e g a t i o n o f Jacob," t h e verse a c h i l d is t a u g h t as s o o n as he learns t o speak. T h e r e are t w o s e e m i n g l y c o n f l i c t i n g concepts communicated

b y t h i s verse: O n o n e h a n d , every Jew, even t h e m o s t s i m p l e a n d u n l e a r n e d , s h o u l d realize t h a t he has a c o n n e c t i o n t o t h e T o r a h ; i t is his i n h e r i t a n c e a n d l i k e an i n h e r i t a n c e , he becomes i t s o w n e r w i t h o u t any e f f o r t o n his p a r t . S i m u l t a n e o u s l y , even a d i l i g e n t scholar w h o l a b o r s i n T o r a h s t u d y s h o u l d c o m p r e h e n d t h a t n e w i n s i g h t s he grasps are not t o t a l l y his o w n the

achievements.

I n s t e a d , a l l t h a t has h a p p e n e d is t h a t he has t a k e n p o s s e s s i o n o f his i n h e r i t a n c e . I t was t h e r e w a i t i n g f o r h i m a n d n o w , he has m a d e i t his. B o t h f o r every i n d i v i d u a l a n d f o r o u r p e o p l e as a w h o l e

t h e r e v e l a t i o n o f t h e T o r a h has b e e n g r a d u a l . G l i m m e r i n g s are granted at one point in time and the full revelation comes

a f t e r w a r d s . A l t h o u g h t h e e n t i r e T o r a h was g i v e n t o o u r p e o p l e at S i n a i , over t h e c e n t u r i e s , n e w a n d d i f f e r e n t d i m e n s i o n s have b e e n revealed. W h a t is t h e k e y t o these c o n c e p t s : T h e Zohar t e l l s : " G - d , t h e T o r a h , a n d Israel, are a l l o n e . " G - d i n v e s t e d H i s i n f i n i t y i n t o t h e
183

184

KEEPING I N TOUCH

T o r a h and i n t o the Jewish people. T h u s the intellectual d i m e n s i o n o f t h e T o r a h does n o t d e f i n e i t . B e y o n d t h e d i m e n s i o n t h a t o u r minds can perceive lie many layers of deeper and more

fundamental unbounded

t r u t h s a n d , u l t i m a t e l y , a G - d l y t r u t h t h a t is t r u l y and incomprehensible by human understanding.

M o r e o v e r , these layers are n o t g a r m e n t s t h a t h i d e t h e T o r a h a n d m u s t be s h e d t o t a p i t s i n n e r t r u t h . I n s t e a d , t h e y serve as h a n d l e s t o enable a person o f less d e v e l o p e d i n t e l l e c t u a l a n d spiritual

resources t o d e v e l o p h i s c o n n e c t i o n t o t h e T o r a h . G - d is t o be f o u n d e q u a l l y i n t h e verses r e c i t e d b y a y o u n g c h i l d , a l a w r e c i t e d by a b e g i n n i n g scholar, and the most sophisticated concepts

g r a s p e d b y a seasoned sage. F o r G - d ' s essence is i n v e s t e d i n every d i m e n s i o n o f t h e T o r a h a n d i t s s t u d y enables us t o c o n n e c t w i t h i t a n d give e x p r e s s i o n t o t h e G - d l i n e s s w i t h i n o u r hearts. Since the soul o f every Jew is "an actual part of G-d,"

u n l i m i t e d as G - d is u n l i m i t e d , he shares a c o n n e c t i o n t o a l l these levels o f T o r a h . As stated above, i t is his inheritance. The

d i f f e r e n t stages o f d e v e l o p m e n t he u n d e r g o e s t h r o u g h o u t h i s l i f e reflect his efforts to internalize these truths, teaching his

c o n s c i o u s m i n d t o be aware o f t h e s p i r i t u a l resources l a t e n t i n h i s s o u l . S l o w l y , level after level, he a l i g n s h i s u n d e r s t a n d i n g w i t h h i s inner G-dliness, t a k i n g possession o f his inheritance. T h i s is t h e f i r s t T o r a h c o n c e p t t a u g h t t o a y o u n g c h i l d . A t t h e very beginning of to his him development, in a this essential seminal truth form is and

communicated

capsulated,

t h r o u g h o u t h i s l i f e i t u n f o l d s , l i f t i n g h i m u p level after level i n t o the r e a l i z a t i o n o f his s p i r i t u a l p o t e n t i a l .

Looking to the Horizon

A s i m i l a r m o t i f applies t o t h e J e w i s h p e o p l e as a w h o l e . A t M o u n t S i n a i , w e w e r e g i v e n t h e essence o f t h e T o r a h . B u t l i k e c h i l d r e n , o u r p e o p l e w e r e n o t ready f o r i t . A n d so began, g e n e r a t i o n after generation o f spiritual exploration and growth as our people

V ' Z O S HABERACHAH

185

l a b o r e d t o take p o s s e s s i o n o f t h e i r T o r a h i n h e r i t a n c e t h e i r lives w i t h i t .

and align

T h e c u l m i n a t i o n o f t h i s process w i l l be i n t h e era o f Mashiach w h e n : " I w i l l place M y T o r a h w i t h i n t h e m a n d I w i l l w r i t e i t o n t o t h e i r hearts.... T h e y w i l l n o l o n g e r t e a c h a n d each m a n h i s b r o t h e r Me, each m a n his f e l l o w

saying ' K n o w G - d , ' for all w i l l k n o w

f r o m t h e i r s m a l l e s t t o t h e i r greatest." F o r t h i s reason, Mashiach's c o m i n g w i l l n o t r e p r e s e n t t h e g i v i n g

o f a n e w T o r a h . Since t h e T o r a h is essential G - d l y t r u t h

there

is n o w a y i t can be r e p l a c e d o r i m p r o v e d u p o n . I n s t e a d , i n t h a t era, we w i l l appreciate the Torah's G - d l y core a n d see it realized

w i t h i n our o w n beings.

A k i n g gave an o p e n i n v i t a t i o n t o a l l o f h i s c o u n t r y m e n t o v i s i t h i m , t e l l i n g everyone t h a t t h e y c o u l d c o m e i n t o t h e t h r o n e r o o m t o speak t o h i m u n t i l n o o n . H e also p u t out h i s palace treasures o u t f o r d i s p l a y . S o m e o f the they

c o u n t r y m e n paused

t o gaze at t h e w e a p o n r y a n d

became so a b s o r b e d t h a t t h e y d i d n o t see t h a t t i m e was passing. Others became fascinated by the jewels and

focused their a t t e n t i o n o n t h e m . S t i l l others stopped t o take i n the artwork and beauty o f the gardens a n d o f the t h e trees, subjects the

sculptures.

Each

found

s o m e t h i n g i n t h e palace t h a t i n t e r e s t e d h i m a n d i n d e e d , m e s m e r i z e d h i m so m u c h t h a t he f o r g o t a b o u t t h e k i n g . A m o n g t h e subjects was a s i m p l e f a r m e r . H e d i d n o t understand w e a p o n r y , jewels, o r gardens. B u t he was

e x c i t e d f o r t h e s i m p l e s t r e a s o n ; he h a d a chance t o see t h e k i n g . H e d i d n o t s t o p t o m a r v e l at any o f t h e k i n g ' s possessions. I n s t e a d , he r u s h e d straight to the throne

r o o m t o see t h e k i n g . A n d w h e n n o o n came, he was t h e o n l y one o f t h e subjects w h o h a d seen t h e k i n g . Rosh Hashanah is a day when G-d reveals His

K i n g s h i p . T h e palace is o p e n . S o m e seek w e a l t h , s o m e seek f r i e n d s h i p , a n d s o m e seek w i s d o m . A n d t h e n t h e r e are t h o s e w h o seek n o t h i n g else b u t t h e K i n g . Nor w i l l s e e k i n g t h e K i n g cause one t o lose o u t o n t h e

o t h e r p e r i p h e r y m a t t e r s . T h i n k f o r a second, w h e n one comes face t o face w i t h t h e K i n g , i s n ' t i t l o g i c a l t o assume that the K i n g w i l l p r o v i d e h i m or her w i t h everything t h e y need?

Rosh Hashanah
I n o u r prayers o n R o s h H a s h a n a h , w e say: " T o d a y , t h e w o r l d was created." N o w t h a t s t a t e m e n t is p r o b l e m a t i c , because w e k n o w

t h a t t h e w o r l d was c r e a t e d five days earlier, o n t h e 2 5 t h o f E l u l . Why t h e n d o w e c o n s i d e r R o s h H a s h a n a h as t h e b i r t h d a y o f t h e

world?

187

188

KEEPING I N TOUCH

The

explanation

that

is

traditionally

given

is

that

Rosh

H a s h a n a h is t h e a n n i v e r s a r y o f t h e c r e a t i o n o f m a n a n d t h a t l i f t s t h e w o r l d t o an e n t i r e l y n e w level. W h a t is t h e advantage t h a t m a n c o n t r i b u t e s ? T h e r e s o l u t i o n g i v e n is t h a t a l l t h e o t h e r c r e a t e d b e i n g s d o G - d ' s w i l l n a t u r a l l y , w i t h o u t any c o n s c i o u s desire. T h e p l a n t s g r o w , t h e p l a n e t s m o v e i n t h e o r b i t s , a n d a n i m a l s r o a m t h e forests a l l i n praise o f G - d . T h e i r a c t i o n s t e s t i f y t o H i s creative p o w e r , t h e awesomeness o f t h e w i s d o m H e i n v e s t e d i n m a k i n g every c r e a t e d b e i n g , a n d t h e w o n d r o u s h a r m o n y w i t h w h i c h t h e w o r l d was e n d o w e d . B u t t h i s t e s t i m o n y is g i v e n u n k n o w i n g l y , w i t h o u t the plant, animal, or

o b j e c t a p p r e c i a t i n g h o w i t is r e v e a l i n g G - d ' s greatness. Man, G-d b y c o n t r a s t , can u n d e r s t a n d . H i s acknowledgement o f

is c o n s c i o u s . H e appreciates G - d ' s greatness w i t h i n h i s m i n d

a n d p r o c l a i m s H i s oneness a n d H i s K i n g s h i p as a p r o d u c t o f h i s c o m p r e h e n s i o n . N o o n e is f o r c i n g h i m t o d o so. H e u n d e r s t a n d s and proclaims G-dliness o n his o w n initiative. But make t h i s p r o v o k e s f u r t h e r q u e s t i o n s : W h a t d i f f e r e n c e does i t i f the creation testifies to G-d's oneness and kingship

consciously w o r l d at large? advantage. The

as m a n does

or unconsciously man's perspective,

as does t h e t h e r e is an G-d's attuned

Obviously, from a n i m a l is man is. H e not

consciously uplifted

aligned w i t h that he has

oneness, w h i l e

feels

h i m s e l f t o G - d ' s desires. B u t t h a t advantage is m a n ' s . F r o m G - d ' s p o i n t o f v i e w , w h y is m a n ' s c o n s c i o u s acceptance o f H i s w i l l any better t h a n the animal's unconscious f u l f i l l m e n t o f H i s will? T h e r e s o l u t i o n t o these q u e s t i o n s lies i n t h e comprehension created

o f G - d ' s p u r p o s e i n c r e a t i o n . O u r Sages' e x p l a i n t h a t H e

t h e w o r l d , because H e d e s i r e d a d w e l l i n g i n t h e l o w e r r e a l m s . J u s t as a p e r s o n reveals h i s character world will serve as the i n h i s o w n h o m e , so t o o , o u r G-dliness will come into

place w h e r e

consummate revelation. Now i f t h e c r e a t e d b e i n g s themselves w o u l d n o t c o m p r e h e n d

G - d l i n e s s , i t c o u l d h a r d l y be s a i d t h a t G - d ' s d w e l l i n g w o u l d have

ROSH HASHANAH

189

reached t h e l o w e r r e a l m s . F o r t h e r e w o u l d be a r e a l m o f existence t h e w a y t h e c r e a t e d b e i n g s l o o k at t h e w o r l d f r o m t h e i r o w n

p e r s p e c t i v e t h a t H e w o u l d n o t have p e r m e a t e d . T h e r e f o r e G - d c r e a t e d m a n w i t h an i d e n t i t y o f h i s o w n a n d a m i n d o f h i s o w n w i t h t h e i n t e n t t h a t m a n use h i s m i n d t o u n d e r s t a n d t h e n w i l l i n g l y subjugate his i d e n t i t y t o G-d's purpose. G-d and

A l t h o u g h c o m i n g t o this understanding and m a k i n g such a c o m m i t m e n t is a p p r o p r i a t e t h r o u g h o u t t h e e n t i r e year, o n R o s h H a S h a n a h , i t takes o n a m u c h greater i m p o r t a n c e . F o r since R o s h Hashanah is the anniversary o f the creation, G-d's intent is

r e n e w e d o n t h a t day. B y a l i g n i n g ourselves w i t h t h a t i n t e n t , w e set i n m o t i o n a process l e a d i n g t o t h e c o n s u m m a t i o n o f t h a t i n t e n t a n d t h e c o m i n g o f t h e R e d e m p t i o n w h e n G - d ' s K i n g s h i p w i l l be o v e r t l y m a n i f e s t i n a l l existence.

