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                         L'CHAIM - ISSUE # 705
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                           Copyright (c) 2002
                 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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        February 1, 2002         Yisro           19 Shevat, 5762
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                            Your Mission...

The story is told of a chasidic master who went around with two pieces
of paper, one in each of his two pockets. On each paper a different
meditation was written. One read, "I am but dust and ashes." The second
contained the words, "The whole world was created for me."

These two teachings, based on verses from Jewish sources, epitomize the
life-goal of every Jew; we each have a unique mission the accomplishment
of which the whole world waits, and yet, we are nothing in comparison to
our Creator. Great Jews of every generation have somehow always managed
to synthesize the two thoughts into their lives.

This special issue of L'Chaim-our fourteen year anniversary issue-marks
the 14th anniversary of the passing of the Rebbe's wife, Rebbetzin Chaya
Mushka Schneerson, a very great Jew of our generation to whom this
entire publication is dedicated.

It has been said of the Rebbetzin that she was a person elusive in her
lifetime and is none-the-less so since her passing. The Rebbetzin could
have been in the limelight, her every move watched, her every word
listened to by the hundreds of thousands of her husband's devoted
followers. And yet, she actively chose to remain hidden, off-stage,
behind the scenes.

"It is the duty of chasidic wives and daughters to stand in the first
rank of every activity dedicated to strengthening religion and Judaism
in general," wrote the Rebbetzin's father, the Previous Rebbe.

"The task of bringing Jews closer to Judaism is especially relevant to
women for it obviously requries a special approach in terms of
compassion, loving-kindness, gentleness, and the like-qualities with
which women are generally endowed in a larger measure than men," wrote
the Rebbetzin's husband, the Rebbe.

In light of her father's and husband's expression of the special duty
and responsibility of the Jewish woman, we might wonder how such an
intensely private person, uninvolved openly in Jewish communal life,
accomplished this.

And so, we come back to the two pieces of paper. For, in essence, not
only do each one of us have a unique mission for which we were
specifically created, we each have a unique way in which to accomplish
this mission. Another great person's mission might be accomplished by
specifically being "in the limelight," or publicly involved in Jewish
activities. The Rebbetzin's, however, was not accomplished in this
manner.

Perhaps this is why our understanding of her remains just as hidden
after her passing as before. For, generally, soon after the passing of a
great person, we are deluged with numerous articles about them, stories,
anecdotes, and biographies of their amazing lives. Yet, we have none of
these concerning the Rebbetzin. Through her very elusiveness, she is
reminding us and encouraging us to fulfill our unique mission in our
unique way.

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           LIVING WITH THE REBBE  -  THE WEEKLY TORAH PORTION
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As we read in this week's Torah portion, Yitro, just prior to the
revelation of the Torah on Mount Sinai G-d commanded Moses: "Thus shall
you say to the House of Jacob, and tell to the Children of Israel." The
Midrash explains that the "House of Jacob" refers to the Jewish women.
Moreover, the command to "tell" the men implies harsh speech, whereas
the command to "say" to the women connotes a gentler manner of imparting
information.

This is not the only difference in the way Moses was commanded to
transmit the Torah to the women and to the men. In fact, Moses was
instructed to communicate the "general principles" to the women, whereas
the men were to receive the "laws in detail."

At first glance, this seems to imply a diminution of the value of Jewish
women, as if the assumption is that they will not understand the
minutiae of Jewish law. However, an in-depth analysis of the Midrash
reveals something quite different:

"General principles" does not mean simple or nominal matters. On the
contrary, it implies essential fundamentals and rules. In other words,
G-d commanded Moses to transmit to the Jewish women the basic
foundations of the Torah, from which all the smaller details he was to
convey to the men are derived.

"General principles" is thus synonymous with the Torah's very essence.
Similarly, at the giving of the Ten Commandments, the first two
contained the "general principles" of the other eight. ("I am the L-rd
your G-d" is the source of the Torah's 248 positive commandments; "You
shall not have any other gods" is the source of its 365 prohibitions.)

Seen from this perspective, the Jewish women received the quintessence
of the Torah, whereas the men "only" received its laws and ordinances,
which obviously represent a lower level. The Torah is thus emphasizing a
certain advantage women have over men.

