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                         L'CHAIM - ISSUE # 1453
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                           Copyright (c) 2016
                 Lubavitch Youth Organization - L.Y.O.
                              Brooklyn, NY
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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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        December 30, 2016        Miketz            1 Tevet, 5777
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                             Good for Good

More than two millennia ago, the Syrian-Hellenist army came to Israel.

They told the indigenous Jews that they, as Hellenists, were peaceful
people. The Jews had nothing to fear, they told us, as these invaders
only sought enlightenment and beauty. The two peoples actually lived
well together for a short time.  Then the Syrian-Hellenist bias came to
the fore. They couldn't stomach the Jews' stubborn adherence to their
traditional faith, practices and rituals. They abhorred our deep-seated
Jewish faith in G-d and Holiness.

So the Syrian-Hellenists began a campaign to make us change our ways,
asking us to shed our traditions and join their culture of 'friendship
and amity'. Some Jews went along with it, placing higher value on
'getting along' than on being themselves. Other Jews, while they
welcomed the Syrians-Hellenists to the neighborhood, refused to abandon
their own Judaic value system.

That brought out the worst in our Syrian-Hellenist conquerors. They
decided to force their 'peaceful philosophy' on our people, butchering
our men and raping our women. The Syrian-Hellenist army was huge, like a
tidal wave engulfing the Jews, and we were no match for them. How could
we cling to our faith in the face of such an overwhelming reality?

A small group of Jews recognized that we are never alone. They would
fight back. Their war wouldn't be a simple match of military prowess, it
would be a righteous stand against intolerance and bigotry. They stood
up in self-defense, in an epic struggle for the freedom to find G-d
through our Torah.

And won.

For two thousand years, we've been celebrating their victory, our
victory, as a triumph of faith over adversity. It's the celebration of
Chanuka. This coming Sunday evening, we'll be kindling candles that
represent the flame of connectedness which burns deep inside our souls.
On Chanuka, we bring our Jewish conviction into the open through
kindling the Menora.

Sometimes our inner flare of faith feels suffocated by the Hellenism of
the moment. Right now, it feels less safe to be a Jew walking the
streets of Copenhagen, Los Angeles or Paris; but we can't allow that to
squelch our timeless flame of connectedness.

If Jewish history has taught us anything, it's that our connection to
Jewish tradition is an anchor that allows us to weather any storm.

So be engaged in the societal discourse and make your voice heard.

But make sure your faith shines

                                  This is from Rabbi Herson's blog.

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           LIVING WITH THE REBBE  -  THE WEEKLY TORAH PORTION
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In this week's Torah portion, Mikeitz, we read about Joseph's two
children, Menasheh and Efrayim. These names are full of meaning:
Menasheh - "G-d made me forget all my hardships and my father's home";
Efrayim - "G-d made me fruitful in the land of my suffering."

Joseph was well aware that G-d had brought him down to Egypt to affect
Egypt in a positive and G-dly way. At the same time, however, Joseph
needed to insure that he would not lose his unique identity, something
that is a very possible result of mingling in a foreign culture.

The names of Joseph's sons addressed these sentiments. Menasheh refers
to connecting with his past; although Joseph talks about forgetting, he
is referring to the anguish he suffered, not his Jewish way of life and
the Torah he had studied. Efrayim, to be fruitful in the land of his
suffering, speaks of the importance of involving himself with and
affecting Egypt.

What lesson can we take from Joseph? Why did he name his first son
"Menasheh"? And how does this connect to Chanuka?

Joseph sets the standard for all Jews of all times. We are Joseph! We
are meant to affect the world around us by participating in and
influencing our surroundings with Torah values. It is obvious that this
is true, because G-d put us here in a physical world.

The challenge is to influence but not be influenced, especially when we
find success. This is why Menasheh comes first. In order to to be
effective and not be swept away, we must constantly develop and
strengthen our essential bond and foundation in Judaism. This needs to
come first, if we want to be effective in our mission to change the
world in a positive way.

