https://www.chabad.org/search/keyword.asp?kid=2855 Newest articles written by Yossi Marcus Copyright 2026, Chabad.org - Chabad-Lubavitch Media Center, all rights reserved. Mon, 01 Jan, 0001 12:00:00 EST Mon, 01 Jan 0001 12:00:00 EST https://www.chabad.org/article.asp?aid=3297341 https://www.chabad.org/kabbalah/article_cdo/aid/3297341/jewish/The-Fifteen-Steps-of-Spiritual-Instruction.htm The mnemonic/poem Kadesh, Urechatz etc. is attributed to the great commentator Rashi. Sun, 10 Apr 2016 12:00:00 EST https://www.chabad.org/article.asp?aid=2896052 https://www.chabad.org/kabbalah/article_cdo/aid/2896052/jewish/The-Fifteen-Steps-of-Spiritual-Instruction.htm Internalize the 15 steps of the Seder, and you will always be able to accept favorably whatever challenges you may face. Thu, 19 Mar 2015 12:00:00 EST https://www.chabad.org/article.asp?aid=2149466 https://www.chabad.org/kabbalah/article_cdo/aid/2149466/jewish/A-Half-Divided-By-Five.htm The two halves of the matzah correspond to the two redemptions we celebrate on the night of Passover. Tue, 26 Feb 2013 12:00:00 EST https://www.chabad.org/article.asp?aid=1486798 https://www.chabad.org/holidays/passover/pesach_cdo/aid/1486798/jewish/The-Four-Questions-Explained.htm The Four Questions in Hebrew The Four Questions in English What makes this night different from all other nights? 1. On all nights we need not dip even once, and on this night we dip twice! 2. On all nights we eat leavened b Mon, 04 Apr 2011 12:00:00 EST https://www.chabad.org/article.asp?aid=1486118 https://www.chabad.org/holidays/passover/pesach_cdo/aid/1486118/jewish/The-Four-Children-Explained.htm Four Blessings, Four Children Blessed is the omnipresent one, blessed be He! Blessed is He who gave the Torah to His people Israel, blessed be He! The Torah speaks of four children: one wise, one wicked, one simple, and one who does not know how to ask. Blessed is the Omnipresent. At this point, the Haggadah begins focusing on the explanation of Biblical verses. This passage therefore begins with an exclamation praising G‑d, which is customarily done prior to teaching Torah (Avudraham). In the passage we bless G‑d four times, corresponding to the four Torah passage Mon, 04 Apr 2011 12:00:00 EST https://www.chabad.org/article.asp?aid=888153 https://www.chabad.org/media/pdf/287/KRBl2875260.pdf Ben Azzai would say: Run to pursue a minor mitzvah, and flee from a transgression. For a mitzvah brings another mitzvah, and a transgression brings another transgression... Tue, 05 May 2009 12:00:00 EST https://www.chabad.org/article.asp?aid=888157 https://www.chabad.org/media/pdf/287/oWdQ2875261.pdf The world was created with ten utterances. What does this come to teach us? Certainly, it could have been created with a single utterance... Tue, 05 May 2009 12:00:00 EST https://www.chabad.org/article.asp?aid=881037 https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/881037/jewish/Where-is-Gd.htm What of the world and all that is in it? What of the empirical sightings of our fleshly eye? Is it only an illusion? Fri, 24 Apr 2009 12:00:00 EST https://www.chabad.org/article.asp?aid=822967 https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/822967/jewish/Financial-CrisisSpiritual-Opportunity.htm We often find ourselves inundated with worldly concerns. Are we then spiritually lost? Can the Divine sensibilities of our souls survive the onslaught of "the real world"? Sun, 01 Feb 2009 12:00:00 EST https://www.chabad.org/article.asp?aid=658520 https://www.chabad.org/holidays/passover/pesach_cdo/aid/658520/jewish/What-is-the-significance-of-the-four-cups.htm G‑d uses four expressions of redemption in describing our Exodus from Egypt and our birth as a nation: Exodus 6:6-7. 1. "I will take you out…" 2. "I will save you…" 3. "I will redeem you…" 4. "I will take you as a nation…" Our sages instituted that we should drink a cup of wine, a toast if you will, for each one of these expressions. We recite the Kiddush over the first cup, we read the Exodus story from the Haggadah over the second cup, we recite the Grace after Meals over the third cup, and we sing the "big Hallel" (Psalms and hymns of praises to G‑d) over the fourth cup. During the Seder we can experience these elements of redemption in a spiritual senseThere are a number of explanations as to the significance of the various stages of redemption conveyed through each of these expressions. Here is one: 1. Salvation from harsh labor—t Tue, 08 Apr 2008 12:00:00 EST https://www.chabad.org/article.asp?aid=484255 https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/484255/jewish/Why-He-who-creates-the-illuminations-of-fire-shouldnt-it-be-singular.htm