Entries in #1018 (11)
May 10, 2016REDEEMED IN THE BLINK OF AN EYE
From Chapter Six of Rabbi Shloma Majeski’s Likkutei Mekoros
350 CIGARETTES FOR MATZA
During the first wave of immigration from the Soviet Union, I was the Chief Rabbi of Tel Aviv-Yaffo. One day, as I sat in the beis din that does conversions, a 42 year old doctor came in. He had come from the Soviet Union the day before with his wife and two daughters. He came for documents affirming his Jewishness for all the institutions that required it. He even brought witnesses with him to testify that he was Jewish, a son of Jewish parents. His mother was a pediatrician who runs a cardiology department in Moscow and his father, who was no longer living, had been a surgeon.
BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS AND GIFTS FROM THE REBBE
At nearly every 11 Nissan farbrengen, the Rebbe would begin with “and I will bless those who bless you,” with the Rebbe blessing all those who blessed him. The Rebbe, who received spiritual gifts from his Chassidim in honor of his birthday, also gave gifts. On nearly every 11 Nissan in later years, the Rebbe gave out something, whether a pair of t’fillin to someone who committed to using them, a new kuntres that was published, something new in hafatza or a Tanya. The following collection of diary entries covers some of those events
THE DYNAMICS OF FREEDOM
This is the bread of affliction that our fathers ate in the land of Egypt. Whoever is hungry, let him come and eat; whoever is in need, let him come and conduct the Seder of Pesach. This year [we are] here; next year in the land of Israel. This year [we are] slaves; next year [we will be] free people.
CELEBRATING THE HOLIDAY OF FREEDOM BEHIND THE IRON CURTAIN
When the goyim knew that the Jewish holiday was approaching, they would jack up the prices. * We knew we had to open the door for Eliyahu but the door had to be closed so we wouldn’t be sent to Siberia. * Did you know that Mitzrayim has the same numerical equivalent as ס.ס.ס.ר (in Hebrew)? *The seder table brought back many Jews to Judaism. * Fascinating excerpts from an interview with R’ Notke Berkahan a”h that was published in Yediot Acharonot in the Erev Pesach 5733 issue
IN SEARCH OF A SPIRITUAL MENTOR
Beis Moshiach spoke with the shliach to Rutgers University in New Jersey, R’ Yosef Tzvi Carlebach, who runs a Chabad empire with a multi-million dollar annual budget, wanting to hear the secret of how to fundraise. * What is the best way to connect with wealthy people? * What do you do when the rich man tells his security guards to throw you out of his office? * How do wealthy donors react to the Besuras HaGeula and how should a shliach react when he is threatened that a large donation will be retracted because of publicizing the identity of Moshiach?
LIGHTING UP THE DARK CORRIDORS OF PRISON
Every morning, Rabbi Lior Rosenbaum works behind bars in the Oholei Kedar Detention Center as the rabbi of the facility. He helps, guides, and is mekarev the people who were just arrested. For the holiday of cheirus-freedom, Beis Moshiach went behind bars for a fascinating talk with R’ Rosenbaum about his work.
MATZAH CAMPAIGNS & CHABAD IN CUBA
When Manischewitz agreed to sell Matzah at a loss * The Rashag convinced the Russian Government to lower the Matzah tax * Is the Joint Distribution Committee too soft on the Russians? * Cuban Government approves Chabad in Cuba? * In honor of the upcoming holiday of Pesach we present a collection of documents from the archives of the American Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) pertaining to Mivtzah Matzah in 1929, 1932, 1945, 1948, 1984 & 1985 * Pesach Special
GET EXCITED ABOUT (PESACH) MINHAGIM!
Pesach is definitely the “head of the year” when it comes to observing minhagim-Jewish customs. In general, there are many customs which are observed by myriads of communities in every aspect of Jewish life. Other minhagim are kept by certain sects of Yidden. Still more minhagim are passed down in families from generation to generation
MATZA SAVES FROM DEATH
What is the food that can be the sweetest thing you eat on Pesach? Matza from the Rebbe, of course! Imagine this, children, matza from the Rebbe for seder night! Today it seems like a sweet dream, but not that many years ago this dream was reality.