B’H Erey Shabbos Shevi'i Shel Pesach, 20th of Nisan, 5781; April 2nd, 2021 An Impromptu Seder It was mid-afternoon Frev Pesach, Fri= dy, April 4, 1958, a few hours to go til the holiday officially began. A group of Chabad yeshiva boys in Brooklyn had finished baking the las ofthe Passover maiza, The Lubavitcher Rebbe used to give picce of hand-baked matza to peo- pleas a spiritual gift in these final hours, ‘The Rebbe would stand the whole time, ‘greeting people and handing them matza The mystical Jewish work, the Zohar, explains that matza is the “bread of faith," and simply eating it nourishes the soul. The Rebbe would give matza first to people who had to travel far, because riding in @ car or subway is not permitted ‘on Shabbat and Jewish holidays. [ {Shlomo Cunin] was 16 years old and had to get home to 167th and Jerome Avenue in the Bronx, which was pretty far away. When I approached the Rebbe, he handed me matza and asked if | could deliver some to a certain family. Ideally, I would have taken a taxi from the subway station, asked the driver to wait, delivered the matza, and gotten hhome in time for our family Seder. But life is seldom ideal; it was too late to take a cab, Eventually, I found the ad- dress, which turned out to be a housing project. I knocked on the door and out ‘came a man with no shirt, tattoos and a pot belly. "What is it?" he snapped. (It is Bron. etiquette to snap when greeting some- fone.) "Excuse me, are you Mr. So-and= So? Lasked. "Yee," he said. [noticed the loaf of rye bread sitting on the table, definitely not a traditional Se der food. said, "the Rebbe sent me." "The Rebbe? Oh, please come in," he said. The tiny kitchen contained only a small table, chairs and a hot plate. I did- n'understand what I was doing there, delivering matza to 2 family who wasn't celebrating Passover. Then I thought, perhaps that's exactly why I was there. 1 asked the man iff he would like te have a Seder. He agreed and called for his wife to come in. She entered, visibly preg- nant, with iwo beautiful litle girls, Yehoshua Wiseman yehoshuawiseman com iaybe five or six years old, trailing be- hind. Both girls were blind. We cleared off the table. I puta hat on the man's hhead and said, "Okay, we're having a Sed 1 tried to remember the blessings in the proper order, but it was difficult without a Hagada. We ate the matza and used ‘water and paper cups to recall the four cups of wine, [tried to think what the Rebbe would do if he was here. | looked at the little girls and at their mother, about to have another child, and shared things I had learned from the Rebbe. [told them that we have to have faith. On this night, G-d liberated our ances- tors from slavery, and He liberates us, too. The husband and wite scemed 10 hhang on every word, like they were get- ting nourishment just by listenin, | told them that on Passover, we journey through our personal Egypt to freedom, and that G-d doesn’t put on our shoulders ‘more than we can carry. Once you know that, and believe it, you're already liber- ated. We sang songs with the children and time New. ‘At 1:00am, the woman put the girls to bed and it was time for me to leave, but I had to ask the man how he knew the Rebbe. Ir turned our he was a leather tanner and was acquainted with a rabbi \ho worked at another section of the reat plant. Several months ago, the man’s wife had become pregnant. Since there was a strong possibility that this child, too, would be bom blind, their doctor recom- mended an abortion. The man was very depressed and didn't know what to do. So he asked this rabbi, who suggested that he write a letter to the Lubaviteher Rebbe, The Rebbe wrote back, saying. that they should have faith in G-d and hhave the child, As 1 was about to leave, the man said, “you know, my wife and I werent su bout this. How are we supposed to have faith? How are we supposed to forget ‘what is and have hope? We dide't think it was possible, But tonight, hearing about faith and how G-d gives us the strength to overcome our personal Egypt, well, now we understand.” So she carried to term and gave birth to a son, who was born fully sighted. Over time, I lost rack of this family, but years later I Tearned that the daughters had xotten married and that cach had several children, all sighted. ‘To really describe the Rehbe's love for hnundreds of thousands of Jews and non- Jews all over the world would be impos