Actually there is an opinion in the Mishna, Beit Shammai, that says that the blessing should be “he who created the illumination of fire.” The version that we use is that of Beit Hillel. The Talmud explains that the plural “illuminations” alludes to the various colors of fire. —Berachot 51b and 52b. (In the Rebbe’s Haggadah the colors are described as red and green. Rashi writes “red, white and green.” Tikunei Zohar (tikkun 21, referred to in the Rebbe’s Haggadah) writes that there are five colors: white, red, green, black and blue.) The Vilna Gaon suggests that according to Beit Shammai we bless G-d for creating the original element of fire, which is only one color. That’s why in Beit Shammai’s version it is “who created” in the past tense, referring to the past event when G-d created the element of fire. According to Beit Hillel, on the other hand, the blessing refers to the fires that are constantly created and are multi-colored. That’s why Beit Sun, 11 Mar 2007 12:00:00 EST https://www.chabad.org/article.asp?aid=484232 https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/484232/jewish/What-category-of-work-does-turning-on-lights-fall-under.htm Here’s the short answer: By turning the lights on you are causing a fire right there in your home--there are sparks of fire created by the electricity. Another school of thought explains as follows: The switch closes a circuit which allows the electricity to flow, and therefore falls into the category of “the final hammer blow” or completing something on Shabbat that was incomplete prior to Shabbat (the circuit). Yet another reason has to do with cooking: The electricity heats the filament in the bulb to the point of changing it, which is considered 'cooking metal'. Remember, working on Shabbat does not mean doing strenuous labor. It means doing creative acts that manipulate nature. That's what is not allowed on Shabbat. When G-d rested on the seventh day he was not suffering from over-exertion. He rested in the sense that He ceased creating. We must do the same. Thu, 08 Mar 2007 12:00:00 EST https://www.chabad.org/article.asp?aid=294243 https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/294243/jewish/What-Makes-Your-Soul-Tick.htm Ever wondered where that instant inspiration comes from? Where does that spontaneous urge of faith stem from? What truly is the essence of our soul? Tue, 05 Jul 2005 12:00:00 EST https://www.chabad.org/article.asp?aid=277771 https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/277771/jewish/Reflections-on-the-New-Beep.htm The cat and her mistress are both after the mice. There's a significant difference, however: while the woman of the house would be glad if the mice would disappear forever, the cat would be devastated Fri, 06 May 2005 12:00:00 EST https://www.chabad.org/article.asp?aid=380404 https://www.chabad.org/kabbalah/article_cdo/aid/380404/jewish/A-World-of-Kindness.htm We strive for goodness in this world, where the Divine light is veiled… Wed, 02 Sep 2009 12:00:00 EST https://www.chabad.org/article.asp?aid=379557 https://www.chabad.org/kabbalah/article_cdo/aid/379557/jewish/Of-Victory-and-the-Seven-Flames.htm A soul is called a flame, whose nature is to soar upward Wed, 02 Sep 2009 12:00:00 EST https://www.chabad.org/article.asp?aid=379431 https://www.chabad.org/kabbalah/article_cdo/aid/379431/jewish/Land-and-Sea.htm The splitting of the Red Sea is among the greatest revelations ever. Wed, 02 Sep 2009 12:00:00 EST https://www.chabad.org/article.asp?aid=109275 https://www.chabad.org/holidays/purim/article_cdo/aid/109275/jewish/In-English.htm A highly readable English translation of the full text of the Megillah Wed, 21 Jan 2004 12:00:00 EST https://www.chabad.org/article.asp?aid=91921 https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/91921/jewish/The-Case-of-the-Floating-Skull.htm Moses, Pharaoh, Hillel, Maimonides and the Lubavitcher Rebbe on cosmic justice, the temporality of evil, the significance of chance encounters and the redeemability of the malevolent spirit. Thu, 30 Oct 2003 12:00:00 EST https://www.chabad.org/article.asp?aid=379278 https://www.chabad.org/kabbalah/article_cdo/aid/379278/jewish/Festive-Elements.htm The Sukkot water libations quench the thirst caused by judgment. Wed, 02 Sep 2009 12:00:00 EST https://www.chabad.org/article.asp?aid=380329 https://www.chabad.org/kabbalah/article_cdo/aid/380329/jewish/Tzeva-ot-Master-of-Legions.htm G-d as manifest in the myriad hosts of creatures of the lower worlds… Wed, 02 Sep 2009 12:00:00 EST https://www.chabad.org/article.asp?aid=379259 