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                         L'CHAIM - ISSUE # 1148
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                           Copyright (c) 2010
                 Lubavitch Youth Organization - L.Y.O.
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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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        December 3, 2010         Miketz          26 Kislev, 5771
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                          Finding Your Passion

It's fascinating to read about people and their passions. For example,
there is a woman named Evelyn Hayes who has a passion for the tomb of
our Matriarch Rachel (Kever Rachel). Her heart and soul are devoted to
Israel, particularly to Kever Rachel.  She bought property nearby, does
fundraisers for Kever Rachel, writes poetry about it, etc. I wonder
where this comes from! I wonder, who was she in a previous incarnation?!

Former president Kim of South Korea asked Stephen Covey (of the "Seven
Habits" fame), "Do you really believe the things you teach?"

Covey: I was taken aback by this question and sobered by it. After a
short pause I said, "Yes, I do."

He then asked me, "How do you know you do?"

Covey: I answered, "I try to live by these teachings. I know I fall
short, falter a lot, but I keep coming back to them. I believe in them
and am inspired by them and I keep returning to them."

Kim said, "That's not good enough for me. Are you prepared to die for
them?"

Kim went on to tell his story of many, many years of banishment, of
being exiled, of being imprisoned, of several assassination attempts,
pressure to cooperate, threats that he'd be killed if he didn't
cooperate. He told them, "Then kill me, because if you kill me I'll only
die once, but if I cooperate with you, I will die 100 times every day
for the rest of my life."

Now THAT'S passion!

And it reminds me of Chana and her seven sons. Despite the enticements
and the threats, they were all willing to die for their beliefs.

Because Chana had taught her sons to love G-d and the Torah more than
life itself.

The Antiochus' soldiers tried to convince Chana to save herself and her
sons: "Foolish woman. Tell your sons to bow down to the idol so that
they may live," the soldiers told her. But Chana knew that her
definition of life was different from that of the pagan soldier. Her
sons would die in this world sanctifying G-d's name, but they would live
forever in the World to Come. She whispered encouragement to each son.
"Remember that the L-rd is one, there is no other." Not one son bowed to
the idol.

When they brought the youngest son, a boy of just seven, to the king -
after having witnessed the cruel torture and brutal murder of his six
older brothers - the king offered him gold and silver if he would do his
will. The seven-year-old boy displayed the same courage as his brothers
and taunted the king to carry out his threats.

"Who are you seeking to overpower with your words and enticements? I
laugh at your foolishness. I believe in the Torah and in G-d Whom you
blaspheme. You will remain an abomination upon all mankind, loathsome
and far from G-d."

As the soldiers took her youngest son away to murder him like his
brothers, Chana begged to kiss him one last time. As if speaking to all
seven children, Chana said, "My children, tell your ancestor Abraham,
'You bound only one son upon an altar, but I bound seven."

    The first column of this article is from
    http://bikores.blogspot.com/

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           LIVING WITH THE REBBE  -  THE WEEKLY TORAH PORTION
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In the Torah portion of Mikeitz, Joseph orders his servants to hide his
goblet in his brother's bags. He then sends a messenger to overtake them
on the road. When the brothers learn that they are accused of stealing,
they reply, "Far be it ("chalila") from your servants to do such a
thing!"

One of the explanations offered by Rashi on the word "chalila," which is
generally translated as "G-d forbid" or "heaven forefend," is derived
from its root in the word "chulin," meaning profane or derogatory. The
word also connotes common, i.e., anything that is not related to
holiness. The brother's reply to Joseph's messenger thus not only denied
their participation in the theft, but expressed a much deeper concept:
that the very idea of their involvement in anything other than the realm
of holiness was absurd. In other words, the brothers were on such a high
spiritual level that relating to the mundane, physical world was somehow
incongruous.

Each one of the Twelve Tribes embodied a different path in the service
of G-d. And while not every individual Jew is blessed with all of their
unique character attributes, there are certain general aspects of their
service that we all share in common. The brothers' declaration of
"chalila" thus contains a practical lesson to be applied in our daily
lives.

