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                         L'CHAIM - ISSUE # 660
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                           Copyright (c) 2001
                 Lubavitch Youth Organization - L.Y.O.
                              Brooklyn, NY
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             THE WEEKLY PUBLICATION FOR EVERY JEWISH PERSON
   Dedicated to the memory of Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka Schneerson N.E.
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        March 9, 2001           Tetzaveh           14 Adar, 5761
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                          Don't Read Backward!

One of the mitzvot of Purim is to hear the Megila (Scroll of Esther)
read twice on the holiday: once in the evening and once on the day of
Purim. Concerning this mitzva, our Sages declare, "Anyone who reads the
Megila 'backward' does not fulfill his duty." The Baal Shem Tov, founder
of the Chasidic movement, explained that this alludes to the idea that
anyone who thinks that the miracle of Purim was valid "back" then-but
not now-has not fulfilled his duty. All of the events that took place
back then are equally applicable today.

All we have to do is read the headlines or listen to the news to know
that when it comes to Haman's plan of annihilating the Jewish people it
didn't just happen, "back then." Surely, there are many Haman's today.

But, its Purim! Why emphasize the negative? There's much more to being
Jewish than tracking anti-Semitism, studying about the Holocaust, or
scrupulously "oy"ing the lot of the Jewish people. And there's much more
to Judaism that happened back then that is applicable today. We'll
mention just a few contemporary points from the ancient Purim story that
we would do well to incorporate into our lives:

lEsther's only interest in all of the luxury, abundance and power of the
palace was to use them to save her people and to serve G-d.

lMordechai would not bow down. He was proud of being a Jew and even the
threats of the powerful and evil Haman could not induce him to
compromise his beliefs.

lThe deliverance of the Jews from Haman's evil plot was hastened by the
uninterrupted prayers and Torah study of the Jewish children.

Depsite the fact that the Jews were scattered throughout Ahasuerus's 127
provinces, they were-in Haman's words-"one nation." They were united.
Our greatest strength comes from standing united as one people.

Though G-d's direction of the world is often hidden, as was the case
throughout the Purim story, it is truly G-d who controls the world and
its every detail.

Backward, forward, up or down. Purim is the time to rejoice in the great
miracle that G-d wrought for us "back" then and to acknowledge the
miracles that He continually bestows upon us every moment of each day.
May we celebrate Purim this year all together in Jerusalem with the
ultimate miracle of the revelation of Moshiach and the final Redemption.

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           LIVING WITH THE REBBE  -  THE WEEKLY TORAH PORTION
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As related in this week's Torah portion of Tetzave, there were two steps
involved in lighting the menora (seven-branched candelabra) in the
Sanctuary. The first requirement was that the oil had to be brought to
Moses: "And they shall take to you pure olive oil...for the lamp to burn
always." The second consisted of Aaron the High Priest actually kindling
the menora: "Aaron and his sons shall set it in order [to burn] from
evening till morning."

This raises two questions: Why did the oil have to be brought to Moses,
if Aaron was to light the menora? Secondly, why does the Torah refer to
a lamp that burns "always" regarding Moses, whereas regarding Aaron it
states "from evening till morning"?

To explain: The menora in the Holy Temple is symbolic of the Jewish
people. In the prophecy of Zechariah the Jews are likened to "a menora
all of gold." Every individual Jew is a "candle," as it states, "The
soul of man is the candle of the L-rd." The function of Aaron is to
"kindle the lamps" - to ignite the Jewish soul by revealing its innate,
fiery desire to cleave to G-d.

This "fire" is lit by the Torah and its commandments. In general, there
are two aspects to our service of G-d: the study of Torah, and prayer.
(The performance of mitzvot is included in the latter.) A fire can burn
steadily - "always" - or it can vary in intensity, growing brighter or
dimmer - "from evening till morning." In the service of G-d, the Torah
is the flame that burns "always," whereas prayer and the performance of
mitzvot are dependent on time, place and circumstances.

