***************************************************************** L'CHAIM ISSUE No. 7 ***************************************************************** 12 Iyar, 5748 Parshat Acharei-Kedoshim April 29, 1988 ***************************************************************** THE WEEKLY PUBLICATION FOR EVERY JEWISH PERSON Dedicated to the memory of Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka Schneerson N.E. ***************************************************************** REJOICE IT'S ELECTION TIME Election fever, initiated by the Presidential Primaries here, has officially arrived in New York. Across the nation, people have been gearing up for the presidential elections for, why the past few years at least! Now, why is it that the elections cause so much commotion? One reason is probably that they don't come all that often, only once in four years. Do you remember all the excitement surrounding the 100th anniversary of the Brooklyn Bridge? And what about the Bi-Centennial in 1976? Now that was a celebration to remember. Can you imagine what it would be like to celebrate something that only happens once in 1,000 years! Well, start celebrating. This Jewish year, 5748 is written with the Hebrew letters that spell the word *Tismach* or *Tesamach*, meaning "You shall rejoice" or "You shall make others rejoice." The last time there was a year called "Tismach" was one thousand years ago. So, this year is quite unique. In keeping with the year's exceptional nature we should learn from its name and infuse every activity with an extra measure of joy. "Joy breaks all boundaries," say our sages. "Serve G-d with joy" they add. With so many reasons to be happy, there's no excuse not to be. So, even if your candidate doesn't win, REJOICE! ***************************************************************** LIVING WITH THE TIMES ***************************************************************** THE WEEKLY TORAH PORTION ***************************************************************** The two Torah portions for this week are Acharei and Kedoshim. Acharei begins by mentioning the death of Aaron's sons, and continues with a discussion of the sacrifices. Finally, it ends with a list of prohibited sexual relations. The portion of Kedoshim is a summary of many of the essential principles of the Torah. Included among them is the famous dictum, "Love your neighbor as [you would love] yourself." (Leviticus 19:18). To the average person, this commandment seems utterly detached from reality. How can one possibly be expected to love another person as much as he loves himself? Chasidic teachings suggest that one view all Jews as if they were a complete person. Some Jews correspond to the head, others the body, and still others, the feet. If you've ever had a headache, you'll readily admit that the pain affects not just your head, but your entire body. And an ingrown toenail can cause an inability to think or concentrate. The body, with all its organs and limbs, is a totally integrated system. The Jewish people are an integrated body. Every Jew has a part of himself within his fellow Jew. In loving another Jew, he is actually showing love for himself. A chasid, Rabbi Shlomo Bay'ever, once related a story that the Baal Shem Tov said: I call as my witness heaven and earth that when the Heavenly Court was judging a case involving a man having against him a serious charge, a man who was so simple that he only knew how to pray and recite Psalms, yet was exceptional in his love of fellow Jew with all the faculties of his soul: in thought--always thinking thoughts of love of fellow Jews; in speech--speaking of love of fellow Jew; in deed--benefitting everyone to the best of his ability; sharing the sorrow of every Jew, man or woman, and rejoicing in their joy, that the verdict handed down by the Heavenly Court was that he is to have a place among the righteous scholars whom our Sages said were lovers of Israel." The sigh of a Jew over the suffering of another Jew breaks all barriers, and the joy and blessings which one rejoices in another's happiness, is as acceptable by G-d as the prayer of the High Priest in the Holy of Holies. A beautiful custom and practical way to foster love of a fellow Jew is to say each morning: I take upon myself the positive commandment of "Love your fellow like yourself." What a way to start the day! Adapted from the works of the Lubavitcher Rebbe. ***************************************************************** SLICE OF LIFE ***************************************************************** HERMAN BRANOVER PROFESSOR MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMICS "Natural science is my craft, and I was educated from childhood on a basis of rational thought." So writes Herman Branover, a modest but world-famous professor of magnetohydrodynamics at the University of the Negev, Israel. "But," he continues, "belief springs spontaneously in the human spirit. There occurs a moment in everyone's life when the presence of the Creator is felt." Against all odds Branover became a fully observant Jew, and then succeeded in