Torah is “Our life, and the length of our days.” It is not possible for something to be called ‘living’ if it’s alive only at certain times of the day, week or year. Life is constant at all times, and without pause. More

Torah is “Our life, and the length of our days.” It is not possible for something to be called ‘living’ if it’s alive only at certain times of the day, week or year. Life is constant at all times, and without pause.

Not a single part of a Jew’s day – whether in the realm of thought, speech, or action – is disconnected from Torah. In the words of the Sages: “All your deeds should be for the sake of Heaven.” All a person’s activities, without exception, must be infused with the vibrance of his or her relationship with G-d.

The Talmud compares a Jew without Torah to a fish out of water. A fish, however, can survive temporarily on dry land, whereas a Jew cannot thrive even one moment outside the realm of G-dliness. In the words of King David: “I have placed the Lord before me at all times” – literally, every single moment of one’s life.

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During a lively nigun at the Yud Beis Tammuz farbrengen, the Rebbe invites the JEM camera crew to join in saying L’chaim.

“You have my blessing for your product to be approved by the city council. But a committee is composed of human beings. If someone there will be acquainted with your project beforehand, it will probably help make the approval process easier and more speedy.”

In 1973, Mr. David Stauber accompanied his wife and father-in-law to an audience with the Rebbe. Although he thought he had no personal interest in the meeting, he came out a new Jew.

On Lag B’omer, Rabbi Shimon ben Yochai proclaimed: “This is the day of my rejoicing!” He also requested every Jew to share in his joy, so his own delight is increased when he sees many Jews rejoicing together. More

On Lag B’omer, Rabbi Shimon ben Yochai proclaimed: “This is the day of my rejoicing!” He also requested every Jew to share in his joy, so his own delight is increased when he sees many Jews rejoicing together.

What was it that made Rabbi Shimon so joyful?

The Zohar tells us that it was on this day that he declared: “With G-d I am one, With Him I am a single flame, With Him I am joined.” He sensed that, after an entire life devoted to Torah, he had finally achieved true union with G-d.

The lesson for every Jewish child: Even though yesterday, before Lag B’omer, you were already connected with G-d, today your soul has been given to you anew, granting you also new abilities to grow physically and spiritually, and to reach new heights in your relationship with G-d.

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Vintage footage of the 1957 Lag B’omer Parade in front of 770.

“Much success in your building project near the monument of Rabbi Shimon ben Yochai in Meron, Israel. Your work to establish a Sephardic Studies program at Yeshiva University is also ‘building’ — not of stones, but of souls.”

The doctors promised her she would never have a single child. The Rebbe promised her she would have many! (circa 1957)

Every child has natural inborn traits, some positive, some negative. These often become apparent in the earliest stages of childhood. It is the parent’s sacred duty to caution the child against the negative ones and to teach him discipline More

Every child has natural inborn traits, some positive, some negative. These often become apparent in the earliest stages of childhood. It is the parent’s sacred duty to caution the child against the negative ones and to teach him discipline, despite any protests by the child. The child will thank the parent for the rest of his life.

But how can one change inborn nature? And what if the child already grew up without discipline, or the discipline he was given had no effect on him?

G-d, in the Torah of Truth and the Torah of Life, guarantees every person that he can “choose life.” It may come easier to some children to learn discipline, while for others the challenge may be greater. But one thing is certain: if a specific tendency is harmful to one’s wellbeing – contrary to Torah’s commandment to “Guard your life very carefully,” then with the proper effort it can certainly be overcome.

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The Rebbe starts a lively Nigun at the conclusion of a Farbrengen.

“Second Passover teaches us that ‘It’s never too late.’ The holiday was given for those who were unable to offer the original Passover sacrifice in its proper time. They thought that it was too late, and yet they were told that there is a solution. So too, in any area of life, if there are things you should have done in the past, but did not, it’s never too late to make them up now.”

Just three days before her wedding, a bride declares her wishes to call off the marriage... (circa 1957)

When a person is involved in Torah study, he need not be cautioned to avoid unholy preoccupations. But when it comes to a Jew’s mundane affairs, on the surface they are activities that non-Jews engage in as well. Here, the Jew must know that Torah draws a line of distinction – and this is a total, absolute divide. More

When a person is involved in Torah study, he need not be cautioned to avoid unholy preoccupations. But when it comes to a Jew’s mundane affairs, on the surface they are activities that non-Jews engage in as well. Here, the Jew must know that Torah draws a line of distinction – and this is a total, absolute divide.

According to Jewish law, when one stands just within the border of the Land of Israel, the area has the full status of the Holy Land. However, as soon as one crosses even a hairsbreadth to the other side of the border, one is fully and completely in a state of Diaspora. All that divides these two states of existence is a line the width of a hairsbreadth.

Every Jew, no matter where in the world he may be, is instructed: “Turn this place into a Land of Israel.” When one’s sole intent, even in mundane matters, is “for the sake of Heaven” and “to know G-d,” then one extends “the borders of the Holy Land” to encompass all of reality.

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Chasidim sing a favorite Nigun of Rabbi Shmuel of Lubavitch, the Rebbe Maharash

“The Land of Israel is ‘The Land which G-d’s eyes are upon from the beginning of the year until the end.’ I tell everyone that it is safe to travel there. Someone who is already there is forbidden by Jewish law from leaving. And those who planned to travel there, but cancel their plans, will be perceived by others as having violated Jewish Law.”

Rabbi Avraham Leizerson is chairman of Chinuch Atzmai, the independent religious education system in Israel (1992).

Maimonides rules that a non-Jew must keep the Seven Noahide Laws, not because he agrees with them intellectually, but because they were commanded to him by G-d, through Moses at Sinai. More

Maimonides rules that a non-Jew must keep the Seven Noahide Laws, not because he agrees with them intellectually, but because they were commanded to him by G-d, through Moses at Sinai.

Our generation witnessed the greatest proof that ethics built on human reason alone do not stand to last. A country celebrated as the most democratic, cultured and intellectually progressive on earth, transformed overnight into a brutal regime, perpetrating the most inhuman atrocities in history and plunging the entire world into a state of chaos and devastation.

The only safety to prevent such an event from recurring is for the systems of law to be based on the premise that there is a Higher Entity Who created and directs all of existence, and that this Supernal Being conveyed, through Moses, clear instructions to guide humanity.

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Farewell audience for guests who travelled from abroad to spend Passover with the Rebbe.

“When it comes to educating Jews, ‘trying’ is not enough. You must ‘try’ at least 101 times!”