CONTENTS

8
FEATURED ARTICLES WEEKLY COLUMNS
3 Dvar Malchus
8 SURVIVORS
OF THE INFERNO 5 Parsha Thought
Moshe Shlomo
13 Moshiach & Hayom Yom
34 Tzivos Hashem
16 THE LETTER OF THE
GEDOLIM DURING THE
GREAT DEPRESSION

16 20
LISTENING TO A
SHABBOS RECORDING
HaRav Y.Y. Braun, Shlita

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1062_bm_eng.indd 4 2017-03-21 11:44:48 AM

 DVAR MALCHUS

THE GIFTED
GIVING
THEMSELVES
OVER TO G-D
At first glance it is difficult to understand wise-hearted) with respect to the
craft of spinning. To that extent,
how the narrative of the production of the their spinning was in a manner of
covers of the Sanctuary, which were spun from upon the goats. []
from goat hair, is relevant to us. This was The lesson from Rashis
commentary, understood at the inner
strictly a onetime activity necessary for the dimension, emerges from a general
construction of the Sanctuary in the desert. question on our Torah portion:
It is something that is not even applicable At first glance it is difficult to
to the Third Holy Temple (which wont need understand how the narrative of the
production of yerios haizim, etc., the
to be fashioned on our part at all, for it is covers of the Sanctuary, which were
built and stands ready, etc.). * These wise spun from goat hair, is relevant to us.
women devoted their talents to making G-ds This was strictly a onetime activity
necessary for the construction of
Sanctuary notwithstanding the fact that it was the Sanctuary in the desert. It is
within their capacity to utilize their special something that is not even applicable
talents for their personal concerns instead... to the Third Holy Temple (which
wont need to be fashioned on our
part at all, for it is built and stands
Translated by Boruch Merkur
ready, etc.).
But this process teaches us
the following lesson. The women
THE GIFT OF EXTRAORDINARY Now, this verse comes in whose hearts uplifted them with
continuation of the verse, And every wisdom understood that since G-d
CRAFTSMANSHIP
wise-hearted woman spun with had granted them a special talent
On the verse, And all the women her hands, adding that there were that other women did not possess,
whose hearts uplifted them with women whose hearts uplifted them surely the purpose for which they
wisdom spun the goats hair, Rashi with wisdom, meaning these were were given this talent is for the sake
comments that the intent of spun not typical wise-hearted women; of the construction of the Mishkan,
the goats hair is that this was these were women whose hearts G-ds Sanctuary.
extraordinary craftsmanship, for uplifted them with wisdom. That
they spun the hair from upon the Notwithstanding the fact that
is, there wisdom exceeded that of
goats [i.e., prior to it being shorn, they were not commanded, per se, to
the other women mentioned (in the
a very difficult process but one that do [work that can only be described
previous verse, described as being
preserves its luster]. as] extraordinary craftsmanship,

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 Dvar Malchus
nevertheless, they knew that they
had a rare gift, superior wisdom
[in a very specialized craft], and
that the intent of this gift is for
them to contribute something
special to the Sanctuary. Thus, they
sought a means whereby they could
contribute to the Sanctuary, utilizing
their unique craftsmanship, resulting
in their spinning the goats hair.
So too, when a person perceives
that G-d has given him something
special, unique, certainly the intent
is not for him to enjoy it on his own
but in order for him to contribute
something extra special to G-ds
Sanctuary, to make the world into a
dwelling place for G-d Alm-ghty.
These wise women devoted
their talents to making G-ds
Sanctuary notwithstanding the fact
that it was within their capacity
to utilize their special talents for
their personal concerns instead.
For example, to cook tasty meals,
or to buy themselves exquisite
dresses. (Naturally, a dress that is in
accordance with the Code of Jewish
Law, free of shaatnez.) And since
such a woman is gifted with talent,
she can select a beautiful outfit, or
she knows which type of carpet to
buy what to buy and how to set
it up in the home. And thereafter
she can show all her neighbors how
The wisest of women built her
home (Mishlei 14:1). The Torah
teaches here that women should seek
out how to utilize their talents in
order to contribute to the Sanctuary.
They do not suffice with using the
goats milk for breakfast or for
lunch. Rather, they spun the goats
hair and make of it the coverings
for the Sanctuary. []
This is the lesson learned
from the production of the goat
hair coverings. One must know
that everything that G-d gives is
intended to be used for making of
it a dwelling place for G-d. The
well-known story about the chassid
of the Alter Rebbe (printed in
4 19 Adar 5777
1062_bm_eng.indd 4
HaTamim) illustrates this. As the
story goes, the chassid, a merchant,
once earned an unusually high profit
from his business dealings. He knew,
however, with certainty that the
money was not intended for him.
Rather, immediately a fundraiser
for the Rebbe would arrive and the
chassid resolved that he would give
him the money to give to the Rebbe.
The chassid knew that if he profits in
his business in an unusual manner,
certainly it is incumbent upon him to
give it to the Rebbe.
WHAT HAVE WE DONE
TO SPREAD THE
TEACHINGS OF CHASSIDUS?
Indeed, there is an emissary of
the Rebbe Rayatz within each of his
chassidim, who pushes him, and if
he is sleeping he comes to him in a
dream, demanding: What have you
done today, yesterday, and the day
before, in order to disseminate the
wellsprings of chassidus?!
It is vital to know that the intent
of everything that G-d gives is to
make of it a dwelling place for G-d.
It is just that since G-d is good, and
the nature of those who are good is
to be benevolent, leftovers remain
for ones personal matters. From
the fact that one gives a fifth to
Pharaoh [an allusion to G-d
Himself, as mentioned
in the Zohar (Chelek
1 210a)] in whom
all revelations shine
four parts shall be
for you. Within the
realm of holiness, G-d
reciprocates in a manner
of from whence all
revelations are emitted
and shine. However,
with regard to material
concerns, only four
parts are emitted,
etc. The main thing
is what one gives up
for holiness. And as
it is explained in the
Midrash (Shmos Rabba 35:1): Gold
was created only for the sake of the
Holy Temple; it is only in the sense
of leftovers, etc., that gold is also
used by the entire world.
THE EVIL
INCLINATION AGREES
At first glance, one could argue
that since he gives a fifth to charity,
why should he give more than that?
In particular, the Evil Inclination
comes and tells him that from his
perspective, he doesnt care and he
agrees that he should give, but in
so doing he is going to deprive his
household In other matters he
slights his household for the sake
of his own benefit but here all of
a sudden he says that what he is
personally lacking doesnt bother
him. What does bother him? That
his household will lose out Thus,
he is told [in order to end the debate
with the Evil Inclination] that the
intent is not for himself but to make
for G-d a dwelling place.
In everything one must find a
means whereby it can be used to add
to the Sanctuary, to the extent that
we take a naughty goat and make
of it yerios, covers which Moshiach
will use for the Holy Temple.
(Selections from the address of Shabbos
Parshas VaYakhel 5736, bilti muga)
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 PARSHA THOUGHT
FACEBOOK:
A PRE-
MESSIANIC
PHENOMENON
By Rabbi Heschel Greenberg
MOSHE GIVES AN
ACCOUNTING
The parsha of Pkudei
concludes the book of Shmos-
Exodus. In Pkudei, Moshe gives
an accounting of all the materials
that were contributed for the
construction of the Mishkan (the
portable Sanctuary in the desert).
The Midrash explains that
although Moshes integrity was
beyond reproach, nevertheless,
he wanted to give a complete
accounting because of a principle
mentioned later in the Torah:
You shall be innocent before
G-d and Israel.
This is what Moshe said to the
two Tribes of Gad and Reuven
when they asked to stay behind
and get their inheritance in the
east bank of the Jordan. Moshe
rebuked them for sounding like
the spies who did not want to
cross over the Jordan. They
responded that they were indeed
planning to join their brethren
in the conquest of the land, west
of the Jordan, before they would
take possession and settle their
share on the east side.
Moshe accepted their
compromise and told them:
If you do this thing, if you
1062_bm_eng.indd 5
arm yourselves for battle before
G-d, and your army crosses the
Jordan and the land will be
conquered before G-d then
afterwards you may return. You
will be innocent in the eyes of
G-d and of Israel.
From this verse the Talmud
derives the principle that just as
one must be truthful to G-d so
too one must not act in a way
that will arouse suspicion from
people. One must always act in
a way that does not even give the
appearance of impropriety.
If Moshe whom G-d said,
and recorded it in the Torah for
posterity, Among My entire
household he is trusted gave
an accounting to be above
suspicion, how much more so
should everyone else?
WHY SHOULD WE CARE IF
OTHERS SUSPECT US?
However, this raises an
important question. If we know
that we are doing the right thing,
to the extent that G-d is satisfied
with our integrity, why should we
care what others think? Doesnt
Judaism cherish what goes on
between us and G-d? Dont
we put on a pedestal one who
serves G-d without fanfare and
recognition? Havent we read so
many stories about the 36 hidden
tzaddikim, on whose merit the
entire world stands?
There are several explanations
for this rule of showing our
innocence to others.
The first is that if we give
the appearance of impropriety,
others will follow our example.
This is particularly true if we
occupy a position of prominence
or leadership in the Jewish
community. We can just hear
people say, If the rabbi can be
dishonest and loose with others
money, then I can do the same.
Second, even if the people
who think weve done something
wrong do not emulate that
improper behavior, it will still
damage them spiritually for
harboring suspicion of another.
The Talmud (Shabbos 97a)
states, One who is suspicious
of others who are innocent
will be punished bodily. The
Talmud cites the example of none
other than Moshe himself who
expressed skepticism whether
the Jewish people were worthy of
being redeemed. As a punishment
for his suspicions, Moshe was
afflicted with the skin condition
of tzaraas.
Thus, we are taught, we must
remove the basis for others to
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2017-03-21 11:44:50 AM
 PARSHA THOUGHT
suspect us improperly.
The Talmud (Brachos 31b)
discusses the dialogue between
Chana and Eli, the High Priest.
Chana was praying quietly but
Eli thought she was intoxicated.
Chana disabused him of this
suspicion. From her response
that she was not drunk the
Talmud derives:
When a person is suspected
of something they are not guilty
of they should clear themselves
by notifying that person.
WHY ARE WE HERE?
To better understand the need
to be transparent to others about
our integrity we need to examine
our role in this world.
The existential questions
every thinking person asks are:
why am I here? What is my
purpose?
Chassidic literature arrives at
two conclusions which reflect two
different thrusts and emphases.
In some sources, it highlights
the role of the soul to help us
understand what life is all about.
In Chassidic philosophy, the
question about our existence is
usually phrased in the following
manner:
Why did G-d send the soul
down from a high roof to a low
pit?
The premise of this question
is that the soul, before its descent
into a physical body, enjoys a
most sublime spiritual existence.
It basks in the glow of G-d and is
in a constant state of attachment
to its G-dly source. It is the
ultimate blissful experience.
All that changes dramatically
when the soul journeys down
into this world and enters into
a physical body. The soul then
experiences a major decline in
its ability to relate to G-d. The
6 19 Adar 5777
1062_bm_eng.indd 6
Tanya states that the love of the
soul of even a perfect tzaddik
cannot approximate the love the
soul had in its disembodied state.
So, why would G-d allow the
soul to suffer a loss of its greatest
desire: to be close to G-d?
THE DESCENT IS FOR THE
PURPOSE OF ULTIMATE
ASCENT
The answer to this question
is summed up in a familiar
Talmudic phrase: The descent
is for the purpose of ultimate
ascent.
Yes, it is true that the soul
goes down many notches of
spiritual sensitivity when it enters
the body. But, through the souls
study of Torah, the performance
of the Mitzvos and prayer, the
soul will rise to an even higher
level than it had experienced
before descending into the body.
The descent of the soul into
this world, while temporarily
putting the soul at a deficit,
will ultimately prove to be
profitable. For this reason, our
life is compared by our Sages to a
business arrangement. We invest
in order to earn a profit.
G-DS FOCUS VERSUS
THE SOULS FOCUS
Chassidic literature, however,
offers another answer to the
vexing question of why we
are here, but from a different
perspective.
While the soul definitely
loses (albeit, temporarily) by its
presence in a physical body in
a materialistic and hedonistic
environment, nevertheless, its
mission and goal is to transform
the physical worldstarting with
ones own body and extending
outward to ones possessions and
then to ones environment and
then to the entire worldinto a
dwelling place for G-d.
In a sense it is a sacrifice
for the soul because the soul
did not need to be perfected.
While the soul will eventually
rise to even greater heights than
before, the goal is not the souls
edification and growth but for the
fulfillment of G-ds plan for the
soul to elevate and transform the
physical world.
What is the difference
between these two approaches
from the vantage point of our
feelings?
The first approach is
designed to excite our souls into
appreciating the benefits that
will come to them as a result of
leading a good Jewish life. In
this mindset, the focus is on
our soul and what it will gain; a
spiritual business venture. A good
businessman does not get upset
when he invests large amounts
of money because he knows the
returns will be enormous.
From this vantage point,
we can understand the desire
of a person to sacrifice fame
and notoriety to serve G-d
anonymously as did many great
Tzaddikim. Moreover, from this
vantage point it makes absolutely
no difference if people think
that the tzaddik did something
wrong. The tzaddiks devotion to
G-d is private, personal and self-
effacing.
I DID A MITZVAH AND
REMAINED A THIEF
There is a story about the
famous Chassidic Master, Reb
Zushe, who was given 200
rubles to marry off his destitute
daughter. On his walk home he
saw a crowd gathering around
a Jew who had fainted because
he had lost his wallet with 200
rubles. Reb Zushe promptly
2017-03-21 11:44:50 AM

