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                         L'CHAIM - ISSUE # 687
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                           Copyright (c) 2001
                 Lubavitch Youth Organization - L.Y.O.
                              Brooklyn, NY
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             THE WEEKLY PUBLICATION FOR EVERY JEWISH PERSON
   Dedicated to the memory of Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka Schneerson N.E.
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        September 21, 2001     Vayeilech         4 Tishrei, 5762
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                            Reverse Biology

A person consists of a body and a soul-a physical envelope of flesh,
blood, sinew and bone, inhabited and vitalized by a spiritual force
described by the Chasidic masters as "literally a part of G-d above."

Common wisdom has it that spirit is loftier than matter, and the soul
holier (i.e., closer to the Divine) than the body. This concept seems to
be borne out by the fact that Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the
year-the day on which we achieve the height of intimacy with G-d-is
ordained by the Torah as a fast day, a day on which we seemingly abandon
the body and its needs to devote ourselves exclusively to the spiritual
activities of repentance and prayer.

In truth, however, a fast day brings about a deeper relationship with
the body. When a person eats, he is nourished by the food he ingests. On
a fast day, vitality comes from the body itself, from energy stored in
its cells. In other words, on less holy days, it is an outside force
(the energy in one's food) that keeps body and soul together; on Yom
Kippur, the union of body and soul derives from the body itself.

Yom Kippur thus offers a taste of the ultimate state of creation known
as the "World to Come." The Talmud tells us that "in the World to Come,
there is neither eating nor drinking"-a statement that is sometimes
understood to imply that in its most perfect state, creation is wholly
spiritual, devoid of bodies and all things physical. Kabalistic and
Chasidic teaching, however, describe the World to Come as a world in
which the physical dimension of existence is not abrogated, but is
preserved and elevated. The fact that there is "neither eating or
drinking" in the World to Come is not due to an absence of bodies and
physical life, but to the fact that in this future world, "the soul will
be nourished by the body" itself, and the symbiosis of matter and spirit
that is man will not require any outside sources of nutrition to sustain
it.

The physical and the spiritual are both creations of G-d. Both were
brought into being by Him out of utter nothingness, and each bears the
imprint of its Creator in the particular qualities that define it.

The spiritual, with its transcendence of time and space, reflects the
infinity and sublimity of G-d. The spiritual is also naturally
submissive, readily acknowledg-ing its subservience to a higher truth.
It is these qualities that make the spiritual "holy" and a vehicle of
relationship with G-d.

The physical, on the other hand, is tactual, egocentric and
immanent-qualities that brand it "mundane," that mark it as an
obfuscation, rather than a revelation, of the divine truth. For the
unequivocal "I am" of the physical belies the truth that "there is none
else besides Him"-that G-d is the sole source and end of all existence.

Ultimately, however, everything comes from G-d; every feature of His
creation has its source in Him and serves to reveal His truth. So on a
deeper level, the qualities that make the physical "unholy" are the
qualities that make it the most G-dly. For what is the "I am" of the
physical if not an echo of the unequivocal being of G-d? What is the
tactility of the physical if not an intimation of the absoluteness of
His reality? What is the "selfishness" of the physical if not an
offshoot of the exclusivity of "There is none else besides Him"?

Today, the physical world shows us only its most superficial face, in
which the divine characteristics stamped in it are corrupted as a
concealment of G-dliness. Today, when the physical object conveys to us
"I am," it bespeaks not the reality of G-d but an independent existence
that challenges the divine truth. But in the World to Come, the product
of the labor of a hundred generations to sanctify the material world
toward a G-dly end, the true face of the physical will come to light.

In the World to Come, the physical, in many respects, will surpass the
spiritual as a conveyor of G-dliness. For while the spiri-tual expresses
various divine characteristics, the physical expresses the being of G-d.

Today, the body must look to the soul as its moral guide, as its source
of awareness and appreciation of all things divine. But in the World to
Come, "the soul will be nourished by the body." The physical body will
be a source of identification that is loftier than the soul's own
spiritual vision.

