From Moscovitch to Lubavitch...
20/07/2012 09:50:03 AM
 |
||||||||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
||||||
 |
From Moscovitch to Lubavitch...
An Extract From Our Travel Diary It's Thursday morning, July 19th and we are in the car again. We are driving to the famous townlet of Lyubavichi in Smolensk Oblast, the place it all started almost three hundred years ago.In
As a young teen I remember trying to find Lubavitch in the very large Readers Digest atlas that my grandma had in her home. I had read and heard so much about the tiny village that I wanted to see where it was on the map. I remember finding Vitebsk, the capital of Moholiev Oblast, to which Lubavitch belonged at the time of the Baal Shem Tov - Vitebsk had featured heavily in the early period of our movement.
(Sometime during the nineteenth century the borders were redrawn and Lubavitch was moved from Belorus (=White Russia) to Russia and became part of Smolensk Oblast).
I struggled to find Lyubavichi (both because of its smallness and because of alternate spellings) but do seem to remember finding it in the end.
To be honest, I never dreamed of visiting Mezibush, Anipoli, Niezhin, Hoditch or Rostov on Don (the homes and/or resting places of five generations of the Chassidic movement) either. And yet we did! Lyubavichi - the resting place of the third and fourth Lubavitcher Rebbes - completes the cycle.
We have travelled several thousand kilometers through Ukraine and Russia, the vast majority by car, and it's beginning to take its toll. We are both exhausted and today's it's mummy's turn to be feeling ill. But there are no regrets. This is a journey that has been at the back of our minds for several years - and with Hashem's help we are finally doing it.
In typical Milecki fashion the idea to actually embark on this journey was made only three weeks before we left, and the final decision just thirteen days before. In that time we did what people said was impossible. Although it did mean a quick trip to Canberra we got our Ukranian visa in a day and our Russian visas in a week. (Actually getting our visas was easy. Figuring out how to get them was not. Mummy and I are now ready to open a "FSU Travel Advisory Service"...)
I must give credit where it's due. I had originally proposed to mummy that we only go to St Petersburg and Lubavitch but she would hear nothing of it. "How can we not go to Dneperprotrovsk where both the Rebbe and my father were brought up? How can we not go to Rostov where my father lived as a child in the same home as the fifth Lubavitcher Rebbe? I want to see the house! How can we not go to Mezibush? I want water from the Baal Shem Tov's spring! And of course, how can we not go to Lubavitch where my father was born?"
I tried to pull out a map and show her that what she was asking was impossible. We would be transversing Ukraine from west to east, continuing the drive into Southern Russia, then travelling all the way up north... Her response, "Maps, shmaps, you can do it. What's wrong, are you an old man already?" Nu, the only way to get over the insult to my manhood was to rise to the challenge!
Nevertheless, it would have been impossible without the help of the Shluchim who are spread through the towns and cities of Russia and Ukraine. Their guidance and hospitality are absolutely unequalled. They live to serve in a manner we have never seen anywhere. The Rebbe must be so proud of his Shluchim! May Hashem bless their sacrifice and holy mission with great success!
Very special thanks must go to our nephew Rabbi Yossi Marozov, shliach in the city Ulyanovsk, two hours east of Moscow by air. He connected us with all the Shluchim and gave us invaluable advice in the preparation of our itinerary. We so wanted to visit him but unfortunately couldn't manage. Isolated in a distant city he and his young family epitomize the sacrifice of shlichus. May Hashem bless and protect them and may they see great success in all their endeavours.
The Bar Kochva Revolt
In History and Kabbalah In this year's powerful Tisha B'Av video presentation, entitled The Bar Kochva Revolt in History and in Kabbalah, world renowned lecturer Rabbi YY Jacobson combines history, mystery, and inspiration. The video is animated with many images to entertain and engage and offers a profound educational experience with a new understanding of the deeper meaning of Tishah B'Av and its message today.This
The Ultimate Redemption
The Redemption of the Jewish People is Ultimately through Moshiach We are currently in the Three Weeks when we mourn the destruction of our Holy Temple and pray for its speedy restoration. During the Three Week period it is more necessary than at any other time of the year to focus on the ultimate redemption of the Jewish people through Moshiach.
Our Sages tell us that the Temple was destroyed because of the baseless hatred of one Jew towards another - Sinat Chinam. Hence, it will be rebuilt through Ahavat Chinam - when Jews strive to find the deep good even in those Jews with whom they bitterly disagree.
