THE COUPLE WHO BUILT AN EMPIRE FROM SCRATCH

Rabbi Sholom Mendel Kalmanson, who arrived in France as a refugee, was a model of a true Chassid. With great fortitude and courage, he undertook the founding of a Chassidic school for Jewish children who did not even know the alef-beis. * With bittul and kabbalas ol, Rabbi and Mrs. Kalmanson founded “Shneor.” They did whatever it took to realize their educational vision, and were constantly guided by the Rebbe. * A moving saga of a Chassidishe couple, based on the book written about them by R’ Sholom Dovber Friedland. * Part 1 of 2

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THE FEMALE CHASSIDISHE BUS DRIVER

The Shneor School in Aubervilliers, a suburb of Paris, is known among tens of thousands of French Jews as the school that conveys Jewish-Chassidic values in a professional, sensitive way. This spirit in the school is thanks to the founders, Rabbi Sholom Mendel Kalmanson a”h and his wife, ybl”c, Mrs. Basia Kalmanson.

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A TALE OF TWO WOMEN MEETING THE REBBE FACE TO FACE

Two women shared a common journey to visit the Rebbe, both of them having lived through challenging situations with the guidance of the Rebbe, each one meriting an unforgettable encounter seeing the king in all his glory

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MAY I RECITE KIDDUSH BY HEART?

Question: P’soles (waste or unwanted food) may not be separated from ochel (desirable food) on Shabbos due to the issur (prohibition) of the melacha of borer (selecting). When using a keli (utensil designed for separating), ochel may not be separated from psoles either. That being the case, may a non-electrical salad spinner be used to dry lettuce on Shabbos, since it separates the lettuce, ochel, and the water, p’soles?

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THE FEELING OF TISHREI IS IN THE AIR

When the Rebbe was getting ready to leave 770, R’ Zushe Partisan and all of the guests who had just arrived in 770 stood at the ready. When the Rebbe exited to go to his house, R’ Zushe began to sing “Yifrach B’yamav,” and the Rebbe encouraged the singing with his hands. Once again, there is the feeling that Tishrei has already begun, as more and more guests arrive from all the corners of the globe. * Fascinating reports and memories from Elul 5733 with the Rebbe, published for the very first time from the diary of the late R’ Saadya Maatuf

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PRIORITY NUMERO UNO

One of the most famous teachings of the Baal Shem Tov is (HaYom Yom 9 Iyar): “Our master, the Baal Shem Tov, taught: Whatever a person sees or hears is a directive for his service of G‑d. This is what Divine service consists of — understanding and deducing a way to serve G‑d from everything [one sees or hears].”

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THE CHULENT THAT BROUGHT HIM BACK

At the edge of the town of Lemberg lived a poor tailor. Reuven the tailor was his name. He was an expert tailor as well as a jolly person. He made a meager living from the few sewing jobs that he got from the Jews in the town. His tailoring always turned out well and everyone was satisfied with the work that he did.

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PARSHAS ki-seitzei

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HIS SOUL IS WITHIN ME

Chapter 16 of Rabbi Shloma Majeski’s Likkutei Mekoros, Volume 2, responds to the questions: Where does the Rebbe explain why he refers to the Pervious Rebbe when he actually means himself? Where does the Rebbe state that he and the Previous Rebbe are one and the same?

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THE KING GOES OUT TO THE “FIELD” OF CROWN HEIGHTS

There probably isn’t a Lubavitcher Chassid who can’t repeat the Alter Rebbe’s parable about the king in the field in the month of Elul, when “all who wish have permission to go out and welcome him, and he welcomes all graciously.” * Not many know that the minutes that the Rebbe spent on the city streets were special moments of kiruv and chesed for passersby.* In honor of the month of Elul, we present a compilation of stories about the “king in the field,” when the Rebbe walked down the street and was gracious to all

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THE THREE ROADS TO GEULA

One of the institutions in the Land of Israel mentioned in the Torah several times is the Cities of Refuge. These cities were intended as refuges for one who committed criminally negligent homicide. In such cases, the victim’s relatives had the right to avenge the death by killing the murderer. To prevent these follow-on killings, the murderer was provided with six Cities of Refuge where he would be safe.

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PUBLICIZING THE PROPHECY ON THE FRONT LINES

How is it that the years that have passed have not weakened in the least bit the forcefulness and trust in the prophecy and in publicizing it? How are publicity about the prophet and his prophecy viewed by different groups? * How does knowledge about a prophet and his prophecies affect people in their daily lives? Do we really have the ability to carry out the instruction to publicize it to all people of the generation, without exception? * The shluchim and activists tell about their work and share their insights and conclusions. They urge continuing to publicize the Besuras Ha’Geula until the imminent hisgalus

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THE POWER OF T’HILLIM

As Chassidim, we are constantly encouraged by our holy Rebbeim to add in our recitation of T’hillim. As the Rebbe writes (HaYom Yom 24 Shvat): “If you only knew the power that lies in the verses of T’hillim and their effect in the celestial heights,” the Tzemach Tzedek once said, “You would recite them all the time. Know that the chapters of T’hillim break through all barriers and soar aloft from level to level, unimpeded. They intercede before the Master of the Universe and secure their effect with kindness and mercy.”

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