MOSAIC EXPRESS 1

Sivan 27, 5780 - Friday, June 19, 2020

EXPRESS

ב"ה

Montreal Torah Center Bais Menachem Chabad Lubavitch Joanne and Jonathan Gurman Community Center ⬢ Lou Adler Shul ⬢ Marcia Gillman and Michael Flinker Early Childhood Center

28 Cleve Road, Hampstead Quebec H3X 1A6 ⬢ 514. 739.0770 Fax 514.739.5925 mtc@themtc.com WWW.THEMTC.COM ⬢ SODIA ICONS

Candle Lighting: 8:28 pm Shabbat ends 9:45 pm

SERVICES IN THE MTC PARKING LOT

TORAH PORTION SHELACH ⬢ שלח

AVOT CHAPTER 3 ⬢ BLESSING OF THE NEW MONTH OF TAMUZ, ROSH CHODESH MON-TUES JUNE 22-23

MTC EARLY SHABBOS Mincha 6:45pm, Light candles after 7:15pm.

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KIDDUSH SPONSORSHIP FUND

LAST SHABBOS:Stewart and Chana Diament Harvey and Barbara Dubrofsky Ronnie and Norma Elkin Eddy and Trudy Goldberg Rabbi Moishe and Nechama New Rabbi Itchy & Zeldie Treitel

THIS WEEK:Ariel Mechaly in honour of the Rebbe

KIDDUSH CO-SPONSORSHIP IS $136

YASHER KOACH TO OUR KIDDUSH CO-SPONSORS!

MTC GRACIOUSLY ACKNOWLEDGES THIS WEEK’S SPONSORS OF THE DAY

David & Lisa Medina in appreciation of the Rebbe, Tammuz 3

To become a sponsor of the day, please contact Itchy @ 739.0770 ext 223

HEART-TO-HEART Pre-Shabbat sermon

Friday at 5:00pm

themtc.com/Zoom or FB Live

Torah Classes & Prayer Services for the week of June 21st

LEARNING Sunday morning at 9:20 for a class on the weekly Parsha. This is a class geared for

both the novice and the more advanced student. Monday thru Friday morning at 8:00, a more advanced class on Chassidus related to

the Parsha and Holidays. This is followed by a chassidic story. Tuesday 11:00am, a class for women, held until now in the home of Debbie Cons.

PRAYER SERVICES - in the MTC parking lot Shacharis: Monday through Friday - 7:00 am. Sunday, 10:00 am. Mincha 8:40 pm, Maariv 9:25 pm

Join a live class or prayer service on zoom. VISIT THEMTC.COM/ZOOM

ANNOUNCEMENTS

SHABBAT SCHEDULE

Earliest Candle Lighting..………..….7:15 pm Candle Lighting……....…….....….....8:28 pm First Minyan Mincha*...…….....….....6:45 pm Second Minyan Mincha*............….....8:25 pm Shacharit*…………...…….....…...10:00 pm Mincha*………..…....…….....….....8:30 pm Maariv*/Shabbat ends...….......….....9:45 pm

Pirkei Avot Chapter 3

TORAH READING Parshat Shelach & Haftorah....................

*Shabbat services in MTC’s parking lot, by reservation. RSVP atwww.themtc.com/shabbatservices

KOLEL MENACHEM OF HAMPSTEAD

Rabbi New’s morning Chassidus class and daily story, as well as Rabbi Levi’s daily Talmud class (for beginners as well as those a bit more advanced) are uploaded daily to YouTube.com/MontrealTorahCenter Please take a moment to explore the channel for an archive of lectures, classes and playlists on a variety of topics.

Follow us on FB.com/MontrealTorahCenter where we’ll be going live from time to time with classes,.

Marissa Sidel & Neil Dubrofsky on their upcoming marriage

Rozental, Benlulu and Feldman families on the birth of a daughter to Eliran & Chanel Rozental

Dekhter & Lonn families on the birth of a son to Jessica and Shayne Lonn (TFS Young Leadership )

