PESACH - Seder - To Reenact/leaving mitzrayim

When The French Emperor, Napoleon,  was running for his life, retreating through Russia with his armies, he once ran into a store to hide. The sympathetic French bed-shop owner hid him under a pile of mattresses. Moments later, Russian soldiers came charging in demanding to know the whereabouts of Napolean. "He is not here, ," said Pierre, the store owner. One soldier seeing the pile of mattresses, dug his sword right in. "If he's hiding under there he's surely dead by now" he said.
And they left the shop
But the sword missed Napoleon.. "Pierre," Napolean said to the store-owner,"you saved my life! How can I repay you?"
"I have everything I need, thank you," replied Pierre. " But tell me, what did it feel like hiding under those mattresses?"
Napoleon was livid. " What!?? -Do you know who you're talking to?! I am Napoleon the Emperor of the French empire!" he roared.
"Guards! Take him to the firing squad,".
Poor Pierre was standing with his hands tied behind his back, whispering his last prayers. Four soldiers drew their guns, awaiting the order to fire.
Suddenly Napoleon appeared. "Free this man!" he commanded. He then turned to Pierre and said, 
"You wanted to know how I felt under those mattresses, "Now you know."

---

While historians can debate whether this actually happened, we can certainly take a lesson from it.
When we commemorate the Exodus, everything that we do to reenact the story helps us to actualize the experience. By eating matzah, specifically handmade matzah, as our ancestors prepared in Egypt, we relive the episode in a dramatic and genuine way. We recall the haste in which the Jews left Egypt—they didn't even have time to let the dough rise. Through eating bitter herbs, we remember the bitterness of the slavery. With the drinking of four cups of wine, we relive the joy of liberty, reclining expansively like free men.
like them, we too can experience true freedom from our oppressors--be they the "Pharaohs," psychological inhibitions or spiritual obstacles. On the night of the Seder we are released from their chains. It is a night when our essential spark is permitted to shine; when we overcome the limitations that prevent us from being the person that we want to be.

TZAV - Shabbos Hagadol

This week'sTorah portion is called Tzav. Tzav means “Command.” It expresses a command from G‑d about the donation of offerings in the Sanctuary, relating to the general concept of giving charity. But Tzav also means: “Connect.” It expresses the idea that G‑d’s laws establish a connection between the individual and G‑d.
The very fact that G‑d has issued a command to the person imparts a sense of significance to that person’s life. He or she is now bonded with G-d by a Divine instruction. The Lubavitcher Rebbe points out that this connection is there even if the person does not fulfill the instruction. As the Sages put it, “even though he sinned, he is a Jew.” The fact that the 613 commands in the Torah are addressed to the individual gives that person a significant role and purpose. And of course, this role is properly fulfilled by observance of the commands. Yet the person who does not yet observe them has not lost his role in the system.
When it comes to a command such as charity, in which one has to give something away, we all need encouragement. The Sages tell us that this is the force of the word “Tzav” : to give us encouragement through the generations. The encouragement is the knowledge that through this command of G-d we are truly connected with Him.

This Shabbat, is the Shabbat before  Pesach it's called Shabbat haGadol, the Great Shabbat.

When the Jews were in Egypt, they were commanded on that day to take a lamb and tie it to the bedpost. Which they were later to bring as a Pesach sacrifice. The lamb was the god for the Egyptians and so when they saw this it made them very angry but they could not utter a sound in protest.
Many miracles were performed at that time, so we refer to this day as Shabbat haGadol.
We have a custom on this shabbat to read a portion of the Haggadah which tells the story of the Exodus

PARSHA - TZAV. Aish Tomid.... persevere....

This week's Torah Portion, Tzav, continues on the theme of offerings. When the temple stood, and offerings were brought, it was common to bring an offering for a special occasion, such as an offering of gratitude or an offering of atonement. However, there were also routine offerings that were brought on a daily basis and all of these offerings were placed on the very same altar, using the same fire, the ‘Aish Tamid’ - the eternal flame.

In this week’s reading, it speaks of this fire, and the verse says; "Aish tamid..... “An eternal flame shall burn upon the altar, it shall not be extinguished.” (6:6)

A double expression here - eternal flame and it shall not be extinguished - This is the teaching of consistency. A flame that is eternal—meaning that is constantly being fed—is one that will never be extinguished.

To bring an offering in a time of inspiration, when one is overwhelmed with remorse, or with gratitude, requires little effort. But to bring a routine offering, day in and day out, with that same excitement and inspiration, now, that's hard work. Yet all offerings, both unusual and routine, were offered on the same ‘eternal, constant’ flame.

