The Rebbe Speaks

Footage from the Rebbe’s 1981 gathering (Tishrei 6, 5742) commemorating the yahrtzeit (anniversary of passing) of Rebbetzen Chana Schneerson, the Rebbe’s mother.

“Seek G-d when he is found, call Him when He is near.” Our sages teach that this verse refers to the Ten Days Between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, when our repentance is especially effective and accepted immediately by G-d.

When it comes to Jewish education, some parents ask, “What’s the rush? When our child learns right from wrong, and matures a little, then we’ll teach him about his heritage. It can wait until he is at least able to understand that he is part of the chosen people, and different to others.”

The Torah relates the story of how Chana persevered in her prayers and was finally granted a son. But more than just a biblical tale, it’s a lesson for us in our responsibility to the future generations.

It is imperative that in every Jewish community a library be established – a place where books of Torah can be found — simple books for those with a basic knowledge of Judaism, as well as deeper ones for those at an advanced level of Torah study.

Reshis Chochmah quotes Rabbi Moshe Cordovero, and the opinion of Rabbi Yonah of Gerona, that the days between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur are like the intermediate days of a festival.

The first ten days of the year, beginning with Rosh Hashanah and ending with Yom Kippur, are called "the Ten Days of Repentance." But the commentaries liken the seven days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur to Chol Hamoed - as if they were intermediate days of a joyous Festival. How can these days of awe be joyful days at the same time?

The Talmud relates that Miriam bas Bilga abandoned Judaism, married a gentile Greek officer and accompanied the Greeks as they stormed the Holy Temple. She then went and pounded the Holy Altar with her sandal, crying out: “Wolf, wolf! You consume the Jewish People’s wealth, but you don't answer them in their time of need!” For this latter deed, the Sages punished her entire family.

A girl spoke in a non-religious school in Israel about the Mitzvah of Shabbos candles. She taught them the blessings, and gave them candles and candlesticks to take home.

Sarah, the first Jewish mother, is a shining example of the great power that every woman has over her family and our entire nation. It was Sarah who insisted that Isaac, not Ishmael, continue Abraham’s progeny. It was she who raised Isaac in his formative years, instilling within him the fortitude to stand up to all tests, and to become the second Patriarch of the Jewish People.

The very first command of the Torah is: “Be fruitful and multiply.” Rashi explains: You might think that having one child is already being “fruitful,” so Torah adds “and multiply.” And to remove all doubt, the verse continues, “fill the earth and conquer it.”

Our Forefather Isaac never stepped foot outside the Land of Israel. His life was spent in the Land where all G-d’s blessings converge and radiate to the rest of the world. Joseph, on the other hand, faced material and spiritual challenges in Egypt. But despite all odds, he became ruler of the empire. The life of every Jew reflects both the life of Isaac and the life of Joseph.

The lives and challenges of our forefather Isaac and his grandson Joseph were very different. Isaac lived out his entire life in the Land of Israel amidst physical prosperity. Joseph spent most of his life in Egypt where he was sold into slavery and ultimately became a powerful ruler.

Teshuva requires that a person make an honest assessment of his spiritual standing. To do this, it would seem ideal to isolate oneself from all distractions, to focus on one’s past deeds. Why do we see, that on Yom Kippur – the main day for Teshuvah of the whole year – we spend the entire day in a public place, in synagogue, together with so many others?

After the passing of his mother, Rebbetzin Chana Schneerson, in 1964, the Rebbe began holding a farbrengen, chassidic gathering and public address, on the date of her yahrzeit. This gathering would be dedicated to her legacy, and to the mission of the Jewish woman.

Thank you to all who conveyed their good wishes for the New Year. May G-d’s promise be fulfilled: "I will bless those who bless you." It is difficult to answer individual questions during these months of Elul and Tishrei. But when a person truly connects with his inner Divine Soul, G-d illuminates his mind and heart with the wisdom to make the right decision.

Our Sages extol the virtue of “Teshuva and good deeds.” But why do they praise the path of repentance before the path of purity? Shouldn’t repentance for misdeeds be enumerated after we speak of doing good deeds?

“Fill the world and conquer it.” This commandment is directed to every Jew: Do not think that only when you’re in the synagogue or Yeshiva are you on a mission from G-d, to study Torah and fulfill Mitzvos...

During the days between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, known as the ten days of repentance, every individual has the power of a minyan, a quorum of ten: That which at any other time of year requires the combined effort of ten, can be achieved by the individual during these ten days.

Every Jew, regardless of his background or situation, is “truly a part of G-d above,” for “we all share one Father.” But differences of opinion and outward appearances may sometimes obscure this unity. Therefore, we are commanded to “love your fellow” specifically, “as yourself,” bringing this unity to the fore.

At the very beginning of Yom Kippur, before Kol Nidrei, we declare: “With the sanction of the Omnipresent, and with the sanction of the congregation, by authority of the Heavenly Court, and by authority of the earthly court, we hereby grant permission to pray with those who have transgressed.” All agree that on this day, there are no differences between Jews; they all stand united as one in the presence of G-d.

G-d depends on each and every individual to carry out Torah’s mandate. To be entrusted with this mission by G-d Himself, should fill a person with the greatest sense of worth and joy. But what if this responsibility makes him feel more overwhelmed than overjoyed?

The unity of all Jews derives from the fact that every Jewish soul is “an actual part of G-d Above.” Therefore, “Jewish unity” is not limited to Jews who are alive, but includes those who have passed on, as well.

The solar year is longer than the lunar year. The seasons are determined by the movement of the sun. But the Jewish people set their months and festivals by the moon. Every few years, we add a thirteenth month to synchronize the two cycles.

Proper education means giving our children a delicate balance. They must know Torah’s unwavering fundamentals, which are, “our life and length of our days“ – principles which cannot change, regardless of the circumstances. At the same time, however, the child is told to continually grow, and be innovative in his life’s mission. Just as his body constantly grows, so must his soul grow, every single day.

Isolationism is not a moral or sustainable path for the United States. A civilized nation must be built upon solid moral foundations. This means that no matter what the immediate situation may be, the country stands by its principles, even if it appears that compromising on principles could bring material gain.

During World War I, Jews in Russia were forced to relocate, and our city was flooded with refugees. My mother headed the committees to organize aid and shelter. Her incredible devotion day-in and day-out has been etched in my memory for all my life.

Torah and Mitzvos are the foundations of every Jewish household. The three most fundamental Mitzvos of Jewish family life – Family Purity, Kosher food preparation, and Shabbos and Festival candles, were given especially to the Jewish woman, as it is she who is the solid pillar of the home.

Jewish women are entrusted by G-d to ensure the continuity of the Jewish people. Despite the pains and hardships involved in pregnancy, labor, birth and child rearing, they have always fulfilled this essential role with joy and a deep sense of mission.

Torah establishes that a child’s People is traced through the mother – who carries and nourishes the growing baby, and who devotedly struggles through the pains of pregnancy, labor and childbirth. There are those who wish to steal the child from its mother, by “voting” that a child can belong to the father’s People instead. All women should object to such a possibility.

The prophet Isaiah declares: “Seek G‑d when He can be found, call to Him when He is near.” The Talmud explains: “This refers to the Ten Days of Repentance between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.”

When the Temple stood in Jerusalem, every seven years all Jewish men women and children would ascend the Temple Mount to hear the king of Israel read the Torah in fulfillment of the verse, “Assemble the people, men, women, and children… in order that they learn to fear G-d and do all the words of his Torah.”