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                         L'CHAIM - ISSUE # 835
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                           Copyright (c) 2004
                 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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        September 3, 2004       Ki Savo            17 Elul, 5764
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                          Life's Coincidences

First, let's dispose of a little semantic issue. The word "coincidence"
comes from the word "incident" - something that happens - and the prefix
"co-" - meaning with or simultaneously. A "coincidence" has come to mean
"two things happening together by chance," but it really means "two
things happening together." And since nothing happens by chance, but
rather, by Divine supervision, if two things occur together, there's a
reason or inner connection for that "coincidence."

Chai (the 18th of) Elul is the birthday of both the Baal Shem Tov, the
founder of Chasidism, and of Rabbi Shneur Zalman, the founder of Chabad
Chasidism. Chai Elul always occurs in close proximity to the Shabbat on
which we read the Torah portion of Tavo. This year, Chai Elul occurs on
Shabbat. This "coincidence" highlights the inner connection between
them.

The word Tavo means "you will come," and refers to entering and settling
the land of Israel.

For an entrance to be a true "coming in," one must enter completely. As
the Sages express it, "a partial entrance is not an entrance." We have
not entered a house when we have one foot over the threshold and the
other outside. Even if the heel of the foot remains outside, we haven't
truly entered.

So when the Torah portion  begins Ki Tavo - "when you will come" - it
means a complete entrance of all the Jewish people, that is, when the
unity of the Jewish people is such that each and every one of them is
settled, established on his portion of the land of Israel.

This concept of a complete entrance connects the Tavo with Chai Elul.
Chasidism, revealed through the Baal Shem Tov and Rabbi Shneur Zalman
whose birthdays are on Chai Elul, established that living Jewishly
should be done in a manner of tavo - of a complete entrance into the
essence of the person.

Through the study of Chasidic philosophy, we learn how to enter into
Judaism and how to have Judaism enter into us.

It's never too early (or too late!) to prepare for the upcoming High
Holiday season. Attend a class at your local Chabad-Lubavitch Center,
study on-line (check out meaningfullife.com, chabad.org, inner.org...),
read a book written in light of Chasidic philosophy (like Toward a
Meaningful Life by Rabbi Simon Jacobson, Torah Studies by chief rabbi of
England Jonathan Sacks,  Bringing Heaven Down to Earth by Rabbi Tzvi
Freeman, Opening the Tanya by Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz, to name a few).

And know, that in addition to enabling yourself to enter and settle the
land of Israel in a spiritual sense, you are also aiding the entire
Jewish people to enter and settle the land in a real sense, by hastening
the coming (tavo) of Moshiach. At that time, "the world will be filled
with knowledge of G-d" in such a complete manner that we will have the
permanent entrance of the Divine Presence in the world, eternally.

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           LIVING WITH THE REBBE  -  THE WEEKLY TORAH PORTION
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This week's Torah portion begins with a discussion of bikurim, "the
first fruits." At the time of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem, every
landowner would mark his earliest blossoming fruits, and, after they
ripened, bring them with great pomp and ceremony to the Temple.

The Torah explains that these fruits are a gift to G-d, and therefore
they are given to the kohanim, His priestly representatives. The giver
then makes a verbal statement that thanks G-d for all of His kindnesses.

At first glance, the timing of this declaration seems inappropriate.
Certainly we must thank G-d and acknowledge His role in providing for
our needs. It would seem more fitting, though, to do so at the moment
one first receives such a benefit.

However, in this case, instead of expressing one's thanks at the time of
blossoming or at the time of harvest, one does so at the moment that the
food is given away. Why do we give thanks when we give, rather than when
we receive?

To answer this question, we must first compare the psychology of a
"giver" to that of a "recipient." The Torah actually considers the
desire to constantly receive more as natural, stating, "One who has 100
desires 200. One who has 200 desires 400."

What is the source of this natural desire?

People usually have quite high opinions of themselves, sometimes
deservedly so. This being the case, their sense of justice requires that
their reward be commensurate with what they deserve. Since there is no
end to their imagined worth, there is also no end to their desire. And
this desire comes almost as a demand, since it is "deserved."

Judaism, however requires a different approach, one of humility. Being
humble does not mean feeling useless. The humble individual is well
aware of his positive aspects. However, he is also aware of his awesome
potential. The comparison between what he is and what he could be leads
to a feeling of humility.

