HOW TO BE A MAN

Dear Family,

I hope everyone is well.

BH there is a double celebration this week in LA and BEH these will be celebrated together on Shabbos. This is the BARMITZVAH of Gavriel, and the BRIS of Shmuel and Rivky's new baby boy BH. These 2 celebrations are linked in the Dvar Torah following. ( Sicha of the Rebbe Likutei Sichos Vol 15)

Mazal Tov Shmuel and Rivky for the birth last Shabbos. Wishing you many simchos and much nachas from him and all your Family. Looking forward to the bris BEH this coming Shabbos. Mazal Tov Pesach and Chanie on the Barmitzvah of Gavriel today. We are so proud of how Gavriel did kria and said his Maamer today. I am sure you are also proud of him. Wishing you much continued nachas, and we look forward to the rest of the celebration! Mazal Tov to Naomi on your birthday next week. We are missing you in LA. Wishing you a wonderful year!

In connection with the abovementioned, the Barmitzvah is obviously linked to this week's Sedra Vayishlach, where Torah derives that Barmitzvah should be at the age of 13. In another sichah the Rebbe does show a link between Barmitzvah and Bris milah, when Avraham circumcised Yitzchak. The Hebrew word used here was both higamel and yigamel. The first 2 letters of higamel add up to 8 (alluding to bris), and the first 2 letters of yigamel add up to 13 (alluding to Barmitzvah)

In relation to the Barmitzvah V34.25 says that 'Shimon and Levi, Dinah's brothers each took his sword.....' and single-handedly attacked the people of Shechem (to avenge what they had done to their sister - this was an act of self sacrifice on their part, mesiras nefesh, as they put their lives at risk) The Midrash relates that at that time they were only 13 years old! - and the verse refers to them as ISH, - a grown MAN who is intellectually mature and therefore obligated to keep the Mitzvos. Although it is possible for a child below 13 to have high intellectual ability, nevertheless, because he is immature, he will lack the feel, 1. of the precious nature of fulfilling Mitzvos and 2. not understand the great loss incurred by not keeping them. In the Zohar and other sources it says that 4 names are used to describe man - Adam, Ish, Gever and Enosh, and the greatest title is Adam. So the Barmitzvah boy is linked to the level of ISH, a level characterised by a mixture of intellect (seichel) and emotion. But the Rebbeim instituted that he says a Chassidic discourse related to the level of ADAM (characterised by a high level of intellect, higher than ISH. Another element is, that according to Mosaic tradition, a 13 year old boy must start to keep Mitzvos because it is halachah ie the Will of the A-lmighty - accepting the yoke of Heaven even without any understanding!

In short Torah is describing the potential of Barmitzvah TO REACH MANHOOD.

• The level of intellectual and emotional maturity (ISH) is not enough.
• There has to also be the level of ADAM - full intellectual maturity.
• At the base of this should be the foundation of accepting the yoke of Heaven even without understanding.
• But above all this, the 13 year old must also attain the level of self sacrifice, which transcends intellect - 'AND EACH ONE WENT FOR HIS SWORD....'. This self sacrifice reflects practically in everyday life as a total devotion to Hashem

Gut Shabbos to all and Mazal Tov!