Our story begins a little over one year ago, on Erev Pesach 5778. Rabbi Pinchas (Pini) Zaklas and his wife, shluchim of the Rebbe to Zagreb, the capital of Croatia, were in a huge bind. They were overjoyed that after much effort, financial and emotional, they managed to complete the massive project that they had undertaken with the building of a five story Jewish Center, which now stood proudly in the city of their shlichus.
There is one thing that love is not, and that’s judgement. Growing up in the Western world, we’re given the message that we’re only worthy of love if we meet certain criteria. Conversely, the culture at large teaches us that we can only love someone or something that meets our expectations.
At an anti-war demonstration, protesters waved signs and cried out against government policies. One demonstrator with an especially loud and dominant voice repeatedly screamed at the top of his lungs, “I won’t move from here until the war ends!”
It was 5749, a special year. The Rebbe made a number of special announcements about this year: T’hei Shnas Moshiach Tovah, T’hei Shnas Maasim Tovim. The Rebbe also referred to this year as the Shnas HaYeled v’haYalda and Shnas Ha’Binyan
The Rebbe’s words in the 28 Nissan sicha reverberated strongly in the Jewish world. Many revolutionary ideas came up, like public fasts and mass prayers at the Kosel, and were proposed to the Rebbe. The Rebbe responded by clarifying that nothing out of the ordinary was necessary, “just” to increase in Torah study and meticulous observance of Mitzvos, while heightening the faith and anticipation of Moshiach’s imminent arrival.
An answer from the Rebbe about the need to learn Chassidus, even if you don’t understand it in the desired depth:
If the Torah is going to chime in about medicine, it must follow the cutting edge of medical progress to remain relevant to the “evolving” human body. * How can a rabbi, who happens to be a doctor, be sure that his medical Torah teachings are in line with eternal G-dly wisdom?
A collection of frequently asked halachic questions regarding the custom of eating dairy foods on Shavuos, from AskTheRav.com & Halacha2Go.com
Who boycotted the elections for the Beis Din? And to whom did the Rebbe say “I feel sorry for him?” • The historical account, accompanied by documents and photos.
A Pre-Shavos Farbrengen with Rabbi Menachem Mendel Groner, from the Rebbe’s shluchim to Eretz Yisrael.
Short stories about the Rebbe’s passion and craving for Torah Study.
June 21, 2019