Holidays   Shabbat   Chabad-houses   Chassidism   Subscribe   Calendar   Links

                                  B"H
                                 -----
                         L'CHAIM - ISSUE # 1439
*********************************************************************
                           Copyright (c) 2016
                 Lubavitch Youth Organization - L.Y.O.
                              Brooklyn, NY
                             --------------
                  Electronic version provided free at:
                          www.LchaimWeekly.org
                          --------------------
                  Palm-Pilot version provided free at:
                www.LchaimWeekly.org/lchaim/5776/1439.prc
                          --------------------
                    To receive the L'CHAIM by e-mail
                  write to: listserv@LchaimWeekly.org
                              Subscribe W1
*********************************************************************
             THE WEEKLY PUBLICATION FOR EVERY JEWISH PERSON
   Dedicated to the memory of Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka Schneerson N.E.
*********************************************************************
        September 16, 2016     Ki Seitzei          13 Elul, 5776
*********************************************************************

                           Walking With Lions

                         by Rabbi Uriel Vigler

Last year at this time, I visited a lion park in South African with my
family. Having grown up in Africa, I've always loved wildlife and been
fascinated by animals, especially the king-the lion.

This time, the park was offering a new feature-"walking with the lions."
Essentially, guests are offered the opportunity to enter the lion park
and walk alongside the lions in their natural habitat for an hour or so.
And these are not baby cubs, they're fully grown beasts!

It seemed pretty dangerous, but we decided to give it a go.

We walked with the lions, watching them live their life in their own
environment. We watched them eat their dinner and climb on trees. For
over an hour we watched them, and we were even able to pat them.

Honestly, I was terrified. Despite my guide's assurance that he had
pepper spray and a stick in case something went wrong, I highly doubted
a bit of pepper spray would be enough to save us from the rage of this
powerful king of all animals if anything went wrong!

Thank G-d we emerged safe and sound and it was a beautiful and thrilling
experience.

Jewish mystical teachings discuss the three "main" organs that animals
and humans both have: brain ("mo-ach" in Hebrew), heart ("lev") and
liver ("kaved"). Taking the first letter of each word spells "melech" -
king.

A human being walks on two legs, his/her head is above the heart. When
the brain rules the heart, he is a king (or queen). An animal, however,
walks on all fours so its brain and heart are on the same level. A lion
is ruled by its instincts.

Our guide explained that there was no danger because these lions grew up
in captivity. They are tame. They have never attacked.  They are used to
human beings. But the truth is that a lion can never be fully tamed
because it naturally follows its instincts. Even if a lion would live
its whole life amongst humans, you can never fully trust it not to kill
because that is its natural instinct. That's just what lions do.

That is the key difference between a human being and a lion. Even though
we all, at times, follow our hearts and make mistakes, we have the
ability to use our brain to rule over our hearts. We have the ability to
truly tame our inner animal.

We currently find ourselves in the month of Elul, the month before the
high holidays. During this month, we reflect on our actions over the
past year. It is a time to do teshuva -repentance. A time to reflect on
our relationship with G-d, and return to Him if we have become
distanced. This is the time to make sure our minds rule our hearts, so
we can be melech, a king.

    Rabbi Vigler and his wife Shevy direct Chabad Israel Center of the
    Upper East Side in New York. From Rabbi Vigler's blog at
    www.chabadic.com

*********************************************************************
           LIVING WITH THE REBBE  -  THE WEEKLY TORAH PORTION
*********************************************************************
Seventy-four of the Torah's 613 commandments are in this week's Torah
portion Ki Teitzei. These include the inheritance rights of the
firstborn, burial and dignity of the dead, returning a lost object,
sending away the mother bird before taking her young, the duty to erect
a safety fence around the roof of one's home, and the various forms of
kilayim (forbidden plant and animal hybrids). The portion also includes
the prohibition against turning in an escaped slave; the duty to pay a
worker on time, and to allow anyone working for you - person or animal -
to "eat on the job"; the proper treatment of a debtor, and the
prohibition against charging interest on a loan.

