Self-Sacrifice – It Doesn’t Really Kill

On a freezing winter night as Napoleon lay under his warm covers, he was overcome by a sudden bout of thirst. Considering that he would have to leave his cozy conditions and go outside to fetch some water, in order to satisfy his craving, he contemplated ignoring his nagging discomfort, but was quickly overcome by a powerful sense of shame.

“Napoleon! You have become all but lazy,” he said to himself. “There is evidently no difference between you and the common yokel.” With that, he tore himself out of bed and proceeded out the door to fetch himself some water.

By the time he walked to the well across the field, he thought to himself: “Bonaparte, you really ought to be embarrassed of yourself. You are so weak you’d do anything to avoid a little discomfort. Have you no willpower to prevail over a tad of thirst? There is obviously no difference between you and the ordinary Joe.” He immediately retuned to bed without touching a drop of water.

Upon relating this story, the Chasidic master of Lublin, (The Chozeh) concluded: “This is what I call strength of character.”

Did you say the ‘Nasi’ Today? (Yom Beis)

From the Safer Haminhagim: [Every day from Rosh Chodesh Nissan until the twelfth of the month, usually after Shacharis,] one reads the passage [from Bamidbar 7-8:4] that describes the offering brought on that day by a particular Nasi, or tribal prince, for the dedication of the altar of the Mishkan. [In common parlance, each day’s passage itself is often referred to as “the Nasi.”] This daily reading is followed by the prayer which opens with the words yehi ratzon (and which appears in Siddur Torah Or [as well as in Siddur Tehillat HaShem, p. 371]). This prayer is recited even by a Kohen or a Levi [despite its seeming relevance only to tribes other than the Tribe of Levi]. [284]

To see the rest of the text of the Nasi click the Extended Article!

How To Deal With Depression? A Unique Letter of The Rebbe

Where does depression come from? Is it in any way positive? In the following letter the Rebbe addresses a student who was going through difficult times that it’s all in the mind, and in that the mind can change more easily than we think. To learn more about the Rebbe visit: www.Portraitofaleader.org

The Weekly Sicha of the Rebbe – Parshas Vayikra

The Rebbe says:

1. As a preparation to the upcoming inauguration of the Mishkan (the Tabernacle) which begins in next week’s Torah portion (Parshas Tzav) and continues through the portion after that (Parshas Shemini), this week’s Torah portion talks all about the various offerings.

2. The order in which the Torah decides to tell us about the offerings is first to discuss the offerings which were voluntary offerings, such as the Burnt Offering (Korban Olah), the Meal Offering (Korban Mincha), and the Peace Offering (Korban Shelamim), and then to tell us about the obligatory offerings, such as the Sin Offering (Korban Chatas), and the Guilt Offering (Korban Asham).

3. The Rebbe now questions this order of instructions:

Wouldn’t it make more sense for the Torah to teach us first about the offerings which are obligatory and only then tell us about the voluntary offerings? After all, if a Jew didn’t want to bring a voluntary offering he didn’t need to know the laws concerning them, however every Jew needed to bring an obligatory offering and therefore needed to know the laws concerning them!

Did you say the ‘Nasi’ Today? (Yom Alef)

From the Safer Haminhagim: [Every day from Rosh Chodesh Nissan until the twelfth of the month, usually after Shacharis,] one reads the passage [from Bamidbar 7-8:4] that describes the offering brought on that day by a particular Nasi, or tribal prince, for the dedication of the altar of the Mishkan. [In common parlance, each day’s passage itself is often referred to as “the Nasi.”] This daily reading is followed by the prayer which opens with the words yehi ratzon (and which appears in Siddur Torah Or [as well as in Siddur Tehillat HaShem, p. 371]). This prayer is recited even by a Kohen or a Levi [despite its seeming relevance only to tribes other than the Tribe of Levi]. [284]

To see the rest of the text of the Nasi click the Extended Article!

A Wing and A Prayer – The Combination of Effort and Faith

In the year 1910, the Czarist government convened a Rabbinical conference with the explicit aim of meddling in Jewish religious affairs. In good despotic tradition, the participating Rabbis were secretly exposed to a list of 102 Jewish communities where pogroms were to “likely occur” should the conference fail to produce the desired results.

“It is beyond the capacity of any power on earth,” declared the Rebbe, “to decree over matters of our faith,”even if they might claim jurisdiction over material issues.”

The Weekly Sicha of the Rebbe – Parshas Vayakhel-Pekudei

The Rebbe says:

1. This year the Parshios (Torah portions) of Vayakhel and Pekudei are read together on one Shabbos.

2. We know that generally the name of something hints at what the thing is all about. This is especially so with regards to the name of a Parshah (Torah portion) because everything in the Torah is perfectly exact.

Let us examine our two portions of this Shabbos and see if their names fit with their content:

The Senator and the Rebbe

The Rebbe gives a hearty welcome to Senator Jacob Javitz, shown here with his grandson, in a private audience where the topics Jewish lineage and education were combined. CrownHeights.info and the Avner Institute is proud to present this newly released photo of the Yechidus, along with a fond recollection by Rabbi Groner, a member of the Rebbe’s secretariat who was present at the time. To learn more about the Rebbe Visit www.portraitofaleader.org

The Sin Behind The Sin – Clinging To Bad Ideas

A distraught mother came running to a Chassidic Rebbe one day, weeping uncontrollably. “Rebbe,” she cried, “It’s my son; he went Meshuga. I think he needs a psychiatrist!” He’s really acting strange.”

“What’s the matter,” asked the Rebbe, visibly concerned.

“The matter?” cried the woman, “he’s behaving like a lowlife! He was even observed dancing with gentile women and dining on swine! I’m telling you he’s crazy.”

