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                         L'CHAIM - ISSUE # 1473
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                 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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        May 26, 2017            Bamidbar           1 Sivan, 5777
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                       A Torah Scroll's Thoughts

I still remember some of the amazing lessons I learned from the elder
Torah scroll as we stood quietly in the ark at the eastern wall of the
synagogue.

Having been free to roam over plain and valley just a few years before
as the hide of a kosher animal, I had a hard time adjusting to what I
considered the restricted life of a Torah scroll.

I was the upstart Torah scroll - born and bred in America. Not only was
I made in America, but even the scribe who wrote me was born and trained
here. So you can understand why at first I didn't really subscribe to
the whole humble and modest lifestyle that we Torah scrolls lived. I
didn't feel like I belonged with the other half-dozen scrolls in the ark
- a few survivors of the Holocaust, another scroll straight from one of
the ultra-Orthodox sections in Israel, and another of unknown but
strictly kosher and ancient origins.

"Why can't we just hang out in the synagogue, like the prayer books?" I
asked one of the elder scrolls. I explained to him that I wasn't used to
all of these restrictive coverings. First there was the regal
but-oh-so-hot-on-summer-days velvet that totally covered my skin -
except on Mondays, Thursdays and Shabbat when I was uncovered and
unrolled in order to be read.

Then there was the big ark itself that I was placed in with the other
scrolls. "I feel like a prisoner in the ark," I told the kindly scroll.

I complained incessantly that the only time we had fun was on Simchat
Torah when we were all taken out on the town. Well, not really on the
town but at least around the synagogue where everyone sang and danced
with us. But even then - even at the height of our rejoicing - we were
still covered up.

Little by little, the elderly scroll took me under his wing. He gently
explained that even for a scroll proudly "made in America" there was
something called tzniut - one of those impossible to translate words
(though I'm an expert in Hebrew), often rendered "modesty," but meaning
a whole lot more.

"The first tablets with the Ten Commandments written on them were given
amidst fanfare, fuss and noise," the elderly scroll whispered. "And
those tablets were broken. But the second set, given quietly, humbly and
unpretentiously, remain eternally with the Jewish people. Why, even now
they exist, secreted away with other treasures from the Holy Temples
under the Temple Mount where the Third Temple will assuredly and very
soon be built."

The scroll also gave me examples from everyday life and they made sense
to me. He told me that the most precious items are kept under lock and
key. Not as a punishment but in deference to their value. Vaults in
banks overflow with people's jewels that sit there much of the time -
rather than being worn. Original paintings by famous artists are
carefully watched and monitored because they are priceless. They, too,
don't hang out just anywhere. Little by little, I began to see my velvet
coverings as royal cloaks. I acknowledged the ark was my castle and even
my refuge.

That which is precious is not flaunted, not unnecessarily exposed, for
in so doing it is often cheapened, the scroll would remind me. I
remember the old scroll stating one day, "People don't go around sharing
and exposing that which they truly care about. For some, it is their
innermost thoughts. For others it is their bank accounts - though
they'll share everything else. And if you really care about yourself, if
you really value yourself,' the old scroll told me, `you will take pride
in the fact that most of the time you are covered, hidden, out of public
view.'

It's been a long time since I've been out in the public eye like this.
It sort of goes against my grain by now to stand here and sermonize -
especially since that's the rabbi's job. But in honor of Shavuot, the
day when all of the Jewish people received the Torah from G-d on Mount
Sinai - which by the way was a very humble and modest mountain - I
decided to share with you the intimate thoughts of just one little Torah
scroll, proud to be Made in America, and even prouder that my
preciousness to the Jewish people and to myself is symbolized by my
multi-layered coverings.

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           LIVING WITH THE REBBE  -  THE WEEKLY TORAH PORTION
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This week's Torah portion of Bamidbar has a particular relevance to the
festival of Shavuot. We can find this connection in the opening words of
the portion, where G-d commands, "Count the number of all the
congregation of the Children of Israel."

Rashi comments: "Because the Children of Israel are dear to Him, He
counts them all the time: when they went forth from Egypt He counted
them; when they fell because of the sin of the Golden Calf, He counted
them; when He was about to make His Presence dwell among them (i.e., in
the Tabernacle) He counted them."

