Weekly Story: Kinus Hashiluchim -Thoughts
by Rabbi Sholom DovBer Avtzon
Last Shabbos, during the Kinus Hashiluchim, I heard the following story which left a tremendous impression on me, as well on those to whom I repeated it, and therefore I decided to share it with you, the reader. The other stories/thoughts are what I said at a few farbrengens.
At the same, it should be noted that this coming Thursday, Tes Kislev, is the 253rd birthday of the Mitteler Rebbe, and therefore his new Kapital in Tehillim would be chapter 104. It would also be 199 years since his histalkus. Friday, Yud Kislev is his Chag Hageulah, so bezras Hashen, we will write next week about Tes and Yud Kislev.
As always, your feedback and comments are greatly appreciated and most welcome.
I heard the following story from the oldest son of Rabbi and Mrs Yaakov Reitzes, shluchim to Yesod Maaluh, a town in northern Eretz Yisroel.
When my parents moved to Yesod Hamaaluh and began their Shlichus there, my maternal grandmother informed her brother, HaRav Yechezkel Shraga Lipzyc (Halberstam), the Stropkov Rebbe, and informed him of the wonderful news, that her oldest daughter was zoche to go on Shlichus of the Rebbe.
A few days later, the brother called her back and said he looked into that town by asking trusted people, and to his shock and horror noted that it isn’t just another place in Eretz Yisroel that is not religious, but it is staunchly anti-religious. In his honest opinion it is basically forbidden for a religious Jew to live there, because it would be detrimental to raising frum and ehrliche children there.
He pleaded with her, we are the only ones of our prestigious family (besides an additional sister who passed away many years earlier) who survived the horrors of the concentration camps. It wasn’t just a holocaust because of the over six million Jews that were brutally killed. But it also created a spiritual holocaust. How many Jews lost their faith because of what the Jewish people endured.
But we Boruch Hashem survived, not only physically, but also spiritually! How in the world are you allowing your daughter to move there. Your son in law won’t find a minyan on Shabbos and he won’t be able to hear Krias HaTorah. Your grandchildren that Hashem will bless them with, won’t have any religious children to play with. So who will be their friends? Children that don’t have kosher candy and obviously don’t say a brocha. You are obligated to protect them for this ruchniyoius (spiritual) holocaust!
My grandmother knew where her brother was coming from, he was a Rebbe in Yerushalayim, a member of the Eidah HaCharedis, and they didn’t understand or agree to the Rebbe’s rapproach. So espectfully heard him out, but did not get into an argument with him.
Some months later, I was born and thirteen years later was my bar mitzvah. [Being that it was in the shloshim of my maternal grandmothers petira, the bar mitzvah was just for family and a few close friends, and it was taking place in Kfar Chabad. Obviously, my parents invited my great uncle, to participate in my bar mitzvah.]
He obviously attended and was happy to see that I and my siblings were all dressed appropriately and realized that his niece and her husband succeeded in raising their children properly even in that city. Then when he witnessed how everything was in the spirit of chassidim, he obviously remembered his conversation with my grandmother, and realized that his concern was completely unfounded.
So during the celebration when he was called up to speak. He said, I would like to relate a story about the Rebbe Rashab, which I heard from the Rov of Bnei Brak, Rabbi Yaakov Landa.
The Rebbe Rashab often traveled to various towns and cities to see for himself the spiritual and economic situation of the Jewish inhabitants. Once when he arrived in a town, he noticed that they were celebrating a hachnasas Sefer Torah that day, and he decided to remain there and participate in this celebration. As noted in Halacha, the Jewish storekeepers closed their stores, and tachanun was omitted from the shacharis prayers. It was a festive day in the shtetl.
A Jew who lived in an outlaying hamlet happened to come to that town that day to buy or sell something, and noticing the community celebration with all the Jewish stores/stalls closed. He went over to the closest person to him, who happened to be the Rebbe Rashab [as is known, when he traveled out of Lubavitch, he didn’t wear a Shtreimel etc., so he looked like a regular Jew] and asked him, what is the reason of such a tremendous celebration?