Such an individual is not unhappy when he lacks certain possessions,
etc. He is thankful for what he has, wondering whether even that is
really deserved. This kind of attitude fosters a desire to give to
others. A person who thinks he deserves everything always thinks about
what he is receiving and what he doesn't yet have. One who feels
undeserving, however, looks to become more deserving, and therefore
looks for the opportunity to give to others.

This attitude is an essential characteristic of holiness. The Talmud
gives the example of a certain insect which "only takes in, but doesn't
give out." This is described as the lowest realm of existence, because
the higher, holier levels are characterized by the fact that they give.

The Torah explains that the Jewish people were chosen to be a holy
nation because "you are small among the nations." This is meant not only
statistically, but because we "make ourselves small," with our humility.

When we ponder the purpose of our creation, we must ask ourselves, "Was
I brought into this world to take, or was I brought here to give?" For a
Jew, the answer is clearly the latter. Therefore, when one gets the
opportunity to give, it is the perfect time to offer thanks to G-d.

Adapted by Rabbi Berel Bell from the teachings of the Lubavitcher Rebbe

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                             SLICE OF LIFE
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              Cousins are Spreading the Word Jewish Unity
                           by Anne C. Heymen

Two recently ordained rabbis have been in St. Johns County the past two
weeks reaching out to bring all those of the Jewish faith together.

They are doing so in the name of the Chabad-Lubavitch Jewish Community
Enrichment Program. The program here is being operated through
Chabad-Lubavitch of Northeast Florida, and by the time the two first
cousins - Cheski Edelman, who turns 23 today, and Peretz Mochkin, 22,
leave here Sunday they estimate they will have visited with some 200
Jews.

Established in the 1940s, the Chabad-Lubavitch program is designed to
reach Jews who are geographically isolated from Jewish life, the two men
explain. Edelman, from Springfield, Mass., is a graduate of Rabbinical
College of America in Morristown, N.J., and Mochkin, from Brooklyn,
completed his rabbinical studies at Central Lubavitcher Yeshiva of New
York.

For the most part, the individuals the two men have visited here have
been "so excited to have people come over," says Mochkin.

"We met with one young guy - he sat with us for over an hour. This was a
positive experience for me, an amazing thing for us," he continues.

What the two men here are doing is what thousands of Lubavitch
rabbinical students are doing around the world this summer - getting to
know their fellow Jews on a one-to-one basis and trying to bring them
together regardless of their Jewish beliefs.

Mochkin and Edelman are Orthodox Jews - Jews who practice strict kosher
laws, don't work on Saturday, and have a "full-time commitment" from
morning until night, with no breaks in the routine, says Mochkin.

They are also faithful to tefillin. Tefillin are the small boxlike
leather cases holding slips inscribed with certain Scriptural passages,
and fastened, one to the arm and one to the forehead. Orthodox and
conservative Jewish men wear them during their weekday morning prayers.

St. Johns County became aware of the Chabad-Lubavitch program through
Rabbi Shmuli Novack of Jacksonville who said, "St. Augustine is one of
hundreds of cities involved." He referred to a Lubavitch News Service
article on the Internet which describes the Lubavitch program as
investing "precious funds and human resources to bring Judaism to
individual Jews who otherwise have no access to it," according to Rabbi
Yehuda Krinsky, chairman of Machne Israel and Merkos L'inyonei Chinuch,
the respective social services and educational division of Lubavitch.

The students travel with a library of Jewish literature and other items
like tefillin and sometimes with a Torah scroll.

As is the case in other locations, some meetings in the community are
arranged and others are by chance or by word of mouth, with one telling
another and so on.

Edelman and Mochkin describe their experiences as both an educational
program for those they visit and one in which they, too, learn so much.

"We try to touch the Jewish soul," says Mochkin, and to make all "feel
special as a Jew."

Among the topics they discuss with those they visit is the mitzvah - a
good deed.

The two observe that the potential for the Jewish community in this area
"is huge," and as proof of the growth overall they point to the fact
that a new Chabad center is opening somewhere every 10 days. There are
101 Chabad institutions in Florida, including one in the Mandarin area
and a second in Ponte Vedra Beach at the Arbor Club Clubhouse. There, at
Chabad at the Beaches, what is described as a "lively prayer service" is
held at 8 p.m. each Friday, followed by "a fun and filling meal. Plenty
of food, song, stories, cool company and great discussions."

The special feature about these centers, Edelman and Mochkin said, is
that all Jews are attracted to this- Orthodox, Reform, everyone.

