Living Torah Archives

The twentieth of Av marks the passing of Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Schneerson, the Rebbe’s father. Reflecting on the passing of a loved one is seldom joyous and often brings up feelings of sadness and even bitterness.

Hop Kazak, a lively melody attributed to the prominent chasidic master, Rabbi Aryeh Leib of Shpola, known as the Shpoler Zeide.

The Arizal writes that the numerical value of ‘Dimah–Tears’ is 120, which in Torah signifies full life.

Campers from Gan Israel New York attend the Rebbe’s Farbrengen.

Talmud Tractate Chagigah concludes with a discussion about the coating of the Golden Altar. Although the gold plating is extremely thin, it protects the wooden vessel inside it from being consumed by fire; and even though the gold is considered secondary to the wood, nevertheless Torah calls it: “The Golden Altar.”

The Rebbe speaks on 20 Av, the anniversary of his father's passing.

“My soul thirsts for You, my flesh longs for You; (as one) in a desolate and dry land without water, so (I thirst) to see You in the Sanctuary, to behold Your might and glory.” (Psalm 63)

When someone passes on, the bond they share with their loved ones below is not severed. Family and friends alive in this world can continue to bring the soul joy and happiness.

After achieving excellence as a Talmudic scholar, Rabbi Zeira fasted in order to forget the Babylonian Talmud before he began to study the Jerusalem Talmud. How could he have prayed to forget a portion of the Holy Torah? The answer: Before one proceeds to an entirely new level of service, he must let go of his current frame of reference. For example: As the soul ascends the ladder of heavenly realms, it must forget the experiences of the lower realm, so the memory will not “hold it back” from fully receiving higher revelations.

In Kfar Chabad, there will soon begin the Bar Mitzvah celebration for the orphans of Israel’s fallen heroes. They commemorate their sacrifice, for their fathers gave their lives defending the Holy Land and its Holy Nation.

“Jewish nation have no fear, Moshiach will be here this year. We want Moshiach now, we don’t want to wait!” Chassidim sing a song introduced by children, and beloved by the Rebbe.

G-d dispersed the Jewish people for their own sake. This ensured that Jewish communities would always thrive somewhere in the world, even when others, G-d forbid, would be oppressed. This also ensures that we can join together once again, back in our homeland, when “a great congregation will return there.”