Textual Study in Likutei Sichos

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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