Tazria

Tales for the Shabbos Table

This week's portion, which deals mostly with the laws of Tzoraat (spiritual Leprosy) and how to purify it, begins with the commandment of circumcision.

This commandment is the basis of Judaism. Begun by Abraham hundreds of years before the Torah was given, it is the only commandment in the Bible to be called by the name 'covenant' (Brit) signifying the pact it cuts between the Jews and the Creator of the universe.

But it is surrounded by mystery. First, it's location; such a covenant should be more visibly advertised! Second; Abraham had to circumcise HIMSELF! Why didn't G-d send an angel to do it? And third, he did it when he was almost one hundred years old! Why did G-d wait so long to tell him? And finally, what connection has it got with Tzoraat? Why is it in this Torah portion?

To understand this here is a story.

There was once a rich Chassid who was known for his holiness and erudition. We will call him Reb Yaakov.

One day, Reb Yaakov was standing before the Baal Shem Tov almost in tears.

"I can't understand it" he moaned "Everything I do is failing. I used to have such business sense. It's as though I've been cursed! Has someone cursed me?"

The Besh't said nothing. Reb Yaakov tried to wait but the silence was unbearable.

"Every time I make an investment it fails. Every guess is wrong. I'm losing money hand over fist! What should I do?!"

The Besh't looked up at him sadly and said. "Do you have a snuff box?"

"Of course!" He replied as he nervously fumbled in his jacket pocket producing a small, finely decorated, golden box that he proceeded to open.

But the Besh't paid no attention and continued.

"About a half year ago you were sitting in Shul (synagogue) with some of your friends you took that box out and offered them snuff. Do you remember?

"I... I don't.. that is...almost every day some of us we sit together after Shachrit (morning prayer) and.

"Do you remember about a half a year ago that you took out your snuff box and offered everyone to take a bit of snuff but when you saw the Shul beggar stand up from his seat in the corner and approach to take some you closed it and put it back in your pocket. Do you remember?"

Reb Yaakov was deep in thought. he tried not to remember but suddenly it was clear as day. He didn't want that bum to get too close. He looked disgusting. Not only that but he had been in the middle of a conversation with his friends and he would disturb it.

"Well", concluded the Besh't "Maybe it meant nothing to you at the time because your success and wealth hardened your heart! But you really shamed that man to the essence of his being. So it was decided in heaven that all your money will be removed from you and be given to him!"

Reb Yaakov was stunned, he couldn't believe his ears! But it was happening, it was true! Hhe was loosing everything at a frightening pace. and now that he thought about it, that beggar seemed to have disappeared. It was a curse all right; but it was he that had cursed himself!!

As in a dream he looked at the Besh't imploringly and stammered. "Is there any way I can.."

"There is only one way you can get your money back." The Besh't said. "You
have to reverse the process. If you ask him for a pinch of Snuff and he refuses you.. then he will lose it all, just as you did, and your wealth will return. But if not. everything is lost."

Reb Yaakov returned home and within a few weeks he had lost everything including his house and belongings just as the Besh't said he would.

He also discovered that that Shul beggar (whose name was Issac) had, in fact, miraculously become a rich businessman 'over night'. He was now making daring million-dollar investments and was surrounded by some of the wealthiest men in the country.

Several times Reb Yaakov considered just going up to him when he left his house in the morning and asking him for snuff, but decided against it. He would wait for a better opportunity.. a time when he was busy.

And finally it came.

One morning on the Shul bulletin board was pinned an open invitation to everyone in the city to the wedding of....Mr. Issac's daughter! It would be in two weeks in the massive town square.. a real G-dsend!!

Two weeks later Reb Yaakov was there with a foolproof plan.

The wedding ceremony was just about to begin, the band played solemnly and then stopped as the couple stood under the wedding canopy with hundreds of people gathered around. The Rabbi finished all the blessings, the groom broke the glass cup, the band broke into joyous playing and everyone began dancing, shaking the hand of the groom and the father of the bride, slapping them on the shoulders and yelling Mazal Tov!!!

And at that very moment; at the height of the festivities Rab Yaakov ran up to Mr Issac, tapped him on the shoulder and said.

"Please give me a pinch of snuff!"

Mr. Issac looked at him strangely. hesitated.. turned back to the person
that he had been speaking to. (aha!! He was ignoring Reb Yaakov!!)said
'excuse me' .. turned around, snuff box in hand and offered it!"

