LIVING WITH MOSHIACH, Parshat Chayei Sarah, 5756 B"H LIVING WITH MOSHIACH Weekly Digest About Moshiach PARSHAT CHAYEI SARAH Cheshvan 24, 5756 Nov. 17, 1995 * Published Weekly By Lubavitch Shluchim Conferences On The Moshiach Campaign, Committee For The Blind * * * 5756 *********************************************** * 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 One Little Girl Chof Cheshvan Please Tell Me What the Rebbe Said ****************** * INTRODUCTION * ****************** We are pleased to present, to the visually impaired and the blind, our weekly publication, Living With Moshiach. * In this week's issue, we bring a story related by the Rebbe, about the spiritual powers of a single Shabbat candle. * Our sincere appreciation to L'Chaim weekly publication, published by the Lubavitch Youth Organization, and to the publishers of Sichos In English, for allowing us to use their material. * 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 14 Cheshvan, 5756 Brooklyn, New York ***************************************** * THE WEEKLY TORAH PORTION * * Adapted from the Works of the Rebbe * ***************************************** PARSHAT CHAYEI SARAH This week's Torah portion, Chayei Sarah, contains an account of the first marriage mentioned in the Torah. This marriage, between Isaac and Rivkah, affected and is a lesson for the Jewish people as a whole, and indeed the future of the entire nation which was to follow. In a spiritual sense, this union between the two progenitors of the Jewish nation, symbolizes the relationship between the two components of each individual--the body and the soul. Rivkah was from Charan, a place which was primarily materialistic. Isaac, on the other hand, symbolizes the spiritual dimension, as he had already been consecrated as a "perfect offering" by his willingness to be sacrificed upon the altar. Their marriage epitomized the unity between these two contradictory concepts. A Jew's soul, even when enclothed in a physical body, is totally at one with G-d, for it is "an actual part of G-d." The mission for which it is sent down into this corporeal world is to bring about a change in the material realm, elevating physical objects by performing mitzvot. This unity of the spiritual and the physical is achieved when the light of the soul is reflected within the body, and the body becomes nullified to the demands of the soul. Ultimately, the unity achieved between body and soul should extend to the point that it is obvious that all of a person's activities are performed by both in tandem. Afterwards, this unity should be extended into the world at large, so as to encompass every dimension of existence in the entire world. In this manner, the Jew acts as G-d's emissary, transforming the world into a dwelling place for G-dliness. Thus, the Jew becomes an extension of G-dliness, in the same way that an emissary shares a single purpose and a single identity with the one who sent him on his mission. The ultimate goal of this unity between the spiritual and the physical is the Era of Redemption, when this unity will be open and apparent. Our task as Jews is to hasten this process by doing mitzvot and studying Torah, for it was the giving of the Torah which allowed for the possibility of such unity. Prior to the Torah's revelation on Mount Sinai, spirituality and physicality, body and soul, were two distinct entities which could not merge. When Moshiach comes, speedily in our day, the unity achieved through our Torah service will be revealed in the world at large, and the union between body and soul will be consummated. As the children of Isaac and Rivkah, every dimension of our existence should therefore be permeated by the awareness of this Divine mission, to make this world a proper dwelling place for G-d. ************************ * 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 GRANDPARENTS, * * * * Reb Shmuel Pesach Ben Reb Yaakov Dovid * * Passed away on 3 Tishrei, 5755 * * * * Mrs. Fraidel Chedvah Bas Reb Zev Wolf * * Passed away on 4 Adar II, 5755 * * Pais * ********************************************* ********************* * ONE LITTLE GIRL * ********************* The following true story is adapted from a talk given by the Rebbe during the fall of 1976. The little Israeli girl was only five years old. One day, in school, a visitor from Chabad told her class about lighting Shabbat candles. Although she and her classmates were far below the age of Bat Mitzvah, declared the young woman, they could nonetheless participate in this mitzvah. When the little girl came home that Friday, and excitedly told her mother about her new discovery, her mother replied that she knew nothing about this whole business (she had received no Jewish education whatsoever). "Did you ever hear of such a thing!?" exclaimed the mother angrily, "A little girl should want to do things that her own mother doesn't do, and bring new ideas into the house!" But we all know what young children are like. The little girl started to cry and she pleaded with her mother. "I'm not asking you to do anything. All I'm asking is that you should let me do it. I have a candle-holder; they gave me one in school. I know the blessing; they also gave me a paper with the instructions on when and how to light the candle. Please let me light it!" Mother gave in. "Alright, do whatever you want. But stop crying, and leave me in peace." Our little girl was overjoyed. She put the candle on the dining room table, lit it herself, made the blessing, and was in seventh heaven! She went around from one member of the family to the other, warning each one of them in her childish but serious way, that no one should touch her candle or blow it out. When mother and father saw that it wasn't so terrible after all, they let her light the candle the next Friday without any fuss. The little girl again lit it with the same delight and enthusiasm as the first week, and her infectious joy spread to the rest of the family. A few weeks went by. One Friday the father said that "it just somehow didn't seem right" to have the television on with the little one walking around the house singing Shabbat