Just as this summer has been a learning experience for the two men -
Edelman served in Bermuda before coming to the First Coast and the two
have traveled to many locations around the world in prior years -
Edelman and Mochkin will continue their studies when they return to the
Northeast.

They have graduated, they explain, but will still put in another year of
study.

"We will put in another year of hard study," says Mochkin. "There is
always more to learn."

Both Edelman and Mochkin are following their family traditions, since
their grandfather and Edelman's father walked the same path. Mochkin's
father is a businessman in New York.

As to their visit to the First Coast, both men are excited about the
potential of the Jewish community in the First Coast.

The area, the two predict, is just a small community compared to what it
is going to be.

Excerpted from The St. Augustine Record, reprinted with permission.

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                               WHAT'S NEW
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Two new board books from HaChai Publishing are sure to delight young
children. Subtitled "A playful action rhyme," these books will get
children moving, as well.

                              I Am A Torah

It's never too early to show how a precious Torah scroll is written. In
I am a Torah, happy children stretch out their arms to be as wide as the
parchment, stand up straight and tall like a feathery quill, and rotate
their arms as the scroll is rolled up. At the end of the rhyme, the
Torah is ready for a kiss.

                           Braid the Challah

Braid the Challah shows exactly how a bowl full of batter turns into a
beautiful challah... while a cheerful group of small children
demonstrate the actions that go along with each step. They spin like a
mixer, stand on their toes as they rise, and pinch off a piece of dough
for the mitzva - What fun! Both books are written by Beily Paluch and
illustrated by Patti Argoff

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                            THE REBBE WRITES
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                            Free Translation
                         Chai Elul, 5750 [1990]


To the Sons and Daughters of Our People Israel, everywhere,
G-d bless you all!

Greeting and Blessing:

It is customary to begin with a blessing - and in these days of the
month of Elul, especially coming from the auspicious day of Chai Elul,
birthday of the two great luminaries, the Baal Shem Tov and Rabbi Shneur
Zalman, author of the Tanya and (Rav's) Shulchan Aruch  -

It is certainly a propitious time and Jewish custom to extend to each
and everyone Jew the traditional blessing for a good sweet year,
materially and spiritually;

Particularly in view of the well-known special connection between Chai
Elul and Rosh Hashana in that, while the entire month of Elul is a time
of preparation for the New Year, the last twelve days of the month of
Elul, corresponding to the twelve days of the month of the outgoing
year, have a distinct significance in that each of these days is
connected with, and represents, a month of the outgoing year. Thus, the
first of these twelve days, Chai Elul, corresponding to the month of
Tishrei, links the Rosh Hashana of the current year with Rosh Hashana of
the incoming year.

And inasmuch as our Torah, Toras Chaim, "instruction in life,"
repeatedly emphasizes that the essential end-purpose of such honest
self-appraisal is its actual impact on the individual's way of the
everyday life, in terms of concrete deeds, namely, the fulfillment of
mitzvos (commandments) with hiddur (excellence) and joy, with ever more
excellence and joy, in all days of the new year - may it bring goodness
and blessing to all of us and to all our people Israel.

One noteworthy feature of the incoming new year is that the two days of
Rosh Hashana occur on Thursday and Friday, the eve of Shabbos, leading
directly into the holy Shabbos, thus emphasizing and affirming the
mutual character of Rosh Hashana and Shabbos.

The Rosh Hashana days - the Awe-inspiring days - fill every Jewish heart
with a holy trepidation that permeates one's whole being. The elevated
perception of holiness is experienced not merely during many hours
highlighted by the preparation and performance of the day's specific
mitzva, namely, the sounding of the Shofar, or the special prayers and
supplications of Rosh Hashana, and the like; but it is a continuous
experience through the entire duration of the two-day period of Rosh
Hashana that permeates a Jew with the holy Rosh Hashana spirit.

There is a well-known principle in our holy Torah: What is repeated
three times acquires the force of chazaka (permanence)." The term is
derived from the word chozek, strength, and carries an assured
presumption that having occurred three times, it will take hold and
continue the same way.

If this principle applies in regard to non-obligatory matters, it is
certainly true in regard to matters of holiness that already have the
quality of everlasting Torah endurance, where each action has a lasting
and perpetual impact.

