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                         L'CHAIM - ISSUE # 1274
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                           Copyright (c) 2013
                 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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        June 7, 2013             Korach           29 Sivan, 5773
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                           What the Rebbe Is

                           by Izzy Greenberg

People often ask me what it means to have a Rebbe. It is a difficult
question to answer off the cuff, standing on one foot. Is the Rebbe a
spiritual guide? A teacher? A prophet? Yes, the Rebbe is the ultimate
spiritual guide, a teacher of awesome depth and a prophet of a new era.
He is also mother and father, and guardian angel. Yet the Rebbe is much
more than all that.

When I first started studying philosophy, I though that it would lead me
toward a path of enlightenment. I was enamored by the likes of Plato,
Nietsche, Descartes and Chopra. But something was missing. As much as
the theories were intelligible and mind-tingling, there was a vast
divide between the concepts and their relevance to my personal life and
the collective experiences of the Jewish people and humanity as a whole.
While I enjoyed using the teachings as fodder for my creative writing
and filmmaking, I wanted something with a more tangible relevance to my
personal life. I felt my mind awakened and inspired, but my heart was
dead.

I moved on to dabbling in various forms of spirituality. I was looking
for something I could live with, something through which to break free
of the rigidity of rational, systematic thought that was holding back my
spiritual development. However, although I found the study and
meditation liberating, I had a hard time integrating the teachings into
my daily life, or finding a way to bring the spirituality down to earth.

Before I made it to India, I suddenly came in contact with Judaism
through a friend who was becoming observant. While I was impressed with
the depth and sophistication of the teachings, which were not like
anything I was exposed to in 12 years of Jewish day school, I was not
able to replicate the spiritual journey of my other areas of interest in
a Jewish context. Also, the lengths to which people were going to prove
to me Judaism's relevance today made me cynical; were they afraid to let
the teachings speak for themselves and let the student draw the
conclusions?

For some time, I continued to deepen and intensify my exploration of
Jewish wisdom, while at the same time continuing my love affair with
philosophy and eastern spirituality. I was becoming more spiritually
attuned and increasingly aware of the relationship between the
microcosmic and macrocosmic worlds, but I was also becoming gradually
more confused about my role in all of it. I lost sight of my sense of a
clear spiritual path; I was going in circles in getting nowhere. The
philosophy, the mysticism, the rabbis, the writing... it all lead me to
a dead end. I started to feel disillusioned and depressed. I finally
realized that it wasn't some external ivory tower of truth that I was
chasing - I was looking for myself. And either I wasn't finding it, or I
was refusing to admit that what I did find was all there was to me.

That's when the Rebbe found me. I happened across a newsletter that
contained some of the Rebbe's teachings about the power of the soul and
its purpose - the purpose of life. It was the first time I saw life
discussed as a spiritual journey in a Jewish context, and the first time
I heard the word "purpose" applied to both the individual and universal
experience simultaneously. I was completely blown away by the content
and tone of the message - an optimism that was not cheapened by naiveté,
a realism that was not tinged with cynicism.

I was spinning out of control, but the Rebbe didn't try to slow me down
- he made me spin harder. As I studied more and more of his teachings, I
saw that all I learned, and indeed everything in life, could be unified
if stripped down to its essence - if I was willing to engage in this
ongoing struggle. Like a centrifuge, the various pieces of the puzzle I
picked up along the way began to purge themselves of the unwanted
elements, and the pure serum that remained from each one blended
together. I felt like my soul was speaking to me. It was the beginning
of a rocky but fruitful correspondence.

This, for me, is what the Rebbe is.

    Izzy Greenberg, a writer, scholar and teacher, is the Creative
    Director of Tekiyah Creative and the editor of Exodus Magazine. To
    learn more and to read his writings, visit izzygreenberg.com

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           LIVING WITH THE REBBE  -  THE WEEKLY TORAH PORTION
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It states in this week's Torah reading, Korach: "And G-d said to
Aaron... All the best (chelev)... the first fruits... that they shall
offer to the L-rd, these I have given you." Of all the offerings that
were brought by the Jewish people, the kohanim (priests), Aaron's
descendants, were to be given only the finest.