A Jew must know that his entire being - his very essence - is holiness.
The Jew and the secular realm are two entirely different worlds. The
mundane level of existence does not truly pertain to the Jew, to the
point that involvement in the material realm is essentially foreign to
him.

This extremely high level is not only something the Jew must feel
inwardly, but must also be reflected in all of its external
manifestations. The nations of the world should be able to see that, to
the Jew, the very notion of "mundane" is just as incongruous as the
notion of stealing. Indeed, it is this concept that was proudly
articulated by Joseph's brothers to the Egyptian messenger.

Of course, the Torah commands that a Jew work within the framework of
the physical world. "Six days shall you labor, and do all your work."
But the intention is not that the Jew lower himself to the level of the
profane; on the contrary, it implies the exact opposite. A Jew is
required to involve himself in the world for the purpose of elevating
the material plane of existence to holiness. This demonstrates that all
his deeds are for the sake of heaven, and brings sanctity into the
world.

                           Adapted from Volume 15 of Likutei Sichot

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                             SLICE OF LIFE
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                         Heavenly Compensation
                            by Shoshana Monk


    The names in this true story have been changed for reasons of
    privacy

Mrs. Spitzer answered the door and smiled when she saw her visitor. She
had been married for nine years with no children. However, in a
miraculous turn of events, the Spitzers had been blessed with
quintuplets!

Before their quintuplets, the Spitzers had led a modest lifestyle, but
now their expenses had quintupled. The visitor, Mrs. Schiff, had heard
about their situation and had raised money and organized other endeavors
to help the couple.

Mrs. Spitzer led her visitor into her children's bedroom. Mrs. Schiff
looked at the five precious souls with a smile. Her gaze wandered around
the room and was drawn to a small photo on the wall.

Suddenly, Mrs. Schiff gasped. She pointed to the photo, asking, "Who is
that young woman?"

"She was my mother."

Mrs. Schiff looked at Mrs. Spitzer. "Your mother? Tell me, is she still
alive?"

"I'm sorry to say that she passed away last year, just before I fell
pregnant. She would have been so happy to see our long-awaited babies."

Mrs. Schiff was silent for a moment. Then she said, "I have a story to
share with you. When I was 15 I was taken to Bergen-Belsen. I was placed
in a barrack together with other girls my age. My four friends and I
remained steadfast in our Jewish observance; we said we'd rather die Al
Kiddush Hashem (to sanctify G-d's name) than in any other manner. One
day, one of my friends, Rivka, called us together excitedly.

" 'Tomorrow is Chanuka!' she exclaimed. 'We must light a menora!' We
devised a plan. We would trade our daily ration of bread for machine oil
from a girl who worked in the factory. Thread from our uniforms would be
wicks, and two stones would create fire. Round potato peels could serve
as a menora, but it would be risky to get them.

"At midnight, when the guards' shift changed, one of us would sneak into
the kitchen through the window, while the others would stand guard.

"That night, all five of us crept stealthily towards the kitchen. Being
small, I was chosen to crawl in. I approached the large garbage bin and
began to sift through its contents. I could hear the loud grumbling of
my hungry stomach. I had given up my ration that day, and I was
famished!

"I saw small pieces of food, and stuffed them into my mouth. At last, I
found one potato peel with a perfect shape. Then I continued searching.
A second perfect potato peel! Suddenly, glancing up at the window, I saw
Sarale waving frantically.

"Though my head told me not to, I intently continued looking for at
least one more peel. Suddenly, I heard a voice thunder, 'Halt!' I looked
up to see a tall Nazi official pointing his gun at my chest. On both
sides of him were my four friends, pure terror written across their
stricken faces.

" 'You'll be punished,' he declared with great relish. 'Tomorrow, at
noon, all five of you will be hung - in front of the camp, so everyone
will learn the punishment for stealing. You know others will be punished
if you don't report on time.'

"The darkness seemed even thicker as we trudged back to our barrack. We
secretly lit our menora, reminiscing about previous Chanukas in better
times. The flame burned very quickly, but it long enough to infuse hope
into our deflated souls.

