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                         L'CHAIM - ISSUE # 1397
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                 Lubavitch Youth Organization - L.Y.O.
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             THE WEEKLY PUBLICATION FOR EVERY JEWISH PERSON
   Dedicated to the memory of Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka Schneerson N.E.
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        November 20, 2015       Vayetzei          8 Kislev, 5776
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                               Stone Soup

"What you put in the pot is what you'll get out." This oft repeated
adage makes a pretty strong statement and it can be applied to nearly
every aspect of our lives, especially our interpersonal relationships.

How so?

In the darkest, most cobwebby recesses of your memory, do you recall the
story of "Stone Soup?" It's a tale of international renown and it
perfectly illustrates the above mentioned statement. In short: Two
weary, hungry travelers stop in a town where no one will give them a
meal. No problem. They'll make a hearty pot of stone soup, right in the
village square. "Could we please borrow a big pot from someone?" they
inquire. "We'll fetch the water, collect the wood, gather the choicest
stones, and share our unique soup with all of you."

A big pot appears. The water boils, the stones are added and the
"chefs," now being watched by all the townspeople, taste the broth.
"Delicious," they exclaim. "But oh, wouldn't it be even better with an
onion added for flavor," they comment to each other. An onion is
promptly pulled out of a peasant's apron pocket and added to the unusual
soup.

This scene repeats itself with carrots, potatoes, turnips, salt, and
even a few bones and a bit of meat. When everyone is invited to join in
and taste the soup, they murmur their amazement that such delicious fare
was created from mere stones!

"Fools," we say about the townspeople. For even as children we knew that
what you put in the pot is what you get out.

How often do we take the time to think about what we've added to the
various pots in our lives to assure us they'll be delicious and
satisfying. Concerning relationships-with friends, relatives and
co-workers-it's obvious that we won't get anything out of a relationship
if we don't put in time, energy, caring.

In truth, laws of logic insist that we put more into the pot than we
expect to get out to account for evaporation, "tasting," and sneaky
nibblers. If you're hoping to cook up a good relationship, You have to
watch it carefully lest it evaporate into nothing, "taste" it once in a
while to make sure it's just right, and add a little bit of this and
that, maybe even something new once in a while to spice it up.

There's another "pot" in our lives that is often, unfortunately, put on
the back-burner. What can we hope to gain from Judaism, how do we expect
it to be nourishing for us, our children, and future generations if all
we are willing to toss in are a few choice stones? The nourishing
aspects of Judaism go far beyond kugels, matza ball soup, and latkes.
Our beautiful, rich religion, which has stood the test of time for
thousands of years, can sustain us in ways many of us never imagined
possible. But, what you put into the pot is what you'll get out.

In a few weeks, during Chanuka, we'll be singing Maoz Tzur - Rock of
Ages. G-d, the Rock of Ages, the choicest of "stones" has given us the
water - for water is symbolic of Torah. He has placed within each Jew
the spark of a holy soul which can be fanned into a blazing flame. It is
up to us to add the rest of the ingredients to make a delicious, hearty,
and unique soup.

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           LIVING WITH THE REBBE  -  THE WEEKLY TORAH PORTION
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This week's Torah portion, Vayeitzei,  recounts how Jacob leaves his
father's home in the land of Israel, goes to Charan, a city in the
Diaspora, where he marries, raises a family, and amasses wealth. After a
sojourn of 20 years, he seeks to return, and collects his family and
possessions and journeys back to the Land of Israel.

Without discounting the narrative's historical truth, it can also be
understood as an analogy. Jacob serves as an analogy for the soul, the
land of Israel for the spiritual realms, and Charan, for our material
world.

The soul is an eternal spiritual entity, "an actual part of G-d." And
yet, it is forced to abandon the revelation it experiences in the
spiritual realms and descend to this material world. Why? To get
married, raise a family, and amass wealth. And then, after many years
pass, the soul returns to the spiritual realms?