Looking to the Horizon

O n e o f t h e f u n d a m e n t a l e l e m e n t s o f o u r R o s h H a s h a n a h service is t h e s o u n d i n g o f t h e shofar. A m o n g t h e m a n y e x p l a n a t i o n s g i v e n f o r t h e s i g n i f i c a n c e o f t h i s mitzyah is t h a t i t is a f o r e t a s t e o f t h e t i m e w h e n : " T h e G r e a t Shofar w i l l be s o u n d e d , " at t h e t i m e o f Mashiach's coming. To to e x p l a i n : T h e s o u n d i n g o f t h e shofar serves as t h e m e d i u m K i n g s h i p . Just like o n the

express o u r acceptance o f G - d ' s

e a r t h l y plane, t r u m p e t s are s o u n d e d at t h e c o r o n a t i o n o f a k i n g , so too, our s o u n d i n g t h e shofar m a r k s our acquiescence t o G-d's

sovereignty and our c o m m i t m e n t t o carry o u t H i s w i l l . Nevertheless, i n t h e p r e s e n t era, o u r acceptance o f G - d as

K i n g is s o m e w h a t i n c o m p l e t e . F o r n o m a t t e r h o w f u l l - h e a r t e d i t is, w e have a n a t u r a l t e n d e n c y t o w a r d s s e l f - c o n c e r n . W e have o u r own w a n t s a n d desires. S i m p l y p u t , i t is l i k e l y t h a t , i n o u r R o s h prayers, we will concentrate more on the words

Hashanah

" I n s c r i b e us i n t h e B o o k o f l i f e , b l e s s i n g , peace, a n d p r o s p e r i t y " t h a n o n t h e w o r d s " R e i g n over t h e e n t i r e w o r l d i n Y o u r g l o r y . "

190

KEEPING I N TOUCH

I n t h e era o f Mashiach, t h i s d i c h o t o m y w i l l be erased. W e w i l l i d e n t i f y w i t h G-d's K i n g s h i p , n o t o n l y f r o m the perspective o f o u r spiritual personalities, but also from the standpoint of our

p h y s i c a l desires. F o r " g o o d t h i n g s w i l l f l o w i n abundance... a n d t h e o c c u p a t i o n o f t h e e n t i r e w o r l d w i l l be s o l e l y t o k n o w G - d . "

Y o m K i p p u r o f t e n falls i n O c t o b e r , i n t h e m i d s t o f t h e m a j o r league p l a y o f f s . T h o s e o f us w i t h g o o d m e m o r i e s , o r s i m p l y avid baseball fans, g o back several decades w h e n i n 1 9 6 6 , t h e o p e n i n g game o f t h e W o r l d Series fell o n Y o m K i p p u r . T h e D o d g e r s were p l a y i n g t h e T w i n s . A n y o n e w h o k n o w s a n y t h i n g a b o u t baseball does n o t need t o be explained a b o u t h o w i m p o r t a n t i t is t o w i n t h e o p e n i n g game o f the Series. N a t u r a l l y , t h e D o d g e r s t u r n e d t o t h e i r ace, Sandy K o u f a x , a n d asked h i m t o p i t c h . M r . K o u f a x , b y h i s o w n a d m i s s i o n , was far f r o m a d e v o u t Jew. Y e t he was a Jew. Y e s , he o w e d a c e r t a i n loyalty t o his team and he h a d his o w n personal a m b i t i o n s a n d goals. B u t t o p i t c h Y o m K i p p u r h e j u s t d i d n ' t see h o w t h a t was p o s s i b l e ! T h e r e is s o m e t h i n g special a b o u t t h e d a y . I t l i f t s us b e y o n d o u r o r d i n a r y experience a n d p u t s us i n t o c o n t a c t w i t h o u r fundamental Jewish i d e n t i t y . c o n f r o n t e d w i t h s u c h a r e a l i z a t i o n , even w h e n i t m e a n t m a k i n g a p r o f e s s i o n a l sacrifice o f t h e h i g h e s t o r d e r , S a n d y K o u f a x refused t o p i t c h . T h e p o i n t , however, is n o t t o leave Y o m K i p p u r as one special day, a n i s o l a t e d experience, b u t t o relate i t t o o u r c o n d u c t t h r o u g h o u t t h e year. T h a t same awareness s h o u l d c o n t i n u e at a l l t i m e s , s p a r k i n g greater s p i r i t u a l consciousness.

Yom Kippur
Our Y o m Kippur prayers relate that i n the T e m p l e , the High

P r i e s t w o u l d p r o n o u n c e G - d ' s N a m e o n several during that holy day. When the people heard

occasions Name

the

pronounced, they responded instinctively: " T h e y w o u l d bow, bend t h e knee, f a l l o n t h e i r faces a n d e x c l a i m : ' B l e s s e d be t h e n a m e o f H i s g l o r i o u s K i n g d o m f o r e v e r a n d ever.'" In chassidic act of thought, i t is explained that Instead, it was this a was not a

conscious

subjugation.

spontaneous

191

192

KEEPING I N TOUCH

spiritual

reaction.

As

the

holiness

evoked

by

G-d's

name

encompassed

t h e m , t h e y c o u l d n o t s t a n d erect; t h ey h a d t o b o w

t h e i r heads. A s t h e i m p r e s s i o n g r e w m o r e p o w e r f u l , t h e y s u n k t o t h e i r knees. u l t i m a t e l y , t h e h o l i n e s s o v e r w h e l m e d t h e m e n t i r e l y u n t i l t h e y c o u l d d o n o t h i n g b u t f a l l o n t h e i r faces. T h e r e v e l a t i o n was so p o w e r f u l t h a t i t overcame a l l vestiges o f t h e i r s e l f h o o d a n d t h e y h a d n o p o w e r t o raise a l i m b . This, however, raises a question. W h y d i d they exclaim:

"Blessed be t h e n a m e o f H i s g l o r i o u s K i n g d o m f o r e v e r a n d ever?" I n c h a s s i d i c t h o u g h t , i t is e x p l a i n e d t h a t w h e n w e r e c i t e t h e Shema each day, w e a f f i r m G - d ' s u n i t y i n t w o d i f f e r e n t w a y s . W h e n w e r e c i t e t h e verse Shema, " H e a r O I s r a e l , G - d is t h e L - r d , G - d is o n e , " w e express G - d ' s u n i t y f r o m H i s p e r s p e c t i v e ; h o w H e is t h e t o t a l i t y o f a l l existence a n d every b e i n g is m e r e l y an e x t e n s i o n o f H i m . F r o m t h a t p e r s p e c t i v e , n o o t h e r e n t i t y has any i n d i v i d u a l i m p o r t a n c e , f o r e v e r y t h i n g is s u b s u m e d i n H i s oneness. "Blessed be t h e name o f H i s g l o r i o u s K i n g d o m , " b y contrast, refers t o a r e l a t i o n s h i p between subjects a n d t h e i r K i n g . A subject recognizes t h e k i n g ' s mastery, b u t y e t retains his awareness o f self. O n t h e c o n t r a r y , precisely t h a t is t h e core o f the r e l a t i o n s h i p he shares w i t h a k i n g . F o r w h e n a p e r s o n exists alone, n o m a t t e r h o w great he is, i t is n o t a p p r o p r i a t e t o call h i m a k i n g . W h e n does he receive t h a t title? W h e n his a u t h o r i t y is accepted b y o t h e r m e n w h o are o n a m u c h l o w e r level a n d y e t t h e y acknowledge h i m as t h e i r ruler. Similarly, i n the s p i r i t u a l parallel, f r o m the perspective of

G - d ' s c o n s u m m a t e oneness, i t is n o t a p p r o p r i a t e t o speak o f H i s K i n g s h i p . O n t h a t level, t h e r e is n o t h i n g else t h a t feels i t s o w n selfhood. "Blessed be t h e n a m e o f H i s glorious K i n g d o m , " by

c o n t r a s t , p r o c l a i m s t h a t even o n t h e level w h e r e t h e r e appears t o be s o m e t h i n g else a n d w e feel ourselves as s i g n i f i c a n t e n t i t i e s , w e accept H i s a u t h o r i t y a n d relate t o H i m as K i n g . W h y then o n Y o m K i p p u r , w h e n the pronouncement o f G-d's N a m e m a d e H i s oneness m a n i f e s t t o t h e p o i n t w h e r e t h e p e o p l e c o u l d n o t raise a l i m b , d i d t h e y r e c i t e "Blessed be t h e n a m e o f H i s

Y O M KIPPUR

193

g l o r i o u s k i n g d o m ? " S e e m i n g l y , at t h a t t i m e , i t w o u l d have b e e n a p p r o p r i a t e f o r t h e m t o p r o c l a i m Shema Yisrael a n d t o s h o w h o w His oneness r e s o n a t e d t h r o u g h o u t t h e i r b e i n g s . T h e r e s o l u t i o n o f t h i s q u e s t i o n focuses o n m a n ' s f u n d a m e n t a l purpose t o be G-d's partner i n creation. T h i s implies n o t

m e r e l y e c h o i n g t h e s t a t e m e n t o f G - d ' s oneness, b u t t o realize i t w i t h i n t h e n i t t y - g r i t t y o f o u r d a y - t o - d a y existence. W i t h i n realm o f activities that in our i n v o l v e us our and get us the

excited - what and our social

happens

homes,

workplaces,

e n v i r o n m e n t s w e s h o u l d realize t h a t is G - d w h o is c o n t r o l l i n g t h i s r e a l m as w e l l . That is w h y s a y i n g "Blessed is t h e name o f H i s glorious

K i n g d o m " is so i m p o r t a n t . W e r e w e o n l y t o say Shema, w e w o u l d know about G-d's oneness i n H i s t e r m s . A n d w e c o u l d even

appreciate H i s oneness as w e p r a y a n d as w e s t u d y ; w e c o u l d n o t , h o w e v e r , u n d e r s t a n d H i s oneness i n o u r w o r l d , i n t h e r e a l m o f mundane activity and worldly matters. S a y i n g "Blessed be the

n a m e o f H i s g l o r i o u s K i n g d o m " p r o c l a i m s t h a t even s u c h realms are o n e w i t h H i m .

Looking to the Horizon

I t is i n t h e era o f Mashiach, w e w i l l see t h e f u s i o n o f b o t h expressions of G-d's u n i t y . T h e transcendent will be revealed, but it oneness c o m m u n i c a t e d b y t h e will permeate our operative

Shema

consciousness, even t h o s e m u n d a n e a n d w o r l d l y d i m e n s i o n s o f o u r experience t h a t are a l l u d e d t o b y t h e expression: "Blessed be t h e name o f H i s glorious K i n g d o m . " I n d e e d , i t is i n t h a t era t h a t G - d ' s K i n g s h i p w i l l be revealed t o t h e u l t i m a t e degree. F o r Mashiach's k i n g s h i p w i l l be an e x p r e s s i o n o f G - d ' s K i n g s h i p . H e w i l l i m b u e every e l e m e n t o f b e i n g w i t h t h e r e a l i z a t i o n t h a t i t exists f o r t h e p u r p o s e o f manifesting G-dly

t r u t h . Nevertheless, t h a t G - d l y t r u t h w i l l n o t r e m a i n abstract a n d ethereal, b u t w i l l p e n e t r a t e every d i m e n s i o n o f o u r existence, even t h o s e t h a t deal w i t h everyday m a t t e r s .

O n e year, b e f o r e S u k k o s , t h e r e was n o esrog t o be f o u n d i n t h e c i t y o f B e r d i t c h e v o r i n any o f t h e n e i g h b o r i n g villages. As the h o l i d a y approached, the v i l l a gers began t o be w o r r i e d : c o u l d i t be t h a t t h e h o l i d a y o f Sukkos w o u l d come and the h o l y Rebbe, R e b L e v i Y i t z c h a k w o u l d n o t be able t o f u l f i l l t h e mitzvah? T h e y sent emissaries a l l over, l o o k i n g f o r s o m e o n e w h o h a d one o f those cherished fruits. Several days b e f o r e t h e h o l i d a y , a w e a l t h y m a n was f o u n d t r a v e l i n g h o m e f r o m a business fair a n d he h a d an esrog! " W h a t c a n w e give y o u f o r t h e esrog?" t h e c h a s s i d i m asked. " R e b L e v i Y i t z c h a k needs t o p e r f o r m t h e mitzvah." "But so d o I , " t h e r i c h m a n answered.

A f t e r m u c h insistence, t h e c h a s s i d i m p e r s u a d e d h i m t o speak t o R e b L e v i Y i t z c h a k . " W i l l y o u stay here f o r t h e h o l i d a y , so t h a t w e can f u l f i l l t h e mitzvah w i t h y o u r esrog?" t h e R e b b e asked h i m . " M y f a m i l y are e x p e c t i n g m e ? " he r e p l i e d . "We w i l l compensate y o u generously."

" T h a n k G - d , I a m i n n o need o f m o n e y . " "Is t h e r e a n y t h i n g t h a t w o u l d c o n v i n c e y o u t o stay?" " W e l l , i f t h e R e b b e w o u l d give m e h i s p o r t i o n i n t h e W o r l d t o c o m e , I w o u l d be w i l l i n g t o stay." W i t h o u t the slightest hesitation, the Rebbe drew up a c o n t r a c t , s i g n i n g over h i s share i n t h e W o r l d t o c o m e f o r t h e r i g h t f o r h i m a n d t h e Jews o f B e r d i t c h e v t o use t h e esrog. T h e r i c h m a n was w e l c o m e d w a r m l y i n t h e v i l l a g e and given brotherly hospitality. O n t h e day b e f o r e S u k k o s , R e b L e v i Y i t z c h a k sent a n o t e f o r b i d d i n g any o f t h e v i l l a g e r s t o a l l o w t h e r i c h m a n t o enter t h e i r sukkah. H e asked f o r h o s p i t a l i t y at several h o m e s , b u t f r o m a l l received t h e same r e p l y : " W e ' d l o v e t o have y o u , b u t t h e R e b b e f o r b a d e us against l e t t i n g y o u c o m e i n . " W i t h a c e r t a i n a m o u n t o f anger, he asked t h e Rebbe f o r the reason f o r his c o n d u c t .

