WHO IS A JEW? WHEN WILL THEY EVER LEARN?

Just as you can’t put a square peg into a round hole, you can’t tell someone who isn’t Jewish that he really is a Jew. There is no room here for “compromise” or “consensus” because we’re not conducting negotiations between two sides. There’s only one side authorized to determine according to Judaism who is part of it and who isn’t – and that’s the Holy Torah, as expressed in the Shulchan Aruch, not some decision by this or any other government of Israel.

Click to read more ...

THE DOCUMENTS WHICH WERE EXCHANGED

Presented for Chaf Cheshvan, the day the Rebbe Rashab passed away

Click to read more ...

IMMUTABLE, LIKE THE EVEN HA’SH’SIYA

The Even HaSh’siya remains intact and openly visible, even in present times, without any change, at the site of the Holy of Holies in the Beis HaMikdash. Thus, the Jewish people’s claim and demand for the redemption is strengthened, arguing that we already openly see the Even HaSh’siya in the physical world.

Click to read more ...

OPEN HOUSE

Avrohom Avinu opened his tent to all passersby and through hosting people he spread belief in G-d to the world. * In our generation too, there are people who open their homes to all passersby, not just to spread Judaism and Chassidus, but to fulfill the mitzva of hachnasas orchim with their bodies, souls, and money, since hosting people is greater than welcoming the Sh’china. They are also mekarev many people to Judaism.

Click to read more ...

MAKING HISTORY

R’ Shneur Zalman Berger, Beis Moshiach’s historical researcher, hosts his friend R’ Yosef Yitzchok Kaminetzky for a fascinating discussion between fellow researchers. * They agree that much needs to be done to bequeath Chabad history to the younger generation. * They disagree about whether it is appropriate to give the Righteous of the Nations of the World award to the Nazi officer who was instrumental in saving the Rebbe Rayatz. * A fascinating journey into the world of Chabad historians.

Click to read more ...

SEALING OFF THE TWO OPEN SIDES OF THE ALLEY

Abraham was the epitome of kindness. Abraham was suffused with love for G-d and other people. Abraham was extroverted. He was an open person, who wore his emotions on his sleeve. The Philistines were also people who possessed a zest for life, open and gregarious. Their lives too were filled with joy and love. The salient difference between these two models is that while Abraham was an open person filled with love for life and for others, his openness and love was always directed towards the right ends…

Click to read more ...

UNEXPECTED TURNAROUND

Not all of us are interested in news about the economy – legal penalties, labor disputes, ups and downs in the stock market, etc. But if you have a vested interest, then it sure does interest you! This story took place ten years ago in Eretz Yisroel. Chanoch and Zissel, a Lubavitcher couple, (pseudonyms) worked for years and supported themselves in a dignified fashion. They managed to keep their heads above water, or – in financial terms – above the overdraft, for the most part.

Click to read more ...

THE FIRST PIDYON NEFESH THE REBBE ACCEPTED

Why did the Rebbe give a large tip to a child and why did he double the amount afterward? How did the Rebbe express his gratitude to someone who helped his father? With whom did the Rebbe and Rebbetzin sit on Motzaei Shabbasos and why? * Fascinating stories that were told at a farbrengen in 770 to mark Chaf Av.

Click to read more ...

THE FLOURISHING OF JUDAISM IN MALACHOVKA

The Chabad community in Malachovka went through much travail. * From a small suburb on the edge of Moscow it became an exclusive area of the wealthy.* Part 2 of the story of the community from World War II until today.

Click to read more ...

KALMAN’S QUESTION

I scanned the shelves in the neighborhood grocery store which is owned by old Kalman. I tried, unsuccessfully, to locate a bag of “healthy” sugar. Have you heard of such a thing? According to my mother, it is brown and says “organic” on it.

Click to read more ...

ETERNAL LIFE THROUGH RADICALLY INCREASING IN TORAH STUDY

Prior to the Rebbe Rayatz’s histalkus in 5710, he emphasized the concept of chayim nitzchiim, eternal life. The Rebbe MH”M points out the profound significance of the topics a Rebbe discusses in his final sichos delivered in this world: they serve as instructions for how to proceed in the wake of his histalkus. In Chapter 7 of Likkutei Mekoros, author Rabbi Shloma Majeski cites further reference in the final sichos the Rebbe delivered regarding eternal life.

Click to read more ...

BUILDER OF CHABAD INSTITUTIONS

Amos Barzilai was the king of Tel Aviv nightlife and became one of the main supporters who built up the mosdos of the Chabad yeshiva in Ramat Aviv and supports hundreds of other Chabad mosdos. * Barzilai speaks for the first time in an interview with R’ Shneur Chaviv about giving tz’daka, about the involvement of wealthy people in the mosdos they support, about combining the world of business and the world of Torah, about his special connection to Chassidus and to the Rebbe and more.

Click to read more ...

CONCLUDING EXILE WITH ABRAHAM

“In effect, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob are not just our ancient Biblical ancestors; they are alive within each and every one of us. We have inherited their spiritual traits even though it is close to 4,000 years since they inhabited the physical world. Thus, in the Amida prayer, which is designed to forge a deeper connection between us and G-d, we mention the three Patriarchs equally; they are indispensable resources and influences in our collective and individual lives.”

Click to read more ...