declared that he had found the
money and returned 190 rubles.
When the man demanded the
other ten, Reb Zushe refused and
was arrested.
When Reb Zushe was
released, his mentor, who had
given him the 200 rubles for his
own dire needs, asked him why
he hadnt given over the other ten
rubles. His answer was: People
might have discovered that I did a
great Mitzvah to sacrifice all that
money that I needed desperately.
Now, I did the mitzvah, and in
the eyes of the public I am but a
petty thief...
However, from the vantage
point of fulfilling G-ds desire
and purpose to make this world
a dwelling place for G-d, it
behooves us to follow the public
route in our efforts to change the
world.
While giving tzdaka
anonymously is hailed by the
Talmud as a great virtue, giving
tzdaka publicly encourages
others to give too. In addition
to generating more help for the
needy, it changes the atmosphere
of the world into a giving and
virtuous society.
MOSHES ACCOUNTING
CLARIFIED
Returning to Moshes
accounting, he did not need to
make the accounting for G-d.
However, Moshe realized that the
1062_bm_eng.indd 7
Everything in life is balanced. Whatever dynamics
exist in the realm of evil also exist in the realm
of good. When the materialistic world is obsessed with
exposing everything about ourselves, we have to adopt
that approach and channel it into publicizing the Rebbes
message that the Redemption is imminent and that with
one Mitzvah, one act of goodness and kindness, we can
bring the Final Redemption.
purpose of building a Mishkan waiting for G-ds instruction
was to serve G-ds desire and to build the third and final Beis
plan to create a dwelling for Him HaMikdash, when G-ds Master
in this world through the physical Plan to make the world a dwelling
structure of the Mishkan. From place for Him will be completed.
this vantage point, Moshe
realized, it was important for him
IN-YOUR-FACE JUDAISM
to focus on his public role. What
he did privately and anonymously The lesson for us today is that
was good for his souls growth, our focus has to be on our public
but for the world at large, Moshe role of bringing the light of Torah
needed to focus on his public and Geula to the entire world. We
role. First and foremost, one cannot hide behind the virtue of
changes the world by example. humility and miss opportunities
to educate and inspire the world.
While there are times when
the first approach of private, Everything in life is balanced.
quiet, reserved, and hidden Whatever dynamics exist in
service of G-d is needed and the realm of evil also exist in
valued, we are living in the last the realm of good. When the
moments of exile and making materialistic world is obsessed
ready to complete G-ds original with exposing everything about
Master Plan of making the world ourselves, we have to adopt that
a dwelling for Him, where the approach and channel it into
publicizing the Rebbes message
overriding concern has to be
about our impact on the world. that the Redemption is imminent
and that with one Mitzvah, one
The Rebbe told us that the
act of goodness and kindness, we
Geula is imminent. We are
can bring the Final Redemption.
Issue 1062 7
2017-03-21 11:44:50 AM
 FEATURE

Zalman
Rabbi Yehuda Friedman and his son
h Tufano
with Joseph Scaramuzzino and Ralp

8 19 Adar 5777

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 Fifteen years have passed since
the fire that suddenly started
at four in the morning. While
the flames burned the wooden
house, nobody knew that
trapped on the second floor were
three bachurim who had returned
from a farbrengen, and who
were unable to escape. * Beis
Moshiach spoke with the three
Friedman brothers who were
miraculously saved that night
and heard about their moving
encounter with the fireman who
saved them.

By Moshe Shlomo

Issue 1062 9

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 Feature
R Shmuel Friedman
O
deh Hashem
bchol leivav,
bsod yesharim
vedah I shall
thank the Lord with all my heart,
with the counsel of the upright
and [in] the congregation. This
is the fifteenth time in a row that
Rabbi Yehuda Shlomo Friedman
began his traditional farbrengen
with these words. The farbrengen
is held in his home to mark the
miracle that took place that night,
26 Shvat 5762, when his three
sons were rescued from a fire. He
adds, This is the day Hashem
made, let us rejoice and be happy
on it.
Every year, the Friedman
family gathers together with
friends to give thanks to Hashem
for the miracle of that night.
CONFLAGRATION
Thursday night, 26 Shvat,
5762.
Thirty years ago, Rabbi
Yehuda Shlomo Friedman and
his wife Yehudis (nee Swerdlov)
went on shlichus to Mill Basin, a
neighborhood in Brooklyn, about
a half hours drive from Crown
Heights.
10 19 Adar 5777
1062_bm_eng.indd 10
R Mendel Friedman
On that Thursday night,
the 15, 16, and 17-year-old
Friedman brothers, who learned
in Oholei Torah, stayed on for
the weekly, Thursday night
farbrengen. It went late into the
night which meant they couldnt
go home. They decided to spend
the remaining hours of the night
at their grandparents home, the
Swerdlovs, who live on Crown,
the corner of Kingston, in the
heart of Crown Heights.
Due to the late hour, they
entered their grandparents
house quietly so as not to waken
them. They went quietly up the
steps to the second floor where
they went to bed. They knew that
at seven oclock they had to show
up for Chassidus at yeshiva.
At four in the morning, shortly
after they arrived at the house, a
fire broke out downstairs. Their
grandfather, R Leibel, woke up
immediately, hearing the noise,
and he jumped up and discovered
the flames that were still small.
He ran outside and quickly called
the fire department.
The fire grew bigger and
flames began to lick the wooden
house. They reached the steps
R Zalman Friedman
that led upstairs, to the bedrooms
where the three brothers slept.
When they woke up to screams,
smoke and the smell of fire, the
steps were already engulfed in
flames. They could see that their
path was blocked and they could
not go downstairs.
Sirens could be heard,
piercing the stillness of the night.
Soon they heard the voices of the
firemen gathering outside and
setting up their gear.
As the grandsons stood
upstairs, checking out the
possibilities, they heard the voice
of their grandfather telling the
firemen they dont have to go up
because nobody was there.
That is when the brothers
realized they had better find a
way out by themselves, because
they would not be getting
professional help. Instinctively,
each of them tried saving his
life in a different way. Shmulik
tried finding a window that
wasnt barred. Mendel ran to
the bathroom and hid in a closed
closet in the hopes that the
smoke wouldnt reach there so
quickly. Zalman stood at the top
of the stairs and tried to scream
2017-03-21 11:44:58 AM
 for help, but every time he tried,
he was choked by the smoke that
had spread throughout the house.
Despite the grandfather being
sure nobody was upstairs, the
fire chief, Joseph Scaramuzzino,
insisted on going upstairs to
check whether anyone was up
there. This was thanks to the
law that states it is prohibited to
start firefighting measures before
entering and ascertaining that
there are no people inside.
So Joseph and Ralph Tufano
went upstairs where they found
Zalman unconscious. They
quickly realized there might be
more people in the house.
The fireman receiving a commemorative plaque from those he rescued.
There are no words to

describe the grandfathers shock
and fright when he found out the
danger his three grandsons were
in.
At a later point, Joseph said
the fire on the stairs was so big
that I did not really believe we
would be able to get the three
of them out, though I did not
hesitate for a minute but wrapped
Zalman in my coat that is fire
retardant, and took a dive down
the stairs. We both sailed down
all the stairs and fell straight
down to the burning floor where
my fellow firemen were waiting.
They helped me take him outside
to the fresh air and helped him
come to.
Meanwhile, Ralph made his
way up the stairs and quickly
found Shmulik who was still
waiting in an inner room. He did
the same procedure to get him
out. Shmulik, who was still able
to talk, told Ralph that Mendel
was also on that floor.
In the meantime, Mendel felt
that the closet wasnt helping
him and that the smoke was
beginning to fill the room he was
in. He tried in every way possible
to continue breathing, despite the
difficulty in doing so.
This happened half a year after the tragedy of
9/11 where I lost two nephews and a cousin in
addition to good friends. It hit me very hard and I did not
get over it. Every day I got up with the feeling of why?
Every day I asked G-d, Why did you leave me here? You
took my relatives away, you took my friends, why did
you leave me? What is my purpose in the world? But
that night I understood.
Mendel, today a shliach with a powerful hose to put out
in Florida, remembers those the blaze, but with a small hose
moments of terror: that sprayed water without any
At first I thought they would strong pressure. Because of the
extinguish the fire downstairs thick smoke I was unable to see
and then we could go down. I the person behind the clouds
tried to find a place where I could of smoke, under the helmet.
stay, away from the smoke, but Afterward, I found out it was
after a few minutes I saw that the Ralph who endangered himself
fire was growing stronger. It had once again and came back for
already reached the second floor. me. The stairs were gone and
I felt it was the end. The fire was there was no way to get down.
there. There were no windows. Everything was on fire. Ralph
picked me up, covered me as best
How would they get to me? The
as he could, and then jumped
fact that they didnt know I was
straight down into the fire
there added to the terror.
where the rest of the team was
And then, like an angel from
heaven, I felt drops of water. waiting for us. They took us out
immediately.
The firemen did not come in

Issue 1062 11

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 Feature

of a half-hour drive away, that Joseph was very emotional

Who saved who?
Zalman talking to Joseph Scaramuzzino
In the midst of this whole
inferno, the Swerdlovs son
Avremi, who is deaf since birth,
was sound asleep. He was also
saved by firemen who came
through the window.
YIDDISHE MAMA
In the middle of the night, the
boys parents were asleep in their
home in Canarsie. Suddenly,
their mother woke up and said
she smelled smoke. She woke up
her husband who went to check if
there was a fire.
Their phone rang and they
were informed of the huge fire
at her parents house and about
how her three sons were rescued.
Said her husband, Thats
the concern of a Yiddishe mama,
who gets up in the middle of the
night and smells, from a distance
her children are trapped in a
house on fire.
DOUBLE RESCUE
Last year, about a week
before the anniversary of the
fire, one of Zalman Friedmans
friends met the fireman, Joseph
Scaramuzzino, and got to talking
to him. When the friend said he
lives in Crown Heights, Joseph
said that he knew someone from
there. He remembered saving a
17-year-old from a house on fire,
fourteen years before. Slowly,
the pieces of the puzzle came
together and they realized they
have a mutual friend, Zalman
Friedman. After a number
of phone conversations, they
arranged a meeting between
the rescuer and the rescued. It
was an opportunity for Zalman
to invite Joseph to the annual
thanksgiving celebration they
were soon going to have.
Joseph was thrilled by the
invitation and brought along
Ralph who also had a significant
part to play in the rescue
operation of that night.
When I first met with
the person who saved my life,
Joseph, said Zalman, of course
I did not stop thanking him and
praising him for his bravery that
night. He is the one who saved
my life; he is the one sent by
Hashem to save us all.
throughout their encounter. He
said to Zalman, You are the one
who saved my life!
At the thanksgiving meal
that took place at the Chabad
House in Mill Basin, after telling
the story of the rescue in all its
details, Joseph went on to say
something they didnt know.
This happened half a year
after the tragedy of 9/11 where
I lost two nephews and a cousin
in addition to good friends. It hit
me very hard and I did not get
over it. Every day I got up with
the feeling of why? Every day
I asked G-d, Why did you leave
me here? You took my relatives
away, you took my friends, why
did you leave me? What is my
purpose in the world?
That night, I understood.
I understand exactly what my
purpose is. I understood why
G-d created me and I understood
why He left me here after taking
away those dear to me. That day,
after rescuing the three brothers,
I understood my lifes purpose.
Zalman as of today is a good
friend, a brother. He is a true
rabbi. After hearing him speak
so well in a speech that included
ideas from the Torah, and seeing
his four children, all smiley, I
know that this is my sign from
Above. It provides closure for
me. It took 14 years but the
message arrived; this is why I was
created.

