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.”

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.