These contributions consisted of all kinds of commodities and were only
of the highest quality. "Chelev," generally translated as the "best," is
literally the fattiest part of the animal. First fruits are also the
most select produce. The Jewish people offered only the best of their
harvest and resources to G-d, and as we read in our portion, G-d
commanded these be given to the Kohanim.

Maimonides writes: "The law, as it pertains to everything that is for
the sake of G-d, is that it must come from the finest and the best. For
example, when one is feeding a hungry person, he should be served the
tastiest and sweetest food on one's table. When one clothes a poor man,
he should be given the nicest garment. When one builds a house of
prayer, the edifice should be more beautiful than one's private abode,
as it states, 'All the best to the L-rd.' "

Of all the commodities a person possesses - food, clothing and shelter -
the finest and best must be dedicated to matters of holiness.

There is, however, another commodity to be dedicated to G-d, and that is
time. Time is extremely precious; it is therefore fitting that in
addition to one's material blessings, a person dedicate the very best
portion of the day to G-d.

The morning, the beginning of one's day, is the optimal time of the
24-hour period. In the morning, a person's mind is more at ease. He is
not yet concerned by problems that may plague him later in the day. Thus
the morning is the most appropriate time to dedicate oneself to holy
matters.

The Previous Rebbe explained the verse "From the first of your
dough...you shall give an offering to G-d" in the following manner:

The Hebrew word for dough, "arisa," also means a cradle or bed. From
this we learn that as soon as a person wakes up he should give an
"offering" to G-d - an offering consisting of the first and finest
portion of the day.

This is accomplished in several ways, one of which is to thank G-d
immediately upon arising by declaring "Modeh Ani - I offer thanks to
You..." Another way is by reserving the first part of the day for prayer
and Torah study.

The very best of whatever we possess - food, clothing, housing and time
- should be reserved for our Divine service. And in this manner we will
merit the fulfillment of the Priestly Blessing, "May the L-rd bless you
and guard you."

                                   Adapted Likutei Sichot, Volume 2

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                             SLICE OF LIFE
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                            A Heavenly Visit
                    by Mordechai (Motty) Ziegelboim

This past December, Rabbi Yosef Geisinsky, founder and co-director with
his wife Chanie of Chabad of Great Neck, New York,  suffered a severe
heart attack. Congregants, friends and relatives around the world prayed
for a complete recovery and the miracle happened. His extraordinary
return from the dead, literally, became the talk of the day. Perhaps
less well known than his speedy recovery, in direct opposition to the
doctors' predictions, and at a rate that left even the most optimistic
among them in shock, is the chilling story of his heavenly visit.

It was almost the third night of Chanuka. The sun would be setting soon
and Rabbi Geisinsky was on his way to the public menora lighting. On the
way, he did not feel well and he decided to pass by his house to get a
drink of water. He arrived home and felt overcome by weakness. He
collapsed on the floor. His nine-year-old son found his father
unconscious.

The boy quickly shouted for his mother and they immediately called for
an ambulance. In the ambulance, they tried to revive the rabbi, to no
avail. There was no pulse, no reaction. The paramedics did all they
could but were unsuccessful. Rabbi Geisinsky had no pulse for over 40
minutes! An eternity in the medical world.

The resuscitation efforts continued in the emergency room. Everything
was tried as the family members stood and prayed. The doctors nearly
pulled the sheet over his body, but then one of the doctors noticed
faint signs of life. Herculean efforts continued to be made to bring the
rabbi back to life.