Another commandment is:  "You should not see your brother's donkey or
his ox falling on the way and pretend as if you don't see them, you
should pick up (the load) with him."

The simple meaning here is to help someone in need. On a deeper level,
it is about seeing someone who has fallen spiritually.

What lessons can we take from here for helping pick up someone who has
fallen spiritually?

Many view those less observant than them negatively, ignore them or even
worse, tell them off and denigrate them. This is a terrible mistake and
not the Torah way.

The first thing is to realize that he is your "brother," not an enemy.
Treat him with love and brotherhood.

The next thing is to realize that it is his animal that has fallen not
him. His soul is pristine, he is essentially holy and wants to be G-d's.
It is only his "animal," his "physical" situation, nature and upbringing
that put him where he is today.

Then the Torah tells us not to pretend that you don't see him. Ignoring
him is a form of hate towards a fellow Jew, which not only is an
essential violation of the Torah but you will cause him to fall even
further.

Finally help pick up his load with him. Showing him love, you will lift
his spirit strengthen him. Then he will start to pick himself up, you
will only need to help.

Now in the month of Elul we must increase our love towards each other.
Overcome and destroy the walls that divide us. Embrace your brother,
sister or friend that you are  at odds with. Let us enter the new year
united. G-d loves most when we are together. "Together" our prayers are
powerful. "Together" G-d will grant us a good year. "Together" He will
grant our greatest wish, He will send Moshiach and put an end to this
painful, bitter exile.

           Adapted by Rabbi Yitzi Hurwitz from the teachings of the
            Rebbe, yitzihurwitz.blogspot.com. Rabbi Hurwitz, who is
       battling ALS, and his wife Dina, are emissaries of the Rebbe
                                                   in Temecula, Ca.

*********************************************************************
                             SLICE OF LIFE
*********************************************************************
                              On the Prowl
                            by Dvora Lakein

Amitai Schiff had PTSD. The IDF officer in an elite surveillance unit,
was operating in Gaza in 2003. One day, after arming soldiers with maps,
he watched them enter their armored personnel vehicles and drive off on
a routine mission. As he watched them on the grainy screen, the two
vehicles hit an IED [roadside bomb]. Thirteen comrades, including a dear
childhood friend, were murdered.

Schiff was given leave to deal with the trauma. Beset by confusion,
tormented by questions ("why did I survive and not my friends?"), he
struggled. For the group of Israeli missionaries who encountered him at
this time, Schiff was the perfect target. He took a proffered brochure
and a few days later, met up to discuss theology. Within a short period,
the officer-on-leave had become an active missionary.

"I had questions, they had answers," he reflected later. "I didn't have
the time to investigate their claims, I just accepted them."

Schiff was now proselytizing to fellow Jews in India, Germany, the
United States, and Israel. He served the missionaries for years as a
loyal recruit, until one day, ten years later, a magazine from Yad
L'achim appeared in his mailbox.

Yad L'achim was founded in 1950 by the late Rabbi Sholom Dov-Ber
Lifshitz to care for the needs of the new immigrants, the influx of Jews
who flooded the country soon after its inception. Originally, Lifshitz
handed out blankets and pillows to immigrants from Yemen. As the needs
of the burgeoning community evolved and became more complex, so too did
the organization. Today, Yad L'achim rescues Jewish women from Arab
villages, combats assimilation throughout the country, and battles
missionary communities-100 have been established in Israel.

There are 16,000 active missionaries in the country, operating on
multi-million dollar annual budgets. Aside from person-to-person
outreach, on corners and in malls, the countless missionary
organizations fund varied socio-economic help such as, treatment
centers, soup kitchens, and schools. Together with your hot meal or
addiction counseling, the cults push a dose of Christianity. Many of
their victims are new immigrants: alone, vulnerable, and sometimes
marginalized.

"The Russian Jewish community has a greater chance of falling prey to
the missionaries. Many have non-Jewish fathers and are more familiar
with Christianity than with Judaism," says Yoav Robinson, a Yad L'achim
activist. Approximately 8,000 Russian Jews are involved with
missionaries in the country.

