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Disc: 97 / Program: 387
Mission of the Generation, Pt. 2: “Yitzchak”
Event Date: 11 Shvat 5731 • February 6 1971
The Previous Rebbe’s lifelong tireless efforts for Jewish youth are well-known. First in Eastern Europe, then in America, he succeeded in drawing the hearts of the younger generation back to their age-old Jewish heritage. More
The Previous Rebbe’s lifelong tireless efforts for Jewish youth are well-known. First in
Eastern Europe, then in America, he succeeded in drawing the hearts of the younger
generation back to their age-old Jewish heritage.
The Baal Shem Tov teaches: The verse says, “You shall be for Me a desirable land.” In G-d’s
eyes, every individual Jew is a “desirable land,” for inside him or her lie precious stones and
gems, wellsprings of living waters.
Our forefather Isaac dug wells. Digging a well doesn’t “create” water; the water was always
there, but if you don’t make the effort to dig, it will remain hidden. Comes Isaac, and he is
not intimidated that it is the “land of the Philistines.” He digs one time… A second time… A
third time… until he successfully reveals a gushing spring.
So too, the Rebbe dug to reveal the living waters deep within every individual. One must only
endure and spare no effort – to the point of actual self-sacrifice – to dig up the wellsprings
within every Jew, until the living waters come gushing forth. Less
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Disc: 97 / Program: 386
Mission of the Generation, Part 1: “Yosef”
Event Date: 11 Shvat 5731 • February 6 1971
Rachel named her son ‘Joseph,’ as a prayer: “May G-d add to me a different son.” The Tzemach Tzedek explains: Rachel prayed that Joseph have the ability to transform someone “different” – someone far from G-dliness, into a “son” – someone righteous, like himself. More
Rachel named her son ‘Joseph,’ as a prayer: “May G-d add to me a different son.” The
Tzemach Tzedek explains: Rachel prayed that Joseph have the ability to transform someone
“different” – someone far from G-dliness, into a “son” – someone righteous, like himself.
My father-in-law, the Rebbe’s, life’s work, too, was to transform “different” into “son” – to
help those raised in Torah and Mitzvos increase their level of observance, and to assist those
who were never educated as Jews become openly aware of their connection to G-d.
Upon arriving on American shores, the Rebbe was warned: “America is different! Here one
has little time for spiritual concerns…” His first effort, therefore, was to eliminate this notion
– for G-d is One, and His Oneness extends throughout the entire earth.
The Rebbe ignored his own physical wellbeing, and even put his own spiritual wellbeing aside,
all to help a fellow Jew transform from “different” to ”son.” Less
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Disc: 97 / Program: 385
Rabbeinu Tam Tefillin
Event Date: 14 Adar II 5736 • March 16 1976
According to the Arizal, donning Rabbeinu Tam Tefillin is a law, not a custom. The question of “custom” is only whether to don them after Rashi Tefillin or at the same time, but the Arizal holds that all Jewish men are obligated to don both pairs. More
According to the Arizal, donning Rabbeinu Tam Tefillin is a law, not a custom. The question of
“custom” is only whether to don them after Rashi Tefillin or at the same time, but the Arizal
holds that all Jewish men are obligated to don both pairs.
Additionally, the darkness of exile has become doubled and redoubled, and all agree that
today’s “Hamans,” and their threats, are growing… The Sages explain that the verse, “The
nations of the world shall see the Name of G-d is upon you, and they shall fear you,” refers to
the donning of Tefillin. Therefore, when “G-d’s Name” is increased upon Jews – through
Rabbeinu Tam Tefillin, the other nations’ fear of Jews will increase as well.
One cannot point to the actions of the pre-20th century Halachic authorities to excuse oneself
from doing so, because they were living in entirely different times: Jews weren’t reading
newspapers; they weren’t immersing themselves in secular studies – which, the Alter Rebbe
writes in Tanya, “desensitize the mind to G-dliness” unless one utilizes them in the service of
G-d. Today’s times demand an increase in the spiritual refinement of the intellect, which is the
entire purpose of the Tefillin – “to subjugate the mind and heart to G-d.” Less
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Disc: 96 / Program: 384
The Road to Peace: Part 2
Event Date: 19 Kislev 5742 • December 15 1981
The nations of the world are watching and waiting: “When will Jews begin to say what they’re really thinking about the Land of Israel?” When a Jew starts talking diplomatic jargon, begging the nations to take more and more land, thinking that in this way he’ll find favor in their eyes – the non-Jew doesn’t believe him, because he’s not talking like a Jew. More
The nations of the world are watching and waiting: “When will Jews begin to say what they’re
really thinking about the Land of Israel?” When a Jew starts talking diplomatic jargon, begging
the nations to take more and more land, thinking that in this way he’ll find favor in their eyes
– the non-Jew doesn’t believe him, because he’s not talking like a Jew.
The facts are: No peace was achieved by the handing away of vital security resources in the
Camp David Accords. The only thing achieved is more pressure on Israel, because no one
wants to make peace with someone who is weak. If Israel wants to be respected on the
international stage, then it must have actual, not merely theoretical, strength.
May it be that Jews will reconnect with the soul of Torah, and fulfill G-d’s commandments in
action. Then we will witness, even while still in exile, the fulfillment of the verse: “When you
follow My decrees and observe My commandments and perform them... I will set peace upon
the Land.” Less
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Disc: 96 / Program: 383
The Road to Peace: Part 1
Event Date: 18 Tishrei 5741 • September 28 1980
Code of Jewish Law, Laws of Shabbos, Chapter 329: If non-Jews besiege a Jewish border town—whether in the Holy Land or in the Diaspora—stating that they come only to pilfer straw, Jews are obligated to arm themselves for war, even on Shabbos, because such an intrusion opens up the entire Jewish land to attack. More
Code of Jewish Law, Laws of Shabbos, Chapter 329: If non-Jews besiege a Jewish border
town—whether in the Holy Land or in the Diaspora—stating that they come only to pilfer
straw, Jews are obligated to arm themselves for war, even on Shabbos, because such an
intrusion opens up the entire Jewish land to attack.
True peace will be achieved only when Jews stand steadfast. Then, “your fear and dread will
be upon them.” We do not compromise—not because we rely on our own power, but because
we rely upon the strength of the Code of Jewish Law.
This “fear” will ultimately engender respect, for “all the nations of the earth will see that
G‑d’s name is upon you, and they will fear you”—they will revere the Jewish people and
allow them to peacefully fulfill their mission to make a dwelling place for G‑d in this world. Less
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