Among the doctors was a doctor-friend who knew Rabbi Geisinsky
personally. He was the one who insisted that they continue the
resuscitation efforts. (After the rabbi's miraculous recovery, the
doctor visited him and said that usually, after 30 minutes of trying, if
there is no pulse, they stop. "From a medical standpoint, this is
death." Nevertheless, he insisted that they keep trying, saying that he
knew the rabbi personally and would find it so difficult to tell the
family the bad news.)

As soon as they saw the first signs of a pulse, a number of medical
interventions were done. But the doctors told the worried family, "We
did what we could; from here-on-in, only prayers will help you. Pray,
pray hard. At least 72 hours must pass before we know whether we were
successful."

For 72 hours Rabbi Geisinsky was in a coma. Then he opened his eyes.
From that point on, his condition swiftly improved. Only three weeks
later, he was released to his home. The doctors consider him an
unprecedented medical miracle.

I am the cantor at the Chabad House of Great Neck during the High
Holidays. Rabbi Geisinsky asked me to come for Shabbat, Rosh Chodesh
Shvat, when the special Hallel prayer was recited, not only in honor of
the special day but also to thank G-d for his miracle. I was happy to be
there when he first rejoined his community after his illness.

It is hard to describe the tremendous excitement felt in the community
upon his return to the Chabad House for the first time. That was a
Hallel like none other that I've ever experienced. When I said the
words, "I will not die for I will live and tell the deeds of G-d ...
Open for me the gates of righteousness and I will enter," I could not
help but look at the walking miracle among us.

After the reading of the Torah in which the rabbi was honored with the
aliya of Maftir and he recited the HaGomel blessing, he addressed the
packed congregation. It wasn't easy for him, for he was still weak, but
this is what he told them:

"After I fell unconscious, I felt myself rising to the supernal worlds,
just like I've heard has happened to other people in my condition. My
father, of blessed memory, and other deceased family members came to
greet me.

"At a certain point, I was greeted by one who introduced himself as the
angel Michael. He took me to the chambers of various tzadikim. I saw
that each tzadik sat in his own chamber and taught Torah. (The rabbi
asked me to omit some of the details of his story though he told it in
full to his congregation).

"I asked the angel to take me to the chambers of the Baal Shem Tov
(founder of the Chasidic movement)and the Alter Rebbe (founder of Chabad
Chasidism). He agreed and I stood facing the Baal Shem Tov and then the
Alter Rebbe.

"The angel then said to me, 'We must return to the heavenly court where
your trial is taking place. They have not yet made a decision.' The
angel explained that when they don't arrive at a clear decision, they
leave a little bit of life-force within the body so that outright
resurrection of the dead won't be necessary if they (the heavenly court)
decide to allow the person to stay alive.

"We went to the heavenly court where I saw the members of the court
discussing my case. One said this and another said that. They turned to
me and asked me what I had to say. Should you return to the world or
remain here? Trembling, I responded, 'I am a Chasid of the Rebbe.
Whatever he says, I'll accept.'

"They said, 'If so, let the Lubavitcher Rebbe come and state his opinion
about the fate of Yosef Yitzchok ben Chaya Luba.' I stood there,
frightened, waiting for my sentence.

"Then I saw the Rebbe appear, in all his glory, with all those present
according him the greatest honor. The Rebbe said, 'I am working so that
Moshiach comes and brings the complete Redemption. I sent my emissaries
all over the world so they will finish the job. I need my Chasidim at
their posts. So Yosef Yitzchok ben Chaya Luba needs to return to life in
a physical body to complete his work.'

"It was then that I heard the announcement that Yosef Yitzchok ben Chaya
Luba - to life. I awoke from my coma. Apparently, everything I saw took
place during the 72 hours that I was unconscious."

                              Reprinted from Beis Moshiach Magazine


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                               WHAT'S NEW
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                             New Emissaries

Rabbi Mordey and Shaina Richler will be moving to S. Lake Tahoe,
California to open a Chabad Center. Their goal is to strengthen Jewish
awareness and pride for the residents and vacationers alike.

