The Maggid, Rabbi Aryeh-Leib of Polnoye desperately wanted to learn the language of birds and animals. He thought this knowledge would be useful in soothing the souls of his followers and the congregations to whom he preached. The language of the animals, birds and even the plants and rocks is always known by at least one person in every generation. He knew that in his genera-tion, this knowledge had been acquired by the holy Baal Shem Tov. R. Aryeh Leib decided to beg the holy Baal Shem Tov to teach him this language. Alt-hough possibly presumptuous, he rea-soned it was okay to ask because, "after all, I only plan to use the power for the sake of Heaven. With this knowledge, I will be more able to help my followers overcome their worldly concerns."

Having made up his mind, R. Aryeh Leib traveled to Medzibuz. The trip seemed to take almost no time because his mind was engrossed with thoughts of listening to the speech of birds and ani-mals. It was already night when he ar-rived. The Study Hall of the Baal Shem Tov was lit up and filled with his follow-ers. R. Aryeh Leib entered and saw the Baal Shem Tov sitting at a table speak-ing with a group of his close followers. While he was sure that the Baal Shem Tov had noticed him, the Rebbe's eyes didn't meet his to acknowledge his arri-val. Later, after most of the followers had already left the study house, R. Ar-yeh Leib still waited and hoped to be recognized by the Baal Shem Tov. Final-ly, when the Baal Shem Tov walked out of the study hall, he glanced over to R. Aryeh Leib and greeted him in a formal tone, "Shalom Aleichem."

R. Aryeh Leib was upset. "Why didn't he greet me warmly as he always has be-fore?" he thought. "Maybe I should just leave. But then again, there is nothing more important to me than learning the language of the birds and animals. So no, I won't leave. I'll just wait for a better time to approach him."

For the next few days, the Baal Shem Tov didn't say anything special to R.

Yehoshua Wiseman - yehoshuawiseman.com

Aryeh Leib. Then, after Shabbos, the Baal Shem Tov instructed Alexei, his wagon driver, to prepare his wagon for a journey. He invited R. Aryeh Leib and several others of his close followers to join him. They all readily agreed. R. Aryeh Leib especially was filled with excitement; he was thinking that his wish might finally be fulfilled.

The next day, after many long hours of travel, the wagon with the Baal Shem Tov and his followers stopped at an inn. The Baal Shem Tov went right up stairs to a private room that the innkeeper pre-pared just for him. The rest of the travel-ers stayed in the main common room of the inn. Being tired after the long trip, they all immediately fell asleep.

Only R. Aryeh Leib couldn't fall asleep. He kept wondering if the Baal Shem Tov would teach him the knowledge he des-perately wanted to learn. Later in the night, he heard the Baal Shem Tov pac-ing back and forth in his room. So he gathered his courage and went upstairs to speak with him. When he reached the top of the stairs, he saw a bright light shining from the Baal Shem Tov's room. He started to go into the room but then realized that the bright light was shining from the face of the Baal Shem Tov. He stood glued to the floor, unable to look away from the Rebbe's face that was ablaze like a fire.

When the Baal Shem Tov walked over to him, R. Aryeh Leib nearly fell to the floor with fear and begged forgiveness for disturbing him. The Baal Shem Tov gently put his hand on his shoulder and said "R. Aryeh Leib, don't be afraid. What is it that you want?" But R. Aryeh

Leib was too embarrassed to say any-thing. So he turned and went downstairs.

The next day, as they continued their journey in the wagon, the Baal Shem Tov asked R. Aryeh Leib to sit next to him. After some time passed, the Baal Shem Tov said, "I know that the reason for your coming to see me is to learn the language of the birds and animals. I've decided to teach it to you. There is, how-ever, one condition that is of utmost im-portance. You must listen with your full attention to what I'm about to say."

"Oh yes Rebbe, I promise to give my undivided attention to all that you say," R. Aryeh Leib answered.

