B"H LIVING WITH MOSHIACH Weekly Digest About Moshiach PARSHAT CHAYEI SARAH, 5768 21 Cheshvan, 5768 Nov. 2, 2007 SPECIAL FEATURE: "Let There Be Light" The Jewish Women's Guide To Lighting Shabbat Candles ************************************************* * This week's issue is sponsored in part by: * * Holy Sparks - "http://www.holysparks.com" * * * * * Your premiere site for Jewish spirituality. * * * * * 5,768 Years of the Most Amazing Jewish Wisdom * * recorded in calligraphy, especially for you! * * * * * Explore your potential: * * Jewish Books, Art & Wisdom For Our Time. * * FREE art! * ************************************************* >> A Jewish Response To Terrorism << http://www.torah4blind.org/lwm-5762/269.htm *************************************************** * Visit TruePeace.org * * "http://www.truepeace.org" * * Dedicated to educating the public regarding the * * current situation in Israel, based on Torah * * sources, with special emphasis on the opinion * * and teachings of the Lubavitcher Rebbe * *************************************************** Published Weekly By Lubavitch Shluchim Conferences On The Moshiach Campaign, Committee For The Blind * * * 5768 **************************************************** * VISIT US ON THE WEB, AT: * * http://www.torah4blind.org * **************************************************** * TO RECEIVE THIS PUBLICATION VIA INTERNET: * * E-Mail: info@torah4blind.org * * or: * * http://www.torah4blind.org/subs.htm * **************************************************** * OPERATION REFUAH: * * http://www.operationrefuah.org * **************************************************** * JEWISH CHILDREN: * * Get your own letter in a Sefer Torah! * * http://www.kidstorah.org * **************************************************** * Kids! We Want YOU To Join * * Tzivos Hashem (The Army of G-d) * * http://www.torah4blind.org/tzivos-h.htm * **************************************************** * MOSHIACH - CHILDREN'S PAGE * * http://www.torah4blind.org/children/index.htm * **************************************************** * THE SEVEN UNIVERSAL LAWS OF NOAH: * * http://www.torah4blind.org/noahide.htm * **************************************************** THIS PUBLICATION IS DEDICATED TO THE REBBE, RABBI MENACHEM M. SCHNEERSON OF LUBAVITCH "I BELIEVE WITH COMPLETE FAITH IN THE ARRIVAL OF THE MOSHIACH. "AND THOUGH HE MAY TARRY, I SHALL WAIT EACH DAY, ANTICIPATING HIS ARRIVAL." Maimonides, Principles of the Faith, No. 12 ********************* * TABLE OF CONTENTS * ********************* * Introduction. * The Weekly Aliyot. * The Rebbe's Prophecy. * Chof Cheshvan. * One Little Girl. * Let There Be Light. * Guidelines and Instructions. * Laws of Shabbat Candle Lighting for the Blind. * Festival Candles. * Shabbat Candle Lighting Blessing. * Worldwide Impact. * Time for Unity; Time for Strength! * A Call To Action. * The Weekly Shabbat Calendar. * Moshiach Information Hotlines. * Moshiach In The Air -- Electronic Media. * Subscription Information for this Weekly Magazine: Living With Moshiach. **************** * INTRODUCTION * **************** We are pleased to present, to the visually impaired and the blind, the 549th issue of our weekly publication, Living With Moshiach. * In this week's issue, we focus on one of the Rebbe's Mitzvah Campaigns, the laws of Shabbat Candle Lighting (which is one of the three special mitzvot for Jewish Women). [1] Therefore, we present here "Let There Be Light -- The Jewish Women's Guide To Lighting Shabbat Candles," and other related material about Shabbat Candle Lighting. * Our sincere appreciation to L'Chaim weekly publication, published by the Lubavitch Youth Organization, for allowing us to use their material. Also, many thanks to our copy editor, Reb Mordechai Staiman, of blessed memory ("http://www.torah4blind.org/staiman"), for his tireless efforts. * It is our fervent hope that our learning about Moshiach and the Redemption will hasten the coming of Moshiach, NOW! Rabbi Yosef Y. Shagalov Executive Director Enlightenment For The Blind, Inc. E-Mail:yys@torah4blind.org 11 Cheshvan, 5768 Los Angeles, California _______________ 1. The other two are: Mivtzah Kashrut -- The Jewish Dietary Laws, ("http://www.torah4blind.org/lwm-5767/521.htm"), and Mivtzah Taharat Hamishpacha -- The Jewish Laws of Family Purity ("http://www.torah4blind.org/lwm-5765/415.htm"). ************************************************* * IN LOVING MEMORY OF * * Horav Schneur Zalman Halevi * * ben Horav Yitzchok Elchonon Halevi * * Shagalov * * Passed away on 21 Tamuz, 5766 * * * * Reb Dovid Asniel ben Reb Eliyahu * * Ekman * * Passed away on 5 Sivan - Erev Shavuot, 5765 * * * * Mrs. Devora Rivka bas Reb Yosef Eliezer * * Marenburg * * Passed away on the second day * * of Rosh Chodesh Adar, 5766 * * * * AND IN HONOR OF * * Mrs. Esther Shaindel bas Fraidel Chedva * * Shagalov * * * * * Dedicated by their children * * Rabbi & Mrs. Yosef Yitzchok and Gittel Rochel * * Shagalov * ************************************************* *********************************************** * THE WEEKLY ALIYOT [*] * * A short summary of the weekly Torah portion * * read in the Synagogue on Shabbat. * *********************************************** Parshat Chayei Sarah In the previous parsha -- Torah portion, Parshat Vayeira, we read about the birth of Yitzchok Avinu -- our forefather, in his parents old age, and the story of the binding of Yitzchok, the akaida. * In the first aliyah [2] of this week's Torah portion, Parshat Chayei Sarah, we find out that Sarah Imanu -- our foremother -- Yitzchok's mother, has passed away. Rashi comments on the words used by the Torah to describe her age: that at one hundred, she was without sin as a twenty year-old, and at twenty, she was as beautiful as a girl of seven. This aliyah then gives a detailed account of Avrohom purchasing the cave of Machpella for 400 shekels of silver. It is interesting to note that the following sites, all mentioned in the Torah -- the Cave of Machpella (in Chevron), the site of the Bais Hamikdash (The Holy Temple, in Jerusalem), bought by King David, and the city of Shechem, conquered by our forefather Yaakov and later used to bury Yosef -- were paid for, or conquered, at the time, yet all are under contestion today. * After the story of the akaida at the end of the last parsha, Avrohom realized that Yitzchok, who was 37 years old, should be getting married. At the very end of that parsha, in the maftir reading, some genealogy information was given including the birth of Rivkah, which was to be Yitzchok's future wife. So in this week's second aliyah, the Torah begins the story of Avrohom sending his servant Eliezer back to the land of Avrohom's birth to find a wife for Yitzchok. * In the third aliyah Eliezer arrives at Avrohom's homeland and waits outside the city by the well of water. Here he prays to G-d that his mission of finding a wife for Yitzchok should be quickly successful. He prays that he will ask a young lady for a drink of water, and when she answers, she will say "of course, and I'll also give your camels water to drink." Before he finishes speaking, a young lady approaches and he asks for a drink, and she says "of course" and offers also to feed his camels. And naturally, she turns out to be from the correct family, too. * In the fourth aliyah, after Eliezer found Rivkah so quickly, he says "Boruch Hashem!" -- Blessed is G-d. Rivkah then runs to tell her family about this man by the well, and her brother, Lavan, goes out and greets Eliezer and invites him to spend the night. Eliezer accepts and goes and meets Avrohom's future in-laws and tells them all that has transpired, and they agree to the match. * In the fifth aliyah Eliezer and Rivkah's family celebrate, and in the morning Eliezer asks that he be allowed to return immediately to his master with Rivkah. But her family wants to hold her for a year. In the end they ask Rivkah, which, Rashi says, teaches us that a woman can't get married against her will. Eliezer and Rivkah return and find Yitzchok praying in a field as it was getting to be evening. Actually, our sages say that this was the invention of the Mincha -- afternoon -- prayer. The wedding takes place and Yitzchok takes Rivkah to his mother Sarah's tent, when Sarah lived. This tent had three constant blessings: the candles burned from Shabbat to Shabbat, the dough was blessed, and the cloud of the Shechinah -- Divine Presence -- rested over the tent. When Rivkah entered the tent, these three blessings returned. Incidentally, these three blessings correspond to the three special mitzvot of Jewish woman: Lighting Shabbat candles, the taking of challah which is associated with a kosher home, and Taharat Hamishpocha -- the observance of the laws of family purity -- a G-d given gift to the Jewish people for the spiritual and physical health of the family. * In the sixth aliyah Avrohom remarries, and Rashi says his wife was the original Hagar that he was married to before. Also in this aliyah, Avrohom Avinu passes away at the age of 