"Then Sarale came up with a plan. She suggested that we ask Shaina for
help. Shaina was a 15-year-old Jewish girl who knew six languages. The
Nazis, may their names be blotted out, used Shaina as their interpreter.
They gave her a radio and put her in charge of reporting to the Nazi
officials any news of the enemy's strategies. She lived in her own
little shack in the woods and received a full piece of bread every day.

" 'She'll never risk herself to help us!' I said.

" 'Let's try anyway,' Sarale reasoned.

"We crept out of the barracks again, this time in the direction of the
woods. Rachele spotted light in the distance. We followed the light and
soon saw a girl in front of a menora quietly singing Ma'oz Tzur!

"We stood there, entranced; we no longer thought of death, but rather of
Mattithias and his sons, marching to victory. Suddenly, Shaina turned
around. 'Have you come to spy on me? To tell the Nazis what you see me
doing?' she spluttered. 'Do you think that I don't know that you five
will be hung tomorrow? You'd better get out of my sight or you'll be in
more trouble!'

" 'Shaina, we need your help!' I stammered.

"'I said get out of my sight!' Shaina screamed. We ran back to our
barrack in fear.

"That night, the fear of dying hovered over us. We resented Shaina
deeply. Even if she couldn't help, how could she threaten us in our
despair? Where was her Jewish heart?

"The next day, the entire camp was assembled. The Nazi was about to
raise our nooses when somebody screamed, 'Stop!'

"He turned around, startled. There stood Shaina, motioning to him
frantically and waving her radio wildly in the air. He approached her,
grimacing, A few minutes later, he untied us, and with a last kick, sent
us back to work, muttering all the while. Miraculously, we had been
spared.

"A few days later we were liberated, but we never got a chance to thank
Shaina for saving our lives. She had taken such a risk to save us. After
the war, no one could trace her. And now I see her face on your wall!
Look how G-d runs the world! I thought I was helping a total stranger,
but in fact, you are the daughter of the woman who saved my life! You
have given me a chance, in a small way, to return the great kindness I
owe your mother."

"Now I understand!" cried Mrs Spitzer. "During my pregnancy, I dreamt of
my mother. With a smile, she kept repeating: 'Finif neshamos far finif
neshamos - five souls for five souls.'

" 'Mamme, I don't understand!' But she just repeated, 'Finif neshamos
far finif neshamos.'

"Now I understand! In the Heavenly court it must have been decided that
in the merit of the five neshamos that my mother saved during the war, I
would finally be blessed to have her grandchildren - my five beautiful
neshamos."

  Reprinted with permission from Women for Life, Sydney, Australia.

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                               WHAT'S NEW
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                             See You There!

Be part of the Chanuka celebrations at the World's Largest Chanuka
Menora at Fifth Ave. and 59th St. in NYC. Friday, Dec. 3, the menora
will be let at 3:40 p.m. Saturday night, Dec. 4, menora lighting will be
at 8:00 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 5  - Wednesday, Dec. 8, the menora will be lit
at 5:30 p.m. On Sunday there will be live music, free hot latkes and
chocolate Chanuka gelt. For more info call the Lubavitch Youth
Organization at (718) 778-6000. For public menora lightings in your area
call your local Chabad-Lubavitch Center.

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                            THE REBBE WRITES
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                         Chanukah, 5715 [1954]

...In this connection, and apropos of Chanukah, it would be timely to
reflect on the significance of the Chanukah Lights. Although all
Mitzvoth [commandments] issue from One G-d, the perfect Unity, there are
many aspects to every Mitzvah, just as the complexity of our physical
world is likewise created from His Mitzvah. Nevertheless, the
performance of the Mitzvah, accompanied by an appreciation of its
significance, is definitely beneficial.

With this in mind, I wish to point out what I consider very significant
in connection with the significance of Chanukah, as it is emphasized by
the Chanukah Lights, specifically by the two conditions attending the
performance of this Mitzvah: (a) The light is to shine forth "outside"
and (b) the light is to grow every night by the addition of one more
candle each night of Chanukah. Thus, the message of Chanukah is to bring
home to every Jew his duty to spread the "light" of the Torah and the
"candles" of the Mitzvoth, especially in times of darkness, and to do so
with ever growing effort.