The Rebbe replied, the town is receiving a brand new Sefer Torah today, and therefore everyone is joyous and dressed in their Shabbos clothing.
That is indeed a special occasion the newcomer said, I should also join in such an important celebration. He enthusiastically joined the procession and dancing until they came close to the shul. Then everything stopped, and he noticed that some individuals were bringing out other Sifrei Torah’s from the shul.
Still standing next to the Rebbe Rashab, he said, I joined the procession and dancing because I thought that the town didn’t have a Sefer Torah snf therefore there is what to celebrate. But what is the celebration for having [just] another Sefer Torah?
Tie’erey Yid – Precious Jew, replied the Rebbe Rashab, it is not JUST another Sefer Torah, rather IT IS ANOTHER SEFER TORAH! And that is something of great importance and worthy to dance and celebrate for, concluded the Rebbe Rashab.
The Stropkov Rebbe continued, “”The Lubavitcher Rebbe Shlit”a is rejoicing with another Sefer Torah. It may be another Jew putting on Tefillin, or placing a mezuzah on their house. Learning Aleph-Beis or which brocha to say on foods. To him each mitzvah that is done is the simcha and rejoicing of ANOTHER SEFER TORAH IN THE WORLD!
That is why he sends his chassidim to communities that are distant from observing Torah and Mitzvos, to create another sefer torah.
Rabbi Reitzes concluded, this is one of the matanahs (presents/gifts) that the Rebbe gave us. When a shliach moves into a new place, or even after the Shliach is there for forty years, he or she comes home and joyfully informs their spouse (and children) I met ANOTHER JEW TODAY, or I put tefillin on a Jew for the first time in his life. Yes, the shliach had done this numerous times, but each time it is a tremendous joy.
And that is what Shichus is all about, the tremendous loy of (maintaining and) connecting another Jew to Hashem, through their leaning Torah and/or fulfilling a mitzvah.
Author’s note, the Rebbe himself once expressed this of the beauty of each and every Jew: One time when he was giving out dollars, which took on an average of four to five hours, and sometimes much longer, the Rebbe was asked, “Rabbi do you ever get tired of this?”
“When one is counting diamonds, do they get tired,” was the Rebbe’s reply.
The Rebbe did not say, when I count diamonds, but when anyone counts diamonds, they are full of excitement. Furthermore, the Rebbe did not say. When one is counting polished diamonds, so evidently, he was saying this applies even to diamonds that are in their raw state, and covered with dirt. Even if right now you, its value is not noticeable, but if you recognize its true value, once it will be polished, you will treasure it even when it is in its raw state, unpolished.
In other words, it is only a matter of perspective of how I look at the situation,
Hearing this story and the additional anecdote that I added about counting diamonds, I thought that this story should be told to every mechanech and mechaneches, no matter if they are teaching preschool or Zal/Seminary.
You may have 25 or 40 students in your class, and you are almost excellent in your craft. Over ninety percent of the students are enjoying your classes and are making tremendous strides. They are thriving! Yes you are a tremendous asset to them and the school is lucky to have you.
But there are a few students that you have not reached, perhaps they have an attitude and don’t want to be reached. But are they less worthy than the Jews in remote towns and villages that the Shluchim and Shluchos eagerly move to, and are thrilled when they make contact with another Jew, even those who may have given them a cold shoulder, and subtly or openly told them to forget our number etc. Do they give up, or do they toil on finding a way to reach them??!
Not one of our children should be loved less than the Jew who lives who knows where, and just like we will exhaust ourselves to help a Jew we just met, so too, we should exhaust ourselves for a child who is having a difficult time in our class.
Please remember that when the Rebbe asked that albums be made of the families of Shluchim, he instructed that melamdim and melamdos of the mosdos in New York be included in that project, and one of the four volumes is of them.
