| By Shais Taub | 0 Comments
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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What do you do when it seems that even Hashem has given up on you? The question arises based on Rashi's commentary that the future Destruction of the First Temple was already hinted to in the Torah. We examine the paradigmatic story of Elisha ben Avuya seemingly being rejected from doing repentance.
Based on Toras Menachem 5746 vol. 3, pp. 195-6, 208-9.
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When does Torah say that we need to be forced to give? What did the Lubavitcher Rebbe tell a philanthropist's wife about the secret of giving? What is the difference giving that is human and giving that is G-dly?
Based on Likkutei Sichos vol. 17, pp. 255-66.
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In this week's portion of Bechukosai, the Torah promises us: "And I will remove the wild beast from the land." The Midrash relates an argument between R' Yehudah and R' Shimon as to exactly what this will mean in the times of Moshiach. Will there no longer be wild beasts or will the wild beasts become tame?
How does the Rogatchover Gaon explain this dispute and connect it to the prohibition of chametz on Pesach? How does this give us insight into two approaches to managing the inner conflict with our own wild side? What does the "evolution" of chametz over the 49 days of Sefira teach us about personal transformation?
Likkutei Sichos, vol. 7, pp. 188-197.
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Every country takes a census. What is unique about the census of the Jewish people is that it is carried out directly by none other than Moshe himself. We see from this that when it comes to anything dealing with the Jewish people, nothing less than the most dignified treatment is called for. This helps us understand the greatness of each individual Jew.
We may also apply this lesson to the task of raising children. What meditation did the Rebbe recommend to a young father to help him be a better parent? Also, the Rebbe describes what a person should think about when he sees a Jewish baby in a stroller.
Based on 28 Iyar 5745 to N'shei Ubnos Chabad, Hisvaaduyos 5745 vol. 4, pp. 2092-5.
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Anyone could light the Menorah in the Temple, even a non-kohen; yet only a kohen could prepare the wicks and oil. What is the deeper meaning of this law and how does it apply to our lives?
Whose responsibility is it to light the fame of Yiddishkeit in the hearts of other Jews?
Based on Likkutei Sichos vol. 2, p. 317.
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Why do we have to know that the mission of the Spies took place "in the days of the ripening of the grapes"? What eternal lesson is there for us? How is life like a grape? Why are the Spies described as "men"? What does this teach us about the differences between men and women in terms of their approach to integrating spirituality with the material world?
Also, how did Kaleiv know that the spies could no longer be trusted just because they answered Moshe's questions out of order?
Based on Hisva'aduyos 5750 vol 3, pp. 342-3.
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Why did 250 followers of Korach accept a challenge that they knew would lead to their deaths? And why did Moshe tell them that he empathized with their desire?
In preparation for the Rebbe's yahrzeit on 3 Tammuz, we consider the Rebbe's call for every Jew to assume a role of leadership.
Based on Likkutei Sichos vol. 18, pp. 187-195.
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The Torah portion of Chukas describes the passing of Aharon and how his loss was greatly mourned by the Jewish people. Why was Aharon so universally beloved? And what can we learn from this about our own hidden potential?
Based on Sichos Kodesh 5741, vol. 4, pp. 439-440.
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The worship of Ba'al Peor was considered loathsome even by pagans. How were so many Jews in the wilderness attracted to it?
The truth is that the core belief of Ba'al worship is very much alive and prevalent today in the worldview known as materialism.
How do we combat this popular ideology that reduces all reality to physical things? How do we bring an appreciation for spirituality back to this world?
Based on Reshimos #50.
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