LIVING WITH MOSHIACH, Parshat Emor

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B"H
LIVING WITH MOSHIACH
Weekly Digest About Moshiach

PARSHAT EMOR, 5780
Pesach Sheni - 14 Iyar, 5780
May 8, 2020

SPECIAL FEATURE:
Lag B'Omer

********************************************
* Bring Moshiach now *
* by adding in acts of goodness & kindness *
********************************************

*********************************************
* This week's issue of Living With Moshiach *
* is dedicated in loving memory of *
* Mrs. Aita Leah bas Reb Meir Michel *
* Stayer *
* Passed away on 29 Nissan, 5774 *
* * *
* May her Soul Merit Eternal Life *
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* sources, with special emphasis on the opinion *
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Published Weekly By
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Committee For The Blind

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5780

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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.
* Customs Corner.
* The Weekly Torah Portion.
* The Rebbe's Prophecy.
* A Lag B'Omer Message from the Rebbe.
* Lag B'Omer.
* Moshiach Matters (1).
* Parades Galore.
* Lag B'Omer and Moshiach.
* Respect: It's Never Obsolete.
* It Happened Once.
* Moshiach Matters (2).
* 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 1182nd issue of our weekly publication, Living With
Moshiach.

*

In this week's issue, we focus on Lag B'Omer, the 18th of
Iyar, Tue., May 12.

*

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 new copy editor, Reb Benyomin Hoffman,
for his tireless efforts,.

and, many thanks to our former 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
Executive Director
Enlightenment For The Blind, Inc.
E-Mail:y...@torah4blind.org
13 Iyar, 5780
Los Angeles, California

P.S.: As we are eagerly awaiting the immediate arrival of
Moshiach, at any moment, we have included the five
blessings that (according to many opinions) will be
applicable when Moshiach comes.

*************************************************
* IN LOVING MEMORY OF *
* Horav Schneur Zalman Halevi *
* ben Horav Yitzchok Elchonon Halevi *
* Shagalov *
* Passed away on 21 Tamuz, 5766 *
* *
* Reb Dovid Asniel ben Reb Eliyahu *
* Ekman *
* Passed away on 5 Sivan - Erev Shavuot, 5765 *
* *
* Mrs. Devora Rivka bas Reb Yosef Eliezer *
* Marenburg *
* Passed away on the second day *
* of Rosh Chodesh Adar, 5766 *
* *
* Reb Yitzchok Moshe (Ian) ben Reb Dovid Asniel *
* Ekman (Santiago, Chile) *
* Passed away on 24 Shevat, 5769 *
* *
* May Their Souls Merit Eternal Life *
* *
* AND IN HONOR OF *
* Mrs. Esther Shaindel bas Fraidel Chedva *
* Shagalov *
* * *
* Dedicated by *
* Rabbi & Mrs. Yosef Yitzchok and Gittel Rochel *
* Shagalov *
*************************************************

******************
* CUSTOMS CORNER *
******************

Are there special blessings that we will recite when Moshiach
comes?

According to many opinions there are five blessings that will be
applicable when Moshiach comes. [*]

#1

BO-RUCH A-TOH ADO-NOI E-LO-HEI-NU ME-LECH HO-OLOM
GA'AL YISRAEL.

Translation:

Blessed are You, L-rd our G-d, King of the universe,
Who redeems Israel.

#2

BO-RUCH A-TOH ADO-NOI E-LO-HEI-NU ME-LECH HO-OLOM
SHE-HECHE-YO-NU VE-KI-YE-MO-NU VE-HIGI-O-NU
LIZ-MAN HA-ZEH.

Translation:

Blessed are you, L-rd our G-d, King of the universe,
Who has granted us life, sustained us and enabled us
to reach this occasion.

#3

BO-RUCH A-TOH ADO-NOI E-LO-HEI-NU ME-LECH HO-OLOM
SHE-CHA-LAK M'CHACH-MA-TO L'REI'AV.

Translation:

Blessed are you, L-rd our G-d, King of the universe,
Who has given wisdom to those who fear Him.

#4

BO-RUCH A-TOH ADO-NOI E-LO-HEI-NU ME-LECH HO-OLOM
SHE-CHA-LAK M'KI-VODO L'REI'AV.

Translation:

Blessed are you, L-rd our G-d, King of the universe,
Who has given honor to those who fear Him.

#5

BO-RUCH A-TOH ADO-NOI E-LO-HEI-NU ME-LECH HO-OLOM
CHA-CHAM HA-RA-ZIM.