                              New Centers

The new Chabad Center for Jewish Life & Learning in S. Antonio, Texas,
was recently dedicated amidst much rejoicing. The new center includes a
beautiful sanctuary and social hall, offices, classrooms, Library, and a
state-of-the art mikva recently opened.  After nine years of creative
and devoted programming, Chabad of S. Clemente, California, has acquired
a permanent home. The new facility will be officially dedicated before
the High Holidays this year.  The Ottawa Torah Center in Barrhaven,
Ottawa, Canada, recently broke ground for their new center. When
complete the new facility will  include a synagogue, gathering hall,
classrooms, meeting rooms, offices and a library.

*********************************************************************
                            THE REBBE WRITES
*********************************************************************
Gimmel Tammuz. The date itself, while ingrained in the minds of
Lubavitcher Chasidim around the globe, has significance for all Jews
and, indeed the entire world population.

Although we have not seen the Rebbe with our physical eyes since Gimmel
Tammuz 19 years ago, his presence in the lives of his hundreds of
thousands of Chasidim and millions of admirers is evident. And the
Rebbe's involvement in the thousands of institutions he established, and
the dozens of institutions set up since Gimmel Tammuz, is palpable.

Gimmel Tammuz is the third day in the Hebrew month of Tammuz.

The number three has much significance in Jewish teachings. Our Sages
teach that the world stands on three pillars: Torah study, prayer, and
acts of kindness. In addition, they teach that the Tzadik is the
foundation of the entire world.

What has been the thrust of the Rebbe, the foundation of the world, in
his decades of leadership? As is well-known to our readers, since the
Rebbe's acceptance of the mantle of leadership he stated clearly the
purpose of our generation, the seventh generation, is to bring the
Redemption.

In hundreds of public addresses, the Rebbe elucidated how we can
accomplish this in a three-fold campaign: through Torah study, prayer,
and acts of kindness.

Our Torah study should be increased in all areas of Jewish knowledge in
general, Chasidic philosophy in particular, and specifically those
matters found everywhere in Jewish teachings that deal with Moshiach and
the Redemption.

Our prayers should be suffused with heartfelt requests of G-d to bring
the Redemption, crying out "How much longer?" and even to the point of
demanding the Redemption (as explained by the Chofetz Chaim).

Lastly, through love of our fellow Jew in general and even simple acts
of kindness and good deeds, we can prepare ourselves for the Redemption
and hasten its inception.

May we be together with the Rebbe this year on Gimmel Tammuz, not just
"feeling" his presence but actually seeing the Rebbe, leading us to the
Holy Land and ushering in the complete and eternal Redemption.

*********************************************************************
                               WHO'S WHO
*********************************************************************
Joshua (Yehoshua) was born Hoshea ben Nun from the tribe of Efraim. He
was Moses's faithful disciple for 40 years. He was one of the 12 spies
sent by Moses to scout out the Land of Israel in preparation for its
conquest. He was Moses' successor and led the people in conquering the
Land. During a battle in Givon on 3 Tammuz 1273 bce, Joshua commanded
the sun to stay in the sky until the battle was won. Joshua was second
in the chain of transmitting the Oral Torah from Moses to the 70 Elders.

*********************************************************************
                        A WORD FROM THE DIRECTOR
                         Rabbi Shmuel M. Butman
*********************************************************************
Gimmel Tammuz. The date itself, while ingrained in the minds of
Lubavitcher Chasidim around the globe, has significance for all Jews
and, indeed the entire world population.

Although we have not seen the Rebbe with our physical eyes since Gimmel
Tammuz 19 years ago, his presence in the lives of his hundreds of
thousands of Chasidim and millions of admirers is evident. And the
Rebbe's involvement in the thousands of institutions he established, and
the dozens of institutions set up since Gimmel Tammuz, is palpable.

Gimmel Tammuz is the third day in the Hebrew month of Tammuz.

