LIVING WITH MOSHIACH, Parshat Shemot, 5756 B"H LIVING WITH MOSHIACH Weekly Digest About Moshiach PARSHAT SHEMOT Tevet 20, 5756 Jan. 12, 1996 * 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 The Rambam It Happened Once Please Tell Me What the Rebbe Said A Call to Action ****************** * INTRODUCTION * ****************** We are pleased to present, to the visually impaired and the blind, our weekly publication, Living With Moshiach. * In this week's issue, our feature presentation focuses on the Rambam, whose yahrtzeit is on this Friday, the 20th of Tevet, January 12. * 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. 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 8 Tevet, 5756 Brooklyn, New York ***************************************** * THE WEEKLY TORAH PORTION * * Adapted from the Works of the Rebbe * ***************************************** Parshat Shemot One of Pharaoh's harshest decrees against the Jews in Egypt was his order to throw every newborn male child into the Nile, as related in this week's Torah portion, Shemot. The Passover Haggadah, read each year during the seder, adds the following insight: " 'And our burden'--this recalls the drowning of the male children, as it is said, 'Every son that is born you shall cast into the river, but every daughter you shall keep alive.' " Our Sages explain that the word burden is equated with the raising and educating of children, implying the preeminent responsibility resting on the shoulders of Jewish parents. Our Sages understood that great effort must be expended in order to rear Jewish children properly. Both parents and teachers must share involvement in this holy task, investing much time and energy to ensure a younger generation that will develop properly and continue the Jewish way of life. And yet, together with the recognition that raising Jewish children is hard work, the Torah promises that the rewards we reap will be well worth the effort. In fact, the more self-sacrifice a parent has on behalf of his children's Jewish education, the more he is assured that his children will be strong in their Judaism and untouched by Pharaoh's evil decree, whether thousands of years ago or today. It was precisely those Jewish children born under the threat of extinction in Egypt who were the first to recognize G-d at the splitting of the Red Sea, declaring, "This is my G-d and I will extol him." Why should raising Jewish children require so much effort? Because our children are the foundation upon which the entire Jewish nation rests. "From the mouths of babes and sucklings You have founded strength." This secret has long been known to our enemies, who, from time immemorial, have sought to eradicate Jewish schools. It was for this very reason that in communist Russia the authorities tried especially hard to suppress Torah learning in schools attended by the youngest of Jewish children. "They have plenty of time to learn Torah when they grow up," the communists claimed, knowing full well that the Jewish child's formative years spent in a Torah-true atmosphere posed the greatest threat to the atheistic regime. In the Talmud, a man by the name of Yehoshua ben Gamla is remembered for all time because of his educational innovation --the institution of publicly funded Torah classes for children, commencing at the age of five or six, in all cities and lands where Jews dwelled. Thousands of years later his name is still revered because of this accomplishment. Jewish parents must therefore do all in their power-- physically, spiritually and monetarily--to ensure that their children are enrolled in schools where they will be instilled with our timeless Jewish values. For the education of our children is indeed our "burden"; at times, personal sacrifice may be required. In the merit of this, we will raise a generation of Jews who will again be the first to recognize G-d, in the complete and Final Redemption with the coming of Moshiach, speedily in our day. ************************ * 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 * ********************************************* **************** * THE RAMBAM * **************** = 1 = "From Moses to Moses there arose none like Moses." The first Moses to which this quote refers was the great prophet and Jewish leader, Moses. The second was Moses Maimonides, otherwise known as the Rambam, an acronym for Rabbi Moshe Ben Maimon. Born on the day before Passover, 1135, in Cordova, Spain, the Rambam passed away on the 20th of Tevet, 1204, this year, Friday, January 12. Maimonides was known in the Jewish world as a great Talmudist and scholar. He served as chief rabbi of Egypt, the land to which he moved in his early thirties. He authored numerous books and treatises, including The Guide for the Perplexed, a commentary on the Mishnah, and the Sefer HaMitzvot (Book of Mitzvot). Eleven years ago, the Rebbe urged all Jews to study every day a section of the Rambam's magnum opus, Mishneh Torah (a code of Jewish law), or at least the briefer Sefer HaMitzvot. Today, the Mishneh Torah, or the briefer Sefer HaMitzvot, is studied daily by hundreds of thousands of Jews--men, women and children--around the world. The Rambam's fame and