By COLlive reporter
For over 40 years The Aleph Institute has been working in the prison environment, and since 1995 in the military arena, under the leadership of Bal Harbour Shliach Rabbi Sholom Lipskar. While working in these two environments, it became abundantly clear that there was a great need for educational material for non-Jewish individuals. Thousands of non-Jewish inmates and military personnel were asking for something to read which would provide inspiration and guidance.
The challenge was to find a book that even a Southern Baptist or Muslim Chaplain in the prison or military environment would be comfortable distributing, explains Rabbi Menachem Katz of Aleph. The same book had to also appeal to the atheist or the very liberal-minded inmate or service member.
“Aleph volunteers would give out cards and pamphlets but there was a need for more,” says Rabbi Katz. “Everywhere I turned, I kept getting signals that I should get involved with Sheva Mitzvos. I would open up a sicha and it would be about Sheva Mitzvos. I would come out of the Ohel and on the video of the Rebbe nearby, the Rebbe would be talking about Sheva Mitzvos.”
When Katz came across the Rebbe’s conversation with Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin of the United States military at a farbrengen and the follow-up correspondence (see below), he decided to have a book written on Sheva Mitzvos to distribute to the military and the to the prisons.
Aleph paid researchers to comb through halachic sources including the Rebbe’s Sichos and guidance on the subject, and the result is “Seven Paths to Love, Life, Purpose and Serenity,” a self-help style book based on the seven laws of Noach.
“I believe a book like this is in line with what the Rebbe wanted when he literally begged for years at every Farbrengen (see below, one clip from one of those farbrengens) that Jews should share the message with every non-Jew they come in contact with,” said Katz. “There are hundreds of talks that the Rebbe dedicated to this subject.” In addition, the Rebbe specifically wanted Jewish Chaplains in the military to promote Sheva Mitzvos in the military.
The book was dedicated by Mr. Howard Appel in honor and in memory of his son Stephen Matthew Appel, who inspired his family to support worthy causes to honor him. Katz also thanks the many people that encouraged this project and many others who donated to the project. “Each and every one of them has a special merit in the success of this special personal project of the Rebbe,” Katz says.
Aleph has already distributed thousands of these books in prisons and to the military which was very well received. Wardens and correctional staff were especially thankful to receive the book. The books are being distributed in the prisons and the military free of charge, and will also soon be available to close to one million inmates on their personal tablet devices that most inmates already have.
Seven Paths is available for purchase, perfect for gifts to your non-Jewish public officials, neighbors, customers, suppliers, employees, and more.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BM4ZMCCF?ref=myi_title_dp
Special half-off for shluchim if you purchase a case of 38. To find out more about the half-off offer for shluchim, email [email protected].
VIDEO:
In the early 1980s, the Rebbe began to speak on the importance of raising awareness about the Seven Laws of Noah among non-Jews.
Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin, who served as Assistant Chief of Chaplains in the US Army, was surprised at his success after he cautiously took the Rebbe’s advice and reached out to non-Jewish soldiers and clergy.
To read Rabbi Dr. Draizin’s Interview with JEM’s Here’s my story, click here.
If you ever want to meet a true dedicated, through-fire-and-water kind of Bal Shem Tov Chossid, that’s Mendy Katz. He never stops and is constantly busy with helping another yid, any hour of the day, any day of the week, rain, snow, blizzards and hurricanes. A true hero.
Mendy, thanks for all you do!! You inspire me too.
Zalman Goldstein
Haven’t read the book but sounds good. Maybe someone who knows can find out how to put them in the NY public library which needs books like this.
Most libraries will order books at a members request.
What an amazing rabbi and shliach
Dedicates everything to helping others
inmates and military? or would any non-Jew benefit in the same way?