Likkutei Sichos vol. 19

True love means you don't go easy on someone.

What is the dominant theme of the book of Devarim? Explore the role of Moshe as a conduit, and how Torah links the ordinary Jew and the essence of G-d.

In the mitzvah of Torah study, the emphasis placed on teaching Torah to children conveys a lesson in how to learn Torah as G-d intended it.

The deeper meaning behind putting Tefillin on your arm before your head.

In the end of tractate Makkos, the gemara relates two anecdotes with Rabbi Akiva and his colleagues about how they viewed the destruction of the Beis HaMikdash. We learn R’ Akiva’s unique approach in seeing the blessing in challenges; offering double solace in this time of the year.

At the end of gemara Taanis, we learn of the lesser known festival of the 15th of Av, when the daughters of Jerusalem would go out and say some interesting things, which get us to ask what is the value of a Jewish person?

Don't reduce Judaism to an intellectual experience.

The value of completing a mitzvah.

The 20th of Av is the yahrtzeit of the Rebbe’s father. Interestingly, in Temple times it was a special day for a particular family who would donate wood for the altar on that date. Learn what happened when it coincided with Shabbos and discover what to do when you can't fulfill a pledge on its due date.

Does G-d ever dish out bad things?

Is the Beis HaMikdash holy because Hashem chose to make it holy, or do we add any value?

Does the Torah expect us to give severance gifts to employees when they leave? How much wisdom is a teacher required to share with a student? All of this can be derived from the mitzvah to gift one’s servant when they are freed.

The Previous Rebbe describes Elul in a way that comprises four elements. Discover how a time that emphasizes our own unitive from below, really begins with support from above.

Learn two mystical explanations into the name Elul, which allude to the two aspects of this month—when we look back at the past year and prepare for the coming year.

Why a king is the heart (not the mind) of the nation.

A Jew may not settle in Egypt. The question is why not? After all, the ancient Egyptians are long gone from that country.

Explore the difference between the Torah itself and the words of prophets as gleaned from the Rambam. Learn how Moshe's project prophecy consolidates the integrity of the Torah.

Two different kinds of witnesses in halacha and their spiritual counterparts, offers insight into the Jewish mandate to infuse the world with the Divine essence.

The mitzvah of sending away the mother bird from amid its young is associated with the reward of long life. We examine the Siyum (conclusion) of tractate Chullin and look to reconcile conflicting teachings regarding whether there is reward for a mitzvah in this world.

From the mitzvah to make a fence around the roof of a new home to ensure safety, we learn that a new life-stage or a new spiritual adventure requires a new personal discipline.

The link between remembering Amalek and remembering Shabbos.

How Rashi shows us powerful blessings and inspirations in the most frightening warnings of the Torah.

The 18th of Elul is a special day on the Chassidic calendar and coincides with parshas Ki Savo. The shared theme is about truly arriving. Discover what it means that Chassidus brings Judaism to life, and Chabad infuses every aspect of Judaism with vitality.

How Chabad Chassidus revolutionizes every aspect of Jewish life. Understanding the unique contributions of the Baal Shem Tov and the Alter Rebbe, whose birthdays are celebrated on the 18th of Elul.

Rashi offers three perspectives on why Moshe gathered the Jews to stand before Hashem before his passing.

A closer look at Rashi’s commentary that the covenant is also with future generations. This insight illustrates how Hashem connects deeply with every Jew, across the generations.

Learning Rashi’s commentary on why we need Hashem to show us to choose life. Ultimately, when we elect to commit to Torah, we express the core of our being.

The rebirth of our Jewish commitment and the joy of Rosh Hashanah.

A revolutionary insight into prayer, which we learn from the story of Chana (the haftorah on Rosh Hashanah), where she appeared drunk, but actually teaches us how to engage in prayer.

Why does Rashi highlight only certain details of Hakhel to explain? A lesson in focusing our whole being on serving Hashem.

Learn Rashi’s commentary on the role of heaven and earth mentioned in parshas Haazinu, in contrast to the wording in parsha Nitzavim.

The three levels of the Sukkos experience (Sukkah, Lulav and Simcha) represent three levels of the Jewish experience, and offers spiritual insight into why a borrowed Sukkah is fine—in contrast to the Lulav, which must actually be your own.

Explore the inner dimension of Sukkah and Lulav, and how they represent two types of unity, two ways to impact the world, and two ways to bring Moshiach.

Hakhel is a unique year to experience how we connect to Hashem from the core of our beings.

Celebrating how Torah infuses us with vitality.

Aveiros impact us in three ways, so we need three modes of repair to cleanse them. Delving into commentary on Igeres HaTeshuva ch. 3.

Breaking down the two levels of the ‘lower’ and ‘higher’ Teshuvah into two more levels, and the need to explore the higher teshuvah at the outset—based on commentary to Igeres HaTeshuva ch. 4.