CrownHeights.info http://www.crownheights.info/ Crown Heights News - Chabad News en-us Nucleus CMS v3.23 © CrownHeights.info Weblog http://backend.userland.com/rss http://www.crownheights.info//nucleus/chi-rsd.jpg CrownHeights.info http://www.crownheights.info/ <![CDATA[Mazal Tov! - New Engagement!]]> http://www.crownheights.info/index.php?itemid=12665 Yitzchok (ben R. Menachem Mendel) Kirsh (Crown Heights) and Chaya Mushka (bas R. Yehuda OBM) Keller (Crown Heights) on their engagement.

The L'Chaim will IYH be Tonight, Sunday at Oholei Torah, 667 Eartern Pkwy, in the woman’s section. [between Brooklyn and New York Ave].]]> Mazal Tov! http://www.crownheights.info/index.php?itemid=12665 Sun, 6 Jul 2008 06:44:45 -0400 <![CDATA[Mazal Tov! - 2 Sunday Night L'Chaims!]]> http://www.crownheights.info/index.php?itemid=12639 Levi Harel (Migdal HaEmek, Israel) and Batsheva Banayan (Panamá City, Panamá).
IYH at Aliyah, 527 East New York Ave, [bet Kingston and Brooklyn].

Lazer Rodal (Milan, Italy) and Malka Goldberg (Toronto, Ontario).
IYH at Lubavitcher Yeshiva 570 Crown St, [entrance on Albany Ave].

To submit a Simcha or Mazal Tov please email us mazaltov@crownheights.info]]> Mazal Tov! http://www.crownheights.info/index.php?itemid=12639 Sun, 6 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400 <![CDATA[Minhogim, Gimmel Tamuz Info and Schedules]]> http://www.crownheights.info/index.php?itemid=12662
Click here for the Rebbe's letter of Minhogim to be observed on a Yortziat

The “Pan Kloli” will be read at around 12:00pm on Sunday at the Ohel.

The Rebbes house on President Street will be open for Shacharis at 9:30am and for Mincha at 3:15pm.

Mikvah Meir on Kingston & Montgomery will have around the clock hours starting Motzoai Shabbos through Sunday until 8:00pm. The price is $3.00 per person.

Starting 7:00am there will be both the Ohel bus and charter buses leaving to the Ohel through out the day from the front of 770.

The Gimmel Tammuz Farbrengen will take place on Sunday night at Bais Rivkah Campus Chomesh and at 770.]]> Chabad News http://www.crownheights.info/index.php?itemid=12662 Sat, 5 Jul 2008 22:10:00 -0400 <![CDATA[3 Tammuz Special: The Chabad Approach to Life]]> http://www.crownheights.info/index.php?itemid=12597 By Rabbi Dr. Jonathan Sacks/Chabad.org

Rabbi Dr. Jonathan Sacks with Director of Chabad-Lubavitch of the United Kingdom Rabbi Nachman Sudak (Photo: John R. Rifkin).
In honor of Gimmel Tammuz Chabad.org updated TheRebbe.org site with fascinating new accounts and correspondence of the Rebbe with Presidents of the United States, Physicians, Rabbis, Philanthropists and Jewish Leaders. Click here to read the fascinating accounts and correspondence.
I remember the one occasion that I spent Rosh Hashanah together with the Rebbe in 770 Eastern Parkway, Lubavitch World Headquarters in Brooklyn, NY. And still then they were talking about an event that happened some years before, I think 1955.Each year the Lubavitcher Rebbe would lead thousands of Chassidim along Eastern Parkway to do Tashlich [the prayer done at the side of water to symbolize the throwing of the sins in to the water] on Rosh Hashanah at the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens.

That year there was a tremendous downpour, and so powerful was it, that there was no one else out on the streets. When the Chassidim following the Rebbe arrived at the park, they found the gates of the gardens closed. What do you do? The garden is closed, it's locked, the gates are barred.

Completely undeterred, the Rebbe looked at the seven or eight foot metal fence and proceeded to climb over it. And if the Rebbe climbs over a fence and you're a Chassid, what can you do but follow?

That year in Lubavitch they recited the famous saying of the Rebbe Maharash, the fourth Chabad Rebbe: “If you meet an obstacle, and you can't go under then you go over. And I say that is it is actually preferable to go over than to go under!”

Click here to read the rest of the fascinating article by article by Rabbi Dr. Jonathan Sacks.]]> Chabad News http://www.crownheights.info/index.php?itemid=12597 Sat, 5 Jul 2008 22:00:00 -0400 <![CDATA[Photo Gallery: Maariv in the Rebbes House]]> http://www.crownheights.info/index.php?itemid=12664
CROWN HEIGHTS, Brooklyn [CHI] – In honor of Gimmel Tamuz, the Rebbes house will be open for tefilos, on Sunday Shacharis will be at 9:30am and Mincha at 3:15pm.