Reb Yaakov fainted. A doctor was called. He was carried to a side room and
after a few minutes Mr. Issac appeared.

"He'll be alright" said the doctor. "Maybe it was too warm or something."

"But why is he weeping?" Mr. Issac asked.

"I'll tell you why" Reb Yaakov replied. Remember me? I'm the rich man that refused to give you a pinch of snuff months ago in Shul and because of that I lost all my riches and you gained them. Well, just now when you didn't act selfishly as I did back then I lost my only chance to regain my wealth." And he resumed crying.

But the story has a happy ending.

When Mr. Issac heard the story he calmed Reb Yaakov down, invited him to the wedding feast and assured him that he had nothing to cry about. He would provide him with a home and a job for the rest of his life.

Now we can understand the commandment of circumcision. Just as man was created with a foreskin and is commanded to remove it so G-d created the world and man imperfect, requiring correction.

And the most difficult thing to fix is our hearts. In fact the Torah even refers to it as 'circumcising the foreskin of our hearts" (Deut 10:16).

Like Reb Yaakov in our story. Although he was a learned and devoted pupil of the Baal Shem Tov, nevertheless his heart was hard. And ONLY he could fix it.

Somewhat like how Avraham after years of devotion and self sacrifice to the Creator still had to circumcise himself - by himself.

And just as the 'Brit' is in a hidden place, so also this connection we have with HaShem must be hidden and must affect all aspects of our being including our pleasures and our offspring. Namely, to get excited about what is REALLY meaningful and real. THAT is our covenant with G-d.(And that is the job of the leaders of every generation, to awaken this excitement)

But in a big way, the circumcision of the heart relates to the desire for Moshiach and the future redemption he will bring (see Torah Ohr 13b).

That is why it is mentioned in our section .... because Moshiach is refered to as a Leper (Sanhedrin 98b) and also because he will purify the entire world as the Leper is purified.

Then HaShem will give us a new level of circumcision (Deut. 30:6) and the entire world will no longer be interested in what feels good but ONLY in the truth. There will be no idolatry, crime, war, selfishness, misery or even poverty, disease or death.

And it ALL depends on us!

The Lubavitcher Rebbe teaches that Moshiach is already here; strengthening the Torah and its commandments, fighting the enemies of Judaism, awakening the Jewish people...

We only have to circumcise our hearts and do ALL we can REVEAL...
Moshiach NOW!!

Rabbi Tuvia Bolton
Yeshiva Ohr Tmimim
Kfar Chabad, Isreal

Tales for the Shabbos Table

In this week's section we learn the commandment of circumcision (Brit Mila). "On the eighth day remove the flesh of the foreskin."

This commandment is very strange.

Why did G-d give Abraham the circumcision and then give it again hundreds of years later?

Why is it the ONLY commandment that’s called 'Covenant' (Brit)?

Why isn't it in a more visible place for everyone can see? We should be proud of our covenant with G-d.

Why do we have to pain ourselves (or our children) to do it?

To answer this, here is a story.

When Mr. Malka (fictitious name) entered the room of the Rebbe of Lubavitch he almost forgot that his daughter was dying.

He was born and brought up in a 'traditional' Jewish home in French Morocco and although he had stopped being observant long ago when he moved to Israel and succeeded in business he had not forgotten the holy 'Tzadikim' he had seen when he was young.

But it was nothing like this.

The Rebbe's eyes were filled with joy, indescribable depth, and they left him speechless for a moment.

He approached the desk, handed the Rebbe the short letter he had prepared and burst out crying. The letter read as follows:

"Dear Rebbe. I'm sure the Rebbe remembers that twelve years ago he blessed us for children and the next year my wife gave birth to a beautiful baby girl, thank G-d. We had been married for ten years with no children and all the doctors had given up hope.

"But a few months ago our daughter complained of headaches and we took her for tests. The doctors in Israel found that she has a large malignant tumor in her brain and her only chance is in the hospital in Boston.

"Here in Boston the doctors say that they are willing to operate but admit that only a miracle can save her. Will the Rebbe please pray for our only child, I am willing to anything the Rebbe says. Should we make the operation or not?"

Mr. Malka was weeping almost uncontrollably. The Rebbe finished the letter, looked up at him and said.

"Now is the Jewish month of Adar. Soon will be the holiday of Purim. The Talmud tells us that in this month we MUST be happy and you come into my room, and do the opposite? Did you ask permission to bring sadness into my room?!"