If the soul begins in the spiritual realms and ends in the spiritual
realms, and its fundamental identity is spiritual, why is it so
necessary for it to descend to this material realm? Is getting married,
raising a family, and amassing wealth that important?

Yes!

Were the soul to be concerned with its own satisfaction alone, then it
would be better for it to remain in the spiritual realm. There it would
be encompassed by revealed G-dly light at all times. But there is
something more important to the soul than its own satisfaction, and for
that reason it descends to this material world.

The soul is sent into this world with a mission. G-d wants man to
improve upon His creation. He created the world with a G-dly potential,
but that G-dly potential is not openly revealed. It is left for man to
"Know Him in all your ways," and to make the G-dly potential that is
hidden in this world openly manifest. This mission is what propels the
soul into this material realm.

This is why getting married, raising a family, and acquring possessions
are so important. G-d is not interested only in the way we study or
pray. If all He wanted from us is to perform spiritual activities, He
could have left the soul in the spiritual realms. G-d made the soul
descend so that it becomes involved with other people and with the
material environment it is placed. On this plane, it must look beyond
the physical and appreciate that every entity has a spiritual purpose
and do what it can to insure that this purpose is realized.

On the other hand, this emphasis on material activities is not to the
exclusion of prayer and study. Without them, we would not have the
awareness to appreciate an entity's spiritual purpose, or the inner
strength to pursue that purpose despite our material tendencies. That is
why our sages emphasize that Jacob spent 14 years immersed in study
before setting out for Charan. He needed - as do we his spiritual heirs
- this positive influence to empower him to meet the challenges he would
face in the long years in Charan.

      From Keeping in Touch, adapted by Rabbi Eli Touger, published
                                              by Sichos in English.

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                             SLICE OF LIFE
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                      Surprise Birth in Barcelona
                             by Hila Bonen

For years, even scheduling an afternoon coffee break with my childhood
friends was mission impossible. But when our 30th birthdays were coming
up, we decided to celebrate with a weekend trip outside of Israel. After
some planning we chose our destination - Barcelona, Spain.

Happy and excited, we left Ben Gurion airport, finding it hard to
believe that our plan was finally taking shape. My husband would take
care of our three-year-old son Yahav and I was not at a point in my
pregnancy yet when it was considered unsafe to travel. We landed in the
evening.

After a short rest in my hotel room, I got out of bed and realized my
water had broken. At that moment, I felt like I was entering into the
eye of the tornado. A quick trip to the nearest hospital confirmed what
I already suspected - my short weekend trip was about to turn into a
long stay.

I was hospitalized on strict bed rest, with minimal command of Spanish,
unable to communicate with the nurses and far from my loved ones.

My mind was overflowing with questions: Why? How? When will this
nightmare end? What will happen to my unborn baby, and to my little son
in Israel? How will I manage so far from my child, husband, family and
daily routine?

As soon as I told my husband what had happened, he contacted the Chabad
House in Barcelona and reached my angel, Nechama Libersohn. Within two
hours of receiving the call, Nechama sent me kosher food for Shabbat,
candles and wine.

As soon as Shabbat ended, Nechama came to visit me at the hospital -
hugging, encouraging and reassuring me that G-d willing everything would
work out for the best. At that moment I no longer felt alone. Nechama
was with me.

A week later, on January 15th, I had an emergency caesarean section and
at 26 weeks I delivered my little Mia, who weighed only 850 grams.

From the first moment I met her, Nechama reflected to me everything that
is good in the Jewish people, all the values on which I grew up in my
parents' home: Giving without expecting anything in return, and a deep
commitment to help any Jewish soul, no matter whom or when or where.

Nechama treated me like I was her little sister. She spent hours talking
to me, helping me to relax and forget the situation I was in, far from
home and family with a little premature baby. At every opportunity,
Nechama prayed for Mia's health while taking care of all my physical
needs. She brought me hot, delicious meals and took care of my laundry.
Moreover, she did many extras just to help cheer me up - like inviting
me to Shabbat dinner or to bake challah with her wonderful family. My
husband, Yuval, flew back and forth from Israel a number of times during
this ordeal, but when he could not be there with me, Nechama was my
family.

