LIVING WITH MOSHIACH, Parshat Devarim, 5756 B"H LIVING WITH MOSHIACH Weekly Digest About Moshiach PARSHAT DEVARIM Av 3, 5756 July 19, 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 Shabbat Chazon The Rebbe's Prophecy Laws Of The Holy Temple Rosh Chodesh Menachem-Av Moshiach Is Born On Tisha B'Av Season Of The Bais HaMikdash Some Laws Of Tisha B'Av Tisha B'Av Has Two Sides To It! Thoughts That Count To Add In Ahavat Chinam **************** * INTRODUCTION * **************** We are pleased to present, to the visually impaired and the blind, our weekly publication, Living With Moshiach. * "The Three Weeks" are upon us, from Tamuz 17/July 4 - Av 9/July 25, and, during this time, the Rebbe urges us to study about Bais HaMikdosh (the Holy Temple). Hence in this week's issue, we conclude the series of articles focusing on the laws of the Holy Temple, its structure, the services, etc. * 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 22 Tamuz, 5756 Brooklyn, New York *********************************** * SHABBAT CHAZON * * Based on the Works of the Rebbe * *********************************** The Shabbat before Tisha B'Av, the ninth of the Hebrew month of Av, is known as Shabbat Chazon, after the first word of this week's Haftorah, [1] chazon (vision). Rabbi Levi Yitzchok of Berditchev used to note that the name comes from the word machaze, meaning "vision," for "on that day everyone is shown the future Holy Temple." According to Rabbi Levi Yitzchok, "every Jew is shown from afar a vision of the future Holy Temple." This spiritual vision of the Third Holy Temple, which will be permanent and everlasting, is experienced by our souls. Rabbi Levi Yitzchok explains the vision with the parable of a child who is given a beautiful, new suit, but proceeds to tear it to pieces. The father has another suit sewn and given to his son. This, too, the child shreds beyond repair. The father has another suit sewn for the boy, but this time he leaves it hanging in the closet. Every once in a while, the father brings the suit out and shows it to his child. He tells his son lovingly that when his behavior improves, he will be able to wear the suit. Thus, the father trains his child to behave in an appropriate manner. We can grasp from the parable that the purpose of showing the child the garment (and us a vision of the Third Holy Temple) is to encourage within the child a longing for the object, a longing so great that he mends his ways and his upright conduct becomes second nature. The purpose of this vision is to inspire and encourage a Jew: having caught a glimpse of the Third Holy Temple in its heavenly perfection, all that is left for him to do is to bring it down to this world. Although not everyone actually sees the Third Holy Temple, everyone is intrinsically affected by it. This is similar to the following episode from the Book of Daniel: "And I Daniel alone saw the vision; the men who were with me did not see the vision, but a great trembling fell upon them . . . ." Our Sages ask why a dread fell upon the men with Daniel if they had not actually witnessed the vision. They answer: "Though they did not see it, their heavenly soul saw it." In the same way, on Shabbat Chazon, the soul sees the future Sanctuary; moreover, this perception leaves an impression on the individual, even on his body. Let us hope and pray that our souls will be attuned to the heavenly vision we are about to be shown. So much so that we will totally mend our ways, thus meriting to see not just a spiritual vision of the Temple, but the physical Temple in all its glory. And that we will all celebrate Tisha B'Av this year in the rebuilt city of Jerusalem, not as a day of mourning, but as a day of joy and happiness, with Moshiach, NOW. _______________ 1. The Haftorah is a portion from the Prophets that has a common theme with the Torah portion of that week. The reading of the Haftorah was instituted after a decree had been established forbidding the Jews to read the Torah. When the decree was later abolished, the custom of reading the Haftorah was retained. ************************ * 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 * ********************************************* *************************************** * LAWS OF THE HOLY TEMPLE * * Adapted From Rambam's Mishnah Torah * *************************************** During the "Three Weeks," it is customary to study topics relating to the Holy Temple. "This study should be carried out in anxious anticipation of the Holy Temple being rebuilt. We should study about the Holy Temple with the awareness that in the very near future we will see what we are studying about in actual reality. The Rebbe, 24 Tamuz, 5751/1991 = 3 = THE SANHEDRIN, THE SUPREME COURT The Supreme Court of seventy-one Sages (the Sanhedrin) had its chambers in the Temple. Here they would judge the people, and teach them to go higher and higher in Torah and mitzvot. The room in which the Sanhedrin would