https://www.chabad.org/kabbalah/article_cdo/aid/379259/jewish/What-is-a-Soul.htm The Torah is not in heaven…it is to be fulfilled on earth Wed, 02 Sep 2009 12:00:00 EST https://www.chabad.org/article.asp?aid=39643 https://www.chabad.org/holidays/in-depth/default_cdo/aid/39643/jewish/Megillah-with-Commentary.htm The original text of the Megillah (Book of Esther) with a running commentary culled from the Talmud and Midrash, the great Torah commentators and the chassidic masters. Thu, 21 Feb 2002 12:00:00 EST https://www.chabad.org/article.asp?aid=1432 https://www.chabad.org/holidays/purim/article_cdo/aid/1432/jewish/Chapter-10.htm King Achashverosh levied a tax upon the mainland and the islands of the sea... Sun, 05 Mar 2000 12:00:00 EST https://www.chabad.org/article.asp?aid=1431 https://www.chabad.org/holidays/purim/article_cdo/aid/1431/jewish/Chapter-9.htm On the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar, when the time for the carrying out of the king's edict and law had arrived, on the day the enemies of the Jews had thought they would dominate them, the situation was reversed... Sun, 05 Mar 2000 12:00:00 EST https://www.chabad.org/article.asp?aid=1430 https://www.chabad.org/holidays/purim/article_cdo/aid/1430/jewish/Chapter-8.htm On that day, King Achashverosh gave Queen Esther the estate of Haman, persecutor of the Jews. And Mordechai came before the king... Sun, 05 Mar 2000 12:00:00 EST https://www.chabad.org/article.asp?aid=1429 https://www.chabad.org/holidays/purim/article_cdo/aid/1429/jewish/Chapter-7.htm The king and Haman came to drink with Queen Esther. And again on the second day the king said to Esther during the wine feast, "What is your plea, Queen Esther?"... Sun, 05 Mar 2000 12:00:00 EST https://www.chabad.org/article.asp?aid=1428 https://www.chabad.org/holidays/purim/article_cdo/aid/1428/jewish/Chapter-6.htm That night, the king's sleep was disturbed. He ordered that the Book of Records, the Chronicles, be brought, and they were read before the king... Sun, 05 Mar 2000 12:00:00 EST https://www.chabad.org/article.asp?aid=1427 https://www.chabad.org/holidays/purim/article_cdo/aid/1427/jewish/Chapter-5.htm On the third day Esther donned [garments of] royalty and stood in the inner courtyard of the palace, facing the palace... Sun, 05 Mar 2000 12:00:00 EST https://www.chabad.org/article.asp?aid=1426 https://www.chabad.org/holidays/purim/article_cdo/aid/1426/jewish/Chapter-4.htm Mordechai knew all that had occurred, so Mordechai tore his clothes in mourning and put on sackcloth and ash... Sun, 05 Mar 2000 12:00:00 EST https://www.chabad.org/article.asp?aid=1425 https://www.chabad.org/holidays/purim/article_cdo/aid/1425/jewish/Chapter-3.htm After these events, King Achashverosh promoted Haman, son of Hamdata, the Agagite and advanced him; he placed his seat above all his fellow ministers... Sun, 05 Mar 2000 12:00:00 EST https://www.chabad.org/article.asp?aid=1424 https://www.chabad.org/holidays/purim/article_cdo/aid/1424/jewish/Chapter-2.htm After these events, when King Achashverosh's wrath had abated, he remembered Vashti and what she had done and what had been decreed upon her... Sun, 05 Mar 2000 12:00:00 EST https://www.chabad.org/article.asp?aid=1423 https://www.chabad.org/holidays/purim/article_cdo/aid/1423/jewish/Chapter-1.htm And it came to pass in the days of Achashverosh the same Achashverosh who ruled from Hodu to Cush, one hundred and twenty-seven provinces... Sun, 05 Mar 2000 12:00:00 EST https://www.chabad.org/article.asp?aid=6242 https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/6242/jewish/Psalms-Tehillim.htm Tehillim is recited by Jewish people collectively and individually, as the desire occurs to offer praise and thanksgiving to G-d; or alternatively, in times of crisis and need, as a form of supplication, and even as a venue to express regret for sin. Mon, 01 Jan 1900 12:00:00 EST https://www.chabad.org/article.asp?aid=6465 https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/6465/jewish/Book-1.htm Mon, 01 Jan 1900 12:00:00 EST https://www.chabad.org/article.asp?aid=6301 https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/6301/jewish/Chapter-1.htm This psalm inspires man to study Torah and avoid sin. One who follows this path is assured of success in all his deeds, whereas the plight of the wicked is the reverse. Mon, 01 Jan 1900 12:00:00 EST https://www.chabad.org/article.asp?aid=6302 https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/6302/jewish/Chapter-2.htm This psalm warns against trying to outwit the ways of God. It also instructs one who has reason to rejoice, to tremble—lest his sins cause his joy to be overturned. Mon, 