In preparation for Yud Beis Tammuz we present a letter of the Rebbe to the chairman of a Chassidic Event – in which the Rebbe refers to the trailblazing activities of the Frierdiker Rebbe here in America and encourages all to be inspired by his boundless dedication and mesiras nefesh. The letter, written originally in English, is from the archives of the Rebbe’s trusted secretary Rabbi Nissan Mindel.
In preparation for Gimmel Tammuz, we are presenting a letter that the Rebbe wrote to the Neshei Chabad Convention in 5723 which took place around Tu B’Shvat, in which he connects the significant day of Tu B’Shvat and the Yom Hilulo, Yud Shvat of the Frierdiker Rebbe. The theme being that a tzaddik lives on forever. The letter, written originally in English, is from the archives of the Rebbe’s trusted secretary Rabbi Nissan Mindel.
In his letter of condolence to a bereaved, the Rebbe speaks of the proper state of mind despite the pain, the eternity of the soul and its release from the restraints. Interestingly – the Rebbe calls attention to and comments on the date, Gimmel Tammuz – on which the correspondent wrote her letter. The letter, written originally in English, is from the archives of the Rebbe’s trusted secretary Rabbi Nissan Mindel.
As it is our custom to say Pirkei Avos from Shavuos until Rosh Hashana – in addition to the general custom of saying it from Pesach until Shavuos – we present a letter in which the Rebbe makes a brief point about the introduction which we say before Pirkei Avos: Kol Yisroel yesh lohem cheilek… It is a letter in answer to one who is not religious, asking if it is proper for her to read the Tanya. The letter, written originally in English, is from the archives of the Rebbe’s trusted secretary Rabbi Nissan Mindel.
When a woman wrote to the Rebbe about critics of the Lubavitch, he responded with what we should answer those critics – of sacrificing one’s own Torah learning and advancement to help bring another Jew closer to Yiddishkeit. The letter, written originally in English, is from the archives of the Rebbe’s trusted secretary Rabbi Nissan Mindel.
In honor of Shavuos we present a letter in which the Rebbe explains the importance of performing milah [circumcision] the Jewish way and its connection with the geyrus [conversion] process of the Jewish people – which began in Egypt on Pesach and concluded at Mount Sinai on Shavuos. The Rebbe’s emphasis on performing milah in accordance with all the details, including metzitza (which some misguided individuals object to) – is so relevant and speaks to us today as well. The letter, written originally in English, is from the archives of the Rebbe’s trusted secretary Rabbi Nissan Mindel.
In preparation for the holiday of Shavuot and the giving of the Torah, we present a letter in which the Rebbe explains a basic message of the Ten Commandments: both the the profound principle of monotheism and the apparently simple and obvious ethical and moral laws, contained in the Ten Commandments, have equal validity and force – as they are both based on Divine authority, the One and only G-d. The letter, written originally in English, is from the archives of the Rebbe’s trusted secretary Rabbi Nissan Mindel.
In a letter the Rebbe explains how as Jews we connect current events with events in the Jewish calendar, and on counting the Omer how it is a practice which transcends time. The letter, written originally in English, is from the archives of the Rebbe’s trusted secretary Rabbi Nissan Mindel.
In this weeks letter The Rebbe responds to a question about Chabad’s involvement in various matters, where the Rebbe refers specifically to Chabad’s involvement in Zahal (Israeli Army). Which leads the Rebbe to discuss and encourage the strengthening of the security in our Holy Land, by opposing the surrender of any part of our land. The letter, written originally in English, is from the archives of the Rebbe’s trusted secretary Rabbi Nissan Mindel.
In this weeks letter, The Rebbe responds to a letter questioning the manner in which we count Sefiras HaOmer, and explains why we cardinal and not ordinal numbers. The letter, written originally in English, is from the archives of the Rebbe’s trusted secretary Rabbi Nissan Mindel.
In this weeks letter, presented in honor of final days of Pesach, where the Rebbe refers to the haftoro of Acharon shel Pesach and relates a story which the Frierdiker told at a farbrengen on Arachon shel Pesach. The letter, written originally in English, is from the archives of the Rebbe’s trusted secretary Rabbi Nissan Mindel.
In this weeks letter, presented in honor of Shabbos Pesach, The Rebbe responds to one suggesting that when two people have good feelings towards one another – why the need for formal marriage and “legal agreement” – where the Rebbe clarifies the misconception of marriage as a mere “legal contract”. It is the sanctity of married life which played a large role in our survival of the Egyptian enslavement. The letter, written originally in English, is from the archives of the Rebbe’s trusted secretary Rabbi Nissan Mindel.
In this weeks letter, presented in honor of Yud Alef Nissan and Shabbos Hagadol, The Rebbe makes an unusual request – for a birthday gift. The letter, written originally in English, is from the archives of the Rebbe’s trusted secretary Rabbi Nissan Mindel.
It should be remembered that according to the Torah itself, it is impossible for every Jew, as an individual, to fulfill all the 613 Mitzvos. Apart from mitzvos which are applicable only in Eretz Yisroel and during the time that the Beis Hamikdash is in existence, there are mitzvos which are obligatory only to Kohanim for example, while there are mitzvos which a Kohen is precluded from fulfilling. But by virtue of the fact that all Jewish people are one entity, like one organism, every individual who fulfills his or her obligations to the extent of their G-d-given capacities, share in the totality of the effort and accomplishment.
In this weeks letter, The Rebbe responds to person lamenting his being ridiculed for his meticulous observance of Torah and Mitzvos, specifically his growing of his beard. The letter, written originally in English, is from the archives of the Rebbe’s trusted secretary Rabbi Nissan Mindel.
In honor of the holiday of Purim we present a letter from the Rebbe on the importance of mattonos l’evyonim – as the Rambam rules that it is preferable to spend more on this mitzvah than mishloach manos and the se’uda, and its connection to Nissan – the month of redemption. The letter, written originally in English, is from the archives of the Rebbe’s trusted secretary Rabbi Nissan Mindel.
