(1) LIVING WITH MOSHIACH, Parshat Bo
Yshagalov
LIVING WITH MOSHIACH
Weekly Digest About Moshiach
PARSHAT BO, 5761
Shevat 9, 5761
Feb. 2, 2001
SPECIAL FEATURE:
A Tribute to the Rebbe
on 51 Years of Leadership
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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
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* TABLE OF CONTENTS *
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* Introduction
* The Weekly Torah Portion
* The Rebbe's Prophecy
* Customs Relating to Yud Shevat
* I Have Come into My Garden
* Yud Shevat
* The Rebbe Is In Touch
* Moshiach Matters
* It Happened Once
* A Call To Action
* The Weekly Shabbat Calendar
* 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
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* INTRODUCTION *
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We are pleased to present, to the visually impaired and the
blind, our weekly publication, Living With Moshiach.
*
In this week's issue, we focus on Yud Shevat, the 10th day of
Shevat (Shabbat Parshat Bo, Feb. 3), commemorating the 51st
yahrtzeit of the Previous Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Schneersohn;
it is also the 51st anniversary of the Rebbe's acceptance of
leadership.
*
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, 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: y...@dorsai.org
Rosh Chodesh Shevat, 5761
Brooklyn, New York
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* THE WEEKLY TORAH PORTION *
* Adapted from the Works of the Rebbe *
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PARSHAT BO
This week's Torah portion, Bo, contains the very first
commandment given to the Jews as a people--the mitzvah of Rosh
Chodesh, the new moon: "This month shall be to you the first of
months; it shall be the first month of the year to you." According
to Jewish law, the new month is determined by witnesses who testify
to the appearance of the new moon. The Jewish court then formally
establishes and sanctifies it as Rosh Chodesh.
In general, the main effect the Torah's mitzvot have on the
physical world is to imbue it with G-dliness. When a mitzvah is
performed with a physical object, the object itself becomes holy,
and the material plane of existence is sanctified.
The mitzvah of the new moon is unique in that instead of
physical objects, it relates to the dimension of time. Through this
mitzvah, a "regular" day is transformed into Rosh Chodesh, a day
with special sanctity. When the Jewish court decides to establish a
particular day as Rosh Chodesh, time itself is elevated and made
holy.
In this respect, the mitzvah of sanctifying the new moon has an
advantage over all other mitzvot. The ability of other mitzvot to
bring sanctity into the world is limited, and exists on many levels
and gradations. For example, an object directly used to perform a
mitzvah becomes a "tashmish kedushah," literally "a utensil of
holiness." Other aspects of the physical world are elevated when a
Jew uses them "for the sake of heaven." Then there are things that
are only considered "tools" as preparation for the performance of
an actual mitzvah.
However, the mitzvah of Rosh Chodesh is more far-reaching than
all of these. When the Jewish court establishes a certain day as
Rosh Chodesh, the effect is felt throughout the month, and indeed
throughout the entire year, as the court also determines the
occurrence of a leap year.
Another advantage to affecting the dimension of time is that
time is generally thought of as something over which we have no
control. Time cannot be made longer or shorter; it cannot be
hurried up or slowed down. Nonetheless, G-d gives the Jew the
ability to sanctify time and transform it into "Jewish time," time
that is thoroughly imbued with holiness.
"Conquering" time in this way hastens the time when the entire
world will be suffused with holiness, in the Messianic era. When
Moshiach comes and gathers in the exiles of Israel, the Sanhedrin
(Jewish supreme court) will be reestablished in Jerusalem, and the
laws of Rosh Chodesh will again be in effect.
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* THE REBBE'S PROPHECY *
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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.
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See "Living With Moshiach" Vol 212:
http://www.moshiach.net/blind/lwm-5760/212.htm
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* 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 *
* Passed away on 4 Adar II, 5755 *
* Pais *
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* CUSTOMS RELATING TO YUD SHEVAT *
* Letter of the Rebbe [1] *
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By the Grace of G-d
Rosh Chodesh Shevat, 5711 [1951]
Brooklyn, NY
To Anash, to the students of Tomchei Temimim,
and to those who have a bond or a relationship
with my revered father-in-law, the saintly Rebbe,
of blessed memory:
G-d bless you all.