The Baal Shem Tov continued, "To begin: it is known that the Heavenly Chariot is supported by 'four Heavenly beings, each with the face of a lion and the face of a man on the right side, the face of an ox on the left, and the face of an eagle.' It is also known in Kabbalah that from the eagle face flows the life power to the birds, from the ox face flows the life power to the domestic ani-mals, from the lion face flows the life power to the wild animals and from the man's face flows the life power down to the lower man. Also the language of the birds, the animals and people comes from the Heavenly Chariot. A wise per-son who can see things at their source in the Heavenly Chariot can understand the speech of the birds and animals."

Continued on page 3

Paying Full Attention

B”H Erev Shabbat Naso - outside of Eretz Yisroel, 13th of Sivan, 5780; June 5th, 2020

Chabad Of Israel

Rabbi Joseph I. Aronov

Published by M.L.S. Kfar Chabad (03) 3731777

Editor: Aharon Schmidt

livingjewishweekly@gmail.com

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Building our own Sanctuaries

"And it came to pass on the day that Moses had finished setting up the Sanctuary..." We read in this week's Torah portion, Na-so, that after the Jewish people finished constructing all of the Sanctuary's different components, they brought them to Moses so he could erect it. The massive wooden planks were just too heavy; even working together, the Jews were unable to build the Sanctuary by themselves. Recognizing this dilemma, Moses asked G-d how human beings could be expected to perform such a difficult task. In re-sponse, G-d instructed Moses to put his hand on the enormous boards, whereupon they rose by themselves. The Sanctuary was thus erected in a miraculous manner.

Why was a Miracle Necessary? But why was it necessary for G-d to per-form a miracle? According to historians, it was the Jewish slaves who built the pyramids in Egypt. Indeed, the Torah tells us, "They built treasure cities for Pharaoh, Pitom and Ramses." Each individual stone of the pyr-amids weighed several tons. And yet, as depicted in ancient hieroglyphics and paintings, the slaves somehow managed to drag these tremendous weights and build

the colossal edifices that continue to exist even today. The wooden planks of the Sanctuary weighed far less than these stones. Why then did the Jewish people find it impossi-ble to lift them? Why was it necessary for the Sanctuary to be erected by means of a miracle?

Freedom and Liberation

The answer lies in the fact that the pyra-mids were built by slave labor, by avodat parech (back-breaking, rigorous work). The only reason the Jewish slaves were able to move the stones was because Phar-aoh compelled them to. The Jewish people had no choice; they obeyed Pharaoh's com-mands out of fear. This fear motivated them to tie themselves together with rope (as seen in the paint-ings) and perform the seemingly superhu-man feat. Building the Sanctuary, however, involved an entirely different type of work. The Sanctuary was an edifice to be erected willingly, with joy in being able to execute G-d's command. However, the wooden planks proved too heavy for the Jews to lift. G-d didn't want the Sanctuary to be built

out of a sense of compulsion. Its erection was a happy event, not a sorrowful one. He therefore made a miracle to express this concept, and the Sanctuary was erected with a feeling of true freedom and libera-tion.

Serving G-d with Joy This same principle applies to the erection of our own individual "Sanctuaries" through the performance of G-d's mitzvot. Observing the Torah's commandments should never be considered "back-breaking labor"; rather, we must strive to carry out G-d's commands willingly and joyfully, secure in the knowledge that G-d grants us His full assistance. Adapted from the teachings of the Lubav-itcher Rebbe; Shabbos Table and From our Sages reprinted from LchaimWeek-ly.org - LYO / NYC; Take on More reprint-ed from Keeping in Touch, Sichos in English.

A man or woman who sets himself apart (yafli) by making a nazirite vow to ab-stain for the sake of the Lord. (Num. 6:2)

A person who willingly foregoes the pleasures of this world in order to sancti-fy himself before G-d is extraordinary, almost a wonder. (The word "yafli" is related to "peleh," a miracle or wonder.) Most people, in fact, are propelled in the opposite direction.

(Ibn Ezra)

… Nachshon, the son of Aminadav, of the tribe of Judah (Num. 7:12)

All of the other Nesi'im (princes) who made offerings are referred to by their proper title, Nasi, whereas Nachshon is referred to only by name. The reason? To "counteract" his having been first, lest he become boastful.