The following is a set of pictures of Maariv tonight, Motzoai Shabbos.

More pictures in the Extended Article!
















]]> Photo Galleries http://www.crownheights.info/index.php?itemid=12664 Sat, 5 Jul 2008 21:50:00 -0400 <![CDATA[Photo Gallery: Children from Sderot]]> http://www.crownheights.info/index.php?itemid=12661
Children from Sderot arriving in JFK. They will spend the summer at camp with Shluchim in United States

More pictures in the Extended Article! (by Chabad.org)














































































































































]]> Photo Galleries http://www.crownheights.info/index.php?itemid=12661 Fri, 4 Jul 2008 19:24:51 -0400 <![CDATA[Mazal Tov! - New Engagment!]]> http://www.crownheights.info/index.php?itemid=12652 Levi Greisman (Jerusalem, Israel) and Rochel Leah Friedman (Overland Park, KS) on their engagement.

The L'Chaim will IYH be Monday night at Bais Rivkah, 310 Crown St, [between New York and Nostrand Ave].]]> Mazal Tov! http://www.crownheights.info/index.php?itemid=12652 Fri, 4 Jul 2008 13:46:00 -0400 <![CDATA[3 Tammuz Special: Former Chief Rabbi: The Rebbe Was the Teacher and Leader for All Jews]]> http://www.crownheights.info/index.php?itemid=12596 By Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu/Chabad.org

The Rebbe greets Rabbi Eliyahu when he arrives at what was to be their last meeting, in 1992 (Photo: Chaim Baruch Halberstam/Jewish Educational Media)
In honor of Gimmel Tammuz Chabad.org updated TheRebbe.org site with fascinating new accounts and correspondence of the Rebbe with Presidents of the United States, Physicians, Rabbis, Philanthropists and Jewish Leaders. Click here to read the fascinating accounts and correspondence.
When you sat in the Rebbe's presence, it was as if there was no one and nothing else in this world. He had a humble abode, a simple chair, a simple office. The entire day and night he studied Torah and was active in communal service, I do not know when he ate and slept...In our private conversations we spoke about many issues—many of which cannot be revealed until this very day—regarding the unique challenges that face the Jewish nation.

It was intriguing that the Rebbe knew minute details of what was happening in the land of Israel, as if he lived in Israel. He knew for example that in this and this city there are issues with the mikvah (ritual bath), or that they need assistance in a certain communal area. There are so many instances of this happening in our audiences, written correspondence and phone conversations.

And through our various meetings I came to understand that he knew what was happening across the globe just like he knew what was happening in Israel. He knew the issues that affected every country and city—as if he lived there.

G-d showed kindness to our generation by giving us the Rebbe. I was worried, however, that after the Rebbe's passing the structure that he built would, G-d forbid, crumble. But thank G d there is a continuation. There is a Chabad House in every place that I visit. Everywhere in the world, even in the farthest location, Chabad is there—even more than before his passing. There is a continuation.

We need to constantly examine our actions and ask ourselves: Is this what the Rebbe would tell me to do? We should envision the Rebbe looking at us, and ask ourselves: What would he say? Would he approve? We need to act as if we are standing in the Rebbe's presence.

I miss the Rebbe; it is painful to go to the Rebbe's gravesite. But the Rebbe left us his teachings, instructions how to continue in his ways—and Chabad is following his direction.

Click here to read the rest of the article by Former Chief Rabbi of Israel, Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu.]]> General News http://www.crownheights.info/index.php?itemid=12596 Fri, 4 Jul 2008 13:00:00 -0400 <![CDATA[The Weekly Sedra - Chukas - Mortal Minds Don’t Always Think Alike. . . ]]> http://www.crownheights.info/index.php?itemid=12657 Rabbi Yoseph Kahanov Shliach to Jacksonville, FL
One evening during World War II, Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman, Kenneth McKellar of Tennessee, found himself fretting over the administration’s request of some $2 billion towards unspecified scientific research.

He proceeded to call the Secretary of War, Henry L. Stimson, demanding answers: “Do you really expect me to sanction this enormous appropriation without any idea as to where it is going?”

After a long pause Stimson hesitantly asked, “Can you keep a secret?” McKellar assured him that he could, Stimson then whispered, “We are about to split the atom.”

