Yud Shevat
Friday, February 3rd, the tenth of Shevat, marks
sixty two years since the passing of the Previous Rebbe, Rabbi
Yosef Yitzchak Schneerson, and the ascendance to leadership of
his son in law, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson.
Chassidut and Kabbalah teach that on the day of a person's
passing, all of the good deeds that the person performed
throughout his life cumulatively rise to Heaven. Each year, on
the Yahrtzeit, the soul reaches a greater height. All of those
connected to the person receive a spiritual elevation at that
time. Students and those who seek to follow in the paths of
Tzaddikim are all among those who share in the elevation.
Rabbi Yoseph Yitzchak's leadership spanned two very different
challenging periods. He was the Rebbe in Russia under the
communist regime. Against all odds and hopes he sent forth
representatives throughout Russia to establish and maintain
schools and houses of worship. Upon being released from soviet
confinement, he announced in a public address “All of the
Nations of the world must know that only our bodies are in
exile. Our souls were never sent into exile. Concerning anything
that relates to our religion: Torah, Mitzvot, and Jewish custom,
no one has the right to voice an opinion.” The millions of Jews
who retained Jewish identity in Russia and the current rebirth
of Judaism in Russia are a testimony to his work and
inspiration.
Arriving in America, he was confronted by the prevailing
attitude that America is different. People felt that the
standard of Jewish scholarship and piety that had existed in
Europe could not be duplicated here. Upon his arrival he
announced “America is Nit Anderesh (America is not different).”
Though ten years of unstinting labor he inspired the rabbinical
leadership that indeed America could be made into a home for
Torah and Judaism. The myriad of Torah institutions across the
country attest to his success.
The Rebbe, upon receiving the mantle of leadership sixty two
years ago, stressed that each of us must do all which is within
our power to concern ourselves for our fellow Jews. One Jew
doing one more Mitzvah is critical to the future of the entire
Jewish people. He sent representatives to all corners of the
globe to serve as catalysts for Jewish revival. Millions of Jews
have been touched by his work.
One
of the early directives of the Rebbe was that everyone should
have a Minyan: at least ten fellow Jews whom he inspired and
taught to advance in Judaism. In later years the Rebbe
proclaimed that everyone must view themselves as an emissary to
further Torah and Judaism. As we enter the fifty-ninth year of
the Rebbe's leadership, we must rededicate ourselves to seeing
that every Jew advances in his Torah study and observance.
If anyone would like prayers said by the graveside of
the Rebbes on the occasion of the Yahrtzeit, contact me at
RabbiBiggs@gmail.com or by fax at 516 4874807
Include the Hebrew names of the people to be prayed for and
their mother's Hebrew names
B"H
Beshalach-Shabbat Shira-Trust in Hashem
N.
Y. City Candle lighting 4:57
Shabbat ends 5:59
Kiddush Levana can be recited through Monday night
Tu
B’Shvat is Wednesday
Shalom and Bracha!
This Shabbat we read the portion of Beshalach. This week’s
portion contains many miracles and many tests of faith that the
Jewish people endured. All of the miracles teach us to rely on
Hashem and follow His directives. After the Jewish people left
Egypt, Pharaoh and his army chased them, pinning them against
the ocean. The Jewish people were thrown into a state of
confusion. Amongst the people there were those who wished to
return to Egypt. Hashem told Moshe to tell the people to go
forward. Nachshon Ben Aminadav, the prince of the Tribe of
Yehudah, jumped into the water. Moshe raised his staff, Hashem
split the waters and the Jewish people went through the seabed
on dry ground. Thereafter, when the Jewish people left the
seabed, the Egyptians pursued. The ocean closed, swallowing them
and finally ending the Egyptian threat to the Exodus. Upon
witnessing this, Moshe and the Jewish people sang praise to
Hashem. The song of praise that they sang is called the “Shirah”
(song) of the sea, and is part of the daily prayers. This is the
reason why this Shabbat is called Shabbat Shirah, because we
read the Shirah of the sea. The Egyptian army carried with them
vast treasures, which the Jewish people took before their next
journey. This teaches us that what seems to be a difficulty
(such as the Egyptian army’s pursuit) is often a source of
unexpected blessing.
Thereafter, the Jewish came to an oasis called Elim. The Torah
tells us that there were twelve wells and seventy date palms.
Rashi explains that these paralleled the twelve tribes and the
seventy elders. This was a hint from Hashem that our food and
water come in the merit of the forefathers and the merit of
Torah scholars.
Thereafter, when the Jewish people lacked bread, Hashem sent
bread from heaven. The bread was sent in a manner to teach them
to have faith. Each day there was only sufficient for that day.
It was forbidden to save for the next day. Further, however much
one tried to gather, he only had enough for one day. This
teaches us that to realize that our sustenance comes only from
Hashem. If we deserve to receive a certain amount, all of our
efforts to make more will be to no avail. The way to attain more
is by meriting more in Hashem’s judgment. Hashem forbade them to
gather the bread on Shabbat. Those who went to gather came empty
handed. This teaches us that when we must seek sustenance only
in accordance with Hashem’s will.
When the Jewish people needed water, two miracles occurred.
First, Moshe threw a tree into bitter waters and sweetened them.
Later, he hit a rock and water came forth. The tree is symbolic
of the Torah, which is called an Eitz Chaim (Tree of Life). The
Torah teaches us how to reveal the sweetness in the bitter. The
water flowing from the rock teaches us that our true source of
sustenance is completely hidden from us, just as the water was
concealed in the rock.
Thereafter, a nation called Amalek rose up against the Jewish
people. The war was a miraculous one. When Moshe’s hands were
uplifted, the Jewish people succeeded. When Moshe lowered his
hands, Amalek prevailed. This taught us that all of our success
in overcoming evil was dependent upon Moshe. The Targum teaches
that the final vanquishing of Amalek will be in the time of
Moshiach. May we merit that as we study the redemption, we shall
experience it!
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Biggs
Dedicated to Orel Meir Ben Naim Hacohen Kahen on the occasion of
his Brit. May he be a joy and pride to his family and his people
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