On Simchas Torah, we completed the reading of the entire Torah in shul. Immediately, we began reading a section of the beginning of the Torah, once again. This Shabbos we will be reading the entire first parashah as we repeat the cycle another time.

A basic tenet in Judaism is never to be afraid to start again; even when we feel that we have come to the end of our rope. The Klauzenberger Rebbe, Rabbi Yekusiel Yehudah Halberstam ztvk"l, lost his wife and all of his eleven children in the terrible Holocaust R.l. Yet, his spirit was never broken. On the contrary, even in the midst of all of the suffering, he encouraged others who were broken and despondent. The moment he was informed that the Americans had liberated their camp, his old energy was aroused immediately. The first thing he did was to organize a minyan (quorum) for Ma'ariv (the Evening Service)!

Then he began his new life's goal of rebuilding from the ashes. He helped the other survivors cope; physically, emotionally, and spiritually. He organized schools for boys and girls of all ages so that they renew their connection with their Jewish roots; no matter what they had endured.

Eventually, the Rebbe established (among many other things) the town of Kiryat Tzans In Netanya, Israel. Besides the educational institutions he created there, he founded Laniado Hospital; one of the best of its kind in the Holy Land. The Rebbe remarried and had two sons and five daughters. When he married off his youngest child, a daughter, he said, "Today I have taken full revenge on Hitler ymshv"z. That tyrant wanted to eradicate the name of Israel from the world. But, in spite of all that he did, I was privileged to raise a new generation, all of whom learn Torah and observe mitzvahs and continue the "Golden Chain" of our ancestors."

Shema Yisrael Torah Network
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