When a person dies, he is free from Mitzvos – specifically a regular person, but this is not so regarding tzaddikim, who are called “alive” even posthumously. And of course this is not so of Yaakov Avinu, who “did not die”; it is certain that he is obligated in Mitzvos. * But how can tzaddikim fulfill Mitzvos, such as eating matza and the like, in the actual, real sense?!
As we stand on the very threshold of the Final Redemption, the Rebbe exhorted us to engage the mind in subjects that relate to Moshiach and Redemption. This way, the Rebbe explained, we reshape our way of thinking; we experience a paradigm shift. And this is how we begin the process of conquering, not only the Seven Lands which correspond to our emotions, but also the Three Lands which correspond to the way we think.
As far as the government of Israel is concerned, it would be far better if there were no Jews in East Jerusalem, thereby sparing them the political headache of dealing with the indisputable fact that the Arabs control the eastern part of the capital of Eretz Yisroel. It is safe to say that half of Yerushalayim is effectively devoid of any Jewish sovereignty. The Municipality of Yerushalayim does not relate to its eastern sector as an integral part of the city, and it gets its cue from the highest echelons.
What do you do with a bachur who doesn’t want to daven Nusach Chabad or learn Chassidus?* Why should Chassidus be learned now when it wasn’t learned in previous generations? * From the life of R’ Yehoshua Shneur Zalman Serebryanski a”h.
A compilation of Chassidishe stories about the Chabad Rebbeim, written down by R’ Chaim Ashkenazi a”h.
He was born to a Christian family and was a successful missionary in the evangelical community in France. The church in which he was raised anticipated a rosy future for him, but then, right before completing his priestly studies, he decided to drop it all. He sought the Truth and ultimately found it in Judaism.
Ten years ago, for the first time in his life, R’ Shloimke Maidanchek a”h was willing to grant an interview to a journalist. During the interview he described his growing up, his coming to Eretz Yisroel, his wide-ranging askanus, and the rare contacts he had with leading figures in Israeli politics, security, and the economy. He also told about his warm friendships with all these people across the spectrum of religiosity and political views. In this interview he did not discuss his work as chairman of the Vaad of Kfar Chabad for twenty-five years. That itself could fill a thick book.
July 5, 2013