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12 19 Adar 5777

1062_bm_eng.indd 12 2017-03-21 11:45:00 AM

 MOSHIACH & HAYOM YOM
CHITAS,
RAMBAM, AND
MOSHIACH
By Rabbi Gershon Avtzon
Dear Reader shyichyeh,
This Shabbos (VaYakhel-
Pkudei) is Shabbos Mevarchim
of the month of Nissan, the
month of Geula. It is also the
second Shabbos Chazak of
the year, a Shabbos in which
we receive extra strength to be
successful in our upcoming
Avodas Hashem. As Chassidim,
in addition to preparing for
Pesach, we are also preparing for
11 Nissan, the 115th birthday of
our Rebbe. Every Chassid wants
to add in his Avodas Hashem and
his commitment to fulfilling the
directives of our holy Rebbeim.
This is, after all, the definition
of a Chassid according to
Chassidus Chabad. The Rebbe
teaches us (HaYom Yom 21 Adar
1): The term chassid is an
ancient one that the Sages even
applied to Adam. It describes
perfection and excellence in
intellect or in emotive character
traits, or in both. However, in
Chabad Chassidic doctrine the
appellation chassid refers to one
who recognizes his own essence-
character and his standing in the
knowledge and study of Torah, as
well as his situation in observing
mitzvos. He knows what he
lacks and he is concerned and
takes pains to fill that void. He
is diligent in obedience in the
1062_bm_eng.indd 13
manner of accepting the yoke. that every day we study a parsha
In this weeks article, which
will also be our special Shabbos
Mevarchim Farbrengen, we
will be discussing one of the
fundamental directives of our
Rebbe, the daily learning of
Chitas (Chumash, Thillim and
Tanya) and Rambam (either
the daily learning of three
chapters, or one chapter or
Seifer HaMitzvos for women and
children).
We will begin with some
special quotes from the HaYom
Yom about the daily learning of
Chumash and Rashi and Thillim.
(Important to note: At the time
that the HaYom Yom was printed,
the daily learning of Tanya was
not instituted, and certainly not
Rambam. As a matter of fact, it
was in the HaYom Yom that the
daily portions of Tanya were first
printed.)
1) My grandfather wrote
in one of his maamarim: It is
necessary to study some of the
Written Torah daily with Rashi,
for his commentaries are the
trumos the select of the
interpretations of our Sages.
(HaYom Yom 18 Adar 2)
2) Chabad chassidim have
a tradition from generations,
instituted by the Alter Rebbe,
of Chumash of that weeks sidra
with Rashi. This was done by the
Rebbeim, too. (HaYom Yom 19
Teves)
The Alter Rebbe once
said: Rashis commentary on
Chumash is the wine of Torah.
It opens the heart and uncovers
ones essence-love and essence-
fear [of Gd]. (HaYom Yom 29
Shvat)
3) Studying a parsha of
Chumash with Rashi every day
(Sunday until Sheini, Monday
until Shlishi, etc.), saying
Thillim every day and the entire
Thillim on Shabbat Mevarchim
be scrupulous about all of these.
It is crucial for you, for your
children and your childrens
children. (HaYom Yom 25
Shvat)
Interestingly, this expression
of It is crucial for you, for your
children and your childrens
children has come to be
associated exclusively with saying
Thillim on Shabbos Mevarchim.
However, looking at the actual
HaYom Yom, it is clear that this
bracha includes the daily study of
Chitas as well.
Regarding the daily reciting
of Thillim, the Rebbe teaches
in HaYom Yom (1 Shvat): The
Issue 1041 13
2017-03-21 11:45:00 AM
 MOSHIACH & HAYOM YOM
There is much discussion amongst Chassidei
Chabad if the directive of learning the daily
Chitas is also for children. I am not coming to give an
opinion one way or another; this should be discussed
with a Mashpia.
daily recital of Thillim after
davening applies equally to
Chabad chassidic shuls and to
those who follow the Ashkenazic
or Polish nusach, may Gd be
with them. On account of Ahavas
Yisroel, love of our fellow...
and especially in view of the
importance and inner purpose
of saying Thillim with a minyan,
which literally affects all of Israel,
materially in children, life and
sustenance, and spiritually...
we must endeavor with every
means possible that it become an
established practice in every shul
of every nusach.
It would be remiss if we did
not quote the Chida (Midbar
Kedemos). The Chida explains
in his entry for Taharos (Tes)
and Thillim (Taf) that David
HaMelech prayed and requested
that saying Thillim should be
considered like learning Ngaim
and Ohalos (Taharos). The
students of the Arizal said that
learning Taharos is a Tikkun
for spiritually blemishing the
Bris. David HaMelech was
asking that his Thillim should
also result in the same spiritual
healing. The Chida then quotes
Rabbeinu Efraim on Parshas
VZos HaBracha, who says that
one who recited Thillim daily
is considered as if he fulfilled
the whole Torah. The Chida
continues with a quote from
Rabbeinu Efraim on Parshas
VaYigash, that one who recites
Thillim daily will merit being
under the Kisei HaKavod (G-ds
throne).
14 19 Adar 5777
1062_bm_eng.indd 14
There is much discussion
amongst Chassidei Chabad if
the directive of learning the daily
Chitas is also for children. I am
not coming to give an opinion one
way or another; this should be
discussed with a Mashpia. At the
same time, I strongly thank and
recommend the daily learning
accessible at www.chitasforkids.
org . You can receive a daily
email with Chitas on the level
of children, along with Seifer
HaMitzvos, Halachos, tfilla,
Darkei HaChassidus, and Geula
and Moshiach.
I would like to share the
following story that I heard at our
community 19 Kislev Farbrengen
from Rabbi Yosef Y. Kalmanson,
the Rebbes Shliach to Mason,
Ohio:
When I was a young child, I
was very involved in the Shlichus
if my father, Rabbi Shalom B.
Kalmanson, in Cincinnati. One
day, I started telling my father
that I have many ideas how to
advance the Shlichus in the
city. My father told me that as
the Rebbe is the one that gives
the directives to the Shluchim,
I should write those ideas to
the Rebbe. I, as a sincere and
innocent child, did just that,
and my father sent the letter to
the Rebbe. My father was not
expecting the Rebbe to answer
the letter and seriously consider
the ideas of a very young boy.
How shocked we were when
the Rebbe sent back an answer
to my ideas. The response was
one word with questions marks:
??The Rebbe was clearly
asking: Does this boy, with all
these Mivtzaim ideas, learn
Chitas every day?
This is a very powerful story,
and everyone is welcome to learn
what they want from it.
Then our Rebbe instituted the
learning of Rambam every day.
The first Siyum was 11 Nissan
5745. This is our special way of
connecting daily with our Rebbe.
Besides all the benefits of the
actual learning, such as learning
the entire Torah, uniting with
Yidden in the same learning etc.,
as Chassidim we have this special
way of connecting with our
Rebbe. It is a source of brachos
for us and our families.
There is a letter in Igros
Kodesh of our Rebbe (Volume 14
page 289, dated 20 Teves 5717)
to someone who tells the Rebbe
that he is very busy and would
like to be exempt from parts of
the daily learning of Chitas. The
Rebbe responds that there is a
fundamental mistake being made
here. The learning of Chitas is
not a favor to the holy Rebbeim
who instituted the daily learning;
rather the daily learning only
brings brachos for those who
learn it, so why would someone
want to be exempt from such
blessings?!
Learning these shiurim is
also part of bringing the Geula.
In the Kuntres Kovetz Lubavitch
(booklet 7 page 24) a Sicha of the
Frierdike Rebbe from Acharon-
Shel-Pesach 5705 is quoted,
in which he says, Studying a
parsha of Chumash every day
with the commentary of Rashi
activates the light in the soul and
the revelation of the soul, which
is a glow of the revelation of
Moshiach.
The learning of Rambam
is especially connected with
bringing the Geula. The whole
2017-03-21 11:45:00 AM
 campaign was started to get the
world ready for Moshiach. The
Rambam is a Seifer Halacha,
and learning Halacha helps
bring Moshiach. This is evident
by what Chazal say (Midrash
VaYikra 7:3): The in-gathering
of the exiles is in the merit of
Mishnayos and Halacha, and
Whoever learns halachos every
day is guaranteed a portion
in the world to come (Tanna
dVei Eliyahu). When one learns
the entire Rambam, he merits
learning the whole Torah. Then
he has the full right to demand
the New Torah of Moshiach.
Finally, the Rambam is
the only Posek to discuss the
Halachos of Moshiach, Korbanos
and those pertaining to the Beis
HaMikdash. By learning these
Halachos, Moshiach becomes
real and relevant in our lives.
Let us finish with the last
Halacha in Rambam (Hilchos
Melachim 12:5): In that era,
there will be neither famine or
war, envy or competition for
good will flow in abundance
and all the delights will be freely
available as dust. The occupation
of the entire world will be solely
to know God. Therefore, the
Jews will be great sages and know
the hidden matters, grasping
the knowledge of their Creator
according to the full extent of
human potential, as Yeshaya 11:9
states: The world will be filled
with the knowledge of God as the
waters cover the ocean bed.
Rabbi Avtzon is the Rosh Yeshiva
of Yeshivas Lubavitch Cincinnati and a
well sought after speaker and lecturer.
Recordings of his in-depth shiurim
on Inyanei Geula uMoshiach can be
accessed at http://www.ylcrecording.com

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1062_bm_eng.indd 15 2017-03-21 11:45:01 AM

 CHABAD HISTORY

THE LETTER OF
THE GEDOLIM
DURING
THE GREAT
DEPRESSION
The terrifying news about our
unfortunate brethren in Russia are
unequaled in the history of the Jews.
Hordes of savages and wild beasts
thrust themselves on Israel and his
religion. Israel is made into mockery
and derision by the uncouth and by the
wicked; instead of freedom of thought
and toleration, a horrible inquisition was
levied on them, and about three million
Jews are being robbed and persecuted
* The Letter

