Bulletin10.16.2010 - Lech Lecha.pub

places in the realm of human experience, there has always been a
leader down there with us?
The Limits of a Leader
The Rebbe explained that there is another aspect to the parable of
the miners. Although the miners' welfare depends on submitting
themselves to the care and direction of their foreman, there is one
thing that he cannot do for them. Each miner has to have access to
the lifeline that connects the mine to the world above.
In spiritual terms, a Jewish leader can set an agenda for how we as
Jews ought to live. But the leader can't live for us. Each of us needs to
have our own lifeline to the One Above in the form of a vital and
conscious connection with G-d.
To Live or Enliven?
There is a verse in the Book of Habakkuk that reads, "The righteous
one will live by his faith." Because Scripture is written without
vowels, a single word may take on various meanings. In this case, by
changing the vocalization of the verb, this same verse may be read,
"The righteous one will enliven with his faith."
Is the tzaddik defined as one who lives his own life by faith, or as one
who enlivens others with faith?
When the Chabad school of Chasidism first emerged in the late
1700s, one of the key points by which Chabad differed from the other
branches of the fledging Chasidic movement had to do with which
reading of this verse described the role of a Chasidic rebbe.
The Alter Rebbe, founder of the Chabad method of "intellectual
Chasidism," insisted that although a rebbe could teach his disciples
how to relate to G-d, he could not "give them life" – that is – have a
relationship with G-d on their behalf. Each and every soul that
descends to toil down here on earth must have its own connection
to the Source. In practical terms this means that each of us must
have a personal appreciation for G-d that comes as a result of our
own study and meditation.
Whether we speak of our bodily needs or our spiritual needs, we
cannot rely on someone else to give us life – not even on the very
person who is keeping us alive. Maybe that's why being a Jew
requires such a unique blend of deference and independence. Maybe
that's also why the best metaphor to describe the secret of our
miraculous survival is the image of miners, who, no matter how deep
they must go, always remain connected to their source up above.
Actor Tony Curtis Remembered By
Chabad www.lubavitch.com
F or
the last few years of his life, actor Tony Curtis enjoyed a
close relationship with Rabbi Mendy Harlig at Chabad Green
Valley, in Henderson, NV, where he lived. The famous film star
passed away on September 29 at the age of 85.
Rabbi Mendy first met Mr. Curtis after receiving a call from his
daughter Allegra Curtis. She felt that it would be good for her father
to have some spirituality in his life. Both New York Jews, the actor
and the rabbi quickly developed a great rapport.
“Tony shared a lot about his childhood with me,” Rabbi Mendy
recalled. “He told me much about growing up in poverty, the many
challenges that he faced, and how he set out to overcome them.”
Mr. Curtis also shared his paintings with Rabbi Mendy and gave him
Inspiration, Insights & Ideas
Bringing Torah lessons to LIFE!
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an autographed copy of his book, American Prince, with his own
drawing of a mezuzah alongside the inscription.
Rabbi Mendy’s five children sometimes accompanied him on his
visits. “Tony always welcomed my children. They made him laugh
and he made them laugh,” said the rabbi.
“My 10 year old
daughter, Chana Sara,
had school assignment
to write a report about a
famous Jewish
personality. She chose
to write about Tony
Curtis and later showed
him her work. He was
Tony Curtis wrapping Tefillin with Rabbi Mendy Harlig
very touched.”
Over the years Rabbi Mendy visited Mr. Curtis at his home many
times, delivering honey cake for Rosh Hashana, shaloch manos on
Purim, and Passover matzah, and other times just to chat.
“Tony (whose Hebrew name was Boruch Hershel ben Emmanuel)
was a very proud Jew,” said Rabbi Mendy. “Whenever I asked him to
participate in a mitzvah he was always eager to do so. I hung a
mezuzah at his home, we put on tefillin and I once took a picture of
him wearing a white yarmulke. When he saw it he asked me to take
a different picture saying, 'People might think I’m the Pope'!”
Two years ago, Chabad of Green Valley honored Mr. Curtis with the
lighting of the menorah at its public Chanukah ceremony at the
Green Valley Ranch Hotel. Five hundred people turned out for the
event, delighted at the opportunity to get up close and personal
with the beloved star, happy to express his Jewish pride at the
event. Although it was difficult for him to get around, when the
time came to get up on the stage and light menorah, he refused
any help that was offered to him.
On October 4, 2010 Rabbi Mendy attended Tony’s funeral. “We will
sorely miss him. He was a proud Jew, a wonderful person and a
great friend.”
Injured Israeli Soldier Reunited With His
Savior in New York City
By Joshua Runyan
A n
American tour of wounded Israeli soldiers led to an
unexpected reunion of comrades-in-arms last weekend when
the delegation made their first stop at a New York City Chabad
House for Friday night dinner.
A dozen wounded Israeli soldiers spent last weekend at Chabad-
Lubavitch of Midtown Manhattan in New York City, kicking off a tour
of American institutions. While there, former special-forces soldier
Roi Agustus ran into Elad Portal, a member of his unit three years ago
who rescued him from a firefight in the West Bank city of Tulkarm.
According to Brocha Chana Metzger, co-director of Chabad-Lubavitch
of Midtown Manhattan, the soldiers came for a Friday night dinner
held in their honor. Among those in the audience was Elad Portal and
his two brothers, who had discovered Metzger and her husband,
fellow co-director Rabbi Joshua Metzger, while celebrating
the holiday of Sukkot in the couple’s sukkah in Bryant Park.
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