The number three has much significance in Jewish teachings. Our Sages
teach that the world stands on three pillars: Torah study, prayer, and
acts of kindness. In addition, they teach that the Tzadik is the
foundation of the entire world.

What has been the thrust of the Rebbe, the foundation of the world, in
his decades of leadership? As is well-known to our readers, since the
Rebbe's acceptance of the mantle of leadership he stated clearly the
purpose of our generation, the seventh generation, is to bring the
Redemption.

In hundreds of public addresses, the Rebbe elucidated how we can
accomplish this in a three-fold campaign: through Torah study, prayer,
and acts of kindness.

Our Torah study should be increased in all areas of Jewish knowledge in
general, Chasidic philosophy in particular, and specifically those
matters found everywhere in Jewish teachings that deal with Moshiach and
the Redemption.

Our prayers should be suffused with heartfelt requests of G-d to bring
the Redemption, crying out "How much longer?" and even to the point of
demanding the Redemption (as explained by the Chofetz Chaim).

Lastly, through love of our fellow Jew in general and even simple acts
of kindness and good deeds, we can prepare ourselves for the Redemption
and hasten its inception.

May we be together with the Rebbe this year on Gimmel Tammuz, not just
"feeling" his presence but actually seeing the Rebbe, leading us to the
Holy Land and ushering in the complete and eternal Redemption.

*********************************************************************
                          THOUGHTS THAT COUNT
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And Moses sent to call Datan and Aviram (Num. 16:12)

It states in the Talmud (Sanhedrin 106): "From this we learn that one
should not 'hold on' to controversy." Even if several attempts to make
peace have been made without success, it is forbidden to throw up one's
hands and assume that nothing more can be done. Rather, one must
continue one's efforts until peace is attained. Thus despite the fact
that Moses had already spoken to Datan and Aviram several times, he
attempted one more time to dissuade them.

                                          (Rabbi Yitzchak of Vorky)

                                *  *  *


For the whole congregation is holy, and G-d is within them (Num. 16:3)

Some Jews, when spoken to about keeping Torah and mitzvot (commandments)
or being more stringent in their observance,  respond with the excuse,
"But I have a Jewish heart! Deep inside where it counts I'm a good Jew."
This was the argument of Korach and his supporters, who claimed that
even though they didn't behave as they should, "G-d is within them" -
deep inside they were good Jews.

                                                   (Divrei Eliezer)

                                *  *  *


And Korach took [a bold step]...together with Datan and Aviram...and
Ohn, the son of Pelet (Num. 16:1)

Ohn, the son of Pelet, was one of Korach's 250 followers in his
insurrection against Moses. Yet when the Torah lists those who were
punished, Ohn's name is omitted. Why? Ohn was saved by his righteous
wife. When she learned of her husband's intentions she persuaded him
that it was wrong to go against Moses. Ohn, however, had a dilemma. He
had already promised Korach he would join him. What did she do? Ohn's
wife gave him a large meal and strong wine, causing him to fall asleep.
When Korach and his group came looking for him, she pointedly sat in
front of her tent, immodestly uncovered her hair and began to comb it.
Korach and his followers would not approach her. Because of his virtuous
wife, Ohn's life was spared.

                                                          (Midrash)

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                            IT ONCE HAPPENED
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                           by Rahel Davidoff

I had travelled to Crown Heights, Brooklyn, from London, England, for
the Convention of Chabad-Lubavitch Women Emissaries this year. At one
point during my visit, my daughter and I  took a cab to a different
Brooklyn neighborhood. The cab driver was friendly and told us of his
background; he was raised in Ghana. He then asked me if I belonged to
the Lubavitch community in Crown Heights. When I told him I was
Lubavitch, but lived overseas, he asked, "Do you visit the Grand Rabbi's
grave?"

Without waiting for an answer, he exclaimed, "He is a great man and
performs miracles, even these days! I had a miracle through him!"

