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"LIVING WITH MOSHIACH,"
Parshat Toldot, 5762
Year of Hakhel

Kislev 1, 5762 * November 16, 2001

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"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

THIS PUBLICATION IS DEDICATED
TO THE REBBE,
RABBI MENACHEM M. SCHNEERSON
OF LUBAVITCH

Click here, to see pictures of the Rebbe
The Daily Sicha (in Real Audio) - Listen to selected excerpts of the Rebbe's Sichos
[talks] which are relevant to the particular day.

INTRODUCTION

We are pleased to present, to the visually impaired and the blind, our weekly publication, Living With Moshiach.

*

On Friday, Nov. 16, G-d willing, we will, be celebrating Rosh Chodesh Kislev, therefore this week's issue focuses on the new Hebrew month of Kislev.

*

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

27 Cheshvan, 5762
Year of Hakhel
Brooklyn, New York

THE WEEKLY TORAH PORTION
Adapted from the Works of the Rebbe

Parshat Toldot

In the Torah portion of Toldot our ancestor Isaac declares, "For now G-d has made room for us, and we shall be fruitful in the land."

Commenting on the Hebrew word for "fruitful," "ufarinu," Rashi explains that it means "to increase," to spread out, and expand.

The above verse can be divided into two parts. The first half, "G-d has made room for us," refers to the strengths and abilities G-d bestows upon an individual. The second part, "we shall be fruitful in the land," refers to the obligation it implies to utilize those gifts by working to make the world a better place.

The Torah teaches, "Man is born to labor." G-d created the world in such a way that man has the potential to improve upon creation and add to it through his efforts. To the naked eye, G-dliness is hidden and concealed. However, when man acts according to G-d's will, the true underlying G-dliness of creation becomes revealed. Man becomes a "partner" with G-d in the act of creation, as it were, by uncovering the G-dly light that sustains all existence.

A question is asked: How can human beings improve on something G-d Himself created? Is man really "superior" to G-d in this respect? Of course not, as we see from the first half of the above verse, "For now G-d has made room for us." Everything ultimately originates from G-d. Were it not for the strengths and abilities He gives us, we could never accomplish anything. It is only through the merit of these Divinely-given powers that we are able to reveal G-dliness in the world and elevate creation to a higher level.

It also follows that once these powers have been granted, we are expected to make proper use of them. As we learn from the text of our holy Torah, "For now G-d has made room for us" is immediately followed by "and we shall be fruitful in the land," indicating the need for practical action.

This same concept is expressed by a verse in Psalms, "I am the L-rd your G-d, Who brought you out of the land of Egypt; open your mouth wide, and I will fill it." The first step is the G-dly influence that comes from Above, i.e., G-d taking the Jewish people out of Egypt. Only afterwards does man's service come into play, "open your mouth wide." By telling us to "open wide," G-d is exhorting us to "add" to what He has created, improving and enhancing the state of the world. We can then be assured that "I will fill it:" not only will G-d grant us the power to act, but He will also assist us in our Divine service, thereby ensuring our success.

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.

JACOB AND ESAU

Every year at this time we read about one of the most famous sets of twins in history, Jacob and Esau. As any child can tell you, Jacob was the "good" one and Esau was the "bad" one, and the two brothers never got along with each other. But the Torah is not a history book; Torah means "teaching," it contains eternal lessons that are always relevant and have a direct impact on our daily lives.

On a deeper level, Jacob and Esau represent two ways of looking at the world, two different life styles that even modern man is forced to choose between. Esau's attitude was "carpe diem" -- seize the day, with no thought for tomorrow. Jacob, by contrast, lived a more elevated existence, recognizing life's spiritual dimension.

According to Chasidic philosophy, every Jew is made up of two souls: an animal soul and a G-dly soul. Like Jacob and Esau, they too never get along, and are in constant conflict. The animal soul is interested only in the physical; like an animal that walks on four legs, its head is focused downward rather than up at the sky. The only thing that matters is the here and now. The G-dly soul, however, looks upward. Why am I here? What's the real purpose of my life?

As we learn from this week's Torah reading, the true birthright belongs to Jacob, and our function as Jews is to elevate the world by imbuing it with G-dliness. The battle will always be there, but it's a battle we can win by choosing wisely.

THE HEBREW MONTH OF KISLEV

Kislev is a month of celebration, when we commemorate many joyous occasions. A recurring theme throughout the festivities of Kislev is freedom.

On the 10th day of Kislev, 5587/1826, the second Chabad Rebbe, Rabbi Dovber (known as the Mitteler Rebbe), was released from incarceration in Czarist Russia on trumped-up charges of anti-government activities.

Decades earlier, on the 19th of Kislev in the year 5559/1798, his father, Rabbi Shneur Zalman, the founder of Chabad Chasidism, was released from imprisonment on trumped-up charges of anti-government activities. (Two years later, when Rabbi Shneur Zalman was imprisoned once again, he was also released in the month of Kislev, on the third night of Chanukah.)