songs, and with the candle burning on the table. While the candle was lit, he could not bring himself to turn on the television. Some time later the telephone rang and mother did not answer it, because the candle was still lit. Weeks later mother surveyed the Friday night scene and decided that something was wrong. How strange it looked to see just the single candle burning on the table, to see her little daughter full of joy and telling everyone that it was a holy day, etc. while she, the mother, was busy as if it were just an ordinary day. "It just doesn't seem right! I'm going to start lighting candles too!" Once she started lighting candles, she could not bring herself to turn on the oven. "After all, I have just declared in the blessing that it is the Holy Shabbat; how can I now go ahead with making supper --and turn the oven on or off in violation of the Sabbath?" No one likes cold food; so mother started to make "cholent" (the traditional Shabbat stew allowed to cook from Friday afternoon until Shabbat afternoon) for the midday meal. Naturally, the whole "cholent" procedure affected the way they did things and the meals they ate the next day too. Later, mother decided that since she was now lighting candles, she would dress up in honor of the Friday night atmosphere. And so it went on. From one thing to another. From one aspect of Shabbat to another. From one small candle lit by one little girl following a scene and tears; to refraining from doing work while the candle was still burning; to the mother's beginning to light Shabbat candles; from there to the wearing of nicer clothes in honor of Shabbat; and on to refraining from all types of work prohibited on Shabbat. Eventually the entire family and household became transformed. This family has now returned completely to their tradition and heritage. All, because of the light of one Shabbat candle! ******************* * CHOF CHESHVAN * ******************* Monday, the 20th of Cheshvan (Nov. 13), is the birthday of Rabbi Sholom Dov Ber (1860-1920), the fifth Chabad-Lubavitch Rebbe, known as the Rebbe Rashab. There is a beautiful story concerning the Rebbe Rashab, illustrating the high esteem in which he held every Jew. One of the Rebbe Rashab's followers, Reb Monye Monissohn, was a wealthy gem dealer. Once, when they were sitting together, the Rebbe spoke very highly about some simple, unlearned Jews. "Why do you make such a fuss about them?" Reb Monye asked the Rebbe. "Each one of them has many special and noble qualities," explained the Rebbe. "I can't see any of these qualities," said Reb Monye. The Rebbe remained silent. A while later, he asked Reb Monye if he had brought his package of diamonds with him. Indeed, Reb Monye had brought the diamonds, but asked the Rebbe if he could display them later, when they could be seen to their best advantage. Later, Reb Monye took the Rebbe into a different room and arranged the diamonds for him to see. Reb Monye pointed to one gem in particular, extolling its beautiful color and quality. "I can't see anything special in it," the Rebbe said. "That is because you have to be a "maven" to know how to look at diamonds!" explained Reb Monye. "Every Jew, too, is something beautiful and extra-ordinary," the Rebbe said. "But you have to be a maven to know how to look at him." **************************************** * PLEASE TELL ME WHAT THE REBBE SAID * * Weekly Torah Insights For Children, * * Adapted from the Works of the Rebbe * **************************************** PARSHAT CHAYEI SARAH In this week's Torah portion, Chayei Sarah, we read that Yitzchok Avinu [our patriarch] married Rivkah. Sarah Imeinu [our matriarch] had passed away, and Yitzchok Avinu was still mourning the death of his great mother. But soon after he married Rivkah, he was comforted, because he saw how special she was. How did Yitzchok know? There were three signs. When Rivkah entered Yitzchok's tent, a cloud of glory hovered above. Yitzchok Avinu said, "While my mother was alive, a cloud of glory always rested upon her tent. But it disappeared when she died." Yitzchok watched for other signs. They came very soon. As Rivkah baked the challah for Shabbat, she modestly told Yitzchok: "There seems to have been a special blessing in the dough, it rose so well." Yitzchok Avinu was overjoyed. He recalled that his mother's dough had the same blessing. By the end of the week the third sign was clear. Rivkah's Shabbat candles burned all week long, just as Sarah's had. During the entire week, Yitzchok and Rivkah felt the holiness which came from the light of the Shabbat candles. Every mitzvah which we perform brings light into the world, as it says: Ner mitzvah veTorah Or: "Mitzvot are like candles and Torah is light." But we don't always see or feel this light. The Shabbat candles are special, because we can actually see their light, the light of the mitzvah, shining in our homes. When we watch the peaceful flickering of the Shabbat candles, we understand and feel the special holiness that comes with this mitzvah. Can you imagine how wonderful it would be if this holiness could last the whole week? Well, that's what Sarah and Rivkah felt. This happens in our homes too. The Shabbat candles bring us feelings of joy and peace. Although we may be very rushed and busy on some Fridays, our homes suddenly become calm as soon as we light the Shabbat candles. And this light remains even after the Shabbat ends. Even though we can't actually see their light throughout the following week, as Sarah and Rivkah did, it's still there, making our homes peaceful and happy. Rivkah Imeinu's Shabbat candles brought this holiness when she was only three years old! This set an example for all Jewish girls. As soon as a little girl reaches the age of three--or as soon as she understands the meaning of lighting candles--she should light her own Shabbat candle. This will bring light and holiness into her home and into the entire world. ================================================================= = End of Text: Living With Moshiach, Parshat Chayei Sarah, 5756 = =================================================================