Once in midst of a Shabbos Farbrengen, the Rebbe asked that something immediately should be done concerning a certain aspect, and that he is expecting a response on Sunday morning, when he arrives to 770. At the farbrengen some people volunteered or were chosen and sat down right after maariv and havdala to implement the Rebbe’s request.
Early on in their analysis and discussion it became very apparent that they are going to have to receive the support of numerous governmental officials etc., so they contacted people who were involved with those officials and agencies. What they heard caused them to realize that it is much more complex than they originally assumed.
But they kept working, contacting other communal activists, maybe they have some sway on certain high-ranking officials. But their optimism began to wither as each one portrayed their chances as bleak as best.
Some-time after midnight, Rabbi Leibel Groner, one of the Rebbe’s secretaries called them up and asked them if they have any update/news, as the Rebbe stated that he is expecting an update in the morning.
We are at an impasse they replied, explaining what the situation is, and what those in the know told them. We simply don’t see any way to go forward.
Knowing that the Rebbe was not going to be happy to hear this reply, Rabbi Groner decided not to enter the Rebbe’s room in the morning at the time he always entered. He did not want to be the bearer of this reply, that might cause the Rebbe aggravation.
However, when he did not enter, the Rebbe buzzed the intercom, which meant that the Rebbe was calling him, so he had to enter. The Rebbe inquired, if the committee gave him an update. Having no choice, he repeated to the Rebbe what they had said to him, when he called them.
Did they not realize that I was well aware of all of the obstacles that they will be facing, and nevertheless, I requested that they undertake this mission. If they would have put themselves in it, they would have succeeded, the Rebbe stated.
So, I will give them that message and they will proceed, Rabbi Groner said.
Now, it is too late, the Rebbe responded. [Probably meaning, because if they proceed now, they are not really putting their energy into it, they are merely going through motions relying that I will pull certain srings.]
Similarly, I heard from a Shliach that Rabbi Hodakov once called him into his office and gave over an instruction of the Rebbe. After, hearing what was being requested, I meekly replied, that is impossible for me to do.
What you had accomplished until now, do you think it is your personal accomplishment and achievement, Rabbi Hodakov inquired? Don’t you realize that that too was the Rebbe’s accomplishment?! So are you saying that the Rebbe is asking you to do something, that he can’t take care of?
We should understand that Hashem created us to accomplish things in the world, and as our sages tell us, He doesn’t give a person a mission that the person can’t accomplish and succeed in.
On Friday, erev Shabbos of the Kinus HaShluchim.I was standing on a corner talking to a friend and we both noticed a large group of the shluchim’s sons walking up the street with their counselors. As on cue, we both exclaimed, Lubavitch Leibt – Lubavitch is alive.
But then we began questioning our statement, yes, Boruch Hashem there are thousands of Shluchim, and we see their sons are proud to be assistants to their parents in their shlichus, and it is definitely a demonstration of how Lubavitch is growing in so many ways. However, is this the only sign that Lubavitch Leibt, or should we exclaim that on a regular day of any week in the year?
In other words, shouldn’t we look at ourselves, the Crown Heights Community, as well as every other Lubavitch community, and see that Lubavitch Leibt.
Yes, the kinus always takes place on Shabbos mevorchim Chodesh Kislev which is on Parshas Chayei Sarah, where the Torah describes the first Shlichus, where Avrohom sents his servamt Eliezer to find a shidduch for his son Yitzchok. And Eliezer proclaims the famous words of עבד אברהם אנכי – I am a servant of Avrohom and I am totally devoted to fulfill the mission he entrusted me with.
But does that mean, we, who live in the community and have regular jobs and businesses, cannot be part of the Rebbe’s army? After all, didn’t Avrohom Avinu state and establish when he informed the kings of Sdom and amora, that those Uner, Eshkol and Mamrei, being that they assisted 418 soldiers, that they too receive an equal portion of the spoils of the war.