sible. The best I could do is to write about a poor family in the Bronx, living in housing project for the blind. And how the Rebbe had faith hand-delivered 10 their door. Biographical note: Rabbi Boruch Shlo- mo E. Cunin has been the Head Shliach (emissary) of the Lubavitch Rebbe and Director of Chabad Lubavitch on the ‘West Coast since 1966. By Yerachmiel Tilles. Rabbi Tilles of Tyfat, isa co-founder of ASCENT. His ‘nial list for stories isin its 24th year, To join the lst aio his WhatsApp group {for Saturday night Audio, Video and Zoom stories. go to AscentOfSafed.com or WhatsApp *+972-526-770-137 Buea ete Canete Lighting Motz! Sol Jerusalem 6:24 137 Tel Aviv 639 739 aita wat 139 BeerSheva 6st 7238 NewYork 798 804 Chabad of rae Rabbi Joseph Aronow Published by MLS. Kfar Chabad (03)3731777 aitor: Aharon Schmidt livingjenishweekiyegmailcom Pease une the sanctity ofthis publication J 5 J WISH" ,/a @aaaeaaeaadé éShabbos Table } The Seventh Day of Pesach The Seventh Day of Pesach com- memorates the Splitting of the Sea of Reeds, the climax of the Exodus from Egypt. Until that time, the Jews remained in dread of Egypt’s military might; some were even prepared to submit to slavery again. After the Splitting of the Sea, however, all fear of the danger from the Egyptians ended and the Jews experienced true freedom. Our Sages explain that Moses commanded the Jewish people to proceed into the sea even before it split Nachshon ben Aminaday, the leader of the tribe of Judah, plunged into the Sea, followed by his tribe and then by the entire Jewish people. They pressed onward until the water reached their nostrils. Only then did the sea split. G-d’s Promise G-d had promised Moses: “When you bring the people out of Egypt, you will serve G-d on this mountain.” Nachshon’s sole desire was to reach Mt. Sinai. No matter what the obstacles, his resolve would not be shaken, Not even the sea would stand between himself and that goal When G-d saw that the Jews” commitment caused them to go beyond all self-concern, The Seventh Day of Passover—the Split- ting of the Red Sea During the festive meal of the Seventh Day of Passover in 1843, the Tzemach Tzedek (the third Chabad Rebbe), who, had recently returned from a mission to Petersburg to try to convince the Russian government to annul its anti-Jewish de- crees, declared: "The Seventh Day of Passover is the Rosh Hashana of self-sacrifice. When Moses conveyed G-d's command - ‘Speak to the Children of Israel that they should go forward’ - Nachshon ben Aminadayv immediately jumped into the sea. This was a continuation of the self-sacrifice shown by our forefather Abraham. “On the Seventh Day of Passover, each and every Jew can and must resolve to have self-sacrifice for Torah and mitzvot and the service of the Creator throughout the year.” (the Rebbe Rayatz, Sefer HaSichot 5703) For not only one stood against us to de- stroy us (from the Hagada) Why have our enemies sought to destroy us? Because we were "not only one." He brought about a miracle that went be- yond all the limits of nature. The Feast of Moshiach The Haftorah reading for the last day of Pesach centers around the coming of Mashiach. It contains Isaiah’s stirring prophecies of the unique era that Mosh- iach will introduce: “A shoot shall emerge from the stem of Yishai and a branch shall sprout forth from his roots. The spirit of G-d will rest upon him.... The wolf will dwell with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the young goat...The earth will be filled with the knowledge of G-d as the sea covers up the ocean bed.’ Moreover, our experience of Moshiach does not remain confined to the realm of thought. Towards the setting of the sun on this final day of the holiday, we follow the custom initiated by the Baal Shem Tov, partaking of Moshiach’s Seudah, “the feast of Moshiach.” Partaking of Moshiach's Seudzh translates our awareness of Moshiach into a meal, a physical experience, which associates this, concept with our actual flesh and blood Tangible Experience of Moshiach Simply speaking, there are many Jews who recite daily a shortened version of Maimo- nides’ Thirteen Principles of Faith, The twelfth of those statements is: “I believe with perfect faith in the coming of Lack of unity among the Jewish people is the primary cause of all our troubles. (Sefat Emei) Passover ~ "the Festival of Spring" The Exodus from Egypt took place in the springtime, as