Message From Rabbi Raichik:
Coming from my mother’s yahrtzeit, which was this past week, I am reminded about the effort she had, that even in those hard times she was still so mehader in Kashrus. In this regard, I would like to share with you a Pesak from Rabbi Shlomo Segal (Member of the Bais Din of Crown Heights) in this matter.
Click here for the Pesak.
Which Direction Are We Heading Today?
In Eretz Yisroel and as Individuals
By Rabbi Shimon Raichik
This past Shabbos while I was reading the haftorah for parshas Eikev, I was reminded of a fabrengen from 43 years ago, 1970. The Rebbe spoke with great pain about the cease-fire that had recently been created with Egypt. He said that within 24 hours they had already violated it and brought missiles to the Suez Canal. The Rebbe spoke about the danger this posed for Israel and that was permitted, even on the Shabbos to send phantom jets and bomb the missile sites for the safety of Klal Yisroel. The Rebbe expressed great angst and anguish over the fact that just a few years earlier we had experienced the miracles of the 6-Day War and how quickly we have gone backward in retreat.
The parsha says that Bnei Yisroel traveled from Beeros Bnei Yaakan to Mosera. Rashi points out that earlier in the Torah the order was reversed, that they actually went from Mosera to Beeros Bnei Yaakan? Rashi then answers that at this point they begun to travel backward. The reason they traveled in reverse is because they became afraid after the passing of Ahron. They had confronted Canaan (Amalek) in war, seen great miracles, won the war, and nevertheless were running back to Mitzrayim for safety. They went 8 journeys until Bnei Levi confronted them. The Rebbe explained that so too today we find a similarity. We won the 6-Day War with great miracles yet already we are afraid and are running backwards, making compromises.
The Rebbe said that when he was a child, often his melamed would quote a pasuk that related to current events. Even though it would not change the situation per se he would discuss it. The Rebbe then said that this came to mind during today’s haftorah as he read the words: “Baasi- I arrived; v’ayn eish-and no man showed up”, “Karasi-I called; v’ayn o’nei- and no one answered”… “Haktzor katzrah etc- Are my hands too short to redeem? Do I not have the power to save you?” As the Rebbe said those words, it was with such emotion and tears as he cried out the words of the Navi, that he could not finish.
This sicha and the way that the Rebbe spoke was running through my mind as I read the haftorah and how it is related to what is happening with us today.
In Igros Kodesh (volume 6, 2 Menachm Av 5712) the Rebbe wrote to a person who requested a bracha to increase his hiskashrus. Until now he had not had the opportunity to receive guidance and encouragement from anyone that he was able learn Chassidus and practice good character traits. But now, having seen (my father) the Chosid Rav Menachem Shmuel Dovid HaLevi Raichik and having meditated on his ways, he became aroused with an increased desire to connect to Ilana D’Chaya- the living tree, Penimius HaTorah and Toras HaChassidus.
The Rebbe inspired him with the saying of Chazal; “Yagati u’matzazi taamin”. Meaning, that since he has been aroused with an inner will and desire certainly he will achieve his objective. He does not need, however, to be overwhelmed if he does achieve his desire all at once.
This is the way it is in all matters of kedusha. When the Jewish people conquered the physical land of Israel it says; “Mei’at mei’at agarshena”, that the land would be conquered in front of them bit by bit. So too it is best to take a similar approach in conquering the one’s spiritual land of Israel. One’s own spiritual land means to sanctify the order of one’s life that it should be on a higher plateau than the accepted practices of his or her surroundings. The Rebbe encouraged him to proceed little by little, step by step, going from strength to strength. Bestowed with the guarantee of success from Chazal he should begin the journey with true simcha, with the knowledge that he will arrive at his destination. The only thing he lacks is effort and time. The direction he needs is explained and enumerated in many sefarim, kuntreisim and maamarim, and begins with chitas etc.
Once someone came to shul and made a Kiddush. The reason is because he had a problem with his pregnant wife. The doctor said that the x-ray showed that it was bad. He went to the Ohel to daven. On his way out of the Ohel he met a friend who noticed that he was distressed and asked him what was wrong. When he told him, his friend recommended an expert doctor he knew from Florida. When he sent that doctor the x-rays, the doctor answered that he sees the problem. Rather than making the trip to Florida he recommended a colleague, a frum doctor in Los Angeles. To begin, the doctor ordered a new set of x-rays and set up a consultation. At the appointment he placed both sets of x-rays on the light board and stood there scratching his head. He went back and forth from the first set to the second, showing the problem in the first and where it disappeared in the second. He turned and asked them; what did you do? He then told them to continue whatever they were doing. When I look at this family, a family that saw miracles, I ask, where are you, and where am I today?
As we stand 19 years after Gimmel Tammuz, each one of us needs to ask ourselves: Are we going forward toward the ultimate destination, Yarden Yerecho, or are we running backward in retreat? The Rebbe said that it’s up to us to complete the job of bringing Moshiach. Do we realize where we are and what we have to rely upon? Hashem calls to us; Baasi!- I came, Karasi!- I call. Do you think we are any different now after Gimmel Tammuz? We see in Israel today that they are engaging in talks. We are still running backwards! We have to be the Bnei Levi to push everyone forward, that’s our job.