In the story of Chanuka, many if not most of the Jewish people succumbed
to the licentious lifestyle of the Greeks. They lost their way, and
sense of moral superiority, their connection to Torah and holiness. The
Maccabees, outnumbered and weak, saved the day and saved Judaism. Not
because they were great warriors, but because they were true to G-d and
His Torah. When you are on G-d's side you will ultimately be victorious.

Today, we again find ourselves in a world of lies and confusion.
Anti-semitism and its twin,  anti-Israel sentiments, are growing.
Decency, morality and truth are in decay. At this time we must
strengthen our essential Jewish foundation. We must, like the Maccabees,
stand strong for what we know to be the truth and the highest standard
of living, the Torah way.

May the light of Chanuka light up the world and may we soon dedicate our
Holy Temple again.

           Adapted by Rabbi Yitzi Hurwitz from the teachings of the
            Rebbe, yitzihurwitz.blogspot.com. Rabbi Hurwitz, who is
       battling ALS, and his wife Dina, are emissaries of the Rebbe
                                                   in Temecula, Ca.

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                             SLICE OF LIFE
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                            The Eighth Night
                         by Rabbi Uriel Vigler
                      Johannesburg, South Africa.

It was the last night of Chanuka, December 26, 1992.

We had just lit the last Chanuka candle and my father was driving me to
the airport. As we drove he told me, "Always remember that on the eighth
night of Chanuka you left South Africa to begin a new life in Israel."
That was the night I emigrated from South Africa.

I was to be the first member of our family to emigrate. The plan was for
the rest of the family to follow me shortly. Just four weeks earlier my
mother had been brutally attacked at our home on a Shabbat morning. My
parents decided enough was enough, and we were all leaving the country.

For my parents, this was a déjà vu. You see, I was born in Bulawayo,
Rhodesia, in 1978. At that time Ian Smith was President of Rhodesia and
white rule in that country, which borders South Africa, was about to be
dissolved. In fact, a year later Rhodesia had a new president, a black
man named Abel Muzorewa, and the country's name was changed to Zimbabwe.
Shortly thereafter, in 1980, Robert Mugabe rose to power and his
infamous reign lasts until this day.

My father, the rabbi of Bulawayo, fled Rhodesia at the end of 1978 along
with most of the country's Jews, due to the unrest and instability.
Sadly, Zimbabwe never recovered and the "Breadbasket of Africa"
gradually crumbled. (Interestingly, I am the only Rhodesian-born Chabad
rabbi in the world today!)

At this time, my father was offered the opportunity to serve the Jewish
community in either New Zealand or South Africa. He asked the
Lubavitcher Rebbe, and the Rebbe told him to go to South Africa. So, my
siblings and I grew up in South Africa, a country that had tragically
adopted a policy of racial discrimination towards its black citizens,
but was a haven of safety and security for its Jewish ones.

I vividly recall the apartheid state of the 1980s. I remember the public
busses marked, "Whites Only." I remember the signs in the park stating,
"Whites Only." I even recall the large markings outside public restrooms
that declared, "Whites Only."

Then, in 1990, Nelson Mandela was released from prison. South Africa was
embarking on a new road under the leadership of F.W. De Klerk. The local
papers described the anxiety everyone was feeling - whites and blacks
alike. The question on everyone's lips, "What will be?"

We were expecting bombings, civil war, a blood bath! The local papers
were predicting it. The Afrikaans party would never allow the blacks to
take over so smoothly, we worried. Would South Africa now become like
Rhodesia across the border?

Déjà vu.

And so, I left South Africa on December 26, 1992.

But then Nelson Mandela rose to power as the country's first
democratically elected leader.

Throughout this period of worry and concern, there was one strong voice
that consistently reassured South African Jewry that there was nothing
to fear, all would be well. The Lubavitcher Rebbe was adamant. He told
many individuals, including my father, that South Africa would be a good
place for the Jewish community until the coming of Moshiach.