The Torah is completely above time and place. It is G-d's word and
wisdom. The obligation to learn Torah is a perpetual mitzva, and applies
day and night. The Torah is therefore called "a lamp that burns always."

By contrast, prayer has a specific, set time: morning (Shacharit),
afternoon (Mincha), and evening (Maariv). The performance of mitzvot
also varies, as some mitzvot can only be done at set times and only if
specific criteria are met. For this reason, prayer and mitzvot are
likened to a lamp that burns "from evening till morning."

This also helps explain the difference between Moses and Aaron. The
essence of Moses is the Torah, which is why it is called "the Torah of
Moses." Moses is thus associated with a perpetual light that "burns
always." Aaron, however, symbolizes the service of the sacrifices in the
Holy Temple, for which nowadays, prayer is substituted. Aaron is thus
associated with a lamp that burns "from evening till morning."

The requirement to first bring the oil to Moses imbued Aaron with the
eternal power of the Torah. Its transcendent aspect could then be
brought down into the limitations of time and place, to be carried out
by means of Torah and mitzvot. The individual "fire" within every Jew
could thus also illuminate with a steady and perpetual flame.

                           Adapted from Sefer HaSichot 5749, Vol. 1

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                             SLICE OF LIFE
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                 Purim, Pietermaritzburg and Providence

                         By Rabbi Shlomo Wainer

My wife and I came to the North Coast of South Africa as emissaries of
the Rebbe seven years ago, just prior to Purim, and established a Chabad
House in the resort area of Umhlanga Rocks. Together with a few local
Jews, some vacationers and three families who had traveled all the way
from Pietermaritzburg, we organized a small Purim party at our
beachfront Chabad House. The Megila (Scroll of Esther) was read,
everyone exchanged shalach manot (gifts of food to friends) and a
festive Purim meal was enjoyed by all.

When I think of Purim, I realize that there are astounding similarities
between the holiday's history as told in the Megila and our work here.
In the Megila, G-d's name is not mentioned. Yet, a whole chain of events
was set in motion by G-d's guiding hand; Divine Providence is evident,
at least in retrospect. Likewise, though not apparent at the time, a
whole chain of events was set into motion at our Purim party which
culminated in a modern-day manifestation of Divine Providence.

The city of Pietermaritzburg is about 80 kilometers outside of Durban.
The attendance by the three Pietermaritzburg families at the Purim party
established our friendship with them and our involvement with their
community. At regular intervals we visited to give classes, distribute
educational materials, help affix mezuzot, etc. We kept in touch through
weekly faxes, e-mails and even "snail mail."

Four years ago, one of the boys from Pietermaritzburg was about to turn
13. It was decided that the Bar Mitzva would take place in
Pietermaritzburg, though there had not been a minyan there in years. We
arranged for kosher food, acquired tefilin for the young man and made
plans to be in Pietermaritzburg for that Shabbat. There was a minyan for
each of the Shabbat prayers, the Bar Mitzva boy outdid himself and
everyone was thrilled with the meaningful and inspiring Shabbat
experience.

Our involvement with the Jewish families in Pietermaritzburg continued.
About a year after the Bar Mitzva of the first Pietermaritzburg boy, we
met a family that had been living there for 15 years but had been
totally uninvolved in Jewish life. The youngest son was 14 years old and
had just found out (upon the passing of his grandmother) that his family
was Jewish. A wonderful relationship ensued based on this family's
thirst for Jewish knowledge. The young man began putting on tefilin.
During a subsequent visit to Pietermaritzburg we brought mezuzot as
requested by the family and helped affix them to their doorposts. After
further discussions and extensive reading, the family asked us to come
to Pietermaritzburg to make their home kosher. As there was still no
Shabbat minyan in Pietermaritzburg, the family often joined us for
Shabbat or holidays in Umhlanga.

Last year, the young man decided that he wanted to have a Bar Mitzva.
The family spent Shabbat with us as they had many times before, but this
time was different. The young man accepted upon himself to don tefilin
daily, to wear tzizit, to eat kosher and to observe Shabbat to the best
of his limited knowledge at the time. How the angels must have been
dancing!