McKellar erupted. “Are you crazy? This is a war; we have men out there; we need guns, planes, ammunition! And you There guys are fiddling around with atoms! Only months later did McKellar, along with the rest of the world, discover the true nature of this elusive program.
Our Parsha – Chukas discusses the laws of the Parah Adumah (red heifer). The lack of rationale or reason provided for this mitzvah has mystified mortal man from the day it was commanded. The logic and symbolism of these laws are indeed enigmatic.

In fact, Rashi comments that the nations of the world mocked Israel over their observance of this absurd command.

Still, while the logic and reason of these laws are a true mystery, they are no less sacred. So sacred, that the ashes of the red heifer which Moshe and Aaron prepared, were saved for posterity; passed from generation to generation. The vestigial ashes for Moshe’s original red heifer were actually incorporated into all of the subsequent formulas.

The ashes of each subsequent red heifer offering were similarly added to the remnants of the previous one. As such, the ensuing generations who performed the mitzvah of Parah Adumah doubtlessly believed, with unwavering faith, in its ritual power and magical energy.

But why do these spiritual edicts appear in the middle of the book of Numbers – a book that recounts the stories of human folly such as the miscalculations of the spies, the mutinous uprising of Korach, the grumblings against the heavenly fare of manna and the Jews who wanted meat rather than manna?

Would not these instructions have been better placed with the enigmatic laws of ritual purity and impurity – almost exclusively relegated to the book of Vayikra (Leviticus)? Wouldn’t the volume which is devoted to the subject of sacrificial offerings and a host of physio-spiritual conditions, not the least of which are the laws of Tzora’as, Zav, Zavah and Nidah, be a more fitting location for these laws?

Yet, after some contemplation, it appears the best place for these laws are indeed in the middle of the book of Numbers, precisely because it discusses the blunders of a generation that thought it was able to calculate and define everything according to logic.

The tome that tells of spies who returned from Canaan exclaiming that according to their calculations there was no way for Israel to conquer the land, the volume that relates the story of Korach, who complained that according to his way of thinking things should be done differently, is precisely where the statutes of the red heifer belong.

The Midrash depicts how Korach and his 250 followers, ranted and raved how illogical were the laws of a Mezuzah that was affixed in a room filled with sacred books and the laws of a Tzitzis as they apply to a Tallis that was all blue.

There is arguably no better place to discuss the red heifer and its para physical powers than when dealing with misguided mortals whose calculations attempt to redefine and limit Divine instruction and ability.

The red cow and its enigmatic laws attest to G-d’s infinitude and omniscient powers. They remind us that though we may reach for rhyme and reason, we must nonetheless observe the Mitzvos and Divine dictates. Since we and our intellect are finite, there is little wonder that some aspects of His infinite intellect may remain mysterious and elusive to us.

We must believe with uncalculating faith that there is great Divine method to the matters we cannot fathom. In that manner we shall merit to be committed totally to G-d’s will and not to our mortal distortion of it.

The following chapter from Rabbi Emanuel Feldman’s book, Tales Out of Shul, seems to offer a fitting case in point:

“A notice in The Jewish Times invited everyone to join a local group in “creative prayer” on the following Friday night. Are they implying that classical Davening is not creative, but static and lifeless?

Creative prayers: all one needs for this are a few records, some poems, and a guitar. Obviously, Judaism encourages spontaneous prayer: We can reach out to our Maker at any time and in any language. But Judaism also insists on a certain discipline in prayer. When and how we pray is not left completely up to us.

I try hard to understand the devotees of non-traditional Davening. They are innocent; their hearts are in the right place; they are striving mightily to reach out to G-d and don’t quite know how; we have not succeeded in touching their souls. But in less understanding moments I sense that one of the key motivations of these creative services is to discard the classic entirely. “Why bother with stuff that was written by someone else? Roll your own,” said one of the creativists to me.

Some of this stems from naiveté and from a complete unawareness of the nature of real prayer; but there is a healthy dose of arrogance mixed with insensitivity. Is it not an effrontery to refuse to “mouth prayers written by someone else” and to convince ourselves that our homegrown variety can equal the power and majesty of the classical Jewish liturgy? Especially without having troubled to familiarize oneself with classic prayers offered up by Jews for millennia.

If we were religiously sensitive, we would tremble when we approach G-d, for we really do not how to address Him. Hate and suspicion, made from dust and returning to dust – are given the privilege of standing before the Creator of all and speaking to Him.

We know not what to say nor how to say it. Because of this, we draw our prayers from the classical vehicles of expression created for us by our heritage: the Psalms of King David, the songs of Moses, the praises of Joshua, the hymns of Yehudah HaLevi and other religious geniuses. Are these beneath us?