getting out of the Soviet Union and into Israel in 1972. He went on to lecture to audiences in the Western world only to be assailed by incredulous questioners: "But do you really put on tefillin every day and pray? Does your wife prepare kosher food and light Shabbos candles? All this while you're living in the modern world?" At first, such questions infuriated Branover. But when he found that people were genuinely interested in how he became observant, he wrote his life story ("Return") which preceded him to Israel by ten years. Branover was schooled in the Soviet system and learned to prove that religion was nonsense. But, as he was rising to the peak of a successful academic career, he felt compelled to involve himself in something authentically Jewish. His voracious appetite for philosophy and his speculations about science led to points of dissatisfaction. He even explored nature. Then he began to look to Jewish sources. As he became involved with clandestine groups of Lubavitchers in Russia, Branover started to learn Chabad Chasidic philosophy (Chasidus). Initially, he said, it was not easy to study. But, with encouragement, perseverance and some kindly help, he began relating Chasidus to his feelings about being a Jew. The meditations on nature, the philosophical speculations of the great minds, the striving for academic perfection did not answer his needs. In Chasidus he found answers. Branover writes about Notke, a Lubavitcher whom he met in 1964. "He symbolized the quintessence of Judaism, Torah, a Jewish way of life...It amazed me that his man, without having completed high school, was able to talk for hours about philosophical difficulties in explaining the creation of matter ex nihilo, about time as one of the dimensions of the physical world, and about the necessity for the soul to master and control the body. "Once I asked him how he had arrived at all this, and he burst out laughing in reply. "I don't make this up by myself. It's all written." "Where?" "Here, in this book that I study." He showed me a pocket-sized book. "This is Tanya, the major book of the first Chabad Rebbe." "And you studied it?" "No. I am studying it." "For how long?" "For a few decades." Branover has tried to do his scientific research in areas that would be of benefit to Israel. He is one of the world's authorities in his field and his work in energy has brought him into con- tact with the U.S. government as well. In his current research into solar energy, Branover hopes that Israel will be enabled to reduce pollution, and dependence on foreign oil by using a free natural resource--sunlight. Excerpted from the "Uforotzto Journal" and Branover's book, "Return"; Feldheim Publishers. ***************************************************************** WHAT'S NEW? ***************************************************************** LAG B'OMER PARADE A grand Lag B'omer parade, this year on Thursday, May 5, will take place in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. An estimated crowd of 25,000 will attend the parade which features marching bands, floats, clowns, and a fair. Children from schools and youth groups throughout the metropolitan area will march down Kingston Avenue, where giant scenes from 3,300 years of Jewish history will be displayed. For more information call (718) 467-6630 or 735-0215. LAG B'OMER ODYSSEY A seminar sponsored by the Ascent Institute in Zefat, Israel, will take place on May 3-6. The four day event includes the study of Zohar (the mystical teachings of Judaism) and a hike to Meron-- burial place of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, author of the Zohar. STONE'S THROW FROM TEL AVIV A new Chabad Center was established recently in Ohr Yehudah, a 20-minute ride from Tel Aviv. At the opening ceremonies was Israel's chief rabbi, HaRav Mordechai Eliyahu, who affixed the mezuzah to the front door. The director of the center is Rabbi Tuvia Bolton, originally from Detroit, Michigan. TUNE IN TO TORAH With a telephone and a few spare minutes you can give your day a Jewish boost. There are four different topics to choose from: Weekly Torah Portion-953-4040; Rambam-735-0441; Rambam's Book of Commandments-363-0450; Tanya (Chasidic Philosophy)-953-6100. All area codes are (718). This project is sponsored by Sichos in English and is carried worldwide. ***************************************************************** INSIGHTS ***************************************************************** LOVING OTHERS MORE THAN YOURSELF A story, told of Reb Mendel of Vizhnitz, illustrates the true meaning of the commandment to love one's fellow Jew as oneself. His daughter, who lived in a far-off town, was suddenly stricken with a severe illness. His anxiety was tremendous, and he prayed for her recovery with great intensity. Later, after she recovered, he regretted his behavior, and took it as proof that he was at a low level of spiritual development. He explained his reasoning to his son, Reb Boruch. "The commandment to love another as oneself must be fulfilled literally --love for the other person exactly as