194

SUKKOS

195

" I f y o u give m e b a c k t h e c o n t r a c t , I ' l l have t h e m l e t y o u i n t o t h e sukkah." " T h a t ' s n o t fair. I already gave y o u m y esrog." " A n d I gave y o u t h e c o n t r a c t . B u t j u s t l i k e I was w i l l i n g t o give u p m y share i n t h e W o r l d t o c o m e f o r an esrog, y o u s h o u l d be w i l l i n g t o give u p t h e same share f o r a sukkah." A f t e r seeing t h a t R e b L e v i Y i t z c h a k was serious, t h e man r e t u r n e d t o t h e i n n w h e r e he was s t a y i n g a n d

b r o u g h t the contract. T h i s time, R e b Levi Y i t z c h a k g r e e t e d h i m w a r m l y . " N o w , y o u have earned m y share i n the W o r l d t o C o m e , " he t o l d t h e m a n . " B e f o r e i t came t o y o u t o o easy, b u t n o w , since y o u w e r e p r e p a r e d t o sacrifice i t f o r a mitzvah, i t is y o u r s b y r i g h t . " S u k k o s is a t i m e f o r a l l o f us t o f u l f i l l t h e mitzvah o f lulav a n d esrog a n d t o celebrate i n o u r sukkos as b e f i t s " t h e season o f o u r r e j o i c i n g . " LeChaim. M a y t h e happiness o f S u k k o s l e a d t o t h e u l t i m a t e happiness t h a t w i l l a c c o m p a n y t h e c o m i n g o f Mashiach.

Sukkos
On out F r i d a y n i g h t , Jews w o r l d over w i l l leave t h e i r h o m e s a n d g o a n d d w e l l i n s m a l l h u t s w i t h b r a n c h e s as r o o f s . T h e s e h u t s ,

c a l l e d Sukkos, serve as o u r d w e l l i n g s f o r seven days, a f u l l cycle o f time. F o r children, it's a welcome diversion, b u t for adults, i t may be somewhat disconcerting. After all, it means leaving the

c o m f o r t s o f h o m e a n d subjecting oneself t o the elements. B u t t h a t is p r e c i s e l y t h e message o f t h e mitzvah t h a t we cannot p r o t e c t

ourselves against fate. N o m a t t e r h o w s t r o n g w e b u i l d o u r h o m e s a n d f o r t i f y o u r lives, w e are n o t m a s t e r s o f o u r e n v i r o n m e n t a n d are s u b j e c t t o t h e forces o f p r o v i d e n c e .

196

KEEPING I N TOUCH

T h i s is a v e r y basic level o f a d u l t awareness. A c h i l d t h i n k s he can d o e v e r y t h i n g a n d a n y t h i n g . A s w e m a t u r e , w e l e a r n t h a t t h e w o r l d is b i g g e r t h a n ourselves a n d o u r success c o m e s i n a l i g n i n g ourselves w i t h t h e o r d e r G - d has e s t a b l i s h e d , f i n d i n g o u r n i c h e i n t h e greater p i c t u r e i n s t e a d o f t r y i n g t o " d o t h i n g s o u r w a y , " a n d forcing our desires to prevail against the world outside. To

h i g h l i g h t t h i s message, w e leave o u r h o m e s a n d d w e l l i n t h e sukkah. T h e h o l i d a y o f S u k k o s is c a l l e d " t h e season o u r r e j o i c i n g . " I n t h e t i m e o f t h e T e m p l e , i t was m a r k e d b y c e l e b r a t i o n s so that our Sages said that "anyone who has not seen great those

c e l e b r a t i o n s has never w i t n e s s e d h a p p i n e s s i n h i s l i f e . " N o w w e s a i d t h a t t h e message o f t h e h o l i d a y is t h a t w e m u s t live w i t h i n t h e c o n t e x t o f fate. T h e r e are s o m e w h o speak o f

h a v i n g t o " r e s i g n " themselves t o fate, i m p l y i n g t h a t t h e w o r d fate has a negative m e a n i n g . A l t h o u g h w e n e e d n o t t a k e o n s u c h a negative p e r c e p t i o n o f fate, can w e say t h a t i t is a c t u a l l y a cause t o rejoice? J u d a i s m resolves t h i s issue b y f o c u s i n g o n t h e source f o r t h e mitzvah o f sukkah. W e are c o m m a n d e d t o d w e l l i n sukkos "so your [future] generations will know that I [ G - d ] caused that the

c h i l d r e n o f I s r a e l t o d w e l l i n sukkos w h e n I t o o k t h e m o u t o f t h e land o f Egypt." W h a t w e r e these sukkos? O u r Sages e x p l a i n t h a t t h i s refers t o t h e c l o u d s o f G l o r y , a c l o u d cover w h i c h p r o t e c t e d t h e Jews o n t h e i r j o u r n e y t h r o u g h t h e desert, s h i e l d i n g t h e m f r o m t h e s u n a n d sheltering t h e m f r o m cold. Going out to the sukkah is not an existential experience,

r e s i g n i n g ourselves t o fate. I t is a r e l i g i o u s experience i n w h i c h w e c o m m i t ourselves t o G - d ' s care. W e a c k n o w l e d g e t h a t H e not

n a t u r e a n d n o t o u r o w n selves are t h e masters o f o u r existence a n d w e w i l l i n g l y leave o u r h o m e s t o d w e l l u n d e r H i s shade. T h i s e x p l a i n s w h y S u k k o s is " t h e season o f o u r r e j o i c i n g . " F o r t h e r e is n o greater source o f h a p p i n e s s t h a n t h e k n o w l e d g e t h a t at every m o m e n t G-d is w a t c h i n g over us and determining our

SUKKOS

197

f u t u r e . D w e l l i n g i n a sukkah is a c e l e b r a t i o n o f t h e f a c t t h a t w e are living in G-d's world and an expression of our trust and

c o n f i d e n c e t h a t H e is c o n t r o l l i n g o u r existence.

T h e M i t t e l e r R e b b e , t h e s e c o n d R e b b e o f Chabad, h a d a g r o u p o f c h a s s i d i m w i t h f i n e voices t r a i n e d as a c h o r u s a n d he h a d a n o t h e r g r o u p t r a i n e d t o p e r f o r m a c r o b a t i c stunts o n horseback. u s u a l l y , they w o u l d p e r f o r m o n c h a s s i d i c festivals o r t h e l i k e , b u t once o n an o r d i n a r y weekday, the M i t t e l e r Rebbe called f o r a performance. H i s son, a n x i o u s t o please h i s father, l e d t h e h o r s e m e n i n t h e i r feats. B u t i n t h e m i d s t o f o n e o f h i s s t u n t s , he f e l l , crashing t o the g r o u n d i n s t i n g i n g pain. T h e M i t t e l e r R e b b e o r d e r e d t h a t m e d i c a l assistance be g i v e n t o h i s s o n , b u t asked f o r t h e p e r f o r m a n c e t o c o n t i n u e . W h e n t h e p e r f o r m a n c e was c o m p l e t e d , t h e R e b b e w e n t t o h i s s o n . " W h y d i d n ' t y o u go t o y o u r s o n b e f o r e h a n d ? " o n e o f t h e c h a s s i d i m r e s p e c t f u l l y asked t h e R e b b e . " L e t m e answer y o u r q u e s t i o n w i t h a n o t h e r q u e s t i o n , " t h e R e b b e r e p l i e d . " W h y d i d I call f o r a p e r f o r m a n c e o n a n o r d i n a r y weekday? " H a p p i n e s s has great p o w e r s . I saw t h a t t h e r e was a heavenly decree against m y s o n a n d so I w a n t e d t o n u l l i f y o r at least m i t i g a t e i t . T h e r e f o r e I c a l l e d f o r a c e l e b r a t i o n . W h e n I saw t h a t he was i n j u r e d , I h o p e d and indeed, i t p r o v e d true that c o n t i n u i n g the c e l e b r a t i o n w o u l d speed h i s r e c o v e r y . " S i m c h a s T o r a h is a day o f great happiness a n d r e j o i c i n g . T h e c e l e b r a t i o n s o f t h a t day seal a l l t h e p o s i t i v e decrees f r o m o u r j u d g m e n t o n t h e D a y s o f A w e a n d have t h e p o t e n t i a l t o m i t i g a t e any negative ones.

Simchas Torah
The happiness o f the S u k k o s h o l i d a y comes t o a climax o n its last On

t w o days, t h e h o l i d a y s o f S h e m i n i A t z e r e s a n d S i m c h a s T o r a h .

these days, w e r e j o i c e e x u b e r a n t l y , l e t t i n g a l l l i m i t a t i o n s f a l l away as w e h o l d a T o r a h s c r o l l i n o u r a r m s a n d dance j u b i l a n t l y . It's interesting. Many who will not attend a synagogue

t h r o u g h o u t t h e year c o m e o n S i m c h a s T o r a h a n d

celebrate. T h e y

198

SIMCHAS TORAH

199

see

nothing

hypocritical in taking a participatory

role

in

the

r e j o i c i n g even t h o u g h p r e v i o u s l y , t h e y s h o w e d l i t t l e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n w i t h the T o r a h . The k ey t o u n d e r s t a n d i n g this phenomenon is t h e concept

t h a t w e dance w i t h t h e T o r a h w h i l e i t is c l o s e d . O u r h a p p i n e s s o n Simchas Torah is not a result o f our comprehension of its its

intellectual qualities, b u t

r a t h e r because o f o u r

bond with

essence, as t h e Zohar teaches " I s r a e l , t h e T o r a h , a n d t h e H o l y O n e , b l e s s e d be H e , are o n e . " T h i s u n i t y c o m e s t o t h e f o r e o n S i m c h a s Torah. T h i s l e v e l o f c o n n e c t i o n surpasses t h e c o n c e p t u a l framework the but

o f any m o r t a l , even t h e m o s t s o p h i s t i c a t e d . O n t h e c o n t r a r y , w a y t o relate t o i t is n o t t h r o u g h i n t e l l e c t u a l s o p h i s t i c a t i o n , through higher. l e t t i n g go, t h r o u g h On t h i s level, t h e opening oneself up to

something are

common

p e r s o n a n d t h e scholar

e q u a l . I n d e e d , p e r h a p s t h e c o m m o n p e r s o n possesses an advantage because he has rejoicing fully. May t h e j o y o f S u k k o s a n d S i m c h a s T o r a h l e a d t o a year o f i n c l u d i n g the greatest less i n n e r i m p e d i m e n t s h o l d i n g h i m back from

happiness a n d w e l l - b e i n g i n all matters, happiness, t h e c o m i n g o f Mashiach.

Looking to the Horizon

The celebrations of Simchas Torah foreshadow the ultimate to

celebrations w h e n " c r o w n e d w i t h eternal j o y , " we w i l l proceed Eretz_ Yisrael l e d b y Mashiach. I m p l i e d is a t w o f o l d d y n a m i c . knowledge of the forthcoming redemption injects a

The

greater

d i m e n s i o n o f h a p p i n e s s i n t o o u r lives at p r e s e n t . I n t h e p r e s e n t gestalt, w e trust and believe i n G-d's providence, but do not

always see H i s h a n d o p e n l y . T h u s t h e k n o w l e d g e t h a t u l t i m a t e l y , t h e r e w i l l c o m e a t i m e w h e n H i s i n f l u e n c e o n o u r lives w i l l palpably felt reinforces our commitment. conversely, be the a

happiness we show

i n recognition o f this promise

serves as

catalyst, h a s t e n i n g i t s f u l f i l l m e n t .

I first m e t h i m i n 770, Lubavitch W o r l d H e a d q u a r t e r s , as a m i d d l e - a g e d m a n . H e was f r i e n d l y , t h o u g h t - p r o v o k i n g , a n d i n t e r e s t i n g t o speak t o . O n e n i g h t , he t o l d m e h i s s t o r y . A l t h o u g h t h e p h y s i c a l s e t t i n g i n w h i c h he g r e w u p

t h e c r o w d e d h o m e s a n d alleys o f Jerusalem's Meah Shearim u l t r a - o r t h o d o x n e i g h b o r h o o d was r a t h e r c o n f i n i n g , t h e s p i r i t u a l s e t t i n g was d y n a m i c . H i s teachers w e r e i n s p i r i n g a n d h i s peers e n e r g e t i c a l l y s e e k i n g p u r p o s e a n d g r o w t h . I t was a t i m e o f change. S o m e o f h i s relatives t o o k u p active p o s i t i o n s i n t h e Neturei Karta movement,

w h i l e others assumed c o n t r i b u t o r y roles w i t h i n the government's educational system, w o r k i n g t h r o u g h the Agudas Yisroel p a r t y . O n h i s o w n , he r e a d a v i d l y a n d s o u g h t d i f f e r e n t m e d i u m s for s p i r i t u a l expression. O n e o f his friends i n t r o d u c e d h i m t o s o m e L u b a v i t c h e r c h a s s i d i m a n d he became m o t i v a t e d . H e r e he f o u n d b o t h i n t e l l e c t u a l a n d s p i r i t u a l f u l f i l l m e n t . A s h i s c u r i o s i t y grew, he became more and more involved. As the flush o f excitement w i t h contact w i t h s o m e t h i n g new and highly-charged wore off, h o w e v e r , q u e s t i o n s b e g a n t o arise i n h i s m i n d . O n e o f h i s m e n t o r s s u g g e s t e d t h a t he w r i t e t o t h e L u b a v i t c h e r R e b b e a n d pose h i s q u e s t i o n s t o h i m . H e accepted t h e s u g g e s t i o n a n d p e n n e d a t w o page l e t t e r . S h o r t l y afterwards, he received a r e p l y t h o r o u g h l y a n s w e r i n g a l l o f his questions. A t the end, the Rebbe c o n c l u d e d w i t h a p.s.: " A n d i f y o u w i l l ask: W h y w e r e t h e teachings o f chassidic t h o u g h t revealed o n l y r e c e n t l y a n d n o t beforehand? T h e r e are t w o b r o a d - s c o p e d explanations...."