I quickly discovered that taking care of me was just one item on her
busy schedule. Nechama does not rest for a second, and in addition to
educating and raising her children with love, she is devoted to her
community. She arranges programs for women, holiday meals, bar and bat
mitzvas, Hebrew school on Sundays for the children of the community,
among many other projects.

But her good deeds and giving don't end with the local Jewish community.
Barcelona is a well-known tourist attraction, and there are hundreds or
thousands of Israelis or Jews from all over the world visiting at any
given time. More than once it has happened that a tourist got stuck
there with a health problem, just as it happened to me. They feel
totally lost and helpless, until their story reaches the Chabad House.
Immediately they find a lifeline and the entire burden is lifted from
their shoulders. The Shluchim (Rebbe's emissaries) lovingly attend to
the problem, down to the smallest details. Their feelings of loneliness
and panic vanish, knowing they are safe and in good hands.

During the time I was there, I was a witness to one such story. A
tourist arrived in Barcelona for a two-day visit when he began to have
heart trouble and had to be hospitalized for a procedure. This happened
during Purim. The hospital was far from the Libersohn's home, but
Nechama did not neglect a single detail of the mitzva (commandment). In
addition to visiting and serving as a translator for the hospital staff,
Nechama also took care of Shabbat meals and made sure he heard the
Megilla. There are many such "cases" that Nechama is involved with and
she does it all with warmth and love.

What impressed me the most was Shabbos with the Libersohn family. Every
Friday night after services in the Chabad House, their house fills up
with 50 or 60 guests who come home with the Rabbi for the Shabbat meal.
There is a very touching ambience. Every Friday the tables are set
beautifully with delicious food and lots of different dishes to suit the
tastes of all their visitors who come from a wide range of backgrounds.
The food is prepared with much thought. We all unite around the Shabbat
table to enjoy a luxurious meal and to hear words of inspiration from
the rabbi and his children in both Hebrew and Spanish. Sitting in the
Libersohn home I truly feel how all Jews are connected and responsible
for one another.

I have never encountered a woman with such "talent" in giving, who
dedicates her life for others and does it all with a smile, making you
feel like you are the only person in the world she is worrying for.

I spent three months in Barcelona until my baby was well enough to fly
back to Israel. I owe the world to Nechama. I had always heard of the
activities of Chabad but I had never been exposed firsthand to the power
of the Jewish soul. They helped me in my worst time, so far from home.
Nechama filled me with strength that enabled me to get up each morning
and face the day. She rescued me from sinking into an emotional abyss,
and helped me get through this journey with her strong belief in G-d.
She kept assuring me that G-d tests only those who can stand up against
life's difficulties. I only hope that one day I can return to her only a
little bit of what she did for me. Thank you!

        Reprinted with permission from the N'Shei Chabad Newsletter

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                               WHAT'S NEW
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                             New Emissaries

Rabbi Shlomo and Shoshi Litvin recently arrived in Lexington, Kentucky,
to establish a new Chabad House at the University of Kentucky.

Rabbi Meir and Sara Simon have moved to Lone Tree, Colorado, a city in
south Denver, to support the expansion of year-round Teen and Pre-teen
programs at Chabad Jewish Center of South Metro Denver.
                      New Edition of Kehot Chumash


The interpolated translation of the new Synagogue Edition of the Kehot
Chumash enables the reader to more easily understand the text as Rashi
explained it, and as the Rebbe elucidates Rashi's commentary. Hundreds
of Chassidic insights culled from the Rebbe's works and those of his
predecessors supplement the translation. Each Torah portion is preceded
by a brief introduction that highlights the weekly theme. Introductions
also come before each Haftarah.  Published by Chabad House Publications
and Kehot Publication Society.

