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In light of this week's terrible tragedy at Virginia Tech, I've enclosed an article from our online weekly magazine as well as a statement from Chabad on Campus International Foundation. I'm sure you'll find these articles both meaningful and comforting.
All those affected by this tragedy are in our thoughts and prayers and Chabad is on the frontlines on campuses and in cities worldwide, bringing comfort, addressing questions, and channelling grief into action, which you'll get a glimpse of below in the following articles.
May we merit to only hear and share good news.
Shabbat Shalom!
Rabbi Shalom M. Paltiel
G‑d was murdered yesterday. Thirty-three times over.
No, this isn't my hyperbolic way of venting my sadness and rage. It's what the sages of the Talmud said more than two thousand years ago.
They pointed out that the Ten Commandments were inscribed by G‑d on two stone tablets, forming a correlation between one set of five commandments inscribed on the first tablet and the second set inscribed on the second tablet. Thus the first commandment, "I am the L-rd your G‑d" corresponds to the sixth commandment, "You shall not murder."
How so? Our sages offered the following parable: "A king entered a country and put up portraits of himself, and made statues of himself, and minted coins with his image. After a while, the people of the country desecrated his portraits, smashed his statues and defaced his coins, thereby reducing the image of the king. So, too, one who sheds blood reduces the image of the King, as it is written (Genesis 9:6): 'One who spills a man's blood... for in the image of G‑d He made man.'"
Murdering a human being is banishing G‑d from our world There are those who would say that the problem with our murderous world today is that there's not enough religion. Others would posit that the problem is that there's too much religion. But this is not about religion—it's about G‑d.
G‑d attests that He created man in his image. The deeper meaning of this statement is the subject of much commentary and discussion. But on the most basic level it simply means that a human life is holy and divine because a human life is G‑d's way of making himself present in our world. Murdering a human being is banishing G‑d from our world.
If you believe in G‑d the way G‑d believes in Himself (is there any other way?) you don't wantonly destroy a human life. If you wantonly destroy a human life you don't believe in G‑d. It's that simple.
G‑d was banished from our world yesterday. And then banished again and again, thirty-three times in succession. It's now our job to bring Him back.
With every good deed, with every kind word, with every positive thought, we bring a bit of G‑dliness into our G‑d-depleted world. And if we do it for the sake of those whose lives were snuffed out yesterday, we resurrect something of the divine spark that was their life, in a small but deeply significant way.
It's the least we can do for them.
Statement Regarding the Tragedy at Virginia Tech
Chabad on Campus International Foundation
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Every person is a world: Today many worlds were prematurely darkened
April 16, 2007 — On behalf of the rabbis and staff of the 120 Chabad Student Centers in the United States and around the world, we expresaas our profound shock at the senseless shooting that occurred earlier today at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in Blacksburg, Virginia. Jewish tradition teaches that each human being is an entire world. Dozens of worlds were prematurely darkened today. The victims and their families are in our thoughts and prayers.
The Lubavitcher Rebbe, of righteous memory, taught of the need to turn tears into action. In the wake of today's tragedy, Chabad on Campus pledges to redouble its efforts to be a beacon of light on the college campus — to provide a safe, nurturing environment to everyone who enters our doors. We urge students to increase our acts of goodness and kindness.
Send condolences to the family of slain Jewish professor. (Click Here) Professor Liviu Libresco--a 75-year old Romanian-Israeli survivor of the Holocaust—used his body to block the classroom door to enable others escape, sacrificing his life for those of his students.
Rabbis Paltiel, Weinberg and Glogauer are available for anyone that would like to discuss this tragic event or help implement a positive response promoting life, light and good deeds.
"May you be comforted among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem."
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Shabbaton with Dr. Susskind - This Shabbat!
 We're pleased to present, world-renowned speaker, Dr. Yisroel Susskind, PhD who will lead us in discussion on the charged topic of “Connecting with our Spouses and our Souls"; Wisdom from King Solomon's Aishet Chayil (Woman of Valor poem). Join us for an incredible Shabbat of reflection and introspection on our relationships. This weekend will be truly entertaining, interesting and inspiring for couples and singles alike the all-encompassing Shabbat experience you don't want to miss! Reservations are required by Friday, 10 am - There is no charge for the Shabbat morning program but please do RSVP - click here to RSVP for either one or both. We look forward to receiving your reservation and spending Shabbat with you!
SCHEDULE: Friday evening: 6:30pm services; 7:00 dinner followed by talk. We're offering a complete children's program during the talk.
Shabbat morning: 9:30am services; Sermon by Dr. Susskind at 11:00am; Lunch at noon followed by an informal discussion (farbrengen). RESERVATIONS: The fee for dinner & talk is $25/adult; $10/child, age 12 & under. Reservations are required by Thursday, April 19. There is no charge for the Shabbat morning program but please do RSVP - click here to RSVP for either one or both.
NEW! Tanya Class—beginning April 28 - click to sign up!
The Tanya is the basic book of Chabad philosophy and a classic in terms of applied “intellectual Kabalah”. Its stated aim is to show a path to realizing one's purpose and developing a deeper relationship with G‑d. Encounter a spiritual dimension of Judaism with the study of the Tanya, presented in a most fascinating fashion by Rabbi Paltiel. Attain insights into yourself and the world around you with these fundamental teachings of Kabbalah, exploring and solving the dilemmas of the human soul.
This weekly class will meet every Saturday beginning April 28th from 8:45 am to 9:30 am. We hope to eventually complete the entire 52 chapters of this classic, well renowned Chassidic work. No knowledge of Hebrew reading necessary as the text will be in English. This class is for you if you are a serious student of learning, have some interest in philosophy and spirituality, and don't mind a challenging, thought provoking lesson that will make you think. Requires basic ability to concentrate... If you fit into that category and you think you can make it most Saturday mornings, this might be exactly the class you have been looking for in terms of Jewish mystical learning.
It's time to sign up with 2 simple steps – the class is free but we do need you to purchase a book online, from the publisher. Click here to sign up and take another minute to purchase this book online by clicking here.
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