When things are counted, they stand in a relation of equality; the
greatest man and the least are each counted once; no more, no less. And
since, as Rashi tells us, the census was a token of G-d's love, it must
have been a gesture towards that which is equal in every Jew. Not his
intellect, not his moral standing, but his essence: his Jewish soul. So
the point of the census was to bring the soul of each Jew into
prominence, to the surface of awareness.

Rashi writes that G-d counts His people all the time; and yet, he points
out, they were counted only three times in the first year and once the
month after leaving Egypt. Then they were counted only once more during
their wanderings in the wilderness, and subsequently only at very
infrequent intervals (according to a Midrash, a total of nine times
until today, and the tenth time will be when Moshiach comes). But, if
the point of the counting was to reveal the essence of each Jewish soul,
then this revelation has a depth that places it beyond the erosions of
time.

The differences between the three countings that Rashi mentions were
evolutionary stages in a process of revelation. In the first, the Jewish
soul was awakened by the love of G-d; in the second, it began to work
its influence on the external life of the Israelites; and in the third,
it finally suffused all their actions.

The first census was on the Israelites' departure from Egypt, and it
aroused their spirit of self-sacrifice to the extent that they followed
G-d into a barren wilderness. But it left their emotions untouched.

The second was prior to building the Tabernacle. It reached their
intellect and emotions, because they were preparing for the work that
was to bring G-d's Presence into their midst. But still the impetus came
from outside: G-d's command set them to their work, not inner
compunction.

But with the third census came the actual service of the Tabernacle,
when the Israelites - by their own actions - brought G-d into their
midst. Then all their actions were a testimony to the union of the
Jewish soul with G-d.

In this way, the connection between Bamidbar and Shavuot becomes clear.
When the Torah was given, Israel and G-d were united in such a way that
G-d sent His revelation from above; and the Children of Israel were
themselves elevated. We read, in preparation for our annual re-creation
of the event, the portion which tells us of the third census when the
two modes of revelation are brought together.

                         From Torah Studies by Rabbi Jonathan Sacks

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                             SLICE OF LIFE
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                             Here and There
                        by Rabbi Mendel Greisman

Life is full of twists and turns and unexpected events; some will cause
a major change in one's life - job, place of residence, relationships,
etc. - while others will only have minimal impact and some will be no
more than a nuisance. Some of these events are anticipated and planned
and they make perfect sense, but most of the time they are engineered by
Divine Providence and we don't always get to know why they happened. It
is a basic principle of Jewish faith to believe in the Hand of G-d that
ordains the footsteps of man, and causes every event and move in our
life, big or small.

We often use flight delays - which have got to be in the top five list
of annoying unplanned events - as an example of events that happen to
you for a purpose, regardless of whether you ever find out the reason.
It is so rewarding, however, when you do find out the reason for flight
delays and cancellations. I had such one example this week.

I had planned a short trip to Israel to participate in a family simcha
(joyous occasion) right after Purim. I had scheduled the latest flight
out on Monday.  My original route included just one stop at the Newark
airport, but late Sunday night, due to the impending snowstorm back
east, I was rerouted to a Houston/Frankfurt/Tel Aviv flight, as the
XNA-EWR (Northwest Arkansas Regional airport to Newark International
Airport) flight was cancelled.

I wasn't happy having to leave five hours earlier than planned, but I
was even less happy when I had to spend those five hours in XNA waiting
for a light bulb cover to be replaced on the wing of the plane, causing
me to miss my flight to Germany and be placed on a later flight, and cut
down the 31 hours I planned to be in Israel to 26.

Finally in Frankfurt on Tuesday afternoon, at the gate to the Israel
flight, I asked some Jews waiting for the flight if they would like to
put on Tefilin. After one of them finished putting on Tefilin, he told
me: "You know, I'm happy you asked me to put on Tefilin. Today is my
mother's yartzeit (anniversary of passing), and by the time we land in
Israel, it will be after sunset, so I won't be able to say Kaddish (the
mourner's prayer) for her; at least I put on Tefilin!"

"You need to say Kaddish?!" I responded. "Well, guess what! I'm a pro at
that. I do it all the time back home. Just wait here for a few minutes."

Ten minutes later, a full minyan of ten Jews were praying the afternoon
Mincha service together at the gate, and the soul of Shprintza bat
Eliyahu, a Holocaust survivor,  was elevated when her son recited
Kaddish in her memory, in Germany.....

