ב"ה
Chayei Sarah: True Life
Dear Friend,
This Thursday is the birthday of Rabbi Sholom DovBer, the fifth rebbe of Lubavitch.
Rabbi Sholom DovBer was once asked to define a chassid. He replied that a chassid is a lamplighter: He carries a fire that is not of his making, and kindles the souls of others—no matter how far they may be.
We can all take his lesson to heart. There are plenty of lamps waiting to be lit, in our own cities, our own communities, even our own homes. So reach out and light one with the fire of Torah—and you too will be a lamplighter.
This is the mission of a chassid, and by extension every Jew, indeed every human being.
The Chabad.org Editorial Team
Parshah
The Disappearing Groom
For a lengthy period immediately prior to the marriage, Isaac literally disappears: a summation of Isaac’s life leaves us with an unaccountable gap of almost three years.
For a lengthy period immediately prior to the marriage, Isaac literally disappears: a summation of Isaac’s life leaves us with an unaccountable gap of almost three years.
Countering the “If Only” Attitude
The “if only” attitude claims that if only we had some essentially missing quality, then our lives would be infinitely enhanced.
The “if only” attitude claims that if only we had some essentially missing quality, then our lives would be infinitely enhanced.
The Waiting Room
Have you ever driven 60 miles to meet a friend, only to have that friend—who lives two miles away—arrive 10 to 15 minutes late?
Have you ever driven 60 miles to meet a friend, only to have that friend—who lives two miles away—arrive 10 to 15 minutes late?
Chayei Sarah in a Nutshell
Sarah passes away, and Abraham purchases the Cave of Machpelah for her resting place. Eliezer is sent to find a wife for Isaac, and he meets Rebecca, who treats him and his camels with kindness and generosity.
Sarah passes away, and Abraham purchases the Cave of Machpelah for her resting place. Eliezer is sent to find a wife for Isaac, and he meets Rebecca, who treats him and his camels with kindness and generosity.
Women
Jewish Feminism
As a child, I insisted on wearing dresses and the color pink. I guess I was born a feminist, in the nonpolitical sense. I celebrated my girlhood and was proud of it.
As a child, I insisted on wearing dresses and the color pink. I guess I was born a feminist, in the nonpolitical sense. I celebrated my girlhood and was proud of it.
Praying With Mom
We switched roles. As she drifted to sleep, I sat by the hospital bed (and later the nursing-home bed) and sang Yiddishe lullabies—Jewish words and melodies.
We switched roles. As she drifted to sleep, I sat by the hospital bed (and later the nursing-home bed) and sang Yiddishe lullabies—Jewish words and melodies.
Silence
Why the tension? Why the silence? Why the embarrassment when I see someone I know at the doctor’s office? Why?
Why the tension? Why the silence? Why the embarrassment when I see someone I know at the doctor’s office? Why?
Your Questions
What Is a Chassid?
A chassid is a mystic. A chassid is pious. A chassid is joyous. A chassid is selfless. A chassid is a revolutionary. What is the common denominator of all these traits? That a chassid lives life from the inside.
A chassid is a mystic. A chassid is pious. A chassid is joyous. A chassid is selfless. A chassid is a revolutionary. What is the common denominator of all these traits? That a chassid lives life from the inside.
Hurt Feelings
I would have thought that the teasing child is to blame for causing upset to the other youngster. Am I wrong?
I would have thought that the teasing child is to blame for causing upset to the other youngster. Am I wrong?
The Rebbe
How to Deal with Anger
The Rebbe’s guidance ranges from simple, practical suggestions to more advanced meditations that address the root causes of our anger.
The Rebbe’s guidance ranges from simple, practical suggestions to more advanced meditations that address the root causes of our anger.
Essay
To Pray with the Tables and with the Chairs
Far from being a disturbance to the pursuit of pure spirituality, it is the material world that serves as the setting and telos of Hasidic prayer, whose ultimate agenda is to reveal this mundane space as a fitting habitation for divinity.
