Magazine Articles Reader

Why Was Samuel Upset by the Request for a King

Thu, 24 Feb 2022 12:00:00 EST

And why did G‑d deem the request a rejection, when appointing a king is entirely legitimate according to the Torah?

What Is the Jewish Perspective on the Bible Codes?

Thu, 24 Feb 2022 12:00:00 EST

Listen to a wide array of Jewish wisdom and ideas, inspiration, and stories selected from Chabad.org’s weekly articles.

7 Inspiring Jewish Lessons From Fish

Thu, 24 Feb 2022 12:00:00 EST

The zodiac sign of Adar is fish. What can we learn from these aquatic creatures?

On Didactics, Depravity, and Decapitating Donkeys

Mon, 17 Jan 2022 12:00:00 EST

Killing the foal seems so pointless. What possible good could come of it?

When G-d Needs You

Tue, 23 Nov 2021 13:00:00 EST

How should we respond to that cynical voice within?

The Butler, the Baker ... the Dynamite Maker

Tue, 23 Nov 2021 13:00:00 EST

You can take the lead of your own life and start writing better scripts. It’s not easy, but it’s doable.

The Soul’s Wrestling Match: Can It Be a Peaceful Battle?

Tue, 23 Nov 2021 13:00:00 EST

The G‑dy soul has a secret weapon.

‘Home Away From Home’ at Miami University

Tue, 23 Nov 2021 13:00:00 EST

Unexpectedly, Alan started to feel sick.

What Is a Gemach?

Tue, 23 Nov 2021 13:00:00 EST

Listen to a wide array of Jewish wisdom and ideas, inspiration, and stories selected from Chabad.org’s weekly articles.

My Father, My Superman

Tue, 23 Nov 2021 13:00:00 EST

I watched my father, encloaked not in a red cape but in a weathered, white tallit, a joyful Chassidic melody on his lips.

Living From Within, Hearing With Your Soul

Tue, 23 Nov 2021 13:00:00 EST

Hasidism is not simply a doctrine or a theory; it’s an experience to be felt, to be lived from within.

A Model of Love

Mon, 15 Nov 2021 13:00:00 EST

Real love is an experience that intensifies throughout life. It is the small, everyday acts of being together that makes love flourish. It is sharing, caring, and respecting one another.

What’s Up With Esau’s Kiss?

Mon, 15 Nov 2021 13:00:00 EST

We should never underestimate the power of our good behavior on others, even someone with a long history of belligerence like Esau.

Why Jacob Prepared for Three Eventualities

Mon, 15 Nov 2021 13:00:00 EST

Don’t get caught on a single-minded track just because it’s always worked for you. Be Like Jacob, and think outside the box.

Why Aren’t Shellfish Kosher?

Mon, 15 Nov 2021 13:00:00 EST

Shellfish do not have kosher signs. But what if they did?

A Chabad Friendship Saved My Life

Mon, 15 Nov 2021 13:00:00 EST

I was informed that had I not gone out for lunch and had been sitting at my desk as usual, the end results would have been deadly.

Benjamin in the Bible

Mon, 15 Nov 2021 13:00:00 EST

Learn about the life and impact of Jacob's beloved, youngest son.

Feeling Rejected by My Former Shabbat Hosts

Mon, 15 Nov 2021 13:00:00 EST

They don’t seem to have much time for me anymore.

Mothering Teens Is Harder Than I Thought

Mon, 15 Nov 2021 13:00:00 EST

On the one hand, I saw myself traveling, working long hours, being busy with a busy career; on the other hand, I always had this desire to be a mommy.

Don’t Get Stuck Like an Elephant!

Wed, 10 Nov 2021 12:00:00 EST

When someone tells you, “You can’t,” don’t listen to them. Be like Jacob and say, “Who said? Watch me—I will!”

Why Is the Contemporary Prayer Book So Long?