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                            THE REBBE WRITES
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           From a letter of the Rebbe 15 Kislev, 5734 (1974)

Pursuant to the letter of the beginning of last month, the content of
which was based on the general instruction and culminating point of the
month of Tishrei, namely, the message contained in the phrase, "And
Yaakov [Jacob] went on his way:" [Gen. 32:2]

Bearing in mind that each letter and word of the Torah is a world full
of meaning and instruction, there is a need to elaborate on the concepts
contained in the said three Hebrew words:

And Yaakov: It is well known that the two names of our patriarch, Yaakov
(Jacob) and Yisroel (Israel), are quite different. The name Yaakov was
given at birth, whereas Yisroel was bestowed later, after our patriarch
had fought "with angels and with men, and prevailed."

The name Yaakov is associated with ekev - heel - which is the lowest and
last part of the body, and wherein there is hardly any distinction
between one person and another. The name Yisroel, on the other hand, has
to do with leadership and mastery. In fact, when the Hebrew letters are
rearranged, they spell li rosh - I am the head. The head, of course, is
the highest part of the body, wherein the essential differences
(physical and spiritual) between individuals are located, viz. facial
features, voice, looks, and intellect.

Now, the significance of Yaakov, in the above "instruction" is that it
refers to the Divine mission given to every Jew, without exception, from
birth, while still in the state of "Yaakov," and at the beginning of his
Divine service. From this starting point, the mission is to be fulfilled
in a manner containing the following elements:

Went on - implying true locomotion, i.e. leaving one place (and
spiritual state) completely behind to go to another, more desirable
place.

Parenthetically, this is the reason why angels are called omdim -
stationary - for although "they fulfill the Will of their Maker with awe
and fear, and praise G-d in song and melody" which is their form of
advancement to higher states, there is no complete departure and change
involved in their nature, hence this cannot be termed perfect "going."

Only man is called mehalech, a "walker," for his task is to go ever
higher, even if his previous spiritual station is satisfactory. Yet, to
remain in the same state will not do at all. His progression must
involve a change, to the extent that his new spiritual state is
incomparably higher than his previous one, however good it was, and he
must thus continue on the road that leads to G-dliness, the En Sof, the
Infinite, as indicated further.

His way - the King's Way, the way of the Supreme King of the universe.
The preeminence of a perfect way, as has been pointed out, is that it
links the remotest corner with the royal palace in the capital city. It
is a two-way road, leading from the palace to the remote corner and from
the remote corner to the palace.

This is how the service of every Jew, man and woman, should be. One must
not be satisfied with one's influence at home, in the community, or
country, but one must open the way, the King's way, as above, that leads
even to the remotest corner of the earth, in order to illuminate that
corner with the light of Torah and mitzvos (commandments) and to uplift
all that is in that corner.

May G-d grant that each and every one of us will carry out the mission
included in, "And Yaakov went on his way," and carry it out with joy,
for "joy breaks through barriers," and thus help to light up the
darkness of the Exile, for the ultimate fulfillment of the promise: "All
the earth will be filled with G-d's glory."

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                               TEACHINGS
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Though Hakhel was observed only on one day of Sukkot, the concept
applies throughout the year, and the entire year is known as the Hakhel
year. Likewise with the Jubilee that was celebrated every 50 years, when
slaves returned to the freedom of their homes, and fields were restored
to their original owners. Since the purpose of Hakhel is not the
assembly in itself, but rather the heightened awe of G-d that results
from it thereafter, the whole of that year is permeated with the spirit
of Hakhel.

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                        A WORD FROM THE DIRECTOR
                         Rabbi Shmuel M. Butman
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This Shabbos is the ninth of Kislev, the birthday and yahrtzeit of Rabbi
Dov Ber (known as the Mittler Rebbe), the second Rebbe of
Chabad-Lubavitch.

In 1816, Reb Dov Ber established a settlement of Chabad chasidim in
Israel in the city of Hebron. He encouraged the chasidim already living
in other parts of Israel to resettle in Hebron. In addition, his own
daughter and son-in-law moved with their family from Russia to Hebron.

But the history of Chabad-Lubavitch support of people, institutions and
settlements in the Holy Land predates even 1816. For the first Chabad
Rebbe, Rabbi Shneur Zalman, vigorously encouraged his followers to
support the Jews in the Holy Land.