Translation:

Blessed are you, L-rd our G-d, King of the universe,
the Wise One of secrets.

_______________
*. Adapted from "L'Chaim weekly" publication, Issue #1003,
published by the Lubavitch Youth Organization, Brooklyn,
NY. "www.lchaimweekly.org".

*********************************************
* IN LOVING MEMORY OF OUR DEAR GRANDPARENTS,*
* *
* Reb Shmuel Pesach Ben Reb Yaakov Dovid *
* Passed away on 3 Tishrei, 5755 *
* *
* Mrs. Fraidel Chedvah Bas Reb Zev Wolf *
* Passed away on 4 Adar II, 5755 *
* Pais *
* *
* May Their Souls Merit Eternal Life *
* * *
* Dedicated by their grandchildren *
* Rabbi & Mrs. Yosef Y. and Gittel Rochel *
* Shagalov *
*********************************************

***************************************
* THE WEEKLY TORAH PORTION *
* Adapted from the Works of the Rebbe *
***************************************

PARSHAT EMOR

This week's Torah portion, Emor, speaks about the
Divinely-ordained weekly cycle, the fundamental clock by which
Jewish life is lived and celebrated.

"Six days may work be done, and the seventh day is the Sabbath
of rest."

Yet this reference to the observance of Shabbat contains an even
deeper significance.

Our Sages explain that just as the six workdays of the week
serve as preparation for the seventh day of rest, so, too, do the
six thousand years of the world's existence since creation serve as
preparation for the Messianic Era, a period of time that will
commence before the seventh millennium.

(The final Redemption can come at any time; six thousand years
is the maximum foretold by the Torah.)

For almost six thousand years (5780, to be exact), the world has
been involved in an ongoing process of preparation, getting ready
for the culmination of the Divine plan.

Over the course of thousands of years, the learning of Torah and
the observance of mitzvot have purified and refined the world into
a state of being capable of absorbing the great revelation of
G-dliness that will occur with the final Redemption.

This pinnacle of human existence, the purpose for which the
world was created, has been termed by our Sages "the day which will
be all Sabbath and rest for life everlasting."

The biblical term, "Shabbat Shabbaton" (a Sabbath of rest), a
repetition of the same root word, alludes to the two levels of
sanctity that exist on Shabbat.

"Shabbat" refers to the actual cessation of labor; "Shabbaton"
implies the extra dimension of holiness felt on that day, the inner
quietude and sense of rest that reign independent of our actions.

"A day of rest and holiness You have given to Your people," we
pray in the Sabbath service.

As the verse implies, our enjoyment and appreciation of Shabbat
are dependent upon the energy we expend and the sincerity of our
efforts during the six days of the week that precede it.

This added measure of holiness on Shabbat is attained in the
merit of our labors and the good deeds we accomplish during this
time.

This principle holds true on the larger scale as well.

We find ourselves now in the very last seconds of the exile,
just moments before the ultimate "Sabbath of rest" is about to
begin.

For indeed, the six thousand years of service prior to
Moshiach's arrival have not only prepared the world for the first
phase of the Messianic Era -- when the age-old battle against evil
will finally be won -- but have readied the world for the extra
dimension of holiness that will reign during the Days of Moshiach,
when evil will be totally subjugated to good and the "spirit of
uncleanliness" will have entirely disappeared from the face of the
earth.

************************
* 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.

* * *

What makes the Rebbe's declaration -- that Moshiach's arrival is
imminent and the time for the Redemption has arrived -- different
from those of great leaders of previous generations?

The Jewish people have believed in and awaited Moshiach's coming
since the beginning of our nation. In numerous instances throughout
Jewish history, tzaddikim (righteous people) of various generations
pointed to hints in the Torah that the promised Redemption was near
at hand. Sensing the special opportunity for Moshiach's coming,
they motivated the Jewish people to study more Torah, do more
mitzvot and repent in the hope that these actions would be what was
needed to make the Redemption happen.

In the times of the Previous Rebbe, the anticipation for the
Redemption was truly tangible. The Previous Rebbe issued an urgent
call to world Jewry: "Immediate repentance brings immediate
Redemption."

Even when the Rebbe accepted the leadership in 1950, though he
said unequivocally that our generation is the last generation to
live in exile and the first generation of the Redemption, he did
not say that we had yet reached the moment of Redemption. Only
forty years later, after sending thousands of emissaries around the
world, initiating the Mitzvah Campaigns to reinvigorate Jewish
observance, and inspiring millions, did the Rebbe proclaim, "The
time of our Redemption has arrived." This is a totally different
message that has never before been enunciated in the history of the
Jewish people.