The key to lasting success is perseverance - keeping at it - continuously , through the easy times and the hard. When we start something it is easy to find the passion and excitement to get started. A week later, a month later or years later, that is when we need the perseverance to keep the momentum.

We all have something in our lives which need constant attention, passion and perseverance to continue to grow - this week's torah reading infuses us with 'perseverance energy' to keep the flames alive and to continue to persevere towards success and fulfillment on a physical and spiritual level.

R' Moshe Leib Sassover - Helps Jew....

Rabbi Moshe-Leib of Sassov once came to the marketplace in Yaroslav. He was passing among the vendors, checking the quality of the straw and hay for sale, when he met his friend, Rabbi Shimon of Yaroslav.

"Rebbe, what are you doing here?" Rabbi Shimon asked in surprise.

"Leave out my 'Rebbe' and your 'Rebbe' and come with me to carry a bale of hay to a poor widow who has no hay upon which to lay her broken body," the Sassover replied sharply.

The two holy leaders went together, hauling a bale of hay on their shoulders. Astonished bystanders stared in wonder and moved aside to make room for them to pass.

As they went, Rabbi Moshe-Leib remarked, "Were the Holy Temple standing today, we would be bringing sacrifices. Now we bring straw, and it is as though we have all the kavanot, the spiritual intentions, that come with offering the korban mincha sacrifice."

Rabbi Moshe Leib of Sassov was following in his father R' Yaakov's footsteps who would take a job before Pesach grinding wheat at the mill, not for himself, though he was also a poor man, but for a widow and orphan who lived in his neighborhood. And he did this despite his great love for the Torah, which he learned constantly.

R Moshe Leib Sossover, despite his greatness in Torah, did not worry about his honor when it came to performing acts of kindness for his fellow Jew.

The BNEI YISSASCHER/Father/Money/Eliyohu Hanavi

When the Bnei Yissascher was ten years old, his father spent the winter teaching children in a distant town at a Jewish-owned inn. One stormy blistering day there was a knock at the door; three half frozen Polish peasants were requesting a place to stay.

But when the innkeeper discovered that they didnt have sufficient funds to pay for even one night's stay, he sent them away. The Bnei yissascher's father, the school teacher, was shocked and offered to pay for their lodgings.

The peasants ended up staying for two weeks until the raging storm abated. They then thanked the schoolteacher and left.

With Pesach approaching, the schoolteacher, before going home to his family, went to the innkeeper to collect his salary. The innkeeper owed the teacher 40 rubles for teaching his children, but the teacher owed the innkeeper 43 rubles for the peasants stay that he had offered to pay. The innkeeper said he can bring the 3 rubles back when he returns after the Holiday.

The school teacher traveled to his village, but could not bring himself to go home empty handed. Meanwhile, his son the Bnei Yissascher heard that his father was back in town and ran with great emotion to him and begged him to come home. He wanted to show him his new shoes and clothes that his mommy bought -on credit, mind you, for the pesach holiday. This only made the father feel worse.

As they walked home, they saw a chariot rumbling down the street, hit a bump and a package fall out of it. The Bnei Yissascher's father picked up the package and ran after the coach but the coach turned a corner and disappeared. The father, seeing no distinguishing marks on the bag, understood that in such a situation it may be presumed that the owner would relinquish all hope of its recovery, and since there was no possible way for him to locate the owner, it was therefore his to keep. He opened it and found exactly 43 rubles.

The night of the seder, the Bnei Yissascher was given the merit to open the door for Eliyahu Hanavi. When he opened the door, he called to his father, "Ta, the coachman is here!" But there was no one there.

The Bnei Yissascher's father pulled the boy aside and told him that he must promise never to tell anyone this story until he was on his death bed.

This story was told by a student of the Bnei Yissascher, who heard it from the Bnei Yissascher on his death bed!

Change for the better TODAY

In the 16th century, an innocent Jew was thrown in prison by a feudal baron who gave him a life sentence. For some reason, this tyrannical baron decided to show the man a bit of mercy. He told him, "Look Jew, you're my prisoner for life, there's nothing that will change that. But this I will do for you: I will grant you one day of freedom a year during which you can return to your family. Do whatever you want. I don't care which day you choose. But remember, you have only one day a year."

The man was conflicted. Which day should he choose? Should he choose Rosh Hashanah, to hear the sounding of the shofar? Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the year? Passover, to celebrate a seder? His wedding anniversary?

This prisoner, not being able to make up his mind, wrote a letter to one of the rabbinic leaders of that generation, the Radbaz, asking for his advice.

The Radbaz said the prisoner should choose the first available day. Whatever it is, grab it now, don't wait — be it a holiday, a Shabbat, a Monday, a Wednesday.

