Living Torah Archives

On the occasion of his eightieth birthday, the Rebbe gives spirited advice to those approaching the age of retirement: Since “man was created to toil,” if G–d gives us another year in this world, it is proof positive that we still have something to accomplish.

When counting the fifty days between Passover and Shavuos, instead of counting “Today is the first day of the Omer” and so on, we count, “Today is one day of the Omer.” This isn’t just semantics. The days of the Omer correspond to the days which led up to the giving of the Torah.

The Ba’al Shem Tov teaches that “a person is where his thoughts are.”

On the occasion of his eightieth birthday, the Rebbe gives spirited advice to those approaching the age of retirement.

A Jew must “always increase in holiness.” He or she must not only grow constantly in their Jewish observance and Torah study, but also innovate in their service of G-d.

At the very start of the Seder, the Haggadah makes clear that “The Torah speaks of four sons” – a Jew is commanded to gather around his table not only the wise son, but also the simple son, the uneducated son, and even the wicked son.

Education comes in many forms: First and foremost is to provide a living example. The best way to influence someone is by practicing what you preach. As we approach Passover, the call of the hour is to seek out those who cannot afford the holiday expenses and provide all that they need.

The Rebbe distributes Tanyas on his 80th birthday.

As representative of the Lubavitch Movement, I was honored to receive a letter from the President of the United States, together with a Declaration to all US citizens, proclaiming the 11th of Nissan as “Education Day.”

Even after a week of consecration for the Holy Tabernacle, the Jews still did not merit for G-d Himself to consecrate the Tabernacle. Only when Aaron brought his sacrifice on the eighth day, did G-d finally manifest His awesome Glory. The sages teach: “Be a student of Aaron: love peace, pursue peace, love all creatures, and bring them close to Torah.” These virtues of Aaron accomplished more than all the Seven Days of Consecration.

The mitzvah of counting the Omer is to count the days from Passover until Shavuos, when the Omer offering was brought in the Temple. Each day has a purpose. Whether it leads up to the Omer offering or it is an ordinary day of life, we must look at the clock, and ask ourselves, “Am I using my time properly, to fulfill my mission in this world?”

The United States prides itself on its work ethic. Yet, somehow, it has cultivated the idea that one’s useful work life is over by age fifty or sixty. When one is no longer as strong and energetic, one is given the right to decrease in the activities relevant to his mission in life. The Torah instructs us that as long as we are alive, our mission is alive and we must do no less than previously.