175, and Yitzchok and Yishmael bury their father in the cave of Machpella where Sarah, his wife, and Adam and Chava, are also buried. * Because, as we saw in the previous aliyah, that Yishmael had done teshuvah -- repentance -- and participated in Avrohom Avinu's burial, the Midrash says that he was rewarded by having his genealogy described in this, the seventh aliyah. _______________ *. Adapted from The Weekly Aliyot by Avrohom Gedalia Gershon. He can be reached at: avrohom@gershonfamily.com. 2. The weekly Torah portion is divided into 7 sections, that are called aliyahs. Ed. ******************************************************* * IN LOVING MEMORY OF OUR DEAR FRIEND AND COPY EDITOR * * Reb Mordechai ben Reb Shaul * * Staiman * * Passed away on 22 Tamuz, 5763 * ******************************************************* ************************ * THE REBBE'S PROPHECY * ************************ The Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson of Lubavitch, issued a call that "THE TIME OF OUR REDEMPTION HAS ARRIVED!" and "MOSHIACH IS ON HIS WAY!" The Rebbe stressed that he is saying this AS A PROPHECY, and asks us all to prepare ourselves for the Redemption, through increasing acts of goodness and kindness. LET US ALL HEED THE REBBE'S CALL. _______________ See "Living With Moshiach" Vol 441: http://www.torah4blind.org/lwm-5765/441.htm ********************************************* * IN LOVING MEMORY OF OUR DEAR GRANDPARENTS,* * * * Reb Shmuel Pesach Ben Reb Yaakov Dovid * * Passed away on 3 Tishrei, 5755 * * * * Mrs. Fraidel Chedvah Bas Reb Zev Wolf * * Passed away on 4 Adar II, 5755 * * Pais * * * * Dedicated by their grandchildren * * Rabbi & Mrs. Yosef Y. and Gittel Rochel * * Shagalov * ********************************************* ***************** * CHOF CHESHVAN * ***************** On the 20th of Cheshvan (Thursday, Nov. 1), we will be commemorating the birthday of Rabbi Sholom DovBer (5621/1860-5680/1920), the fifth Chabad-Lubavitch Rebbe, known as the Rebbe Rashab. It is said that on a person's birthday, the "spiritual source of the soul shines powerfully." Therefore, it is important to understand what the central point of the Rebbe Rashab's leadership was, and how it differed from the other Chabad Rebbes. The Rebbe explains how each of the Rebbes was characterized by a particular dimension that reflected his individual nature. Chabad Chasidus is characterized by the ability to make the esoteric teachings of the Torah, which remained hidden from the majority of the Jewish community, accessible to every single Jew. The Rebbe Rashab was able to bring the teachings of Chabad Chasidus to an even more comprehensible level than his predecessors. The Rebbe Rashab's teachings put a great emphasis on summarizing subject matter so that it could be more easily implemented into daily life. For this he is referred to by many as the "Rambam (Maimonides) of Chasidus," because he summarized Chasidus in the same way the Rambam summarized the Oral Law, making it comprehensible and giving it clear directions for every aspect of our conduct. The lessons of the Rebbe Rashab are easily understood and are concluded with directions for the practical application of those lessons. In 5657/1897 the Rebbe Rashab established a yeshivah, Tomchei Tmimim, and he was personally involved in every aspect of it, designing the curriculum, and asking for a detailed progress report on each student. He strove to raise both their standard of learning and their standard of behavior. It was a great honor to be accepted into the yeshivah, and its students were highly respected by the community. The Rebbe Rashab published many of his teachings, which deal with improving one's character, how to prepare for prayer and the importance of prayer, and of studying Chasidus. May we all benefit from his teachings. * * * There is a beautiful story concerning the Rebbe Rashab, illustrating the high esteem in which he held every Jew. 