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                         L'CHAIM - ISSUE # 886
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                           Copyright (c) 2005
                 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 9, 2005       Shoftim             5 Elul, 5765
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                       It's a Miracle - Or is It?

I remember the first time I saw a fax machine. As I watched the document
emerge from the machine, I blurted out: "A miracle!" Indeed, there are
many of these types of miracles happening today. Some, like the fax
machine, are really pretty straightforward, but others represent
transitions that can truly be seen as miraculous.

There is a difference of opinion between two of Judaism's great Sages,
Moses Maimonides and Raavad (Rav Avraham ben David). Maimonides states:
"One should not entertain the notion that in the era of Moshiach any
element of the natural order will be nullified, or that there will be
any innovation in the work of creation. Rather, the world will continue
according to its pattern.... Our Sages taught: 'There will be no
difference between the current age and the era of Moshiach except our
emancipation from subjugation to the gentile kingdoms.'"

Raavad differs and cites prophecies from Scripture and from the Talmud
which appear to indicate that there will be miracles.

In light of some of the changes taking place within our lives at
present, we can introduce a possible resolution that preserves both
perspectives. One of the prophecies Raavad cites as proof of his
position is: "I will remove wild beasts from the land." Our Sages offer
the interpretation that the beasts of prey will lose their predatory
tendencies, as Isaiah declares: "A wolf will lie down with the lamb."

An obvious miracle. And yet after having mapped the human genome, is it
so far-removed to think that we will be able to identify the gene that
causes a lion or a wolf to prey, and breed out that tendency from the
species? I don't mean to oversimplify the issue, but far greater
modifications in nature based on the manipulation of DNA have been
proposed - and these by businessman seeking profits, not by scientists
exploring theories.

This is merely the tip of the iceberg. In many ways, 21st-century life
is beginning to look like science fiction. We have cloned mammals and
isolated telomerase which can be used to establish stable, immortalized
human cell chains which can undergo multiple rounds of genetic
engineering.

Nanotechnology, where the very structure of atoms is manipulated, is
already being applied in industry. And today's breakthroughs are nowhere
near what we will see in the not too distant future.

Are these miracles? Yes and no. From the vantage point of 100 - perhaps
even 25 - years ago, they most definitely are. But according to today's
perspective, this is not a "nullification of the natural order." What
was once considered miraculous and beyond man's reach is now natural.

This fusion of the miraculous and the natural shows us something of what
the era of the Redemption will be. Since G-d's essence will be revealed
within our world, there will be a redefinition of material existence.
The material form will remain, but it will be suffused with an infinite
G-dly dimension that will produce the natural miracles of the type - and
indeed, far greater than the type - we mentioned.

        by Rabbi Eliyahu Touger from Keeping In Touch, published by
                                                 Sichos in English.


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           LIVING WITH THE REBBE  -  THE WEEKLY TORAH PORTION
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In the Torah portion Shoftim we find the verse, "For man is the tree of
the field." What, though, is the connection between human beings and
trees?

At first glance, there seems to be little in common between the two. Man
is the crown of creation, the only being with the capacity of speech,
whereas a tree is on the much lower level, even lower than an animal.
Why, then, does the Torah equate us with mere trees?

The unique characteristic of a plant is its intimate connection with the
ground, its source of life and sustenance. Although both animals and
people also receive their sustenance from the earth (and indeed were
even created from it), the relationship is less direct. Humans and
animals are not bound to the earth by their roots and are free to move
about. A plant, on the other hand, must always be connected to the
ground; if it is uprooted, it will wither and die.

A tree expresses this concept even more. Bound to the earth, it must
suffer the harsh punishment of the elements throughout the four seasons
of the year, yet annually bears its fruit (unlike annuals, which live
for only one season). A tree has such a strong connection to its source
that even the changes in season do it no harm.

It is in this respect that man resembles the tree of the field. He, too,
is unable to exist cut off from his source of life. His soul requires a
constant and continuous bond with the source of his existence. This
intimate connection and relationship with G-d is the trait which man may
learn from the trees and adopt and strengthen for himself.

