by Rabbi E. Tauger
Tammuz
A Month of Dedication to the Rebbe's Principles
For a Lubavitcher chassid, as the month of Tammuz draws near, there is one date that commands our attention. Unquestionably, anyone whose life was touched by the Rebbe - and how much more so, everyone who developed a close relationship with him - feels the significance of Gimmel Tammuz. The following story could help us understand it's significance.
From the fact that the person seated next to him had gone from seat to seat throughout the plane and politely asked everyone if he wanted to put on tefillin, Mr A Y understood that he was a Lubavitcher Chassid.
Mr A Y asked him: "Your Rebbe passed away five years. Why are Chassidim still saying the the Rebbe is alive?"
The chassid remained unfazed. "Do you know many religious people?" he asked his questioner.
"More than a few," he replied.
"Tell me, would they leave their homes and the surroundings where they grew up and go to a community where it is not easy to get kosher food, where there are no Jewish schools for the children, and it's a struggle to gather a minyan together for Shabbos every week."
"If the pay is good, they might."
"And what if they weren't promised a salary, and they had to raise funds for their programs and outreach activities themselves."
"In that case, not only a religious person wouldn't go. I don't know many non-religious who would go. Nobody likes to raise funds."
"Well I," the chassid continued, "have a daughter in China, another in Argentina, and a son in Russia. None of my seven kids lives close to home. And not because of business opportunities, but because they're involved in Shlichus, spreading the Rebbe's teachings and mission."
"That's admirable, but what does that have to do with my original question."
"Why are my children going to all these faraway places? Because the Rebbe inspires them. In other words, despite the fact that in a physical sense we are unable to see him, he motivates young people - some of them who never saw him - to devote themselves with selfless dedication, to the principles which he exemplifies. And this is not an individual matter.
There are tens of thousands of Lubavitcher Chassidim who reach out to others each day as a response to the Rebbe's wishes.
Reliving a Talmudic Motif
The chassid was actually teaching his fellow traveler a passage from the Talmud which records a conversation between two Sages. "Jacob our Patriarch did not die," one told the other.
"What do you mean?" his colleague responded. "The Torah tells us that he was embalmed, mourned, and buried."
"Just as his children are alive; he, too, is alive," the first retorted. Ultimately, it is the spiritual content of our lives which is fundamental. When we use the term life, our intent is the focus of the person's energy and vitality, not merely his body. When a person's continues to inspire, guide and motivate the people of his generation that person is living. So, just as Jacob's children who perpetuate his teachings are alive, Jacob himself is alive. Now the term children does not refer only to one's actual offspring. When a person endows another person with wisdom and motivates him to the extent that he seeks to emulate his values and his principles, it is appropriate to call him that person's father and refer to that person as his son. As our Sages say, a teacher is called a father, and his students, his children. Thus, just as the Rebbe's children are alive, actively promulgating his message, the Rebbe is living.
Not a Restrictive Theme
The desired reaction to the above is not: "Okay, now I understand you Lubavitchers," but for everyone to appreciate the invitation to share in the initiative the Rebbe advanced.
Shortly before suffering the first stroke on the 27th of Adar 5752, a CNN news team asked the Rebbe what was his message for the world at large. The Rebbe replied "... Moshiach is ready to come.. Moshiach is here.. all we have to do is to add in acts of goodness and kindness."
What is the Rebbe saying? That we should open our eyes and see the true nature of the world we are living in."
It is common to refer to our age as "The Age of Information" and more recently, as "The Age of Communication," as linking networks, not merely making available information, becomes the force propelling society forward. Many of us take this for granted. "Oh, my life will be more comfortable. It will be easier to get things done." Others see this as an investment pointer; showing the type of stocks in which they should invest
. The Rebbe looks deeper. He explained that the outpouring of knowledge we are experiencing is a foretaste of the time when "the knowledge of G-d will fill the entire earth." And the new global village we are living in, is a foreshadowing of the era when all mankind will join together in true peace
. This is not just a rosy picture divorced from reality. While the backdrop for this age of spiritual wisdom and unity has been established, the foreground - man's conscious awareness - still has a distance to go. To bridge this gap, the Rebbe encourages all of mankind to eliminate it through additional deeds of goodness and kindness. Can there be a more universal message than this?
Five years ago on Gimmel Tammuz, the world caught its breath and shed a tear. At that time, millions of people shared the same thought: "If there is anything I could do for the Rebbe, I would." Today, the Rebbe's message has become even more relevant. Gimmel Tammuz is an invitation to adopt it as a mission statement, making it the focal point of our lives and sharing it with the people around us.
