When Yaakov Avinu in our parsha sends Yehuda to Mitzrayim to prepare a proper Torah environment for his family before they go down to Mitzrayim, he is showing and charting the way for his children throughout the generations. The Rebbe’s letter this week is in answer to one asking where he should settle with his family.
This campaign, which the Rebbe initiated in 1977/78, was at first met with some questions and pushback. In this letter the Rebbe answers those questioning the wisdom and constitutionality of the public menorah lighting campaign.
The story of Chanukah repeats itself and the challenges of then are with us now as well. The Rebbe’s letter this week is in answer to one who expresses an interest in examining Greek philosophies and ideas in order to ascertain the truth, etc.
In connection with raising Jewish children – the theme of our parsha, where Yaakov and his wives establish their Jewish family with the twelve tribes, we present a letter where the Rebbe gives his candid advice and a few basic principles for Jewish parents to follow in bringing up their children.
In this week’s parsha we learn of the birth and life of Yaakov and Esav, twins born to Yitzchak and Rivkah – and we see Esav disregarding the teachings of his parents and rejecting the responsibilities of a first born. In this connection – we bring a letter in which the Rebbe answers one who declares that “my Jewishness means little to me.”
With this week’s parsha we get an appreciation for Sarah – mother of the Jewish people, our first Matriarch. In our soon-to-be published Volume VI of THE LETTER AND THE SPIRIT – will be featured for the first time, a section on Women.
In this weeks letter, the Rebbe gives some vital guidelines to a medical doctor who wishes to learn milah/circumcision.
In this week’s letter, the Rebbe gives encouragement to one who is a living example to his friends to continue his good work.
This week we present a letter of the Rebbe in which he points out the importance of the commandments incumbent upon all mankind, the children of Noach. These are called the Seven Noachide Laws. The Rebbe makes mention of this in many of his letters.
As this week is the anniversary of the Yom Kippur War, we present a letter of the Rebbe written to a lady whom he is praising for doing activities in chinuch. This was written right after the Yom Kippur War.
The article we are sharing this week about Bereshis, was written by Rabbi Nissan Mindel and reviewed and noted by the Rebbe – as was done with most of Rabbi Mindel’s writings (which he wrote for his monthly children’s magazine Talks and Tales and other publications). The Rebbe’s corrections and notations are included in this final draft. Rabbi Mindel wrote other articles of this nature, about other parshios as well.
In this week’s letter the Rebbe brings some points about the Season of our Rejoicing – culmination of the month of Tishrei, with his blessings.
The Rebbe’s letter this week addresses the question of why it is the custom of Chabad not to decorate the succah nor to sleep in it.
The Rebbe explains in this letter, to one experiencing moods that may lead to discouragement and depression – the difference between depression (paralyzing) and bitterness (energizing), as Tanya teaches, and suggests further study of this topic.
In preparation for Rosh Hashanah we focus on teshuvah during the preceding weeks. To one desiring to do teshuva and lead a life of Torah and mitzvos, the Rebbe reassuringly explains that it is not as difficult as one anticipates.
The New Year we are soon beginning – 5782- is a SHMITTA/sabbatical year. In his letter, the Rebbe explains the special significance of this year as it can be applied to us in our relationship with G-d. The Rebbe’s emphasis here is not on the agricultural laws of shmitta but rather on the 2 shmitta laws pertaining to debts – where in our relationship with G-d, we are the debtors and G-d is the Creditor.
In his letter to the King of Spain, the Rebbe thanks the king for the gracious honor which he accorded to the Rebbe’s emissary on the occasion of the celebration of the Rambam, a native of Cordoba. And takes the opportunity to give the king blessings for the New Year, now during the month of Elul.
