Dear Shluchim.. every person is a Shliach- enjoy!

listen to the words- really really nice!

Pan-writing opportunities--

A pan (short for pidyon nefesh, “redemption of the soul”) is the term used in Chabad parlance for a written request for a beracha (blessing) given to one of the Chabad Rebbeim. In our current situation, we write the pan and bring it or send it to the Ohel of the Rebbe.

Rabbi Yaakov Winner of the Yeshivah Gedolah of Melbourne, Australia, said that in our times there are three days that are especially related to Hiskashrus, on which a Chossid should make sure to make a special effort to connect with the Rebbe by (amongst other things) writing a pan to the Rebbe and asking for a beracha:


Yud Shevat, the day on which the Rebbe became Rebbe;

Yud-Alef Nissan, the Rebbe’s birthday;

Gimmel Tammuz, the day of the Rebbe’s Histalkus.

Let’s not miss these opportunities!

DON'T MISS THE SALE!!

The Previous Rebbe relates:
When the Mitteler Rebbe settled in Lubavitch 5572-3 (1812-3), Reb Moshe Shlomo became very sick, and for a year and a half he suffered greatly. His father-in-law Reb Yisroel Meir the melamed would frequently write letters to the Mitteler Rebbe asking that he plead for divine mercy on Reb Moshe Shlomo’s behalf, but it didn’t help at all.

On Lag Be’Omer of the year 5576 (1816), when the Mitteler Rebbe was sitting together with his brothers Reb Chaim Avrohom and Reb Moshe, and with his sons-in-law and many chassidim at the Lag Be’Omer meal, Reb Yisroel Meir the melamed approached the Mitteler Rebbe with a note on behalf of his son-in-law, Reb Moshe Shlomo, saying that this is the second month that his son-in-law had been so sick that he couldn’t speak.

The Mitteler Rebbe gazed for a long time at the note, and said: “For the sickness of tuberculosis it is good to have a change of climate. Let him come here and hear Chassidus, and he will be able to speak, and have what to speak about.”
Kuntres Divrei Yemei HaChozrim, p. 9.

Why weren’t Reb Yisroel Meir’s requests effective before? We do not know. But we do know that the Mitteler Rebbe regarded Lag Be’Omer as a very great day, one on which he would perform miracles (see HaYom Yom 18 Iyar), and the fact that it was not until this special day that his plea was effective teaches us a lesson.

From time to time we mark special days in the general Jewish calendar or in the Chassidic calendar, and when each day comes along, we are told that it has special significance. However, in order to connect with the special quality of this day, conscious effort is required, because the external world looks the same. “How is today different from yesterday?” one may ask. Yet one who expends the necessary effort learns that today is indeed very different from yesterday.


Pesach, Sukkos, Chanukah, Purim, Lag Be’Omer, Pesach Sheni, 15 Av, 19 Kislev, 11 Nissan, 3 Tammuz, and so on—all these days can be summed up with one word: opportunities.

On each of these days a special spiritual light shines that only shines once a year, and when we do something to connect with this light—by learning about the meaning of the day, davvenen with it, discussing it at a farbrengen, reflecting upon it, and trying our best to connect with it, then it can raise us up to a certain otherwise unattainable spiritual level.


Perhaps this is comparable to a sale. All year round, the customer is expected to pay full price, and no bargains are accepted. When the store holds a sale, however, one can purchase the same product on discount for a fraction of the price. But once the sale is over, it is too late to grab those bargains—one has no choice but to wait until the next sale.


Likewise, when a special day arrives, Hashem in His kindness is granting us a special, limited time offer. If we are wise, we will make the most of it.

Posted by Rabbi Yehoishophot Oliver

Moshiach- Cheshbon Nefesh

just funny- this is basically what i wrote (Earlier post) but written much better :)

A Jew is supposed to regularly make a cheshbon nefesh, a personal reckoning of whether he is living up to the standard of behavior expected of him (albeit only at specifically designated times.

Since many of the Rebbe’s most recent and frequently repeated directives to us were related to the belief in the coming of Moshiach, the effort to hasten and prepare for his arrival, and so on, I have compiled below a list of questions to ask oneself in the process of such a cheshbon nefesh.

One who is constantly, fully aware and infused with the passionate conviction that these are indeed literally our last moments in exile will be sure that today is the day, the long-awaited blessed day in which Moshiach will finally come, in which the entire world will reach the purpose for which it was created.

Do I constantly feel that today is the day?