meet was called the Chamber of Hewed Stone. It was called by this name because the chairs for the judges were carved out of solid stone. The wisest and most righteous judges in Israel used to meet there, right by the Temple, so that when they were deciding the most difficult problems of the Jewish nation they would always think of G-d, and explain His Torah correctly. When Moshiach comes, and the Temple will be rebuilt, the great Sanhedrin will once again meet in the Chamber of Hewed Stones in the Temple. At that time, peace will reign, and the city of Jerusalem will expand to include all of the Land of Israel! TO HOLD THE TEMPLE IN AWE We are commanded to hold the Temple in awe, and to revere it. Of course, it is not just the building that we revere, but the One who commanded us to build it. How do we revere the Temple? We are not to enter the Temple Mount holding a staff, or with sandals on our feet, or dressed in informal clothes, or with dust on our feet, or money in our hands. Needless to say, we should not spit. A person should not take a shortcut through the Temple Mount, entering on one side and going out the other, just to make the way shorter. Rather one should walk around the outside, and enter only for the sake of a mitzvah. When leaving the Temple, a person should not turn around and walk away. He should go backwards slowly, and then turn to his side until he is out of the courtyard. A person should not act frivolously or joke around opposite the eastern gate of the Temple, for it is directly opposite the Holy of Holies. Even though the Temple is now in ruins because of our sins, a person must hold it in awe and behave in a dignified manner at all times, just as when it was standing. THE MITZVAH TO GUARD THE TEMPLE It is a mitzvah to station guards around the Temple, just as a king would have guards around his palace. Not that we have to protect G-d, for He is mightier than any army, rather we station guards to show Him honor. Every night, 24 guards would take up their positions around the Temple. The kohanim (Temple priests) stood guard inside, and 21 Levites stood guard on the outside. In the time of Moshiach, when the Temple will be rebuilt, even non-Jewish nations will send their armies to protect the Holy Temple, so that the Jews can perform their service there, in peace, to the benefit of the whole world. THE VESSELS The following vessels must be in the outer courtyard: 1. THE GREAT ALTAR The Great Altar was made of stone. It was for burnt offerings, such as animals, birds, flour baked into matzos, and libations (pourings) of wine. On top of the Great Altar three fires were kept burning: one was for the daily offerings, one to provide coals for burning the incense on the Golden Altar, and one just to fulfill the commandment of always having a fire burning on the Altar of G-d. The kohanim (Temple priests) were not allowed to go up on the Altar by means of steps, nor was it permissible to build steps for the Altar. Only a ramp was allowed. The Great Altar of the Temple was in a very precise place, which may never be changed. This place is so holy that even non-Jews recognize its holiness and have never worshipped idols on the spot. The Great Altar was built on very holy ground. It is the same place where our forefather Abraham prepared to sacrifice his son Isaac (Yitzchok). Noah had made offerings to G-d there after the flood. Even Adam had made his offering to G-d there. In fact from that very spot G-d had taken the earth with which He created man! The Altar of our Third Temple will also be built exactly in this same place. Large amounts of wood were used for the fire on the Great Altar. Kohanim who could not serve in the Temple, either because of age or some other reason, would check all the wood for worms before it went to the outer Altar. They did this in a chamber called the Wood Room. 2. THE KIYOR, WASH-BASIN The Kiyor (Wash-basin) was a large vessel full of water, used by the kohanim to wash their hands and feet, before beginning their service in the Temple. The Kiyor, originally had only two taps, but later it was redesigned by one of the High Priests called Ben Katin, to have twelve taps. This enabled all the twelve priests who participated in the daily offering to wash their hands and feet at once, before they began the Temple service. * * * In the inner Holy Chamber, there are three vessels: 1. THE SMALL GOLDEN ALTAR The small Altar was made of pure gold, and was for offerings of sweet smelling incense. 