This was a marvelous reply. More important, it holds true for us as well. We are psychological prisoners of our bad habits. We feel it is too difficult to summon the will to do things right. "I'm not ready yet. I can't change now. Maybe tomorrow, maybe next week etc." These excuses provide us with an escape from responsibility.

We are summoned to chart the path of repentance and self-renewal. Who we will become is dependent on the direction we choose now. We are only what we choose to be, and if we so choose, we can change.

And we don't have to wait for tomorrow. We can do it now.

Rebbe RASHAB - Yohrtzeit - STORY ....diamonds...

Today is the Yahrzeit of the 5th Chabad Rebbe, Reb Sholom DovBer, called the Rebbe Rashab.

Famed for his phenomenal mind and analytical treatment of Chabad Chassidism, Rabbi Sholom DovBer wrote and delivered some 2,000 discourses of Chassidic teaching over the 38 years of his leadership. In 1897, he established the Tomchei Temimim yeshivah, the first institution of Jewish learning to combine the study of the "body" of Torah (Talmudic and legal studies) with its mystical "soul" (the teachings of Chassidism); it was this unique yeshivah that produced the army of learned, inspired and devoted Chassidim who, in the decades to come, would literally give their lives to keep Judaism alive under Soviet rule.

The yahrtzeit of a Tzaddik is an auspicious day. A day to increase in Torah Learning, Prayer, Charity and acts of kindness.

One of the Rebbe Rashab's followers, Reb Monye Monissohn, was a wealthy gem dealer. Once, when they were sitting together, the Rebbe spoke very highly about some simple, unlearned Jews.
"Why do you make such a fuss about them?" Reb Monye asked the Rebbe.
"Each one of them has many special and noble qualities," explained the Rebbe.
"I can't see any of these qualities," said Reb Monye.
The Rebbe remained silent. A while later, he asked Reb Monye if he had brought his package of diamonds with him. Indeed, Reb Monye had brought the diamonds. Reb Monye took the Rebbe into a different room and arranged the diamonds for him to see. Reb Monye pointed to one gem in particular, extolling its beautiful color and quality.
"I can't see anything special in it," the Rebbe said.
"That is because you have to be a "maven" to know how to look at diamonds!" explained Reb Monye.
"Every Jew, too, is something beautiful and extra-ordinary," the Rebbe said.
"But you have to be a "maven" to know how to look at him."

When Moshiach comes.....

When Moshiach comes, the primary branch of Torah study will be the mystical dimension, which deals with knowledge of G-d's attributes and qualities.
And so if this is the case then how will we know how to observe the practical mitzvot?

Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi explains that in the future there will be no lapses of memory. Once we learn something, it will be imprinted in our memory forever. Memory loss is a manifestation of impurity, which will evaporate when Moshiach comes. Furthermore, any memories that we might have lost before Moshiach comes will be restored to us. Therefore, we won't need to dedicate as much time to memorizing the details of the Law, and will be able to spend the bulk of our time studying the inner dimensions of Torah.

Additionally, in the Messianic era we will be granted an extra level of understanding and from our study of the Torah's mystical dimensions, we will be able to infer all the practical laws of Jewish observance.

The Lubavitcher Rebbe adds that when Moshiach will come our evil inclination will be removed, and our nature and instincts will be transformed. Just a a young child instinctively draws his hand away from fire, we will have a natural aversion to those things forbidden by the Torah, and a natural inclination to do the things the Torah requires.

BITACHON. TRUST IN G-D

In response to a man who was troubled and downcast because of his many debts, the Rebbe wrote that his biggest trouble was his lack of bitachon in G-d, for that is the key to everything. The Rebbe encouraged the man to toil in strengthening his belief that even if there seems to be no way for matters to work out, he should nevertheless trust in G-d - for G-d works above nature, and thus all can be good.

Reb Shaul Ber Kobakov, a successful lumber merchant from the city of Minsk, was one of the followers of the 4th Chabad Rebbe the Rebbe Maharash (and later of the Rebbe Rashab). Once, when on a business trip, as he waited on the railway platform, he heard an announcement that his train would be delayed, so he decided to wash his hands and pray the evening prayer of Aravit. Another Jewish merchant who was also there and knowing that Reb Shaul Ber was not one to rush through his prayers, went over to him and warned him that his train would probably arrive before he finished the amidah prayer.

"That's of no interest to me," replied the Reb Shaul Ber. "Now is the time for Aravit, so now i will pray."

While he stood in a quiet corner and prayed for a full hour, the train came and left. When he finished, he waited for the next train and repeated to the other merchant that when it was time to pray nothing mattered to him, even his business.

