Lubavitcher Rebbe (Adaptations)

The third section of the Book of Numbers begins as G‑d tells Moses to instruct Aaron how to kindle (Beha’alotecha, in Hebrew) the lamps of the Tabernacle’s Candelabrum. It continues with the final preparations for the Jewish people’s departure from Mount ...

The week’s Torah reading begins with a description of the command to kindle the Menorah, the candelabra in the Sanctuary and later in the Temple. After relating the command, it concludes the subject with the words: “And Aaron did so.” On that phrase, our ...

In the 1970’s, one of the Lubavitcher chassidim managed to emigrate from Russia and settle in England. At his first opportunity, he flew to New York to visit with the Rebbe. During their meeting, the Rebbe asked him whether he had left his tallis and tefi...

Reb Mendel Futerfas spent 14 years in Soviet hard labor camps. One evening, all of his fellow prisoners were depressed. Each one lamented his own tale of woe. Before being arrested, one was a doctor. His career had been booming, and suddenly he was arrest...

A group of Jews had found themselves in a state which, by divine decree, absolved them from the duty to bring the Passover offering. Yet they refused to reconcile themselves to this.

Chapter 8 2 When you kindle the lamps: Spiritually, lighting the lamps of the menorah means igniting our own souls and the souls of others, as King Solomon says, "The lamp of God is the soul of man." Proverbs 20:27. The flame of a candle constantly flicke...

Lighting the Candelabrum 8:1 After the princes of the other tribes finished their inaugural offerings, Aaron was disappointed that his tribe, Levi, had not also brought an inaugural offering. In response, God told him that (a) he had in fact inaugurated t...

The first half of Parashat Beha'alotecha completes the first part of the Book of Numbers, which describes the people's formation as an army on the eve of their journey through the desert. The second half of the parashah begins the second part of the Book ...