2,000 Feet, 69 Days, 33 Miners, 1 Lesson

Everything we experience in life serves as a hands-on lesson in our purpose on Earth.

Consider this: Thirty three miners plunge into two months of darkness 2,000 feet below the surface, disconnected from their source. After 69 days of eternity, the moment they were praying for, has arrived. Their dream became a reality. They would finally see the light of day, the joy of freedom, the hug of their loved ones, and the tears of their children.

Ten Minute Video Class – Fascinating Insights on the Parsha!

CrownHeights.info is pleased to present our Nineteenth online class in the “Torah in Ten” series, presented by the editor-in-chief of Kol Menachem, Rabbi Chaim Miller, to receive this class to your inbox visit torahinten.com

A Peak into the Human Psyche – The Story of Man’s Dual Inclinations

Destroy man’s desire to sin, our sages tell us, and you would destroy the world.
Not that anyone needs to sin. But one who lacks the desire to sin is not a citizen of this world. And without citizens, who will effect lasting change? (Tzvi Freeman)

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Like it or not, we are each engaged in a battle against our own set of mean genes. They are wily opponents too. Masters of the visceral, they control through satisfaction, pain, and pleasure. (Dr.’s Terry Burnham and Jay Phelan, Mean Genes)

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Rabbi Aryeh Leib of Shpola would plaint to the Almighty in the following manner: “Master of the universe, what do you want from your children? You have, after all, placed them in a benighted world. A world where Satan himself prances amongst them, fanning their evil inclination; where all the things that provoke fleshly desires are ranged before their very eyes, while the warnings of retribution lie hidden between the covers of some moralistic tome. You can be certain that if you had arranged things the other way around – with the place of retribution right in front of their eyes, and all the fleshly desires hidden away in some learned old book, not a single person would ever do anything wrong!”

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Ten Minute Video Class – Fascinating Insights on The Parsha!

CrownHeights.info are pleased to present our eighteenth online class in the “Torah in Ten” series, presented by the editor-in-chief of Kol Menachem, Rabbi Chaim Miller, to receive this class to your inbox click here!

“The Rebbe’s Day”

During the month of Tishrei, each holiday with the Rebbe marked a unique spiritual moment. As the month began in judgment – we pray our fates are written up for good on the High Holidays and sealed on Succoth – it ends in triumph on Simchas Torah, a 48-hour marathon of joy when Hashem Himself celebrates and thousands of Jews, from students to dignitaries, flocked to 770 to rejoice with the Rebbe.

Reminder: Don’t Forget To Make An Eruv Tavshilin

It is forbidden on a holiday to do any act in preparation for the following day,1 even if the following day is Shabbat. However, the sages created a halachic device, called an eruv tavshilin, which allows one to cook food on a holiday day for use on a Shabbat that immediately follows it.

Sicha of the Rebbe – Succos

The Rebbe says:

1. During the holiday of Succos (Sukkot) there are many other Mitzvos (commandments) which we are commanded to fulfill besides for sitting and living in the Succah. For example; we must bring together the Four Species and make a Brachah (blessing) over them. Never the less, this holiday is called “Succos”, referring specifically to the commandment to sit and live in the Succah.

2. The Rebbe now gives five reasons as to why this holiday is specifically named “Succos” after the commandment to sit in the Succah and not after any of the other commandments related to this holiday:

Sicha of the Rebbe – Yom Kippur

The Rebbe says:

1. There is an argument in the Talmud regarding the atonement for our sins on Yom Kippur:

Opinion one: The Rabanan (Rabbis) say that Yom Kippur only atones for those who do Teshuvah (repent).

Opinion two: Rebbi says that even if one did not do Teshuvah Yom Kippur atones for him, because “the day itself atones for him (Etzoomay Shel Yom Michaper)”.

Ten Minute Video Class! – Parshas Nitzavim-Vayelech

CrownHeights.info are pleased to present our fifteenth online class in the “Torah in Ten” series, presented by the editor-in-chief of Kol Menachem, Rabbi Chaim Miller.

Live: Full Day Torah Vigil for Israels Safety

Beginning at 10:00am today, Sunday, a series of 1 hours Torah classes will be broadcast live all day in vigil for the safety and security of Israel.

Deadly Silence! – The Torah’s View On Gratitude

Walking in the park, a woman one day stumbled upon a diamond ring. As she reached for her bag to store her precious find, an alms seeking vagabond appeared with an outstretched hand. Yet nothing she offered seemed to satisfy him.

“What do you want,” the woman finally exclaimed. “That’s what I want,” insisted the beggar, pointing to the glimmering little object in her hand.

With little hesitation or ado the woman proceeded to hand the jewel over: “Here,” she said, “It’s all yours.” Unable to thank her enough, the man was soon on his way, but not for long.

A short time later the beggar sought out the woman again. “I wish to return the diamond,” he declared: “It’s not what I want; I seek something far more precious.”

“But what have I to share that is more precious than a diamond,” cried the woman.

“Your giving heart,” said the stranger. “Please teach me the secret behind your giving heart!”

What’s Wrong with Shaking a Woman’s Hand?

What can be wrong with a simple handshake? Especially when it is a widespread custom? The Avner Institute would like to present a letter of the Rebbe written in 1976 to a woman who asked why observant Jews refrain from any physical display of greeting to certain non-family members. With special thanks to the Nissan Mendel Archive.

“Carbon Footprint:” Fact or Fiction? – Accepting Personal Responsibility

A man was once accused of a serious crime. The evidence was so incriminating that a guilty verdict was all but inevitable. “Your only hope,” advised his lawyer “is to enter a plea of insanity; but you must remember to act crazy in court.”

The man followed his lawyer’s counsel and put on a great act. He made the strangest sounds as he twitched his head and thrashed his hands. So well had he performed, that the case was soon dismissed.

To his utter dismay, when the lawyer came to collect his fee, the man resumed his ridiculous gig; strange motions and all. He soon realized that he had become the butt of his own ploy – his expert advice had come back to bite him.

“Nobody ever did, or ever will, escape the consequences of his choices” (Alfred A. Montapert).

It’s choice–not chance–that determines your destiny.” (Jean Nidetch)

Perception or Deception? – The Pious Animal Inclination

Abe Steinfeld is pretty sure that the man on the street he’s just run into looks exactly like his old friend Sam.

“Sam,” he says, “Is that you?! Why, you’ve put on a ton of weight and your hair has turned so gray. You seem a few inches shorter than I recall and your cheeks are puffy. What’s happened to you Sam?” You sound so different; gosh, you even walk differently.

“My name is David, not Sam and I don’t know you from Adam,” replies the gentleman; half amused and half bewildered, “so why don’t you just buzz off”

“Wow!” says Abe: “Look at you, you son-of-a-gun! You even changed your name.”