B”H Erev Shabbos Vayakhel-Pekudei - HaChodesh, 28th of Adar, 5781; March 12th, 2021
pointed him to the room where the
My Broken Heart
Once at a farbrengen (informal gathering
of chasidim), Rabbi Avraham Zaltz-
man told a story about his days in
the Yeshiva in the town of Lubavitch
almost one hundred years ago. When he
was only twelve years old he was such a
wild, uncontrollable child that it was
very difficult for him to sit and learn
Torah. So he and two other boys in the
yeshiva with similar natures were given
various odd jobs to keep them busy in
positive ways.
One of these jobs was to milk a few
goats in a nearby farm and supply milk
to the pupils. But this too became boring
and one terrible day, desperate for
action, they somehow managed to get
one of the goats to drink vodka and then
led the intoxicated animal to the entrance
of the large study hall where all the
pupils were diligently immersed in
Talmudic studies, and pushed it in.
The goat, totally oblivious of the
holiness of the place, jumped on tables,
knocked over several rabbis and
scattered books and papers in all
directions. It was hours before the
studies could be restored and, of course,
it was no secret who was to blame.
The three boys were summoned to the
supervisor of the Yeshiva, Rabbi Yosef
Yitzchak Shneersohn (the future sixth
Rebbe of Chabad and the son of
the Rebbe 'Rashab'; Rebbe Shalom Dov
Ber Shneersohn, the fifth Rebbe of
Chabad and founder of the Yeshiva),
where they were ordered to pack up their
belongings and leave. With no other
choice they did as they were told and
several hours later were waiting in the
train station in the nearby city of Rodna,
with their suitcases in hand to return to
their homes.
Suddenly Avraham turned to his friends
and said, "What are we doing?! We can't
leave! We have to go back and plead for
mercy!" But the others just shook their
heads 'no'.
One answered, "it won't work. Did you
see the look on the supervisor's face? He
doesn't want to see us again. We're fin-
ished!" The other boy agreed. "We were
living on mercy as it is. He's not
Rabbi Mendel Futerfass at a Farbrengen,
photograph from Derher
going to take us back this time." "Yeah,
we're out for sure!" But Avraham didn't
give and before the train arrived he
succeeded in convincing one of the boys
to come back with him and give it a try.
They said good bye to their friend and
trudged back to Lubavitch with no real
idea what their next step was, but
Avraham was determined not to go
down without a battle. They couldn't go
back to the supervisor; he was too angry.
And the Rebbe, the supervisor's father,
also wasn't the one to approach; he
would never override his son's
decision… especially in this situation.
Their only chance, they decided, was the
supervisor's grandmother, the Rebbe's
mother, Rabbanit Rivka. She had a
wonderful warm heart and was a mother
for all the boys in the yeshiva; she
cooked, sewed and washed for them as
well as being there in times of illness
and need. Maybe she could help.
They went to her house, knocked on the
door and when she answered Avraham
poured out his heart. When he was
finished, her answer was to the point. "I
can't go against the decision of my
grandson; he's the supervisor of the
Yeshiva. The only one that might be able
to do that is my son, the Rebbe. But I
can't talk to him about this either. I
simply can't mix in. But, what I can do
is this: every morning at ten my son, the
Rebbe, sits in his room and drinks a cup
of tea. Come tomorrow morning and I'll
show you where the room is ... but you
will have to do the talking."
The two boys found some place to sleep
that night and the next morning little
Avraham reported to Rabbanit Rivka
while his friend, who was simply too
afraid, waited outside. She let him in,
187
Rebbe was sitting, whispered 'good luck'
and watched as he bravely approached
the door. The door was open and when
the Rebbe saw him standing there he
looked up, stared at him for a moment
and asked him what he wanted.
"I want to learn in Lubavitch." He was
almost crying.
"Lubavitch?" smiled the Rebbe as he
motioned him to come closer, "but there
are so many other good yeshivas! There
is Slovadka, Navordak," and he listed all
the other Torah academies, about twenty
of them, in the area.
"But I want to learn here, in Lubavitch!"