A man's influence is generally limited, either to his immediate
environment, his family and friends, or if he is a teacher or lecturer,
to a wider circle. The journalist, however, whose words and thoughts
enjoy wide currency through the printed word, enjoys a much greater
influence; he is less limited in space, since the printed word travels
far, and in time, since it endures on record.

Thus you are privileged to have far greater opportunities in exercising
influence than the average person, to help illuminate the darkness of
the night with, I trust, ever growing effect. These are not mere
opportunities, for as everything in Nature strives to transform itself
form a state of potentiality to actuality, so all human potentialities
must be actualized for the general good, the true good. The way of
Providence is inscrutable. Although logically, as the Chanukah candles
indicate, one should begin by lighting up his home first, and then
seeing to it that its light dispels the darkness outside as far as
possible, the process is sometimes reversed; bringing light to others
far away, brings success in carrying the light closer home.

I send you my prayerful wishes for success in your personal affairs,
which is closely associated with your public work and your influence,
all the more so, since in addition to being a son of the "kingdom of
priest and a holy nation," you are actually a kohen among Jews.

With blessing,

                                *  *  *

                      23rd of Kislev, 5713 [1952]


Sholom u'Brocho [Peace and Blessing]:

...With the approach of Chanukah, I extend to you herewith my sincere
wishes for a happy and inspiring Chanukah.

The message of Chanukah is important and timely to all Jews, but even
more so to Jews living in surroundings with comparatively little Jewish
vitality and activity. It is precisely in such circumstance that
Chanukah offers many a useful lesson. One such lesson I wish to make the
subject of this message.

It is noteworthy that the Chanukah lights must be kindled after sunset,
when it is dark outside, unlike the lights that were kindled in the Beth
Hamikdosh [Holy Temple] much earlier, or the Sabbath lights kindled on
Friday before sunset.

There is another difference: the Beth Hamikdosh - and the Sabbath-lights
have their place indoors, while the place of Chanukah lights is at the
entrance to the home (when Jews lived freely in their land, the place
was outside the entrance). Finally, there is yet another distinction: in
the former two cases the lights remain the same, while the Chanukah
lights are increased every night.

The lesson which seems to be indicated by the Chanukah lights is that
besides lighting up the home (Sabbath lights) and the synagogue and
Yeshiva (substituting for the Sanctuary of old), the Jew has the
additional responsibility of lighting up the "outside," the whole
environment. Moreover, when conditions are unfavorable (it is "dark"
outside), it is then not enough to make a light and maintain it, though
it is also an achievement in view of the darkness; but it is necessary
to steadily increase the lights, through steadily growing efforts to
spread the light of Torah and mitzvoth, to illuminate not only one's
home, but the whole environment as well...

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                            WHAT'S IN A NAME
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MENUCHA means "peace, rest." The special type of rest or peace which
comes from celebrating the Sabbath is called "Shabbat Menucha."


MOSHE is from the Hebrew meaning "drawn out of the water." In Egyptian
it means "son, child." The greatest prophet and leader of our people was
Moshe Rabeinu ("Moses our teacher"). He led us out of Egypt, and through
him we received the Torah. He was our greatest advocate, and told G-d
that if He were to wipe out the Jewish people (after the sin of the
golden calf) then Moshe wanted his name wiped out of the Torah.

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                        A WORD FROM THE DIRECTOR
                         Rabbi Shmuel M. Butman
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During these days of Chanuka we emphasize the miracles that G-d wrought
for our ancestors, "In those days, in our times." The first miracle was
the victory of the small Jewish army over the vastly superior and more
numerous Greek army. The second miracle, and this is the miracle which
we symbolically celebrate each time we kindle the Chanuka menora, is the
miracle of the one small cruse of pure olive oil which lasted for eight
days rather than the one day for which it was intended.