2. THE MENORAH The menorah was made of pure gold. It had three feet, and seven straight branches. On each branch there were three upside-down cups. Near the base was another cup, bringing the total to 22 cups--exactly equal to the number of letters in the aleph bais, the Hebrew alphabet. There were also 9 flowers and 11 egg-shaped bulbs decorating the menorah. The flowers were a symbol of the world's potential for growth and development. The bulbs were a symbol of limitless spiritual pleasure. The menorah was lit by the Kohen Gadol, the High Priest, every day toward evening. All the flames in the menorah faced the central lamp. This lamp was called the nair ma'aravi--the western lamp--because it faced the Holy of Holies. This lamp was the first one kindled every day toward evening, and it would burn miraculously long after the others had burned out, until it was time to rekindle the menorah the next day. This was a sign to the entire world that G-d dwelt with the Jewish people. 3. THE SHULCHAN, THE TABLE Twelve specially baked "loaves" were placed on this golden table every Friday before Shabbat. They stood in two rows. Between each tray was an air-space; the "loaves" were called the lechem hapanim, because they were shaped like a barge, facing in 2 directions at once. THE KODESH HAKODOSHIM The holiest part of the Temple was in the west. It was called the Holy of Holies. In it stood the Ark, in which the Ten Commandments were kept. This box was made of wood, with a layer of gold inside and a layer of gold outside. There were really three boxes, one within the other. The cover of the Ark was solid gold more than 6" thick. On top of the Ark-cover were two golden figures, a boy and a girl. Like soldiers they stood guard over the Torah. G-d spoke to Moshe through their wings. When G-d was pleased with the Jewish people, these figures would face towards each other with love. Beside the Ark was the legendary staff of Moshe's brother, Aaron, the first high priest, which once miraculously sprouted almond blossoms overnight, and a flask containing manna, a memorial from the time of Moshe and from the time the Jews were in the wilderness. This was to remind Jews how G-d sustained our ancestors for forty years in the desert, and how surely, He can sustain us now and at all times! No one was ever allowed into this Holiest Chamber except the Kohen Gadol, and he could only enter once a year, on Yom Kippur, to pray for the welfare of the Jewish people. To clean the Holy of Holies, men were lowered from above in baskets. The baskets faced the wall, so that the men could do their job without looking into the room itself. When King Solomon built the Temple, he knew that it would ultimately be destroyed. He built secret underground rooms in which to hide The Ark with the Ten Commandments, as well as Aaron's staff, the small vessel with manna, and the oil for anointing. Before the First Temple was destroyed, King Yeshiyahu commanded that the Ark be placed in these secret passageways. He also hid the staff of Aaron, the bottle of manna, and the oil for anointing. None of these things was found again, not even in the time of the Second Temple, but they will all be returned in the time of Moshiach, when the Third Temple will be rebuilt, speedily NOW. **************************** * ROSH CHODESH MENACHEM-AV * **************************** Wednesday, July 17, is the first day of the month of Av. With the beginning of Av, the three-week mourning period over the destruction of the Temple intensifies. The First of Av was also the day on which Aaron, the High Priest, passed away. Concerning his passing, the Torah tells us that "All of the House of Israel wept for Aaron for thirty days." But for Moses, only the men wept, not the women. Why was this? Because Aaron made peace between husband and wife, and between friends. It is a phenomenal example of Divine Providence that Aaron, who was known as a "pursuer of peace," passed away just on the day when, hundreds of years later, we would be intensifying our mourning over the destruction of the Temple. His life's work, evident even at his passing, shows us how to rectify the reason for which the Temple was destroyed. The Second Temple was destroyed because of causeless hatred among Jews. Hatred and divisiveness are equal to the sins of idolatry, adultery and murder, for which the First Temple was destroyed. Especially at this time, we have much to learn from Aaron. We must try to emulate his wonderful example, by doing everything in our power to bring peace and harmony amongst our people. When this happens, we will no longer mourn the passing of Aaron, nor the destruction of the Holy Temples, for we will all be united, together as one, in the Third and everlasting Holy Temple, may it be rebuilt NOW. ********************************** * MOSHIACH IS BORN ON TISHA B'AV * ********************************** Tisha B'Av is known by our Sages as the birthday of Moshiach. In simple terms this means that at the moment of the destruction of the Holy Temple, the potential for the Final Redemption, through Moshiach, was born. The Rebbe clarified the exact meaning of this: "Our Sages explain that this cannot refer to Moshiach's actual birth, because Moshiach will not be an infant when he redeems our people. But rather, it refers to a strengthening of his influence. For our Sages refer to a birthday as a day when mazalo govair, 'the spiritual