ב"ה
Toldot 5770 - November 20, 2009
Current
Legacy of Mumbai
Special section to remember the cruel murders of Gavriel (Gabi) and Rivky Holtzberg, beloved directors of Chabad of Mumbai. The story of the Holtzbergs' legacy of light.
Special section to remember the cruel murders of Gavriel (Gabi) and Rivky Holtzberg, beloved directors of Chabad of Mumbai. The story of the Holtzbergs' legacy of light.
500 Gabis and Rivkys
A photo gallery of tens of children named Gavriel Noach and Rivkah after the Chabad emissaries to Mumbai.
A photo gallery of tens of children named Gavriel Noach and Rivkah after the Chabad emissaries to Mumbai.
Spiritual Army Takes Over New York Military Installation
The grand banquet of the annual International Conference of Chabad-Lubavitch Emissaries swapped military vehicles for a veritable army of 5,000 rabbis and lay leaders.
The grand banquet of the annual International Conference of Chabad-Lubavitch Emissaries swapped military vehicles for a veritable army of 5,000 rabbis and lay leaders.
Living
King of Shabbat
He pounded until his hands hurt, but still, no answer. He rammed his body into the door until his shoulder ached. Finally, he managed to break the door open. "Yussie?" the rabbi called out. "Yussie, are you here?!"
He pounded until his hands hurt, but still, no answer. He rammed his body into the door until his shoulder ached. Finally, he managed to break the door open. "Yussie?" the rabbi called out. "Yussie, are you here?!"
The Yiddles of Nova Scotia and the Titanic
"It's Sunday, and the cemetery is closed. The man who has the key is out of town." The rabbi paused for a moment and looked at me, "Would you be willing to jump the wall?"
"It's Sunday, and the cemetery is closed. The man who has the key is out of town." The rabbi paused for a moment and looked at me, "Would you be willing to jump the wall?"
“I Want to See the Priest of This Synagogue”
The storm began when at eighteen, Bhagirath, emerging from his sheltered childhood, began to question his religious roots. Every home he’d visit boasted several idols . . .
The storm began when at eighteen, Bhagirath, emerging from his sheltered childhood, began to question his religious roots. Every home he’d visit boasted several idols . . .
A Good Eye
It is depressing to look across the table and see a large lump of inconsideration, sloppiness, indifference, impatience, selfishness, irritability or whatever...
It is depressing to look across the table and see a large lump of inconsideration, sloppiness, indifference, impatience, selfishness, irritability or whatever...
Chassidic Thought
Beyond Co-dependency
How can I fathom G‑d's pain, when He is the cause of our remaining in this bitter exile? Should I feel sorry for someone who in the process of hurting or punishing others gets hurt himself?
How can I fathom G‑d's pain, when He is the cause of our remaining in this bitter exile? Should I feel sorry for someone who in the process of hurting or punishing others gets hurt himself?
To a Child of a Jewish Father
My mother was Protestant and my father was an atheist Jew. My family survived the holocaust in Europe with great struggle. Am I Jewish or am I a gentile?
My mother was Protestant and my father was an atheist Jew. My family survived the holocaust in Europe with great struggle. Am I Jewish or am I a gentile?
The Masterpiece of Our Lives
On the back, it looks like a mess, with knots and clumps. But on the front, there may be a masterpiece - a magnificent picture. That's what our lives are like.
On the back, it looks like a mess, with knots and clumps. But on the front, there may be a masterpiece - a magnificent picture. That's what our lives are like.
The Dancing Jews
The Baal Shem Tov was once asked: "Why do Chassidim burst into song and dance at the slightest provocation? Is this the behavior of a sane person?"
The Baal Shem Tov was once asked: "Why do Chassidim burst into song and dance at the slightest provocation? Is this the behavior of a sane person?"
Parshah
The Parshah in a Nutshell
After 20 childless years, Rebecca bears twins: Esau and Jacob. Esau prefers hunting; Jacob prefers Torah study. Esau sells his birthright to Jacob for a bowl of red lentil soup. Jacob deceives his father for his blessing, and flees to escape Esau’s wrath.
After 20 childless years, Rebecca bears twins: Esau and Jacob. Esau prefers hunting; Jacob prefers Torah study. Esau sells his birthright to Jacob for a bowl of red lentil soup. Jacob deceives his father for his blessing, and flees to escape Esau’s wrath.
A Sheep in a Wolf's Clothing
Why didn't Jacob and his mother just march openly into Isaac's room, bring proof of Esau's wickedness and convince Isaac that Jacob was the more worthy candidate in the first place?
Why didn't Jacob and his mother just march openly into Isaac's room, bring proof of Esau's wickedness and convince Isaac that Jacob was the more worthy candidate in the first place?
Show and Tell
They both served G‑d with all their hearts and souls, but they possessed different hearts and different souls. Their roles and destinies, as well, couldn’t have been more different.
They both served G‑d with all their hearts and souls, but they possessed different hearts and different souls. Their roles and destinies, as well, couldn’t have been more different.
The Jewish Woman
Is My Mirror Telling the Truth?
If I could be given any gift to help me in my job as a teacher, I know exactly what I would ask for. I haven't ever seen one, but I know that I need it: a special kind of mirror that I can hold up for my students to gaze into, and instead of seeing themselves as they always do, they would see themselves as I see them...
If I could be given any gift to help me in my job as a teacher, I know exactly what I would ask for. I haven't ever seen one, but I know that I need it: a special kind of mirror that I can hold up for my students to gaze into, and instead of seeing themselves as they always do, they would see themselves as I see them...
Being Bankrupt
I have a confession to make. Several years ago, when I went bankrupt, I was too embarrassed to tell you my story . . .
I have a confession to make. Several years ago, when I went bankrupt, I was too embarrassed to tell you my story . . .
Sandra Samuel: A Heroine in Mumbai
It would have made most sense for Sandra Samuel to get out of there as quickly as possible. But she didn't. She couldn't. Little Moshe'le was calling her name...
It would have made most sense for Sandra Samuel to get out of there as quickly as possible. But she didn't. She couldn't. Little Moshe'le was calling her name...
Magnified and sanctified be His great name...
— Opening words of the Kaddish prayer
Print Magazine
Due to the limitations of your reality, some of your best friends can enter only incognito.
In fact, the really big ones sometimes sneak in disguised as ugly monsters and vicious enemies. Otherwise, the guards at the gate would never permit them entry.
These are the events optimists call “blessings in disguise.”
Here’...
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