The Midrash (Yalkut Shimoni) tells us that in a time when we
will witness an event like the Gulf War, Moshiach will tell the
Jewish people that the time of the Redemption has arrived. THIS IS
NOT A HOPE, A WISH, OR A SPECIAL OPPORTUNITY, BUT A CALL TO PREPARE
TO GREET MOSHIACH!

The Rebbe has said that the time is now. The question each of us
must ask ourselves is not, "When is Moshiach coming?" but rather,
"Am I ready for Moshiach's coming today!"
______________
See "Living With Moshiach" Vol. 1148:
http://www.torah4blind.org/lwm-5779/1148.txt

*******************************************************
* IN LOVING MEMORY OF OUR DEAR FRIEND AND COPY EDITOR *
* Reb Mordechai ben Reb Shaul *
* Staiman *
* Passed away on 22 Tamuz, 5763 *
* *
* May His Soul Merit Eternal Life *
*******************************************************

***************************************
* A LAG B'OMER MESSAGE FROM THE REBBE *
* Adapted from a Letter of the Rebbe *
***************************************

On the third day -- twice blessed with
"It was good" -- of the weekly portion
of [Parshat Emor] Counting the Omer, 5735 [1975]

To the Sons and Daughters of
Our People Israel, Everywhere

G-d bless you --

The auspicious day of Lag B'Omer is approaching, the day of
Rabbi Shimon Ben Yochai's [known as "Rashbi"] simchah [rejoicing];
the day of which it is said: "On this day it is a mitzvah to
celebrate Rashbi's simchah, and for those living in the Holy Land
-- to go to his grave and rejoice there greatly."

This year [5735/1975] Lag B'Omer significantly occurs on
(Tuesday) the day on which the Creator expressed His special
satisfaction by repeating "It was good" twice -- an allusion to two
"goods": good to Heaven and good to the creatures.

It is, therefore, surely an auspicious time -- the day of Lag
B'Omer itself, as well as the days immediately preceding and
following it, which respectively serve as preparation for, and
first-fruits of, Lag B'Omer -- to rejoice greatly with the simchah
of mitzvot, especially mitzvot that combine both "goods," good to
Heaven (man's duties to G-d) and good to the creatures (man's
duties to man). This includes, of course, the mitzvah of
encouraging Jews to do mitzvot (or do them more devoutly), as this
effort of spreading the observance of any mitzvah is also an act of
loving-kindness.

And since influence in this direction generally -- indeed,
inevitably -- involves quoting words of Torah and instructing in
the laws of the particular mitzvah, it comes under the mitzvah of
Torah-learning and teachings.

Thus both -- the effort to encourage Jews to do mitzvot, and the
manner of this effort -- are mitzvot of "good to the creatures."

Hence it is an opportune occasion to remind everyone, again and
again, that which has been urged for some time now, in regard to
active promotion of the observance of mitzvot. Indeed, in light of
the relevancy to Rashbi and Lag B'Omer, the special Mitzvah
Campaigns that have been stressed lately [1] assume an added
significance, as follows:

Torah Campaign -- since the Torah was the vocation of Rashbi and
his colleagues;

Tefillin Campaign -- concerning which it is said in Rashbi's
Book, the Zohar, that tefillin is a G-dly crown, and one who adorns
himself with this "Supernal Sacred Crown" is given the title of
King of the Earth, companion to the King in Heaven, the Holy One
blessed be He.

Mezuzah Campaign -- the Zohar says: "When a person affixes a
mezuzah at the entrance to his house... he adorns himself with his
Master's crown and keeps evil things away from his door."

Tzeddakah Campaign -- of which it is said in the Zohar: "Whoever
shows heartfelt compassion for the poor... rules over all creatures
of the world."

House Filled with Sacred Books -- of Torah and Tefillah (Prayer)
-- of which it is said in the Zohar: "That studying Torah and
worshipping G-d, command everybody's respect and awe."

Candle-lighting to usher in the holy Shabbat -- of which Rashbi
declares that it is a sublime honor for her (who lights the
candles)... to be blessed with children... who will foster peace on
earth, etc.

May G-d grant that through the said activities, in the spirit of
all that has been said above, and within the framework of
commitment to Torah and mitzvot in the daily life, beginning with
the Torah Campaign (both the Revealed and Inner Torah), thereby
removing the cause of the protracted Exile, namely, bitul Torah
(neglect of Torah) -- we will see the realization of "G-d is my
King since the days of old, working salvation in the midst of the
earth."