source of one's soul shines powerfully.' On the day when Moshiach's spiritual source is powerfully revealed, there is a unique potential for the Redemption to come . . . . Each year, for the past two thousand years, on Tisha B'Av, Moshiach receives new power and new strength, and from year to year, this influence grows more powerfully." Thus, Tisha B'Av is a unique time, when the potential for the Redemption is at its peak. Through this insight into Tisha B'Av we are introduced to a basic concept in chasidic philosophy, which teaches that the greatest ascent comes after the greatest descent. Let us use the time properly and bring about the greatest ascent, the revelation of Moshiach and the Final Redemption, NOW. ******************************** * SEASON OF THE BAIS HAMIKDASH * ******************************** When is the "season" of the Bais HaMikdash? Eating matzah has a season, blessing the esrog has a season, hearing the megilah, lighting the menorah, etc. All of these mitzvot have a "season." When is the season of the Bais HaMikdash? The answer is that there is no specific season; every day is the season. Yet, if we have to pick one day of the year that would be the closest to the "season" of the Bais HaMikdash it would be Tisha B'Av. Tisha B'Av, is when we pay our fullest attention to the Holy Temple. That's when we are free from any other occupations; we dedicate our time solely to remembering the Bais HaMikdash. And as we sit on the floor with the kinot--elegies--in our hands it is perhaps the proper moment to reflect, not only about the destruction of the Temple, but about the rebuilding of the Temple as well. Rebuilding the Bais HaMikdash is up to every person. Suppose for a moment that every mitzvah is a brick in the Bais HaMikdash and that by doing another mitzvah we are adding another brick. How much would that entice us to do more! And perhaps, indeed, this is more than a parable, it is a reality. Over the years, we have laid millions of bricks. We are now, the Rebbe tells us, laying the very, very last few bricks needed to build the most beautiful edifice in the heavenly skies. Let us "chop arein" (seize the moment) before Moshiach comes, and make sure that we are in on the building of the Bais HaMikdash. When it is built, we will be able to point our finger at this great edifice with pride and deserved joy, and say, "I had a hand in building it." *************************** * SOME LAWS OF TISHA B'AV * *************************** Thursday, the 9th of Av (July, 25), is a fast day. We neither eat nor drink, from Wednesday, July 24, at Sundown, [2] until Thursday, July, 25, at nightfall. [3] On Tisha B'Av we do not wash, wear leather shoes, or have marital relations. The Book of Eicha (Lamentations) [4] is read sitting on a low stool as used in mourning. * To learn more about Tisha B'Av, and the laws pertaining to it, contact your local rabbi or Chabad-Lubavitch Center. For a listing of the centers in your area, call: 1-800-Lubavitch (1-800-582-2848). _______________ 2. In New York City, at 8:14 p.m. 3. In New York City, at 8:57 p.m. 4. Authored by the prophet Yirmiyahu (Jeremiah). He lived at the time of the destruction of the First Temple in the year 3338. He was born into a family of kohanim, and was the son of the Prophet and High Priest, Hilkiah. He foresaw the destruction of Jerusalem and the Holy Temple and exhorted the Jews to return to G-d. After the destruction he authored the Book of Lamentations. He supported the Jewish people in their misery, strengthening them and encouraging them to continue when it seemed impossible to go on. *********************************** * TISHA B'AV HAS TWO SIDES TO IT! * *********************************** Though Tisha B'Av is a day of intense mourning for the destruction of the Temples and Jerusalem, there are actually five tragedies that we commemorate on this day: 1) The generation of Jews who had left Egypt were prohibited from entering the Holy Land; 2) The First Temple was destroyed; 3) The Second Temple was destroyed; 4) Betar, the last fortress to hold out against the Romans, fell; 5) A year after the fall of Betar the Temple area was plowed under. Today, the saddest thing about Tisha B'Av is that many people do not know about it or care to observe it. We don't know what we're missing. Unfortunately, we are split and divided, suffering from the same senseless hatred that caused the tragedy of Tisha B'Av. Tisha B'Av climaxes three weeks of mourning, beginning with the fast of the Seventeenth of Tamuz. During the nine days preceding Tisha B'Av, we abstain from eating meat and drinking wine except on Shabbat and for a Seudas Mitzvah (meal associated with a mitzvah such as a bris, or upon completing the study of a tractate of the Talmud), and refrain from taking a full bath. On Tisha B'Av we fast, do not wash, wear leather shoes, or have marital relations. The Book of Lamentations is read, sitting on a low stool as used in mourning. But