LIVING WITH MOSHIACH, Parshat Pinchas, 5756 B"H LIVING WITH MOSHIACH Weekly Digest About Moshiach PARSHAT PINCHAS TAMUZ 18, 5756 JULY 5, 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 Seventeenth Of Tamuz The "Three Weeks" Some Laws Of The "Three Weeks" Laws Of The Holy Temple 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 we focus on the fast day of the 17th of Tamuz, Thursday, July 4. * Our sincere appreciation to L'Chaim weekly publication, published by the Lubavitch Youth Organization, and to the publishers of the Tzivos Hashem Newsletter, 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 7 Tamuz, 5756 Brooklyn, New York ***************************************** * THE WEEKLY TORAH PORTION * * Adapted from the Works of the Rebbe * ***************************************** Parshat Pinchas This week's Torah portion, Pinchas, describes the apportionment of the Land of Israel. The Torah states, "Through the lot shall the land be divided." The Talmud notes that the process by which the lots were drawn was neither arbitrary nor random; the miraculous objects, urim and tumim, in the breastplate of the High Priest, guided the outcome. Rashi explains that not only was the portion of the Holy Land to be given to each tribe written on the lot picked for that tribe, but the lot itself spoke and announced the result. In other words, the division of the soon-to-be conquered Land of Israel was determined by G-d Himself. The inheritance of the physical portion of land is symbolic of the spiritual inheritance of every Jew with which he is enjoined to fulfill his individual mission in life. Just as each of the Twelve Tribes was given a specific portion of land to live in and cultivate, every Jew is allotted his own spiritual realm to perfect. Although a person might think he is free to choose his own spiritual portion, following whichever path in the service of G-d that appeals to his nature, the Torah teaches that this is not a matter of free will or logic, but is ordained by G-d. Every Jewish soul has its own particular inclinations and disinclinations; some mitzvot are easier to observe than others. The Talmud notes that many of our Sages were especially careful in their performance of one particular commandment. Although they certainly observed all 613 of the Torah's mitzvot, their performance of that one mitzvah was especially praiseworthy. The exemplary observance of that one mitzvah served as the conduit through which all other mitzvot flowed. A person cannot choose his own spiritual bent; it is an integral part of his individual spiritual makeup. But how does one determine exactly which mitzvot are especially relevant to him? By objectively ascertaining those which he finds the hardest to do! A person may safely assume that a given direction is his "inheritance" whenever the path seems strewn with obstacles and hindrances. In fact, the more important the mitzvah, the harder the Evil Inclination tries to dissuade the person. A lack of interest in a particular facet of Torah study or indifference to a certain mitzvah indicates that it is precisely in these areas that special efforts must be made. In the merit of this effort, G-d grants the individual success in all other areas of his life as well. ************************ * 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 SEVENTEENTH OF TAMUZ * **************************** Thursday, the 17th of Tamuz, July, 4, is a fast day. We neither eat nor drink, from approximately 72 minutes before sunrise until 40 minutes after sunset. [1] _______________ 1. In New York City, at 9:09 pm. ********************* * THE "THREE WEEKS" * ********************* This summer, during the month of July, comes a very serious time for the Jewish people, when many terrible things happened throughout history. This period is called The "Three Weeks," or Bain HaMetzorim, which means "Between the Straits." What happened during this time? On the 17th of Tamuz: 1) Moses descended from Mt. Sinai and smashed the two Tablets with the Ten Commandments when he saw the Jews worshipping the Golden Calf; 2) The Romans breached the walls of Jerusalem in 70 c.e.; 3) During the siege of Jerusalem the daily sacrifice was interrupted by Nebuchadnezzer; 4) Apostomus publicly burned a Torah scroll; and 5) An idol was erected in the courtyard of the Holy Temple. On the 9th of Av, both the First and Second Temple were destroyed, bringing terrible suffering upon the Jewish people. The "Three Weeks" begins on the 17th of Tamuz (July 4), and continue until the 9th of Av (July 25). ****************************** * SOME LAWS OF THE "3 WEEKS" * ****************************** We observe some aspects of mourning: Weddings do not take place, and playing musical instruments is prohibited, as is the buying and wearing of new garments. In addition, we do not cut our hair. Also, we should try to be extra kind to one another. We should give extra charity, and learn extra Torah, and pray to G-d to end the Exile. * Jewish teachings explain that when we learn the laws of the Holy Temple, its structure, the services and sacrifices practiced there, it is as if we are rebuilding it. Therefore, the Rebbe stresses that during the "Three Weeks" we should spend time studying what the Holy Temple will be like, and to learn all about it. ****************************************** * LAWS OF THE HOLY TEMPLE * * Adapted From Rambam's Mishnah Torah[2] * ****************************************** = 1 = THE MITZVAH TO BUILD When the Jews received the Torah at Mt. Sinai, they were commanded to build a Holy Sanctuary for G-d, called in Hebrew, a Mikdosh. The purpose of the Temple is to provide G-d with a place to dwell in this world, a House to which offerings may be brought. Men and women must help to build the Temple. It is a mitzvah to build it as beautifully as possible. If money is available, one should even cover the whole structure with gold! However, children may not be taken away from learning Torah, even for the sake of building the Temple. We do not build the Temple on Shabbat or on Yom Tov. A person is meant to go to the Temple three times a year, to celebrate the Festivals of Pesach, Shavuot, and Succot. A BIT OF HISTORY The first Sanctuary was built by Moshe and the Jews. It was movable, and could be transported with the Jewish people from place to place in the Wilderness. After nearly 400 years, King David, the ancestor of Moshiach, designed a permanent Temple for G-d in Jerusalem. It was built by his son, King Solomon. This was the first Holy Temple. It stood 410 years! The first Temple was destroyed by the Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar, who cast the Jews into exile. After 70 years, the Jews were at last able to return to Israel, under the leadership of Ezra the Scribe. He supervised the construction of the Second Temple. This occurred right after the story of Purim took place. The Second Temple was larger than the First, and stood for 420 years! It was destroyed by the Roman armies led by Titus. The Third Temple will be rebuilt on the same spot that the first two Temples stood, when Moshiach comes, may it be very soon! = To be continued next week = _______________ [2] Adapted from the Tzivos Hashem Newsletter, edited by Dr. Dovid S. Pape. ******************** * A CALL TO ACTION * ******************** The Rebbe's slogan is: "The main thing is the deed." In this column we present suggestions from the Rebbe's talks of what we can do to complete the Rebbe's work of bringing the Redemption. STUDY ABOUT THE HOLY TEMPLE: "G-d told the prophet Yechezkel that through studying the laws of the structure of the Holy Temple it is considered as if we have been involved in its actual construction. "As we are so close to the Redemption, the subject must be approached as a present reality; at any moment the Third Holy Temple which is already built in the heavens will descend and be revealed on earth." The Rebbe, 17 Tamuz, 5751/1991 ============================================================ = End of Text: Living With Moshiach, Parshat Pinchas, 5756 = ============================================================