In order to be truly ready for Moshiach, I must bring my thought, speech, and action to conform totally with Torah (Sefer HaSichos 5751, Pinchas).

Am I careful with my every thought, speech, and action?

Right before the holy day of Shabbos, activity intensifies to prepare the home for Shabbos, often at a frantic pace. We are conscious that soon no more preparation will be possible. Likewise, the age of Moshiach is compared to Shabbos, and our current age was granted in order to enable us to prepare for the age of Moshiach, an opportunity that we will no longer have after Moshiach arrives (see HaYom Yom, 3 Av).

Is the pace of my preparation intensifying? Do I sense the value of the time allocated to me in order to prepare?

Only Hashem can decide to send Moshiach. Moshiach is waiting for Hashem to give him the go-ahead. Hashem, the King of all kings, blessed be He, grants me a private audience with Him every day—in fact, thrice daily—during which I am granted the opportunity to plead for my every wish.

Is the coming of Moshiach today on my wish list?

The Rebbe has taught us that in order to prepare for Moshiach, we must bring Jews who are not-yet-observant to undertake the performance of Mitzvos, study topics in Torah related to Moshiach and the Redemption, and teach non-Jews to follow the Noahide laws. The Rebbe has instructed us to increase in Tzedakah and good deeds, in study and dissemination of Chassidus, in acts of love toward our fellow Jew, and issued many more directives, all with the goal of preparing us for the coming of Moshiach.

Am I careful to do the things that are auspicious in bringing Moshiach?

Nowadays we live in a state of spiritual darkness and thick concealment of the absolute Truth that “there is nothing besides Him” (Devarim 4:35). However, when Moshiach comes we will perceive the absolute truth of Hashem’s reality in a tangible manner. One of the main purposes of Tefillah is to foster a desire to behold Hashem’s glory and in order to create a framework in which to express that desire toward Hashem.

Do I davven slowly, carefully, savoring every word, pouring out my heart to Hashem, crying out for the exile to end, with intense yearning to see His revelation when Moshiach comes?

Posted by Rabbi Yehoishophot Oliver

learn Sichos from years 5710-5711

Many chassidim have questions, valid questions, about how to be a chossid after Gimmel Tammuz, when we cannot physically interact with the Rebbe as we could before Gimmel Tammuz, and especially before 27 Adar.I have overheard and participated in lengthy discussions on this topic.

But there is no need for speculation and philosophizing on the matter. The core question on every chossid’s mind should be “How does the Rebbe want me to approach this situation?” And the answer is that first and foremost, this can only be ascertained through delving sincerely into his words.

The Rebbe prepared us for this situation in his sichos throughout the years.

In particular, it appears to me (and my teachers) that according to the principle of “he ruled concerning himself” the best guide for a chossid in relating to the Rebbe after Gimmel Tammuz is the sichos that the Rebbe delivered during the years immediately following Yud Shevat.

In these sichos ( the Rebbe demonstrates how a chossid should relate to a Rebbe after the Rebbe’s Histalkus, maintaining and even increasing his bond. These sichos have even been translated and released by Sichos In English under the title of “Proceeding Together”

I have pointed out some of these sources on this blog, but there is simply no substitute for thoroughly studying these sources inside. In my opinion, these sources are the “manual” for a chossid in relating to the Rebbe today.

I really don’t understand how people who have not learned these sichos function as chassidim in this time, considering that they lack this crucial guidance. I am not at all surprised to see people who have clearly not learnt these sichos floundering in confusion.
I do not claim that these sichos resolve every possible question that may arise concerning the relationship of chossid and Rebbe today; however, the core issues are discussed and clarified, thereby providing tremendous strength and encouragement in this time of darkness and doubts. Try it and see!
Rabbi Oliver. Australia

Dear all those who still look at this blog (gooo mindy!!)

Tomorrow is Yud Alef Nissan, 2 weeks in school we prepared ourselves for this day- listened to niggunim (oh yeah those crackly voices :), learned Sichos, Mivtzoyim etc..

It's funny to reach this day- after all preps and then your like- nu.. what do i do now? like, i knew how to prepare myself but what do i do when we finally reached it.