All of these create a mood of prayer, identify us with our people – past and present and future – makes us as one with them, channel our hearts and minds towards the Creator, and express – beyond the written word – our innermost inchoate feelings.

Does a musician consider it beneath him to play Beethoven? And doesn’t Beethoven say something new to us every time he is played?

In our narcissistic age, we have seen our reflection in the water and can see nothing else. With us, man is created in man’s image. We even create G-d in man’s image.”
]]> Parshas Hashavuah http://www.crownheights.info/index.php?itemid=12657 Fri, 4 Jul 2008 11:52:00 -0400 <![CDATA[The Weekly Comic! - Haftora Parshas Chukas!]]> http://www.crownheights.info/index.php?itemid=12440



Click here for the Weekly Parsha Comic from last year

Click Here for the English Text of the Haftorah
]]> Parsha Comics http://www.crownheights.info/index.php?itemid=12440 Fri, 4 Jul 2008 03:42:00 -0400 <![CDATA[Campers Learn Jewish Tradition]]> http://www.crownheights.info/index.php?itemid=12649 Michael Miller - PJ Star

Bridegroom Joshua Eckhart, 10, of Washington parties hard after his mock wedding to bride Samantha Savage, 9, of Peoria during a Jewish day camp Thursday at Peoria Academy. Campers learned what traditions are involved in Jewish wedding and reception.

PEORIA, IL — The groom was 10, the bride was 9 and the rabbi wore shorts.

A few dozen young people took part Thursday in a mock Jewish wedding at Camp Gan Izzy, a Jewish day camp run by Lubavitch Chabad of Peoria at Peoria Academy.The three-week camp is held annually as a way to impart Jewish values, teach Jewish traditions and have some fun. Each day has its own theme. Thursday's revolved around a traditional Jewish wedding.

The mock ceremony followed the outline of a real Jewish wedding, which the campers got to see in the form of a video of Rabbi Eli Langsam's nuptials. Some of the details differed, however.

For example, the blessings to be imparted over the groom took the form of popular children's songs, such as “Old MacDonald,” and Camp Gan Izzy chants, like “I'm a Jew and I'm proud and I'll sing it aloud, that's what forever I'll be!”

The huppah, or canopy, held over the heads of the couple was made from plastic table covers instead of a prayer shawl and hoisted on sticks rather than poles.

And the glass cup broken at the end of the ceremony to shouts of “Mazel tov!”? Paper, not plastic.

But the sense of joy at a Jewish wedding that Langsam wanted to impart in the demonstration was authentic.

“There's a lot of dancing,” the rabbi said.

The celebrants gathered into separate circles of boys and girls, joined arms and danced around to the disco-ish music, sometimes spinning off into silliness before being reined back in by one of the seven counselors.

Finally the group gathered around a chair, first hoisting the bride, Samantha Savage, and then the groom, Joshua Eckhart.

Throughout the dancing the kids stole back to tables to nibble on the wedding feast of popcorn, pretzels and Twizzlers.

Adam Raso, who was the groom in last year's demonstration, presided over the ceremony as the rabbi this year, complete with a black hat and rubbed-on beard. Before the wedding, he walked around with two notebook sheets filled with facts about Jewish weddings that he would recite later.

“The bride always has to cover her head,” he told one observer.

“Everybody wish mazel tov to the bride and groom, who's sitting over there,” said Rivkie Shuchat of Toronto, one of the camp counselors, before she ran over to Eckhart with mock tears of joy, screeching, “Oh, I can't believe it!”

After the dancing subsided, a few skits and songs were performed as the celebration wound down, but not before a final blessing was sung.

Mindy Eckhart arrived in time to see the last part before picking up her son, the groom.

“The camp is fabulous,” she said. “He just loves it. They make it fun, enjoyable. It's like the kids don't know they're learning, but they are.”

The camp, the name of which stands for Garden of Israel, continues the next two weeks.


Bridegroom Joshua Eckhart, right, 10, talks with Shay Adler, also 10, before walking down the aisle for his mock wedding ceremony Thursday at a Jewish day camp at Peoria Academy.


“Rabbi” Adam Raso, far right, 9, of Peoria officiates the mock wedding ceremony of Joshua Eckhart, 10, in white yamaka, and Samantha Savage, 9, in black veil during a Jewish day camp Thursday at Peoria Academy.


“Newlywed” Samantha Savage, middle, 9, looks a little overwhelmed as her “husband” and his friends chow down after a mock wedding ceremony Thursday at a Jewish day camp at Peoria Academy.


Wedding guests dance during the reception following a mock wedding Thursday at a jewish day camp at Peoria Academy.

