In 1988, just a few weeks after the passing of his wife, Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka, the Rebbe launched a new campaign. In commemoration of her birthday, the Rebbe called on Jews around the world to start celebrating their birthdays in Jewish spirit. Through making a gathering at which to speak words of Torah, give charity, and make positive resolutions, the birthday would become a day to propel a person forward in his service of the creator.
A few months later there was a thunderstorm, and a bolt of lightening scored a direct hit on the rich man’s warehouse; his entire fortune was going up in smoke. While the cynic felt sorry for the Chosid’s loss, he was eager to pounce on him when he would miss making his daily statement of “Simcha, Emunah and Bitachon.”
In this week’s edition of Letter and Spirit, we present a letter from the Rebbe in which he discusses the “why not” of interfaith dialogue. The letter was written in English through the Rebbe’s trusted secretary Rabbi Nissan Mindel, and was made available by the latter’s son-in-law, Rabbi Sholom Ber Shapiro.
CrownHeights.info and Lubavitch Archives present a unique photo of the Rebbe listening to Krias Hatorah, circa mid-1980s.
Mr. Michael (Michel) Allouche lives with his wife and family in Israel, where for the past 24 years he has worked as an internationally recognized expert in the field of Unmanned Aircraft Systems. He was interviewed in the My Encounter Studios in January of 2016.
Rabbi Yitzchok Minkowicz, director of Chabad Lubavitch of Southwest Florida, delivers his insights on this week’s Parsha – Shemini . This week Rabbi Minkowicz answers the question: What is the sign of a great person?
This week’s edition of MyLife: Chassidus Applied with Rabbi Simon Jacobson, Episode 109, will air tonight, Sunday, here on CrownHeights.info, beginning at 8:00pm. This week Rabbi Jacobson will address the topics: Individuality vs Conformity; Why is Joy So Vital and How Do We Achieve It? My Family Feels Threatened by My Increased Torah Observance! What Exactly Are Kelipat Nogeh and Shalosh Kelipot Ha’tmayot?
Rabbi Benny Hershcovich, Shliach in Cabo S. Lucas, Mexico, delivers his brief and hilarious thought on this week’s Parsha, Tzav. This week Rabbi Benny answers the question: Why does the Torah tell us that the Priest who would clean the Altar from the ashes needed to change his clothes to remove the ashes? Shouldn’t there have been two people to do the job?
In the car, they began seriously discussing this issue and then on Route 5, they noticed a sign, Starbucks next stop. Being that he was a Starbuck fan, he pulled off and went to buy his cup of black coffee. The girl behind the counter served him with courtesy and then asked him, “Excuse me, but are you perhaps a Rabbi?”
In this week’s edition of Letter and Spirit, in honor of Purim, we present a letter from the Rebbe in which he makes reference to the Purim Megillah as it relates to the urgency of devoting time to the education of our children, as Mordechai did in a time of crisis. The letter was written in English through the Rebbe’s trusted secretary Rabbi Nissan Mindel, and was made available by the latter’s son-in-law, Rabbi Sholom Ber Shapiro.
A telegram sent by the Rebbe to two individuals in Amsterdam, encouraging them to “use out the remaining hours of Purim to increase in Mishloach Monos Matonos and all practical and influence others to do do as well” was sent in 1962.
Chassidim always felt privileged when granted the opportunity of spending Purim with the Rebbe. No matter the year or the dynamics of the time, Purim in the Rebbe’s presence was always a memorable experience.
Rabbi Binyomin Jacobs has served as acting chief rabbi of the Netherlands from 1984 to 2008, when he was appointed chief rabbi, a position he fills today. He was interviewed in the My Encounter Studio in November of 2015.
Rabbi Shmuel Lesches, Magid Shiur in the Yeshiva Gedola of Melbourne, Australia, has compiled a guide to the laws of Parshas Zachor, Taanis Esther and Purim for the benefit of the wider Lubavitch community.
We present a video of the Rebbe reading the Haftarah during Mincha on Taanis Esther, 5748 (1988), courtesy of JEM.
Rabbi Yitzchok Minkowicz, director of Chabad Lubavitch of Southwest Florida, delivers his insights on this week’s Parsha – Tzav. This week Rabbi Minkowicz answers the question: How can we make sure that our Torah Study will last?
This week’s edition of MyLife: Chassidus Applied with Rabbi Simon Jacobson, Episode 108, will air tonight, Sunday, here on CrownHeights.info, beginning at 8:00pm. This week Rabbi Jacobson will address the topics: Should We Project Different Faces for Different Audiences? How Important is Cholov Yisroel? Criticizing the Critical? What is Tikla and Butzina D’Kardunisa?
2