The Rebbe pondered the crisis for a quiet moment. “My dear lady,” he then exclaimed, “If your son were dancing with pigs and dining on women, I’d say that he is in fact insane, but that’s not what you describe. The characteristics you present are that of ‘sin’ not ‘insanity.’

“I believe that your son has become a rather crude and lascivious young man and there is nothing crazy about it.”

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Yankel appeared in Shul one day with both his ears heavily bandaged. “I was ironing a shirt when the phone rang,” he explained in an awkward tone. “That explains one ear,” declared a fellow congregant, “But what about the other?” “My luck,” came the reply, “the guy decided to call back.”

How To Resolve Conflict? – A Beautiful Letter from the Rebbe

Conflict? How is it possible to get along? CrownHeights.info and the Avner Institute is proud to present a letter from the Rebbe to a frustrated Jew who had left the Torah path and written him explaining why. To learn more about the Rebbe visit: www.portraitofaleader.org

More than Mashed Potatoes – The Deeper Meaning of Purim

Back in the mid -1970’s, Chairman Leonoid Brezhnev addressed a large audience of Communist Party faithful gathered at the great stadium in Moscow.

“By the year 2000,” he declared, “every family in the Soviet Union will have its own airplane!” The crowd roared in sheer exhilaration.

Suddenly a small voice emerged from the great throng, “Mr. Premier! Mr. Premier! Why would a family in Moscow need an airplane?”

A great hush overtook the crowd. Then from nowhere a voice boomed: “Of course we shall need an airplane! How else will we get to Kiev when there are potatoes for sale?”

Famous Purim Rebbe Sicha – Rabbah Killing Reb Zeira

The Rebbe says:

1. The Talmud first tells us the ruling of Rava (a famous Amora) that, “One is obligated to become intoxicated on Purim until he does not know the difference between cursed is Haman and blessed is Mordechai”, and then it recounts a very interesting story for us:

“Rabbah and Reb Zeira (two prominent Amora’im) had the Purim feast together. They became intoxicated. Rabbah arose and slaughtered Reb Zeira. The next day, Rabbah prayed for mercy on Reb Zeira’s behalf and revived him.

The following year Rabbah asked Reb Zeira, ‘Let master come and we will have the Purim feast together’. Reb Zeira answered him, ‘Not every time does a miracle occur’”.

Taanis Esther – The Fast of Esther – Laws and Customs

The fast begins at 5:56am and ends at 7:28pm (NYC Times)

Haman’s “Final Solution” was scheduled for the 13th of Adar. Instead, Haman was hanged, and by royal decree the Jews mobilized in self-defense and successfully defended themselves against all attacks. On the next day, the 14th of Adar, the Jews rested, savored their miraculous salvation, and established the holiday of Purim.

Whenever in peril, we are commanded to institute a fast day to repent, pray, and ask for Divine mercy. Thus the 13th of Adar, the day of battle, was a day of fasting.

The Divine Is In The Details – What Does An Infinite G-d Have With A Finite World?

Once, on Rosh Hashanah, the Alter Rebbe Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi, asked his son the Miteler Rebbe to share some of the thoughts upon which he had concentrated during his Davening-prayers earlier that day.

The Mitlerer Rebbe proceeded to enumerate the various liturgical passages and Kabalistic intentions upon which he had reflected. The Miteler Rebbe then inquired of the Alter Rebbe regarding his own meditations.

Instead of the profound and lofty response for which the Miteler Rebbe was prepared, the Alter Rebbe indicated that his thoughts were focused upon his “chair and Shtender-lectern,” (a reference to the presence of the Divine within the physical).

…………………………………………………………

The Rebbe of Pscizcha once turned to one of his young disciples, who was later to become the Rebbe of Kotzk, and presented the following query: “Young man, where can one find G d?” “G-d is everywhere,” replied the young scholar. “Does not His glory fill the universe?”

“Young man,” persisted the Pscizcher, “I asked you where one could find G d?” The Kotzker was quiet. “Well, if I don’t know then please tell me,” he requested.

The Pscizcher then said, “Listen, young man, “G d can be found wherever he is allowed in.”

Give Until It Feels Good – The Torah Perspective On Giving

Old time buddies Irving and Seymour enjoyed their golden years fishing and boating together. One afternoon, as they were off at play, a violent storm blew in from nowhere. Before long the two friends found themselves in the water clinging to their capsized boat for dear life.

Knowing that Seymour could not swim to save his life, Irving tried to help. But no matter how much he begged for Seymour’s hand, Seymour defiantly refused. No amount of pleading seemed to matter.

The Weekly Sicha of the Rebbe – Parshas Terumah

The Rebbe says:

1. Regarding the building of the Mishkan (the Tabernacle) in this week’s Torah portion the Torah says, “You should make the beams for the Tabernacle of acacia wood (Atzay Shittim), standing upright”.

2. The Previous Rebbe explained that the Hebrew word for, “acacia”, which is, “Shittim”, also means, “turning away”. In other words, there is a middle path which is the path of logic and reason, and the turning away from the middle path is called, “Shittim”, from the word, “Shtoos – Senselessness”.

However, there are two types of ways to be senseless. One way is to turn away from the middle path of logic and be senseless in the opposite way of holiness, as the Talmud states, “A person only commits a transgression because a spirit of senselessness entered him”, and another way is to turn away from the middle path of logic and be senseless in a holy way, as the Talmud states, “The senselessness of this Sage has helped him”.

“The Nature of Music” A Beautiful Letter of The Rebbe

What is unique about Chabad nigunim? What makes them so special? CrownHeights.info and the Avner Institute Would like to present a beautiful letter of the Rebbe, written to a Chosson who asked if he could play Chabad nigunim at his wedding. To learn more about the Rebbe visit: www.portraitofaleader.org.