Editor's Picks Archives

Editor’s Picks

‘Don’t Worry, He Doesn’t Have a Yiddishe Kup’

Facing a harsh trial, R. Yisrael Yitzchok Lubinsky nervously presented his case before the Rebbe Maharash. The Rebbe assured him that the self-indulgent judge didn’t have a Yiddishe kup…

‘Vildkeit’ Is Not Chinuch

When Rabbi Chaim Binyamini began to wonder whether his disciplined approach to education was too demanding for a changing world, the Rebbe encouraged him not to compromise, insisting that seder and eidelkeit were precisely the path he should continue.

What Are You Still Pushing Away?

As we return to our regular lives after the Yomim Tovim, the Rebbe’s correspondence about Yaakov Zerubavel offers a timely lesson in the courage it takes to reconsider a familiar way of living. From a shiur by Rabbi Mendel Shapiro of Los Angeles.

The Partisan Who Never Stopped Fighting

From the forests of Nazi-occupied Europe to the establishment of Chabad institutions in Eretz Yisroel, Reb Zusha Wilmowsky devoted his life to rescuing, building, and inspiring. Forty years after his passing, his remarkable story remains an example of courage, determination, unwavering hiskashrus, and extraordinary simcha.

‘Halevai There Should Be Many Baalebatim like Him!’

When chassidishe businessman R. Dan Tumarkin spent two years defending the Rebbe Maharash’s chidush in a weighty correspondence with the Kopuster Rebbe, his grasp of Chassidus earned remarkable praise.

The Last Dance in Leningrad, The First in America

As we approach Simchas Torah, From the Margins of Chabad History presents a series of first-hand accounts of Simchas Torah with the Frierdiker Rebbe. Spanning decades and countries, they take us from the bittersweet farewell to Russia in Leningrad, 5688, to the historic visit to America, 5690, the remarkable celebrations in cosmopolitan Riga, 5693, and finally the iconic scenes at 770 Eastern Parkway.

My Memories of an Incredible Simchas Torah by the Rebbe

A fascinating diary by Rabbi Dovid Krautwirth documents his first Simchas Torah with the Rebbe in 770. His vivid account follows a transformative 96-hour trip from New Jersey to Crown Heights, capturing the intense energy, overwhelming crowds, and joyous dancing. At times humorous and colorful, his detailed descriptions bring the indescribable atmosphere of Simchas Torah in 770 to life.

He Waited 60 Years for the Alter Rebbe’s Third Shailah

Before sending him as rov to Vitebsk, the Alter Rebbe told R. Yitzchak Aizik three shailos. For the 60 years he served as rov, he waited for the third shaila, and when it came, he knew his life's mission was complete.

Kol Nidrei with the Rebbe in Liadi: An Eyewitness Account

The latest installment of From the Margins of Chabad History takes us back 150 years to the holy and uplifting atmosphere of Yom Kippur with the Chabad Rebbe of Liadi, Harav Chaim Shneur Zalman Schneerson. A picture of the zal of the Rebbe of Liadi is also uncovered for the first time.

The Tzemach Tzedek’s Trusted Rov Who Fought the Czar’s Chappers

A renowned rov and senior chossid whom the Tzemach Tzedek entrusted with guiding young Chassidim, R. Aharon Belinitcher was sent to influence communities to excommunicate the Czar’s notorious chappers.

The Mashpia From Whom Everyone Was in Awe

Childless for many years, they asked for brachos of the Mezritcher Maggid, R. Avrohom Kalisker, and R. Mendel Vitebsker, without success. At last, the Alter Rebbe connected them with R. Mordechai "Hatzadik," and R. Mordechai "Mashpia" was born.

Riga, Brownsville, Crown Heights: Rosh Hashanah with the Frierdiker Rebbe

As we approach Rosh Hashanah, From the Margins of Chabad History presents contemporary accounts of Rosh Hashanah with the Frierdiker Rebbe in Riga, Brownsville, and Crown Heights. A letter of Rosh Hashanah berachos from the Frierdiker Rebbe to American Jews is also published here, for the first time.

‘If Rabbi Schneersohn Would Behave like All Rabbonim…’

The Rov of Minsk and later Leningrad, R. Menachem Mendel Gluskin, fought with mesiras nefesh to preserve Yiddishkeit under Soviet rule. During one NKVD interrogation, he asked why the Communists hated the Frierdiker Rebbe so fiercely, and received a revealing answer.

A Holy Jew Lived in Shanghai: The Remarkable Life of Harav Meir Ashkenazi – II

Part two of the series about the fascinating and colorful story of Harav Meir Ashkenazi of Shanghai traces his response to the Holocaust, post-war communal activism, visit to Eretz Yisrael and America, and his final years in New York as the rov and father figure of the international Shanghai diaspora.

He Saw What the Tzemach Tzedek Did Behind Closed Doors

Called into the Tzemach Tzedek’s room to copy a maamar, R. Shmuel der Shreiber was left spellbound by what he witnessed, spending all night watching the Rebbe learn until he was ultimately sent on his way.

Rebbeim Travelog Reveals Fascinating Unknown Discoveries

After years of extensive research, collecting, and sifting through archives, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Mellul shares remarkable discoveries about the journeys of our Rebbeim, including a property purchased by the Rebbe Rashab in Menton, France, and previously unknown trips of the Rebbe and his family during his youth. The 230-page full-color volume includes rare documents, photographs, and archival material.

The Chossid Who Became the Rebbe Rashab’s ‘Son-in-Law’

A son of Rebbetzin Menucha Rochel, R. Mordechai Dov Ber Slonim lived in Chevron and resembled his grandfather, the Mitteler Rebbe. After showing up at the Rebbe Maharash's home at 2 am, he became very close to the young Rebbe Rashab, earning the nickname "son-in-law."

A Holy Jew Lived In Shanghai: The Remarkable Life of Harav Meir Ashkenazi

A learned rov, a tireless activist, a fearless leader, and a devoted chasid. From Cherikov to Vladivostok, Shanghai, and New York. In honor of his 72nd yartzeit, From the Margins of Chabad History tells the remarkable and colorful story of Harav Meir Ashkenazi. Part 1 of a series.

Living With the Chasidim in Samarkand and Tashkent

During World War II, around 1500 Lubavitcher chasidim from across the Soviet Union found refuge in Samarkand and Tashkent. From the Margins of Chabad History presents accounts by fellow refugees who were deeply impressed with the chasidim’s devotion and vibrant chasidishe life.

‘Batlonim That You Are!’ He Screamed at the Hanhala

A talmid of R. Peretz Chein and his son Radatz, R. Dovid Meir Rabinowitz came to Boston in 1896, where he served as rov for 50 years. On a visit to Tomchei Temimim in Otvotzk, he nearly fainted, and then berated the hanhala.

‘Why Do We Need Chassidus?’ A Landmark Interview with Reb Yoel Kahn

In a rare and remarkable interview, the legendary mashpia and choizer Reb Yoel Kahn tackles the questions at the heart of Chassidus: Who really needs it, what is it meant to accomplish, and how can it change the way an ordinary person sees life? Marking Reb Yoel’s 5th yahrtzeit.