(Chizkuni)

So shall you bless the Children of Israel (Num. 6:23)

The Torah's commandment to the koha-nim (priests) was not meant as a com-

mand to bless the Jewish people but as an instruction how, i.e., in such and such a manner shall you bless them. For koha-nim are by nature loving and giving; there was no need to order them to bless, mere-ly to tell them what form it should take.

(Rabbi Avraham Mordechai of Gur)

L-rd make His face shine unto you (Num. 6:25)

G-d's "face," as it were, is symbolic of His innermost will and love; "unto you" implies the Jewish people and the realm of holiness.

Although everything in the world is sus-tained by G-d, things which are not holy receive a lesser vitality that emanates from a more external aspect of the Divine Will.

An analogy: When the king throws a ban-quet for his royal ministers, even the household servants get to enjoy the lefto-vers. Nonetheless, the servants' enjoy-ment is secondary; the king's main intent is to please his guests.

(The Rebbe Rashab)

Take on More

A chassid came to the Rebbe with a prob-lem: he felt over-extended. He was em-ployed as principal of a day school, wrote a weekly column for the city’s Jewish newspaper, and contributed to several other publications. He was constantly being sought after for personal advice and counseling, and had also gained a reputa-tion as a public speaker. Besides all this, he had his own family life. He told the Rebbe that he did not see how he could continue and asked the Rebbe’s advice regarding areas where he should cut back.

The Rebbe did not answer immediately, and the chassid thought that he was con-sidering the options. When he did reply, however, the chassid was bewildered. “I would like you to take on new responsi-bilities in directing Lubavitch activities in your city,” the Rebbe requested.

“How can I?” the chassid replied. “I am overwhelmed with what I am doing and don’t know how I can manage without cutting back on my activities.”

“What you’re doing now,” the Rebbe answered, “you are not doing with your own powers, but with G‑d’s. G‑d is un-limited. Just as He gives you the potential to do what you are doing now, He can certainly give you the potential to under-take greater and more expanded responsi-bilities.”

When a person dedicates himself to G‑d’s service, he is able to redefine his person-ality and discover new resources within himself.

Dovid HaMelech says in Tehillim, "Seek peace and pursue it." Rebbi Shimon ben Elazar said: "If one sits in his place and remains at peace with everyone, he has not pursued peace. Rather he should go to great lengths to seek it, even at a dis-tance."

Reb Refoel of Bershad, a student of Reb Pinchas of Korets, often busied himself with restoring peace amongst friends and couples. One Tisha BeAv he headed out to a house where a number of people were quarreling. “Why don’t you go after Tisha BeAv?” his students asked. Reb Refoel explained, “The Beis HaMikdosh was destroyed because of causeless hatred – so on a day like this, should we postpone an opportunity to restore peace?!"

Our Sages say that whoever instills peace in his own family is considered to have instilled peace amongst the entire Yid-dishe nation, for every person has influ-ence on his home.

There once lived two people who every erev Shabbos were incited by Satan to quarrel. So what did Reb Meir do? Our Sages relate that he visited their home three weeks in a row to make sure that all was peaceful. On the third Friday he heard Satan moan: "Oy, this Reb Meir has chased me out of this home!"

The Alter Rebbe once had to sacrifice time from his learning in order to bring peace to a struggling couple. His study partner complained: "True, our Sages say that bringing peace between husband and wife is so great a mitzva that one is re-warded for it in This World and the Next

– but don't they conclude that the study of Torah is equal to all the great mitzvos that they list?" The Alter Rebbe replied that the mishna places "bringing peace" next to "talmud Torah" – to teach us that each of those two mitzvos is equal to all the others.

One Friday night, Rebbi Meir's shiur for women ended far later than usual. When one of his listeners finally returned home, she found her husband so irritated that he would not let her in the door until she would go and spit in the speaker's face! What should she do? Her friends encour-aged her to visit Rebbi Meir for advice and they accompanied her.