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, but asked the Rebbe if he could display them later, when they could be seen to their best advantage. Later, 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." * * * The Rebbe Rashab was a great tzadik and a person of tremendous insight. This can be illustrated by the following incident. The Rebbe Rashab founded, in 5657/1897, the Tomchei Tmimim Yeshivah in the city of Lubavitch. The Rebbe Rashab was an honorary member of the council which was formed to help establish the new government's policy toward the Jews after the deposition of the Czar. In 5678/1918 he traveled to Petersburg to participate in a council meeting. At one of the stops on the journey, he sent his attendant to buy a newspaper. Returning with the newspaper, the attendant read to the Rebbe Rashab: "The Communists have taken over, and the council has been abolished." The Rebbe Rashab responded, "We must now establish yeshivot in every city. I do not see their [the Communists'] end, but ultimately, their end too, will come..." In the (former) Soviet Union, as the Communist arm stretched forth with ever increasing strength, the yeshivot went underground. Today, thank G-d, there are still hundreds of people living all over the world who were educated in those underground yeshivot. In the last few years, yeshivot have been started in 11 cities including Tbilisi, Moscow, Minsk, Dnepropetrovsk, Kishinev, and Kharkov. Dozens of Tomchei Tmimim Yeshivot continue to educate young Jews in many countries around the world, including Canada, Australia, Israel, Venezuela, and throughout the United States. How visionary were the Rebbe Rashab's words concerning the ultimate demise of Communism. ******************* * ONE LITTLE GIRL * ******************* The following true story is adapted from a talk given by the Rebbe during the fall of 1976. The little Israeli girl was only five years old. One day, in school, a visitor from Chabad told her class about lighting Shabbat candles. Although she and her classmates were far below the age of bat mitzvah, declared the young woman, they could nonetheless participate in this mitzvah. When the little girl came home that Friday, and excitedly told her mother about her new discovery, her mother replied that she knew nothing about this whole business (she had received no Jewish education whatsoever). "Did you ever hear of such a thing!" exclaimed the mother angrily. "A little girl should want to do things that her own mother doesn't do, and bring new ideas into the house!" But we all know what young children are like. The little girl started to cry and she pleaded with her mother. "I'm not asking you to do anything. All I'm asking is that you should let me do it. I have a candle-holder; they gave me one in school. I know the blessing; they also gave me a paper with the instructions on when and how to light the candle. Please let me light it!" Mother gave in. "All right, do whatever you want. But stop crying, and leave me in peace." Our little girl was overjoyed. She put the candle on the dining room table, lit it herself, made the blessing, and was in seventh heaven! She went around from one member of the family to the other, warning each one of them in her childish but serious way, that no one should touch her candle or blow it out. When mother and father saw that it wasn't so terrible after all, they let her light the candle the next Friday without any fuss. The little girl again lit it with the same delight and enthusiasm as the first week, and her infectious joy spread to the rest of the family. A few weeks went by. One Friday the father said that "it just somehow didn't seem right" to have the television on with the little one walking around the house singing Shabbat songs, and with the candle burning on the table. While the candle was lit, he could not bring himself to turn on the television. Some time later the telephone rang and mother did not answer it, because the candle was still lit. Weeks later mother surveyed the Friday night scene and decided that something was wrong. How strange it looked to see just the single candle burning on the table, to see her little daughter full of joy and telling everyone that it was a holy day, etc., while she, the mother, was busy as if it were just an ordinary day. "It just doesn't seem right! I'm going to start lighting candles, too!" Once she started lighting candles, she could not bring herself to turn on the oven. "After all, I have just declared in the blessing that it is the Holy Shabbat; how can I now go ahead with making supper -- and turn the oven on or off in violation of the Sabbath?" No one likes cold food; so mother started to make "cholent" (the traditional Shabbat stew allowed to cook from Friday afternoon until Shabbat afternoon) for the midday meal. Naturally, the whole "cholent" procedure affected the way they did things and the meals they ate the next day, too. Later, mother decided that since she was now lighting candles, she would dress up in honor of the Friday night atmosphere. And so it went on. From one thing to another. From one