One way of doing this is through giving our opponents a hearing. By this is meant carefully listening to what they have to say - rather than jumping to conclusions (based on own subjective opinions) about what we think that they are saying.
While in New York, I heard a Chassidic explanation on the Hagaddah which brings out this idea beautifully. Everyone remembers the Four Sons. The wise son - what does the he say? The wicked son - what does he say? etc. Chassidim explained this as follows. Your first point of contact with any human being - whether wise, wicked, simple, etc - is to find out what THEY are saying. Not what you think they are saying - but to carefully listen to what THEY are saying.
More often than not the respect that is engendered by paying attention and listening carefully to what the other is saying will itself lessen or even entirely neutralize a conflict. At the very least, it will limit the possibility of disputes becoming personalized attacks. Many conflicts originate in hurt egos. What better way of neutralizing a conflict than by building the ego of an "opponent"?
What will happen when Moshiach comes?
In his magnum opus, Mishneh Torah, Maimonides writes that the time of the Messiah will be one of universal peace. There will be neither famine nor war, envy or competition , because all material things will be in abundance.
At that time the occupation of the entire world will be solely to know G-d. Maimonides writes that there is an obligation not only to believe in Moshiach but to eagerly anticipate his arrival. This is reinforced in the Ani Maamin which is printed in most prayer books – “I await his coming every single day”.
The Baal Shem Tov said that we can better understand G-d and serve Him if we are cognizant of events in the world around us. As we approach Moshiach’s coming it is only natural to expect that the world itself should reflect this momentous revelation.
If we truly believe that the world can be a better place we will certainly do all we can to make it a better place!
A problem with many people today is that they feel they are insignificant and cannot have any lasting impact on anything. As a result, they do nothing to even attempt to make the world a better place and spend all their time just looking after Number One.
Judaism teaches us that it’s the individual who makes all the difference in making the world a better place. As Maimonides says very succinctly, “A person should see himself and the entire world as equally balanced. One good deed on their part can bring salvation to the entire world.”
Young Jewish Discovery
Becoming Young Jewish Adults This coming week sees the start of our Winter BatMitzvah and BarMitzvah Discovery Courses. BatMitzvah girls will explore many important and fascinating aspects of Judaism and their special role as a Jewish woman. Likewise BarMitzvah boys will have the opportunity to forge intellectual, emotional and spiritual connections to their heritage. We wish hatzlacha raba to the teachers: Brookie Milecki and Rabbi Yehoshua Niasoff - and to the girls and boys as they begin their journey to Jewish adulthood. 
KosherChef
Unique Experience What a fantastic start to our KosherChef series!! Youngsters got to make yummy zucchini & cheese fritters and their very own individual lasagne to take home. They learned about the kosher way to crack an egg and they got to take home the delicious recipes. Can't wait till next week! Visit us on Facebook for heaps more cool pics.
Bless the Kids
This Shabbos! Hey kids! Make sure you're in Shul by 10.15 to receive your blessing and special treat and then get to make your very own edible Kotel.
Mummy & Me
Now Twice a Week! This week sees the start of twice weekly Mummy & Me due to huge demand for this fantastic program. A fantastic start to every child'd Jewish education. Whether you're a mummy or a granny; an auntie or a nanny we welcome you to join us Monday or Thursday mornings between 10 - 11.30am. Call me on 0404-055-643 or visit our homepage.
Parasha Sheet
Matot Masei 
This week's double Parasha is filled with lots of interesting information and events. Did you know that it is forbidden to make a promise?
Did you know that the Jewish people won a war against Midyan, even though the army was not made up of trained soldiers?
Did you know that you have to Toivel all your dishes before using them in your Kosher kitchen?
Did you know the details of Aharon's passing?
Did you know that an 'Ir Miklat' - 'City of Refuge', protects one who accidentally killed someone else? Read our Parasha sheet to find out all the details! Please share our Parasha sheet around your Shabbat table and let your family and friends explore the Parasha of the week together with you.
That's it for another great week and may these days soon be transformed into days of gladness and rejoicing! On behalf of the Rebbetzin and all of us at South wishing you and your family a wonderful Shabbos. Rabbi Benzion Milecki |
|
 |
|
|
666 Old South Head Rd Rose Bay, NSW 2029 (02) 9371 7300 |
|
SHMINI
Rose Bay, NSW 2029
(02) 9371 7300