Living Torah Archives

Understanding is required to fulfill one's obligation in studying the Oral Torah, but exceptions apply if comprehension is beyond one's control.

The Rebbe converses with individuals while chassidim are singing during a Purim farbrengen.

Torah describes the symbiotic relationship between the sea-faring tribe of Zevulun and the scholarly tribe of Issachar. Zevulun supported the Torah study of Issachar, and shared in the merit of that study.

A deeper look at the heroine of the Purim story, whose very name means “hidden” in Hebrew.

Two young men approach the Rebbe for a blessing and L’chaim in the days before their weddings.

Chasidim sing a lively Nigun.

The translated lyrics of this chassidic melody are: “Hark! My beloved is knocking: Open for me, my beloved, my dove, my perfect one.” (Song of Songs 5:2)

Today, a myriad influences try to pull children in the wrong direction… But through our honest effort, even those who “bowed to the statue” and “indulged in the royal feast” – their children will study Torah, and the parents, too, will share in Torah’s light.

The Midrash relates that when Mordechai learned of Haman’s wicked plot, he immediately gathered 22,000 Jewish children to study Torah with them. This caused a commotion on High, eliciting Divine mercy.

The Rebbe distributes bottles of L’chaim for Jewish communities in the Land of Israel.

It is rare for all students of one age group to be on the same academic level in their learning. Dividing the students into smaller classes - one more advanced than the other - creates a healthy incentive for all the students to grow.

How Purim emphasizes the feminine aspect of Torah, which was missing until then.

"On that night the king's sleep was disturbed…" Taken literally this verse refers to King Achashverosh. But the Midrash explains a deeper dimension: "The sleep of the King of the universe was disturbed" - G-d Himself "woke up."

Chassidim sing a lively Nigun to the opening verse of the Purim Megillah: “Now it came to pass in the days of Achashverosh - Achashverosh who reigned from Hodu to Cush, one hundred twenty-seven provinces.”

“Jump, Cossack, Jump”. Rabbi Aryeh Leib of Shpoleh, the “Shpoler Zeide” danced to this song in competition against a cossack to gain the freedom of a poor, Jewish innkeeper.

A Lively Chassidic Niggun.

Haman, bitter enemy of the Jews, said of their misdeeds, “the Jewish nation is slumbering.” Even their worst enemy perceived that a Jew’s heart is inseparable from G-d. The Jew is merely asleep sometimes, and his heart’s true desire cannot be expressed through our sleeping body.

"And you shall rejoice with your Festivals," A lively Holiday classic.