Each and every Rebbe of Chabad, up to and including the present Rebbe,
has unequivocally supported the Holy Land and spoken out boldly
concerning anything that might have the slightest impact on the security
of the Jews there.

Our brethren in Israel know first-hand about the Rebbe's concern for
them and their lives. During the Gulf War the Rebbe's emphatic message
that "Israel is the safest place in the world for G-d is constantly
watching it" was continuously played on the radio. The hundreds of
Chabad Centers that dot the Israeli landscape were deluged with callers
during the Gulf War asking, "What is the Rebbe saying now?"

Without a doubt, and everyone can be sure of this, the Rebbe's policy
has not changed one iota from that of his predecessors. Based on clear
guidance from the Torah and Jewish law, the Rebbe reiterates: No action
can be taken that might negatively affect the safety of the Jews of the
Holy Land.

In the merit of Rabbi Dov Ber, who established the first Chabad
settlement in the Holy Land, may we be privileged to go together with
Moshiach to the Holy Land, NOW.

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                          THOUGHTS THAT COUNT
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He took one of the stones of the place, and put it under his head (Gen.
28:11)

Why didn't Jacob choose something softer to use as a pillow? Said he: "A
stone of the Land of Israel is more precious than all the pillows and
cushions I will ever use in the Diaspora."

                                                      (Otzar Chaim)

                                *  *  *


Behold, a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to
heaven (Gen. 28:12)

If a person thinks that he has already perfected himself and "reached
heaven," it is a sure sign that in fact, he has a long way to go. For it
is only when an individual considers himself lowly and "on the earth"
that he is able to ascend to greater spiritual heights.

                                              (Toldot Yaakov Yosef)

                                *  *  *


Behold, the L-rd was standing over him ("Vehinei Hashem nitzav alav")
(Gen. 28:13)

Rearranging the first letters of the above Hebrew verse results in the
word "anav," meaning one who is humble. For it is precisely through
humility, self-abnegation and acceptance of the yoke of Heaven that a
person attains a sense of G-d's closeness.

                                                      (Ohr HaTorah)

                                *  *  *


Your seed shall be as the dust of the earth (Gen. 28:14)

The Jewish people is likened here to the dust of the earth, although
sometimes the Torah compares the Jews to sand, and sometimes to the
stars above. We learn a lesson from each of these different expressions.
Stars are extremely far apart from one another in the heavens and never
come into contact with each other. Grains of sand, on the other hand,
are in close proximity to the other grains, but do not stick and adhere
to each other. Dust, however, attaches to other particles and forms a
cohesive mass. The Jewish people will receive G-d's blessings when they
are as unified and undivided as dust.

                                                (Lubavitcher Rebbe)

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                            IT ONCE HAPPENED
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                          By Simcha Abramowitz

Yeruchem was a dedicated Chasid of Reb Dov Ber Shneuri, the second Rebbe
of Chabad-Lubavitch, also known as the Mittler Rebbe. This Chasid
enjoyed an abundance of wealth. Each season, the Chasid's muddy brown
soil reaped hundreds of kilos of fresh produce. The workers of the
wealthy farmer were paid well and fed well. Huge heaping sacks of
rust-colored, brown potatoes stocked the shelves of the chasid's cellar.

The produce was used to feed the poor of the town of Lubavitch. Over
time, the skinny peasant workers grew into healthy strong laborers.
Sixty percent of all profits on Yeruchem's farm went to charity. The
farmer had enough out of his 40% to live quite comfortably. He'd stroll
through the fields reciting Psalms each day. Each month, Yeruchem held a
big Chasidic gathering, which the Mittler Rebbe would often attend. The
songs and melodies made a profound effect on all present.

One winter, Yeruchem took ill. He felt it was time for him to pass on.
Yeruchem transferred all his wealth to his only son, Moshe. A large
group of peasants assembled at Yeruchem's funeral.