]]> Shlichus http://www.crownheights.info/index.php?itemid=12649 Fri, 4 Jul 2008 03:30:30 -0400 <![CDATA[The Weekly Sedra - Parshas Chukas]]> http://www.crownheights.info/index.php?itemid=12647 The Rebbe says:

1. In this week’s Torah portion Hashem (G-d) sets down the statute of the Red Heifer (the Parah Adumah). The Red Heifer is a young cow that is sacrificed and whose ashes are used for the ritual purification of people who came into contact with a corpse.

2. The Rebbe now discusses the different types of Mitzvos (commandments):

There are three different types of Mitzvos (with regards to how we understand them):

The first type are Chukim/Statutes.The second type are Aidus/Testimonies.

And the third type are Mishpatim/Laws.

Mishpatim/Laws are the kind of Mitzvos which we would understand to do even if the Torah was not given (Heaven Forbid). Let’s take for example the commandment, “Do not murder”; society would have understood on it’s own to set down that rule for the community even if the Torah was not given (Heaven Forbid).

Aidus/Testimonies are the kind of Mitzvos which we would not have thought on our own to do, however once the Torah tells us to do it we can understand the logic behind it. For example the commandment to wear Tzitzis (fringes worn on four cornered garments); we would not have thought to put fringes on our four cornered garments, however once Hashem tells us to do it we can understand the reason- “So that you will remember to do the commandments”,

Chukim/Statutes are the type of Mitzvos which we do not understand even once Torah tells us to do them. Actually, Chukim/Statutes totally go against all reason and logic, and the only reason we fulfill them is because we are subservient to Hashem. The epitome of a Chok/Statute is the law of the Red Heifer and the details surrounding it: Becoming ritually impure or pure again does not make any logical sense. And the process of how one becomes ritually pure again- sprinkling the Red Heifer on him- definitely does not make logical sense. As the Midrash tells us, even the wise Shlomo Hamelech (King Solomon), who even understood the reasons for the other Chukim/Statutes, could not understand the commandment of the Red Heifer, and only to Moshe Rabbeinu did Hashem reveal the reason for the Red Heifer.

3. The Rebbe continues explaining of the three types of Mitzvos:

Aidus/Testimonies and Mishpatim/Laws are commandments in which Hashem has defined His will to such an extent that even human minds can grasp it. In other words, Hashem desires that certain commandments be understood by humans and therefore He contracts His infinite will to have a specific logical reason and understanding.

However Chukim/Statutes are commandments which Hashem desires to remain above the finite human mind and be fulfilled by his children the Jewish people only because He said so.

In other words, when we fulfill a Mitzvah (commandment) which falls into the category of Aidus/Testimonies or Mishpatim/Laws we are performing it through the conduit of reason and understanding. However when we fulfill a Mitzvah which falls into the category of Chukim/Statutes, which we are only performing because Hashem said to do it (and He did not contract His will to fit into human reason and logic), our inner core as a Jew is being expressed, without any conduit. The deepest part of our being is connecting to Hashem’s deepest essence (Etzem to Etzem, “Yechidah L’Yachedcha”).

4. The Rebbe now connects this point (that when we perform Chukim/Statutes our essence is being revealed) to the words of the Alter Rebbe:

The Alter Rebbe (Rebbe Shneur Zalman of Liadi) points out that the word, “Chukim/Statutes”, is from the word, “Chakikah/engraved”.

The difference between letters which are engraved (for example) into stone or letters which are written (for example) on parchment is that the letters engraved into the stone are one thing with the stone while the letters written on the parchment are still a different entity then the parchment. We see this clearly from how you would go about getting rid of the letters- if you want to get rid of letters written on parchment all you have to do is erase the ink and the parchment is still fully intact, however to get rid of the letters engraved into the stone you would have to cut out a chunk of the stone itself.

And this is what the Alter Rebbe means when he says that the word, “Chukim/Statutes”, is from the word “Chakikah/engraved”: Just like letters which are engraved into stone are one with the stone, so too when we perform Chukim/Statutes we become one with Hashem because we are connecting to Hashem without any conduit between us (unlike Aidus/Testimonies or Mishpatim/Laws which we are performing through the conduit of reason and understanding).

5. The Rebbe now explains how really every single Mitzvah has the quality of Chukim/Statutes:

Question: In this week’s Torah portion regarding the law of the Red Heifer, the Torah says, “Zos Chukas Hatorah – This is the statute of the Torah”. Now, shouldn’t the Torah have written, “Zos Chukas Hataharah – This is the statute regarding purity”? Or, “Zos Chukas Haparah – This is the statute of the Red Heifer”? Why would the Torah include every single commandment of the Torah in the statute of the Red Heifer by saying, “Zos Chukas Hatorah – This is the statute of the Torah”?