Wed, 10 Nov 2021 12:00:00 EST

During the days of the First Temple, no formal prayer was needed.

Judaism and Pet Ownership: 18 FAQs

Wed, 10 Nov 2021 12:00:00 EST

Explore some of the most frequently asked questions regarding Judaism and pet ownership.

Why Jacob Loved Rachel

Mon, 8 Nov 2021 14:00:00 EST

Leah’s soul stemmed from the world of thought; Rachel’s, from the world of speech. Leah was introspective, a master of meditation. Rachel was a communicator, charismatic and appealing.

The Reason Isaac Went Blind

Mon, 8 Nov 2021 14:00:00 EST

Isaac had attained such a lofty nature that his body was a loyal agent of his soul.

My Husband Gets Agitated Over Every Request

Mon, 8 Nov 2021 14:00:00 EST

I feel like I can’t request anything from him at all! And when I tell him how hurt I feel from his behavior, he just gets mad.

A Tale of Two Butchers

Mon, 8 Nov 2021 14:00:00 EST

Melbourne has often been named one of the most livable cities in the world. Lesser known, but most important, is that this “shtetl” is famous for its kindness—it’s hachnasat orchim—generously hosting and caring for its guests, and for the enormous compassion that the people have for each other.

Fighting the Pre-Shabbat Madness

Tue, 3 Aug 2021 14:00:00 EST

I need to see beyond the consciousness of division. To stay present in reality.

7 Life Lessons From My Pool Robot Cleaner

Tue, 3 Aug 2021 12:00:00 EST

Chassidic teachings encourage us to learn from everything we encounter in life.

Why Does G-d Send Us False Prophets?

Tue, 3 Aug 2021 11:00:00 EST

Why would G-d need to send a prophet to test us and find out what He surely already knows?

The Kind Benefactor Who Was Barred From Heaven

Mon, 2 Aug 2021 12:00:00 EST

“Suddenly, I saw an angel walking toward me. It blocked my way forward, and began to drag me back out of Gan Eden!”

I Have a Weird Fear of Death

Mon, 2 Aug 2021 12:00:00 EST

Should I try not to fulfill my mission so I can live, or do good deeds and die?

His Name Shone

Mon, 2 Aug 2021 12:00:00 EST

The Rebbe picked up a note: “Who wrote this note? His name glistens and shines!”

Can You Bribe G‑d?

Mon, 2 Aug 2021 12:00:00 EST

What does the question even mean? How would one “bribe” the Creator anyway?

Five Comforting Quotes From Nachamu, Isaiah’s Prophecy of Comfort

Tue, 20 Jul 2021 14:00:00 EST

Listen to a wide array of Jewish wisdom and ideas, inspiration, and stories selected from Chabad.org’s weekly articles.

11 Unique Jewish Wedding Traditions From Around the World

Tue, 20 Jul 2021 14:00:00 EST

Listen to a wide array of Jewish wisdom and ideas, inspiration, and stories selected from Chabad.org’s weekly articles.

Hachnasat Kallah

Tue, 20 Jul 2021 14:00:00 EST

Literally “bringing in the bride,” it refers to the mitzvah of providing bride and groom with all that they need to marry.

The Ignorant Groom’s Transformation

Tue, 20 Jul 2021 14:00:00 EST

Listen to a wide array of Jewish wisdom and ideas, inspiration, and stories selected from Chabad.org’s weekly articles.

The American Soldier Who Stood Up to the Nazis—and Won!

Mon, 12 Jul 2021 13:00:00 EST

Listen to a wide array of Jewish wisdom and ideas, inspiration, and stories selected from Chabad.org’s weekly articles.

Inner Voices and Dumb Choices

Mon, 12 Jul 2021 13:00:00 EST

Brush up your inner judge, and never be duped again.

The Sobering Reality of Sober Living

Mon, 12 Jul 2021 13:00:00 EST

What price will our long-term relationship pay for us not allowing her home?