And will soon merit the true and complete Redemption through the
Melech HaMoshiach.

Then it will come to pass that "None shall any more have to
teach the other... for all will know Me," as Rashbi explains, since
everyone will be filled with the spirit of wisdom and
understanding, counsel and valor, knowledge and fear of G-d.
_______________
1. In subsequent years the Rebbe added the following Mitzvah
Campaigns: Family Purity and Kashrut, in 1975; Love of a
Fellow Jew and Jewish Education for Children, in 1976;
Letter in a Torah Scroll, in 1981; Study of Maimonides'
Mishneh Torah, in 1984; and Intensification of the Moshiach
Campaign, in 1991. Ed.

**************
* LAG B'OMER *
**************

Tuesday, Iyar 18 (May 12), is Lag B'Omer. Lag B'Omer is the 33rd
(lamed-gimel, hence lag in Hebrew) day of the Omer period (between
Passover and Shavuot), is the anniversary of the passing --
yahrtzeit -- of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai (commonly known by the
acronym of his name, Rashbi), author of the Zohar.

Rashbi lived in the 2nd century b.c.e. He openly criticized the
Roman government and was forced to go into hiding. He and his son
hid in a cave and immersed themselves in Torah. Emerging after 13
years he founded an academy in the Gallilee. His esoteric teachings
were recorded by his disciples in the Zohar, the most fundamental
work of Kabbalah. On his yahtrzeit on Lag B'Omer, tens of thousands
gather at his tomb in Meron, in northern Gallilee.

*

Before his death, Rashbi instructed his students to rejoice on
the day of his yahrtzeit. The Holy Ari, Rabbi Yitzchok Luria -- one
of the greatest scholars in the mystical aspects of the Torah --
taught the great virtue of rejoicing on that day. Later the Baal
Shem Tov and his followers strengthened the custom of rejoicing on
the yahrtzeit.

*

According to tradition, rainbows (a symbol of G-d's promise to
never send another flood) were not seen while Rashbi was alive
because his merit alone was enough to protect the world against the
calamity of a flood. Since "rainbow" and "bow" are both called
keshet in Hebrew, the custom developed for children to play with
bows and arrows on Lag B'Omer.

***********************
* MOSHIACH MATTERS (1)*
***********************

"It is recorded in the holy Zohar that Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai
was told, "With your book [the Zohar] the Jewish people will go out
of exile with mercy." This means that by studying the Zohar, along
with the explanations of Chasidus, we will merit the true and final
Redemption, very very soon."
(The Rebbe in a talk at the Lag B'Omer Parade, 5750/1990)

******************
* PARADES GALORE *
******************

In honor of Lag B'Omer, parades and other events will, G-d
Willing, take place on Tuesday, Iyar 18 (May 12), around the world,
organized by local Chabad-Lubavitch Centers.

For a Lag B'Omer program in your area, contact your local
Chabad-Lubavitch Center.

***************************
* LAG B'OMER AND MOSHIACH *
***************************

Lag B'Omer is a day of rejoicing and festivity. It is the
anniversary of the passing of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, author of
the Zohar, who proclaimed the day of his passing as a day of
celebration.

The celebration of Lag B'Omer has an effect on the entire world,
even non-Jews, as Rabbi Shimon stated: "I can free the entire
world from judgment..." -- "the ENTIRE world" includes non-Jews
as well. He was able to do this because, as Chasidus teaches, Rabbi
Shimon bar Yochai was one of those unique individuals who were
actually above the exile, and immune to it; G-dliness was not
hidden from him, but rather, was fully revealed.

Thus, Rabbi Shimon was able to see the G-dliness and intrinsic
worth of every Jew, and for that matter, every created thing, and
was therefore able to find merit for its existence.

This is part of the task of each and every one of us in these
last moments of exile. It is also the first stage in the G-dly
revelation necessary to completely transform exile into Redemption.

The first stage is to reveal within the world that G-d is its
Master. Since the world itself conceals the G-dliness within it
(the word 'olam' -- world -- relates to 'helam,' concealment), a
Jew must serve G-d in a way that reveals that everything within the
world has G-dliness within it.

We must use everything in our world for its ultimate G-dly
purpose, whether that be receiving Torah thoughts over the fax
machine or enhancing our Jewish education via e-mail or jogging
with a walkman that is playing a Torah tape.

The unique quality of our generation is that we have not only
been given the wherewithal to make giant leaps forward in the area
of technology, but that almost concurrently, we have devised Jewish
applications for those technological breakthroughs.