the Torah states (Ex. 13:4), "Today you are going out, in the month of spring." At that time of year the forces of nature are most manifest and the natural world is at its peak of beauty, To the Egyptians, who worshipped nature, it seemed as if their deity was ascendant, G- d took the Jewish people out of Egypt in the spring to demonstrate that nature has no power or existence of its own and is completely subservient to G-d (the Rebbe) Blessed is the Omnipresent One - "Makom,” literally "Place" (from the Ha- gada) Why is G-d referred to as "Place"? Be- cause the world is “located” in G-d; G-d is not merely "located" in the world.. (Bereishit Rabba) Moshiach. Even if he delays, I will wait every day for him to come.” For many, however, this statement is precisely that: an abstract principle of faith, divorced from their actual reality. The feast of Moshiach brings Moshiach down to the point where it is tangible, something that affects our lives in the here and now. Why make a feast? Because as Moshiach’s coming draws closer, it is not enough to consider Moshiach as a spiritual concept. We must begin thinking of him in physical terms, as a human being who will redeem Isracl, rebuild the Temple, and initiate a new world order. Partaking of the Feast of Moshiach helps us appreciate these spiritual truths as actual reality. Adapted from the teachings of the Lubav= itcher Rebbe; Keeping in Touch, Vol. 4, Sichos in English. From our Sages and Moshiach Now reprinted from www.Lchaim Weekly.org - LYO / NYC A Special Hiddur Mitzvah At the Simchas Torah kos shel bracha (cup of blessing), Reb Nachman Yosef Perman would usually receive three bottles of mashke as a blessing from the Rebbe: one for his matza bakery, another as a member of the Kfar Chabad village council, and a third as a mediator between two organizations which were struggling to keep the peace. One year in the 5730’s (1970’s), he received only two bottles. Most dis- traught, he approached Rabbi Chodakov (the Rebbe’s secretary) and shared his concern that perhaps he wasn’t fulfilling one of his duties properly. The head secretary, Rabbi Chodakov, assured him that he would bring up the matter. When asked, the Rebbe smiled and told Rabbi Chodakov to assure Reb Nachman. Yosef that there was no issue at all. The Rebbe explained that every Rosh Hashana he accepts upon himself'a new hiddur (beautification and/or stringency) mitzva. This year, the hiddur was to not make any connection between Pesach and chometz whatsoever, even in thought. It was therefore inappropriate to present a bottle of mashke for a matza bakery. Bedarkei Hachassidim, page 234ECE LU Festive Meal of Moshiach The last day of Pesach is associated with our hopes for the coming of Moshiach. About two hundred and fifty years ago, as the time for Moshiach drew closer, the Baal Shem Toy instituted a custom: on that day he would partake of Moshiach's Seudah, the festive meal of Moshiach. Moshiach's Seudah is intended to deepen our awareness of Moshiach and enable us. to integrate it into our thinking. Partaking of Moshiach's Seudah reinforces our belief in the coming of Moshiach, translating our awareness of Moshiach into a physical experience which leads us to associate it with our flesh and blood. The Baal Shem Tov's linking of our awareness of Moshiach to the physical is significant because it prepares us for the revelations of the Era of the Redemption, when the G-dliness enclothed within the physical world will be overtly manifest Chassidus explains that the preparations for a revelation must foreshadow the revelation itself. Since, in the Era of the Redemption, the revelation of G-dliness will find expression even in the physical world, it is fitting that our preparation for these revelations be associated with physical activities such as cating and drinking. When Moshiach comes, a similar transformation will occur throughout all of creation. Even the material and mundane aspects of the world will reveal G-dliness. Like many other teachings of the Baal Shem Toy, the custom of conducting Moshiach's Seudah was explained and widely disseminated by the successive Rebbeim of Chabad. Moreover, in 5666 (1906) the Rebbe Rashab added a new element to Moshiach's Seudah, the drinking of four cups of wine. During the time of the Baal Shem Tov, the main ingredient of Moshiach's Seudah was matzah. The tasteless flatness of matzah symbolizes selfless