Lamplighter 1054 proper

DEDICATED TO THE REVERED LEADER OF WORLD JEWRY, THE LUBAVITCHER REBBE
“What's on the agenda for tonight?" he said looking through the different programs for that evening. "We can The festival of Sukkot, which follows Rosh Hashana and Yom either hear a lecture by Rabbi Klein or go to a concert at Kippur, marks the beginning of the true days of rejoicing of the month of Tishrei, coming as it does after the solemnity of the High Holidays. Sukkot has many similarities and characteristics "Obviously we want to go to the concert. Who wants in common with Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur and is actually to go listen to someone talk for two hours when there is a the culmination and fulfilment of these first two holidays. The difference between the two lies in the fact that the holiness that was in a concealed and hidden state on Rosh Hashana and For one reason or another most people enjoy listening Yom Kippur is revealed for all to see on "the day of our rejoicing to music rather than hearing a speech. This week's parsha One of the fundamental themes of Rosh Hashana and Yom is one of the rare occasions in the Torah where the format Kippur is that of the unity of the Jewish People. It is on Sukkot of the text is that of a poetic song ,rather than the normal that this motif finds its highest expression.
lines which we find in the rest of the Torah. The Jew's worship on the High Holidays lies in his uncovering of the "pintele Yid" within him, that Jewish spark that can never A speech is really just lyrics without a tune. Evidently be extinguished, that he shares in common with every other Jew. what people find enjoyable about a song over talking is All of us stand as equals before G-d in prayer on Rosh Hashana, the melody. It has the power to transform a dry accepting His sovereignty and crowning Him King over us all. On Yom Kippur we are equally aroused to do Teshuva (repent) and articulation of verbal expression into a lively, vibrant, return to G-d. When a Jew does Teshuva, he is merely uncovering and revealing his innate belief in G-d and his love for Him.
Strangely enough, the lyrics to this week's "song" are The unity of the Jewish People during the High Holidays is a full of rebuke and reprimand, very different from what unity based on the common denominator inherent in every Jew. one normally associates with the pleasure and delight of On Sukkot, however, we reach an even higher level of unity than before, developing the theme of Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur musical harmony. Why of all passages would the Torah One of the most important mitzvot of Sukkot is the taking of In truth this personifies the whole novelty of music, the Four Kinds. These four species symbolize the four different types of people which exist within the Jewish nation. The etrog the taking of lifeless words and adding some pizzaz. (citron) symbolizes one who possesses Torah learning and also Everything in our lives, the good and the bad, is does good deeds; the lulav (palm) is for one who possesses only arranged by G-d. We sometimes want to argue with His Torah learning. The hadas (myrtle) symbolizes one who performs commandments and does good deeds, but does not decisions and demand better things. While we have the have Torah learning, and the arava (willow) symbolizes the Jew right to request improvement in our situations, at the who possesses neither Torah nor good deeds.
same time we must bear in mind it is all for the best. This On Sukkot we take these four disparate species and bring them together to perform a mitzva. Our unity does not lie in our is conveyed by the beautiful blend of words, regardless ignoring the external differences which divide us; rather, we go out of our way to include all types of Jews, even those in the category of arava, who would seem to have no positive The song of Ha'azinu concludes on a truly happy note. contribution to make. Despite all our differences we are all bound Despite all of the reproof and telling off of the Jewish people we are reassured of the final consolation with the This is the highest degree of unity we can achieve. It is far easier to concentrate only on that which we have in common coming of Moshiach. The messianic era is the climax of than to acknowledge that we differ as individuals and still remain all songs when all the suffering we have endured is transformed to happiness, and as the prophets tell us "the On Sukkot we verify and confirm the unity which was achieved during the High Holidays. This realization sustains us streets of Jerusalem will once again be filled with dance throughout the year and gives us the strength to live in harmony Adapted from the works of the Lubavitcher Rebbe rented for me a wave runner for a full day. conduct services over the High holidays.