influence transcended the Jewish world. He was also internationally acclaimed as a philosopher and physician. In fact, he served as royal physician to the court of Saladin. He authored over fifteen works on the theory and practice of medicine, including one on asthma and another about poisons. When the Rambam passed away, he was mourned by Jews and Moslems alike in Egypt, and Jews throughout the entire world. He was buried in the holy city of Tiberias in the northern part of Israel. By studying his works we can be united with his spirit. = 2 = A few years ago, when the Rambam's yahrtzeit also came out on a Friday, that Shabbat the Rebbe discussed the following concepts: "The name Rambam is an acronym for the Hebrew words meaning, "I will multiply My wonders in the land of Egypt," an allusion to the wonders associated with Redemption. Similarly, the Rambam's spiritual service involved giving Jews in Egypt--in the night of exile--a foretaste of the Redemption. "Firstly, he lived in Egypt and it was there that he composed his magnum opus, the Mishneh Torah (a code of Jewish law). As he explained in his Introduction, the Mishneh Torah was composed because of the difficulties of exile, because the Jews were unable to derive halachic rulings from the Talmud and needed an auxiliary source. Nevertheless, the text that the Rambam composed gave the Jews a foretaste of the Redemption--reflected in the fact that it includes laws that will only be relevant in the Era of the Redemption when the Holy Temple will be rebuilt and in the conclusion of the text that focuses directly on the Era of the Redemption. "Since on the yahrtzeit of a tzaddik, "the totality of his deeds, teachings, and service is revealed and... 'brings about salvation in the depths of the earth,'" it follows that the Rambam's yahrtzeit grants us further potential to anticipate the Redemption. "The above is particularly relevant in the present age when the Jewish people have completed the service required of them in exile. Everything is ready for the Redemption --all that is lacking is for G-d to open the eyes of the Jews and allow them to realize that they are sitting at the feast of the Redemption." The Rebbe concluded: "There is no need for any further delay, and without any interruption we will soon proceed from the present era to the Era of the Redemption. The very next moment can be the last moment of the exile and the first moment of that Era. As a catalyst for this, we must reflect an attitude of Redemption in our lives, showing how even within the exile, we can experience Redemption." ********************** * IT HAPPENED ONCE * ********************** The following story is told about how it was "decided" where the Rambam's final resting place should be: People from all over gathered in Egypt to attend the funeral of the great Rambam. When the procession was over, a discussion erupted as to where to bury him. The Rambam had only requested to be buried in the Holy Land. No mention was made as to which city should be his final resting place. Representatives of different cities in the Holy Land came forward, each one arguing that the Rambam should be buried in their city. Because no solution to the problem at hand was in sight, everyone agreed to begin taking the coffin toward Israel, hoping that along the way they might come upon a solution for this problem. The coffin was perched atop a sturdy camel and, with hundreds joining the caravan, made its way toward the Holy Land. One of the most difficult and dangerous parts of desert travel was the constant fear of being overtaken by one of the many bands of highway robbers who attacked travelers. As it began to get dark, the pace of the caravan quickened. Everyone hoped that they would find a relatively safe place to camp for the evening. Their fears were well founded though, for within a short while, the sound of hoof beats were heard, coming closer and closer. "We're being attacked," cried out the leader of the caravan. Many of the people panicked and scattered in different directions. A few remained with the coffin to guard it. But, they, too, were frightened away as the gang of vicious bandits came charging toward them. The bandits approached the camel with the coffin. They assumed that the box contained a huge treasure since so many people were guarding it. As much as they tried, though, the box could not be taken off the camel. "Grab the camel's reins," shouted the leader of the bandits. "We'll take it with us." Their efforts met with no success, and they could not get the huge animal to budge. "Open the box," commanded the leader. One of the gangsters swaggered over to the box and began to pry off the lid. "There's a body in this box," he shrieked, as he ran away. The other bandits, too, became frightened at the thought of a dead body in a box in the middle of the dark desert and quickly made their exit. Upon seeing that the bandits had left, the people from the caravan made their way back toward the camel. But, to their surprise, the camel began moving determinedly, as if it had a specific destination in mind. The caravan leader cautioned the other people not to go near the camel. "It seems almost as if something