A Toast to Life

This week begins the month of Adar. Adar is characterized by the attribute of happiness, for its dominant feature is the holiday of Purim. It is a good month for Jewish get-togethers, to draw into ourselves as much of the positive energy as possible. At such gatherings, it is customary to make a "l'chaim". What follows is a Chassidic saying from the sixth Lubavitcher Rebbe about making "l'chaim" at get-togethers:

"The Rebbe, my father, said that there are three reasons for the widespread Chassidic custom to drink hard liquor:

1) It is a commandment to bring the mundane into holiness. When the priest in the Temple would kindle the Menora, he would bring a flame from a mundane source, elevating and sanctifying even the flame itself in the process. This is similar to the drinking of liquor which is not sanctified in itself, but when we use it for a spiritual event, it becomes sanctified.

2) It is a mitzvah to give an animal to drink before it is slaughtered. This is in order to clear out its lungs from any membranes, which might deem the animal unkosher. Likewise, a Jew sits among his friends in a get-together, each one helping the other by pointing out flaws in an appropriate way. Correcting flaws is like bringing our animal soul, our negative inclinations to the altar to be slaughtered. Our tradition says that the angel Gabriel brings the souls of the righteous to the heavenly altar to be slaughtered for G‑d. So too, we offer ourselves by improving ourselves and becoming more attached to G‑d. Like an animal, part of the preparation to be "slaughtered" on the altar is to make a "l'chaim" at the get-together.

3) There are many liquids use in the Temple service. Blood, oil, water, and wine were all used on the altar. Each one was used in its appropriate way, and placed in its appropriate place. This is similar to what we must do when we drink. When a person makes "l'chaim" he has to always remember why he is drinking and where he wants it to take him. If he remembers this, it will not be abused. The Rebbe continued, "We must be cautious when we drink hard liquor. My father taught me how to "take" hard liquor. At my bar mitzvah he gave me a cup of it and told me to say "l'chaim". Many of the guests were shocked, saying, "He is only a child!" The Rebbe answered, "I am giving it to him so that he should leave his childishness."

Parashat Trumah opens with G‑d's request that the Jews contribute different materials towards the building of the Tabernacle and its contents: "…from each man of generous heart, take My donation". Different Chassidic masters emphasize the verse: "…each man who contributes, take his heart for My donation." All Jews are holy, though not all are wealthy. So what was a poor man to do if he was to donate to the Tabernacle, but had nothing to offer except his good heartedness? His heart, his good will and wish to participate, were also considered a contribution to G‑d! "A good thought is joined to the deed", and in fact that willingness was considered an actual deed. (Mayanot Hanetzach)

We know that in Judaism, "the main thing is action." But what if one's circumstances prevent him from fulfilling a mitzvah? If his heart is in the right place and his intentions are truly holy, G‑d will account it as a merit on the Jew's part. When we can, we must actually perform the mitzvahs; when we absolutely can't do a mitzvah, G‑d, Who knows our real intentions, will give us credit for our good will.

Shabbat Shalom, Shaul

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