With millions of dollars at their disposal, and a theology determined to
convert each Jew, missionaries are willing to invest significant funds
and time on a single target. Taking Biblical verses out of context
(particularly from Isaiah), they create glossy publications and
professional films and manipulate the internet.

"In Israel, unlike the United States, the missionaries have to work
harder," explains Robinson. "They need to convince not just a Jew, but
an Israeli, so they pretend that their entire religion is Jewish. They
can't share their full theology in the beginning, or the average Israeli
will simply walk away. In general," he continues, "they aim for people
in distress, addicts, or individuals with social problems. The typical
working Israeli, with a social life, is not interested."

It is illegal in Israel to proselytize to minors under the age of 16,
but beyond that, the Supreme Court and the police "don't want to deal
with it," says Robinson. Which is where Yad L'achim steps in. It is the
one organization working consistently to prevent missionary activity in
a legal, peaceful manner under the auspices of mental health
professionals. Teams of Yad L'achim volunteers visit communities to
alert Jews to the evangelicals' deceptions. Hundreds of volunteers
throughout the land are ready to be deployed when missionary activity is
reported. They stand next to the missionaries and announce, "This is not
Judaism. This is Christianity," in a steady, calm manner. It works.

Yad L'achim also publishes a quarterly magazine, mailed to tens of
thousands of Israelis who are involved in cults. The back page reads:
Have questions, doubts? Come speak with us. Call now.

And so, ten years after devoting his life to missionary work, Schiff
picked up the phone.

"In the cult, they told us that Yad L'achim were terrorists. People are
afraid to talk to them. I met them secretly. I didn't want anyone to see
me."

For six months, Schiff and Yad L'achim's representatives debated
theology. "I fought for it," says Schiff, "because I wanted to keep it."
The missionaries preach that if a person believes in their god, all sins
will be forgiven. It's easy, says Schiff, and tempting. "It feels good
to be forgiven, to be 'in with god,' to have no obligations.
Christianity has become very tempting for people my age. But Rabbis
Binyamin Kluger and Daniel Asor [both former missionaries] were amazing.
They didn't give up on me as I was deliberating and going back and
forth."

Now 34, Schiff spends much of his free time trying to help Jews leave
cults. "I know their language, their techniques, their strategies," he
says. "The fact that I'm not a rabbi helps too," he believes. "We share
a common language and there are fewer divides I need to cross in order
to connect with people.

Schiff has a message he wants to share with our readers. "If this
article reaches someone in a cult," he says emotionally, "know that Yad
L'achim and the Jewish people have never stopped loving you and caring
about you and we are waiting for you to come back home."

                                       Reprinted from Lubavitch.com

*********************************************************************
                               WHAT'S NEW
*********************************************************************
                           New Torah Scrolls

The completion of the sixth Children's Torah Scroll took place recently
in Jerusalem at the Western Wall. Theh Kotel Plaza was packed and thre
streets and walksways blocked with the thousands of people in
attendance.  On the same day, in Alma Ata, Kazahkstan, a completion
ceremony took place. That Torah iwas welcomed into the Chabad synagogue
in Alma Ata.

                           My Very Own Letter


The newly-released picture book for young children, My Very Own Letter,
focuses on a mitzva that can be fulfilled once in a lifetime! Every Jew
is charged with writing a Torah scroll. It is one of the 613
commandments and something that even a young child can accomplish by
owning one letter in a Torah scroll. The young brother and sister in the
book are proud to have one holy letter of their own. Beautiful,
action-packed illustrations enhance the story and bring the characters
to life!

*********************************************************************
                            THE REBBE WRITES
*********************************************************************
                     Freely translated and adapted

                             18 Elul, 5736

The month of Elul, as is well known, is the month of honest
self-assessment of the outgoing year, and, at the same time, the month
of preparation for the new year - which is, clearly, also the purpose of
the honest stock-taking; i.e. not only to try to make good one's
deficiencies, but also to know, and to resolve with proper
determination, the right path of future daily conduct henceforth. And
this will make the coming year a good and sweet one spiritually, hence
also a good and sweet year materially.

