In preparation for Lag B’Omer we share a letter where the Rebbe explains what the essence of a Jew is – and gives the analogy of a fish in water, to explain the impossibility of changing one’s essence. Just as R’ Akiva had explained to his students.
In a letter about the Holy Land – the Rebbe makes reference to Yom Ha’atzma’ut when he compares those who celebrate it with those who do not celebrate it, but nevertheless support its existence and survival as a holy land and a land of the Jews, in the truest sense.
During the days of s’fira and especially under the painful and unusual circumstances we are now in – mourning so many of our dear family and friends – we share a letter of condolence of the Rebbe. May these words of comfort help us focus on the good and give us strength during these trying times.
In this letter, the Rebbe discusses why the righteous suffer and the wicked prosper, and goes on to explain that when we strengthen our bitachon in Hashem, we gain an understanding of Hashem’s ways and it speeds up Hashem’s blessings in revealed good. The Rebbe ends with his Pesach blessings.
In connection with the challenging times we are experiencing now, we share a letter of the Rebbe in answer to someone questioning the tragedy of the Holocaust. The Rebbe refers to other great tragedies in our history : our enslavement in Egypt, the destruction of the Bais Hamikdash by Nevuchadnetzar and the crusades. And emphasizes with an encouraging message – that despite the terrible nature of the catastrophes – the Jews did not weaken their faith in G-d nor their commitment to Torah and Mitzvos.
With the start of Chumash Vayikra – Toras Kohanim — we share a letter of the Rebbe in which he addresses the seeming contradiction between the “democratic orientation of Judaism ” with the idea of hereditary classes, yichus, such as Kohanim.
During these weeks of unusual challenges, we share a letter of the Rebbe which deals with the age-old question of the role of challenges and difficulties. And some chasidik insights into golus and the challenge of our time.
The last few parshios teach about the construction of the mishkan – and in the present parsha we are reminded about the observance of Shabbos and told that however important the construction of the mishkan is – we may not desecrate the Shabbos to build it. We present a letter of the Rebbe about the importance of Shabbos observance – even when it is very difficult to do so when it conflicts with one’s very successful career.
This Shabbos it is a mitzvah to read the additional portion Parshas Zachor – to remember what Amalek did to us, after we left Mitzrayim, and the command to annihilate the nation of Amalek. Haman was a descendant of Amalek and we therefore read this portion before Purim. The Rebbe’s letter is in answer to one who is questioning this seemingly cruel command “How can a civilized person today accept such a command to wipe out an entire nation?”
At the start of the joyous month of Adar, when we increase in Simcha – we share a letter of the Rebbe with advice to someone who feels a “lack of happiness in my life.”
After the receiving of the Torah, as we now go into the mitzvos, we share a letter in which the Rebbe answers one with questions and doubts about the Torah and mitzvos. Using the scientific method in his explanation, the Rebbe discusses why Jews have 613 and non-Jews have 7 mitzvos and how we can be sure of the authenticity of Torah.
In this weeks letter from the Rebbe, the week of mattan Torah – the giving of the Torah, during which we declared “”Naaseh v’Nishma,” the Rebbe explains – clearly and in detail – why the order of this declaration is vital. Why the necessity of “we will do” before “we will understand.”
The Jewish people are referred to as the tzivos Hashem – “G-d’s Hosts” who were liberated from Egytian bondage. In this connection we share a letter in which the Rebbe explains the idea behind the establishment of the now–famous “Tzivos Hashem” Jewish children’s organization.
In honor of Yud Shvat, a brief selection from the Frierdiker Rebbe’s notes from his young years are being published, describing his difficulty with Hebrew grammar and his father’s amazing way of helping him understand. The following memoir is from the Mindel Archives.
During our bitter slavery in Egypt, Moshe asks of Hashem “Why do the righteous suffer and the wicked prosper?” In this week’s letter the Rebbe addresses precisely this question – in answer to one undergoing suffering.
Living in the foreign culture of the Mitzrayim of today – being overwhelmed with the raging waters of the Nile and its secular environment – we present a letter where the Rebbe addresses the question of “Kindness of nations is sin.” Explaining it as it relates to Jews of today being fooled into exposing their children and daughters to a chinuch devoid of Jewish spirit and pride.
In the week when we read of the beginning of our enslavement in Egypt, we present a letter about the importance of a Jewish name. One of the merits the Jews had, making them worthy of being delivered from golus Mitzrayim, was that they did not change their Hebrew name. Not only did they preserve their Jewish identity, but they also proclaimed it proudly.