O u r s t u d e n t was s o m e w h a t s h o c k e d . H e h a d n o t p o s e d s u c h a q u e s t i o n . T h e answer was t h o u g h t - o u t a n d interesting, b u t w h y had the Rebbe explained that concept t o him? H e d i d n ' t have t o w a i t l o n g t o f i n d o u t . H i s f a t h e r h a d b e e n o b s e r v i n g h i s c o n d u c t a n d was less t h a n e n t h u s e d a b o u t h i s a f f i l i a t i o n w i t h L u b a v i t c h . H e called u p o n a

200

Y U D TES KISLEV

201

l o c a l sage a n d asked h i m t o t r y t o dissuade h i s s o n . T h e sage o b l i g e d a n d c a l l e d t h e y o u t h i n f o r a t a l k . T h e y e x c h a n g e d ideas a n d t h e sage f e l t h a p p y t h a t t h e y o u t h ' s level o f T o r a h s t u d y a n d fear o f G - d h a d n o t d r o p p e d . W h y , h o w e v e r , was he f a s c i n a t e d w i t h L u b a v i t c h ? A f t e r a few h o u r s o f d i s c u s s i o n , t h e o l d e r m a n raised t h e q u e s t i o n w h i c h he t h o u g h t w o u l d serve as t h e k n o c k o u t p u n c h : I f Chassidus was so i m p o r t a n t , w h y was i t revealed recently? W h y was i t n o t p a r t o f t h e J e w i s h h e r i t a g e f o r so m a n y t h o u s a n d s o f years? H e was a m a z e d at t h e speed a n d d e p t h w i t h w h i c h t h e y o u t h r e p l i e d . Several o f t h e p o i n t s o f e x p l a n a t i o n t h a t t h e R e b b e c o n v e y e d t o h i m are d i s c u s s e d b e l o w .

Yud Tes Kislev

Yud-Tes K i s l e v ( 1 9 K i s l e v ) m a r k s t h e date o f t h e l i b e r a t i o n o f R . Shneur Z a l m a n o f L i a d i f r o m p r i s o n i n Czarist Russia slightly

m o r e t h a n 2 0 0 years ago. I t is, h o w e v e r , m o r e t h a n a day o f personal deliverance. R . Shneur Z a l m a n e x p l a i n e d t h a t he was

i m p r i s o n e d because o f w h a t he s t o o d f o r t h e g r o w i n g s t r e n g t h o f t h e chassidic movement. T h e C z a r i s t a u t h o r i t i e s feared the

g r o w t h o f a new m o v e m e n t w i t h w h i c h they were u n f a m i l i a r . I n t h e s p i r i t u a l r e a l m s , negative forces w e r e aroused, for G-dliness On

was b e i n g revealed i n a m a n n e r b e y o n d t h e o r d i n a r y l i m i t s .

b o t h planes, h i s l i b e r a t i o n m a r k e d acceptance o f h i s a p p r o a c h a n d a w i l l i n g n e s s t o allow i t t o expand a n d progress. O n e m i g h t ask: I f chassidic t h o u g h t is so i m p o r t a n t , w h y was i t revealed so late i n t h e w o r l d ' s s p i r i t u a l h i s t o r y ? T h e T o r a h was g i v e n over 3 0 0 0 years ago. T h e Talmud was w r i t t e n over 1500

years ago. I f o u r p e o p l e c o u l d have e x i s t e d so m a n y years w i t h o u t t h e t e a c h i n g s o f Chassidus, w h y was i t so necessary t o reveal t h e m i n t h e p r e s e n t age? T w o answers are g i v e n t o t h i s q u e s t i o n . T h e f i r s t focuses t h e s p i r i t u a l challenges facing m a n k i n d . As the industrial, on and

202

KEEPING I N TOUCH

t h e n t h e i n t e l l i g e n c e , r e v o l u t i o n p r o c e e d e d , m a n began t o feel h i s o w n s t r e n g t h . I can achieve! L o o k at w h a t w e have a c c o m p l i s h e d . Instead o f the complacent, accepting attitude that prevailed i n

p r e v i o u s eras, w e have c h a n g e d t h e face o f t h e w o r l d . I n earlier ages, m a n f e l t d w a r f e d b y t h e huge w o r l d a r o u n d h i m a n d t h i s o p e n e d h i m u p t o accept t h e s p i r i t u a l as a h i g h e r a u t h o r i t y . B u t as he began t o achieve success i n o v e r c o m i n g h i s e n v i r o n m e n t , h i s a t t i t u d e was expressed b y t h e B i b l i c a l verse: " I t is m y s t r e n g t h a n d m y p o w e r t h a t b r o u g h t m e t h i s p r o s p e r i t y . " T h e s p i r i t u a l became s e c o n d a r y as m a n became i m p r e s s e d w i t h w h a t he can d o . T h e i n t e n t is n o t t h a t p r o g r e s s is b a d a n d t h a t w e s h o u l d

r e m a i n i n a p r i m i t i v e e n v i r o n m e n t at t h e m e r c y o f n a t u r e . Q u i t e t h e c o n t r a r y is t r u e . T h e p o w e r a n d t h e desire t o a c c o m p l i s h are G - d l y g i f t s , g r a n t e d t o be u s e d . H o w e v e r , as t h e y are u s e d and

p r o g r e s s is achieved, w e b e c o m e n e a r - s i g h t e d a n d p u t t o o great an emphasis o n t h e m a t e r i a l w o r l d a r o u n d us. Even a n d t o a c e r t a i n e x t e n t , especially a successful

p e r s o n can be d w a r f e d b y t h e s p i r i t u a l . F o r n o m a t t e r h o w great h i s achievements are, t h e y are l i m i t e d . G - d , b y c o n t r a s t , is i n f i n i t e . M o r e o v e r , t h a t i n f i n i t e p o t e n t i a l is v e s t e d w i t h i n o u r o w n beings, f o r each o n e o f us possesses a s o u l t h a t is an a c t u a l p a r t o f G - d . A c h i e v i n g t h i s awareness, however, is n o t easy. I t r e q u i r e s us t o go b e y o n d o u r o r d i n a r y p e r c e p t i o n o f reality a n d focus o n the s p i r i t u a l . T o f a c i l i t a t e t h i s change o f a p p r o a c h G - d revealed t h e t e a c h i n g s o f Chassidus. T h e s e t e a c h i n g s g r a n t us awareness o f t h e manifold levels of spiritual existence that transcend our

consciousness, the G - d l y nature o f the soul, the true i n f i n i t y o f G - d , t h e m y s t i c p o w e r o f t h e T o r a h a n d i t s mitzyos a n d similar concepts. many to

I n t h e p r e v i o u s eras, i t was n o t necessary

reveal these t e a c h i n g s because t h e w o r l d was i n h e r e n t l y sensitive t o t h e s p i r i t u a l . I n r e c e n t g e n e r a t i o n s , as t h e s p i r i t u a l s e n s i t i v i t y o f the world descended, the revelation of these truths became

necessary t o e m p o w e r us t o appreciate G - d l y t r u t h .

Y U D TES KISLEV

203

Looking to the Horizon

T h e s e c o n d r e a s o n f o r t h e r e v e l a t i o n o f Chassidus i n t h e p r e s e n t g e n e r a t i o n is f o r w a r d l o o k i n g . T h e w a l l s o f exile have t u m b l e d a n d w e are o n t h e t h r e s h o l d o f t h e c o m i n g o f Mashiach. W h a t will

c h a r a c t e r i z e t h e era o f Mashiach? M a i m o n i d e s w r i t e s : " O u r Sages and prophets d i d n o t yearn f o r the Messianic Era i n order [the Jewish people] r u l e over t h e e n t i r e w o r l d . . . n o r i n o r d e r that to to era,

eat, d r i n k , a n d celebrate. R a t h e r , t h e i r a s p i r a t i o n was t o free [involve themselves] i n the T o r a h and its w i s d o m . . . . I n that t h e o c c u p a t i o n o f t h e e n t i r e w o r l d w i l l be s o l e l y t o k n o w G - d . "

A s a f o r e t a s t e o f t h a t f u t u r e r e v e l a t i o n , G - d revealed t e a c h i n g s t h a t enable us t o k n o w H i m at p r e s e n t as w e l l . I n o t h e r w o r d s , t h e s t u d y o f t h e t e a c h i n g s o f Chassidus a n t i c i p a t e s t h a t f u t u r e era a n d m a k e s i t p o s s i b l e f o r us t o g a i n a g l i m m e r o f w h a t t h e Mashiach w i l l t e a c h . M o r e o v e r , s t u d y i n g Chassidus does m o r e t h a n give us a chance t o g l i m p s e at w h a t t h e R e d e m p t i o n w i l l be l i k e . I t prepares t h e s e t t i n g f o r Mashiach's c o m i n g . F o r as p e o p l e s t u d y these s p i r i t u a l t r u t h s a n d b e c o m e aware o f t h e G - d l y n a t u r e o f t h e w o r l d , t h e i r souls, and the Torah and mitzyos, t h e y will n a t u r ally seek to insights

i n t e r n a l i z e t h e m a n d m a k e t h e m p a r t o f t h e i r lives. T h u s w h e n i n one o f h i s s p i r i t u a l ascents t o t h e heavenly realms, t h e Baal S h e m Tov m e t Mashiach, he a s k e d h i m : " W h e n are y o u c o m i n g ? " answered: outward." "When For when the wellsprings Baal o f your Tov's and

Mashiach spread

teachings teachings

the

Shem

e n c o m p a s s t h e w o r l d , m a n k i n d w i l l have r e a c h e d a l e v e l at w h i c h i t b o t h expects a n d is ready f o r Mashiach's c o m i n g .

O n c e a L u b a v i t c h shliach was i n v o l v e d i n h e l p i n g a m o t h e r w h o s e d a u g h t e r h a d g o t t e n i n t o legal d i f f i c u l t i e s . A f t e r p r o m i s i n g t o intercede w i t h the authorities o n the g i r l ' s behalf, he suggested: " p e r h a p s y o u w o u l d c o n s i d e r e x t e n d i n g y o u r s e l f a b i t t o arouse D i v i n e blessings f o r success?" " I ' l l m a k e any d o n a t i o n y o u w a n t , " t h e m o t h e r r e p l i e d . "Just t e l l m e t o w h i c h c h a r i t y I s h o u l d m a k e o u t t h e check." " T h a t is n o t w h a t I m e a n t at a l l , " t h e shliach assured her. " I ' d l i k e t o suggest t h a t y o u take u p o n y o u r s e l f t h e mitzvah o f l i g h t i n g Shabbos candles o n F r i d a y n i g h t s . " A f t e r s o m e h e s i t a t i o n , t h e w o m a n agreed. " T o d a y is F r i d a y , " t h e shliach t o l d her. " I w i l l get y o u candles a n d i n s t r u c t i o n s b e f o r e Shabbos b e g i n s . " " R a b b i , I d o n ' t e x a c t l y live a r o u n d t h e c o r n e r f r o m y o u ! I ' m c a l l i n g f r o m c a l i f o r n i a ! Y o u can m a i l m e t h e packet and I ' l l l i g h t next week." " W h e r e d o y o u live?" " I n calabasas." " W h a t ' s y o u r p h o n e n u m b e r ? Y o u ' l l hear f r o m someone soon." T h e shliach c a l l e d a f e l l o w shliach i n C a l i f o r n i a . H e b r i e f e d h i m a b o u t t h e w o m a n ' s n e e d f o r candles a n d gave h i m her n u m b e r . T h e o t h e r shliach called: " H e l l o , I a m a f r i e n d o f R a b b i . . . . I have a c a n d l e - l i g h t i n g k i t f o r y o u . Please give me directions to your home." T h e w o m a n was c a u g h t b y s u r p r i s e . " W e l l , I ' m n o t h o m e r i g h t n o w , " she r e p l i e d , w o n d e r i n g at t h e q u i c k response. " W h e r e are y o u ? " " I ' m i n a s m a l l c i t y called A g o u r a H i l l s . " " W h a t s t r e e t are y o u o n ? " " c a n w o o d r o a d near Reyes A d o b e . " " Y o u ' r e o n e h u n d r e d feet f r o m t h e c h a b a d where I ' m located!" House

204

CHANUKAH

205

W i t h i n m i n u t e s , the astonished w o m a n had the candle-lighting k i t i n her hands. * * *

A year later, t h e s t o r y was t o l d at a chassidic g a t h e r i n g at a C h a b a d H o u s e o n a college c a m p u s i n B o s t o n . A few days afterwards, d u r i n g c h a n u k a h , one o f t h e s t u d e n t s w h o a t t e n d e d was s p e a k i n g t o a f r i e n d w h o was s p e n d i n g a few days i n T o r o n t o . H e w i s h e d h i s f r i e n d a h a p p y h o l i d a y a n d asked w h e t h e r he w o u l d be l i g h t i n g a menorah. " I d o n ' t k n o w m a n y p e o p l e here," t h e f r i e n d a n s w e r e d . " W h e r e i n t h e w o r l d w o u l d I get a menorah a n d candles?" S u d d e n l y , t h e s t o r y came t o m i n d . " I f I get y o u one, w i l l y o u l i g h t ? " t h e s t u d e n t asked. "Hey, t h a t ' s a w f u l l y n i c e o f y o u t o offer, b u t I

w o u l d n ' t w a n t y o u t o bother and spend the money mailing i t . " " L i t t l e b o t h e r , a n d n o expense," he assured. H e c o n t a c t e d a shliach i n t h e T o r o n t o area a n d t h a t e v e n i n g , a menorah-lighting k i t was w a i t i n g at t h e h o t e l w h e r e h i s

f r i e n d was s t a y i n g .