In the month of Elul itself, the 18th (Chai) Elul comes as a special
reminder, with encouragement and exhortation, in the said two aspects of
self-assessment and preparation. Its message is: With this day begins
the last 12 days of the year; hence the self-searching must now be more
intensive and embrace all the months of the year - each day
corresponding to a month, the start being Chai Elul. Moreover, according
to our Rebbes, the day of Chai Elul must infuse vitality (chai - life)
into all details of the Divine service of the entire month of Elul and
in its two general aspects of assessment and preparation.

One may wonder what has "vitality" to do with such a thing as an honest
self-assessment which deals with "hard" facts. The connection is as
follows: There is the well-known instruction that just as one must not
forget one's shortcomings in order to rectify them fully, so must one
not forget one's good qualities, in order to utilize them to the fullest
degree.

In order that this should be accomplished in the proper way - and to the
greatest possible degree - the assessment must be done with real
vitality.

Whereas an honest assessment of one's shortcomings might sometimes
induce discouragement, or worse, despair, an honest evaluation of ones
achievements might lead to complacency and to the conclusion that one
has already attained a state of perfection.

However, the sign and effectiveness of vitality is in growth, and not
the growth of a vegetable, which remains in the same place (and
situation), but of a living creature--moving from one place to a better
place. Growth is indicated not only by changing location, but also by
growing through personal change, a change in one's nature, habits and
entire being from good to better and better still.

This is the true vitality of Jew who has been commanded to refine and
change his character attributes.

The capacity to attain all the above has been given to every Jew, or,
using the quotation above, to "all of you," from "the heads of your
tribes" to "the hewer of your wood and the drawer of your water."

For the vitality of every Jew derives from, and is bound up with, the
Source of Life, as is written, "And you who are attached to G-d, your
G-d, are all of you living this day--by virtue of your attachment to
G-dliness, the Source of life and vitality, through the Torah, the Torah
of Life, and the Mitzvoth (commandments) whereby Jews live.

Moreover, it is a matter of common experience that everything done with
vivacity can be achieved with greater success and more completeness. And
- what is no less important--such activity makes the proper impact on
others inspiring them with the same spirit, for the best influence is a
living example.

May G-d grant, that everyone, man and woman, take full advantage of the
great opportunity of the last days of the year and those following, all
the days of the coming year - to act with true vitality in fullest
measure, as above.

And in the merit of it everyone, in the midst of all our Jewish people,
should be inscribed for a good and sweet year, for good life and for
peace,

Unto the coming of our Righteous Moshiach, and the fulfillment of the
divine prophecy: "The strength and glory of the Righteous shall be
uplifted," very soon indeed.

*********************************************************************
                              ALL TOGETHER
*********************************************************************
We find ourselves in a Hakhel year. When the Holy Temple stood we would
fulfill G-d's commandment of Hakhel, gathering together all of the
Jewish people; men, women, and children, including even the very young
children. We must also perform Hakhel at appropriate times, especially
on Shabbat. Come together to study the Torah portion or a Torah idea,
and to make good resolutions to increase in mitzva observance.

                                  (A letter of the Rebbe from 1981)

*********************************************************************
                        A WORD FROM THE DIRECTOR
                         Rabbi Shmuel M. Butman
*********************************************************************
This coming Wednesday is "Chai Elul," the 18th of the Jewish month of
Elul. This date was the birthday of the Baal Shem Tov, founder of the
Chasidic movement, and the birth, 50 years later of Rabbi Shneur Zalman
of Liadi, founder of the Chabad Chasidic philosophy.

One year, upon their return from summer overnight camp the day before
Chai Elul, the Rebbe spoke to the campers of Gan Israel and Camp Emunah
and discussed these two great giants.

