Eyes that See and Ears that Hear – The Key To Divine Triumph

At a metro station in Washington DC sat a man one cold January morning playing the violin. Thousands of people passed through the station during the time he played six Bach pieces, most of them on their way to work.

Only six onlookers paused throughout the 45 minute performance. Most attention was paid by a three year old boy, whose eyes were transfixed on the violinist even as his mother tugged him along.

A total of $32 was collected from 20 people who did not care enough to stop and admire the presentation. The artist received no recognition. No one noticed when he finished playing. No one applauded.

Neither did anyone take note of the fact that the instrumentalist played one of the most intricate pieces of music ever written, on a violin worth 3.5 million dollars. Nor did they have a clue that it was Joshua Bell, one of the finest musicians in the world, who only two days before played before a packed theater in Boston at an average of $100 per seat.

Why The Urgency? – It Is In Our Hands To Take G-d Out Of Exile

I recently heard of an interesting incident. I cannot vouch for its authenticity but its point is well taken.

When the adapters of the Rebbe’s talks were working on a very delicate subject, one of the editors wrote a note to the Rebbe proposing a certain interpretation of the subject matter to which the Rebbe responded, “This is complete heresy.”

The reason I mention this is because the following is a delicate idea which I have not seen explicitly stated and thus pray that it is not sacrilege.

In our Torah portion we find what might be considered one of the most perplexing statements made in the Torah ever. What I am referring to is the very last verse of our Parsha, Beshalach, Chapter 17, Verse 16:

“And He [G-d] said, For there is a hand on the throne of the Eternal, [that there shall be] a war for the Lord against Amalek from generation to generation.”

A Sicha of the Rebbe – The Tenth of Shvat

The Rebbe says:

1. There is a famous letter of the Baal Shem Tov in which he describes his encounter with the soul of Moshiach (the Messiah) during one of his journeys throughout the heavenly spheres. “When will the Master come?” asked the Baal Shem Tov, “When your wellsprings (the wellsprings of Chassidus) are spread throughout, even to the outside” answered Moshiach.

2. The Rebbe points out that since our Sages tell us that everything can be found in the Torah, this idea that as the result of the wellsprings of Chassidus being spread throughout the world Moshiach will come must also be hinted at in the Torah:

In its description of the exodus from Egypt, the Torah says, “The children of Israel left triumphantly”. The Targum Onkelos (a major translator of the Torah into Aramaic) translates this verse into Aramaic and writes, “The children of Israel left with their heads held high”.

Self Destructive Arrogance – The Tendency To Cut The Nose To Spite The Face

During the eight years that the noted Chassid, Reb Mendel Futerfas, spent in the Gulag in Siberia, courtesy of the Soviet regime, as a result of his “Illegal acts” on behalf of Yiddishkeit, he encountered many an extraordinary character.

In his subsequent years as a spiritual mentor, he would often recount the tales of these personalities and the lessons that he was able to glean from them regarding his service of G-d.

Among these accounts was his encounter with a group of youth belonging to the “Haskalah” (Enlightenment) Movement. Members of this faction were wont to mock and disgrace all that is holy, especially the Jewish faith.

During his chat with the youngsters, they proudly shared their glorious history. They bragged about the day when a group of them, on their way to work, came upon a number of Chassidim walking with their Rebbe, the eminent Rebbe of Rudzhin.

They vividly recalled how they took advantage of the opportunity to ridicule and denigrate the “Fanatic believers.” When the Chassidim failed to react, they unleashed a more sordid battery of venomous insults. Seeing that they had no intentions to relent, the Rebbe turned to the head of the band and said, “It appears that you seek an unusual death.”

Audio: R. Shais Taub’s Class on the Tanya Map at Mayanot

Hei Teives at the Mayanot Institute for Jewish Studies in Jerusalem, Tanya Map author, Rabbi Shais Taub, gave an intense overview of the 53 chapters of Tanya based on the map. The Shiur was based on the Tanya Maps donated by Kehot.

Chof Daled Teves Publication

On the occasion of Chof-Daled Teves – the Yom Hillulah of the Alter Rebbe, The Rebbe encourages us to learn the works of the Alter Rebbe in Nigleh and Chassidus, and to learn Mishnayos beginning with the letters of his name.