is guiding the camel. Let us see what direction it takes." Soon it was obvious that the camel was heading straight for the border of Israel. The caravan followed from a distance. By now, everyone was certain that the problem of where to bury the Rambam was solved. After reaching the borders of Israel, the camel continued to travel steadily. It came to the city of Tiberias in the northern part of the country. It continued on through the narrow streets of the city until it suddenly stopped and knelt down on the ground. The people understood that this was the place where they should bury the Rambam. Carefully, they removed the coffin from the camel's back and placed it on the ground, then immediately began digging the grave. All who witnessed this strange event were amazed to see the wonderful miracle. The people of the city of Tiberias built a beautiful structure over the spot where the Rambam was buried. And every year, on the anniversary of his passing, thousands of people from all parts of the world come to visit his holy grave. **************************************** * PLEASE TELL ME WHAT THE REBBE SAID * * Weekly Torah Insights For Children, * * Adapted from the Works of the Rebbe * **************************************** Parshat Shemot Many [*] children like to sing the song Ani Ma'amin (I Believe...). Jews all over the world sing this song often, because believing in G-d comes naturally to us. Our Rabbis call the Jewish people "believers--the children of believers." So doesn't it seem strange that at the end of this week's parshah (Torah portion) we read how Moshe Rabbeinu cries out to G-d: "Why have You made things worse for this people?" When Moshe demanded that Pharaoh free the Jews, Pharaoh didn't listen. Instead, he made them work even harder, and ordered his officers to beat them. Moshe was troubled. G-d had promised to bring the geulah (Redemption), but things got worse instead of getting better. And so he asked G-d this question. But Jewish people believe in G-d. Especially Moshe Rabbeinu. G-d Himself describes Moshe as being the "most trusting of all." Moshe was certainly not asking this question out of a lack of belief and trust. Then how can we understand Moshe's question? Moshe Rabbeinu was chosen by G-d to give the Torah to the Jewish people. Torah is the wisdom of G-d. G-d wants us not only to believe in Him, but also to know and to understand. This was Moshe's mission: to bring this wisdom down to the Jewish people so that they could study and through their study, they would understand. Moshe Rabbeinu was not lacking in belief when he asked G-d why things had gotten worse. Of course, he believed and trusted in G-d, but he couldn't understand why things got worse. He knew that this was his mission: to teach the people to understand what they believed in. So he asked G-d to explain. And indeed, in the next parshah, G-d gives him an answer, promising to take the Jewish people out of Egypt. G-d said He would perform many miracles so that the people would see how right it is to trust Him. It is no coincidence that the Alter Rebbe, Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi, the first Rebbe of Chabad-Lubavitch and the founder of Chabad Chassidic philosophy, passed away on Motzoei Shabbat (Saturday night), Parshat Shemot in 5573/1812. The Alter Rebbe's mission was to explain Chassidus so that people could understand. That is why he wrote the Tanya. When Rebbe Levi Yitzchok of Berditchev first saw the Tanya, he marveled and exclaimed: "The Alter Rebbe has taken a big G-d and put Him into a small book!" Rebbe Levi Yitzchok was amazed at how the Alter Rebbe could explain the deep secrets of Chassidus in words that ordinary people could understand. * * * G-d answered Moshe by promising to bring the Redemption from the Egyptian Exile. So too, the spreading of Chassidus will bring the geulah today. As the Baal Shem Tov was promised: "When will Moshiach come? When the wellsprings of your teachings will spread outward." --------------- *. Adapted from the book, Please Tell Me What The Rebbe Said, Vol. 2 (Brooklyn, NY: S.I.E., 1995). ********************** * A CALL TO ACTION * ********************** The Rebbe's slogan is: "The main thing is the deed." Hence, we present suggestions from the Rebbe's talks of what we can do to complete the Rebbe's work of bringing the Redemption. The anniversary of the passing of the great Rabbi Moses Maimonides (the "Rambam") is this Friday. In honor of his yahrtzeit we should reinforce our study of the Rambam's works according to the three-pronged plan of study: Three chapters or one chapter a day in the Mishneh Torah, or the parallel portions of Sefer HaMitzvot. Not only should one study these works himself, he should also influence others to do so. (The Rebbe, 21 Tevet, 5752) * One can study one chapter a day in the Mishneh Torah, over the phone via pre-taped classes by calling (718) 953-6100. The Daily portion of Sefer HaMitzvot is also available electronically via the Internet at listserv@chabad.org. =========================================================== = End of Text: Living With Moshiach, Parshat Shemot, 5756 = ===========================================================