He enthusiastically continued his story: "A few years ago, I was badly
injured in a car accident. I couldn't drive for a full year, and since
driving is my livelihood, I was left  without any way to earn money. To
make matters worse, I didn't fill out my insurance claims properly, so I
didn't receive any payments. I was left with nothing. Somehow, I made it
through the year, and then went back to work driving my cab.

"One day someone from the Crown Heights Lubavitch community asked me to
drive him to the cemetery in Queens. He went to pray at the Grand
Rabbi's resting place, while I waited for him in my car outside, by the
curb.  I thought to myself, 'Why don't I ask for a blessing?' I had
driven enough people to the resting place to know what to do; you write
a letter with your request. So, that's exactly what I did. Then I
thought, 'If you, Grand Rabbi, represent us humans to the G-d on high,
you can do it from anywhere.' I took my letter and slipped it through
the wire fence near the street.

"Let me tell you what happened. Within a week, I received full payment
from my insurance company for the entire year, all in one lump sum. You
can't imagine what that meant for me! But wait, I have another miracle
to share with you, that happened with my friend:

"I have a friend from Ghana who lives with his wife in Canada. He came
to New York to visit me. When he arrived, he looked so downcast and
miserable. I didn't want to pry into his business, but I wanted to be
helpful. I said to him, 'You look like you have worries, I know a place
you can get blessings that will help you...come let me take you there.'

"My friend agreed and I took him to the Queens cemetery. By mistake, I
came on Saturday and realized it was not a good day to come, so we
headed back. However, I told him I could take him on Sunday. We went on
Sunday and he prayed. The next day he returned to Canada.

"A few days later, I called him to find out if anything improved after
his visit to the Grand Rabbi. He answered, 'You will not believe this,
you called just as my wife and I reached home, after our day in court!
Let me have my wife tell you all about it.' His wife got on the phone to
explain.

"They were brought to court over an eviction case. They had not been
able to pay taxes and were about to lose their home. They tried pleading
for an easier payment term, to make payment plans...but the government
refused. The day I called him was the last day of their hearing where
the judge was expected to give the final verdict.

"Well, my friend was running late and asked his wife to go ahead of him,
and he would meet her shortly  in court. When he got there, he noticed
his wife was trying to tell him something, speaking so fast, 'Talk to
our lawyer! Go! He'll tell you what happened!'

"My friend hurried to his lawyer to hear what his wife was so excited
about. The lawyer told him that his case was canceled, annulled, without
any explanations! He no longer owed any taxes and he could keep his
home! His wife was so shocked and euphoric by this sudden turn of
events, this, after such a long period of terrible anxiety, thinking she
would lose her house.

"Then, the cherry on top. My friend's son, who lives in Europe, called
home.  He had a strange illness for awhile. He called to tell his
parents that all of the sudden, he felt better as if he never
experienced his illness in the first place. They were just overjoyed by
all these blessings! Like I said, the Grand Rabbi is making miracles
happen these days!"

How amazing it was for me to see that non-Jews also recognize and
experience that the Rebbe is with us...it's up to us to do our part!

           Reprinted from the N'Shei Chabad Convention Journal 2013


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                            MOSHIACH MATTERS
*********************************************************************
The mitzva (commandment) of guarding the Tabernacle in the desert, and
later the Holy Temple, is in this week's Torah portion. This mitzva was
purely ceremonial, to arouse respect for the holy site. Even after the
destruction, the sanctity of Holy Temple's site remains in full force.
Why then don't we guard it even during the exile? Until Moshiach comes,
speedily in our days, the Jewish people is in danger from the nations of
the world. This applies even when the Holy Land is in Jewish hands - and
even when peace treaties have been signed with our enemies. As "saving
even one life takes precedence over the entire Torah," for reasons of
safety we are unable to perform the mitzva of guarding the site of the
Holy Temple today.

                                            (The Lubavitcher Rebbe)

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                END OF TEXT - L'CHAIM 1274 - Korach 5773
*********************************************************************