The Weekly Sicha of the Rebbe – Parshas Ki Seitzei

The Rebbe says:

1. At the end of this week’s Torah portion the Torah tells us of the commandment to remember what the nation of Amalek did to us. The Torah reads, “Remember what Amalek did to you on the road, on your way out of Egypt. That he met you on the way and cut off those lagging to your rear, when you were tired and exhausted; he did not fear G-d. Therefore… you must obliterate the memory of Amalek from under the heavens. Do not forget”.

When we analyze these words of the Torah we will see that there are three elements here. Firstly there is the commandment to remember what Amalek did to us. Secondly there is the commandment not to forget what Amalek did to us. And thirdly, there is the commandment to wipe out Amalek.

2. The Rebbe shows how important this is:

“Victory Entebbe” – A Unique Letter of the Rebbe

On 4 July 1976, Israel Defense Forces saved the lives of 104 Jews hostages held by terrorists at Entebbe Airport, Uganda. The Avner Institute is pleased to present a wonderful letter sent by the Rebbe to a Chabad supporter in Cleveland, Ohio, in which the Rebbe explains the lessons to be learnt from the miraculous victory of Operation Entebbe. To learn more about the Rebbe visit: portraitofaleader.org

The Pious Animal Soul – Self Deception Is Not Reserved For The Wicked

David Goldberg runs into somebody in the street who looks like his old friend Jack.

“Jack,” he says, “Is that you?! You’ve put on a bit of weight and your hair has turned gray. You seem a few inches shorter than I recall and your cheeks are puffy. Plus, you’re walking differently and even sound different. Jack, what’s happened to you?”

“I’m not Jack,” replies the gentleman, half amused half repulsed.

“Wow!” says David, “you son of a gun, you even changed your name.”

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When Kaiser Wilhelm sought to invade Belgium, he was reminded of the signed treaty agreements to which his action would be in blatant violation. Dourly brushing the matter aside the Kaiser declared: “We shall take Belgium! As for the treaties? It is for the philosophers to supply the necessary explanations.”

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Chaim Potok and the Rebbe

CrownHeights.info and the Avner Institute is pleased to present a fascinating conversation between noted writer Chaim Potok and Rabbi Dalfin, in which he discuses his first visits to the Rebbe, and why he never experienced a private audience. To learn more about the Rebbe Visit: PortraitOfALeader.org

Line in the Sand – Religion Vs 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.

The Weekly Sicha of the Rebbe – Parshas Re’eh

The Rebbe says:

1. The first verses of this week’s Torah portion simply reads, “See! I am giving to you today a blessing and a curse… The blessing is being given on the basis that you will listen to the commandments of G-d, your G-d…And the curse will come if you do not listen to the commandments of G-d, your G-d…”.

The Targum Onkelos translates the Hebrew word “Kllalah” in these first few verses and in the future verses as “curse”. The Targum Yonasan however translates the Hebrew word “Kllalah” in these first few verse as “its substitute”, so that the verse reads, “See! I am giving to you today a blessing and its substitute”; whereas in the future verses in this Torah portion the Targum Yonasan changes his interpretation and interprets the Hebrew word “Kllalah” as “curse” just like the Targum Onkelos always does.

2. The Rebbe asks three questions on this:

How Deep is a Jewish Melody?

How deep is a Jewish melody? And what is the power of Chassidic song? The Avner Institute is proud to present a lovely letter of the Rebbe, written in Kislev 1969, in which he describes the fundamental role and “highly evocative” impact music has played in Chassidic life. To learn more about the Rebbe Visit: www.portraitofaleader.org

Oblivious to the Obvious

Aircraft maintenance has Yehuda and me delayed for a few hours at Jakarta’s Soekarno Hatta International Airport, as we await departure for Bali. Grounded passengers look gloomy as they lounge on oversized surfboards and grumble. They have been forced to replace adrenaline-rushed calls for “surf’s up” with anxious anticipation for “gear’s up.”

Not By Bread Alone – The Kabbalah Of Human Nutrition

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)

The Weekly 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.

The source of Rashi’s explanation is from the Midrash Tanchuma who says this in a slightly different way; “When the Torah says, ‘Eikev’”, says the Midrash Tanchuma, “it is referring to “light” Mitzvos which people are not careful to keep and they throw them away under their heels”.

The Great Paradox – A Torah of Reality, Truth and Compassion

In the early 1900’s, Manhattan’s Lower East Side tenements served as a bastion for Jewish immigrants. A Rabbi, who resided in the ghetto-type community, once attended an ecumenical function at which a notorious anti-Semitic Episcopalian Minister was in attendance.

“What a coincidence!” remarked the minister upon encountering the Rabbi: “It was just last night that I dreamt I was in Jewish Heaven.”

“Jewish Heaven?” mused the Rabbi. “What’s it like in Jewish Heaven?”

“Oh!” replied the minister ever so snidely, “In Jewish Heaven children with dirty faces, shirts un-tucked and clothes un-pressed play in the dirt. In Jewish heaven women haggle with fruit and fish-vendors as panhandlers persistently interrupt.

Tisha b’Av, Laws and Customs

The 9th of Av, Tisha b’Av, commemorates a list of catastrophes so severe it’s clearly a day specially cursed by G‑d.

The fast begins tonight at 8:15pm, Metro NYC Time and 8:21pm, Sullivan County Area.

Inspiring New York Times Article on the Rebbe

“The Lubavitch Rabbi Marks His 70th Year with Call for Kindness by Israel” CrownHeights.info and The Avner Institute is pleased to present a wonderful article that appeared in The New York Times, March 27, 1972, by Israel Shenker. To learn more bout the Rebbe visit: portraitofaleader.org

Over These Do I Cry – Reflections On Tisha 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

The Weekly 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.

9 Days Begin

“When Av begins, we diminish [our] rejoicing” (Talmud, Taanit 26b).

On the 1st of Av, “The Three Weeks” mourning period over the destruction of the Holy Temple–which began 13 days earlier on Tammuz 17–enters an intensified stage. During “The Nine Days” from Av 1st to the Ninth of Av, a heightened degree of mourning is observed, including abstention from meat and wine, music, bathing for pleasure, and other joyous and enjoyable activities. (The particular mourning customs vary from community to community, so consult a competent Halachic authority for details).

Consumption of meat and wine is permitted on Shabbat, or at a Seudat Mitzvah (obligatory festive meal celebrating the fulfillment of a mitzvah) such as a Bris (circumcision), or a “Siyum” celebrating the completion of a course of Torah study (i.e., a complete Talmudic tractate). The Lubavitcher Rebbe initiated the custom of conducting or participating in a Siyum on each of the Nine Days (even if one does not avail oneself of the dispensation to eat meat).