for yourself. The other person's problems, then, must concern you as much as your own." "My intense grief made me realize that I had not yet attained this level," he continued. "Every day I receive letters relating the pain and difficulties of others. Since my daughter's condition was of greater concern to me than their's, I obviously have a long way to go." LOVE YOUR FELLOW WHAT? How is it possible for a person--and since the Torah speaks to everyone, every person--to reach such a level? Chasidic philosophy explains that one must love one's fellow Jew because of his soul. Your love is simply because he has a Jewish soul. In addition, all Jewish souls are intertwined. They may be compared to the limbs of the body--dependent upon one another and all necessary in order to have a complete, healthy body. Should one injure a foot, for example, the head has good reason to take notice. Should infection set in, the entire body is affected. The head's interest in the foot is not just altruistic; it is concerned for itself. So too, each soul corresponds to a single limb, all of which are interdependent. The love and concern for another is therefore not only as for oneself--it is quite literally for oneself, since we are all part of one complete unit. EVEN LOVE YOURSELF There is yet a deeper level to this mitzvah. When something negative occurs, the Torah approach is to accept it with calm faith. With some honest self-examination, the one on the receiving end will certainly be able to find some personal lack which could warrant such a response from Above. This, however, only applies when examining oneself. When looking at others, one must always judge them favorably. Even should the person have character traits or behavior in obvious need of urgent repair, perhaps the environment is to blame; perhaps their education was faulty; perhaps they were born with a particularly difficult and troublesome nature. We can always find a way to excuse the other person's behavior. For ourselves, however, the negative may not be rationalized and personal responsibility may not be evaded. Therefore, our feeling for the other one is not only as for ourselves; it is even greater than for ourselves. The other person certainly deserves the best of everything. When examining ourselves, however, we are not necessarily as deserving. Early chasidim therefore had a saying, "you must love yourself as much as you love the other person." The attitude mentioned above was ingrained to the extent that love for the other person was obvious and natural. Only upon meditation could the opposite be attained--love for oneself as well. ***************************************************************** WHAT'S IN A NAME? ***************************************************************** CHANINA is Aramaic, meaning gracious or compassionate. Rabbi Chanina b. Dosa (3rd century c.e.) said, "He whose good deeds exceed his wisdom, his wisdom will be permanent; but he whose wisdom exceeds his good deeds, his wisdom will not be permanent. (Ethics of the Fathers 3:12) CHANA means grace or gracious. Chana was the mother of Samuel the prophet (I Samuel 1:2). Another Chana, from Chanukah times, was known for her bravery in encouraging her seven sons not to bow down to idols despite certain death. Chana was also the name of the Lubavitcher Rebbe's mother. ***************************************************************** A WORD FROM THE DIRECTOR ***************************************************************** On Sunday, May 1, we will be celebrating Pesach Sheni--the Second Passover. Every year, on the fourteenth of Nisan, the Jews brought the Passover offering. This commandment was incumbent upon each Jew. However, the Jews who were spiritually unclean, were forbidden to participate. They therefore complained, and cried out to Moshe, "Why should we be different?"--How are we to achieve a similar level of closeness with G-d? Moshe, through Divine direction, informed them that, in fact, they would have a chance. On the fourteenth of Iyar they could bring the Passover offering. This incident offers two lessons to us: The Previous Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Schneersohn, explained that Pesach Sheni proves that it is "never too late"; we always have a chance to make amends, improve. An additional lesson relates to the way in which Pesach Sheni came about. According to midrashic literature, the laws concerning Pesach Sheni were already, "written in the Heavens." A new law wasn't created, G-d was just waiting for the people to request it. Why is this so important? It is similar to the Third Holy Temple, which is all "ready to go" and missing only that we cry out for it. It is similar, also, to Moshiach, who is "just waiting for the signal" from us. But, we must also remember that our request can not be done mechanically.It must be with the same quality of earnestness that our ancestors exhibited when they requested Pesach Sheni. Rabbi Shmuel Butman ***************************************************************** IT HAPPENED ONCE ***************************************************************** Rabbi