Sicha of the Rebbe – The Month of Elul

The Rebbe says:

1. In one of his talks during Passover, the Previous Rebbe (Rebbe Yosef Yitzchak Schneerson) describes the general feeling in the city of Lubavitch on the Shabbos (Sabbath) before the month of Elul, which is the Shabbos on which we bless the new upcoming month (Shabbos Mevarchim Elul).

To quote the Previous Rebbe: “In Lubavitch, during the Shabbos before the month of Elul, even though it would be a clear day with the sun shining, the air (atmosphere) had already changed and we had already began to feel the Elul aroma, and a “Teshuvah wind” (“a wind of repentance”) was already blowing”.

What’s Wrong With Being Right? – The Truth About Moral Relativism

When Robert A. Rockaway, a recognized authority on Jewish-American history, decided to chronicle the story of the Jewish mob, he sought out Jewish old-timers in order to gather information on this less than reputable element.

Rockaway even interviewed his own mother, a native of Detroit, Michigan, who personally knew some friends and family members of the nefarious subjects of his research.

Once, while talking to his mother about the reprehensible conduct of a particular mobster, his mother stopped him short in his tracks: “All that you say may be fine and good, no one said the guy was a saint. Between you and me, he was known to have made a few people disappear. . . But you shouldn’t rush to judgment. Don’t forget that he was always kind to his mother! Does that count for nothing? Trust me; the man was a real Mentch!”

No great, inspiring culture of the future can be built upon the moral principle of relativism. For at its bottom such a culture holds that nothing is better than anything else, and that all things are in themselves equally meaningless. Except for the fragments of faith (in progress, in compassion, in conscience, in hope) to which it still clings, illegitimately, such a culture teaches every one of its children that life is a tale told by an idiot, signifying nothing – Michael Novak

Beautiful New Book from the Markowitz-Gopin Wedding

CrownHeights.info has acquired an online friendly version of a popular Teshura that was distributed at the Markowitz-Gopin wedding.

Not by Bread Alone – Turning Reality On Its Head

A joyous farbrengen was held one evening at the humble home of Rabbi Shmuel Betzalel Sheftel (The ‘Rashbatz’). For hours the group of Chassidim sat, toasting L’chaim’s, singing, talking, rebuking and inspiring one another. As the clock marked the passing of the night, the meager platters of ‘Farbeisen’ (food with which to follow up the L’chaim vodka) ran out, so Rabbi Shmuel Betzalel instructed that the lamb being raised in his yard be slaughtered. A hot stew was prepared to fuel the Farbeisen for many an hour to come.

The next morning Rabbi Shmuel Betzalel’s wife came in from the yard with the distressing news that the lamb – which constituted the whole of the ‘family ranch’ – had disappeared! Said Rabbi Shmuel Betzalel: “No, no, the lamb has not disappeared, the lamb is very much here, it has only changed its sound. Yesterday it said meh-eh-eh. . . today it is saying Echo-o-d. . ., O-o-one. . . ” (as in G-d is one).

“Man does not live by bread alone, but by all that emanates from the mouth of G-d does man live.” (Deuteronomy 8:3)

Sicha of the Rebbe – Parshas Eikev

The Rebbe says:

1. The first words of this week’s Torah portion are, “And it shall be, because you listened to these ordinances of Hashem (G-d)… He will love you, bless you and multiply you…”.

Rashi (an acronym for Reb Shlomo Yitzchaki) points out that the Hebrew word “Eikev” which is simply translated in this verse as “because”, also means “heel”. Consequently, explains Rashi, the verse is alluding to the sort of Mitzvos (commandments) that people regard as relatively unimportant so they tend to “trample on them with their heels”. Thus, the Torah is assuring the Jewish people that if they are careful to observe even these neglected commandments, they can be certain that Hashem will reward them with His kindness.

A Great Way to Commemorate Chof Av

Chof Av is the Yom Hilulah of the Rebbe’s father, Reb Levi Yitzchak.

Reb Levik and Rebbetzin Chana risked a lot and toiled greatly to make sure that Reb Levik’s novel insights in Torah would be preserved.Thanks to their perseverance we have Toras Levi Yitzchak, and learning it will most assuredly give nachas to his Neshama.

Letter: What Inspired Jimmy Carter?

CrownHeights.info and The Avner Institute would like to present a profound letter from the Rebbe to a philanthropist involved in Jewish causes in New York and Israel. The Rebbe describes his thoughts on the Jewish Diaspora and the exciting Kiddush Hashem made by Israeli Prime Minster Menachem Begin at the White House, July 1977, during his meeting with President Carter.

The Laws of Mourning – Laws and Customs Tisha B’Av

As part of our mourning for the destruction of the Temple and the exile of Israel, we abstain from many pleasurable activities on the night and day of Av 9—starting with sundown on the eve of the day before, and concluding with the following nightfall (click here for exact times in your location).

In NYC the fast begins tonight at 8:23pm and ends tomorrow at 8:54pm. See the link for times in your location.

Out of the Darkness Pours the Lights

Reflections On Tishah B’av

Napoleon Bonaparte was passing through the Jewish quarter in Paris when he stopped to investigate the strange cries and laments emanating from the local synagogue. His curiosity had peaked when he was informed that it was the Ninth of Av and that he was listening to the Jewish people wail over the destruction of their Holy Temple in Jerusalem. “When did this thing happen?” probed the inquisitive Emperor. “Some 1700 years ago,” came the nonchalant reply. Upon hearing this Napoleon remarked in a tone of awe and conviction: “A people who refuse to forget their past, are destined to forever have a future.”

