“Wolf, Wolf” - From the Rebbe's Address in 1974 (5735)

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“Wolf, Wolf”: From the Rebbe's Address in 1974 (5735)

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.

Related Text:	שיחות קודש: ו' תשרי, תשל"ה תורת מנחם: הדרן על מסכת סוכה
Topics:	Talks by the Rebbe: ו' תשרי, תשל"ה, Miriam Bat Bilgah, Rebbetzin Chana Schneerson, Lubavitcher Rebbe

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Gershon Rochester, NY December 20, 2025

The Rebbe zy"a seemingly quotes Amos at 2:44, is this some sort of drasha - connecting Tzephania to Amos? Reply

Rabbi Mendel Adelman for chabad.org December 22, 2025

in response to Gershon:

On its face, this seems to be a misattribution. However, we know that every word of a tzaddik is holy. Unfortunately, we are not always privy to the deeper meanings. We do not know why the Rebbe said that a possuk in Amos is found in Tzephania. Reply

Chaim December 15, 2020

So why was she and her entire family punished? Reply

Simcha Bart December 16, 2020

in response to Chaim:

The Rebbe is trying to be Melamed Zechus - act as a defense by explaining that deep down, there was merit to her words. Yet, externally, she acted in a traitorous fashion... Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev once saw someone oiling the wheels of his wagon in middle of prayer while dressed in Tallit and Tefillin. Rabbi Levi Yitzchak exclaimed, "See how precious your children are - even while preparing the wagon - they pray to you..." Now, obviously, this is wrong, and I am sure that Rabbi Levi Yitzchak addressed this person afterward to explain to him the error of his ways. Nonetheless, he was still trying to point out the beauty that can be dug up within a Jewish soul. Reply

Dan smith Jerusalem October 2, 2020

Mis quotation of צפניה for amos.. also mixes up her name several times.. a sublime and lovely drasha, how all the dots are connected in yiddishkeit Reply

Anonymous Israel August 8, 2019

Miriam bas bilga sicha I was there when the Rebbe gave this sicha. I will never forget it as it made such an impression on me Reply

Anonymous chicago May 18, 2017

whats the source of this sicha? Reply

Eliezer Zalmanov for Chabad.org May 21, 2017

in response to Anonymous:

This sicha was said on 6 Tishrei 5735. Reply

Samson Schiff Hollywood November 28, 2019

in response to Eliezer Zalmanov:

Was the Sicha recorded in Lekutei Sichos? If so where? Reply

Yehuda April 15, 2013

Re: Eliyahu - story of Alter Rebbe The Rebbe told the story of the prophet Zachariya on Simchas Torah of that year (sief 9 of sichos kodesh) therefore, I don't believe there is a recording of it.... Reply

eliyahu bnei brak, israel via livingtorahcenter.com September 7, 2009

The week after The week after the Rebbe tells a story of how the Alter Rebbe had a nevu'a (prophecy) re Zachariya. Then the Rebbe continues with it and basically it works out the the Rebbe was cleansing the neshama (soul) of Miriam bas Bilga through the sicha he said the previous week...

The above is a very rough description from the back of my memory but I think you get the point. Reply

Yehudis September 6, 2009

reverse At 4:17 the Rebbe calls her "Bilga bas Miriam." Since we say there is no "plitas peh" (inadvertent, mistaken utterance) by the Rebbe, why do you think he referred to her in this way? Reply

Anonymous Jerusalem November 28, 2019

in response to Yehudis:

I am wondering if her mother Bilga was considered guilty in how she raised her daughter Miriam. I wonder if Bilga's mother is named Miriam? Also perhaps Miriam later on became a gilgul named Bilga bas Miriam. I never forgot when the Rebbe said this sicha and even remember where I was standing in 770. Reply

Zach philadelphia, pa August 24, 2009

Agreed I agree with the first comment. I would be very interested in seeing the follow up. I found this sicha profoundly meaningful. Anyone who thinks the Rebbe was talking only good things about Miriam bas Bilga should listen to it two to three more times. And then look inside themselves. I later asked my Rabbi some questions about this and he reviewed the end of the Masechta with me as well as some of the rest of the sicha. Look deeper at this and you'll learn very very much. The follow up would be very welcome here. Reply

eliyahu Bnei Brak, Israel via livingtorahcenter.com July 29, 2009

The follow up What about posting up what the Rebbe said the week after when people complained that he had nothing better to do than find good things about Miriam bas Bilga? The Rebbe said some very interesting things then. Reply

“Wolf, Wolf”: From the Rebbe's Address in 1974 (5735)

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