Hillel the Elder was a descendent of King David and leader of the Jewish people. He was well known for his *ahavas yisroel*--simple, all-encompassing love of every Jew. Among many of the famous stories told about Hillel are the following two: Once a non-Jew came to Hillel's contemporary, Shammai and said: "I want to be a Jew on one condition. Teach me the entire Torah while I am standing on one foot!" Shammai was incensed by what he considered the man's insolence. For, a person can learn Torah his entire life and still not learn everything. Shammai took the yardstick in his hand and drove the non-Jew out of his school. Boldly, the man went to Hillel's House of Study and said: I want to be a Jew, on the condition that you teach me the whole Torah while I stand on one foot." Hillel looked at him and said, "Good, I will do as you say!" The convert then stood on one foot while Hillel taught him, "What is hateful to you, don't do to others. This is the entire Torah. Now, go and learn all the laws so that you will know what to do and what not to do." The convert went and learned. *** Once, two men were sitting together discussing the reputation of their leader, Rabbi Hillel. "Hillel never becomes angry, not with anyone or about anything," said the first. The second said, "I am going to irritate him until he becomes angry and chastises me." "I don't believe you can. I'll bet 400 zuz you can't manage to anger Hillel," wagered the first. The second man laughed and said, "The money is mine already. I know how to aggravate him!" That Friday, when Rabbi Hillel was busy preparing for Shabbos, the man came to his house and shouted, "Where is Hillel? Hillel thought, "Maybe someone has an important question that needs to be answered immediately." Though in the middle of his bath, Hillel dressed himself, went out and quietly asked the man, "My son, what is it you request?" Said the man, "I have a question to ask." "Ask, my son, ask." "Why are the heads of the Babylonians round?" he asked, all the while thinking how angry Hillel would become such a foolish question on the Sabbath eve. But Hillel answered patiently, "My son, that is a difficult and big question. It is because the midwives do not know how to deliver babies properly." The man left and returned an hour later. Again he shouted, "Where is Hillel?" This time too, Hillel wasn't angered. He dressed and went out. "My son, what do you need?" The man said, "I have a question to ask. Why are the Tharmudians' eyes narrow and almost closed?" "My son," Hillel responded, "the answer is that they live in a city where much sand is blown by the wind. G-d created them in this manner to protect their eyes." The man left and came back in a while, calling for Hillel again. Hillel asked calmly, "My son, what is your question?" "Why do Africans have wide feet?" This time, too, Hillel answered patiently, "My son, they live in a place with much mud. G-d made their feet wide so they wouldn't slip in the mud." The man saw he wasn't angering Hillel, so he thought, "Now I will speak to him with chutzpah and curse him! Then surely he will become angry and I will win the money." He said to Hillel, "I have many questions to ask, but I am afraid you will be angry with me." Hillel invited the man to sit, so they could speak easily. "All the questions that you have, ask." "You are Hillel, who is called the leader of Israel?" "Yes." "Would that there shouldn't be more of your kind in Israel." Disregarding the insult, Hillel asked, "My son, why?" Said the man, in disgust, "Because of you I lost 400 zuz. My friend promised to give me that money if I could make you angry." Cautioned Hillel. "It is better that you should lose out on 400 zuz and twice that amount, than that you would be successful at angering Hillel." ***************************************************************** THOUGHTS THAT COUNT ***************************************************************** "On the Tenth day of the seventh month you shall afflict your-selves" (16:29). The Apter Rov author of "Ohev Yisrael" used to say: "Were I only to have the authority I would annul all the fast days on the Jewish calendar with two exceptions. Those are the Ninth of Av, date of the destruction of the Temple--for who can eat on such a day--and Yom Kippur (the tenth day of the seventh month), the holiest day of the year--for who needs to eat on such a day?" *** "... Keep my decrees and laws, since it is only by keeping them that a man can truly live" (18:5). The Torah spells the word "Otam--them" without the usual "Vav," leaving only the letters of the word "Emet," "Truth." This indicates that if one makes truth the byword and mainstay of his life, he is guaranteed to see the fulfillment of the end of the verse, and thereby "truly live." (Degel Machne Ephraim) *** "You Shall love your neighbor as yourself" (19:18). The Alm-ghty loves every single Jew with the love which elderly parents have for the child born to them in their advanced years. (Baal Shem Tov) *****************************************************************