On our visit to Pietermaritzburg prior to Rosh Hashana this year,
another family inquired about their eldest son's Bar Mitzva. We chose a
date in the beginning of February which was convenient for all. The date
coincided with the tenth of Shevat, the anniversary of the Previous
Rebbe's passing and the day on which the Rebbe accepted the leadership
of Chabad-Lubavitch.

Two months ago I received an e-mail from the mother of the Bar Mitzva
boy asking if we could formalize the plans. We immediately made the
necessary arrangements. I suggested he prepare a Devar Torah-a Torah
thought-on the portion that would be read that Shabbat, Parshat Bo.

Now this is where things might get confusing, so hold on tight! Four
days before the Bar Mitzva (of Pietermaritzburg Bar Mitzva boy #3) I
received a phone call from the mother of Bar Mitzva boy # 2. Her son had
decided that he wanted to spend a year studying in a yeshiva in Kfar
Chabad, Israel. After pushing off the trip until he received a passport
and took care of various medical concerns, he was now ready to leave.
The young man wanted to spend his last Shabbat at Chabad of Umhlanga
before going off to yeshiva. What excitement! A double portion of good!

The family of Bar Mitzva boy #3, whose Bar Mitzva we were celebrating,
arrived at the Chabad House a short time before Shabbat. I helped the
Bar Mitzva boy don tefilin for the first time in his life. We hastily
took a few photos as the synagogue began filling up for the afternoon
services. As we left my office to enter the shul, I was utterly shocked
to meet Pietermaritzburg Bar Mitzva boy #1 and his entire family! They
had come to Umhlanga on vacation, unaware that there was anything
"special" happening. Three families from Pietermaritzburg, three Bar
Mitzva boys and G-d's guiding hand orchestrating this special Shabbat!
What Divine Providence!

The Bar Mitzva boy (#3) said the blessings upon being called up to the
Torah flawlessly. At the Kiddush following the services he gave a talk
that he had researched on the Internet about the Torah portion and
compared his life to that of the Jews leaving Egypt and going to receive
the Torah at Mount Sinai.

Such joy! Such a Shabbat! Such Providence!

May we very soon see not only G-d's guiding Hand but actual G-dliness
revealed with the coming of Moshiach and the Redemption, NOW!

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                               WHAT'S NEW
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                           MIT MAZEL NETWORK

The Mit Mazel ("with luck") website - "Where Jewish Singles Click!" -
has met with such success that it is launching a website in Spanish for
Chabad of Argentina. Membership is for an unlimited time. There is a new
section with Torah insights on marriage and finding one's soul-mate.
Visit www.mitmazel.com and it should be "mit mazel."



                             WWW.JEWISH.RU

The largest web site of its kind for the Russian Jewish community was
launched recently in Moscow and has proved to be an enormous success.
www.jewish.ru was developed by the Federation of Jewish Communities of
Russia and is updated several time a day with news and articles on
Judaism and Jewish life and culture. It includes a large virtual library
for reference, chat rooms where participants can ask Rabbis questions on
all aspects of Jewish life, forums, bulletin boards, and more. In its
first months, the site had more than 10,000 users weekly.

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                            THE REBBE WRITES
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                         Erev Purim 5737 [1973]

Blessing and Greeting:

I received your letter of Feb. 22, and may G-d grant the fulfillment of
your heart's desires for good, and you should have good news to report
in all the matters about which you wrote, especially that you and your
husband are bringing up your children to a life of Torah, Chuppah
[marriage] and Good Deeds and having true Yiddish Nachas [joy] from each
and all of them in good health and pleasant circumstances.

The Zechus [merit] of your observance of our sacred traditions - which I
was gratified to note in your letter - will surely stand you and yours
in good stead in all above, including your continued advancement in all
matters of Torah and Mitzvos. For, although this is a "must" for its own
sake, in compliance with G-d's Will, this is also the "channel and
vessel" to receive additional Divine blessings in all needs, materially
and spiritually.

