Hope Challenges & Renewal תולדות ראש חודש כסלו תשפ״ג

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Gut Yom Tov!

Dedicated In Honor of the 45th Anniversary of the Rebbe’s Miraculous Recovery!

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Hope Challenges & Renewal 

During the times of the Roman Empire, the Jewish people were persecuted. Jews were prohibited from studying our holy Torah. Rabbi Chanina Ben Tradyon risked his life and ensured that public Torah classes continued. 

Rabbi Chanina Ben Tradyon is one of the Ten Martyrs, עשרה הרוגי מלכות, who were viciously murdered by the Romans. As we recite in the famous heart-wrenching prayers every Yom Kippur. 

When Rabbi Chanina Ben Tradyon asked Rabbi Yosei Ben Kisma: “What is my future in the world to come” he told him that he once mistakenly mixed the money of Charity with personal money, so he decided to give all of the money to charity. 

In response Rabbi Yosei Ben Kisma replied “May my share be of your share”. He assured Rabbi Chanina Ben Tradyon that he will merit a great portion in the world to come. 

In Lekutei Torah -Toldos- the Alter Rebbe explains that Rabbi Chanina Ben Tradyon was unsure if his risking his life for Torah study and Torah wisdom was pure and holy. 

Was it exclusively for G-d, or was it at least partially a selfish desire stemming from being a sad and gloomy person who enjoys studying the wisdom of Torah. Sadness is heavy and can cause people to seclude themselves and immerse themselves in the world of wisdom and Torah. 

Upon hearing that Rabbi Chanina Ben Tradyon gave charity with an open hand, not like a miser who is cheap and selfish, Rabbi Yosei Ben Kisma  understood that his love of Torah and his self sacrifice, risking his life for Torah study and Torah wisdom were not because of sadness or self absorption. Rather it was purely because of his noble dedication to G-d alone. 

When a person goes out of their comfort zone for G-d it is a much greater sacrifice then someone who does the same thing because they selfishly want to. Going the extra mile is what proves that the person is truly committed. Remaining in your natural comfort zone does not qualify as “serving” G-d.  Self sacrifice is about going outside the comfort zone. Even when it’s not easy. 

This gives us motivation and inspiration:

Give yourself credit. Never underestimate yourself. You are the beloved child of G-d. Believe in your soul’s inherent goodness.  When a person goes out of their comfort zone and does even just a little bit, it can be more precious and more appreciated in Heaven than the large amount which another person does naturally and easily without any struggle.  

The Alter Rebbe in Tanya states that anybody who struggles to do good and it doesn’t come easy to them, is at a higher level than those who naturally and easily behave appropriately. 

G-d wants our sincere hearts! It is not a competition of amounts, it is about a sincere and loving relationship, between the Jew and our loving Father in Heaven. 

Always go the extra mile. Your every small good deed counts, especially when it doesn’t come easy. It is not always about quantity it is also about the quality. Sometimes less is more, especially If that is all the person can do or afford at this moment. 

Every time we go out of our way and we leave our comfort zone, we are giving our loving Father in Heaven a special gift which makes Him happy. 

You are truly beloved and special. Go the extra mile!

3 messages based on the teachings of the Rebbe:

1) The heart pumps and circulates the blood around the body. When there are no obstructions, no blockages, then the person is healthy. Blockages can cause disease. So too are all Jews one spiritual body. When we all love each other, then the Divine energy and blessings flow to every Jew without blockages. Love your fellow Jew and we will all be united and blessed. 

2) Our father Yaakov was given the name Yisroel. Israel. Because he wrestled with the Divine angel and he was victorious. A Jew must grow, he must wrestle against all obstacles, especially the evil, impure and unholy forces of the world. Moshiach is On His Way. Plow ahead forward with enthusiasm. 

Our sages teach us: Who is a wise person? “One who can see what will be born in the future”. איזהוא חכם הרואה את הנולד. When we look ahead and we think of the consequences of each word we speak and of each action we take, then we are blessed with a happy life filled with success, joy and accomplishments. 

3) A fellow came to the Rebbe and cried bitterly. He said that he has committed a horrific sin and therefore he feels that his life is not worthy to continue in this world. He feels he ruined his life in this world. 

The Rebbe said to him:

The Torah says that G-d continuously creates the world anew, every moment. But why didn't G-d choose to create the world in a way that it can exist without His ongoing involvement? Why did He choose to need to continuously recreate the world?

The Rebbe answered:

Yes, G-d could have done it that way. It would have not require His ongoing involvement. But then the Repenting Jew -the Ba'al Teshuva- would erroneously say that it's too late. He messed up already. His life in this world is ruined. 

Therefore G-d deliberately chooses to create the world every moment anew. A brand new world. In order that the repenting person will know, that

the world which he messed up, no longer exists. עס איז א נייע וועלט. Now it is a brand new world! In this sense, your negative past doesn’t exist anymore in this world. You have brand new opportunities. 

Let us never allow a negative past to destroy a happy future. Be a leader, encourage, motivate and inspire others. There is always a brand new world with new opportunities. New hope and new happiness. 

Lchayim

Velvl

Rabbi Velvl Butman

Executive Director 

Chabad Lubavitch of Westchester County

Sharing the joy and meaning of Judaism unconditionally!

Email: ChabadofWestchester@gmail.com

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