After leaving Russia the
Frierdiker Rebbe settled in Riga,
Latvia, and immediately began
to set up the infrastructure to
continue and expand his holy
work on behalf of Russian
Jewry, ensuring their spiritual
and physical survival. His work
required extensive sums of
money of which part was given by
the American Joint Distribution
Committee (JDC) and part was
fundraised.
When the Great Depression
hit in 1929, the Frierdiker Rebbe
was in the USA with his son in
law, the Rashag, spending time
fundraising for Russian Jewry,
and his endeavors took a big
hit, with people curtailing their
donations or cancelling their
pledges completely. It was during
this time that the following
historical letter was submitted to
the JDC.
The letter, signed by five of
the leading Gedolim of prewar
Europe, asked the JDC to set
aside a large sum of money for the
work of the Frierdiker Rebbe in
Russia. The letter was signed by:
Rabbi Yisroel Meir HaCohen,
known as the Chofetz Chaim;

16 19 Adar 5777

1062_bm_eng.indd 16 2017-03-21 11:45:02 AM

 Rabbi Avrohom Mordechai Alter, the Gerrer
Rebbe, known as the Imrei Emes, who had over
100,000 Chassidim; Rabbi Yitzchok Menachem
Mendel Danziger, the Alexander Rebbe; Rabbi
Yechezkel Livshitz, the Rov of Kalish and the head
of Agudas HaRabonim of Poland which had 1,600
affiliated Rabbis; and Rabbi Shlomo Dovid Kahana
the Av Beis Din of Warsaw, and later the Chief
Rabbi of the Old City in Jerusalem.
These fascinating documents are part of the
1062_bm_eng.indd 17
JDC Archives (which were digitized and uploaded
online, thanks to a grant from Dr. Georgette
Bennett and Dr. Leonard Polonsky CBE).
THE PLEA FOR HELP
The five Gedolim signed a letter in Hebrew to
the JDC on January 28, 1930 (28 Teves 5690), as
a continuation to a telegram they sent earlier. This
letter was translated to English for the JDC staff,
and submitted to them by the Rashag:
Issue 1062 17
2017-03-21 11:45:04 AM
 Chabad history
To the Leaders of Israel, Members of the
Joint Distribution Committee
Greetings:
The terrifying news about our unfortunate
brethren in Russia are unequaled in the history
of the Jews. Hordes of savages and wild beasts
thrust themselves on Israel and his religion.
Israel is made into mockery and derision by the
uncouth and by the wicked; instead of freedom
of thought and toleration, a horrible inquisition
was levied on them, and about three million
Jews are being robbed and persecuted; they are
dying within prison walls; they are being slain by
the hands of merciless murdered all because
they cling to the Jewish beliefs and religion. The
human pen cannot describe how bad and how
bitter is the plight of those who fear the word
of God; they are thrown out of their residences
and driven out of their dwelling places; they are
left prostrate on the road, needy and hungry. In
order to extract the marrow of their bones and
starve them to death, heavy taxes were levied
on them, and their lives are embittered with
accusations and false indictments.LET NOT
THE EARTH COVER THEIR BLOOD!
We beg you, beloved brothers! Let our lives
be cherished by you, and lend an ear to our
plea for the remaining few in Israel. Organize
yourselves, have consultations, find means how
and with what to remove the cursed inquisition
from our brothers our own flesh and blood.
You have the understanding, you have the ability,
you have the possibility of speaking to them in
a comprehensive tongue, so not remain silent
until the Lord will have mercy on his people.
And you will be blessed by His holy name for
lending your brother a helping hand in times of
trouble, and being their brothers in the time of
their redemption.
And also for this WE EXTEND OUR PLEA
TO YOU to provide first for the immediate
necessities, to revive the souls who are being
sacrificed to sanctify His name (Al Kidush
Hashem) to lend appropriate support to them
in time of trouble. Therefore it is necessary to
subsidize FOR THE NEEDS OF RELIGION
AT LEAST $300,000 in your annual budget, for
in a time like this it is insignificant to consider
the value of money.
We hereby ratify the telegram that we sent
to you, honorable sirs, through the Lubavitcher
Rabbi I. Schneersohn, as follows:
The terrifying news coming from Russia
18 19 Adar 5777
1062_bm_eng.indd 18
is tearing heart and soul. Therefore, Reverend
Rabbi, kindly submit our plea to the joint for
our unfortunate brothers, so that they should
appropriate at least $300,000 for the sake of the
perpetuation of our religion, so that the Divine
Light should not be extinguished. May the God
of Israel repay the members of the Joint for their
good work with many blessings.
May the Lord and God of Israel bless you
and fulfill all the desires of your hearts. May
success and happiness adorn you now and
forever more.
With blessings, honor, and appreciation,
Gerer Rabbi Abraham Mordecai Alter
Chofetz Chaim Israel Meir Hakohen
Alexandrer Rabbi Isaac Menahem Mendel
Ben Alexander
Ezekiel Lifshitz president of the Agudath
HaRabanim of Poland
Solomon David Kahana President of the
Warsaw Rabbinate
Attached to this translation was a letter from
the Rashag, addressed to Mr. Joseph Hyman, the
General Secretary of the JDC, and dated February
22, 1930 (24 Shvat 5690):
Today we received a letter addressed to the
Joint from the famous rabbis the Gerer Rabbi,
the Alexendrover Rabbi, the Chofetz Chaim, the
president of the Union of Orthodox Rabbis of
Poland, and Rabbi Solomon David Kahana
President of the Warsaw Rabbinate, with a plea
to the Joint about the sad condition in Russia,
and a petition to help them financially.
I find it important to send you a translation
of the original copy for your information. I
would be very grateful if you will write to me
what the Joint has decided in reference to the
financial aid for the religious representatives in
Russia. You understand how much this interests
us, and I hope that you will inform us as soon as
possible.
HOW TO TALK TO THE AMERICANS?
In Warsaw lived Rabbi Menachem Mendel
Rothstein, a wealthy Chossid who dealt in
diamonds, and was very active in supporting the
Frierdiker Rebbes work; he also served as a board
member of Yeshivas Tomchei Tmimim Lubavitch in
Warsaw and Otwock. When the Frierdiker Rebbe
was in the United States there was continuous
correspondence between them, and it seems from
2017-03-21 11:45:04 AM
 these letters that it was he who
arranged the telegram and the
letter from the Rabbis.
In the following letter, from 11
Shvat 5690, the Frierdiker Rebbe
writes to him about the Rabbis
which preceded the letter (Igros
Kodesh Vol. 2 page 230):
Greetings and Blessings!
I read with great joy the
telegram of [you] my dear
friend which came on Friday
before candle lighting, signed
by the Rebbes of Ger &
Alexander, Rabbi Israel Meir
Hacohen the Chofetz Chaim,
the chairman of the Union of
Orthodox Rabbis of Poland,
Rabbi Yechezkel Lifshitz,
the chairman of Agudas
Harabonim of Warsaw Rabbi
Shlomo David Kahana...

And in another letter dated 25

Shvat 5690, the Friedriker Rebbe
writes to him about the Rabbis
aletter and about the overall
situation (ibid page 237):
Greetings and Blessings!
The letter signed by the
Rebbes Shlita, the Chafetz
Chaim and Rabbis Yechezkel
Lifshitz and Rabbi Shlomo
David Kahane was received in
Baltimore, and was sent from
there to Chicago. Thank you
my friend for arranging this...
The attitude here towards
Russian Jewry is despair and
coldness, the Joint on one side
and the Agudas Harabonim
on the other side. Even public The rare letter from the Rabbis of Poland to the Joint
opinion was not in favor of
helping our brothers in Russia, I do not know how much these letters
and only thanks to the months that we are here, will have an effect on the Joint, because with
we woke up the Jews somewhat, to start to feel Americans you need to speak in a strong manner
a little that they have to do something in their and only then do they understand what is
favor, and we can hope that finally we will see wanted from them, and whenever you speak to
good results, with G-ds help. them softly there is no hope of anything good...
I will write letters to the Rebbes to notify
them of receiving the letter and to thank them
for it.

