Living Torah Archives

The Twelfth and Thirteenth of Tammuz marks the release of Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Scheersohn, the sixth Lubavitcher Rebbe, from Soviet imprisonment. His self-sacrifice on behalf of Jews of all stripes serves as a testament to the true nature of leadership.

The world seems to be so unstable these days. Time and again, the news is filled with stories of senseless violence in schools and on the streets. The politicians continue to debate on an appropriate response, but in the meantime, a generation of children is missing out on experiencing life to the fullest.

The source of violence, disorder and crime stems from the unhealthy balance of the head and the heart. The mind knows what is wrong, but isn’t able to control over the heart’ desires. The solution must come from a higher source: tefillin can help master our emotions and lead them towards good.

Maimonides rules that a non-Jew must keep the Seven Noahide Laws, not because he agrees with them intellectually, but because they were commanded to him by G-d, through Moses at Sinai.