humility, a desire to transcend oneself. Wine, by contrast, is flavorful and pleasurable, and thus symbolizes the assertiveness of our individual personalities. Combining matzah and wine in Moshiach's Seudah teaches us that self-transcendence does not require that we erase our personal identities. Self-transcendence may be accomplished within each individual's nature. A person can retain his distinctive character and identity, yet dedicate his life to spreading G-dliness instead of pursuing personal fulfillment. Once he has trans- formed his will, an individual can proceed to a more complete level of service of G-d in which his commitment permeates every aspect of his personality, Our generation has been charged with the responsibility of making all Jews aware of Moshiach - and this includes the custom of conducting Moshiach's Seudah. There are those who argue that speaking openly about the coming of Moshiach may alienate some people. The very opposite is true. We are living in the time directly preceding the age of Moshiach. The world is changing and people are willing, even anxious, to hear about Moshiach. Adapted from the teachings of the Rebbe, Likkutei Sichos, Vol. VIL, pp. 272-278; Sichos in English Now is the Time We have arrived at the time of Redemption, as it is stated, "For my deliverance is close at hand and the days until redemption are close.” Unlike the previous years where great toil was necessary, today, even a little can suffice... for the redemption is "waiting behind the door". As our Sages have already stated in their time, "All the deadlines have passed, it depends only upon our repentance." How much more so does it apply today: Now is the time, as is well known. (Chidushei Torah of the previous Satmar Rebbe) Awaiting Moshiach Tzaddikim living in the time of the Yismach Moshe, Reb Moshe Teitel- baum, used to say that he was a gilgul of ‘Yirmiyahu HaNavi, who prophesied the destruction of the First Beit HaMikdosh. He would constantly cry about this lengthy exile, especially during the Three Weeks, and he longed for Moshiach intensely. Whenever he heard some hustle in the street, he would run to the window: Had Moshiach arrived? Next to his bed, his best Shabbat cloth- ing always lay prepared. And every night, before going to sleep, he would warn his shammes to wake him the mo- ment the shofar of Moshiach was heard. He once received a letter informing him that on a certain date his beloved son-in- law would be arriving for a visit. The whole houschold prepared excitedly for his arrival. The great day came, but the visitor was nowhere to be seen. The family became restless. What could possibly have delayed him? The Yismach Moshe sat in his room en- grossed in his books while some family members waited outside impatiently, when a carriage suddenly appeared on the horizon. The Rebbe’s shammes excitedly ran in- side to bring him the good news: "Rebbe, he has arrived!" The Rebbe jumped up from his chair, put on his fine Shabbat kapota and shtreimel and ran outside towards the approaching carriage Seeing none other than his son-in-law stepping down from the carriage, he was unable to bear the pain and fell to the ground ina faint. When he came to, his family heard him moaning to himself, "Oy! It's not him... He hasn't yet arrived..." Awaiting Moshiach and A Special Hiddur Mitzvah Reprinted from The Weekly Farbrengen by Merkaz Anash, on-line at TheWeeklyFarbrengen.comBALRERERER EE EE EE pe (ire re@ ely ae ‘Wake Up Yidden The 8th Day band recently per- formed a new hit song "Wake Up. Yidden" in collaboration with Thank You Hashem. The Blumstein brothers did not grow up in a Chabad home and they didn’t go to Chabad yeshivas, but they have discovered the joy of Cha- bad Chasidus and have a passion for spreading the word about Moshi- ach’s arrival WAKE J\? ‘YIDDEN The brothers are known for their famous song “Thank You Hashem’ performed by Joey Newcomb, The international success of that song has spurred a movement they now call the thank you Hashem Nation. Cooking Tip of the Week Yemenite Soup: A Yemenite Soup is a meal in itself. Include a cut-up kilo of meat or chicken, 5 carrots, 5 onions, 5 medium pota- toes, 1 summer squash, | tomato, The brothers wanted to do a song that would wake people up and get them dancing out of this exile. The choice to perform their new s “Wake Up Yidden” was the Chabad a re stalks Sey z ee duo, 8th Day. 8th