Living Torah Archives

On the Tenth of Shevat in 1982, the Rebbe delivered an address at a gathering marking thirtytwo years from the passing of this father-in-law and predecessor, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn.

King David writes, “Serve G-d with joy.” Our study of Torah, our Jewish intellectual life, our acts of kindness, and our Jewish communal life, must all be infused with joy.

The Code of Jewish Law rules: “All your actions should be for the sake of Heaven” and “In all your ways, know G-d.” This instruction is not referring to the commandment. “Your actions” means the personal activities that you choose to do, and “Your ways” means the personal path you choose in life. Even these pursuits have a deeper intent and purpose, in the words of the Mishna: “I was created only to serve my Maker.”

The Rebbe asks the Chasidim to sing the joyous Simchas Torah nigun of his father, Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Schneerson, of righteous memory.

A Jew is responsible not only to teach Torah to Jews, but also to teach the Seven Noahide Laws to non-Jews.

The Code of Jewish Law rules: “All your actions should be for the sake of Heaven” and “In all your ways, know G-d.” This instruction is not referring to the commandments of the Torah or of the Sages. “Your actions” means the personal activities that you choose to do, and “Your ways” means the personal path you choose in life. Even these pursuits have a deeper intent and purpose, in the words of the Mishna: “I was created only to serve my Maker.”

We have just completed writing the first Sefer Torah for Jewish Unity, and are about to commence writing the second one. When we join the last letter of this scroll, Lamed, to the first letter of the next scroll, Bet, it creates the Hebrew word "Lev - heart." Torah is the heart of our people, and it unites us all.

The Jewish People are “a wise and understanding people.” Nevertheless, each year, Jews from all walks of life gather to commemorate the Rebbe’s passing. Clearly, then, we are not celebrating the past, but rather, something very real, in the present.

King David, in his songs of prayer and praise, writes, “Serve G-d with joy.” It is not only the service in prayer that must be joyful, but all of our activities. These means that our study of Torah — our Jewish intellectual life — and our acts of kindness — our Jewish communal life — must also be infused with joy.

When G-d wanted the Tabernacle to be built, He showed Moses a completed Tabernacle, made of fire. G-d was saying to Moses, “Everything already exists spiritually, but in order for My Essence to be revealed on earth, the Tabernacle must be of this world and its physical materials.”