Chanukah
T h e R e b b e R a y a t z , t h e s i x t h L u b a v i t c h e r R e b b e , o n c e said: " W e have t o l i s t e n t o t h e c h a n u k a h Their flickering flames candles." of these lights communicate a

message: O u r s o u l s d o n o t w a n t t o be c o n t a i n e d . J u s t as t h e f i r e seems t o desire t o leave t h e w i c k even t h o u g h t h a t w i l l cause i t t o be e x t i n g u i s h e d , so t o o , w e each possess an aspect i n o u r s o u l s t h a t seeks t o rise f r o m t h e b o d y even t h o u g h w e r e i t t o d o so, w e w i l l no longer continue living. Why G-d does t h e s o u l desire that? Because i t is an a c t u a l p a r t o f

a n d t h e m a t e r i a l w o r l d i n w h i c h w e l i v e is so f o r e i g n t o i t .

M o n e y , p h y s i c a l pleasures, even f r i e n d s h i p a n d l o v e c a n n o t satisfy i t . I t seeks t o r e t u r n a n d be u n i t e d w i t h i t s G - d l y s o u r c e .

206

KEEPING I N TOUCH

T h i s is t h e n a t u r a l t e n d e n c y o f o u r souls. B u t J u d a i s m teaches us t o c o n t r o l t h i s n a t u r a l t e n d e n c y . J u s t because t h e s o u l w a n t s t o leave t h e b o d y does n o t m e a n i t s h o u l d . T h a t w o u l d be s p i r i t u a l escapism. G - d i m p l a n t e d t h e s o u l i n t h e b o d y a n d sent i t t o t h i s material w o r l d illuminate the so that i t w o u l d shine f o r t h of material and i n that souls way, are

darkness

existence.

Our

charged w i t h a mission: t o make this w o r l d a d w e l l i n g for H i m : t o reveal t h e G - d l i n e s s l a t e n t i n every m a t e r i a l e n t i t y . L i k e a f l a m e rises a n d falls, so t o o , o u r s o u l s surge u p w a r d i n yearning for G - d and then return earthward i n a c o m m i t m e n t to fulfill H i s w i l l . T h i s is i m p l i e d b y o u r Sages' t e a c h i n g : "Against

y o u r w i l l , y o u l i v e a n d against y o u r w i l l , y o u d i e . " We should appreciate how our lives run contrary to the

fundamental

desire o f t h e s o u l t o c l i n g t o i t s G - d l y s o u r c e . I t s

n a t u r a l t e n d e n c y is t o seek a h i g h e r m o r e r e f i n e d existence, n o t t o be i n v o l v e d i n m a t t e r s o f t h i s w o r l d . N e v e r t h e l e s s , after i t accepts t h e m i s s i o n w i t h w h i c h G - d e n t r u s t s i t , i t learns t o appreciate t h e good i n this w o r l d and understands h o w everything i n this w o r l d has a p o s i t i v e p u r p o s e a n d can be e m p l o y e d f o r a D i v i n e i n t e n t . O n c e t h i s l e s s o n is i n t e r n a l i z e d , t h e s o u l does n o t w a n t t o leave the world. On the contrary, i t comprehends the beauty and

m e a n i n g t h a t each m o m e n t o f l i f e h o l d s . I n essence, t h e challenge is t o create w i c k s t o h o l d t h e s o u l ' s f l a m e , t o give i t f o o t h o l d s i n t h i s w o r l d t o w h i c h i t s l i g h t can be a t t a c h e d a n d i n t h a t way, b u r n i n a steady m a n n e r . T h e s e c o n c e p t s are r e l e v a n t t h r o u g h o u t t h e year, b u t receive

special e m p h a s i s o n c h a n u k a h , w h e n t h e r e is a m i t z v a h t o k i n d l e lights. The Chanukah candles we light recall the miraculous

v i c t o r y o f t h e Jews over t h e G r e e k s . W h a t was t h e core o f t h a t c o n f l i c t ? T h e G r e e k s w a n t e d t o c o n t a m i n a t e t h e l i g h t o f t h e Jews' souls. T h a t ' s w h y w h e n they entered the T e m p l e , they d i d n o t destroy the o i l there. They made i t impure. T h ey w e r e not

o p p o s e d t o h a v i n g t h e Jews k i n d l e l i g h t s ; t h e y j u s t w a n t e d t o be sure t h a t t h e l i g h t h a d a G r e e k t o u c h .

CHANUKAH

207

T h e Jews r e f u s e d t o accept t h a t . T h e y u n d e r s t o o d t h a t

the

l i g h t o f t h e i r s o u l h a d t o be p u r e a n d t h e y w e r e w i l l i n g t o sacrifice t h e i r v e r y lives f o r t h a t p u r p o s e . W h e n G - d saw t h e completeness

o f their devotion, H e responded w i t h a miracle, granting t h e m a v i c t o r y over t h e s t r o n g e s t m i l i t a r y p o w e r o f t h e w o r l d . T h e n t o emphasize that t h e i r success was n o t the result o f their o w n

prowess, H e p e r f o r m e d a f u r t h e r miracle, causing the l i g h t o f the Menorah t o b u r n f o r e i g h t days a n d t h u s r e v e a l i n g t h a t i t was G - d ' s h a n d t h a t h a d b r o u g h t t h e m success.

Looking to the Horizon

T h e candles o f t h e C h a n u k a h menorah c o m m e m o r a t e t h e candles

l i t o n t h e Menorah i n t h e T e m p l e . N e v e r t h e l e s s , t h e r e are e i g h t C h a n u k a h candles, whereas i n t h e T e m p l e t h e r e w e r e o n l y seven candles. Our represent contrast, Sages e x p l a i n t h a t the seven candles o f the Temple

t h e n a t u r a l o r d e r l i k e t h e seven days o f t h e w e e k . I n the eight lights of chanukah refer to transcendent

s p i r i t u a l i t y . I n a s i m i l a r way, t h e y e x p l a i n t h a t t h e h a r p t h a t was p l a y e d i n t h e T e m p l e h a d seven s t r a n d s , b u t i n t h e era o f Mashiach, t h e y w i l l use a h a r p o f e i g h t s t r a n d s . W h a t ' s t h e d i f f e r e n c e b e t w e e n seven a n d eight? Seven is a plus

c o m p l e t e n a t u r a l cycle. N o t h i n g is l a c k i n g . E i g h t is seven

o n e . I t c o n t r i b u t e s a oneness t h a t enriches a l l t h e e l e m e n t s o f t h e seven. T o c i t e a p a r a l l e l : T h e w o r d , exile, shares f o u r o f t h e l e t t e r s o f t h e w o r d , r e d e m p t i o n . B u t also has an alef, n u m e r i c a l l y equivalent t o one a n d s t a n d i n g f o r G-d's oneness. When G-d's oneness is drawn down, transcendent the exile is

transformed into redemption. S i m i l a r l y , w i t h r e g a r d t o t h e r e l a t i o n s h i p b e t w e e n seven a n d e i g h t , t h e i n t e n t is n o t t o o b l i t e r a t e t h e seven w i t h t h e l i g h t o f e i g h t ' s i n f i n i t y , b u t r a t h e r t o c o m b i n e seven w i t h one, a n d express G-d's transcendence w i t h i n the l i m i t s o f the w o r l d .

Y u d S h v a t ( 1 0 S h v a t ) m a r k s t h e anniversary o f t h e p a s s i n g o f t h e R e b b e R a y a t z , a n d t h e day o n w h i c h t h e R e b b e , R . M e n a c h e m M e n d e l S c h n e e r s o n , accepted h i s leadership p o s i t i o n . F o r a L u b a v i t c h e r chassid, t h i s is n o t a h i s t o r i c a l event t h a t h a p p e n e d m o r e t h a n 5 7 years ago. E a c h year, YudShvat is a t i m e w h e n t h i s c o n n e c t i o n is r e n e w e d a n d a chassid i d e n t i f i e s w i t h t h e R e b b e a n d accepts h i s leadership. T o d a y , t h e r e are p r o b a b l y m o r e c h a s s i d i m w h o u n f o r t u n a t e l y , have never seen t h e R e b b e t h a n t h o s e w h o had a personal relationship w i t h h i m d u r i n g his lifetime. A n d so, t h e q u e s t i o n arises: W h a t does Y u d - S h v a t m e a n t o t h e m ? H o w c a n a chassid w h o has never seen t h e R e b b e accept h i m as Rebbe? I n t r u t h , t h e same q u e s t i o n exists f o r a l l t h o s e w h o shared a r e l a t i o n s h i p w i t h t h e R e b b e d u r i n g h i s l i f e t i m e . F o r t h e r e l a t i o n s h i p b e t w e e n a chassid a n d h i s R e b b e is n o t one o f mere m e m o r i e s . R e c a l l i n g the past a n d s t u d y i n g h i s teachings i s n o t e n o u g h . F o r any chassid, t h e r e l a t i o n s h i p b e t w e e n h i m a n d h i s R e b b e m u s t be alive.

Yud Shevat The Yahrzeit of the Previous Rebbe and the Anniversary of the Rebbe's Ascent to the Leadership of the Chabad Movement
T h e b o n d b e t w e e n a R e b b e a n d a c h a s s i d is far deeper t h a n t h a t o f teacher a n d s t u d e n t a n d o f m o r e s u b s t a n c e t h a n t h a t s h a r e d b y a counselor a n d one s e e k i n g g u i d a n c e . Y e s , a R e b b e teaches and

gives g u i d a n c e

and m u c h more, b u t b e y o n d all the tangibles i n

t h e Rebbe-chassid r e l a t i o n s h i p , t h e r e is a n essential p o i n t . When writing o f his father-in-law, the Rebbe Rayatz, the

R e b b e e x p l a i n s t h a t t h e r e are t h o s e w h o w o u l d

d e s c r i b e h i m as a

p a r a d i g m o f self-sacrifice, a b r i l l i a n t scholar, a m a n o f e x e m p l a r y

208

Y U D SHVAT

209

character

traits,

a tzaddik, an

individual

endowed

with

divine

i n s p i r a t i o n , an i n d i v i d u a l w h o w o r k s m i r a c l e s , a n d so o n . T h e s e , he e x p l a i n s , r e f l e c t t r u l y e x e m p l a r y q u a l i t i e s . B u t t h e y are a l l p a r t i c u l a r q u a l i t i e s , r e f l e c t i n g o n l y l i m i t e d aspects o f h i s p e r s o n a l i t y . B e y o n d t h a t , t h e r e is an essential q u a l i t y , o n e w h i c h bonds h i m t o his followers, that he is a R e b b e . Our Rabbis

i n t e r p r e t t h e w o r d R e b b e ( ) as an a c r o n y m f o r t h e w o r d s , " t h e head o f t h e c h i l d r e n o f I s r a e l . " I n Tanya, comprehensive

c h . 2 , t h e A l t e r R e b b e states t h a t t h e r e are c e r t a i n souls, s o u l s t h a t share a b o n d w i t h others. He

explains t h a t concept w i t h the analogy o f the h u m a n b o d y . T h e brain contains a map o f the entire body and has a portion

associated w i t h every l i m b o r o r g a n . S i m i l a r l y , a R e b b e shares a s o u l c o n n e c t i o n w i t h every Jew. T o e x p l a i n : W h e n w e t r y t o d e f i n e w h o w e are, w e o b v i o u s l y look past our bodies. Of course, our bodies are not to be

n e g l e c t e d , b u t w h a t is s i g n i f i c a n t a b o u t o u r b o d i e s is n o t t h e b o d y as i t exists f o r i t s o w n sake, b u t h o w i t reflects t h e s o u l . Going deeper, w e a l l have p a r t i c u l a r q u a l i t i e s , t h e w a y w e

t h i n k , t h e w a y w e feel, t h e u n i q u e w a y i n w h i c h w e d o t h i n g s , b u t these also are n o t t h e core o f w h o w e are. W e a l l feel t h a t w e possess something transcendent, something that cannot be

d e f i n e d , a G - d l y core. T h a t is w h o w e r e a l l y are. N e v e r t h e l e s s , t h a t G-dly core is often hidden, submerged beneath many other

veneers o f self. T h e G - d l y spark i n a Rebbe is n o t h i d d e n . T h e G-dliness an

w h i c h w e a l l possess is as real a n d c o g e n t a f a c t o r t o s u c h

i n d i v i d u a l as o r d i n a r y m a t e r i a l existence is t o us. N o w w h e n a person comes i n contact w i t h s u c h an i n d i v i d u a l , they cannot

r e m a i n u n m o v e d . S i m p l y p u t , the Rebbe stirs the souls o f others, i n f u s i n g t h e m w i t h t h e awareness o f G - d a n d e m p o w e r i n g every individual experience. to relate to H i m with the context o f his or her

210

KEEPING I N TOUCH

The

s p a r k o f G - d w e a n d t h e R e b b e share is i n f i n i t e

and

u n b o u n d e d as G - d is. A s s u c h , t h e l i m i t a t i o n s o f t i m e also d o n o t confine i t connection to a n d so, t h e r e are n o r e s t r i c t i o n s h o l d i n g b a c k o u r the Rebbe. T h i s is t h e meaning o f the Zohar's

s t a t e m e n t , t h e presence o f a r i g h t e o u s m a n is f e l t t a n g i b l y even i n this w o r l d lifetime. There is n o need to speak t h e o r e t i c a l l y . T h e exponential after his death, and indeed, more than d u r i n g his

g r o w t h o f L u b a v i t c h over t h e l a s t decade bears t e s t i m o n y t o t h e Rebbe's c o n t i n u e d influence.