Mr. Malka was astounded. Was the Rebbe joking with him? "Rebbe! He cried out! It's my DAUGHTER'S LIFE!!" And he wept even louder.

"You want to cure your daughter by sadness? By being sad in Adar!?" the Rebbe replied.

Suddenly Mr. Malka understood that the Rebbe was serious. "Rebbe" he said, trying to stop weeping, "Tell me how to be happy! I'll do anything! Just tell me!!"

The Rebbe answered, "Adar is happy because in it everything 'Turned over!" (The Jews were almost destroyed and instead it became a holiday). Then the Rebbe repeated it in French, "Turned over! Everything Turned Over!!" as he held out his hands and turned them as though turning over the world.

If Mr. Malka was confused when he entered, he was more so now. The Rebbe was disagreeing with all the doctors! There was hope! He realized the conversation was over, shook his head and backed out of the room saying thank you.

But, one minute! The Rebbe didn't tell him what to do! He left the room without even getting a blessing! What about the operation?

He wanted to go back in the room but someone else had already entered, ten people were waiting and the Rebbe's secretary standing at the door told him that in any case he couldn't enter again. He should write his question down and the Rebbe would answer.

Mr. Malka did what the secretary said. He wrote the letter, gave it to the secretary and returned to his daughter and wife in the hospital as though in some sort of strange dream. The Rebbe said to be happy, everything would change. But every corner screamed disaster! The world around him was dark and crumbling!!

When he returned to the hospital there was news! The Rebbe's secretary called; the Rebbe answered! The Rebbe wrote that he had already told him what to do and if he still had doubts he should consult another doctor.

Mr. Malka called a Professor that he knew in France who told him that there was obviously no alternative; he should make the operation and pray.

The next day his daughter entered the operating room. The operation was to take eight hours. He and his wife sat at the edge of their seats in the waiting room, pale as ghosts, reading T'hillim (psalms) and smoking cigarettes. He remembered the Rebbe's advice "Everything will turn over" and even tried to force a smile once in a while but stark reality stopped him.

Suddenly, after an hour, the door burst open and two doctors came out with distress written on their faces.

"Are you the parents of the young girl?" one of them asked nervously.

Mrs' Malka fell on her husband's shoulder and began to weep hysterically. Mr. Malka held his wife's hand and stood stoically to accept the dreadful news. "Yes…. We are."

"There is NO TUMOR in your daughter's brain!!! We don't understand it. Never seen anything like it! The x-rays we took yesterday show clearly a large tumor! There has been some sort of miracle …."

The Malkas were beside themselves with joy. But it was short-lived. His daughter simply did not awake from the anesthetic. A week passed then another and the doctors were pessimistic. The operation had done damage and nothing they did aroused her from her sleep.

Again, beside himself with grief, Mr. Malka traveled to Brooklyn to the Rebbe and personally gave a letter to one of the Rebbe's secretaries. Five minutes later the secretary returned with the Rebbe's reply.

"I will pray for a complete healing and you will have good news. It will be fulfilled the sentence in the Book of Ester 'The month that was transformed from sadness to joy and the Jews received what Mordechi wrote
for them'"

He ran outside to a pay phone to tell his wife the good news but when she answered she had even better news. Their daughter had just regained consciousness!!!

But the problems still weren't over; the girl's speech and memory were severely impaired. The doctors tried all sorts of therapies but to no avail and finally just before Passover her parents checked her out of the hospital.

They spent the holiday with friends in Flatbush and on the last day of Passover Mr. Malka remembered that in Morocco the Chabad representative there, Rabbi Michael Lipsker, used to make a Moshiach Meal on Achron shel Pesach. He wanted to see the Rebbe again.

He traveled to Crown Heights (Chabad headquarters and main synagogue) and sure enough the Rebbe was speaking to a huge crowd of thousands that filled the immense room thirstily drinking in the Rebbe's every word.

The Rebbe spoke for hours, but he paused between speeches and suddenly his eyes turned to Mr. Malka and he motioned for him to approach! Malka walked on the tables, was boosted up to the Rebbe's place and when they were again standing face to face the Rebbe gave him a two pieces of Matza and said:

"The Zohar calls Matza the food of faith and the food of healing. Usually faith brings healing but in your case it will be the opposite. Why should your daughter suffer because of you? Give your daughter this piece and it will bring her healing and this piece will help your faith."

