Chabad Rebbes

What is the key to graciously accepting blessings in life while not growing callous because of them? Rabbi Schneur Zalman offers the answer, through a study of the words of Jacob, the archetypal beneficiary.

In parshat Vayishlach, we read that Jacob heard that Esau was coming towards him with 400 armed men, intent on destroying him. Jacob was afraid, so he divided everything he had into two camps, thinking that if Esau attacks one, the other will survive. He ...

Names are significant. They reveal the inner nature of the person or people called by that name. The Jewish people are called by two names, Yaakov and Yisrael. Each of these names has a distinct meaning and significance.

The prophecy of Zechariah, that Mashiach will appear as “a poor man, riding on a donkey,” is an image frequently depicted and referred to in Jewish art and literature. Why is the imagery of a donkey associated with Mashiach?

“It is the duty of chassidic women and girls to stand in the front line of every activity [that seeks] to strengthen the observance of Yiddishkeit.” This excerpt from a letter, written back in 5696 (1936), reflects a trend that was developed and grew unde...

The eighth section of the Book of Genesis chronicles the patriarch Jacob’s challenges as he returns to the Land of Israel after concluding his stay in Aram. It opens as he hears that his grudge-bearing brother Esau is on his way to confront him. Jacob sen...

In this week’s Torah reading, the Patriarch Jacob (Yaakov) is given a second name Yisrael, Israel. Indeed, when speaking collectively about our people and our land, this name is used more consistently and prominently. Judaism, particularly in the light of...

Lazer Sholokov was twelve and a half when he attended the Chabad camp at Nizhny Novgorod, Russia. The camp director, Rabbi Shimon Bergman, had already noticed his innate sensitivity to Judaism during his previous participation in Chabad programs. So Rabbi...

Rabbi Avraham Gluck was a successful English lighting contractor with interests in many European countries. He was also a dedicated follower of the Rebbe. At yechidus (a private audience),the Rebbe told him that every Jew is like a light bulb, waiting for...

I. On the verse:Bereishis 45:14. “And he fell on the neck of Benyamin his brother and wept, and Benyamin wept on his neck,” our Sages comment:Megillah 16b, cited by Rashi in his commentary to the verse. [Yosef] cried for the two Batei HaMikdash (— as allu...