Looking to the Horizon

I n t h e era o f Mashiach, t h e f u n d a m e n t a l c o n n e c t i o n b e t w e e n G-d

a n d t h e w o r l d w i l l surface. R a t h e r t h a n relate t o G - d as a separate e n t i t y w i t h W h o m w e seek t o b o n d , t h e essential G - d l y l i f e - f o r c e t h a t p e r m e a t e s a l l existence w i l l be revealed a n d w e w i l l t h a t t h i s is o u r t r u e i d e n t i t y . T h i s h e l p s e x p l a i n w h y t h e R e b b e p r e s s e d so p o w e r f u l l y f o r t h e c o m i n g o f t h e R e d e m p t i o n . I t was n o t o n l y t h a t he was a v i s i o n a r y , able t o appreciate t h a t t h e s p i r i t u a l c l i m a t e o f t h e w o r l d is c h a n g i n g a n d t h a t " t h e t i m e f o r y o u r R e d e m p t i o n has c o m e . " T h e R e b b e ' s m i s s i o n was t o reveal G - d l i n e s s w i t h i n o t h e r s . I n this way, he was a messenger for the future, possessing the appreciate

m i n d s e t t h a t w i l l c h a r a c t e r i z e t h e era o f Mashiach a n d s h a r i n g i t w i t h others. T h e era o f Mashiach w i l l be c h a r a c t e r i z e d b y e t e r n a l l i f e . Since the essential G-dliness within each person will surface, the

l i m i t a t i o n s o f t h e b o d y w i l l n o t be s i g n i f i c a n t . T h e r e f o r e i t w i l l be the era o f t h e Resurrection w h e n the souls from all previous

g e n e r a t i o n s w i l l also d e s c e n d t o t h i s e a r t h again.

O n e o f t h e c u s t o m s associated w i t h t h a t day is g i v i n g shalach manos, p r e s e n t s o f f o o d , t o o u r f r i e n d s a n d acquaintances. E a c h year, I hear d i f f e r e n t stories o f h o w shalach manos set o f f a c h a i n r e a c t i o n . F o r e x a m p l e , one o f m y business associates gives o u t shalach manos t o h i s c l i e n t s f o r p u r i m a n d matzos f o r p e s a c h . L a s t year, w h e n he b r o u g h t one o f h i s c l i e n t s t h e matzos, t h e c l i e n t t o l d h i m : " Y o u w o u l d n ' t k n o w i t , b u t thanks t o you, we make kiddush every F r i d a y n i g h t . " " W h a t d o y o u mean?" " W e l l , y o u sent us a v e r y n i c e p u r i m basket. O n e o f t h e t h i n g s i n i t was a n a t t r a c t i v e w i n e flask. I t was so s t r i k i n g t h a t w e d e c i d e d t o keep i t o n t h e d i n i n g r o o m t a b l e . O n F r i d a y evening, o u r y o u n g e r d a u g h t e r s u d d e n l y said, ' L e t ' s m a k e kiddush l i k e g r a n d p a does. H e r e , there's already w i n e o n t h e t a b l e . ' W e l l , w e d i d , a n d we've c o n t i n u e d t o d o so every w e e k . " O r there's a n o t h e r one w h o gives o u t h i s shalach manos a day early because he d o e s n ' t go i n t o t h e o f f i c e o n t h e h o l i d a y . So one o f h i s c l i e n t s comes h o m e w i t h t h e package a n d h i s s o n asks h i m w h a t i t i s . H e explains a n d s o o n t h e c h i l d has h i s m o t h e r b a k i n g c o o k i e s so t h a t he can give o u t shalach manos t o a l l h i s f r i e n d s . A n d i t d i d n ' t s t o p t h e r e . A f t e r he gave o u t t h e c o o k i e s , h i s f r i e n d s w a n t e d t o k n o w w h y he was d o i n g t h i s a n d s o o n he h a d t e n k i d s g a t h e r e d a r o u n d h i s m o t h e r a n d she was t e l l i n g t h e m t h e s t o r y o f p u r i m . O r t h e r e is t h e secretary w h o always shares her m o r n i n g coffee b r e a k w i t h t w o f r i e n d s . W e l l o n p u r i m , o n e d i d n ' t s h o w u p , because she was " d o w n . " S o t h e secretary t o o k t h e p u r i m basket t h a t her boss h a d g i v e n her a n d r a n t o give i t t o her f r i e n d t o cheer her u p .

211

212

KEEPING I N TOUCH

Purim
The names of Jewish holidays are of substance, each one name

expressing

the theme o f the holiday. I n that context, the

p u r i m is s i g n i f i c a n t , because i t is n o t even a J e w i s h w o r d . I n s t e a d , i t is t h e P e r s i a n t e r m f o r " l o t . " M o r e o v e r , t h e c a s t i n g o f t h e l o t s was p e r f o r m e d b y H a m a n w i t h t h e i n t e n t o f d e s t r o y i n g t h e J e w i s h p e o p l e . T h a t is h a r d l y a m a t t e r holiday. On to t h e o t h e r h a n d , m y s t i c a l l y , t h e n a m e P u r i m is u n d e r s t o o d Hebrew t o eternalize i n the name o f a

r e f l e c t e x t r e m e l y h i g h s p i r i t u a l energies. I n d e e d , t h e

n a m e f o r Y o m K i p p u r is Y o m K i p p u r i m w h i c h can be r e n d e r e d as "a day l i k e p u r i m . " I n o t h e r w o r d s , t h e h o l i e s t day o f t h e J e w i s h year is a l m o s t as i m p o r t a n t a day as p u r i m . T h e n a m e also p o i n t s t o a n o t h e r c o n n e c t i n g p o i n t Yom This between

K i p p u r a n d P u r i m . F o r o n Y o m K i p p u r , l o t s were also cast. was the to means u s e d t o G-d and which determine would be which the goat would be to

sacrificed Azazel. Why

scapegoat s e n t

are

lots

cast? W h e n

a decision

is

not

being

made are

intellectually. W h e n we k n o w what t o do, we d o i t . T h e r e

t i m e s , h o w e v e r , w h e n w e d o n o t k n o w w h a t t o d o a n d t h e n w e cast lots. M o s t o f t h e t i m e , t h i s is a l o w e r l e v e l t h a n a c t i n g r a t i o n a l l y . It's j u s t t h e r e is n o o t h e r a l t e r n a t i v e . B u t t h e r e is also a h i g h e r

level o f n o t k n o w i n g , o n e t h a t t r a n s c e n d s k n o w l e d g e . A s t h e sages o f t h e Kabbalah w o u l d say: " T h e u l t i m a t e o f k n o w l e d g e is n o t t o k n o w . " Because k n o w l e d g e can grasp o n l y w h a t is d e f i n e d and

l i m i t e d a n d G - d as H e is i n H i s essence c a n n o t be g r a s p e d o r c o m p r e h e n d e d . I t is t h r o u g h n o t k n o w i n g t h a t w e c o n n e c t t o H i m o n t h a t level. F o r t h a t reason, w h e n t h e Jews a c c e p t e d t h e T o r a h , t h e y said: " W e w i l l do and we w i l l listen," m a k i n g a c o m m i t m e n t t o act

before they k n e w w h a t G - d w o u l d c o m m a n d t h e m t o d o . I n t h a t

PURIM

213

way,

they stepped b e y o n d t h e i r m i n d s a n d c o m m i t t e d themselves

t o G - d i n H i s essence. Our Sages say that what the Jews began at Sinai, they

c o m p l e t e d o n p u r i m . J u s t as at S i n a i , t h e y m a d e a c o m m i t m e n t t h a t t r a n s c e n d e d i n t e l l e c t , so t o o , i n t h e t i m e l e a d i n g u p t o purim miracle, they committed themselves entirely, with the no

r e s t r a i n t s , above t h e l i m i t s o f t h e i r m i n d s . On t h i s basis, w e can u n d e r s t a n d o u r Sages' s t a t e m e n t : " A extent Haman'

p e r s o n is o b l i g a t e d t o b e c o m e i n t o x i c a t e d o n p u r i m t o t h e t h a t he does n o t k n o w t h e d i f f e r e n c e b e t w e e n ' C u r s e d be a n d 'Blessed

be M o r d e c h a i . ' " E v e r y year o n P u r i m , w e m a k e a

c o m m i t m e n t t h a t is u n l i m i t e d b y o u r i n t e l l e c t . And t h i s u n l i m i t e d c o m m i t m e n t c o n n e c t s us t o t h e essence o f t h e r e is n o t h i n g , n o matter how far-removed from

G-d. N o w

G - d l i n e s s , even H a m a n , t h a t t h e essence o f G - d does n o t relate t o . And so w e c a l l t h e h o l i d a y p u r i m , t o e m p h a s i z e t h e l o t t e r y , an

a p p r o a c h o f n o t - k n o w i n g , a n d use t h e P e r s i a n t e r m . O u r i n t e n t is t o b r i n g t h e i n f l u e n c e o f t h e h o l i d a y d o w n t o t h e l o w e s t levels o f w o r l d l y existence a n d t r a n s f o r m t h e m i n t o h o l i n e s s .

Looking to the Horizon

O u r Sages teach t h a t i n t h e u l t i m a t e f u t u r e : " A l l t h e festivals w i l l be n u l l i f i e d w i t h t h e e x c e p t i o n o f p u r i m a n d c h a n u k a h . " Our

R a b b i s e x p l a i n t h a t t h e i n t e n t is n o t t h a t w e w i l l cease o b s e r v i n g the other holidays, b u t that they w i l l no longer stand out as

p r o m i n e n t days. Why condition are t h e h o l i d a y ' s special o f the w o r l d , days? Because i n t h e present on the

G - d l i n e s s is h i d d e n . A s such,

festivals, w h e n a greater t h a n o r d i n a r y d i m e n s i o n o f r e v e l a t i o n is manifest, they stand o u t . In the era will o f Redemption, be an ongoing by contrast, of the revelation Then of the

G-dliness

aspect

existence.

festivals w i l l n o t be u n i q u e . T h e y w i l l be o b s e r v e d a n d a l l t h e i r laws w i l l be k e p t ; b u t t h e s p i r i t u a l n a t u r e o f t h e days w i l l not

214

KEEPING I N TOUCH

s t a n d o u t as special i n c o m p a r i s o n t o t h e c o n s t a n t r e v e l a t i o n t h a t w i l l c h a r a c t e r i z e t h a t era. T h i s is n o t t r u e i n r e g a r d t o P u r i m . E v e n w i t h i n t h e s e t t i n g o f revealed G - d l i n e s s t h a t w i l l c h a r a c t e r i z e t h e era o f R e d e m p t i o n , p u r i m w i l l be special. N o t o n l y w i l l w e observe t h e laws o f t h e holiday, its unique spiritual significance purim will stand us to out the

prominently.

F o r as s t a t e d

above,

connects

essence o f G - d . T h e r e f o r e even i n t h e era o f Mashiach, i t w i l l s t a n d out as a special d a y . Our Sages d i d n o t teach us a b o u t t h i s u n i q u e q u a l i t y o f P u r i m

o n l y t o i n f o r m us a b o u t w h a t w i l l t a k e place i n t h e f u t u r e . I n s t e a d , t h i s k n o w l e d g e gives us t h e a b i l i t y t o celebrate t h e h o l i d a y w i t h m o r e energy a n d v i t a l i t y at p r e s e n t .

Passover is t h e b i r t h d a y o f t h e J e w i s h p e o p l e , t h e h o l i d a y c o m m e m o r a t i n g t h e emergence o f o u r p e o p l e as a n a t i o n . B u t i n t h e days b e f o r e Pesach, w e m a r k a n o t h e r b i r t h d a y t h a t relates t o t h e J e w i s h p e o p l e as a w h o l e . T h e 1 1 t h o f Nissan, marks the birthday o f the Lubavitcher R e b b e , R . M e n a c h e m M . S c h n e e r s o n , a n d as t h e s t o r y t o f o l l o w i n d i c a t e s , t h e R e b b e i d e n t i f i e d w i t h every Jew a n d sought o u t b o t h his physical and spiritual welfare. T h e r e was a y o u n g J e w i s h m a n i n B e l g i u m w h o h a d enjoyed a relationship w i t h a non-Jewish w o m a n for several years a n d t h e y p l a n n e d t o m a r r y . H e h a d p a n g s o f conscience a n d w e n t t o see a R a b b i . T h e R a b b i t o l d h i m h o w i m p o r t a n t i t was t o c o n t i n u e h i s l i n k t o o u r n a t i o n a l h e r i t a g e . H e was i m p r e s s e d a n d b r o k e o f f t h e relationship. B u t t h e w o m a n w o u l d n o t give u p . T h e y o u n g m a n ' s resolve was w e a k a n d s o o n he was b a c k i n t h e same s i t u a t i o n again. B u t again, h i s conscience g n a w e d at h i m . H e w e n t t o another Rabbi and that Rabbi t o l d h i m h o w t e r r i b l e i n t e r m a r r i a g e was f o r t h e h o u s e h o l d , h o w m a n y d i v o r c e s t h e r e were, etc. A g a i n , t h e y o u n g m a n was i m p r e s s e d a n d b r o k e o f f t h e r e l a t i o n s h i p . B u t again, s h o r t l y a f t e r w a r d s , he w e n t b a c k t o her. T h e n e x t t i m e h i s conscience t r o u b l e d h i m , he w e n t t o see a L u b a v i t c h R a b b i . T h e R a b b i t o l d h i m : " L i s t e n , I personally cannot tell y o u anything that the other Rabbis d i d n ' t tell y o u . B u t i n a week I ' m g o i n g t o the Rebbe, w h y d o n ' t y o u c o m e w i t h m e a n d ask h i m . " T h e y o u n g m a n agreed a n d w e n t S u n d a y m o r n i n g t o receive a d o l l a r f r o m t h e R e b b e . A f t e r he d e s c r i b e d h i s s i t u a t i o n t o the Rebbe, the Rebbe responded: " I ' m jealous o f y o u . " " W h a t d o y o u m e a n , " he r e p l i e d . " W h y s h o u l d t h e R e b b e be jealous o f m e ? " " E v e r y t i m e a p e r s o n is g i v e n a c h a l l e n g e , " t h e R e b b e e x p l a i n e d , " i t is because he is b e i n g g i v e n a n o p p o r t u n i t y t o advance t o a h i g h e r level. T h e e x t e n t o f h i s advance 215

216

KEEPING I N T O U C H

depends o n t h e seriousness o f t h e challenge. G - d j u d g e s each i n d i v i d u a l a n d sees w h e t h e r he is capable o f o v e r c o m i n g t h e challenge he is g i v e n . N o w l o o k at t h e challenge y o u face. T h a t ' s w h y I a m j e a l o u s ; I have never been given such a challenge." T h e s e w o r d s t o u c h e d t h e y o u n g m a n ' s h e a r t a n d he e n d e d h i s r e l a t i o n s h i p w i t h t h e w o m a n forever.