The above is a particularly timely message now that we are about to
celebrate Purim, the highlight of which is the reading of the Megillah
[Scroll of Esther], evening and morning. It is noteworthy and
significant that although - as the Megillah tells us - both Mordechai
and Esther were instrumental in bringing about the Miracle of Purim and
saving our people, the Megillah is not named after both of them jointly,
nor after Esther and Mordechai in this order, but solely after Esther -
"Megillas Esther."

Here is a pointedly emphatic message for every Jewish woman about her
unique role in Jewish life. To be sure, no one can compare to the
stature of Queen Esther, but it does emphasize the extraordinary
potential of every loyal Jewish daughter to shape the future of her
family, with far-reaching consequences for the environment and even for
the entire Jewish people.

If this seems farfetched and mystical, the following episode will
illustrate what even a comparatively small effort can accomplish.

You may have heard that many of our senior Lubavitch students volunteer
their summer vacation to travel to distant places in order to reach out
to fellow Jews in need of encouragement to strengthen their identity
with, and commitment to, our people and the Torah way.

In the course of this program it so happened that one of the students
visited a small, Jewishly isolated town where he found only a few Jewish
families, and, as he later reported, he was disappointed to have
accomplished nothing there. But several months later, our Merkos
L'Inyonei Chinuch, which sponsors this program received a letter from
one the families in that town.

The writer, a woman, related that one summer day she happened to stand
by her front window when she saw a bearded young man, wearing a dark
hat, his Tzitzis [ritual fringes] showing, approaching her door. She
confessed that when she admitted the young man and learned of the
purpose of his visit, she was not responsive, for she and her family
were not prepared at that moment to change their lifestyle. Yet for a
long time after that encounter, the appearance of the young man haunted
her. He reminded her of her grandfather and had refreshed her memories
of the beautiful Jewish life she had seen in her grandparents' home,
though the material circumstances were incomparably more modest than she
had come to know in her married life.

Finally - the letter went on - she decided to make the change. She made
her home kosher, and the family began to observe Shabbos and Yom Tov
[holidays], and she is raising the children in the Torah way. Since then
her home was filled with such contentment and serenity that she decided
to write to the Merkos L'Inyonei Chinuch and express her profound
gratitude.

Now, if all that was the result of a brief encounter with that young
man, though unknown to him of his lasting impact, how much more can be
achieved by an American Jewish family, whose influence is not limited to
a few minutes' conversation, but serves as a shining example of the kind
of daily life and conduct that should be the privilege and blessing of
every Jewish family.

Needless to say, if in maintaining the proper Jewish standards there may
be some difficulties to overcome (many of which may even be more
imaginary than real), surely such difficulties should be of no
significance in comparison to the infinite benefits. Moreover, the
effort required is a personal one, while the benefit is also for the
many.

With prayerful wishes for a joyous and inspiring Purim and

With blessing,

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                            RAMBAM THIS WEEK
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16 Adar 5761

Positive mitzva 171: giving a half-shekel annually

By this injunction we are commanded to give half a shekel every year to
the Sanctuary. It is contained in the Torah's words (Ex. 30:12-13):
"Then shall they give every man a ransom for his soul to the L-rd...half
a shekel." The commandment is not binding on women, and applies only
during the existence of the Holy Temple.

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                        A WORD FROM THE DIRECTOR
                         Rabbi Shmuel M. Butman
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According to Jewish sources, the holiday of Purim is even holier than
Yom Kippur. The Torah refers to the holiest day of the year as "Yom
Kippurim," which literally means the Day of Atonement. But "Kippurim"
can also be read as a combination of two words, "Ki" and "Purim," which
means "like Purim."

On Yom Kippur, we seek atonement through prayer and fasting. On Purim,
we achieve atonement through joy and revelry. Eating and drinking on
Purim is a mitzva. G-d delivered us from Haman's decree because we
repented and renewed our commitment to the Torah. The holiday of Purim,
with its festive meal, symbolizes our ability to imbue the world with
holiness by elevating physicality (eating and drinking) to higher levels
of sanctity.

