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A Rabbi sent from heaven...

Friday, 15 June, 2012 - 1:09 pm

Posted by Rabbi Meir Kaplan

Dear friends,

This week, Chani, the children and I will, G-d willing, be traveling to the east for a visit.  First, we will be marking, together with many thousands, the 18th Yahrtzeit of the Rebbe, by his resting place in Queens, New York.  Then, we will head south to participate in Chani's brother’s wedding, which will take place next week in Miami, Florida.

There was one concern I had, which disturbed my excitement about our travel. At this time, I’m still the one who reads the Torah every week in Shul, and when I’m away I try to make an effort that the Torah will still be read.  But this time, the many enquiries I did to potential candidates in the northwest were to no avail; I couldn’t find anyone who was available to come to Victoria next Shabbat.

rebbe.jpgAs a Shul which was created by the inspiration of the Rebbe, I was saddened that on his Yahrtzeit, services will not take place as usual.  As someone who saw the Rebbe and was touched by his teachings, the guilt feelings started to creep in.  How can I fail to share my personal encounter with a Jewish leader in our time, which devoted every moment of his life not only to the Jewish people as a whole, but more importantly in his view, for every Jew as an individual, on his special day?

On Wednesday, I got an email from a friend, Rabbi Teitelbaum, a rabbi from the COR Kashrut agency, informing me that he will be the Mashgiach (Kosher supervisor) in a cruise which will be leaving Victoria next Saturday night.  It was then that he inquired whether we will be having a Minyan next Shabbat in Victoria.  To this I replied, “not only are we having a Minyan, you are going to be the Rabbi and Ba’al Koreh (the Torah Reader) and perhaps the Chazan too... and don’t forget to share a story from the Rebbe at the Kiddush; after all it is his Yahrtzeit on that Shabbat.” 

Comments on: A Rabbi sent from heaven...
6/15/2012

Malca Casiro wrote...

So happy for you that you can travel without worry of your congregation back home and be connected with the now of where you are at the moment. Wishing you safe travels...
6/15/2012

Betty Mortin wrote...

The Rebbe is in our hearts forever! May you, Chani and the children have a safe voyage and a happy celebration.
6/15/2012

Elisabeth Gelb wrote...

Dear Rabbi,
Heartwarming and inspiring! Like a diligent teacher, you leave us in good hands. May you travel safely and return to us with many adventures to share. Mazel Tov for your Simcha!
6/15/2012

Inna and Alex wrote...

Wishing you, Chani and all family a wonderful time in your travels . Keep healthy and safe.
6/27/2012

Judy Honickman-Fuller wrote...

Sate travels to you and your family. I am so glad that you can now travel with a lighter heart knowing that the Torah will be read in your absence on Shabbat.
7/14/2012

Shaza wrote...

before I consider Rabash not only the felwolor of his father Baal HaSulam, but I see him as one of the greatest Kabbalaists, who explained to us how to use all the knowledge given by Baal haSulam in our inner work, and Rav Tzvi, as well as all the rest of contemporary kabbalists here in Israel and abroud, have first to study Rabash and his comments on TES, before they have, if the Creator will wish, something additional to say on Zohar and Ar'i Za'l. But Rav Tzvi as well as all the others have a right to present his work and comments in the form of books and websites and if there are people who may use his work for their spiritual correction, I will be the last to say to them not to do it. Today is the day of the correction of Gevurah of Malkhut=Discipline in Nobility, and that is what Rav Simon Jacobson has to say about it: There is another factor in the discipline of sovereignty: determining the area in which you have jurisdiction and authority. And some of the questions that he gives as to answer is: Do I recognaize when I am not an authority and Do I respect the authority of others? For me Rabash is the highest authority on Baal haSulam's teaching and as you know you may not clame your PhD, if you haven't studies all the literature on the topic, and only then you are allowed to say what you personally have to say on this topic. And for those who try to comment on Baal haSulam without studing Rabash, there is a good advice given by Rav Simon Jacobson: Before taking an authoritative position on any given issue, pause and reflect if you have the right and the ability to exersice authority in this situation. And as I said the authority of the Rabash is not only of the one of the felwolors of Baal haSulam, but it is a complete method of inner spiritual work, which is the final purpose of studing Torah, Gemmrah, Zohar, TES and all the comments of our Sages.