Shake Off The Golus Mentality – Never Underestimate G-d Nor His People

A renowned Maggid (traveling preacher) arrived one day at the hometown of Reb Shmuel Munkes, a noted disciple of Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi. After reading his letter of approbation, lauding him as a Tzaddik wont to wander from town to town for the sole purpose of inspiring fellow Jews, the townspeople invited him to preach.

Throughout his sermon the Maggid berated his simple audience, accusing them of dreadful sins. He proceeded to describe in vivid detail the severe punishment that awaited them as a result of their evil ways. When finished, the proud orator quickly retired to his room, leaving his crestfallen audience to wail over of the Divine retribution about to befall them.

No sooner had he made himself comfortable, when a man with a long knife and sharpening stone entered his room. To the Maggid’s utter surprise, the armed visitor was none other than R’ Shmuel himself.

Bolting the door behind him, R’ Shmuel proceeded to sharpen his knife. After a few tense and wordless moments, the Maggid broke the silence. “What’s this all about,” he asked with a look of astonishment.

The Papa, The Papa… The Existence Of A Deeper Reality

One of the Chassidim of the fifth Lubavitcher Rebbe, Reb Shalom Dov Ber, was a successful entrepreneur who made vast fortunes in the lumber industry.

So faithful was the Chassid that he sought the Rebbe’s advice and instruction in all his life’s affairs, including matters of commerce. Never would he make a business decision, large or small, without the Rebbe’s advice and blessing.

A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity had one day presented itself in which he stood to amass tremendous profits. This was to be his largest venture ever. It required the commitment of his entire capital but the profit was so enormous, he could double or even triple his entire worth in this single transaction.

After examining it from all sides, it appeared to him that the deal was a no brainer. So as usual, he was off jovially to seek the blessings of his sainted Rebbe. But to his dismay, after listening to all the details, the Rebbe recommended against the deal.

The chossid’s attempts to educate the Rebbe on the positive indicators and exceptional profits were to no avail. Dejectedly the chossid returned home feeling like he had lost fortunes on account of the Rebbe.

10th of Tevet – Jerusalem Under Siege

On the 10th of Tevet of the year 3336 from Creation (425 BCE), the armies of the Babylonian emperor Nebuchadnezzar laid siege to Jerusalem. Thirty months later — on Tammuz 9, 3338 — the city walls were breached, and on Av 9th of that year, the Holy Temple was destroyed. The Jewish people were exiled to Babylonia for 70 years.

Tears to an End – A Time to Cry, A Time to Act

The unmistakable echo of hulking boots pounding the outdoor pavement was enough to strike terror into the hearts of the small band of Chassidim gathered in a dimly lit basement in the Russian city of Samarkand.

The purpose of the gathering was a “Farbrengen,” a Chassidic get-together meant to encourage and inspire one another in the pursuit of spirituality and Divine service. Such gatherings were obviously utterly outlawed in communist Russia and punishable by unthinkable penalty.

As the Farbrengen lingered into the wee hours of the morning the atmosphere became increasingly somber. With tears in their eyes a number of younger Chassidim unburdened their heavy hearts on the presiding Mashpia (spiritual mentor) regarding their deficient spiritual state.

It was at this climactic moment that the thumping from outside caught the attention of the group of Farbrengers now gripped by sudden fear. Who else would be parading the streets at this ungodly hour if not the NKVD? Alas, their secret was uncovered; their game was up. Only G-d knows what would be with them now. Would they ever see their families again?

Mench Tracht Gutt Lacht – The Folly Of Living In A Dream

Return one day before your death! (Pirkei Avos 2:10)

Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev once encountered a man scurrying about. “What has you so harried,” asked the Rabbi. “Can’t you tell? I am pursuing my livelihood,” said the man.

“What makes you so sure that you are chasing your livelihood?” continued the Rabbi. “Perhaps it is behind you and all you are doing is running away from it?”

A Jewish peasant, who eked-out a meager livelihood farming a small parcel of land, had but one dream; a bigger plot to till. He prayed to G-d incessantly for this wish to come true.

The Weekly Sicha of the Rebbe – Parshas Vayeishev

The Rebbe says:

1. In this week’s Torah portion the Torah tells us that Yoseph Hatzadik (Joseph the righteous one) was a man who was “Yefas To’ar V’Yefas Mar’eh – handsome of form and handsome of appearance” and he would curl his hair. The Torah continues and tells us that this caused the wife of his master Potiphar to cast her eyes upon him and want to lie with him, and this eventually landed him in jail. However, even while he was in jail Hashem was with him and he was successful in whatever he did.