Moshe, the next link in the chain, accepted the inheritance. His
father's farm, his father' private cellar, and all of his father's
businesses, transferred to Moshe's responsibility. Moshe, the incumbent
benefactor of his father's wealth, went to the Mittler Rebbe for a
blessing.

Upon arrival at the village, Moshe went directly to the Rebbe. The Rebbe
said: "I wish you, Reb Moshe, much success in your financial endeavors.
Money is given to us by G-d, not because of our efforts to obtain it.
G-d has a special mission in mind for each of us. Your mission in having
this money is to support people or institutions in need of money.
Remember, you can lose this money as easily as you got it..."

Reb Moshe listened intently to the Rebbe. This was a hard mission, due
to his miserly nature. But initially Reb Moshe gave charity generously.
Pretty soon, though, Reb Moshe started to cut back on his charitable
contributions. He was afraid of overspending. In a short while, he
totally gave in to his miserly inclination, giving very little charity.
He invested most of his money in businesses which he operated. He spent
a little on himself. The rest of his money was stored in is cellar in a
huge chest. The soft wads of paper bills sat snugly inside of their
wrappers. The heaving wooden chest stood formidably in back of the
rickety wooden staircase. No one would every take it away...

The Rebbe sensed what was happening to Reb Moshe and sent a messenger to
his chasid.

The messenger arrived and told Reb Moshe that his fortunes would
dwindle, unless he would take the Rebbe's advice. Reb Moshe's face
instantly flushed with embarrassment. The men talked. By the time the
messenger left, Reb Moshe was convinced. Reb Moshe checked his storage
cellar that morning. He fished out three sacks of potatoes, and several
stacks of bills. He ordered his son to send it to a needy family. Days
went by. Weeks went by. Reb Moshe felt regret over the potatoes and
money he had given away. He slowed down his tzedaka donations.

Again the Rebbe sent a messenger to warn Reb Moshe and again Reb Moshe
started giving charity once more, but this time halfheartedly. Soon, he
slowed down his charitable donations and even cut down his farmhands'
salaries.

Weeks passed. Reb Moshe cut his workers' salaries once more and totally
stopped giving charity.

Over the next few weeks, Moshe suffered major financial setbacks. One by
one, his businesses went bankrupt. Then Reb Moshe's plantation was
swamped by torrents of heavy rains. By the end of the three-day deluge,
Reb Moshe's plantations lay in desolation. Reb Moshe had only one hope
left: his money chest. The worried Chasid lowered his shaking body down
the cellar's stairwell. Moshe bent down slowly to inspect he chest. His
fingers trembled. He held his breath. Then he looked.

The money was so soaked that it crumbled into paper flakes. Such an
extreme and unexpected calamity can only be from heaven, he realized.
The sobbing Chasid had lost all his crops, all his money, all his
businesses, and he still owed money to his creditors. This time, Reb
Moshe traveled to the Mittler Rebbe. He cried bitter tears of regret,
admitting his wrongdoing, and begging for help.

The Rebbe gave Reb Moshe a blessing to rebuild all his businesses and to
replant his crops. But in order for G-d to grant the blessing Reb Moshe
would have to fulfill his pledge to share his profits by giving charity
generously.

Through a contrite heart, Reb Moshe cured himself of his obsession with
money. With the Rebbe's blessings he became wealthy again and now gave
charity abundantly.

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                            MOSHIACH MATTERS
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According to our Sages,  Jacob's dream, that hinted to the fall of  the
nations and the end of exile, was just like another famous dream. This
was the dream of Nebuchadnezzar, described in the book of Daniel. In his
dream, there was a large metal statue, which represented the nations
which would rule over the the Chidlren of Israel. He then saw a large
stone smash the statue to dust. The stone then became a large mountain
that covered the entire world. The stone represents Moshiach, as Daniel
said, "G-d will make a kingdom stand which will never be destroyed and
that will last forever."

                                 (Midrash Rabah 68:14. Daniel 2:44)

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               END OF TEXT - L'CHAIM 1397 - Vayetzei 5776
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