The Talmud (Shabbos 21a) relates that the Sages ordained the festival of Chanukah in order “to thank and praise HaShem.” Yet, there seems to be something missing here. The Sages ordained the festival of Chanukah specifically to “thank and praise HaShem.” However, they did not mention that this praise relates to the flask of oil [...]
We live in a world of cause and effect. The deeds of man, in particular, profoundly affect both the material and spiritual dimensions. In that light, what was the “cause,” i.e., merit that awakened the phenomenal miracles of Chanukah? The story of the Exodus from Egypt sheds light on our question. HaShem instructed Moshe to [...]
A peddler came into the market and called out, “Who wants to buy the elixir of life?” Rabbi Yanai approached him and asked to see his goods. The peddler took out a book of Psalms and showed him the verse (34:13): “Who is the man who desires life, who loves days of seeing good?” “The [...]
We are endowed with both positive and negative emotions. The purpose-and challenge-of our existence is to master the feelings of our hearts. This is accomplished by neutralizing and cleansing ourselves from the unfavorable inner forces that lay within our heart; while activating and strengthening the favorable ones.On of the most pervasive-and counterproductive-negative tendencies is the [...]
When Yoseph revealed himself to his brothers, who sold him into slavery, he could have said, “You call yourselves brothers? You tried to murder me! You should hang your heads in shame.” Yet he exercised amazing restraint and the highest level of decency. Rather than speaking harshly, he spoke to them gently. Even more, he [...]
“Torah Studies - Kindle Edition“ is available for iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad with free Amazon app (download app – here) “Torah Studies” – Discourses by the Lubavitcher Rebbe Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, adapted by Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, Chief Rabbi of Great Britain. Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, Chief Rabbi of Great Britain, elucidates the question in each discourse and explains its [...]
“And Yaacov lived in the land where his father encamped, i.e., “m’gurie aviv” (Bereishis 37:1.) The sages interpret the words “m’gurie aviv” as, “Yaacov influenced people to believe in HaShem, just as his father had done.” In fact, all of our Patriarchs – Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaacov – succeeded to bring their students “under the [...]
In Pearls For the Shabbos Table, by Rabbi Yosef Y. Alperowitz, co-director of Chabad Lubavitch of Bournemouth, the title doesn’t lie. Like real life precious pearls, shining ideas are compiled from the teachings of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson of blessed memory, and condensed into approximately 1500 letters on two pages. A collection of thoughts on the weekly [...]
When Noach was commanded to build the ark, HaShem told him (6:16): “You shall make a light for the ark.” What was the purpose of this light? All the people of the world were lost in the flood. Only Noach, his wife, his sons and their wives survived. HaShem commanded Noah to place a light [...]
Like a breath of fresh air, after two thousand years of spiritual darkness, Avraham emerged and illuminated the world. The Sages depict Avraham’s recognition of HaShem with a beautiful parable. Once a traveler saw a palatial building that was lit up with many lamps. “Is it possible that the building lacks a person to look [...]
After being saved from the great flood, Noah, uncharacteristically, drank wine and became intoxicated. Due to his drunken state, he fell asleep when he was unclothed. His son, Cham, saw that his father was uncovered and disgraced Noah. Shem and Yafes, Noah’s other sons, heard of Noah’s predicament, and attended to their father with great [...]
B”H Neighbourhood Bully Well, the claws are out again, sharp and quick as opprobrium is heaped on Israel from every corner of the globe. Ranging from genuine human rights campaigners to opportunistic politicians and bandwagon terrorists, all righteously taking part in flotilla frenzy. Before any investigation has been done Israel has been roundly condemned and [...]
