Textual Study in Likutei Sichos

On Rosh Hashanah we blow the shofar, which is compared to the cry of a child, father save me – the main thing is not the content but the cry.

The mitzvah of sitting in the sukkah encompasses the entire human being so he should know G-d in all his ways.

The Rabbes of Chabad taught: how one starts the year on Shabbos Bereishis affects the entire year. What is so unique about Shabbos Bereishis?

“Enter the Ark” – teivah, the ark, also means the “words” of Torah and Prayer. Bringing oneself, ones family and every Jew into the words of Torah and tefillah guarantees survival from the flood waters of the world.

The journey of Lech-Lecha from above and from within – the miraculous birth of Yitzchak and its lesson in Jewish education.

Why Abraham didn’t circumcise before he was commanded; the specialty of the mitzvah of milah—circumcision.

The story with the Rebbe Rashab, as a young child, whence he cried over G-d not appearing to him like by Abraham. The significance in Yitzchak being born after Avraham’s circumcision.

"Greater is the receiving of guests than receiving the Divine Presence "; Abraham's planting of an Aishel (tree) and its lesson in supporting Yeshivos.

Topics discussed: Avaraham and Sarah – body and soul; the reason why the journey of Eliezer was miraculous; the talk of the servants of the patriarchs is better than the Torah of their children and its connection to the marriage of Yitzchok.

Topics discussed: why an oath requires holding a holy item; Avaraham’s purchasing land in Israel – the beginning of redemption.

Topics discussed: The spiritual path of Avraham enabled strong progeny; Yitzchok in Gan Eden; Shmirah before a wedding; Receiving semicha before chasuna; The ten utterances corresponding to the ten commandments; The blessings of yitzchok.

Jacob raises a righteous family specifically outside of Israel whilst dealing with swindlers. How does he manage?

The lesson of Chanukah: education without compromise.

The theme of Chanukah lights in relation to Shabbat lights; the purpose of the Chanukah lights and how they represent self-sacrifice.

1) Parents must have self sacrifice for the education of even a single child; 2) There was always the presence of yeshivahs throughout our history and students should learn Torah without thinking about how they may make a living; 3) Outreach without compromise

The blessing to Asher; the advantage of serving G-d through Kabbalat Ol – accepting the Yoke of Heaven over rationale; its rewards of beautiful children.

A deeper explanation of Pharao’s decree that the sons should be thrown into the river and the daughters shall be kept alive, and its relevance to education today. The Egyptian exile is the root of all exiles – parallels between then and now – how to exchange anxiety over livelihood with torah study.

The first two plagues represent the sterile and cold nature of spiritual Egypt being turned into warmth and vitality. The self sacrifice of the frogs. The promise of redemption and coping with concealment.

The self-sacrifice of the Jews in Egypt to take the Passover lamb; the difference between chametz and matzah; the spiritual service and mission of the Previous Rebbe is to be accomplished notwithstanding any challenges.

The song of the women and its precedence over the song of the men; the difference between the war against Pharaoh and the war against Amalek; the opinions of Beis Hillel and Beis Shamai when is the New Year for Trees and the spiritual lesson of the new year for trees

The repetition of the construction of the mishkan in parshas Vayakhel and Pekudei; the topic of prayer; the connection between the end of Pekudei and beginning of Vayikra.

The spiritual dimension of sacrifices: bringing oneself as a sacrifice; the topic of teshuvah.

This sicha or talk explains the idea of the Sotah and how in the marital relationship between G-d and the Jewish people, the Jew can be suspected of going astray but in essence remains pure.

The lighting of the menorah should be done by the Kohen Gadol. In this sicha the Rebbe compares the lighting of the menorah to the lighting up of Jewish souls, and the dissemination of the wellsprings of chassidus

When Moshe sent off the twelve spies to scout out the land of Israel, why did he only pray for Joshua? Also discussed is why the tzitzis strands need a tallis garment?

In this sicha the Rebbe discusses the priestly gifts, how each individual needs to dedicate the best of their resources to G-d.

The inner meaning of the manna, clouds of glory and the well that accompanied the Jews in the wilderness, and their parallels in Torah.

The Red Heifer has a powerful lesson for each of us in this generation – we must go out to purify the impure, even the disconnected level of death. Simultaneously, in doing so we should take care of our own spiritual wellbeing.

Bilam was a descendent of Lavan. The Sicha discusses the claim of Lavan, and how we combat the forces of Bilam. Bilam prophesies that the Jewish people are compared to a Lion – we are fearless even at times of exile.

Pinchos acted zealously for G-d. So too in this generation, we should not wait around and make calculations whether or not to save a Jew, rather we should take the matter to heart and act to spread Yiddishkeit like a zealot.

The journeys out of Egypt symbolise the constant elevation out of ones personal constraints and limitations towards the Land of Israel. Whether one is on a high or low level, one is obligated to always go higher.

The connection between parshas Devarim and Shabbos Chazon—the inner intent and reason for the exile.

Topics covered: Bikurim today -- first fruit. The admonitions -- washing out the vessel before Rosh Hashanah. Rabbi Akiva and Nachum Ish Gamzu -- all is for the good. Selichos – to you Hashem is charity.

Unity before Rosh Hashanah is the key to the covenant with G-d; through giving Tzedakah one gains materially and spiritually.

Parshah Vayelech, Shabbat Shuvah and Yom Kippur – the meaning of teshuvah, tefillah and tzedakah, and the service of the High Priest in the golden and white clothing and how it re-enacts itself in the Jews entry into our quintessential space and soul on Yom Kippur.