He explained that both the Baal Shem Tov and Rabbi Shneur Zalman were
renowned for their efforts to teach Jewish children about Judaism. In
particular, in regard to the Baal Shem Tov, it is always mentioned that
before he became well known, he served as a teacher's helper. In this
capacity, he would remind the young children in his charge to begin
their day thanking G-d that they were, indeed, alive that day. This is
accomplished by reciting the "Modeh Ani" prayer, through which, as the
very first act of the day, a Jew acknowledges G-d.

In this manner, a child not only makes a statement of thanks to G-d, he
trains himself to feel genuine gratitude for all the good things which
G-d has given him. And from that point on, through every moment of the
day, a Jewish child increases his appreciation and awareness of G-d's
goodness. For indeed, G-d gives graciously and generously.

The Rebbe went on to explain that this is particularly true in the month
of Elul, when - as Rabbi Shneur Zalman teaches - G-d makes Himself
accessible to the Jews as a king in the field. G-d does not tire, but
renews constantly all the good which He grants to every child and adult.
And in particular, He grants Jewish children success in studying G-d's
Torah and fulfilling His commandments in a beautiful and conscientious
manner, inspired by the love of G-d and the fear of G-d.

Though the above thoughts were addressed to children, they apply equally
to all of us. For each one of us has the "child" within.

*********************************************************************
                          THOUGHTS THAT COUNT
*********************************************************************
But he shall acknowledge the son of the hated for the firstborn
(bechor), by giving him a double portion of all that he has (Deut.
21:17)

The letters of the word "bechor" allude to the firstborn's inheritance
of a double portion, as each letter is numerically equivalent to double
the one that immediately precedes it in the Hebrew alphabet: beit (2) is
twice alef (1); chof (20) is twice yud (10); and reish (200) is twice
kuf (100).

                                                            (HaGra)

                                *  *  *


You shall not watch your brother's ox or his sheep go astray and hide
yourself from them; you shall surely bring them back to your brother
(Deut. 22:1)

This is the mitzva of "returning a lost object." If the Torah commands
us to return a lost physical object and not pretend we are unaware of
the situation, how much more so are we obligated to help a lost Jewish
soul and restore it to its rightful place.

                                                       (The Shaloh)

                                *  *  *


You shall let the mother go, and take the young to you (Deut. 22:7)

What is the reward for sending the mother bird away from the nest? "If
you are childless, I will give you children. By fulfilling this
commandment, you thereby hasten the arrival of Moshiach...and the
Prophet Elijah."

                                                    (Midrash Rabba)

                                *  *  *


You shall not wear a garment of different sorts (shaatnez), wool and
linen together (22:11)

According to Chasidut, wool and linen are symbolic of chesed and gevura,
the opposite attributes of loving-kindness and severity. When a Jew
observes a positive mitzva, a "do," he draws nearer to him the object or
thing with which he performs the mitzva. When he observes one of the
Torah's prohibitions, a "don't," he avoids something that is forbidden
and pushes it away. Shaatnez reminds us that the two opposing thrusts
mustn't be confused or combined: that which is forbidden should be
shunned, and that which is holy and positive should be encouraged.

                                             (The Rebbe, Elul 5744)

*********************************************************************
                            IT ONCE HAPPENED
*********************************************************************
The 18th of Elul, this year Wednesday, Sept 21, is the birthday of Rabbi
Shneur Zalman, founder of Chabad-Lubavitch.

In a small town in white Russia there lived a rich Jew who was
considered to be a real miser by all the townspeople. Whenever he was
approached for a donation, he would take out a rusty copper five kopecks
coin, and offer it as his contribution. People would throw the rusty
coin back at the miser and eventually stopped approaching him for
donations altogether, until something quite remarkable happened.

A young couple, both poor orphans, were soon to be married. The
townspeople provided them with their needs and also made sure that they
would have a fine wedding feast. Indeed, everyone had contributed to
this special fund and was entitled to participate in the simcha (happy
occasion), except the miser. No one had even asked him for a
contribution.

