It is necessary to prepare a seat for Eliyahu, and to verbally articulate “this is the throne of Eliyahu.” If not, Eliyahu is not present at the bris. * From Chapter 8 of Rabbi Shloma Majeski’s Likkutei Mekoros.
It is not correct to say that the thought of redemption in the time of exile is a dream, but the exact opposite: when we think about exile – that is the dream! * It is specifically when one accepts the illusion of exile, that it is a dream; it is only during the (dream of) exile that one fools himself into thinking that it is reality!
Rabbi Yosef Cohen has served as the rav of the Weitzman neighborhood in Ramle for forty years and he is a familiar figure throughout the city. In the past decade, three of his sons have joined the world of rabbanus: R’ Eliyahu is rabbi of the Chai Taib shul in Lud for about ten years; R’ Shai Shimon is a dayan in the beis din for monetary cases that was recently opened in Tzfas by the rav of the city, R’ Shmuel Eliyahu; R’ Menachem is rabbi of the Beis Menachem k’hilla in Beer Sheva. * Beis Moshiach invited the four of them for a talk about the challenges of rabbanus, the differences between a Chabad rabbi and one who is not Chabad, and about their appreciation for rabbanus which they got from their father.
In our previous column we wrote about the directive of the Rebbe to learn the laws of the Beis HaMikdash during the three weeks. I hope that the following perspectives will strengthen our resolve and commitment to that directive.
A point from the weekly D’var Malchus for Parshas Pinchas with a relevant message.
One day, one of R’ Grossman’s new acquaintances told him that his brother was serving a sentence in Shaata prison…
Nothing in the energy that oozes from his very being, in the refined face, and the captivating smile, gives away the convoluted life story of the soloist in the Chassidic folk band Hatizmoret Ha’amamit, Neria Muell. * A fascinating life journey that started in a Chabad elementary school in Yerushalayim, continued in Tomchei T’mimim in Netanya, veered off sharply due to a deep inner struggle that led to an adolescent rebellion. * In a candid interview, Neria talks about his unusual life, life on the banks of the Banias, wandering through Europe with a horse, donkey and goat, and performances of Chabad niggunim at music festivals in Spain and returning home. * It is never too late.
In response to being told by G-d that he will be “gathered to his people,” Moshe asks G-d to appoint a successor. Moshe includes among the qualifications for a new leader that he be: “[One] who will go out before them and come in before them.” Moshe then adds: “who shall take them out and bring them in…”
Whenever I thought about him, even back when I was a bachur, I thought – this is what a Chassid of the seventh generation looks like. Just like Kuti Rapp. One who was “born” as a Chassid into the nesius of the Rebbe MH”M and completely devoted himself to him and his horaos.
Our story took place shortly before Pesach 5770/2010. The Cohens longed to travel to the Rebbe for Pesach after not having been to 770 in a long time.
July 20, 2015