Yom Kippur is a taste of this future world of reverse biology. It is
thus a day on which we are "sustained by hunger," deriving our
sustenance from the body itself. On this holiest of days, the body
becomes a source of life and nurture rather than its recipient.

              Adapted by Yanki Tauber from an address by the Rebbe.
          Reprinted from The Week in Review, www.meaningfullife.com

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           LIVING WITH THE REBBE  -  THE WEEKLY TORAH PORTION
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There is a difference of opinion in the Talmud as to how atonement is
achieved on Yom Kippur. Most Sages maintain that Yom Kippur atones for a
person's sins only if he does teshuva (repents). Rabbi Yehuda Hanasi,
however, contends that repentance is unnecessary, and that the holiness
of the day itself effects atonement.

The issue is not whether the sanctity of Yom Kippur atones for sins or
not; about that, all are in agreement. According to both opinions, a
person who does not repent cannot attain the same level of atonement as
one who does. The controversy is only over how the atonement of Yom
Kippur is effected.

According to Rabbi Yehuda Hanasi, the G-dly revelation of the "essence
of the day" automatically atones for transgressions. The other Sages
maintain that in order to reach the higher level of atonement of the
"essence of the day," a person must first do teshuva. Having already
repented, he can then attain the loftier level that only Yom Kippur can
bring about.

Atonement means that a person's misdeeds have been forgiven and he will
not be punished. However, the true meaning of atonement is that the
person's soul has been purified. When a person sins, his soul becomes
defiled. Atonement removes all traces of the sin's impression. When a
Jew does teshuva, even his deliberate misdeeds are considered as merits.

A Jew's attachment to G-d exists on many levels. The first level is
achieved through mitzvot. When a Jew accepts the yoke of heaven, he
forges a connection with G-d.

Then there is the deeper level of connection that expresses itself in
repentance. If a Jew transgresses G-d's command, it weakens his
relationship with G-d. This disturbs him greatly and prompts him to
repent.

The impetus for teshuva emanates from this deep-seated level of
attachment. By doing teshuva, all taint of sin is removed, and the bond
with G-d is strengthened. Yet even this level is limited in the absolute
sense.

The loftiest level is that of the intrinsic connection between the soul
and G-d's essence. Completely above all limitations, it transcends even
the expression of repentance. A bond of this nature cannot be created
through man's actions, nor can it be improved upon. It exists, purely
and simply, solely by virtue of the Jewish soul, a "veritable part of
G-d above."

Because it is so essential, this highest degree of connection with G-d
cannot be weakened by anything, not even by sin. It is untouched by a
Jew's repentance or lack thereof. Thus, as regards the supreme level of
our relationship with G-d, the "essence of the day" of Yom Kippur
achieves atonement.

The lower levels of our connection with G-d require that we actually
repent, removing all hindrances to our relationship. But on the highest
level that is completely untouched by sin, the atonement of Yom Kippur
itself is sufficient.

                            Adapted from Volume 4 of Likutei Sichot

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                             SLICE OF LIFE
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                      From Behind the Iron Curtain
                          by Rabbi Rafael Kahn

(Excerpted from Behind the Iron Curtain, Rabbi Kahn's narrative of his
three years imprisonment for his efforts on behalf of Torah Education.)

On the eve of Yom Kippur the official returned from his tour of the
neighboring villages and sent a message that an "ice breaker" ship was
unable to reach the shore to unload its good. Therefore, we should go
and manually transfer its cargo.

It was the solemn day before Yom Kippur and since the message was given
in a general way and no specific persons were designated for the task I
decided to remain behind. On the morrow, the holy day of Yom Kippur
itself, the emissary appeared again and this time commanded that all of
us report to the official. This was the normal procedure for all exiles
wherever located: to report regularly to the local administrative
official. In the village of Yum we had been required to report weekly.
As we stood in line I observed that the official made inquiries of each
person and then the prisoner was required to sign his name. In my turn I
replied to all questions but when he handed me the form to sign I said,
"Today is a Jewish holiday, Yom Kippur, and it is forbidden to write." I
added that though we had been required to report regularly in Yum and
our presence recorded we had never been compelled to sign.