In truth, the qualities of simple faith and awe of G-d are more openly
revealed and manifested in women. G-d created women in such a way that
their intellect does not override or control their personalities - who
they really are - nor can it weaken their basic faith in G-d. Women are
therefore more closely connected to the Torah's essence, which is why
being Jewish is determined by the mother and not the father. (A person
whose mother is Jewish is Jewish; a person whose mother is not Jewish is
not Jewish, even if his father is.)

This also relates to the Final Redemption: In the same way the Jewish
people were redeemed from Egypt in the merit of the righteous Jewish
women, so too will Moshiach come in the merit of the righteous women of
our generation, may it happen immediately.

                           Adapted from Volume 31 of Likutei Sichot

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                             SLICE OF LIFE
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                       Legacy of Jewish Libraries
                            By Yehudis Cohen

Some of my fondest childhood memories involve time spent with my father
in our synagogue library. I remember watching as my father perused the
vast number of books on Jewish history and heritage. In those days,
Jewish children's books were not yet available in abundance. I recall a
book called K'tantan, about the antics of a tiny little boy just 3 or 4
inches tall, and two picture books about a brother and sister named Jack
and Judy.

The evening after I read Jack and Judy Say Shema, I asked my sister if
she had remembered to say the prayer. And from then on, saying "Shema"
and reminding my sister to do the same became part of my nightly ritual.
Thinking back to those days I am still amazed at how much of a positive
impact a simple, Jewish picture book had on a young, impressionable
child.

Today, all of my children have bookshelves in their rooms filled with
Jewish books - picture books, histories, scholarly works, Torah
commentaries, Jewish law, novels, mysteries.

As "the people of the Book" it's not surprising that Jews respect and
value Jewish books. Especially when we consider how much they can
influence our lives. And it's equally understandable that a highly
regarded way to honor Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka Schneerson has been to
establish libraries in her memory.

Within the month after her passing on the 22nd of Shevat, 5748 (1988) a
library was established at the Chabad Jewish Student Center in
Binghamton, New York. "An advantage of a library over other types of
educational programs," explains Rabbi Aaron Slonim, founder and director
of the Chabad Center at Binghamton University together with his wife,
Rivkah, "is that the participant advances his studies at his own pace."
The books, tapes and videos in the Chaya Mushka Library cover a vast
array of subjects and levels. The library is used by students and
faculty, as well as the local community of Binghamton, New York.

"People find it amazing that Judaism has so much to say about any topic
imaginable. Our library gives them an overview of the Jewish approach to
just about everything," says Mrs. Slonim.

The Jewish community is kept informed of the Chaya Mushka Research
Library through an informative brochure, the Chabad Center's website,
and at classes and lectures that take place regularly in the Center
after which people are encouraged to visit the library.

Twenty years ago, the main Chabad Center in Seattle, Washington, set up
a small Jewish library. After the Rebbetzin's passing, the Lubavitch
Women's Organization of Seattle took over its operation, expanding it
and naming it in memory of the Rebbetzin. At that time, the library
housed about 1,500 books and 400 audio tapes.

A decade later, the library's collection had swelled to 2,700 books and
650 tapes. At that point, Rabbi Alter Levitin came up with the idea of
creating a library with an "ambiance." Sofas, refreshments, and an
attentive and knowledgeable librarian made the Chaya Mushka Jewish
Public Library an inviting place for the entire spectrum of the Jewish
community. The first floor of a centrally located apartment building was
rented, and "Lunch 'n Learns," classes, evening lectures and an
entertainment room for children were started and continue to draw
sizeable crowds.

Last year the library moved to its permanent home in the newly renovated
Chabad Center. "The beauty of having a public Jewish library," says
Rabbi Levitin, "is that we are accessible to those who are unaffiliated
or 'afraid' to call a synagogue to get answers to their questions. We
often receive random phone calls from people who are used to calling
their public library for information and are comfortable doing the same
for Jewish information."

Rabbi Nechemia Vogel of Chabad of Rochester, New York, had a
particularly unique reason for wanting a Jewish library in the Chabad
House he directs. "My father often traveled to Grenada on business. One
time, during a private audience with the Rebbe, the Rebbe spoke to my
father about the importance of a Jewish library and asked my father to
start one in Grenada. The Rebbe told my father, 'Maybe a Jewish boy will
meet a Jewish girl there.' Since then, I have always wanted to establish
a library."