The source of life for the Jew is the Torah, and he draws his strength
and vitality from it. Even though most Jews cannot spend their entire
day engrossed in Torah study and must venture out into the world to
"make a dwelling place for G-d down here below," we derive meaning and
inspiration for the rest of the day from the time that was actually
spent learning Torah. When a busy businessman dedicates a small amount
of time in the morning and evening to learning Torah, the influence is
felt throughout the day.

On must always bear in mind that "man is the tree of the field" - he is
always bound by his roots to his source of life. Even as one actively
pursues a life of commerce, or whatever one's profession may be, he must
strive to feel that intimate bond with his Creator. The Torah that is
learned during those few moments will permeate one's entire life and
create a Torah-true atmosphere.

                   Adapted from the works of the Lubavitcher Rebbe.

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                             SLICE OF LIFE
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                           by Vita Goldstein

During the Jewish month of Elul, the month before Rosh Hashana, it is
customary to have the mezuzot in one's home checked by a scribe to make
sure that they are still kosher - fit for use. I didn't grow up knowing
about checking mezuzot, not in Elul or at any other time of the year. I
didn't grow up knowing to put mezuzot on every door (except bathrooms
and small closets). I did not know growing up, what was inside a
mezuza.  

But, I did grow up with parents whose doors were always open. And I did
grow up with parents who were always giving of their time to others. And
I did grow up knowing how invaluable it is to care about members of
one's family and that the circle of caring should extend to other people
as well.

My husband and I became observant and close with Chabad almost 20 years
ago when we were introduced to Rabbi Shlomo and Esther Bluming, in New
London, Connecticut. In the process, we and our extended families had to
do some adjusting. One of the things we did not need to adjust, though,
was my parents' values of an open home and an open heart.  

Throughout the years, I always felt quite comfortable when friends were
in my parents' neighborhood to suggest that they call on my parents for
a place to stay. My mother, Elsie Fetterman, has plenty of room, and
although she is not observant, she always welcomed my friends.

Recently, I recommended to a friend, Ita Baila Bialistok, to stay with
my mother while she was attending a seminar in Amherst.

When Ita Baila spoke to me after her visit to my mother's home, she told
me how welcome she had felt and how much she had enjoyed her stay. As a
side comment, she added, "You know your mother's mezuzot seem too small
and some doors don't even have mezuzot." Ita Baila told me that she had
hesitantly broached the subject with my mother. My mother had told her,
"Oh, that's Vita's department. She knows about those things."

Once I found out that I had been "appointed" to be in charge of such
matters, I got right on the case. I called Rabbi Chaim Adelman, the
Rebbe's emissary to the University of Massachusetts in Amherst. Not too
long afterwards we met at my mother's house.

Rabbi Adelman gave both my mother and me a "crash course" in mezuzot. He
explained in which direction the mezuza should be slanted when affixed,
to which side of the door frame it should be attached, the differences
in size and quality of the scrolls themselves, which doors were missing
mezuzot, the deeper significance of the Shema and other Torah verses
hand-written on the parchment and the importance of having kosher
mezuzot on all of one's doors. 

It was quite an "education." By the end of the afternoon, after going
from doorway to doorway, inside and outside of the house, we calculated
that we needed more than 30 mezuzot! Nine mezuzot were for outside
doors, alone.

I suggested to my mother that we approach the purchasing and placement
of the mezuzot gradually. My father's yartzeit (anniversary of passing)
was the first day of the Hebrew month of Av, in the beginning of August
this year. I proposed that we put mezuzot on all of the outside doors by
that date and it would be done in my father's memory. The yartzeit of my
brother is on Elul 7, a little more than one month later. I suggested
that we make that the second phase of "Operation Mezuzot" and that we
complete the task by Rosh Hashana. The idea was reasonable and we set
out to make sure it happened.

A little while after our mezuza adventure began, my mother and I went to
visit a friend of hers, Shirley, who was recuperating from surgery at a
nearby rehabilitation center. My mother was so excited with her newly
acquired education about mezuzot that she just had to tell her friend
about it. "Though I received my Ph.D. 35 years ago,  I'm still learning
new things every day," my mother told her friend enthusiastically.

