LIGHTING UP THE GLOOM OF EXILE – WITH JOY!
To whatever extent the gloom of exile has increased in recent years, joy must also be increased.
To whatever extent the gloom of exile has increased in recent years, joy must also be increased.
Ever since R’ Chaim Rivkin and his family came to serve on the Rebbe’s shlichus in Rishon L’Tzion, the activities in the ‘Abramovitch’ neighborhood and the city’s center have received a tremendous boost. Rabbi Rivkin points to his red beard and says that its color is the reason for the increased activity and vitality he invests in his shlichus work. “Rishon L’Tzion, behold, behold them.”
There are just a few Torah portions named after individuals. The first is the parsha of Noach, appropriately named after the man from whom all of humanity descends. The second is this week’s parsha, entitled Chayei Sarah-the Life of Sarah.
Every year, thousands of Chassidim would see Rabbi Shimon Goldman a”h go up to the farbrengen bima with a shtraimel on his head. In the Rebbe’s presence he would tell a story or a Chassidic vort to the crowd and then would invite everyone to attend the annual Melaveh Malka to benefit the Gemach Shomrei Shabbos. He did this every year although it was most unusual for Lubavitch. * In memory of a man of Chesed
In the HaYom Yom of 22 Cheshvan, that fell out on Shabbos Chayei Sara in the year 5704, the Rebbe writes: “One of the teachings of the Maggid of Mezritch, heard by the Alter Rebbe when he was in Mezritch for the first time, from late summer 5524 (1764) until after Pesach 5525 (1765):
The trip was smooth and uneventful and this was obviously the Rebbe’s doing. The Rebbe has broad shoulders for all of us. I saw divine providence in even the smallest details, like the fact that the children always fell asleep as they should… It was all amazingly easy. It unified us, it built us up, it strengthened us, and this experience is constantly alive and branded within us. * Chaim and Elinor Belila share their Hakhel experience
We came to say thank you to the Rebbe. It is healthy for body and soul to go to the Rebbe. It’s a wonderful experience for the children and parents and the family unit. Why should someone spend thousands of dollars and go to a beis midrash in New York? Are battei midrash lacking in Eretz Yisroel? There is only one “Beis Rabbeinu Sh’B’Bavel,” and it will be transported by clouds to Yerushalayim, as promised. Until then, we all go to the Rebbe! * Uri and Inbal Ceitlin relate
Hospitals, airports and prisons usually designate a certain area as a “Prayer Room” for people of all faiths. In hospitals and airports, where the place is used only temporarily by individuals passing through, it would be permitted, provided that the halachos governing any t’filla (prayer) are adhered to (such as that any women who are in view are dressed in a tznius—modest—manner) and that there are no overt icons of other religions (like a cross) present—or they are covered while Jews pray.
R’ Moshe Slonim a”h was a Chassid with great initiative, a pioneer who constantly thought a few steps ahead. He founded many mosdos in Eretz Yisroel and after leaving Eretz Yisroel he moved to Crown Heights and continued to pave the way to the Geula. Not surprisingly, when Beis Moshiach magazine was started, R’ Moshe was there to convey the burning emuna in his heart and revive Anash in the period following Gimmel Tammuz. * A man whose life was entirely emuna