The Yidden who are now leaving Mitzrayim are referred to as the army/tzivos of Hashem. In our letter this week, the Rebbe gives a clear answer to the correspondent who is questioning the advisability of using the term Tzivos Hashem for the children’s organization which the Rebbe established: Is it of good educational value to promote the ideas of the military and glorification of arms, wars and battlefields?
My father, Rabbi Mindel – had written a tribute to the Frierdiker Rebbe, after his passing. A condensed biography we can say. He had felt a special closeness to the Friediker Rebbe – not only on a chossid-Rebbe level, but on a personal level as well. As a son to a father, he would tell us.
In his letter – the Rebbe answers one who questions the need for a formal marriage, a “legal agreement.” The Rebbe clarifies a total misconception of what marriage is and points out that the reason our Jewish people were able to survive their enslavement in Egypt as a distinct people was the sanctity of their married life and the raising of their children in the way of G-d.
On the occasion of the 24 of Teves, yartzeit of the Alter Rebbe, R’ Schneur Zalman of Liadi , founder of Chassidus Chabad and author of the Tanya Kaddisha – we are sharing an interesting letter of the Rebbe in which he clarifies some distorted and outlandish opinions about Chassidus, opinions that are based on heresy by ignorant people. Included – are some points about growing a beard.
In connection with the blessings which Yaakov is giving his children at the end of his years in Mitzrayim, by way of a last will and testament before his passing – we share a letter of the Rebbe wherein he gives detailed advice regarding the writing of a Jewish will.
Now that Yaakov is uprooting his family and is moving to Mitzrayim – a strange land, it is necessary to create the proper environment for them. The Rebbe’s letter addresses this issue.
In connection with the dreams which span the past two parshios, we share a letter in which the Rebbe touches on the topic of dreams – what to make of them and some basic points.
In the letter we share this week, the Rebbe’s encouraging words speak of the women’s significant role in the miracle of Chanukah. The Rebbe focuses in particular on the women’s self sacrifice in the observance of the laws of tznius.
The Rebbe’s letter addresses our public relations with the politicians here in the US: in connection with reception in Washington DC where members of Congress were honoring the Rebbe and Chabad with an official declaration of EDUCATION DAY, proclaiming the Rebbe’s birthday as Education Day in America. In his letter, the Rebbe explains the importance of having the cooperation of all people in our efforts to promote our activities (in this case, education for all), for the good of non-Jews and Jews alike.
In this week’s parsha Yaakov is leaving his parents’ home and venturing out to a very challenging environment, where he will establish a family, a wholesome, Jewish family. In connection with this critical and daunting mission – we are sharing a letter in which the Rebbe gives guidance for raising Jewish children – with candid, clear and practical suggestions of basic principles to keep in mind.
In connection with the children of Yitzchak and Rivkah Yaakov and Eisav, and their upbringing – we share a letter of advice to a woman who is asking what to do regarding her husband’s attitude to the matter of disciplining the children. The Rebbe points out the interesting fact of the husband’s greater success in his Torah and academic studies than other matters.
In connection with the first shidduch, which we learn about in our parsha, we share a detailed letter of the Rebbe in which he enumerates essential points to keep in mind when considering a shidduch – and things to avoid in order to make it work.
We present a letter from the Rebbe, so relevant to the crisis in Israel we are facing today, in which the Rebbe states his clear views on, among other things, 1. the returning by Israel of the liberated lands and the surrendering of oil fields in Sinai and 2. The government’s meek policy and response regarding terrorist attacks where he gives some historical examples.
In connection with the mission of Avraham Avinu in our parsha – to proclaim the name of G-d and teach monotheism to the world, we present a letter of the Rebbe written to a doctor, where the Rebbe explains that the essence of Jewish monotheism is that there is unity everywhere and connect this idea to the body.
In connection with the narrative in this week’s parsha where Noach, after the flood, plants a vineyard, drinks its wine and becomes inebriated – we present a letter where the Rebbe addresses the issue of drinking mashka and clarifies his guidelines pertaining to it.
Regarding the Creation of the world and its ultimate purpose – the creation of Man – the Rebbe underlines some fascinating details: the powers which man was given, the purpose of his creation and the meaning of G-d’s command to him to replenish and to conquer it and have dominion over its living creatures…
On the question of women participating in hakofos on Simchas Torah – the Rebbe clarifies in this letter, some points (which he had made during a personal meeting with the correspondent) which need to be considered so that the actual practice should conform to halachah.