(Later that same week, Rabbi Adelman went to visit Shirley in the rehab
center. Shirley brought the conversation around to mezuzot and she is
considering starting a mezuza adventure of her own!)

When I returned home from my visit with my mother, I sent her a note. In
it I shared with her my feelings about how special I think it is that
she is making sure her home has kosher mezuzot. I wrote that our
patriarch Abraham was known to have a tent-home with doors on all four
sides of the tent open. This was in order to make it easier to welcome
guests. My mother's home has nine doors, and as my friends have
experienced, they are always open to guests. 

For her part, my mother feels that it has been a very special experience
to be able to fulfill the mitzva of having mezuzot on all of her doors,
especially as mezuzot remind her and her guests that they are in a
Jewish home.

May we all have open doors like my mother's doors, may we all have
mezuzot on those doors, like my mother's doors, and may we all have open
minds like my mother's mind.

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                               WHAT'S NEW
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                           The Great Mission

The Great Mission, a new release from Kehot Publications, is part
biography, part philosophy, part story, about the Baal Shem Tov, founder
of the Chasidic movement. All stories and teachings included within The
Great Mission are drawn from the talks and written works of the Rebbes
of Chabad-Lubavitch, which constitute an unbroken chain from the Baal
Shem Tov through modern times. Compiled by Rabbi Eli Friedman and
translated by Rabbi Elchonon Lesches, The Great Mission startles the
reader as it reveals the sensible approach of the Baal Shem Tov. The
Great Mission stays true to its mission and offers a riveting portrait
of a truly great man.

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                            THE REBBE WRITES
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                    In the Days of Elul, 5737 [1977]

Blessing and Greeting:

I duly received your correspondence, and may G-d grant the fulfillment
of your heart's desires for good.

Especially as we are now in the month of Elul, the auspiciousness and
significance of which is explained by the Alter Rebbe [Rabbi Shneur
Zalman], Founder of Chabad, in the well-known parable of "the King in
the Field."

Briefly, when a king, before entering his city and palace, is in the
field, then the people of the city come out to greet the king, and then
everyone who so desires can approach the king, and the king is
especially gracious to all and shows them a smiling face.

Similarly the month of Elul is particularly auspicious to approach the
King of Kings, the Holy One blessed be He; all that is necessary is to
desire it.

Wishing you and yours a Kesivo vechasimo toivo [you should be written
and sealed for good], for a good and sweet year,

                                *  *  *

                       22nd of Elul, 5737 [1977]


Blessing and Greeting:

Your letter of July 29th reached me with considerable delay.

I trust you know that one of the basic teachings of our Torah, called
Toras Chaim, because it is the Jew's true guide in life, is to be strong
in one's faith in G-d, whose benevolent Providence extends to each and
everyone individually. This in itself is a channel to receive G-d's
blessings, and reduces to a minimum all anxieties and worries.

At the same time, the Torah teaches also that one must do everything
necessary in the natural order of things. Thus, in the matter of health,
it is necessary to consult with, and follow, the advice of the doctor
who is treating the person.

It is surely unnecessary to emphasize to you at length the need to
strengthen adherence to the Will of G-d in the daily life and conduct in
accordance with the teachings of the Torah. In addition to this being a
must for its own sake, this is also the way to receive additional Divine
blessings in all needs, including the matter of health and making other
important decisions.

If you think that you need further enlightenment, in addition to the
above guideline, you surely can speak with some of Chabad-Lubavitch
people in your city.

With prayerful wishes to you and all yours for a Kesivo vaChasimo Tovo,
for a good and sweet year, and

With blessing,

                                *  *  *

                     Rosh Chodesh Elul, 5736 [1976]


Greeting and Blessing:

This is to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 17th of Menachem Av
etc. I will remember you in prayer for the fulfillment of your heart's
desires for good in the matters about which you write.

As I have mentioned it before to you, strengthening Bitochon [trust] in
G-d, in addition to this being a basic tenet of our Torah, also
increases and speeds G-d's blessing in all needs. At the same time, the
Bitochon minimizes, and indeed dispels, all anxieties and worries.

With regard to matters relating to the community, Chinuch [Jewish
education], etc., you should discuss them with Askonim Yirei Shomayim
[G-d fearing lay-leaders], who are familiar with the local situation -
as I have also advised you this in the past.

