The Torah is called the “Teaching of Life” (Torat Chiam). Every word, idea, and story contains precious gems of wisdom to teach us how we can fulfill our purpose in life and serve our Creator.
But it wasn't till the teachings of the Baal Shem Tov called Chassidut that these hidden gems were made available to every Jew; even the simplest.
For instance, this week's double portion; the first part, Matot (staffs), begins with the laws of oaths and the second, Massei (journeys) begins with the forty-two journeys the Jews made in the desert.
At first glance, oaths and journeys seem to be two unrelated topics but Chassidut shows how vital they are to one another and to every Jew.
Oaths refers to the 'Oath' administered at the moment of birth by G-d to every Jewish soul to serve G-d (Tanya chapter 1).
And JOURNEYS refers to everything in life thereafter.
In fact it was said that the Baal Shem's successor The Maggid of Meseritz, could see every detail of a person's life; past present and even future, by examining these forty two JOURNEYS.
To understand this here is a story. (Beis Moshiach Magazine, issue 607)
Rabbi Shimon Freundlich the Rebbe's 'Shliach' (emissary) in Beijing China, runs a successful and very busy Chabad House catering to the Jews that live, visit or come to do business there.
His approach is so genuinely friendly that everyone that comes in contact with him or spends any time in his Chabad House is impressed, often to the essence of their souls as we will see.
Because many Satmar Chassidim (a very large and influential group of Chassidim) had benefited from his Chabad House, he was invited to be the personal guest at the Tish (public meal) of the Rebbe of Satmar in New York.
Hundreds of Satmar Chassidim were present as their Rebbe whispered something to one of his assistants whereupon the assistant pounded on the table and announced.
"The Rebbe requests that 'the Lubavitcher' (referring to Rabbi Freundlich) should speak."
Rabbi Freundlich stood, cleared his throat, thanked the Chassidim and their Rebbe for inviting him, said an short idea from the weekly Torah reading and then asked permission to tell a story; something that had recently occurred in his Chabad House. The Rebbe nodded yes and he began.
"A lot of people come to visit our Chabad House for Shabbat, as you know. Well, one Shabbat evening a few months ago, and older man, maybe about eighty years old, who didn't look very religious, appeared in the company of a younger man in his forties.
“The old fellow found a seat and just minutes after we began the prayers, he put his face in his hands and began to cry. He kept it up for almost an hour; he would calm down for a few minutes, dry his eyes and blow his nose and then begin again.
“I quietly approached him and asked him if everything was all right and he told me not to worry. Then after the prayers he and his friend joined us all for the Shabbat evening meal.
“There were over fifty people there. I sat him next to me and after he calmed down, he asked if he could speak and explain the reason for his weeping.
“I stood, said a few words, introduced him, he cleared his throat and began,
"'My name is Sam Katz (pseudonym). The reason that I want to speak now is because I am very emotional and I want to tell you about it.
‘The last time I was in a Synagogue was over sixty years ago in Poland. I was a young man then when the Germans came and took all the Jews in my entire town to Buchenwald. I was there for four years and in that time I lost everything; my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, my friends; all killed, some of them before my eyes. But I lived. I got out at the end of the war and after a few years of searching for family or friends with no results I finally gave up and moved to Australia.
‘I was totally alone and angry at G-d. I went into business, made a lot of money, got married had children but my wounds and anger were so deep that I made a sort of decision, like a vow, to never go into a Synagogue or have anything to do with Judaism again... nothing!!
‘But then just yesterday I came to China with my friend here on business and he said we should visit the Chabad House. At first, I didn't want to come but he said there was nothing better to do and that he'd been here before and the food is good so I agreed.
‘But as soon as the prayers began everything suddenly came back to me. I remembered how good it is to be a Jew; how proud and happy my father and mother were and, well, suddenly it was like a wall of ice just melted. That's why I cried. I thought I'd never forgive G-d again but now I feel like a small child that just wants to be home. All thanks to this Chabad House and the Rabbi here.’"
Rabbi Freundlich paused to make sure the Satmar Chassidim were listening and then continued.
“The crowd in my Chabad House clapped, wiped tears from their eyes and congratulated him for the beautiful story but then one woman stood up and said. ’Tell me Mr. Katz. If you were in Buchenwald, then maybe you know my father he was there too. His name is Naftali Kogen (pseudonym) he also was in Buchenwald. Naftali Kogen. He survived too."
“Mr. Katz's jaw dropped, his eyes bolted open and he held his head in wonder ‘Naftali Kogen!? What! Naftali is still alive?! Why, we were the two Kohanim in the camp and we were always together. We risked our lives for each other not just once.... We were like brothers!! Oy!! Naftali!!
‘We survived but we got separated. We were put in different recovery camps and got separated. There was such total confusion back then; everything was upside down. After the war I searched for him for a long time but finally I gave up. I thought he was dead. But now it's a miracle!!"
Rabbi Freundlich finished his story saying that after that Shabbat a meeting was arranged between them... and ended his speech saying that this is an example of the miracles that happen thanks to the Lubavitcher Rebbe.
Suddenly one of the Chassidim in the audience stood and yelled out; “Sam and Naftoli are alive??! Then fell back in his seat; his face pale as chalk his eyes staring wildly at the ceiling. The others rose to help him.
He came to himself in just seconds stood up and yelled aloud to all those present, "Sam and Naftoli!! Where are they?? Tell them that Yaakov is still alive!!"
He was obviously experiencing some sort of emotional hurricane as he continued.
"There weren't just two Kohanim in Buchenwald." He continued, "There were three! Sam Katz, Naftali and .... Me! We were like brothers. But just a few weeks before the end of the war I got sent to another camp. They probably thought I was dead, and I almost was, and I was sure that they were. But I never believed that they would still be alive even now!!"
This story resulted in another joyous reunion.
This is the meaning of Matot Massei: staffs and journeys.
A staff is firm and unmoving. This symbolizes the staff of Jewish identity; the 'oath' that G-d administers to every Jew before birth to steady each of us throughout life's vicissitudes.
Journeys symbolize constant change.
And every Jew must have both.
Like the survivors in our story; their Jewish identities were the 'staffs' that kept them firm but each had to make his individual 'journeys' in life in order that they all finally be brought together.
And just as the Rebbe unified them, so Moshiach will unite all the Jews; the survivors of this terrible 2,000 year exile.
This is what Moshiach will do; remind every Jew of this 'staff' of life; the oath and Jewish identity which has protected us and will bring us to the ultimate goal: The Third Holy Temple in the Holy Land.
And the Lubavitcher Rebbe says this will happen at any moment. We are standing on the merits of thousands of years of Jewish hopes, prayers and suffering. Now it could be that just one more good deed, word or even thought can bring ...
Moshiach NOW!!
Rabbi Tuvia Bolton
Yeshiva Ohr Tmimim
Kfar Chabad, Israel
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