http://www.chabad.org/search/keyword.asp?kid=6009 Newest articles written by Lubavitcher Rebbe; translated by Eli Touger Copyright 2005, Chabad.org - Chabad-Lubavitch Media Center, all rights reserved. http://www.chabad.org/media/images/50/CtRx507451.gif 130 52 http://www.chabad.org Tue, 3 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST Tue, 3 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST http://www.chabad.org/article.asp?aid=1019442 http://www.chabad.org/article.asp?aid=1019442 "R. Acha said: 'The talk (sichah) of the servants of the patriarchs is more attractive than the teachings (Torah) of [their] descendants. For the passage of Eliezar is repeated in the Torah, while many basics of Torah [law] were conveyed only by allusion.'" Rashi to Bereishis 24:42; see also Bereishis Rabbah 60:8. As is well known, our Rebbeim — see the maamarim of the Alter Rebbe printed in Or HaTorah with the notes of the Tzemach Tzedek Or HaTorah, Bereishis, Vol. I, p. 126b ff. and [subsequent] maamarim on this theme — focus on the question: Why is "the talk of the servants of the Patriarchs" "more attractive than the teachings of [their] descendants"? {[The question] highlights the difference between talk (sichah) and teachings (Torah), and, seemingly, "teachings" are superior to "talk".) They also focus on other points of the wording of the Midrash, including the statement: See Bereishis Rabbah, loc. cit. "The washing of the feet [of the servants of the Patriarchs] is more attract Tue, 3 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST http://www.chabad.org/article.asp?aid=1019441 http://www.chabad.org/article.asp?aid=1019441 "And Avraham planted an eshel in Beersheva and he proclaimed the name of the L‑rd, G‑d of the world."Bereishis 21:33. The maamar entitled VaYitah Eshel delivered on Shabbos Parshas Vayeira, 5698,Sefer HaMaamarim 5698, p. 105ff. 50 years ago, focuses on the connection between the two clauses of the verse, questioning: How did "plant[ing] an eshel in Beersheva" lead to Avraham's "proclaim[ing] the name of the L‑rd, G‑d of the world." The maamar also cites our Sages' statement:Sotah 10a-b. We are citing the teaching as quoted in the maamar. There are slightly different versions of the text as it appears in the Talmud and in Ein Yaakov. Do not read "and he proclaimed;" read "And he had others proclaim." This teaches that Avraham our Patriarch caused the name of the Holy One, blessed be He, to be called forth from the mouths of every traveler. What is implied? [Avraham offered them hospitality.] After they ate and drank, they rose to bless him. He told them: "Did you partake of anything of Sun, 1 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST http://www.chabad.org/article.asp?aid=1019434 http://www.chabad.org/article.asp?aid=1019434 "Go forth from your homeland, from your birthplace, and from your father's house...." All footnotes to which an asterisk (*) was added represent parenthetic remarks included in the Rebbe's discourse. The others are translator's additions.,Bereishis 12:1. In Torah Or, the Alter Rebbe explains that this command has two dimensions, as implied by the use of a plural term in the phrase: "And he proceeded on his journeys." This indicates that there are two journeys: from below upward and from above downward. In that maamar, [the Alter Rebbe] proceeds to explain the concept of journeying from above downward, stating that Avram (אברם), [the name by which Avraham was known at that time,] is a composite of the words אב רם, which refers to "intellect that is hidden from all conceptualization."The term אב refers to the attribute of Chochmah, wisdom. רם means "elevated" or "exalted." Thus אב רם refers to an exalted level of Chochmah, i.e., a level so elevated that it remains hidden, above revelatio Tue, 27 Oct 2009 12:00:00 EST http://www.chabad.org/article.asp?aid=1019439 http://www.chabad.org/article.asp?aid=1019439 This is the sign of the covenant... I have placed My rainbow in the cloud... and the rainbow will be in the cloud."All footnotes to which an asterisk (* ) was added represent parenthetic remarks included in the Rebbe's discourse. The others are translator's additions. These verses are the subject of a maamar that was just printedIn Maamarei Admor HaZakein Al Parshiyos HaTorah, p. 57. that appears to be from the Alter Rebbe.