BOG War 2004 / 5764

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Scene 1: MAFIA MEETS, DISCUSS RICH JEW, SEND OUT KIDNAPPERS AFTER JEWISH KID.

Scene 2: KIDNAPPING, KID IS GIVEN CHOICE.

Scene 3: BREAK-IN AND MURDER.

Scene 4: HEAVEN.

Scene 5: MAFIA CHIEIF AND SON IN LIVING ROOM, DISCUSSING ABOUT GROWING UP AND TAKING OVER THE FAMILY MAFIA RING.

Scene 6: ENEMIES MURDER CHIEF IN KID’S PRESENCE.

Scene 7: MEETING, CHILD APPOINTED AND SWORN IN ..… SWEARS TO TAKE REVENGE.

Scene 8: DREAM.

Scene 9: GIVEN CHOICE, TURNS AGAINST PLAN.

2468 FOR THE JUDGES!!!!!

SMILE WE WON !!!!!!!!!!!!

Honorable judges fellow campers staff and gentlemen, my name is ——- ——- and it is my esteemed honor to stand before you today on behalf of my team and teammates and present to you our winning theme speech.

There is a battle raging inside each and every one of us, this is a fight not for money not for fame, this fight is the war between the two yetzers that we each have inside of us.

And in a minute you will all know exactly what I am talking about.

Every day, from the moment we wake up until the moment we fall asleep there is the constant longing of the yetzer tov and the constant badgering of the yetzer horah. The yetzer tov wants nothing in the world but to become closer to Hashem by learning Hashem’s holy torah and performing it’s precious mitzvos.

The yetzer horah on the other hand, is concerned only with personal gain and pleasure, and is always trying to find ways of convincing you to follow it’s clever yet very selfish advice. The desire is foolish, and the reward is short lived.

Now emagine if you will that you were the ruler of an empire at war with a neighboring king.

Or that little old you was walking down the street and suddenly someone pounced on you, and tackled you to the ground!

How hard would you fight to win and beat your enemy? How much effort would you invest into emerging victorious?

Or would you simply lay there and let the guy slap you silly?

The only correct answer is that you would give everything you have without thinking twice.

My friends the fight of the yatzer tov against the yetzer horah is a real battle! It is war!!

OK lets take this up a notch.

HONORABLE JUDGES, GENERALS, MY FELLOW CHASSIDIM AND SHLUCHIM:

The truth is, that the title chossid is an all encompassing one. It is a term used for one that davens, learns, one that is gomel chesed, helps those around him physically and spiritually, one that lives a life of bittul and kabolas ol, to his rebbe and to the aibeshter and so on.

In fact, being a real and true chossid, means taking upon oneself a certain lifestyle and working towards it, which takes a lifetime to achieve. But tonight we are focusing on one very special aspect of a chossid’s avodah which is the backbone, and the key for success for any other ????? which the chossid might be occupied with throughout his lifetime – and that is ????? ?? ???? .

Simply put, the definition of this ????? is, that a chossid no matter where he is holding, does not suffice with his accomplishments up until this point but rather he is constantly and consistently working with himself to move forward and beyond in avodas hashem.

Not necessarily does this mean that he is doing earth shattering and monumental things, but rather this avodah may express itself in the finer points of avodas hashem, rectifiying and working on his thoughts speech and action and so on.

On a deeper level, this theme is the very issue which the Alter Rebbe discusses in Tanya, regarding the ???? ?????? ???? ?? ???? , which reflects on the two levels of a tzaddik and a rosho. The reason for this is – as the Alter Rebbe explains, that the entire purpose of the neshomo descending into this world is, that one should work and toil and eventually change his natural self. One that works and changes himself is called the ???? ?????? and is considered a tzaddik since he has fulfilled the purpose for which he has come down into this world.

Being that we stand in the hundred and first year since the rebbes birth, as Chassidim of the rebbe it is only right to mention, that the alter rebbe explains the above idea, with refrence to the significance of the numbers one hundred and one hundred and one. The number one hundred symbolizes a person that has been working with himself only within his natural limitations. However the number one hundred and one symbolizes the idea of one moving beyond himself, moving beyond all of his natural limitations.

It was only after I properly understood this theme, that a story I heard a while ago, began to become clear. It was during a period of time when a series of unfortunate events took its toll on the Rebbe’s mood. This went on for several days, and to say the least the Rebbe was a little more then just upset. It went on until one day, the Rebbe received a letter from a young school boy of 10 years old who wrote to the Rebbe the following:

“Up until now I would recite Brochos every morning by heart while was dashing off to school. However, I have now taken upon myself a hachlotoh that from now on, I will recite the brochos at home, word for word from the siddur .”