And since we know that in the Torah every single word and even every letter is exact and perfect, the Torah must be teaching us something here. What is the Torah teaching us?

Answer: When the Torah says, “Zos Chukas Hatorah – This is the Statute of the Torah”, it is telling us that in truth every single Mitzvah in the Torah is just like the category of Mitzvos which are Chukim/Statutes; even Aidus/Testimonies and Mishpatim/Laws fall under the category of Chukim/Statutes.

All the commandments of Hashem have the same source- they are the will of Hashem which is higher then any sort of comprehension. The only difference is that some of the Mitzvos have been clothed in the garment of reason and understanding whereas some haven’t. However even the Mitzvos which have been clothed in understanding have the same source as the other Mitzvos. (Just like for example a person who has a desire for something, even if there is also a reason why he should have it, this doesn’t take away or change his desire for it).

6. One of the lessons we can learn from this is to perform all the commandments of Hashem with the same enthusiasm. Once we know that all the Mitzvos originate from the same place, Hashem’s infinite will, and the only difference between them is that some have been garbed in reason and some haven’t, we can appreciate the need for every single Mitzvah, “big” or “small”.

1. The Rebbe now begins to sharply analyze and explain the Mitzvah of the Red Heifer:

There are many details and laws surrounding the Red Heifer, however there are two aspects that really stand out:

1) The Red Heifer would make impure those who are pure, and make pure those who are impure. Meaning, the Kohen (priest) who would perform the purification process for the impure Jew would himself become impure, while the impure Jew was now made pure.

2) The procedure of the Red Heifer was done outside of the Jewish camp, unlike any other sacrifice which was performed inside the Jewish camp, inside the Beis Hamikdash (the Holy Temple).

Moreover, bearing in mind our previous explanation (in Part One) of what the Red Heifer is, that, 1) when we perform the Mitzvah of the Red Heifer we reveal our essence (Etzem Haneshomah), 2) the entire Torah is represented in this Mitzvah, and 3) we get the strength to be able to perform this service which reveals our essence from Moshe Rabbeinu whom the reason for the Red Heifer was revealed to; we can understand that these two recently mentioned highlighted aspects of the Red Heifer somehow express these three ideas. How?

2. The Rebbe now begins to explain how the two abovementioned laws of the Red Heifer express its three abovementioned critical elements:

The Midrash states, “When Moshe Rabbeinu heard (from Hashem) the law concerning one who becomes impure from a human corpse he was puzzled and he asked Hashem, ‘How will this person become pure again?’ Hashem then replied and told Moshe Rabbeinu about the Mitzvah of the Red Heifer, and Moshe was satisfied” .

The reason why Moshe Rabbeinu was so puzzled and disturbed specifically when he heard about the impurity of a dead body and not when he heard about any of the other types of impurities is because holiness and G-dliness is synonymous with life and the polar opposite of life- death- shows that this body was totally separated and completely torn away from
G-dliness. Therefore Moshe wondered, “How can someone who contracts this type of impurity become connected to Hashem again and become pure?”

The answer to this query was the Red Heifer because by performing the Red Heifer we bring down Hashem’s “Thirteen Attributes of Mercy” (G-d’s boundless capacity for compassion, especially as expressed in the granting of atonement) which is higher than the normal order of the world and has the power to correct all defects.

This actually gives us another reason why when referring to the Red Heifer the Torah says, “Zos Chukas Hatorah – This is the statute of the Torah” (as we quoted in Part One): As we said earlier (in Par One), a Chok/Statute is something which is higher than understanding. In the same vein, the Torah is teaching us here that by performing the Red Heifer we bring down a level which is higher than the normal order of the world and can correct all defects. As it says, “Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? Not one”, meaning; only Hashem can make something pure.

Additionally, we can now also understand why the procedure of the Red Heifer was done outside of the Jewish camp, unlike any other sacrifice which was performed inside: The sacrifices which were brought in the Beis Hamikdash were only able to correct accidental sins which is a lesser form of evil (Kelipat Nogah). However the Red Heifer was able to correct all defects, even the worst type of evil- the “outside”. Therefore it was performed outside.

3. The Rebbe now explains how one was able to cause this level which is higher than the normal order of the world descend into the world through performing the Red Heifer:

As with anything, in order to produce a particular result, one must do the proper service. The same is here; in order to cause the level which is higher than the normal order of the world to descend into the world, one must perform a service which taps into the essence of his soul which is one with Hashem and is higher than all boundaries.