That G-d was and is willing to perform miracles for His people shows His
tremendous love for us. But, G-d's expression of love for us depends on
our expression of love for each other. Thus, in addition to the love we
should show a fellow Jew because he is our brother, we must show him
additional love because G-d loves him. The importance of loving our
fellow Jews is emphasized by the fact that this course of conduct will
enable each person, his family, and the entire Jewish people, and
ultimately the whole world, to leave the exile in the immediate future.

The Chanuka lights that we kindle in our home on each night of Chanuka
are a symbol of G-d's love for the Jewish people. They have their source
in G-d's light, in the light of the miracle of Chanuka, a miraculous
light. As we kindle the Chanuka lights on the remaining nights of
Chanuka, let us remember the miracles they represent, the Source of the
miracles, and why G-d performed those miracles for us. And let these
thoughts spur us on toward greater love of our fellow Jew, especially
including, of course, those closest to us.

May we merit not only the lights of Chanuka this year, but also the
Great Light of the Final Redemption, through the revelation of Moshiach,
NOW.

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                          THOUGHTS THAT COUNT
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And he woke up...and behold, it was a dream (Gen. 41:7)

There are two kinds of dreamers: those who know that they are only
dreaming but enjoy the dream anyway, and those who do not realize that
they are dreaming and mistake it for reality. The first type of person
is able to distinguish between truth and falsehood, and realizes that
his dream is deceptive. But the second kind cannot make this
distinction, and holds his delusion to be true.

                  (From a letter of the Previous Lubavitcher Rebbe)

                                *  *  *


And they brought him hurriedly out of the dungeon (Gen: 41:14)

For 12 years Joseph languished in the dungeon without anyone lifting a
finger to help him. Yet when the time came for him to be freed, he was
brought out "hurriedly," in great haste. One moment he was a lowly
prisoner, the next, a free man elegantly attired and brought before the
king. From this we learn that when the right time comes for G-d to take
us out of exile, He will not wait even a split second longer than
necessary. At that precise moment Moshiach will come to redeem us.

                                                    (Chofetz Chaim)

                                *  *  *


And Pharaoh said...Can we find such a one as this, a man in whom there
is the spirit of G-d? (Gen. 41:38)

Joseph's suggestion that Egypt's grain be stored away for future
consumption was surely a good one, but why was Pharaoh so convinced that
he possessed "the spirit of G-d"? When relating his dream to Joseph,
Pharaoh had deliberately changed certain details. Yet when Joseph
interpreted the dream, he described the events as Pharaoh had really
seen them. From this Pharaoh understood that Joseph was no ordinary wise
man.

                                              (Marganita Dvei Meir)

                                *  *  *


And he sought to weep, and he entered his room and he wept there...and
he restrained himself (Gen. 43:30-31)

The soul "weeps" because it does not want to be in a body; it abhors its
fleshly confinement and longs to be reunited with G-d. Nonetheless, it
"restrains" itself and overcomes its inclination, recognizing that G-d
wants the body and soul to work in tandem to observe His commandments.

                                                      (Ohr HaTorah)

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                            IT ONCE HAPPENED
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For the Chasidim of Rabbi Mordechai of Chernobyl, Chanuka was a special
time. Regardless of the distance, thousands would come from all over the
country for the privilege of watching the Rebbe kindle the menora.

One year, on the eve of the first night of Chanuka, the Rebbe's shamash
(attendant) announced that there would be a small deviation from
tradition. Instead of kindling the Chanuka lights in the menora he had
inherited from his saintly father, Rabbi Nachum, the Rebbe would be
using a different one. He offered no reason. "All I know is that the
Rebbe told me to take it out of storage and get it ready," the shamash
said. "I don't know where it is from, only that it is exceptionally
beautiful."

That evening, when the sun went down, Rabbi Mordechai strode into the
huge synagogue to fulfill the mitzva (commandment). Everyone was already
waiting eagerly. Thousands of eyes followed the tzadik's every movement.

