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Page 16-THE NEWS-January 1989 LUBAVITCH OF N.C. a Thoughts From The Lubavitcher Rebbe Love of a Fellow Jew Menorah Travels “Around the Town” Rabbi Binyomin Weiss lights the menorah. The latkes were good! Ephraim Novak as Judah Maccabee. By Rabbi Yossi Groner “Hear what they say in heaven!” The founders and early leaders of Chassidism often spoke about “Ahavas Yisroel,” love of a fellow Jew. The great maggid (preach- ' er) of Mezritch, successor to the Baal Shem Tov, was served by his pupils in “shifts.” During the “shift” of Rabbi Elimelech of Lizensk, the maggid once called to him, “Meilach! Hear what they say in heaven. They say that love of a fellow Jew means to love the completely wicked just as you love the completely righteous!” Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi, founder of Chabad Chassidism, described love of a fellow as a love that extends to every Jew “great or small,” the love binding brothers, inbred, instinctive, “essential love,” unrelated to, and unaffected by ap pearance, personality or con duct. “Love your fellow as your self,” means that the love of another must be the same as one’s self-love. Love for one’s self is not based on his virtues. One does not think, I am talented, wise, good and righteous and I deserve to be loved; therefore, I shall love myself.” Love of self is not predi cated on quality of charac ter. It is part of his person ality and will conceal even the worst traits. As King Solomon said, “Love covers all transgressions.” This does not mean that person’s self-love makes him ignorant of his faults. He recognizes them, but unaf fected by them — and this is precisely the kind of love that the Torah commands us to show towards our fellows. Rabbi Schneur Zalman said: “The precept of love extends to every Jew, even to one whom he has never seen! How much more so, then, should one apply this precept to a member of one’s community...” A diamond merchant once complained to Rabbi Sholom Ber of Lubavitch of blessed memory, that the Rebbe showed special concern for one of his people who was very simple. In response, the Rebbe asked him to display his wares and to identify the most precious jewel of his collection. The merchant chose an uncut diamond and started extolling its features, but the Rebbe objected: “This is small and ugly and not nearly as brilliant as some of the stones you have passed over.” To this, the merchant rep lied: “With all due respect, in this field you have to be a ‘maven’ (expert). Not eve ryone can identify a precious jewel in its uncut state, when it is rough and unpolished.” The Rebbe responded: “This is also true in the matter of judging Jews. You have to be an expert and not everyone knows the art.” Chanukah 1988 took on a new dimension in Charlotte with a spectacular menorah presentation entitled “Men orah on the Town.” The second night of Chanukah saw a giant menorah placed near SouthPark Mall, well in the view of spectators and participants. As hundreds of people gathered around the 12-foot menorah, Judah the Macca bee, who was played by Eph raim Novak, entertained over 100 children with song and dance. Rabbi Binyomin Weiss led the crowd with Chanukah blessing and then kindled the menorah to the applause of the partici pants. Lubavitch School and Tal mud Torah children enter tained the audience with delightful Chanukah songs. Judah the Maccabee treated the children to Chanukah gelt and chocolate men- orahs. It was indeed a spectacu lar event which brought Jewish pride to the entire community. As the candles were illuminating the Char lotte night, one could see the beaming faces of young and old alike. Each night of Chanukah, the menorah appeared at a new location. Among the places visited were Shalom Park, Windsor Square Shop ping Center and Amity Gardens. :|e % % 9|e )|e Rabbi Yoseph Groner par ticipated in a pre-Chanukah presentation with President Reagan in the oval office at the White House. The meet ing was in conjunction with 930 AM RwMo SUNDAYS — 9-10 AM M Ortf»wlMn>it SHlto 100,900 Butor StrMl ClMrtotto, NC 28204 377-8730(0) 384-1804 (H) Specializing in insurance planning for family financial security and estate analysis. An outstanding State Mutual representative who comt}ines experience, creative thinking and a personal convnitment to stay with your family for the long run. State Mutual Gsm of America Li (•/Hea tt h/Qr outV Armm 1 - the National Menorah that is kindled in Elipse Park, adjacent to the White House. President Reagan received On the third day of Cha nukah, parents of Lubavitch Preschool and Day School students were treated to a grand musical performance on the Chanukah holiday. The Preschoolers led by Chanie Weiss, Judaica teacher, and Fern Sander son, morning teacher, enter tained the audience with lively Chanukah songs. Dressed as Maccabees and Candles, the children radiated with joy as they tapped their feet to the lively tunes. The kindergartners per formed a delightful Dreidel Play in which the symbol of dreidel was portray^. Jason Rosenberg, age 5, narrated the story to a captive the Lubavitch delegation very warmly and expressed thanks for suppK)rting him during the past eight years. audience. Each child had a part in the play. On the last day of Cha nukah, a grand Tzivos Hashem Rally was held at the Chabad House. The pro gram began with the kin dling of the giant menorah, followed by Chanukah songs and stories. Mika the Ma^cian enter tained the children with special Chanukah tricks. Each child was presented with a dreidel-shaped bal loon and a large dreidel stuffed with candy. Rabbi Binyomin Weiss, program director at Luba vitch, was extremely happy with the large turnout of children. “This was a grand finale for a festive holiday.” Cdored atones, And other preciotte jewels, r^nsdd Haack las owr 30 jears’ experience some of the : gems is the norld. icQGwie40e cemet firoB the gRwad 19 — fflinqg iQogis sft(»e8 io die Sot^ Amori- fnmjiwigH. He^s traded moodbtolGKs in Europe. Andhets iOtematioR^ lor (|ua&y, vafaie ixrkie. for see Deaaid ■ tire SnOwPba) CREATIVE SPECIAL EFFECTS Richard Mather Photography • Weddins* * Bar/Bat MItzvahe • CoaiBiercial • Gradaatloa • PIkHo lavttatioae • PortraHe 1318 Woodlav^ Rd. East 825-2329 School Performs Chanukah Play
The Charlotte Jewish News (Charlotte, N.C.)
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Jan. 1, 1989, edition 1
16
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