LIVING WITH MOSHIACH, Parshat Toldot, 5755 B"H LIVING WITH MOSHIACH Weekly Digest About Moshiach PARSHAT TOLDOT Kislev 1, 5755 Nov. 4, 1994 * Published Weekly By Lubavitch Shluchim Conferences On The Moshiach Campaign, Committee For The Blind * * * 5755 "Year of Hakhel" ********************************************* * TO RECEIVE THIS PUBLICATION VIA INTERNET: * * E-Mail: yys@dorsai.org * * FOR CHABAD-LUBAVITCH IN CYBERSPACE: * * E-Mail: info@chabad.org * ********************************************* THIS PUBLICATION IS DEDICATED TO THE REBBE, RABBI MENACHEM M. SCHNEERSON OF LUBAVITCH "I BELIEVE WITH COMPLETE FAITH IN THE ARRIVAL OF THE MOSHIACH. AND THOUGH HE MAY TARRY, I SHALL WAIT EACH DAY, ANTICIPATING HIS ARRIVAL." Maimonides, Principles of the Faith, No. 12 ********************* * TABLE OF CONTENTS * ********************* Introduction The Weekly Torah Portion The Rebbe's Prophecy Rosh Chodesh Make Hakhel Gatherings Moshiach Matter **************** * INTRODUCTION * **************** We are pleased to present, to the visually impaired and the blind, the third issue of our weekly publication, Living with Moshiach. * On Friday of this week, we celebrate Rosh Chodesh Kislev, the new month of Kislev, therefore, we present an article that discusses the special relationship between Jewish women and Rosh Chodesh. * Our sincere appreciation to L'Chaim weekly publication, published by the Lubavitch Youth Organization, for allowing us to use their material. Also, many thanks to our copy editor, Reb Mordechai Staiman, for his tireless efforts. * It is our fervent hope that our learning about Moshiach and the Redemption will hasten the coming of Moshiach, NOW! Rabbi Yosef Y. Shagalov Administrator Committee for the Blind E-Mail: yys@dorsai.org 20 Cheshvan, 5755, Year of Hakhel Brooklyn, New York *************************************** * THE WEEKLY TORAH PORTION * * Adapted from the Works of the Rebbe * *************************************** PARSHAT TOLDOT In the course of this week's Torah portion, Toldot, the Torah relates that Isaac dug several wells to supply his family and animals with much-needed water. The first few wells he dug fell into the hands of the Philistines. Undeterred, Isaac dug more wells, in an attempt to uncover the "wells of living water." Isaac's calling was digging wells--removing earth and stones until fresh fountains of living water sprang up. Isaac's physical action paralleled his spiritual way of life. Spiritually, he was also a "digger of wells." Throughout his life he attempted to remove the "earth and stones," or the mask of materialism and corporeality of the physical world, thus revealing the "wells of living water," or the spirituality inherent in all matter. When working, Isaac was not dismayed by the seemingly endless dirt obstructing the springs of water. He was also undeterred by the antagonism of the Philistines. Moreover, even when several of the precious and hard-earned wells were captured by the Philistines, Isaac doggedly continued to dig. Logically, we might think that Isaac should have been discouraged by the obstacles in his path. The Philistines ruled the region where he lived. What is more, Isaac's attempts had repeatedly met with failure. However, Isaac did not stop to analyze the situation with cold logic. He knew that his Divine mission in life was to "dig wells" (in the spiritual as well as the physical sense) and he committed himself to this task with self-sacrificing devotion and with the conviction that he would eventually reach the source of "living water." Isaac's mission in life teaches us that we must continually try to influence others in matters pertaining to Judaism. It might even be necessary to "dig beneath the surface" until their hidden "fountains of living water"--their Jewish souls--spring forth of their own accord. However, one must not be dismayed if earth and dust meet the eye; like our forefather Isaac, we must not be deterred by difficulties. Chasidic philosophy emphasizes that there is a Divine spark within each and every Jew. Hence, we are like Isaac, who strove to reveal hidden wells, and with selfless devotion and determination we will eventually reach a "fountain of living water"--the G-dliness within us all. ************************ * THE REBBE'S PROPHECY * ************************ The Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson of Lubavitch, issued a call that "THE TIME OF OUR REDEMPTION HAS ARRIVED!" and "MOSHIACH IS ON HIS WAY!" The Rebbe stressed that he is saying this AS A PROPHECY, and asks us all to prepare ourselves for the Redemption, through increasing acts of goodness and kindness. LET US ALL HEED THE REBBE'S CALL. ******************************************* * IN LOVING MEMORY OF MY DEAR GRANDFATHER * * * * Reb Shmuel Pesach Ben Reb Yaakov Dovid * * Passed away on 3 Tishrei, 5755 * * Pais * ******************************************* **************** * ROSH CHODESH * **************** On Friday of this week, we celebrate Rosh Chodesh Kislev, the new month of Kislev. Rosh Chodesh is celebrated as a mini-holiday, with special prayers and finer food and clothing. But it is the Jewish women, in particular, who observe Rosh Chodesh more meticulously. What is the reason for the Jewish women's more careful celebration of Rosh Chodesh. Rabbi Eliezer wrote: "When the men came to remove their wives' gold earrings for the Golden Calf the women refused to hand them over. They said to their husbands, 'We will not obey you in order to make an abomination which has no power to save!' G-d rewarded them in this world, in giving them a greater degree of observance on Rosh Chodesh, and He rewards them in the World to Come in giving them the power of constant renewal, which characterizes [the renewal of the moon on] Rosh Chodesh." On a more general note, the Jewish calendar is a lunar one, and our people are compared to the moon. Though our light is sometimes eclipsed by that of other nations, like the moon we are always present--at night and during the day. Our nation's history has its share of growth and decline like the moon we wax and wane. But ultimately, these are just phases. For, though at times we seem to be as unimportant or insignificant as the sliver of the moon when it reappears, this is just a veneer. May we sanctify the new moon this year and celebrate Rosh Chodesh in the Holy Temple with Moshiach. ************************** * MAKE HAKHEL GATHERINGS * ************************** This year is a Hakhel year. Hakhel means literally "assembly." Immediately before and numerous times during the last Hakhel year (in 5748, 1987-8), the Rebbe stressed the importance of holding gatherings and assemblies that would unite and unify Jews. Men, women and even little children were charged with this mitzvah. Make a gathering for friends and family during this Hakhel year; all the better if you do it on a regular basis! Incorporate into the gathering the "three pillars upon which the world stands"-- Torah study, prayer and charity. Share a thought from the Rebbe, say a prayer for the Redemption, and give charity, even a few coins, to a worthy cause. ******************** * MOSHIACH MATTERS * ******************** Our Sages relate that, "In the merit of the righteous women, the Jews were redeemed from Egypt." Similarly, the Sages associated subsequent redemptions with the merit of Jewish women. Rabbi Yitzchak Luria emphasized that the future Redemption will follow the pattern of the Exodus, and thus will also come as a result of the merit of the righteous women of that generation. From Women as Partners in the Dynamic of Creation =========================================================== = End of Text: Living With Moshiach, Parshat Toldot, 5755 = ===========================================================