Then the Rebbe smiled and concluded, "Tomorrow is the holiday of Memuna for the Moroccan Jews and in a few weeks will be the month of Iyar. Memuna means faith and Iyar is the initials for 'I am G-d your healer'. But in your case the healing will be before the faith."

Mr. Malka returned home after the Rebbe's 'Farbringen' gave his family the news and ate the Matza together with his daughter. The next day she began speaking normally and her memory returned. And a week later he bought a pair of Tefillin and returned to the G-d of his fathers.

This answers our question. The only way to reveal our connection to the Creator is by removing our nature.

That is the entire secret of the Jewish people leaving Egypt and receiving the Torah. Egypt represents nature. The Torah tells us that the Egyptian sorcerers were spiritual people. They had the power to turn water into blood and inanimate sticks into living snakes.

But the spiritual is also part of creation. As are all the religions of the world today. The Jews left all this when they left Egypt. And when they received the Torah they entered into a new, eternal covenant with the Creator Himself.

But the power to do so came from Abraham; the first man in history to truly change his nature and UNSELFISHLY serve G-d. And this is the covenant; the inner secret connection between G-d and His people.

That is why the Bris is in a hidden and personal place and why it involved with pain; because it is not at all easy to change ourselves, it means going AGAINST nature and that is very difficult, in fact it SEEMS impossible (just like Mr. Malka was unable to see things the Rebbe's way).

But all this is the preparation for the Moshiach. Then G-d will circumcise our hearts' (Deut. 30:6) as the Rebbe said so many times: All we have to do is open our eyes and see that Moshiach is ALREADY HERE!! It all depends on us to see ….

Moshiach NOW!!

Rabbi Tuvia Bolton
Yeshiva Ohr Tmimim
Kfar Chabad, Israel

Tales for the Shabbos Table

This week's double portion explains the laws of Metzora. Loosely translated as "leprosy", it really was a spiritual impurity indicated by a strange discoloration of the skin.

For instance white blotches are a sign of "Metzora". If the skin turned white, the victim was locked away and examined for first one week and then another if necessary. If it persisted he was declared a "Metzora" and had to leave society until the "disease" healed.

But it's not so simple. The Torah tells us a very strange law; whiteness is impure only if it covers part of the body. But if it spreads over the entire body....it is pure! (Our section 13:12)

Here is a story to help us understand this and what it means to us today.

Some one hundred and fifty years ago there lived a simple innkeeper in Russia, by the name of Yaakov.

There were no other Jews in his town, so he had no "minyan" (nine other Jews) to pray with. He had to hire someone to teach his children Torah, his wife had no Jewish friends etc. But it provided him with a livelihood and he and the villagers got along well...with one exception.

Father Stefan the local priest. He was an excellent speaker, a shrewd manipulator and a rabid anti-Semite, and whenever possible he would pour out his wrath in public against the Jews. He even went so far as to open a tavern of his own in order force Yaakov out of business, but all his tricks bore no fruit.

No one could figure out why he was making such a fuss about one little Jew. And they didn't visit his bar because they were ashamed to get drunk in front of a priest.

When he saw that his plans failed he cooked up a terrible plot. He visited Yaakov's place and offered to buy him out. Then when Yaakov as could be expected, refused, he feigned a change of heart,

"Ahhh, Yes! You are right! So right! Now I realize how cruel I have been to you. AHHH. I've been such a fool! Why, I have been doing the opposite of what the Good Book teaches; mercy, kindness! Now let us be friends! I have decided this moment to close my inn and let you live in
peace. Come! Let us forget our differences and let us drink a toast to BROTHERHOOD! Bring a bottle of Vodka! The best you have! I will pay!" And he slapped several coins loudly on the table.

Yaakov brought the bottle and opened it, but before he could pour the priest stopped him, "Why should we drink alone?! Invite some of our friends from outside, let them all come! This will begin a new era of peace!"

As soon as Yaakov went outside, the priest took out a small vial from his pocket and poured it into the vodka bottle. Minutes later Yaakov returned with several villagers, sat them down and filled the cups. Suddenly one of the men who couldn't wait, excitedly lifted his cup, yelled out joyously "To Brotherhood!!" downed the contents, and began gasping for breath and fell to the floor.