MTC WISHES A HEARTY MAZAL TOV TO

MOSAIC EXPRESS 3

General Overview: Moses sends sc outs to Canaan and all of them -- except Joshua and -- bring back frightening reports. The people react fearfully and rebelliously. G-d decrees a forty year delay until theenter Canaan, during which time all males between the ages of twenty and sixty will perish. Many Israelites then attempt to unilaterally proceed to Canaan, but are cut down by the Canaanites. Various laws are discussed: libations, giving part of the dough ("challah") to a(Priest), certain sin sacrifices, and the. A Jew is found desecrating theis executed. First Aliyah: G-d allows Moses to send scouts to reconnoiter the land of Canaan in preparation for their anticipated invasion of the land. One member of every tribe -- with the exception of the tribe of -- was chosen for this task. Moses instructed the scouts to bring back a report regarding the nature of the land; its strengths and weaknesses. He also instructed them to bring back samples of the land's produce. Second Aliyah: The sc outs spent forty days reconnoitering the land. They returned to thewith specimens of Canaan's produce, and with an ominous report. They conceded that the land flowed with milk and honey, but they warned that its population was mighty and the cities well fortified and impossible to conquer. Only Caleb and Joshua, the scouts representing the tribes of, dissented. They argued that the land was magnificent, and there was no reason for concern because G-d could surely bring the Israelites victory in battle. The Jewish people spent that entire night wailing, expressing their preference to return to Egypt rather than be defeated in battle by the Canaanites. Third Aliyah: The Jew ish people rejec ted the pleas of Joshua and Caleb, and decided to stone them. G-d intervened, His glory appearing over the. G-d informs Moses of His decision to instantaneously wipe out the Israelites in a

massive plague due to their persistent lack of faith. Moses successfully invoked G-d's mercy and pointed out that this mass execution will cause a mammoth desecration of G-d's name. "People will assume that G-d lacked the power to defeat the Canaanites in battle, so He instead slaughtered His people," Moses argued. Although G-d agreed not to immediately wipe out the Israelites, that generation would not enter the Land. G-d instructs the Jews to reverse course, and to head back to the desert. Fourth Aliyah: The details of the punishment are now revealed. The Israelites will wander in the desert for forty years. During that time, all males over the age of twenty -- with the exception of Joshua and Caleb -- would perish. The next generation would enter the Promised Land. The ten scouts who brought back the frightful report died immediately. When the Jews were informed of G-d's decision, they lamented and grieved. A group of people awoke the next day and decide to "go it alone," and enter the Land of -- this despite Moses' warning that their plan would not succeed for it was not sanctioned by G-d. This group is cut down and massacred by the Amalekites and Canaanites. The Jews are told that upon entering Israel an individual who pledges to bring a sacrifice must also bring an accompaniment consisting of a wine libation and a flour offering mixed with olive oil. Fifth Aliyah: This sec tion continues w ith the rules of the aforementioned sacrifice accompaniments -- detailing the quantities of wine, flour and oil to be brought with various species of livestock. Sixth Aliyah: The mitzvah of is contained in this section: when one kneads dough, a portion must be taken and given to the priest. If the (rabbinic supreme court) erroneously permits an act of idolatry, and the community acts upon this permission, thebring a special sin-offering, detailed in this section. Seventh Aliyah: We now learn the rules regarding an individual who is guilty of an idolatrous practice -- whether inadvertently or

ALIYAH SUMMARY

By Sarah Chana Radcliffe

Will you be one of those parents who enjoys fantastic relationships with their teenage and adult children?

When we show plenty of affection and approval to a child, we can get away with occasional displays of displeasure and anger. We are, after all, human and we do, after all, feel real irritation from time to time as we go through our parenting day. Nonetheless, we will want to express less negativity than we feel because this young person - as challenging as he or she may currently be - is growing into a person who may one day be one of the truest, closest, most loving friends that we will ever have. The love we show now nurtures this potential lifelong friendship. Keep the future in mind when you correct and guide your child today.⬢

PARENTING POST

DOSE OF INSPIRATION

INTOLERANCE

by Tzvi Freeman

Intolerance lies at the core of evil.

Not the intolerance that results from any threat or danger. Not the intolerance that arises from negative experience. Just intolerance of another being who dares to exist, who dares to diminish the space in the universe left for you. Intolerance without cause.

It is so deep within us, because every human being secretly desires the entire universe to himself.

Our only way out is to learn compassion without cause. To care for each other simply because that “other” exists.⬢

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We invite you to join our Platinum, Corporate or Event Sponsors.

We’re counting on your support! Get involved in MTC’s life-line fundraiser of the year! CHAIRPERSONS Jarrid Adler, Jeremy Levi, Rick & Rachelle Merovitz DRAW: DATE TO BE DETERMINED