Walking to the gate with Gedalyeh, the son, I recalled how, upon leaving
on Monday, my son Mordechai handed me an extra Purim food gift bag,
known as Shalach manot.

"Tatty," he had said, "Maybe you will find a Jew on your flight who did
not get a Purim shalach manot. Give this to him!"

Turning to Gedalyeh, I ask, "Did you celebrate Purim this past Sunday?
Did you get a Purim shalach manot?"  His reply surprised me.

"Actually, I was in Antarctica on Purim eve. I  took a boat Saturday
evening to Argentina. And now I'm on the last leg of my journey and will
end up in Israel on Tuesday night. Tell Mordechai," my new friend
Gedalyeh concluded, "that you gave his gift package to a Jew from
Antarctica."

And there you have it, my friends. Now I knew why I had to be on that
specific flight....

                                *  *  *


This past winter, I was visiting a friend in the Sunset Park
neighborhood of Brooklyn and enjoying the 70-degree weather December had
brought. I was wearing only a suit when I left my in-laws' home in Crown
Heights, about half way across Brooklyn. No coat, sweater or even an
umbrella, as it appeared that the rain had stopped. I didn't bother to
check the forecast...

Well, upon leaving my friend's office I got caught in a major downpour.
After trying to jog the first half of the six blocks to the nearest
subway station, I gave up, stopped under a outdoor staircase for
shelter, and summoned an Uber to take me to the nearest subway station.

"Hey, Ma Nishma (Hebrew for "How are things?") the driver greeted me.
And for the first time in my life outside of Israel, I was picked up by
an Israeli cab driver, something unusual even in Brooklyn.

After making small talk, I inquired whether he had put on Tefilin yet
today. When he answered that he hadn't, I felt terrible that I hadn't
taken my Tefilin along with me, something I almost always do.

"Listen," I said after a quick thought, "here's my offer to you. As you
know, I was only planning to take you to the nearest subway station,
about a five minute drive. If you'll agree, I'll take you all the way to
Crown Heights, about five times the original fare you were going to make
on this ride, and once you're in Crown Heights you can put on Tefilin!"

The Uber driver readily agreed, and we were   both happy - he made an
extra few bucks and did a mitzva, and I had the opportunity to help a
fellow-Jew put on Tefilin!

    Rabbi Greisman and his wife Dobi are the directors of Chabad of
    Northwest Arkansas in Rogers, AR. Read more at JewishNWA.org

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                               WHAT'S NEW
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                               Be There!

Each year on the festival of Shavuot we relive the giving of the Torah
to the Jewish people by G-d at Mount Sinai by hearing the Ten
Commandments read in the synagogue from a Torah scroll. It is a special
mitzva (commandment) for every man, woman and child to be in the
synagogue on Shavuot to hear the Torah reading. This year, the Torah
reading that tells of the giving of the Torah will be read on the first
day of Shavuot, Wednesday, May 31, in synagogues around the world. Many
Chabad-Lubavitch Centers sponsor "ice cream" parties (in keeping with
the custom of eating dairy on Shavuot) for the young and the young at
heart. Call your local Chabad-Lubavitch Center for more info.

                             New Emissaries


Mar del Plata, located in Argentina's Buenos Aires Province, is a
bustling beach city found on the country's east coast. Rabbi Zalmi and
Patsonia Lipinski recently established a new Chabad Center in Mar del
Plata, Argentina. Mar del Plata is the seventh-largest city in Argentina
and home to an estimated 5,000 Jews.

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                            THE REBBE WRITES
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                    Rosh Chodesh Sivan, 5726 [1966]

This year's Annual Banquet is taking place within several days of
Shavuoth, the Festival of Mattan Torah, the Giving of the Torah at
Sinai. I trust that all participants will bring with them to the Banquet
a goodly measure of the inspiration and joy of this great Yom Tov, and
make the Banquet the success it deserves in every respect.

Our Sages tell us that when G-d was about to give the Torah at Mt.
Sinai, He requested guarantors to ensure that the Torah would be studied
and observed. All guarantees were rejected, until Moshe Rabbeinu [Moses,
our teacher] declared: "Our children will be our guarantors!"