In the midst of all the preparations for the wedding, without any
warning, the groom was taken into custody by the Chief of Police for
military service. The Chief of Police was known to be anti-Semetic. When
he heard about the wedding, he thought it would be a golden opportunity
to strike at all the Jews. He sent for the groom on his wedding day!

A special delegation hurried to the Police Chief to arrange for the
groom's release. The chief threw them out, warning that they would be
sent to Siberia if they continued to harass him.

At this critical time, the revered and famous Rabbi Shneur Zalman
arrived in town. He had made the match between the young couple and had
come to join in their simcha. When he heard what had happened, he asked
the rabbi of the town to accompany him to see the Police Chief.

"We've come to ask you to release the bridegroom, who is to be married
tonight. We are ready to pay the tax to obtain his immediate release.
Just name the amount," the Rebbe said in a firm voice.

The Police Chief, an avid card player and gambler, had gotten himself
into serious debt. He now saw a chance to squeeze a large sum of money
from the Jews in his town.

"One thousand rubles," said the Chief.

Without hesitation, Rabbi Shneur Zalman replied, "You will receive this
amount before sunset."

As soon as they were outside, the delegation asked the Rebbe, "How can
we possibly raise such a large sum of money from our poor townspeople,
and before sunset today?"

"G-d, the father of orphans, will not forsake them," the Rebbe answered
confidently.

Rabbi Shneur Zalman insisted on going to the "miser" first. " We will
give him the opportunity to participate in the great mitzva
(commandment) of redeeming the imprisoned," said Rabbi Shneur Zalman.

Arriving at the rich man's house, Rabbi Shneur Zalman told the man what
had happened to the groom. The rich man said nothing but brought out the
five kopek coin and offered it to the Rabbi. Rabbi Shneur Zalman quickly
took the coin, saying, "May you have the merit to do many more mitzvot."
As they got up to leave, the Jew blurted out, "I think my contribution
was too small. Here is a whole ruble."

The Rebbe took the ruble and repeated his blessing. As they turned
toward the door, the Jew called out, "Excuse me Rebbe, I'd like to give
a larger donation." He took out a ten-ruble note. The Rebbe took it
graciously and blessed him as before. This performance repeated itself
several times with the Rebbe blessing the man each time. Finally the Jew
burst into tears.

"I once gave a beggar a five kopek coin, and he threw it back in my
face. I was so annoyed that I said to myself, `This coin is going to be
my donation, whatever the cause, until someone accepts it with a
friendly word. Since then, that five kopek piece has always been
returned to me with scorn and abuse, until people stopped coming to me
altogether for charity."

"You, saintly Rebbe, are the first person who accepted my donation with
friendliness. You gave me the opportunity to participate in this great
mitzva and you found it in your heart to bless me. I shall never forget
what you have done.

"Now, I shall give you the full amount needed to pay for the groom's
release. I hope and pray that it will make up for the tzedaka (charity)
opportunities I have missed."

The Rebbe blessed him again that G-d should enable him to give charity
with an open hand and a joyous heart. The groom was released after the
money was paid and the wedding was celebrated with unsurpassed joy and
gratitude. One of the most distinguished guests, in addition to the
Rebbe, was the Jew who had donated the whole ransom money.

                                              From Talks and Tales.

*********************************************************************
                            MOSHIACH MATTERS
*********************************************************************
This week's Torah portion begins (Deut. 21:10), "When you go out to wage
war... G-d will deliver them into your hands and you will take captives
("shivyo"). The literal meaning of the word "shivyo" is "his captives,"
implying that we shall regain the enemy's capture, i.e., that which the
enemy captured from us in the past. One of the tasks of Moshiach in the
early stages of his revelation is, in the words of Maimonides, "He will
wage the battles of G-d and succeed." At the end of the Messianic
battle, the Jewish people will find restored all the precious spoils
that were taken by the nations during the exile, first and foremost
among them the Holy Temple.

                         (The Rebbe, Shabbat Parshat Teitzei, 1990)

*********************************************************************
              END OF TEXT - L'CHAIM 1439 - Ki Seitzei 5776
*********************************************************************