Issue 1062 19

1062_bm_eng.indd 19 2017-03-21 11:45:06 AM

 HALACHA 2 GO
LISTENING
TO A SHABBOS
RECORDING
Selected Halachos from the
One Minute Halacha project
Mara Dasra and member of the Badatz of Crown Heights
MAY I BENEFIT FROM
A JEWS SHABBOS
RECORDING?
Scenario I: My sons bar-
mitzvah Kiddush was held on
Shabbos afternoon. One of the
local Jews (who really only shows
up to shul on Yom Kippur and
for social events) videotaped
the speeches (unsolicited) and
emailed them to us after Shabbos
along with some pictures of the
event that he took on the sly. May
we keep them and show them
around?
Scenario II: Due to a number
of snow days when college was
closed, we had a makeup class
scheduled for Friday evening.
Since I am shomer Shabbos
(Shabbos observant), a fellow
Jewish (but non-observant)
classmate recorded the class on
her phone for my benefit and
emailed it to me. May I listen to
the professors Shabbos lecture?
There is an issur dRabbanan
(a prohibition by Rabbinic
20 19 Adar 5777
1062_bm_eng.indd 20
By HaRav Yosef Yeshaya Braun, Shlita,
decree) of amira lnochri
(telling a non-Jew [to perform
forbidden work [on Shabbos])
under normal circumstances.*
Once the work was performed,
the Jewish consumer must wait
bichdei sheyaasu ([the time]
for it to be accomplished) after
Shabbos is over; with sufficient
time having passed for the
work to have theoretically been
performed post-Shabbos, the Jew
may benefit from the non-Jews
work. However, if the non-Jew is
working for themselves or other
non-Jews (without the possibility
for extra accommodation for the
Jew), there are no restrictions
even if the Jew also benefits from
their work.
But what if the one
performing the malacha is a Jew?
Halacha states that maaseh
Shabbos ([prohibited] Shabbos
work) that a Jew performs
independently and bmeizid
(deliberately) is not restricted,
even immediately after Shabbos.
Nevertheless, for benefitting from
the work of a mechalel Shabbos
([non-observant individual who
regularly] desecrates Shabbos),
many poskim state that we must
wait bichdei sheyaasu, and some
say that we may not benefit from
their work at all. Practically,
if the work was unsolicited,
it is sufficient to wait bichdei
sheyaasu. (If the work was done
at the behest of the observant
Jew, no benefit may be derived at
all.)
However, both of the above
scenarios revolve around a one-
time event; once Shabbos has
passed, it was no longer possible
to record the experiences and
wed be hard-pressed to find a
leniency because of the halachic
leeway of bichdei sheyaasu.
Therefore, according to many
poskim, there is no possibility
to benefit from the Shabbos
recording of a non-observant
individual. The same would apply
to footage or photos of a non-
Jew, if it was done solely for a
Jew.
2017-03-21 11:45:06 AM
 There are also other issues
that come into play when utilizing
a Jewish persons Shabbos work:
There is the concept of lifnei
iver ([putting a stumbling block]
before the blind) which includes
the issur dRabbanan( Rabbinic
prohibition) of mesayea (helper
[for violating halacha]) and it
may also be a violation of chillul
Hashem (desecrating Hashems
name)by accepting the Jews
Shabbos work, it may by appear
that we view anothers chillul
Shabbos acceptable.
*Some exceptions are issurei
dRabbanan performed ltzorech
rabbim (for the benefit of many)
or for a choleh (an ill person).
MAY I TAKE MY
MEDICATION ON
SHABBOS?
The issur (restriction) of
taking medication on Shabbos*
is a gzeira midrabbanan (a
Rabbinic decree) instituted
as a safeguard to prevent a
person desperate for a cure
from grinding herbs to produce
medicines, which would violate
the malacha (Biblically prohibited
work on Shabbos) of tochein
(grinding vegetable matter).
(Today, when it is common to
acquire our medications pre-
ground from the pharmacy, the
original reason for this gzeira
doesnt usually apply. Why we
still maintain it and to what
extent is extensively discussed
among poskim.)
A choleh sheyesh bo sakanah
(a critically ill person) may
obviously use any medical
interventions on Shabbos,
including grinding medications
which is assur min HaTorah
(forbidden by Biblical Law)
because pikuach nefesh docheh
Shabbos (saving a persons life
overrides Shabbos observance).
1062_bm_eng.indd 21
A choleh shein bo sakanah
(an ill individual with a non-
life threatening condition)a
category which includes the basic
needs of very young children
may take medication, as well as
other leniencies.
Someone who is suffering
from a localized, non-threatening
medical issue does not fit in either
categorythe general threshold
of choleh being someone who
is ill enough to be bed-ridden
or otherwise debilitated. Taking
medication on Shabbos under
such circumstances is a halachic
issue. If it is not possible to
simply skip one days dose, an
eitza (suggestion) is to take
it right before Shabbos and
immediately after.
Sometimes, the medication
must be taken at a certain time
of day or in two or more doses
within a twenty-four-hour
period, and the above eitza is
no help. If the medication has turned on by mistake with a
been taken for some time prior
to Shabbos, there is a heter
(dispensation) in such a case
according to many poskimto
continue taking it over Shabbos.
There is certainly room for
leniency in circumstances where
interrupting the course of the
medication would be a setback
in its effectiveness or necessitate
another treatment round
altogether.
*This issur is in force,
according to most poskim, on
both days of Rosh Hashanah
and the first day of every other
Yom Tov. (This is because the
second day of Yom Tov is in itself
Rabbinically instituted and many
of their restrictions are dealt with
more leniently.)
According to many opinions,
painkillers are not included in
the gzeira and may be taken on
Shabbos, and certainly on Yom
Tov, since they dull pain but
dont treat it.
DO SINGLE-HANDLE
FAUCETS POSE A PROBLEM
ON SHABBOS?
Single-handle faucets have
lately gained popularity over two-
handle ones. Whereas two-handle
faucets have dedicated hot and
cold water handles that control
the hot and cold water, single-
handleor lever-stylefaucets
control both the hot and cold
water flow with the same handle.
Turning on the single handle
faucets releases a mixture of cold
and hot water unless pushed all
the way to one direction. This
poses a problem on Shabbos.
We may not turn on the hot
water on Shabbos since doing
so causes additional water to be
heated to replace the hot water
that was used. There is a greater
likelihood of the hot water being
single-handle faucet. Some might
forget to push the handle all the
way to the right; others may not
know how a single handle faucet
operates. In addition, some
models might release hot water
even if the handle is pushed all
the way to the right.
To avoid these potential
problems, a faucet with two
handles should be used or the
hot water valve should be turned
off before Shabbos. When faced
with a one-handle faucet in an
unfamiliar home, there is room
to be lenient and assume that
pushing the handle all the way to
the right is okay.
One Minute Halacha is a succinct
daily presentation on practical Halacha
in video, audio, and text formats, and can
be accessed by phone at 718.989.9599,
by email, halacha2go@gmail.com, or by
WhatsApp 347.456.5665.
Issue 1062 21
2017-03-21 11:45:06 AM
 STORY
VANISHED!
The amazing story of Mrs. Yafit Uffgang of
Hadera who was told she needed an operation
to remove a tumor. The Rebbe intervened
and the tumor disappeared!
Mrs. Yafit Uffgang and her
family belong to the large Breslov
community in Hadera. She was
exposed to Chabad and the
Rebbe when she was a little girl,
when her parents sent her to the
Lubavitcher Ohr Chaya school in
Kiryat Shmuel for third through
fifth grade. She would travel
from Atlit, an hour each way.
Those two years were significant,
but after that, her connection
to Chabad and the Rebbe was
forgotten.
All that changed a year ago,
when she became sick and the
doctors at the Meir hospital in
Kfar Saba said she needed to
undergo a complicated medical
procedure to recover. Yafit,
when recalling this, shudders.
The doctors said that even if
the operation was successful, it
would cause irreparable damage
to my body which would affect
my ability to conceive.
I am a young woman and I
was in shock by this news. Then
along came the Lubavitcher
Rebbe who miraculously turned
things around. Till today I am
still overwhelmed by the enormity
of this miracle.
THEN THE REBBE CAME
It began one afternoon that
22 19 Adar 5777
1062_bm_eng.indd 22
By Nosson Avrohom
seemed quite ordinary, but
then suddenly I was attacked by
strong stomach pains. I thought
they would pass but when there
was bleeding too, I knew I had
to get this checked out. I rushed
to Meir hospital in Kfar Saba.
After a series of tests and X-rays,
the doctors unanimously said I
was suffering from cysts in the
stomach area. There are cysts
that can resolve on their own
but a thorough examination by
some top doctors in the field
showed that one of the cysts was
malignant. It had to be surgically
excised.
I was terribly frightened by
this operation and the doctors
did nothing to allay my fears.
They told me that the operation
could affect my future ability
to have children. I was very
depressed. The doctor scheduled
the operation for a month later
and in the meantime, I prayed to
Hashem.
A week went by and one night
I had a strange dream. I was in
a large auditorium which I had
never seen before. Suddenly I
noticed the radiant figure of the
Lubavitcher Rebbe walking in,
looking joyous.
I quickly went over to him
and tearfully told him that I
was about to have an operation
that I was very nervous about.
The Rebbe made a dismissive
motion with his hand and said,
No operation and no tumor. I
wondered what the Rebbe meant
and asked, but the Rebbe just
repeated what he had said. The
dream took seconds and when it
was over, I woke up.
It was five in the morning.
I did not tell anyone about the
dream. It took me time to digest
it. Why would the Rebbe come
to me in a dream when I did not
belong to Chabad? At that time,
I had no connection whatsoever
with Chabad Chassidim or the
teachings of Chabad.
I thought about the dream all
day. Im not the type of person
to remember dreams but this
dream was clear and the Rebbe,
standing before me, was clear.
I told my husband the dream
and we wondered what would
happen. The dream gave me
a lot of strength but I am not
accustomed to miracles and I
did not know how to relate to
it. One part of my brain rejoiced
over the Rebbes blessing while
the other side insisted on being
realistic and sad. This happened
at the end of the week and we
were planning on spending that
2017-03-21 11:45:06 AM
 Shabbos with my parents.
My parents neighbors in Atlit
are Rabbi Avrohom and Rochela
Sebbag, Lubavitchers, who
publicize the Rebbe and Chabad
on the small moshava. They are
greatly beloved. When I told my
mother the dream she urged me
to go to Mrs. Sebbag and ask her
about writing to the Rebbe in the
Igros Kodesh.
Many people go to write
letters with her, said my mother.
She told me about many miracle
stories that occurred with the
Rebbes blessing.
On Motzaei Shabbos I visited
the Sebbags. The page I opened
to was amazing. In a long letter
to a woman, the Rebbe explains
about the power of joy which can
sweeten dinim (judgment). The
Rebbe suggests committing to
at least one tfilla a day. It was
amazing because the letter was
addressed to a woman who wrote
to the Rebbe that she does not feel
well, and even more interesting is
that I used to be particular about
davening three times a day but it
became difficult, especially being
preoccupied with the operation,
and I had missed many tfillos.
Three weeks passed and I had
an appointment at the hospital
for blood tests and other things
before the operation which was
scheduled for a week later. I was The doctor looked at the for many years and this was the
very anxious to see what would forms and opened my medical first time that she saw a cyst
happen. file. She went through the papers like this vanish with no need
and compared images and then for an operation. This tumor
The doctor checked and
she said, My dear lady, you can disappeared like it never existed,
checked and after some minutes
go home. There is nothing here. she said, and she called it a
in silence which seemed like
What?! How can that be? medical miracle.
forever, she asked me, Why did
you come here? I was in shock. Of course I told her about
the dream and the Rebbes
At first, I was taken aback
answer and she found this very
and did not understand what she MEDICAL MIRACLE interesting. In order to be certain
meant. What do you mean? I Mrs. Yafit Uffgang ends her that the growth disappeared, I
finally managed to get out. Look story on an emotional note. She was called back a month later for
at the forms and see for yourself. says the doctor who examined another X-ray which also showed
Next week I am supposed to have her was also incredulous. She that there was no cyst or anything
an operation to remove a growth told her that she was in this field else.
in my stomach.

Issue 1062 23

1062_bm_eng.indd 23 2017-03-21 11:45:07 AM

 PROFILE

THE FATHER
OF THEM ALL
In Brunoy, he was the father of them all. Anash
and Tmimim would consult with him about their
problems. They knew he had no ulterior motives
or agenda. He was involved in all decisions
regarding the yeshiva, and in meetings of the
hanhala he was looked to as the main voice.
Everyone respected R Yisroel Noach Blinitzkys
opinion since they knew he was a man of truth.
* As a follow-up to the previous article about
R Yisroel Noach, the following was taken from
a tshura given out at the wedding of R Yoel
Blinitzky.

A brief review: R Yisroel
Noach Blinitzky, known as
Yisroel Noach HaGadol, was
born in Nissan 5643. He learned
in Yeshivas Tomchei Tmimim
in Lubavitch. He ran the secret
yeshiva in Kremenchug in
the Ukraine, one of the main
branches of the yeshiva in those
days. During the war, he escaped
with his family to Samarkand
where he was a mashpia figure.
During the war years, he opened
his home and hosted Jewish
refugees. After the war, he
escaped Russia with his family
and arrived in France where
he was appointed by the Rebbe
Rayatz to work in the yeshiva
in Brunoy. He served in this
position for thirty-five years and
worked devotedly while being a
role model for the talmidim of
the yeshiva. It should be noted
that the bookkeeping work he did
for the yeshiva was done without
remuneration.
R Yaakov Goldberg: When
he stayed in Brunoy, he would
sleep in our house in my bed
(my father was very grateful
to him because thanks to R
Yisroel Noach, he remained in
Lubavitch), while I would sleep
on a row of chairs covered with
a blanket.
In 1947, the Rebbe Rayatz
told him not to move to the
United States but to try to
immigrate to Eretz Yisroel.
But once the Rebbe appointed
him as a member of the vaad
ruchni and gashmi of the yeshiva,
the idea of moving was canceled.
After Yud Shvat 5710, R
Yisroel Noach continued in
his job in yeshiva by request
of the new Rebbe. He would
periodically ask permission to
make aliya, for his sons lived
there and he even owned an
apartment in Kfar Chabad, but
the Rebbe preferred that he
remain in the yeshiva. This is one
of the letters he received from the
Rebbe about this, from 5712:
I received your letter from

