LIVING WITH MOSHIACH, Parshat Vayikra
- From: "yyshagalov@xxxxxxx" <yyshagalov@xxxxxxx>
- Date: 31 Mar 2006 10:26:22 -0800
B"H
LIVING WITH MOSHIACH
Weekly Digest About Moshiach
PARSHAT VAYIKRA, 5766
2 Nissan, 5766
March 31, 2006
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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.
* From a Talk of the Rebbe.
* Shabbat Mevorchim Nissan.
* Beis Nissan.
* Time for Unity; Time for Strength!
* A Call To Action.
* The Weekly Shabbat Calendar.
* "Let There Be Light" - The Jewish Women's Guide to Lighting
Shabbat Candles.
* Laws of Shabbat Candle Lighting for the Blind.
* Shabbat Candle Lighting Blessing.
* Moshiach Information Hotlines.
* Moshiach In The Air -- Electronic Media.
* Subscription Information for this Weekly Magazine:
Living With Moshiach.
****************
* INTRODUCTION *
****************
We are pleased to present, to the visually impaired and the
blind, the 468th issue of our weekly publication, Living With
Moshiach.
*
In this week's issue, we focus on Beis (the second day of the
Hebrew month of) Nissan (Friday, March 31), the Yahrtzeit of Rabbi
Sholom Dov Ber (1860-1920), the fifth Rebbe of Chabad-Lubavitch,
known as the Rebbe Rashab.
*
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 of
blessed memory ("http://www.torah4blind.org/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@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
23 Adar, 5766
Los Angeles, California
***************************************
* THE WEEKLY TORAH PORTION *
* Adapted from the Works of the Rebbe *
***************************************
PARSHAT VAYIKRA
This week's Torah portion is Vayikra, which begins the book of
Leviticus. The book of Leviticus, is also known as Torat Kohanim
(the Laws of the Priests) and the Book of Sacrifices.
Jews, as a people, and individually, are expected to behave like
kohanim (priests), as G-d has declared: "And you should be unto Me
a Kingdom of Kohanim." Just as the kohen has been selected to
dedicate himself to the Divine Service -- and not only for his own
sake, but also for the whole Jewish people -- so has every Jew been
chosen to serve G-d, with a responsibility also for his entire
environment.
To serve G-d does not mean to withdraw from the world; it rather
means to serve G-d within this world and together with this world.
The beginning of this G-dly service is in one's own home-life, by
conducting it in such a way that G-d's Presence should dwell in it,
as it is written: "They shall make Me a Sanctuary that I may dwell
among them."
This is accomplished by a way of life exemplified by the
sacrifices of old. The service of the sacrifices consisted in
taking things from one's possession -- a lamb, flour, oil, wine,
salt, etc. -- and consecrating them.
This is the way a Jewish home should be conducted; every detail
of one's life should be consecrated to G-d. How is this
accomplished? By bringing spirituality into our daily lives and our
homes through charity and good deeds, communicating with G-d, and
Jewish education. And then the Divine Presence dwells there, and it
is a home blessed by G-d, materially and spiritually.
*******************************************************
* IN LOVING MEMORY OF OUR DEAR FRIEND AND COPY EDITOR *
* Reb Mordechai ben Reb Shaul *
* Staiman *
* Passed away on 22 Tamuz, 5763 *
*******************************************************
************************
* 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.
_______________
See "Living With Moshiach" Vol 441:
http://www.torah4blind.org/lwm-5765/441.htm
*********************************************
* 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 *
* On the occasion of her eleventh yahrtzeit,*
* Shabbat Parshat Teruma, 4 Adar, 5766 *
* Pais *
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****************************
* FROM A TALK OF THE REBBE *
****************************
56 years ago, on Shabbat Parshat Vayakhel-Pekudei, 5710/1950,
the Rebbe said the following:
"In the last series of Chasidic discourses that the [Previous]
Rebbe wrote, he anticipated everything and hinted at everything.
[According to the unauthenticated notes of a listener, the Rebbe
said: "I search among the subjects explained in these discourses
for the answers to all the questions beings asked."]...