And indeed, Nelson Mandela proved to be the conduit for the Rebbe's
blessing. Mandela miraculously maneuvered South Africa through an
impossible transition, and despite all the prophets of doom, the
"Rainbow Nation" was born in a spirit of peace and reconciliation. The
anticipated bloodshed and destruction did not happen - just as the Rebbe
predicted.

I think we South African's truly understood that we had experienced a
modern-day miracle when, during the 1995 Rugby World Cup final that
South Africa contested, 100,000 people chanted in unison "Nelson,
Nelson!" as he appeared on the field to present the trophy to the South
African captain. The Springboks were dear to the hearts of South
Africa's white Afrikaners and loathed by the nation's black majority. By
donning their emblem and putting on the Springboks uniform, Mandela
reconciled a fractured nation, badly damaged by racism and hatred. I
remember that day well.

Mandela suffered horribly at the hands of the apartheid regime. He was
not allowed to attend his own mother's funeral. He was denied access to
the funeral of his son who died in a car crash. Nevertheless, to his
immense credit, he never took revenge. He embraced all South Africans,
regardless of race or affiliation, in a spirit of peace, understanding,
and forgiveness. This is but one lesson we can take from this giant of a
man.

I moved back to South Africa just three months after I emigrated. With
time, my mother came to peace with her traumatic attack and my parents
decided to continue living there.

I love South Africa. My parents still live there till today, as do some
of my siblings. Many people would consider my parents crazy to continue
living there after such an ordeal. But the Rebbe gave the Jews of South
Africa a most unique blessing - that it will be a good place for Jews
until Moshiach arrives, and Mandela was the catalyst who brought that
blessing to fruition.  Madiba was the catalyst!

    Rabbi Vigler co-directs, with his wife Shevy, Chabad Israel Center
    of the Upper East Side in New York City. From chabadic.com

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                               WHAT'S NEW
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                         World's Largest Menora

Be part of the Chanuka celebrations at the World's Largest Chanuka
Menora at Fifth Avenue and 59th Street in New York City. Friday, Dec.
30, the menora will be lit at 3:40 p.m. Saturday night, December 31, the
eighth and last night of Chanuka, the menora will be lit at 8:30 p.m.
For more info call the Lubavitch Youth Organization at (718) 778-6000.
For public menora lightings in your area visit chanukah.org

                             New Emissaries


Rabbi Chaim and Seema Lipszyc are moving to Spring Hill, Florida to
establish a Chabad Center to serve the communities of Hernando and
Citrus County.

                              New Building


Chabad of Aventura, Florida held a ground-breaking ceremony for a new
44,000-square-foot building.. The new building will two sanctuaries, a
ballroom for 600 guests, a preschool and high-tech classrooms, a library
and multi-purpose rooms, and a rooftop with gardens.

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                            THE REBBE WRITES
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                         Chanukah, 5715 [1954]

...In this connection, and apropos of Chanukah, it would be timely to
reflect on the significance of the Chanukah Lights. Although all
Mitzvoth issue from One G-d, the perfect Unity, there are many aspects
to every Mitzvah, just as the complexity of our physical world is
likewise created from His Mitzvah. Nevertheless, the performance of the
Mitzvah, accompanied by an appreciation of its significance, is
definitely beneficial.

With this in mind, I wish to point out what I consider very significant
in connection with the significance of Chanukah, as it is emphasized by
the Chanukah Lights, specifically by the two conditions attending the
performance of this Mitzvah: (a) The light is to shine forth "outside"
and (b) the light is to grow every night by the addition of one more
candle each night of Chanukah. Thus, the message of Chanukah is to bring
home to every Jew his duty to spread the "light" of the Torah and the
"candles" of the Mitzvoth, especially in times of darkness, and to do so
with ever growing effort.

A man's influence is generally limited, either to his immediate
environment, his family and friends, or if he is a teacher or lecturer,
to a wider circle. The journalist, however, whose words and thoughts
enjoy wide currency through the printed word, enjoys a much greater
influence; he is less limited in space, since the printed word travels
far, and in time, since it endures on record.