The Chaya Mushka Library of Rochester began 11 years ago in a facility
that Chabad was renting at that time. Today, it is housed in the
170-year-old landmark building the Chabad House has called home since
1995.

The Chabad House is located directly across the street from a public
high school whose student body is one third Jewish. The Chabad House
funds a kosher cafeteria three days a week and the students who come to
eat there, some of whom are not Jewish, often take a few moments to read
an interesting book or Jewish periodical in the library.

"The library also has a full array of Jewish videos for children that
are very popular," says Rabbi Vogel. The library does not employ a
librarian; books, videos and tapes are borrowed on an honor system which
"works 90% of the time," according to Rabbi Vogel.

Establishing an entire library in the Rebbetzin's name is not the only
way to encourage and facilitate reading Jewish books ane the Jewish
education and commitment that go hand-in-hand with that reading. In
Manchester, England, the Lubavitch Women's Organization donated dozens
of volumes of Jewish children's books to the local public libraries in
the Rebbetzin's memory, making them easily accessible to the community
at large.

                 When it comes to exploring Judaism, information is
      increasingly available. Nevertheless, the ability to actually
           hold a book and read it is something very precious. What
     better or more fitting tribute can there be to the Rebbetzin's
                                                 continuing legacy?

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                               WHAT'S NEW
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                           Judaism: Key Facts

Contained in this small book written by Rabbi N. D. Dubov are the
essential Key Facts every Jew should know about Judaism. The book is
specifically aimed at boys and girls approaching their Bar/Bat Mitzva,
and provides an excellent syllabus, revision notes and questions for a
pre-Bar/Bat Mitzva test. It will also be helpful as an introduction to
Judaism beginners. Published by Sichos In English,
www.SichosInEnglish.org

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                            THE REBBE WRITES
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                      28th of Shevat, 5724  [1964]

Blessing and Greeting:

I am in receipt of your letter of the 23rd of Shevat with the enclosure.
You request a prayer in behalf of two women, sisters. I will remember
them in prayer, in accordance with the contents of your letter.

I hope you will be able to explain to them that the daily conduct, in
accordance with the Jewish way of life, the way of the Torah and
Mitzvoth, in addition to being a must for its own sake, is also a
channel to receive G-d's blessings. Therefore, when a special Divine
blessing is required, a special effort should be made in matters of
Torah and Mitzvoth, where there is always room for improvement.

It seems that the sisters are living on their own, and no doubt they
light the candles on Erev Shabbos and Erev Yom Tov [the eve of Shabbat
and holidays]. It would be well that they should put aside a small coin
for Tzedoko [charity] before they light the candles. I also suggest that
they should have the Mezuzoth of their apartments checked.

With blessing,

P.S. Enclosed is a copy of a message to Jewish women. Although it was
written in connection with Chanukah, it is timely throughout the year.


                                *  *  *



                             21st of Shevat

                    Erev-Shabbos Yisro, 5726 [1966]


To the Participants in the
Camp Emunah Reunion
G-d bless you all!

Blessing and Greeting:

I was pleased to be informed of your forthcoming Annual Reunion. A
reunion of Jews is always welcome, especially one that is designed to
strengthen Torah education and Torah observance, such as the reunion of
the great and happy Camp Emunah family.

This year is the 100th anniversary of the Hilulo (passing on) of the
saintly Rebbe and outstanding genius of Talmud and Chasidus, author of
the monumental work Tzemach Tzedek (which made him so famous that he is
called by this name) and numerous other sacred volumes. In addition to
being the head of all the Chabad Chassidim, he was everywhere recognized
also as the leader of the Jewish people. Busy as he was with his studies
and writings and communal duties, he regularly took time out to spend
with his grandchildren to encourage them in their Torah studies and
daily conduct. He was equally concerned with the Torah education of all
Jewish children, boys as well as girls, and strenuously fought to
preserve the purity and holiness of Jewish education and upbringing.

None of us can match his greatness and dedication, but each one of us
can and must follow his example to the best of our ability.