Yud Alef Nissan is a day to strengthen our Hiskashrus to the Rebbe, we know that Hiskashrus can be through different ways (and everybody has there way that "clicks" with them)
But the Rebbe told us 3 specific ways
to be Mikushar- through מחשבה, דיבור ומעשה
מחשבה- Niggunim
דיבור- Learning the Rebbe Sichos and Maamrim
מעשה- doing the Rebbe Hora'os.

before going fwd, we first have to make sure we understand the beginning- why was the world created? Hashem wanted to have a Dira Bitachtonim- a place where Godliness is on earth!
Why were we created? because we are those ppl who Hashem chose and put us on a mission to accomplish His goal of making this world Godly!
if your comfortable with that ;) - lets go fwd- if our whole mission is to make this world "Heaven on Earth" (which will happen when Moshiach come- thats the definition of Moshiach)- so the whole purpose is Moshiach- and everything that we do has to lead to that direction!! which means- that wtvr comes your way- you have to have the mindset-how is this going to help me to achieve my goal- or OUR goal as the Jewish nation having this great mission that Hashem gave us??
now- lets just remember that were humans and its VERY hard to live like that, cuz Hashem wanted it to be truly Emes, and he gave us a "Guf" which wants totally opposite- and Hashem wants us to realize that and pick GOOD. ("Stronger is the light that comes from darkness")

and its a HUGE struggle, and hard to keep focus- extremly hard, living in this world where we as Humans cant feel it- till we tap into it. (for 10th graders- we want it Hot, Fresh and NOW, lol)

thats where a Rebbe comes in, the Rebbe is a "godly person on earth", he is always focused- always seeing the goal in mind- and he helps us stick to that goal- by giving us sichos, niggunim, doing mivtzoyim- the Rebbe gave us these "presents" to connect to him- so we can tap into that VERY focused way of life.

take this day and take upon yourself a Hochlota on "getting fwds" - dont waste your time- its precious- and most important- remember we HAVE a goal in life- now find yourself in it and achieve it!!! and remember you have the kochos to do it- for thats why you were created!!

p.s.- when i was writing this, i was writing it also to myself- dont think that im there, for if i were there i wouldnt be here (haha it rhymed) no, but really what im trying to say is- that we all have this struggle - but we have to make sure to recognize it- cuz we have a purpose in the world!!

i love ya guys!! miss you here alot, on this side of the globe, but yeah- Israel is Awesom, and just being with family is amazing!! enjoy your pesach!
Naomi

Check out our Chassidic Auction!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MjWsugnrKOI

Today- 25 of Adar- Birthday of Rebbitzin

by Malka Schwartz for COLlive.com

In honor of the Rebbetzin's birthday-Chof Hey Adar, I would like present a story I heard directly from Rabbi Chesed Halberstam, who was the attendant of the Rebbe from 1971-1988 (the last 17 years of the Rebbetzin's physical life).

"It happened sometimes that a phone call would come late in the night requesting brochos from the Rebbe," he related.

"If the Rebbe was available, the Rebbetzin would relay the message. If the Rebbe was not available, she would say to the person on the phone, "The Rebbe is not available, but don't worry, everything is going to be okay."

When the Rebbetzin told them "everything is going it be okay," Rabbi Halberstam would often find out later from the person who called that indeed everything had worked out just fine. He emphasized that the Rebbetzin only did this when the Rebbe was not available.

* * *

On the 25th of Adar, 1976 (5736), Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka's birthday , the doorbell rang while she was having dinner with the Rebbe at their home on President St. in Brooklyn, New York.

Their attendant, Rabbi Chesed Halberstam, answered the door and was handed a bouquet of flowers which N'shei Chabad had sent the Rebbetzin along with a letter containing the names of people in need of blessings.

Rabbi Halberstam went to the dining room, presented the flowers to the Rebbetzin, and gave the letter to the Rebbe. The Rebbe told him. "It's for the Rebbetzin."

Rabbi Halberstam responded, "It's for the Rebbe. It's a letter requesting brochos." The Rebbe said, "She can also bless."

Rabbi Halberstam then gave the letter to the Rebbetzin in her holy hand.

After this, he thought to himself, "Yes, [I see] The Rebbetzin can give blessings in the zechus of the Rebbe."

But the Rebbe then said to Rabbi Halberstam, "She can give blessings in her own merit."

Rabbi Halberstam thought to himself, "Then what is the difference between the Rebbe's brochah and the Rebbetzin's brochah?"

The Rebbe then said to him, "Did you learn Derech Mitzvosecha?"

Rabbi Halberstam answered yes.

The Rebbe asked,"Which part?"

Rabbi Halberstam answered, "Shorush Mitzvas haTefilla."

The Rebbe then said, "Surely you know the difference between memalei kol almin and sovev kol almin. When I give a brochah it comes from the source of memalei, which means the person has to do something for the brocha to be fulfilled. When she gives a brochah, it comes from sovev. Therefore, even if the person doesn't do anything for it, the brochah is fulfilled."