How does one tap into and reveal his essence? By performing the service of the Red Heifer:

When the Kohen performs the service of the Red Heifer for the other Jew he is completely putting himself aside. He must stop everything he is doing, travel outside of the Jewish camp, take a red cow and perform the necessary tasks involved in preparing it for the service, and he does all of this knowing that he will become impure because of it and he will have to suffer all of the consequences (Editors addition: i.e. he will have to remain outside of the camp for a seven day period; he cannot perform any of the priestly rights; he cannot see his family…).

This total self sacrifice and lack of regard for logic and reason on behalf of the Kohen reveals the essence of his soul and causes Hashem to reciprocate by sending down a level which is equal with this act, a level which is higher than the normal order of the world and can correct all defects.

4. The Rebbe now finishes the explanation as to how the two abovementioned laws of the Red Heifer (that it would “make impure those who are pure, and make pure those who are impure”, and that it was done outside of the Jewish camp) express its three abovementioned critical elements (1) when we perform the Mitzvah of the Red Heifer we reveal our essence (Etzem Haneshomah), 2) the entire Torah is represented in this Mitzvah, and 3) we get the strength to be able to perform this service which reveals our essence from Moshe Rabbeinu whom the reason for the Red Heifer was revealed to):

1) The fact that the Red Heifer “made impure those who are pure, and made pure those who are impure”, and that it was done outside of the Jewish camp, reveals our essence because (as we just explained) we are totally putting our self aside.

2) The fact that the Red Heifer “made impure those who are pure, and made pure those who are impure”, and that it was done outside of the Jewish camp, represents the entire Torah because the foundation of the entire Torah is to nullify ourselves and reach above our own limitations, and this is especially expressed in the Mitzvah of Ahavas Yisroel (loving your fellow Jew as yourself), which encapsulates the entire Torah, and this is what you are doing when you perform the service of the Red Heifer.

3) The fact that the Red Heifer “made impure those who are pure, and made pure those who are impure”, and that it was done outside of the Jewish camp, calls attention to the fact that we get the strength to be able to reveal our essence from Moshe Rabbeinu because this service required self sacrifice and Moshe Rabbeinu was the perfect model of self sacrifice.

5. The Rebbe now ends off with the lessons we can learn from all of the above:

The first lesson that we can learn from this is that there is no such thing as a Jew who is “too far gone”. Even a Jew who looks totally disconnected from G-dliness and is at the level of the worst impurities can be uplifted out of it because Moshe Rabbeinu gave us the strength to help him.

The second lesson that we can learn from this is that not only do we have the power to uplift another Jew, we must uplift him. We cannot think to ourselves, “Why do I have to lower myself to their level and possibly even become impure because of it?” We must know that if we are not willing to put ourselves aside for another Jew we are not only missing a detail of the Torah, we are missing the foundation of the entire Torah.

The third lesson we can learn from this is that when we are successful in inspiring our brothers to come closer to their Father in Heaven we should not be mistaken and think that our own skills and strengths have caused this, we must know that this is all from Moshe Rabbeinu (and this is why the Kohen performing the service of the Red Heifer had to be sanctified with the ashes of the Red Heifer that Moshe Rabbeinu made).

The fourth lesson we can learn is from the fact that the ashes of the Red Heifer which Moshe Rabbeinu made were divided into three parts; one part was used to make impure people pure, one part was used to sanctify the Kohanim who would later make more Red Heifers, and the third part being kept “as a guarding” (“L’Mishmeres”). We must wonder why a third of the ashes kept “as a guarding”. Only, the Torah is teaching us that when you are involved with helping other people and trying to influence them you can forget about yourself. This is where the ashes “as a guarding” comes in and reminds you that you are also susceptible to the impurity “of a corpse” and could possibly need the ashes of the Red Heifer for yourself.

Translated and adapted by Shalom Goldberg. Taken from Likutei Sichos volume four, second half of the Sicha. ]]> Parshas Hashavuah http://www.crownheights.info/index.php?itemid=12647 Fri, 4 Jul 2008 03:13:08 -0400 <![CDATA[Photo Gallery: The Quiet Before the 'Storm']]> http://www.crownheights.info/index.php?itemid=12641
LAURELTON, Queens [CHI] — The thousands of guests that have arrived in Crown Heights for Gimmel Tamuz are taking advantage of the “quiet before the storm” and are visiting the Ohel before Sunday when there are fewer people than the masses that will be arriving on Sunday.

More pictures in the Extended Article! (Photos By: Meir Elfasi - Shturem.net)In the tent near the Ohel one can see it buzzing with people davening quietly or writing quitlach. The atmosphere is very elevating. By the Tzion itself one can see shluchim, mekurovim, rabbis and mashpiim from all over the world.