The priest jumped from his place, ran over to the still twitching body and after a short examination stood to his full height, pointed his finger like a prophet of doom at poor Yaakov and roared solemnly, "GRAB THE MURDERER!"

The police were called, Yaakov was interrogated and charged with premeditated murder. His family was imprisoned as bail, and he was released to prepare a defense for his trial which would be held in ten days.

He had no time to lose. He immediately took the first train to the city of Lubavitch. He was desperate. He had to get the advice and blessing of his Rebbe, the Mahara'sh; the holy Rebbe Shmuel of Chabad, as quickly as possible.

After a day's journey he arrived in Lubavitch, ran directly to the Rebbe's house and told the Rebbe's secretary of his urgent problem. But when the secretary entered the Rebbe's office with Yaakov's request he came out seconds later with disappointing news; "The Rebbe said that there are others before you, maybe tomorrow!"

Finding a place to spend the night was no problem. The problem was that when he did return the next day he received the same depressing reply. And the day after as well!

He felt like he was about to go insane. His trial was less than a week away, and the Rebbe seemed to be ignoring him.

On the fourth day however, things were different. As soon as he arrived the secretary told him the Rebbe wanted to see him immediately.

He was so relieved!! Finally he would receive the Rebbe's blessing and everything would be all right! But he was in for a surprise.

As soon as he entered the room the Rebbe gave him a small sum of money, told him to buy a first class ticket on the next train back home and motioned for him to leave.

Poor Yaakov backed out the door, grabbed his bag, ran to the station, bought his ticket and boarded the train just minutes before it left. Once aboard he found his cabin, closed the door behind him, sat down and stared out the window as the train slowly pulled out of the station. He was returning empty handed, no blessings, no advice, nothing!!

After an hour or so he snapped out of his reverie, took out his Tallis and Tefillin put them on and began to pray.

Suddenly the hopelessness of his situation struck him. The Rebbe probably sent him back because there was nothing that could be done. He thought of his wife and children, of the prospect of dying a miserable death for a crime he didn't commit and he began to weep.

Drowned in the noise of the train he wept loudly and uncontrollably, unaware that it disturbed the man in the cabin next door to his.

His neighbor came out, began to knock on Yaakov's door and when there was no answer, opened up and saw a Jew wrapped in a large white cloth with some sort of little black box on his head sitting and crying his heart out. He had to interrupt,

"What are you sobbing about, Jew? You are disturbing me! What are you doing?"

Yaakov looked up and began to apologize but one thing led to another and before he knew it he was pouring his heart out to the stranger.

Yaakov's door was open, and eventually his emotional monologue drew several of the other first-class passengers from their rooms as well. They listened until he finished, and all agreed that it was a sad story and asked him to please try to control himself for the duration of the trip.

A few days later the trial began and it looked bad. Very bad. The courthouse was packed with a bloodthirsty crowd and five judges with mean little faces peering from their large white wigs and long black gowns had been brought in from Vitebsk. Everything was against him.

Yaakov watched helplessly as witness after witness gave the same testimony until finally it was the turn of the priest. He took the stand, was sworn in and at the first question launched into a tirade about the Jews. But when he pointed his finger at Yaakov and said "It is no wonder why this vermin poisoned the vodka!" One of the Judges interrupted:

"But, excuse me Father, that is not what you told us last night!"

"What? Last night?" The priest stammered. "What are you talking about your honor? Last night? I didn't..." He was at the height of his speech and the question completely confused him.

"Yes you did!" Said the judge menacingly as he and the other judges< removed their wigs. "Don't you recognize us? We were guests at your home for the last few days. Excuse us for not disclosing our true identities but don't you remember how after a few toasts last night you bragged about how you yourself poisoned the vodka!! GUARDS! Put this man under arrest for murder!"

The crowd was on their feet screaming at the priest while Yaakov just sat there with his mouth open, eyes raised on high and tears of gratitude streaming down his face. Those Judges were the men on the train a few days ago! They must have gone to the priest's house to discover the truth for themselves.

That's why the Rebbe didn't comfort him; if he hadn't cried on the train they would not have noticed him!!

This answers our question. One of the most difficult things in the world is to reveal one's own faults. But until they are revealed it is impossible to correct them.

The Lubavitcher Rebbe once told a joke about two men that went to the doctor with a similar problem, each had a large boil on his leg. One entered the office while the other sat in the waiting room. Suddenly spine tingling shrieks came from inside and after a half hour the first patient came out pale, sweating profusely, leg bandaged and almost unable to stand. He fell into a chair in the waiting room while the second man entered, only to exit five minutes later with a smile on his face shaking the doctor's hand in gratitude.

