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Letter & Spirit: Should an Eruv Be Erected?

In this week’s edition of Letter and Spirit, we present a letter from the Rebbe written on Chol Hamoed Pesach in 1964 to the rabbi of a Jewish community in New York City, in which the Rebbe discusses whether or not an Eruv should be erected. The letter was written in English through the Rebbe’s trusted secretary Rabbi Nissan Mindel, and was made available by the latter’s son-in-law, Rabbi Sholom Ber Shapiro.

Weekly Story: He Saw Eliyahu By the Door

As soon as the innkeeper heard his request, his friendly expression disappeared and he began berating the poor person for thinking that other people who work are obligated to help him. Why, you are many years younger than me, you look healthy and strong. Hire yourself out as a porter or manual worker and you can earn some money in an honest way. No, I will not give you even the smallest coin. Because if people give you handouts, you will remain lazy your entire life and will remain a beggar. No, go get a job and become something!

Reminder: Don’t Forget to Make an Eruv Tavshilin

It is forbidden on a holiday to do any act in preparation for the following day, even if the following day is Shabbat. However, the sages created a halachic device, called an eruv tavshilin, which allows one to cook food on a holiday day for use on a Shabbat that immediately follows it.

Moscow Kids Bless some of World’s Oldest Trees

It’s been nearly 16 years now that the children davening at the Marina Roscha shul in central Moscow are part of something very special. On Friday nights and Shabbos morning they have been joining the “Chevra Tefilla” and on Shabbos afternoons the “Chevra Tehillim”. The children sit together and daven beautifully, savoring every word, along with their devoted counselors.