Thus you are privileged to have far greater opportunities in exercising
influence than the average person, to help illuminate the darkness of
the night with, I trust, ever growing effect. These are not mere
opportunities, for as everything in Nature strives to transform itself
form a state of potentiality to actuality, so all human potentialities
must be actualized for the general good, the true good. The way of
Providence is inscrutable. Although logically, as the Chanukah candles
indicate, one should begin by lighting up his home first, and then
seeing to it that its light dispels the darkness outside as far as
possible, the process is sometimes reversed; bringing light to others
far away, brings success in carrying the light closer home.

I send you my prayerful wishes for success in your personal affairs,
which is closely associated with your public work and your influence,
all the more so, since in addition to being a son of the "kingdom of
priest and a holy nation," you are actually a kohen among Jews.

With blessing,

                                *  *  *

                      23rd of Kislev, 5713 [1952]


Sholom u'Brocho [Peace and Blessing]:

...With the approach of Chanukah, I extend to you herewith my sincere
wishes for a happy and inspiring Chanukah.

The message of Chanukah is important and timely to all Jews, but even
more so to Jews living in surroundings with comparatively little Jewish
vitality and activity. It is precisely in such circumstance that
Chanukah offers many a useful lesson. One such lesson I wish to make the
subject of this message.

It is noteworthy that the Chanukah lights must be kindled after sunset,
when it is dark outside, unlike the lights that were kindled in the Beth
Hamikdosh [Holy Temple] much earlier, or the Sabbath lights kindled on
Friday before sunset.

There is another difference: the Beth Hamikdosh-and the Sabbath-lights
have their place indoors, while the place of Chanukah lights is at the
entrance to the home (when Jews lived freely in their land, the place
was outside the entrance). Finally, there is yet another distinction: in
the former two cases the lights remain the same, while the Chanukah
lights are increased every night.

The lesson which seems to be indicated by the Chanukah lights is that
besides lighting up the home (Sabbath lights) and the synagogue and
Yeshiva (substituting for the Sanctuary of old), the Jew has the
additional responsibility of lighting up the "outside," the whole
environment. Moreover, when conditions are unfavorable (it is "dark"
outside), it is then not enough to make a light and maintain it, though
it is also an achievement in view of the darkness; but it is necessary
to steadily increase the lights, through steadily growing efforts to
spread the light of Torah and mitzvoth, to illuminate not only one's
home, but the whole environment as well...

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                              ALL TOGETHER
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           Why is it customary to eat dairy foods on Chanuka?


Eating dairy foods reminds us of the miracles performed through Yehudit,
daughter of Yochanan the High Priest. After serving the Syrian General
Holefernes salty cheese, she plied him with wine. when we was in a
drunken stupor she killed him, smuggled his head out of the enermy camp
and into the city where it was hung on the wall. When the Syrian army
saw this they fled.

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                        A WORD FROM THE DIRECTOR
                         Rabbi Shmuel M. Butman
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We're approaching the "home stretch" of Chanuka.

On Friday, we kindle the seven Chanuka lights and then the Shabbat
candles. When Shabbat ends, we say the "Havdala" prayer separating
Shabbat from the days of the week. Afterwards we light the eighth and
final candle of the Chanuka menora for this year.

But what if there are people who have not yet lit the Chanuka menora
this holiday? Is there a point to seeking these people out and helping
assure that they will at least light the seventh and eighth candles even
though perhaps they didn't light the first, second, third.... and sixth?

The Rebbe established a Chanuka Campaign. As part of this campaign,
Chanuka kits are distributed, replete with candles, a menora, an
educational brochure and even a dreidle and Chanuka "gelt." Even on the
final night of Chanuka, even when that final night of Chanuka occurred
on Saturday night, the Rebbe encouraged everyone to reach out to yet
another Jew to assure that more and more light would be brought into the
world to eradicate the darkness that exists.