How much more so in the case of Rosh Hashana which is designated,
literally, the Head (Rosh) of the year, not just "beginning" of the
year. This means that in addition to being the beginning of the year it
is (also, and essentially) the "head of the year." Just as the head
directs all the organs of the body, and it is only in this way that each
organ carries out its purpose in the fullest measure, also as an organ
per se - so Rosh Hashana directs and animates every day of the year in
all particulars of the daily life -

Hence it is understandable that since there is a chazaka in the state of
holiness mentioned above, it exercises a very strong influence on the
entire year, so that all one's activities, in all days of the year, are
carried out under the strong influence of the sublime holiness of the
first three days of the year.

May G-d grant that everyone of us should firmly resolve and act in
accordance with the perceptions outlined above...

Indeed, this resolve in all its aspects will bring about an ever-growing
measure of G-d's blessings in general, and the Rosh Hashana blessing in
particular; To be inscribed and sealed for a good and sweet year, both
materially and spiritually.

And more especially - the blessing "For which we hope every day and all
day" - the true and complete Redemption through Moshiach Tzidkeinu...
very soon in our days.

With esteem and blessing for a ksivo vachasimo tova and for a good and
sweet year

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                            RAMBAM THIS WEEK
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20 Elul, 5764 - Sept. 6, 2004

Prohibition 294: It is forbidden to punish a person who is forced to sin

This mitzva is based on the verse (Deut. 22:26) "But to the girl you
shall do nothing"

A person who is forced to disobey one of the commandments of the Torah
is not considered guilty of sin. In such a case, we are instructed not
to punish the person who sins.

Prohibition 290: It is forbidden to sentence a person to death based on
non-conclusive evidence

This mitzva is based on the verse (Ex. 23:7) "And the innocent and
righteous you shall not slay"

The Torah instructs us never to pass judgment in a case where guilt has
not been proven. Even in a case where it seems obvious that the
defendant is guilty, he may not be convicted or punished unless definite
proof is brought to the court. This prohibition tells us that judgment
can be passed only after witnesses testify.

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                        A WORD FROM THE DIRECTOR
                         Rabbi Shmuel M. Butman
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This Shabbat (September. 4) will be "Chai Elul" - the eighteenth day of
the Hebrew month of Elul. Chai Elul is the birthday (in 1698) of the
Baal Shem Tov, founder of the Chassidic movement and Rabbi Shneur Zalman
of Liadi, founder of the Chabad branch of Chassidism (in 1745).

A customary Chassidic saying is that Chai Elul gives the Chai'ot - life
and spirit - to the month of Elul. In simpler terms, perhaps it means
that Chai Elul reminds us not to go through the month of Elul in a
habitual manner. Everything we do can and should be infused with new
"life" in preparation for the New Year.

Saying our daily prayers, giving charity, being kind to others, all must
be permeated with a special energy. In addition, during the month of
Elul we sound the shofar every day to remind us that the time to do
"tshuva" - return to the proper path - has arrived. Even the unusual
activity of sounding the shofar can become rote. So, this too, must be
permeated with the added spirit of which Chai Elul reminds us.

Let us all strive to add an extra measure of chai'os to  our lives this
month, in preparing for the High Holidays, and this coming year.

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                          THOUGHTS THAT COUNT
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You shall take from the first of all the fruits which you will bring
from your land, which the L-rd your G-d gives you (Deut. 26:2)

The commandment to bring the first fruits to the Temple helps combat the
notion that the beautiful fruits are solely the result of one's own toil
and wisdom.  If you begin to feel that it is "your land," the mitzva
makes you aware that the land and its produce are that "which the L-rd
your G-d gives you."

                                                 (Akeidat Yitzchak)

                                *  *  *


It will be when you come into the land (eretz) that the Eternal, your
G-d, gives you for an inheritance, and you will inherit it and dwell in
it. (Deut. 26:1)

The Midrash notes that eretz is similar to ratzon (desire). When you
attain the level of ratzon of G-d, you have been given a gift from
above. It is an inheritance for every Jew.

                                                (The Baal Shem Tov)

                                *  *  *


You shall go to the place the Eternal your G-d will choose to cause His
name to dwell there. (Deut. 26:2)

A Jew must know that when he goes from one place to another, he is not
going on his own but is directed from Above. And the intention and
purpose of this is "to cause His Name to dwell there" - that is, to make
G-d known in the place to which he was Divinely led.

                                                (The Baal Shem Tov)

                                *  *  *


Because you did not serve the Eternal your G-d with joyfulness and
gladness of heart...therefore you will serve your enemy. (28:47,48)

Rabbi Simcha Bunim explained the above verse as follows: It is not
enough that "you did not serve the Eternal your G-d" but you did this
with joyfulness-you were happy that you weren't serving Him!

