Vayeira

In this Sidra, we read of G-d’s appearance to Abraham after his circumcision. But why was his circumcision so great an act as to merit such a reward? This is the question that the Rebbe answers, and explains in depth the special relationship between the J...

Parshas Vayeira begins by telling us that G-d appeared to Avraham while “sitting at the entrance of his tent, in the heat of the day.” Why was he sitting there? To look for guests. Avraham dedicated himself to deeds of kindness, feeding hungry wayfarers i...

Outside the door of the Tzemach Tzedek’s study stood his little grandson, a boy of four or five years old, who would grow up to be the Rebbe Rashab. He was waiting for yechidus to receive a blessing in honor of his birthday, Chof Cheshvan (the twentieth d...

Adapted fromLikkutei Sic hos, Vol. X, p. 49ff;Sichos Shabbos Parshas Vayeira 5749, 5750, 5751, 5752 A Child’s Tears When Rabbi Sholem Dov Ber, the fifth of the Lubavitcher Rebbeim, was a young child, he was taken to his grandfather the Tzemach Tzedek for ...

The Mitzvah of Honoring guests: Why the Rambam attributes the establishment of this Mitzvah to Abraham. Also, the connection of Abraham's tamarisk tree to promoting Jewish Education.

Before facing the trial of love for his own child, Abraham was forced to ask, “Where is my whole world? Where is my whole concept of justice? Where is my morality?” At the Akeidah, Abraham sacrifices not only his son’s body but his own soul.

Throughout the 1950s, the Jewish world was still smarting from the wounds of the Holocaust. In those trying years, the Rebbe cultivated a forward-looking orientation, focusing on Jewish youth and how to groom them to take leadership roles in promoting Jew...

What is better: establishing a bond with G‑d based on your knowledge, understanding, and will, or accepting such a bond with simple faith, without considering one’s own will or thought?

Martyrdom has, unfortunately, been a feature of the Jews’ Divine service over the course of history. However, on the surface, this phenomenon is not unique to our people. Many others have sacrificed their lives for their faiths, ideals, and values. Is the...