Ahead of his wedding, a young R. Nochum, was called in by his grandfather, the Alter Rebbe, who tried to discourage him from getting fitted with a collar of the latest fashion, and promised him Gan Eden – but only if he really meant it.
Rational Yiddishkeit Does Not Endure
Article by Rabbi Mordechai Lipskier: The Rebbe Rashab‘s granddaughters had a teacher who taught only Torah matters which could be explained logically. When the Rebbe Rashab heard about this, he ordered that this teacher be dismissed.
The Choizer Who Rolled on the Floor with the Alter Rebbe
Reb Pinchas “Reizes,” so named after his mother-in-law who supported his becoming the Alter Rebbe‘s chossid, was a wealthy chossid and devoted choizer. When the Alter Rebbe would sometimes fall to the floor in dveikus, he would drop near him to catch every word.
The Seforim That Belonged to the Rebbe’s Father and Mother
Special episode for Chof Av: Rabbi Berel Levine showcases the precious few seforim that had belonged to the Rebbe’s father and mother and survived and are currently housed in the Rebbe’s library.
The Mashpia Who Raised Bochurim Who Could Think
A mashpia, menahel and a secretary for the Frierdiker Rebbe, Reb Chatche Feigin was a towering intellectual and a courageous leader. He had a keen discernment for sincerity and he raised his students to be discerning themselves.
‘The Book of Chassidim’: What It Is, and How You Can See It
Perfect Tisha B’av reading material: The Rebbe’s library contains hundreds of cards filled out by chassidim with their personal details, a treasure trove of Chabad history.
The Watchman Who Went On to Become Lubavitch’s Lead Mashpia
A legend of Tomchei Temimim, R. Shmuel Groinem Esterman was the first and foremost mashpia in Lubavitch. His insights and stories set hundreds of talmidim in the ways of Chassidus, and continue to enlighten today.
Life is Like a Schoolbus Stuck in the Mud
When a bus of boys coming to farbreng got stuck in the mud, it took two vehicles and coordination to get it out. At the ensuing farbrengen, we derived two important lessons. Article by Rabbi Sholom Mordechai Rubashkin.
The Rebbe’s Library Might Have a Photo of Your Grandfather
One especially unique collection in the Rebbe’s library is an archive of over 50,000 photos. It contains photos of chassidim, their families, and Chabad activities from across the globe.
‘This Man Must Have a Blocked Head!’
Living in the shadow of one of the greatest chassidim of all time, R. Sholom R. Hillel’s was himself an impressive chossid and oved. But one comment from a villager did more for his avodas Hashem than the Chassidus that he learned from his great mashpia.
What’s Wrong with the Frog?
You can just imagine this wretched rasha stroking his goatee, clearing his throat, and giving rational, reasonable life advice to the massed Jewish soldiers. “If you ask me,” he told them, “you should drop this whole thing.” An article by Rabbi Sholom Mordechai Rubashkin.
The Mission to Russia to Rescue the Hostage Seforim
Special Episode: Rabbi Berel Levine retells the entire sequence of events of the Chabad battle with Russia for the seforim of our Rebbeim, beginning with the secretive mission to the USSR in the 1980s.
This Is the Kind of Wall That Needs Breaking
Article by Rabbi Mordechai Lipskier: During the Three Weeks, we revisit and repair any breach that may threaten the integrity of our Yiddishkeit. But there’s another kind of wall that we should be breaking during this time.
In His Sleep, He Asked the Alter Rebbe “What is a Neshama?”
One night, the Alter Rebbe came with a candle to see how the chassidim slept. R. Moshe Vilenker woke up bewildered and asked the Alter Rebbe, “What is a neshama? What is Elokus?” The Alter Rebbe told him to go back to sleep, but later said a maamar on the topic.
The Rebbe Told Me Not to Use Self-Help Books
Rabbi Sholom Ber Lipskar, director of the Aleph Institute, shares a fascinating unpublished response that he received from the Rebbe advising him to turn to “true Torah leaders” with questions on education and the like and not “outside books.”
The Chofetz Chaim’s Manuscripts and the Baal Shem Tov’s Siddur
Alongside its collections of over 250,000 printed books, the Rebbe’s library is also home to several thousand manuscripts, including parts of the original draft of Mishna Berurah and the priceless personal Siddur of the Baal Shem Tov.
How We Can Find Space for Other People in Our Life
Article by Rabbi Mordechai Lipskier: When we stand firm, no matter how much space we have, we’ll always feel hampered, threatened, and inhibited by others. But when we “prostrate” ourselves to a higher purpose, we’ll have plenty of room for the other people in our life.
Locked in a Hotel Room, He Learned the Maamar 400 Times
A successful diamond merchant, R. Monyeh Moneszhon was told by the Rebbe Maharash to learn one maamar four hundred times straight. He locked himself in a hotel room and did that, and he came out a changed man.
Pamphlets, Placards and Pashkevillin
One of the more recent collections uploaded to the website of the Rebbe’s library is a selection of over 1,000 leaflets, fliers, and pamphlets, spanning the years 1650 to 1960.
Do You Ask the Rebbe Your Real-Life Questions?
Article by Rabbi Mordechai Lipskier: The Rebbe is known to many as an address to turn to when we need help in life, be it in business, health, shidduchim. Let’s remember that the Rebbe’s field of expertise is Yiddishkeit and chinuch.