Likkutei Sichot - Volume 9

Introduction Perhaps the most difficult thing for anyone to bear in a relationship is indifference, the feeling that a loved one has turned away, as if what is happening does not matter to him or to her. For this reason, the prophecy, Devarim 31:18. “I wi...

Introduction How can we expect to bring Mashiach when all the generations before us have yet to do so? Yes, we are told that we are dwarfs standing on the shoulders of giants, that the reservoir of good that all the previous generations have been filling ...

Introduction According to our Sages, See Sifsei Chachamim, Chasam Sofer, Bereishis 37:35, et al. the fact that a person becomes less pained by the loss of a loved one over the course of time is ordained from Above. Otherwise, there would be no way that on...

Introduction In many Jewish communities, the very mention of Shabbos Chazon calls forth somber thoughts. Communal mourning practices associated with the Nine Days are followed in some places even though it is Shabbos, and the Haftarah – from which this Sh...

An analysis of the first two paragraphs of the Shema express two modes of interaction with the divine, and an inspiring and encouraging message for our times. (Likutei Sichos vol. 9)

The Baal Shem Tov gave the following reason as to why we do not recite the blessing for the new month on the Shabbos preceding the beginning of the month of Tishrei as we do on the Shabbasos that precede all other new months: “The seventh month [of the fe...

There are two verses in the section of Savo that speak to the unique relationship between G‑d and the Jewish people: Devarim 26:17-18. “You have ‘distinguished’ — he’emarta — G‑d today that He be a G‑d for you ... and G‑d has ‘set you apart’ — he’emircha ...

In the Torah portion of Shoftim, the Torah describes how the Jewish people were to prepare for war. Among the things said to the potential warriors was: “Is there any man among you who is afraid or faint-hearted? Let him go home rather than have his cowar...

Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Schneerson, of blessed memory,His hilulah, the anniversary of his passing, is on the 20th of Av, Chaf Av. the Rebbe’s father, received his rabbinic ordination from a number of distinguished rabbis, among them the Gaon, Reb Chayim Brisk...

The Ninth of Av marks the destruction of both Holy Temples. Three Haftoros, known as “The Three [Haftoros] of Punishment” are read on the three Shabbasos that precede the Ninth of Av.Then, on the Shabbos following the Ninth of Av, there begins the series ...