Disability Tax Consultants of Canada

2020 DRAW

Michael & Avital Goldenblatt

Michael Cons & Family

Robert & Bunny Sigler

Gaby & Sheila Segal

In honour of the Rebbe

In Appreciation of MTC

Michael & Taryn Nehemia

MOSAIC EXPRESS 7

intentionally. A man is found desecrating the Shabbat, and is executed. The last part of this week's reading discusses the commandment of putting (fringes) on four-cornered garments. When looking at the fringes we remember all the commandments and refrain from following the temptations of the heart. Haftorah: Joshua 2:1-24. This week's haftorah tells the story of the spies that Joshua sent to scout the city of Jericho, prior to the Israelites' invasion of the Holy Land, a point in common with this week's Torah reading, which discusses the twelve spies that were sent by Moses years earlier to explore the Holy Land. Joshua sent two spies to Jericho, where they lodged at an inn located in the city's walls, operated by a woman named Rahab. Their presence was quickly discovered by the king who sent for Rahab and asked her to turn in her guests. Rahab responded that her guests had already left the city — when actually she had hidden them on her rooftop. "And she said to the men, I know that G d has given you the land, and that your terror has fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land have melted away because of you. For we have heard how G d dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of

(Continued from page 3)

(Continued on page 8)

PARKING LOT OF ACTIVITY

BUBBLE SHOW & SCIENCE SHOW WEDNESDAY JUNE 24

1:30 - 3:30 pm

Max 2 adults and 4 children per family..

Limited space available. $10 per child (ages 0-12) THEMTC.COM/PARKINGLOT

8 MOSAIC EXPRESS 

IS YOUR

CAR LEASE UP? Do not return it so fast!!!! I’ll take care of your buy-back and put in your pocket.

Call Patrick Roche

514-961-5512

“I started a new business making yachts in my attic this year…..

The sails are going through the roof!”⬢

AND FINALLY...

By Yanki Tauber, Chabad.org

TODDLING Do you remember your first steps?

At first, father or mother would hold your hands in theirs and walk you across the room. Then, one day, he or she squatted before you, still holding your hands. Suddenly, he took a half-step back, let go, and you were on your shaky own.

You rushed to your parent. Perhaps you made it to her arms. Perhaps you fell flat on your face. In either case, you never really left her embrace, because all along her arms encircled you but inches from your body, prepared to let you fall, but also prepared to break or slow your fall if it were truly necessary.

But you probably did not notice those encircling arms. How could you notice them, when every muscle in your tiny body and every cell in your puerile brain was concentrated on the effort of putting one little foot before the other and reaching your father?

Who has not experienced this harrowing, helpless feeling in the course of his life? Who has not felt abandoned by G-d, aimlessly adrift in a hostile world? But G-d, said Chassidic master Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov, is only acting as a benevolent parent teaching his child to walk. We never leave His embrace, though, at times, we do not notice His encircling arms. Indeed, how could we, consumed as we are by the daunting task of placing one toddling human foot before the other in the goal of reaching Him—on our own.

—

Imagine Moses' shock when G-d said to

him: "I'm not telling you what to do. Do as your own understanding tells you."

G-d had already spoken many, many times to Moses, but always it was to tell him what to do. Go to Pharaoh, Moses. Tell him this and threaten him with that. Bring on the plagues, split the sea, gather the manna each morning—but remember, double portion on Fridays, none on Shabbat. I Am the L-rd you G-d. Thou shalt not have any other gods before Me. Honor thy father and thy mother. Thou shalt not kill. Thou shalt not steal. Thou shalt not cook a kid in its mother milk. Journey there. Camp here.

And then, one day, the children of Israel had this idea. Let us send spies, they said to Moses, to tour the land of Canaan, which G-d has commanded us to conquer.

"G d didn't say anything about sending spies," said Moses.

"But we think it's a good idea. Ask Him."

So Moses asks, and G-d says to him: "I'm not telling you what to do. Do as your own understanding tells you."

The people of Israel sent those spies in the end. Their mission was a fiasco. The Jews' entry into the Holy Land was delayed for forty years, and the entire course of Jewish history was altered.

The two year old nation was beginning to walk.⬢

PARSHA INSIGHTS Egypt; and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites that were on the other side of the Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom you completely destroyed." At Rahab's request, the two spies assured her that she and her family would not be harmed during the conquer of Jericho—provided that she would tie a scarlet thread and hang it from her window. This would be a symbol that this home is a safe haven. Rahab helped the men escape via a rope she lowered from her window and told them how to hide from possible pursuers. The spies escaped safely and returned to report to Joshua.⬢

(Continued from page 7)