Wishing you and yours a Kesiva vaChasimo Tovo,

With blessing,

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                            RAMBAM THIS WEEK
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5 Elul, 5765 - September 9, 2005

Prohibition  65: We are forbidden to destroy or damage a Jewish place of
worship, or holy books, or to erase sacred names.

This mitzva is based on the verse (Deut.12:4) "This you shall not do to
the L-rd your G-d"

This prohibition  informs us that we are forbidden to destroy or damage
a synagogue or yeshiva. We are also not allowed to damage a holy book or
to erase any one of the sacred names of G-d that appear in writing.

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                        A WORD FROM THE DIRECTOR
                         Rabbi Shmuel M. Butman
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This week we entered into the month of Elul, the month of preparation
for the holy days of Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur. It is a time of making
an account of the previous year, and resolving to do better in the
coming year.

The Rebbe explains how the service of the month of Elul gives us the
opportunity to reveal the greatness of the unity of the Jewish nation in
numerous different ways:

While each Jew has to make an account of his own actions, all Jews are
working toward the same goal of improving in the coming year.

During Elul, there is an emphasis on prayer. When it comes to prayer,
the service of the heart, all Jews are equal. Even something as
important as Torah knowledge does not effect the simple, heartfelt
outpouring of a sincere heart.

Another area which shows Jewish unity is the increase in charity during
Elul. When we give tzedaka we are acknowledging the fact that we are all
one, that every Jew has a responsibility to his fellow Jews. Moreover,
the commandment to give tzedaka has been placed upon all of us equally.

Just as in the month of Elul we are preparing ourselves to be judged by
the Heavenly Court, in this week's Torah portion, Shoftim, we read about
the importance of appointing earthly judges. The Torah states that
judges must be positioned "at the gates of the city," to ensure that the
people will follow the laws of the Torah both in the city and out. This
is a lesson for us in our time as well.

The Torah's laws do not merely exist in a synagogue, a home or even just
within a Jewish community. They are a part of us no matter where we go.
Even if we happen to find ourselves outside of our "city," we are still
required to act in accordance with the Torah.

During this month of Elul, as we prepare ourselves for Rosh Hashana, let
us add a prayer, a supplication, for G-d to send us Moshiach now!

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                          THOUGHTS THAT COUNT
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Judges and officers you shall appoint upon yourself...and they shall
judge the people  (Deut. 16:18)

First "you shall appoint upon yourself" - first you must adorn yourself,
and then "they shall judge the people" - you will be able to adorn and
beautify others and to judge them.  In other words, most people are
blind to their own faults.

                                                       (Klei Yakar)

                                *  *  *


The Torah enjoins the judge - "you shall appoint upon yourself" - the
same criteria and set of rules that you use to judge others you should
apply to yourself as well. Demand of yourself the same fear of G-d that
you demand from those you are judging.

                                              (Toldot Yaakov Yosef)

                                *  *  *


What man is there who is fearful and fainthearted? Let him go and return
to his house (Deut. 20:8)

Moses said this to those who were to wage war. Rabbi Yosi Haglili said:
This means one who is afraid because of his sins. Rabbi Nachman of
Breslov added another insight: The worst thing is when a person dwells
on his transgressions and sinks into a depression. When the Evil
Inclination tries to entice a person to sin, it is more interested in
the depression following the wrongdoing than the sin itself. The damage
done by depression is greater than the damage done by the gravest
transgression.

                                *  *  *


You shall set a king over yourself (Deut. 17:15)

This commandment's purpose is to instill the fear of G-d, the
subjugation to Him, and the acceptance of the Yoke of Heaven. The king
himself is nullified to G-d; therefore, when the nation subjugates
itself to him, they nullify themselves to G-d as well.

                                               (Derech Mitzvotecha)

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                            IT ONCE HAPPENED
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Once a great Chasidic leader, Rabbi Mordechi of Nadvorna, was on a long
train trip with many of his followers. The train made a stop in the city
of Niridihous where they had to change trains for their intended
destination.