“Whoever mourns for Jerusalem, will merit to witness her rejoicing,” as the Prophet (Yeshayahu 66:10) declares: “Rejoice with her greatly, all who mourn for her.” – Talmud

Sicha of the Rebbe – Parshas Devarim

The Rebbe says:

1. With this week’s Torah portion we will read and study a new Book in the Chumash (the five books of Moses). So far this year we have experienced the Book of Bereishis (Genesis), the Book of Shemos (Exodus), the Book of Vayikra (Leviticus) and the Book of Bamidbar (Numbers). This Shabbos we begin the Fifth Book- the Book of Devarim (Deuteronomy).

2. As we have previously discussed, the portion of Devarim begins a new era in the life of the Jewish people. They are now beginning a life of exile where they would not see miracles every day, nor would their necessities be taken care of for them by G-d.

Moreover, as we have also previously discussed, Rebbe Levi Yitzchok of Berditchev explains that on this Shabbos of Parshas Devarim, which is called, “Shabbos Chazon – The Shabbos of the (prophetic) vision”, a vision of the third and final Beis Hamikdash (Holy Temple) is shown to the Soul of every single Jew.

Ten Minute Video Class! – Parshas Devarim

We are pleased to present our eighth online class in the “Torah in Ten” series, presented by the editor-in-chief of Kol Menachem, Rabbi Chaim Miller, to receive this class the your Inbox subscribe here: www.torahinten.com

Fateful Setbacks – Merging of the “Journey” and the “Encampment?”

“Behold a people that rise up as a Lavi (lioness) and as an Ari (lion) does he lift himself up” (Balaam’s narrative to the Israelites: (Num. 23:24).

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“When the Lord will return the exiles of Zion, we will have been like dreamers. Then our mouth will be filled with laughter and our tongue with songs of joy; then will they say among the nations, ‘The Lord has done great things for these. The Lord has done great things for us; we were joyful.’ Lord, return our exiles as streams to arid soil. Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. He goes along weeping, carrying the bag of seed; he will surely return with songs of joy, carrying his sheaves” (Psalms 126)

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You probably never thought you’d see the day when worthy Torah lessons might be gleaned from raw political culture, but is it not said that “Life is stranger than fiction?” Perhaps it’s a sign of the times; the Messianic era has long been described as an age of contradiction. Be that as it may, there is at least one valuable lesson that seems to mimic politics:

Sicha of the Rebbe – Parshas Matos-Massei

The Rebbe says:

1. This week’s Torah portion discusses how the Land of Israel should be divided up between all the Twelve Tribes,.

2. The Rebbe now asks the first of two questions regarding this:

We find two contradictory instructions regarding the division of the Land of Israel. On one hand the Torah tells us that the land shall be split up logically, as the verse states, “To the many you shall increase its inheritance and to the few shall you decrease its inheritance”. However on the other hand we find that the Torah tells us to split the land according to a lottery which is above logic and reason, as the verse states, “This is the land which you shall divide by inheritance as a lottery”.

Things Are Not How They Appear – Short Term Pain Vs. Long Term Gain

During a stopover in Sacramento, on a flight from Seattle to San Francisco, sat a blind man with a guide-dog lying quietly underneath the seat in front of him.

It became obvious to the passengers on board that the man had flown this very same flight before when the pilot approached him and calling him by name said, “Keith, we’re in Sacramento, would you like to get up and stretch your legs?”

The blind man replied, “No thanks, but perhaps the dog would like to stretch.”

Picture the scene at the gate when travelers waiting to board the flight, looked up and saw the pilot, who happened to be wearing sunglasses, coming down the gangplank lead by a guide-dog!

Not only have the passengers scattered within seconds, scrambling to change planes, many insisted on not flying the same airlines!

Sicha of the Rebbe – Parshas Pinchas

The Rebbe says:

1. This week’s Torah portion tells us the famous story regarding Pinchas (Phinehas) and how he killed Zimri the prince of the tribe of Shimon (Simeon), thereby pleasing Hashem greatly Who declared that Pinchas deserves a reward for, “zealously avenging My vengeance”.

2. Our Sages tell us regarding the Oral Law (Torah Shebal Peh) that “it is impossible for scholars of the Study Hall to conduct a session without expounding a novel teaching”. If this is the case regarding the Oral Law, surely regarding the Written Law (Torah Shebichsav), from which our Sages learn numerous laws from even one letter, there must be a novelty in the story of Pinchas.

(3. Here is a summary of the story about Pinchas which is told at the end of last week’s Torah portion (Parshas Balak):

A Synagogue Saved by the Previous Rebbe & the Rebbe

The Avner Institute presents an extraordinary encounter with a Rabbi Rabinowitz, formerly of the Jewish Center of Highbridge, who describes meeting the Previous Rebbe under somewhat unusual circumstances. Special thanks to Rabbi Michoel Vishetzky for sharing with us this encounter, to learn more about the Rebbe visit: www.portraitofaleader.org

Thank You Shalom Mordechai – A Truly Blessed People

Baruch. . . Shehecheyanu V’kiy’manu V’higiyanu Lizman Hazeh.

If you’re wondering what prompts the preceding invocation of thanksgiving and gratitude – normally reserved for particularly pleasing intermittent occurrences – that’s a good sign. It means that you’ve taken the bait. But don’t feel too bad, you can be sure that there is more to the invocation of this prayer, at this seemingly mundane and uneventful time of year, than mere attention grabbing.

The reason for the Shehecheyanu is because I, among others, have experienced this week something more moving and more pleasing than anything I have witnessed in my entire half century of residency in this world. I offer the Shehecheyanu in recognition of that deep soul rending occurrence.