24 19 Adar 5777

1062_bm_eng.indd 24 2017-03-21 11:45:07 AM

 Erev Shabbos Dvarim in which
you write about the state of your
health, which is why your wife
and you too are thinking of
moving to Eretz Yisroel where
you have two sons in the kfar.
In general, I think the
reasoning is correct but there is
no rush to make aliya and it is
out of the question to do so in a
Shmita year, in 5712. The main
thing is to resolve the question
of parnasa in Eretz Yisroel,
since there is no supportive Joint
there, nor other mosdos, as far
as I know, unlike in France.
Furthermore, in general you
are worthy with Hashems help
of bringing much benefit to the
1062_bm_eng.indd 25
place where you are, and while
you have a profession in France
in Yeshivas Tomchei Tmimim, I
do not know whether you would
find a similar vacancy in Eretz
Yisroel.
Surely you know that many
of the askanim there do not
serve in a professional capacity
in their field of askanus. And
even those askanim that do
operate there even now, it is
connected with arguments and
politics to a greater extent than
abroad May Hashem give
you the right idea to decide what
is good for you and your wife,
both materially and spiritually.
HOW THE RECORDING OF
HIS DAVENING WAS MADE
Preparations for davening
were important to him above all
else. Even when he was weak
and needed help getting dressed,
he did not concede on going to
the mikva before davening every
morning.
He was very particular about
davening with a minyan and he
arrived every day at yeshiva for
Shacharis and donned tfillin
with which he only read the Shma
(in order to recite it on time).
During the davening, he was the
mashgiach over the bachurim to
ensure that they davened as they
Issue 1062 25
2017-03-21 11:45:07 AM
 Profile
should.
When the davening was over,
he would go to his room where
he continued learning Chassidus.
He would then put on a different
pair of tfillin, so he could recite
another bracha over the tfillin
without any halachic question.
He spent hours davening every
morning, stopping now and then
to sing a niggun and then he
would continue and cry.
The recording of his davening
mentioned previously happened
as follows, as recounted by his
grandson, R Chaim Avrohom of
Kfar Chabad:
I learned in Brunoy for two
years and I spent a lot of time
with my grandfather. I greatly
desired having a recording of his
unique tfilla but I knew that he
would not allow it so I thought
of ways I could do it without his
realizing it. A short while before
I arrived in France, I had bought
a tape recorder which was much
bigger than the recording devices
we have now. It wasnt easy
hiding it!
One day, I got up my
courage and brought it into
his house and put it under the
bed. I waited a few days until I
mustered the resolve to go ahead
with my plan. At the appointed
time, I nervously entered the
room where my grandfather
would daven and I sat on the bed
behind him and made it look as
though I had come to fix my torn
pants. At an opportune time, I
quickly put the tape on one chair
and the microphone on another
chair behind my grandfather and
boruch Hashem, the recording
came out fine. Copies of it were
given out to family and his
talmidim who till today listen to it
and are moved.
R YY Pevsner: I will never
forget R Yisroel Noachs
davening on Yom Kippur. On
26 19 Adar 5777
1062_bm_eng.indd 26
Erev Yom Kippur he would arrive
at shul with many handkerchiefs
to absorb his tears. His seat was
at a table near the wall, and with
his tallis covering his head he
would daven and sob loudly. He
remained there all of Yom Kippur.
His cries would inspire a unique
atmosphere in the yeshiva.
When he counted the Omer,
he would get excited each time
anew. As children, said R up from the documents he was
YY Goldberg, rosh yeshiva of
Tomchei Tmimim in Migdal
HaEmek, we would stand next
to him during the counting of
the Omer and watch how a
distinguished, elderly Chassid,
when reaching the Ribbono shel
Olam became so excited.
So too when he read the
Haftora. He read it with a melody
of dveikus and feeling and he
always cried as he read it.
R Shneur Zalman Labkowski,
rosh yeshiva in 770: Toward
the end of Shmini Atzeres, it
is customary to part from the
sukka. R Yisroel Noach would
eat something, and then dance
joyously. Then he would climb
up and kiss the schach out of
his great excitement, even though
he knew it is not our custom to
kiss the schach (I even told him
this once). In any case, he did it
and he explained that in his great
excitement he could not stop
himself from kissing the schach.
A WARM CHASSIDIC HEART
R Yisroel Noach had a
big heart. He truly rejoiced in
someone elses simcha as though
it was his own, and the opposite
too, G-d forbid, he would share
in anothers sorrow.
R YY Gurevitch relates:
My uncle, R Hillel Azimov, questions in Chassidus to
learned in Tomchei Tmimim in
Kremenchug which R Yisroel
Noach ran. One Yud-Tes Kislev,
R Itche der Masmid came and
farbrenged with the bachurim
until late at night and in the
morning they did not get up for
sdarim.
As a punishment, the maggid
shiur (whose name I dont
remember) did not give shiurim
for several days. When R Yisroel
Noach found out, he called the
bachurim to his office. He looked
reading, removed his glasses and
put them on the desk, and then
raised his hands upward and
said, What will be with you?
and burst into tears. When R
Hillel told this to me, he cried.
He was amazed how much R
Yisroel Noach truly cared about
them.
MEKUSHAR HEART AND
SOUL TO OUR REBBEIM
R Yisroel Noach was a
mekushar to our Rebbeim. When
news came of the release of the
Rebbe Rayatz, he took a bottle of
mashke and ran into the street.
This was related by R Yosef
Goldberg who was a talmid in
the yeshiva in Kremenchug at the
time.
The talmidim in the yeshiva
in Brunoy tell many stories
about his outstanding hiskashrus
to the Rebbe. Even before the
Rebbe accepted the nesius, R
Yisroel Noach received a long
response from the Rebbe which
the Tmimim studied in depth. In
the letter which he sent and was
addressed to the Rebbe Rayatz,
R Yisroel Noach asked deep
questions on the topic of gvul,
bli gvul, and hashgacha pratis.
This is the answer he received:
I gave your letter with
my son-in-law, R Menachem
Mendel, to look into your
questions and arrange the
2017-03-21 11:45:07 AM
 responses as he sees fit. It is
now some time since he showed
me his detailed response in all
the matters of your questions,
and I have no doubt that they
will study his response in the
depth that it deserves.
Enclosed was the response
of the Rebbe, which was later
printed in the Igros Kodesh
volume 2, p. 392 and takes
up six pages. It was addressed
to R Yisroel Noach but was
publicized among the talmidim
of the yeshiva. R Sholom Dovber
Butman tells in his memoirs as a
talmid in the yeshiva in Brunoy
that the talmidim copied the
letter to learn it.
OBVIOUSLY, THE REBBE IS
MOSHIACH
R Nissan Nemanov went to
the Rebbe for Yud Shvat 5730,
so the bachurim in Brunoy
farbrenged with R Yisroel
Noach. Usually, at farbrengens
in yeshiva, R Nissan would
farbreng and R Yisroel Noach
would just listen. This time, he
agreed to say a few words which
everyone listened to eagerly.
One of the things that was
said reverberated among the
talmidim of the yeshiva of that
time, i.e., why, when the Rebbe
mentions the Rebbe Rayatz in his
sichos, does he say, the Rebbe,
my father-in-law, when the
Rebbe is our Rebbe and it is not
necessary to say the Rebbe, my
father-in-law. He said that this
was done by the Rebbe Rayatz
too, in connection with his father,
but afterward it stopped, and
so too with the Rebbe, twenty
years later (5710-5730), surely it
should be the same.
R YY Gurevitch says that he
spoke then about the Torah scroll
of Moshiach and the hisgalus
of the Rebbe, the hot topic that
1062_bm_eng.indd 27
R Yisroel Noach
was being discussed by Chabad
Chassidim all over the world
before Yud Shvat 5730. However,
by R Yisroel Noach, said R
Gurevitch, it was always obvious
that the Rebbe is Moshiach and is
going to be revealed as such.
R Yisroel Noach never
traveled to see the Rebbe.
Some attribute it to his age and
weakness. But his longing and
his great hiskashrus to the Rebbe
was obvious to all.
R Shneur Zalman Labkowski,
who was a talmid in Brunoy in
those years, says: Every so often
he would be inspired to go to the
Rebbe, but when it came down
to actually going, he did not go
and I do not know why After
I returned from the Rebbe in
5724, he asked me to tell him
everything I heard, the sichos and
maamarim, and when he heard
my review he became excited and
he said to me, Zalman, this year
Im going to the Rebbe, but it
did not materialize.
Many Chassidim who lived
in Paris at that time say that
whenever they went to the
Rebbe, R Yisroel Noach would
accompany them with great
excitement and when they
returned he would interrogate
them and demand to know what
it was like by the Rebbe, wanting
to know details about the
sichos and maamarim and even
regarding the Rebbes health.
He asked not only in general
terms but cared very much and
wanted the details.
His grandson, R Shlomo
Majeski, would occasionally send
him letters about the goings-
on at Beis Chayeinu. R Yisroel
Noachs joy upon receiving them
was indescribable. Talmidim
of the yeshiva remember how
after he received one of these
letters, he entered the yeshiva hall
excitedly and repeated a line the
Rebbe said at a farbrengen.
I ENVY YOU
R YY Gurevitch relates: In
5734, a group of us went on
mivtzaim in the south of France,
very far from Brunoy, and to
rent a tank and cover other
expenses we needed a lot of
money. Having no choice, I went
to R Yisroel Noach and asked
Issue 1062 27
2017-03-21 11:45:07 AM
 Profile
for a loan, thinking that even if
he would agree, he would ask
for guarantors and who would
be willing to be a guarantor
for bachurim? However, to
my surprise, R Yisroel Noach
immediately took out the money
and gave it to me. He was very
happy to help with mivtzaim.
R YY Pevsner relates, One
year, we worked hard to prepare
five hundred mishloach manos
in R Shlomo Chaims room (the
room that R Shlomo Chaim
Kesselman lived in for a while),
which was next to R Yisroel
Noachs room. The Thursday
night before Purim, we made
a big ruckus, as bachurim do,
and his son, R Aharon Yosef,
came and firmly asked us to stop
the noise. We tried to do so but
did not succeed for long and R
Aharon Yosef came again and
this time demanded that we stop
our preparations in this room. I
convinced him that this time we
really would be quiet, but within
a short time our voices got louder
and it was noisy as we worked.
Friday night, when R Yisroel
Noach entered the yeshiva, the
bachurim who had worked on the
mishloach manos tried to hide
so he wouldnt see us. But he
noticed me and with a big smile
he said: I want to dance with you
and all your friends who prepared
mishloach manos.
After we danced for a few
minutes, he said, You have the
zchus of being in the Rebbes
army that is conquering the
world. You have the zchus and
I envy you because I cannot take
part in this.
BITTUL
R Shneur Zalman Labkowski
explained why R Yisroel Noach
kept quiet at farbrengens even
though he had been the main
speaker in Kremenchug and
28 19 Adar 5777
1062_bm_eng.indd 28
Samarkand: His good heart and
Ahavas Yisroel were tremendous,
and his humility and bittul were
outstanding. Although he was
about ten years older than R
Nissan, he never agreed to
farbreng. He would say that R
Nissan was here and he should
farbreng, and he would sit at
farbrengens and listen to R Maharash decided that before
Nissan.
Because of his great Ahavas
Yisroel, he only wanted to hear
good about Jews, and when
R Nissan started speaking
somewhat harshly to the
talmidim, he would stop him
immediately and say, You need
to say good things.
Every year at the Beis Iyar
farbrengen, he would tell how
the Rebbe Maharash freed his
son, the Rebbe Rashab, from the
army. In those days in Russia,
the rich could exempt their sons
from the army by paying a lot
of money. The Rebbe Maharash
bought one of these cards for the
Rebbe Rashab, but unfortunately,
some time later, all the exemption
cards were declared invalid. The
government then demanded that
the Rebbe Rashab be drafted.
A senior officer told the Rebbe
Maharash that the moment the
Rebbes son would go to the
army, all the Jews would go, but
the Rebbe refused to allow his
son to be drafted. Even when the
officer requested that he at least
wear an army uniform so that
Jews would see him and agree to
go to the army, the Rebbe did not
agree.
Upon hearing the refusal,
the officer issued instructions
to arrest the Rebbe Rashab and
forcibly induct him. The Rebbe
Maharash saw that the worst was
about to happen and told his son
to flee. The Rebbe Rashab ran
away and a while later he received
a letter from his father, but since
the letter arrived before he had
davened, he opened it only after
he davened. Although it was a
letter from the Rebbe, his father,
which might contain instructions
for him, he did iskafia (practiced
self-restraint), and waited to
open it until after davening.
After a while, the Rebbe
he traveled to Petersburg he
would go to the officer. He
went with two Chassidim and
when he entered, the officer
greatly honored him and stood
up for him. But he immediately
began speaking harshly and did
not agree to release the Rebbe
Rashab.
The Rebbe Maharash turned
to the two Chassidim and said,
He has no respect for Torah at
all, and then he turned to the
commander and said, You will
yet remember me.
Some time afterward, the
officer began suffering terribly
and felt his end was near. Since
he was a religious man, he knew
that if he had problems in this
world, he would have problems
in the next world too. He sent a
request to the Rebbe Maharash
that at least he shouldnt suffer
from this up above. After he died,
the Rebbe Maharash arranged
that his son not go to the army.
R Yisroel Noach would shed
light on the story: Why did the
Rebbe Maharash not want his
son to put on the army uniform
for a brief time which resulted in
his son having to flee and then
a miracle had to be done which
killed the officer?
He explained: The Rebbe
Maharash knew that the Rebbe
Rashab had to write Hemshech
5666 where it talks all about the
inyan of an eved a loyal slave,
a simple slave, so he could not
have even the slightest yoke of a
human being upon him.
2017-03-21 11:45:07 AM
 R Zalman concluded: Even
before telling this story, R
Yisroel Noach asked R Nissan
permission, to that extent was
his bittul to R Nissan. R Nissan
was the mashpia and therefore,
only he farbrenged and he had to
be respected, so that we young
talmidim would see that R
Yisroel Noach honored him and
we would too.
***
In the Paris-Brunoy area
lived a gentile nurse who gave R
Yisroel Noach an injection every
day, but did not charge for it.
Afterward, she would go to one
of the wives of the Chassidim
in Brunoy and would give her
an injection as well but would
charge for it. The woman once
asked the nurse why she had to
pay while R Yisroel Noach did
not, and the nurse said because
R Yisroel Noach is an angel.
It happened that the hanhala
of the yeshiva decided to expel a
bachur. R Yisroel Noach met him
wandering around outside, called
him over, and sat and talked to
him with a pleasant countenance
until he succeeded in getting the
boy back on track and had him
accepted back in yeshiva.
The Rebbe Rayatz testified to
R Yisroel Noachs good heart in
a letter that he sent to a Chassid
who claimed that R Yisroel
Noach insulted him (Igros
Kodesh vol. 15, p. 310):
I have no doubt that my
friend knows good and well
that R Yisroel Noach loves him
and seeks his material welfare
really and truly, and is not at
all shayach to wanting to cause
harm to anyone, whomsoever it
may be.
TORAH STUDY
As mentioned previously, R
Yisroel Noach learned Shas and
1062_bm_eng.indd 29
R Yisroel Noach
Mishnayos for many hours each
day, and as R YY Gurevitch
related, Every time I entered his
room, he would be busy learning
Mishnayos. R Shneur Zalman
Labkowski said that even during
their escape from the Soviet
Union via Lvov, he did not forgo
learning Mishnayos every day.
His brother, R Yisroel
Labkowski, said: R Yisroel
Noach told me that he made a
commitment when he married to
learn Mishnayos every day and he
did not remember even one day
that he did not learn Mishnayos.
His learning was lilui nishmas
his father-in-law, the Chassid,
Itche Dissner. R Yisroel Noach
once asked the Rebbe whether
he could learn Mishnayos for two
people, for his father-in-law and
for a relative of a wealthy man
who was a donor to the yeshiva
and the Rebbe said yes.
At the end of his life he
wanted to know whether, from
Mishnayos that he learned as
a zchus for others, a zchus
remained for him too. He asked
the Rebbe and the answer from 22
Sivan 5734 said: I received your
letter in which you ask whether a
zchus remains for you from the
chapters of Mishnayos that you
learn for someones neshama. I
am happy to inform you that the
Rebbe ruled that certainly [and
the word certainly was added
in the Rebbes handwriting] you
have the zchus of the Mishnayos
mentioned previously. The
letter was signed by the Rebbes
secretary, R Chadakov.
THE REBBES BRACHA FOR
A LONG LIFE
R SZ Labkowski relates:
When R Yisroel Noach joined
the staff of the yeshiva in Brunoy,
he also began serving as gabbai
who gives out aliyos. He greatly
honored the Leviim and if there
were no Kohanim in shul, he
called up Leviim instead, because
he knew that it says that whoever,
When there is no Kohen, honors
the Levi would live long, and he
wanted to live long. Indeed, R
Yisroel Noach lived a long life.
R Yisroel Noach also received
the Rebbes bracha for long life.
It was in 5712 when he wasnt yet
seventy. The Rebbe wrote him in
a letter: With blessings for long
days and good years with all the
elucidations. In a handwritten
note, the Rebbe added, For you
and your wife. He lived another
thirty plus years and passed away
close to a hundred years old. This
bracha came true for his wife as
well.
R Yisroel Noachs son, R
Aharon Yosef, who helped his
father throughout his life and
received the Rebbes bracha for
long life for this, passed away on
Erev Shabbos, 5 Shvat 5762, at
the age of 96.
Issue 1062 29
2017-03-21 11:45:08 AM
 STORY
THE HUGE DEMAND
FOR TORAH
SCROLLS IN RUSSIA
PART I
In contrast to the cold
weather that night in Moscow, in
the small but pleasant restaurant
near the Marina Roscha shul,
the atmosphere was particularly
warm. Dozens of bachurim from
Yeshivas Tomchei Tmimim in
Ohr Yehuda sat together with
their fathers and farbrenged
with the yeshivas teachers and
the Rosh Yeshiva, Rabbi Sholom
Dovber Hendel. They sang one
niggun after another and then
another inspirational talk, by way
of preparing them for their trip to
the Rebbe.
Everyones spirits were
uplifted. This trip was the
culmination of the special Torah
learning contest that took place
in the yeshiva for the past half
a year. The dream for which
the bachurim had worked by
learning and reviewing nonstop
was now being realized. This
was their stopover in Moscow
and the next day they would be
taking an Aeroflot flight from
Sheremetyevo airport in Moscow
to Kennedy airport in New York.
30 19 Adar 5777
1062_bm_eng.indd 30
By Menachem Ziegelboim
At about one in the morning,
when the warmth of the
farbrengen was still strong,
in walked Rabbi Berel Lazar,
shliach and Chief Rabbi of
Russia. He had just returned
from a long trip to Oryol where
there had been a big hachnasas
seifer Torah celebration. It was a
celebration that provided another
opportunity to connect the
Jews of Oryol to the holy Torah,
to the Federation of Jewish
Communities and to the Rebbes
shliach there, Rabbi Alexander
Grishin. It was an opportunity to
encourage him in his shlichus.
Despite the many hours
of travel and despite an event
that included a meeting with
the district governor, and the
other official and unofficial
parts of the visit, Rabbi Lazar
did not go home. He went
straight to the farbrengen with
the talmidim from Ohr Yehuda.
It was manifestly clear that he
was happy to be there. This
environment was where he felt
at home; here was his source
of strength the yeshiva boys.
There was no sign of tiredness in
his eyes; on the contrary.
PART II
R Lazar told about
experiences he had on the long
trip he had just made and he
reviewed at length what the
Rebbe said on Shabbos Parshas
VaEschanan 5751, when the
shluchim in Europe convened
for the first Kinus HaShluchim
since the fall of the Iron Curtain.
The Rebbe had spoken at length
about the special significance of
the gathering being held in this
place.
And then R Lazar told the
following:
One of the prominent rabbis
in America at the time was Rabbi
David Hollander zl. He was the
spiritual leader of the Hebrew
Alliance of Brighton Beach in
Brooklyn and president of the
Union of Orthodox Rabbis
(Agudas HaRabbanim). Over the
years he had many kiruvim from
the Rebbe, who always showed
him special consideration.
Many years after it happened,
R Hollander told of a special
2017-03-21 11:45:08 AM