Without this guarantee, not even Moshe Rabbeinu could have received the
Torah. Henceforth, it became the responsibility of Moshe Rabbeinu and,
indeed, of all Jews, to see to it that the Torah and the Torah-way of
life would be perpetuated through our children.

The Torah is called Toras Chaim, the Torah of Life, meaning that it is
both the source of everlasting life as well as the true guide in the
daily life, for Torah means "guidance" and "instruction." It is the
Divine and eternal Torah which we receive annually on Shavuoth and,
indeed, every day throughout the year we renew and reaffirm our eternal
bond with it, as it has been throughout the ages, and in all places
wherever Jews have lived.

It is the work of the Merkos L'Inyonei Chinuch, in many parts of this
country and the world over, to strengthen the bond between our Jewish
people and the Torah, and particularly, to see to it that the children
would be able, not only to receive their great heritage, but also
transmit it for future generations. Fortunate indeed is the Jewish
community of the Twin Cities, to have the Merkos in its midst, and to
have also, many devoted friends and dedicated partners, in this very
vital endeavor.

May the Almighty bless each and every one of you, with success in your
efforts in behalf of our children - "our guarantors" - for the
perpetuation of our Jewish way of life, and, indeed, for our survival
and happy future.

                                *  *  *

                          3 Sivan, 5711 [1951]


On the approach of Shavuoth, the Festival of our Receiving the Torah, I
send you herewith my best wishes for an inspired and joyous festival.

The Torah, being G-d-given, is infinite in its aspects. To some it may
be a means to gain reward and avoid punishment, as promised in the
Torah. To others, the Torah is a guide to good, wholesome living, and an
ideal social system. Both views are limited.

Chabad goes deeper than that, delving into the profound inner
significance of the Torah. Accordingly, the underlying purpose of the
Torah is to serve as the link between the Creator and creation.

To amplify this but very briefly: The Creator is Infinite; creation is
finite. There is no common denominator between the two (as is fully
explained in Chabad literature). In this respect, there is no difference
between the "Four KinG-doms" of creation, between the highest intellect
among the men, and the crudest stone, for both are creations, and
consequently have no co-relationship with the Creator.

That is why even the most intellectual of men cannot grasp G-d with his
intellect. However, in His infinite goodness, G-d gave man a possibility
to approach and commune with Him. G-d showed us how a finite created
being can reach beyond his inherent limitations and commune with G-d the
Infinite.

Herein lies the most important aspect of the Torah and Mitzvoth
[commandments], for they provide the ways and means whereby we may reach
a plane over rand beyond our status as created, mortals. Clearly, this
plane is incomparably above the highest perfection which a man can
attain within his own created (hence, limited) sphere.

In this deeper sense we may now understand the words of the Torah: "And
you who cleave unto G-d your G-d, are all living this day."

Wishing you and yours a happy Yom Tov [holiday], with lasting
inspiration throughout the year,

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                              ALL TOGETHER
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                Why do we stay up all night on Shavuot?

On the day of the Giving of the Torah, instead of arising early to
properly prepare for the momentous event, the Jewish People slept in. To
make amends for this, it is customary to remain awake throughout the
first night of Shavuot. We read the "Tikkun Leil Shavuot," which
contains selections from all areas of the Torah. Others have the custom
of simply studying any topic in Torah throughout the night.

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                        A WORD FROM THE DIRECTOR
                         Rabbi Shmuel M. Butman
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As the holiday of Shavuot approaches (this year beginning on the evening
of Tuesday, May 30), we are reminded of the beautiful Midrash that
teaches that the Jewish children of every generation are the reason why
G-d gave us the gift of the Torah:

When G-d asked what assurance the Jewish people were offering that the
Torah would be studied, loved and cherished, the Jewish people offered
our Patriarchs as security. But this was not accepted. We then offered
the Torah scholars as the guarantors. This, too, was not acceptable. It
was only when we offered our children as guarantors that G-d approved
our proposal and gave us the Torah.

On the anniversary of an event, the "spiritual energy" that was infused
by G-d into that event is at its strongest. This is the reason why, for
example, we should do our utmost to celebrate our birthdays properly
each year. This is true, too, concerning every Jewish holiday. Which
means that on Shavuot - the celebration of the Giving of the Torah - the
spiritual energy that was invested into that day over 3,300 years ago is
at its strongest.

