PARSHAT - KORACH

As we read in the Torah portion of Korach, the kohanim, the priests, were given only the finest of all the offerings that were brought by the Jewish people. These contributions consisted of all kinds of commodities and were of the hightest quality.

Likewise, every Jew must dedicate the better part of himself to his Divine service.

Maimonides writes: "The law, as it pertains to everything that is for the sake of G-d, is that it must come from the finest and the best. For example, when one is feeding a hungry person, he should be served the tastiest and sweetest food on one's table. When one clothes a poor man, he should be given the nicest garment. When one builds a house of prayer, the edifice should be more beautiful than one's private abode, as it states, 'All the best to the L-rd.' "

Another commodity to be dedicated to G-d, is time.

Time is extremely precious; it is therefore fitting that a person dedicate the very best portion of the day to G-d.

In the morning, the beginning of our day, when our mind is still at ease it is the most appropriate time of day to dedicate ourselves to holy matters.

One way to do this is to thank G-d immediately upon arising by declaring "Modeh Ani," thanking Him for having restored our souls. Another way is to reserve the first few hours of the day for prayer and Torah study.

Just as the contributions that were made to the priests were of the highest quality, so too must the very best of whatever we possess be reserved for our service of G-d. For it is in this manner that we merit the fulfillment of the Priestly Blessing, "May the L-rd bless you and guard you".
Shabbat Shalom!

The Rebbe

GIMMEL TAMMUZ - REBBE!

The third day of the Hebrew month of Tamuz marks the 15th yahrtzeit, the anniversary of the passing, of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, of righteous memory.

The Rebbe touched the lives of millions. He taught, advised, encouraged, and gave meaning to the lives of so many. And, most of all, he cared for every human being, and dearly loved every Jew.

It is a day to increase our energy, enthusiasm and joy in fulfilling our life's mission. It is a particularly auspicious time for all of us to reflect on the extraordinary lessons of the Rebbe's life and to try and perpetuate his enormous legacy of contagious love to all.

On this auspicious day, please join Jews worldwide in increasing in Torah study, reciting an additional prayer, and increasing in acts of charity. Let us also try and apply some of the Rebbe's care and selfless dedication to our own family and friends. There can be no more fitting tribute to the Rebbe than millions of good deeds, performed on his day.

In this merit may we see the coming of Moshiach immediately.

Rebbe, (#4) Yearning for Moshiach

"From the time I was a child attending Cheder", writes the Rebbe, "and even earlier than that, there began to take form in my mind a vision of the future Redemption. The redemption of Israel from its last exile, redemption such as would explicate the suffering, the decrees and the massacres of exile."

One of the principles of Judaism is faith in the fulfillment of G-d's promise for a peaceful and perfect world that will be ushered in with the arrival of Moshiach. Moshiach, according to Torah and the prophets, is a righteous person, a human being, whose personality and teaching will inspire the world to serve on G-d and to act in a peaceful and harmonious manner. Faith in the imminent coming of Moshiach is a constant. It has kept the Jewish spirit and hope alive in good times and bad - ever since we were exiled from our land some 2,000 years ago.

And this was the Rebbe's ultimate desire: to see the world perfected, to see the fruition of Creation's very purpose - that the world become an abode for the Divine. Hence, the Rebbe's overarching desire for the coming of Moshiach and the era of redemption.
In his own words, the Rebbe described himself "obsessed" with Moshiach.

The Rebbe yearned for Moshiach not only because it would bring an end to the world's pain and suffering, but moreover, because the era of Moshiach is the ultimate destiny of the world and the purpose for which it was created.

As one who was able to see things from a broader and higher perspective, the Rebbe saw all of Jewish history as a continuous path leading toward the ultimate goal of Creation.
So too, the Rebbe saw every positive action of each individual as a redemptive act in its own right, and a step on the road to global Redemption.

Thanks to the Rebbe, the idea of Moshiach is no longer an abstraction. The redemption is an outgrowth of our actions.

Rebbe, (#3)

Gimmel Tammuz, the third day of the Hebrew month of Tammuz, [the anniversary of the passing of the Lubavitcher Rebbe] is a day of reflection for all those whose lives have been touched by the Rebbe. Upon contemplating the Rebbe - the depth and breadth of his knowledge, his inventiveness, his piety, etc. - what shines above all else is that he is a Rebbe, a leader. He is an individual whose entire existence is defined by his service to others: his people and ultimately the whole world.