The official was infuriated. He stood up and shouted: "Have you come
here to introduce matters of religion? There is no such thing in this
area!" I remained silent and did not sign. Afterwards the official
announced that I was to report to him every five days. We were free to
go. Our next appearance was to be on the first day of  the Sukot
holiday.

Before Sukot I had been concerned about the means for building a suka.
There was no s'chach material available with which it would be
permissible to cover the suka. The area at the entrance of our man-made
cave sufficed for the walls of the suka but I had nothing with which to
cover it. I was informed by local people that about 30 kilometers away
reeds grew that were slightly less than a meter in size.

Among the prisoners was a Professor of Metallurgy from the city of
Kostrama and his name was Vasilov. He was an old bachelor, impoverished
and oppressed by his circumstances and had no relatives to send him
material support. We others would receive packages and money from our
homes from time to time but he received nothing.

I gave him two portions of cake from the baked goods sent to me from
home and he reciprocated by journeying and bringing the s'chach to me.
Thus did I finally acquire a suka. But I did not merit having it for a
long period of time. On the second night of Sukot I was imprisoned with
two tribesmen and shortly afterwards the suka disappeared completely. A
strong wind came and dispersed the s'chach.

When we reported to the government official the second time there was a
recurrence of the former incident. When my turn came to sign I informed
him that today was a holiday. The official exploded in rage. "What is
this? Another holiday? You have come here for religious observance? You
are a prisoner! Follow me!"

He led me to a nearby house which was dark inside. He ordered me to
enter and closed the door. It was the second night of Sukot, and the
time for reciting the evening prayer. I required some water for the
ritual cleaning of hands and I began pounding on the door. When the
guard appeared I told him that I was thirsty and wanted water. He
brought me a bowl of water and I washed my hand and prayed. After I
finished my prayers I sat down and fell asleep.

A few hours passed and suddenly the door was opened. The official of the
G.P.U. appeared with his aide. He commanded me to follow him.

Great and bitter fear engulfed me, for when I had refused to sign the
second time he had threatened in a high rage to send me to a place where
there would be no need to sign.

I had been told that there was such a place of imprisonment, 140
kilometers northward. The place was called Kopetugan. No person had ever
returned from there. People perished because they could not endure such
trying conditions. He proceeded and I followed and when we came to the
point where he had to turn to his home he asked in rage: "When will it
be permissible for you to sign?" I answered that tomorrow at nightfall I
could comply. "Then come see me tomorrow night," he commanded and we
parted, each returning to his own home.

The next night I came to him. He said to me, "I too am a prisoner. I
have been punished to work as an administrative official five years. I
am compelled to fulfill my obligations. Why must you be so stubborn?
Please obey the regulations."

I explained to him very calmly that the only time one could violate the
Sabbath or the Holidays was when one's life was endangered and he did
not have the right to shoot or slay me for non-compliance. I was only
too aware of this on the basis of my imprisonment in the Buterka prison
in Moscow and my later incarceration in Swerdelowsk. In addition there
were instances in the Torah when one was obligated to sacrifice one's
life rather than transgress: I explained that this applied to the three
cardinal sins of bloodshed, immorality and idolatry. He listened
attentively and when I concluded, he stated, "All of this is well and
fine in the precincts of your own home but this does not apply here.
There were many highly religious priests here who totally abandoned
their earlier practices."

I replied that the Torah's Law is universal and applies in whichever
geographic region an individual may happen to be.

After a lengthy conversation he finally said to me gently: "Assure me
that this will not recur." I agreed to try to avoid further
confrontation, but thought to myself that I would deal with future
situations when they arose in whatever manner I deemed religiously
permissible.

             Translated by Rabbi A. B. Metzger for Di Yiddishe Heim

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                               WHAT'S NEW
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                    I Will Write It In Their Hearts

I Will Write It In Their Hearts, Vol. II, is a treasury of letters of
the Rebbe. These letters, and those in the preceding volume, are from
the years before the Rebbe's leadership. They are selected and
translated from the original Hebrew and Yiddish by Rabbi Eliyahu Touger
primarily from the second volume of the Rebbe's 26 volumes of personal
correspondance. Published by Sichos in English.

