A SHUL – AGAINST ALL ODDS!

Shuls always held a central place within Jewish communities, whether in European countries, African countries, the Middle East, ancient Babylon or modern New York. Not for naught were shuls called miniature sanctuaries, for in shuls, the Jewish people found consolation when there was no place to encounter the Creator face to face and offer sacrifices. This is the reason why shuls are looked upon with respect and their holiness is treasured

Click to read more ...

IN SYNC

The Rebbe has often taught that all the concepts in one Parsha are intrinsically related. Even though there may sometimes seem to be more of a connection between the beginning of the Parsha to the end of the previous Parsha, or from the end of the current Parsha to the beginning of the next Parsha, nonetheless, whichever ideas are included in one Parsha must be deeply connected, no matter how disparate those concepts may seem.

Click to read more ...

PARITY

One of the most important days of the year is Rosh Chodesh (the first day of the month of) Nissan which is the subject of the beginning of this week’s parsha. In most years this parsha is read after Passover. This year, because an extra leap year month has been added, this parsha is read the Shabbos before Rosh Chodesh Nissan. The confluence of events (reading the parsha discussing the events of Rosh Chodesh Nissan in close proximity to that day) compels us to reflect on the importance of this day.

Click to read more ...

CHANA’LE, DON’T FORGET TO LIGHT

“Hurry, hurry!” the Nazi guards urged on the unfortunate Jews. It was hours already that all the Jews of the town, men, women and children, had been walking in the freezing cold to some unknown destination.

Click to read more ...

MOSHIACH, THE REBBE, AND THE ENTIRE GENERATION

In the same time period we have the revelation of all three [alluded to by the word “miyad,” spelled Mem-Yud-Daled]: Mem (stands for Moshiach),* Yud (stands for both names of my revered father in-law, the Rebbe, Yosef Yitzchok), and Daled (doram).

Click to read more ...

THE EMOTIONAL FARBRENGEN OF PURIM 5711

It was the first Purim farbrengen after the Rebbe accepted the Chabad leadership. * The Rebbe spoke about himself and about the nesius in frightening terms until elder Chassidim asked him to stop. * The Rebbe gave out mashke and when the mashke was finished, he gave out water. * The farbrengen lasted about seven and a half hours, until morning. * A description of that extraordinary farbrengen based on the diaries of T’mimim and the sichos that were said

Click to read more ...

ILLUMINATING GARMENTS

Among the services in the Sanctuary entrusted to the Kohanim-Priests was the removal of the ashes from the Altar. First the Kohen would remove some ashes and place them near the Altar where they would be absorbed by the earth. The remainder of the ashes would be taken out of the camp.

Click to read more ...

EVEN MIRACLES COME IN THREES

R’ Yosef Yisroel HaKohen Ehrentreu is a well-known figure in the Chabad community of Tzfas. By his own choice, he remained in Crown Heights with the Rebbe for six years, during which he saw, heard, and felt the holiness of the nasi ha’dor.

Click to read more ...

STEADY PASSION

When living with constant Bitachon in Hashem, not only is observing Torah and Mitzvos in practice a given but there will be internal feelings towards Yiddishkait as well. Just because one fulfills all the Mitzvos, not necessarily is there conviction and passion in his actions. It may be a result of habit, tradition, laziness to change, or just lack of enthusiasm.

Click to read more ...

JOY AS THE KEY TO INNER FREEDOM

The attribute of simcha, which is something we all want, is accessible. The fact that a Jew feels that it’s hard is an indication that he is on the wrong track, because true simcha is an expression of an inner truth and understanding, traits that are implanted in us all.

Click to read more ...

FISH FOR PURIM

Yechezkel sat on the banks of the lake with a rod in his hand. He tossed the line into the water again and again but caught nothing.

Click to read more ...

THE REBBE IS MOSHIACH, MAMASH MAMASH MAMASH

Chapter Five focused on citing sources to answer the question: Where do we find that the Rebbe told us to publicize the identity of Moshiach? There we showed how, in fact, the Rebbe did more than that; he personally publicized in the media who is the Moshiach in our generation: “The Rebbe, my father-in-law, the nasi of our generation, is the Moshiach of our generation.” Chapter Six now explores the original sources where the Rebbe asserts that Moshiach’s name is Menachem, and more particuarlly, Moshiach’s names are Menachem Mendel, which is the gematria of “Tzemach Tzedek.”

Click to read more ...

BIRTHDAYS = HAKHEL = MOSHIACH

This Shabbos (VaYikra) is the first Shabbos of Adar Sheini. This is the month that we actually celebrate and give thanks to Hashem for the miraculous deliverance during the time of the Purim story. It is well known that the miracles of Purim were in the merit of the birthday of Moshe Rabbeinu.

Click to read more ...