"The [Previous] Rebbe says this of our present time -- the final
era before the Redemption, the era in which the task of separating
the sparks of G-dliness in this world and returning them to their
source comes to an end. As the Rebbe wrote, now is the era
preceding the Redemption, and the mode of spiritual service now
required is a mode of victory, with an unquestioning acceptance of
the yoke of heaven.
"In order that victory be secured in the current battle, 'secret
treasures, which have been locked away for generations,' have been
squandered -- i.e., all the teachings and episodes which the Rebbe
revealed in recent times, and which had been hidden and sealed from
generation to generation, until the generation of the Baal Shem Tov
and his mentor.
"Because no one adequately took all these treasures to heart,
their revelation is a veritable squandering, all for the sake of
victory."
In another of his earliest talks, the Rebbe suggests that we
pour over the latter talks of the Previous Rebbe from his final
years in order to find guidance and our orders on how to proceed.
Jewish teachings explain that when a great Sage makes a
statement about another great teacher he is, in reality, saying the
same about himself. Thus, we must take the Rebbe's advice and pour
over his most recent teachings, those from the years of 5750, 5751
and 5752 (1990-1992). In these most recent talks, the Rebbe's
declaration that "The time of our Redemption has arrived," shows
clearly that we have entered a new stage in the pre-Redemption era.
And the Rebbe's instructions to publicize this and other statements
and messages are also contained in these talks.
May we very soon no longer have to review the Rebbe's talks, but
hear Torah from the Rebbe himself.
****************************
* SHABBAT MEVORCHIM NISSAN *
****************************
Last Shabbat was Shabbat Mevorchim, the Shabbat before the new
Jewish month. Literally translated, it means a Shabbat in which we
bless the upcoming Jewish month. This Shabbat Mevorchim is special
because it is the Shabbat before the month of Nissan [1], which is
often referred to as "the month of Redemption."
On the surface, calling Nissan the month of Redemption is
explained by the fact that Nissan is the month in which we
celebrate Passover, [2] the holiday that commemorates the Jews'
redemption from Egyptian slavery. But the month of Nissan is also
connected to the Final Redemption, as our Sages say, "In Nissan,
our people were redeemed, and in Nissan, they will be redeemed in
the future."
This Shabbat represents the transition from the month of Adar to
the month of Nissan. Both months contain within them commemorations
of miraculous events. In Adar we celebrate the downfall of Haman
and the victory of the Jewish people, and in Nissan we celebrate
our freedom from slavery.
The difference between the events is that the miracles of Purim
occurred within the natural order of the world, while the miracles
of Passover transcended the natural order. The story of Purim can
be traced through a natural sequence of events. But by cloaking
miracles in the natural order of the world, we are actually
elevating the natural order.
That is our true purpose on this earth, to elevate the physical
to the spiritual and have G-dliness revealed on this plane.
Another concept that the two months have in common is
redemption. Adar celebrates redemption from Haman's wicked decree,
and Nissan celebrates the redemption from Egypt. Shabbat is also a
kind of redemption, a weekly redemption from mundane cares and
worries to a place of light, joy, song and Torah-study.
May all of these redemption's be stepping-stones to our
complete, final, and ultimate Redemption, the coming of Moshiach.
_______________
1. Rosh Chodesh Nissan is celebrated on Thursday, March 30. Ed.
2. This year, Passover begins on Wednesday night, April 12. Ed.
***************
* BEIS NISSAN *
***************
Friday, Beis (the second day of) Nissan (March 31), is the
Yahrtzeit of Rabbi Sholom Dov Ber (1860-1920), the fifth Rebbe of
Chabad-Lubavitch, known as the Rebbe Rashab.
The Rebbe Rashab lived in the town of Lubavitch in White Russia,
which had been the center of the Chabad movement. However, in 1915
the Rebbe and his chasidim were forced to leave the town of
Lubavitch as the battles of World War I were approaching. They
settled in the town of Rostov, which seemed to be a safe distance
from the fighting. But in 1920, the Communists tightened their
control over Rostov. This, however, did not discourage the Rebbe
Rashab from continuing with his work of inspiring and encouraging
his fellow Jews in all areas of Torah and mitzvot.
*
Only hours before his passing, the Rebbe Rashab told his
chasidim, "I am going to heaven, but my writings I am leaving with
you." Although he wouldn't be physically present, the chasidim
could connect to him through his teachings.