The young boy began to whine. When
the Rebbe saw this he began to smile and
when Avraham saw the smile he began
to cry. This, in turn, caused the Rebbe to
laugh, which made Avraham cry even
harder.
Suddenly the Rebbe became serious and
said, "we will think about it… come
back later today."
Avraham backed out of the office,
sniffling and wiping his eyes with his
sleeve but suddenly he stopped, took two
steps forward, which put him back in the
entrance of the room, and just stood
there looking sheepishly at the ground.
"Nu? What do you want now?" the
Rebbe asked.
"Uh, I have a friend," Avraham
answered. "He's waiting outside."
continued on page three
Shabbat Times
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Chabad of Israel
Rabbi Joseph I. Aronov
Published by M.L.S. Kfar Chabad (03) 3731777
Editor: Aharon Schmidt
livingjewishweekly@gmail.com
Please guard the sanctity of this publication
 A Place Beyond Status
In the previous Torah portions of Teruma
and Tetzaveh, G-d commanded Moses to
build the Mishkan (Sanctuary) and make
all its vessels. This week, in Vayakel and
Pekudei, G-d's command is transmitted to
the Jewish people and carried out in full.
Without exception, everyone participated
in the building of the Sanctuary, Jews from
all walks of life. Men and women, rich and
poor, all contributed as much as they were
able.
Belongs to Every Jew
Their contributions, however, were not
equal in value. As no specific amount was
required, some donated less and some do-
nated more, according to their individual
inclination and financial ability. Thus there
were contributions of gold and silver and
contributions of oil and wood, if that was
all a person was capable of donating.
Significantly, the type of contribution a
Jew offered had nothing to do with his
connection to the Sanctuary. The Sanctu-
ary belonged to every Jew in equal meas-
ure: the rich man whose donation was ex-
tremely valuable, and the poor man whose
donation was more humble.
You shall not kindle any fire (Ex. 35:3)
The main reason we observe Shabbat is in
remembrance of the Six Days of Crea-
tion. As fire was not created until after
the first Shabbat ended, the Torah specifi-
cally singles it out - lest anyone think it
isn't included in the 39 prohibited labors.
(Rabbi Yonatan Eibeschutz)
… the Tabernacle, the Tabernacle of the
testimony (Ex. 38:21)
Why is the word Tabernacle repeated?
The first time it refers to the spiritual
Sanctuary up above; the second time it
refers to the actual physical Tabernacle.
Testimony is only required when some-
thing is hidden and not readily apparent.
The physical Sanctuary was called the
"Tabernacle of the Testimony" because it
testified to G-d's presence in the physical
world.
(the Rebbe)
And they beat the gold into thin plates,
and cut it into wires (Ex. 39:3)
Every Jew was connected to the Sanctuary
to the same degree. Both the one who
gives more and the one who gives less;
provided that he do so for the sake of heav-
en.
Although the individual contributions may
have varied, the intention behind the offer-
ing was always the same. All Jews wanted
to build a House for G-d; all Jews there-
fore shared an equal portion in its con-
struction.
Betzalel and Oholiav
Moses emphasized this equality among
Jews, regardless of their donations, when
he said, "See I have called by name Bet-
zalel the son of Uri, the son of Chur, of the
tribe of Yehudah...and Oholiav the son of
Achisamach, of the tribe of Dan...He has
filled them with wisdom of heart...of those
who do any work, and of those who design
artistic work."
Betzalel and Oholiav were both in charge
of all the artisans who worked on the Sanc-
tuary.
Betzalel came from a very well-connected
family. The grandson of Miriam, his tribe
of Judah was one of the most prestigious.
Oholiav, by contrast, was not distinguished
by his lineage. A grandson of one of the
Rashi explains: "They used to spin the
gold together with the threads...making
them intertwined with every kind of ma-
terial...the threads of all the kinds were
six-fold, and the gold was the seventh
thread." This teaches that people whom
G-d has blessed with gold and riches
should not hold themselves apart from
their poorer brethren. Rather, they should
act humbly and freely "mix" themselves
with the more common threads.