As they approached his home, he sensed the dilemma with ruach hakodesh. Acting as if his eye was hurting, he greeted the women, "Can one of you please spit in my eye to heal it?" The woman grasped the opportunity and returned home happily. After they left, his students asked, "Rebbi! Isn't this a disgrace to the Torah?" Rebbi Meir replied, "My honor cannot be greater than the honor of HaShem, Who allowed his Name to be erased – in order to make peace between husband and wife."

In a letter to Reb Volf Greenglass, the Rebbe encourages him to engage those opposing chassidim by showing them friendship. Although both sides were surely to blame, nevertheless it is Anash who should take the first step towards befriending them.

The above and Moshiach Now! reprinted from The Weekly Farbrengen by Merkaz Anash, on-line at TheWeeklyFarbrengen.com

Reb Leibel Groner relates: Prior to the first visit of the Toldos Aharon Rebbe in 5719 (1959), the Rebbe told me to be present in the room during the yechidus. At first I did not understand the reason.

During the yechidus, the Rebbe asked him if the bochurim learn Chassidus in his yeshi-va. He replied, “Certainly.” The Rebbe asked which sefer, and he answered that every bochur learns whichever Chassidus he prefers. Although the Rebbe accorded him great respect, the Rebbe stated his opinion firmly: “Just as in nigleh there is a structured learning, so must there be in Chassidus. It could be the Noam Elimelech, the Sfas Emes, or the Shomrei Emunim of Toldos Aharon, but it has to be structured.”

After the yechidus, the Rebbe told me to write it up, so it could be preserved. The Reb-be elaborated, “In every chassidishe yeshiva, there must be a serious study of Chassi-dus, even if only for half-an-hour. The Baal Shem Tov heard from Moshiach that this is the key to his coming; how can we ignore it?!”

Spreading Peace

Paying Full Attention

Continued from page 3:

As the Baal Shem Tov continued ex-plaining the deepest teachings from sev-eral Holy Books, including the Zohar and the Tikunei Zohar, the wagon entered a forest. R. Aryeh Leib listened with all his attention to the Baal Shem Tov. Sud-denly a branch brushed against his cheek and he began to hear the animals and birds speaking to each other.

Meanwhile the Baal Shem Tov continued talking. Reb Aryeh was so enthralled with hearing the speech of the animals and birds that he divided his attention. With one ear he listened to the Baal Shem Tov and with the other ear he lis-tened to the birds and animals.

Later, when the wagon came out of the forest, the Baal Shem Tov said, "So you understand all that I said."

"Oh yes!" answered R. Aryeh Leib.

Then the Baal Shem Tov passed his hand over the face of R. Aryeh Leib and while R. Aryeh Leib still heard the sounds of the animals and birds, he could no longer understand their speech.

R. Aryeh Leib started to ask what hap-pened when the Baal Shem Tov looked directly into his eyes and said, "Because you couldn't hold your full attention on what I was saying [the many deep secrets related to this subject], you're not ready to be entrusted with the knowledge of the language of birds and animals."

And so it was.

Source: Adapted by Yerachmiel Tilles from the rendition of Meir-Tzvi Cohn on his dedicated website, baalshemtov.com. Rabbi Tilles of Tsfat is a co-founder of ASCENT. His mailing list (ytilles3@gmail.com) is now in its 23rd year. The first two of his "Full Moon" storybooks (Koren Publ) are available for purchase at Kabbala-Online-shop.com and Jewish bookstores.

The Mysterious Life of Reb Moshe

“Toldos Rabbi Moshe ben Admor Ha’Zakein” is a recent book about the life of the Alter Rebbe’s youngest son, Reb Moshe, who had to leave the environs of the study hall and run for his life, spending the rest of his life in exile. Over the years, historical re-searchers and even Chassidim en-gaged in all sort of speculation about him and his life.