Yud-Aleph (11th of) Nissan: The Rebbe's Birthday

W h e n e v e r t h e R e b b e w r o t e p u b l i c l e t t e r s , he w o u l d address t h e m "To a l l t h e sons a n d d a u g h t e r s o f I s r a e l , w h e r e v e r t h e y m a y b e . "

F o r d i d n o t see h i m s e l f as a d d r e s s i n g m e r e l y his o w n f o l l o w e r s , b u t as r e a c h i n g t o t h e J e w i s h p e o p l e as a w h o l e . To cite a parallel f r o m the T o r a h : A f t e r Pharaoh's u n s e t t l i n g

d r e a m s o f t h e seven c o w s a n d t h e seven ears o f g r a i n , he t u r n e d t o his advisers f o r an i n t e r p r e t a t i o n . T h e y t o l d h i m , f o r "You example,

w i l l f a t h e r seven d a u g h t e r s , b u t t h e n t h e y w i l l d i e . " P h a r a o h their explanations, but he readily accepted Yosefs

rejected

e x p l a n a t i o n . W h a t was t h e T h e interpretations

difference?

o f his advisers were p e r s o n a l , r e l a t i n g t o

P h a r a o h as an i n d i v i d u a l ; Y o s e f s i n t e r p r e t a t i o n t o u c h e d u p o n t h e w h o l e n a t i o n . E v e n P h a r a o h u n d e r s t o o d t h a t if G-d sends a message to the leader of a people, i t w i l l n o t address a p r i v a t e m a t t e r , b u t w i l l be o f consequence t o a l l t h e m e m b e r s o f his n a t i o n . W i t h c o n c e r n f o r every m e m b e r o f o u r p e o p l e as an i n d i v i d u a l a n d t h e e n t i r e n a t i o n as a c o l l e c t i v e , he our has endowed personal us w i t h identities a vision that and inspires lifts us

beyond

narrow,

depth,

purpose and joy.

Looking to the Horizon

I n one o f his l e t t e r s , t h e R e b b e w r i t e s t h a t f r o m c h i l d h o o d o n , he h a d a v i s i o n o f t h e era o f Mashiach, h o w t h e J e w i s h p e o p l e w o u l d be redeemed from exile and build a perfect society. From his

Y U D ALEPH NISSAN

217

assumption o f the leadership o f the L u b a v i t c h m o v e m e n t i n 1 9 5 0 o n w a r d , he m a d e t h a t v i s i o n , n o t o n l y h i s i n d i v i d u a l g o a l , b u t t h e g o a l o f t h e m o v e m e n t , a n d i n d e e d , o f t h e J e w i s h p e o p l e as a w h o l e , s t a t i n g : " W e are i n t h e m i d s t o f t h e p e r i o d w h e n t h e a p p r o a c h i n g footsteps o f Mashiach can be heard. Indeed, we are at the

c o n c l u s i o n o f t h i s p e r i o d . O u r t a s k is t o c o m p l e t e t h e process o f d r a w i n g d o w n t h e D i v i n e presence... so t h a t i t s h o u l d rest w i t h i n our lowly w o r l d . " Y e a r after year, t h e relevance o f t h i s g o a l became h e i g h t e n e d . I n t h e p e r i o d b e f o r e s u f f e r i n g t h e s t r o k e f r o m w h i c h he d i d n o t recover, the Rebbe gave the mission a sense of immediacy,

d e c l a r i n g : E v e r y o n e s h o u l d realize t h e u n i q u e n e s s o f t h e p r e s e n t t i m e . W e are o n t h e verge o f t h e d a w n i n g o f an era o f peace, pros p e r i t y , a n d k n o w l e d g e t o be i n t r o d u c e d b y t h e c o m i n g o f Mashiach. Everyone can hasten the coming o f this era by sharing this

awareness w i t h o t h e r s a n d i n c r e a s i n g t h e i r deeds o f g o o d n e s s a n d kindness. O n the Rebbe's b i r t h d a y , t h i s goal becomes m o r e cogent and p o w e r f u l . T h e R e d e m p t i o n can be seen as an e m e r g i n g r e a l i t y t h a t w e can a n t i c i p a t e i n o u r o w n lives a n d share w i t h o t h e r s .

T h e r e was once a w e a l t h y chassid w h o was precise i n h i s observance o f t h e mitzyos a n d a serious s t u d e n t o f t h e T o r a h . D e s p i t e his m a t e r i a l a n d s p i r i t u a l success, however, he h a d o n e desire. H e w a n t e d t o see t h e p r o p h e t E l i j a h . H e had t r i e d various techniques suggested by different texts t o b r i n g about such a revelation, b u t t o n o avail. O n c e he p o u r e d h i s h e a r t t o h i s R e b b e , t e l l i n g h i m a b o u t his w i s h . " I have an idea f o r y o u , " suggested t h e R e b b e . " G o t o t h e c i t y o f K i e v ; arrive t w o days b e f o r e Passover. O n t h e o u t s k i r t s o f t h e c i t y , o n t h i s - a n d - t h i s street, lives R e b M o r d e c h a i , the tailor. G o t o h i m and i n v i t e y o u r s e l f for t h e h o l i d a y . M a y b e i n t h i s way, y o u r w i s h w i l l be fulfilled." T h e chassid h a p p i l y t o o k h i s R e b b e ' s advice a n d w e n t t o K i e v a n d f o u n d R e b M o r d e c h a i . R e b M o r d e c h a i was v e r y h a p p y t o see h i m , b u t w h e n he h e a r d t h a t he w a n t e d t o stay f o r t h e h o l i d a y , he e x p l a i n e d : " L o o k , I ' d l o v e t o have y o u , b u t I have seven c h i l d r e n at h o m e a n d I d o n ' t have a n y t h i n g t o feed t h e m f o r t h e h o l i d a y . Y o u ' r e w e l c o m e t o stay, b u t "

T h e chassid t o l d R e b M o r d e c h a i n o t t o w o r r y . H e w o u l d p r o v i d e t h e f a m i l y w i t h a l l t h e i r h o l i d a y needs w h i c h he d i d i n a m o s t g e n e r o u s m a n n e r . I t was a very n i c e a n d i n s p i r i n g h o l i d a y , b u t t h e chassid's w i s h r e m a i n e d u n f i l l e d . H e h e a r d m a n y e n l i g h t e n i n g s t o r i e s a n d w o r d s o f T o r a h , b u t d i d n o t see Elijah. D i s a p p o i n t e d , he r e t u r n e d t o his R e b b e a n d c o m p l a i n e d . H i s R e b b e , however, s m i l e d a n d p l a c e d his h a n d s o n t h e chassid's eyes. T h e chassid c o u l d see R e b M o r d e c h a i ' s h o m e . T h e r e he was w i t h h i s c h i l d r e n h u d d l e d a r o u n d t h e m . O n e o f t h e m asked: " F a t h e r , w h o was t h e guest w h o came f o r passover a n d m a d e o u r holiday?" R e b M o r d e c h a i answered: " I d o n ' t k n o w . I t m u s t have been the p r o p h e t Elijah." 218

PESACH

219

Pesach
T h e r e is a b e a u t i f u l passage i n t h e B o o k o f E z e k i e l d e s c r i b i n g t h e e x o d u s f r o m E g y p t : " I passed b y y o u a n d I saw y o u a n d b e h o l d y o u r t i m e was a t i m e o f l o v e . " A s o u r Sages c o m m e n t e d : "The

t i m e for the f u l f i l l m e n t o f the oath taken t o A b r a h a m t o redeem h i s d e s c e n d a n t s h a d c o m e . " F r o m A b o v e , i t was clear t h a t i t was a m o m e n t o f d e s t i n y . T h e a p p o i n t e d t i m e f o r t h e e n d o f t h e years o f o p p r e s s i o n a n d e x i l e i n E g y p t h a d c o m e a n d r e d e m p t i o n was at hand. There was one problem. The Jews were not worthy of as

deliverance. T h e y w e r e pagans, w o r s h i p i n g t h e

same d e i t i e s

t h e i r E g y p t i a n masters. W a s i t f i t t i n g t h a t G - d w o r k miracles f o r s u c h people? O r t o refer t o t h e w o r d s o f t h e afore-mentioned

p r o p h e c y : " Y o u w e r e n a k e d a n d b a r e , " as o u r Sages said, " n a k e d o f mitzyos," l a c k i n g t h e m e r i t t o w a r r a n t G - d ' s m e r c y . W h a t d i d G - d do? H e gave t h e Jews t w o mitzyos: t h e sacrifice and the circumcision to show their Paschal The G-d.

devotion. man and

c i r c u m c i s i o n is a s i g n o f t h e c o v e n a n t

between

M o r e o v e r , t h e c o v e n a n t is i n t h e flesh, a n d i n d e e d , at t h e v e r y place o f m a n ' s m o s t i n t e n s e desires. A n d b r i n g i n g t h e paschal

sacrifice i n v o l v e d t h e u l t i m a t e self-sacrifice. T h e Jews w e r e t a k i n g a l a m b , t h e a n i m a l t h e E g y p t i a n s w o r s h i p e d as a d e i t y a n d s e t t i n g i t aside t o be s l a u g h t e r e d . M o r e o v e r , t h e y d i d so i n a m a n n e r t h a t w o u l d certainly attract the a t t e n t i o n o f the Egyptians, t a k i n g i t f o u r days b e f o r e i t s s l a u g h t e r a n d t y i n g i t t o t h e i r b e d p o s t s . M o s h e h a d t o l d p h a r a o h : " I f we were t o slaughter the d e i t y o f the Egyptians in their sight, would they not stone us?"

Nevertheless, w i t h o u t a second t h o u g h t , the people were prepared t o take t h a t r i s k t o show t h e i r c o m m i t m e n t t o G - d . W h y was i t necessary f o r t h e Jews t o r i s k t h e i r lives? O n e o f t h e f u n d a m e n t a l p r i n c i p l e s i n J u d a i s m is t h a t r e w a r d s are g i v e n "measure for measure." The word Pesach translated as

Passover represented

means " j u m p " o r " l e a p . " T h e m i r a c l e s o f t h e e x o d u s a leap b e y o n d t h e natural order, transcending the

220

KEEPING I N TOUCH

o r d i n a r y p a t t e r n o f D i v i n e revelation. T o m e r i t such miracles, the Jews h a d t o s h o w a c o r r e s p o n d i n g level o f c o m m i t m e n t , D i v i n e service t h a t r e p r e s e n t e d a t r u e leap b e y o n d s e l f - c o n c e r n . " I n every g e n e r a t i o n " a n d m o r e p a r t i c u l a r l y , every day a n d every m o m e n t Egypt." For "a p e r s o n m u s t see h i m s e l f as i f he h i m s e l f l e f t merely a geographical location, and The

E g y p t is n o t

slavery is n o t m e r e l y a c o n d i t i o n o u r p e o p l e o n c e s u f f e r e d . H e b r e w t e r m f o r E g y p t , Mitzrayim, meaning "boundaries" and

relates t o t h e t e r m meitzarim means

"limitations." Leaving Egypt

g o i n g b e y o n d one's p e r s o n a l l i m i t a t i o n s . T h i s s h o u l d be d o n e i n a m a n n e r o f p e s a c h , m a k i n g a r a d i c a l leap f o r w a r d . O n e o f t h e easiest ways t o s t e p b e y o n d o n e s e l f is t o share w i t h o t h e r s . So t o o , o u r p e r s o n a l j o u r n e y o u t o f E g y p t s h o u l d n o t be a p r i v a t e experience; w e s h o u l d take o t h e r s w i t h us. F o r t h a t reason, w e celebrate t h e passover h o l i d a y s w i t h o u r f a m i l i e s guests exodus. i n v o l v i n g as m a n y p e o p l e as p o s s i b l e and w i t h the

i n reliving

Looking to the Horizon

Our for Sages teach t h a t N i s s a n is a m o n t h o f r e d e m p t i o n , n o t o n l y t h e past, b u t also f o r t h e f u t u r e , f o r t h i s m o n t h has a special o f the prophecy: "As i n the I will show [the people]

p o t e n t i a l t o lead t o the f u l f i l l m e n t days o f your exodus from Egypt,

w o n d e r s , " w i t h t h e c o m i n g o f Mashiach. T h e process o f r e d e m p t i o n w o r k s f r o m t h e m i c r o c o s m t o t h e macrocosm. Our personal experiences of redemption the

d r a s t i c leaps w e take b e y o n d o u r b o u n d a r i e s

and limitations

l e a d t o t h e c o l l e c t i v e r e d e m p t i o n , t h e t i m e w i l l l e a d us a l l o u t o f the boundaries a n d l i m i t a t i o n s o f exile. F o r j u s t as t h e r e was an a p p o i n t e d t i m e f o r t h e e n d o f t h e E g y p t i a n exile, t h e r e is an a p p o i n t e d t i m e f o r t h e e n d o f o u r

p r e s e n t e x i l e . M o r e o v e r , o u r Sages teach t h a t w e can h a s t e n t h e coming o f the Redemption by increasing our Divine service.