In this connection, Jewish girls and women have a special duty and
privilege, as indicated in this week's Sidrah [Torah portion] of Mattan
Torah [the Giving of the Torah]. For, when G-d was about to give the
Torah to the Jewish people at Mount Sinai, He told Moshe Rabbeinu
[Moses] to speak about it first to the "house of Yaakov" (the women) and
then to the "sons of Yisroel" (the men).

I hope and pray that this year's Reunion will serve as a source of
lasting inspiration to each and every one of you, to make full use of
your youthful enthusiasm and energy in the abovementioned direction. And
may you also be a living example and active inspiration to others. All
this is a "must" for its own sake, being the will and command of G-d;
but it is also the channel through which to receive a constant flow of
G-d's blessings to you and all your dear ones, in all your needs.

With blessing,

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                            RAMBAM THIS WEEK
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22 Shevat 5762

Positive mitzva 164: fasting on Yom Kippur

By this injunction we are commanded to fast on Yom Kippur, the tenth day
of the Hebrew month of Tishrei. It is derived from the Torah's words
(Lev. 16:29), "You shall afflict your souls, etc."

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                        A WORD FROM THE DIRECTOR
                         Rabbi Shmuel M. Butman
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This Monday is the anniversary of the passing of Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka
Schneerson, wife of the Lubavitcher Rebbe and daughter of the Previous
Rebbe. Extremely modest, queenly in bearing, sensitive, compassionate
and intelligent, Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka was the embodiment of Jewish
womanhood.

After the Rebbetzin's passing in 1988, the Rebbe began to speak about "a
new era" having  commenced. Although the Rebbe had always stressed our
generation's unique role in preparing the world for Moshiach, at that
point the Rebbe declared that the only thing left in our Divine service
is to actually greet Moshiach himself.

As the Rebbe further explained, this "new period" we are now in is
especially significant for Jewish women and girls, whose task is not
only to establish a "dwelling place for G-d in the lower realms" (as is
every Jewish person's), but to ensure that it is a "beautiful" dwelling.
When a "beautiful dwelling" is established, G-d "puts Himself" into the
dwelling in an entirely different manner, not just "dwelling there" but
uniting with it, as it were. G-d's dwelling place in the lower worlds
becomes not only nullified to the "Owner," but one with Him.

This is reflected in the special mitzvot of Jewish women and girls, with
their emphasis on light (Shabbat and Yom Tov candles), purity and
holiness (kashrut and the laws of family purity), and warmth (providing
children with a Torah-true Jewish education, the main objective of which
is to instill enthusiasm for Judaism). In other words, Jewish women and
girls are the ultimate "interior decorators" in establishing a
"beautiful dwelling."

In these last few moments of exile, it is therefore crucial that all
Jewish women and girls be aware of their tremendous role in hastening
the Final Redemption, which will come "as reward for the righteous women
of the generation."

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                          THOUGHTS THAT COUNT
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The people come to me to inquire of G-d. When they have a matter it
comes to me, and I judge between a man and his fellow; and I make them
know the statutes of G-d (Ex. 18:15-16)

Every Jewish leader of his generation fulfills three functions: He must
pray on behalf of every individual Jew ("the people come to me to
inquire of G-d"); resolve monetary disputes and disagreements ("judge
between a man and his fellow"); and teach Torah to the Jewish people
("make them know the statutes of G-d").

                                                      (Nachmanides)

                                *  *  *


The hard matter they brought to Moses, but every small matter they
judged themselves (Ex. 14:26)

In the Jewish system of law, "the law of a penny is the same as one
hundred." The only criterion is whether a case is straightforward or
complicated, the more complicated ones requiring the greater and more
skillful Torah sages.

                                               (Rabbi Chaim Berlin)

                                *  *  *


And you shall be My own treasure from among all the peoples, for all the
earth is Mine (Ex. 19:5)

The Jewish people's status as G-d's "treasure" is not dependent on the
behavior of the nations of the world; i.e., whether or not they worship
idols or recognize false gods. Even in the Messianic era, when all
mankind will accept G-d's sovereignty ("For then I will convert the
peoples to a clear language, that they may all call upon the name of the
L-rd, to serve Him with one accord"), the Jews will continue to be the
"chosen people."