aspect of Shabbat to another. From one small candle lit by one little girl following a scene and tears; to refraining from doing work while the candle was still burning; to the mother's beginning to light Shabbat candles; from there to the wearing of nicer clothes in honor of Shabbat; and on to refraining from all types of work prohibited on Shabbat. Eventually the entire family and household became transformed. This family has now returned completely to their tradition and heritage. All, because of the light of one Shabbat candle! ******************************** * LET THERE BE LIGHT * * The Jewish Women's Guide to * * Lighting Shabbat Candles [3] * ******************************** LIGHT IS BORN . . . DARKNESS RECEDES Peace descends on the Jewish home every Shabbat. The news of the day may tell of murder and mayhem, politics and pollution, disease and disaster -- indeed the global catalogue of human misery. For ours is a threatening world. One in which the Jewish spirit is under constant assault by hypocrisy, injustice and rampant immorality. But there is a divine spark in each of us. And so, there is hope. For light is a compelling force that will always triumph over darkness. Fire touches wick. Flame reaches upward. Another home is bathed in peace and holiness, in warmth and unity. A Jewish woman has invited the Shabbat Queen into her home. The darkness of the day's headlines recedes, exiled by the peaceful glow of candles. It is truly a gift from on high. All that is good, all that is holy is symbolized -- indeed realized -- in the flickering light of the Shabbat candles: * Domestic harmony. * Dedication to G-d, Torah and Mitzvot. * Triumph of good. * Unending hope and faith in ultimate good. * * * Tradition recounts the miracle of our Matriarch Sarah, whose Shabbat candles burned from Friday eve to Friday eve. Our sages tell of our Matriarch Rivkah, who lit Shabbat candles from the tender age of three. Two millennia ago, the Holy Zohar declared that a woman kindling her Shabbat candles with joy in her heart brings peace on earth, long life to her loved ones, and is blessed with children who illuminate our world with Torah. And in our generation, the Rebbe said: "Let every woman -- young girls included -- add her holy light to illuminate the world shrouded in darkness and confusion." * * * Lighting Shabbat candles is the historic responsibility of every Jewish wife and mother. But in our times their light is not enough . . . Today we also need the holy flame of every Jewish girl in order to keep the forces of darkness at bay. These are times when children look beyond home and hearth, in quest of their own identity and the desire to create a meaningful life for themselves. Let them hold a candle all their own . . . Let them kindle a flame of their own . . . Let them bring their aspirations in sync with the divine warmth of the Shabbat light. JEWISH GIRLS! Your mothers need you. Your people need you. Your future as Jewish women cries out for you to enter its service now. JEWISH MOTHERS! As soon as your daughter is old enough to recite the blessing, teach her to kindle her own Shabbat candle. Because darkness is all around us, and only you have the power to drive it away. _______________ 3. Adapted from the brochure published by: The Lubavitch Women's Candle Lighting Campaign. ******************************* * GUIDELINES AND INSTRUCTIONS * ******************************* * A married woman customarily lights two candles and may add an additional one for each of her children. Single women light one candle. * As soon as a young girl can grasp the idea of Shabbat and can recite the blessing (approximately 3 years old) her mother should provide her with a candlestick and teach her to kindle the Shabbat lights. * The child should light before her mother in case she needs assistance. * It is customary to put a few coins in a 'pushka' (charity box) before lighting candles. * The correct time to light the Shabbat candles is *18 MINUTES BEFORE SUNSET EVERY FRIDAY.