A scant perusal of the Rebbe Rashab's writings brings to light
the following gems:
"A single act is better than a thousand groans. Our G-d lives,
and Torah and mitzvot are eternal; quit the groaning and work hard
in actual spiritual work, and G-d will be gracious to you."
"Cherish criticism, for it will place you on the true heights."
"When Moshiach will come, then we will really long for the days
of exile. Then we will truly feel distress at our having neglected
our avoda (spiritual work); then will we indeed feel the deep pain
caused by our lack of avoda. These days of exile are the days of
avoda, to prepare ourselves for the coming of Moshiach, speedily in
our time, amen."
"And this is the main thing in these last moments before
Moshiach, that we don't go according to our intellect and our
reasoning. Rather, we should fulfill Torah and mitzvot above and
beyond what reason dictates."
"The avoda of serving G-d according to Chasidus comprises all
kinds of levels... the level of 'corpse' does not need much
elaboration; but, thank G-d, there is also 'revival of the dead' in
spiritual work. A corpse is cold; there is nothing as frigid as
natural intellect, human intellect. When one's natural intelligence
comprehends a G-dly concept, and the emotions latent in intellect
are enthused and moved by the pleasure-within-intellect -- that is
true revival of the dead."
May we immediately merit the Final Redemption, when all
righteous Jews (and all Jews are considered righteous!) will be
resurrected with the Revival of the Dead.
*
There is a beautiful story concerning the Rebbe Rashab,
illustrating the high esteem in which he held every Jew.
One of the Rebbe Rashab's followers, Reb Monye Monissohn, was a
wealthy gem dealer. Once, when they were sitting together, the
Rebbe spoke very highly about some simple, unlearned Jews.
"Why do you make such a fuss about them?" Reb Monye asked the
Rebbe.
"Each one of them has many special and noble qualities,"
explained the Rebbe.
"I can't see any of these qualities," said Reb Monye.
The Rebbe remained silent. A while later, he asked Reb Monye if
he had brought his package of diamonds with him. Indeed, Reb Monye
had brought the diamonds, but asked the Rebbe if he could display
them later, when they could be seen to their best advantage.
Later, Reb Monye took the Rebbe into a different room and
arranged the diamonds for him to see. Reb Monye pointed to one gem
in particular, extolling its beautiful color and quality.
"I can't see anything special in it," the Rebbe said.
"That is because you have to be a "maven" to know how to look at
diamonds!" explained Reb Monye.
"Every Jew, too, is something beautiful and extra-ordinary," the
Rebbe said. "But you have to be a "maven" to know how to look at
him."
**************************************
* TIME FOR UNITY; TIME FOR STRENGTH! *
**************************************
The most important principle in the Torah is the protection of
Jewish life.
It's more important than Shabbat, more important than holidays,
even fasting on Yom Kippur.
Right now, in Israel, and everywhere, Jews must stand together
in unity and do whatever possible to protect Jewish life.
The Rebbe teaches that there are TEN important MITZVOT we can do
to protect life. See what you can do:
1) AHAVAT YISROEL: Behave with love towards another Jew.
2) LEARN TORAH: Join a Torah class.
3) Make sure that Jewish children get a TORAH TRUE EDUCATION.
4) Affix kosher MEZUZOT on all doorways of the house.
5) For men and boys over 13: Put on TEFILLIN every weekday.
6) Give CHARITY.
7) Buy JEWISH HOLY BOOKS and learn them.
8) LIGHT SHABBAT & YOM TOV candles. A Mitzvah for women and
girls.
9) Eat and drink only KOSHER FOOD.
10) Observe the laws of JEWISH FAMILY PURITY.
In addition, the Rebbe also urged every man, woman and child to
PURCHASE A LETTER IN A SEFER TORAH. There are several Torah scrolls
being written to unite Jewish people and protect Jewish life.
Letters for children can be purchased for only $1. Send your
Hebrew name and your mother's Hebrew name plus $1 to:
"CHILDREN'S SEFER TORAH,"
P. O. BOX 8,
KFAR CHABAD, 72915, ISRAEL
or via the Internet, at:
http://www.kidstorah.org
********************
* 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.