there is another side to Tisha B'Av. The Talmud tells the story of Rabbi Akiva and the Sages tearing their garments in mourning upon seeing Jerusalem in ruins. Their anguish increased upon seeing a fox strolling where the Holy Ark once stood. The Sages burst into tears, but Rabbi Akiva laughed. The Sages were shocked. "How can you laugh when animals desecrate our Holy of Holies?" Said Rabbi Akiva: "The Torah connects the fall and rise of Jerusalem. Zechariah the prophet predicted that 'Zion will be plowed under,' while Uria the prophet foresaw 'elderly men and women relaxing in the streets of Jerusalem with small children happily playing nearby'. . . . Now that the negative has actually come to pass, the good prophecies will truly be fulfilled!" The Sages conceded, saying: "Akiva, you have comforted us!" Tisha B'Av is negative--but once we have the negative, it takes only time and effort to develop it into a positive and see the full picture in the words of Zechariah (8:19): "These very days of sorrow and fasting will turn into days of joy and feasting for the House of Israel." Tisha B'Av expresses strength rather than weakness. Other nations celebrate only their red-letter days and triumphs, yet we have the strength to dedicate a day to our tragedy, and that is the secret of our long survival that enables Israel to outlive the greatest empires that have long since vanished. Tisha B'Av directs us to positive, constructive action of rebuilding through Torah and charity. It is a Sephardic custom to rise on Tisha B'Av afternoon and clean the house, showing our renewed faith and hope. On the positive side, some sources say that Tisha B'Av is the birthday of the righteous Moshiach, bringing about the potential for a most important Jewish principle: bringing about the potential for a most important Jewish principle: "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). Last but not least, we conclude the Lamentations on a high positive note as we loudly declare: "Return to us, O G-d, and we will return to You; renew our days as once before!" *********************** * THOUGHTS THAT COUNT * *********************** "COME AND SING IN THE NIGHT." Eicha, 2, 19. Chasidic interpretation explains this to mean that during the "night" of exile one can come and sing; despite the fact that it is dark. The beauty and specialness of the Jewish people is that we can find reasons to "sing" in the night. While the whole world is enveloped in total darkness, we find a reason to sing. What exactly is that reason? We view the darkness of night, the darkness that surrounds us, as if it were a tunnel. At the end of every tunnel, no matter how long, there is a light shining bright. And it is because of the fact that we are surrounded by the darkness of the tunnel that we can see the brightness of the light at the end. We realize, too, the darker the tunnel, the closer we are to the light at the end. When the Redemption and Moshiach will come, these days are going to be filled with the light of joy and happiness and glory. This is what we are waiting for, what we are hoping for. This is the reason we can and must sing and dance in the night. After all, we are already at the end of the tunnel. *************************** * TO ADD IN AHAVAT CHINAM * *************************** Our Sages have taught that the Holy Temple was destroyed because of sinat chinam--unwarranted hatred. The rebuilding of Holy Temple and the correction of our past failings will be brought about through ahavat chinam--unconditional love of our fellow Jew. What is unconditional love? When we love the other person just because he is a Jew. There are two sorts of love, actually, love of two different "types" of Jews. One love is for the Jew I don't even know, and the other is for the Jew I know. A cynical Jew once said, "If you ask me to love the Jew that's in Russia, or the Jew that's fighting in the front lines in Israel, whom I've never met, I have no problem. But if you're asking me to love Yankel my neighbor, whose faults I know, now that is very, very hard." In order to rebuild the Holy Temple, we have to have ahavat chinam for the people we KNOW. Though we recognize through firsthand experience their good and bad qualities, their frailties and foibles, we must rise higher than the differences between us. And, if we look higher or overlook altogether what we don't like in another Jew, then the ahavat chinam will come much more easily. For, when we look deeper, we will certainly see the other Jew's source and essence, which, being a part of G-d Himself, are good and pure. May each and every one of us be permeated with true ahavat chinam for those Jews whom we know as well as those Jews we don't know, thus helping to rebuild the Third and eternal Holy Temple, NOW. ============================================================ = End of Text: Living With Moshiach, Parshat Devarim, 5756 = ============================================================