Significantly, the Scroll (Megila) of Esther is the only book of the
Torah in which G-d's Name is not mentioned. In fact, the name of the
holiday is derived from the "purim" (lots) that Haman drew. Thus instead
of commemorating a miracle, at first glance we seem to be celebrating
the principle of chance - that things "just happen" due to "luck" or
"coincidence"...

In truth, however, the holiday of Purim teaches a fundamental principle
in Jewish teachings: Nothing in the world happens "by chance." Natural
events and occurrences are only a cover for the "strings" being pulled
up Above by the Hand of Divine Providence. Whenever a Jew is faced with
a negative decree, G-d forbid, he looks for its inner spiritual cause
and tries to avert it by returning to G-d and improving his behavior.

The "pur" that Haman drew was not accidental, but intended by Divine
Providence to arouse the Jews to a spiritual reawakening. For just as
G-d's Name is not mentioned in the Megila, so too is G-d "hidden" in
everything that happens in the world.

As it states in the Megila, "For the Jews there was light and joy,
gladness and honor." May the light and joy of this Purim holiday lead
directly to the fulfillment of the words, "and the night will shine like
the day," with the full and complete Redemption with Moshiach.

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                          THOUGHTS THAT COUNT
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And you shall command (teztave) the Children of Israel (Ex. 27:20)

The Hebrew word "tetzaveh" is related to "tzavta," which means
connection or bond. In other words, G-d commanded Moses to be always
connected to the Jewish people. Because Moses was dedicated to the Jews
to the point of mesirat nefesh (giving up one's soul), he merited that
his strength would remain with them forever.

                                                       (Sefat Emet)


To cause a lamp to burn continuously...outside the veil (Ex. 27:20-21)

The Divine light within every Jew must illuminate at all times, not only
in the "Tent of Meeting," the synagogue or the study hall, and not only
when he prays and studies Torah. Rather, the intention is to cause G-d's
light to shine even "outside the veil" - in the street, in one's
day-to-day affairs, and in all of one's social interactions.

                                                   (Yalkut Eliezer)


And that the breastplate not be loosened from the Ephod (Ex. 28:28)

The breastplate was worn on the chest of the High Priest over his heart.
The numerical equivalent of "Ephod" is 85, the same as the word "peh,"
meaning mouth. In commanding that the breastplate, symbolic of the
heart, not be loosened from the ephod, symbolizing the mouth, the Torah
is giving us a hint that a person's heart and mouth should always be in
sync with each other.

                                             (Degel Machane Efraim)


The Urim and the Tumim (28:30)

The stones of the breastplate were engraved with the names of the Twelve
Tribes. When the High Priest asked a question by means of the Urim and
Tumim, individual letters on the stones were illuminated; to derive the
answer, the letters had to be put in the proper order. However, in order
to know how to arrange them correctly, the High Priest had to be
Divinely inspired, which was arrived at by concentrating on the word
"Tumim."

                                                           (Ramban)

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                            IT ONCE HAPPENED
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Rabbi Elazar Rokeach of Amsterdam sat at the head of the long table
crowded with relatives and prominent members of the community. It was
Purim, and the great Rabbi was about to begin the festive Purim meal.

Rabbi Elazar was not only famous as an outstanding Torah scholar and
authority on Jewish law, but was also a noted Kabbalist. Even the
non-Jews of Holland recognized and respected him for his piety and
holiness. Before coming to Amsterdam in 1735, Rabbi Elazar had served as
Rav in several important cities in Poland, among them Brodi and Cracow.
The Dutch royal palace had even minted a special coin in honor of his
arrival, with a likeness of the esteemed Jewish sage.

The huge table was laden with enormous platters of meat, stuffed fish
and other delicacies that had been sent to Rabbi Elazar as shalach manot
(the special gifts of food that are one of the mitzvot of Purim). Fine
wines and other beverages were also available in abundance. In between
the many courses, Rabbi Elazar held forth on the meaning and
significance of the Purim holiday.