* Young girls should light just prior to this time. *********************************** * LAWS OF SHABBAT CANDLE LIGHTING * * FOR THE BLIND * *********************************** Edited by Rabbi Y. K. Marlow O.B.M. [4] * A blind woman who lives alone should light her Shabbat candle(s) with a blessing. * If she is married to a non-visually impaired person, HER HUSBAND SHOULD LIGHT THE SHABBAT CANDLES WITH THE BLESSING. * If she is eating and lighting in the company of others who are non-visually impaired, and they lit the Shabbat candles, she should light her own Shabbat candle(s), BUT WITHOUT SAYING THE BLESSING. * (If at all possible, she should not be the last one to light the Shabbat candle(s), so that she can be absolved by the latter's blessing.) _______________ 4. Head of Bet-Din (Rabbinical Court) of Crown Heights. ******************** * FESTIVAL CANDLES * ******************** Just as candles are lit in honor of Shabbat, so are they lit in honor of the festivals. Various blessings are recited on the different festivals. (See our "Festival/Holiday Guides" published before every Festival/Holiday, for the proper blessings). NOTE: When lighting after the onset of a festival, a preexisting flame must be used to light the candles, as it is prohibited to create a new fire by striking a match or lighter, etc. However, it is permissible to use, or transfer live, from a flame burning continuously since the onset of the festival - such as a pilot light, gas or candle flame. ************************************ * SHABBAT CANDLE LIGHTING BLESSING * ************************************ * First light the candles. Then spread your hands out around the candles, drawing your hands inward in a circular motion three times to indicate the acceptance of the sanctity of Shabbat. You then cover your eyes and recite the following blessing: BO-RUCH A-TOH ADO-NOI E-LO-HEI-NU ME-LECH HO-OLOM A-SHER KI-DE-SHO-NU BE-MITZ-VO-SOV VE-TZI-VO-NU LE-HAD-LIK NER SHEL SHA-BOS KO-DESH. Translation: Blessed are You, L-rd our G-d, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments, and commanded us to kindle the light of the holy Shabbat. * Uncover your eyes and behold the Shabbat lights. * The time of lighting is considered especially propitious for praying to G-d for health and happiness. The prayer is readily acceptable because it is offered during the performance of this great mitzvah of lighting Shabbat candles. CAUTION: The candles must be lit 18 minutes *BEFORE* sunset. IT IS PROHIBITED AND IS A DESECRATION OF THE SHABBAT TO LIGHT THE CANDLES *AFTER* SUNSET. ******************** * WORLDWIDE IMPACT * ******************** Eight plus ten plus five is 23. Add to that 40, 6, 300, 100 and 1 and you have the number 470. But 470 isn't just the sum of a random set of numbers. In Hebrew, each letter has a numerical value. And the numbers listed above are the numerical values of the Hebrew letters that spell the name of Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka, the Rebbe's wife. One of the very first activities initiated in memory of the Rebbetzin was "Project 470," a division of the Lubavitch Women's Organization Candle Lighting Campaign. Esther Sternberg, coordinator of the campaign since its inception at the Rebbe's behest in 1974, tells about the background of Project 470. "We had scheduled our annual fund-raising event for the 26th of Shevat that year (5748/1988). We sent the invitation to the Rebbe and received the Rebbe's blessing. When the Rebbetzin passed away just days before the event, which meant that it would take place during the shivah (the week of mourning), we thought to postpone it. But, as we had already received the Rebbe's blessing we decided to go ahead. "At the evening itself," remembers Mrs. Sternberg, "we announced that we were establishing a special fund in the Rebbetzin's memory that would be devoted exclusively to publicizing, through newspaper and radio ads, the special mitzvah of Shabbat candles." At that point, the project did not yet have a name. It was through a comment made by the Rebbe that this far-reaching project received its name. Explains Mrs. Sternberg, "Right after the Rebbe got up from shivah, we were told that the Rebbe wanted to see my father (Rabbi Shneur Zalman Gurary, O.B.M.) and me. My father and I were both with the Rebbetzin in her last moments, and we thought that maybe the Rebbe wanted to ask us some questions. When we arrived in the Rebbe's office he was holding the invitation to our evening. Someone had informed the Rebbe about the fund. The Rebbe wanted to give $470 'al shem hanifteres' -- in the name of the departed -- and another dollar that the project should be a success." Animatedly, Mrs. Sternberg describes the rest of the audience with the Rebbe: "The Rebbe gave many, many blessings for the Candle Lighting Campaign and said that anyone who inspires others to light Shabbat candles, as well as those who begin to light Shabbat candles, 'yair mazalon' -- their fortune will shine. The Rebbe showered blessings on anyone who would be involved." The