"It is important to continue working on the Chanuka campaign to
encourage Jews to light Chanukah candles. Even though many people worked
very hard in all the previous seven days, and only the eighth day
remains, it is necessary to intensify the efforts. The eighth day is
called "Zot Chanuka" ("This is Chanuka"). It includes all the seven
preceding days. We must go out and find an estranged Jew who does not
know about the holiday of Chanuka, its laws, and its customs. We must
teach him about the holiday. Then since "the heart of a Jew is awake,"
he will also light Chanuka candles."

So, before Shabbat, or after Shabbat, find a fellow Jew who has not yet
lit the menora this Chanuka. Encourage him to "seize the moment" in the
last moments of Chanuka and to make the world a far-brighter and far
better place!

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                          THOUGHTS THAT COUNT
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It happened at the end of two years (Gen. 41:1)

Sometimes a person comes to "the end" of his years, the conclusion of
his life, and, from the proper perspective, he finds that he only lived
two years - he was asleep the rest of the time.

                                         (Rabbi Meir of Premishlan)

                                *  *  *


Pharoah called Joseph, Tzafnat Paneiach (Genesis 41:45)

Pharoah changed Joseph's name because he didn't want his viceroy to have
a Jewish sounding name. However, he continued to be called by the name
Josef, as it is written in the next verse: "And Josef went out from
Pharoah's presence."

                                                     (Yalkut David)

                                *  *  *


And Jacob saw that there was food ("shever") in Egypt (Gen. 42:1)

According to Kabalistic teachings, the world is filled with "holy
sparks" that must be redeemed by the Jewish people through Torah and
mitzvot (commandments). These "sparks" are the result of "shevirat
hakeilim" (literally "breaking of the vessels" - the Midrashic account
of the building and destruction of primordial worlds prior to this one;
shevirat is similar to shever). Jacob, with his prophetic vision,
recognized the unusually high number of "sparks" that had fallen to
Egypt, which was the reason for the Egyptian exile.

                                           (The Magid of Mezeritch)

                                *  *  *


And he said to them: You are spies (Gen. 42:9)

Of all the possible accusations he could level against them, why did
Joseph accuse his brothers of espionage? Joseph was afraid his brothers
would utilize their visit to Egypt to investigate his whereabouts. By
accusing them of being spies, he prevented them from asking too many
questions. For no one who is accused of espionage is likely to make too
many inquiries about a head of state...

                                        (Rabbi Avraham of Pshischa)

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                            IT ONCE HAPPENED
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It was dark outside. Nobody was out on the street. But in one building
you would not have known it was night. It was the study hall of the
Kotzker Chasidim in the heart of the forest. The Chasidim were sharing
Torah thoughts. They sang Chasidic melodies and their faces were aglow
with joy.

Chanuka was approaching and the next day they would kindle the first
light of Chanuka. As they did every year, the Chasidim traveled to their
Rebbe to celebrate the holiday in a special atmosphere of holiness. Dawn
broke and the Chasidim were still going strong, as though they had slept
through the night.

"Chasidim," called out one of the elders of the group. "The sun is
rising; let us go to the Rebbe." They quickly got ready for the morning
prayers which were recited in an especially joyous atmosphere. After
that, they set out on the way with song and dance. "G-d willing, we will
arrive by this evening when the Rebbe lights the menora," rejoiced one
of the Chasidim.

The wind howled. The Chasidim wrapped their coats even more tightly and
continued battling the strong wind. Just a few hours remained until they
would reach the Rebbe's holy court. But the sky darkened, the wind
picked up strength, and snow began to fall, making walking difficult.

"Chasidim, be strong, surely this is the Satan who wants to delay us
from being with the Rebbe on Chanuka. Let us muster our strength and
with G-d's help we will get there safely," called out Hershel
encouragingly.

They continued walking but for some reason, the road did not come to an
end. According to their calculations, they should have arrived at the
Rebbe's court already. A thick forest surrounded them and the Chasidim
realized they were lost.

