IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE ELDERS

As Gimmel Tammuz approaches, twenty years in which we haven’t seen the Rebbe, we wanted to know how the “lions of the group” reacted after Gimmel Tammuz 5754, those senior Chassidim who raised a generation of thousands who were influenced by their behavior, teachings, and guidance. * The reaction of R’ Mendel to the idea of changing the proclamation of Yechi, the request of R’ Michoel before reciting the bedtime Shma, the interview with R’ Itzke by Beis Moshiach in Tishrei 5755, the p’nimius’dike cry of R’ Reuven, R’ Heishke’s farbrengens, and the response of R’ Mottel to those who asked him, after Gimmel Tammuz, what do we do now? * Beis Moshiach follows in the footsteps of six of the ziknei ha’chassidim of the seventh generation.

Click to read more ...

GIMMEL TAMMUZ FROM ANOTHER PERSPECTIVE

Erev Gimmel Tammuz, when questions arise, I visited the mashpia, R’ Zushe Posner, one of the veteran shluchim that the Rebbe sent to Eretz Yisroel, to hear answers. R’ Zushe makes no concessions to anyone and he demands living with the Rebbe not for ourselves, but for the Rebbe!

Click to read more ...

MAKING THE MIRACULOUS PART OF EVERYDAY LIFE

A point from the weekly D’var Malchus with a relevant message. * Which is preferable – a weekly routine or living a life of novelty?

Click to read more ...

WHY IS LEARNING ABOUT MOSHIACH SO CRITICAL

“…we are living in a time of instability, whether economically, because of Israeli leadership, or world events. People are looking to hear a clear message. When they learn about Moshiach and the period of Geula, they find the stability they are looking for.”

Click to read more ...

WHAT IS THE PROPER PREPARATION FOR GIMMEL TAMMUZ?

As everyone is preparing themselves for Gimmel Tammuz 5774, I want to bring an enigmatic Midrash to your attention.

Click to read more ...

TAKING ON THE PERSPECTIVE OF TZADDIKIM

It is hard for us to leave our personal zone and give of ourselves to others, to fulfill the Rebbe’s ratzon and to carry out Hashem’s mission in the world. We stick to topics of interest to us as though they are the entire world, instead of freeing ourselves and moving forward. That is how it goes when we see only ourselves.

Click to read more ...

WRITING A TZADDIK’S BIOGRAPHY: A GUIDE

At the end of the Jewish people’s journey in the desert we read that Moses and Aaron were not destined to take the Jewish nation into the Promised Land with their people. The reason for this denial is stated in this week’s parsha, Chukas, in a rather ambiguous fashion. Despite the Torah’s devoting a large section to this story, the real cause of G-d’s “anger” with the two greatest leaders is not really clear. Indeed, Or HaChayim cites 10 different explanations for this matter! If one single explanation were obvious there would be no need to search for other reasons. One may suggest that the Torah was deliberately vague about the “sin” so that we should never impute any real transgression to these holy people. Otherwise, it would be difficult to resist the “temptation” to diminish these spiritual titans by viewing them as ordinary humans.

Click to read more ...

ALL ROADS LEAD TO THE REBBE

The story of a young wife who was taken from her sheltered environment straight into the world of Chabad. * She tells us of her rocky engagement, the crisis during sheva brachos, and the joy in hiskashrus to the Rebbe.

Click to read more ...

RABBI MORDECHAI “BIG MO” SIEV

“The first time I saw the Rebbe my whole body began to tremble. I felt that I was standing before a king.” Rabbi Mordechai Siev is a very dynamic personality. He has met thousands of Jews over the years who have turned their lives around after meeting with him. With a humorous smile, he combines his own life story with some fascinating stories about the countless Jewish souls he has encountered.

Click to read more ...

ONE PEOPLE, ONE DESTINY

It’s no coincidence that the kidnapping of three Jewish high school boys took place near Chevron and all rescue efforts are presently focused on this area. The one who handed Chevron to the terrorist organizations was the incumbent prime minister who ran into their waiting arms during his first term in office and presented them with the Holy City of our Forefathers in the ‘Chevron-Wye Plantation’ agreements. Now he has the opportunity to rectify his blunder. The IDF operation underway in Chevron must become the trigger for reconquering the city and reinstituting military control over its entire territory.

Click to read more ...

LEARNING TO BE COURAGEOUS

“I’m so glad you came!” shouted a redheaded boy. “Yeah, we were waiting for you,” said another boy. Then the one on the side, the tallest of them all, called out, “Let’s go! One, two, three …” That was the sight that I saw as I walked on the edge of the park. What was I doing all alone in the park in this unfamiliar place?

Click to read more ...