May we begin revealing the G-dliness inherent in our lives, thus
preparing ourselves for and hastening the total revelation of
G-dliness with the revelation of Moshiach, NOW!

********************************
* RESPECT: IT'S NEVER OBSOLETE *
********************************

Respect. Self-respect. Respect for other people. Respect for
other's property and opinions.

Respect never goes out of style, it's always politically
correct, and it does not become obsolete as technology catapults us
toward the next millennium.

The revered and venerated Sage, Rabbi Akiva, is renown for his
teaching, "Love your fellow as yourself. This is a great principle
of the Torah." A lesser known teaching of his is: "Beloved is a
person, for he was created in the image of G-d..." Keeping this
second teaching in mind can help one act on the first teaching;
when we remember that every person is a Divine creation can we do
anything less than respect him or her?

* * *

On Tuesday, Iyar 18 (May 12), we celebrate the special day of
Lag B'Omer. One of the events commemorated on Lag B'Omer is the
suspension of a plague that had been afflicting the students of
Rabbi Akiva. The plague, we are told, was caused by the students
not displaying enough respect for one another.

A disciple is one who follows in the ways of his teacher. Is it
possible that disciples of one whose entire life was consumed by
the axiom, "Love your fellow as yourself" -- so much so that this
teaching is synonymous with the name "Rabbi Akiva" -- did not
display enough respect for each other?

An amazing insight of the Rebbe on this question is as follows:

Each of Rabbi Akiva's 24,000 students was so infused with love
for his fellow that this love was all-consuming. He was not able to
give his colleague "space." He loved his friend so much that he
wanted to not only share his insights, opinions and
inter-pretations, but also to convince his peer of their validity
until the peer adopted them as his own.

Remember, we're not talking about a person who is opinionated,
arrogant, narcissistic, or condescending. We are talking about
someone who loves the other person so MUCH that he wants the other
person to share his Truth (with a capital "T").

And this is where the hint of a suggestion of a lack of respect
comes in. Respect includes giving another person space. It means
allowing for divergent opinions. It acknowledges that G-d created
every person differently for a reason. Yes, we can learn to
harmonize, modify, accommodate, adapt, perfect. But we cannot
expect to become the same, otherwise G-d would have created us that
way.

* * *

Most of us don't have to worry that our lack of respect for
another is caused by such an all-encompassing love. We're still
working on the regular, run-of-the-mill respect.

The way to encourage such respect is to begin looking at our
fellow person as one who is created in the image of G-d.

********************
* IT HAPPENED ONCE *
********************

The [2] outer yard surrounding the room where the graves of
Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai and his son were buried was jammed with
Jews from all over Israel. They had come to Meron on Lag B'Omer --
the yahrtzeit of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai and the 33rd day of the
counting of the omer with their whole family. Today, they would cut
their three-year-old sons' long hair for the first time -- leaving
only the side-locks.

The voices of thousands of Jews could be heard as they recited
Psalms. There were Jews of all types, whose ancestors came from all
over the world. All were praying and begging G-d to help them raise
their children in Torah and good deeds in the merit of Rabbi
Shimon.

It was already after midday on Friday and time to get ready for
Shabbat. The visitors from Tiberias, Tzfat, Haifa and the residents
from other cities and towns in the Galilee started to leave for
their homes in order to arrive before Shabbat.

Many of the visitors, though, especially the ones from far away
Jerusalem, remained for Shabbat.

On Friday night, the beautiful melodies of the various groups
praying reached the heights of the nearby mountains. Their hearts
were overflowing as thousands of Jews joined together to dance and
sing.

Shabbat morning arrived and the men gathered in large groups to
descend the valley to the small Meggido Lake where they immersed
themselves to prepare for the morning prayers. The last minyan had
finished the morning prayers when a scream pierced the Sabbath
atmosphere. A woman who had brought her son just yesterday for his
first haircut was crying hysterically.

Her son had suddenly become sick and died. Doctors who were sent
from the British government to the area immediately put the entire
section under quarantine. No one could come and no one could leave.

Suddenly, the mother gathered the boy in her arms and went into
the room where Rabbi Shimon was buried. She placed the dead child
on the Rabbi's grave and started crying, "Oh great tzaddik, Rabbi
Shimon. I, your servant, came in your honor to cut the hair of my
child. I came to make my son, my first and only child, into a good
Jew. I kept my promise to come here on Lag B'Omer. Only yesterday I
held him here and cut his hair in song and joy. Now, great tzaddik,
how shall I return home in great pain without my child? How can I
bear to go on?"

