Original Success

Before your soul descended to this world, it was determined she would succeed. If not in this lifetime, then in another, or yet another—eventually she will fulfill her entire mission.
And in each lifetime, she will move further ahead.

It was this knowledge that conceived her.

It was this inspiration that brought the world to be.

It is this vision of her success
that lies at the essence of all things.

Maamar Mayim Rabim 5738.

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Living Time

The Soul Grows Up

By Tzvi Freeman

From the wisdom of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, of righteous memory; words and condensation by Rabbi Tzvi Freeman. Subscribe and get your dose daily. To order Rabbi Freeman’s latest book, Wisdom to Heal the Earth, click here.

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Wisdom to Heal the Earth »

By Tzvi Freeman

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Wisdom to Heal the Earth is a revolutionary new look at Tikun Olam based on the teachings of the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, of righteous memory.

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13 Comments

v burns Washington August 29, 2015

slow but sure yes, yes Rabbi, understand much better. appreciation for this - thank you
Vangie Reply

Karin Kruger Oklahoma City, OK/USA August 27, 2015

Original success I don't see the Judaic view of reincarnation referring to the physical body. A soul is elevated as she learns the lessons that are taught in this life and some people are blessed with many lessons in a lifetime that do elevate them to a higher level until she can finally return to the light ... my assumption comes from my very limited knowledge of Tanya (I'm only in year two of studying it.) Also, an intense course in Kabbalah reinforced it.

I know our main job is tikkun olam; is not part of that process seeking for those nuggets of gold in the darkness and to add a little bit of light into the darkness via our mitzvoth?

I don't know if a tzadik is born with a soul that lives in the light or if a tzaddik's soul went through many stages of elevation. It is not important ... as with many aspects of life, for me, it is all about the journey and not the destination. Reply

Dr. David B Wisconsin February 15, 2015

I don't see anything in Torah or scripture that even hints of more than one life here on earth. For people to believe that we have another life to get it right will cause them to do nothing regarding Torah and study of scripture or the teachings of the sages. Study Torah, pray, seek G-d with your whole heart and you will find peace in this life and in the next. G-d wants to reveal himself to all of us. Search , seek and you will find! Reply

Allan Koven Anaheim March 9, 2014

Makes no sense. HaShem knows all and created time and space. What is the need for transmigration of the soul when all is known before creation?

Soul knowledge is beyond our ability to understand. However, the creator of all souls, the ineffable, creates meaning for us so that time will have significance.

Reincarnation is a Lurianic rationalization, devised to ameliorate the fear of death. Reply

Tzvi Freeman April 21, 2009

Re: Reincarnation People often ask whether reincarnation is accepted as "mainstream Judaism." For about 500 years, the Zohar was almost as revered by Jews as the Bible itself--and it is replete with references to reincarnation. Few men were accorded the reverence of the Arizal, and his teachings concerning reincarnation were recorded in "Shaar haGilgulim." Reincarnation was cited even in halachic works to explain the need to study all aspects of Torah.

In the modern era, many Jews attempted to adapt their theology to the materialist mindset. Reincarnation did not fit. Today, however, most of us wish to return to the authentic view of our great-grandparents, unadulterated by modern bias.

For more on reincarnation, see the articles on reincarnation in our knowledgebase. Reply

John R. Afflitto nyc, ny April 21, 2009

How many life times would it take for hitler's soul to be sucessful. Reply

Anonymous phonenix, az April 20, 2009

reincarnation of the soul you mean that this life is not all that there is? Reply

Danielle Stern zutphen, the netherlands April 20, 2009

original sucses once again i am amazed reading this food for thought.
growing up as a jewess i was led to believe that there is one life and death at the end of it is the end...
my soul was never happy with this idea and i searched and found my answeres in other ways of life ...
since i recieve the daily dose i have read many times the sugestion that my soul has more than just this life...
it is comforting to realise that what ever someone said when i was a small child, is not true..
thanks for letting me see that judaism has a different side to its spirituality. Reply

Aryan Serrano Garcia Tijuana, Mexico April 20, 2009

soul in another life So this is about reincarnation of the soul? Reply

Mark Ottawa, Ontario, Canada April 20, 2009

Reincarnation Am I to understand, then, that according to Chabad, Jewish theology includes a belief in reincarnation? Reply

Nomi NJ April 6, 2009

original success Sometimes I don't quite understand to turn your words into reality. How do we know that we are fulfilling our mission? Yet even when I don't understand, I do. I can't imagine a day without reading your concise, insightful, soaring words, like wings to take us... where? It doesn't matter. I'm along for the ride.

And so grateful for this site!!! Reply

Anonymous Alpharetta, ga August 16, 2007

Comforting This is an important an comforting reminder- especially in times when we feel that we are falling short of what or where we should be in life's journey. Reply

s.z.h. Morristown, NJ July 21, 2006

Happy Thank you. Reply

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