Letter and Spirit

In this weeks letter, the Rebbe discusses the obligation of Yidden to promote the Seven Noahide Laws – and to emphasize their Divine origin, as mandated by the Creator and not legislated by human beings.

Belief in the literal meaning of the Torah – including the creation of the world, is a premise for our belief and observance of the mitzvos. In this letter, the Rebbe reassures the writer that there is no need for “novel analysis” nor for apologetics of those who try to interpret Torah to fit science.

With the beginning of the school year, we are sharing a letter of the Rebbe to the chairman of the Major Conference for the Jewish Community on Issues and Needs of the Jewish Retarded, in which he addresses the education of our children with special needs.

Why does Chabad not decorate the succa nor sleep in it, as is customary for so many Jews to do? The Rebbe gives some Chassidic insights into this question.

As we prepare for Yom Kippur and are fulfilling the custom of kapporos, in light of the protests by “animal-rights” advocates these past years, we present a letter in which the Rebbe explains the function of shechitah and its Chasidic dimension.

In preparation for the auspicious day of Rosh Hashanah – the opportunity for us to do teshuvah and start the year with a clean slate – we share a letter where the Rebbe explains the proper way to repent, to one who feels tremendous remorse for a particular wrong- doing. In a way that can bring practical and positive results.

Checking our mezuzos and tefillin is one of the customs we do in preparation for Rosh Hashanah during the month of Elul. In the letter we share – the Rebbe addresses the question of mentioning the reward associated with the mezuzah, in terms of protection, when promoting the mezuzah campaign which he initiated.

In the weeks from Rosh Chodesh Elul until Hoshana Rabba it is customary to recite Psalm 27, L’Dovid Hashem Ori, twice daily. The Rebbe in this weeks letter explains briefly the profound significance of this psalm – whereby we contemplate Hashem’s benevolent Providence and careful watchfulness over every detail of our life, instilling in us a feeling of security and confidence.

During the month of Elul – as we prepare for a New Year – it is our custom to increase in the saying of Tehillim. What is it about Tehillim/Psalms that gives it such power to draw down Hashem’s blessings and compassion? Why has it become so popular among all Jews? The Rebbe’s letter gives us some insight into Tehillim.

Addressing the current upheaval we are experiencing in our country with the campaign against the police, we share a letter from the Rebbe to a police officer – with wise and positive words of encouragement.

This weeks letter – written during these Seven Weeks of Consolation – with reassuring words to one with doubts, that the truth of the Jewish faith will soon be revealed, with our immanent ge’ula.

In this weeks letter – which will hopefully bring comfort during these “Seven Weeks of Nechama/Comfort” – the Rebbe’s writes in answer to one who is in search of the truth and asks why it is that Yidden remain loyal to their faith after having endured so much persecution. The Rebbe refers to the Revelation at Sinai in his clear and concise explanation, among other points he makes.

In the week of Shabbos Nachamu/comfort we present a letter of the Rebbe of nichum aveilim- comforting the bereaved. The comfort that one gets for his personal grieving is derived from the comfort which all Yidden, who are mourning the destruction of Tzion and Yerushalayim , get from Hashem’s promise. Its clear message will help us understand an find comfort.

During the Three Weeks, the Rebbe shares some thoughts on our golus and suffering, the rectification of its cause and the study of Iyov. May we take the Rebbe’s message to heart and do away with the golus, immediately and totally.

This weeks parsha begins with the laws of vows and oaths. Although the Rebbe on principle does not answer legal/halachic questions, he does on occasion address questions of halachah – in this letter, a question the writer is asking about the neder that he had made. 

With the beginning the three week period – we present a letter of the Rebbe to an artist in a mood of despair. The Rebbe points to the talent of an artist to see beyond the surface of the object and express its inner essence. So too in our service of Hashem – where we aim to see more than the surface. The Rebbe discusses the purpose of trials, tragedies and difficulties – especially in light of chassidus.

In celebrating Yud Bais Tammuz – birthday and chag ha’ge’ula of the Frierdiker Rebbe – we present a letter where the Rebbe encourages participants in a public event to “make a Holy Land” in all places. This follows the Frierdiker Rebbe’s example of dedication and mesiras nefesh for Torah, at all times and in all places, in spite the scars he suffered from the War and Holocaust. These horrific events created a void, which is for us to fill.