B”H
Shalom and Bracha!
This Shabbat we read the portion of Korach. From two narratives
in the portion we can learn a valuable lesson both in dealing
with each other and in the service of Hashem. The portion begins
with the rebellion of Korach. Korach was a cousin of Moshe
Rabbeinu and was jealous of Aharon’s being the Kohen Gadol, the
high priest. He succeeded in gathering a large group to rebel
against Aharon and Moshe. Hashem commanded that they all offer
incense the following day and He would reveal His chosen one.
Two hundred and fifty people offered incense and were consumed
by a fire from Heaven. The earth swallowed the leaders of the
rebellion, their families and all of their possessions. The
incense burners were used to make a copper coating for the altar
and serve as a permanent reminder of the rebellion.
Later in the portion, Hashem commanded that Moshe take a one
stick from each of the tribes and that he write the names of the
tribes on their sticks. On the stick of the tribe of Levi, Moshe
wrote “Aharon.” He took all of the sticks and left them in front
of theArk. The following day,
Aharon’s stick had grown flowers, buds and almonds. Hashem said
that the stick would serve as a constant reminder of the
position of the Kohanim so that the Jewish people would stop
complaining.
Seemingly, a fire coming from Heaven and consuming people and
the earth splitting and swallowing people are much more dramatic
miracles and better proof of Hashem’s choice in Aharon than the
miracle of the stick. Why then is the miracle of the stick the
eternal proof?
The reason is because of the timing. Korach was punished to
quell a rebellion. Hashem desired to fortify Moshe’s authority
as the leader of the Jewish people. Even if Hashem wasn’t so
thrilled with Aharon, we could interpret His actions purely as
support for Moshe or displeasure with Korach. After the
rebellion and its aftermath were over, when Hashem reaffirmed
His choice in Aharon, it was clear that He meant it.
This is a great lesson in dealing with people. It is important
to encourage people when they are down or embattled. That is our
duty. However, when we encourage and recognize people when
everything is fine, then they know that the support is coming
from the heart. A small gesture goes a very long way.
The same applies to our relationship with G-d. We turn to Hashem
when things are tough. This is imperative, and demonstrates our
faith that He and only He is the ultimate source of help and
salvation. It is also important that we turn to Him when things
are good, thanking Him for our blessings and seeking His
guidance. Further, when we fulfill a Mitzvah to the minimal
extent, we are doing our duty. When we fulfill it the in the
best manner, particularly on a mundane day, we are showing our
love.
The word Korach means ice. As we enter the warm months, it is a
sign we must serve Hashem with warmth and fervor and be active
in Ahavat Yisrael with warmth and fervor. The word Korach also
means split. Korach was the epitome of jealousy and strife, the
causes of the destruction of the Temple. Let us increase in unity, humility and
respect we will merit the immediate redemption.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Biggs
Dedicated to Shmuel Rafael Ben Liba for all that is good
B"H
Gimmel Tammuz
Rejoicing and Reflecting
Shalom and Bracha!
This Shabbat is the third of Tammuz, the eighteenth anniversary
of the passing of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel
Shneerson. The passing of a Tzaddik, particularly a Rebbe, is
called a Hillulah, which means a celebration. Rabbi Shimon Bar
Yochai commanded that his passing be marked by a celebration,
not mourning. This is because on the days of a Tzaddik’s
passing, he reaches the culmination of his life’s work and all
of his deeds are elevated from the physical to the spiritual
realm. Each year on that day there is a higher elevation and all
of those who observe the Hillulah are elevated as well. This
celebration is more intense when the Hilulah falls on Shabbat,
when we rejoice and concentrate only on the positive aspects of
events.
The
Hillulah is a day of reflection and resolution. When we reflect
upon the Rebbe’s life, we see that while being the greatest
scholar in the generation, both in the revealed and hidden
aspects of the Torah, he dedicated his life to caring for every
Jew, even in the remotest corner of the world. The Rebbe taught
us that we must be ready to sacrifice our own spiritual gain to
help another Jew, even if we have never seen him. Furthermore,
the Rebbe taught us to look beyond the surface and see within
each Jew his or her true potential.
As
we observe the Hillulah, we must rededicate ourselves to
rekindling our own spark of Torah, and sparing no effort in
rekindling the spark of Torah within our fellow Jews. This is
underscored by the portion of the week, which stresses the
pitfalls of strife and the converse blessings of unity.
The
Rebbe spent countless hours receiving people and praying for
their physical welfare. The Rebbe instructed that his
institutions throughout the world concern themselves with the
physical well being of the community. The Rebbe taught us that
Ahavat Yisrael is for both the body and the soul. As we observe
the Hillulah, let us look what we can do to benefit a fellow Jew
in a selfless manner.
The
Rebbe’s concern spread to the entire humankind. Wherever
possible, he used his influence to spread the Torah message of
goodness and kindness to people of all nations and sought to
advance their well-being. We must emulate the Rebbe, using our
contact with the world to sanctify Hashem’s name and spread the
seven Noahide commandments for the betterment of the world among
the nations.
With prophetic vision, the Rebbe told us that we are on the
threshold of the redemption. Any act of good and kindness could
be the final one that will bring the world to perfection. He
further stressed that at this time all good deeds should be
imbued with the intent that we are bringing Moshiach closer. The
Rebbe often referred to the Third of Tammuz as the beginning of
the Redemption. The times of Moshiach are compared to an
extended Shabbat. This year when the two coincide is an ideal
time to go the extra mile, doing an extra Mitzvah and assisting
another Jew to do another Mitzvah. May our observance of the
Hillulah be the final conclusion and may we merit Moshiach’s
coming immediately.
Shabbat Shalom and a meaningful Hilulah,
Rabbi Biggs
I will be visiting the Ohel (The Rebbe’s resting place) in
connection with the Hillula and if anyone would like a prayer
said for them and/or their family members, please send me their
Hebrew name and their mother’s Hebrew name. The Hilulah is also
a special time to support the work of the Rebbe’s institutions
and thereby elicit the Rebbe’s blessings. Please send donations
to the address below.
Please take part in the spreading of Torah by sending me e mail
addresses of friends. Every additional Jew studying Torah
strengthens our people and elicits Hashem’s blessings.
A
Project of
Chabad of Great Neck
400
East Shore Rd. Great Neck NY 11024
516
4874554 fax 516 4874807
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you wish to be removed from this list please contact me at
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