From the Anash.org Inbox: I’ve been following the discussion about teachers in our mosdos, and I feel like I must add in my input – which is actually just the Rebbe’s words: teachers’ salaries must be equal to their businessmen peers for the success of our children’s chinuch.
The Devoted Chossid Who Wasn’t ‘Mekushar’
A devoted gabbai of the Rebbe Rashab and the Frierdiker Rebbe, Reb Chonye Morozov was accused by some as not being ‘mekushar‘ enough. But when he explained his definition of hiskashrus, the tables were turned.
We Need Not Have a False Sense of Protection or Dread
Article by Rabbi Mordechai Lipskier: Being armed from without shouldn’t give us a false sense of protection, and being threatened from without shouldn’t give us a false sense of dread. We have it within ourselves to connect with Hashem and overcome any and all obstacles.
How Do We Deal with the Situation Today?
From the Anash.org Inbox: In recent months, there has been a move to introduce various religious items and prayer in public schools. Should Jews be getting involved? This question was the subject of a debate between the Rebbe and R’ Moshe Feinstein 60 years ago.
The Chossid Who Was Nicknamed ‘The Cold Firebrand’
Amongst the intellectual giants of Chabad, R. Chaim Ber Vilensky stands out as an independent thinker and a silent leader. Though he rarely shared his thoughts and feelings, his inner world was very much alive, leading Chassidim to nickname him “The Cold Firebrand.”
They ‘Got Us’ When We Were Tormented
Article by Rabbi Mordechai Lipskier: Chassidim have always had those who “pursued” us, mocking us for our ways. But “bein hametzarim,” when Yidden in Russia were engulfed in aguish and the Chassidim stood out with pure and relentless mesiras nefesh, that’s when “all our pursuers” began to grasp and understand our ways.
Chabad Yeshivos Publish Thousands of Pages of Chidushei Torah
Marking 30 years to Gimmel Tammuz, many kovtzei he’aros were printed by Yeshivos worldwide with articles from the respective Rabbanim, Bachurim, Anash, accumulating over 2,500 printed pages of chidushei Torah. Now available online.
We All Have Double Standards
Article by Rabbi Mordechai Lipskier: When it comes to learning Torah or engaging in certain challenging matters of Yiddishkeit, we sometimes justify ourselves by saying, “I don’t have the brains/time/energy for such difficult subjects,” or, “It’s totally out of character for me to get involved.” Justifications indeed. Until we prove ourselves wrong.
‘The World is Deteriorating, He Will Be Very Successful’
When Reb Shlomo Zalman, the Rebbe of Chabad-Kopust, heard that bochurim in Tomchei Temimim learn four hours of Chassidus daily, he was surprised. But later he admitted that the Rebbe Rashab was right, “The world is deteriorating by the hour, and he will be very successful.”
‘Schneerson! We Have Guests’: How the Arrest Apartment Returned to Chabad
After close to 100 years that the Frierdiker Rebbe‘s Leningrad apartment lay in foreign hands, Julien Cohen, researched government archival files and diaries of chassidim to pinpoint and purchase the apartment where the Frierdiker Rebbe lived, was arrested, and returned to when he was liberated.
‘Global Initiatives’ Make Us Feel Like We’re Changing the World
Article by Rabbi Mordechai Lipskier: “You can change the whole world,” can lead us to think that our focus in life should be global initiatives. “Don’t concern yourselves with the entire world!” the Rebbe once screamed. A Yid’s responsibility is to follow what Hashem says, and that’s the way to make a true global difference.
Why a Chossid Should Hang in the Rebbe’s Window Display
Not a common jokester as some imagine, Reb Shmuel Munkes was one of the towering chassidim of the Alter Rebbe who often used jest to communicate profound ideas. Suspending himself in front of the Rebbe’s home, he taught an important lesson.
The Rebbe’s Glasses are Now Available
Article by Rabbi Mordechai Lipskier: Give a man an insight and you teach him for a day. Give a man perspective and you teach him for a lifetime. One of the major gifts from the Rebbe to the world is not only his own vision but the ability for us to have Rebbe-vision
‘If So, I Would Rather Stay In Prison!’
After suffering in prison for over a year for not sending his children to secular schools, Reb Yisroel Nevler was released. But when he saw his daughter heading for the door with a knapsack, he threatened to go back there.
She Would Not Get Upset or Complain
An outstanding chassidishe woman held in high esteem by the Tzemach Tzedek and Rebbetzin Rivkah‘s grandmother, Rebbetzin Leah Golda was was always calm and collected, never getting angry over wrongdoing or complaining when she suffered.
They Learned 18 Hours a Day and Played Chess as a Break
A talmid of Reb Nechemia of Dubrovna and an incredible gaon, Reb Yosef Tumarkin related how they would learn 18 hours a day, and between sugyos of gemara they played some chess, so they wouldn’t confuse the two sugyos.
GPS Won’t Tell You Where to Go
Article by Rabbi Mordechai Lipskier: Google and Waze are up to date with road construction, closures and traffic, but they’ll always be limited by finite intelligence. They can get us where we want to go, but they can’t possibly know if it’s good for us to be there.
He Didn’t Realize That the Czar was Deposed
Reb Dovid Kievman “Horodoker” was known amongst chassidim for being completely absorbed in Torah and oblivious to his surroundings, and Reb Itche Masmid said he wasn’t as mufshat as Reb Dovid…
The Rising Star of Chabad in Russia
Born to the esteemed chossid Radatz, Reb Mendel Chein was a gaon in Torah and an eloquent orator who served as a spokesperson for the Rebbe Rashab and Reb Chaim Brisker at the 1910 Rabbinic Conference.
‘One More Day of Tefillin…’
Reb Zalman Dovid Amliner was an incredible oved and would practice intense iskafya. When his end was near he regretted it, since one day of tefillin was worth even more. But Chassidim had something to say about that.