When I first became Torah observant, my husband gave me a hard time about it. He did not understand

why I was suddenly doing some of the things I was doing — to him it seemed I was becoming a different person than the one he had married — and he did not like it.So I wrote a very self-righteous letter to the Rebbe, complaining, “I’ve decided to keep Torah and my husband won’t cooperate. But isn’t it true that I must do it despite what he says?”I fully expected the Rebbe to respond, “Yes, you have to do what the Torah commands, no matter what your husband wants.” But the Rebbe did not say that. Instead, he gave me a two-part answer that basically said: “Don’t fight with your husband about religion, and find someone to influence him, someone whom he will respect.”It was such wise advice, and fully in keeping with the Rebbe’s approach of finding a positive solution to every problem. And I wish I had immediately done what he said, but it took me a while to accept that harmony in the home — what Judaism calls Shalom Bayit — had to take precedence.Generally, what happens when a wife fights with her husband about religion? Whether or not he gives in, he is not going to like her and he is not going to like religion, which he will see as a divisive force in their marriage. Furthermore, their children will be adversely affected when they see their parents fighting and they too will identify religion as the cause of the tension in the home.As for the second part of the Rebbe’s advice, I had to accept that I wasn’t supposed to be my husband’s rabbi — I was his wife. He was Sephardi so the way to reach him was through a Sephardi rabbi, one who understood his background and knew how to speak to him about religious matters.The moment I found such a person and took a step back, things started to improve.There were further issues to be sure — some quite painful. In fact, there was a point in time that I considered divorce. At one stressful juncture, I wrote to the Rebbe that I couldn’t take it anymore. I wanted a husband who would accompany

me on my journey to become fully Torah observant, not one who was fighting me every step of the way. If we divorced, I reasoned, all this strife would go away, and we could both lead happier lives apart from each other. The Rebbe’s response was a very strongly worded note in which he pointed out to me that I had gotten married in a religious ceremony, sanctified with the name of G-d. Not only that, I had been blessed with children, and therefore had a duty to raise them in a complete, and not a broken, home.“This is your true fortune … and your mission as a role model to all your acquaintances and all Jewish women,” the Rebbe wrote, referring to the fact that I was then teaching the Laws of Family Purity to newly-religious women in my community in Queens. “Therefore, it is impossible that you will feel fortunate (or even have simple peace of mind) if you separate from your husband.” The Rebbe ended that if I was still unhappy after my last child has grown up and left the home, then we can take up this subject again. Meanwhile, he would pray for me at the gravesite of the Previous Rebbe.Although in hindsight I understand that the Rebbe knew we would never get divorced, he executed a brilliant

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Marking 70 years from the anniversary of the Rebbe’s leadership, each week, JEM will be focusing on one event, idea or personality in the Rebbe’s life.

HERE’S my

STORYGenerously

sponsoredby the

mystory@jemedia.org | myencounterblog.com | © Copyright, Jewish Educational Media, 2020

ערב שבת פרשת שלח, כ׳׳ז סיון, תש״פErev Shabbat Parshat Shelach, June 19, 2020

I S S U E

388

ב“ה

DO NOT PUSH MRS. SARAH KARMELY

T H I S W E E K ’ S T O P I C : Focusing on the positive

For more on the topic, visit 70years.com

psychological maneuver by letting me think that my request was not rejected outright, just postponed.This is just how the Rebbe stressed the positive every step of the way. Once when I wrote him a very depressed letter, saying that I don’t know where my marriage was going as I was not at all successful in helping my husband to become observant, the Rebbe actually tore off the part of the letter where I was badmouthing myself and wrote: “You succeeded in the most essential areas — running a household and family according to the Torah … and even your husband is increasing in [his observance of] the Torah and mitzvot from time to time…”Whenever I went to see him, complaining about my husband, he would always put me back on track. And he would reassure me, “Don’t worry — your husband will get there. Just don’t push and don’t argue.”The Rebbe understood that sooner or later, my husband was going to become Torah observant, but I had to let him do it at his own pace. I had to relate to him with patience and understanding, not with whining or nagging. One summer, I had to decide what to do. Should I go by myself on a vacation to Israel, where modest dress and kosher food would not be an issue? Or should I go along with my husband on a business trip to Bangkok, where all these things would be problem? When I wrote a note to the Rebbe about it, I received a response from the Rebbe’s secretary to immediately go to the synagogue downstairs where the Rebbe was receiving people and handing out booklets of chasidic teachings.I went running to stand in line, and when my turn came, the Rebbe looked at me sternly and said, “Bangkok with your husband.”The people standing around asked me, “What is the Rebbe talking about?”But I just said, “Nothing. I get it.” And I went to Bangkok with my husband, who was very happy that I did. But then he said to me, “I suppose that I won’t be seeing you for another year.”That is when I realized how much I had been neglecting my husband. I had thrown myself into trying to help others come close to Torah which kept me away from home a great deal of time. But charity begins at home!“Give more time to your husband” was what the Rebbe had been trying to tell me when he told me to go to Bangkok, despite the problems of religious observance that it would pose.

