| Rosh Hashanah 5763 |
| You should be inscribed for a good & sweet year! The Rebbe explains that Rosh Hashanah isn’t only the first day of the year. It’s also the “head” and “brain” (which contain everything) of the entire year. Link up to various locations and learn about the inner meaning of the “head” of the year and its holidays and mitzvot (divine commandments), as well as the inner meaning of the Sabbatical year. |
| The Tabernacle – A dwelling place for the Creator can be found in the heart of each and every Jew / the 7th day of the month of Adar |
| “You should make for me a dwelling place” Something seemingly very strange happened after we received the Torah, after the Jewish nation merited hearing the All M-ighty speak. They were commanded to begin construction of the Tabernacle, which involved fashioning skins as part of the roof and boards to make up the walls as part of the basic physical make up of the Tabernacle itself. It would seem more logical if the Jews were to be involved in learning the divine Torah that they just received. Chassidut Chabad explains that now is the time and place for the Jews to be involved in the physical realm of existence and to transform it into something that is good and holy. This is G-d’s will and this is the purpose of creation. The construction of the Tabernacle, G-d’s portable dwelling place as they wondered through the desert all those years, in essence completes what was accomplished on Mount Sinai, the indwelling of the Divine Presence, which in turn is a preparation for the complete and true redemption. “The Tabernacle that Moses constructed”, on Moses’ name, is the same Tabernacle that the Jewish nation constructed. His birthday and demise are this week, on the 7th day of Adar. Our holy Rabbis explain that Moses (Moshe Rabeinu) didn’t die. His leadership, from its inception, hasn’t stopped. In every generation, the “leader of the generation”, similar to Moses in his time, has the job of continue constructing the Tabernacle, i.e. to make sure that the Creator dwells within the heart and actions of every Jew, to bring into this world the Divine Presence and the third and everlasting Temple, and finally the complete and true redemption… “You should make for me a dwelling place” in every Jew’s heart! |
| The holiday of Shavuot – The day when G-d gave us the Torah |
| On the holiday of Shavuot, the 6th day of the month of Sivan, 3313 years ago, the entire Jewish nation received the Torah on Mount Sinai and heard the Ten commandments from G-d Himself. |
| Lag B’Omer – Together with the “Rashbi” on the way to redemption. |
| The 18th day of the month of Iyar, Lag B’Omer, exemplifies a number of important events relevant to the Jewish nation, such as the “Rashbi’s” departure from this world into a higher state of existence, and the conclusion to a most unusual plague during which Rabbi Akiva’s students died. This day, throughout Jewish history has been earmarked as a day for education of the youth, love of a fellow Jew, simply because he/she is Jewish, and Jewish unity. The “Mittler Rebbe”, the second Lubavitcher Rebbe, held this day in very high esteem. He, along with his entourage, would go out into the field and make a “lechaim” over “mashke” (referred to most often as vodka), and would envision outright miracles, most of which had particular relevance to children. They would wait for and anticipate Lag B’Omer the entire year. *** The Lubavitcher Rebbe declared that boys and girls all over the world should gather together to form a parade for the sake of Jewish unity and a show of Jewish pride. All of us should firmly decide to bring as many children as possible to a Lag B’Omer parade, and together with them, we should all scream out from the bottom of our hearts, “We want Moshiach now!” |
| Pesach Sheini - There's still hope! |
| It’s never too late! One month has already passed since Passover…and now Passover again. “A person that becomes impure or lives far away from the holy sanctuary, either now or in upcoming generations, will offer the Pascal Sacrifice to G-d”… “In the second month, on the 14th day”. A person who was unable to celebrate Passover in the correct manner is given the opportunity to correct his/her prior situation, and as a result can be part of a national effort. “Pesach Sheini”, as it is referred to in Hebrew, illustrates the point that nothing is forsaken or lost. One can always correct and perfect a previous situation. Even a person who was impure or far away, or even if the person willingly did what he/she did – still one can always correct and perfect a previous situation. The commandment to offer the Pascal Sacrifice as a second chance was given by G-d only after we asked for a second chance. Those who were unable to offer the Pascal Sacrifice in the right time went to Moses and said, “Why are we worth any less?” Moses’ reply was, “Stand and listen to what G-d is about to command you.” Every Jew has the right and the obligation to tell G-d, “Why are we worth any less?” “Why do we have to suffer in this bitter exile?” Send us the Moshiach now, literally! |
| How long do we have to wait? Long live the king! |
| We’re screaming for ten years! How long do we have to wait? We still didn’t bring Moshiach yet? On the 28th day of Nissan, 5751 (1991), after the evening prayer services, the Lubavitcher Rebbe delivered a talk (sicha) to the Lubavitcher Chassidim. In this historic talk, the Lubavitcher Rebbe screamed from the depths of his heart, saying how can the current exile we are in continue. “…Didn’t we already bring the Moshiach? Ten Jews get together and don’t make a fuss that the Moshiach should come immediately? It wouldn’t even bother them if Moshiach wouldn’t come tonight…!” The Lubavitcher Rebbe demanded of everyone “to do everything in one’s power to bring Moshiach, the righteous one immediately, literally…!” Ten years have passed since that talk on that momentous night and we are still in exile. How long? “The Lubavitcher Rebbe’s Treasury” is about to present a number of links regarding the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s proclamation into the dark exile, “How long”? We fervently pray and hope to Hashem (G-d) “…that the complete redemption should materialize immediately, literally… while being truly happy and experiencing a gladness of heart…!!!” |