(Siftei Tzadik)
On the seventh day there shall be to you a
holy day (Ex. 35:2)
Rabbi Bunim once said: There is no other
mitzva as all-encompassing as that of
sukka. A person actually enters the mitz-
va with his whole body, his clothes, and
even his shoes.
Rabbi Shlomo Leib of Lentashna re-
sponded: The mitzva of Shabbat is even
greater. One need not lift a finger to bring
it on; Shabbat arrives by itself. And, the
holiness of Shabbat totally encompasses
everyone and everything for more than 24
hours.
maidservants, his tribe of Dan occupied a
much lower rung on the social ladder.
And yet, both men were appointed to over-
see the holy work, as it states, "Betzalel
and Oholiav, and all those filled with wis-
dom of heart...did all kinds of work for the
service of the Sanctuary."
Heart to Heaven
In building the Sanctuary all Jews are
equal. It makes no difference whether one
is rich or poor, a descendent of the most
exalted parentage or a child of the simplest
people.
The only qualifier is that the Jew's heart be
directed toward heaven!
Based on the teachings of the Rebbe;
Shabbos Table, From our Sages and
Moshiach Now! reprinted from
www.LchaimWeekly.org - LYO / NYC
True Nachas
The Rebbe Rashab once said that
amongst chassidim, Ahavas Yisroel was
always considered inborn; a person who
lacked it was considered an invalid, just
like a person who is missing a hand or
foot from birth.
During the festive meal of his bar mitz-
va, the Previous Rebbe asked his father,
the Rebbe Rashab, why, "Hareini meka-
bel" (the statement wherein we affirm: I
take upon myself the mitzvah of, you
will love your fellow as yourself) is said
before davening.
The Rebbe Rashab explained that before
we ask Hashem for our needs during
davening, it is appropriate that we cause
him nachas, and a father's greatest na-
chas is seeing his children act with unity
and expressing their brotherly love for
each other.
When the Previous Rebbe repeated this,
he added that the mitzva of Ahavas Yis-
roel entails not only giving food, loans or
a place to sleep. It is a mitzva in which
one should invest his entire essence, to
the extent that the other person's needs
become more important than his own
needs.
Indeed, elder chassidim used to say,
"Love yourself as much as you love oth-
ers!"
True Nachas and the Chassidishe
Businessman reprinted from The Weekly
Farbrengen by Merkaz Anash, on-line at
TheWeeklyFarbrengen.com
 The Chassidishe Businessman
The Frierdiker (Previous) Rebbe said: The
chassidishe businessmen need to keep a
Chumash and Tanya in their store and
learn from them in their free time. Of
course it is necessary to conduct business
dealings, but afterwards a verse should be
learned, and this is what will bring
success. The world, with physical streets
and people who own stores and
businesses, was created for this reason, so
that we walk in the streets and think or
say words of Torah, and so that we sit in a
physical store and learn Torah.
First Things First
At a farbrengen, the Frierdiker Rebbe told
one of his chassidim, a store owner, that
he wants to make a covenant with him.
The Rebbe asked him if he has a Tanya in
his store and stipulated, “I do not mean a
Tanya that sits without usage, rather one
that is the focus of all comings and
goings.” The Frierdiker Rebbe added that
if he will be involved in the sefer, the
communist officials would not mix into
his ‘books.’
The Rebbe describes how a Jew must go
about his business. The first thing in the
morning must be the service of davening,
followed by a session of learning, and
only after being ‘soaked’ with ruchniyus
can he, in a unenthusiastic manner, go to
work. In addition, at work he must stand
apart as a Jew, thinking or saying words
of Torah and during business dealings
have the intention of serving Hashem.
At a farbrengen, a chassid asked the
Frierdiker Rebbe, “How is a businessman,
who is busy during the day, able to daven
at length like those who sit and learn and
have the time to do so?”
The Frierdiker Rebbe explained that a
chassidishe businessman must be like a
young man who is supported by his father
-in-law. Being supported, he has no
worries, and when his father-in-law hints
to him that his help is needed, he lends a
hand, but only after he finishes eating
comfortably. Similarly, the chassidishe
businessman davens and learns at ease,
and then he goes off to work…
The True Focus
Reb Shloma ‘der Geler’, a chossid of the
Rebbe Rashab, worked as a builder’s
assistant, and both he and the builder
would discuss chassidus while working.