Suddenly, they heard someone shout, "Halt!"The Chasidim froze in their
places. A few moments later, a band of Cossacks on horseback surrounded
them.

"Ha," the evil ones chortled. "We have caught fat fish this time. Jews!"
The Cossacks felt around in the Chasidim's pockets and knapsacks and
took every penny they could find. They then brought them deeper into the
forest to a place only the Cossacks knew about.

The Chasidim walked quietly, each one immersed in his thoughts, making a
spiritual accounting, and praying for a Chanuka miracle.

The Chasidim were soon led to dark underground cells. "We will wait here
until the commander comes and decides what to do with you," said a
Cossacks as he whipped one of the Chasidim. Some time went by and the
commander appeared. He declared that they be hung. The Chasidim began
pouring out their hearts in the recital of Psalms and they rent the
heavens with their tears.

At that very same time, in the court of the Rebbe, many Chasidim were
waiting. The menora was ready and the first cup was filled with oil. The
Chasidim waited for the Rebbe to come out of his room and light the
menora.

One hour went by and then another and Reb Menachem Mendel of Kotzk was
still in his room. The Chasidim there were surprised. "Every year, the
Rebbe lights the menora as early as possible because the mitzva is so
dear to him. Why is he waiting this year?"

The clock showed that it was close to midnight and the Chasidim were
still waiting. Suddenly, the door opened and the Rebbe came out in a
rush. Something looked amiss.

There was silence in the room as the Rebbe walked toward the menora. The
Shamash was lit and the Rebbe said the first blessing loudly. Then the
Rebbe said the next two blessings and held the Shamash to the first
light, but oy, the wick did not ignite. The Rebbe tried again and again
with no success. He sighed heavily and the Chasidim knew something had
happened.

The Rebbe extinguished the Shamash, looked at the Chasidim, and quickly
left the synagogue. The Chasidim looked at one another in shock. A
commotion erupted until one of the Chasidim gave a bang and said, "It is
not time for talking. Let us recite Psalms to avert the evil decree."
Books of Psalms were quickly opened and the Chasidim read chapter after
chapter with tears.

In the meantime, the Rebbe went to his room and changed his clothes. He
put on a coarse leather jacket, big boots, a hairy coat and a leather
hat that covered his face. He wrapped himself in a scarf and went out a
back door into the blizzard.

The Rebbe had a hard time walking through the deep snow, but this did
not deter him from his mission. A few hours of exhausting walking passed
until he reached his destination. He entered the forest and knew just
where to go. He stopped at the entrance to the Cossack camp and stood
there fearlessly. The Rebbe gazed at the Cossacks and they trembled.
They quickly dropped their weapons and fled.

The Rebbe approached the hidden trapdoor, lifted it, and went down until
he was facing the Chasidim.

"Rebbe!" they exclaimed in disbelief. "What is the Rebbe doing here? How
did the Rebbe know we were in trouble?"

The Rebbe did not reply. He just motioned to them to get out and go with
him to his synagogue so they could light the menora before daylight.
"You did not wander far, the road to Kotzk is not long," the Rebbe said
reassuringly. This time, the walk was easier and within a short time
they were at the Rebbe's warm, inviting synagogue.

The Rebbe went over to the menora and lit the Shamash. This time, the
first light lit immediately.

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                            MOSHIACH MATTERS
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When the eighth light of Chanuka is kindled on a Saturday night it has
many special connections with the Redemption. The meal after the Sabbath
is referred to as Seudat David Malka Meshicha - the meal of King David
Moshiach. Lighting the eighth Chanuka light also  reminds a Jew that
Moshiach is coming now, and we will soon have the eight-string harp of
the Holy Temple. At that time, in addition to having the  joy of serving
G-d, the joy of Shabbat and the joy of mitzvot (commandments), we will
also have the joy of the Redemption and the special joy of Chanuka
(which are days of "praise and rejoicing").

             (The Rebbe, after Shabbat, 8th night of Chanuka, 1985)

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                END OF TEXT - L'CHAIM 1453 - Miketz 5777
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