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                            IT ONCE HAPPENED
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"Chai" Elul, the 18th of the Hebrew month of Elul, is the birthday of
the Baal Shem Tov, founder of Chasidism, as well as the birthday of
Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi, founder of Chabad Chasidism. The following
story is about the Baal Shem Tov.

The Baal Shem Tov (Besht) was a great lover of all Jews. He loved the
young and old, the scholars and the unlearned. The Besht would invite
the poor and simple folk to eat with him on the Sabbath and holidays.
His brilliant students and the many scholars who also sat at the table
could not understand why the Besht showered so much attention on these
unlearned people.

Knowing how the scholars felt, the Besht once told them: "You are
surprised that I should favor the simple people, aren't you? It is true
that they have not learned as much as you; some of them even do not know
the meaning of the prayers they recite every day. But their hearts are
made of gold. They love humanity and all of G-d's creatures. They are
humble and honest. How I envy them!"

The students listened to their master and could hardly believe what they
heard. The Besht looked at them earnestly and said, "I will show you
soon that I have not exaggerated."

During the third meal on the Sabbath, it was the Besht's custom to teach
his disciples the secrets of the Torah. The simple folk who could not
understand the mysteries of the Torah would go into an adjoining room,
where they would recite the Psalms of David as best they could.

On this occasion, the Besht closed his eyes, becoming deeply engrossed.
Suddenly his face lit up with great joy. When he opened his eyes, all of
his disciples could feel his happiness. The Besht turned to the student
sitting on his right. "Place your right hand on the shoulder of your
neighbor." He ordered the next one to do the same, and the next, until
they all formed a chain. Then he told them to sing a melody which they
sang only on the most solemn occasions. "Sing as you have never sung
before," he instructed them. As they sang, they felt their hearts rising
higher and higher.

When they finished singing, the Besht completed the human circle by
placing his hands on the shoulders of the students next to him. "Let us
close our eyes and concentrate," the Besht said.

Suddenly the disciples heard songs, melodies interlaced with moving
pleas, touching the very soul. One voice sang, "O, Master of the
World... 'The sayings of G-d are pure sayings...' " Another sang
"Tayerer Tatte (dearest Father) ... 'Test me, G-d, purify my heart.' A
third introduced his verse with a spontaneous cry, "Tatte hartziger
(compassionate father); Be gracious to me O G-d, be gracious to me, for
in You has my soul taken refuge...." A fourth exclaiming, "Oy, gevald
zisser Foter in himel (O sweetest Father in heaven, "Let G-d arise: His
foes will scatter..."

The disciples hearing these songs of Psalms trembled. Their eyes were
still shut but tears coursed down their cheeks; the songs shattered
their hearts. Each of the disciples fervently wishes that G-d would help
him to serve Him in this manner.

The circle of disciples that had joined with the Besht into this
spiritual excursion were spellbound. They lost all sense of time and
place; tears flowed from their closed eyes and their hearts were full of
ecstasy, ready to burst.

Suddenly, the singing stopped, for the Besht had removed his arms and
broken the chain. An instantaneous hush fell over the group. The Besht
sat in deep mediation for a prolonged time then looked up and said, "The
songs you heard were the songs of the simple Jews saying Psalms with
sincerity, from the recesses of the heart and with simple faith.

The Besht then explained to them how much G-d enjoys listening to the
Psalms, especially when they come straight from the pure hearts of
simple, honest, humble people.

"You were listening for one brief moment to the Psalms recited by the
simple people in the next room, as the angels in heaven hear them!"

Later, the Maggid of Mezrich who had been present, told his disciple,
Rabbi Shneur Zalman, "My soul just spilled forth. I felt such a longing,
such a yearning to behold G-d, as I had never yet been privileged to
feel. My boots were soaked with the perspiration and tears of repentance
from the depths of the heart."

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                            MOSHIACH MATTERS
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Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Vitebsk was so strong in his faith in Moshiach
that he literally awaited him every day and night. Every evening, before
he went to bed, he set one of his disciples near him. In that way, if
the disciple heard the sound of the shofar heralding Moshiach, he could
be immediately awakened from sleep. When the pre-marriage contract was
written for Rabbi Levi Yitzchok of Berditchev's niece, he told them to
write: "The wedding will take place, G-d willing, with good mazal, in
the holy city of Jerusalem. And if, G-d forbid, Moshiach has not arrived
by then, the wedding will take place in Berditchev."

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                END OF TEXT - L'CHAIM 835 - Ki Savo 5764
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