Why Does G-d Want Us to Get Frustrated?

Mon, 12 Jul 2021 13:00:00 EST

The floor was covered with rusty tools and toilet parts, and all I had to show for it was a now empty bag of cookies.

Singing on Foreign Soil

Mon, 12 Jul 2021 13:00:00 EST

Exile is not just a physical displacement from our land; it is a spiritual displacement.

Losing My Diamond Ring Helped Me See the Real Gem

Wed, 7 Jul 2021 14:00:00 EST

When my current husband and I married, I asked him to “gift” me my Aunt Dot’s ring. I understood that the diamond was only a symbol, and that the practice of committing oneself to love and understanding of one’s partner was the true treasure.

The Empowering Art of Framing

Wed, 7 Jul 2021 14:00:00 EST

Why is it important to list the journeys? The Torah isn’t a history book, nor is it a travelogue, so what’s the purpose of this list?

Being Honest Should be Completely Obvious

Wed, 7 Jul 2021 14:00:00 EST

The summary verse of the first part of Matot appears to omit the most salient point!

What Is the Significance of King David’s Harp?

Tue, 6 Jul 2021 12:00:00 EST

As a lad David played for Saul, and at the end of his life, he is described as the “sweet singer of Israel.”

18 Facts About Rabbi Nachman of Breslov

Tue, 6 Jul 2021 12:00:00 EST

The founder and sole Rebbe of Breslov, R. Nachman’s earthy and relatable teachings continue to touch hearts and light up thousands of souls to this very day.

Why Were the Temples Destroyed?

Thu, 1 Jul 2021 10:00:00 EST

Learn the reasons given by the sages, as well as what they mean to us today.

Dear G-d, Bring Us Home!

Thu, 1 Jul 2021 10:00:00 EST

Mi Keamcha Yisroel, “Who is like your People, the Nation of Israel!”

Judging a Stranger Favorably at the Cemetery in Tzfat

Thu, 1 Jul 2021 10:00:00 EST

I signal her for a ride but she seems to be ignoring me. What nerve! She is sitting comfortably in her nearly empty, air-conditioned car and is patently ignoring me.

Braiding Challah and Learning Torah in the Rebbetzin’s Kitchen in Japan

Thu, 1 Jul 2021 10:00:00 EST

The rebbetzin made herself available to me, despite having not a free second for herself.

Promises Fulfilled: Buried Near the Shaagas Aryeh

Wed, 30 Jun 2021 12:00:00 EST

The men of the chevra kadisha were not inclined to believe him, and did not plan to honor his request.

The Daily Grind and the Daily Lamb

Wed, 30 Jun 2021 12:00:00 EST

You see, religious life is thankfully full of high-voltage, electric moments. Such moments are indeed important, and it’s safe to say that no person, no matter how pious or devout, could survive without them. The problem is that such moments are not constant.

Why Orphans Are Not Made to Give Charity

Wed, 30 Jun 2021 12:00:00 EST

What happens in a situation where a person has income but is in a physical or mental state that renders him unable to fulfill his charitable obligations? Is he exempt from being charitable, or must others contribute from his resources on his behalf?

Why the Jewish People Await Moshiach

Thu, 24 Jun 2021 14:00:00 EST

There’s a secret reason the Jewish people have always wanted Moshiach, and that reason is very relevant to your life, right here, and right now.

Abigail, King David and the Secret of the Black Halo

Thu, 24 Jun 2021 14:00:00 EST

The black holes that G‑d sends our way are not always easy to avoid.

17 Facts About Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak of Lubavitch

Wed, 23 Jun 2021 11:00:00 EST

Listen to a wide array of Jewish wisdom and ideas, inspiration, and stories selected from Chabad.org’s weekly articles.

Who Was Apostomus, Who Burned a Torah Scroll?

Mon, 21 Jun 2021 12:00:00 EST

The Mishnah tells us that he burned a Torah scroll on 17 Tammuz. Who was he, and why was this so significant?