This aspect of the Rebbetzin, her being a source of brochah, has been mostly hidden from us; revealed only to a select few. On the last yartzeit of the Rebbetzin in which the Rebbe spoke to us, he publicly associated the date of her passing with the verse: "Through you, the Jewish people will be blessed." It was understood that the Rebbe was inferring that the Rebbetzin is a source of blessing.

A few days later, the Rebbe said, "The 25th of the month, [the day of Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka's birthday,] is connected to the bestowal of all forms of blessings to the Jews." In fact, the 25th of the month, chof-hei in Hebrew, relates to the instructions G-d gave Aharon and his sons regarding the Priestly Blessing, which begins "Koh (chof-hei) [in this manner], bless the children of Israel."

Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka embodied and was a conduit for blessing… so much so that it was evident both in the date of her birth as well as the day of her passing.

"And the living shall take to heart." The Rebbe said this repeatedly in reference to Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka after her passing. With this he enjoined us to emulate her with our own lives. Let us embrace all aspects of the meaning of "blessings" in thought, speech and action and utilize it to enrich our lives as well as the lives of others.

Comment: The Rebbe initiated the Birthday Campaign in honor of the Rebbetzin. In other words not only is the Rebbetzin's birthday fitting to celebrate, she is a catalyst for Jews around the world to celebrate.

Tanya- כה' אדר- thursday

Likutei Amarim, middle of Chapter 37

ומאחר שכללות נפש החיונית שבכללות ישראל תהיה מרכבה קדושה לה׳

Once the totality of the vital soul of the community of Israel will become a holy chariot for G‑d,

אזי גם כללות החיות של עולם הזה, שהיא קליפת נוגה עכשיו, תצא אז מטומאתה וחלאתה ותעלה לקדושה

then also the general vitality of this world, which now consists of kelipat nogah, will also emerge from its impurity and sickness (the term “impurity” refers to the evil of the kelipah; “sickness” refers to the element of good that kelipat nogah contains, which is nevertheless the good of kelipah, not holiness), and will ascend to holiness,

להיות מרכבה לה׳, בהתגלות כבודו

to become a chariot for G‑d, upon the revelation of His glory(in the World to Come).

וראו כל בשר יחדיו, ויופיע עליהם בהדר גאון עוזו, וימלא כבוד ה׳ את כל האר׳

Then all flesh will behold [G‑dliness] together, and He will appear upon them with the majestic beauty of His power, and “the glory of G‑d will fill the whole world.”

וישראל יראו עין בעין, כבמתן תורה

Israel will see “eye to eye” — the human eye will see the truth of G‑dliness just as the Supernal “eye” sees it — just as [they saw] at the giving of the Torah,

דכתיב: אתה הראת לדעת כי ה׳ הוא אלקים, אין עוד מלבדו

of which it is written,1 “You showed Yourself, so that it be known that ‘G‑d is the L‑rd (lit.: the Four-Letter Divine Name is ELOKIM; i.e., despite the concealment of the Four-Letter Divine Name (which denotes G‑d’s limitless power) by the name Elokim (which signifies G‑d’s self-limitation), it is the former that still pervades all existence); there is nothing else besides Him.”

But whereas the revelation at Sinai lasted only a short time, the revelation in the future will be permanent.

ועל ידי זה יתבלעו ויתבטלו לגמרי כל השלש קליפות הטמאות

Through this ascent of kelipat nogah to holiness, the three uncleankelipot will be utterly annihilated and nullified.

כי יניקתן וחיותן מהקדושה עכשיו, היא על ידי קליפת נוגה, הממוצעת ביניהן

For the nurture and vitality which they now receive from holiness, comes to them [only] by way of kelipat nogah, the intermediary between them.

Kelipat nogah, containing both good and evil, is the medium through which these kelipot which are completely evil receive their vitality from G‑dliness, which is completely good. When kelipat nogah ascends to G‑dliness, the impure kelipot,no longer having any access to G‑dly vitality, cease to exist.

