Tevet 24

Which is loftier--spirit or matter? the soul or the body? The teachings of Rabbi Schneur Zalman, founder of Chabad chassidism, extol the first over the second, and then second over the first, offering a unique and life-altering vision of reality

“If Bonaparte will be victorious,” the rebbe wrote, “Jewish wealth will increase, and the prestige of the Jewish people will be raised; but their hearts will disintegrate and be distanced from their Father in Heaven . . .”

I no longer see A table, a chair, a lamp... Only letters do I see

There are many similarities between Maimonides and the Alter Rebbe, the Founder of Chabad Chassidism. They both faced extreme opposition to their teachings, yet the opposition fell away. Eventually, their detractors became ardent disciples.

The Midrash asks: “Torah and the Jewish people both preceded creation. But which of the two came first?” The Midrash concludes that in G-d’s Divine plan, the Jewish People came first...