How to Explain Death to Small Children

Mon, 21 Jun 2021 12:00:00 EST

What happens when you die? Where do you go? Is it scary?

The Man Who Sold His Place In Heaven

Mon, 21 Jun 2021 12:00:00 EST

“My pockets are practically empty,” the man said. “I only have one coin left.”

What Happened to the Clouds of Glory?

Fri, 18 Jun 2021 10:00:00 EST

Sometimes the term “clouds of glory” is used, while at other times it simply refers to “clouds.” Why is this?

The Song of the Well

Wed, 16 Jun 2021 11:00:00 EST

It’s all very poetic, but what exactly happened that inspired them to burst into this serenade?

Is the Snake-on-a-Rod Medical Sign Kosher?

Wed, 16 Jun 2021 11:00:00 EST

Some of us think it is of Jewish origin, while others believe it comes from the Greeks.

Is It a Mitzvah to Believe in G‑d?

Wed, 16 Jun 2021 11:00:00 EST

Mishneh Torah, Hilchot Yesodei HaTorah II.

The Lesson of the Lost Pictures

Wed, 9 Jun 2021 14:00:00 EST

I began to snap photos of the people on the street, even though it was clear that they didn’t want their pictures taken.

A Prison Guard’s Journey Home

Wed, 9 Jun 2021 14:00:00 EST

My childhood was a scrambled mix of Christmas trees and Chanukah menorahs, church visits and the occasional Jewish service.

A New Epoch in Torah Learning

Wed, 9 Jun 2021 14:00:00 EST

When the Rebbe initiated his campaign, it may have seemed like just one more way to promote the learning of Torah. But it is much more than that. It's a new epoch of Torah learning.

My First Al-Anon Meeting

Wed, 9 Jun 2021 14:00:00 EST

I am trying not to let my built-in judgmentalism take over …

Do You Procrastinate?

Wed, 9 Jun 2021 14:00:00 EST

The Hebrew word for almond is etymologically related to the word “shaked,” which means “quick.”

Moses Never Gave Up on Them

Wed, 9 Jun 2021 14:00:00 EST

Moses sets an example for us how to never give up trying to inspire positive change in ourselves and others.

Did Chabad's Founder Envision an American Future?

Wed, 9 Jun 2021 14:00:00 EST

A historical reflection on the significance of “America” in Chabad thought.

Must One Honor Abusive Parents?

Fri, 4 Jun 2021 12:00:00 EST

There are many kinds and levels of abuse, and different people can cope with and tolerate different situations and relationships.

I Chose Shabbat Over a Rocket Launch

Wed, 2 Jun 2021 12:00:00 EST

We had committed time and money to this event, yet we would have to miss it because driving to watch the launch on Shabbat was not an option.

The Unplanned Trip to the Gym That Turned Into a Spiritual Workout

Wed, 2 Jun 2021 12:00:00 EST

One never knows the twists and turns that life can bring—the chance meetings that turn into lifelong friendships and opportunities beyond measure.

Have I Hit Rock Bottom Yet?

Wed, 2 Jun 2021 12:00:00 EST

What if I am only partially crushed? Is that enough for the healing and recovery to begin?

Summoned by a Soul

Wed, 2 Jun 2021 12:00:00 EST

Eventually, the stress affected the butcher, and he died broken-hearted and exhausted.

Defeating the Inner Defeatist

Wed, 2 Jun 2021 12:00:00 EST

Who hasn’t been faced with a task and then spent needless amounts of time coming up with creative reasons why it’s going to be too hard?

How Did the Mission of the Twelve Spies Go So Wrong?

Wed, 2 Jun 2021 12:00:00 EST

Moses felt that the Israelites had no reason to fear the inhabitants, as they had all seen the great miracles wrought against the much more powerful Egyptians.

