Every year, the Rebbe would issue a michtav kloli before Pesach, addressing the theme of the Yom Tov. In this letter sent in 5725, the Rebbe wrote about the steps needed to go free from Egypt. Read and download here.
Heal the Nation: Actualizing the Rebbe’s Vision for America
In honor of the Rebbe’s birthday, a project has been launched to actualize the Rebbe’s vision for a non-denominational prayer in American public schools. We sat down with the organizers to find out what the Rebbe said about it and why now is the time.
Sometimes It’s Better Not To Notice
Article by Rabbi Mordechai Lipskier: As parents or spouses, we often see “afflictions” in members of our households that need correction. Yom tov, and particularly Erev Pesach, can be an especially tense time. But let’s consider how Hashem tells the kohen to turn a blind eye so that the Yid can experience simchas yom tov.
He Battled His Yetzer Hara Ruthlessly
Undoubtedly an unconventional chossid, Reb Zalman Moshe Hayitzchaki was devoted to the truth with his whole heart. He fought hard with his yetzer hara, using harsh and sometimes colorful terms to put it away.
The Bochur Who Stumped the Rogatchover Gaon
When Reb Berel Garfinkel was twenty-one, he knew all of Shas with Rashi, Tosfos, and other rishonim, as well as all the printed maamorim – by heart! Yet, he carried no air of pride or feigned “humility.”
The Chossid Who Resolved that Tomorrow Would be “Gur Andersh”
Though he suffered many hardships, Reb Gershon Ber Paharer was always thankful for the good things that happened to him. A great chossid, he would resolve every night that the next day be different than the one that passed.
It’s Your Fear That Causes You to Fail
Article by Rabbi Mordechai Lipskier: The Maharal shares an interesting experiment: Place a beam of wood over a river and notice that most people won’t succeed in crossing to the end. Place the same beam on the ground and no one will fall off. It’s the thought of falling that causes us to fall.
Taking Out the Garbage Isn’t About You
Article by Rabbi Mordechai Lipskier: If my marriage is about me, my status, pride or sense of fulfillment, I’d surely choose to do only the more sophisticated and pleasurable jobs. But marriage shouldn’t be about me. It should be about something greater than me.
In the Middle of the Night, They Heard Knocking on the Door
It was late one blustery Friday night under Communism when knocking was heard on the door of a chossid’s home in Nevel. Terrified, he opened the door, to find the town’s shochet Reb Chaim Dovid Lein looking for candlelight by which to learn a maamar.
“With My Yisroel I Won’t Argue!”
A chossid of the Alter Rebbe from his early years in Liozna, R. Yisroel Yafeh of Dubravna was a talented baal menagen. When the Alter Rebbe went to rest during the Zhlobiner chassuna, he played his violin outside the door, inspiring the Rebbe to recite a maamar until 7 am.
The Cartier Saleswoman was Taken by His Confidence
Article by Rabbi Mordechai Lipskier: There’s a notion that by blurring the boundaries between Yidden and goyim we’ll gain their respect. That we’ll solve the problem of anti-Semitism or anti-Israel biases by showing that we’re really all the same. But the opposite is true.
The Rebbe Rashab’s ‘True and Beloved Friend’
One of three people to receive semicha from the Rebbe Maharash, Reb Yaakov Mordechai Bezpalov, later the rov of Poltava, was the Rebbe Rashab‘s chavrusa and close friend who brought him comfort after his father’s histalkus.
When “Normal” Parenting Doesn’t Cut It
Article by Rabbi Mordechai Lipskier: If we always go with what’s normal, chances are that when our children grow up, they may do even less than we did. But if we make a point to allow an “abnormal” situation—we have the children share rooms to make space for guests—these doses of abnormal commitment to Hashem will help educate our children to overcome tough times ahead of them.
The Tzemach Tzedek’s Chossid’s Difficult But Inspiring Life
A captivating memoir by Pinkhes Dov Goldenshteyn (1848-1930), a chossid of the Tzemach Tzedek, tells us in raw detail about his life in Ukraine without nostalgia or white-washing. For the first time, the book has been translated into English.
Mingling Wasn’t Allowed Even for the Holiest of Causes
Article by Rabbi Mordechai Lipskier: Men and women “mingling” on social media by commenting on each other’s posts or “private messaging” doesn’t always feel like a problem. Because it’s not in a physical setting it may seem okay when, of course, it’s not.
She Cursed the Rov, But Wanted Children Like Him
When a woman began shouting derogatory statements against Reb Boruch Mordechai Babroisker, his Rebbetzin could not bear it. But then the Rov demonstrated to her that the woman didn’t really mean it.
Who’s Making Chinuch Decisions in Our Schools?
Article by Rabbi Mordechai Lipskier: In the summer of 5718 (1958), there was a huge controversy amongst activists and journalists about a certain demonstration about Eretz Yisroel. At a farbrengen, the Rebbe noted that with all the screaming and blaming, people were missing the most vital point.
He Got the Czar’s Mattresses for the Rebbe
When the Frierdiker Rebbe asked R’ Boruch Sholom Kahn to buy mattresses for the Rebbe Rashab and Rebbetzin Shterna Sara, he went to the fanciest store and was not satisfied until they gave him the mattresses designated for Czar Nikolai II.
“Are All the Manufacturers in Russia So Learned?”
R’ Nechemya of Dubrovna, who was married to the Alter Rebbe‘s granddaughter, was a chavrusa to the Tzemach Tzedek and an exceptional gaon. Yet, he shied away from publicity and earned his livelihood from his taleisim factory.
Screens Don’t Need to be Put in Shaimos
Article by Rabbi Mordechai Lipskier: When we daven, say Tehillim, or learn Torah from an actual sefer, it’s an opportunity to hold a holy object and turn its holy pages. If at all possible, why exchange such an amazing opportunity for the convenience of a digital device?