Living Torah Archives

As a young child, the Tzemach Tzedek once asked the Alter Rebbe how Jacob’s best years could have been in Egypt, a land of immorality.

Chassidim sing “Ata V’chartanu,” a Nigun with words from the holiday liturgy.

A Jew’s purpose is to illuminate all the world around him. To “illuminate” does not mean to change the order of creation; rather, light enables one to discern the true nature and purpose of what already is there.

Like sunglasses which block the powerful light emanating from the sun, our physical bodies cover and conceal the precious light of our souls. But surely, this was orchestrated by G-d for a purpose. Our mission, we are told, is to bring forth the concealed light of the soul. Through following in the ways of Torah, and elevating ourselves with the performance of its commandments, we will illuminate our surroundings, and expose the divinity that lies within.

A nigun based on the words from the festival prayers, “You have chosen us from among all the nations.” The Rebbe taught this song on Simchas Torah, 5721, 1960.

The Rebbe is presented with a book listing the descendants of the Alter Rebbe.

When the protective shield is removed for a split moment, one can glimpse the true reality beneath all the external layers

A Jew’s purpose is to illuminate all the world around him. To “illuminate” does not mean to change the order of creation; rather, light enables one to discern the true nature and purpose of what already is there.

“You have chosen us from among all the nations; You have loved us and found favor with us. You have raised us above all tongues and made us holy through Your commandments. You, our King, have drawn us near to Your service and proclaimed Your great and holy Name upon us.” (From the Festival Prayers) The Rebbe taught this song on Simchas Torah 5721 - 1960

Chassidim sing the Maamar Niggun in preparation for a Chassidic discourse.

Tanya begins with a passage from the Talmud: “An oath is administered to the soul before it is born into the world: Be righteous and be not wicked.” The root of the Hebrew word for “oath” connotes not only G-d’s entreaty to the soul; it reveals that through this oath, G-d fills the soul with brimming capacity to accomplish its mission below.

“You have chosen us from among all the nations; You have loved us and found favor with us. You have raised us above all tongues and made us holy through Your commandments. You, our King, have drawn us near to Your service and proclaimed Your great and holy Name upon us.” From the Festival Prayers. The Rebbe taught this song on Simchas Torah 5721 – 1960.

The third Lubavitcher Rebbe, the Tzemach Tzedek, once asked his grandfather, the Alter Rebbe: Why do we say that our forefather Jacob not only dwelled in Egypt for seventeen years, but those were his best years? Egypt was a very immoral land; how could this be?

The Rebbe begins this Russian Niggun, “There is none other than You.”