When I finally and fully implemented all of the Rebbe’s advice, his promise to me that “everything will work out in the end” was realized.My husband ended up becoming even more religious than me. But his progress came about only after I stopped arguing with him about religion and related to him with love and patience, just as the Rebbe was telling me to do.Today, I give other people the advice which I first received from the Rebbe, and I also tell them what I learned by trial and error: If you decide to be observant, it can be hard on your spouse. Suddenly, you are a different person than the one he or she married. That frightens them. And possibly, they find that you are now looking down on them. So they don’t like it. But, no matter what, you cannot become a holy man or woman at a cost to your Shalom Bayit. Most times when things were difficult and I would ask the Rebbe for help, he would tell me to do everything to preserve the harmony of the home, to do things “in a diplomatic way.” You can say the same thing in the nice tone or an argumentative tone. You can present it as “my way or the highway,” or you can present it in a gentle way. This what the Rebbe taught me. ______________For the past seventeen years, Mrs. Sarah Karmely has served as the director of Sha’arei Tovah Talmud Torah. She is also the author of Words to Hear with Your Heart and Stories to Hear with Your Heart. She was interviewed in June of 2012.

Generously printed by

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You can help us record more testimonies by dedicating future editions of Here’s My Story

Supported by members of

ואתה תצוה… להעלות נר תמיד

While we have done our utmost to authenticate these stories, they reflect the listener’s recollection and interpretation of the Rebbe’s words.

> 5728 - 1968, as part of his official tour to the USA, Rabbi Yehuda Leib Levin, the Chief Rabbi of Moscow, came to meet the Rebbe. They discussed the state of Judaism in Moscow, which books were available there and how the synagogues were functioning. Since Rabbi Levin was constantly accompanied by Soviet officials, the Rebbe only mentioned the names of people who were no longer in the Soviet Union or who had already passed away. At a subsequent farbrengen, the Rebbe strongly rebuked those who protested against Rabbi Levin and urged American Jews, who are free to practice Judaism, to learn from the rabbi, who was doing so in the face of persecution. 1 1 Tammuz

1. Torat Menachem vol. 53 page 147

This week in….לע“נ ר‘ ישראל יעקב וזוגתו מרת קריינא ע“ה לאקשין

In honor of Tzipah Wertheimer’s birthday28 Sivan

Wishing her a year of good health, simcha & Chassidishe nachas!

By her husband and children

In loving memory ofר’ שמואל נטע הכהן ע”הבן יבלח”ט ישראל דוד שי’

Yahrzeit, 2 Tammuz

MOSAIC EXPRESS 11

CHELA’H

20 JUIN 2020 28 SIVAN 5780

AVOT 3

LA SIDRA DE LA SEMAINE

CHELA’H

Cette Paracha évoque l’épisode des douze explorateurs envoyés par Moché en Israël. Dix d’entre eux, à l’exception de Calev et Yehochoua, font un compte-rendu qui décourage les Juifs de conquérir la terre. D.ieu décrète alors qu’ils resteront encore quarante ans dans le désert et que ce sera la génération suivante qui entrera en Israël.

Des lois pour les offrandes ainsi que la Mitsva de la ‘Halla sont détaillées.

Un homme est mis à mort pour avoir publiquement profané le Chabbat.

Enfin la Mitsva des Tsitsit est donnée par D.ieu afin que nous nous souvenions d’accomplir Ses commandements.

CHOISIR NOTRE MISSION

UN PILIER DE NOTRE FOI

Maïmonide écrit (Michné Torah, Hil’hot Techouvah 5 :2-3) : « chacun peut devenir juste comme Moché notre maître ou impie comme Yerovam… Personne ne l’oblige, ne le soumet à un décret ou ne le dirige dans l’une de ces deux voies. Mais c’est lui qui, de sa propre initiative et par sa propre réflexion, choisit le chemin qu’il désire…

Ce principe constitue un concept fondamental et un pilier (sur lequel reposent)

la Torah et ses commandements, comme il est écrit : « Vois ! J’ai placé devant toi la vie (et le bien, la mort et le mal) » … c’est-à-dire que le choix t’appartient.

Tout acte qu’un être mortel désire accomplir lui est possible, que ce soit en bien ou en mal… Le Créateur n’oblige ni ne décrète que les gens doivent faire le bien ou le mal. Tout est laissé à leur libre choix. »

D.ieu n’a pas créé l’homme pour qu’il soit un automate. Il lui a donné le libre-arbitre, ce qui le distingue de toutes les autres espèces d’êtres vivants qui sont, eux, guidés par les lois de la nature. L’homme, quant à lui, a le pouvoir de contrôler sa conduite et d’agir de sa propre initiative.