What is the special spiritual energy of Shavuot and how can we benefit
from it? It was on Shavuot that our ancestors proclaimed, "We will do
and then we will learn." So this is the time when we recommit ourselves
to performing mitzvot - even if we haven't yet learned or don't yet
understand their reasons.

Shavuot is also the time when the spiritual energy of our children,
being the guarantors for the Torah, is at its strongest. This is the
time when we must renew our commitment to providing our children with a
proper Jewish upbringing and education as well as facilitating the
proper Jewish education of all Jewish children, wherever they may be.

We can begin doing both of the above by going to the synagogue this
Shavuot to hear the reading of the Ten Commandments and by bringing
along with us Jewish children of all ages - children in age, children at
heart, or children in Jewish knowledge. Be there, and be a part of a
3,300-year-old unbroken chain of Jewish commitment and pride.

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                          THOUGHTS THAT COUNT
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He who learns from a colleague a single chapter, a single Torah law, a
single verse, a single statement or even a single letter, must show him
honor (Ethics, 6:3)

This teaching refers to a colleague whose conduct is not above reproach.
When a person's own conduEct is flawed, it is natural that despite the
rational self-justifications that stem from self-love, he would
recognize his own failings and humbly look down on himself. One may not,
however, view a colleague from whom he has learned Torah concepts in
such a manner. For even when the other's conduct is unworthy he should
be honored for the sake of the teachings he communicated.

                                 (The Rebbe, Parshat Bamidbar 5738)

                                *  *  *


Rabbi Meir said: Whoever occupies himself with [the study of Torah] for
its own sake merits many things (Ethics, 6:1)

The Hebrew word for "occupies - osek" relates to the word for
"businessman," "baal esek." A person's occupation with the study of
Torah must resemble a businessman's preoccupation with his commercial
enterprise. Just as his attention is never totally diverted from his
business, so too should the Torah always be the focus of our attention.

                                        (Likutei Sichot, Vol. XVII)

                                *  *  *


Whatever the Holy One, blesEsed be He, created in His world, He created
only for His glory (Ethics, 6:11)

A heretic once came to Rabbi Akiva and demanded proof that G-d created
the world. "Come back tomorrow," Rabbi Akiva told him. The next day,
when the heretic returned, Rabbi Akiva asked him what he was wearing. "A
garment," the man replied. "Who made it?" the Rabbi asked. "The tailor,"
was his answer. When Rabbi Akiva demanded proof, the heretic demanded,
"How can you not know this?" Said Rabbi Akiva, "And what about you? How
can you not know that G-d created the world?" Our Sages commented: "Just
as a house indicates a builder, a garment indicates a tailor, and a door
a carpenter, so too does the world tell of the Holy One that He created
it."

                                                 (Midrash Tanchuma)

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                            IT ONCE HAPPENED
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Shavuot is the anniversary of passing of King David

David was born in Beth-Lehem, in the land of Judah. He was ten
generations removed from Judah, one of Jacob's twelve sons. David's
great grandfather, Boaz (also known as Ibzan), was the tenth Judge of
Israel. He was one of the greatest scholars and most pious men of his
generation. His estates were many, and his generosity was renowned.

When Boaz was 80 years old, he married Ruth. Ruth was a member of the
Moabite royal family. Her grandfather was the powerful King Eglon of
Moab. Yet Ruth preferred to become an ordinary Jewish woman, rather than
a royal princess of Moab. All her trials and misfortunes did not dampen
her great devotion to her newly acquired people. Even among the pious
and modest maidens of Judah, Ruth stood out with a charm of her own; her
modesty and piety, her selflessness and devotion became known far and
wide. But how richly Ruth was rewarded! She became a princess in Israel
- the wife of the ruling Judge, and the great-grandmother of King David.
She lived long enough not only to see the glorious reign of King David,
but also to see Solomon succeed to the throne of a great and glorious
Land of Israel.

Throughout the years, the great traditions of the noble family, going
back to Judah and Jacob, were maintained by the house of Jesse, David's
father. Here was a house of scholarship, piety, kindness, generosity and
wealth. And the noble traits of all his great and famous ancestors were
bestowed upon David.