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                            THE REBBE WRITES
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               Free translation of a letter of the Rebbe

                 Erev Shabbos-Kodesh, Shabbos Teshuvah
                         6 Tishrei, 5739 [1978]

To the Sons and Daughters of Our People Israel, Everywhere

Greeting and Blessing:

...Teshuvah [repentance] enables a person to rectify completely all that
should have been achieved throughout the past, in matters of Torah and
Mitzvos-"with one 'turn' and in one moment."

Parenthetically, it is surely needless to emphasize that the above must
not, G-d forbid, serve as an excuse for wrongdoing, as our Sages warned,
"Whoever says, 'I will sin and repent later,' is not given an
opportunity to do Teshuvah."

On reflection, it can easily be seen that, all things added up, the
world contains more quantity (materiality) than quality (spirituality),
and more by far. Indeed, the more corporeal and gross a thing is, the
greater is the quantity in which it is found. Thus, for example, the
world in inanimate, (inor-ganic) matter is much greater in volume than
the vegetable kingdom, and the latter is quantitatively greater than the
animal kingdom, which, in turn, surpasses by far, in quantity, the
highest of the four kingdoms, mankind (the "speaking" creature).

Similarly in the human body: the lowest extremities, the legs are larger
in size than the rest of the body, and the latter is much greater in
bulk than the head, wherein are located the organs of speech and the
sense of smell, hearing and sight, as well as the intellect, etc., which
animate the entire body and direct all its activities.

On further reflection, a person might also become disheartened, G-d
forbid, wondering how is one to fulfill adequately one's real purpose in
life on this earth, which is, to quote our Sages, "I was created to
serve my Creator"-seeing that most of one's time is necessarily taken up
with materialistic things, such as eating and drinking, sleeping,
earning a livelihood, etc. What with the fact that the earliest years of
a human being, before reaching maturity and knowledge, are spent in an
entirely materialistic mode of living.

The answer is, first of all, that even the so-called materialistic
preoccupation of the daily life must not become purely materialitstic
and animal-like, for we have to be always mindful of the imperative,
"Let all your doings be for the sake of Heaven," and "Know Him (G-d) in
all your ways."

This means that also in carrying out the activities which are connected
with the physical and material aspects of life (which, as mentioned,
take up the greater part of a person's time) a human being must know
that those material aspects are not an end in themselves, but they are,
and must serve as, the means to attain to the higher, spiritual realm of
life, namely, physical aspects with spiritual content, and utilize them
for spiritual purpose. Thus, all these mundane, and in themselves
trivial matters, are elevated to their proper role, perfection and
spirituality.

But in addition to the above, there is also the unique effectiveness of
Teshuvah, which has the power to transform-"With one 'turn' and in one
moment"-the whole past-the very materiality of it into spirituality.

Time is, of course, not measured simply by duration, but by its content
in terms of achievement. Thus, in evaluating time there are vast
differences in terms of content, and, hence, in real worth, of a minute,
an hour, etc. Suffice it to mention by way of example, that one cannot
compare an hour of prayer and outpouring of the soul before G-d with an
hour of sleep. And to use the analogy of coins, there may be coins of
identical size and shape, yet different in their intrinsic value,
depending upon whether they are made of copper, silver or gold.

With all the wonderful opportunities that G-d provides for a person to
fill his time with the highest content, there is the most wonderful gift
from "G-d who does wonders" of the extraordinary quality of Teshuvah,
which transcends all limitations, inclu-ding the limitations of time, so
that "in one moment" it transforms the whole past, to the degree of
absolute perfection in quality and spirituality.

The Alm-ghty has also ordained especially favorable times for Teshuvah,
at the end of each year and the beginning of the new year, together with
the assurance that everyone who resolves to do Teshuvah-he, or she, can
accomplish it "in one moment." Thus, the person transforms the quantity
of the materiality in the past, into meritorious quality, spirituality
and holiness. At the same time, one prepares for the future, in the
coming year and thereafter, in a proper manner.

This is accomplished through Torah and Mitzvos in the everyday life,
thereby elevating himself (or herself) and the environment at large to
the highest possible level of spirituality and holiness, thus making
this material world a fitting abode for G-d, blessed be He.