DEUX TYPES DE CHOIX

L’exercice du libre arbitre réside au cœur de notre service Divin. Nous avons la possibilité d’accomplir la Volonté de D.ieu ou de l’ignorer, à D.ieu ne plaise. Notre défi consiste à « choisir la vie », vivre la vie qu’Il désire que nous vivions. Deux types de choix positifs sont, en particulier, attendus de nous.

D’une part, il s’agit de l’adhésion aux Mitsvot de la Torah. D.ieu nous a donné une série d’actes variés que nous devons accomplir et d’autres qui nous sont interdits. Parfois, l’accomplissement de ces actes ou l’interdiction d’autres nous mettent face à un conflit intérieur parce qu’ils vont à l’encontre

de nos tendances et désirs naturels. Notre liberté de choix nous permet de contrôler et d’annihiler tous les obstacles intérieurs qui entravent notre accomplissement de la Volonté de D.ieu.

Par ailleurs, il faut modeler notre caractère pour nous conformer à la Volonté de D.ieu, quand bien même aucun commandement explicite ne le demande. En clair : il existe tout un domaine d’activités auxquelles on se réfère comme « Rechout - le permis ». On ne nous indique pas ce que nous devons faire ni ce dont nous devons nous abstenir. Mais cela ne signifie pas pour autant qu’il n’y ait pas une manière appropriée de le faire. L’initiative nous revient. Il nous faut aspirer à découvrir la Volonté de D.ieu puis modeler notre caractère pour pouvoir s’y conformer. Et cela représente l’expression complète de notre potentiel de libre arbitre.

UNE NOUVELLE PHASE

Cette approche du service Divin propose une nouvelle dimension qu’apporte la Paracha de cette semaine. Elle commence par Chela’h Le’ha, « envoie pour toi… ». Rachi explique que le peuple adressa une requête à Moché pour qu’il envoie des explorateurs en Israël. Moché rapporta cette demande à D.ieu Qui répondit : « Cela dépend de toi. Je ne te l’ordonne pas. Si tu le veux, envoie-les. » Cela représente une nouvelle étape dans la relation de notre peuple avec D.ieu. C’est ici

VIVRE AVEC LA PARACHA

12 MOSAIC EXPRESS 

Je connaissais presque toutes les femmes présentes à cette réunion féminine de Peta’h Tikvah. Deux autres dames entrèrent mais restèrent à la porte en nous avertissant :

- Nous sommes juste passées par là. N’essayez pas de nous embobiner, sinon ce sera la dernière fois que nous venons ici !

- Ne vous inquiétez pas, entrez et mettez-vous à l’aise !

Une de ces dames s’assit à côté de moi, je ne me souviens plus de son prénom, appelons-la Anat.

Nous écoutions une conférencière raconter comment elle avait guéri après une grave maladie et avait décidé de devenir pratiquante à la suite de ce miracle. Ma « voisine » écoutait mais, de temps en temps, grognait : « Et alors ? Moi aussi, j’ai expérimenté des miracles mais rien n’a changé dans ma vie ! ».

Intriguée, je lui demandai de me raconter son histoire.

- Bon ! C’était il y a dix-huit ans. J’étais enceinte de notre premier fils. Ma famille et mes amis sont ultra-laïcs. Ils ne peuvent pas supporter quoi que ce soit en rapport avec le judaïsme et la tradition. J’étais seule dans notre appartement quand soudain j’ai aperçu un fantôme. Il ressemblait à un rabbin, couvert d’un Talit à

franges. Il tenait un Séfer Torah et ses yeux brillaient, irradiaient toute la pièce. J’étais sidérée, je ne pouvais plus bouger. Puis il a disparu. Avais-je des hallucinations ? Comment réagirait mon mari si je lui racontais ? Il m’enverrait consulter un psychiatre, il penserait que je suis devenue folle ! Et mes amis ? Ils craindraient que je sois devenue bigote et ne voudraient plus de moi. Donc j’ai gardé le secret et décidai que, si cela se reproduisait, j’irais de moi-même chez le psy. Puis… rien n’est arrivé ! Et alors ? Ma vie n’a pas changé…

- Et qu’est-il arrivé après ? J’étais un peu curieuse, je l’avoue.

