ב"ה

Chanukah 5763 - Nov. 29-Dec. 7, 2002

The Lightness of Being

If you recorded every word you said for 24 hours, you'd probably find hundreds of references to light. Light, brightness, radiance -- these are the metaphors we use when we wish to speak about hope, wisdom, and goodness
Parshah
Vayeshev in a Nutshell
Jacob makes a colored coat for his favorite son, Joseph. Joseph’s brothers are jealous; they sell him to travelling Ishmaelites, and tell Jacob he is dead. Joseph is taken to Egypt, works for Potiphar, and is thrown into jail, where he meets the baker and the butler and interprets their dreams.
Shutters and Blinds

What does light give? The details. The color and texture. The fullness and the goodness. It balances the shadows and fills in the outlines, so that the remaining darkness only adds contrast, complexity, beauty and interest to my world.
Why Couldn't the Jews and Greeks Just Get Along?

The Jews and Greeks could have learned so much from each other! Instead, the extremists of both sides hit the battlefield
Story
Eight Chanukah Stories
Judea, 139 BCE... Heaven, 25 Kislev, 3622 from creation... Mezhibuzh, 18th Century... France, 1942... Kharkov, 1995... Los Angeles, 2002...
Eight Shades of Light

In the beginning, darkness and light were one. Then G-d separated between revealed good and concealed good, challenging us to cultivate the day and transform the night
Refraining from indulging in the pleasures of this world is only a fine preparation for avoda (service of G-d). Avoda itself is transforming the physical into a vehicle for G-dliness.
— Hayom Yom, Sivan 17
Print Magazine

Intellect is inadequate because not all things can be explained. Intellect needs faith.

Faith is impotent because it remains forever obscure. Faith needs intellect.

But they are opposites, as contradictory as yes and no:
Faith accepts; Intellect questions.
Faith surrenders; Intellect struggles.

Miraculously, ther...

New on Chabad.org

Are You a Kosher Duck?

Tracking Down Dad's Dachau Hero

The Kabbalah of Holy Wars and Unconditional Love

Haftorah in a Nutshell

Matot-Masei: Where the Chase Stops

Rambam: Maaser, Chapter 10

Rambam: Maaser, Chapter 9

Rambam: Maaser, Chapter 8

Rambam: Maaser, Chapter 7

Rambam: Maaser, Chapter 6

Rambam: Maaser, Chapter 5

Rambam: Maaser, Chapter 4

Rambam: Maaser, Chapter 3

Rambam: Maaser, Chapter 2

Rambam: Maaser, Chapter 1