                                                      (Yakar Mipaz)

                                *  *  *


You shall not take the Name of the L-rd your G-d in vain (Ex. 20:7)

Do not assume the Name of the L-rd your G-d in a false manner. It is
wrong to try to appear more righteous or G-d-fearing than others simply
because one possesses the truth...

                                                      (Ohr HaChaim)

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                            IT ONCE HAPPENED
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Reb Alexander Sender was a Chasid of the Alter Rebbe (Rabbi Shneur
Zalman, founder of Chabad Chasidim), whose job sometimes required that
he travel to other countries outside of Russia. When the Alter Rebbe
once asked Reb Alexander Sender why he didn't engage in business in a
particular town in Galicia (Poland), he took it to mean that he should
go there, which he immediately did.

As this was the first time he had ever visited the region, Reb Alexander
inquired as to where he could stay and take his meals. He was told that
there was one particular place frequented by Jewish travelers where the
food was prepared to the highest standards of kashrut, an inn run by the
daughter of the late Rabbi of the town, who had been known for his piety
and scholarship. After the Rabbi passed away, his young daughter, a girl
of fine intellect and character like her father, was married off by the
heads of the Jewish community to a local talmid chacham (Torah scholar).
Their home was kosher to the highest and most strict specifications. Reb
Alexander Sender decided to stay there.

When he sent a messenger to arrange for his accommodations, however, he
learned that the young woman's husband was out of town and that she
could therefore not allow him to stay. It was only after it was made
clear that Reb Alexander Sender was accompanied by ten other people that
she agreed to put him up.

That Friday night, Reb Alexander and his business associates, all of
whom were also outstanding Chasidim of the Alter Rebbe, sat down to
their festive Shabbos meal. The house fairly reverberated with their
joyous singing of Chasidic melodies and zemirot (special songs for
Shabbat). Suddenly, Reb Alexander heard the sound of weeping. Following
the sound he found the young woman in the next room, unable to contain
her tears. When he asked her why she was crying she told him that she
had not experienced such a moving Shabbat table since her saintly father
passed away. Hearing her guests' singing brought back such pleasant
memories of her father, whom she still missed very much, she explained.

As they were talking she revealed something very close to heart: As  a
Jewish mother, she was terribly concerned about the fate of her
7-year-old son, for in Galicia, at that time, it was against the law to
send children to cheder for religious instruction. She then inquired if
the government was just as restrictive in Russia, where Reb Alexander
Sender came from. "Not at all," he replied. "The Russian authorities do
not interfere in such matters. It is permissible to provide the best
Jewish education for one's children."

The woman implored Reb Alexander to take the boy back with him to Russia
so he could learn Torah. "But what about your husband?" Reb Alexander
asked. "Would he agree to send the child so far from home?" The woman
assured Reb Alexander that the most important thing in the world to the
two parents was that their son learn Torah in a yeshiva and grow up to
be an educated Jew.

Reb Alexander Sender then understood why the Alter Rebbe had suggested
he do business in that particular town. He wrote on his passport that
the boy was his son, and so, 7-year-old Elchanan accompanied the group
of businessmen back to Russia. Elchanan learned in yeshiva,
distinguished himself in his studies and went on to establish a fine
family of G-d-fearing Jews.

[This Elchanan was the father of Reb Peretz Chein, a well-known
Lubavitcher Chasid in Russia.]

The Previous Rebbe, father of Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka Schneerson, whose
yartzeit occurs this week on the 22nd of Shevat, once spoke about the
self-sacrifice parents must have to provide the proper Jewish education
for their children. On Purim in the year 5686 (1926) he said:

"We must continue to establish chadarim and yeshivot, for who knows
which children will be affected and influenced? Rabbi Yekutiel, the
father of Rabbeinu Gershom, brought his son to Tulitila in Morocco,
which then became a center of Torah learning. In the same manner, the
father of Peretz Chein, Reb Elchanan, fled his native Galicia to attend
cheder in Russia. This came about because of his mother's self-sacrifice
on his behalf, when she sent him away in order to learn Torah. Because
of her actions he became the progenitor of this Torah-true family."


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                            MOSHIACH MATTERS
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Each generation is redeemed only in the merit of the righteous women of
that generation

                                              (Yalkut Shimoni Ruth)

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                 END OF TEXT - L'CHAIM 705 - Yisro 5762
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