- Mon fils Moché est né peu après. Je n’ai plus eu de visions donc j’oubliai plus ou moins l’incident. Mais quand nous avons célébré sa Bar Mitsva - à notre manière laïque – j’ai senti que je devais raconter cette vision d’un homme saint à nos invités, cela mettrait un peu de folklore juif dans la fête. Après tout, tant d’années s’étaient écoulées et tout le monde pouvait constater que j’étais saine d’esprit. Donc j’ai pris le micro, j’ai raconté ce qui s’était passé et… rien n’a changé ! Et alors ? Ma vie a continué comme auparavant.

Cependant… Mon fils Moché a été très impressionné par ce récit. Alors, juste après sa Bar Mitsva, il m’a demandé de le changer d’école et de l’inscrire dans une école plus religieuse. J’ai pensé : Pourquoi pas ? Donc

LE RECIT DE LA SEMAINE

je l’ai changé d’école et inscrit chez les Loubavitchs. Et alors ?... Il ne s’est rien passé. Ma vie n’a pas changé !

- Intéressant ! remarquai-je. Et après ?

- Puis Moché m’a demandé de cachériser la cuisine sinon il ne mangerait plus chez moi. Je me suis dit : Pourquoi pas ? Je suis prête à tout pour que mon fils soit content. J’ai appris les lois de la cacherout, un rabbin est venu cachériser ma cuisine et voilà ! Et alors ? Rien de spécial n’est arrivé, ma vie n’a pas changé !

- Et que devient votre Moché ? me hasardai-je.

- Maintenant ? Moché a 18 ans et étudie dans une Yechiva Loubavitch. Et il veut devenir rabbin. Et alors ? Pourquoi pas ? Ses camarades de classe de son ancienne école se fourvoient dans le trafic de drogue tandis que mon fils étudie à la Yechiva ! Jour et nuit ! Et s’il est heureux, moi aussi je suis heureuse ! Et alors ? A part cela, rien n’a changé dans ma vie !

Puis elle sourit…⬢

Louba Aviva Perlov Traduite par Feiga Lubecki

MOSAIC EXPRESS 13

LE COIN DE LA HALACHA

Le Rabbi avait fixé un certain nombre de coutumes à respecter à l’occasion de la Hilloula du Rabbi précédent. Ce sont ces mêmes coutumes qui ont été reprises pour le 3 Tamouz. En voici quelques-unes :

On allumera une bougie de vingt-quatre heures depuis mercredi soir 24 juin.

Pendant chacune des trois prières du jour, cinq bougies resteront allumées devant l’officiant.

On donnera de la Tsedaka (charité), au nom de chacun des membres de sa famille, pour une institution du Rabbi.

On consacrera un moment dans la journée pour parler du Rabbi et de sa grande Ahavat Israël (amour du prochain) à sa famille et son entourage.

On étudiera les chapitres de Michnayot correspondant aux lettres qui constituent le nom du Rabbi.

On étudiera les enseignements du Rabbi.

On rédigera un « Pane », « Pidyone Néfech », une lettre de demande de bénédictions (en y précisant les prénoms et les prénoms des mamans de chacun) qui sera lue sur le Ohel du Rabbi.

N° de fax du Ohel : 00 1718 723 44 44

N° de fax du Beth Loubavitch : 01 45 26 24 37

Adresse du Ohel : 226-20 Francis Lewis Blvd – Cambria Heights, New York 11411

E-Mail : ohel@ohelchabad.org⬢

la première fois qu’Il laisse le choix à Moché.

CONSTRUIRE LA RÉSIDENCE DE D.IEU

Cette nouvelle approche dans le service Divin, l’initiative entre les mains de l’homme, est associée à l’objectif de la mission des explorateurs : l’entrée de notre peuple en Israël. Le but de la vie est d’y façonner une résidence pour D.ieu dans les réalités de l’expérience quotidienne.

Et plus précisément, cette résidence doit être établie par l’initiative humaine. Quand l’homme transforme sa volonté propre et, s’appuyant sur cette métamorphose intérieure, s’engage à transformer son environnement, il a alors le mérite de voir D.ieu résider dans son existence-même.

FAIRE FACE À L’ÉCHEC

Dans ces circonstances, il y a une possibilité d’échec. Le terme-même de « libre arbitre » implique que l’on peut faire le mauvais choix. Et de fait, c’est ce qui se passe dans notre Paracha. A leur retour, les explorateurs semèrent la panique au sein du peuple et ils eurent peur d’entrer en Israël.

