A Chassidic tradition holds that the last twelve days of the year (Elul 18 to 29) are parallel to the twelve months of the closing year. On each of these twelve days, a person is given another chance to review the deeds and achievements of the corresponding month: Elul …
“Chai Elul” (Hebrew for “the 18th of Elul,” also meaning “the Vitality of Elul”) is celebrated by the Chassidic community as the birthday of the “two great luminaries” – Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov, the founder of Chassidism; and Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi (the Alter Rebbe), the founder …
Rashi says that, like Heiman, Eisan was one of the sons of Zerach (as per I Chronicles 2:6). He also notes a Talmudic tradition that Eitan is another name for the Patriarch Avraham (Baba Batra 15a). In one of his famous teachings, the Alter Rebbe, explained that Eitan in fact …
On the 15th of Elul, 5657 the Rebbe Rashab announced his plan to open a new and kind of yeshiva which will ultimately be named “Tomchei Tmimim”. The challenge was unique – a lifestyle change: “The Yeshiva is not only for Torah, there’s no shortage of houses of Torah …
In 5687 (1927), Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn – the Rebbe Rayatz – was arrested and sentenced to death by the Communist regime. A worldwide pressure forced the soviet authorities to re-qualify the sentence to exile from which he was subsequently released. Nethertheless, after the Tishrei holidays of 5687-5678 the …
While it’s true that actions speak louder than words, sometimes our appreciation is expressed more clearly by our speech than by our deeds. The bringing of “bikkurim” (the first fruit) into the Beit haMikdash unites thought, words and actions into one special mitzvah expressing gratitude.