"Ehh?" Said the first man still not recovered from his operation. "What did you do that you came out so fast? What, did you give him a tip or something?"

"No no, my friend" answered the second patient. "I just heard your screams and got scared, so I showed him my healthy leg!"

That is one of the lessons of our section. Only when the fault is completely revealed like the priest did in our story, is the solution is near.

So, when we see darkness and difficulties all around us and when we are confronted face to face with our own faults and shortcomings it is no reason to despair. Exactly the opposite. It is a sign that NOW we can come to a higher spiritual level.

So also in the entire world. Although idolatry and atheism seem to be dominant and truth is absent, nevertheless the Talmud says (Sota 49b and Sanhedren 97a) that these are signs of the redemption. It is just the evil coming to the surface.

In fact, the Moshiach himself is called a "Metzora" (Ibid 98b). And he will transform this world into "completely white"; namely a place where the ONEness of G-d is revealed and everyone will be interested only in serving the Creator, something like how it was in the Holy Temple.

It all depends on us to remain optimistic and do all we can to bring....

Moshiach NOW!

Rabbi Tuvia Bolton
Yeshiva Ohr Tmimim
Kfar Chabad Israel

Torah Online Site: http://www.ohrtmimim.org/torah

Tales for the Shabbos Table

This week’s twin-portion deals with the unusual subject of "Tzoraas", a
now-extinct "disease" caused by "Loshon HaRa" - evil, damaging speech.

This "disease" often was no more than a discoloration of the skin, but its implications were severe; one stricken could not live among normal people until the signs disappeared and he underwent a purifying process:

The punishment for causing separation between people is being separated from everyone.

One of the interesting details of Tzoraas is that even in a case where all the signs of the sickness were clearly present, or conversely, absent, nevertheless only a Cohen (priest), could declare that person diseased or healed.

What is the reason for this? And what, if anything, does all this mean to us today?

To answer this, here is a story.

About thirty years ago a Chabad Chassid, Rabbi Shalom Ber Segal (I heard the story a week ago from his brother, Rav Pinchas) worked as a headmaster in a
Non-Chabad Yeshiva(Chasam Sofer) in Bnei Brak.

One day he noticed an unusual thing; one of the young pupils there was studying from the book ‘Tanya’.

Now, The Tanya is universally accepted as a masterpiece but it is usually studied only by Chassidim, and generally the followers of Chabad. So Rabbi Segal asked him for an explanation.

"The Lubavitch Rebbe told me to a year ago to start learning Tanya because, of a miracle that occurred." Was the answer.

With a bit of prodding the young man continued.

"My fifteen-year-old sister (then aged thirteen) was the pride of her school; she was active, intelligent and a very talented speaker.

But one morning, with no warning, she woke up unable to utter a sound. At first my mother was calm and encouraging, then she begged, finally even
tried threatening, but my sister only wept and wrote on a page,

‘I want to talk, but nothing comes out.’

My mother called my father from work S.O.S. and he too tried to be calm, ‘It’s probably just laryngitis or fatigue or even nerves. No sense rushing to the doctor, just a little rest will do the trick’.

But after three days the entire family was hysterical.

Finally they contacted a Professor in Tel-Aviv and, although his secretary at first told them that they would have to wait four months, when she heard their story the Professor agreed to see them immediately and in a half hour they were knocking at his door.

The Professor received them cordially, showed them in and asked my sister to sit down. But as he began to examine her, the expression on his face turned to anger.

He looked up at my parents, furiously threw his wooden tongue-depressor into the garbage pail, leaned toward them and shouted,

"Who do you think you are trying to fool?!!! Do you think I am some child that you can play games with me??!!"

They were astounded; their eyes wide in amazement…. What did they do wrong? "We don’t understand," Stammered her mother. "What?"

“Don't understand, is it?!!" the Doctor sputtered.

“My dear lady, your daughter was born with no vocal chords! She has never spoken a word in her entire life!!!"

My parents looked at each other in shock. What was going on here!??

"But" Stammered my father "It can't be! Why just three days ago she spoke perfectly! For years... all her life... she spoke beautifully! Here, you can ask the Principal of her school. She was the prize student, I promise you!!"