In the midst of all the hustle-bustle one can see Rabbi Abba Refson, Director at the Ohel, speaking with visitors, putting on Tefilin with some and from time to time will check up on the preparations for Sunday.





















































































































































]]> Photo Galleries http://www.crownheights.info/index.php?itemid=12641 Fri, 4 Jul 2008 02:56:00 -0400 <![CDATA[Mazal Tov! - Its A Boy!]]> http://www.crownheights.info/index.php?itemid=12646 Sholom Ber and Nechama Farkash (Shluchim to Issaquah, WA) on the birth of a son.

May the newborn be a source of Nachas to his parents, grandparents, relatives and Klal Yisroel.

To submit a Simcha or Mazal Tov please email us mazaltov@crownheights.info]]> Mazal Tov! http://www.crownheights.info/index.php?itemid=12646 Fri, 4 Jul 2008 02:46:00 -0400 <![CDATA[Brooklyn Heights & Park Slope Salutes the Rebbe]]> http://www.crownheights.info/index.php?itemid=12640
BROOKLYN HEIGHTS, Brooklyn [CHI] — Yesterday, Wednesday July 3rd, close to 200 members of the Chabad Houses in the Park Slope and Brooklyn Heights areas gathered in the Brooklyn Borough Hall for an event marking 14 years since Gimmel Tamuz, which falls out this Sunday.

The keynote address was delivered by Rabbi Yosef Telushkin who enthralled the audience with his talk on “Love your neighbor as you love yourself”

More pictures in the Extended Article!The event was organized by the shluchim in Brooklyn Heights, Rabbis Shimon Hecht, Eli Raskin and Simcha Weinstein who also addressed the audience.
















'






















































]]> Shlichus http://www.crownheights.info/index.php?itemid=12640 Fri, 4 Jul 2008 02:24:00 -0400 <![CDATA[Mazal Tov! - Its A Girl!]]> http://www.crownheights.info/index.php?itemid=12645 Shmuley and Deborah Boteach (Englewood, NJ) on the birth of their daughter.

May the newborn be a source of Nachas to her parents, grandparents, relatives and Klal Yisroel.]]> Mazal Tov! http://www.crownheights.info/index.php?itemid=12645 Fri, 4 Jul 2008 02:01:00 -0400 <![CDATA[This Weeks Crown Heights Newspaper]]> http://www.crownheights.info/index.php?itemid=12648
This weeks edition of the Crown Heights Newspaper, available for print.

Click here to download the newspaper in PDF format.]]> Crown Heights News http://www.crownheights.info/index.php?itemid=12648 Thu, 3 Jul 2008 21:56:00 -0400 <![CDATA[Mazal Tov! - Its A Boy!]]> http://www.crownheights.info/index.php?itemid=12651 Yossi and Sara Doba Glick (Shluchim to Dnepropetrovsk, Ukraine) on the birth of their son.

May the newborn be a source of Nachas to his parents, grandparents, relatives and Klal Yisroel.
]]> Mazal Tov! http://www.crownheights.info/index.php?itemid=12651 Thu, 3 Jul 2008 21:27:00 -0400 <![CDATA[Alternate Side Parking & Meters Suspended]]> http://www.crownheights.info/index.php?itemid=12601
Alternate side parking (street cleaning) regulations are suspended on Friday, July 4, for holiday observance.

Because July 4 is a major legal holiday, parking meter regulations are also suspended. On major legal holidays, stopping, standing, and parking are permitted, except in areas where stopping, standing, and parking rules are in effect seven days a week (for example, “No Standing Anytime”).

Click here for the 2008 Alternate Side Parking Regulations Suspension Calendar]]> PSA http://www.crownheights.info/index.php?itemid=12601 Thu, 3 Jul 2008 21:00:00 -0400 <![CDATA[Newly Restored Audio for Gimmel Tamuz!]]> http://www.crownheights.info/index.php?itemid=12642
The Living Archive presents: Fabrengen 11 Shevat, 5724

In this full length audio Fabrengen recorded by Rabbi Sholom Yisroel Hodakov and restored by JEM’s Living Archive restoration project, the Rebbe speaks about the special significance of the fourteenth year after the Frierdiker Rebbe’s Histalkus.

Click Here to listen to the audio on Chabad.org
Click Here here to download all the audio files in a ZIP file
Click Here to download the Kovetz Hisvaadus of this Farbrengen]]> Chabad News http://www.crownheights.info/index.php?itemid=12642 Thu, 3 Jul 2008 20:00:00 -0400