story he had with the Rebbe and
the reason that he was sharing
the story at that time.
It was in the mid 70s and
the Soviet Union allowed a
delegation of American rabbis to
visit Russia and stay in various
Jewish communities throughout
the country. Despite it being a
communist police state, Russia
was interested in hosting such a
visit. Among the rabbis chosen
for this delegation was Rabbi
David Hollander.
At the Agudas HaRabbanim,
they knew that if there was
someone in the world who
knew what was really going on
among the Jewish communities
in Russia, it was the Lubavitcher
Rebbe in Brooklyn. The Rebbe
knew this information in detail
and he knew how to use this
visit to help the downtrodden
Jews of Russia trapped under the
1062_bm_eng.indd 31
Rabbi Hollander and the Rebbe
communist boot.
R Hollander arranged an
appointment to see the Rebbe
in order to talk things over
before he left. This was not the
first time that R Hollander was
going to communist Russia.
He went for the first time in
5716/1956 with a delegation of
rabbis to visit Russian Jews. It
was after the death of Stalin and
Khrushchevs rise to power. The
Russian government, wanting
some rapprochement with the
west, allowed the visit. Even
then, before leaving for Russia,
R Hollander consulted with the
Rebbe who instructed him to
be very careful in how he spoke
with Russian Jews. The Rebbe
explained that even if what he
said did not harm R Hollander,
since he was an American citizen,
the Jews listening to him could
be harmed by irresponsible talk.
The Rebbe also told him that if
Chassidim wanted to meet with
him, to do so with great care.
Since that trip, R Hollander
had gone to visit Russian Jewry
seven more times, sometimes
alone and sometimes as part of
a delegation of rabbis. This is
why, before this trip in the 70s,
he arranged a yechidus to get
direction. The yechidus lasted
an hour. Nobody knew what was
discussed, what instructions R
Hollander received, and what he
was told to do on this trip.
The delegation set out and
visited a number of Jewish
communities. The Rebbe
knew that the KGB had them
under surveillance and they
acted accordingly. And yet, R
Hollander cleverly managed
to make connections and to
drop messages to the intended
recipients.
At the end of the lengthy
Issue 1062 31
2017-03-21 11:45:10 AM
 Story
trip, the delegation returned to
the United States. This time, R
Hollander had yechidus in order
to report to the Rebbe about
what he saw and heard. He also
conveyed regards from Jews in
Russia who asked him to do so.
At the end of the yechidus, R
Hollander hesitated for a moment
and then said to the Rebbe with
deep admiration, The Rebbe
knows everything that is going
on among Russian Jews. Still,
if I may, I would like to make a
suggestion that, in my humble
opinion, is worth implementing.
The Rebbe nodded his
agreement and R Hollander said,
In my various encounters with
Jewish communities, I noticed
that in the shuls there are dozens
and hundreds of old sifrei Torah
that are in disuse. Some of them
are still in the Aron Kodesh and
some are in the shul storage
rooms.
Of course, these shuls
hardly use these sifrei Torah.
Therefore, I suggest that visitors
to Russia take out sifrei Torah
with them and bring them to
Jewish communities in the
United States, Europe or Eretz
Yisroel. There would be a two-
fold gain that these sifrei Torah
will be redeemed, and the Jewish
communities in the western
world will be able to use them.
When R Hollander
finished speaking, the Rebbes
face changed completely. R
Hollander could not help but
notice the pallor on the Rebbes
face. The Rebbe fixed his gaze on
the opposite wall and seemed to
disconnect from the room and the
person sitting facing him. There
was utter silence in the room for
two minutes that seemed like
an eternity to R Hollander. He
regretted saying what he did and
realized that he had unwittingly
touched on a very sensitive point.
32 19 Adar 5777
1062_bm_eng.indd 32
Then the Rebbe suddenly
roused himself and returned his
gaze to R Hollander.
If you ask me, said the
Rebbe slowly, I would say
exactly the opposite! Not only is
there no need to take sifrei Torah
out of Russia; if I was able to,
I would tell scribes to prepare
more sifrei Torah for the Jews of
Russia. The day will come when
Russian Jews will need far more
sifrei Torah than there are today.
R Hollander was taken aback
as he had not expected this
answer. He was the man who
had visited Russian communities
many times; he was the one
who had felt the communist
oppression that stamped out
every sign of Judaism; he was the
one who had seen from up close
the fear in the eyes of Russian
Jews whenever anyone spoke to
them, and he knew that what the
Rebbe said was a distant dream
that would never happen.
Out of respect for the Rebbe
he remained silent. After saying
goodbye, he left and went home.
In the days that followed he
reviewed in his head the yechidus,
mainly the part about the future
of Russian Jewry. He knew the
Rebbe as a genius, as a great
leader, and a first class military
leader, but this time he felt the
Rebbe had erred in his estimation
of the future of Russian Jewry. As
much as he loved and admired
the Rebbe, he felt that this time
the Rebbe had exaggerated.
I decided, he said many
years later, that in order to
preserve the Rebbes honor, I
would not repeat what he said
and would take his prophecy to
the grave with me.
About 25 years passed. The
Iron Curtain fell and freedom
returned to the citizens of
Russia, including Russian
Jews, who received permission
to reconstruct Jewish life in
all cities, large and small. The
Rebbes shluchim began arriving,
one after the other, and reviving
Jewish life among thousands of
Jews who thirsted for authentic
Jewish life.
Only then, when Judaism
began flourishing there anew,
did R Hollander first tell of the
yechidus he had and the Rebbes
prophetic words.
When I see how the Rebbes
prophecy came true, I know that
he did not make a mistake and
that the spirit of G-d speaks from
his throat. Whatever the Rebbe
told me came true.
PART III
R Berel Lazar finished his
story and said, Oftentimes I am
invited to participate in events
like the ones I attended today.
I see the work of the shluchim
around Russia and I think that the
concentration of Jewry today that
buys the most sifrei Torah in the
world is Russian Jewry. I dont
think a week goes by without the
celebration of a new Torah scroll
somewhere in the former Soviet
Union. The Rebbes words were
exactly on target.
The bachurim sat there,
fascinated by this story. After a
long silence in which everyone
contemplated what was said, one
of them began the Hisvaadus
niggun, but R Lazar raised his
hand, wanting to say one more
thing.
We as Chassidim know that
the Rebbe not only prophesied
and saw the future but he, with
his heavenly abilities, created the
reality which we see today. Just
as the Rebbes prophecy was
fulfilled in this matter, so too, we
have no doubt that we will soon
see his prophecy of hinei, hinei
zeh Moshiach ba, and kvar ba.
2017-03-21 11:45:10 AM
 MOSHIACH & GEULA
MOSHIACH: A MORTAL BORN
OF MAN AND WOMAN?
From Chapter Fourteen of Rabbi Shloma
Majeskis Likkutei Mekoros, Volume 2.
(Underlined text is the compilers emphasis.)
Translated by Boruch Merkur
It is written in Zohar (Shmos
8b): At the end of twelve months,
a ruler will rise up from the Jewish
people this refers to Malka
Meshicha, who will awaken from
within Gan Eden. This statement,
however, is highly perplexing as it
suggests the radical position that
Moshiach will not be born of man
and woman; he will simply emerge
from Gan Eden at that time. Yet it is
written, I have begotten you today.
In my humble opinion, it is
certain that Moshiach will be a
righteous person born of man
and woman, who will grow in
righteousness until the appointed
time when the redemption will
unfold (keitz hayamin). Through
his deeds he will merit a holy soul
Nefesh, Ruach, and Neshama.
Then, on the day of the keitz, a
Neshama will come to the Neshama
[of Moshiach] situated in Gan
Eden, and it will be granted to the
righteous man [as he exists in the
physical world]. He will then merit
to be the righteous redeemer [and
usher in the Messianic Era].
This process is reminiscent
of how Moshe Rabbeinu, alav
hashalom, who was born of a
woman, grew and developed
spiritually little by little. There, at
the [burning] bush, the process
was complete, through the esoteric
principle of An angel of G-d
appeared to him blabas eish (in a
1062_bm_eng.indd 33
flame of fire) from amidst the thorn
bush, etc. It is understood among
kabbalists that the three letters
of labas Beis-Lamed [from
labas, which is spelled Lamed-
Beis-Tav] from the name Hevel
[spelled Hei-Veis-Lamed] and Tav
from the name Sheis [spelled
Shin-Tav] were completed at that
time. Then Moshe merited to be the
redeemer.
With this background, we
will understand how the verse, I
have begotten you today, refers
to [the transference of] an aspect
of a Neshama to a Neshama
[i.e., how the soul of Moshiach
is illuminated from Gan Eden
with extra G-dliness] and how
then, on that day, the Neshama
[of Moshiach] shall emerge from
Gan Eden. An accurate read of the
Zohar requires this interpretation
[that begotten refers to a spiritual
birth or conception], for it says
that he will awaken in the land of
Galil as though he were formerly
sleeping. And when the Neshama
comes to the Neshama [illuminating
the aspect of Moshiachs soul that
resides in Gan Eden and thereby]
adding to Moshiach the power of
prophecy, he will then awaken from
his sleep. This elucidation shall
suffice.
It is already known that forty
days corresponds to the period
of forty days prior to conception
[when the fate of the unborn child
is determined Sota 2a]. Thus,
the heavenly pillar [associated with
Moshiach (see the Zohar quoted
below)] lasts for forty days, akin to
the forty days of Moshe Rabbeinu,
alav hashalom. During this time,
the Neshama of Moshiach remains
concealed there [in Gan Eden].
After forty days, though, Moshiach
will merit that Neshama and it will
be revealed within him. He will
then recognize in himself that he is
Moshiach, something that eludes
him until then.
Thus, it states in Zohar that
after forty days, amuda yakim
(a pillar will stand up or rise),
meaning it will ascend (yistalek)
and Moshiach will be revealed. That
is, prior to that point he was not
recognized [as Moshiach], but at
that point he will be revealed. []
Similarly we find with regard to
Moshe Rabbeinu, alav hashalom,
who rose to the heavens body and
soul. Moshe remained there for forty
days to pave the way for another
Moshiach, so that he should merit
that Neshama and recognize in
himself that he is Moshiach.
Thus, it is said, Moshiach will
be revealed, but other men will
still not recognize him [as such].
Then, for a year, Moshiach will be
concealed body and soul within that
pillar, reminiscent of how Moshe
entered within the pillar of cloud.
He will then be taken up to the
heavens. Afterwards, Moshiach will
finally be fully revealed and only
then will he be recognized by others
as Moshiach.
(Rabbi Chaim Vitals Shaar
HaGilgulim Ch. 13, pg. 31)
Issue 1062 33
2017-03-21 11:45:10 AM
 TZIVOS HASHEM