Days of Awe: New Caledonia
school term a call had come through. The ticket to one of the smaller neighbouring senior yeshiva students laid a "guilt trip" islands. I cycled around, exploring native villages where people lived in grass huts, caves filled with bats, and deserted white sandy beaches. I picked green coconuts to Caledonian customs. As I had expected, a escape into my own tropical paradise.
thrilled to see me with the Torah. "It has been so long," the man said. "May I carry After a large dose of hearing that I was I didn't spear anything but the fisherman face lit up with the biggest smile. "We are so delighted you could come," said the man. "We are maybe 150 Jewish people here mostly from Algeria and Tunisia. It Abraham drove me to the airport, I sat in has been a long time since we have had a the car thinking; "Even if I did not make any money I accomplished a lot and had a "I am not a rabbi," I corrected him. "I could have earned in Montreal, I imagined am an 18-year-old studying in a rabbinical would have been nice, but I got to have an exploring the island. But upon arriving in incredible experience." In addition, I had "Yes, but you can read from the Torah. We here cannot do this very well. We are and for all your help," Abraham said, as he bid me good-bye. "We want to give appreciation." He handed me an envelope. kept busy teaching Torah and it seemed as knew nothing about him though I'd learn a lot as he welcomed me to stay in his home based on the exchange rate at that time. I to Israel but his parents had taught him some Hebrew when he lived in Algeria.
"If you have money for just a synagogue than what G-d had intended for me. I did or a Mikvah, Jewish law requires that you the right thing by coming to help the New build a Mikvah," I explained. It took a Holidays. I had just spent almost an entire little more convincing, but in the end he year of intensive study in Australia and was scheduled to fly home to Montreal. I I finally did get a few days break in the Published by The Chabad House of Caulfield
in conjunction with the
Rabbinical College of Australia and N.Z.
The central theme of the month of Nissan is G-d breaking through any obstacle for the Jewish people; any accomplishment is attributed to Him. By contrast the month of Tishrei is focused on the people P.O. Box 67, Balaclava Vic. 3183 AUSTRALIA accomplishing on their own. For this reason it is written that the final redemption will take place in Tishrei, Email: [email protected] when the world through its own labour becomes a receptacle for G-dliness. G-d created for the purpose that world on its own to be able to contain him. Having the world, the people accomplish this, the entire The Lamplighter contains words from sacredwritings. Please do not deface or discard. The Day Following Yom Kippur, 5711 [1950] This Shabbos is the 13th of Tishrei, Fulfilling the mitzvah of the sukkah has a distinguishing characteristic-knowledge. The Torah writes,"You shall the Hilulo (day of passing -- yahrzeit) dwell in sukkos for seven days…, in order that your generations shall know that I caused the Children of Israel to dwell in sukkos when I brought them out of the land of Egypt." Accordingly, the mitzvah of the sukkah has not been properly fulfilled if one did not know its intent- that G-d commanded us to dwell in a sukkah in remembrance of the Exodus from Egypt.
performed its own work". This means As is explained in various places, "the essence of knowledge is not merely knowing alone…, from authors and that each day brings a new Divine books, but the essential thing is to immerse one's own mind deeply…, and fix one's thought… with strength and service, uniquely suited to that day. vigour of the heart and mind, until his thought shall be bound… with a strong and mighty bond." Similarly the Talmud states: Of all that In this case, it is required that a person know that "I caused the Children of Israel to dwell in sukkos" and that this took place "when I brought them out of the land of Egypt." the Holy One blessed be He created in Now, every single day, morning and evening, a man is obliged to regard himself as if he is now at the moment of His world; he did not create a single the Exodus from Egypt. "This refers to the release of the divine soul from the confinement of the body…, by engaging in the Torah and the commandments in general and in particular through accepting the Sovereignty of Heaven [during the recital of the Shema]." As this concept was expressed by my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe [Rayatz], (May I serve as an atonement including every day, has a purpose in connection with the Divine service of The first thing to be done is to get out of one's straits and bounds. In terms of avodah in general, these constitute the lifestyle that a person chooses for himself. The particular straits and bounds grow out of the life situation in which giving honour to the Holy One blessed he chooses to set himself up. First of all, there has to be an Exodus from this spiritual Egypt, from all these be He. What is the special purpose and the unique "work" of the 13th of For example, a person's plans must include fixed daily periods for Torah study, and his prayers should be attended to conscientiously, not by the minimal discharge of his formal obligations.
Tishrei, the Hilulo day of the Rebbe After the Exodus from Egypt comes the Splitting of the Red Sea. As soon as a person begins to tackle the task of avodah, obstacles arise, each of them tough and formidable- just as, when the Children of Israel were on their way The Hilulo , the day of passing of a out of Egypt, behind them was the enemy, before them lay the sea, and they themselves were in the wilderness. The Tzaddik has a negative aspect -- but at Splitting of the Sea was wrought from Above.