* A portion of the maamar is included in Or HaTorah [Noach, Vol. 3, p. 652a ff.] together with the explanations of the Tzemach Tzedek. Even though the maamar [in Or HaTorah] is from the Tzemach Tzedek, there is no difficulty in the fact that the Tzemach Tzedek does not state explicitly that this portion of the maamar is from the Alter Rebbe. For several times, the Tzemach Tzedek includes portions of teachings from the Alter Rebbe and the Mitteler Rebbe in his maamarim without stating that he is quoting his predecessors. True, there are times when he does mention that Tue, 27 Oct 2009 12:00:00 EST http://www.chabad.org/article.asp?aid=1019440 http://www.chabad.org/article.asp?aid=1019440 "And Yehonason told him: 'Tomorrow, is the new moon. You will be brought to mind, because your seat will be empty.'" This verse often served as the opening verse for the maamarim delivered by our Rebbeim when erev Rosh Chodesh fell on Shabbos, beginning from the Alter Rebbe.E.g., Sefer HaMaamarim 5567, p. 48ff.; Sefer HaMaamarim 5568, p. 528ff. These maamarim are explained by the Tzemach Tzedek in Or HaTorahOr HaTorah Bereishis, Vol. IV, p. 2ff., et al. with notes, commentary, references, and summaries, and, similarly, in the maamarim of the subsequent Rebbeim.See Sefer HaMaamarim 5670, p. 62ff.; Sefer HaMaamarim 5680, p. 158ff., et al. Among the points emphasized is that the phrase: "You will be brought to mind (ונפקדת), because your seat will be empty (יפקד)" uses the same root with two opposite connotations. "Your seat will be empty" implies a lack of completion and perfection, a deficiency. "You will be brought to mind," by contrast, implies that one will be remembered.See Rashi an Tue, 27 Oct 2009 12:00:00 EST http://www.chabad.org/article.asp?aid=1019433 http://www.chabad.org/article.asp?aid=1019433 Tue, 27 Oct 2009 12:00:00 EST http://www.chabad.org/article.asp?aid=531529 http://www.chabad.org/article.asp?aid=531529 Lecha Dodi, 5714 לכה דודי, תשי״ד לכה דודי לקראת כלה פני שבת נקבלה “Come my Beloved to greet the Bride, let us welcome the Shabbos.” The previous Rebbe relates in the discourse לכה דודי, which is included in the series of wedding Maamarim, Kuntreisim Vol. 1, p. 20a. that a groom is like a king and a bride a queen. Pirkei d’R. Eliezer, end of Ch. 16. [Metaphorically], the groom refers to G-d and the bride to Israel. [In the spiritual realms], the Sefiros, Ze’er Anpin [Z”A] represent the groom, and Malchus the bride. [The phrase] “Come my Beloved to greet the Bride” represents a transmission of influence from Z”A to Malchus which follows an ordered pattern. First, there is an external transmission of influence (from Z”A to Malchus) which is only an encompassing light [i.e. a revelation of a level too high to be internalized which leaves only a general impression] followed by an internal transmission. A similar procedure occurs in every transmission of influence from a Mashpia (giver) to a Tue, 26 Jun 2007 12:00:00 EST http://www.chabad.org/article.asp?aid=115145 http://www.chabad.org/article.asp?aid=115145 Sun, 16 Jan 2005 12:00:00 EST http://www.chabad.org/article.asp?aid=115096 http://www.chabad.org/article.asp?aid=115096 By the Grace of G-d Rosh Chodesh Shevat, 5711 Brooklyn, N.Y. To Anash, to the students of Tomchei Tmimim, and to those who have a bond or a relationship with my revered father-in-law the saintly Rebbe, of blessed memory: G-d bless you all. Greeting and blessings: In reply to the many questions that have been asked about a detailed schedule for the Tenth of Shevat, the yahrzeit of my revered father-in- law, the Rebbe, I would hereby suggest the following: 1. On the Shabbos before the yahrzeit [each chassid] should attempt to be called for an aliyah to the Torah. 2. If there are not enough aliyos the Torah should be read [a number of times] in different rooms. However, no additions should be made to the number of aliyos [at each reading]. 3. The congregation should see to it that the Maftir should be the most respected member of the congregation, as determined by the majority of the congregation; alternatively, the choice should be determined by lot. 4. The congregation should choose som Sun, 16 Jan 2005 12:00:00 EST http://www.chabad.org/article.asp?aid=148994 http://www.chabad.org/article.asp?aid=148994 The Jewish year, with its holidays and fast days, is a cycle of recurring spiritual influences, with each year bringing a new dimension to the cycle. These essays highlight the spiritual message of the holidays, showing the connection between the historical significance of these days and their eternal relevance to Jewish life. Thu, 5 Aug 2004 12:00:00 EST