They had been waiting for several minutes when suddenly a young
non-Jewish woman began screaming and wailing, attracting the attention
of both passengers and police. It seems that someone had stolen her
wallet containing her money and train ticket.

It was usually best for Jews to keep out of the affairs of non-Jews,
especially in this situation when the police were looking for a suspect.
So it was a bit strange when Rabbi Mordechai turned to one of his
younger Chasidim and ordered him to run to the ticket office to buy a
ticket for the woman. He told the Chasid to give her some traveling
money as well and not to say a word about where it came from.

The Chasid did as he was told and gave it to the bewildered woman who
was literally speechless with gratitude.

Fifteen years passed. The Chasid married had children, the holy Rebbe
had passed away and the incident was completely forgotten.

The Chasid had since become a successful businessman and even had
non-Jewish friends in high places. Early one morning he received a
subpoena to appear in court; he was charged with cheating the
government.

The charges were transparently false, the witnesses had obviously been
paid, but it didn't help. Suddenly he realized that he didn't have any
real friends after all and no one was willing to help him. He ran from
office to office and got the same empty sympathetic statements and
excuses. Finally he hired a lawyer, prayed to G-d for a miracle, and
went to court.

The pre-trial hearing took less than an hour. He was found guilty of all
charges and was to be incarcerated until the trial. The Chasid was
desperate. He posted bail for himself and began searching for a better
lawyer, but now no lawyer wanted to take his case.

He had no choice but to travel to Budapest where the judge, who was to
preside over his trial lived, and try to see him. Maybe he could
convince the judge of his innocence. Hastily he packed a bag, took a
large sum of money and caught the next train out.

In Budapest the Chasid was in for another bitter surprise. He found out
that the judge was a rabid anti-Semite. There was no chance that he
would even look at, no less talk to, and certainly not have mercy on a
Jew.

But the Chasid did not lose heart, for "everything G-d does is for the
best" he reminded himself. So he went around the city talking to people
until he formulated a plan of action. The Chasid found out that the
judge's wife loved fine embroidered linens, especially tablecloths. He
would buy the most expensive tablecloth he could find and appear at her
doorstep as a salesman. Then, if he could get her interested, he would
offer it to her as a gift and beg her to try to influence her husband
for him.

It was a dangerous plan, even a bit foolish; she could easily report him
to the police. But he had no other solution.

The Chasid spent the entire next morning looking for the most exquisite
embroidery in Budapest and finally spent a small fortune on a truly
elegant masterpiece of a tablecloth with matching napkins. He went
quickly to the judge's home trying to keep as calm as possible. He
walked up the stairs to the door, closed his eyes, said a prayer and
knocked.

The judge's wife herself opened the door. She looked at him strangely.
He tried to begin his sales pitch but the words simply didn't come out.
He was trembling, frozen with fear. Suddenly, the woman let out a scream
and fainted!

The Chasid's first impulse was to run. If he just stood there they would
certainly accuse him of something. But then if he ran and they caught
him it would certainly be worse!

Meanwhile, the judge heard the commotion and came running. When he got
there and saw the Chasid it was hard to tell who was more astounded. He
bent down to his wife, who had regained consciousness,  and asked her,
"Are you all right Greta, what happened?"

She opened one eye, looked around and finally pointed at the Jew.
"Yorik, Yorik!" she said, as she rose to her feet. "Do you remember that
I told that about fifteen years ago at the train station in Niridihous
when I lost my tickets and money an angel came and saved me? Well, this
Jew...he has the face just like that angel! It's him!

When the Judge realized that this was the man who saved his wife his
countenance changed completely. He invited the bewildered Jew into his
home and offered him a reward. When he heard the reason for his visit,
he promised him a fair trial. Needless to say the Chasid was acquitted
of all charges.

Adapted from a story told by Rabbi Tuvia Bolton on www.OhrTmimim.org

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                            MOSHIACH MATTERS
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When we reach the month of Elul, we must take stock and ask: Is it
possible that eleven months of this year have passed and Moshiach has
not come?! The sum total of our stocktaking is "Ad Masei - Until when
must we remain in exile."

                                     (The Rebbe, 30 Av 5751 - 1991)

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                END OF TEXT - L'CHAIM 886 - Shoftim 5765
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