In the midst of her prayers, the mother arose and said,
"Tzaddik, Rabbi Shimon, I am laying my child on your grave as he
is. I beg of you, with tears, do not shame me. Give me back my
child just as I brought him here. Let the great name of G-d be
exalted along with the name of the great tzaddik. Let everyone know
that there is a G-d ruling over this world."

The woman concluded her prayers and left the room, leaving her
dead son on the grave of Rabbi Shimon. The doors of the room were
closed as everyone left the room.

A few moments later a child's scream was heard from behind the
closed door. The mother ran into the room and in shock and
disbelief she saw her son standing on his feet and crying for a
glass of water. Happiness and commotion filled the room. The local
doctors examining the child announced in wonder that this was not a
natural or normal incident, but rather a miracle that must have
happened in the merit of the great tzaddik Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai.

The governmental agents immediately reopened the gates and the
masses once again poured inside. Everyone seeing the revived child
pronounced the blessing "Blessed be G-d who revives the dead."
_______________
2. Adapted from Hilulai D'Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai -- the author
of which witnessed the scene 75 years ago, in 5705/1945,
with his own eyes.

************************
* MOSHIACH MATTERS (2) *
************************

"Some people are apprehensive about having the Redemption
arrive so suddenly. What will come of all the businesses that they
have set up, the property and possessions they have accumulated,
the friendships and the contacts that have been established, and so
on?

"They need not worry. The Redemption does not imply the
annulment of the natural order nor the loss of the good things that
came into being (in the spirit of the Torah) during the exile.
Indeed, these very things will be comprised in the Redemption, and
will be elevated to a state of Redemption, to the level of their
true consummation." (The Rebbe, 5751/1991)

**************************************
* 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 urges that:

Every Jewish man, woman and child should have a letter written
for them in a SEFER TORAH.*

Every person should study either the Rambam's Yad Hachazakah --
Code of Jewish Law -- or the Sefer HaMitzvos.

Concerning Moshiach, the Rebbe stated, "The time for our
redemption has arrived!" Everyone should prepare themselves for
Moshiach's coming by doing random acts of goodness and kindness,
and by studying about what the future redemption will be like. May
we merit to see the fulfillment of the Rebbe's prophecy now!
_______________
*. 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, 6084000,
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 of what we
can do to complete his work of bringing the Redemption.

Study Ethics of the Fathers

We read one chapter of Ethics of the Fathers (Pirkei Avot) each
Shabbat following the afternoon prayer, because these are the days
leading up to the Giving of the Torah and Pirkei Avot contain
ethics and moral exhortations to help us improve ourselves so that
we are worthy of the Torah.

The Rebbe emphasized the importance of not only reciting the
chapters, but also actually studying them.

***************************************
* 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) *
* *
* May His Soul Merit Eternal Life *
***************************************

*******************************
* 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.chabad.org *
*******************************************************

>>>> Times Shown Are for Metro NY - NJ <<<<

FRIDAY, MAY 8, EREV SHABBAT PARSHAT EMOR:
* Pesach Sheni.
* Light Shabbat Candles, [3] by 7:42 p.m.
* After nightfall, after reciting the Shabbat evening prayer,
count Omer 30.

SATURDAY, MAY 9, SHABBAT PARSHAT EMOR:
* On Shabbat following the afternoon prayer, we read Chapter 4
of Pirkei Avot -- Ethics of the Fathers.
* Shabbat ends at NIGHTFALL, at 8:47 p.m.
* After nightfall, after reciting the evening prayer, count
Omer 31.
_______________
3. 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.

*********************************************
* May the Shabbat candles, of the millions *
* of Jewish women and girls around the *
* world, illuminate our way, until we very *
* soon see the fulfillment of G-d's promise *
* (as it is written in the Midrash *
* (Yalkut Shimoni, Beha'alotecha)): *
* "If you will observe the kindling of the *
* Shabbat lights, you will merit to see *
* the lights of the redemption of the *
* Jewish people," speedily in our days, *
* NOW! *
*********************************************

***************************************
* "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 *
*******************************************

******************************************
* MOSHIACH IN THE AIR - ELECTRONIC MEDIA *
* http://www.torah4blind.org/e-media.htm *
******************************************

********************************
* LIVING WITH MOSHIACH *
* Weekly Digest About Moshiach *
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= End of Text: Living With Moshiach, Parshat Emor, 5780 =
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