G-d made a road there for the Children of Israel, just like a road on the dry land- except that there first had to be the same time on the Hilulo day we find one man of self-sacrifice who was prepared to leap into the sea. Once that was done, G-d transformed it into dry the loftiest aspects, for the negative is transformed to the meritorious side, […G-d then caused them to dwell in sukkos.] By way of analogy: A newborn infant is bathed and swaddled not only to protect him from uncleanliness, but also to straighten and strengthen his limbs- albeit temporarily, but this thereby attaining greater quality. The stands him in good stead throughout the time in which he grows to be a man. So, too, in avodah: When a person combination of those two conditions is brings himself to the point at which he has freed himself from the constrictions of his own mindset, so that he is now personified by the concept "return the unburdened of his former life-plans, the evil of his natural soul and the material and fleshly needs of his life become more refined.
righteous to repentance," for even the It is now time for the next step- "and the Children of Israel journeyed… to Sukkos." [The mitzvah of] sukkah is a Tzaddik may attain the lofty state of makkif, a transcendent light, but it is a transcendent light that becomes integrated within oneself, just as swaddling an infant lends strength to his limbs even when he is a man.
On this day, the Hilulo of the Rebbe This, then, is the inner meaning of the words, "I caused the Children of Israel to dwell in sukkos when I brought Assistance and strength in accomplishing all the above, throughout all the days of the year, may be borrowed increase all matters connected to the from the festival of Sukkos in general, and in particular from the mitzvah of living in a sukkah.
Rebbe Maharash such as studying his Additionally, making mention of our Rebbeim and their activities and their teachings provides further help. As my revered father-in-law used to say, there are chassidic Ushpizin: the Baal Shem Tov, the Maggid [of Mezritch], the teachings and emulating his ways, Alter Rebbe, the Mitteler Rebbe, the Tzemach Tzedek, the RebbeMaharash and the Rebbe Rashab.
especially "lichatchila Ariber [from the And let us add: My revered father-in-law, the Rebbe [Rayatz], (May I serve as an atonement for his resting onset to go above]." Knowing that we have been assured success in this task will certainly add to our momentum and enthusiasm in performing them. The fifteenth of Tishrei starts a seven day period during which every Jewish male thirteen years of age and older is required to live in a Sukkah, a temporary structure made of four walls and a roof ultimate goal of existence, the era of made of Schach [usually tree branches]. All eating must be done in this edifice, and be preceeded with a blessing on the Sukkah in addition to the regular blessing on the food [as well as the Brocho Shehechiyanu the first time eating in the Sukkah]: Maharash will speed the fulfillment of Blessing on the sukkah; Baruch Atoh Adonay Eloheinu Melech HaOlam Asher Kiddishanu the promise: "Arise and sing you who Bimitzvosov Vitzivanu Leishev BaSukkah. dwell in the dust" which will occur with The second Mitzva of the holiday of Sukkos is shaking the Lulav and Esrog. One takes his own the coming of our righteous Moshiach palm branch bound together with at least three myrtle branches and two willow branches in his right and the true and complete redemption, hand, and the Esrog in his left. Holding them side by side, he then waves them three times in each direction; right, left, straight, up, down, and backward. Before the 'shake', while holding only the Lulav, the following Brocho is said [Shehechiyanu is said the first time doing the Mitzva] Baruch Atoh Adonay Eloheinu Melech HaOlam Asher Kiddishanu Bimitzvosov Vitzivanu Al Netilas Lulav. wondered why he was detained for so long.
Finally, after an agonizing wait, the signal was given that Avremeleh had appeared. Jubilantly, the disciples ran to tell the Maggid that Avremeleh was on his way, and he could now drink his coffee. Much to their surprise and disappointment, however, the Maggid insisted, "I will not drink it until COLD COFFEE
In a town near Kozhnitz, there lived a widow and her only child, Avraham, When Avremeleh at last arrived, the Maggid told him with a twinkle in his known affectionately as Avremeleh. As a young man in his late teens, eye, "Because you are so stubborn my coffee turned cold!" Avremeleh wanted to move to Kozhnitz to become a disciple of R' Yisrael The Maggid's cryptic comment aroused the curiosity of the disciples, and Haupstein, the Maggid of Kozhnitz. His mother could not bear to be parted they begged Avremeleh to explain what had occurred.
from her beloved son and decided to move to Kozhnitz too so that she could He related, "I was thrown into a wagon along with another Jew. We quickly drove off, and as the wagon rumbled on, I was distressed by many thoughts: Everything went well for some time. They settled in Kozhnitz and 'How will my poor mother bear her suffering? Who will look after her? What will Avremeleh's mother took great pride in caring for him and tending to his needs. become of me? Will I be able to withstand the trials I will undergo with my faith Every day he would come home to a freshly cooked meal prepared lovingly by intact? I must never succumb to temptation! I am proud to be a Jew, and surely the Torah I study and observe will protect me." These thoughts raced through Their tranquil existence was brutally shattered one day when the my mind and I reassured myself that with G-d's help I would surely be rescued.