When we contemplate the Rebbe, we experience true leadership.

The Rebbe doesn't compromise our free will, he helps us exercise it. And whenever he senses us falling back he is right there to keep us going on the linear course that is truly in our best interest.

It has been said that what makes the Rebbe unique is that rather than get us to believe in him, he believes in us and he makes us believe in ourselves.

Above all else, the Rebbe and his leadership represent deed. We live in a world of action. Thus, we must define spirituality with actions. In this world, all good intentions and deep spiritual experiences must be translated into practical action.

Every person is aware of the special corner in his soul that is his point of spirituality-kindness and righteousness. We must give this spark of innate spirituality expression through deed.

A little of charity, a prayer, a mitzva (commandment) - these are concrete physical acts that give expression to our spiritual selves.

Our spirituality does not require massive acts to prove that it is authentic. The little things, simple deeds, are also appreciated. Do one mitzva if that is all you can offer at this moment. For one good deed will eventually inspire many more good deeds.

Ultimately, all our deeds will add up that will collectively transform the world to a good, kind and principled reality-a Messianic World!

The vision and direction of the Rebbe moves forward. Let us follow the Rebbe's lead and move forward until the coming of Moshiach.

Rebbe, #2 - Previous Rebbe.

Rosh Chodesh Tamuz, the head of the Hebrew month Tamuz.

In the year 1927, The Previous Lubavitcher Rebbe, was informed by the Soviet authorities that he would be released from prison on Rosh Chodesh Tamuz, which was on a Thursday that year. The Rebbe was given permission to visit with his family for six hours, after which a train would take him to the far-off regions of the east to serve a three-year sentence in exile, for the "crime" of disseminating Judaism.

When the Rebbe learned that the train would arrive at its destination on Shabbat, he adamantly refused to this arrangement. "I will absolutely not travel on Shabbat!" he declared.

His jailers then threatened that if he did not go along with their plans, not only would he not be allowed to see his family, but he would have to serve a longer term in prison. The Rebbe replied, "I will remain in jail as long as necessary, but I will not travel on Shabbat!"

According to Jewish law, it is quite possible that the Rebbe would have been permitted to board the train, for reasons of pikuach nefesh which is saving a Jewish life. Nonetheless, he refused to do so, and remained in jail until the third of Tamuz.

The Rebbe knew that the danger to his life increased with every additional minute spent in prison. But his desire to sanctify the Name of G-d was an even stronger consideration.

Had the Rebbe, a public figure, agreed to be freed from prison with full knowledge that it entailed the desecration of Shabbat, it would have caused the exact opposite of a sanctification of G-d's Name. The Rebbe's conscious decision to remain in prison prevented this from happening.

The Previous Rebbe stood firm and immovable, demonstrating an extreme level of self-sacrifice. When it comes to sanctifying the Name of G-d, there is no room for hesitation or doubt.

HOLY BOOKS

The Lubavitcher Rebbe urges us to purchase Torah books and conspicuously display them throughout our home. Creating a Torah environment through these Torah books creates a subtle yet constant atmosphere of holiness, inspiring and affecting our Jewish thought and practice and ultimately encouraging us to learn its teachings and enhancing our lives, one book at a time.

But even if the books lie dormant on their shelves, said the Rebbe, their mere presence will permeate the entire home, positively influencing those who reside there.

The following is a basic starter's suggestion's guide of Torah books.

Chumash: "The Five Books of Moses." G-d dictates, Moses transcribes and we get to have the book in our home.

Tehillim: "The Psalms of David." The book our great-grandparents poured their hearts and tears into.

Siddur: "Jewish Prayer Book." It took 120 sages and prophets to compose one way for all Jews to talk to one G-d.

Tanach: a.k.a "The Bible." In it is prophecy and Divinely inspired writing that the sages determined would be needed for every generation. We need to make sure though, we get the authentic Jewish kind.

Talmud: Voluminous compendium of discussion, debates and anecdotes that defined Jewish practice at the outset of the Diaspora.

"Rambam." Is the first comprehensive codification of Jewish law and practice. Compiled by Mamonidies.

The Code of Jewish Law. That is a guide to Jewish practice for everyone.

Tanya: The most important work of Chassidic teachings, blending and balancing the mystical and practical aspects of classic Jewish thought.

