Shemot: Names with Meaning
Dear Friend,
We are heading toward a major milestone. Sunday, the 24th day of Tevet, marks 200 years since the passing of Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi (1745–1812), founder of Chabad.
A mystic, communal activist, philosopher, halachic authority and composer—Rabbi Schneur Zalman was all of these. But above all he was a spiritual guide, who blazed a practical path by which anyone can come close to G‑d.
“The life of a righteous man, a tzaddik,” Rabbi Schneur Zalman once wrote, “is not a physical life, but a spiritual life.” Spiritual life has no demise, but is perpetuated by those who study the tzaddik’s teachings and walk in his ways, he taught. We suggest that you join a Tanya class, do an extra mitzvah, or study some Torah in his honor, and Rabbi Schneur Zalman will live on through your deeds.
For the past six months or so, our staff have been preparing for this milestone. We have created a mini-site—replete with videos, stories, articles and music—to share the life, works and teachings of this great man. We invite you to browse through it, learn, ponder, discover and enjoy.
Eli Rubin,
on behalf of the Chabad.org Editorial Team
G‑d was looking for someone to lead His people. We know he chose Moses. The question is, why?
Scripture tells us that Moses left Egypt a young man, and yet he comes back an octogenarian. Where was he for all those years?
The Torah portion paints a portrait of the life of Moses, culminating in the moment at which G‑d appears to him in the bush that burns without being consumed. It is a key text of the Torah view of leadership.
Pharaoh enslaves the Hebrews, and orders all male babies killed. Moses is born, placed in a basket on the Nile, and discovered and raised by Batyah, Pharaoh’s daughter. Moses leaves the palace and discovers his brethren’s hardship. G‑d appears to him in a burning bush, and sends him to advocate for the Israelites’ freedom.
There is one time in our lives when we are definitively granted prophecy. And that is when we name our child . . .
As a child, my basic needs for human contact were not met. Food was scarce, and what there was, was seldom prepared or served to us.
What I wanted was to take over at the wheel and push G‑d into the passenger seat. I’d had enough of His messing with my plans and rescheduling my events . . .
The life and times of Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi—his early life, arrest and liberation, and more.
I think it behooves a Jew to be abreast of world events, and what better source than the television? Can we really remove ourselves from the reality of the rest of the world?
I already have several small children, and I cannot take care of another baby . . . Can I pray to G‑d to terminate the pregnancy?
After the death of Solomon, ten of the twelve tribes refuse to accept his son Rehoboam as their king. Jeroboam leads a revolt, and establishes his capital in Shechem. The kingdom then splits off into two entities, Israel in the north and Judah in the south. We learn about some of the corrupt leaders of the Kingdom of Israel, including King Ahab and his wife Jezebel.
Often, the best response to adversity is to break out of our comfort zones and extend a helping hand to another person with love and gratitude for all the good that we have.
When Rabbi Avraham Moshe that saw his father was about to launch into a learned discourse, he reminded him of their agreement that it was not a good idea to do so among these liberal German Jews.
"We are having so much fun. It is a shame abba (father) can't be with us too . . ."
Miriam Gordon's life coincided with the growth of Chabad-Lubavitch in America.
Each of the seven species of fruit represents a different kind of Jewish person. We should all be growing on one tree together in harmony.
Has winter got you feeling tired and lethargic? Try this energy-boosting smoothie, full of healthy fruits, vegetables and seeds.
Know as clear as day and contemplate this deeply, that He who emanates all into being is He who rules and judges this world. In the heavens above and on the earth below, there is nothing else. (Deut. 4:39)
The same G‑d who transcends all time and space is the same G‑d manifest in all the forces and fields of physics.
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