A CAR TON IN
EXCHANGE FOR
A SUITCASE
Presented to mark the passing
of the Rebbe Rashab on Beis Nissan.
By Miri Levin

train entered The Rebbe did not offer doesnt look like a criminal,
The
The Rebbe Rashab an explanation. The confused decided Eliyahu.
Peters burg.
luggag e that Eliyahu was given a ticket with Can I offer you a
looked for his
in the cargo the number of the storage cigarette? Eliyahu held out
was stored
compartment. A suitcase full compartment where the his open box. The man did
of rare holy books was missing! suitcase had been placed . not hesitate. Within seconds,
Please bring me the he was puffing and his smoke
After much searching, the
suitcase, Eliyahu. joined Eliyahus smoke.
Rebbe left the train station in
great anguish. The holy books Eliyahu went to the train What are you doing here
were gone. station. He looked all around when there are no trains?
in bewilderment. Something the stranger asked Eliyahu in a
A few days later, a young
strange was going on here. No friendly way.
Chassid entered the Rebbes
room. Eliyahu! Its so good train was entering or leaving Rabbi Schneersohn sent
that you came. the station! And Eliyahu, me here to get his suitcase,
Eliyahu looked up in who had not heard about the said Eliyahu.
missing luggage, sat down to Interesting!
surprise. He had yet to tell
wait for the train with the The man put out his
the Rebbe about his urgent
suitcase on it. cigarette and said, You came
problem. It was good he had
come? Did the Rebbe have a Eliyahu removed a pack to just the right man. I am
solution to his problem? of cigarettes from his pocket the manager of the luggage
and lit one. An uncomfortable retrieval department at this
feeling suddenly came upon station. Show me the number
Here is the solution, said someone
him. There was on your ticket.
the Rebbe. Eliyahu will bring at him.
staring Eliyahus eyebrows rose
the suitcase from the train.
The man standing opposite in surprise. He pulled out
The solution? Suitcase?
him stared at his cigarette. He the ticket from his pocket
Train?

34 19 Adar 5777

1062_bm_eng.indd 34 2017-03-21 11:45:11 AM

 sat The image of Tzvi Gurary
and handed it over to the the cool ocean and then
eat someth ing. An came to mind. He lived in
manager. The man looked at it down to also a
and called over some workers. uncomfortable feeling suddenly Kremenchug and was
him. There was Chassid of the Rebbe Rashab.
Sasha and Roman, go to came upon
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
someone staring at him. He owned a factory that
the storage center and look for
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
History was repeating itself. manufactured cigarettes.
this number. He gave p.them he would want to buy
A man sat opposite him Maybe
42
the ticket. A few minutes later
goods his cigarette paper.
the men returned. Therep.is45no and stared at the baked
like Where did you buy this
suitcase with that number on in his hand. He doesnt look
a criminal, decided Eliyahu.
p. 47 R Yisroel Noach paper? asked R Gurary,
it.
curiously at Eliyahu.
Thats not possible, Can I offer you a cookie? looking
open In Kertz, was his answer.
said the manager. Search Eliyahu held out the
thoroughly. package. The man did not How much do you want
e. Within second s for it? asked R Gurary.
The men spent a longer hesitat
his crumbs joined Eliyahu s 10,000 rubles, said
time looking. I found it,
hantly , crumb s. Eliyahu . The amoun t of my
exclaimed Sasha triump
e They got to talking and loss.
as he lifted a heavy packag
his
under which was the missing Eliyahu told the man R Gurary shrugged in
situati on. He hoped that this refusal. 4000 rubles, he said
suitcase.
would be the storag e manag er
The Rebbe welcomed 4000? Eliyahu shook his
who dragge d the of Kertz who would help him head no. He would find a
Eliyahu
with his problem. better customer. But the best
suitcase with difficulty but
delight . Well, he wasnt the storag e offer Eliyahu could get was
with great
er but he was able to just 5000 rubles. What about
Now I owe you. What manag
help Eliyahu. the Rebbes promise?
would you like? asked the
You have 1000 rubles left At this same time, R
Rebbe.
Listen! The man sudden ly Gurary was traveling by
Eliyahu instantly recalled
stood up. I have an idea that wagon to Kertz. If Eliyahu had
the purpose of his coming. The
I need to check out. Come here gotten such good merchandise
suitcase wasnt the solution
tomorrow at this time. Dont there, why shouldnt he go to
and he needed urgent advice.
forget to bring more delicious the source?
I married a short time
cookies. Cigarette paper? There
ago, Eliyahu began tearfully.
The next day, two people is a shortage, said the
I received a dowry of 10,000 . cigarette seller to R Gurary
were waitin g for Eliyahu
rubles from my father-in-law.
Another storage manager! apologetically. There isnt
I invested most of the money
Not quite. any availab le even in other
into a failing business and the
money vanished. My wife and The other man was a paper locations.
her father are furious with me, merchant. In his bag was a None. Zero. Zilch.
and rightly so. What can I do? carton full of cigarette papers. That was the answer all the
Was Eliyahu interested in cigarette sellers gave him.
rubles?
How much money buying it for just 1000 If so, concluded R Gurary,
remains? asked the Rebbe. Eliyahu was not sure. then Eliyahu!
1000 rubles, said Eliyahu . Its a bargai n! the man He sent a telegram to
from yesterd ay said. Kreme nchug which said, Save
Go to Kertz and Hashem
will provide you with a good Eliyahu took out his the merch andise for me.
ing 1000 rubles and Payme nt: 10,00 0 rubles. Tzvi
parnasa. Just dont forget to remain
the carton and the money Gurary .
take food along with you.
Eliyahu went to Kertz exchanged hands. See Eliyahu the Rebbe
which was burning on that hot What would Eliyahu do with does not remain in debt.
summer day. He immer sed in a carton of cigarette papers?

1062_bm_eng.indd 5 2017-03-21 11:44:48 AM