Comme l’indique le récit : « néanmoins cette erreur peut être corrigée par la Techouvah, un retour sincère à D.ieu. » Dans ce contexte également, l’initiative repose sur l’homme. Le processus de la Techouvah demande que l’on rassemble toutes ses forces profondes pour rétablir la relation avec D.ieu. En fait, par la Techouvah, l’on peut dépasser son niveau précédent dans le service DIVIN. Comme l’affirment nos Sages, « les Tsaddikim (justes) parfaits ne peuvent se tenir là où il y a un Baal Techouvah. »

(CONTINUER DE LA PAGE 11)

LA MISSION DE NOTRE PEUPLE

Le nom de la Paracha, « Chela’h », fait allusion à ces concepts. « Chela’h » signifie « envoie », indiquant que chaque personne, et dans un sens plus large, le Peuple juif dans son ensemble, est envoyée, obligée d’abandonner son environnement naturel et chargée d’une mission qui permet à chacun et à toute notre nation de s’élever.

Dans un sens personnel, il est question de la mission de chaque âme envoyée depuis le royaume spirituel et revêtue d’un corps physique. C’est « une descente pour arriver à une élévation » car lorsque l’on utilise des entités matérielles dans un but spirituel, l’âme progresse et parvient à un niveau supérieur à celui qu’elle a quitté à l’origine.

Dans un sens plus large, cela fait allusion à la mission du Peuple juif de faire de ce monde une résidence pour D.ieu. « Envoyée » de continent en continent, notre peuple a œuvré dans cet objectif depuis des millénaires, ajoutant un contenu spirituel au monde grâce à l’observance de la Torah et de ses Mitsvot.

Cet objectif n’est plus un but abstrait. Bien au contraire, nous nous tenons au seuil de la Délivrance, quelques instants avant l’achèvement de cette tâche par la venue du Machia’h. Nous allons mériter l’accomplissement total de la promesse de notre Paracha : « Je les ramènerai (là) et ils connaîtront la terre. » Que cela ait lieu très prochainement !⬢

COUTUMES LIÉES AU JOUR DE LA HILLOULA DU RABBI 3 TAMOUZ

(CETTE ANNÉE JEUDI 25 JUIN 2020).

14 MOSAIC EXPRESS 

Le mois de Tamouz est à notre porte ; nous le bénirons ce Chabbat, le dernier du mois de Sivan. Le calendrier juif est ainsi fait que le passage des mois est toujours un événement, du reste rituellement marqué. Et, comme souvent, il y a comme un déclic, une articulation dont le bruit retentit avec ce passage. Sivan nous a fait vivre le Don de la Torah avec la fête de Chavouot. Tamouz est, quant à lui, le mois de l’été. Certes, sa première semaine nous emmène au 3 du mois, le jour du départ de ce monde du Rabbi, mais nous aurons l’occasion d’en reparler. Pour cette semaine, interrogeons-nous sur cette survenance de l’été avec son cortège d’images de soleil et de loisirs. La question est d’autant plus urgente que notre société, donnant à ce temps une appellation particulière, les « vacances », en a fait une période montée en épingle, comme un rendez-vous incontournable, une aspiration d’une légitimité absolue. Mais n’est-on pas ici à l’opposé des acquis de Chavouot ? Cette dernière célébration nous conduisait vers les sommets tandis que les moments qui s’ouvrent semblent nous ramener au ras du sol…

C’est qu’il nous appartient, une fois de plus, de donner du sens au temps qui passe. Le mois de Tamouz est celui où

apparaît le soleil dans toute sa puissance. Dans la mystique juive, ce fait climatique est une expression de la Présence Divine davantage révélée, dont le soleil est une métaphore. En d’autres termes, lorsque revient l’été, le spirituel brille avec encore plus d’éclat que toute l’année et donne ainsi des forces inaccoutumées à chacun. Pourtant, nous observons aussi que, sous certains aspects, la grossièreté matérielle s’étale avec assurance en cette saison. C’est là que l’être humain, au meilleur sens du terme, intervient. Dans quelle direction aller ? Vers l’image facile que nous tend le monde, chaleur et farniente ? Ou vers celle, plus exigeante mais tellement plus satisfaisante, que nous sommes capables de construire ?

L’enjeu est essentiel. Etre le jouet des situations ou celui qui les inspire et les anime : c’est le choix que nous avons aujourd’hui. Entrons donc de plain-pied dans le mois de Tamouz. Il nous conduit haut et loin. Ne craignons pas d’entreprendre le voyage, nous en avons reçu toutes les forces. Très bon été à tous !⬢

POUR UN BON ÉTÉ

EDITORIAL

LA LUMIÈRE ET SON RÉCEPTACLE

L’enseignement du Baal Chem Tov, la Sagesse divine qu’il révéla et nous donna en héritage, est liée à la venue de Machia’h.

Machia’h est une « lumière liée à l’Essence » ; la ‘Hassidout est le réceptacle de cette immense lumière.⬢

ETINCELLES DE MACHIAH