May G-d grant that everyone actively strive for the above, in accordance
with the prayer of the Propehtess Chanah, which we read on the first day
of the New Year: "My heart rejoices in G-d, my strength is uplifted
through G-d...I rejoice in His help... and He will exalt the reign of
His Moshiach."

With blessing for success in all and for a Chasimoh uGmar Chasimoh
Toivoh [sealed and completely sealed for good], both materially and
spiritually,

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                            RAMBAM THIS WEEK
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4 Tishrei 5762

Prohibition 266: coveting another's belongings

By this prohibition we are forbidden to set our thoughts to covet and
desire what belongs to another, because this will lead to scheming to
acquire it. It is derived from the Torah's words (Deut. 5:18), "Neither
shall you desire your neighbor's house."

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                        A WORD FROM THE DIRECTOR
                         Rabbi Shmuel M. Butman
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One of the main themes of Yom Kippur is teshuva, repentance.

As explained in the mystical Zohar, one of the many "job descriptions"
of King Moshiach is that he will bring even the righteous (tzadikim) to
repentance. On the surface, this seems contradictory. If they are truly
tzadikim, why will they have to repent? And if they really do have
something to repent about, how can they be called righteous?

Chasidic philosophy resolves the problem by explaining that when
Moshiach comes, the righteous will not have to atone for any sins.
Rather, in doing teshuva (literally returning to G-d), they will
simultaneously combine the advantage of the righteous person who never
sinned, with the advantage of one who returns in penitence. To explain:

A tzadik lives his life exactly as G-d wants him to, observing Torah and
mitzvot without ever committing any transgressions. His entire life is
spent in the realm of sanctity and holiness.

A baal teshuva (penitent), by contrast, has the advantage of actually
being able to transform darkness into light. Precisely because he
wandered so far afield, his desire to cleave to G-d is even stronger
than the tzadik's. His love for G-d is so intense that even his
deliberate sins are turned into merits.

When Moshiach comes, the righteous will do teshuva in the sense of
ascending to ever-higher levels of connection with G-d. When all
mankind, tzadikim included, will witness the infinite holiness of the
Messianic era, even the highest spiritual levels already attained will
seem like nothing, and they will be aroused to unprecedented heights,
with the energy and vigor of baalei teshuva. This, of course, will be
accomplished by Moshiach, who will open the whole world's eyes to the
underlying G-dly reality of existence.

May it happen at once.

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                          THOUGHTS THAT COUNT
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Assemble ("Hakhel") the people, the men and the women and the little
ones (Deut. 31:12)

The Sabbatical year (in which the land lies fallow and debts are
declared in remission) brings with it peace and unity, as it blurs the
distinctions between rich and poor. In the Sabbatical year all Jews are
equal, rendering them worthy of the mitzva of Hakhel (the grand
assemblage on Sukkot during which the king reads aloud certain portions
of the Torah).

                                                        (Kli Yakar)

                                *  *  *


For I know your rebellion and your stiff neck...you have been rebellious
with the L-rd (Deut. 31:27)

Why does the Torah specify "with" rather than "against"? For having
involved G-d in every evil act that was perpetrated, and trying to turn
negative behavior into a "mitzva."

                                *  *  *


                                Tishrei


The month of Tishrei is the seventh month of the year when counting from
Nisan, about which the Torah states, "This shall be to you the first of
the months of the year." The Hebrew word for seventh, "shevi'i," is
related to the word meaning "sated" or "abundant." Indeed, Tishrei is
"chock full" of holidays (Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, etc.) and
mitzvot (shofar, suka, etc.), as it is a very special time of G-dly
revelation in the world.

                                                       (The Arizal)

                                *  *  *


He forgives us our faults each and every year (from the Yom Kippur
prayer book)

By human standard, if one person harms another and asks his forgiveness
and is pardoned, and then repeats the misdeed, it becomes very difficult
to grant pardon again, and certainly a third and fourth time. But by
G-d's standard, there is no difference between once and a thousand
times, as pardon is a manifestation of the attribute of mercy, and
Divine attributes are not limited and finite but are infinite, as it
states, "For His mercies have not ended."

