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Video Study for Parsha Vayechi :

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muman613:
This concept mentioned in relation to another portion..


http://www.shemayisrael.com/parsha/peninim/archives/vayelech62.htm

PARSHAS VAYEILECH

Hashem said to Moshe behold, your days are drawing near to die. (31:14)

The Midrash asks, "Do 'days' die?" People die - not days. This refers to the righteous, who, although when they leave this world and their days are over, they still are considered alive. The righteous are considered alive, even in death, while the wicked are viewed as lifeless and dead even when they are alive." The Midrash continues explaining the difference between the righteous and the wicked in regard to the concept of life and death. The rasha, wicked person, sees the sun shine, but he does not make the blessing of Yotzeir Ohr, He creates light; he sees the sun set, but he does not make the blessing HaMaariv Aravim, who brings on evenings; he eats and drinks, but he does not have the decency to recognize the source of his food, and, consequently, he does not bless Hashem. In contrast, the righteous make a point to bless Hashem at every juncture. Wherever they eat or drink, what ever they see or hear, they always bless the Almighty. They do not express their gratitude and recognition only during their lifetime. They even praise Hashem when they are in their eternal rest, as David Ha'Melech says in Tehillim 149, "Let the devout exalt in glory; let them sing joyously upon their beds."

From this Midrash we derive a profound lesson regarding the true meaning of life and death. Horav Meir Rubman, zl, explains that the common definition for life is one who eats, drinks, sees and hears. One who does not possess these faculties, who is totally devoid of any physical activity is, to a great extent, lifeless. The Midrash does not seem to agree with this definition. Chazal teach us that life is based upon one's active participation in blessing Hashem for the bounty that he receives from Him. In other words, it is all in the heart, the seat of emotion and feeling. One who perceives, who feels alive, blesses Hashem. One whose sensitivity is dead, who does not feel obligated to bless Hashem, has a heart that might beat, but is lifeless.

Israel Chai:
Oh don't be so blind. Yes great men are alive. He says "people give us [Lubavitchers] a hard time but really blah blah blah they don't die". We aren't giving them a hard time because they say a fact from Torah, they say that he can be Mashiah. Everyone knows what he's alluding to you but you guys.

muman613:

--- Quote from: LKZ on December 14, 2013, 08:29:34 PM ---Oh don't be so blind. Yes great men are alive. He says "people give us [Lubavitchers] a hard time but really blah blah blah they don't die". We aren't giving them a hard time because they say a fact from Torah, they say that he can be Mashiah. Everyone knows what he's alluding to you but you guys.

--- End quote ---

No, I believe you are wrong. He was not saying anything about Moshiach. He is talking about the custom of going to the graves of Tzadiks, which some people think is taboo. But it is not, and this is born from facts of the Torah, and the Talmud. This particular portion is one of the reasons for the belief in the tzadik, and the holiness of praying at their graves. Some people mistakenly believe that they are praying to the dead person, but they are not, and this is why he said 'people give us a hard time'. The Breslevers also have this problem because they make a pilgrimage to the grave of Rabbi Nachman of Uman, and they pray at his grave.

I discussed with my Chabad Rabbi today this aspect of the portion, based on this talk from Ronnen. And my Rabbi again clearly said that Rebbe has died, but as this teaches, his good deeds live on through his students. And in effect his spirit is alive through the inspiration he created in his students.

So you are entitled to be critical, but I think you are having a misunderstanding...

muman613:
I am sorely disappointed that you LKZ have not learned about the merit of Chassidus, which includes the understanding of the Tzadik and his students. The concept of Tzadik comes from the Talmud, and it appears in the Torah when the Patriarchs visited the graves of their forefathers to pray on their behalf.

I do not believe Ronnen was a Messichist Chabadnik. What he said is basically what Rabbi Richman said, concerning the Talmud which talks about Jacob being alive through his children. I believe you are just rejecting the teaching based on prejudice.

muman613:
Another good lesson on the portion, Rabbi Chaim Miller of Kol Menachem on the Chassidic teachings of the portion.

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