Mechateich - Cutting

Wed, 2 Jun 2021 12:00:00 EST

Listen to a wide array of Jewish wisdom and ideas, inspiration, and stories selected from Chabad.org’s weekly articles.

16 Mezuzah Facts Every Jew Should Know

Wed, 2 Jun 2021 12:00:00 EST

Listen to a wide array of Jewish wisdom and ideas, inspiration, and stories selected from Chabad.org’s weekly articles.

Who Honored Miriam, and How?

Thu, 27 May 2021 11:00:00 EST

The Torah specifies that “the people” did not abandon Miriam, whereas Rashi suggests that it was an honor accorded to her by G‑d.

Learning to Co-Parent With G-d

Thu, 27 May 2021 11:00:00 EST

There are those seriously difficult moments—terrifying in fact—when you, if you are honest, you might ask yourself: Is it worth the effor?

Is There a Limit to What We Can Make Holy?

Thu, 27 May 2021 11:00:00 EST

How did fish get involved? By Moses’s own recounting, the people were asking for meat, so why did he talk about giving them (or not giving them) fish?

Mesarteit - Ruling Lines

Thu, 27 May 2021 11:00:00 EST

The hides used to cover the Mishkan were measured, cut to size, and attached to one another.

10 Miriam Facts Everyone Should Know

Thu, 27 May 2021 11:00:00 EST

Learn about Miriam, the prophetess of the Bible, whose life and legacy is celebrated until today.

Shuckling: Why Do Jews Rock While Praying?

Thu, 27 May 2021 11:00:00 EST

When we praise G‑d, we do so with all of our being: the mind, heart, and mouth express the prayer through speech, and the rest of the body does so by moving.

The Tailor Who Did Not Know He Was Special

Thu, 27 May 2021 11:00:00 EST

The poor tailor became a beggar, and it seemed to the local population that he had lost his mind.

The Gift of a Child in Addiction & Mental Health Recovery

Thu, 20 May 2021 11:00:00 EST

These gifts, although they may not seem so at first, are better than any we could’ve asked for.

Memachek - Smoothing

Thu, 20 May 2021 11:00:00 EST

Listen to a wide array of Jewish wisdom and ideas, inspiration, and stories selected from Chabad.org’s weekly articles.

Does Every Day Matter?

Thu, 20 May 2021 11:00:00 EST

If G‑d created Sunday, and then Monday, and then Tuesday, they must be different from one another.

Why Eat Fish on Shabbat?

Thu, 20 May 2021 11:00:00 EST

Listen to a wide array of Jewish wisdom and ideas, inspiration, and stories selected from Chabad.org’s weekly articles.

Letters of Love From a Distant Mother-in-Law

Thu, 20 May 2021 11:00:00 EST

Did my mother in-law miss us? Of course. Did she want us near her? Absolutely.

The Seven Eras of Torah Scholarship

Thu, 20 May 2021 11:00:00 EST

How did we get from the revelation at Sinai to the halachah we have today?

13 Facts About Learning Torah

Tue, 11 May 2021 13:00:00 EST

Torah study occupies a central place in Jewish life, but how much do we really know about this activity?

Love in the Desert

Tue, 11 May 2021 13:00:00 EST

This is going to be, eventually, a column about love.

Knowledge and Power: Teaching the Awesomeness

Tue, 11 May 2021 13:00:00 EST

It seems that Rashi's second comment is twice as long, yet half as clear.

Finding Purpose in Our Daughter's Addiction

Tue, 11 May 2021 13:00:00 EST

Today I want to focus on one very simple element: how it can serve us.

Meditating on the First Commandment Can Change Your Life

Tue, 11 May 2021 13:00:00 EST

Take a few minutes to consider significant events in your life as part of your soul destiny, not as a punishment, karma or a mistake you made.

How Do We Know the Torah Is Real?

Tue, 11 May 2021 13:00:00 EST

I could believe the world was real. But was it possible to know it? What had to be added to that belief in order to convert it into knowledge?