When the Rebbe finished reading this letter, his eyes welled up with tears and replied to the letter with the following words: ??????? ???? ???? ?? ??? ????? . You have revived me, like cold water splashed on a exhausted face.

Ever since I heard this story I was bothered – what was so great about that young boy’s hachlotoh to say brochos from a siddur, that merited such a answer and would be able to have such a affect on the Rebbe?

But now it is clear – through the ????? ?? ???? , through breaking through and bypassing ones previous standards, with never being satisfied with who you are and what you have achieved, but step by little step moving forward in your avodah, in big as well as seemingly insignificant things, it can be so powerful and meaningful that this can change the very essence of a person and ultimately change the entire world.

And to conclude I turn to all of us as one:

We may each have our own unique way in establishing a connection with the Rebbe, but we are most certainly united in our ultimate goal, of being mekushar to the Rebbe, through working with ourselves and with the world around us, growing up to be Chassidim and Shluchim, thus bringing us to the time when we will be zoche to once again ???? ??? ???’? ??? ?? ???? ??? ? ??? ????? ????? ?????, ???? ?????? .

THANK YOU

(T.T.T.O. Ashrei mi sheloh chatah)

Walking home from school

Upset about what he’s going through

Enough of hiding that I am a Jew

I say my Brachos in the corner

Concerned my friends will laugh at me

Why so affected by what they say

Why not just openly proclaim

A Yid I know I am not the same

I carry with me Hashem’s holy name

A specialty possessed by every Jew

Empowering me in all that I do

The Rebbe teaches walk with pride

Our heads held high we have no fear

As a Chosid it’s my desire

To cherish the Rebbe’s words so dear

Smile we won!

David and Sammy Stavner are two brothers, but they have very different views on life. Sammy, almost thirteen years old, finds Judaism interesting and stimulating. Although his family belongs to the Reform Temple Tikvat Yeshurun, he learned most of what he knows from his Release Time counselor, a bochur by the name of Yankel. David, an older boy in his early twenties, finds Judaism burdensome, technical, primitive and barbaric. When he sees some Jews beaten up at a pro-Arab demonstration, he becomes decidedly turned off.

David’s friends didn’t like David’s Jewishness. One day, at a bar, they confronted him, “You better stop wearing that Jewish star and you stop calling yourself a Jew. And that name David. It’s just way too Jewish.” David was hesitant about casting off his culture. Although he felt no connection to Judaism philosophically or emotionally, he felt an obligation to his forbears and his dead mother. His friends decided that they‘d just have to get rid of him. They slipped a pack of stolen diamonds into his back pocket, while one of the friends called the police. David was handcuffed, and taken to jail.

The police called the Stavner residence to inform Mr. Stavner and Sammy of David’s arrest and his $3,200 bail. Needless to say Sammy and his father were heart-broken.

Shortly after this incident, it was time for Sammy’s Bar Mitzvah, which was held in Temple Tikvat Yeshurun. The Rabbi called up Sammy for his aliyah, in English. “Arise, Samuel son of George, be strengthened! He who blessed our forefathers, and our foremothers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, Moses, Aaron, David and Solomon, Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel, Leah, Miriam, Tziporah, Deborah and Esther. He/She shall bless this entire holy congregation, and say Amen. Because the honorable George, the son of Fredrick, has pledged charity for the sake of his son, in the amount of $20G’s for Temple Tikvat Yeshurun. May he, his spouse and their offspring be blessed, together with this entire holy congregation, and say Amen.” The rabbi then led Sammy through the Berachot, and read some the Torah, in English, with trop.

The rabbi then delivered the Bar Mitzvah address. “Dear members, paying or not, affiliated or unaffiliated, I stand before you today, on this joyous occasion, of the BarMikvah, of our dear beloved Sammy. Unfortunately, our main rabbi, Rabbi Jennifer was unable to come. She’s attending her niece’s Shalom Zachor. Sammy has been an active member of our congregation since he was 2 ½. He participates in all of our temple’s services, and activities including our volleyball team, our baseball team He attends our Bingo sessions religiously. He is a devoted patron of our Casino. He is a shining example to all our youth – and adults as well. Sammy, as you embark on your life as a Jewish adult, we remind you of the responsibility, and privilege of taking your rightful place in the batting order of our baseball team, instead being just a relief. On this joyous occasion, I call upon darling Samuel to address the assembled.”