 The celebration was well underway when a knock was heard at the door.
 Standing on the threshold were three emissaries of the Queen on an
 urgent mission. After apologizing profusely for interrupting, they
 asked to speak to the elderly Rabbi. Rabbi Elazar motioned for them to
 approach the table and deliver their message. They told him that in a
 certain district of Holland a dam had burst, and that thousands of
 innocent people were in danger of drowning.

As is obvious from its modern name, much of the Netherlands ("lowlands")
lies below sea level. Over the centuries, a series of dams - high,
fortified walls - were built to protect the Dutch people from being
inundated by the ocean. One of these dams had now given way, and a
sizeable portion of the country was in the direct path of the water.

The Queen's emissaries had heard much about the piety of the saintly
Rabbi. Thus, after delivering their message, they fully expected him go
off into a corner and pray. Surprisingly, however, they were invited to
sit down and join in the festivities.

It was even more curious when Rabbi Elazar ordered every bottle of wine
and whiskey remaining in the house to be placed on the table. Within
minutes it was covered with an assortment of bottles and decanters.
"Now, gentlemen," he continued, "let us fulfill the mitzva of the day to
the best of our abilities. We will drink until we cannot distinguish
between 'cursed is Haman' and 'blessed is Mordechai.' "

The dozens of guests, including the venerable Rabbi, quickly drained all
of the assorted bottles of liquor. Before the astonished eyes of the
Queen's emissaries the elderly Rabbi jumped up to conduct the revelry,
whereupon everyone began dancing around the table.

The emissaries could not believe what they were seeing. The scene in the
Rabbi's house was starting to resemble an unruly tavern. Without anyone
noticing, the three men crept outside and returned to the royal palace.

The Queen was overjoyed to see them. She told them that their mission
had been successful, and that the breach in the dam had been repaired.
Instead of death and destruction, the damage had actually been quite
minimal.

The emissaries were shocked, especially when they learned that the dam
had been fixed at the exact time Rabbi Elazar and his guests were at the
height of their carousing...

They proceeded to describe to the Queen everything they had witnessed in
the Rabbi's house. Now it was the Queen's turn to be surprised, and on
two accounts: How could such an esteemed Rabbi have behaved in such a
manner? And more importantly, why was it that the workers had suddenly
been able to fix the dam at that exact moment?

A few days later Rabbi Elazar was summoned before the Queen. Officially,
it was to be thanked on behalf of the nation. Privately, however, the
Queen hoped to clarify exactly what had happened that day.

When the right moment presented itself the Queen asked him directly.
Rabbi Elazar smiled, his countenance exuding an ancient wisdom. "We Jews
act in a unique manner," he replied. "Whenever it seems as if G-d is
angry, we try to appease Him by fulfilling His will.

"The day the dam broke was Purim," he continued, "when we are commanded
to be happy to the point of intoxication. Had I responded by praying and
imploring G-d amidst tears, not only would I have failed to fulfill His
wishes, but actually transgressed one of His commandments. It was
precisely because I recognized the magnitude of the danger that I
encouraged everyone to be even more joyful, in the hope it would arouse
G-d's mercy."

The Queen was very pleased by Rabbi Elazar's explanation, and sent him
home accompanied by a royal entourage.

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                            MOSHIACH MATTERS
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The Megila concludes with an expression of Jewish unity, describing how
Mordechai "sought the welfare of all his people."  On the highest level
of the soul, there is no difference between one Jew and another and
hence, complete unity can be established among our people. Since the
exile came about because of "unwonted hatred" among Jews, through the
expression of unity the reason for the exile will be nullified. This
will bring about the nullification of the exile itself. We will proceed
from the redemption of Purim to the Messianic Redemption, when peace and
unity will be in the most complete manner.

                                         (The Rebbe, 13 Adar, 5750)

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               END OF TEXT - L'CHAIM 660 - Tetzaveh 5761
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