Sacred Jewish books displayed at home will subconsciously express our appreciation for and reverence to these books, their values, their history and their content.

PARSHAT- SHLACH

Sh'lach, means "Send" - This parsha narrates the story of the twelve spies who were sent on a special mission to the land of Israel.

The spies had been instructed to scout out the land in order to determine the optimal strategy the Jews should employ to conquer it. Indeed, when they returned from their mission they gave their report on the land and its inhabitants.

However, in addition to providing the information they were requested to obtain, the spies ventured their own opinion about the mission itself: "We will not be able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we!" they declared.

G-d hadn't asked the spies whether or not they thought conquering the land was possible. Their mission was solely a fact-finding mission; thus, adding their own opinion and discouraging the Jewish people from fulfilling G-d's request was a transgression.

An emissary is required to carry out his mission to the best of his ability, no more and no less. Altering that mission to accommodate his own thoughts and feelings is a distortion of the very mission with which he was entrusted.

In truth, every Jew is an emissary of G-d, Who caused him to be born into this world in order to fulfill a unique mission. For the mission of every Jew is to transform his surroundings into -- a "dwelling place for G-d" -- through the performance of Torah and mitzvot.

As G-d's emissary the Jew is required to "scout out the land" -- to determine the best possible method of fulfilling his assignment. Each individuals circumstances will determine whether that's through strengthening his observance of Shabbat, keeping the laws of kashrut more carefully, lighting Shabbat candles or putting on tefilin.

G-d doesn't ask the Jew if it's possible to attain his goal; the very fact that he's been sent on his mission to bring G-dliness into the world indicates that the "land" can indeed be conquered.

Furthermore, no matter how difficult the mission may seem, a Jew must never arrive at the conclusion of the spies and despair of ever being victorious.

Yes, a Jew is entrusted with a special mission, but G-d has given him the power and capacity to fulfill his mission. Bearing this in mind is the key to being successful.
Shabbat shalom!

Kiddush Hashem - STORY

Relates the Rebbe of Bluzhov:

"Each morning at dawn, the Germans would lead us out of the camp for a day of hard labor. We were given a huge saw and expected to cut its quota of logs. One day, as I pushed the heavy saw, I was approached by a young woman who was evidently in an extremely weak physical state. "Rebbe," she whispered to me, "do you have a knife?"

I immediately understood her intention. "My daughter," I begged, concentrating all the love and conviction in my heart. "Do not take your own life. I know that your life is now a living hell, from which death seems a blessed release. But we must never lose hope. With G-d's help, we will survive this ordeal and see better days."

But the woman seemed oblivious to my words. "A knife", she repeated. "I must have a knife. Now."

At that moment, one of the German guards approached us. "What did she say to you?" He demanded of me.

We both froze. Conversing during work was a grave transgression.

"I asked him for a knife", the woman said. And to my horror, she then addressed her request to the guard: "Give me a knife!"

The German, too, guessed her intention, and a devilish smile flickered on his lips. He had seen the bodies of those who, out of desperation, threw themselves during the night on the electrified fence, but this would be a novel sight for him. Still smiling, he reached into his pocket and handed her a small knife.

Taking the knife, she bent over a small bundle of rags. Quickly unraveling the bundle, she took out a tiny infant. Before our astonished eyes, she swiftly and skillfully circumcised the week-old boy.

"Blessed are You, G-d our G-d, King of the Universe," she recited in a clear voice, "Who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us to enter him into the covenant of Abraham our Father."

Cradling the child in her arms, she soothed his cries. "Master of the Universe!" she cried out "Eight days ago you gave me a child. I know that neither I nor he will long survive in this accursed place. But now, when you take him back, you will receive him as a complete Jew."

And she handed the knife back to the German."

Kiddush Hashem #2 Chananya, Mishael & Azarya

Chananya, Mishael and Azarya were three great Jewish princes who occupied a prominent place in Nebuchadnezzar's court in Babylon. These Jewish youths, however, remained true to their religion, observing the laws of the Torah.

Nebuchadnezzar's haughtiness and pride knew no limits. He decided that all mankind must recognize him as a divine being, and must bow down to an idol that he set up. Whosoever would disobey would be burned to death in a specially prepared furnace.

All the people threw themselves to the ground in obeying the royal decree. That is, everyone, excepting three men who remained standing, and they were, of course, Chananya, Mishael and Azarya.

