CategoryHolidays

Simchat Torah: The Shofar of Love

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The prophets of Israel prophesied about the shofars that will herald the coming of the Messiah. The Rebbe explains that these shofar blasts were expressed by the terrible world wars on the one hand, and the victory of the Six Day War on the other hand. A fascinating exploration of the deeper meaning of the shofar blasts and their role in preparation humankind for the upcoming redemption.

3 Tammuz: Don’t Abandon Ship

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Why was Moses buried in the desert? Why are the Chabad Rebbes buried in the Diaspora? A fascinating mystical discussion about the responsibilities of Jewish leaders and how they continue to tend to their communities—even after their passing.

Tishrei: The Festive Journey

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The High Holiday season is a fascinating train ride with multiple stops at critical stations to accumulate the energy, guidance and inspiration we need for the year. Come along for the ride!

Gimmel Tammuz: The Ultimate Test

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Historically, our nation's most transformative moments came as a result of persecution.
In this foundational discourse, the Rebbe explains how today's freedoms set the stage for Judaism's most consequential test.

Pesach: Will These Dry Bones Live?

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The Passover Haftarah relates an incredible vision of redemption: people rising from their graves, and a lamb and a wolf relaxing together. How and when will this happen? Has anything like this happened in the past? And what is Queen Cleopatra's connection to this?

Yom Kippur: Personalized Repentance

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During the High Holidays we read the exhortations to repentance of the prophets Hosea, Isaiah, and Jonah. Are they all discussing the same repentance, or are there different types of repentance for different people?
An address about repentance and what type of repentance is right for me.

Pesach: Security Measures

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The world around us is tumultuous and turbulent. Terrorism in Israel, the war in Europe and divisions in societies around the world evoke feelings of fear and anxiety. What can we do about it?

During the Plague of the Firstborn, blood on doorposts protected the Jews. What its modern day version?

Zachor: Arguing With Amalekites

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Haman, the “star” of Purim, is a descendant of the Amalekites, the focus of the Torah reading on the Shabbat preceding Purim.
Who are they? What do they signify? And how do we overcome them?

Purim: Purim According to Kabbalah

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How did Haman persuade King Achashverosh to annihilate the Jews? Why did G-d agree? And what was the turning point that changed the course of the story?
The Kabbalistic underpinnings of the Purim Story.

Vayishlach: When Success Breeds Humility

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What causes people to be magnanimous? What’s the right way to handle success? When the first Chabad Rebbe bested his opponents and achieved legitimacy for the new Chassidic movement, he wrote a letter to his followers which set their priorities straight.

Tishrei: The Journey of the Holidays

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The commitment of Rosh Hashanah, the emotional connection of Yom Kippur, and the intellectual integration of Simchat Torah: This map was outlined by the Tzemach Tzedek, recounted by the previous Rebbe, and explained by the Rebbe.

Why a Leap Year?

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This coming year is going to be a Jewish Leap Year. How do these leap years work? Why are they instituted? And what does it say about the Jews?
An astrological journey in the heavens, its impact on the Jewish calendar, and the Jewish soul.

Ki Teitze: Judaism and Polygamy?

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When was polygamy banned in Judaism? Who didn’t agree? Why was the initiator known as “Light of the Exile”?
The history of Rabbeinu Gershom’s landmark enactments and their kabbalistic significance.

Shavuot: The Anatomy of a Custom

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In the early common era, people were accustomed to greeting each other by invoking G-d’s name. Why did they do so? Why is it no longer customary?
A fascinating look into the Jewish reactions to idolatry, Christianity and Islam.

Pesach: Four Questions for Life

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On Passover eve, we all gather around the Seder table and turn our attention to the children’s recital of the Four Questions. These Questions are not just children’s play. They have deep meaning and relevance for every person’s life. The following pages contain a new and original interpretation for the ancient and beloved text.

Vayera: A Leader to All

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What is the responsibility of a pious individual among sinners? A deeper look at three of our most famous ancestors, Noach, Avraham and Moshe.

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