Authored by Rabbi Eliyahu Matusof, the book is written in an interesting

and easy flowing style, even as it maintains the integrity of a research work with a source for every quote and story. The book is interspersed with stories, most of them from the writings of the Chabad Rebbeim. However, to com-plete the picture, there are also de-scriptions by early Chassidim who wrote what they heard from reliable sources. The book has aroused interest not only among Lubavitcher Chassidim but also among the community of histori-cal researchers of Chassidus, as it provides insight into the mystery that shrouded Reb Moshe’s persona. The author, Rabbi Eliyahu Matusof, is considered an expert on the writings of the Rebbeim and in the research of Chabad history. Reprinted and adapted from Chabadinfo.com

Halacha Corner – Mikvah Before Davening

The prevailing custom among chassidim is to immerse in a mikvah every day before davening (with the exception of Yom Kippur and Tish’ah B’av), and especially on Erev Shabbos and Shabbos, as well as Erev Yom Tov and Yom Tov.

There are sources indicating that there were those who had a custom of going every third day, so as not to go three days without mikvah, and some who had the custom of going Monday, Thursday, Friday, and Shabbos.

There are a number of reasons for immersing every morning, among them: 1) One immerses as preparation for davening, since mikvah can achieve a high level of purity for davening. 2) When a person davens, he resembles a Kohen Gadol who immersed in the mikvah every day. 3) It is a symbolic of teshu-vah, and facilitates teshuvah every single day.

Although one should make every effort to go to the mikvah before Shacha-ris—as many of the reasons apply specifically to the morning—in case he didn’t have the chance to do so, it is nevertheless a good idea to go after davening as a symbol of teshuvah, and in preparation for davening minchah.

HaRav Yosef Yeshaya Braun, shlita, Mara D’asra and member of the Beis Din of Crown Heights; 1 Minute Halacha, Vol. 1, Issue 42, #308; reprinted from crownheightsconnect.com

Cooking Tip of the Week

Graham Cracker Crust: Graham flour is coarsely milled whole wheat flour. I often get requests for graham cracker crusts. Put 12 graham crack-ers in a zip loc bag and crush using a rolling pin until you have fine crumbs. Alternatively, you can use 24 tea biscuits or, for a special taste, 12 tea biscuits and 12 lotus cookies. In the bag add 1/2 cup melted coco-nut margarine (or butter for a dairy pie), mix together to combine and press into your pie pan. Alizah Hochstead, alizahh@hotmail.com

Question: After fifteen years of dealing with my wife's mental health issues, I have be-gun seeing a psychologist to help me reach a decision in my life. I love my wife very much, but I no longer feel (if I ever did) that I have the emotional tools to handle the saga of her recur-rent hospitalizations every 18-24 months. I have my own emotional battles to confront and I need to maintain my full control over my situation as a responsible individual. The main question facing me at this time is: What exactly do I want? Do I want to develop the necessary tools to handle my wife's periodic psychiatric imbal-ance, even if that means living with it for the rest of my life, or do I want to build the courage to say, enough is enough, I am unwilling to de-stroy my own health in order to restore hers, and the time has come with the utmost reluctance to put an end to my marriage?

Answer: It is not a simple situation and there are no easy answers. Let’s look at the situation together. You write:

I love my wife; I don’t feel I have the tools to handle her hospitalizations every 18-24 months; I have my own issues and need to maintain bal-anced; do I want to develop the necessary tools to deal with my wife’s issues, even if that means living with it for the rest of my life; do I want to end the marriage; unwilling to destroy my own health in order to restore hers.

In other words: you love your wife but do not have the tools to deal with her periodic psycho-sis. You could develop tools to help her, but then you would have to stay in the difficult situ-ation and may destroy your own health in the process. However, it could be that should you develop the tools, you may be able to help your wife and not destroy yourself in the process.

According to Rabbi Manis Friedman, divorce is an option to consider when a person says, “I can’t continue in this marriage.” You love your wife, but it is difficult. In addition, there are tools that you feel could help. Thus, it is not clear that you feel you can’t continue.

Husband and wife are one soul, each enabling the other to reach completion. However, we do not reach our potential through receiving. Love and marriage are defined by giving. Rather than say, “enough is enough”, as hard as it might be, consider expressing your love by learning the tools that might make the difference. There are therapists who can teach you tools and provide guidance so as to enable you to support both your wife and yourself. This could be an avenue that would be worthwhile to pursue.

Aharon Schmidt - marriage & individual coach-ing - video and telephone available. For an ap-pointment or to share a question contact: coachingandcounseling1@gmail.com