Day, co-founded (ladd more): Boil waterimalarge) jy brothers Shmuel and Bentzi Mar- pot: Addl thoat: Sicimlof the fat cus, is a highly acclaimed Chassidic and add vegetables and spice. ck gi 5 Simmer 3-4 hours (or let cook ina TOCK BFOUP: crock pot). This is great withsaluf Mendy Portnoy produced the track and hilbeh Friday night. and video. The song is fun, gets you dancing, and hopefully motivates Alizah Hochstead, you to leave your personal exile alizahh@hotmail.com behind! Adapted from COLlive Halacha Corner - Reciting Tefilat HaDerech It is important for all those who are traveling together to say Tefilat Haderech (the Traveler’s Prayer) simultaneously. In case there are not enough siddurim available, an option is for one of the travelers to recite Tefilat Haderech word by word, and for the others to repeat the words in unison, Some have the practice of one person saying the tefilah and being motzi (fulfilling the obligation of) all the others in the group. In order for one person to be motzi others, the following conditions have to be met: 1) The one saying the tefilah must have in mind to be motzi all the others. 2) The listeners have to bear in mind that they are being yotzei through the reader. 3) They must hear every word. 4) They may not hear the tefilah through a microphone. After the conclusion of the tefilah they all should answer amen. Even if all the above conditions are met, it is nevertheless not the preferred manner. The right way is for every person to say Tefilat Haderech by themselves—but it should be said simultaneously. Ray Yosef Yeshaya Braun, shlita, Mara D'atra, member of the Badatz of Crown Heights; One Minute Halacha, parshat Shoftim, 5775, Vol. 1, issue 52, halachah 377, reprinted from crownheightsconnect.com Get a year’s worth Of chaYe NU! DAILY TORAH STUDY delivered to you Visit: CHAYENU.ORG/ISRAEL Farbrengen Question: My wife doesn’t care about my opinion. She hears me, but does what she wants. Whether it is regarding our children, the home, work, whatever. The problem is, I can’t tell her anything without her getting upset and defensive. So the other day I got up the courage and said that I think if she would start dinner earlier, the kids would not be so tired and wild at bedtime. She responded, “can’t you just let me live my life! You are so intrusive!” And she stamped out. | really feel in despair; it is so hard to live with someone I can*t discuss things with. Answer: Rabbi Shabtai Slavaticki is the Director of Chabad in Antwerp, Belgium, and a highly acclaimed international speaker. Before his marriage he consulted the famed mashpia (spiritual guide) Rabbi Mendel Futerfas for guidance. ‘One day Reb Mendel asked, “are you ready?” Rabbi Slavaticki responded that he was trying. Reb Mendel requested to sec the ring. Upon receiving the ring he asked Rabbi Slavaticki what he sees. “Isee gold in the shape of a circle,” he answered. Reb Mendel responded, “the main thing in the ring is not the gold, rather, the empty space. If you want to truly get married, you need to make an open space in your heart; an empty space so as to accept the ‘other person as they are, not like you want them to be, and not as you dream they should be. Take her as she is!” Not everyone or everything will be just like we want. Each person has their background, beliefs and outlook and we need to give them their place. Reb Mendel was saying that this is the foundation and beginning of marriage. Closeness comes from accepting and valuing the other person, not from trying to change who they are. Consider your wife’s statements. Why did she claim you are intrusive; that you do not let her live her life? Is it simply because you want her to start dinner earlier? The pain couples experience from power struggles, disagreements, insensitivity, coldness, etc., are usually only the presenting problems; symptoms which have germinated from a lack of ‘acceptance and understanding. Acceptance requires inner strength; the courage to step back and allow alternative ways of being and thinking; to understand and accept the other person’s truth as also valid. The more we make space for our spouse in our heart, the more they will make space for us in theirs. Aharon Schmidt; marriage, family & individ ual coaching: for an appointment or to share a question contact: 0525-246-528, coachingandcounseling]@gmail.com Rambam, Halacha, Chasidus, Stories and MUCH MORE. re ee