Sammy went on to present his Bar Mitzvah speech. “I want to thank the Reverend, my father, and the memory of my mother, Alov Hashalom. Today I am a man by Jewish law, I accept all of my religious obligations, I acknowledge that there are many paths to reaching spiritual fulfillment, and in the spirit of objectivity, I intend to try ‘em all out. In the portion of the torah, the esteemed Reverend read, we hear how g-d speaks to Moses. Again. I hope that G-d will one day speak to me too. I thank you all for coming to share this special day. Especially Aunt Georgina and Uncle Sol who drove up from Mississippi .

A few months later, as David was sitting in the Coleman Correctional Institute, David’s father and brother came to visit him. Throughout the visit, it became apparent that David blames his Jewish identity for getting him into jail. When his father mentioned Sammy’s Bar Mitzvah, David is positively offended.

A rabbi from the Aleph Institute visited David in jail, and the effect was even worse. All that David took out from the meeting is a strengthened conviction that Judaism is for the birds.

Then a priest visited David. The priest carries with him a distinct air of serenity. He reassured David, that G-d doesn’t want the strict religious observance delineated in the Torah. G-d only demands that he accept the salivation he offers us. Then the priest told David of an experience he had. “I once saw a bird. It was a beautiful white bird. It must have been a spiritual bird. The bird told me that there is a boy named David, sitting in jail, in cell 1583, which could use some support and encouragement.” David agrees vigorously to the priest’s assertion. The priest continues serenely to discuss religion, and leaves David feeling spiritually recharged.

After David’s term was up, Sammy and David were joyously reunited, but their feelings quickly turned sour when David found out that it was Sammy who sent the Aleph Institute rabbi to him. “Do you realize you humiliated me in front of the whole group? They all knew I was Jewish!” Their conversation turned to religion and David got so fed up he stormed out while screaming that he is disowning Sammy.

The following Wednesday, Yankel came to teach the Release Time class, as usual. After class, Yankel noticed that Sammy looked a little down. He tried to speak to him, but Sammy pushed him off. Yankel offered to call him, but Sammy refused. In the end, Sammy agrees to call him, when he’s ready.

That night Sammy called Yankel. He told Yankel what was happening with David. Yankel encouraged Sammy not to confront David directly. “It would be better just to act like a Jew, and show him how Judaism is meaningful. This way he won’t feel you’re challenging him.”

The same night David called his priest and informed him he plans to convert. They make a date in the near future.

The next morning David was walking to the Church of Divine Light for a study session with the priest. As he passed by Sammy’s school, he noticed Sammy playing a game of basketball with his friends. Sammy was about to make a shot when his yarmulke fell off. He stopped to pick it up. “What did you do that for?” asked one of his friends.

“What do you mean?” Sammy responded calmly. “My Yarmulke fell off” David was deeply impressed. “There must be something to that religion of his, if he stops a game to pick up his beanie,” he concluded. However, he still plans on converting.

He went to the study session, but seeds of doubt were planted in his mind. Which is the true path, Judaism or Christianity?

That night, David spoke to his father about his troubled childhood, his mother’s death, and finally, religion. “Judaism is just too hard. I’ll go the easy way” David’s father had a heart attack on the spot. An ambulance was called. David cried beside his father. Although he feels terribly shaken that he caused this damage to his father, but he cannot embrace Judaism.

Sammy came home, and found David crying. David informed him of his plans, and loudly told him that he does not want to discuss the matter with him. David called his priest, while Sammy called Yankel. Yankel told Sammy, “Keep on doing what you’re doing. Act as a Jew is supposed to, keep neggel vasser by your bed, and wear your yarmulke and tzitzis even when you sleep. Be careful to make brochos and bentch. By displaying Judaism, not only is it non-confrontational, but this conveys a much deeper message. If you explain something to someone, you speak mind to mind. You give over an intellectual concept, and he gets only an intellectual concept. When you show him what it means to live Judaism, then he sees Judaism as a living religion. He will see that Judaism is meaningful, dear, fulfilling, and moral. So keep on doing what you’re doing, and hatzlacha rabbah.”

The next day David went to convert. The priest and his assistant began the conversion ceremony. In middle of the ceremony, David jumps up. “No! I will not become a Goy! My ancestors were Jews! My grandfather died because he was a Jew! My mother died as Jew! My father lives as a Jew, and my brother is teaching me to live as Jew!” David walked out, leaving the priest and his assistant baffled.

The last scene takes place in Israel, by the Kotel. Sammy is learning in Kfar Chabad, and David is learning in Ascent. The meet at the wall and emotionally embrace, two brothers with a common goal.