main undertaking of Project 470 has been a classified ad on the front page of the New York Times every Friday, reminding Jewish women and girls to light Shabbat candles. The ad includes the correct time for candle lighting that week in New York City as well as the computerized telephone system that gives the candle lighting time for any location in the United States, including Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico. This classified ad has run consecutively for 16 years. Mrs. Sternberg notes that she constantly receives calls for candle lighting times around the world, which is not surprising, as the front page of the New York Times is duplicated in all foreign editions as well. A system to allow callers to receive computerized information for the entire world is currently being created for Project 470. Although there are hundreds of stories connected to the Candle Lighting Campaign in general, Mrs. Sternberg retells one unique incident: "Exactly 28 years ago, I was going to Israel. I saw many Jewish college students who were also on their way to Israel in the El Al area at the airport. Always eager to encourage more Jewish girls and women to light Shabbat candles, I approached the young women and asked them if they light Shabbat candles. They all answered affirmatively. They were very proud and excitedly told me about their interaction with Chabad on their college campuses around the country. I was elated by their positive responses." Continues Mrs. Sternberg: "In those days the El Al security system included booths that were electronically monitored. As I was planning on going to a few European countries after Israel to talk about the Candle Lighting Campaign, I had an entire suitcase full of candlesticks with me. I was afraid the metal detectors would be set off by the candlesticks, so when I was about to enter the cubicle, I told the security guard in Hebrew, 'I'm afraid to go in.' He told me not to be afraid. He saw I was in a very good mood and commented on it. 'You can't imagine how happy I am,' I told the officer, truly exuberant over my conversations with the college students and my trip to Israel. "'So, Madam, maybe you have neshek?' the officer asked me with a twinkle in his eyes. I was sure that he had seen me talking with the students and had seen me pull out some candlesticks from my suitcase." In Israel, the Candle Lighting Campaign is well known as Mivtza Neshek. Neshek, which literally means 'weapons' is an acronym for Neirot Shabbat Kodesh -- Holy Shabbat Candles. "We consider 'Neshek' as one of the 'weapons' in the Rebbe's war against assimilation and apathy. "I said proudly, 'Of course I have Neshek, a whole suitcase full!' Instantly an alarm was sounded and within seconds five police came running to the little cubicle to arrest me." With a chuckle, Mrs. Sternberg remembers, "I opened the suitcase and showed them what was inside. 'I am talking about a different kind of Neshek altogether,' I told them innocently." ************************************** * TIME FOR UNITY; TIME FOR STRENGTH! * ************************************** The most important principle in the Torah is the protection of Jewish life. It's more important than Shabbat, more important than holidays, even fasting on Yom Kippur. Right now, in Israel, and everywhere, Jews must stand together in unity and do whatever possible to protect Jewish life. The Rebbe teaches that there are TEN important MITZVOT we can do to protect life. See what you can do: 1) AHAVAT YISROEL: Behave with love towards another Jew. 2) LEARN TORAH: Join a Torah class. 3) Make sure that Jewish children get a TORAH TRUE EDUCATION. 4) Affix kosher MEZUZOT on all doorways of the house. 5) For men and boys over 13: Put on TEFILLIN every weekday. 6) Give CHARITY. 7) Buy JEWISH HOLY BOOKS and learn them. 8) LIGHT SHABBAT & YOM TOV candles. A Mitzvah for women and girls. 9) Eat and drink only KOSHER FOOD. 10) Observe the laws of JEWISH FAMILY PURITY. In addition the Rebbe urges that: Every Jewish man, woman and child should have a letter written for them in a SEFER TORAH.