| “Moshiach’s feast” |
| On the last day of Passover, Chassidim are accustomed to make a festive meal that includes matzos and 4 cups of wine. This meal is referred to as “Moshiach’s feast”. This custom was initiated by the Baal Shem Tov, and over the years has gained momentum in popularity, accepted throughout the Diaspora. At the conclusion of the Passover holiday, (the holiday of liberation from the Egyptian bondage), which in itself is the first redemption, we pray to G-d and request and even demand of Him that the imminent redemption should already be, literally, now! The last meal of Passover, “Moshiach’s feast”, was referred to as such by the Baal Shem Tov, because then shines “the light of Moshiach”. About to be presented is a collection of talks (sichot) given by the Lubavitcher Rebbe when he was in the midst of “Moshiach’s feast”. |
| Parshat Vayechi - Life in the physical realm and eternal life |
| The name of this week's Torah portion, "Vayechi" is very bewildering indeed. "Vayechi" means and he lived. In contrast, we see that one of the main topics in this week's Torah portion deals with Jacob's demise. Our holy Rabbis, may their memories be blessed, say that Jacob didn't die..."Just as his children are alive, so is he..." This week's Torah reading sheds a lot of light on a number of issues, which seemingly aren't understood. For example, why is the Torah reading called "Vayechi"? How is it possible that Jacob's best years were spent in Egypt? Why do we consider his not passing different than other occasions when we say the same thing about another righteous person? Chabad Chassidic Philosophy, "Chassidut Chabad" gives us a deeper understanding of the essential make up of this week's parsha, "Vayechi", while at the same time illuminates our minds and hearts as to what the life of a righteous person is all about. |
| Parshat Vayigash - Yehudah meets Joseph |
| Yehudah and Joseph meet twice in the span of Jewish history. The first time was in the distant past when Yehudah stood in front of Joseph. The second encounter will be in the very near future which is recounted in this week's Haftorah . In the first encounter, Joseph was the ruler. In the second encounter, Yehudah, the King Moshiach, will be the ruler. |
| Chanukah - a little bit of light pushes away a lot of darkness |
| "...To thank and to praise Your great name for Your miracles, for Your wonders, and for Your salvation." The holiday of Chanukah symbolizes the great victory of light over darkness, i.e. the victory of the Jewish nation and its spirit over those who wanted to separate it from the Torah and its precepts. The most important precept of Chanukah is the actual lighting of the menorah, which exemplifies the magnitute of the tremendous miracle wrought. Chassidut Chabad elaborates on the inner and deeper meaning of Chanukah as well as what we can learn to do in our daily divine service. Shortly, the viewer will be able to see a few brief segments from talks the Lubavitcher Rebbe gave on the matter. |
| The days of redemption - the 19th and 20th of Kislev - the New Year of Chassidut |
| The 19th and the 20th days of Kislev are referred to as the "Holidat of Holidays" by the Chabad Rebbes. In the year 5559 (1799), on the 19th of kislev, Rabbi Shneor Zalman from Liadi, the author of the "Tanya" & the "Shulchan Aruch", and the one who eventually founded the Chabad movement, was released from prison. The imprisonment wasn't only physical in nature. There were heavenly spiritual accusations against the Alter Rebbe, Reb Shneor Zalman due to his disseminating Chassidut. Since then, these 2 days are celebrated the world over, acquiring the name "The New Year of Chassidut". These are auspicious days for making good resolutions in all areas, such as additional learning time and quality in all areas of Chassidut and its ways. These days are happy ones for Chassidim and the entire Jewish nation as a whole. As we approach these sublime auspicious days, we would like to wish all those surfers visiting our site and to the entire Jewish nation a blessing that has been passed down from generation to generation, “Gut Yom Tov, Gut Yom Tov!!!” (Happy Holiday, Happy Holiday!!”) You should all be inscribed & sealed for a good year while learning Chassidut and following its ways!! |
| Parshat Toldot |
| Parshat Chayei Sarah |
| Parshat Lech Lecha |
| A collection of the Lubavitcher Rebbe's talks on various topics. In this week's Torah reading, G-d promises the patriarch Abraham that "I will give your seed this land", a complete land. The matter hinges on the Rebbe's, the King Moshiach's holy paving the way. |
| The Parsha of the week- Noach |
| As we approach the Shabbat when we read the Torah portion of Noach, we would like to acquaint the reader with some of the Rebbe’s talks, which are relevant to what’s currently going on in the world and what we can learn from this week’s Torah reading in this regard. |
| The 29th of Elul, the last day of the year, is the birthday of the “Tzemach Tzedek” |
| The eve of Rosh Hashanah is the birthday of the third Chabad Rebbe, the “Tzemach Tzedek”, Rav Menachem Mendel, known for his book on Jewish law “The Tzemach Tzedek”. |
| Shabat Chazon |
| The Shabat preceding the 9th day of Av is called “Shabbat Chazon”, due to the Haftorah we read on that Shabbat beginning with the word “Chazon”, relating the prophetic vision of the temple. |
| The 5th day of Av is the Yom Hilulah of the Arizal |
| On the 5th of Av, 5332(1572), the righteous kabalist Rav Issac Luriah, the “Ha-Ari”, an acronym for: H- Haeloki, A- Adoneinu, RI- Rabbi Issac, left this world. He began revealing the Torah’s kabalistic teachings, saying, “It’s permitted and a mitzvah to reveal this wisdom”. |
| The three weeks will turn into a happy period |
| The three week period between the 17th of Tamuz (the day that the wall of Jerusalem were broken through) and the 9th of Av (the temple’s destruction) were designated as days of mourning over the destruction. The Rebbe reveals to us the inner meaning of these days, which should turn into a period of happiness and celebration speedily in our days. |