There were once three men sitting on a bench. The first was going like this, (Make motions of driving a car.) The second was going like this, (rowing a boat.) And the third was going like this (Make a motion of a guy walking on his arm.) Someone came over to them and saw their strange behavior. “What are you doing?” he asked the first person.

“I’m driving my car.” He responded simply.

“What are you doing?” he asked the second person.

“I’m rowing my boat.” He replied.

“And what are you doing?” He asked the third guy.

“I’m driving away from these meshugoyim.” He answered.

We are standing now in Tzivos Hashem War 5764. Our team name is “Dugmah Chaya.” What is a Dugmah Chaya? What is the ma’aleh of a Dugmah Chaya?

There are two ways to influence someone. One, I can talk to him, learn with him and spend time with him. The second way is to demonstrate what I am trying to get across. To act the way I believe and understand. To be myself.

The first way requires preparation on my part. I don’t just present the concept as I see it, or as I understand it. I must present it on his level. For example, a teacher doesn’t give over the material with all the depth and profundity, that he understands. He must condense it so that the student can also understand. In terms of reaching out to fellow Jews. This means to speak to people on Mivtzoim, to make functions at Chabad houses and the like.

The second way does not require that he do anything specific to affect someone else. He just does what he must do. He does what he is obligated to do as a Jew, as a Chosid, and as a solider in Tzivos Hashem. Others will see him. And they will be motivated and aroused. He doesn’t tell them what to do. He doesn’t explain to them. He SHOWS them. And when he shows them, they don’t just see the exterior, what’s on the surface. They see how he lives with it, and how this is him!

When a person sees Judaism practiced, it is a lot more real and meaningful than when he hears it preached. There is a story of a shliach who had a speaking engagement at a shabboton in Fort Knox . As luck would have it his plane was delayed. He and his wife arrived in Fort Knox minutes before Shabbos. The quickly jumped into a taxi, but after only a few minutes they realized they would not make it in time. As shkiah was approaching, they left all their belonging in the car and set out to walk to the hall. After walking fer four hours, they arrived during dessert. He had missed his opportunity to speak. The shliach later commented, “My feet said, what my mouth could not.”

If he would have made it in time, he would have had a chance to tell them all sorts of wonderful things. He could have explained to them for hours the beauty of Shabbos. However, all this is only intellectual philosophy. When he walked fer four hours to the hall, he showed them that Shabbos is not only something we talk about, a nice tradition found in Jewish books. Shabbos is a real thing. Shabbos is worth walking until you’ve got blisters on your feet and your legs are sore. Shabbos is worth sacrificing comfort. Shabbos is real. This is a message that cannot be given over in words. This can only be accomplished by being a Dugmah Chaya. When a person is a Dugmah Chaya, the torah and mitzvos are not dead concepts we talk about, nice philosophies we discuss. Torah and mitvzos are the connection of a Yid to Hashem. Torah and Mitvzos are life. When someone observes this, it affects him deeply.

Being a Dugmah Chaya is not an independent avodah. Being a Dugmah Chaya means doing the right thing. I don’t need to work on affecting others. I must be concerned with carrying out Hashem’s will. With this attitude, of just doing the right thing, not necessarily thinking about the affect it will have, the greatest affect is had.

The Rebbe is the ultimate Dugmah Chaya. During the court case with the seforim the Rebbe wrote to Yudal Krinsky, a Rebbe is a Dugmah Chaya of Shulchan Aruch. Whatever the Rebbe does is an actualization of what is written in Shulchan Aruch.

Whenever the Rebbe davened he always looked inside the siddur. When the Rebbe saw a siddur on top of a chumash, or a hat and jacket on a tefilin bag, the Rebbe would see to it that it should be removed. It happened, that when the Rebbe was walking to his place, he stopped, and bent down to pick up a cigarette butt. We see from the Rebbe’s behavior the importance of seder, honor of a Beis haknesess, the honor of seforim, the importance of davening like a mentch. The Rebbe is a Dugmah Chaya of a Dugmah Chaya. The Rebbe did all the right things, and from his actions, we learn what to do.

Honorable judges, staff members and fellow campers, every person must know that he can affect his neighbors. His actions speak louder than his words. It is not necessary to take into account what they will understand. We must do what we must do. When an outsider sees one of us walking in the street, waiting at a checkout line, or playing ball in the park, and acting as befits a solider in the Army of Hashem, this will have a ripple affect. One person will see you, and he will aroused to change something in his life, someone else will see that and make some change in his life, until the entire world is pervaded with the light of torah and mitvzos and this will bring the coming of Moshiach immediately NOW! 2468 for the judges!