* Every person should study either the Rambam's Yad Hachazakah -- Code of Jewish Law -- or the Sefer HaMitzvos. Concerning Moshiach, the Rebbe stated, "The time for our redemption has arrived!" Everyone should prepare themselves for Moshiach's coming by doing random acts of goodness and kindness, and by studying about what the future redemption will be like. May we merit to see the fulfillment of the Rebbe's prophecy now! _______________ *. There are several Torah scrolls being written to unite Jewish people and protect Jewish life. Letters for children can be purchased for only $1. Send your Hebrew name and your mother's Hebrew name plus $1 to: "Children's Sefer Torah," P.O. Box 8, Kfar Chabad, 72915, Israel or via the Internet, at: http://www.kidstorah.org ******************** * A CALL TO ACTION * ******************** The Rebbe's slogan is: "The main thing is the deed." We therefore present from the Rebbe's talks, suggestions of what we can do to complete his work of bringing the Redemption. ENCOURAGE THE KIDS! Do the doorposts of your children's rooms have mezuzahs on them? If they do, point them out to the children and encourage them to kiss or touch the mezuzah cover as they go in and out of the room. If not, purchase a hand-written mezuzah scroll from a reliable Judaica store or your local Chabad-Lubavitch Center. You can even let the child choose his or her own mezuzah cover. The Rebbe explained, "We see that children have a unique attraction to a mezuzah, and kiss it eagerly several times a day. From the mezuzah, one goes from one's house to the world at large as the Rambam writes, 'Whenever one enters or departs, one will confront the unity of G-d's name.'" (18th of Cheshvan, 5752/1991) *************************************** * In loving memory of * * HORAV CHAIM YEHUDA KALMAN * * Ben Horav Avrohom Yehoshua Marlow, * * head of the Bet-Din (Rabbinical * * Court) of Crown Heights, * * Passed away, on Friday Morning, * * 20 Sivan, 5760 (June 23, 2000) * *************************************** ******************************* * THE WEEKLY SHABBAT CALENDAR * ******************************* ** JEWISH WOMEN AND GIRLS LIGHT SHABBAT CANDLES ** ******************************************************* * FOR LOCAL CANDLE LIGHTING TIMES: * * consult your local Rabbi, Chabad-Lubavitch Center. * * or: * * http://www.candlelightingtimes.org/shabbos * * * * FOR A FREE CANDLE LIGHTING KIT: * * contact your local Chabad-Lubavitch Center. * * * * FOR A LISTING OF THE CENTERS IN YOUR AREA: * * http://www.chabadworld.org * ******************************************************* >>>> Times Shown Are for Metro NY - NJ <<<< FRIDAY, NOV. 2, EREV SHABBAT PARSHAT CHAYEI SARAH: * Light Shabbat Candles, [5] by 5:34 p.m. SATURDAY, NOV. 3, SHABBAT PARSHAT CHAYEI SARAH: * Shabbat ends at NIGHTFALL, at 6:32 p.m. _______________ 5. The Shabbat candles must be lit 18 minutes *BEFORE* sunset. IT IS PROHIBITED AND IS A DESECRATION OF THE SHABBAT TO LIGHT THE CANDLES *AFTER* SUNSET. ********************************************* * May the Shabbat candles, of the millions * * of Jewish women and girls around the * * world, illuminate our way, until we very * * soon see the fulfillment of G-d's promise * * (as it is written in the Midrash * * (Yalkut Shimoni, Beha'alotecha)): * * "If you will observe the kindling of the * * Shabbat lights, you will merit to see * * the lights of the redemption of the * * Jewish people," speedily in our days, * * NOW! * ********************************************* ******************************************* * MOSHIACH INFORMATION HOTLINES * * http://www.torah4blind.org/hotlines.htm * ******************************************* ****************************************** * MOSHIACH IN THE AIR - ELECTRONIC MEDIA * * http://www.torah4blind.org/e-media.htm * ****************************************** ******************************** * LIVING WITH MOSHIACH * * Weekly Digest About Moshiach * ******************************** Annual subscription (for the 18-point, large type edition) $18.00. For a one-year subscription, make your check payable to: "Enlightenment For The Blind" and mail it to: 602 N. Orange Drive. Los Angeles, CA 90036 USA Name:__________________________________ Address:_______________________________ City:__________________________________ State:___________ Zip:_________________ Telephone: ( )____________________ Due to the generosity of our donors, we offer free subscriptions to all blind and handicapped people, public service libraries and non-profit organizations. **************************************************** * TO RECEIVE THIS PUBLICATION VIA INTERNET: * * E-Mail: info@torah4blind.org * * or: * * http://www.torah4blind.org/subs.htm * **************************************************** ================================================================= = End of Text: Living With Moshiach, Parshat Chayei Sarah, 5768 = =================================================================