01 Jan 1900 12:00:00 EST https://www.chabad.org/article.asp?aid=6303 https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/6303/jewish/Chapter-3.htm When punishment befalls man, let him not be upset by his chastisement, for perhaps--considering his sins—he is deserving of worse, and God is in fact dealing kindly with him. Mon, 01 Jan 1900 12:00:00 EST https://www.chabad.org/article.asp?aid=6304 https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/6304/jewish/Chapter-4.htm This psalm exhorts man not to shame his fellow, and to neither speak nor listen to gossip and slander. Envy not the prosperity of the wicked in this world, rather rejoice and say: “If it is so for those who anger Him . . . [how much better it will be for those who serve Him!”] Mon, 01 Jan 1900 12:00:00 EST https://www.chabad.org/article.asp?aid=6305 https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/6305/jewish/Chapter-5.htm A prayer for every individual, requesting that the wicked perish for their deeds, and the righteous rejoice for their good deeds. Mon, 01 Jan 1900 12:00:00 EST https://www.chabad.org/article.asp?aid=6306 https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/6306/jewish/Chapter-6.htm This is an awe-inspiring prayer for one who is ill, to pray that God heal him, body and soul. An ailing person who offers this prayer devoutly and with a broken heart is assured that God will accept his prayer. Mon, 01 Jan 1900 12:00:00 EST https://www.chabad.org/article.asp?aid=6307 https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/6307/jewish/Chapter-7.htm Do not rejoice if God causes your enemy to suffer—just as the suffering of the righteous is not pleasant. David, therefore, defends himself intensely before God, maintaining that he did not actively harm Saul. In fact, Saul precipitated his own harm, while David’s intentions were only for the good. Mon, 01 Jan 1900 12:00:00 EST https://www.chabad.org/article.asp?aid=6308 https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/6308/jewish/Chapter-8.htm This psalm is a glorious praise to God for His kindness to the lowly and mortal human in giving the Torah to the inhabitants of the lower worlds, arousing the envy of the celestial angels. This idea is expressed in the Yom Kippur prayer, “Though Your mighty strength is in the angels above, You desire praise from those formed of lowly matter.” Mon, 01 Jan 1900 12:00:00 EST https://www.chabad.org/article.asp?aid=6309 https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/6309/jewish/Chapter-9.htm One should praise God for saving him from the hand of the enemy who stands over and agonizes him, and for His judging each person according to his deeds: the righteous according to their righteousness, and the wicked according to their wickedness. Mon, 01 Jan 1900 12:00:00 EST https://www.chabad.org/article.asp?aid=6310 https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/6310/jewish/Chapter-10.htm This psalm tells of the wicked one’s prosperity and his boasting of it, until he says: “There is neither law nor judge. God pays no attention to the actions of mere mortals.” Mon, 01 Jan 1900 12:00:00 EST https://www.chabad.org/article.asp?aid=6311 https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/6311/jewish/Chapter-11.htm This psalm declares that the suffering of the righteous one is for his own benefit, to cleanse him of his sins; whereas the wicked one is granted prosperity in this world-similar to the verse, "Wealth remains with its owner, to his detriment." Mon, 01 Jan 1900 12:00:00 EST https://www.chabad.org/article.asp?aid=6312 https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/6312/jewish/Chapter-12.htm This psalm admonishes informers, slanderers, and flatterers. Mon, 01 Jan 1900 12:00:00 EST https://www.chabad.org/article.asp?aid=6313 https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/6313/jewish/Chapter-13.htm A prayer for an end to the long exile. One in distress should offer this prayer for his troubles and for the length of the exile. Mon, 01 Jan 1900 12:00:00 EST https://www.chabad.org/article.asp?aid=6314 https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/6314/jewish/Chapter-14.htm This psalm speaks of the destruction of the two Holy Temples-the first by Nebuchadnezzar, and the second by Titus. Mon, 01 Jan 1900 12:00:00 EST https://www.chabad.org/article.asp?aid=6315 https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/6315/jewish/Chapter-15.htm This psalm speaks of several virtues and attributes with which one should conduct oneself. He is then assured that his soul will rest in Gan Eden. Mon, 01 Jan 1900 12:00:00 EST