ונמצא כי כל תכלית של ימות המשיח ותחיית המתים, שהוא גילוי כבודו ואלקותו יתברך, ולהעביר רוח הטומאה מהאר׳

It follows, therefore, that the purpose of the Messianic era and of the resurrection, namely, the revelation of His glory and Divinity, and the banishment of the spirit of impurity from the earth,

תלוי בהמשכת אלקותו ואור אין סוף ברוך הוא לנפש החיונית שבכללות ישראל בכל רמ״ח אבריה, על ידי קיומה כל רמ״ח מצות עשה

is entirely dependent on [our] drawing down His G‑dliness and the blessed Ein Sof-light upon all the 248 limbs of the vital soul of all Israel (for by way of the vital soul, all the world will be suffused with G‑dliness), and this is achieved by the vital soul’s performance of all the 248 positive mitzvot;

ולהעביר רוח הטומאה ממנה, בשמירתה כל שס״ה מצות לא תעשה, שלא יינקו ממנה שס״ה גידיה

and this purpose is also dependent on [our] banishing the spirit of impurity, i.e., the three impure kelipot, from the vital soul of all Israel(for by being banished from the vital soul, the spirit of impurity is banished from the entire world); and this is accomplished by the vital soul’s observance of all 365 prohibitive mitzvot, thus preventing its 365 blood vessels from drawing nurture from the spirit of impurity.

Why is it that suffusing the vital soul with Ein Sof-light and banishing the impure kelipot from the vital soul produces a parallel effect on the entire world?

כי כללות ישראל, שהם ששים רבוא נשמות פרטיות, הם כללות החיות של כללות העולם, כי בשבילם נברא

For the community of Israel, comprising 600,000 particular souls, is the general source of vitality for the world as a whole, since the world was created for the sake of these souls.

וכל פרט מהם הוא כולל ושייך לו החיות של חלק אחד מששים רבוא מכללות העולם

Each specific one of them contains and to each is related the vitality of one six-hundred-thousandth-part of the entire world.

התלוי בנפשו החיונית להעלותו לה׳ בעלייתה

This [part of the world] depends on his vital soul for its elevation to G‑d through [the vital soul’s] own elevation.

דהיינו במה שמשתמש מעולם הזה לצורך גופו ונפשו החיונית לעבודת ה׳

This means that one elevates “his” portion of the world by his partaking of this world for the requirements of his body and vital soul in the service of G‑d. By using the objects of this world that one’s body and vital soul need for the sake of serving G‑d, one elevates his portion of the world.

כגון אכילה ושתיה ודומיהם, ודירה וכל כלי תשמישיו

For example: eating, drinking, and the like; one’s dwelling and all his utensils.

But surely there are more than 600,000 souls; besides, it is quite impossible for one person to use a six-hundred-thousandth of the entire world.

אלא ששים רבוא נשמות פרטיות אלו הן שרשים, וכל שרש מתחלק לששים רבוא ניצוצות, שכל ניצו׳ הוא נשמה אחת

These 600,000 particular souls, however, are “roots”; and, like a root from which grow numerous branches, each root-soul subdivides into 600,000 sparks, each spark being one Neshamah.

וכן בנפש ורוח, בכל עולם מארבע עולמות: אצילות, בריאה, יצירה, עשיה

Similarly with the Nefesh and Ruach, in each of the four Worlds — Atzilut, Beriah, Yetzirah and Asiyah. In each of these four Worlds are found all three soul-levels — Nefesh, Ruach and Neshamah.

Pictures of Hochana in Action!

Pictures of Hochana in Action!

The Rebbe's love for Chassidim, and vice versa

The Previous Rebbe describes the special love in the Rebbe/chossid relationship:

אהבה איז דער רוח החיים אין עבודת החסידות, דער חוטהמקשר חסידים איינעם מיט דעם אנדערען, און דער חוטהמקשר רבי מיט חסידים און חסידים מיט'ן רבי'ן. עס איז הןבדרך אור ישר הן בדרך אור חוזר, האט קיינע מחיצות ניט, אוןעס איז העכער פון דער הגבלה פון מקום וזמן
היום יום כו שבט.

Ahava, love, is the breath of life in the Avoda[divine service] of Chassidus. It is the thread thatbinds chassidim to each other, that binds the Rebbeto the chassidim, and the chassidim to the Rebbe.Ahava works in a direct way [initiated affection] andalso in a reflective way [responding the otherperson’s affection]. It knows no barriers andtranscends the limits of time and space.

HaYom Yom 26 Shevat.

In my own words:

Chassidus teaches that in the Rebbe-chossid relationship,three types of love should be actively developed:

• the Rebbe should develop love for the chassidim;

• the chassidim should develop love for the Rebbe;and

• the chassidim should develop love for one another.

This could be a love that is initiated, or a love thatcomes as a response to the other person:

• when the Rebbe initiates an expression of love forthe chassidim, the chassidim respond in kind, orvice versa;

• when one chossid initiates an expression of love foranother chossid, he responds in kind.