Once while building a wall, they were
raptly involved in their chassidic
discussion, and unintentionally enclosed
Reb Shlomo on the opposite side of the
wall! When they realized this, they had to
break the wall and take him out.
The Frierdiker Rebbe writes that in
previous times, they would refer to one’s
livelihood as sustenance - ‫הנויח‬. However,
in America they say one is “making a
living” (implying that it is the essence of
one’s life).
One of the chassidim of stature of the
Rebbe Rashab became very involved in
the business of galoshes. Once the Rebbe
Rashab commented to him, “I have seen
feet in galoshes, but I have never seen a
‘head in galoshes’…”
My Broken Heart
continued from page one:
"A friend is it? Well, we will think about him
also," the Rebbe replied. "Come back in a
few hours."
"Well, the story has a happy ending,"
Rabbi Avraham concluded to his listen-
ers. "We returned to the Rebbe a few
hours later, the Rebbe took us into his
son, Yosef Yitzchak's office, said a few
words and left. His son imposed a stiff
fine on us; we had to learn tens of pages
of Talmud and Chassidut by heart. But
he accepted us back in! And that's the
story! How my broken heart got me back
into yeshiva."
Rabbi Mendel Futerfass, a well-known
Chassid who had been imprisoned many
years in Siberia, was also present at this
farbrengen, and he was the first to
comment. "Tell me, Reb Avraham, why
do you think he did that? What made
him accept you back into the yeshiva?"
"Like I said," Avraham replied, "that's
the point of the story. Because I wanted
so much to learn in Lubavitch that I
actually wept! That's how much a person
should want Chassidut; that his heart is
breaking!"
"Nope!" said Reb Mendel. "You're
wrong. Your broken heart is not what got
you into Lubavitch. The reason the
Rebbe took you back was because you
worried for your friend! You thought of
another Jew! That's why he took you
back! Because of your Ahavat
Yisroel (brotherly love)!"

Adapted by Yrachmiel Tilles from the

Seeing the Geula rendition of Rabbi Tuvia Bolton, in his
weekly email for his yeshiva Ohr
Tmimim (www.ohrtmimim.org/torah),
who heard it from Rabbi Yosef Zaltzman,
The Rebbe explains that through learning Chassidus, one can enjoy a foretaste of the the grandson of Rabbi Avraham.
revelation of Hashem that will exist when Moshiach comes.
Rabbi Tilles of Tsfat, is a co-founder of
One should therefore prepare for Moshiach by learning and experiencing the light of ASCENT. His email list for stories is in
Chassidus. its 24th year. To join the list a/o his
On another occasion, the Rebbe said that our service today should be to see and feel WhatsApp group for Saturday night
the geula (redemption) in the world. We should therefore study Chassidus and learn Audio, Video and Zoom stories, go to
about the geula in a manner that brings us to recognize the geula. AscentOfSafed.com or WhatsApp +972-
526-770-137.
(the Rebbe, Likutei Sichot, vol 20, pg. 173; Sefer HaSichot 5752, vol. 1, pg. 152)
Chabad Mashpia of Jerusalem Question: A while back you wrote that we
should look for these three things in a prospec-
Tens of locals and respected rabbonim tive spouse: 1. a shared commitment to build-
gathered in the Baal HaTanya shul [in ing a Jewish home; 2. good character traits; 3.
Meah Shearim] to mark the 21st yahr- an emotional connection - meshichat halev. I
zeit of the famous mashpia of have been dating a young man and he checks all
Yerushalayim, R’ Moshe Veber, a”h. those boxes. Yet, there are things about him that
I wish were different. Should I marry with the
Rabbi Weber was appointed by hope that he will change.
the Previous Rebbe to be mashpia in
yeshivas Toras Emes, where he taught Answer: When a person comes for marriage
and advised students for many years. counseling, they usually begin by voicing their
He was later appointed by the Rebbe complaints against their spouse. They are frus-
as mashpia of Chabad Chassidim in trated and unhappy, their expectations remain
Yerushalayim. unfulfilled, and they feel increasingly distant
from their spouse. Their message is: if only he/
Following the Six-Day War, Rabbi she would change things would be better.
