Likkutei Sichot - Volume 1

Introduction When describing the sequence of the festivals, the Torah connects Pesach – the commemoration of the Exodus – with Shavuos – the anniversary of the Giving of the Torah through the mitzvah of counting the omer, commanding, Vayikra 23:15. “You s...

Introduction The Baal Shem Tov once taught his disciples that everything they see or hear should serve as a lesson in serving G‑d. On their way home after hearing this teaching, they saw a non-Jew carving a cross out of the ice on the river. They were ast...

Introduction The sichah to follow was delivered in 1957, and its words will resonate with anyone familiar with the state of American Jewry at that time. Then, Orthodoxy was on the defensive. Rabbis who were observant in their own personal lives were takin...

In a dream, anything can happen. When a person is awake, his mind functions with order and structure; there are logical limits and patterns. But when dreaming, there are no bounds to his imagination and he can fantasize the impossible – the impossible goo...

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?

From early childhood on, we have been taught the story of Avraham breaking his father’s idols and his self-sacrifice in spreading the awareness of G‑d in Ur Kasdim. Why then is this story not told – or even directly hinted at – in the Written Torah?

Avraham had two sons: Yishmael and Yitzchak. From the contrast between them, we can derive lessons fundamental to parenting, and learn that the greatest nachas, satisfaction, parents derive from their children is seeing them continuing their legacy.