THIRTY DAYS:
"Purim is thirty days before Passover. [3] As Rabbi Shneur
Zalman of Liadi writes in his Code of Jewish Law, thirty days
before Passover, we should begin studying the laws of the holiday.
"Similarly, since the celebration of the Passover holiday
involves many expenses, it is proper that efforts be made to
provide everyone who lacks with their Passover needs.
"Although there are organizations involved with these activities
throughout the entire year, there must be an increase in these
efforts in connection with the Passover holidays, providing them
with both food and clothing so that they can celebrate the holiday
in an ample manner, as befits 'free people.'"
(The Rebbe, 16 Adar, 5751/1991)
_______________
3. This year, Passover begins on Wednesday night, April 12. Ed.
***************************************
* In loving memory of *
* HORAV CHAIM YEHUDA KALMAN *
* Ben Horav Avrohom Yehoshua Marlow, *
* head of the Bet-Din (Rabbinical *
* Court) of Crown Heights, *
* Passed away, on Friday Morning, *
* 20 Sivan, 5760 (June 23, 2000) *
***************************************
*******************************
* THE WEEKLY SHABBAT CALENDAR *
*******************************
** JEWISH WOMEN AND GIRLS LIGHT SHABBAT CANDLES **
*******************************************************
* FOR LOCAL CANDLE LIGHTING TIMES: *
* consult your local Rabbi, Chabad-Lubavitch Center. *
* 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, MARCH 31, EREV SHABBAT PARSHAT VAYIKRA:
* Light Shabbat Candles, [4] by 6:01 p.m.
SATURDAY, APRIL 1, SHABBAT PARSHAT VAYIKRA:
* Shabbat ends at NIGHTFALL, at 7:02 p.m.
_______________
4. 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.
***************************************
* "LET THERE BE LIGHT" *
* - The Jewish Women's Guide *
* to Lighting Shabbat Candles *
* http://www.torah4blind.org/ltbl.htm *
***************************************
***********************************
* LAWS OF SHABBAT CANDLE LIGHTING *
* FOR THE BLIND *
***********************************
Edited by Rabbi Y. K. Marlow O.B.M.*
* A blind woman who lives alone should light her Shabbat
candle(s) with a blessing.
* If she is married to a non-visually impaired person, HER
HUSBAND SHOULD LIGHT THE SHABBAT CANDLES WITH THE BLESSING.
* If she is eating and lighting in the company of others who
are non-visually impaired, and they lit the Shabbat candles,
she should light her own Shabbat candle(s), BUT WITHOUT SAYING THE
BLESSING.
* (If at all possible, she should not be the last one to light
the Shabbat candle(s), so that she can be absolved by the latter's
blessing.)
_______________
*. Head of Bet-Din (Rabbinical Court) of Crown Heights.
************************************
* SHABBAT CANDLE LIGHTING BLESSING *
************************************
* First light the candles. Then spread your hands out around the
candles, drawing your hands inward in a circular motion three times
to indicate the acceptance of the sanctity of Shabbat. You then
cover your eyes and recite the following blessing:
BO-RUCH A-TOH ADO-NOI E-LO-HEI-NU ME-LECH HO-OLOM
A-SHER KI-DE-SHO-NU BE-MITZ-VO-SOV VE-TZI-VO-NU
LE-HAD-LIK NER SHEL SHA-BOS KO-DESH.
Translation:
Blessed are You, L-rd our G-d, King of the universe,
who has sanctified us with His commandments, and
commanded us to kindle the light of the holy Shabbat.
* Uncover your eyes and behold the Shabbat lights.
* The time of lighting is considered especially propitious for
praying to G-d for health and happiness. The prayer is readily
acceptable because it is offered during the performance of this
great mitzvah of lighting Shabbat candles.
CAUTION:
The candles must be lit 18 minutes *BEFORE* sunset. IT IS
PROHIBITED AND IS A DESECRATION OF THE SHABBAT TO LIGHT THE
CANDLES *AFTER* SUNSET.
*******************************************
* MOSHIACH INFORMATION HOTLINES *
* http://www.torah4blind.org/hotlines.htm *
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* LIVING WITH MOSHIACH *
* Weekly Digest About Moshiach *
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= End of Text: Living With Moshiach, Parshat Vayikra, 5766 =
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