So no, I don’t believe that we can only be part of the Rebbe’s army, by opening up our houses to feed and lodge the shluchim, and their supporters or members of their community. But I believe, that every member of the community can be part and play an important role in fulfilling the Rebbe’s mission and vision.
We all wear numerous hats, titles and positions. We are a spouse, a parent, someone’s child, a sibling, a friend and a member of a shul, as well as of one or more community groups and organizations. This is in addition to what we do for our livelihood etc. As we grow and develop. We assume additional responsibilities. So why can’t we also add to that list, a soldier of the Rebbe, at least for an half hour a week or a few times a week.
There are so many ways, each one of us can participate in the Rebbe’s mission of elevating the world and bringing closer the revelation of Moshiach Tzidkeinu.
If you are not the outgoing person, you can ask your shliach or sign up with Jnet to learn over the phone with someone who requested a learning partner. There are people who want to learn Aleph- Beis or other basics of Yiddishkeit, and there are those who want to learn something more advanced. In other words, you can be paired up with someone who wants to learn at whatever level you are comfortable to share and teach.
If you are willing to roll up your sleeves a little, than there is your neighbor or a friend that is going through a hard time and needs a shoulder to lean on for a short time, and by being there for them, you are giving them the lifeline that they need at that moment.
Participate in mivtzoyim, farbrengens, shiurim and people would see a beehive of activities and they too would exclaim, Lubavitch Leibt.
While you may feel that even if I do something a few times a week, what is it worth etc,?
On this is the famous moshol in chassidus about a parrot.
A person wants to find grace in the eyes of the king, so he decides to bring the king a present. But the dilemma is, what meaningful item can a regular person present to a king? Whatever I will give, the king already has, and the item he has is much more elaborate than what I am planning on giving him. So my present would be completely insignificant!
But then he says I will present his Majesty with a parrot. When the person brings in the parrot, the king just stares in bewilderment. However, a moment later the parrot greets the king, the king breaks out in a tremendous smile. This is something unique.
Even though speech is not unique, and while one may marvel at a person’s oratory abilities, they are not astonished at his ability to pronounce words, nevertheless, when a parrot speaks, we all marvel at it
This Chassidus explains is why Hashem has tremendous enjoyment from a human fulfilling His Torah and mitzvos. Being that we were created to feel as if we are an entity on our own, and nevertheless we nullify our own desire, just to fulfill Hashem’s desire, that is something unexpected or unnatural, and thereby greatly appreciated.
So too when a regular chossid, whose life is dedicated to making an honest living, but that man or woman takes away from their busy day to go on mivtzoyim, and doing Ahavas Yisroel by helping a neighbor or someone around the corner just imagine what tremendous Nachas Ruach this gives the Rebbe!
A Taste of Chassidus
אלה תולדות יצחק Torah Ohr (Bereishis 17A)
In this maamar the Alter Rebbe explains the difference between the service (avodah) of Avrohom which was of kindness (chessed) and the service of Yitzchok which is of severity (Gevurah).
The possuk says, that the wells that Avrohom dug were filled up with dirt by the Philishtim and ceased to function. However, when Yitzchok redug them, the Philishtim did not cut off their water flow. Chassidus explains that this does not merely mean that the Philishtim didn’t fill them up with earth, but rather that they were not able to cut them off.
The question is why couldn’t they destroy those wells just as they did to the well that Avrohom dug? After all the Torah informs us that they were the same wells the Avrohom had previously dug?
As it is known, the possuk informs us that Avrohom set up a hotel in the wilderness, where he provided food, drink, as well as lodging to all wayfarers. After enjoying the wonderful meal that was served, they wanted to thank him for his generosity. However, Avrohom told them that they should thank the Creator who is the true provider of all of what they enjoyed. When the Torah describes Yitzchok’s activities, all the Torah describes is that he dug wells.