Telling Tales
Dr. S had Jeremy put under general anesthesia and began surgery. Then, while still on the operating table, Jeremy woke up! He felt no pain, and was aware of his surroundings. As he looked up at the ceiling, he saw a clear vision of the Rebbe. In this vision, the Rebbe told Jeremy that he wanted to give him a message for the doctor who was operating on him!
The Rebbe then told Jeremy to tell Dr. S that if he began to put on tefillin every day, the difficulties he was experiencing with his daughter would cease. The Rebbe stressed that although something was very wrong with the man's daughter, it would be rectified if he performed this mitzvah. Jeremy told the Rebbe he would pass on the message. Imagine the consternation in the operating room when the "anaesthetized" patient began to speak! The nurse told Dr. S that the patient had awakened, and asked what she should do. Dr. S replied that she should give him more anesthesia. Before this could be done, however, Jeremy spoke up and asked Dr. S to come close so that he could see his face. Dr. S complied, asking Jeremy if he was in any pain, and curious to know if his "unconscious" patient truly understood what was going on around him. Jeremy made it clear that he did.
Then Jeremy told the doctor: "You may think I'm crazy, but I have a message for you. Do you know who the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Menachem Mendel Schneerson is?"
Dr. S replied: "I heard of him. His passing was written up in all the newspapers. Why do you ask?"
"Well," Jeremy continued, "He just appeared to me in a vision and told me to tell you that the difficulties with your daughter will be solved if you put on tefillin every day."
The doctor was dumfounded, but remembering where he was, he managed to say that the surgery was almost finished, and that he would have Jeremy out of the operating room soon. During the remainder of the procedure, Jeremy remained conscious, feeling a unique peace of mind as the Rebbe's words echoed in his thoughts. While Jeremy was in the recovery room, Dr. S came over and closed the curtain around the bed.
He took Jeremy's hand in his own and, with tears in his eyes, whispered: "I believe you! "The last time I was in a synagogue was at my bar mitzvah. I haven't prayed or acknowledged G-d since then. For the last few months, my daughter has been gravely ill. Since I am a physician, I feel doubly helpless that I can't help her. "This morning, I prayed for the first time in over 30 years, pleading with G-d to heal her. And I added: 'If You really exist, please show me asign.' "Then you awoke during surgery and gave me that message from Rebbe Schneerson! It's incredible."
After this experience, Dr. S purchased a pair of tefillin and began attending synagogue. Within weeks, his daughter recovered completely.
Torah readings of the month
Parshas Korach
This Torah reading focuses on the mutiny of Korach and the Divine punishment given him. Now Korach was a holy man who maintained that the entire people were close to G-d. Is there anything wrong with that? Korach's mistake was that he did not appreciate the need for a Moses, a leader of the Jewish people. Although all the people are holy, without a Moses, they are not able to realize and express the holiness they possess. When a person undermines Moses' authority, he erodes the foundation for our people's holiness.
Parshas Chukas-Balak
This Torah reading begins "This is the statute of the Torah." Now it mentions only one law, the law of the Red Heifer. Why then does it speak in a general manner? Because the law of the Red Heifer transcends our understanding. Similarly, we should approach the entire Torah with a commitment that transcends our logic and reason. Parshas Balak includes the prophecies of Bilaam. Among them is the most explicit allusion to Mashiach in the Torah: "A star shall shoot forth from Jacob." Why is this reference communicated through the prophecies of a debased gentile? Because Mashiach's coming is going to affect every element of existence, even the conduct of the most debased people.
Parshas Pinchas
This Torah reading describes the division of the Land of Israel into tribal portions, defining it as the ancestral heritage of the Jewish people. Every person was given a portion of the land for his family for all time. This is not only a story for history, but a point relevant in the present age. Eretz Yisrael is our land, belonging to every one of us. We should cherish His gift and not be anxious to relinquish it.
Parshas Mattos-Maasei
This week joins together two Torah readings. Parshas Mattos focuses on the mitzvah of taking vows. Why would a person take a vow? Because he or she saw that he was becoming too involved in worldly entities, that his life was becoming too materially oriented and therefore sought a safeguard. A desirable path of conduct, but not the ultimate one. Our Sages teach: "Why add more prohibitions? Is not what the Torah has forbidden enough?" For G-d did not create material existence to be ignored, but instead, to be used for a G-dly purpose and intent. Among the concepts taught in Parshas Maasei is the mitzvah to set aside cities for the Levites; i.e., instead of giving this tribe a separate portion like all the other tribes, the Levites were given cities which were dispersed throughout the entire land. Why this distinction? Because the Levites were given the mission to serve as teachers and spiritual leaders. Such a person must realize that he cannot fulfill his mission by remaining secluded in an ivory tower, but must become integrated together with the people as a whole.