In minutes, the doctor’s secretary had the Principal on the phone and the Professor was grilling him. But after a few minutes the Professor thanked him, hung up the phone, and turned to the parents.

“It's impossible! I never saw anything like it in my life!! I swear, I stake my reputation on it, that it is physically impossible that this girl..."

He began pacing back and forth deep in thought. Suddenly he stopped, turned to my parents and said:

"Listen, I don’t understand what is happening here. I apologize for what I said to you earlier, and for getting angry. I’m sorry.. but there is absolutely nothing that can be done, or at least that I can do."

But they did not give up. There is more than one doctor in the world,
they thought. So for the next few months they travelled from doctor to doctor hearing the same story, until finally they ended up in the office of a Professor in England who was supposed to be the foremost in the field. He was their last medical hope...and he too, disappointed them.

Now it just so happened that while in England they were staying by a cousin of theirs, who, when he saw the looks on their faces when they returned from the Professor, suggested that they go to see the Lubavitcher Rebbe, "If anyone can help he can."

But my father wanted no part of it. "No sense in getting desperate" he said,
"we aren’t Chabadnicks. This is obviously a thing from G-d and only HaShem can help, and I’m sure He will help, etc. etc."

But his arguments didn't work. My mother was all for it. That day they bought the plane tickets and two days later they were at the Rebbe`s headquarters, 770 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn N.Y.

Back in those days there wasn’t such a line to see the Rebbe and because of the urgent nature of their visit, the next evening they were scheduled for "Yechidus"; the Rebbe would see them privately.

Later, my mother told me that the moment they entered the Rebbe’s room she felt for the first time there was really hope; there was someone who really cared, and she couldn't restrain her aching heart. For five minutes she wept and poured out her soul until, when she finished, the Rebbe requested that, if they didn't mind, he would like to speak with my sister alone.

When they closed the door behind them, the Rebbe looked deeply at my sister and said:

“I know that you are an intelligent and mature girl and that is why I’m going to tell you this.

In your previous incarnation (Gilgul) you did things that were not good. (I always imagined it was Loshon HaRa). It’s not important what they were, but the only way to correct them was to have your soul come into this world and be mute from birth. But in heaven you have some very holy relatives and on their merit you were given the power to speak... until three days ago."

The Rebbe paused until it was clear that she understood and then continued.

"Now, this is where you come in. If you are willing to accept on yourself to make Shabbat parties every Shabbat, invite all the non-observant children in your area, and talk to them about Judaism, you will be able to talk again. Do you understand?"

She nodded her head, "yes".

"Do you agree?" She again nodded "yes".

"If so" continued the Rebbe, "Say yes."

Tears were streaming down her cheeks as she gazed into the pure blue eyes of the Rebbe. Without hesitating she clearly said...

"Yes"

>From that moment on my sister spoke normally, and every Shabbot she makes a party with more than 50 girls from all over.

The next year my parents took me to receive the Rebbe’s blessing. He asked me where I'm going to learn Torah, and when I told him he answered: "Because you are going to be learning in a Chassidic yeshiva, it is a good idea that you should learn Tanya a half-hour each day." And that is why I learn Tanya."

This answers our question. The main aspect of the Cohen is love. He is
commanded to bless others, "in love." And the Torah tells us in Shemot (19:6) that the Jewish people are called a nation of Priests (Cohanim)
because every Jew has this love.

Only a Cohen can free a person from being a Metzora because he has this unconditional, holy love.

And this love is the only cure for the disease caused by Loshon HaRa.

That is what the story of the Lubavitch Rebbe comes to teach us, the positive power of unconditional, Jewish love; The Rebbe is the perfect
example of this love that is in each of us.

[But oppositely, the Torah is also letting us know that only a Cohen can
declare the disease; namely, when you do find fault in others, make sure that, like a Cohen, you have unconditional love and are interested only in his good, because if not, it is probably your own faults that you are seeing.]

This is the secret of bringing Moshiach.

The reason for the destruction of our Holy Temple and the 2000 years of Jewish suffering (Metzora) that followed, is meaningless hatred. The Moshiach will change all this through unconditional love.

And the way to bring him, says the Rebbe, is also through learning Torah and fulfilling it with unconditional love. Let us all pray for, and do all we can to bring, the Moshiach NOW with unconditional, Jewish, love!!

Rabbi Tuvia Bolton
Yeshiva Ohr Tmimim
Kfar Chabad Israel