The Last Time I Drove on Shabbat

Tue, 11 May 2021 13:00:00 EST

The car sputtered, smoke wafted from the engine, and there were no gas stations in sight.

Magazine Articles Reader

Why Was Samuel Upset by the Request for a King

What Is the Jewish Perspective on the Bible Codes?

7 Inspiring Jewish Lessons From Fish

On Didactics, Depravity, and Decapitating Donkeys

When G-d Needs You

The Butler, the Baker ... the Dynamite Maker

The Soul’s Wrestling Match: Can It Be a Peaceful Battle?

‘Home Away From Home’ at Miami University

What Is a Gemach?

My Father, My Superman

Living From Within, Hearing With Your Soul

A Model of Love

What’s Up With Esau’s Kiss?

Why Jacob Prepared for Three Eventualities

Why Aren’t Shellfish Kosher?

A Chabad Friendship Saved My Life

Benjamin in the Bible

Feeling Rejected by My Former Shabbat Hosts

Mothering Teens Is Harder Than I Thought

Don’t Get Stuck Like an Elephant!

Why Is the Contemporary Prayer Book So Long?

Judaism and Pet Ownership: 18 FAQs

Why Jacob Loved Rachel

The Reason Isaac Went Blind

My Husband Gets Agitated Over Every Request

A Tale of Two Butchers

Fighting the Pre-Shabbat Madness

7 Life Lessons From My Pool Robot Cleaner

Why Does G-d Send Us False Prophets?

The Kind Benefactor Who Was Barred From Heaven

I Have a Weird Fear of Death

His Name Shone

Can You Bribe G‑d?

Five Comforting Quotes From Nachamu, Isaiah’s Prophecy of Comfort

11 Unique Jewish Wedding Traditions From Around the World

Hachnasat Kallah

The Ignorant Groom’s Transformation

The American Soldier Who Stood Up to the Nazis—and Won!

Inner Voices and Dumb Choices

The Sobering Reality of Sober Living

Why Does G-d Want Us to Get Frustrated?

Singing on Foreign Soil

Losing My Diamond Ring Helped Me See the Real Gem

The Empowering Art of Framing

Being Honest Should be Completely Obvious

What Is the Significance of King David’s Harp?

18 Facts About Rabbi Nachman of Breslov

Why Were the Temples Destroyed?

Dear G-d, Bring Us Home!

Judging a Stranger Favorably at the Cemetery in Tzfat

Braiding Challah and Learning Torah in the Rebbetzin’s Kitchen in Japan

Promises Fulfilled: Buried Near the Shaagas Aryeh

The Daily Grind and the Daily Lamb

Why Orphans Are Not Made to Give Charity

Why the Jewish People Await Moshiach

Abigail, King David and the Secret of the Black Halo

17 Facts About Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak of Lubavitch

Who Was Apostomus, Who Burned a Torah Scroll?

How to Explain Death to Small Children

The Man Who Sold His Place In Heaven

What Happened to the Clouds of Glory?

The Song of the Well

Is the Snake-on-a-Rod Medical Sign Kosher?

Is It a Mitzvah to Believe in G&#8209;d?

The Lesson of the Lost Pictures

A Prison Guard’s Journey Home

A New Epoch in Torah Learning

My First Al-Anon Meeting

Do You Procrastinate?

Moses Never Gave Up on Them

Did Chabad's Founder Envision an American Future?

Must One Honor Abusive Parents?

I Chose Shabbat Over a Rocket Launch

The Unplanned Trip to the Gym That Turned Into a Spiritual Workout

Have I Hit Rock Bottom Yet?

Summoned by a Soul

Defeating the Inner Defeatist

How Did the Mission of the Twelve Spies Go So Wrong?

Mechateich - Cutting

Is It a Mitzvah to Believe in G‑d?

The Gift of a Child in Addiction & Mental Health Recovery