Just then the next train clattered to a halt, but before the Reb Shaul Ber climbed on, whom did he see, stepping down from the train? It was none other than the owner of the forests to whom he was about to travel! That man came over and greeted him, explaining that he had waited for him at his station as they had planned, but when Reb Shaul Ber had not shown up, he had decided to travel to see him.
From this Reb Shaul Ber understood that he must be desperate to sell his forests, and was thus able to strike a good bargain

The sin of GOLDEN CALF - So what now?

In the Torah portion of Parshat Ki Tisa we read about the sin of the golden calf.

How was it possible that after all the miracles that the Jews witnessed, like the manna from heaven, the splitting of the sea and having heard the voice of G-d at Sinai, could they create a Golden Calf and turn to idolatry? It seemed that any likelihood of such a thing happening was most certainly out of the question. Nobody would believe that a People so religiously convinced could make such a turn around.
But time and again this is the story of human history, the most unexpected, the unthinkable DOES happen.

And but when that does happen, what should we make of it?
Well, once in the throes of dismal failure and disappointment, we can suddenly realize a new dimension that was impossible before. The Talmud explains the inexplicable about the golden calf that it was to give an opportunity to do Teshuva. G-d allowed this to come to bring awareness for future generations that one should never give up the belief that change and repentance is still possible.

Sometimes great unexpected tragedy occurs (G-d forbid), for it serves as an instrument later in creating within us a drive to do something that would truly change our lives. Somehow we could never have come to this thru normal circumstances.

G-d gives us difficult challenges that at the time make no sense. We search in vain only to realize later that this propelled us to a new level in achieving something we would other wise never do.

As the Rebbe says, "We have the power to transform pain into action and tears into growth".

Tracht Gut Vet Zayn Gut!! Think Good And It Will Be Good!

Once, Reb Michoel Beliner, a spiritual mentor,'s son fell deathly ill. The doctors said that there was nothing they could do. Reb Michoel's followers advised him to immediately travel to the 3rd Chabad Rebbe, the Tzemach Tzedek. Reb Michoel began to weep, saying that he would strongly like to go, but the doctors said that it was only a matter of hours, how could he now set out on the road? One of the older chassidim berated him. He quoted from the Talmud that one should never despair of being granted G-d's mercy, and added that surely the good angels would succeed in having the Heavenly verdict postponed until he reached the Rebbe. And so Reb Michoel set out on his trip.

Arriving in Lubavitch, Reb Michoel was fortunate to immediately have a private audience with the Rebbe.

R'Michoel later related: "When I entered the Rebbe's room and handed him my personal request for my son, I thought to myself, 'The doctors said it's only a few hours...,Who knows what has in the interim happened with my son? ' and I began to weep. But then the Rebbe read my note and said, 'Don't cry. You must have bitachon in G-d with simple trust that He will save your son. Tracht gut vet zien gut. (Think good and things will be good.) You will yet celebrate the bar-mitzvot of your grandsons!' "The Rebbe said.

Soon after, the bo recovered. And from then on, whenever Reb Michoel experienced difficulty he would bring to mind the luminous face of the Rebbe as he spoke those words, and the situation would actually change for the better.

The Rebbe explains that when a person places his full trust in G-d, feeling fully at ease with complete bitachon, that is enough for him to merit G-d's salvation. This is true even for someone who is seemingly undeserving, for toiling in strengthening his bitachon, that alone gives him the merit to be helped. That is the deeper message of the words of the Tzemach Tzedek, "Tracht gut" - "Think good and things will be good."

G-d exists! Story with barber....

A man went to the barber shop to have his hair cut. As the barber worked, they talked about different thngs. When they eventually touched on the subject of G-d the barber said:"I dont believe that G-d exists."

"Why do you say that?" asked the customer.

"Well, if G-d would be real would there be so many sick people? Would there be abandoned children? If G-d existed, there would be neither suffering nor pain. I can't imagine a loving father would allow all of these things."

The customer thought for a moment, but didn't respond. The barber finished his job and the customer left the shop. As he went outside, he saw a man in the street with long, stringy hair, dirty and unkempt.
The customer turned back and entered the barber shop again and said to the barber, "You know what? Barbers do not exist."

"How can you say that?" asked the surprised barber. "And I just worked on you!!"

"No!" the customer exclaimed. "Barbers don't exist because if they did, there would be no people with dirty long hair, like the man outside."

Ah but Barbers do exist!! "What happens is, people do not come to me."

"Exactly!" affirmed the customer. "Thats the point! G-d too does exist! What happens is people don't go to Him."

G-d is there for us. We just have to go to Him. Pray to Him. Connect with Him. And you will surely see there is a G-d!