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In this week's portion we read: “You are the least of all the peoples." How can something so tiny be so powerful? At a Purim farbrengen, the Rebbe compared the power of the Jew to the power of the atom bomb. Based on Toras Menachem Vol. 2, pp. 313-319.
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This week's Haftorah begins with the prophecy: "Nachamu, nachamu ami, comfort, comfort my people." Why the double expression of consolation?
The answer can be found in the strange Talmudic story of R' Akiva laughing upon seeing foxes walk out of the ruins of the Temple.
Based on Likkutei Sichos vol. 19, pp. 67-79.
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What is the deeper spiritual meaning of the mitzvah to feed one's animals before oneself?
The Rebbe unlocks a hidden message in a story from the Talmud (Pesachim 3b) about the wheat and barley harvests and reveals a central teaching about spiritual growth.
Based on Sefer HaSichos 5750, pp. 277-280.
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This week's parsha contains the prohibition against destroying even one stone of the Bais Hamikdash. How then, according to His own rules, did Hashem permit Himself to tear down the entire building, unleashing all the pain and tribulations of Exile that came with it?
Based on Likkutei Sichos vol. 29, pp. 11-14.
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Rashi comments on a verse in this week's portion that we should follow the rulings of Torah judges “even if the judge tells you that right is left, and that left is right." Does this mean that if reality is one way, and a rabbi makes a halachic decision the opposite way, the Torah wants us to go against reality?
The answer can be found in the difference between laws that respond to reality and laws that create reality.
Based on Likkutei Sichos vol. 5, pp. 127-8.
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The month of Elul is described as a powerful time when G-d is accessible or "the king is in the field." How is this connected to the Torah portion of Ki Seitzei?
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In this week's Torah portion, a word appears twice that has no exact parallel in Scripture: "he'emarta" and "he'emircha" in the verses "G-d has set you apart to be his nation" and "You have set G-d apart to be your L-rd." Rashi says that the only similar word in Scripture is in Psalms where it says "the sinners are proud (yisamru) of their sins." Why does this word describing G-d's special relationship with his people appear in a verse with such a negative connotation? Why did the Berditchiver tell the sinner that he was jealous of his reward in the World to Come? When is it good to be proud of your sins?
Based on Likkutei Sichos vol. 9, pp. 162-174.
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The Torah reading of Nitzavim always comes before Rosh Hashanah. How does its opening verse of "all of you are standing today... to pass into the covenant with G-d" teach us the secret for preparing for the New Year? And what's the difference between tolerance and interdependence?
Based on Likkutei Sichos vol. 2, pp. 398-401.
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Following the Song of Haazinu, it says that Moshe and Yehoshua taught the song together. Rashi explains that this was in order that the people should not later question the authority of Yeshoshua when he became Moshe's successor.
Why was this important and why did most people misunderstand who Yehoshua was?
Based on Likkutei Sichos vol. 29, pp. 199-202.
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Our Sages say that Torah both begins and ends with an act of kindness. Is this only to teach us the importance of kindness or is there a deeper lesson?
From a letter written during Aseres Yemei HaTeshuvah 5705, the Rebbe explains an amazing lesson for each of us in our own spiritual highs and lows of life.
Based on Igros Kodesh vol. 2, p. 1-3.
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The Mezuzah campaign was launched in 1974 and received added attention and urgency in connection with the Ma'alot massacre in May of that year. How does the mezuzah protect us? Why did the Rebbe compare a mezuzah to a helmet worn by a soldier on the battlefield?
First in a series of classes on the mitzvah campaigns ("Mivtzaim") of the Rebbe and part of the "Every Home a Sanctuary" initiative at Chabad of the Five Towns. Dedicated in memory of Dina Leah Rosenzweig OB"M.
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The campaign for Shabbos candles (neiros Shabbos Kodesh or neshek) was launched by the Rebbe to combat spiritual darkness in the world. How can even one small candle bring light to the whole world?
Second in a series of classes on the mitzvah campaigns ("Mivtzaim") of the Rebbe and part of the "Every Home a Sanctuary" initiative at Chabad of the Five Towns. Dedicated in memory of Dina Leah Rosenzweig OB"M.
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