A terrible anger seized the king. "How dare you disobey my orders!" he snarled.

"You are a powerful king," they answered. "We serve you devotedly, as king, but not as a god. We have only one G-d and nothing can stop us worshipping Him alone."

"Into the furnace with them, and burn them alive!" screamed the enraged Nebuchadnezzar.

The three faithful Jews were thrown into the roaring furnace. At that moment the great miracle occurred! The Angel Gabriel came down from Heaven to protect the three pious Jews from the flames.

The king himself ran to the furnace to witness the great wonder. He watched in awe as Chananya, Mishael and Azarya were walking in the midst of the fire, unharmed. Their clothes not even singed.

Nebuchadnezzar called to Chananya, Mishael and Azarya to come out of the fire. And there was a great sanctification of G-d's Holy Name.

"Where did you learn such staunch devotion?" they were asked in awe.

"We learned a lesson from the frogs of the second plague in Egypt," they replied. "G-d had commanded the frogs to enter the Egyptian ovens. These creatures did not earn reward or punishment, yet, even so, they obeyed G-d's command without hesitation. We Jews, whom G-d has commanded so many times in the Holy Torah not to serve idols, are certainly duty-bound to go into fire, if necessary, to sanctify G-d's name."

Kiddush Hashem #1

Positive Commandment # 9 is Kiddush HaShem - Sanctifying G-d's Name.
We are proud to be Jews and are commanded to make this known to others.

When a Jewish man wears a Kippah so that everyone can see that he is Jewish or when a Jewish girl lights the Shabbat candles for all to see, basically, when we fulfill the Mitzvot with pride and dignity - we announce to the world that we believe in G-d and the Torah.

If someone tries to force us to deny G-d and His Torah, we must remain loyal. Over the centuries, from when Abraham was thrown in a fiery furnace, literally millions of Jews in every era of history have chosen death rather than deny their bond to G-d.

Generally, today, the concept of kiddush Hashem, sanctifying the name of G-d, is observed not by dying as Jews but by living as Jews. When other people see a Jew behaving honestly and uprightly that gives Jews and Judaism a good reputation.

So for example, when we return money if we were given the incorrect change, even though it is the honest thing to do, but the fact that others might have kept quiet about it, sanctifies G-d's name. When we act with honor we bring honor to our faith and G-d.

Then we have the Negative Mitzvah of Desecrating the name of G-d.

Everything a Jew does, has an effect on the way others look at the Jewish people and the Torah. The Torah expects a Jew to behave in a proper and fitting manner.

If a person follows the Mitzvot and acts in a just manner, other people will notice him and praise G-d and His chosen nation. If however, the individual does not act properly, people will see and criticize, not only the person himself, but G-d and His nation.
This is called - a desecration of G-d's name.

Fair or not, the fact of life is that Jews are scrutinized far more carefully than others. Like it or not, every Jew is representing his faith, his people and his G-d. Ultimately, how we act will bring fame or infamy upon all of us. May we all be successful ambassadors.

Today's one minute of Torah is sponsored in memory of, Yehoshua Heschel, one who exemplified - 'an honest and upright Jew', thereby sanctifying G-d's name. May his soul be elevated.

House of Holy Books

A container is defined by its contents. Take a carton of milk, for example. If it's empty, you'll say, "Pass the carton." But if it contains even a little milk, you'll say, "Pass the milk." So too, our home is also defined by the most important things inside it. And some of the most important items in our home (aside from those who live there) are the Torah books lining the shelves and scattered about.

Just one of those holy books, the Lubavitcher Rebbe said, is enough to redefine our entire environment. Our home is now transformed from just another house to a shining source of wisdom.

It's also an identity thing: the books we buy and place in our homes is one of the ways that establish who we are -- for ourselves, and for those who visit our homes. So when we fill our home with Torah books, we thus create a Torah environment and an identity for us and our family.

And who knows? We, or one of our kids, may just be tempted to pick up one of those books and read a little of it.

When G-d authored the Torah, He put His essence and being into it. That’s why we treat Torah books with respect: We kiss them if they fall to the ground, we are careful to always place them right-side up and we never use them for anything other than reading and study.

Of course, the more books the better. However, the basic minimum of a Chumash (the Five Books of Moses), a Tehillim (Book of Psalms) and a Siddur (Prayer Book) are suggested, and from there one can expand.