ב"ה
Tazria-Metzora: Remembering and Living
Dear Friend,
I recently took my daughter to deliver a care package to an elderly woman in our community. As she stooped down to take the bag from my toddler, I caught a glimpse of fading greenish-bluish numbers on the old woman’s arm. I so wanted to shout, “Rachel! Grasp that hand. Feel the warmth of those fingers. Seventy years ago they were cruelly stolen, and now they are free. Free to caress the pages of a worn prayerbook. Free to brush aside the tears of memory. Free to hold your little hand. “Look at those numbers, baby girl. They are a testimony to how low people can sink—but more importantly, of how our nation can rise above it; how in spite of untold suffering, this humble grandmother remains fully committed to Torah.” In the end I said nothing. Yes, I hope and pray that she remembers these special people when they are no longer, and that she carries the memories of those faded numbers with her forever. But even more than remembering, I want her to live. I want her to celebrate and explore her heritage, not because of those who were killed, but because she is alive. Menachem Posner,on behalf of the Chabad.org Editorial Team
Parshah
Good Gossip
In times of sickness and sorrow, the mind craves answers. People want to know why things are going so spectacularly wrong, and if there is anything they can do to change the situation. People look for someone to blame.
In times of sickness and sorrow, the mind craves answers. People want to know why things are going so spectacularly wrong, and if there is anything they can do to change the situation. People look for someone to blame.
Like a Newborn Child
She wanted to convert, but when the rabbi informed her of the requirements and also mentioned immersion in a mikvah, she balked. She was ready to do everything except for the mikvah ritual, which she found difficult to comprehend . . .
She wanted to convert, but when the rabbi informed her of the requirements and also mentioned immersion in a mikvah, she balked. She was ready to do everything except for the mikvah ritual, which she found difficult to comprehend . . .
Parshah in a Nutshell
The dynamics of birth and the covenant of circumcision, the power of speech and the plague of whiteness, contaminating blood and purifying pools of water.
The dynamics of birth and the covenant of circumcision, the power of speech and the plague of whiteness, contaminating blood and purifying pools of water.
Women
In Search of Maturity
That moment made it clear to both of us: I’m committed to you, and you’re committed to me, and an argument won’t change things.
That moment made it clear to both of us: I’m committed to you, and you’re committed to me, and an argument won’t change things.
Dashboard Lights
The older my kids get, the less say I have in the choices they make. Hard as that is to accept, I know it’s a good thing. A healthy thing. A beautiful thing.
The older my kids get, the less say I have in the choices they make. Hard as that is to accept, I know it’s a good thing. A healthy thing. A beautiful thing.
Video
Women and Prayer
Why are men and women separated by a mechitzah in the synagogue? Why aren’t women counted for a minyan? Do women wear tallis and tefillin?
Why are men and women separated by a mechitzah in the synagogue? Why aren’t women counted for a minyan? Do women wear tallis and tefillin?
How to “Make” Time
The first mitzvah given to the Jewish people was to sanctify time. Torah teaches us how to cherish time and make the best possible use of it, by being a “co-creator” who “makes” time for what is important.
The first mitzvah given to the Jewish people was to sanctify time. Torah teaches us how to cherish time and make the best possible use of it, by being a “co-creator” who “makes” time for what is important.
The Rebbe
How To Beat Laziness
Contemplating that G‑d is present everywhere, one must act as though he was in front of a king . . .
Contemplating that G‑d is present everywhere, one must act as though he was in front of a king . . .
Your Questions
What Is the “Divine Image” in Man?
The Bible (Genesis 1:26) states that man was created in “G‑d's image.” What does this mean?
The Bible (Genesis 1:26) states that man was created in “G‑d's image.” What does this mean?
Stories
Forged in the Crucible of Life
A king once had a prized jewel, the crown jewel in his magnificent diadem. But one morning, to his dismay, he discovered a single thin crack descending down its face.
A king once had a prized jewel, the crown jewel in his magnificent diadem. But one morning, to his dismay, he discovered a single thin crack descending down its face.
The Mud Hole
Two lost souls, a wealthy businessman and his coachman, arrived in a city one Friday afternoon . . .
Two lost souls, a wealthy businessman and his coachman, arrived in a city one Friday afternoon . . .
News
Removed From Their Families, Kids Sing 'We’ve Found a New Home'
What some kids see as the norm, others don’t take for granted. Take the words to part of a musical video sung by boys at Ohr Simcha: “I have a family and a home.”
What some kids see as the norm, others don’t take for granted. Take the words to part of a musical video sung by boys at Ohr Simcha: “I have a family and a home.”
A Joyous Bar Mitzvah for Son of Rabbi with ALS
Rabbi Yitzi Hurwitz, the popular co-director of the Chabad Jewish Center of Temecula Valley, Calif., was just diagnosed with ALS, known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. The bar mitzvah of his son Eli Chaim was a unique simcha (joyous event).
Rabbi Yitzi Hurwitz, the popular co-director of the Chabad Jewish Center of Temecula Valley, Calif., was just diagnosed with ALS, known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. The bar mitzvah of his son Eli Chaim was a unique simcha (joyous event).
A Kind, Caring Vancouver Rabbi Who Spoke with 'Clarity and Passion'
Rabbi Lipa Dubrawsky, known for his positive influence on so many, dies at 56
Rabbi Lipa Dubrawsky, known for his positive influence on so many, dies at 56
Art
Wedding Under a Green Sky
Jewish wedding painted after seeing a quote from Hitler, “Anyone who sees and paints a sky green and fields blue ought to be sterilized.”
Jewish wedding painted after seeing a quote from Hitler, “Anyone who sees and paints a sky green and fields blue ought to be sterilized.”
Do you think that G-d needs to eat? Does not the verse proclaim, "Should I hunger, I would not tell you, for the world, and all it contains, is Mine... Do I eat the flesh of bulls, or drink the blood of goats?" But it is not for My desire that you bring these offerings, [says G-d,] but for your own, as it is written (Leviticus 19:5), "For your own desire, you should offer it."
— Talmud, Menachot 110a
Print Magazine
The world is a place of constant change and unrest.
Each point in time is distinct from the point before and the point after.
Each point in space is its own world, with its own conditions and state of being.
It is a world of fragments, a perpetual rush of traffic and noise.
Look at your own life: You do so ...
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