                                          (Tanya, Igeret HaTeshuva)

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                            IT ONCE HAPPENED
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When the Previous Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn, reached an
age appropriate to marry, he was faced with having to choose between
several prospective brides. One of those suggested was the young
Rebbetzin Nechama Dina, daughter of Rabbi Avraham Schneerson of
Kishinev, the son of the Rebbe of Nezhin.

The prospective bridegroom's father, the Rebbe Rashab [Rabbi Shalom
Dovber, fifth Chabad Rebbe], was in favor of this match (which
eventually did take place), but the bridegroom's grandmother, Rebbetzin
Rivka, had other plans.

The Rebbe Rashab said to his mother, "Let us follow the advice of the
Torah, and ask the boy himself what he wants to do." They called in the
young Yosef Yitzchak, gave him the names of all the possible matches and
told him to make the decision for himself.

The Previous Rebbe replied, "When Abraham sought a wife for his son
Isaac, he sent his servant Eliezer to his own kinsmen to find a suitable
match, saying,  'But you shall go to my father's house, and to my
kindred, and take a wife for my son.' " Evidently, Yosef Yitzchak had
decided to marry his distant relative, Nechama Dina.

Now in those days, the custom of Rebbetzin Rivka was to distribute honey
cake to everyone in the community on the day before Yom Kippur. Her son,
the Rebbe Rashab, would be the first to receive a piece, after which all
the Chasidim and townspeople would file past her and be given a piece of
cake and her blessings for a good and sweet year.

That year, during which the match between the Previous Rebbe and Nechama
Dina was arranged, the Rebbe Rashab came to his mother as usual for the
honey cake before Yom Kippur. On that occasion, however, he asked for
her forgiveness, as the match had not been made according to her wishes.

Rebbetzin Rivka responded with the following story:

There was once a Jew living in an isolated settlement with few Jewish
neighbors, who wanted to spend Yom Kippur in a nearby town in order to
be able to pray properly with a minyan. Many such isolated Jewish
families would relocate before the High Holidays in order to be able to
celebrate together with their brethren. The man informed his wife and
family that they would be making the trip into town on the day before
Yom Kippur, and asked them to ready themselves for the journey.

When it came time to leave, however, he was the only one ready. The rest
of the family had not yet finished packing and making preparations.

He tried to hurry them, as it was Erev Yom Kippur, but it was obvious
they would not be leaving for some time. The man therefore suggested
that he start out on the journey himself, walking slowly, so that they
would later be able to catch up with him. The entire family would meet
at a particular tree and continue on their way together.

The father set off alone and soon reached the location where they were
supposed to meet. Tired by his long walk (and by the drink of schnapps
he had downed that morning), he decided to rest in the inviting shade of
the tall tree. Lying down on a comfortable spot not visible from the
main road, the man soon fell asleep and dozed for many hours.

Meanwhile, the other family members were hurrying along, trying to reach
town before sundown. By the time they reached the tree near which their
father was fast asleep they had quite forgotten about their agreement,
and passed him right by.

Towards evening the man woke up from his nap. Seeing the advancing
shadows, he realized that he would never be able to reach the town
before it got dark, nor would he be able to return home without
transgressing the holiest day of the year. He would have to spend Yom
Kippur where he was, in the middle of nowhere, under the open sky.

Lifting his eyes to heaven, the man cried out, "Master of the Universe!
My children have totally forgotten about me! I hereby forgive them; now
You must forgive Your children who have forgotten about You!"

Rebbetzin Rivka finished her story with the following words addressed to
her son, the Rebbe Rashab: "May G-d forgive all of us the same way that
I have forgiven you."

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                            MOSHIACH MATTERS
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After the shofar is sounded at the conclusion of Yom Kippur, the
congregation announces, "Leshana haba'a b'Yerushalayim-Next year in
Jerusalem." In Jerusalem they say: "Leshana haba'a b'Yerushalayim
habenuya-Next year in rebuilt Jerusalem."

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               END OF TEXT - L'CHAIM 687 - Vayeilech 5762
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