ב"ה
What a fast day is really about.
The fast of the Tenth of Tevet commemorates the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem (588 BCE), which culminated in the destruction of the first Temple. It is always observed in the week before or after the Torah reading of Vayigash, which relates the story of the dramatic encounter between Yehuda and Joseph. This class explores the inner connection between the two, and offers essential, spiritual guidance for achieving personal and collective redemption. (Likutei Sichos, volume 15)
Smashing Idols
The famous story from the Midrash about how Abraham destroyed the idols in his father's shop. An excerpt from the full DVD “Young Abraham”.
Exodus opens with re-narrating the details of the descent into Egypt that's already been copiously documented. This seeming redundancy serves as our initial point of departure. Following fairly simplistic elucidation, we swiftly move into esoteric metaphor, terminology and ideas – the very notion of which appears irreconcilable. The ensuing wide-ranging discussion presents profound insight into foundational details of the human condition with Kabbalistic ideas, which serve to effectively illuminate why only through a continuing pattern of proverbial Exile and Exodus, can we set free the deepest essence of our consciousness!
Letters and Numbers of Torah - Shemot
When G-d shows Moses a sign by having him turn a staff into a snake, G-d asks Moses, (Exodus 4:2) "What is this in your hand?" But the two words, "mah zeh" ("what is this") are spelled in the Torah as one word, "mizeh" ("from this.") How does the term "mizeh" hint to the Alter Rebbe and Maimonides whose yahrzeits are this week?
Parshah Curiosities: Shemot
The second book of the Torah, which is called the Book of Names, begins with again listing the names of the twelve tribes. Explore the importance and influence of a name, and other intriguing curios on Jewish names. For example, why don’t we find reference to anyone being named Gad and Asher – names from the twelve tribes – throughout the entire Talmudic era?
Parshah Curiosities: Shemot
The little-known and largely misunderstood story of Moses’ parentage is presented along with fascinating facts about the birth of our Jewish redeemer. Discover detailed descriptions of his first hours on planet earth; learn where his mother hid him, and why his family sent him down the river.
Faced with the prospect of their baby boys being killed by the Egyptians, the Jews in Egypt followed the lead of Amram, the father of Moses, in flouting Pharaoh's decrees and continuing to have children. These young boys would become the generation to leave the bondage in Egypt and perceive revealed G-dliness at the splitting of the Red Sea.
While the Egyptians enslaved and persecuted the Jews, the Tribe of Levi was given much more freedom than the rest. They were actually allowed to study Torah and engage in holy pursuits. Moses and Aaron who were Levites as well, could have simply ignored the plight of their Jewish brethren and not been any the worse off. But in the end, it was specifically their concern that helped bring the Jews to redemption.
11 Nissan, 5744 • April 12, 1984
G‑d created plants and animals with the ability to procreate – to perpetuate themselves and reflect G‑d’s own Infinitude. Man, too, was granted the remarkable ability to reproduce, but was additionally blessed with the ability to harness and expand the infinite powers hidden within the rest of nature.
13 Shevat 5749 · January 19, 1989
“Man is a tree of the field.” The Sages of the Talmud apply this verse to the Jew. Torah is the
core of a Jew’s being, and Torah must effect his actions so that he bears good fruits — good
deeds. But when we say that a Jew must be “fruitful,” first and foremost he must reproduce
his own essence.
Nutrition from Shamayim
Can the New Year for Trees be a time for reflecting on the mitzvah of taking care of our health? Learn more about the meaning of Tu B’Shevat, and some of the health and healing properties of the fruits mentioned in Deuteronomy 8:8: “A land of wheat, barley, grapes, figs and pomegranates; a land of oil-yielding olives and [date] honey.”
In 1941, the Rebbe travelled to Marseilles, France, to obtain entry visas to the United States for himself and his wife, Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka. While there, the Rebbe maintained his characteristic low profile, but at a gathering in honor of the New Year for Trees, he gave those
present a taste of things to come. (1941)
The origin and meaning of this custom
Our proverbial New Year for Trees is celebrated by most Sephardic Jews (and more recently by many Israelis of Ashkenazi descent as well) with an elaborate fruit-centric sacred ceremony colloquially known as the “Tu B’Shevat Seder.” It’s comprised of carefully choreographed chanting of Scripture and Rabbinic texts, accompanied by an assortment of fruit and wine, which are consumed in an orderly fashion. But why invoke unique Passover verbiage for this fruitful observance? This fascinating presentation sheds light on some of the origins and profound meanings of this enigmatic Torah tradition.
Hosted by American Friends of Lubavitch - December 25, 2024
Join the live broadcast of the lighting ceremony of the National Chanukah Menorah located on the Ellipse at the White House in Washington D.C. Featuring Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, and a musical performances by The National Menorah Orc
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