Greetings and blessings:
In reply to the many questions that have been asked about a
detailed schedule for the Tenth of Shevat, the yahrtzeit of my
revered father-in-law, the Rebbe, I would hereby suggest the
following:
1. On the Shabbos before the yahrtzeit [each chasid] should
attempt to be called for an aliyah to the Torah.
2. If there are not enough aliyos the Torah should be read [a
number of times] in different rooms. However, no additions should
be made to the number of aliyos [at each reading].
3. The congregation should see to it that the Maftir should be
the most respected congregant, as determined by the majority;
alternatively, the choice should be determined by lot.
4. The congregation should choose someone to lead the prayers on
the day of the yahrtzeit. It is proper to divide [the honor,
choosing] one person to lead Maariv, a second to lead Shacharis,
and a third--Minchah. In this way a greater number of Anash will
have the privilege.
5. A [yahrtzeit] candle should be lit that will burn throughout
the 24 hours. If possible, the candle should be of beeswax.
6. Five candles should burn during the prayer services.
7. After each prayer service (and in the morning, [this means]
after the reading of Tehillim), the sheliach tzibbur should study
(or at least conclude the study of) ch. 24 of Mishnayos Keilim and
ch. 7 of Mishnayos Mikvaos. He should then recite the mishnah
beginning "Rabbi Chananyah ben Akashya...," followed silently by a
few lines of Tanya, and Kaddish deRabbanan.
8. After Maariv, part of the maamar (Basi LeGani) that was
released for the day of the demise should be recited from memory.
If there is no one to do this from memory, it should be studied
from the text. This should also be done after Shacharis, and the
maamar should be concluded after Minchah.
9. Before Shacharis, a chapter of Tanya should be studied. This
should also be done after Minchah.
10. In the morning, before prayer, charity should be given to
those institutions that are related to our Nasi, my revered
father-in-law, of sainted memory. Donations should be made on
behalf of oneself and on behalf of each member of one's family. The
same should be done after Minchah.
11. After Shacharis and the recitation of the maamar, each
individual should read a pidyon nefesh. (It goes without saying
that a gartl is worn during the reading.) Those who had the
privilege of entering [the saintly Rebbe's study] for yechidus, or
at least of seeing his face, should--while reading the pidyon
nefesh--picture themselves as standing before him. The pidyon
nefesh should then be placed between the pages of a maamar or
kuntreis, etc., of his teachings, and sent, if possible on the same
day, to be read at his graveside.
12. In the course of the day one should study chapters of
Mishnayos that begin with the letters of his name.
13. In the course of the day one should participate in a
farbrengen.
14. In the course of the day one should set aside a time during
which to tell one's family about the saintly Rebbe, and about the
spiritual tasks at which he toiled throughout all the days of his
life.
15. In the course of the day, people (to whom this task is
appropriate) should visit synagogues and houses of study in their
cities and cite a statement or an adage drawn from the teachings of
the saintly Rebbe. They should explain how he loved every Jew.
[Furthermore,] they should make known and explain the practice that
he instituted of reciting Tehillim every day, studying the daily
portion of Chumash with the commentary of Rashi, and, where
appropriate, studying the Tanya as he divided it into daily
readings throughout the year. If possible this should all be done
in the course of a farbrengen.
16. In the course of the day, people (who are fit for the task)
should visit centers of observant youth--and, in a neighborly
spirit, should make every endeavor to also visit centers for the
young people who are not yet observant--in order to explain to them
the warm love that the saintly Rebbe constantly had for them. It
should be explained to these people what he expected of them; they
should be told of the hope and the trust that he placed in
them--that they would ultimately fulfill their task of
strengthening the observance of Judaism and disseminating the study
of Torah with all the energy, warmth and vitality that characterize
youth.
* * *
If prevailing conditions allow, all of the above should of
course be continued during the days following the yahrtzeit, and
particularly on the following Shabbos.
* * *
May G-d hasten the coming of our Redeemer, and then "those who
repose in the dust will awaken and sing joyful praises." And our
Nasi among them will give us wondrous tidings, and lead us along
the path that leads up to the House of G-d.
[Signed:] Menachem Mendel Schneerson
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1. Reprinted from "Sefer Haminhagim"--The Book of
Chabad-Lubavitch Customs, published by Kehot Publication
Society, 770 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn, NY 11213.