G-d told the Prophet Samuel to go to Beth-Lehem, where he would find the
future king among one of the sons of Jesse. Samuel was to anoint the
chosen one as king.

The prophet went to Beth-Lehem on the pretext of holding Divine services
there, for he feared lest Saul detect his true purpose. Once in
Beth-Lehem, Samuel imparted his secret to Jesse. Jesse presented to the
prophet each of his seven sons in turn. David was absent, tending the
sheep. Although they were all men of laudable qualities, none of them
qualified for this high position. When Samuel was informed that Jesse's
youngest son was in the field tending the flocks, he demanded that he be
brought to him immediately. Seeing David, Samuel knew by Diving
inspiration that he was the chosen one. Samuel then anointed him as the
future king of Israel. From that day the spirit of G-d rested on David.

Almost simultaneously with the anointment of David, Saul was stricken
with a deep melancholy. The king's friends and courtiers noticed this
sudden change and advised him to seek a good musician to ease his mind
with the strains of sweet music. David, the future Psalmist, had already
become known for his wonderful music as well as for his divine poetry.
David was summoned to the king's court, where his sweet music on the
harp helped to set the king's troubled mind at ease. Saul did not know
that the young lad who was playing before him was destined to be his
successor.

The Philistines had not been entirely subdued, and they again determined
upon warfare. A man of abnormal height and strength emerged from the
Philistine ranks. He was covered completely with the heaviest armor.
Stepping midway between the two armies, he challenged the Jewish army to
send forth a man who would dare to oppose him in single combat. The
sight of this giant, armed to his teeth, struck terror into the hearts
of the Jews. Day after day Goliath flung his challenge at the Jews
without receiving an answer.

At that time David was at home caring for his father's sheep. His three
older brothers were serving with Saul's army. Jesse called David and
requested him to take some provisions to his brothers. David arrived at
the Jewish encampment just when Goliath was again defying Israel to
produce an opponent to stand up against him. Surprised at the lack of
courage of his brethren, David showed that he was willing to match his
strength against that of the giant. He was immediately brought before
Saul. At first Saul refused to send this youth against the veteran
Goliath. Yielding at last, Saul said, "Go, and the L-rd be with thee."

David donned Saul's suit of armor, which the king offered him. But, when
he saw how enviously the king eyed him, David pretended that the armor
was too cumbersome for him, and he returned the suit to Saul. He took
his staff in one hand and his sling in the other; and choosing five
smooth stones out of the brook, he put them into his shepherd's bag,
which he threw round his shoulder. Thus armed, he drew near to Goliath.
The Philistine came forth, preceded by his armor-bearer; but when he saw
the fair and ruddy youth he exclaimed disdainfully: "Am I a dog, that
you comes to me with sticks?" and he cursed him by his gods.

But David, conscious of his good cause and inspired by it to a sublime
courage, replied, "You come to me with a sword and with a spear, and
with a shield, but I come to you in the name of the G-d of the armies of
Israel... The L-rd saves not with sword and spear; for the battle is the
L-rd's, and He will give you into our hands." Goliath, enraged by this
bold reply, advanced. David quickly drew a stone from his bag, and
placing it in his sling, flung it at the forehead of the Philistine. It
pierced the head of the giant, who fell to the ground. Running near and
grasping the large sword of his fallen foe, David cut off his head.
Seeing their hero prostrate, the Philistines fled in panic, and the Jews
pursued them as far as Ekron and Gath.

David's courage and faith in G-d became the talk of all the people.

                          From My People, Kehot Publication Society

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                            MOSHIACH MATTERS
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The Torah portion of Bamidbar is always read before the holiday fo
Shavuot. They have an inner connection basedon three levels fo Divine
service. These three levels are alluded to by the three phrases
connected with the giving of the Torah. "My special treasure," "a
kinG-dom of kohanim: and "a holy nation." These parallel the three
accountings foudn in teh portion fo Bamidbar. Thsi also parallels the
process of Redmption: first the Jewish people are separated from all
other nations; then they lead the nations towards G-dliness; finally,
knowledge of G-d covers and permeates the world as the waters cover the
ocean bed.

      (From Reflections of Redemption by Dovid Yisroel Ber Kaufmann
                          o.b.m., to whom this column is dedicated)

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               END OF TEXT - L'CHAIM 1473 - Bamidbar 5777
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