Far from being a disturbance to the pursuit of pure spirituality, it is the material world that serves as the setting and telos of Hasidic prayer, whose ultimate agenda is to reveal this mundane space as a fitting habitation for divinity.
Story
A Door on the East
The rebbe took the gold coin, wedged it in a crack in the wall next to his desk, and said no more.
The rebbe took the gold coin, wedged it in a crack in the wall next to his desk, and said no more.
Cooking
News
Chabad on Campus Advances Awareness of Substance Abuse
Substance and alcohol abuse remains a serious issue on college campuses, and Chabad on Campus International Foundation is organizing a nationwide speaking tour featuring rabbis and other experts to provide guidance to students and staff.
Substance and alcohol abuse remains a serious issue on college campuses, and Chabad on Campus International Foundation is organizing a nationwide speaking tour featuring rabbis and other experts to provide guidance to students and staff.
At Annual Gathering, 5,200 to Mark 20 Years
More than 5.200 Chabad Lubavitch emissaries and community leaders will gather for their annual conference in New York, marking 20 years since Gimmel Tammuz, the anniversary of the passing of the Rebbe—Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, of righteous memory.
More than 5.200 Chabad Lubavitch emissaries and community leaders will gather for their annual conference in New York, marking 20 years since Gimmel Tammuz, the anniversary of the passing of the Rebbe—Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, of righteous memory.
Chabad Couple Sends Woman’s Body Home From Nepal
The body of a Jewish tourist in Nepal who died in an accident near Mt. Everest was returned home by the Chabad emissaries there to her family in Australia, avoiding cremation.
The body of a Jewish tourist in Nepal who died in an accident near Mt. Everest was returned home by the Chabad emissaries there to her family in Australia, avoiding cremation.
Mikvah Refurbished, Renamed After Lashing by Hurricane Sandy
Nearly one year after Hurricane Sandy crashed up the coast of the U.S. eastern seaboard and devastated much of Belle Harbor, Queens, N.Y. a renovated mikvah is testimony to a community's commitment to Jewish practice.
Nearly one year after Hurricane Sandy crashed up the coast of the U.S. eastern seaboard and devastated much of Belle Harbor, Queens, N.Y. a renovated mikvah is testimony to a community's commitment to Jewish practice.
New Mikvah, New Mitzvah in Mexico Resort
Jordana Stein was the first person to use the mikvah in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, passing stunning decor and even a waterfall on the way to immerse herself in the community’s newly established ritual bath. “It was different from anything I’ve ever experied. It was wonderful.”
Jordana Stein was the first person to use the mikvah in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, passing stunning decor and even a waterfall on the way to immerse herself in the community’s newly established ritual bath. “It was different from anything I’ve ever experied. It was wonderful.”
Jerusalem Food Pantry Packs a Punch
Pantry Packers, a project of Colel Chabad, enables visitors to Israel to spend 90 minutes volunteering in a meaningful, hands-on way toward alleviating hunger among Israel’s poorest sector. Donors, staff and the Chief Rabbi of Israel dedicated the opening of its new home.
Pantry Packers, a project of Colel Chabad, enables visitors to Israel to spend 90 minutes volunteering in a meaningful, hands-on way toward alleviating hunger among Israel’s poorest sector. Donors, staff and the Chief Rabbi of Israel dedicated the opening of its new home.
Art
Prayer
Symbolic depiction of prayer as a vehicle for spiritual connection between G-d and Jewish people. A prayer of peace for Israel. Every time I hear this prayer, it hits me right in my heart and ignites my feeling of belief.
Symbolic depiction of prayer as a vehicle for spiritual connection between G-d and Jewish people. A prayer of peace for Israel. Every time I hear this prayer, it hits me right in my heart and ignites my feeling of belief.
Hope for G-d, be strong and He will give your heart courage, and hope for G-d
— Psalms 27:14
Print Magazine
G‑d doesn’t need you to report on the dirt in His world.
He sent you here to search out the jewels hidden in the mud, clean them and polish them until they shine.
And when you bring them to Him, the angels make a crown of them for Him, saying, “Look what Your children have made for You out of the mud!”
New on Chabad.org