merciless Russian soldiers marched into the town, enforcing the government's Suddenly I saw a tall man with a long white beard running alongside the compulsory conscription order. Word spread throughout the town that all swiftly traveling wagon at superhuman speed. I realized that he must be none eligible young men would be abducted, sending the frightened Jews scurrying other than Eliyahu HaNavi/Elijah the Prophet. He knocked on the window and motioned that I should jump out. I told Eliyahu, 'There is another Jew here. I will Avremeleh, however, was immersed in his studies and remained unaware only leave if he can also come.' The prophet replied, 'I was given permission to of the danger. Deep in thought, he proceeded home, as usual, to enjoy the hot meal his mother had prepared for him, oblivious to the ominous silence around "Meanwhile the wagon drove on, with Eliyahu HaNavi keeping pace alongside. Again he knocked on the window and beckoned to me. Again, Suddenly, out of nowhere, two strong arms grabbed him, and he looked up unswayed by his great holiness, I insisted that he take the other Jew along with in horror at the sneering face of a Russian soldier. He was quickly thrown into a me, and after several pleas and heartfelt persuasion, he finally relented and waiting wagon which then left the town, taking him to serve in the Czar's army.
Meanwhile, Avremeleh's mother was waiting anxiously for him to come Now the disciples understood the Maggid's remark, "Because you are so home. When his usual lunch hour had come and gone with no sign of him, she began to worry. She reheated the meal again and again, but still there was no sign of Avremeleh. It was not like her son to keep her waiting and as time passed she became frantic. She realized that the worst must have happened - he had been snatched off the street by the cruel soldiers.
She ran directly to the Kozhnitzer Maggid and implored him to help. The Maggid reassured her that Avremeleh would return safely and all would be And Jeshurun became fat and rebelled; you grew fat, thick and
well, but this did not suffice for the unfortunate woman. She insisted that the corpulent; [Israel] forsook the G-d Who made them, and spurned the
Maggid do everything in his power to bring her son back immediately! [Mighty] Rock of their salvation. (Deut. 32:15)
Just then the Rebbe's attendant entered, bringing the Maggid a cup of coffee. The Maggid looked up at the mother and declared, "I promise you, I The three terms in this verse "fat, thick, and corpulent" refer to three different won't drink this until Avremeleh returns!" stages of haughty, arrogant behaviour. With each level growing in intensity the The Maggid's disciples were displeased, for they viewed his eating and individual becomes less in tuned with his Creator. To counteract this drinking as spiritual acts, and they did not want him to delay drinking his coffee downward trend one must accustom oneself to proceed with humility and self until Avremeleh's return. They tried to dissuade the Maggid, but he was nullification. Only then will his own ego not disrupt his relationship with others adamant. "I said I would not drink the coffee until Avremeleh comes, and I will and G-d. (Based on teachings of the Previous Rebbe) The disciples had complete faith in their mentor's powers, so did not doubt that Avremeleh would indeed be saved. Wishing to inform the Maggid immediately of the young man's return, several of them took up positions at various points along the road leading to town, with each one instructed to PARSHAS HAAZINU
signal the next one as soon as Avremeleh was sighted. The one closest to 12 TISHREI • 28 SEPTEMBER
town would swiftly bear the good news to the Maggid, thus enabling him to FRIDAY NIGHT:
drink his coffee as soon as possible.
But time passed slowly for the waiting students, as the minutes turned to hours and Avremeleh still had not returned. Their concern mounted as they SHABBOS MORNING:
SUKKOT 1ST NIGHT:
SUKKOT 1ST DAY:
5:29.6:22.BRISBANE.5:30 .6:23 .6:236:25.7:14.DARWIN .6:25 .7:14 .7:14 SUKKOT: 2ND NIGHT:
5:59.6:54.PERTH.6:00 .6:55 .6:565:37.6:33.SYDNEY .5:39 .6:35 .6:36 SUKKOT 2ND DAY:
6:04.7:02.AUCKLAND .7:06 .8:03 .8:046:05.7:06.WELLINGTON .7:07 .8:08 .8:09 CHOL HAMOED:

Source: http://webspace.rabbinicalcollege.edu.au/Lamplighters/LL_1054.pdf