Feeding people is an act of kindness, so we know that Avrohom’s mode of service was with or through the attribute of Chesed. But we have to understand what does digging wells represent.
When one digs a well, they are not creating something new, rather they are uncovering and revealing something that already exists. The water was always there, just that it was covered by dirt and pebbles, and not that that concealment (cover) was removed, the water is able to rise to the surface. In Chassidic terminology this is m’limatah l’maahlu – elevating something that is lower to a higher level. While kindness is giving (teaching) something that you have (know) to someone that is lacking that. In other words, you are bringing it down from higher to lower.
Now we can understand why Avrohom’s wells ceased to produce water (which represents G-dliness), whereas, Yitzchok’s wells remained productive.
Avrohom served everyone. As Rashi quotes from our sages that he even served those that was serving idols. And he convinced the idol worshipers to thank Hashem who is the true Creator and not their false gods. In other words, he did not truly transform them and subsequentially, at least the vast majority of them returned to their idol worship. This is the meaning that the Philishtim filled them up with dirt, that their change of heart to serve Hashem was only temporally, and they stopped praising Hashem
However, as noted digging Wells represents a different mode of service, one that you elevate the one on bottom to go higher. In other words, you transformed that thing. Therefore, being that the people were transformed, so even when they were no longer in the proximity of Yitzchok, they still produced water, meaning they continued praising Hashem.
In other words, his influence remained with them permanently throughout their life. And therefore the water in their well was not off, and continued flowing water = G-dliness and holiness.
This is also clarifies what our sages meant when they said there when Moshiach will redeem us, may it be speedily in our days, we are going to say to Yitzchok, you are our father!
The reason why we are going to specify Yitzchok is, because the whole purpose and reason why Hashem created the world the (universe), was in order that we elevate it. And that power to elevate something is what we derive from Yitzchok.
This also explains, why Yitzchok has the meaning of enjoyment and laughter. Hashem created us that our natural instinct is that we should consider ourselves as an entity on our own. Therefore, when one thinks that are an entity, the concept to humble and nullify yourself, is contrary to our natural disposition. It is also natural that when someone witnesses and unnatural occurrence that gives them tremendous pleasure (as we discussed in the story section about a parrot).
So when a human not only humble but also nullify their desires and ambitions in order to fulfill Hashems desire and ambition, that gives Him tremendous enjoyment and happiness. And being that Yiyzchok’s avodah is transforming and elevating the Yeish (entity) into a Ayin (bittul), that creates happiness in Hashem.
In this maamar the Alter also gives a unique answer to the famous question of how can there be a mitzvah to love Hashem. You can command a person to do or not do something, but you cannot force one to love someone else. Either the person loves the other on their own or doesn’t.
The regular answer is that the mitzvah is Shema – think carefully in the greatness of Hashem, and that will automatically cause you to love Him.
When I love someone, I want to become closer to them, and in Chassidic terminology this is called Ratzu. If the Ratzu is so strong that could cause the neshoma to try to cleave to Hashem, to the extent that it leaves the body.
But the commandment of You shall love is, Yes, you desire to cleave to Hashem, but your love to Him should be so strong, that you put your own desire aside and remain in this world to fulfill His desire that you transform it to becoming His dwelling place. In Chassidic terminology that is called Shuv, which is associated with Yitzchok.
Avrohom is chessed which is connected to love which brings one close. Yitzchok is strictness which is associated with the attribute of fear, which causes one to draw back. So the possuk is telling us that when can Avrohom attain this aspect of Yitzchok, only after he develops the strong feeling of love to Hashem, and then utilize that love to become Yitzchok the son (product of Avrom.
In other words, attain the level of Shuv, transform the world because your love to Hashem is so powerful that the only thing you are thinking about is how to make Him happy or in other words, what would make Him happy?
Rabbi Avtzon is a veteran mechanech and the author of numerous books on the Rebbeim and their chassidim. He is available to farbreng in your community and can be contacted at avtzonbooks@gmail.com.