In short, there are two parts to this story; 1) Yoseph Hatzadik was “Yefas To’ar V’Yefas Mar’eh – handsome of form and handsome of appearance”, and 2) the issue of Potiphar’s wife.

Obviously, since the Torah is an everlasting guide for our lives, and every singe story has a lesson for us to learn from, there are lessons to be learned from each part of this story.

When The Going Gets Tough – The Torah’s View on Challenge and Adversity

Spotting an extraordinary teacup, a middle age couple who shared a deep appreciation for fine antiques and pottery, asked the proprietor of a local antique shop if they might have a closer look: “We’ve never seen a cup quite as beautiful,” they told the lady as she handed them the delicate article.

“I’ve not always been a teacup, you know,” whispered the antique as they took her into their hands. “There was a time when I was just a lump of clay.” “Oh, please tell us more,” urged the awestruck couple.

“As I said, I was once just a lump of red clay when my master took me and rolled me and repeatedly pounded and patted me. ‘Don’t do that,’ I yelled. ‘I don’t like it!’ But he only smiled and gently repeated, ‘Not yet, not yet.’

Then, wham! I was placed on a spinning wheel and suddenly I was spun around and around. ‘Stop it! I’m so dizzy, I’m going to be sick!’ I screamed. But the master only nodded and muttered quietly, ‘Not yet’.

Why Do They Hate Us? – The Anatomy Of Anti-Semitism

Two drunks were walking down the street when towards them came a harmless looking Jew. One drunk elbowed the other: “Hey, Vanya, what do you say we give this Yid a good working over? Eh?”

“Well, we could,” replied the second, “except the guy looks mighty fit. We’d be lucky if he doesn’t give us a hearty thrashing. I’d say we make haste while we can.”

“Vanya!” replied his friend in surprise, “What have you been drinking? Why in the world would anyone want to harm two innocent people?”

“If my scientific theories prove correct,” said Albert Einstein, then Germany will claim that I am German by birth; France will claim I am French by residence and America will claim I am an American as a result of my new citizenship. If, on the other hand, my theories prove incorrect, they will all say I am just a Jew!”

Confronting Chutzpah with Chutzpah – How to Live As A Sheep Among Wolves

Well, the neighborhood bully, he’s just one man,
His enemies’ say he’s on their land.
They got him outnumbered about a million to one,
He got no place to escape to, no place to run.

He’s the neighborhood bully.

The neighborhood bully just lives to survive,
He’s criticized and condemned for being alive.
He’s not supposed to fight back, he’s supposed to have thick skin,
He’s supposed to lay down and die when his door is kicked in.
He’s. . .

The neighborhood bully has been driven out of every land,
He’s wandered the earth an exiled man.
Seen his family scattered, his people hounded and torn,
He’s always on trial for just being born.
He’s. . .

To Whom Does The Progeny Belong? – The Antics of Misinterpretation and Displaced Credit

Unable to afford a first rate tailor, a young peasant employed the services of a substandard craftsman to sew him an outfit for his impending wedding. One glimpse at the dismal result brought tears to the young man’s eyes.

“How do you expect me to wear a coat with the right sleeve four inches shorter than the left,” cried the distraught groom.

“It’s not that big a deal,” replied the tailor. “Just pull-in your right arm a bit.”

“And what about the pants,” demanded the shaken groom. “The left leg is six inches longer than the right!”

“You’re being overly fussy,” retorted the poor-excuse-for-a-tailor. “All you need to do is bend your right knee slightly and it will be alright.” And so it went. Every problem with the bungled workmanship was corrected with another modification in the wearer’s posture.

At the wedding, the assembled gasped in shock as the sorry looking groom hobbled down the aisle; his figure contorted so as to fit the suit. “What a disfigured young man,” noted some of the guests. “Oy, Ah Rachmunis!” sighed others, “he’s Eppes a cripple.”

Talk is Cheap – Put Your Money Where Your Mouth is!

Congratulating a friend whose son and daughter had gotten married within a month of each other, a woman asked, “So tell me, what kind of man did your daughter marry?”

“Oh, he’s wonderful,” gushed the mother. “He lets her sleep in, wants her to go to a spa regularly and insists on taking her out to dinner every night.”

“That’s nice,” said her friend.

“And how do you like your son’s new wife?”

The mother sighed. “I’m not so happy about that situation,” she said. “His wife gets up late, spends all her time at the salon and always wants to have dinner in a restaurant.”