Indeed, the menora that had been set up was not the Rebbe's usual one.
And although the shamash had described it as "exceptionally beautiful,"
this was truly an understatement. The Rebbe recited the blessing and lit
the wick, then stared into the tiny flame for a long time. It was
obvious that the Rebbe's thoughts were far away, even though he was
physically present.

A few minutes later the Rebbe shook his head slightly, as if returning
to the world around him. Then, without even looking up, he started
speaking:

"Many years ago I visited the village of Cherbin," the Rebbe began. "The
Chasidim there greeted me very warmly, and I was invited to stay in the
home of a certain Reb Meir. This Reb Meir, who had once been a follower
of my late father, was the wealthiest man in town. He was a true Chasid
in all of his 248 limbs and 365 sinews. His love for the Torah and his
desire to perform mitzvot in the most beautiful manner possible knew no
bounds.

"Towards the end of my stay in Cherbin Reb Meir led me into his treasury
to show me his riches. There, in one corner of the room, was the most
extraordinary silver menora I had ever seen. Reb Meir told me that he
had paid a fortune for it, and planned on using it the very next
Chanuka. I picked it up to admire its workmanship and artistry.

"'Reb Meir,' I said to him suddenly, looking him in the eye. 'Would you
give me this menora as a gift?' My question momentarily startled him,
and he was silent for a minute. But after considering my request he
immediately agreed. 'Yes,' he said. 'I would give all my wealth to the
Rebbe.'

"When I got back to Chernobyl I instructed my family to put the menora
in storage. When Chanuka arrived I did not ask for it, but continued to
use the menora I had inherited from my father. My family was somewhat
surprised by this, for why had I brought the other one if I wasn't
planning on using it? But as time passed, everyone forgot that the other
one even existed.

"This year, however, I decided to change my custom, and now I will tell
you why:

"A few days ago, Reb Meir of Cherbin passed away. When he ascended to
the heavenly court, it seemed obvious that his rightful place was in Gan
Eden [the Garden of Eden]. Thousands of angels testified to all the good
deeds Reb Meir had performed throughout his life. One after the other
they described his love of Torah and his exceptional performance of
mitzvot.

"Reb Meir was about to pass through the gates of Gan Eden when all of a
sudden, an angel without any eyes stood up and cried out, 'I object!'
Pandemonium broke out. The blind angel was given permission to speak,
and proceeded to tell the story of the silver menora Reb Meir had once
purchased at great expense.

" 'What you don't know,' the angel explained, 'is that this menora was
bought from a poor Jew in Cherbin who was forced to sell it because his
wife and children were starving. This menora had been in his family for
13 generations, and was almost as dear to him as his life. For years he
refused to sell it. Reb Meir was well aware of the poor man's
circumstances. The otherwise generous and charitable Reb Meir had such
an intense desire to own the beautiful menora that he deliberately
exploited the poor man and offered financial assistance only through the
purchase of the menora.'

"The heavenly court decided to review the case. In the end it was ruled
that Reb Meir should go to Gan Eden, but not directly. To atone for the
anguish he had caused, he would first have to wander around through the
celestial spheres accompanied by the blind angel.

"Many years ago, when I visited Reb Meir's house and he showed me the
menora, I knew what was going to happen. I took it from him so that when
the proper time came, I would be able to help him make amends. Tonight,
when I lit the first candle of Chanuka in that menora, it corrected Reb
Meir's spiritual defect and allowed him to enter Gan Eden. It also
restored the gift of sight to the blind angel..."

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                            MOSHIACH MATTERS
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The Baal Shem Tov, the founder of the Chasidic movement, possessed a
special love and affinity for Chanuka more than any other holiday. This
is because the Chanuka candles represent the innate gift of the Jewish
soul for spreading light and illuminating the whole world. The Baal Shem
Tov's message spread by the Jewish soul stresses both that G-d creates
nature anew at every moment and at the same time permeates it with
supernatural power. Because of its ability to unite the natural with the
supernatural, the light of the Chanuka candles will eventually bring
about the true and complete redemption.

                                                    (www.inner.org)

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                END OF TEXT - L'CHAIM 1148 - Miketz 5771
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