Is it wrong to be a vegetarian? What does the Rebbe say about alternative medicine? Should I study Rambam’s Moreh Nevuchim (the Guide for the Perplexed)? And why exactly do some have the custom not to make Kiddush during a particular hour of the evening? The Rebbe’s Letters podcast addresses these questions and far more, in the Rebbe’s own words.

The Rebbe’s Letters podcast is delivered in a fast-paced, enthusiastic style by Yechiel Krisch of Pomona, New York. “The shiur began as a community resolution to study the Rebbe’s letters together,” he says. “But I very quickly realized that a single letter rarely tells the whole story. To better understand the Rebbe’s overall approach, I began collecting every letter and source that I could find on a given topic.” The result is 228 episodes and counting, each deeply researched, presenting a comprehensive overview of the Rebbe’s approach to hundreds of subjects.

Some of the Shiurim focus on Halacha. One of the newest episodes collects statements from the Rebbe about discouraging Jews from driving to Chabad events on Shabbos and then puts that into the context of major Poskim on the subject; one of the most popular episodes is a deep dive into making Kiddush between 6 and 7. Others focus on history, and putting letters into their historical context. A recent episode chronicled Chabad’s relationship with Benedictine liqueur through the Rebbe’s letters and Sichos, while one of the first episodes focused on the origins of Mivtza Matzah. Most are far more general, addressing the Rebbe’s approach to subjects like prison reform, the evil eye, partisan politics, mixed dancing, and the stock market.

Rather than offering commentary or personal opinion, each episode lets the Rebbe speak for himself by assembling letters, Sichos, and other primary sources that are often scattered across dozens of volumes. The result is a comprehensive resource for Anash seeking to study a topic in depth, Shluchim looking to answer the questions of their community members, and newcomers searching for an accessible introduction to the Rebbe. “These days, I’m almost never asked a question that hasn’t already been covered in one of our episodes,” Krisch says.

“When I am, I know it’s time to record another.”

New episodes are generally released Monday through Thursday and are available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, the 24six app, and at ScienceTorah.com/podcast. Each episode is accompanied by a downloadable PDF containing the letters, Sichos, and other primary sources discussed in the Shiur, available through a Google Drive folder linked in the episode description.

Listen & Subscribe: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | 24six | ScienceTorah