S i m p l y put, by stepping b e y o n d our l i m i t a t i o n s and d o i n g another

PESACH

221

d e e d o f k i n d n e s s t o o u r f e l l o w m a n o r i n c r e a s i n g t h e scope a n d depth o f our Torah study and observance o f mitzyos, w e can

m o t i v a t e G - d t o b r i n g t h e t i m e o f Mashiach's c o m i n g closer.

Gimmel Tammuz
G i m m e l T a m m u z is t h e a n n i v e r s a r y o f t h e p a s s i n g o f t h e R e b b e . O n s u c h occasions, chassidim d o n ' t eulogize. Instead, they tell

s t o r i e s t h a t r e f l e c t t h e character o f t h e p e r s o n w i t h w h o m t h ey are trying to identify. One o f m y f r i e n d s was driving his f a t h e r t o the city i n

Massachusetts

were he serves as a shliach. H i s f a t h e r was e l d e r l y

a n d n o t i n t h e best o f h e a l t h . A t one p o i n t , he asked his s o n t o p u l l o f f t h e r o a d so t h a t he c o u l d get s o m e f r e s h air a n d refresh h i m s e l f before proceeding w i t h the journey. T h e y p u l l e d o f f the r o a d a n d sat d o w n u n d e r a tree. S h o r t l y a f t e r w a r d s , a v a n p u l l e d u p a n d a Jew w h o s e l o n g payos ( e a r l o c k s ) a n d garb o b v i o u s l y i d e n t i f i e d h i m as a m e m b e r o f a d i f f e r e n t chassidic sect j u m p e d o u t . " R o a d t r o u b l e , " he asked, o f f e r i n g t o h e l p . "No," journey." " Y o u ' r e L u b a v i t c h e r s , " t h e o t h e r chassid v e n t u r e d . "Yes," m y friend replied. " L e t m e t e l l y o u a s t o r y a b o u t y o u r R e b b e , " he v o l u n t e e r e d . " M a n y years ago, d u r i n g t h e f i r s t years o f o u r m a r r i a g e , m y w i f e a n d I were c h i l d l e s s . I d o n ' t have t o e x p l a i n h o w m u c h p a i n a n d a g g r a v a t i o n i t caused us. I a m a S a t m a r chassid, so I o f t e n w r o t e t o a n d c o n s u l t e d m y R e b b e a b o u t t h e m a t t e r . O n c e , at a p e r s o n a l m e e t i n g , I b r o u g h t u p t h e issue i n a p a r t i c u l a r l y e m o t i o n a l t o n e . M y R e b b e r e p l i e d , ' I c a n ' t h e l p y o u . F o r c h i l d r e n , y o u have t o g o t o the other Rebbe.' " I l e f t his r o o m c o n f u s e d . W h y c o u l d n ' t he h e l p me? A n d w h o was ' t h e o t h e r R e b b e ' t o w h o m he was s e n d i n g me? "I asked his attendant who told me that he meant the my friend answered, "just t a k i n g a break f r o m the

L u b a v i t c h e r R e b b e . N o w t h a t c o n f u s e d m e even m o r e , because t o say that the relationship between the Satmar chassidim and

222

GIMMEL T A M M U Z

223

Lubavitcher attendant,

c h a s s i d i m was

cool

would

be

a euphemism.

The first

h o w e v e r , e x p l a i n e d t h a t I w o u l d be far f r o m t h e

chassid the Satmar Rebbe h a d sent t o the L u b a v i t c h e r a n d t h a t the o t h e r s h a d been h e l p e d b y h i s blessings. " I arranged a private meeting w i t h the Lubavitcher Rebbe. H e received m e w a r m l y . I c o n v e y e d m y r e q u e s t f o r a b l e s s i n g for

c h i l d r e n a n d after s o m e t h o u g h t , he p r o m i s e d m e t h a t I w o u l d be so blessed. "He t h e n asked i f I c o u l d t e l l h i m any o f t h e t e a c h i n g s the

Satmar Rebbe h a d recently shared w i t h his f o l l o w e r s . A t first, I c o u l d n ' t r e m e m b e r a n y t h i n g , b u t t h e n I r e m e m b e r e d t h a t he h a d delivered a talk o n the conclusion o f the Talmudic tractate of

Chagigah. T h e r e o u r Sages state t h a t ' t h e s i n n e r s o f I s r a e l are f i l l e d w i t h mitzyos l i k e a p o m e g r a n a t e is f i l l e d w i t h seeds.' T h e Satmar

R e b b e h a d e x p l a i n e d t h a t t h e s t a t e m e n t is d i f f i c u l t t o u n d e r s t a n d : Why would the Sages d w e l l o n t h e v i r t u e s o f ' t h e s i n n e r s of

Israel'? A n d he p r o c e e d e d t o c r i t i c i z e t h o s e w h o have Jewish belief and practice.

abandoned

" W h e n I c o n c l u d e d , t h e L u b a v i t c h e r R e b b e answered: ' I have a different problem with that statement. I f t h o s e i n d i v i d u a l s are of

f i l l e d w i t h mitzyos, w h y d o t h e Israel?'" "By the way," the Satmar

Sages c a l l t h e m t h e s i n n e r s

chassid

concluded,

" i f you're or not,

w o n d e r i n g w h e t h e r y o u r R e b b e ' s b l e s s i n g was f u l f i l l e d t a k e a l o o k at t h a t v a n l o a d o f c h i l d r e n a n d g r a n d c h i l d r e n . "

T h a t c h i l d r e n w e r e b o r n because o f t h e R e b b e ' s blessings was not news to my friend and his father. They were, however,

impressed b y the gentle way i n w h i c h the Rebbe t r i e d t o teach the c h a s s i d t o r e g a r d every p e r s o n as o n e o f G - d ' s c h i l d r e n .

W h e n the Rebbe Rayatz, R . Y o s e f Y i t z c h a k S c h n e e r s o h n , was a y o u n g c h i l d , he once asked h i s f a t h e r : " W e have one nose a n d o n e m o u t h . W h y d o w e have t w o eyes?" H i s father, ever-conscious o f t h e o p p o r t u n i t y t o p r o v i d e h i s c h i l d w i t h c h a r a c t e r - b u i l d i n g guidance, t o l d h i m : " O n e t o see t h e g o o d i n o t h e r p e o p l e a n d t h e o t h e r t o see t h e b a d i n ourselves." T h i s l e s s o n takes o n greater s i g n i f i c a n c e i n t h e p r e s e n t m o n t h , t h e m o n t h o f E l u l w h i c h is a m o n t h o f preparation for the H i g h H o l i d a y s o f R o s h HaShanah a n d Y o m K i p p u r . E l u l , t h e last m o n t h o f t h e J e w i s h year, is c o m p a r e d t o a t i m e w h e n t h e o w n e r o f a business closes h i s s h o p t o take i n v e n t o r y . S i m i l a r l y , at t h i s t i m e o f year, w e step b a c k a n d evaluate o u r c o n d u c t .

The Month of Elul

W e a l l l i k e t o d o t h i n g s , t o m a k e decisions, t o see t h e r e s u l t s a n d t o progress f u r t h e r . I f w e are successful, w e ' l l also l o o k b a c k a n d g l o w i n the halo o f achievement for a while, b u t honestly, we p r e f e r d o i n g m u c h m o r e t h a n r e v i e w i n g w h a t w e have d o n e . c e r t a i n l y , t h e r e is v i r t u e i n c o n t i n u e d p o s i t i v e a c t i v i t y , b u t i f w e never give o u r e f f o r t s adequate e v a l u a t i o n a n d assessment, i t is p o s s i b l e w e w i l l have f i r e d a l l o u r c a n n o n s w h i l e a i m i n g at t h e w r o n g t a r g e t . M o r e o v e r , b e h a v i o r t e n d s t o be s e l f - r e i n f o r c i n g . So quite often, we may continue and following the same pattern, our

relearning our personalities.

mistakes

ingraining

t h e m deeper i n t o

O n e o f t h e signs o f m a t u r i t y is f o r us t o c o n t e m p l a t e o u r actions a n d examine t h e m , considering w h e t h e r we acted correctly o r n o t . T h e r e c o g n i t i o n o f t h e necessity t o d o t h i s is one o f t h e f i r s t signs o f g r o w i n g u p s p i r i t u a l l y . J e w i s h t h o u g h t p u t s an emphasis o n s u c h c a r e f u l r e v i e w . E v e r y day, at t h e e n d o f t h e day, w e r e c i t e t h e Shema b e f o r e r e t i r i n g . T h a t

224

T H E M O N T H OF ELUL

225

recitation

is

more

than

ritual.

Before

that

recitation, we

c o n s c i e n t i o u s l y evaluate o u r c o n d u c t t h r o u g h o u t t h e p r e v i o u s day, seeing w h e r e w e have b e e n successful a n d w h e r e w e have f a i l e d ,

w h e r e o u r energies w e r e e m p l o y e d a d v a n t a g e o u s l y a n d w h e r e t h e y c o u l d have b e e n u s e d m o r e p r o f i t a b l y . This Thursday process is carried out with n o t only greater intensity on every that

n i g h t , as w e assess

our conduct

p a r t i c u l a r day, b u t t h r o u g h o u t t h e e n t i r e w e e k a n d o n t h e l a s t d a y o f every m o n t h , w e s h o u l d t h i n k over t h e e n t i r e m o n t h a n d m a k e such an accounting. A l l these t i m e s , h o w e v e r , are d w a r f e d b y t h e process o f selfanalysis t h a t s h o u l d c h a r a c t e r i z e entire month devoted t h e m o n t h o f E l u l . E l u l is a n o f our conduct i n the

t o examination

p r e v i o u s year a n d p r e p a r a t i o n f o r change a n d p r o g r e s s i n t h e year t o c o m e . L i k e a s t o r e k e e p e r w h o closes h i s o p e r a t i o n s f r o m t i m e t o t i m e t o take i n v e n t o r y , t h i s is a m o n t h d e d i c a t e d t o t a k i n g s t o c k o f o u r c o n d u c t a n d seeing h o w i t can be i m p r o v e d . Introspection, results. however, does n o t always i t just lead to positive heavy,

O n the contrary,

sometimes,

makes us

w i t h o u t p r o p e l l i n g us f o r w a r d . I n t r o s p e c t i o n is v a l u a b l e w h e n w e have a p u r p o s e . T h e n o u r thoughts are d i r e c t e d t o d e f i n i n g o u r goals a n d p u r p o s e s more

c l e a r l y a n d seeing w h e t h e r o r n o t o u r deeds are a l i g n e d w i t h these purposes. F o r w h e n a p e r s o n feels p u r p o s e a n d d i r e c t i o n , he is c h a r g e d w i t h energy a n d feels t h e n e e d t o a c c o m p l i s h a n d achieve. H e

w a n t s t o see t h e goals i n w h i c h he believes a n d i d e n t i f i e s t o be m a n i f e s t e d i n a c t u a l l i f e . T h e r e f o r e he is b o t h active a n d r e f l e c t i v e . H e desires t o d o , b u t w a n t s h i s a c t i o n s t o be c o n s t r u c t i v e a n d f r u i t f u l . S o f r o m t i m e t o t i m e , he appraises h i s a c t i v i t i e s a n d sees w h e t h e r t h e y are a l i g n e d w i t h h i s u l t i m a t e o b j e c t i v e o r w h e t h e r i t is necessary t o r e d i r e c t h i s f o c u s . W h e n w e set aside t i m e t o r e v i e w o u r c o n d u c t w i t h t h i s f o c u s during the m o n t h o f Elul, we w i l l ensure ourselves a kesiyah

226

KEEPING I N TOUCH

yachasimah toyah, a g o o d a n d sweet year i n a l l m a t t e r s , i n c l u d i n g t h e m a t t e r o f u l t i m a t e i m p o r t a n c e , t h e c o m i n g o f Mashiach.

Looking to the Horizon

Our awareness o f o u r i n d i v i d u a l p u r p o s e is i n t e r t w i n e d w i t h a

consciousness o f t h e u l t i m a t e p u r p o s e o f a l l m a n k i n d . O u r Sages state: T h e w o r l d was c r e a t e d s o l e l y f o r Mashiach. G - d b r o u g h t and the cosmos i n t o existence so t h a t t h e w o r l d and man each

p e r s o n i n d i v i d u a l l y w i l l be able t o reach t h e state o f u n i t y w i t h G-d t h a t w i l l be achieved i n t h e era o f t h e R e d e m p t i o n . E v e r y p a r t i c u l a r p e r s o n has a r o l e t o p l a y i n b r i n g i n g t h e w o r l d to its ultimate fulfillment. For the unity o f the era of the

R e d e m p t i o n w i l l be a l l - e n c o m p a s s i n g , c o m p r i s i n g every of existence. Each o f us has something to do to

element that

enable

u l t i m a t e p u r p o s e t o be m a n i f e s t . F o r t h e w h o l e is a c o m p o s i t e o f its p a r t s . W h e n t h e p a r t s are n o t i n a state o f f u l f i l l m e n t , is also lacking. Thus both our achievements and the our

whole

s h o r t c o m i n g s are n o t o n l y o u r p r i v a t e c o n c e r n s ;

t h e y affect a l l

existence. K n o w i n g t h i s , w e a l l s h o u l d d e f i n e t h e p u r p o s e o f each o f o u r lives t o use t h e u n i q u e p o t e n t i a l s w e have been g i v e n t o b r i n g t h e e n t i r e w o r l d t o a m o r e c o m p l e t e state o f f u l f i l l m e n t . T h i s sense o f p u r p o s e is c o n t a g i o u s . A s w e m a n i f e s t i t i n o u r own lives, i t spreads t o o t h e r s . A n d t h e n t h e r i p p l e s g r o w w i d e r ,

m o r e a n d m o r e o f t h e w o r l d b e c o m e s i n v o l v e d , m a k i n g Mashiach's c o m i n g more than a dream o f the future b u t a factor o f immediate relevance i n o u r lives.