Yet, the issue is usually not their spouse. The
marriage is built on a shaky foundation. We
Cooking Tip of the Week Weber established the tefillin stand at are taught in Pirkei Avos 5:16: A love that is
the Kotel plaza which he tended him- dependent on something, when the thing ceases,
Pargiot for Pesach: An easy way self every day for hours. He was the love also ceases. But a love that is not de-
to make pargiot: Marinate them in known to many ba’alei teshuva and pendent on anything never ceases. The founda-
fresh squeezed orange juice. In a others who enjoyed his hospitality for tion of a stable marriage is acceptance. Behav-
sautée pan with olive oil or shmaltz Shabbos meals in his modest home in iors, interests, appearance, etc., are all external
thinly slice three onions and place Meah Shearim. manifestations. If one loves their spouse be-
on pan with two peeled and sliced cause of these things, they are not loving the
sweet potatoes. Heat and cook till spouse, they are loving things about their
soft. Top with the pargiot and cook The yahrzeit gathering was addressed
by prominent Rebbes and Rabbonim spouse. And, what happens should these things
till done. If you prefer you can cube change?
the pargiot. Covering the pan while including Rabbi Yekusiel Far-
they are cooking is not necessary kash, Rov and posek in Yerushalayim, Yet, how can a love not be “dependent on any-
Rabbi Tuvia Zilberstorm, Rov of thing”? Shouldn’t a husband or wife be able to
but will keep in the moisture. Salt to
Shikun Chabad in Yerushalayim, the list the reasons for their love? No. The reason
taste.
Rebbes of Toldos Ahron, Zvhil, Pinks for the love is simply: I love and accept them
Alizah Hochstead, -Karlin, Kretchnif-Sighet, and others. because they are my spouse. The list expresses
alizahh@hotmail.com Source: Anash.org positive qualities, but is not the reason for love.
In addition, imperfections should not be obsta-
cles to acceptance; they are normal. We come
Halacha Corner – Using Another’s Tefilin into this world so we can grow. Imperfections
enable us to deepen our empathy and acceptance
We may use another’s tefilin if we do not have our own pair, since the hala- of our spouse.
chah is a person is glad when a mitzvah is done with his money or posses-
sions. Therefore, we can assume that a person would not mind if his tefilin In short: acceptance = harmony; lack of ac-
are used by another Jew to do a mitzvah. However, there are a number of ceptance = conflict. Of course, there are excep-
conditions that must be met: tions. Some behaviors are unacceptable and
should not be tolerated And, some expectations
Firstly, borrowing another’s tefilin without his knowledge and explicit per- are healthy and should be maintained. However,
mission should not become habitual; it should only be done temporarily, if by and large, many marriage problems stem
we do not have our own tefilin for some reason. Secondly, we should put from a lack of acceptance. When there is ac-
away the tefilin properly, and not leave them unwound. Thirdly, we may not ceptance there is closeness.
take them out of the shul, even if we plan on bringing them back; we may use
them only in the room where the owner left them. According to many opin- Marrying with the hope that your husband will
ions, we are required to put them back in the same spot where we found change is risky. If change does not occur you
them. The fourth condition is that we can only make the assumption that a may become unhappy, frustrated or even resent-
person would approve of our using his tefilin if he is not present; if the owner ful. Once you decide to marry, be prepared to
is present, we should ask express permission before using his tefilin. There is accept your husband as he is. Growth can hap-
a minority opinion among poskim that even if a person yells, “I do not let you pen, but marital harmony should not be depend-
use my tefilin!” we may use them anyway, but the majority of poskim disa- ent on whether your husband will change.
gree. Aharon Schmidt - marriage, family and individ-
Rav Yosef Yeshaya Braun, shlita, Mara D’asra & member of the Badatz of ual counseling. For appointment or to share
Crown Heights, 1 Minute Halacha, Issue #32, crownheightsconnect.com question: coachingandcounseling1@gmail.com