On Chanukah, celebrated for eight days starting on the 25th of Kislev, we celebrate the victory of the Jewish people over their mighty Hellenic oppressors, and their subsequent freedom to follow once again in the ways of the Torah. We also celebrate the liberation of our Holy Temple, which the Hellenists had defiled and desecrated. Once the Jews cleansed and purified the Temple, it was free to be used for its holy purpose, bringing the Jewish people closer to G-d.

Torah in general, and chasidic teachings in particular, help liberate us from our personal (often self-imposed) "prisons." During the month of Kislev, then, it is appropriate to increase our study of Torah. This study will help us reflect upon how best to use the opportunities available to us because of the religious freedom that we are fortunate to enjoy today.

Let us pray that G-d speedily grant us the ultimate freedom that will come with the revelation of Moshiach. For then we will truly be free to serve G-d, in the third and final Holy Temple.

ROSH CHODESH

On Friday, Nov. 16, G-d willing, we will, be celebrating Rosh Chodesh Kislev, starting the new Hebrew month of Kislev.

Rosh Chodesh is celebrated as a mini-holiday, with special prayers and finer food and clothing. Jewish women, in particular, observe Rosh Chodesh more meticulously.

What is the reason for Jewish women's stricter celebration of Rosh Chodesh?

Rabbi Eliezer wrote: "When the men came to ask for 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 that has no power to save!' G-d rewarded them in this world, giving them a greater degree of observance on Rosh Chodesh, and He rewards them in the World to Come, giving them the power of constant renewal that 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. Although our light is sometimes eclipsed by that of other nations, like the moon we are always here -- both at night and by 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, although 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 Kislev in the Holy Temple with Moshiach.

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. The Holy Ari, Rabbi Yitzchok 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"

BREATHE THE AIR OF MOSHIACH

Ten years ago, on Rosh Chodesh Kislev and the following Shabbat, the Rebbe spoke about how "All the days of your life should be directed toward bringing the era of Moshiach." Every waking moment of a person's life, the Rebbe stated -- indeed, even during the time he sleeps, for he is alive then as well -- must be devoted to this goal. This should include not only his conscious activities (thought, speech and deed), but also his every essence. In other words, the very core of a Jew's being must be focused on bringing about the Final Redemption.

In this context, the Rebbe explained what it means to "breathe the air of Moshiach." The essence of a person's life is reflected in his breathing processes. In fact, the Hebrew word for breath, "neshima," shares the same letters with the Hebrew word for soul, "neshama." The service that is necessary at present, the Rebbe explained, is to connect the core of our being to the core of Moshiach. This will ultimately awaken a pattern of conduct that will permeate every dimension of our being.

In practical terms, this means having a concern for the fundamental existence of every Jew, and providing our fellow Jews with the required necessities to celebrate the holidays of the month of Kislev with happiness and joy. Additionally, every Jew should also have the means to fulfill the custom of giving Chanukah gelt (money) to the members of his household.

As the Rebbe concluded, these activities will bring about the advent of the ultimate Redemption in this month, which is also called "the month of redemption." At that time, we will merit to see not only the essence of Moshiach, but also the revelation of Moshiach in the world at large, when Moshiach will "perfect the entire world, [motivating all the nations] to serve G-d together, as it is written, 'I will make the peoples pure of speech, so that they will all call upon the name of G-d and serve Him with one purpose.' "

May it happen immediately.

A CALL TO ACTION

The Rebbe's slogan is: "The main thing is the deed." We therefore present from the Rebbe's talks suggestions what we can do to complete his work of bringing the Redemption.

Awaken Your Core This Month:

"Awakening the core of our being must be reflected in a concern for the fundamental existence of every Jew. This should be expressed in efforts to provide our fellow Jews with the necessities required to celebrate the holidays of the month of Kislev [the 'chasidic New Year' on the 19th of Kislev and Chanukah] with happiness and joy. Similarly, they should have the means to fulfill the custom that the Rebbes followed of giving Chanukah gelt to the members of their household."

(1 Kislev, 5752/1991)

Simply stated, this means that as we think about our own family's holiday celebrations this month, we should make sure to help provide for other, less fortunate people in the greater Jewish family.

THE WEEKLY SHABBAT CALENDAR

Jewish Women and Girls Light Shabbat Candles

For local candle lighting times:
consult your local Rabbi, Chabad-Lubavitch Center, or call: (718) 774-3000.
or: http://www.candlelightingtimes.org/shabbos

For a free candle lighting kit:
contact your local Chabad-Lubavitch Center.

For a listing of the Centers in your area:
http://www.candlelightingtimes.org/general/shluchim.html.
In the USA, call: 1-800-Lubavitch (1-800-582-2848).

Times shown are for Metro NY - NJ

Friday, Nov. 16, Erev Shabbat Parshat Toldot:

  • Rosh Chodesh Kislev.
  • Light Shabbat Candles,(1) by 4:20 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 17, Shabbat Parshat Toldot:

  • Shabbat ends at nightfall, at 5:22 p.m.

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1. The Shabbat candles must be lit 18 minutes before sunset. It is prohibited and is a desecration of the Shabbat to light the candles after sunset.

Laws of Shabbat Candle Lighting for the Blind

Shabbat Candle Lighting Blessing

"Let There Be Light" - The Jewish Women's Guide to Lighting Shabbat Candles.


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